U.S. patent application number 11/830526 was filed with the patent office on 2009-02-05 for adjustable carpenters square with tape measure.
Invention is credited to James A. Ogilvie.
Application Number | 20090031577 11/830526 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40297978 |
Filed Date | 2009-02-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090031577 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ogilvie; James A. |
February 5, 2009 |
ADJUSTABLE CARPENTERS SQUARE WITH TAPE MEASURE
Abstract
An adjustable carpenters square is presented, which aids
carpenters in marking and measuring work product to be cut or
formed. The adjustable square can be set at a variety of angles to
enable cut marking. It also possesses an attached measuring tape
and a straight edge to combine three useful features in one
tool.
Inventors: |
Ogilvie; James A.; (Vista,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
STEVEN W. WEBB
825 College Blvd., Suite 102620
Oceanside
CA
92057
US
|
Family ID: |
40297978 |
Appl. No.: |
11/830526 |
Filed: |
July 30, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
33/770 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G01B 3/1084 20130101;
B43L 7/12 20130101; G01B 3/566 20130101; B43L 7/005 20130101; G01B
3/1089 20200101; B25H 7/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
33/770 |
International
Class: |
G01B 3/10 20060101
G01B003/10 |
Claims
1. an adjustable carpenters square, the carpenters square comprised
of a tape holder and a tape cassette, the tape holder possessing an
upper side and an under side, the tape holder an elongated
rectangular piece of material, the tape holder upper side
possessing a tape cassette holder to which the tape cassette is
attached removably, the tape holder upper side also possessing a
tape guide which extends the length of the tape holder from the
tape cassette holder to the end of the tape holder, the tape guide
an angled piece of material open at one side, the tape cassette
possessing a long, flexible measuring tape that can be pulled out
of the tape cassette and extended through the tape guide to the end
of the tape holder, the tape holder under side possessing a
straight edge raised above the surface of the tape holder under
side, extending from one end of the tape holder underside to the
other along the longer dimension, the tape holder under side
possessing two adjustable arms, each arm attached at the end of the
tape holder underside away from the tape cassette holder, each
adjustable arm attached rotatably to the tape holder underside by
means of a pivot point, the pivot points place on either side of
the straight edge, the adjustable arms each possessing a plurality
of guide holes punched through their material in a semi circle, the
positioning of the guide holes at regular angular displacements
around the pivot point, the underside of the tape holder possessing
two spring-loaded bearings, each spring loaded bearing placed on
the tape holder underside such that the bearing will push up
through the guide holes when the adjustable arm is positioned at a
preselected angle with respect to the pivot point, the adjustable
arms held adjustably and firmly by means of the spring-loaded
bearing extending upwards through the guide holes.
2. An adjustable carpenters square as in claim 1 where the material
comprising the tape holder is selected from the list of steel,
aluminum, or plastic.
3. A method of using an adjustable carpenters square as in claim 1
and claim 2, the method comprised of the steps of obtaining a piece
of material to measure, extending the flexible measuring tape from
the end of the tape cassette through the tape guide past the end of
the tape holder to the end of the piece of material, hooking the
end of the tape over the end of the piece of material, laying the
adjustable carpenters square along the piece of material and extend
the tape by pulling the adjustable carpenters square away from the
end of the piece of material to the other end of the material,
marking the piece of material at an appropriate point along the
flexible measuring tape, allowing the flexible measuring tape to
retract until the end of the tape hooks over the end of the tape
holder.
4. A method of using an adjustable carpenters square as in claim 1
and claim 2, the method comprised of the steps of opening up one of
the adjustable arms, comprised of the substeps of pulling on the
end of the adjustable arm away from the pivot point, positioning
the adjustable arm such that the retractible bearing pushes up
through one of the guide holes, placing the adjustable arm
alongside an edge of the piece of material to be measured such that
the straight edge extends across the piece of material at the
desired angle, drawing a line along the straight edge from one side
of the material to the other.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to apparatuses for measuring a
work piece, providing means for layout markings, combined with a
retractable tape measure.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] To prepare wood or other materials for cutting or routing,
the workman uses a tape measure to measure the piece, a square for
making a reliable mark, and a straight edge to draw the mark. A
retractable tape measure, usually metal, is used to set the marks
based on length from one end of the piece. A workman often has
three or more instruments or tools to help with these tasks,
including a straight edge, a retractable tape, a square and a
marker (pencil or pen).
[0003] Combining a set of these tools into a single item that can
be easily carried has been approached in the art, for example U.S.
Pat. No. 5,787,599 to Clifton, which teaches a combination square
and tape measure, with an embedded protractor to set the square at
various angles to help in drawing diagonal lines. Other patents
such as U.S. Pat. No. 6,226,885 to Korich and U.S. Pat. No.
5,782,007 to Harris teach similar tool sets, with variations.
[0004] There is till a need for a combination tool that supports
the three functions of measuring, marking, and drawing that is
reliable and sturdy.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The present invention consists of a simple piece of metal
stock, aluminum or steel, that has a retractable metal tape holder
at one end, a guide channel to guide the tape, a straight edge on
its underside, and an adjustable t-square that can be set at a
plurality of predetermined angles. The square arms are locked in
place with a retractable ball bearing and can be easily moved.
[0006] The present invention meets the need for a combined hand
tool that can perform the indicated functions, can be carried on a
belt, is lightweight and durable. The adjustable T-square can be
locked firmly at various useful angles and help control the marking
function without the use of a protractor.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0007] It is an object of the present invention to provide a
measuring and marking tool utilizing a conventional retractable
tape measure in combination with a straightedge and a T-square.
[0008] It is a further object of the invention to provide such a
tool made from simple materials requiring the minimum amount of
machining and assembly.
[0009] It is a further object of the invention to provide such a
tool capable of marking materials at a variety of preset, useful
angles.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0010] FIG. 1. Perspective view of the invention
[0011] FIG. 2. Reverse perspective view of the invention
[0012] FIG. 3. Perspective view of invention underside
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0013] As shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 2, and FIG. 3 the invention 100 in
its preferred embodiment is comprised of a tape holder 101, a tape
guide 110, a retractable tape cassette 103, two square arms 102, a
measuring tape 104, a straight edge 108, two square arm pivots 107,
a plurality of guide holes 106, and two retractable bearings
105.
[0014] The tape holder 101 extends the length of the invention 100
and serves as the bottom of a channel formed by the tape holder 101
and the tape guide 110. The measuring tape 104 is extended from the
retractable tape cassette 103 and extends past the edge of the tape
holder 101, able to be pulled further out and used to measure any
product to be cut or fastened. The measuring tape 104 will retract
and stop such that the bent end of the measuring tape 104
encounters the end of the tape holder.
[0015] The underside of the invention 100 possesses a straight edge
108 extending the length of the tape holder 101. This edge can be
used to guide a marking implement (pencil or pen) when drawing
between marks on the product.
[0016] The square arms 102 are attached to the tape holder 101 by
means of two square arm pivots 107, and are permitted to rotate
easily. The square arms 102 are adjustable in their rotation by
means of the preset guide holes 106. A spring loaded retractable
bearing 105 permits the arm to be positioned at each of the
available angles, and when an arm 102 is moved forcibly, the
retractable bearing 105 is pushed down until the next guide hole
106 is presented, whereupon the bearing pops up to fill it, holding
the square arm 102 in place.
[0017] Although the invention has been described as a preferred
embodiment, equivalent features may be employed and substitutions
made within this specification without departing from the scope of
the invention as recited in the claims.
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