Patent ID: 8191269

Claim:
A line gauge device for constructing lines and contours on auto body components, said line gauge device comprising: (a) a first pivot arm 110 a and a second pivot arm 110 b pivotally connected via a pivot component 120 that connects a first end of the first pivot arm 110 a and a first end of the second pivot arm 110 b , the pivot arms 110 can pivot toward and away from each other, the pivot component 120 is biased to pivot the pivot arms 110 away from each other caused by a spring 126 ; (b) a threaded adjustment rod 150 functioning to secure the pivot arms 110 in a particular position, the threaded adjustment rod 150 extends from the first pivot arm 110 a through the second pivot arm 110 b , a first end of the threaded adjustment rod 150 extending outwardly from the second pivot arm 110 b; (c) a threaded thumb wheel 158 disposed on the adjustment rod 150 at or near the first end of the adjustment rod 150 , the thumb wheel 158 can rotate in a first direction toward the first pivot arm 110 a and second pivot arm 110 b or a second direction away from the second pivot arm 110 b , wherein when the thumb wheel 158 is rotated in the first direction and contacts the second pivot arm 110 b , the thumb wheel 158 puts pressure on the second pivot arm 110 b effectively causing the second pivot arm 110 b to pivot towards the first pivot arm 110 a and when the thumb wheel 158 is rotated in the second direction the thumb wheel 158 allows the second pivot arm 110 b to pivot away the first pivot arm 110 a; (d) a utensil holding component 130 disposed on a second end of the first pivot arm 110 a , the utensil holding component 130 has an inner channel adapted to hold a writing utensil and align the writing utensil parallel to the first pivot arm 110 a , the writing utensil can slide up and down within the inner channel, wherein a locking knob 136 engages the utensil holding component and functions to open and close the inner channel of the utensil holding component to respectively allow and prevent sliding of the writing utensil within the inner channel; and (e) a surface guide base 160 disposed on a second end of the second pivot arm 110 b and a pair of surface guide rollers 166 disposed below the surface guide base 160 and connected to the surface guide base via a pair of mounting plates 169 , the surface guide rollers 166 function to slidably contact an auto body panel.