Abstract:
A template device and method of using same, the template device includes: a substantially planar member defining a plurality of channels therein; wherein, the channels at least partially define a plurality of concentric shapes each corresponding to a known electrical box configuration, respectively. The device may include at least one leveling indicator such as a leveling bubble container. The device may include a stud finding device, or means for attaching to a stud finding device. The device may be integrated with, or include means for attaching to, a sheet rock square.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]     This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/793,601, having a filing date of Mar. 4, 2004, which claims priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/451,792, having a filing date of Mar. 5, 2003, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety herein. 
     
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present invention relates generally to the installation of electrical boxes, such as those corresponding to electrical outlets and switches.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     The installation of electrical boxes for electrical components is a task performed by experts and novices alike. Such installation may sometimes be performed through existing drywall, or other walling material, such as plaster by way of non-limiting example only. It is desirable to provide a device for facilitating the installation of such electrical boxes in a wall.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004]     A template device and method of using same, the template device includes: a substantially planar member defining a plurality of channels therein; wherein, the channels at least partially define a plurality of concentric shapes each corresponding to a known electrical box configuration, respectively. The method includes positioning a template device defining a plurality of channels at least partially defining a plurality of concentric shapes each corresponding to a known electrical box configuration, respectively, at least substantially adjacent to walling material; selecting a subset of the channels corresponding to one of the defined shapes and the electrical box to be received; and, creating an opening in the walling material dependently upon the selected subset of channels.  
         [0005]     The device may include at least one leveling indicator such as a leveling bubble container. The device may include a stud finding device, or means for attaching to a stud finding device. The device may be integrated with, or include means for attaching to, a sheet rock square. B 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES  
       [0006]     Understanding of the present invention will be facilitated by consideration of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like numerals refer to like parts:  
         [0007]      FIGS. 1-4  illustrate plan views of a template device according to an aspect of the present invention;  
         [0008]      FIGS. 5A and 5B  illustrate plan views of template devices incorporating leveling indicators;  
         [0009]      FIG. 6  illustrates a plan view of a template device and stud location indicator; and  
         [0010]      FIG. 7  illustrates a plan view of a template device and sheet rock square.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0011]     It is to be understood that the figures and descriptions of the present invention have been simplified to illustrate elements that are relevant for a clear understanding of the present invention, while eliminating, for purposes of clarity, many other elements found in typical templates and electrical box installation methods. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that other elements are desirable and/or required in order to implement the present invention. However, because such elements are well known in the art, and because they do not facilitate a better understanding of the present invention, a discussion of such elements is not provided herein.  
         [0012]     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , there is shown a plan-view of a template device  10  according to an aspect of the present invention. Template  10  may take the form of a substantially planar member  20  formed of any suitable conventional material, such as plastic or metal. According to an aspect of the present invention, member  20  may be transparent, translucent or opaque. Member  20  may be flexible or substantially rigid.  
         [0013]     Template  10  may include a plurality of apertures. The apertures may take any suitable shape, and vary if desired. For example, some apertures may take the form of channels while others may take the shape of circles. The apertures, may in part or whole, define a plurality of shapes A, B, C, D. For example, in the illustrated case of  FIG. 1 , those apertures taking the form of channels define shapes A-D. The shapes may be defined in a concentric or aligned manner, such that the shapes are centered about a center line or right or left justified to one another. Further, the apertures of template  10  defining one or more shapes may define a single shape, or be configured such that one or more common apertures may be used to define a plurality of shapes.  
         [0014]     Each of the shapes A-D may correspond to an outline of a cut-out for a wall corresponding to a known electrical box configuration. For example, shape D is illustrated to take the form of a known shape corresponding to a two-outlet electrical box, while the illustrated shape A may correspond to a known shape corresponding to a 2×2 electrical outlet. Of course, the number and configuration of the plurality of shapes may vary depending upon design criteria, the shapes A-D of  FIG. 1  being for purposes of non-limiting illustration only.  
         [0015]     According to an aspect of the present invention, one or more of the plurality of apertures, designated E in  FIG. 1 , may be positioned and sized to be useful for carrying or storing template  10  when not in use.  
         [0016]     According to an aspect of the present invention, one or more of the plurality of apertures, designated F in  FIG. 1 , may be positioned and sized to be useful in identifying a center line of shapes A-D, where the defined shapes are centered in at least one direction about the center line, for example.  
         [0017]     According to an aspect of the present invention, template  10  may include dimensional markings  30 . Dimensional markings  30  may take the form of length markings in English or metric units, by way of non-limiting example only. In the illustrated case of  FIG. 1 , markings  30  are included substantially adjacent to edges  40  and  50  of template  10 .  
         [0018]     According to an aspect of the present invention, one or more of the edges, such as edges  40  and  50  by way of non-limiting example only, may be beveled. Further, the apertures in template  10  may be beveled as well.  
         [0019]     Referring now also to  FIG. 2 , there is shown another plan-view of a template  10 .  FIG. 2  further illustrates some non-limiting dimensions suitable for template  10  according to an aspect of the present invention.  
         [0020]     According to an aspect of the present invention, in use, template  10  may be temporarily secured adjacent to, or substantially adjacent to, a wall in which an electrical box is to be installed, such that a shape formed by the apertures of template  10  corresponding to the shape of the electrical box to be installed is substantially aligned to a desired installation location. Template  10  may be secured in any conventional manner, such as by pinning through one or more of the apertures, adhesively or by being held, by way of non-limiting example only.  
         [0021]     The apertures forming the desired shape may then be used to mark the wall location by stenciling using a conventional marking device, such as a pencil or marker. Alternatively, cuts in the wall may be achieved directly through the template  10  using a drill, and saw or razor blade. After the wall has been marked, and/or cut, template  10  may be removed from the wall. If the wall has not yet been cut, the stenciled marking may be used to indicate a proper location for cutting to wall to facilitate installation of the corresponding electrical box.  
         [0022]     Referring now also to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , there are shown plan-views of a template according to an aspect of the present invention.  FIG. 4  illustrates some non-limiting dimensions suitable for the template of  FIG. 3 .  
         [0023]     A template device according to an aspect of the present invention may be formed in any suitable manner, such as conventional injection molding or stamping.  
         [0024]     According to an aspect of the present invention, template  10  may include one or more leveling indicators being suitable for determining whether template  10  is positioned in a level manner. Referring now to  FIG. 5A , template  10  may include one or more conventional leveling bubble containers  510  found in conventional levels, for example. Such leveling bubble containers may be positioned so as to be substantially parallel to edges  40  and  50 , respectively. When the device is level, the bubbles may self-align to a center of the container  510  in the conventional way. Containers  510  may be formed and attached to device  500  in a conventional way. Referring now to  FIG. 5B , alternatively, markings, recesses or channels  520  suitable for aligning with an optical indication of a level line, such as a line emanating from a conventional, commercially available laser level may be provided. When a laser line is projected along one or more walls in a conventional manner, markings, recesses or channels  520  may be aligned therewith to facilitate level and even placing of multiple electrical boxes along the one or more walls.  
         [0025]     Referring now to  FIG. 6 , according to an aspect of the present invention, template  10  may be incorporated with a conventional stud-finding device  610  that includes visual and/or audible indicators when a sensing region  615  thereof is positioned over a stud. Accordingly, visual and/or audible indicators that indicate the position of a stud under the template  10  in use may be provided. Further, template  10  may be configured so as to be slideably engageable with a conventional stud finding device, such that the edge of one or more defined shapes may be aligned with a sensed stud position in use. For example, the stud finding device or template may include one or more tabs or grooves  620  which engage with a mating portion of the other to enable the template to slide relative to the stud finding device and be substantially adjacent to a wall against which the stud finding device  610  is being applied. For example, a protrusion of the stud finder may be inserted into slot  620 . This may be particularly useful where it is desirable to secure an electrical box to an existing stud behind a wall. Alternatively, stud sensor  610  may be fixed relative to template  10  when secured thereto. Stud sensor  610  may be selectively attachable and removable to/from template  10 .  
         [0026]     Referring now to  FIG. 7 , according to an aspect of the present invention, template  10  may be incorporated with a conventional sheet rock square  710 . Further, template  10  may be configured so as to be slideably engageable with conventional sheet rock square  710 , such that it may be slideably positioned on a piece of sheet rock in part by application the dry wall square to the piece of sheet rock. For example, the sheet rock square or template may include one or more tabs or grooves  720  in which the other may slide, so the template is substantially adjacent to a piece of sheet rock against which the sheet rock square is being applied. For example, template  10  may include tabs, slots or protrusions  720  into which an extension of sheet rock square  710  may be inserted. This may be particularly useful where it is desirable to create an opening corresponding to an electrical box in a piece of sheet rock.  
         [0027]     It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations may be made in the device and method of the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover the modification and variations of this invention.