CA1135113A - Laminated lettering template - Google Patents
Laminated lettering templateInfo
- Publication number
- CA1135113A CA1135113A CA000383429A CA383429A CA1135113A CA 1135113 A CA1135113 A CA 1135113A CA 000383429 A CA000383429 A CA 000383429A CA 383429 A CA383429 A CA 383429A CA 1135113 A CA1135113 A CA 1135113A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- light
- intaglio
- series
- lettering
- transmissive
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B43—WRITING OR DRAWING IMPLEMENTS; BUREAU ACCESSORIES
- B43L—ARTICLES FOR WRITING OR DRAWING UPON; WRITING OR DRAWING AIDS; ACCESSORIES FOR WRITING OR DRAWING
- B43L13/00—Drawing instruments, or writing or drawing appliances or accessories not otherwise provided for
- B43L13/20—Curve rulers or templets
- B43L13/201—Stencils for drawing figures, objects
- B43L13/208—Stencils for drawing figures, objects letters, numbers, symbols
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B43—WRITING OR DRAWING IMPLEMENTS; BUREAU ACCESSORIES
- B43L—ARTICLES FOR WRITING OR DRAWING UPON; WRITING OR DRAWING AIDS; ACCESSORIES FOR WRITING OR DRAWING
- B43L5/00—Drawing boards
- B43L5/007—Drawing boards drawing copying devices using a transparency
Landscapes
- Printing Methods (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A method and apparatus for lettering thin flexible light-transmissive material such as paper, plastic film and the like is disclosed. The apparatus is provided with a plurality of intaglio which define a series of symbol outlines which are used to guide a pointed writing instrument such as a pencil or a pen, across a paper interposed between the pointed writing instrument and the lettering apparatus to form a preselected symbol on the paper.
A method and apparatus for lettering thin flexible light-transmissive material such as paper, plastic film and the like is disclosed. The apparatus is provided with a plurality of intaglio which define a series of symbol outlines which are used to guide a pointed writing instrument such as a pencil or a pen, across a paper interposed between the pointed writing instrument and the lettering apparatus to form a preselected symbol on the paper.
Description
'1135~13 This invention relates generally to lettering apparatus, and more particularly to lettering templates for use in lettering paper, plastic film and the like.
In the past, lettering templates have been proposed which are used to guide a pencil or other pointed writing instrument over materials which have to be lettered. These materials include such things as maps, information circulars, drawings and the like. It has been found that such writing instruments as have heretofore been proposed require the use of a transfer medium such as carbon paper as for example may be seen in the lettering instrument taught by Dunning in U.S. Patent 1,716,036.
Alternately, lettering instruments have required two separate guides to be provided for certain letters of the alphabet such as the letter A, or the letter B each of which has a completely encircled background portion in the centre of the letter. Use of the two separate guides for such letters requires two separate lettering passes to complete letters of this sort. As a further example, to represent the numeral 8, it has been necessary to provide two circular holes one of which could be used to guide the pencil, or writing instrument, to form the bottom portion of the numeral 8, the other then used to form the top portion of the numeral 8.
1135~13 Accordingly, the present invention seeks to at least partially overcome these disadvantages by providing a lettering template which can be used to letter thin, flexible light-transmissive material such as paper, plastic film and the like using simply a pointed writing instrument, such as a pencil or pen wherein any letter or punctuation mark of the alphabet or any numeral of the numbering system may be formed directly onto paper by the pointed writing instrument directly from a single corresponding symbol provided on ~he lettering template.
Such letters may be formed in any lettering style or font and may be taken from the English alphabet or other aiphabets, as for example, Russian or French.
To this end, in one of its aspects, the invention provides a lettering template comprising a thin planar light-transmissive body provided with a series of symbol defining intaglio each intaglio forming an outline of a respective symbol.
In another of its aspects, the invention provides a lettering template comprising a thin planar light-transmissive body provided with a series of symbol defining intaglio with a light-inhibiting material provided on the surface of the intaglio.
In another of its aspects, the invention provides a lettering template comprising a laminate having a light-transmissive lamina and a light-inhibiting lamina, a series of symbol defining intaglio provided in the laminate, said intaglio passing completely through said light-inhibiting lamina.
1~1 3Si13 In yet another of its aspects, the invention further provides a lettexing template comprising a laminate having a light-transmissive lamina and light-inhibiting lamina. A series of symbol defining intaglio are provided in the laminate, the intaglio passing completely through the light-inhibiting lamina. The series of symbols is selected from at least one of the following: a series of symbols representing all the letters of an alphabet; a series of symbols representing all the digits of the decimal numbering system; or, a series of symbols representing all punctuation marks.
Several embodiments of the invention including the preferred embodiment will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a top plan view of a portion of an embodiment of a lettering template in accordance with the present invention;
Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of Figure 1 taken along line 2-2;
Figure 3 is a top view of an embodiment of the lettering template in accordance with the present invention showing the numerals 0 through 9;
Figure 4 is a top perspective view of an embodiment of a template and a back-lighted drawing board;
Figure 5 is a close up, cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a lettering template in use;
113S~3 Figure 6 is a top plan view of another embodiment of a lettering template in accordance with the present invention;
Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of Figure 6 taken along line 7-7;
Figure 8 is a top plan view of the preferred embodiment of a lettering template in accordance with the present invention; and Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view of Figure 8 taken along line 9-9.
Reference is first made to Figure 1 which shows a portion of an embodiment of a lettering template in accordance with the present invention designated generally by reference numeral 10. As may most clearly be seen by reference to Figure 2, this embodiment of the lettering template comprises a laminate having a light-transmissive lamina 12 and a light-inhibiting lamina 14. A plurality of intaglio 16 (or etchings) are provided which pass completely through the light-inhibiting lamina 14 to provide a light channel passing therethrough in communication with the light-transmissive lamina 12.
Although the intaglio 16 are shown in Figure 2 as extending down into the light-transmissive portion of the lamina, it should be understood that it is only necessary for the intaglio 16 to pass through the light-inhibiting or opaque lamina to permit light to be conducted from the light-transmissive lamina 12 upward through the intaglio 16. The intaglio must have sufficient depth to ensure that a guide is provided to guide the direction of movement of a ~, :
~135~13 pointed writing instrument passing therealong as a symbol is formed as described hereafter.
Referring again to Figure 1, the letters of the alphabet "a" through "o" may be seen represented by the aforementioned intaglio on the lettering template 10. The letter "a" is represented by a single intaglio or groove.
This manner of representing a symbol or letter, that is by using a single intaglio to form the entire symbol, is not the preferred way of providing letters in the lettering template. The preferred way of providing symbols on the lettering template is by use of a symbol outline (or double groove) as is shown in Figure 1 where the letters "b"
through "o" of the alphabet are represented using a symbol outline intaglio. By providing symbols using an outline intaglio pattern, sharper corners of the symbols are obtainable. For example, the vertical portion of the letter "b" is shown to have substantially square corners thus defining a neat upward stroke of the letter "b". On the other hand, the letter "a" which was formed from a single intaglio, is shown to have rounded portions at the terminal ends of the letter "a". Note, however, that where type, style or font dicates rounded corners, the double grooves can be formed to provide rounded corners and with better precision than would a single groove as shown in the drawing.
The reason for the rounded terminal ends of the letter "a", is that, in producing the lettering template, the device which is used to etch the intaglio of the letter 1~351~3 into the lettering template 10 is a rotary etching tool which etches a cylindrical portion out of the opaque lamina 14. Accordingly, where the rotary etching tool terminates, as is shown in the terminal portions of the letter "a", only a rounded terminus is obtainable. However, when an outline intaglio (double groove intaglio) is used as shown in the letters "b" through "o", square appearing corners of the letters are obtainable. The square appearance of the corners is obtainable since the rotary etching tool used to form the intaglio outline of the symbols has a very small diameter in relation to the size of the symbols.
Accordingly, use of the intaglio outline permits neater appearing letters to be formed on the lettering template 10 .
It will be appreciated that several manners of construction of a lettering template in accordance with the present invention may be used. For example, light-inhibiting lamina 14 may be constructed from an opaque plastic material and light-transmissive lamina 12 may be constructed from a light-transmissive plastic material which is permanently glued or affixed to opaque lamina 14. The intaglio 16 may be formed into the laminate so constructed by a rotary etching tool to define symbols as described herein.
Alternately, the light-transmissive lamina 12 may be constructed from moulded plastic (moulded by for example, injection moulding or stamping) wherein the symbol defining intaglio 16 are provided in the light-transmissive lamina itself by the moulding process. Thereafter, opaque 11351~3 lamina 14 may be applied to the light-transmissive lamina by applying an opaque coating to the intaglio side of the light-transmissive lamina (i.e. by applying paint with a roller) wherein the opaque coating does not extend into or obstruct the intaglio provided in the light-transmissive lamina.
Referring to Figures 6 and 7, another embodiment of a lettering template 10 in accordance with the present invention is shown. In this embodiment, a single light-transmissive body 12 is provided. The light-transmissive body 12 may be constructed of any suitable light-transmissive material such as plastic using conventional injection moulding or stamp forming techniques. Formed on one surface of the body 10 are a plurality of intaglio 16 which define symbol outlines. For example, the letter "a" is formed with an outer or peripheral intaglio 40 and an inner intaglio 42. A portion of the intaglio 16 are shown in cross-section in Figure 7.
It should be noted that in the embodiment of the lettering template in accordance with the present invention shown in Figures 6 and 7, no light-inhibiting lamina or material is provided.
It was found that the diffraction, deflection and diffusion of light through light-transmissive body 12 varied depending on the thickness and surface features of the body, therefore, a light-inhibiting material, although preferable, is not necessary for the use or construction of this embodiment a lettering template in accordance with the 1135~13 g present invention. Referring to Figure 7, the passage of three light rays 44, 46 and 48 through light-transmissive body 12 is shown. Light ray 44 is shown to be deflected by the interior surface of intaglio 16 outwardly and away from the groove of intaglio 16. This causes the extremities of intaglio 16 to appear dark when viewed from above (i.e. the vantage point illustrated in Figure 6). On the other hand, light rays 46 and 48 pass through light-transmissive body 12 without substantial deflection, but since light ray 46 passes through less of light-transmissive body 12 than light ray 48, light ray 46 appears brighter than light ray 48 since less diffusion and ahsorbtion of light ray 46 occurs. The foregoing optical effects all combine to produce an optical contrast when lettering template 10 is predominantly lighted from the direction shown by light rays 44, 46 and 48; the optical contrast enables the user of the lettering template to locate the desired symbol and to properly position and advance a pointed writing instrument when using the lettering template in the manner described subsequently.
Referring to Figures 8 and 9, the preferred embodiment of a lettering template in accordance with the pre~ent invention is shown generally referred to by reference numeral 10. A light-transmissive body 12 is provided which may be constructed of any suitable light-transmissive material such as plastic using conventional injection moulding or stamp forming techniques. Formed on one surface of the body 10 are a 1135~13 plurality of intaglio 16 which define symbol outlines.
Disposed along each intaglio surface is a light-inhibiting material 50 which may be constructed by painting or stamping the light-inhibiting material 50 onto the intaglio 16. Thus the location of the intaglio 16 on the surface of light-transmissive body 12 are made clearly visible to the user of the preferred embodiment of a lettering template in accordance with the present invention. The preferred embodiment of the invention is simpler to construct than the laminate embodiment shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3 since the preferred embodiment does not re~uire a laminate. The preferred embodiment of the invention is easier to use than the embodiment shown in Figures 6 and 7 since the presence of a light-inhibiting material 50 in intaglio 16 permits the user of the preferred embodiment to more readily identify the location of the intaglio 16. This latter advantage of the preferred embodiment is particularly true where the material sought to be lettered by the lettering template is poorly translucent thereby tending to obscure the locations of the symbol defining intaglio 16 when the lettering template is being used as will become more apparent as the manner of use of the lettering template is explained hereafter.
Referring now to Figure 3, an example intaglio outline pattern for the numerals 0 through 9 is shown.
This figure simply illustrates that the intaglio symbol outline feature of the present invention may be used to provide intaglio outlines of any series of symbols that may be required. It must be noted, however, that a complete 1135~13 series of alphabet or number symbols must be represented to permit the template to be used to construct words, phrases and the like.
Referring now to Figure 4, an embodiment of a lettering template 10 is shown positioned above a back-lighted drawing board 18 shown in cut-away. The interior of the back-lighted drawing board is provided with a light source 20. On the top surface of the drawing board 18 is a transparent or translucent material 22 which allows light emanating from the light source 20 to pass therethrough. Provided in the upper portion of the drawing board 18 is an optional guide plate 24 which is securely attached to the drawing board and may be used to guide the lettering template 10 as it slides back and forth along the panel 22 in the manner explained hereafter. Also attached to the guide plate 24 is a piece of paper 26 which is an example of a thin, flexible light transmissive material which may be lettered by the user of the lettering template 10. The paper 26 may be affixed to the guide plate 24 by portions of tape 28, or in any other suitable manner.
The user of the lettering template 10 has lettered the expression "Smile Toront" on the paper 26 using the lettering template 10. To form the next letter which appears to be required in the expression, namely the letter "o", the lettering template 10 would be moved to the left until the letter "o" is positioned at the appropriate spot next to the letter "t". The vertical position of the letter "o" would be maintained by the guide plate 24 if such a guide plate is provided, otherwise the vertical position of the letter "o" must be manually obtained by the operator of the lettering template. The correct positioning of the lettering template 10 under the paper 26 can be easily seen by the operator thereof because of the light pattern cast onto the paper 26 from the light source 20 passing through the lettering template 10. Once the letter "o" is properly positioned, the operator of the lettering template would move pointed writing instrument 30, which is shown to be a pencil--but could be any other suitable writing instrument, as for example a ball point pen, drafting pen, etc.--into the intaglio outline of the letter "o". The letter "o" is then traced in outline onto the paper 26 by passing the writing instrument around the intaglio outline of the letter "o", wherein the direction of movement of the pointed writing instrument is guided by the intaglio outline. This procedure would be the same for lettering of any symbol which is desired to be placed onto paper 26.
By reference to Figure 5, a clear picture of the position of the writing instrument 30 over the lettering template 10 may be seen. The pointed writing portion 32 is placed directly into intaglio 16. The paper 26 is urged slightly downwardly into intaglio 16 by the pointed writing portion 32 of the writing instrument. As the writing instrument moves along intaglio 16, ink is removed from the pointed writing portion 32 and deposited onto paper 26. In this fashion, the outline of the symbol sought to be placed onto the paper 26 is made. As may be appreciated, the pressure of the pointed writing portion 32 against the paper 26 causes the paper to be permanently deformed into a relief 34 directly over the corresponding intaglio 16. For this reason, it is necessary to ensure that the width of intaglio 16 is not greater than the width of the pointed writing portion 32 of the pencil or other writing instrument 30. The narrow width of intaglio 16 ensures that the path of the pointed writing portion 32 is smooth and uniform thus presenting a neat appearing letter outline on the paper 26.
Referring again to Figure 4, it may be seen that the expression Smile has been made into a series of solid symbols or letters. This is opposed to the symbol or letter outlines which the incomplete word Toronto now shows. The letters of the word Smile were subsequently filled in or made solid by the writing instrument 30 after the outline thereof had been made by the lettering template 10 in accordance with the method outlined above. It may be appreciated then that any style or size of letter or symbol may be made in intaglio on the lettering template 10 and thereafter traced onto the paper 26. Thereafter such an outline may subsequently be filled in (as was the word Smile) to present a solid letter or a symbol of any size or font. Alternately, the symbol outline may be left unfilled (as was the partial word Toronto).
Whi~e in the foregoing specification there has been disclosed a preferred embodiment of the invention, it will be appreciated that in light of such disclosure, changes and modifications will suggest themselves to others 1~35~13 skilled in the art to which the invention appertains.
Accordingly, it will be also understood that the invention is not to be limited to the embodiment thus disclosed by way of example in that the invention includes as well all such modifications, substitutions and changes in the parts and construction of the preferred embodiment as shall come within the purview of the claims appended hereto.
In the past, lettering templates have been proposed which are used to guide a pencil or other pointed writing instrument over materials which have to be lettered. These materials include such things as maps, information circulars, drawings and the like. It has been found that such writing instruments as have heretofore been proposed require the use of a transfer medium such as carbon paper as for example may be seen in the lettering instrument taught by Dunning in U.S. Patent 1,716,036.
Alternately, lettering instruments have required two separate guides to be provided for certain letters of the alphabet such as the letter A, or the letter B each of which has a completely encircled background portion in the centre of the letter. Use of the two separate guides for such letters requires two separate lettering passes to complete letters of this sort. As a further example, to represent the numeral 8, it has been necessary to provide two circular holes one of which could be used to guide the pencil, or writing instrument, to form the bottom portion of the numeral 8, the other then used to form the top portion of the numeral 8.
1135~13 Accordingly, the present invention seeks to at least partially overcome these disadvantages by providing a lettering template which can be used to letter thin, flexible light-transmissive material such as paper, plastic film and the like using simply a pointed writing instrument, such as a pencil or pen wherein any letter or punctuation mark of the alphabet or any numeral of the numbering system may be formed directly onto paper by the pointed writing instrument directly from a single corresponding symbol provided on ~he lettering template.
Such letters may be formed in any lettering style or font and may be taken from the English alphabet or other aiphabets, as for example, Russian or French.
To this end, in one of its aspects, the invention provides a lettering template comprising a thin planar light-transmissive body provided with a series of symbol defining intaglio each intaglio forming an outline of a respective symbol.
In another of its aspects, the invention provides a lettering template comprising a thin planar light-transmissive body provided with a series of symbol defining intaglio with a light-inhibiting material provided on the surface of the intaglio.
In another of its aspects, the invention provides a lettering template comprising a laminate having a light-transmissive lamina and a light-inhibiting lamina, a series of symbol defining intaglio provided in the laminate, said intaglio passing completely through said light-inhibiting lamina.
1~1 3Si13 In yet another of its aspects, the invention further provides a lettexing template comprising a laminate having a light-transmissive lamina and light-inhibiting lamina. A series of symbol defining intaglio are provided in the laminate, the intaglio passing completely through the light-inhibiting lamina. The series of symbols is selected from at least one of the following: a series of symbols representing all the letters of an alphabet; a series of symbols representing all the digits of the decimal numbering system; or, a series of symbols representing all punctuation marks.
Several embodiments of the invention including the preferred embodiment will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a top plan view of a portion of an embodiment of a lettering template in accordance with the present invention;
Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of Figure 1 taken along line 2-2;
Figure 3 is a top view of an embodiment of the lettering template in accordance with the present invention showing the numerals 0 through 9;
Figure 4 is a top perspective view of an embodiment of a template and a back-lighted drawing board;
Figure 5 is a close up, cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a lettering template in use;
113S~3 Figure 6 is a top plan view of another embodiment of a lettering template in accordance with the present invention;
Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of Figure 6 taken along line 7-7;
Figure 8 is a top plan view of the preferred embodiment of a lettering template in accordance with the present invention; and Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view of Figure 8 taken along line 9-9.
Reference is first made to Figure 1 which shows a portion of an embodiment of a lettering template in accordance with the present invention designated generally by reference numeral 10. As may most clearly be seen by reference to Figure 2, this embodiment of the lettering template comprises a laminate having a light-transmissive lamina 12 and a light-inhibiting lamina 14. A plurality of intaglio 16 (or etchings) are provided which pass completely through the light-inhibiting lamina 14 to provide a light channel passing therethrough in communication with the light-transmissive lamina 12.
Although the intaglio 16 are shown in Figure 2 as extending down into the light-transmissive portion of the lamina, it should be understood that it is only necessary for the intaglio 16 to pass through the light-inhibiting or opaque lamina to permit light to be conducted from the light-transmissive lamina 12 upward through the intaglio 16. The intaglio must have sufficient depth to ensure that a guide is provided to guide the direction of movement of a ~, :
~135~13 pointed writing instrument passing therealong as a symbol is formed as described hereafter.
Referring again to Figure 1, the letters of the alphabet "a" through "o" may be seen represented by the aforementioned intaglio on the lettering template 10. The letter "a" is represented by a single intaglio or groove.
This manner of representing a symbol or letter, that is by using a single intaglio to form the entire symbol, is not the preferred way of providing letters in the lettering template. The preferred way of providing symbols on the lettering template is by use of a symbol outline (or double groove) as is shown in Figure 1 where the letters "b"
through "o" of the alphabet are represented using a symbol outline intaglio. By providing symbols using an outline intaglio pattern, sharper corners of the symbols are obtainable. For example, the vertical portion of the letter "b" is shown to have substantially square corners thus defining a neat upward stroke of the letter "b". On the other hand, the letter "a" which was formed from a single intaglio, is shown to have rounded portions at the terminal ends of the letter "a". Note, however, that where type, style or font dicates rounded corners, the double grooves can be formed to provide rounded corners and with better precision than would a single groove as shown in the drawing.
The reason for the rounded terminal ends of the letter "a", is that, in producing the lettering template, the device which is used to etch the intaglio of the letter 1~351~3 into the lettering template 10 is a rotary etching tool which etches a cylindrical portion out of the opaque lamina 14. Accordingly, where the rotary etching tool terminates, as is shown in the terminal portions of the letter "a", only a rounded terminus is obtainable. However, when an outline intaglio (double groove intaglio) is used as shown in the letters "b" through "o", square appearing corners of the letters are obtainable. The square appearance of the corners is obtainable since the rotary etching tool used to form the intaglio outline of the symbols has a very small diameter in relation to the size of the symbols.
Accordingly, use of the intaglio outline permits neater appearing letters to be formed on the lettering template 10 .
It will be appreciated that several manners of construction of a lettering template in accordance with the present invention may be used. For example, light-inhibiting lamina 14 may be constructed from an opaque plastic material and light-transmissive lamina 12 may be constructed from a light-transmissive plastic material which is permanently glued or affixed to opaque lamina 14. The intaglio 16 may be formed into the laminate so constructed by a rotary etching tool to define symbols as described herein.
Alternately, the light-transmissive lamina 12 may be constructed from moulded plastic (moulded by for example, injection moulding or stamping) wherein the symbol defining intaglio 16 are provided in the light-transmissive lamina itself by the moulding process. Thereafter, opaque 11351~3 lamina 14 may be applied to the light-transmissive lamina by applying an opaque coating to the intaglio side of the light-transmissive lamina (i.e. by applying paint with a roller) wherein the opaque coating does not extend into or obstruct the intaglio provided in the light-transmissive lamina.
Referring to Figures 6 and 7, another embodiment of a lettering template 10 in accordance with the present invention is shown. In this embodiment, a single light-transmissive body 12 is provided. The light-transmissive body 12 may be constructed of any suitable light-transmissive material such as plastic using conventional injection moulding or stamp forming techniques. Formed on one surface of the body 10 are a plurality of intaglio 16 which define symbol outlines. For example, the letter "a" is formed with an outer or peripheral intaglio 40 and an inner intaglio 42. A portion of the intaglio 16 are shown in cross-section in Figure 7.
It should be noted that in the embodiment of the lettering template in accordance with the present invention shown in Figures 6 and 7, no light-inhibiting lamina or material is provided.
It was found that the diffraction, deflection and diffusion of light through light-transmissive body 12 varied depending on the thickness and surface features of the body, therefore, a light-inhibiting material, although preferable, is not necessary for the use or construction of this embodiment a lettering template in accordance with the 1135~13 g present invention. Referring to Figure 7, the passage of three light rays 44, 46 and 48 through light-transmissive body 12 is shown. Light ray 44 is shown to be deflected by the interior surface of intaglio 16 outwardly and away from the groove of intaglio 16. This causes the extremities of intaglio 16 to appear dark when viewed from above (i.e. the vantage point illustrated in Figure 6). On the other hand, light rays 46 and 48 pass through light-transmissive body 12 without substantial deflection, but since light ray 46 passes through less of light-transmissive body 12 than light ray 48, light ray 46 appears brighter than light ray 48 since less diffusion and ahsorbtion of light ray 46 occurs. The foregoing optical effects all combine to produce an optical contrast when lettering template 10 is predominantly lighted from the direction shown by light rays 44, 46 and 48; the optical contrast enables the user of the lettering template to locate the desired symbol and to properly position and advance a pointed writing instrument when using the lettering template in the manner described subsequently.
Referring to Figures 8 and 9, the preferred embodiment of a lettering template in accordance with the pre~ent invention is shown generally referred to by reference numeral 10. A light-transmissive body 12 is provided which may be constructed of any suitable light-transmissive material such as plastic using conventional injection moulding or stamp forming techniques. Formed on one surface of the body 10 are a 1135~13 plurality of intaglio 16 which define symbol outlines.
Disposed along each intaglio surface is a light-inhibiting material 50 which may be constructed by painting or stamping the light-inhibiting material 50 onto the intaglio 16. Thus the location of the intaglio 16 on the surface of light-transmissive body 12 are made clearly visible to the user of the preferred embodiment of a lettering template in accordance with the present invention. The preferred embodiment of the invention is simpler to construct than the laminate embodiment shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3 since the preferred embodiment does not re~uire a laminate. The preferred embodiment of the invention is easier to use than the embodiment shown in Figures 6 and 7 since the presence of a light-inhibiting material 50 in intaglio 16 permits the user of the preferred embodiment to more readily identify the location of the intaglio 16. This latter advantage of the preferred embodiment is particularly true where the material sought to be lettered by the lettering template is poorly translucent thereby tending to obscure the locations of the symbol defining intaglio 16 when the lettering template is being used as will become more apparent as the manner of use of the lettering template is explained hereafter.
Referring now to Figure 3, an example intaglio outline pattern for the numerals 0 through 9 is shown.
This figure simply illustrates that the intaglio symbol outline feature of the present invention may be used to provide intaglio outlines of any series of symbols that may be required. It must be noted, however, that a complete 1135~13 series of alphabet or number symbols must be represented to permit the template to be used to construct words, phrases and the like.
Referring now to Figure 4, an embodiment of a lettering template 10 is shown positioned above a back-lighted drawing board 18 shown in cut-away. The interior of the back-lighted drawing board is provided with a light source 20. On the top surface of the drawing board 18 is a transparent or translucent material 22 which allows light emanating from the light source 20 to pass therethrough. Provided in the upper portion of the drawing board 18 is an optional guide plate 24 which is securely attached to the drawing board and may be used to guide the lettering template 10 as it slides back and forth along the panel 22 in the manner explained hereafter. Also attached to the guide plate 24 is a piece of paper 26 which is an example of a thin, flexible light transmissive material which may be lettered by the user of the lettering template 10. The paper 26 may be affixed to the guide plate 24 by portions of tape 28, or in any other suitable manner.
The user of the lettering template 10 has lettered the expression "Smile Toront" on the paper 26 using the lettering template 10. To form the next letter which appears to be required in the expression, namely the letter "o", the lettering template 10 would be moved to the left until the letter "o" is positioned at the appropriate spot next to the letter "t". The vertical position of the letter "o" would be maintained by the guide plate 24 if such a guide plate is provided, otherwise the vertical position of the letter "o" must be manually obtained by the operator of the lettering template. The correct positioning of the lettering template 10 under the paper 26 can be easily seen by the operator thereof because of the light pattern cast onto the paper 26 from the light source 20 passing through the lettering template 10. Once the letter "o" is properly positioned, the operator of the lettering template would move pointed writing instrument 30, which is shown to be a pencil--but could be any other suitable writing instrument, as for example a ball point pen, drafting pen, etc.--into the intaglio outline of the letter "o". The letter "o" is then traced in outline onto the paper 26 by passing the writing instrument around the intaglio outline of the letter "o", wherein the direction of movement of the pointed writing instrument is guided by the intaglio outline. This procedure would be the same for lettering of any symbol which is desired to be placed onto paper 26.
By reference to Figure 5, a clear picture of the position of the writing instrument 30 over the lettering template 10 may be seen. The pointed writing portion 32 is placed directly into intaglio 16. The paper 26 is urged slightly downwardly into intaglio 16 by the pointed writing portion 32 of the writing instrument. As the writing instrument moves along intaglio 16, ink is removed from the pointed writing portion 32 and deposited onto paper 26. In this fashion, the outline of the symbol sought to be placed onto the paper 26 is made. As may be appreciated, the pressure of the pointed writing portion 32 against the paper 26 causes the paper to be permanently deformed into a relief 34 directly over the corresponding intaglio 16. For this reason, it is necessary to ensure that the width of intaglio 16 is not greater than the width of the pointed writing portion 32 of the pencil or other writing instrument 30. The narrow width of intaglio 16 ensures that the path of the pointed writing portion 32 is smooth and uniform thus presenting a neat appearing letter outline on the paper 26.
Referring again to Figure 4, it may be seen that the expression Smile has been made into a series of solid symbols or letters. This is opposed to the symbol or letter outlines which the incomplete word Toronto now shows. The letters of the word Smile were subsequently filled in or made solid by the writing instrument 30 after the outline thereof had been made by the lettering template 10 in accordance with the method outlined above. It may be appreciated then that any style or size of letter or symbol may be made in intaglio on the lettering template 10 and thereafter traced onto the paper 26. Thereafter such an outline may subsequently be filled in (as was the word Smile) to present a solid letter or a symbol of any size or font. Alternately, the symbol outline may be left unfilled (as was the partial word Toronto).
Whi~e in the foregoing specification there has been disclosed a preferred embodiment of the invention, it will be appreciated that in light of such disclosure, changes and modifications will suggest themselves to others 1~35~13 skilled in the art to which the invention appertains.
Accordingly, it will be also understood that the invention is not to be limited to the embodiment thus disclosed by way of example in that the invention includes as well all such modifications, substitutions and changes in the parts and construction of the preferred embodiment as shall come within the purview of the claims appended hereto.
Claims (22)
1. A lettering template comprising:
a thin, planar light-transmissive body one surface thereof provided with a series of symbol defining intaglio, each intaglio forming an outline of a respective symbol.
a thin, planar light-transmissive body one surface thereof provided with a series of symbol defining intaglio, each intaglio forming an outline of a respective symbol.
2. A lettering template as recited in claim 1 wherein the series of symbol defining intaglio is selected from at least one of:
a series of symbols representing all the letters of an alphabet, a series of symbols representing all the digits of the decimal numbering system, or a series of symbols representing all punctuation marks.
a series of symbols representing all the letters of an alphabet, a series of symbols representing all the digits of the decimal numbering system, or a series of symbols representing all punctuation marks.
3. A lettering template as recited in claims 1 or 2 wherein the light-transmissive body is translucent.
4. A lettering template as recited in claims 1 or 2 wherein the light-transmissive body is transparent.
5. A lettering template comprising:
a thin, planar light-transmissive body one surface thereof provided with a series of symbol defining intaglio with a light-inhibiting material provided on the surface of the intaglio.
a thin, planar light-transmissive body one surface thereof provided with a series of symbol defining intaglio with a light-inhibiting material provided on the surface of the intaglio.
6. A lettering template as recited in claim 5 wherein the light-transmissive body is translucent.
7. A lettering template as recited in claim 5 wherein the light-transmissive body is transparent.
8. A lettering template as recited in claims 5, 6 or 7 wherein each symbol defining intaglio forms an outline of a respective symbol.
9. A lettering template as recited in claims 5, 6 or 7 wherein the series of symbol defining intaglio is selected from at least one of:
a series of symbols representing all the letters of an alphabet, a series of symbols representing all the digits of the decimal numbering system, or a series of symbols representing all punctuation marks.
a series of symbols representing all the letters of an alphabet, a series of symbols representing all the digits of the decimal numbering system, or a series of symbols representing all punctuation marks.
10. A lettering template as recited in claims 5, 6 or 7 wherein each symbol defining intaglio forms an outline of a respective symbol and is selected from at least one of:
a series of symbols representing all the letters of an alphabet, a series of symbols representing all the digits of the decimal numbering system, or a series of symbols representing all punctuation marks.
a series of symbols representing all the letters of an alphabet, a series of symbols representing all the digits of the decimal numbering system, or a series of symbols representing all punctuation marks.
11. A lettering template comprising:
a laminate having a light-transmissive lamina and a light-inhibiting lamina, a series of symbol defining intaglio provided in the laminate, said intaglio passing completely through said light-inhibiting lamina.
a laminate having a light-transmissive lamina and a light-inhibiting lamina, a series of symbol defining intaglio provided in the laminate, said intaglio passing completely through said light-inhibiting lamina.
12. A lettering template as recited in claim 11 wherein the light-transmissive lamina is translucent.
13. A lettering template as recited in claim 11 wherein the light-transmissive lamina is transparent.
14. A lettering template as recited in claims 11, 12 or 13 wherein each symbol defining intaglio forms an outline of a respective symbol.
15. A lettering template comprising:
a laminate having a light-transmissive lamina and a light-inhibiting lamina, a series of symbol defining intaglio provided in the laminate, said intaglio passing completely through said light-inhibiting lamina, the series selected from at least one of:
a series of symbols representing all the letters of an alphabet, a series of symbols representing all the digits of the decimal numbering system, or a series of symbols representing all punctuation marks.
a laminate having a light-transmissive lamina and a light-inhibiting lamina, a series of symbol defining intaglio provided in the laminate, said intaglio passing completely through said light-inhibiting lamina, the series selected from at least one of:
a series of symbols representing all the letters of an alphabet, a series of symbols representing all the digits of the decimal numbering system, or a series of symbols representing all punctuation marks.
16. A lettering template as recited in claim 15 wherein the light-transmissive lamina is translucent.
17. A lettering template as recited in claim 15 wherein the light-transmissive lamina is transparent.
18. A lettering template as recited in claims 15, 16 or 17 wherein each symbol defining intaglio forms an outline of a respective symbol.
19. Apparatus for lettering thin, flexible light-transmissive material such as paper and the like comprising:
a lettering template selected from one of:
(a) a thin, planar light-transmissive body provided with a series of symbol defining intaglio, each intaglio forming an outline of a respective symbol, (b) a thin, planar light-transmissive body provided with a series of symbol defining intaglio with a light-inhibiting material provided on the surface of the intaglio, or (c) a laminate having a light-transmissive lamina and a light-inhibiting lamina, with a series of symbol defining intaglio provided in the laminate, said intaglio passing completely through said light-inhibiting lamina, wherein the series of symbol defining intaglio is selected from at least one of:
a series of symbols representing all the letters of an alphabet, a series of symbols representing all the digits of the decimal numbering system, or a series of symbols representing all punctuation marks, a light-transmissive, substantially horizontal, planar surface upon which the lettering template is adapted to slidably rest, and a light source positioned below the light-transmissive planar surface.
a lettering template selected from one of:
(a) a thin, planar light-transmissive body provided with a series of symbol defining intaglio, each intaglio forming an outline of a respective symbol, (b) a thin, planar light-transmissive body provided with a series of symbol defining intaglio with a light-inhibiting material provided on the surface of the intaglio, or (c) a laminate having a light-transmissive lamina and a light-inhibiting lamina, with a series of symbol defining intaglio provided in the laminate, said intaglio passing completely through said light-inhibiting lamina, wherein the series of symbol defining intaglio is selected from at least one of:
a series of symbols representing all the letters of an alphabet, a series of symbols representing all the digits of the decimal numbering system, or a series of symbols representing all punctuation marks, a light-transmissive, substantially horizontal, planar surface upon which the lettering template is adapted to slidably rest, and a light source positioned below the light-transmissive planar surface.
20. A method of lettering thin, flexible light-transmissive material comprising the steps of:
providing a back-lighted planar surface, placing a lettering template provided with intaglio defining a series of symbols over the planar surface, placing light transmissive, thin, flexible material over the lettering template, providing a pointed writing instrument, tracing at least one symbol onto the flexible material guiding the writing instrument using a selected intaglio of the lettering template as a guide.
providing a back-lighted planar surface, placing a lettering template provided with intaglio defining a series of symbols over the planar surface, placing light transmissive, thin, flexible material over the lettering template, providing a pointed writing instrument, tracing at least one symbol onto the flexible material guiding the writing instrument using a selected intaglio of the lettering template as a guide.
21. A method of lettering thin, flexible light-transmissive material comprising the steps of:
providing a back-lighted planar surface, placing a lettering template provided with intaglio defining a series of symbol outlines over the planar surface, placing light-transmissive, thin, flexible material over the lettering template, providing a pointed writing instrument, tracing the outline of at least one symbol onto the flexible material guiding the writing instrument using selected intaglio of the lettering template as a guide.
providing a back-lighted planar surface, placing a lettering template provided with intaglio defining a series of symbol outlines over the planar surface, placing light-transmissive, thin, flexible material over the lettering template, providing a pointed writing instrument, tracing the outline of at least one symbol onto the flexible material guiding the writing instrument using selected intaglio of the lettering template as a guide.
22. The method of claim 21 further including the step of filling in the body of at least one symbol outline using the pointed writing instrument.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000383429A CA1135113A (en) | 1981-08-07 | 1981-08-07 | Laminated lettering template |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000383429A CA1135113A (en) | 1981-08-07 | 1981-08-07 | Laminated lettering template |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1135113A true CA1135113A (en) | 1982-11-09 |
Family
ID=4120640
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000383429A Expired CA1135113A (en) | 1981-08-07 | 1981-08-07 | Laminated lettering template |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1135113A (en) |
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FR2627436A1 (en) * | 1988-02-23 | 1989-08-25 | Escher Clement | Transparency tracing appts. for small drawing - has rectangular enclosure with translucent cover housing lamp and receiving originals with tracing paper on top |
| EP2255975A1 (en) * | 2009-05-26 | 2010-12-01 | Sara Davies | An improved embossing board |
-
1981
- 1981-08-07 CA CA000383429A patent/CA1135113A/en not_active Expired
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FR2627436A1 (en) * | 1988-02-23 | 1989-08-25 | Escher Clement | Transparency tracing appts. for small drawing - has rectangular enclosure with translucent cover housing lamp and receiving originals with tracing paper on top |
| EP2255975A1 (en) * | 2009-05-26 | 2010-12-01 | Sara Davies | An improved embossing board |
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| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKEX | Expiry |