Abstract:
A device for facilitating the correct measurement and placement of tiles having a transparent top plate for viewing indicia markings on bottom sliding plate, also having a channel for the setting of a rule that is angularly and spatially adjustable from the thin metal abutment edge through the loosening and tightening of a wing nut and washer attached to the ruler through said channel. Additionally the rule of the present invention is equipped with a stop which ends 1¼″ from its side edges for the utilization of the present invention as a guide for correct placement of tile.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates generally to measuring devices and, more specifically, to a device for facilitating the correct measurement and placement of tiles. The present invention is a top face plate composed of a translucent and planar sheet having a center channel whereby a ruler is attached therethrough that may be displaced up and down the channel at assorted angles and the ruler can be releasably fixed by applying torque to a wing nut. 
   The ruler of the present invention, also translucent, additionally has a stop extending from the ruler that is utilized with a second thin metal abutment edge located lining the bottom of the top face plate that when used in conjunction allows for the user to place tile accurately and at angles by using said components as a place guide. 
   Additionally the ruler of the present invention can be turned to a plurality of angles and has a plurality of ruled markings and indicia representative of grout lines utilized commonly by the user for correct tile placement 
   2. Description of the Prior Art 
   There are other measurement devices designed for placing tile. Typical of these is U.S. Pat. No. 71,595 issued to Evans on Dec. 3, 1867. 
   Another patent was issued to Row on Jun. 8, 1915 as U.S. Pat. No. 1,142,368. Yet another U.S. Pat. No. 2,580,263 was issued to Wooten on Dec. 25, 1951 and still yet another was issued on Dec. 10, 1974 to Atkins as U.S. Pat. No. 3,852,889. 
   Another patent was issued to Heinz on May 19, 1981 as U.S. Pat. No. 4,267,638. Yet another U.S. Pat. No. 5,894,774 was issued to Trimble on Apr. 20, 1999. Another was issued to Abernathy, et al. on Jul. 17, 2001 as U.S. Pat. No. 6,260,283 and still yet another was issued on Oct. 22, 2002 to Wolf as U.S. Pat. No. 6,467,179. 
   Another patent was issued to Strahan on Aug. 12, 1915 as U.K. Patent No. GB191418817. Yet another U.K. Patent No. GB742927 was issued to Trimingham, et al. on Jan. 4, 1956. Another was issued to Cairns on Nov. 21, 1985 as German Patent No. DE3418260 and still yet another was issued on Jul. 7, 1899 to McMullen as U.K. Patent No. GB189902578. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 71,595 
   Inventor: Thomas Evans 
   Issued: Dec. 3, 1867 
   Disclosed is a square, a, graduated on the edges, combined with a sliding bar, g, arranged to move freely along one arm of the square a, and stand at right angles therewith. A straight-edge, b, is clamped to the bar g by a thumb-nut or screw, f, and held in contact with the other arm of the square a, by the piece h, fastened to the straight-edge b, and pinching the arm k of the square a. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 1,142,368 
   Inventor: Charles G. Row 
   Issued: Jun. 8, 1915 
   A drafting instrument comprising a stationary blade adapted to be secured to a drafting board or pad; a second blade slidably mounted upon the first mentioned blade and arranged transversely, thereto: a third blade slidably mounted upon the second mentioned blade and arranged to lie parallel with the first mentioned blade; a runner slidably mounted upon the third mentioned blade; means adapted to prevent the movement of the runner on the third mentioned blade; a pivotal member secured to the runner; and a fourth blade having a series of apertures aligned at regular intervals therein and slidably secured to the pivotal member. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 2,580,263 
   Inventor: Lewis A. Wooten 
   Issued: Dec. 25, 1951 
   A brick scribing tool comprising a rectangular shape frame having side and end bars and with a slot extended through the side ba, one of the end bars and to a point midway of the length if the other end bar, pins having heads on one end and threads on the other slidably mounted in the slot of the frame, a bar having an elongated slot therein slidably mounted on the pins, and thumb nuts threaded on the pins for securing the bar having the elongated slot therein in adjusted positions. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 3,852,889 
   Inventor: Thomas W. Atkins 
   Issued: Dec. 10, 1974 
   A device for making a perspective drawing. The device is constructed of a material through which a scene to be drawn can be viewed. This device includes a planer base having a vertically extending framing edge which is provided with a means for orientating the planer base member in a vertical plane, such as a pair odd spaced apart lines on transparent member and disposed in a plane perpendicular to the plane of said base member, and for orientating the framing edge to extend vertically, such as a plumb line or level bubble so as to determine the horizon. A pair of orthogonal scales is provided on the base for indicating the relative positions of the scene with respect to the determined horizon. Means are also provided that have a straight edge portion which is rotatably mounted on the base and which extends across the base so as to be rotatable in the vertical plane to, thereby, be alignable with a line in the scene 
   U.S. Pat. No. 4,267,638 
   Inventor: Richard A. Heinz 
   Issued: May 19, 1981 
   A protected pivot adjustable scaled compasses including a slotted body marked with multiple scales. A spring loaded transparent push button with pivot point retractable within the body support. A transparent movable slide arrangement with locking mechanism supported by and positioned over the scaled body. The slide configured with multiple sized holes intersecting alignment marks for use in conjunction with the scales to accurately set and circumscribe arcs or circles using a variety of readily available marking instruments. A washer used in conjunction with the slide locking screw to raise the slide and body during ink application and lower the slide and body when a pencil or scribe is used. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,894,774 
   Inventor: Perry C. Trimble 
   Issued: Apr. 20, 1999 
   A guard for use with rotary cutters in the cloth cutting and related arts. The design includes a wide, clear plate for placement over cloth to be cut and an upturned edge portion to allow application of a rotary cutter device. The method steps of the invention use the apparatus in combination with a guide ruler to enable the easy and safe use of conventional rulers in combination with rotary cutting devices. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 6,260,283 
   Inventor: Paul B. Abernathy, et al. 
   Issued: Jul. 17, 2001 
   A multi-functional carpentry tool includes a base plate having opposed front and back major surfaces, and at least one side edge bearing surface perpendicular to the front and back surfaces. A pivot ruler is secured to the base plate and extends across and parallel to the front major surface and outwardly from the base plate. The pivot ruler includes an elongated marking member having opposing straight side edges. A longitudinal slot is formed in the marking member parallel to and between the opposed side edges of the marking member. A pivot attachment device is received through the slot of the marking member and into the base plate for pivotally attaching the marking member to the base plate. The marking member is slidable across the front major surface of the base plate a distance equal to the length of the slot. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 6,467,179 
   Inventor: Sigrid Hammer Wolf 
   Issued: Oct. 22, 2002 
   This Measuring and Drafting Tool relates to a new and useful type of measuring and drafting tool that may be used to accomplish a plurality of functions using a singular tool. These functions include application as a ruler, straight edge, T-square, square or squaring tool, center gage, an edge transcribing and duplicating tool, and as a tool for striking circles and circle arcs. Some modified embodiments of the Measuring and Drafting Tool are also capable of angle measurement and protractor functions, and may also include one or more bubble levels incorporated into the ruler segments, thereby allowing the user to check if a horizontal surface is level. 
   U.K. Patent Number GB191418817 
   Inventor: James Strahan 
   Issued: Aug. 12, 1915 
   A tee-square or ruler is retained parallel to its original direction when moved, and supported in position on a vertical or inclined drawing-board or blackboard, by means of spring-controlled balls, rollers, plungers, etc. carried by the head of the tee-square, or by a separate carrier, and bearing against a guide-slip; a scaled arm, pivoted on a slide traveling on the blade of the tee-square or on the ruler and having an index reading against a protractor, may also be provided. As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , balls F′, F&lt;2&gt; are mounted in a carrier C secured to the head A of a tee-square, and are pressed by springs 4&lt;1&gt;, 4&lt;2&gt;, the pressure of which is adjustable by screws S&lt;1&gt;, S&lt;2&gt;, against a guide-slip G secured beneath the board. The carrier C is secured to the head A by cross-pieces B&lt;1&gt;, B&lt;2&gt; and by rabbeted blocks Z, which also bear against the guide-slip and hold the head A away from the edge of the board. Additional spring-pressed balls such as F&lt;3&gt; may be provided, and the balls are all placed so that the pressure exerted by them causes the blade to maintain contact with the board. A scaled arm O, which may be detachably secured to a back-plate on a spindle T, is held in any position by friction at the pivot, the friction being variable by means of a nut P, and has an index finger h provided with a notch or the like to engage projections i at the points most frequently used on the protractor M. The protractor M is rotatably carried on a slide M&lt;1&gt; and held as desired by pinching-screws x, the slide M′ having grooved bars engaging a guide-bar K carried on the blade I by distance-washers L. The protractor may be fixed and project over the arm 0, the arm being provided with a centrally-placed index mark by which its position may be read. As shown in  FIG. 3 , a ruler is provided with a carrier containing balls or the like 1&lt;1&gt;, 1&lt;2&gt; and with a block carrying a spring-mounted ball F, the balls engaging a guide-slip G with a pressure which may be adjusted by a screw S. Modifications are described in which a double-headed tee-square has spring-pressed balls or the like bearing against two guide-slips on opposite edges or on the face of the board, and in which a single-headed tee-square has a carrier for spring-pressed balls or the like secured to the head and bearing against a guide-slip on the face of the board. 
   U.K. Patent Number GB742927 
   Inventor: Austin Loch Trimingham 
   Issued: Jan. 4, 1956 
   In a draughting-machine including a frame 1 for supporting a drawing board 5, a flexible metallic tape 25 having a straight edge and mounted on the frame to extend across the board and a member 21 having a straight edge and secured to the tape with the straight edges at a fixed angle to one another, the tape 25 is movable across the board in a direction at right-angles to its straight edge and is also movable longitudinally so that member 21 is movable across the board. Preferably the board 5 and the frame 1 are relatively rotatable. As shown, a circular baseboard 4 supporting the board 5 is mounted on a pivot 3 at the intersection of cross-braces 2. An angular scale and locking means may be provided. Baseboard 4, or alternatively frame 1 if the frame is rotatable about the baseboard, may have rollers moving on a circular track. A member 11 with opposite parallel chamfered edges 15 has pinions 12 engaging racks 13, 14 on opposite sides of frame 1 so as to move parallel to itself. A slide 17 with finger-pieces 18, slidable in a groove 16 in member 11, carries a mounting bar 19 with dove-tailed extensions on both sides of member 11 to receive the member 21. The tape 25 extends along a chamfered edge of member 11 on the same side thereof as member 21. It extends under fingers 25a, and its ends are coiled within housings 26, 27 mounted on member 11. Both the tape and member 21′ are calibrated from the intersection of their straight edges. In a modification, baseboard 4 is supported on a fixed base with frame 1 rotatable, and is crossed by flexible tapes extending at right-angles between housings slidable on bars carried at opposite sides of the frame. The tapes are fastened together, and may have a finger-piece, at the crossing point. In further modifications, (1) the housings for the crossing tapes are mounted on members guided by pinions engaging racks on the frame, which is trunnioned in side-brackets; (2) the crossing tapes are endless, and pass over drums slidable on bars at opposite sides of the frame, which is supported on four feet; (3) endless tapes are carried by members guided by rack-and-pinion mechanism. The tapes may also be guided by means such as pulleys and wires, or members sliding on felt pads. 
   German Patent Number DE3418260 
   Inventor: James Francis Cairns 
   Issued: Nov. 21, 1985 
   The invention relates to a drawing board, especially for the production of perspective drawings. Two rows of insertion apertures (8, 12, 16, 21, 24) are provided on the drawing board surface (2), laterally and at various heights, these apertures lying on a straight line and it being possible to insert into each of them a ruler (17, 18) with a pivot pin (19, 20) attached to the end. These insertion apertures form vertically selectable vanishing points. 
   U.S. Patent Number GB189902578 
   Inventor: George Mcmullen 
   Issued: Jul. 15, 1899 
   Slotted blades A, B are connected by links C, D pivoted at c&lt;1&gt;, d&lt;1&gt; to the blades and at c, d to slides a, b. The links are slotted for the reception of slides F, F&lt;1&gt; pivoted to each other at E. The slide F&lt;1&gt; can be traversed by. a screw G, and the slide F works loosely on a screw H and can be fixed in any required position by nuts H&lt;1&gt;, H&lt;1&gt;. I is a piece for fixing the instrument to the drawing-board, and I&lt;1&gt;, I&lt;1&gt; screws for adjusting the angle of the blade B. When the pivot E is central, as shown, the instrument is a parallel ruler, but with other adjustments of the slides F, F&lt;1&gt; it becomes an instrument which may be used approximately as a control line and, the scale on the link C showing the adjustments necessary for radii of given length. 
   While these measurement devices may be suitable for the purposes for which they were designed, they would not be as suitable for the purposes of the present invention, as hereinafter described. 
   SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
   A primary object of the present invention is to provide a device for facilitating the correct measurement and placement of tiles having a clear planer structure and a slidably mounted rule that is releasably pivotal as a guide for producing even and squared tiling. 
   Another object of the present invention is to provide a device for facilitating the correct measurement and placement of tiles having a pivotal rule that has a plurality of indicia and a range of motion and settings relevant to common placement of tiles. 
   Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a device for facilitating the correct measurement and placement of tiles having a thin metal abutment edge that may be utilized with a bottom slide plate to be used as a guide for the precise placement of tile. 
   Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a device for facilitating the correct measurement and placement of tiles having a wing nut utilized for the tightening or loosening of the rule to the top face plate for the setting or releasing of the rule at a set angle. 
   Another object of the present invention is to provide a device for facilitating the correct measurement and placement of tiles that has a transparent top plate for easy viewing of work material therethrough. 
   Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a device for facilitating the correct measurement and placement of tiles having a center channel for adjustment for spacing of the rule of the present invention and thin metal abutment plate. 
   Additional objects of the present invention will appear as the description proceeds. 
   The present invention overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art by providing a device for facilitating the correct measurement and placement of tiles having a transparent top plate for viewing the ruler therethrough. Also having a channel for the setting of a rule that is angularly and spatially adjustable from the thin metal abutment edge through the loosening and tightening of a wing nut and washer attached to the ruler through said channel. Additionally the rule of the present invention, also translucent, is equipped with a stop which end 1¼″ from its side edges for the utilization of the present invention as a guide for correct placement of tile. 
   The foregoing and other objects and advantages will appear from the description to follow. In the description reference is made to the accompanying drawing, which forms a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments will be described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. In the accompanying drawing, like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views. 
   The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is best defined by the appended claims. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES 
     In order that the invention may be more fully understood, it will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: 
       FIG. 1  is an illustrative view of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the present invention; 
       FIG. 3  is an exposed view of the components of the present invention; 
       FIG. 4  is a top view of the present invention; 
       FIG. 5  is a rear view of the present invention; 
       FIG. 6  is an exploded side view of the present invention; 
       FIG. 7  is an assembled side view of the present invention; 
       FIG. 8  is a front view of the measuring rule of the present invention; 
       FIG. 9  is a frontal view of the present invention in use; 
       FIG. 10  is a frontal view of the present invention in use; and 
       FIG. 11  is an illustrative view of the present invention. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE REFERENCED NUMERALS 
   Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views, the figures illustrate the Tile Angle Measurement and Layout Tool of the present invention. With regard to the reference numerals used, the following numbering is used throughout the various drawing figures.
           10  Tile Angle Measurement and Layout Tool of the present invention     12  transparent faceplate     14  center channel of  12       16  metal abutment edge of  12       18  transparent ruled slide plate     20  stop of  18       21  incremental markings     22  indicia of  18       24  grout consideration lines     26  fixed threaded member of  18       28  wing nut     30  washer     32  tile     34  workpiece       

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   The following discussion describes in detail one embodiment of the invention (and several variations of that embodiment). This discussion should not be construed, however, as limiting the invention to those particular embodiments, practitioners skilled in the art will recognize numerous other embodiments as well. For definition of the complete scope of the invention, the reader is directed to appended claims. 
     FIG. 1  is an illustrative view of the present invention  10  in use. The present invention is an adjustable tile measurement and layout tool  10  designed to precisely measure and replicate an angled cut and form a template to transfer the angle to mark the tile  32  to be cut. The present invention  10  comprises a large transparent face plate  12  having a vertically-oriented centered channel  14  extending therethrough and a thin metal abutment edge  16  on the bottom edge thereof. A transparent ruled slide plate  18  is disposed behind the face plate  12  and is pivotally connected thereto with a washer  30  wing nut  28  screwed onto a threaded member  26  affixed to the slide plate  18  and extending through the channel  14  thereby enabling the slide plate  18  to travel along the channel  14  and rotate as needed. The slide plate  18  has a thin stop  20  extending perpendicularly from a portion of the top edge away from the faceplate  12 . Shown is the stop  20  placed flush against the bottom of the horizontal tiles  32  and the face plate  12  tilted so the abutment edge  16  is flush against abutment and the incremental ruled markings  21  at the edges of the tile  32  above the stop  20  are noted by the respective indicia  22  for subsequently positioning the tile  32  to be cut. The wing nut  28  is tightened and the area between the noted ruled markings  21  between the stop  20  and the abutment edge  16  define the shape of the tile  32  to be cut and is used as a template for marking it when positioned accordingly. 
     FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the present invention  10 . The present invention is an adjustable tile measurement and layout tool  10  designed to precisely measure and replicate an angled cut and form a template to transfer the angle to mark a tile to be cut. The present invention  10  comprises a large transparent face plate  12  having a vertically-oriented centered channel  14  extending therethrough and a thin metal abutment edge  16  on the bottom edge thereof. A ruled slide plate  18  is disposed behind the face plate  12  and is pivotally connected thereto with a washer  30  wing nut  28  and screwed onto a threaded member  26  affixed to the slide plate  18  and extending through the channel  14  thereby enabling the slide plate  18  to travel along the channel  14  and rotate as needed. The slide plate  18  has a thin stop  20  extending perpendicularly from a portion of the top edge away from the faceplate  12 . The edges of the slide plate  18  are aligned with the side edges of the face plate  12  when perpendicularly positioned with respect to the channel  14 . The side edges of the stop  20  end 1¼″ from the ends of the slide plate  18 . Markings on the slide plate  18  further include a plurality of parallel grout consideration lines  24  extending longitudinally thereon. 
     FIG. 3  is an exploded view of the components of the present invention.  10 . The present invention is an adjustable tile measurement and layout tool  10  designed to precisely measure and replicate an angled cut and form a template to transfer the angle to mark a tile to be cut. The present invention  10  comprises a large transparent face plate  12  having a vertically-oriented centered channel  14  extending therethrough and a thin metal abutment edge  16  on the bottom edge thereof. A ruled slide plate  18  is disposed behind the face plate  12  and is pivotally connected thereto with a washer  30  wing nut  28  and screwed onto a threaded member  26  affixed to the slide plate  18  and extending through the channel  14  thereby enabling the slide plate  18  to travel along the channel  14  and rotate as needed. The slide plate  18  has a thin stop  20  extending perpendicularly from a portion of the top edge away from the faceplate  12 . The edges of the slide plate  18  are aligned with the side edges of the face plate  12  when perpendicularly positioned with respect to the channel  14 . As noted by the incremental markings  21  and the respective indicia  22 , the side edges of the stop  20  end 1¼″ from the ends of the slide plate  18 . Markings on the slide plate  18  further include a plurality of parallel grout consideration lines  24  extending longitudinally thereon. 
     FIG. 4  is a front view of the present invention  10 . Shown is the slide plate  18  centrally disposed in the channel  14  of the face plate  12  and in perpendicular relation therewith. 
     FIG. 5  is a rear view of the present invention  10 . Shown is the slide plate  18  centrally disposed in the channel  14  of the face plate  12  and in perpendicular relation therewith. Note that the stop  20  terminates 1¼″ from each end of the slide plate  18 . Also shown is the treaded member  26  and the metal abutment edge  16 . 
     FIG. 6  is an exploded side view of the present invention  10 . Shown is a side view of the present invention  10 , a device to establish for transfer a line to be placed on a work piece, consisting of two transparent plates of different size and appearance. A large transparent faceplate  12  with thin metal abutment edge  16 . The smaller sliding plate  18  having a thin right angle stop  20  and fixed threaded member  26  to mate with the faceplate  12  and receive a washer  30  and wing nut  28  for the movement and securing of slide plate  18  once positioned. Note that the stop  20  terminates ¼″ from each end of the slide plate  18 . 
     FIG. 7  is an assembled side view of the present invention  10 . Shown is a side view of the present invention  10 , a device to establish for transfer a line to be placed on a work piece, consisting of two transparent plates of different size and appearance. A large transparent faceplate  12  with thin metal abutment edge  16 . The smaller sliding plate  18  having a thin right angle stop  20  and fixed threaded member  26  to mate with the faceplate  12  and receive a washer  30  and wing nut  28  for the movement and securing of slide plate  18  once positioned. Note that the stop  20  terminates 1¼″ from each end of the slide plate  18 . 
     FIG. 8  is a front view of the slide plate  18 . Shown is the elongate transparent slide plate  18  with ruled incremental markings  21 , indicia  22  and a plurality of parallel grout consideration lines  24  extending longitudinally thereon. A fixed threaded member  26  is disposed centrally thereon. The grout consideration lines  24  are broken or spaced to provide multiply reference points along the tiles edge. ¼, ½ and ¾ reflect said sizes smaller ⅛ inch marking also present. 
     FIG. 9  is a frontal view of the present invention  10  in use. Shown is a frontal view of the present invention  10  in use, placed over area to be filled to establish a size needed for placement. Faceplate  12  side edge overlapping corner point of placed tile  32  slide plates  18  one inch mark becomes units side edge and allows faceplates  12  abutment edge  16  to provide for a full line to be drawn when moved to a work piece. 
     FIG. 10  is a frontal view of the present invention  10  in use. Shown is a frontal view of the present invention  10  in use, its position held and transferred to a work piece  34  for a line to be drawn one inch mark aligned with corner point of work piece  34  is transferred to a point on faceplates  12  abutment edge  16  for a full line or score to be placed. 
     FIG. 11  is an illustrative view of the present invention  10 . Shown is the present invention  10  having the slide plate  18  rotated so its stop  20  is on the bottom to allow for the smallest of pieces to be made. 
   It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together may also find a useful application in other types of methods differing from the type described above. 
   While certain novel features of this invention have been shown and described and are pointed out in the annexed claims, it is not intended to be limited to the details above, since it will be understood that various omissions, modifications, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and in its operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention. 
   Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention