GB2288151A - Picture synthesis drawing template. - Google Patents

Abstract

Figure 1 shows a rotatable template or stencil 2 provided with cut out shapes (shown in chain dotted lines) and a holder 3 for holding a sheet of paper P clamped relative to the stencil. The boundary lines of said shapes form a drawing guideline for a pen or pencil and a series of coded notches 6 on the circular periphery of stencil 2 form indexing means which are engagable against a detent 10, each notch being correlated with one or more of said shapes. A picture can be created on paper P by first drawing around the boundary line of one of the shapes with the stencil 2 in a particular fixed angular orientation relative to holder 3. Then a second boundary line of a second one of the shapes is drawn around with stencil 2 held in a second correlated angular orientation and so on until a completed picture as shown in Fig. 7 is drawn onto the paper. The stencil has sufficient clearance in the holder to allow it to be rotated from one indexed position to another without necessitating removal and replacement. <IMAGE>

Description

I W S DRAWING AID This invention relates to a drawing aid more particularly but not exclusively designed for younger children to enable pictures to be created.

Drawing aids are known for children which are capable of being used to generate various pictures in several different ways.

A drawing aid has been previously proposed in which a stencil or template is movable relative to paper held in a paper holder of the drawing aid throughout a plurality of indexing positions correlated with different drawing guidelines of the template/stencil. Lines can be drawn onto the paper using the different drawing guidelines in said different correlated relative positions in order to build up a picture on the paper. However, in such a previously proposed arrangement there is no positive registration or locking action of the template/stencil relative to the paper and paper holder in each of the indexing positions at which lines are drawn onto the paper.This tends to be disadvantageous, at least for school children, since the stencil or template has to be held still relative to the paper and holder (without any assistance provided by positive registration) by using the fingers of one hand whilst the other hand draws in a line on the paper using a particular guideline. Thus, in practice, there can be some movement of the stencil from its desired position relative to the paper whilst drawing a line and this of course can contribute to a result which might be less than satisfactory. Other similar proposals have been made for creating pictures using a template or stencil which may be held against rotation relative to a paper holder whilst in a particular indexed position.However, in order to complete the picture, the stencil has to be removed from the holder, rotated through an appropriate angle, realigned in a new position relative to the holder and replaced in the holder in a different preselected position. Thus, there is no clamping of the paper itself in the paper holder and the stencil or template is not held in the holder during movement between one preselected position to another. Such an arrangement tends to be disadvantageous in that a good degree of dexterity is still required in order to effectively dismantle the stencil from the holder between indexing positions and it can in any event be rather awkward to relocate the template/stencil in its new indexed position relative to the paper and paper holder.

During such relocation the paper is, in any event, not held clamped and is subject to movement out of the plane of the paper which could, indeed, lead to the paper becoming creased since it is not held flat in the holder at all times. Additionally, because of the generally loose retention of the paper in the holder the limitations of paper size and shape that can be utilised with the holder tend to be somewhat restrictive.

According to the present invention there is provided a drawing aid comprising a template or stencil, movable relative to paper held clamped in a paper holder of the drawing aid throughout a plurality of preselected or indexing positions correlated with different drawing guidelines or shapes of the template/stencil, the arrangement being such that the template or stencil is held fixed or in positive registration relative to the paper and paper holder in each of the preselected or indexing positions by co-operation of engagement means on the template/stencil and position location means on the holder so that lines or shapes can be drawn onto the paper using the different drawing guidelines/shapes of the template/stencil in said different correlated relative positions, in a predefined manner in order to build up a picture on the paper, said template or stencil being movable in the paper holder throughout said preselected or indexing positions whilst said paper remains held clamped in said holder.

Preferably, the template or stencil (or other drawing guide line means) is rotatable relative to the paper and holder.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the template or stencil is provided with a sequence code (for example, symbols, numbers or letters) arranged at indexing positions on the template; Alternatively, or additionally, indexing positions could be provided on the holder.

Preferably, the different drawing guidelines or shapes of the stencil are encoded (with the appropriate number, letter or symbol) correlated with the indexing code.

Preferably, said engagement means comprises notches in the periphery of the template at said indexing positions which engage location means in the form of a suitable projection or projections (at reference position/s) on the holder. For example, where the template or stencil is rotatable relative to the paper and relative to the holder the locating projection may be provided at twelve clock.

The engagement means may be provided by any suitable means (for example projections on the template/stencil cooperable with location means in the form of a receiving recess or recesses on the holder). The template may be of any suitable material, for example plastics and/or card.

The holder may comprise two main halves or parts (preferably hinged to one another) that can be closed together in order to grip a sheet of paper therebetween and where the template is arranged to rotate relative to the paper and holder one of the parts (upper part) may be provided with a seating recess for receiving the template or stencil and the size of said recess, preferably, corresponds with the size of the template. The recess may be circular and the template may be disc shaped.

Additionally, or alternatively, central pivot means, for example a peg or the like, may be provided to locate the centre of the template so that the template can be rotated relative to the paper without necessarily providing a seating recess on the holder.

Where the holder comprises two parts hinged together as aforementioned, the hinge mechanism may be provided by one or more integrally made hinges which are preferably "living" hinges inserted into appropriate recesses in said parts. Catch means is preferably provided (which is preferably a friction catch) to hold the two parts of the holder in a closed position gripping the paper and/or a finger grip is, preferably, provided to move the two parts of the holder relative to one another between open and closed positions, at least one of said parts, preferably, being provided with guide means for holding the paper in position.

The holder may be provided with a tray for drawing implements or other articles of stationery.

Preferably, the holder is provided with means for storing the template.

Preferably, the drawing aid comprises a plurality of stencils/templates each designed with different guidelines or shapes in order to build up different pictures and, preferably, the holder is provided with means for storing a plurality of templates. It is possible that more than one template/stencil may be needed to complete a picture.

From a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a template or stencil for use with a paper holder, said template/stencil having a plurality of drawing guide lines or shapes, said template or stencil being such that it can be moved, whilst in the holder, relative to a reference position on the holder throughout a series of different positions selected relative ' to the reference position, the arrangement being such that different guide lines or shapes of the template/stencil can be used to draw on to the paper with the template/stencil held fixed or in positive registration in different selected positions relative to the paper by co-operation of engagement means on the template/stencil with position location means on the holder on order to build up a picture on the paper in a predefined way.

Usually, the template or stencil will be rotatable about its own axis through said selected different positions and the reference position may be provided at twelve o'clock. The template may be rotatable on its own axis by a raised pip provided at the centre or a hole into which, for example a pencil, could be inserted to allow the stencil to be rotated about the stencil; It is possible that a plurality of stencils may be sold in a pack with instructions and/or illustrations showing the pictures that can be completed using each template.

Still further according to the present invention there is provided a method of drawing pictures comprising moving a template or stencil, whilst in a paper holder, relative to paper throughout a number of predefined relative positions, relative movement between the template/stencil and paper being prevented or restrained in each of said relative positions by co-operation of engagement means on the template/stencil with position location means on the paper holder, drawing on to the paper using a particular correlated guideline of the template or stencil whilst the template or stencil is in a first predefined relative position to the paper, moving the stencil relative to the paper to at least a second predefined relative selectable position and using a different correlated guideline to draw on to the paper whilst the template is in said at least second predefined relative position in order to build up a picture on the paper.

The stencil or template will usually be rotatable relative to the paper throughout said predefined relative positions.

Many other advantageous features of the present invention will be apparent from the following description and drawings.

An embodiment of a drawing aid and method of drawing in accordance with the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: FIGURE 1 shows a plan view of the drawing aid comprising a paper holder and stencil/template shown in dotted lines; FIGURE 2 shows a end view of the apparatus looking in the direction of arrow A in FIGURE 1; FIGURE 3 shows an inverted plan view of the drawing aid; FIGURE 4 shows a plan view (drawn to different scale) of the paper holder in which two main halves of the paper holder have been moved to an open position; FIGURE 5 shows a sectional view of the paper holder taken on axis V-V of FIGURE 1; FIGURE 6 shows a plan view of a stencil/template of the drawing aid; and FIGURE 7 shows a view of the picture that can be generated using the drawing aid.

Referring to FIGURES 1 to 6 of the drawings, a drawing aid 1 comprises a stencil or template 2 (see FIGURE 6) and a holder 3 for holding a sheet of paper P (see FIGURE 1) clamped relative to the stencil 2.

Stencil 2 comprises a thin disc provided with a plurality of seemingly arbitrary cut-out shapes or holes H1 to H9, the boundary lines of which form a drawing guideline for a pen or pencil in the known manner of a stencil. A series of six notches N1 to N6 (indexing means) is provided around the periphery 2a of the disc 2 and, as should be evident from FIGURE 6, each notch is coded in a correlated way with one or more of the particular holes H1 to H9.

Coded numbers 1 to 6 are provided adjacent associated notches N1 to N6 around the periphery of the disc 2a, as shown in FIGURE 6, and the particular hole or holes H1 to H9 associated with each notch is/are provided with the same coded numeral from 1 to 6. The manner in which the sequence-coded notches N1 to N6 are employed in practice in relation to the matching coded holes H1 to H9 is explained later in this specification.

The holder 3 comprises two main halves or parts 3a and 3b hinged together about axis X-X by a hinge mechanism in the form means of integral polypropylene "living" hinges 4 and 5 which are inserted into appropriate recesses R1, R2 in each of the halves 3a and 3b in a manner which should be self-evident. The holder 3 could be of any suitable material, for example plastics, and each of the halves 3a, 3b could be moulded from the same tool. The upper part or half 3a of the holder 3 can be rotated from the open position shown in FIGURE 4 to the closed position shown in FIGURE 1. The upper part 3a of the holder is provided with a circular seating recess 6 that in use receives the stencil 2, shown in chain dotted lines in FIGURE 1.The diameter of the circular recess 6 is very slightly larger than the diameter of the stencil 2 (leaving annular gap G) in order to allow the easy insertion of the stencil 2 into the recess 6 in a generally loose coaxial manner, so that the stencil 2 can be rotated about its own axis 2b (in the paper holder 3) and the axis 6b of the recess 6 relative to the holder 3 and relative to the piece of paper P gripped by the two halves 3a and 3b of the holder.

Upper half 3a of the holder has an outer configuration which is essentially square and is somewhat smaller in its vertical dimension (in FIGURE 1) than the lower half 3b which is provided with a tray 7, for example for felt tip pens or other markers (not shown) to be used for a drawing. Means (not shown) could be provided for retaining the markers and/or other stationery equipment for use with the drawing aid in the tray 7.

Upper half 3a has four downwardly depending walls 8a, 8b, 8c and 8d and the inner surface of wall 8a engages the inner surface of the uppermost wall 7a (see FIGURES 1 and 5) partly defining the tray 7, in the closed position, in order to securely retain the upper half 3a in the closed position relative to lower half 3b. Any suitable catch means may be employed for retaining the upper half 3a in a closed position relative to lower part 3b, gripping the paper (or other medium to be drawn on) between said two halves 3a, 3b. Upper half 3a is provided with an upper flange 8e extending horizontally in use overlapping the tray 7 and this acts as a finger grip for opening and closing the upper part 3a relative to the lower part 3b.

The circular recess 6 is defined by inner downwardly depending wall 8f which is supported by short bridging wall portions 8g and 8h integral with associated opposed walls 8b and 8d in a manner which should be obvious from FIGURE 4. Wall Sc is provided with recessed portions R1 receiving respective parts of the hinges 4 and 5 in a manner which should be evident from FIGURE 4. Lower part 3b forms a base for the paper P and has two generally upstanding guide walls 9a and 9b defining a width W corresponding to the expected width of paper to be employed with the drawing aid. Parts of the hinges 4 and 5 are received in recesses R2 as should be evident from FIGURE 4.

Importantly, as shown more particularly in FIGURE 1, part 3a has position location means in the form of a locating projection 10 positioned at twelve o'clock on the recess 6, said locating projection 10 being defined by the apex of a raised isosceles triangular indicator 11. This projection 10 extends into the recess 6 and is used for locating in any selected one of the notches N1 to N6 of the template 2 in a manner which should be apparent. The notches themselves thus provide engagement means on the stencil 2 at preselected or indexing positions which cooperative with the position location means (projection 10) on the holder 3 to provide a locking action.In this manner, the stencil can automatically be held fixed relative to the paper P and holder 3 in one of a number of preselected positions while a line or shape is drawn onto the paper using correlated holes H1 to H9.

FIGURE 3 shows an underside view of a drawing aid 1 and/or particularly of the lower part 3b. A recess 12 is defined by various wall portions or webs 13 extending from the outer walls 14 defining the lower part 3b, in order to provide a storage space for the template 2. In practice, the drawing aid 1 will include a plurality of differently configured templates 2, each of which may be utilised in the recess 6 of the upper half 3a in order to create different pictures in a manner to be yet described.

Various holding means (not shown) may be employed in order to retain a set of differently configured templates 2 in the recess 6.

FIGURE 7 shows a complete line drawing of a dolphin which has been drawn onto paper P utilising the holder 3 and template 2 in a manner which is now described.

Firstly, with the hdlder 3 in the open position as shown in FIGURE 4 a sheet of paper is introduced onto lower half 3b and located conveniently between upstanding guide walls 9a and 9b (as shown in chain dotted lines in FIGURE 4). Then upper part 3a is rotated about hinge axis X relative to lower half 3b until the holder is in a closed position with downwardly depending wall 8a of upper part 3a frictionally engaging with wall 7a of tray 7 in order to firmly grip the paper (see FIGURE 5). Next, template 2 is positioned in recess 6 with notch N4 (encoded 1) located in the twelve o'clock reference position by locating projection 10 in a manner which should be self-evident.

The apex angle of the projection ib is about 40 + 10 and the angle of each notch N1 to N6 is 80 + 10 (i.e.

about twice the apex angle). The gap G and the relationship between the dimensions of the notches N1 to N6 and the projection 10 is such as to hold the stencil 2 firmly in any one of a number of indexed positions relative to the holder 3 and paper P whilst allowing the stencil to be rotated to another indexed position relatively easily.

Thus, the stencil 2 can be rotated through or between a series of defined indexed positions with the projection 10 snapping or "clicking" in and out of the notches N1 to N6.

As the projection 10 moves out of a particular notch N1 to N6 the gap G at the bottom of the recess 6 (diametrically opposed to projection 10) closes slightly and opens slightly adjacent the projection to allow rotation of the stencil past the projection 10 to the next notch to "click" into place. Although not shown clearly in the FIGURES notches N1 to N6 join the periphery of the stencil 2 along a slightly rounded or radiused transition to allow smooth "clicking" of the projection 10 into and out of said notches. Thus, hand turning of the stencil 2 in the holder 3 is quite sufficient to overcome the resistance to disengagement of the projection and notch in a particular indexing position.

With the template 2 in the first indexed position relative to paper P the shape H6 (encoded 1) is drawn on to the paper using a pen or pencil following the guideline or boundary of the shape H6. Once shape H6 has been drawn on to the paper in the appropriate relative position, the template 2 can be rotated whilst in the holder 3 about axis 2b to the second indexed position in which notch N1 (encoded 2) "click" engages with the locating projection 10 in the twelve o'clock reference position. With the template 2 in this relative position shape H4 is drawn on to the paper with the use of a pencil or marker following the guideline of the shape.Once this has been completed the template 2 is rotated to the next indexing position with notch N2 engaging the locating projection 10 in the twelve o'clock and the shape H9 is drawn on to the paper.

In this manner, the disc 2 is rotated through all the encoded indexing positions and the correlating shape or shapes is/are drawn on to the paper in the appropriate relative position in a manner which should be self explanatory until all the shapes have been drawn. The template 2 can then be removed from the recess 6 and the completed line drawing should correspond with that shown in FIGURE 7. Obviously, the drawing aid 1 can be used to complete other pre-defined pictures using one or more templates provided with appropriately shaped holes.

It is also advantageous that a complete picture can be built up from lines drawn in correlated sequential positions of the stencil relative to the paper holder, in a single sense of movement (e.g. clockwise rotation only).

Some prior art devices have necessitated movement (rotation) of the stencil back and forth relative to paper and holder in order to build up a complete picture.

Usually, the template is created firstly by producing a picture and "reverse" engineering the configuration of holes that may be suitably employed to build up the finished line drawing. It is possible (at least for more complex picture and template patterns) that the template design could be arrived at using computer techniques rather than just by hand.

Many different variants of the present invention may be provided. A knob may be provided in the centre of the template in order to rotate the template relative to the holder 3 and/or a knob may be provided near the periphery of the template 2. Alternatively, the paper could be arranged to rotate whilst the template is held still in the holder.

If desired, instead of merely using the holes as a guideline for drawing an outline, the area of paper defined in between a particular guideline may be coloured instead of an outline being drawn.

Further according to the present invention there is provided a drawing aid comprising a template or stencil, movable relative to paper held clamped in a paper holder of the drawing aid throughout a plurality of preselected or indexing positions correlated with different drawing guidelines or shapes of the template/stencil, the arrangement being such that, in each of the preselected or indexing positions, movement of the template or stencil to another preselected or indexing position relative to the paper and paper holder is resisted by co-operation of engagement means on the template/stencil and position location means on the holder so that lines or shapes can be drawn onto the paper using the different drawing guidelines/shapes of the template/stencil in said different correlated relative positions, in a predefined manner in order to build up a picture on the paper, said template or stencil being movable in the paper holder throughout said preselected or indexing positions whilst said paper remains held clamped in said holder.

It is to be understood that the scope of the present invention is not to be unduly limited by the particular choice of terminology and that a specific term may be replaced or supplemented by any equivalent or generic term.

Further it is to be understood that the individual features, method or functions related to the drawing aid, holder or template or combination thereof might be individually patentably inventive. The singular may include the plural or vice versa.

Claims (36)

1. A drawing aid comprising a template or stencil, movable relative to paper held clamped in a paper holder of the drawing aid throughout a plurality of preselected or indexing positions correlated with different drawing guidelines or shapes of the template/stencil, the arrangement being such that the template or stencil is held fixed or in positive registration relative to the paper and paper holder in each of the preselected or indexing positions by co-operation of engagement means on the template/stencil and position location means on the holder so that lines or shapes can be drawn onto the paper using the different drawing guidelines/shapes of the template/stencil in said different correlated relative positions, in a predefined manner in order to build up a picture on the paper, said template or stencil being movable in the paper holder throughout said preselected or indexing positions whilst said paper remains held clamped in said holder.

2. An aid as claimed in Claim 1 in which the template or stencil (or other drawing guide line means) is rotatable relative to the paper and holder.

3. An aid as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 in which the template or stencil is provided with a sequence code arranged at indexing positions on the template/stencil.

4. An aid as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the different drawing guidelines or shapes of the template/stencil are encoded correlated with the sequence code.

5. An aid as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which indexing positions are provided on the holder and/or a sequence code is provided on the holder.

6. An aid as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which said engagement means comprises notches in the periphery of the template/stencil at said indexing positions which engage location means in the form of a locating projection or projections on the holder.

7. An aid as claimed in Claim 6 when dependent from Claim 2 in which the locating projection is provided at twelve o'clock.

8. An aid as claimed in any one of the preceding in which said engagement means comprises projections on the template or stencil at said indexing positions cooperable with location means in the form of a receiving recess or recesses on the holder.

9. An aid as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the template/stencil is of plastics and/or card.

10. An aid as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the holder comprises two main halves or parts that can be closed together in order to grip a sheet of paper therebetween.

11. An aid as claimed in Claim 10 in which said halves or parts are hinged to one another.

12. An aid as claimed in Claim 10 when dependent from Claim 2 in which one of the parts or halves is provided with a seating recess for receiving the template or stencil.

13. An aid as claimed in Claim 12 in which the size of said seating recess corresponds with the size of the template/stencil.

14. An aid as claimed in Claim 12 or 13 in which the seating recess is circular and/or the template/stencil is disc shaped.

15. An aid as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which central pivot means is provided to locate the centre of the template/stencil so that the template/stencil can be rotated relative to the paper.

16. An aid as claimed in Claim 11 or any claim dependent therefrom in which the hinge mechanism is provided by one or more integrally made hinges.

17. An aid as claimed in Claim 16 in which the hinges are "living" hinges inserted into appropriate recesses in said parts or halves.

18. An aid as claimed in Claim 16 or Claim 17 in which catch means is provided to hold the two parts or halves of the holder in a closed position gripping the paper and/or a finger grip is provided to move the two parts or halves of the holder relative to one another between open and closed positions.

19. An aid as claimed in Claim 18 in which said catch means is a friction catch.

20. An aid as claimed in Claim 18 or Claim 19 in which at least one of said parts or halves is provided with guide means for holding the paper in position.

21. An aid as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the holder is provided with a tray for drawing implements or other articles of stationery.

22. An aid as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the holder is provided with means for storing the template/stencil.

23. An aid as claimed in any one of the preceding claims comprising a plurality of templates/stencils each designed with different guidelines or shapes in order to build up different pictures.

24. An aid as claimed in Claim 23 in which the holder is provided with means for storing a plurality of templates.

25. An aid as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which a complete picture can be drawn by relative movement of the template/stencil and paper/paper holder in a single sense.

26. A drawing aid substantially as herein described with reference to FIGURES 1 to 5 of the accompanying drawings.

27. An aid as claimed in Claim 1 including a template/stencil substantially as shown in FIGURE 6 of the accompanying drawings.

28. A template or stencil for use with a paper holder, said template/stencil having a plurality of drawing guidelines or shapes, said template or stencil being such that it can be moved, whilst in the holder, relative to a reference position on the holder throughout a series of different positions selected relative to the reference position, the arrangement being such that different guidelines or shapes of the template/stencil can be used to draw on to the paper with the template/stencil held fixed or in positive registration in different selected positions relative to the paper by co-operation of engagement means on the template/stencil with position location means on the holder in order to build up a picture on the paper in a predefined way.

29. A template or stencil as claimed in Claim 28 which is rotatable about its own axis through said selected different positions.

30. A template or stencil as claimed in Claim 29 in which the reference position is provided at twelve o'clock.

31. A template or stencil as claimed in Claim 29 or Claim 30 rotatable on its own axis by a raised pip or hole provided at the centre.

32. A pack including a plurality of templates/stencils as claimed in any one of Claims 28 to 31 with illustrations showing the pictures that can be completed using each template.

33. A method of drawing pictures comprising moving a template or stencil, whilst in a paper holder, relative to paper throughout a number of predefined relative positions, relative movement between the template/stencil and paper being prevented or restrained in each of said relative positions by co-operation of engagement means on the template/stencil with position location means on the paper holder, drawing on to the paper using a particular correlated guideline of the template or stencil whilst the template or stencil is in a first predefined relative position to the paper, moving the stencil relative to the paper to at least a second predefined relative selectable position and using a different correlated guideline to draw on to the paper whilst the template is in said at least second predefined relative position in order to build up a picture on the paper.

34. A method as claimed in Claim 33 in which the stencil or template is rotatable relative to the paper throughout said predefined relative positions.

35. A method as claimed in Claim 33 and substantially as herein described.

36. A drawing aid comprising a template or stencil, movable relative to paper held clamped in a paper holder of the drawing aid throughout a plurality of preselected or indexing positions correlated with different drawing guidelines or shapes of the template/stencil, the arrangement being such that, in each of the preselected or indexing positions, the movement of the template or stencil to another preselected or indexing position relative to the paper and paper holder is resisted by co-operation of engagement means on the template/stencil and position location means on the holder so that lines or shapes can be drawn onto the paper using the different drawing guidelines/shapes of the template/stencil in said different correlated relative positions, in a predefined manner in order to build up a picture on the paper, said template or stencil being movable in the paper holder throughout said preselected or indexing positions whilst said paper remains held clamped in said holder.