A needlework guide includes a sheet steel backing and a sheet steel frame defining a central, rectangular window therein. A picture to be produced in needlework is positioned on the backing. The picture is either superimposed on graph paper or a transparent overlay with a rectilinear grid thereon is positioned thereover. Magnetic strips hold the frame to the backing with the picture and any transparent overlay sandwiched therebetween. Vertical scales are positioned along opposite sides of the window with graduations equal to the spacing of the rectilinear grid and with numbers corresponding to the weft row to be woven. A horizontal scale also has graduations spaced at the same interval and duplicate sets of numbers ascending in both directions from the center of the scale. The numbers on the horizontal scale correspond to the warp yarns to be woven. Different colors of yarns are woven in correspondence with the colors on the image mounted between the frame and the backing. Stitches are woven in needlework at locations corresponding to matrix coordinates in the image as defined by the vertical and horizontal scales.

A microfilm reader includes a vertical rectangular projection screen surrounded by a rectangular frame. A cursor mechanism is separably provided which includes a vertical rail extending along a side edge of the screen between the frame top and bottom legs and slidably frictionally engaging a support member to which a cursor member is swingably mounted for angular adjustment in a plane parallel to the screen. The cursor member is releasably frictionally retained in its preset angular position and the support member is releasably frictionally retained in its preset vertical position. Cam means including a rotatable or slidable knob angularly adjusts the cursor member or the cursor member is directly turned by a knob attached to a pivot secured to the cursor member. The rail may be replaced by a side wall of the reader which is formed of magnetic material and the support member may carry a permanent magnet slidably securing it to the side wall.

A device for measuring and marking lines and points on a steel I-beam includes a rib for contacting the outside of an I-beam flange along a line opposite the center of the beam web, a measuring blade that rests on the beam web and measures distances from the outside of the flange, and a bridge for connecting the measuring blade to the rib in a way in which the measuring blade is held perpendicular to the flange. The device marks I-beams faster and more accurately that was possible using prior art tools and techniques.

Apparatus for securing flat articles to be cut, includes, in one embodiment, a base and a clamp bar coupled to the base by actuators. The actuators are slideably moveable to actuate the clamp bar between a clamping position near the base and an open position away from the base. A flat article is positioned between the clamp bar and the base, and the actuators are moved to position the clamp bar into the clamping position, securing the flat article to the base in a desired position for cutting. In an alternate embodiment, an apparatus includes a biasing member operatively engaged with the clamp bar to urge the clamp bar away from or toward the base. In another alternate embodiment, an apparatus includes a swing arm slideably coupled with the clamp bar, the swing arm having a straight edge. The swing arm projects away from the clamp bar and is slideably moveable across the base, thereby facilitating the securing of the flat and providing the straight edge for guiding a cutting device along a desired axis of cutting. In another embodiment, the swing arm includes pinch clamps that pinch and slideably engage the clamp bar, eliminating the need for maintaining precision tolerances between the clamp bar and the swing arm. In yet another alternate embodiment, the swing arm includes an angular adjustment assembly. In yet another alternate embodiment, an apparatus includes a cutting bar adjustably attached to the clamp bar. In yet another alternate embodiment, an apparatus includes a second clamp bar coupled to the base by second actuators, thereby allowing a flat article to be secured along two axes for cutting. In still another alternate embodiment, an apparatus includes a base having at least one channel disposed therein, a rail member engageable within the channel, a clamp bar, actuators and a swing arm. The swing arm is slideably coupleable with the clamp bar or with the rail.

Novel measuring and cutting apparatus and methods are disclosed. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a base member, an elongated member having an attachment end coupled to the base member and at least one straight edge adapted to extend over a workpiece, and a measuring arm. The measuring arm includes a first leg slideably coupled at right angles to the elongated member, and a second leg extending from the first leg and adapted to extend over the workpiece, the measuring arm defining a distance between the straight edge and the second leg. The apparatus allows accurate, repeated measurement when the straightedge is angled, and also allows access to the entire length of the straightedge for drawing or cutting.