U.S. patent application number 11/854614 was filed with the patent office on 2009-03-19 for casing measurement and marking tool.
This patent application is currently assigned to Nomis LLC. Invention is credited to Edward D. Adkins, Damian A. Kozina.
Application Number | 20090071020 11/854614 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40452816 |
Filed Date | 2009-03-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090071020 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kozina; Damian A. ; et
al. |
March 19, 2009 |
CASING MEASUREMENT AND MARKING TOOL
Abstract
An adjustable marking and measuring tool including a locating
block and a guide block is provided. The locating block includes a
pair of abutments for locating the tool in the corner of a jamb.
The guide block includes a miter guide line edge for locating a
guide line for longitudinally locating a piece of trim. The guide
block includes a reveal guide line edge for marking the offset of
the trim from an opening defined by the jamb. The position of the
guide block relative to the locating block is adjustable for
adjusting the amount of reveal identified by the tool. The tool may
further include an engagement portion for engaging a mitered end of
a trim piece. Further, the tool may include an upstanding abutment
member to locate the guide block relative to a piece of trim for
marking a miter line across the trim piece.
Inventors: |
Kozina; Damian A.; (Chicago,
IL) ; Adkins; Edward D.; (Rockford, IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
REINHART BOERNER VAN DEUREN P.C.
2215 PERRYGREEN WAY
ROCKFORD
IL
61107
US
|
Assignee: |
Nomis LLC
Hampshire
IL
|
Family ID: |
40452816 |
Appl. No.: |
11/854614 |
Filed: |
September 13, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
33/194 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G01B 3/56 20130101; E04F
21/003 20130101; A47G 27/0487 20130101; B25H 7/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
33/194 |
International
Class: |
E04F 21/00 20060101
E04F021/00 |
Claims
1. An adjustable tool for assisting in installing trim pieces
proximate an opening in a wall having at least one ninety-degree
corner, the tool comprising: a locating block having first and
second abutments, the abutments aligned relative to one another to
provide a substantially ninety-degree effective angle to locate the
guide block in the ninety-degree corner; a guide block slidably
connected to the locating block, the guide block including a guide
edge extending outward beyond the first and second abutments and
extending within an oblique plane passing through a vertex of the
effective angle that extends obliquely to both effective lines of
the effective angle, the guide block being slidable relative to the
locating block in a direction being substantially parallel to the
oblique plane; and a catch connected to one of the locating block
or guide block, the catch and the other one of the locating block
or guide block selectively engageable to fix the locating block and
guide block in a selected one of a plurality of discrete
predetermined orientations, one of the catch or the other one of
the locating block or guide block includes a detent region defining
the discrete predetermined orientations and the other one of the
catch and the other one of the locating block and guide block
includes at least one corresponding protrusion configured to engage
the detent region.
2. The tool of claim 1, wherein the oblique plane is a bisecting
plane that bisects the effective 90 degree angle and extends at a
one-hundred thirty-five degree angle to the first and second
abutments.
3. The tool of claim 2, wherein the catch is in the form of at
least one pawl that includes the protrusion and the other one of
the locating block and guide block includes the detent region.
4. The tool of claim 3, further comprising a lock selectively
maintaining the pawl in engagement with the detent region.
5. The tool of claim 4, wherein the lock includes a locked position
wherein it is oriented proximate the pawl to prevent the pawl from
being biased out of engagement with the detent region and an
unlocked position oriented relative to the pawl to permit the pawl
to be biased out of engagement with the detent region.
6. The tool of claim 5, wherein the pawl pivots about an axis
substantially parallel to the bisecting plane.
7. The tool of claim 6, wherein the at least one pawl includes two
pawls in back-to-back relation forming a relief slot therebetween
and the other one of the locating block and scribe block includes
two detent regions, the lock inserting into the relief slot in the
locked position and removed from the relief slot in the unlocked
position.
8. The tool of claim 5, wherein the pawl pivots about an axis
substantially orthogonal to the bisecting plane.
9. The tool of claim 2, wherein adjacent detents in the detent
region are equally spaced apart.
10. The tool of claim 2, wherein the guide block further includes a
reveal guide edge that extends parallel to the portion of the first
abutment that forms a portion of the effective ninety-degree
angle.
11. The tool of claim 10, wherein the guide block includes a top
surface and a first sliding surface opposite the top surface, the
first sliding surface bearing against a second sliding surface of
the locating block, the guide edge and reveal guide edge being
formed by a first and a second face, respectively, extending
perpendicularly between the top surface and first sliding
surface.
12. The tool of claim 1, wherein the catch is unitarily formed in
one of the locating block or guide block.
13. A tool for assisting in installing trim pieces proximate an
opening in a wall having at least one ninety-degree corner, the
tool comprising: a locating block having first and second
abutments, the abutments aligned relative to one another to form a
substantially ninety-degree effective angle to orient the locating
block in the ninety-degree corner; a guide block connected to the
locating block, the guide block including a guide edge extending
outward beyond the first and second abutments and oriented within a
plane extending obliquely relative to both line segments forming
the effective ninety-degree angle, the guide block further
including first and second adjacent walls being spaced apart from
the guide edge, the first and second walls extending obliquely
relative to one another; at least one tack extending outward from
the first wall in a direction generally parallel to the second
wall; and a removable guard attachable to the guide block to cover
the at least one tack.
14. The tool of claim 13, wherein the guard includes at least two
spaced apart walls defining a gap therebetween, wherein the gap is
sized to receive a portion of the guide block therein.
15. The tool of claim 14, wherein the guide block defines first and
second opposed faces, wherein a first portion of the guide block
has a first thickness extending between the first and second faces,
and the guide block includes a second portion wherein the first
face includes a first recessed portion and the second face includes
a second recessed portion aligned with the first recessed portion,
the first and second recessed portions defining a second thickness
therebetween, wherein the first wall extends between the first and
second recessed portions, wherein the gap is substantially equal to
the second thickness and when the guard is attached to the guide
block, an outer surface of each of the walls of the guard are flush
with the first and second faces of the first portion of the guide
block.
16. The tool of claim 15, wherein the guide block and guard have
corresponding engagement structure for securing the guard to the
guide block.
17. The tool of claim 15, wherein the guide block further includes
a slot intersecting the first and second walls at an effective
intersection of the first and second walls, the slot extending
perpendicular to the second wall and away from the first wall.
18. A tool for assisting in installing casing proximate an opening
in a wall having at least one ninety-degree corner, the tool
comprising: a locating block having first and second abutments, the
abutments aligned relative to one another to form a substantially
ninety-degree effective angle to locate the guide block in the
ninety-degree corner; a guide block having first and second opposed
sides, the locating block connected to the first side of the guide
block, the guide block including a guide edge formed by a first
face extending between the first and second sides extending outward
beyond the first and second abutments, the guide edge being
oriented within an oblique plane passing through a vertex of the
effective angle and bisecting the effective angle; and an
upstanding member extending outward beyond the second side of the
guide block and away from the first side, a second face of the
upstanding member being parallel with one of the first and second
abutments, and the second face and guide edge forming an angle
equal to an angle between the guide edge and the first
abutment.
19. The tool of claim 18, wherein the locating block further
includes a reveal guide edge substantially intersecting and
extending at a one-hundred thirty-five degree angle with the guide
edge, the reveal guide edge being formed by the face of the
upstanding member.
20. The tool of claim 19, wherein the face of the upstanding member
extends perpendicularly relative to the first and second sides of
the guide block.
21. A method of marking an oblique cut line for forming a second
mitered end of a trim piece having a first mitered end extending
obliquely between an inside edge and an outside edge of the trim
piece, the cut line being located at a desired length of the trim
piece, the trim piece further including an end face extending
between the inside and out side edges and a top and bottom face of
the trim piece, the effective intersections of the end face and the
inside and outside edges forming first and second corners, the
method comprising the steps of: attaching a measurement tool to the
mitered end of the trim tool by engaging the end face with
engagement tacks of the measurement tool; aligning a tape measure
with one of the inside or outside edges; engaging the measurement
tool with an end of the tape measure aligned with the corner formed
by the one of the inside or outside edges with the end face;
extending the tape measure along the one of the inside or outside
edges at least beyond the desired length of the trim piece; marking
a location of a cut line identifying the desired length of the trim
piece proximate the one of the inside or outside edges; abutting an
abutment face of the measurement tool with the one of the inside or
outside edge; aligning a guide edge of the measurement tool with
the marked location; and marking a cut line for the second mitered
end using the guide edge as a guide, the cut line extending
obliquely relative to the inside and outside edges.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention generally relates to carpentry tools and
methods of using carpentry tools, and more particularly to
measurement and marking tools for measuring and marking the
location of trim pieces for forming casing proximate an opening in
a wall, and methods of marking trim pieces for cutting mitered
ends.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] As shown in FIG. 1, windows, doors, medicine cabinets, and
the like, typically include an outer frame, commonly called a jamb
100, which is installed into a rough opening 102 in a wall 103, by
installing a pair of wedge-shaped shims 104 between the outside of
the jamb 100 and the inner surface of the rough opening 102, and
driving one or more finishing nails 106 through the jamb 100 and
shims 104, and into framing of the wall 103 that defines the rough
opening 102. This process leaves an unsightly gap 108 between the
jamb 100 and the rough opening 102 that is typically covered, as
shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, with several pieces of trim 113, 114, that
are also known individually and collectively as window or door
casing 110.
[0003] The inner periphery of the jambs 100 may also vary slightly
over the length and width of the jamb 100, due to small amounts of
dimensional differences in the width and height of the inside
dimensions of the jambs 100, from one door or window to the next,
even in doors and windows that are of the same nominal width and
height.
[0004] In order to accommodate the above-described variations and
dimensional differences, it is also common practice to position the
inner edges 111, 112 of the trim pieces 113, 114 forming the casing
110 slightly back from the inner surface 115 of the jamb 100, as
shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, to form space known as a reveal 116 that
allows a small strip of the face 118 of the jamb 100 to remain
exposed, inside of the casing 110, in the finished installation.
The reveal 116 allows the position of the casing 110 to be shifted
slightly, with respect to the inner surface 115 of the jamb 100,
and the opening 102, to compensate for the variations and
dimensional differences described above, in a manner that can be
readily accomplished by a carpenter installing the casing 110, and
in a way that is essentially undetectable to the eye of a casual
observer of the finished installation. The reveal 116 also provides
an aesthetically pleasing architectural enhancement of the
appearance of the installed jamb 100 and casing 110.
[0005] Further, in some installations, the intersection of two
adjacent pieces of casing is formed by two mitered ends of the
adjacent trim pieces 113, 114. Typically, these ends are formed by
45 degree miter cuts on the ends of the adjacent trim pieces 113,
114.
[0006] By including 45 degree mitered ends and the reveals,
carpenters are required to mark the location where the trim pieces
113, 114 are to be located as well as measure the length of the
individual trim pieces 113, 114. Representative tools for assisting
in locating the placement of the casing, by either marking or
acting as a guide during placement, are illustrated in U.S. Pat.
Nos. 6,341,427 entitled "Window Casing Installation Tool";
2,473,639 entitled "Door Casing Gauge"; and 3,292,764 entitled
"Construction Gage." The present invention is generally directed to
these marking gages in combination with a tool for assisting in
measuring the length of the casing.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] In one embodiment, an adjustable trim tool for assisting in
installing trim pieces proximate an opening in a wall having at
least one corner including a guide block, a locating block and a
catch is provided. The locating block includes first and second
abutments. The abutments are aligned relative to one another to
form a substantially 90 degree effective angle to locate the guide
block in the corner. The guide block slidably connects to the
locating block. The guide block includes a guide edge extending
outward beyond the first and second abutments and that is oriented
within an oblique plane passing through a vertex of the effective
angle. The guide block being slidable relative to the locating
block in a direction being substantially parallel to the oblique
plane. The catch is connected to one of the locating block or guide
block. The catch and the other one of the locating block or guide
block selectively engages to fix the locating block and guide block
in a selected one of a plurality of discrete predetermined
orientations. One of the catch or the other one of the locating
block or guide block includes a detent region defining the discrete
predetermined orientations. The other one of the catch and the
other one of the locating block and guide block includes at least
one corresponding protrusion configured to engage the detent
region.
[0008] In another embodiment, a tool for assisting in installing
trim pieces proximate an opening in a wall having at least one 90
degree corner is provided. The tool includes a locating block, a
guide block, at least one tack, and a removable guard. The locating
block includes first and second abutments. The abutments align
relative to one another to form a substantially 90 degree effective
angle to locate the locating block in the 90 degree corner against
the inner surface of the opening. The guide block connects to the
locating block. The guide block includes a guide edge extending
outward beyond the first and second abutments. The guide edge is
oriented within a plane extending obliquely relative to both line
segments forming the effective 90 degree angle. The guide block
further includes first and second adjacent walls that are spaced
apart from the guide edge. The first and second walls extend
obliquely relative to one another. The at least one tack extends
outward from the first wall in a direction generally parallel to
the second wall. The removable guard is removably attachable to the
guide block to cover the at least one tack.
[0009] In yet another embodiment, a tool for assisting in
installing casing proximate an opening in a wall having at least
one ninety-degree corner including a locating block, a guide block
and an upstanding member is provided. The locating block includes
first and second abutments. The abutments align relative to one
another to form a substantially 90 degree effective angle to locate
the guide block in a 90 degree corner in the opening of a wall. The
guide block includes first and second opposed sides. The locating
block connects to the first side of the guide block, the guide
block including a guide edge formed by a first face extending
between the first and second sides. The first face extends outward
beyond the first and second abutments. The guide edge is oriented
within an oblique plane passing through a vertex of the effective
angle. The oblique plane bisects the effective angle. The
upstanding member extends outward beyond the second side of the
guide block and away from the first side. A second face of the
upstanding member is parallel with one of the first and second
abutments. The second face and guide edge forms an angle equal to
an angle between the guide edge and the first abutment.
[0010] In yet another embodiment, a method of marking an oblique
cut line for forming a second mitered end of a trim piece is
provided. The trim piece includes a first mitered end extending
obliquely between an inside edge and an outside edge of the trim
piece. The trim piece further includes an end face extending
between the inside and out side edges and a top and bottom face of
the trim piece. The effective intersections of the end face and the
inside and outside edges forms first and second corners. The cut
line is located at a desired length of the trim piece. The method
includes the step of attaching a measurement tool to the mitered
end of the trim tool by engaging the end face with at least one
engagement tack of the measurement tool. The method includes the
step of aligning a tape measure with one of the inside or outside
edges. The method includes the step of engaging the measurement
tool with an end of the tape measure aligned with the corner formed
by the one of the inside or outside edges with the end face. The
method includes the step of extending the tape measure along the
one of the inside or outside edges at least beyond the desired
length of the trim piece. The method includes the step of marking a
location of a cut line identifying the desired length of the trim
piece proximate the one of the inside or outside edges. The method
includes the step of abutting an abutment face of the measurement
tool with the one of the inside or outside edges. The method
including the step of aligning a guide edge of the measurement tool
with the marked location. The method also including the step of
marking a cut line for the second mitered end using the guide edge
as a guide, the cut line extending obliquely relative to the inside
and outside edges.
[0011] Other embodiments of the invention will become more apparent
from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction
with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] The accompanying drawings incorporated in and forming a part
of the specification illustrate several aspects of the present
invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the
principles of the invention. In the drawings:
[0013] FIGS. 1-4, as described in more detail above, illustrate the
type of trim and wall openings for which the invention is
applicable in measuring, marking and/or locating;
[0014] FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of an exemplary
embodiment of a tool according to the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 6 is a top plan view of an embodiment of the present
invention positioned proximate a corner of a door jamb;
[0016] FIG. 7 is an assembled bottom view of the tool of FIG.
5;
[0017] FIG. 8 is an end profile view of the locating block of the
tool of FIG. 5;
[0018] FIG. 9 is a top perspective view of the tool of FIG. 5;
[0019] FIG. 10 is a partial bottom view of the tool of FIG. 5 with
the locating block removed to illustrate the lock arrangement;
[0020] FIG. 11 is a top plan view of the locating block of the tool
of FIG. 5;
[0021] FIG. 12 is a plan view of the tool of FIG. 5 being used to
mark the desired length of a trim piece; and
[0022] FIGS. 13 and 14 illustrate the tool of FIG. 5 being used to
mark the miter line for cutting a mitered end of a trim piece.
[0023] While the invention will be described in connection with
certain preferred embodiments, there is no intent to limit it to
those embodiments. On the contrary, the intent is to cover all
alternatives, modifications and equivalents as included within the
spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended
claims.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0024] Referring to FIG. 5, a marking and measuring tool 200 (also
referred to herein as "the tool 200") is illustrated in a
perspective exploded view. The tool 200 is used for numerous tasks
related to locating, measuring and cutting the previously described
trim pieces 113, 114 for use in forming casing 110. The tool 200
generally includes a locating block 202, a guide block 204, a lock
arrangement 206 and a set of engagement tacks 208.
[0025] One utility of the tool 200 is to establish a reveal 116 as
well as to locate the trim pieces 113, 114 proximate the door jamb
100 by locating an intersection point of the two adjacent trim
pieces 113, 114. More particularly the tool can be used to locate
and set reveal guide lines 120 and a miter guide line 122. The
reveal guide lines 120 are used to locate the offset of the trim
pieces 113, 114 from the inner surface 115 of the jamb 110. The
miter guide line 122 extends outward from the corner 124 of the
jamb generally at a 135 degree angle relative the inner surfaces
134, 136 of the jamb 100 and reveal guide lines 120. The miter
guide line 122 is generally used for determining the desired
location of the ends of the adjacent trim pieces 113, 114. More
particularly, the miter guide line 122 is particularly useful to
locate placement of a first one of the trim pieces 113, 114.
[0026] The locating block 202 locates the tool 200 substantially
within the corner 124 of the jamb 100. More particularly, the
locating block 202 includes a first abutment and a second abutment
that are illustrated as generally perpendicular first and second
locating walls 212, 214. With further reference to FIG. 6, the
faces of the first and second locating walls 212, 214 abut the
adjacent faces 134, 136 of inner surface 115 of the jamb 100 to
properly locate the tool 200 for marking and measuring.
[0027] One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the
first and second abutments need not be continuous walls and could
take numerous forms. The first and second abutments need only be
oriented to form effective lines that form an effective 90 degree
angle .alpha. (see FIG. 7) therebetween for locating the tool 202
within the corner 124 of the jamb 100. All that is required to
provide an appropriate set of abutments to form the effective 90
degree angle is three contact points. Two contact points are
required to align one of the abutments along one face 134 of inner
surface 115 of the jamb 100, while the third contact point is used
as a stop to abut against the perpendicularly-oriented other face
136 to locate the tool 200 along the first face 134. The third
contact point locates an effective line that extends
perpendicularly relative to an effective line formed by the two
points of the first abutment. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the first
locating wall 212 aligns with and abuts face 134 and the second
locating wall 214 aligns with and abuts face 136.
[0028] The guide block 204 is a guide for the user to place the
reveal guide lines 120 and the miter guide line 122. As such, the
guide block 204 includes a reveal guide line edge 216 and a miter
guide line edge 217. The reveal guide line edge 216 and miter guide
line edge 217 of the illustrated embodiment substantially merge
into one another and are offset at an angle .beta. of approximately
135 degrees. The reveal guide line edge 216 and miter guide line
edge 217 may be separated by a small indentation at the
intersection of the two edges 216, 217. Further, the reveal guide
line edge 216 is substantially parallel to the first abutment 212.
In the illustrated embodiment, the reveal guide line edge 216 and
miter guide line edge 217 are provided by walls that extend
perpendicularly between the top surface 246 and sliding surface 236
of the guide block 204. Further, edges 216, 217 could be provided
by planar faces of a wall or by rounded surfaces of a face of a
wall. The edges need not be the intersection line of two
planes.
[0029] As illustrated in FIG. 6, with the locating block 202
positioned in the corner 124 of the opening 132 of the jamb 100,
the guide block 204 overlaps the face 118 of the jamb 100 as well
as the wall 103. A sliding face 236 of the guide block 204 abuts
against the face 118 of the jamb 100 and the wall 103. In this
position, the user can use the reveal guide line edge 216 and miter
guide line edge 217 as guides to scribe the reveal guide lines 120
or miter guide line 122 on the face 118 of the door jamb 100 and
the wall 103.
[0030] These guide lines 120, 122 can then be used to locate a trim
piece 113, 114. More particularly, an inner edge 111 of a trim
piece 113 can be aligned with the reveal guide lines 120 while a
mitered end 140 of the trim piece 113 can be aligned with the miter
guide line 122. It will be noted that the effective intersection of
the reveal guide lines 120 and the miter guide lines 122 determines
the location of the inside corner 126 of the trim piece 113.
[0031] The use of both the miter guide line 122 and reveal guide
lines 120 provides additional visual checks for aligning the trim
piece 113 in addition to aligning the inside corner 126 of the trim
piece 113 at the corner location. In some instances, when a user
cuts the mitered end of a trim piece, the end may not be perfectly
straight such that the inside corner of the trim piece is offset
from the rest of the end of the trim piece. In this instance,
relying solely on the inside corner to align the trim piece may
cause the trim piece to be longitudinally mis-positioned to high
relative to the desired location of the adjacent trim piece, which
is subsequently installed. However, by providing both a miter guide
line 122 and a reveal guide line 120, the user has multiple check
points to guarantee accurate and proper placement of the trim
piece.
[0032] Once the miter guide line 122 and initial set of reveal
guide lines 120 are marked proximate the corner 124 of the jamb
100, the tool 200 may be used to add additional reveal guide lines
120 along the length of the jamb 100. The user merely moves the
tool 200 to the new location where additional reveal guide lines
120 are desired, as illustrated by the second presentation of tool
200 in FIG. 6, and scribes additional reveal guide lines 120 on the
face 118 of the jamb 100.
[0033] As it may be aesthetically pleasing to have a reveal for one
door or window that is different than the reveal of another door or
window, the locating block 202 and guide block 204 are adjustably
connected to one another. More particularly, the locating block 202
and guide block 204 are slidably connected to one another.
[0034] With reference to FIGS. 5 and 8, the locating block 202
further includes a pair of T-shaped slidable connectors 218, 219
that slidably connect the locating block 202 to the guide block 204
by cooperating with connecting slots 222, 223 of the guide block
204.
[0035] The slidable connectors 218, 219 each include an extension
wall 220, 221 and a connector tab 224, 225. The extension walls
220, 221 extends the connector tabs 224, 225 beyond a sliding
surface 228 of the locating block 202 to form gaps 230-233 between
the connector tabs 224, 225 and the sliding surface 228.
[0036] As further illustrated in FIG. 9, the connecting slots 222,
223 slidingly receive the extension walls 220, 221 to slidingly
connect the locating block 202 to the guide block 204. When
connected, the sliding surface 228 of the locating block abuts a
sliding surface 236 of the guide block 204. Sliding surfaces 228,
236 slide relative to one another while adjusting the configuration
of tool 200. The sliding slots 222, 223 are surrounded by pairs of
shelves 240, 242 formed by recesses 244, 245, in a top surface 246,
being opposite of the sliding surface 236, of the guide block
204.
[0037] In the illustrated embodiment, the recesses 244, 245 are
sized wide enough to receive the width of the connector tabs 224,
225 and are deep enough such that the tops of the connector tabs
224, 225 are substantially flush with the top surface 246 of the
guide block 204 when the locating block 202 and guide block 204 are
connected together. Further, the height of the shelves 240, 242,
i.e. in the direction extending between the top surface 246 and the
sliding surface 236, is substantially equal to or slightly less
than the height of the gaps 230-233 formed between the connector
tabs 224, 225 and the sliding surface 228 of the locating blocks.
This close size relationship helps prevent excess slop between the
locating block 202 and the guide block 204.
[0038] In other embodiments, the recesses 244, 245 and pairs of
shelves 240, 242 are not required such that the connector tabs 224,
225 directly contact and extend above the top surface 246 of the
guide block 204 when the locating block 202 and guide block 204 are
connected.
[0039] Referring to FIGS. 6, 7 and 9, in the illustrated
embodiment, the miter guide line edge 217, slidable connectors 218,
219, and sliding slots 222, 223 are generally aligned parallel to
one another and extend at either 45 degrees or the complementary
135 degrees relative to both the first and second abutments in the
form of locating walls 212, 214. Further, the miter guide line edge
217 is aligned with an axis 250 that passes through the vertex of
effective angle .alpha., thereby bisecting effective angle .alpha..
The axis 250 defines a bisecting plane that includes the axis 250
and extends perpendicularly to the top surface 246 and sliding
surface 236. This relative orientation allows the reveal 116 to be
adjusted without improperly aligning the miter guide line edge 217
relative to either the first and second abutments, which would
similarly improperly align the miter guide line edge 217 relative
to either of the portions of the jamb 100 forming corner 124.
[0040] The proper orientation occurs because as user adjusts the
location of the locating block 202 relative to the guide block 204,
both locating walls 212, 214 move relative the miter guide line
edge 217 the same distance. FIG. 7 illustrates the adjustment of
the locating block 202 relative to the guide block 202. The
locating block 202 moves relative to the guide block 204 along axis
250. The first position that is illustrated provides a first reveal
116 while a second position, illustrated by dashed line 252,
provides a second reveal 116'.
[0041] As illustrated in FIG. 5, the sliding surface 228 of the
locating block 202 includes a pair of reveal gages 254 that can
easily identify the amount of reveal that the tool 200 is set to
provide. The gages 254 include a plurality of spaced apart tick
marks which may be integrally formed in the material of the
locating block 202 or painted or stuck onto the locating block 202.
The tick marks may have any spacing, but it is preferred to have
the spacing be in even increments, and more preferably in even
increments of one-eighth of an inch, one-tenths of an inch or
metric such as in millimeters. The amount of reveal is identified
by the corresponding tick mark with which the guide block 204
aligns. The first tick mark identifies a reveal of one-eighth of an
inch and the third tick mark identifies a reveal of three-eighths
of an inch if the spacing is set to equal increments of one-eighth
of an inch.
[0042] With reference to FIGS. 10 and 11, the lock arrangement 206
further facilitates adjustment of the guide block 204 relative to
the locating block 202 and maintaining the relative positions of
the two components. The illustrated lock arrangement 206 generally
includes a catch that cooperates with a detented region. More
particularly, the catch takes the form of a double pawl member 260
that includes a pair of pawls 262, 263 that are resiliently
connected to one another in back-to-back relation such that the
protrusion 264, 265 of each pawl 262, 263 extends outward and away
from the other pawl 262, 263. The pawls 262, 263 are affixed to
locating block 204 on the sliding surface side. The detented region
in the illustrated embodiment includes two detented portions 266,
267. The detented portions 266, 267 are formed by a plurality of
adjacent detents formed by adjacent peaks and valleys. The
protrusions 264, 265 engage corresponding ones of the detented
portions 266, 267 to fix the position of the locating block 202
relative to the guide block 204 in a locked position.
[0043] The pawls 262, 263 pivot about an axis that is generally
perpendicular to sliding surface 236 and, therefore, within a plane
that is generally parallel to sliding surface 236. The two adjacent
pawls 262, 263 define a relief slot 268 therebetween. The relief
slot permits the pawls 262, 263 to pivot, i.e. resiliently flex,
towards and away from one another. In an unlocked position, in
which the locating block 202 may be repositioned relative to the
guide block 204, the pawls 262, 263 flex toward one another and
disengage the detented portions 266, 267.
[0044] In the illustrated embodiment, the lock arrangement 206
further includes a lock in the form of a plunger 270 that
selectively fixes the pawls 262, 263 in engagement with the
detented portions 266, 267. The plunger 270 includes a head 272
that is selectively insertable into the relief slot 268 to prevent
the pawls 262, 263 from pivoting towards one another such that the
protrusions 264, 265 may disengage the corresponding detented
portions 266, 267. The head 272 is tapered to facilitate insertion
between the two pawls 262, 263.
[0045] The plunger 270 further includes a threaded shaft 274
connected to the head 272, which passes through an aperture in the
guide block 204. On the top surface side of the guide block 204, a
handle 276 threads onto the threaded shaft 274. The handle 276
facilitates lifting the head 272 towards the guide block 204 and
out of the relief slot 268 to unlock the lock arrangement. A
biasing spring 278 acts to bias the head 272 away from the guide
block 204 and into the relief slot 268 to maintain the lock
arrangement 206 in the locked position.
[0046] Alternative embodiments of the lock arrangement are
contemplated. First, the detent region could be formed in the guide
block 204 and the catch could be fixed to the locating block 202.
Further, only a single pawl may be required. Further, the pawl or
pawls could pivot about an axis that is perpendicular to axis 252
such that the pawl pivots in a plane that is generally
perpendicular to sliding surfaces 228 and 236. Further, the pawl
could be sufficiently rigid or biased towards the detented portions
266, 267 such that a lock is not required to maintain the
engagement of the protrusions 264, 265 with the detented portions
266, 267. Further, the catch could be integrally and/or unitarily
formed with either of the locating or guide blocks 202, 204.
Additionally, the catch could be in the form of plunger 270 such
that the head 272 of the plunger would engage a detented region of
the locating block or vice versa.
[0047] By using a detented region and catch configuration, the
locking arrangement 206 can fix the locating block 202 relative to
the guide block 204 in predetermined orientations. As the catch can
only engage a single detent position, the detent positions provide
discrete predetermined orientations. Further, as the taper of the
detents self-locates the catch, the discrete orientations have an
accurate and repeatable means of setting the reveal. This
configuration simplifies and increases accuracy of adjustment of
the reveal 116 provided by the tool 202.
[0048] In other arrangements where a continuous adjustment
arrangement is utilized, a user does not know that he or she has
the exact desired reveal amount. In the present arrangement, the
exact reveal is automatically provided and maintained when the
catch engages a detent. Further, when a continuous adjustment
arrangement is utilized, the locating block 202 could slide
relative to the guide block 204 over time, particularly if the user
sets the tool down or carries it in a pocket or carpenter's
belt.
[0049] In addition to marking the reveal guide lines 120 and miter
guide lines 122, the tool 200 can be used for numerous other tasks.
As illustrated in FIG. 6, the tool 200 includes a plurality of tape
measure tab receiving slots 282, 283 that are generally aligned
with the intersection of the miter guide line edge 217 and the
reveal guide line edge 216. The tape measure tab receiving slots
282, 283 also extend parallel to the first and second locating
walls 212, 214, respectively.
[0050] The tape measure tab receiving slots 282, 283 can be used to
secure the free end of a tape measure (see e.g. FIG. 12) to
facilitate measuring the requisite length of the short side of the
trim pieces. For example, with the tool 200 positioned against a
wall 103, as illustrated in FIG. 6, the user can use the tape
measure tab receiving slots 282, 283 to engage the tab of a tape
measure and then measure the length of opening of the jamb 100
which corresponds to the length of the short side of the trim
pieces.
[0051] The tool 200 further includes magnets 284 which facilitate
to attract a metal tape measures toward the tool 200 when used to
measure.
[0052] As it can be difficult to measure a trim piece once the end
of a trim piece is mitered to the desired angle, a further feature
of embodiments of the present invention is that it can be used to
facilitate measuring and marking a trim piece with a miter cut line
for accurately cutting the trim to the required length.
[0053] Tool 200 includes a miter end engagement portion 286 used to
engage a mitered end 140 of a trim piece 113 for appropriately
aligning a free end of a tape measure 300 with the inside corner of
the mitered end 140 of trim piece 113 that extends obliquely
between the inside and outside edges of the trim piece 113 so that
the user can mark the opposite inside corner 128 at the other end
of the trim piece 113 for cutting the second end of trim piece 113.
In the illustrated method, the mitered end engagement portion 286
is configured to engage the inside corner 126 of the mitered end
140. However, in alternative embodiments, the mitered end
engagement portion can be configured to engage the outside corner
of the mitered end. One of ordinary skill in the art would
recognized
[0054] The miter engagement portion 286 is formed by a combination
of an inside edge engagement face 287 and a miter end engagement
face 288 of the guide block 204. The inside edge engagement face
287 abuts against and aligns generally parallel with the inside
edge 111 of the trim piece 113. The miter end engagement face 288
abuts against and aligns generally parallel with the mitered end
140 of the trim piece 113. In the illustrated embodiment, the trim
piece 113 is being mitered at a 45 or 135 degree angle. As such,
the inside edge engagement face 287 and miter end engagement face
288 are similarly aligned at a 135 degree angle. The faces 287, 288
are preferably formed by surfaces that extend perpendicularly
between the sliding surface 236 and top surface 246.
[0055] To prevent the tool 200 from slipping relative to the trim
piece 113 while extending the tape measure 300 along the inside
edge 111 for measuring and marking the second inside corner 128,
the miter end engagement portion 286 includes engagement tacks 208
for engaging the end face of mitered end 140 of the trim piece 113.
The end face extends obliquely between the inside and outside edges
of the trim piece and vertically between top and bottom faces of
the trim piece. The engagement tacks 208 preferably extend in
substantially parallel relation to the inside edge engagement face
287. In this configuration, the inside edge 111 of the trim piece
113 can be aligned with the inside edge engagement face 287 of the
guide block 204 and slid along and parallel to the inside edge
engagement face 287 as the mitered end 140 engages the engagement
tacks 208.
[0056] The miter engagement portion 286 further includes a tape
measure tab engagement slot 290. This slot 290 aligns the tab of
the tape measure 300 with the inside corner 126 of the trim piece
113. The user can engage the slot 290 with the tape measure 300 and
pull and extend the tape measure 300 towards the other end of the
trim piece 113 and make a mark 146 to mark the desired length of
the trim piece 113 for cutting the second end.
[0057] Once the desired length is marked, such as with mark 146,
the tool 200 can be used to provide a miter cut line 152 where the
second end of the trim piece 113 is to be cut. To mark the miter
cut line 152, the miter guide line edge 217 is aligned with mark
146. To align the miter guide line edge 217 with the mark 146, an
upstanding guide member 292 is aligned with the inside edge 111 of
the trim piece 113. In the illustrated embodiment, the upstanding
guide member 292 and reveal guide line edge 216 are mutually formed
by a vertical abutment face of the guide block 204 that extends
perpendicularly relative to the sliding surface 236 and the top
surface 244. The upstanding guide member 292 prevents the tool from
shifting laterally across the trim piece 113 while marking the
miter cut line 152.
[0058] In the illustrated method and embodiment, the mitered end
engagement portion 286 is configured to engage the inside corner
126 of the mitered end 140. However, in alternative embodiments,
the mitered end engagement portion can be configured to engage the
outside corner of the mitered end.
[0059] The tool 200 includes a removable guard 293 that is
attachable to the guide block 204 to cover the engagement tacks
208. The guard 293 includes two spaced-apart walls 294, 295
connected by an end wall 296 to define a slot 297 therebetween. In
the illustrated embodiment, the top surface 246 and sliding surface
236 include recessed portions 298, 299 proximate the miter end
engagement face 288 such that the thickness between the two
surfaces 236, 246 at these recessed portions 298, 299 is less than
the thickness between adjacent portions of these surfaces 236, 246.
The amount of recess for each portion 298, 299 corresponds to the
thickness of the first and second walls 294, 295 of the guard 293
such that when the guard 293 is installed on the guide block 204,
the outer surfaces of the first and second walls 294, 295 are
substantially flush with the top surface 246 and sliding surface
236.
[0060] The recessed portions 298, 299 of the guide block 204
include a plurality of nibs 297 for engaging corresponding
apertures 278 in the first and second walls 294, 295 of the guard
293 to secure the guard 293 to the guide block 204.
[0061] In alternative embodiments, the locating block 204 need not
include the recessed portions.
[0062] All references, including publications, patent applications,
and patents cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to
the same extent as if each reference were individually and
specifically indicated to be incorporated by reference and were set
forth in its entirety herein.
[0063] The use of the terms "a" and "an" and "the" and similar
referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in
the context of the following claims) is to be construed to cover
both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein
or clearly contradicted by context. The terms "comprising,"
"having," "including," and "containing" are to be construed as
open-ended terms (i.e., meaning "including, but not limited to,")
unless otherwise noted. Recitation of ranges of values herein are
merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring
individually to each separate value falling within the range,
unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is
incorporated into the specification as if it were individually
recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in
any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise
clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples,
or exemplary language (e.g., "such as") provided herein, is
intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not
pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise
claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as
indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of
the invention.
[0064] Preferred embodiments of this invention are described
herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying
out the invention. Variations of those preferred embodiments may
become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading
the foregoing description. The inventors expect skilled artisans to
employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for
the invention to be practiced otherwise than as specifically
described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all
modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the
claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover,
any combination of the above-described elements in all possible
variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise
indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.
* * * * *