U.S. patent application number 11/082271 was filed with the patent office on 2006-09-21 for holding tool for framing.
Invention is credited to George T. Metroyanis, Thomas G. Metroyanis.
Application Number | 20060207209 11/082271 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37008852 |
Filed Date | 2006-09-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060207209 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Metroyanis; George T. ; et
al. |
September 21, 2006 |
Holding tool for framing
Abstract
A tool for temporarily holding a second framing member to be
fastened into a frame assembly parallel to a first framing member
that is already fastened into the assembly. It has a track 1 with a
first fixed clamp plate 2 on one end and a second movable clamp
plate 11 on the other end; a slide bar 20 mounted on the track
between the first and second plates; third 21 and fourth 29 fixed
clamp plates on respective ends of the slide; and a clamp closing
device 15 that moves the second plate inward toward the fourth
plate. A second workpiece 32 between the second and fourth plates
will be clamped between them, and will push the slide toward the
first plate, simultaneously clamping a first workpiece 31 between
the first and third plates.
Inventors: |
Metroyanis; George T.;
(Poway, CA) ; Metroyanis; Thomas G.; (San Diego,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
JOHN V STEWART
1308 HENRY BALCH DRIVE
ORLANDO
FL
32810
US
|
Family ID: |
37008852 |
Appl. No.: |
11/082271 |
Filed: |
March 17, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/653.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04G 21/1891
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
052/653.1 |
International
Class: |
E04H 12/00 20060101
E04H012/00 |
Claims
1. A holding tool for framing, comprising: an outer bracket with
first and second ends; a fixed plate on the first end of the outer
bracket; a movable plate on the second end of the outer bracket; an
inner bracket with first and second ends; a fixed plate on each end
of the inner bracket; the inner bracket slidably mounted on the
outer bracket between the plates of the outer bracket to form two
simultaneously operating clamps with a fixed separation distance;
and a clamping mechanism that slides the movable plate toward the
inner bracket.
2. A holding tool for framing, comprising: a track having first and
second ends; a first clamp plate fixed on the first end of the
track; a second clamp plate slidably mounted on the second end of
the track; a slide bar mounted on the track between the first and
second plates, the slide bar having first and second ends adjacent
the first and second plates respectively; a third clamp plate fixed
to the first end of the slide; a fourth clamp plate fixed to the
second end of the slide; and a clamp closing device that moves the
second plate toward the fourth plate; whereby a first workpiece
placed between the second and fourth plates will be clamped between
them upon operation of the closing device, and the first workpiece
will then push the slide bar toward the first plate, which will
move the third plate toward the first plate and thus clamp a second
workpiece placed between the first and third plates.
3. The holding tool of claim 2, wherein the closing device is a
hand-operated ratchet comprising: a ratchet mechanism attached to
the track; a ratchet bar slidably mounted through the ratchet
mechanism; a ratchet handle with a fixed gripping portion and a
movable lever portion, the movable lever portion operably attached
to the ratchet mechanism for stepwise locked linear movement of the
ratchet bar through the ratchet mechanism upon repeated manual
squeezing of the ratchet handle; and wherein the second clamp plate
is attached to the ratchet bar such that operating the ratchet
mechanism moves the second plate toward the fourth plate.
4. The holding tool of claim 3, further comprising: a first spring
that operates between the track and the ratchet bar to separate the
second and fourth plates; a second spring that operates between the
track and the slide bar to separate the first and third plates; and
a release trigger on the ratchet mechanism that releases the
ratchet bar for relatively free slidable movement through the
ratchet mechanism; whereby the first and third plates will
automatically separate and the second and fourth plates will
automatically separate by action of the second and first springs
respectively upon operation of the release trigger.
5. The holding tool of claim 4, further comprising: first retaining
means for mounting the second plate on the track that provides a
limited sliding distance for the second plate on the track; second
retaining means for mounting the slide bar on the track that
provides a limited sliding distance for the slide bar on the track;
the second retaining means providing approximately half the sliding
distance of the first retaining means.
6. The holding tool of claim 2, wherein the clamp closing device
comprises: a screw shaft threaded boss fixed to the track outboard
from the second plate; a screw shaft threaded through the boss,
having an outer end with a turning handle and an inner end with a
ball joint attached to the second plate; whereby turning the handle
of the screw shaft moves the second plate inward and outward.
7. A holding tool for framing, comprising: a track having first and
second ends; a first clamp plate fixed on the first end of the
track; a second clamp plate slidably mounted on the second end of
the track; a slide bar mounted on the track between the first and
second plates, the slide bar having first and second ends adjacent
the first and second plates respectively; a third clamp plate fixed
to the first end of the slide; a fourth clamp plate fixed to the
second end of the slide; and a ratchet mechanism attached to the
track; a ratchet bar slidably mounted through the ratchet
mechanism; a ratchet handle with a fixed gripping portion and a
movable lever portion, the movable lever portion operably attached
to the ratchet mechanism for stepwise locked linear movement of the
ratchet bar through the ratchet mechanism upon repeated manual
squeezing of the ratchet handle; the second clamp plate attached to
the ratchet bar such that operating the ratchet mechanism moves the
second plate toward the fourth plate; a first spring that operates
between the track and the ratchet bar to separate the second and
fourth plates; a second spring that operates between the track and
the slide bar to separate the first and third plates; a release
trigger on the ratchet mechanism that releases the ratchet bar for
relatively free slidable movement through the ratchet mechanism;
first retaining means for mounting the second plate on the track
that provides a limited sliding distance for the second plate on
the track; and second retaining means for mounting the slide bar on
the track that provides a limited sliding distance for the slide
bar on the track, the second retaining means providing
approximately half the sliding distance of the first retaining
means; whereby a first workpiece placed between the second and
fourth plates will be clamped between them upon operation of the
ratchet mechanism, and the first workpiece will then push the slide
bar toward the first plate, which will move the third plate toward
the first plate and thus clamp a second workpiece placed between
the first and third plates, and whereby the first and third plates
will automatically separate and the second and fourth plates will
automatically separate by action of the second and first springs
respectively upon operation of the release trigger.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] This invention relates to clamps for holding two parallel
workpieces, especially for holding studs and trusses in alignment
for fastening during construction of a building.
[0003] 2. Description of Prior Art
[0004] Prior patents show various types of spacing tools for
positioning parallel framing members such as studs and trusses.
Some of these tools have two clamps at a desired separation
distance along a bar for holding framing members in parallel
alignment for installation. However, none of these tools have the
primary mechanism of the present invention--an outer bracket with
one movable plate and one stationary plate, and an inner bracket
that slides within the outer bracket to form two simultaneously
operating clamps with a fixed separation distance. None of the
prior dual clamp tools provide fully one-handed holding and
operation of the tool, including automated opening of the clamps
upon pressing a trigger release, as does the preferred embodiment
of the present invention.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] Objectives of this invention include: [0006] providing a
tool for temporarily holding a second framing member to be fastened
into a frame assembly parallel to a first framing member that is
already fastened into the assembly; [0007] providing such a tool
that can be held and operated with one hand, including clamping
both framing members simultaneously and releasing them
simultaneously; [0008] providing such a tool that is light-weight,
compact, and inexpensive.
[0009] These objects are met in a holding tool for framing having a
track 1 with a first fixed clamp plate 2 on one end and a second
movable clamp plate 11 on the other end; a slide bar 20 mounted on
the track between the first and second plates; third 21 and fourth
29 fixed clamp plates on respective ends of the slide; and a clamp
closing device 15 that moves the second plate inward toward the
fourth plate. A second workpiece placed between the second and
fourth plates will be clamped between them, and will push the slide
toward the first plate, simultaneously clamping a first workpiece
placed between the first and third plates.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the invention in an open
position accepting two framing members;
[0011] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the invention closed on two
framing members;
[0012] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the invention
[0013] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the
invention.
REFERENCE CHARACTERS
[0014] 1. Track [0015] 2. First, fixed clamp plate on track [0016]
3. Threaded studs for slidable mounting of the slide on the track
[0017] 4. Stop on track for spring 24 that operates against the
slide bar to move third plate 21 away from first plate 2 [0018] 5.
Spring chamber on track for spring 6 [0019] 6. Spring on track that
operates against ratchet bar assembly to move second plate 11 away
from fourth plate 29 [0020] 7. Cap nuts for retention of slide on
track [0021] 8. Threaded stud on track for slidable mounting of
second plate assembly 12 on track [0022] 9. Cap nut for slidable
mounting of second plate assembly on track [0023] 11. Second,
slidable clamp plate on track [0024] 12. Ratchet bar and second
plate assembly [0025] 13. Slot in ratchet bar assembly for stud 8
[0026] 15. Ratchet device fixed to track [0027] 16. Fixed handle on
ratchet device [0028] 17. Movable lever that operates ratchet
device by a hand squeeze [0029] 18. Ratchet release trigger or
button [0030] 19. Ratchet bar [0031] 21. Third, fixed clamp plate
[0032] 22. Slots in slide for mounting of slide on track [0033] 23.
Spring chamber in slide [0034] 24. Spring that operates between
slide and track to separate plates 2 and 21 [0035] 25. Spring cover
[0036] 26. Threaded studs on slide for adjustable mounting of
fourth plate [0037] 27. Nuts for fixing fourth plate at a selected
adjustment position [0038] 28. Adjustment slot for adjustable clamp
plate [0039] 29. Fourth, fixed, preferably adjustable clamp plate
[0040] 31. First workpiece [0041] 32. Second workpiece [0042] 34.
Retraction of ratchet bar closes both clamp jaws [0043] 35. Slide
bar moves to close clamp plate 20 [0044] 41. Screw shaft on second
embodiment clamping mechanism [0045] 42. Screw shaft turning handle
[0046] 43. Ball joint receiver portion attached to plate 11 [0047]
44. Screw shaft threaded boss fixed to track
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0048] The invention is a manual tool for holding a framing element
such as a wall stud or roof truss in alignment with a previously
fastened framing element for fastening into the frame. It comprises
three main subassemblies that are slidably attached to each
other.
[0049] As shown in FIG. 3, the first subassembly is a rigid
straight track 1 with a fixed clamp plate 2 on one end. The second
main subassembly is a movable clamp plate 11 that is slidably
mounted on the second end of the track. This clamp plate is
attached to a clamping mechanism, such as a screw rod or preferably
a ratchet bar 19. The clamping mechanism moves the second plate
inward for a short distance along the track. The third main
subassembly is a slide bar 20 that is slidably mounted on the
track. It has a fixed clamp plate 21, 31 at each end. One of these
31 is preferably adjustable as to its separation distance from the
other. The assembly of these subassemblies forms a pair of clamp
plates at each end of the track. Plates 1 and 21 form one pair, and
plates 31 and 11 form the second pair.
[0050] As shown in FIG. 1, a first workpiece 31 is inserted between
plates 2 and 21, and a second workpiece 32 is inserted between
plates 29 and 11. As shown in FIG. 2, the clamping mechanism is
then operated to retract 34 the ratchet bar to move plate 11 toward
plate 29. When the gap between the plates and the second workpiece
reaches zero, the second workpiece pushes against plate 29, which
pushes the slide bar 20 toward the first end of the track. This
action closes the gap between plates 2 and 21 and the first
workpiece. When gap around the first workpiece reaches zero, the
clamping mechanism tightens the plates on both workpieces. This
clamps them simultaneously and securely.
[0051] The preferred embodiment of the invention has a squeezable
ratchet handle designed for one-handed holding and operation of the
tool, as is known in the art of bar clamps. An example of a
suitable type of ratchet mechanism is shown in U.S. Pat. No.
5,022,137. The ratchet handle has a stationary handle part 16 and a
pivoting handle part 17. The pivoting handle part is operably
attached to the ratchet mechanism for stepwise locked linear
movement of the ratchet bar through the ratchet mechanism upon
repeated manual squeezing of the ratchet handle. A release button
or trigger 18 unlocks the ratchet bar so it can slide relatively
freely.
[0052] Preferably, two springs 6 and 24 are provided to
automatically open the clamp jaws when the release button 18 is
pressed. A first spring 6 operates between the track 1 and the
ratchet bar assembly 12 to move plate 11 away from plate 29. A
second spring 24 operates between the track 1 and the slide bar 20
to move plate 21 away from plate 2. These springs automatically
open the clamp when the release trigger 18 is pressed. Thus, the
user never needs two hands to manipulate the tool. The user always
has a free hand to pick up the next workpiece and place it in
position.
[0053] The drawings are conceptualized in that they do not show
unnecessary details known in the art. For example, plate 2 is fixed
to the track 1. This can be done by means of a screw or bolt
passing through the track from below, or by adhesive, welding, by
being fabricated integrally with the track, or by any other
suitable means. Similarly, plate 21 is fixed to the slide bar 20,
and plate 11 is fixed to the ratchet bar assembly 12. The ratchet
mechanism 15 is fixed to the track 1. This can be done by screws or
bolts passing through the track from above or by any other suitable
means. The drawings are oriented for left-handed holding of the
tool, leaving the right hand free to lift and position the second
workpiece 32. If right-handed holding of the tool is desired, it is
simply turned over.
[0054] Retention of the sliding parts can be done by other means
than threaded studs in slots as shown. For example, the track can
be extruded as a C-channel, and the slide bar can be a
complementary shape that nests within the channel. The travel of
the slide bar should preferably be limited to about half the travel
of the ratchet bar assembly. This allows the spring 24 between the
track and slide bar to separate plates 2 and 21 to a stopping
point, leaving plates 29 and 11 separated by the same amount from
the action of spring 6 between the track and the ratchet bar
assembly. Travel distances are determined by the length of the
slots 22 and 13.
[0055] FIG. 4 shows a second embodiment of the invention that uses
a screw shaft clamping mechanism 12 as known in the art of
C-clamps. It has a screw shaft 41 with a turning handle 42. The
working end of the screw shaft has a ball joint 43 that is attached
to plate 11. When the turning handle is turned in one direction,
the screw shaft moves plate 11 closer to plate 29. When the turning
handle is turned in the other direction, the screw shaft pulls
plate 11 away from plate 29.
[0056] In the claims, the term "outer bracket" refers to the track
1 and its two plates 2 (fixed) and 29 (movable). The term "inner
bracket" refers to the slide bar 20 and its two fixed plates 21 and
29. "Outer", "outward", or "outboard" means distally, relative to
the length of the tool. "Inner", "inboard", or "inward" means
proximally, relative to the length of the tool.
[0057] Although the present invention has been described herein
with respect to preferred embodiments, it will be understood that
the foregoing description is intended to be illustrative, not
restrictive. Modifications of the present invention will occur to
those skilled in the art. All such modifications that fall within
the scope of the appended claims are intended to be within the
scope and spirit of the present invention.
* * * * *