Patent ID: 7490412

Claim:
A drafting tool comprising a base, the base having two ends comprising a first end and a second end, the base further having two surfaces comprising a top surface and a bottom surface, the base further having two side edges comprising a front side edge and a rear side edge, a top section, the top section having two ends comprising a first end and a second end, the top section further having two surfaces comprising a top surface and a bottom surface, the top section further having two side edges comprising a front side edge and a rear side edge, and means for connecting the base to the top section, wherein the means for connecting the base to the top section further comprises a hinge, wherein the hinge connects the bottom surface of the top section near the rear side edge of the top section to the top surface of the base near the rear side edge of the base, wherein the hinge has a small amount of elasticity, wherein the drafting tool further comprises a plurality of external foam pads, wherein each external foam pad is attached to the bottom surface of the base, wherein the drafting tool further comprises means for making straight lines and curves, wherein the means for making straight lines and curves further comprises a stencil, means for attaching the stencil to the drafting tool, and means for limiting the degree to which the stencil can be inserted into the drafting tool, wherein the means for attaching the stencil to the drafting tool further comprises (a) a plurality of inner foam pads attached to the bottom surface of the top section, (b) wherein the bottom surface of the top section is connected to the top surface of the base near the front side edge of the base, (c) means for grasping the top section to temporarily move it slightly upward so that items can be placed in between the base and the bottom surface of the top section.