Abstract:
A series of templates having a predetermined shape, the combination of shapes corresponding to the shape of most of the commercially available electrical junction boxes. A selected template is positioned on a surface, temporarily secured to the surface, and an outline along the edges of the template then being formed on the surface. A cutout is formed along the outline on the surface and the cut part removed. The electrical junction box is then secured within the opening formed by the cutout.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0002]    The present invention relates to a template to provide a level and traceable pattern for the proper placement of a junction box on a surface, the template having means for releasably securing the template to the surface.  
           [0003]    2. Description of the Prior Art  
           [0004]    During a remodeling, electricians are required to mark the appropriate place on sheetrock or other wall materials where junction boxes (referred to in the industry as “old work” junction boxes; for reasons of simplicity, the term “junction boxes” will be used hereinafter) will be located and to cut out the marked area. When measuring for the cutout sections in walls, the electrician in practice has utilized a tape measure to measure the appropriate height of the cut-out, and a junction box to trace the shape to be cut out. A ruler has also been used to trace the cut-out shape.  
           [0005]    Due to the time constraints and high cost of labor involved inconstruction projects, there is a great need for a device which will expedite the tracing and level marking of cut-outs on existing walls to accommodate junction boxes.  
           [0006]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,222,303 to Jardine discloses a template device to mark where apertures in walls and ceilings for junction boxes should be located. The junction box template is provided by providing a template comprising a first portion having a first free end and a second end defining an aperture which is about or slightly larger than the dimensions of a junction box, the first portion is straight and has a predetermined length so as to allow the aperture to be positioned at a predetermined height above a floor or other horizontal surface.  
           [0007]    Although Jardine provides a template for marking walls where junction boxes are to be located, the template is large dimensionally and the aperture used to draw the junction box outline has a fixed shape and dimensions.  
           [0008]    Paper templates are available for marking walls where junction boxes are to be located. However, these templates are not stable or accurate when held to the surface and are useful for a limited number of installations. In addition, the paper templates do not have an edge that is easily traced.  
           [0009]    What is desired is to provide simple and inexpensive templates for marking surfaces, such as walls, with the outline of a junction box, the templates allowing accurate and level marking of the surfaces and having means for releasably securing the templates to the surface.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0010]    The present invention provides a series of templates of different shapes and dimensions for marking outlines on a surface enabling electricians to cut out the correct and level pattern from the surface for installation of a junction box or other electric component. The templates have front and back surface and, in a preferred embodiment, two sliding mail fasteners are mounted to the back surface of the templates, the nails extending through the thickness of the template to releasably secure the templates to the surface.  
           [0011]    The templates are positioned by the installer and checked for level with the front surface against the surface. The template is then attached to the surface by hammering in the nails for stability. The template outline is then traced on the surface, the template is then removed, the opening is then cut out and the electrical box is then installed in the cut out.  
           [0012]    The template of the present invention provides a fast, easy and accurate method for drawing cut-out openings for electrical boxes on surfaces such as drywall, plaster and stucco. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0013]    For a better understanding of the present invention as well as other objects and further features thereof, reference is made to the following description which is to be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawing therein:  
         [0014]    FIGS.  1 - 6  illustrate different versions of the template of the present invention;  
         [0015]    FIGS.  7 ( a )- 7 ( f ) illustrate the steps for securing an electrical outlet to a wall using the template of the present invention;  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 8 illustrates a fastener used to temporarily mount the template to the surface; and  
         [0017]    FIGS.  9 - 12  illustrate additional template shapes of the present invention. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0018]    [0018]FIG. 1 illustrates a first embodiment of the present invention wherein a template  10  is illustrated. Template  10  is a rectangular in shape having top  12 , bottom  14 , left  16 , and right  18  edges. The top edge extends in a first horizontal direction, the right edge has a triangular protrusion  20  at the top, an arc protrusion  22  midway along the right edge  18 , the remainder of edge  18  being straight. The bottom edge  14  is straight and the left edge  16  has a triangular protrusion  24  at the bottom, an arc protrusion  26  midway along the left edge  16 , the remainder of the edge  16  being straight. Template  10  (and the other templates shown in the drawings) is preferably made of a thin plastic material (although other materials can be used) and has a thickness, typically ⅛ inch, to provide an edge for a marking device, such as a pencil, to trace an outline around the edges.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 2 illustrates a second embodiment of the present invention wherein a template  30  is illustrated. Template  30  is identical to the template shown in FIG. 1 with the exception that the length of the top edge  32  and bottom edge  34  is greater.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 3 illustrates a third embodiment of present invention wherein a template  40  is illustrated. Template  40  is rectangular in shape having top, bottom, and left and right edges  42 ,  44 ,  46  and  48 , respectively. The top edge  42  and bottom edge  46  are shorter than the right edge  44  and left edge  48 , the top edge  42  being straight with a step  50  at the right portion as illustrated. The right edge  44  is straight; the bottom edge  46  is straight with a step down  54  on the left portion of the bottom edge  46 ; the left edge  48  is straight.  
         [0021]    Referring now to FIG. 4, a fourth embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. Template  60  is rectangular in shape and has top, bottom, left and right edges  62 ,  64 ,  66  and  68 , respectively. The top edge  62  and bottom edge  64  are longer than the right edge  64  and left edge  68 ; the top edge  62  is straight with a rectangular protrusion  70  near the left side and a step portion  72  on the right; the right edge  64  and left edge  68  are straight and the bottom edge  66  is straight with a rectangular protrusion  74  adjacent the right edge and a step down  76  on the left side of the bottom edge.  
         [0022]    Referring now to FIG. 5, a fifth embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. Template  78  is essentially rectangular in shape, horizontal edge  79  being shorter than vertical edge  81 .  
         [0023]    Referring now to FIG. 6, a sixth embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. Template  83  is essentially rectangular in shape, horizontal edge  85  being longer than vertical edge  87 .  
         [0024]    Referring now to FIGS.  7 ( a )- 7 ( f ), FIG. 7( a ) illustrates a user securing template  42  to wall (or ceiling)  80 . Preferably, template  42  is secured to the wall  80  using the fasteners described with reference to FIG. 8. Alternately, a non-permanent adhesive applied to the surface contacting the surface of wall  80  may be utilized.  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 7( b ) shows the user drawing an outline of template  42  on wall  80 ; FIG. 7( c ) illustrates a hole being cut in wall  80  along the outline drawn in FIG. 5( b ) with the template  42  removed; FIG. 7( d ) shows a junction box  82  positioned in the opening formed after the cutout portion formed on wall  80  is removed; FIG. 7( e ) illustrates an outlet terminal  84  being installed in junction box  82  and FIG. 7( f ) shows the completed outlet with cover  86  positioned over outlet terminal  84 .  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 8 illustrates one technique for releasably mounting a template of the present invention to a surface  90 , such as a wall or ceiling. A template  100  (illustrated as being rectangular in shape) has at least one hole  102  formed therethrough. Fastener  104  comprises a cylindrical first base portion  106 , a cylindrical second base portion  108  and slidable nail  110 . Double headed nail  110  is slidable within base portions  106  and  108  into the wall or ceiling  90  and has a head portion  112  which prevents the nail  110  from being removed from base portions  106  and  108 . As shown more clearly in the bottom portion of template  100 , an adhesive layer  114  can be applied to the bottom surface of the base portion  112  such that the fastener  104  is secured to the surface of template  100 . In use, template  100  is positioned on the wall or ceiling  90 , nail  110  is tapped into the surface of template  100  using hammer  116  and the outline of template  100  is then traced with a marker. Nail  110  is then backed out with the hammer  116 , template  100  then removed, and the opening is then cut-out on the surface  90 , the opening being ready for installation of a junction box. In accordance with a further teaching of the present invention, a conventional bubble level  117  is mounted to the surface  119  of template  100  using an adhesive, such as glue. Level  117  enables the installer to maintain the template  100  level as it is secured to surface  90 .  
         [0027]    The six templates shown in the FIGS.  1 - 6  will provide the desired cutout outline for most of the electrical junction boxes currently commercially available (FIGS.  9 - 12  show other templates  130 ,  132 ,  134 , and  136 , respectively, which can be used with the present invention). The templates are inexpensive to produce and could be easily included in the packaging of the electrical junction boxes to assist the ultimate user in preparing the electrical installation.  
         [0028]    While the invention has been described with reference to its preferred embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from its essential teachings.