Insignia positioning template

#This invention relates to templates and, more particularly, to templates for positioning insignia on military uniforms.

#Military organizations typically promulgate rules and regulations, hereinafter referred to as rules, relating to positioning accoutrements such as insignia on military uniforms. The rules usually require relatively exact positioning of the insignia. For example, the letters "U.S." worn on the collar of the uniform of an U.S. Army officer are currently required by the rules (1) to be positioned 5/8 inch above the vertex of an acute angle formed by the collar and the uniform lapel, (2) to be centered and positioned on a center line passing through the vertex of the acute angle, and (3) to be positioned with the center line being parallel to the uniform neckline. Further, the rules require symmetry of insignia position as between the left and the right collars and lapels. It is no wonder that military personnel have found great difficulty in complying with the rules. It is also no wonder that alternatives are known for assisting personnel in complying with the rules.

#For example, U.S. Pat. No. 2,387,986; entitled "Insignia Positioning Device" and issued Oct. 30, 1945; discloses a flat, plastic, transparent, rectangular device with rectangular openings for inserting insignia therethrough and with line graduations marked thereon for ruler-like measuring and aligning the openings in accord with the promulgated positioning rules. When an opening is positioned, the insignia may be inserted through the opening for attaching the insignia to the uniform. The device may thereafter be lifted over the insignia without disturbing the attached and positioned insignia.

#My invention should become fully apparent when taken in connection with the accompanying detailed description and the accompanying drawing in which:

#FIG. 1 illustrates a typical military uniform with insignia illustratively positioned thereon;

#FIG. 2 illustrates a template in accord with the principles of my invention; and

#Referring to FIG. 1, a typical military uniform includes neckline 10, collar 20, and lapel 30. Collar 20 and lapel 30 are usually separated by a V-shaped notch in the form of acute angle 40. An upper insignia, here illustratively the letters "U.S.", is usually positioned with its lower edge situated, or disposed to be, a first predetermined distance, here 5/8 inch, above the vertex of angle 40. Similarly, a lower insignia, here illustratively the crossed cannons of the field artillery branch of the U.S. Army, is positioned with its upper edge situated a second predetermined distance, here also 5/8 inch, below the vertex of angle 40. Also, the upper and lower insignia are centrally positioned on center line 50, which passes through the vertex of acute angle 40. Too, the upper and lower insignia are positioned with center line 50 being parallel to neckline 10.

#Referring to FIG. 2, my illustrative template 100 is an easily operated and inexpensive template for accurately positioning uniform insignia. Template 100 may be constructed of plastic, transparent material and may be shaped to a flat surfaced, rectangular size of about two horizontal inches-by-four vertical inches with a thickness allowing flexibility and yet durability, for example, with a thickness of about 1/16 inch. Marked conspicuously on template 100 are none, one, or more than one vertical edge guidelines, here two edge guidelines are shown, i.e. guidelines 110 and 120, which are substantially parallel with vertically marked center line 150. Marked edge guidelines 110 and 120 and/or marked center line 150 are for easy parallel aligning of center line 150 with neckline 10. Also marked on template 100 are horizontal position guidelines 130 and 140, which are perpendicular to marked center line 150 and which are parallel to unmarked center line 160 and which are a first and a second predetermined distance, respectively, above and below unmarked center line 160 and hence, as will shortly be made more clear, above and below stud 170. Here, illustratively and in accord with the principles of my invention as a reflection of current positioning rules, the first and the second predetermined distances are each 5/8 inch. Marked position guidelines 130 and 140 are for accurately positioning the insignia edges a respective predetermined above and below the vertex of angle 40. Each of the position guidelines, edge guidelines, and center line markings may be any color or means, for example the color black, for allowing easy visual distinction among template, insignia and uniform. Situated at the intersection of marked center line 150 and unmarked center line 160 is stud 170. Stud 170 may be a cylindrically shaped device having a diameter of about 1/32 inch and protruding a distance of about 1/8 inch above and below otherwise flat surfaced template 100. Although described hereinafter, template 100 also includes slots 210, 220, 230, and 240, which are adapted for receiving the various insignia to be positioned and for slidably removing the template when the insignia are positioned.

#FIG. 3 is useful in further describing my improved template 100. Template 100 may be lain on uniform lapel 30 with protruding stud 170 inserted in the vertex of angle 40. Template 100 may thereafter be rotated either clockwise or counter-clockwise, pivoting around stud 170, until edge guideline 110, or alternatively marked center line 150, is relatively juxtaposed but substantially parallel to neckline 10. It should be clear that marked center 150 is then also substantially coincident with uniform center line 50.