Abstract:
Methods and structures are disclosed for establishing a positioning reference frame for a work surface having one or more hidden features (such as studs) where the hidden features are detectable by way of machine-aided sensing. One method geometry, proximate to the surface, so that one or more of the hidden features can be detected and located with machine-aided sensing. One or more sensor modules are attached to the guiding frame and at least a first of the sensor modules is movable along the guiding frame. The first sensor module provides machine-aided sensing of at least a corresponding first of the hidden features. The first sensor module and/or guiding frame are moved relative to one another so that the relatively moved components become aligned to the first hidden feature according to a desired orientation.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO CO-OWNED APPLICATION  
       [0001]     The following copending U.S. provisional patent application is owned by the owner of the present application, its disclosure is incorporated herein by reference, and benefit of its filing date is claimed:  
         [0002]     (A) Ser. No. 60/518,246 filed Nov. 7, 2003 by Joe Sorenson and Chuck Poremba by way of Express Mail submission EL-738028532-US and which is originally entitled, “Integrated Marketing [sic] Device.” 
     
    
     FIELD OF DISCLOSURE  
       [0003]     The present invention relates generally to construction-assisting tools such as inclinometers, rulers and markers; and methods of use.  
       DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART  
       [0004]     Construction assisting tools such as hand-held rulers, inclinometers and speed squares are routinely used in the marking of different workpiece surfaces including wood, drywall, glass, metal and stucco.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0005]     Structures and methods are provided in accordance with the present invention for improving over prior construction assisting tools and methods.  
         [0006]     In accordance with the invention, a method is disclosed for establishing a positioning reference frame for a surface having one or more hidden features (such as studs for example) where the hidden features are detectable by way of machine-aided sensing. The method includes the step of providing a guiding frame of predefined geometry, proximate to the surface, so that one or more of the hidden features can be detected and located with machine-aided sensing. One or more sensor modules are attached to the guiding frame and at least a first of the sensor modules is movable along the guiding frame. The first sensor module provides machine-aided sensing of at least a corresponding first of the hidden features. In accordance with the invention, the first sensor module and/or guiding frame are moved relative to one another so that the relatively moved components become aligned to the first hidden feature according to a desired orientation. The orientation is defined in one embodiment as locating the first sensor module at a corresponding first position along the guiding frame when the first sensor module detects and locates the corresponding first hidden feature and causing a linear portion of the guiding frame to be level or plumb relative to gravity. Once alignment with the hidden feature is attained, a user can use the aligned guiding frame to locate further positions on the work surface, for example, further positions that are spaced apart according to predetermined distances and/or orientations relative to one another and relative to the aligned guiding frame. Other aspects of the invention will become apparent from the below detailed description.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0007]     The below detailed description section makes reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:  
         [0008]      FIG. 1  is a plan top view of an inclinometer in accordance with the invention having a plurality of slidable modules;  
         [0009]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a level having a sliding marker module;  
         [0010]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a studfinder having an integrated marker module and of a sampling of marks which can be made using the marker module;  
         [0011]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a tapemeasure unit having an integrated marker module;  
         [0012]      FIG. 5  is a plan top view of a speed square having an integrated marker module;  
         [0013]      FIG. 6  shows a plan top view of a speed square having an integrated inclinometer and marker module and further shows magnified views of the integrated module;  
         [0014]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a tapemeasure unit having a slidable and stowable marker module; and  
         [0015]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of another tapemeasure unit having a slidable marker module.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0016]     Referring to  FIG. 1 , an inclinometer  100  is provided to indicate level and plumb conditions. Inclinometer  100  has ruled markings  110  positioned on its outward edge face  111  as shown. The inclinometer  100  has first and second guides,  121  and  122 .  
         [0017]     One or more sliding modules,  151 ,  152  are provided to slide transversely upon the guides  121 ,  122 . Bubble vials  161 ,  162  are provided to indicate the level and/or plumb conditions of the inclinometer  100 . The bubble vials  161 ,  162  can be mounted either on the inclinometer  100 , or within the sliding module/s  151 ,  152 . Each module  151 ,  152  also contains a sensing device  171 ,  172  to indicate stud locations (one stud shown in phantom at  10 ) hidden behind a work surface  20 . A corresponding pointer  153 ,  154  is mounted to extend on a see-through portion of the module/s  151 ,  152 ; over the outward edge face  111  having the ruled markings  110  to reference its location relative to the ruled markings. One module (e.g.  151 ) can indicate a hidden feature such as a stud location ( 10 ), for example. The other module (e.g.  152 ) can then indicate another location which is a given distance from the first, and which is level or plumb with respect to the first location.  
         [0018]     Each module  151 ,  152  also contains an integrated marking device, namely, a self-inking printer  155 ,  156 . When suitable locations are found with respect to distance, level or plumb, or with respect to measurements from a stud location; a mark  25  can be printed upon the work surface  20 . Because of the nature of self-inking printers the marks  25  can take the form of either dots, continuous lines, descriptive type, circles, arrows, etc. (See also  FIG. 3 , Example B.)  
         [0019]     The inclinometer  100  also incorporates a view port  101 ,  102  at either end, to allow measurements, stud locations, plumb or horizontal indications to be made relative to previous marks  25  made upon a surface (e.g., 20). Thus, an inclinometer  100  with ruled markings  110  and movable sensing module/s  151 ,  152  has been illustrated that is capable of locating and/or marking work surface positions that are desired distances away from, and optionally level or plumb with, other work surface positions, including those associated with hidden features such as studs (e.g., 10) detected by the integrally attached and on-guide slidable sensing module/s  151 ,  152 .  
         [0020]     The Integrated Marking Device  
         [0021]     In accordance with a broader aspect of the present invention, a marking device may comprise a self-inking pad mounted in a pad frame. The pad frame is positioned within a guide frame, and can move reciprocally within the guide frame to different positions, including an extended or a retracted position. Referring to  FIG. 2  (Example D) the illustrated marking device  270  is attached to the illustrated level  200 . In this application, the pad frame of the marking device  270  can either stay in position or slide to various different positions along the central elongated opening in the level  200 . The illustrated level  200  includes horizontal and vertical bubble vials,  261 ,  262 ; allowing it to indicate a level or plumb condition. Then, either single marks  275 , or a long continuous mark  276  can be printed that is level or plumb.  
         [0022]     Referring to  FIG. 3  (Example B) the marking device  370  is attached to a stud finder  350 . When the stud finder  350  indicates a stud (not shown, see  10  of  FIG. 1 ), a mark can be printed that is referenced to that specific location. Sample marks are shown at  375 .  
         [0023]     Referring to  FIG. 4  (Example A) the marking device  470  includes a pad frame  471  that is movably attached to the case of a tape measure  400 . When the pad frame  471  is moved reciprocally to an extended position along guide frame  472 , the self-inking pad  473  enables the printing of a mark  410  on workpiece  420  where the mark  410  is referenced to a specific measurement (e.g., “10”) indicated by the tape measure  400 .  
         [0024]     Referring to  FIG. 5  (Example C) the marking device ( 570 ) is attached to a speed square  500  swiveled about swivel point  501 . In this application, the pad frame  570  can either stay in position or slide laterally along an edge  502  of the speed square  500 . The swiveled speed square indicates the desired angle at  503  in the illustration, where the angle indication mark  503  is along a predefined line  504  (e.g., horizontal line) also extending through swivel point  501 . Either single marks  505 , or a long continuous mark  506  can be printed that is referenced to the desired angle.  
         [0025]      FIG. 6  (Example G) shows a speed square  600  having a inclinometer  660  mounted in it. As shown in enlarged view  661 , the inclinometer  660  may include a pivotally-mounted LED  662  which projects a beam of light or focused light onto adjacent surfaces to thereby identify the plumb line  621 . Pivoting pointer or light track  663  follows circular path  664  as the speed square is rotated 360°. An offset is provided between the pivot point of the LED support and its surrounds so that the LED can always point up as shown due to actuation by its lower mass  663   b . The inclinometer may include markings at least at the 90 degree and 45 degree rotations about its housing. The cross sectional view at  661 AA (taken along section line A-A of view  661 ) shows the pivoting LED light tracker  663   a  in cross section with the path of the fanned-out light beam indicated by dashed lines  621   a  and  621   b . The tracker pivot is at  663   c . Thus, it is seen in accordance with the invention that a speed square  600  may be provided with a lighted inclinometer  660 . It is understood that the lighted inclinometer/speedsquare  600  of  FIG. 6  can be combined with the teachings of the inclinometer shown in  FIG. 1  and the speedsquare shown in  FIG. 5 .  
         [0026]     In some embodiments ( FIG. 7 , Example E), a cut-out  720  may be provided in tape case  700  for storing a slidable tape marker  770  that slides along the graduated measurement tape  710 . When the pad frame of marker  770  is in the retracted position, the self-inking pad is protected from debris, unintentional printing, and damage.  
         [0027]      FIG. 8  (Example F) shows yet another embodiment in which an elongated stamp pad  870  is mounted at right angles to and reciprocally on the ruled tape  810  so that spaced apart marks can be made on a work piece  820  such as shown at  821 - 824 . A second stamp device  871  may also mount to the tape measure case  800  as shown.  
         [0028]     The present disclosure of invention is to be taken as illustrative rather than as limiting the scope, nature, or spirit of the subject matter claimed below. Numerous modifications and variations will become apparent to those skilled in the art after studying the disclosure, including use of equivalent functional and/or structural substitutes for elements described herein, use of equivalent functional couplings for couplings described herein, and/or use of equivalent functional steps for steps described herein. Such insubstantial variations are to be considered within the scope of what is contemplated here. Moreover, if plural examples are given for specific means, or steps, and extrapolation between and/or beyond such given examples is obvious in view of the present disclosure, then the disclosure is to be deemed as effectively disclosing and thus covering at least such extrapolations.  
         [0000]     Reservation of Extra-Patent Rights, Resolution of Conflicts, and Interpretation of Terms  
         [0029]     After this disclosure is lawfully published, the owner of the present patent application has no objection to the reproduction by others of textual and graphic materials contained herein provided such reproduction is for the limited purpose of understanding the present disclosure of invention and of thereby promoting the useful arts and sciences. The owner does not however disclaim any other rights that may be lawfully associated with the disclosed materials, including but not limited to, copyrights in any computer program listings or art works or other works provided herein, and to trademark or trade dress rights that may be associated with coined terms or art works provided herein and to other otherwise-protectable subject matter included herein or otherwise derivable herefrom.  
         [0030]     Unless expressly stated otherwise herein, ordinary terms have their corresponding ordinary meanings within the respective contexts of their presentations, and ordinary terms of art have their corresponding regular meanings within the relevant technical arts and within the respective contexts of their presentations herein.  
         [0031]     Given the above disclosure of general concepts and specific embodiments, the scope of protection sought is to be defined by the claims appended hereto. The issued claims are not to be taken as limiting Applicant&#39;s right to claim disclosed, but not yet literally claimed subject matter by way of one or more further applications including those filed pursuant to 35 U.S.C. §120 and/or 35 U.S.C. §251.