FIELD OF INVENTION

The invention in general relates to a drafter for drawings used in Engineering and architectural domain. More particularly it relates to dual mode drafter that can be used with equal efficiency by right handed and left handed users. More specifically the invention relates to multipurpose drafter which aims at eliminating the difficulties faced by persons who are naturally left hander’s and is used for drawing n number of different lines, arcs, circles, curves with ease and equipped with geometrical drawing accessories.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

In the field of Engineering Sciences, the representation of figures of various components and systems in two and three dimensional forms is very critical and it is of paramount importance for a student aspiring to take Engineering as career as he must be able to prepare drawings as an when required and is expected to understand and appreciate the elements of drawing as represented in a drawing sheet. Be it civil or mechanical or any core area of engineering activity, drawings are considered to be the medium through which Engineers convey their ideas. Hence it would be apt to say that 'Drawing is the language of Engineers'.

Given the scenario in which drawings play a critical and indispensable role in the field of Engineering, the necessity for suitable drafting instruments and apparatus to suit the needs of the students practicing Engineering drawing need not be emphasized. The drafting apparatus used by those practicing drafting as a study or career must be able to be used with relative efficacy and ease so that the users of these apparatus and instruments do not feel it as a burden or a cumbersome exercise.

But in actual practice, if one observes, the drafting instruments / apparatus used in today's Engineering education as well as industrial usage, it can be found that they are designed to be used with more accuracy and ease by a person with right hand abilities. The conventional 'L' shaped scale of the drafting apparatus prevalent nowadays have been proved to be efficient for the right handed people but on the other hand, the same drafting apparatus when used by the left handed people is not user friendly and the drawing outputs of left handed people are prone to errors while being used by them. Also, the 'C shaped clamping system used in the current models of drafting apparatus has been found ineffective especially in surfaces having lesser thickness in the drawing table. Further, the connecting rods are rendered ineffective at certain areas while the user tends to draw straight lines continuously at the top corners. In addition to these difficulties, the conventional drafting apparatus lack any proper utility space for holding the drawing gadgets.

Thus, any person with naturally left handed abilities and using left hand for writing or for drawing is at great difficulty while using the drafting apparatus which are generally available in the market. The orientation of the drafting apparatus and their principle of operation can be observed to be posing great challenges to persons with left handed abilities and invariably for a person with his / her left hand as natural hand, due to the difficulties faced in handling the drafting apparatus, the time consumed for preparing Engineering drawings will take enormous time. Also, there is a possibility of mistakes being done by the student / draftsman with left handed abilities while using the conventional drafting apparatus which are predominantly advantageous to right handers.

Thus to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks and limitations in the current available drafters in the market, there is strong felt a need to develop a novel and more efficient drafter which is not only user friendly for the left handed persons but also having multipurpose usage in Engineering drawings and applications.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The principal object of the present invention is to provide a novel dual mode drafter for both left and Right handed users.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a multipurpose drafter for drawing n-number of parallel, perpendicular and inclined lines along with drawing n-numbers of circles, arcs and curves with reference to a point or axis or line.

A further object of the present invention is to provide geometrical accessories in the scales with inbuilt provision for holding geometrical instruments, electrical/electronic or mechanical gadgets.

It is yet another object of the present invention to make the drafter suitable for drawing isometric projections/ drawings by inclusion of a Y-shaped strip.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

According to the invention, a multipurpose dual mode drafter, which is improvised, for being used by persons with left handed abilities with efficiency is provided. The existing single 'L' shaped scale in the drafting apparatus has been modified into three different scales which are in the form of alphabets of 'L', 'IT 'J as well as 'Z' and ' V which would result in improving the efficiency of the persons with predominantly left handed abilities to use the drafting apparatus.

The construct of the dual mode multipurpose drafter comprises of a minimum two scales and atleast 1 pair of linkages equipped with multistage elongated beams being connected by means of I, O or U shaped connectors which are connected to the two I shaped connecting strips with the scales through a bracket hosting the Y shaped strip.

Further the I shaped connecting strips enables the drafter to be used by both dual mode users in a user friendly way for drawing applications

The drafter has a C-shaped clamping system capable of being equipped with sharpener and a provision for hoding pens/ pencils and erasers for multi purpose usage.

Finally the Knobs of the drafters in the scales and clamping system have provisions for fixing watch/timers in either of the knobs as per convenience of the users.

The scales of the drafter are provided with equidistant holes measuring 0.0-0.7 millimetres in the diameter for every 1 mm in the scale which enables users to scale and draw circles as well as lines inclined at a desired angle with ease.

There are washers provided in each system where ever clamping of the apparatus is needed for appropriate functioning of the same without compromising on the quality of the drawing output. It must also be noted that there is no change in the efficacy levels of normal i.e., persons with right handed abilities while using this drafting apparatus.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

The present disclosure will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 (a) & 1 (b) illustrates the perspective view of the drafter in Right Hand Mode and Left hand mode in accordance with an aspect of the present invention

FIGURE 2 (a) and 2 (b) illustrates Scale-1 and Scale 2 of the drafter in accordance with an aspect of the present invention

FIGURE 3 (a), 3 (b), 3(c), 3(d) and 3(e) illustrates connecting brackets, Y shaped strips, I shaped strip, circular bracket and Beams respectively.

FIGURE 4(a) illustrates top view and 4 (b) illustrates side view of the C-clamp system of the drafter in accordance with an aspect of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION:

The Multipurpose dual mode drafter in accordance with the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which does not limit the scope and ambit of the disclosure.

Referring to the drawings, figure 1 represents perspective view of the Multipurpose Dual Mode Drafter used by the Right handed person in accordance with the present invention. The drafter comprises of C Shaped clamp (1) linked with two I-shaped strips (2) using one or more Beams (3) which are in turn connected to the drafter's scales with the help of beams through the Connecting Bracket (4). The connecting bracket (4) is attached to the scales (7, 8, 9) through the Y-shaped strip (5). The said Drafter can be used in different shapes through arranging scales (7, 8, 9) in the desired shaped.

The assembly of the scales (7, 8, 9), Y shaped strip (5) and the connecting bracket (4) are fixed together with one or more knobs. The said knobs (10,11) have the provision of keeping the timer/clock in it. This enables user to check time and complete/plan the job on the basis of the requirements given by their respective authorities. The pair of I shaped strips (2) enables the person to arrange the drafter in accordance to their handedness and requirements. In order to draw the isometric drawings, the scales (7, 8, 9) are attached in the J shape. This enables the user to draw the drawing clearly without disturbing the positions of the drafter. The provision for keeping the geometrical gadgets are provided in the drafting system at C-shaped Clamp (1) for keeping pencils/pen (13), erasers (12) and also in the protractor embedded scales (7, 8, 9) for different type of electronic/mechanical/electronic gadgets (14). The washers (15) are provided for proper gripping purpose.

Referring to the drawings, figure 1(b) represents perspective view of the Multipurpose Dual Mode Drafter used by the left handed person which has similar components to that of the Multipurpose Dual Mode Drafter used by the right handed person but varies with the handedness.

Referring to the drawings, figure 2 (a) represents perspective view of the Multipurpose Dual Mode Drafter's scales-I where in the scale is configured with the French curves (16) in built in the scale which are mainly used for drawing the n-number of curves. The scale is also having a protractor embedded with the scale (17) for enabling the user to clearly locate the angles and also helps drawing arcs with reference to point/line/curves. The scales of the drafter are also configured with equidistant holes (18) measuring 0.0-0.9 millimetres in the diameter for every 1 mm in the scale and also for the 0-10 degrees. This enables the person to draw n-number of parallel/perpendicular/inclined lines to a point/line/curve.

The said protractor embedded scale is adapted to hold electronic/ mechanical/electrical gadgets (14) for enabling the user to use the drafter for multipurpose requirements. The said scale are attached to the Y-shaped strip with a set of fasteners or magnets (19) and another set of fasteners (20) for holding electronic/ electrical or mechanical gadgets (14) and thereby making the scale usable for drawing different kinds of designs.

The said scales are also having the inbuilt lower diameter circles (34) less than 20 mm which makes the user capable of drawing circles of smaller diameter.

Referring to the drawings, figure 2 (b) represents perspective view of the scale-II configured with in-built system geometrical variations (21, 22) enabling the scale-1 system to connect with scale -2 and giving rise to different types of shapes which as in the form of alphabets such as T, 'J', 'L', 'U' and 'Z' shapes used in different drawing purposes. The said scale I and scale II also has the fixtures to attach to the other parts of the drafter assembly (23).

Referring to the drawings, figure 3 (a) represents perspective view of the Multipurpose Dual Mode Drafter's connecting bracket which in turn comprises of a provision of fixing the knob embedded with the provision of keeping timers/Clock (23). The said connecting bracket is used for connection the bracket for different scales properly through the help of knobs and for the proper holding purpose. The other side of the connection bracket is also having the provision to connect the drafters assemble to the C- shaped clamping device through the help of beams (24).

Referring to the drawings, figure 3 (b) represents perspective view of the Multipurpose Dual Mode Drafter's Y-shaped strip for fixing the scales in different shapes for enabling the person to draw not only normal drawings but also the isometric drawings more conveniently. The said y-shaped drafter has a fixture to connect to the other parts of the drafter system and also to calibrate the assembly. (23). The Y- shape strip is obtained when the metal strips are in the 0-90-240 or 0-90-210 degrees angle. The provision is also provided to keep fixing the drafter assembly perfectly (18). The calibration purpose the Y-shaped strip has provision to view the scales mid axis line (25).

Referring to the drawings, figure 3(c) represents perspective view of the Multipurpose Dual Mode Drafter's I-shaped strip configured with three different fixtures for connecting with the scales of the drafter. Fixtures (24) for linking the beams to the scales. Fixture (26) to join another I-Shaped strip of same configuration to make the drafter flexible and capable for using in dual handed mode. The I-shaped strip is further having a gear nut system at the center (27) for proper gripping purpose when in use.

Referring to the drawings, figure 3 (d) represents perspective view of the Multipurpose Dual Mode Drafter's circular bracket which can be used to cover the extraneous portion of the scale when 2 or fewer scales are used for drawings.

This enables the person to cover the extraneous portion of the scale and also helps in improving the quality of the drawing. The said circular bracket can also be used as a replacement for the said pair of I shaped strips as and when required through the inbuilt provision give in the circular bracket. The provision is provided to fix the beams (24) and also the scales assembly (23).

Referring to the drawings, figure 3 (e) represents side view the linking beams having multistage elongating rods (28) with the fixtures (24) used for connecting to the C shaped clamp and scales through a pair of I-shaped strip.

Referring to the drawings, figure 4 (a) represents top view of the C-Shaped clamp using for gripping the drafter to the surface and adapted to hold pencils/pens (13) and erasers (12).

This system helps the user to keep the pencils/pens and erasers using extra space. This intern reduces the burden of the user and also increases neatness of the drawings. The knob (11) of the C-Shaped clamp can be configured to hold timers/clocks. The clamp is provided with fixtures (24) to link with the beams (28).

Referring to the drawings, figure 4 (b) represents side view of the Multipurpose Dual Mode Drafter's C-Shaped clamp equipped with a provision to hold sharpener (29) on the bottom side of the drafter.

The knob is further connected to the shaft (30) and also to the strip (31) for proper griping purpose. The said C-Shaped clamp's shaft is being externally threaded which passes the clamp's internally threaded region (32) thereby fixing the drafter to the surface.

This in turn helps in the proper clamping for different thickness of the drawing tables. A rubber strip (33) is provided in the bottom of the C-Shaped clamp's surface for proper griping purpose.

EXAMPLES:

In the real times, the engineers and architects are either using the conventional T-shaped scales and other accessories or mini-drafters. The mini-drafters are the most used equipment by students and professionals for drafting designs. It must be noted that the conventional mini-drafters is not the sole equipment needed for drafting designs. The other accessories namely compass, dividers, protractor, scales, pens, pencils, erasers and other electrical/electronic or mechanical gadgets are also required to make the job done. This requires the person to make additional investment to buy the accessories to meet the requirements. This is turn results in the high cost of the product. Also it must be noted that the drafters available is the market are mostly right handed oriented in use. Hence the left hander person face difficulty to use these drafters take more time compared to that of right handed persons.

To eliminate the difficulties faced by the persons using the drafters. The multipurpose dual mode drafter plays a very important role in avoiding the limitations faced by conventional drafters. These are explained in detail using the following examples:

Example- 1: Drawing n-number of lines, curves, arcs and measuring angles

The conventional drafters are capable to drawing n-number of lines but are not capable enough to draw n-number of curves, arcs and also measuring angles. This limitation is eliminated by the multipurpose dual mode drafter by introducing protractor embedded scales comprises of in built features namely French curves, the circular holes of equidistant spaces on both lines and angles of diameter varying from 0-0.9 mm. the said protractor embedded scales. It also contains the circular hole of diameter less than 20mm. this makes the person to easily do the task in a very convenient manner.

Example -2: Drawing Isometric drawings/ projections

In the case of the conventional drafters, drawing Isometric drawings/ projections is very difficult with pentagraph (or L- shaped scale). The scale has to be disturbed frequently while drawing them. This difficulty is been minimized using Y- shaped strip with the scale. This not only makes the task easier but also saves the time to complete the task.

Example -3: Dual Mode Flexibility:

In the case of the conventional drafters, they are either right handed or left handed but in the case of multipurpose dual mode drafter the pair I-shaped strips makes it to be useful for both the right handed/ left handed/ambidextrous persons.

Example 4: Provision to hold Geometric accessories and electrical/electronic or mechanical gadgets.

Conventional drafters lack the provision to hold Geometric accessories and electrical/electronic or mechanical gadgets. They require extra space and also sometimes damage the neatness of the drawing sheets (especially while sharpening the pencils) and also checking the time is also very important criteria for doing the task. The multipurpose dual mode drafters have all these provisions. It is configured to hold all this Geometric accessories and electrical/electronic or mechanical gadgets either in the scales or knobs or in C-shaped Clamp. This makes the device to meet the present day requirements. These can in turn help upgrading the device on par with the latest technological development.

This can be explained from the following ways:

• The provision to keep the geometrical accessories helps the person to hold the items in a convenient way without having extra spacing.

• The provision to keep the electronic gadgets (namely, Calculators, tablets, mobile phones, clocks, cameras) not only helps the person to do the task but also to take photographs or do CAD document files in tablets and do to simulation and analysis and send them in email or copy them in the computers. It also help in calibration to the drawing as well as the device

• The provision to keep the electrical gadgets (namely, torches, bulbs) helps the person to work even in the dark places.

• The provision to keep the mechanical gadgets help in proper calibration of the device and also to make inspection to the quality of the drawing.

TECHNICAL ADVANTAGES

The technical advantages of the present invention includes providing a novel Multipurpose Dual Mode Drafter for the usage of both left and Right handed persons for drawings.

The drafter's scales can be configured in flexible shapes of L, V, U , I, C, Z, J to draw, measure and calibrate against the conventional drafter scales capable of being used in L shape.

The proposed drafter is adapted to draw n-number for parallel/inclined/perpendicular lines and also curve/arcs with reference to a point/line/ curve. It also has circles with smaller radius in built in the scales to enable the user to draw the circle of smaller diameters ranging 0.1 mm to 20 mm respectively.

The present device is adapted to hold various geometrical, mechanical and Electronic devices in scales, c-clamping system as per the requirement of the user.

claim:

1. A Multipurpose dual mode drafter used in engineering and architectural drawings, comprising: at least two scales (7, 8) with in-built geometrical variations functionally connected to at least one pair of I-shaped strips (2) with a means of Y-shaped strip (5), a connecting bracket (4) on the scales, one pair of knobs (10,11) and a C-shaped clamping system (1) on the other end connected by multi-stage elongated beams (3) to the I-shaped strips;

The said drafter can be attached and detached as per use and requirement.

2. The drafter as claimed in claim 1, where in the said scales are configured with circular holes of equidistant spaces on both lines and angles of diameter varying in the range of 0-0.9 mm and french curves for drawing n-number of lines, arcs, curves.

3. The drafter as claimed in claim 1, where in the said scale comprises of a Y-shaped strip to functionally enable the scales to be used is L, V, U, I, C, Z, J shapes for drawings and may be used optionally for calibration purpose.

4. The drafters as claimed in claim 1, where in the scales and the pair of knobs are equipped to hold geometrical accessories along with mechanical, electronic and electrical devices.

5. The drafter as claimed in claim 1, where in the C-shaped clamping system is adapted to hold pencils/pens and erasers and also a provision to hold sharpener at the bottom.

6. The drafter as claimed in claim 1, where in the assembly of the scales, Y-shaped strip, knobs & pair of I-shaped strips can be fixed either by iron-magnet mechanism, screw-nut mechanism; self assembled mechanism or combination thereof.

7. The drafter as claimed in claim 1, where in the assembly of the C- shaped clamp, pair of I- shaped strips and connecting bracket through the beams are connected by screw-nut mechanism, pivot pins, self assembled mechanism or combination thereof.

8. The drafter as claimed in claim 1, wherein material used to make the drafter is selected from single composition or the combination of non radioactive, non corrosive, durable materials such as metals (except mercury and Barium), alloys, plastics, wood, rubber, ceramics & composite materials.