Beam compass

• US 5,235,754 A
• Filed: 10/22/1992
• Issued: 08/17/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 10/22/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Toby Sirois
• Original Assignee: Toby Sirois
• Inventors: Sirois, Toby
• Primary Examiner(s): Cuchlinski, Jr., William A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Wirthlin, Alvin
• Application Number:
  US07/964,749
• Time in Patent Office: 299 Days
• Field of Search: 33/27.01, 33/27.02, 33/27.03
• US Class Current: 33/27.03
• CPC Class Codes: B43L 9/04 Beam compasses

Abstract

A beam compass including a hollow beam, two implement securing units, and a slot communicating with the interior of the beam and extending along at least a portion of the length of the beam and away from the first implement securing unit. At least one of the implements is releasably secured to the beam at a selected location along the slot by means of a second securing unit which includes an interior portion inside the beam and an exterior portion outside the beam. The interior portion and the exterior portion are connected through the slot and cooperate to releasably secure the implement at a desired location along the slot.

Claims

1. A beam compass comprising:

a hollow elongated beam;

first securing means for securing a first implement on said beam at a first location along the length thereof;

a slot communicating with the interior of said beam and extending along at least a portion of the length thereof and away from said first location; and

second securing means for releasably securing a second implement on said beam at a selected location along said slot, wherein said second securing means comprises;

an interior portion inside said beam and an exterior portion outside said beam, said interior portion and said exterior portion being connected through said slot and cooperating to releasably secure said implement at a desired location along said slot; and

adjusting means for adjusting the relative positions of said interior portion and said exterior portion such that said interior portion is urged against the inside surface of said beam and said exterior portion is urged against the outside surface of said beam.

2. A beam compass as claimed in claim 1, wherein said interior portion includes a center member connected to said second implement, and two stabilizing members in communication with said center member.

4. A beam compass as claimed in claim 2, wherein said stabilizing members each include grooves for coacting with said second implement such that said stabilizing members remain adjacent to said second implement as said second implement is moved along said beam.

5. A beam compass as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first implement is a writing tool and said second implement is a compass point tool.

6. A beam compass as claimed in claim 1, wherein said hollow elongated beam is tubular.

7. A beam compass as claimed in claim 1, wherein said adjusting means comprises a first rotating unit for rotating about said beam and wherein said relative position of said interior and exterior portions are caused to be adjusted when said rotating unit is rotated.

8. A beam compass as claimed in claim 7, wherein said adjusting means further comprises a second rotating unit for rotating about said beam such that said relative position of said interior and exterior portions are caused to be adjusted when either of said rotating units is rotated.

9. A beam compass as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first securing means secures said first implement in a directional position which is not normal to said beam.

10. A beam compass as claimed in claim 1, wherein said second implement further includes a releasably engaging implement unit assembly for releasably engaging an implement unit.

11. A beam compass as claimed in claim 1, wherein said second securing means further includes spring biasing means for urging said exterior portion against the outside surface of said beam.

3. A beam compass as claimed in claim 3, wherein each stabilizing member contacts at least two points on the interior surface of said beam.