What is the Auto Angler?


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        The Auto Angler is a simple way of taking flat measurements
of irregularly shaped holes.  The device can be used to make accurate marks
around any flat shape, even if it's overhead or standing erect like a
wall, to accurately cut a piece of any sheet good to fill that hole.  The
material used to fill that hole, the sheet goods, can be anything from
glass to cardboard although sheetrock was the primary material for which it
was created.  And, it can be used even if you cannot read a tape measure!
Most builders, including do it yourselfers are familiar with the old 3-4-5 method. It goes back to the pothagerean theorem in saying that, if you measure along one side, from a corner, 3 inches, and 4 inches from the same corner along the other side, the measurement between these two marks will be 5" if the corner is 90 degrees. The Auto Angler was created for cases where this measurement is anything but 5". You could try using the actual measurement to judge the angle, or measure it with a protractor however,
"If you're off 1/16" in the first 3", you're off 3/4" in 3 feet."

That's how the auto angler really works. All flat shapes are made up of points. The most important points that make up any shape, if you wish to duplicate it, are the corners. If you can find all the corners accurately, you can connect the dots to accurately duplicate that shape. Even circles can be accurately recreated from enough points. And, the points can be inside the shape, such as a pipe sticking through a wall, as well. The Auto Angler doesn't care, it just finds points.

How does the Auto Angler find the points ?


That's another old method, just done in a new and effective way. The 3-4-5 method is based upon a rule of triangles. Another rule of triangles, is that, if you have three lines which cannot change in length, they can only form one triangle. That triangle can be flipped around, rotated, anything, but it will still be the same triangle. The trick comes in having the corner you're looking for as one of the corners of the triangle. Then, it's a simple matter of having three measurements.
One side of your shape is used as a side of all the triangles you will need to find all the corners. Then, you need the right and left measurements to have three sides. This method is called triangulation, and is used in such things as tracking the space shuttle and aircraft. The auto angler is simply a way of doing this accurately, quickly and without the need to even read the tape measure.
However, this does not limit you to strait measurements. Are you tired of making square tables or would your knights just prefer a round one? The AutoAngler is also the largest functional compass that you're likely to find in a toolbox. Turn the workpiece over, a good idea for any marking, and find the center. Tap the marking/layout block into the center with either hole in the block over that center point. Stick the pivot in and pull the tape out. The marking block has a clear lid so that you can lock it in place, say 2' out. Draw your circle. You now have a 4' circle. The prototype will work to 16', but there's no limit on using longer tapes. Use your biskit cutter, or dowels, to create a large plank surface for a round table. With a little drafting experience, you can lay out any elipse or multi-sided shape with the AutoAngler, a strait edge and a pencil. Why not round one end of a countertop near the doorway or on an island? Anything that you can imagine, you can build. All you need is a flat surface. It does not have to be square, level or even lying on the floor. Just because all the uses I've listed require a flat surface does not mean that only wallboard or plywood can be used. Imagine setting a deck square to the front of your house. How would you do it? A four foot square? Why not AutoAngle it?
Drill small, 3/16" holes in the top center of your posts. This will be covered over later anyway. You will need 3 posts. Not hard since there will be at least two against the house. Push the pivots on the tapes into these holes, then pull the tapes out until they cross on the third post. It's a simple matter of computing how long the diagonal should be from knowing the distance between the posts against the house, and the strait measurement to the third post. diagonal = SQR(SIDE1²+side2²) You can do this on a calculator down to the minimal accuracy of your tape. Or, just use it to make the 3-4-5 method work out easier. 3"-4"-5", 3'-4'-5', 6'-8'-10', 30'-40'-50' Better yet, do one end the hard way, then use the AutoAngler to put in the pole at the other end from those measurements? It works in scale, so you can take the measurements from a blueprint or drawing.

How do I get more information?

A demonstration tape is available for manufacturors who wish to license this patented [#5692312] system. The patent is on the system, not specifically the device, but a prototype is available for your inspection. Thank you for your time.
This patent expired because I could not afford the confiscatory fees required to maintain it. The United States of America is not going to remain competitive for long if we cannot be more supportive to the creative talent that this nation posesses. The Patent had been expired for over a year until I was contacted by anybody who showed an interest in investing in the patent. Most of the contacts that I received were from other companies trying to sell me services that I could not afford. Is this all that we can offer in the way of aiding inventors in this country?

I consider it theft of my intellectual property to harvest my email addresses for use in scamming me with Unsolicited Commercial Email, also called 'Spam' and email marketing. With the number of unpaid hours I have put into cleaning up the email systems I run, even at minimum wage, I could pay off the debt of all my close relatives and friends. If you are considering 'email marketing,' then ask yourself why the general public is paying more not to hear from you than you are paying in the belief that you have millions of customers waiting to hear from you. Try Amway/Quixtar instead. I can give you contact information for that if you cannot find it on your own. E-mail
And The press release
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