Construction Measuring Tool

Abstract

A measuring tool is provided which includes a sliding member which is in a rotational sliding engagement to the body of the tool. The sliding member is positionable for measuring distances between a first end thereof and a first body segment. A second body segment extends perpendicular from a first end of the first body segment and a third body segment extends at a 45 degree angle from a second end of the first body segment opposite the first end thereof.

Claims

1. A measuring tool apparatus, comprising: a planar body, said body having a first segment; said body having a second segment extending from a first end of said first segment, said second segment being perpendicular to said first segment; said body having a third segment extending from a second end of said first segment, said third segment extending in a direction toward said second segment at a 45 degree angle; a first slot communicating through said first segment from a top surface thereof to a lower surface thereof; a sliding member, said sliding member extending between a first end and second end thereof and having an elongated second slot communicating therethrough; a connecter engaged through said first slot and said second slot; and said connector being adjustable from a loose configuration wherein said sliding member will slide and rotate thereon, to a tightened configuration wherein said sliding member is in a compressive engagement against said first segment of said body to a removably fixed position.

2. The measuring tool apparatus of claim 1, additionally comprising: a ledge extending from a lower surface of said sliding member opposite an upper surface thereof which contacts said body in said compressive engagement; and said ledge for engaging on a surface of material being measured wherein a distance of said material is measurable using measurement indicia located on one or both of said first segment of said body and said sliding member.

3. The measuring tool apparatus of claim 1, additionally comprising: a cutting edge portion having a first edge and a second edge; said cutting edge portion having said first edge removably engaged to an engagement edge of said second segment of said body; and said cutting edge being trimmable adjacent said second edge thereof to form a marking edge for imparting a cut line to material being measured.

4. The measuring tool apparatus of claim 2, additionally comprising: a cutting edge portion having a first edge and a second edge; said cutting edge portion having said first edge removably engaged to an engagement edge of said second segment of said body; and said cutting edge being trimmable adjacent said second edge thereof to form a marking edge for imparting a cut line to said material being measured.

5. The measuring tool apparatus of claim 3, additionally comprising: said first edge of said cutting edge portion in a sliding engagement with said engagement edge of said second segment of said body; said measurement indicia being located along said engagement edge of said second segment of said body; and a sliding of said cutting edge portion defining a depth gauge.

6. The measuring tool apparatus of claim 4, additionally comprising: said first edge of said cutting edge portion in a sliding engagement with said engagement edge of said second segment of said body; said measurement indicia being located along said engagement edge of said second segment of said body; and a sliding of said cutting edge portion defining a depth gauge.

7. The measuring tool apparatus of claim 1, additionally comprising: said sliding member rotatable upon said connector while in said loose configuration; and said connector employable as a plumb bob.

8. The measuring tool apparatus of claim 2, additionally comprising: said sliding member rotatable upon said connector while in said loose configuration; and said connector employable as a plumb bob.

9. The measuring tool apparatus of claim 3, additionally comprising: said sliding member rotatable upon said connector while in said loose configuration; and said connector employable as a plumb bob.

10. The measuring tool apparatus of claim 4, additionally comprising: said sliding member rotatable upon said connector while in said loose configuration; and said connector employable as a plumb bob.

11. The measuring tool apparatus of claim 5, additionally comprising: said sliding member rotatable upon said connector while in said loose configuration; and said connector employable as a plumb bob.

12. The measuring tool apparatus of claim 6, additionally comprising: said sliding member rotatable upon said connector while in said loose configuration; and said connector employable as a plumb bob.

13. The measuring tool apparatus of claim 1, additionally comprising: an elongated third slot communicating through said first segment of said body; an elongated fourth slot communicating through said third segment of said body; said elongated fourth slot running at a 45 degree angle relative to said elongated first slot; and said first slot in communication with said elongated fourth slot wherein said connector is positionable within said fourth slot.

14. The measuring tool apparatus of claim 2, additionally comprising: an elongated third slot communicating through said first segment of said body; an elongated fourth slot communicating through said third segment of said body; said elongated fourth slot running at a 45 degree angle relative to said elongated first slot; and said first slot in communication with said elongated fourth slot wherein said connector is positionable within said fourth slot.

15. The measuring tool apparatus of claim 3, additionally comprising: an elongated third slot communicating through said first segment of said body; an elongated fourth slot communicating through said third segment of said body; said elongated fourth slot running at a 45 degree angle relative to said elongated first slot; and said first slot in communication with said elongated fourth slot wherein said connector is positionable within said fourth slot.

16. The measuring tool apparatus of claim 4, additionally comprising: an elongated third slot communicating through said first segment of said body; an elongated fourth slot communicating through said third segment of said body; said elongated fourth slot running at a 45 degree angle relative to said elongated first slot; and said first slot in communication with said elongated fourth slot wherein said connector is positionable within said fourth slot.

17. The measuring tool apparatus of claim 5, additionally comprising: an elongated third slot communicating through said first segment of said body; an elongated fourth slot communicating through said third segment of said body; said elongated fourth slot running at a 45 degree angle relative to said elongated first slot; and said first slot in communication with said elongated fourth slot wherein said connector is positionable within said fourth slot.

18. The measuring tool apparatus of claim 6, additionally comprising: an elongated third slot communicating through said first segment of said body; an elongated fourth slot communicating through said third segment of said body; said elongated fourth slot running at a 45 degree angle relative to said elongated first slot; and said first slot in communication with said elongated fourth slot wherein said connector is positionable within said fourth slot.

19. The measuring tool apparatus of claim 11, additionally comprising: an elongated third slot communicating through said first segment of said body; an elongated fourth slot communicating through said third segment of said body; said elongated fourth slot running at a 45 degree angle relative to said elongated first slot; and said first slot in communication with said elongated fourth slot wherein said connector is positionable within said fourth slot.

20. The measuring tool apparatus of claim 12, additionally comprising: an elongated third slot communicating through said first segment of said body; an elongated fourth slot communicating through said third segment of said body; said elongated fourth slot running at a 45 degree angle relative to said elongated first slot; and said first slot in communication with said elongated fourth slot wherein said connector is positionable within said fourth slot.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING FIGURES

[0035] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and form a part of the specification, illustrate some, but not the only or exclusive, examples of embodiments and/or features of the disclosed construction measuring tool. It is intended that the embodiments and figures disclosed herein are to be considered illustrative rather than limiting.

[0036] In the drawings:

[0037] FIG. 1 shows an overhead perspective view of the top or upper side surface of the body of the measuring tool device having the replaceable cutting edge portion connected to the engagement edge of a second body segment.

[0038] FIG. 2 depicts an overhead or top view of FIG. 1 of the body of the device herein.

[0039] FIG. 3 shows another side view, as in FIG. 2, depicting the body of the device having the cutting edge portion removed from the sliding engagement with one side of the second body segment and showing the sliding member positioned as a ruler or measuring tool to measure a distance for marking or cutting.

[0040] FIG. 4 shows a lower surface of the body of the device depicting the second slot formed through the sliding member and the recess surrounding it into which a head portion of the connector is positioned and the rotation around the connector achievable by the sliding member.

[0041] FIG. 5 depicts the sliding member extending as a ruler from one side of the body to allow for a measurement from the end of the sliding member having the projecting ledge to a position on the first body segment or second body segment.

[0042] FIG. 6 shows the device herein in a similar positioning to that of FIG. 5 wherein the sliding member has the projecting ledge of the sliding member contacts a surface of the construction material being measured.

[0043] FIG. 7 depicts the device wherein the sliding member is rotated to a reversed position having the first end with the ledge in contact against material being measured to allow for imparting line to the material in a fashion which is repeatable.

[0044] FIG. 8 shows a view of the device herein wherein the removable cutting edge portion is slidable to define a depth gauge.

[0045] FIG. 9 depicts an overhead view of the device herein where the sliding member is in a loose rotational engagement with the connector whereby it operates as a plumb bob.

[0046] FIG. 10 shows a lower or bottom view of the device herein wherein the ledge projects from a first end of the sliding member and showing the second slot surrounded by a recess into which the head of the connector is situated.

[0047] FIG. 11 shows the device herein, as in FIG. 10, where the projecting ledge is rotationally engaged to the first end of the sliding member and is positionable within a recess formed into the lower surface of the sliding member.

[0048] FIG. 12 shows the device with the sliding member removed configured to measure and mark angles upon the construction material using the head portion in contact therewith and one or a plurality of measurement indica located on the body segments.

[0049] Other aspects of the present measuring invention shall be more readily understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and the following detailed description, neither of which should be considered limiting.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0050] In this description, the directional prepositions of up, upwardly, down, downwardly, front, back, top, upper, bottom, lower, left, right and other such terms refer to the device herein as it is oriented and appears in the drawings and are used for convenience only, and they are not intended to be limiting or to imply that the device has to be used or positioned in any particular orientation.

[0051] Now referring to drawings in FIGS. 1-12, wherein similar components are identified by like reference numerals, there is seen in FIGS. 1 and 2 overhead views of the top or upper side surface 12 of the body 14 of the measuring tool device 10 having a first body segment 15 connected at one end to a second body segment 20 and engaged at an opposite end to the third body segment 22.

[0052] The second body segment 20 extends perpendicular to the first body segment 15. The respective side edge on both sides of the second body segment 20 run perpendicular to the side edges on both sides of the first body segment 15.

[0053] The third body segment 22 runs at a 45 degree angle to the direction of the first body segment 15. The two side edges of the third body segment 22 also run at a 45 degree angle to the direction of both side edges of the first body segment 15.

[0054] As shown, a replaceable cutting edge portion 16 is slidably connected to the engagement edge 18 of a second body segment 20. As noted above, this replaceable cutting edge portion 15 is formed of material which is trimmable, and it may be cut by the user along cut line 24 to form a new edge used to guide a saw for repeatable cuts or to provide a measuring edge for a marker which is a defined distance from a user determined position on the body 14 of the device 10.

[0055] Thus, once the cutting edge portion 16 is severed along the cut line 24, the user may use the new edge along that cut line 16 for repeatable measurements to scribe or mark the material or to guide a saw for cuts upon construction material in a highly accurate repeatable fashion. The cutting edge portion 16 may be replaced with a new one, when needed.

[0056] As also noted above, the cutting edge portion 16 is preferably in a sliding engagement 26 with the engagement edge 18 of the second body segment 20. This can be accomplished, for example, by forming an engagement slot on the engagement edge 18 into which one side of the cutting edge portion 16 slidably engages. This sliding engagement is preferred, as noted, so as to allow the device 10 to function as a depth gauge, as in FIG. 8, whereby the width of material or the like can be measured using the measurement indicia 28 which is preferably located on side edges of the second body segment 20 as well as the first body segment 15 and the third body segment 22.

[0057] Optional but shown in FIG. 1 and other figures herein is a removable edge component 17 for board center determination. As shown, a first recess 19 and a second recess 21 is formed therein. A center mark 23 is situated adjacent each of the first and second recess and may be on the body of the device or upon the edge component 17. Currently, the first recess 19 is 3.5 inches wide and the second recess 21 is 1.5 inches wide which match the conventional width of board lumber for construction. This allows the user to position a board of either respective width into the recess into which it fits and easily view the center of the board, so inserted, using the adjacent center mark 23. The user can then easily mark or scribe the center to the lumber.

[0058] Also shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and in other views of the device 10 herein are a third slot 30 formed through the first body segment 15 which has side edges which run parallel to an axis of the first body segment 15 as well as parallel to the two side edges of the first body segment. The third slot 30 is similar in configuration to the fourth slot 32 which communicates through the planar third body segment 22. This fourth slot 32 has side edges which run at a 45 degree angle relative to the side edges of the third slot 30. The side edges of the fourth slot 32 also run parallel to the side edges on opposing sides of the third body segment 22.

[0059] Also depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2 as well as in FIG. 3 are a releasable connector 34. This connector 34 is adjustable by the user from a loose configuration where the screw is loosened from the nut and wherein said sliding member 36 will slide and rotate thereon, to a tightened configuration wherein said sliding member 36 is forced to a compressive engagement against the body 14 such as against the lower surface of the first segment 15 of said body 14 to a removably fixed position of the sliding member 36.

[0060] As shown in FIGS. 3-4, the sliding member 36 has a second slot 38 through which the connector 34 is operatively positioned. The connector 34 also communicates through a first slot 19 which communicates through the first body segment 15 at a position adjacent to or preferably intersecting with the fourth slot 32 formed into the diagonal third body segment 22. In this operative positioning, a head 40 of the connector 34 is located within a recess 42 which surrounds the second slot 38. This is most preferred in order to provide a planar lower surface to the sliding member 36 to allow it to sit in a level fashion upon material being measured or cut.

[0061] The sliding member 36 functions as a ruler and measurement tool which can be seen in FIGS. 3-6. In such an employment of the device 10, a first end of the sliding member 36 having a ledge 44 projecting therefrom, as shown in FIGS. 10-11. This ledge 44 can be in a fixed projection, as in FIG. 10, or may be in a rotating engagement 46 whereby it can be rotated between a first position where it projects from the lower surface of the sliding member 36, as in FIG. 10, and a second or retracted position where it is located within a formed ledge recess 48. In the retracted position, the lower surface 50 of the sliding member 36 is planar for the entire surface allowing for level contact with an underlying material 52 being marked, measured, or cut.

[0062] Shown in FIG. 4 is the lower surface of the body 14 of the device 10. As shown, the second slot 38 is shown formed through the sliding member 36. The second slot 38 has the recess surrounding it into which a head portion 40 of the connector 34 is positioned. The sliding member 36, as noted, is rotatable to an infinite number of angular positions relative to the body 14 by rotating it around the connector 34. As noted, the connector 34 is currently a threaded member having the head 40 on one end and having a nut 35 which may be hand tightened by the user to form the compressed engagement of the sliding member 36 against the body 14, such as against the first body segment 15 or against the other body segments depending on the angle of the sliding member 36 at the time.

[0063] The sliding member 36 is shown in FIGS. 5-6 extending from one end of the first body segment 15 whereby measurements can be taken or marked. As shown, such measurements can be from the first end of the sliding member 36 having the ledge thereon to some other point on the body 14. With the connector 34 tightened to hold the sliding member 36 in the compressed contact against the body 14, this measurement, marking, or cut can be repeated with great accuracy.

[0064] Such measuring can be seen in FIG. 6, wherein the device 10 is in a similar positioning to that of FIG. 5. As shown, the sliding member 36 is in a first measuring configuration where the sliding member 36 has the projecting ledge 44 extending from the end of the first body segment 15 where it engages with the third body segment 22. In this first configuration, the ledge 44 or the first end of the sliding member 36 is in contact with a surface of the construction material 52. A measurement between the first end of the sliding member 36 to a determined point on the body segments can be determined, and the material 52 may be marked or cut at points which are repeatable.

[0065] Shown in FIG. 7 is the device 10 herein, wherein the sliding member 36 is in a second configuration where it is rotated to a reversed position having the first end with the ledge 44 in contact against material 52 being measured to allow for imparting a scribe or line to the material 52 in a fashion which is repeatable. To repeat the positioning for a scribe or marking on another piece of material 52, the first end of the sliding member 36 is placed in contact therewith in the same fashion.

[0066] Depicted in FIG. 8 is a view of the device 10 herein, wherein the removable cutting edge portion 16 is slidable in the connection to the edge of the second body segment 20. This allows the device 10 to be employed as a depth gauge by using the measurement indicia 28 on the edge of the second body segment 20 as shown.

[0067] As noted and shown in FIG. 9, loosening the connector 34 to a point where the sliding member 36 will rotate freely thereon allows the device 10 herein to show or measure a plumb. This is because the sliding member 36 in free rotation will naturally settle to a vertical positioning due to gravity.

[0068] In FIG. 10 is shown a lower or bottom view of the body 14 of the device 10. As shown, the sliding member 36 has a ledge 44 on a first end thereof which is fixed and projects above a lower surface of the first end of the sliding member 36. Also shown is the second slot 38 surrounded by a recess 42 into which the head 40 portion of the connector 34 is situated.

[0069] The device, as shown in FIG. 11, is similar to that which is shown in FIG. 10. In FIG. 11, however, the projecting ledge 44 is rotationally engaged 46 to the first end of the sliding member 36, such as with a hinge, and is positionable within a ledge recess 48 formed into the lower surface 50 of the sliding member 36.

[0070] The device 10 herein is also configurable for marking or scribing angles to material 52 which is shown in FIG. 12. In this angle marking or determining configuration, the device 10 has the sliding member 36 removed. The connector 34 is in place within the fourth slot 32 which may communicate with the first slot 39 to allow for easy movement. In this configuration, the head 40 will project from the bottom of the body 14 and provide a contact point against the material 52. The body 14 may be rotated to position one or more points of the measurement indicia 28 in locations on the material 52 to determine an angle 56 which may be marked, scribed, or cut on the material 52. A repositioning of the device 10 upon another piece of material 52 of the same size and configuration will allow the user to repeat the marking or cutting on the same angle 56. Thus, the user can easily repeat the marking or cutting of an angle 56 with great accuracy on the material 52 being used.

[0071] This measuring invention has other applications, potentially, and one skilled in the art could discover these subsequent to reviewing this disclosure. The description of the features of this invention does not limit the claims of this application and other applications and equivalent configurations developed by those skilled in the art subsequent to reviewing this disclosure are intended to be included in this invention.

[0072] It is additionally noted and anticipated that although the device is shown in its most simple form, various components and aspects of the device may be differently shaped or slightly modified when forming the invention herein. As such those skilled in the art will appreciate the descriptions and depictions set forth in this disclosure or merely meant to portray examples of preferred modes of the disclosed measuring tool within the overall scope and intent of the invention, and are not to be considered limiting in any manner.

[0073] Further, while all of the fundamental characteristics and features of the measuring tool invention have been shown and described herein, with reference to particular embodiments thereof, a latitude of modification, various changes and equivalent substitutions are intended in the foregoing disclosure as well as the claims which follow, and it will be apparent that in some instances, some features of the invention may be employed without a corresponding use of other features without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth. It should also be understood that various substitutions, modifications, and equivalent variations may be made by those skilled in the art subsequent to review of this disclosure without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Consequently, all such modifications and variations and substitutions are included within the scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.