Patent ID: 7373734

Claim:
A linear proportioner for transferring dimensions from a subject graphic to a medium, said linear proportioner comprising: an elongated housing defining first and second channels; first and second rods pivotally mounted with said first and second channels, respectively, said first rod and said second rod being normally engaged such that as one of said first and second rods is rotated through a selected degree of rotation, the other of said first and second rods is rotated through an equivalent degree of rotation, said first and second rods being selectively disengaged such that as one of said first and second rods is rotated, the other of said first and second rods is not rotated; first and second pairs of pointers, said first pair of pointers including a first fixed pointer and a first variable pointer, said first fixed pointer being fixed at one end of said first rod, and said first variable pointer being movable along the length of said first rod as said first rod is rotated, said second pair of pointers including a second fixed pointer and a second variable pointer, said second fixed pointer being fixed at one end of said second rod, and said second variable pointer being movable along the length of said second rod as said second rod is rotated, said first variable pointers being moved along said first rod a first distance and said second variable pointer being moved along said second rod a second distance when said first and second rods are engages, said first and second distances being proportional to one another; a calibration mechanism for adjusting the proportionality of travel of said first and second variable pointers, said calibration mechanism including a mechanism for selectively disengaging said first and second rods from each other and for independently rotating one of said first and second rods, said proportionality of travel being determined by a ratio of a reference measurement set on one of said first and second rods between one of said first and second pairs of pointers and a target measurement set on the other of said first and second rods between the other of said first and second pairs of pointers.