The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Sep. 26, 2006
Filed:
Feb. 02, 2005
James M. Critelli, Fuquay-Varina, NC (US);
Edgar T. Gilliam, Franklinton, NC (US);
James M. Critelli, Fuquay-Varina, NC (US);
Edgar T. Gilliam, Franklinton, NC (US);
Cooper Brands, Inc., Houston, TX (US);
Abstract
A folding rule includes a plurality of segments having length indicating indicia thereon, including a plurality of intermediate segments having a length to thickness ratio in the range of 40:1 to 60:1; the segments pivotally connected together and pivotally moveable between a collapsed configuration wherein the segments are stacked and an extended configuration wherein the segments are linearly aligned along a measurement axis, wherein at least one intermediate segment rotates by approximately 180° with respect to an adjacent intermediate segment to move between the collapsed configuration and the extended configuration; the segments formed of a generally homogenous electrically non-conductive mixture of wood and plastic. The intermediate segments may be substantially identical except for the length indicating indicia thereon, and at least the intermediate segments may be hydrophobic and be formed of a generally homogenous mixture of wood and ABS plastic. A method of forming such folding rules is also disclosed.