Patent ID: 7059059
Filing Date: 2006-06-13
Classification: G01C

Abstract:
1. For a work piece having a uniform longitudinal cross-section having a width defined by spaced apart parallel opposite sides with an adjacent intersecting edge face disposed between, a tool for single-hand attachment and alignment to such work piece, said tool comprising: an elongate body with first and second separated arm members that have spaced apart, parallel, co-extending longitudinal ends fixed to the body, in which said arms extend distal therefrom to respective separate free ends; first and second inward facing interior surfaces disposed generally in facing opposition on said two arm members between said respective fixed and free ends; generally co-extending respective first and second longitudinal contact surface portions respectively disposed on said first and second inward facing interior surfaces with; said first longitudinal contact surface portion defining a first reference plane generally extending parallel to said longitudinal body; a longitudinal interior base surface disposed on said body between said proximal fixed ends of said two arms that forms the base of a generally U-shaped open end trough with said first and second inward facing interior; a longitudinal base contact surface portion disposed on said interior base surface, generally co-extending with said respective first and second longitudinal contact surface portions, said first and second longitudinal contact surface portions disposed between said proximal fixed ends and said distal free ends; said base contact surface portions defining a second reference plane orthogonal to said first reference plane and generally parallel to said longitudinal body; an elastic member cooperating with said second arm and said body disposed to bias said second contact surface portions of said second arm inward, toward said first contact surface portions of said first arm such that; said first and second contact surface portions have an initial, biased spacing therebetween less than said width of said work piece such that; with said workpiece positioned with said adjacent intersecting edge face in abutting proximal contact with said longitudinal base contact surface portion, and in which one side of said workpiece spaced apart parallel opposite sides is in abutting proximal contact with said first contact surface portion and in which said second contact surface portion is displaced outwardly from said initial, biased spacing and is in proximal abutting contact with the opposite one of said workpiece spaced apart parallel opposite sides, and in which; said elastic members is adapted to cooperate with said body and said second arm to hold said body attached to said workpiece with said first reference plane parallel to said workpiece opposit sides and said second reference plane parallel to said workpiece edge.