Adjustable Square Indexing Mechanism for Precise Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing adjustable squares face challenges in quickly and precisely positioning the body along the blade, due to the difficulty in accurately fixing the body at various points along the scale, which affects precision in measurements and operations.

Innovation Solution

An adjustable square design incorporating a blade with a scale, a body, a locking mechanism, and an indexing member that allows the body to be precisely indexed at known positions along the blade, utilizing a plurality of indexing apertures and notches for precise alignment and locking, enabling accurate positioning and measurement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the body is made movable along the blade, then the adjustable square can measure and mark at various positions, but it becomes difficult to quickly and precisely position the body at desired points

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to measure at various positionsVSAvoiddifficulty to position body precisely

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The blade is segmented with multiple indexing apertures at predetermined positions, allowing the body to be indexed at specific locations along the blade rather than requiring continuous positioning. This segmentation enables quick alignment at key measurement points while maintaining the ability to measure at various positions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The indexing apertures are pre-positioned at predetermined locations along the blade during manufacturing. This preliminary action of creating fixed reference points eliminates the need for operators to manually calculate or estimate positions, allowing them to simply align the body with the pre-marked apertures for precise and quick positioning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If traditional locking mechanisms are used, then the body can be secured at positions, but quick and precise positioning becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to secure body at positionVSAvoidtime to position and lock body

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The indexing apertures are pre-created at exact predetermined positions along the blade. This preliminary positioning provides immediate visual and physical references for the body, eliminating the time-consuming process of measuring and calculating positions before locking.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The indexing mechanism is self-aligning - the apertures and corresponding body features automatically guide each other into precise alignment when brought together, without requiring additional adjustment or measurement steps by the operator before engagement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS11555682B2Adjustable square

Publication Date: 2023.01.17 WOODPECKERS LLC

AI summary

An adjustable square has a blade including a scale, a body, a slot formed in the body for movably receiving the blade, a locking mechanism operably engaged with the body for releasably securing the blade within the slot, and an indexing member operably engaged with the body and operably engaged with the blade. The indexing member indexes the body at precise locations along the blade. A method for indexing an adjustable square is also provided. The method includes positioning a body of the adjustable square at a precise known position and indexing, with an indexing member of the adjustable square, the body of the adjustable square at the precise known position.