Envelope-outlining device

Abstract

An envelope-outlining device that comprises first and second tracing members, the members being movable relative to each other. Each tracing member has a respective tracing edge, and each tracing edge has a protrusion extending from the tracing edge. A method of using the same is also disclosed.

Claims

1. An envelope-outlining device comprising first and second tracing members, the members being movable relative to each other, and wherein each tracing member has a respective tracing edge, and each tracing edge has: a proximal end and a distal end; and a protrusion extending from the tracing edge at a point approximately midway between the proximal and distal ends.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the tracing edges are substantially linear.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein the first and second tracing members are pivotally attached to each other.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein the first and second tracing members are slidably attached to each other.

5. The device of claim 1 further comprising means to releasably secure the tracing members in a fixed position relative to each other.

6. The device of claim 1 wherein the tracing members are substantially planar.

7. The device of claim 1 wherein each protrusion extends from the tracing edge substantially in the plane of its respective tracing member.

8. The device of claim 1 wherein a protrusion is substantially triangular in shape.

9. The device of claim 1 wherein both protrusions are substantially triangular in shape.

10. The device of claim 1 wherein the means to releasably secure the tracing members in a fixed position relative to each other comprises a slot formed in at least one tracing member and a connecting member adapted to pass through the slot.

11. The device of claim 10 wherein the slot is arcuate.

12. The device of claim 10 wherein the slot extends along at least a third of the length of the tracing member.

13. The device of claim 10 wherein the slot extends along around half the length of the tracing member.

14. The device of claim 10 wherein both tracing members comprise a slot.

15. The device of claim 10 wherein both slots are arcuate.

16. A method of marking an outline of an envelope comprising the steps of: a. marking on a sheet of material two pairs of corner markings corresponding to the four corners of a rectangular or square item to be contained in the envelope; b. providing an envelope-outlining device comprising first and second tracing members, means to releasably secure the tracing members in a fixed position relative to each other, wherein each tracing member has a respective tracing edge, and each tracing edge has a protrusion extending from the tracing edge; c. adjusting the position of the envelope outlining device such that the protrusions are positioned at a first pair of corner markings; d. drawing along the tracing edges part of an outline of the envelope.

17. The method of claim 16 further comprising the steps of: a. adjusting the envelope outlining device such that the protrusions lie adjacent to a second pair of corner markings; b. drawing along the tracing edges a further part of an outline of the envelope.

Description

(1) In order that the present invention may be more fully understood a specific embodiment will now be described, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an envelope-outlining device made in accordance with the present invention in a disassembled state;

(3) FIG. 2 is a plan view of an envelope-outlining device made in accordance with the present invention when assembled;

(4) FIG. 3 is a close up view of a protrusion formed in the tracing edge of a tracing member of an envelope-outlining device made in accordance with the present invention;

(5) FIG. 4 is a plan view of a card on a sheet of paper to be used for making an envelope with the device of FIG. 2;

(6) FIG. 5 is a schematic plan view of the device of FIG. 2 in use in a first position;

(7) FIG. 6 is a schematic plan view of the device of FIG. 5 with a first line drawn along its tracing edge;

(8) FIG. 7 is schematic plan view of the device of FIG. 5 in a second position with a second line drawn along its tracing edge; and

(9) FIG. 8 is a plan view of the envelope outline resulting from the actions depicted in FIGS. 4 to 7.

(10) Referring to the drawings there is provided an envelope-outlining device 1 comprising first and second tracing members 2, 3 and nut and bolt assembly 4.

(11) Nut and bolt assembly 4 comprises bolt 5, nut 6 and washers 7, 8. Nut and bolt assembly 4 provides means to releasably fix tracing members 2, 3 in a substantially fixed position relative to each other when envelope-outlining device 1 is in use.

(12) Turning to tracing members 2, 3. Each tracing member is substantially semi-elliptical in shape, having an arcuate outer edge 9, 10 and a substantially linear tracing edge 11, 12.

(13) Arcuate outer edge 9, together with substantially linear tracing edge 11 defines tracing member 3.

(14) Arcuate outer edge 10, together with substantially linear tracing edge 12 defines tracing member 4.

(15) Each tracing member 2, 3 comprises an arcuate slot 20, 21 adjacent to its respective arcuate edge 9, 10. Arcuate slots 20, 21 are of a width to allow bolt 5 to pass therethrough such that bolt 5 may be engaged with nut 6 such as to releasably fix tracing members 2, 3 in a substantially fixed position relative to each other.

(16) Each tracing edge 11, 12 of each tracing member has a proximal end 14, 15 and a distal end 16, 17, and each tracing edge 11, 12 has a substantially triangular protrusion 18, 19, approximately midway between its proximal end 14, 15 and distal end 16, 17.

(17) Turning to FIG. 3, which shows a single protrusion, 18, it can be seen that protrusion 18 comprises first edge 22 and second edge 23. First edge 22 meets tracing edge 12 at an angle of approximately 40. Similarly, second edge 23 meets tracing edge 12 at an angle of approximately 40. First edge 22 and second edge 23 meet at vertex 24 of protrusion 18 at an angle of approximately 100.

(18) Protrusion 19 is of a corresponding configuration to protrusion 18, comprising a corresponding vertex 29.

(19) Turning to envelope-outlining device 1 in use, and referring to FIGS. 3 to 7, envelope-outlining device 1 is adapted so as to be able to readily create a bespoke envelope for a rectangular or square card of any relative dimensions (provided that the card is not so large in size as to require a larger envelope-outlining device).

(20) In order to produce an outline 25 of an envelope for a card 26 from a sheet of material 27, card 26 is first positioned on material 27 and corner markings 28 are marked on material 27.

(21) Envelope-outlining device 1 is adjusted such that vertices 24, 29 of protrusions are of a distance apart such that they may lie on a first pair of corner markings 28. Tracing members 2, 3 of envelope-outlining device 1 are secured in a substantially fixed position relative to each other using nut and bolt assembly 4.

(22) Envelope-outlining device 1 is positioned with vertices 24, 29 of protrusions located on a first pair of corner markings 28.

(23) A first half 30 of envelope outline 25 is then marked on material 27 using any suitable implement such as a pen or pencil. By tracing the full length of tracing edges 11, 12 (i.e. from where respective tracing edges 11, 12 meet adjacent their proximal ends 14, 15 to their distal ends 16, 17) half of the outline 25 of an envelope may be marked.

(24) Turning to FIG. 6 it can be seen that the same marking procedure is adopted with the second pair of corner markings 28.

(25) Envelope-outlining device 1 is flipped over or rotated and positioned with vertices 24, 29 of protrusions located on a second pair of corner markings 28.

(26) Evidently there is no need for further adjustment of the relative positions of the tracing member 2, 3 owing to them being secured relative to each other by nut and bolt assembly 4.

(27) By again tracing the full length of tracing edges 11, 12 (i.e. from where respective tracing edges 11, 12 meet adjacent their proximal ends 14, 15 to their distal ends 16, 17) the second half 31 of the outline 25 of an envelope may be marked.

(28) The envelope may then be cut from material 27 by any suitable implement, such as a knife or scissors.

(29) It can be seen that the vertices 24, 29 of the protrusion 18, 19 are adapted to be positioned at the corners of an outline of an envelope when the envelope-outlining device 1 is in use. Indeed the device is adapted such that when in use protrusions 18, 19 may be positioned at a first pair of corner markings and a first half of an envelope outline may be marked, and the protrusions 18, 19 may be positioned at a second pair of corner markings and a second half of an envelope outline may be marked.

(30) As can be clearly seen from the drawings, protrusions 18, 19 are adapted such that when the device has been used protrusions 18, 19 provide that the resultant envelope outline embodies flaps that overlap each other when folded.

(31) It will be apparent that a device made in accordance with the present invention could be made of any suitable material, such as a plastics material. Preferably each tracing member would be molded in one piece.

(32) Although in the present embodiment a nut and bolt connector is used it will be apparent that any suitable connection means may be employed. Indeed a connector that does not protrude from the base of the device may be preferable such that the device may lay entirely flat on a surface.

(33) Although in the present embodiment the tracing members are semi-elliptical in shape it will be apparent that other shapes could of course be employed.

(34) Many variations are possible without departing from the scope of the invention, as set out in the appended claims.