Field of Invention

This invention relates to a drawing aid. More particularly, this invention relates to a drawing aid for drawing a dashed line. Still more particularly, this invention relates to a dashed line drawing aid that is simple in construction and allows user to quickly and efficiently draw dashed lines.

Prior Art

In the past, dashed lines may be drawn with aid of a ruler by lifting the drawing tool at appropriate intervals to create a straight dashed line. However, this often results in uneven dashed lines. Further, this method is tedious and inefficient.

To overcome the above shortcomings, those skilled in the art have provided rulers for drawing dashed lines which include a scriber for supporting a drawing tool. The scriber is attached to the ruler at a first end of an arm. The arm extends beyond either edge of the ruler. The second end of the arm is slidably attached to grooves on the ruler. The grooves in the ruler are shaped accordingly. As the arm slides over the grooves in the ruler, the scriber holding the drawing tool is raised and lowered at determined intervals to draw the dashed line. A first disadvantage is the tool includes a number of mechanisms thus creating a bulky instrument. A second disadvantage is a higher cost for producing such a ruler because of the numerous mechanisms.

Therefore, those skilled in the art are constantly striving to provide a drawing aid that is simple in construction, produced at a low cost, user friendly and allows quick and efficient drawing of dashed lines. Summary of the Invention

The above and other problems are solved and an advance in the art is made by a dashed line drawing aid in accordance with the present invention. A first advantage of a dashed line drawing aid according to the present invention is the dashed line drawing aid allows quick and efficient drawing of a dashed line. A second advantage of a dashed line drawing aid according to the present invention is the dashed line drawing aid is user friendly. A third advantage of a dashed line drawing aid according to the present invention is the dashed line drawing aid is simple in construction. Thus, the dashed line drawing aid can be produced at a low cost.

A dashed line drawing aid in accordance with this invention is configured in the following manner. The base of the dashed line drawing aid is a platform having a top surface, a bottom surface, a first side, a second side, a first end and a second end. A track is defined by an indentation on the top surface of the platform. The indentation runs parallel to the longitudinal axis of the platform. Bridges in the track have a top surface, a bottom surface, a first side, a second side, a first end and a second end. The bridges are defined by through openings in the track.

A drawing tool is inserted in one of the through openings in the track, creating a dashed line as the drawing tool moves along the track.

In some embodiments, the top surface of the each of the bridges is convex in shape. The convex top surface extends from the first end of each of the bridges to the second end of each of the bridges. The convex top surface on each of the bridges forms a guide track against the sidewall of the indentation. It also prevents the drawing tools from sliding out of the track.

In some embodiments, the top surface of each of the bridges is arched from the first side to the second side of each of the bridges. The bridges in an arch shape will prevent damaging the tip of the drawing tool. In addition, the arch surface ensures that the drawing tool is guided towards the through openings and also prevents the drawing tool from veering off the track.

In some embodiments, the edges of the indentation on the top surface of the platform are bevelled. More particularly, the bevel slope downward from the top surface of the platform into the indentation to allow the flexibility to function with a drawing tool that has a thicker body or a thicker tip.

In some embodiments, the top surface of each of the bridges is Teflon coated to keep stains created by the drawing tools when drawn over the bridges at a minimum.

In some other embodiments, the first bridge in the track starts approximately at the first end of the track and the last bridge ends approximately at the second end of the track. This configuration allows the user to re-position the dashed line drawing aid while maintaining the drawing tool at the same location. Thus, a continuous dashed line that extends beyond the length of the dashed line drawing aid is achieved.

In some other embodiments, the track splits the dashed line drawing aid into two halves. The two halves may be equal or unequal. In some of these embodiments, a configuration with unequal halves allows the user to better secure the drawing aid.

In some other embodiments, indicia marked along the track to indicate the dashed line in provided. Indicia may correspond to the bridges and/or the through openings to enable the user to determine the dashed line.

In some embodiments, the width of each of the bridges and/or each of the through openings may vary. In other embodiments, each of the bridges may be substantially identical in configuration. In still other embodiments, each of the through openings may be substantially identical in structure. Brief Description of the Drawings

The above and other advantages and features of a dashed line drawing aid in accordance with this invention are described in the following detailed description and are shown in the following drawings:

Figure 1 illustrating a top view of the drawing aid in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 illustrating a perspective view of the drawing aid with a drawing tool in use;

Figure 3 illustrating a cross section view on the line X-X of figure 1 ; and Figure 4 illustrating a perspective cross section view on the line Y-Y of figure 1.

Detailed Description

This invention relates to a drawing aid. More particularly, this invention relates to a drawing aid for drawing dashed lines. Still more particularly, this invention relates to a dashed line drawing aid that is simple in construction and allows user quick and efficient drawing of dashed lines. For ease of reference and clarity, components shown in more than one drawing are given the same reference numeral in each drawing.

Figure 1 illustrates a portion of the dashed line drawing aid 100 having a top surface, a bottom surface, a first side 103, a second side 104, a first end 101 and a second end 102. Track 107 is an indentation on the top surface of drawing aid 100. The indentation is parallel to the longitudinal axis of drawing aid 100. In track 107, bridges 111-118 are defined by through openings 121-128. One skilled in the art will recognize that the number of bridges and through openings may vary. This is a design choice left to those skilled in the art.

The size of each of bridges 111-118 and each of through openings 121-128 may be similar. One skilled in the art will recognize that the size of each of the bridges and each of the through openings may also vary. This is a design choice left to those skilled in the art.

Track 107 splits drawing aid 100 into two unequal halves. In this arrangement, track 107 provides a bigger handling area at one half of drawing aid 100 so that the user can better support drawing aid 100. This arrangement also keeps the width of drawing aid 100 similar to most conventional ruler while allowing the user to better secure drawing aid 100 in a fixed position. The exact size of each of the two halves is left to those skilled in the art as it is a design choice left to those skilled in the art.

Track 107 has a first end 101 and a second end 102 and may be configured in the following manner. The first end 101 of track 107 begins with a first through opening 121. Bridges are then defined between the subsequent through openings as illustrated in Figure 1 ending with a last through opening 128 at the second end 102 of track 107. The configuration of having a through opening at the first end and the second end of track 107 allows the user to remove and reposition drawing aid 100 while maintaining the drawing tool 201 at the same location. Thus, a continuous dashed line that extends beyond the length of the drawing aid 100 is achieved. One skilled in the art will recognize that as long as one end of track 107 begins with a through opening, similar results may also be achieved. This is a design choice left to those skilled in the art.

In some embodiments, indicia 105 that correspond to the dashed line are provided on the top surface of drawing aid 100. This allows the user to easily determine the dashed line that will be drawn while using drawing aid 100.

In yet another embodiment, scale 106 for measurement is provided on the top surface of drawing aid 100 against track 107. This allows the user to draw an intended length of dashed line.

Figure 2 illustrates drawing aid 100 in use. Drawing tool 201 moves along track 107 in the direction of the arrow. A dashed line is thus created when drawing tool 201 moves over bridges 118, 117, 116 and 115, and over through openings 128, 127 and 126. In addition, a user may also draw a straight line at either sides 103 and 104 of drawing aid 100 as shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 illustrates the cross sectional view at points X-X of Figure 1. In this embodiment, edges 302 and 303 are bevelled at opposing sides of the indentation of track 107. More particularly, bevelled edges 302 and 303 slope downward from the top surface of drawing aid 100 to sidewalls 304 and 305 respectively. Bevelled edges 302 and 303 allow a user to insert drawing tool 201 with a thicker body or a thicker tip. Preferably, bevelled edges 302 and 303 are sloped downward at a degree of approximately 14-65. However, one skilled in the art will recognize that the slope of the bevelled edges 302 and 303 may vary and it is left to one skilled in the art to decide. Further, one skilled in the art will also recognize that configuration with only one bevelled edge at either sides of the indentation of track 107 will be sufficient to achieve similar results.

Further in Figure 3, the top surface of bridges is convex in shape. For brevity, only one bridge 118 will be described as follows. Convex top surface 301 is provided in bridge 118 in track 107. Convex top surface 301 extends from a first sidewall 305 to a second sidewall 304 of track 107. Such configuration performs as a guide track on either sides of track 107 for drawing tool 201 , preventing drawing tool 201 from sliding out of track 107. Preferably, convex top surface 301 has a radius of curvature of approximately 10-20mm. However, one skilled in the art will recognize that the radius of curvature of the convex top surface may vary and it is left to one skilled in the art to decide. Furthermore, one skilled in the art will also recognize that other configuration with the top surface of the bridges sloping upward from both first sidewall 305 and second sidewall 304 will be sufficient to achieve similar results.

Figure 4 illustrates a perspective cross sectional view of points Y-Y of Figure 1. For brevity, only one bridge 118 will be described as follows. The top surface of bridge 118 is arched in shape. Arch surface 403 extends from a first side 401 to a second side 402. Arch surface 403 directs drawing tool 201 over bridge 118 smoothly. When the user applies drawing tool 201 over track 107 in quick motion, bridge 118 in track 107 may damage the tip of drawing tool 201. Therefore, bridge 118 having arch surface 403 will prevent damaging the tip of the drawing tool 201. In addition, as drawing tool 201 passes over the tip of arch surface 403, drawing tool 201 is directed in a downward direction. This ensures that drawing tool 201 is guided towards through opening 127 and also prevents drawing tool 201 from veering off track 107. Preferably, arch surface 403 is uniformly arched from first side 401 to second side 402. However, one skilled in the art will recognized that slight variation of arch surfaces may also perform the same function and it is therefore left to one skilled in the art to decide.

Further, arch surface 403 may be incorporated with convex top surface 301 to improve performance of drawing dashed line with drawing aid 100 in accordance with this invention.

In addition, the top surface of the bridges in track 107 is coated with Teflon or other stain resistant material. This gives the bridges a non-stick surface for easy maintenance.

The above describes particular embodiments of a drawing aid for drawing dashed lines in accordance with this invention. It is foreseen that those skilled in the art can and will design alternative embodiments that infringe on this invention as set forth in the following claims for the description of these embodiments.