Abstract:
A multi-purpose squaring and leveling tool comprising a generally trapezoidal body, angled corners, and leveling inserts. The tool may be used for tradesman, pipe fitters, and home carpenters as a means of setting joints and other construction or repair. The shape of the tool allows for the squaring and leveling of joints around obstacles which may present barriers to traditional squaring tools.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) 
       [0001]    The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application 61/653,063, filed May 30, 2012, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates to a tool for use in pipe fitting, carpentry, and other trades. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    A vast number of tools for measuring and leveling are used in the field of pipe fitting. Pipefitters and other tradesmen have long used levels, rulers and squares to establish exact lengths and angles in their work. Speed squares, torpedo levels, T-bevels and the like are often used to establish lengths and angles as to properly assemble joints and the like. A principle problem has been that in certain trades, each of these objects are often carried individually, and thus are burdensome to use together with one hand while holding a pipe, piece of wood, or fastening tool in the other hand. Moreover, particularly amongst pipefitters, the typical pipe fitter&#39;s square comes to an apex, which often interferes with a socket or collar at the junction of the two pipes, and thus is cumbersome for a single person to use. Often, one person holds the square and level, often awkwardly, while another person tacks or welds the pipe and joint into place. Additionally, pipefitters often need to mark parallel lines on sides of pipe for mitering at precise angles. 
         [0004]    It is a principal object of the multi-purpose tool to provide apparatus, systems and methods for use in leveling and squaring. More particularly, the invention relates to an “all-in-one” tool which, in certain exemplary embodiments comprises a modified square and level combination for domestic and commercial use, particularly in the area of pipe fitting. Certain other examples and embodiments can incorporate a variety of other common devices which would be useful to the tradesman or craftsman. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    The present application is directed to apparatus, systems and methods for use domestically, as well as in construction, pipefitting, and other skilled trades. 
         [0006]    In certain exemplary embodiments, these apparatus, systems and methods generally relate to a squaring and leveling tool. In further exemplary embodiments, the squaring and leveling tool is a combination square having the apex of the square removed and further comprising one or more levels, and so as to be useful in working with pipes and other objects that have obstacles at the point of the apex. In yet further exemplary embodiments, markings are added so as to be useful in making measurements. Other embodiments are possible, and are within the spirit of the present application. 
         [0007]    While multiple embodiments are disclosed, still other embodiments of the multi-purpose tool will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, which shows and describes illustrative embodiments of the invention. As will be realized, the invention is capable of modifications in various obvious aspects, all without departing from the spirit and scope of the multi-purpose tool. Accordingly, the drawings and detailed description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one embodiment of the multi-purpose tool. 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is a side view of one embodiment of the multi-purpose tool. 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is a top view of one embodiment of the multi-purpose tool. 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  is an endlong view of one embodiment of the multi-purpose tool. 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  is a first side view of the multi-purpose tool against a standard 90 degree joint. 
           [0013]      FIG. 6  is a second side view of the multi-purpose tool against a flange. 
           [0014]      FIG. 7  is a top view of one embodiment of the multi-purpose tool resting against a pipe. 
           [0015]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of one embodiment of the multi-purpose tool against a standard stud. 
           [0016]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of one embodiment of the multi-purpose tool against a standard stud. 
           [0017]      FIG. 10  shows a prior art square superimposed upon a 90 degree joint. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0018]    Turning to the figures,  FIGS. 1-4  generally show certain exemplary embodiments of the squaring and leveling tool  10 . In these exemplary embodiments, the tool  10  comprises a longer first side  11  and a shorter second side  13 . The tool  10  can thus generally be shaped like a ruler, or a speed square without the apex, and features an angled first end  24  and angled second end  26 . While this embodiment features 45 degree angles for forming a generally right triangle, one of skill in the art would understand that other configurations such as 30/60, 60/60 and others could be used. 
         [0019]    As shown best in  FIGS. 1-2 , in exemplary embodiments the tool features a generally trapezoidal body  10 , having a variety of inserts. In certain exemplary embodiments the tool  10  is inset with a variety of levels  12 ,  14 ,  16 , which are set at opposing angles so as to provide the user with the ability to establish a level angle while using the tool  10  in a variety of positions. Although bubble levels  12 ,  14 ,  16  are depicted, in certain other exemplary embodiments other levels could be used, as would be apparent to one of skill in the art. The embodiments of the tool  10  depicted in  FIGS. 1-2  also features a ruler  22 , while other embodiments can include other measuring devices, such as a protractor or other means of establishing angles. In some embodiments, as is best depicted in  FIG. 2 , the tool  10  can further comprise a hole  60  for mounting to a peg board or attachment to a D-ring so as to attach to a lanyard to assist in OSHA compliance. 
         [0020]    Exemplary embodiments of the tool also feature one or more straight edge posts  18 ,  20  for use as a further squaring means in fitting the tool flush to straight edge studs, boards, uni-struts and other items. Although the embodiment depicted in  FIGS. 3-4  has two such posts, other numbers of posts and configurations are possible. The longer post  20  is depicted to have 45 degree end portions  21 , but one of skill in the art would realize that other angles would also be appropriate for certain implementations. The posts  18 ,  20  can also assist in the squaring of picture frames and other mitered boards perpendicularly or otherwise. 
         [0021]    As best seen in  FIGS. 5-6 , one of the principle advantages of the present tool  10  is that a user may fit it flush to a 90 degree L-joint  30  without interference from the joint socket  34  or other objects at the throat  32  of the joint itself, such as square flanges  36 . As such, the multi-purpose tool can achieve the same goals as a typical speed square and a torpedo level combined. 
         [0022]    By way of example, one embodiment is approximately 10″ long on the long side, approximately 7.5″ on the shorter side and approximately 1.25″ wide with 45 degree angles on the ends and posts ¼″ to ⅜″. Other embodiments are possible. As shown in  FIG. 6 , for example, in use this embodiment  10  allows a tradesman such as a pipefitter or other craftsman to tack and weld  38  pipe with one hand while holding the tool  10  in the other while leaving room to clear a typical socket or butt, for example a 3″ socket weld, on a 90 degree joint, tee, or flange  36 . Because of this exemplary size, the multi-purpose tool is capable of use in most typical pipe fitting applications. In certain other embodiments, the tool may also be sized at, for example, 16″ to allow for quick and easy determination of the required distance between wall studs, rafters, and floor joists. As would be apparent to one of skill in the art, many other uses are possible. 
         [0023]    As best shown in  FIG. 7 , in certain exemplary embodiments the straight edge posts  18 ,  20  of the multi-purpose tool  10  also may be used lay the tool flat against a rounded piece of pipe  40 , so as to mark  42  the pipe with segment lines  42  for mitering the pipe to specific angles. 
         [0024]      FIGS. 8-9  depict the use of the tool  10  as a square, fitting flush against studs  44  for marking and measuring angles as well as leveling. In  FIG. 8 , the tool is shown being used endwise such that the shorter of the straight edge posts  18  is flush against a standard stud  44 , so as to allow measurement and leveling. Likewise, in  FIG. 9 , the tool  10  is shown being used lengthwise such that the longer of the straight edge posts  20  is flush against a standard stud  44 , so as to allow measurement and leveling. In certain exemplary embodiments, uni-struts, boards, angle iron, steel beam, pipe and other construction materials can be used, measured or leveled, as would be apparent to one of skill in the art. In further exemplary embodiments, other numbers and configurations of edge posts can be used, so as to suit the tool most ideally for the desired task. 
         [0025]    This trapezoidal design also overcomes the problems inherent in the prior art, and as depicted in  FIG. 10 , wherein the square  46  has comes to the 90 degree angle  48  in the throat of the joint, and the socket of the pipe  50  creates an obstacle. One of skill in the art would understand that variations of the length or shape of the tool will allow the user to overcome obstacles of various sizes when measuring, leveling and squaring. 
         [0026]    Although the multi-purpose tool has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, persons skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.