Abstract:
A framing template for use in the framing of a building structure. The template has a plurality of groups of printed measuring indicia, each measuring indicia comprising a centering mark. The centering marks for each group have a predetermined spacing therebetween. The centering marks of each group may include numbers, colors or shaped symbols indicative of a repetitive measured distance from a zero reference point of the template. The centering marks also include indicia indicating the total distance the centering mark is from the zero reference point. The numbers are readable regardless if the template is secured on a horizontal or a vertical surface. In another broad aspect, the present invention contemplates permanently affixing the template, such as with printing, on building materials requiring measurements for integrating into the building structure.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This is a Continuation-in-part of a Continuation-in-part Ser. No. 09/348,879 filed on Jul. 7, 1999 and now abandoned and based on parent application Ser. No. 09/215,458 filed on Dec. 17, 1998, and also abandoned. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to a measuring template in the form of a tape or printed on building materials for use in the framing of building structures and its method of use whereby to permit precise positioning and sacrament of building components while facilitating and accelerating the framing of building structures. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     Various devices have been heretofore provided to assist the carpenter in the framing and construction of building structures. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,367,783 discloses a layout template tool which facilitates the marking of the positions of studs, joists, rafters, trusses, before nailing-in these building components in permanent position. A problem with these layout tools is they are usually constructed of metal members and they are cumbersome to use, require the user to use a pencil to mark desired locations, it is difficult to transport, some have moving parts which can be lost rendering the tool inoperative and their measuring markings wear out with periodic use often resulting in improper measurement markings. The tools also have restricted use when used close to other walls or building components, due to the fact that the tool is rigid and cannot be bent around corners. 
     Templates made of flat flexible thick material having adhesives thereon are also known in the cabinetry trade and other trades and an example of such is illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 5,666,737. Such tapes are used at precise locations to indicate the position of holes when making cabinetry which require precision hardware to be installed thereon. Such templates have therefore very limited use. It is also known to use templates in the construction of housing development where repetitious measures are utilized and such a system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,573,302. Such templates have again restrictive usage and are not practical as a measuring tool for all sorts of building structures. There is also a need in the prior art to provide a template which is securable on building surfaces to identify components which are not visible and further wherein building components may be erected directly on the templates at precise locations. There is also a need to provide a template which is easy to use, which is economical and which accelerates construction. 
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     It is a feature of the present invention to provide a flexible framing template which is an improvement over the above-referenced prior art templates and which is formed from an elongated flat tape of flexible material. 
     It is a further feature of the present invention to provide a flexible framing template in the form of a tape and which accelerates the construction of the framing of building structures, which is easy to use, economical, and which may be adhesively secured to building materials to identify the positioning of building components or to identify the position of building components which are not visible. 
     Another feature of the present invention is to provide a flexible framing template in the form of a tape and which may be used as a level indicator. 
     Another feature of the present invention is to provide building materials on which the template of the present invention is permanently affixed thereto such as being printed thereon. 
     According to the above features, from a broad aspect, the present invention provides a measuring template for use in framing of building structures. The template is comprised by an elongated printed measure having two or more groups of measuring indicia. The groups of indicia are disposed at predetermined intervals from one another. There are two or more of the said predetermined intervals. Each of the groups of indicia has a center mark associated therewith. A first set of numerical markings is associated with each of the center mark of each of the groups of indicia. The center mark indicates an exact location of the numerical markings. The first set of numerical markings is identical and indicates a cumulative measure from a starting point. The numerical markings of the first set are disposed on opposed sides of the center mark on a transverse axis of the template and aligned with the center mark. A second set of identical numerical markings is disposed on a longitudinal axis of the template on opposed sides of the center mark whereby the numerical markings of the first and second sets are easily readable when the template is disposed horizontally or vertically. The groups of measuring indicia each have a distinctive identification means to distinguish said groups from one another. Each distinct identification means indicates an associated one of said two or more groups of measuring indicia. The sets of numerical markings of distinct identification means groups define a numerical spacing between the groups of measuring indicia. 
     According to a still further broad aspect of the present invention there is provided a measuring template for use in framing of building structures. The template is comprised by an elongated printed measure having two or more groups of measuring indicia. The groups of indicia are disposed at predetermined intervals from one another. There are two or more of the said predetermined intervals. Each of the groups of indicia has a center mark associated therewith. A first set of numerical markings is associated with each of the center mark of each of the groups of indicia. The center mark indicates an exact location of the numerical markings. The first set of numerical markings is identical and indicates a cumulative measure from a starting point. The numerical markings of the first set are disposed on opposed sides of the center mark on a transverse axis of the template and aligned with the center mark. A second set of identical numerical markings is disposed on a longitudinal axis of the template on opposed sides of the center mark whereby the numerical markings of the first and second sets are easily readable when the template is disposed horizontally or vertically. Each group of indicia is further provided with a cumulative numbered indicia adjacent the center mark and indicating a cumulative number of building components required from said starting point to each said center mark. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
     A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 
     FIG. 1A is a plan view showing a first section a flexible framing template of the present invention, herein constituted by an elongated flat tape; 
     FIG. 1B is a plan view showing a second section of the flexible framing template; 
     FIG. 1C is a plan view showing further continuing sections of the flexible framing template; 
     FIG. 1D is a plan view showing still further continuing sections of the flexible framing template; 
     FIG. 1E is a plan view showing additional continuing section of the flexible framing template; 
     FIG. 2 is a fragmented plan view of a wider flexible framing template tape on which building components are positioned and secured with the tape remaining permanently in place; 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the flexible framing template of the present invention, herein constituted as a flexible elongated tape wound about a spring-loaded spool secured in a tape housing, much like the conventional measuring tape; 
     FIG. 4A is a further perspective view showing the framing template tape constructed as a thin thermoplastic tape housed within a tape dispenser and wherein the tape has an adhesive surface and a release agent coated top surface with the marking indicias being provided on the top surface; 
     FIG. 4B is a perspective view showing a section of tape dispensed from the dispenser of FIG. 4A whereby to illustrate the construction of the tape; 
     FIG. 4C is a side view of a dispenser for a large tape spool which may or may not have an adhesive backing whereby to facilitate the application of the tape over a surface; 
     FIG. 4D is a side view of a further tape housing having a tape retracting crank, much like a standard type measuring tape housing; 
     FIG. 4E is a perspective view of a simplified dispenser of the type shown in FIG. 4C; 
     FIG. 5 is a plan view showing another example of the flexible framing tape wherein the indicias are in the form of color code transverse bars; 
     FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of a section of the tape showing edge aligning markings associated with a group of measuring indicias; 
     FIG. 7 is a fragmented section view of a floor plan showing the method of use of two embodiments of the framing template tape of the present invention utilized therewith; 
     FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the framing template tape secured to the edge face of a framing stud when constructing vertical walls; 
     FIG. 9 is a plan view showing the framing template tape secured on wall sheeting material, either exterior or interior to indicate the position of studs, rafters, etc. whereby to drive the nails or screws in the sheeting material for engagement with the studs; 
     FIG. 10A is a perspective view showing a building material, herein a wooden stud having the template of the present invention printed along opposed side faces thereof; 
     FIG. 10B is another type of building material, herein a 4×8 ft. sheet of plywood, gypsum, insulating board, etc. on which a plurality of groups of measuring indicias in accordance with the present invention have been printed along straight edges or along a straight line on a surface or opposed surfaces of the sheet; 
     FIG. 10C is a perspective view of a pipe having the measuring indicias printed thereon; 
     FIG. 11 is a plan view showing a section of the framing template and which includes shaped symbol for distinguishing the groups of indicia; 
     FIG. 12 is a plan section view of a template section showing the use of the shaped symbol and further including a cumulative numbered indicia; 
     FIG. 13 is a plan view of a further section of a template illustrating a single group of measuring indicia which repeats every four inches, and 
     FIG. 14 is a plan view of a section of a template illustrating a measuring indicia which is common to three groups of measuring indicia. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring to the drawings, and more specifically to FIGS. 1A to  1 E, there is shown the measuring template  10  of the present invention for use in the framing of building structures, wherein such structures are framed by building components such as studs, joists, rafters, trusses and the like components be they fabricated of wood or metal, as is common in the trade. As shown in FIGS. 1A to  1 E, the template  10  is comprised of an elongated flat tape  11  constructed of flexible material such as treated paper, vinyl, thermoplastics, cardboard, etc. and which is non-stretchable, or if stretched will re-assume its initial condition. FIGS. 1A to  1 E illustrate a single tape having a total length of 192 inches. The elongated flat tape  11  has a top face  12  and a back face  13  and defines opposed elongated parallel side edges  14  and  14 ′. 
     A plurality of groups of center marks and attendant measuring indicias  15  are spaced apart at predetermined distances along the tape over the top face  12  thereof. The spacing of these group of measuring indicias  15  correspond to the spacing desired between building components, such as 12 inches, 16 inches, 18 inches, etc., which is customary in the trade for spacing and securing studs, joists, or rafters. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 1D, there is shown a first group of indicia  15 ′ indicating 12 inch stud spacing at 108 inches whereas the next group of indicia  15 ″ indicates the position of a stud at 16 inch spacing but a distance of 112 inches from the starting point or the  0  indicia  16 , as illustrated in FIG.  1 A. 
     As hereinshown in FIG. 1A, each of the groups of indicia  15  has a center marking  17 , herein in the form of a cross, which is disposed at mid-width between the opposed parallel side edges  14  and  14 ′. As shown in FIG. 1C, a first set of numbered markings  18  is associated with the center marking  17 . The numbered markings of the first set are identical and indicative of a cumulative measure as represented by the numbered indicia  19  from the starting point  0  indicia  16 , and also indicative of an associated repetitive measure as represented by numerical marking  20 . As hereinshown, the cumulative indicia is 72 inches while the repetitive measure is 12 inches or 24 inches indicating that studs or rafters are disposed at 12 inch or 24 inch center from one another. 
     The first set of numbered markings  18 , consisting of markings  19  and  20  is disposed to each side of the center marking on a transverse axis  21  aligned with the center marking  17 . A second set of numbered markings  18 ′ representative by numerical marking  19 ′ and  20 ′ is disposed on the longitudinal central axis  22  of the tape and to each opposed sides of the center marking  17  whereby these first and second sets of marking can be easily read by a user when the tape is disposed horizontally or vertically. 
     As shown in FIG. 1A, the tape is provided with an end extension or tab portion  23  in which a nail or other fastener can be placed to secure the tape on a flat surface, such as on a floor surface or on a vertical stud. Other forms of attachment means will be described later with reference to further embodiments of the framing template tape of the present invention. For example, the attachment means may be constituted by an adhesive surface. 
     Referring to FIG. 1D, it can be seen that the groups of measuring indicias  15 ′ and  15 ″ have sets of numbered markings indicative of conversion measures herein the English measure  24  and metric measures  25 . The groups  15 ′ and  15 ″ of measuring indicias on the vertical axis  21 , see FIG. 1C, are associated with one another while those on the horizontal axis  22  are also associated with one another. As also shown in FIG. 1B, there is provided a further marking in the form of a circle  26  and this is provided every 6 or 12 inches along the tape whereby to permit holes to be made in studs or cross pieces whereby to permit wiring or pipes to be laid between walls or rafters at predetermined aligned locations. For example, in the construction of a wall once the frame is erected with the studs in position, a tape can be attached to opposed vertical end studs and a line can be drawn on the studs at a predetermined selected hole location on the tape. Markings can then be made on each stud to indicate the exact position where the holes are to be drilled to accommodate the passage of electrical wiring, cables and pipes. 
     As shown in FIG. 1E, edge aligning markings  27  are disposed at predetermined spaced intervals, herein ½ inch intervals on each end of a group of measuring indicia  15 , and transversely of the opposed side edges  14  and  14 ′ of the tape whereby to permit perfect transverse and centered alignment of studs on a bottom flat horizontal stud, not shown, but obvious to a person skilled in the art. Indicias  9  at the front end and rear end of the tape provide for alignment of a first and last stud, see FIGS. 1E and 2. Although not shown, the tape may be made of thick plastic material and have rectangular depressions at the marking indicias to facilitate locating the ends of studs or side edges of joists or rafters. 
     As shown in FIG. 2, the tape  10 ′ can be of a much wider width, herein equivalent to a 2×3 or 2×4 piece of lumber for sacrament on the top face of the flat horizontal bottom stud. The tape  10 ′ is also provided with serrated perforations  8  disposed on a transverse axis of the tape at predetermined intervals to permit the tape to be segmented into parts. For example, the tape could be segmented in 4 foot parts which is a standard measuring length in construction. 
     It is pointed out that in order to quickly identify the groups of measuring indicias  15 ′ and  15 ″, see FIG. 1D, from one another, these may be printed of different colors. That is to say, the numerical markings around the center markings that have a common spacing therebetween have a distinct color from other numerical markings associated with center markings of different spacings. The colors constitute identification means. Accordingly, all of the groups of indicias relating to 12 inch spacing will be printed of one color whereas the 16 inch spacings will be a different color as well as the 18 inch spacings, etc. Other groups of indicias may be provided as identified by reference numeral  29  in FIG. 1D to represent spacings for joists or rafters or trusses. 
     As shown in FIG. 3, the framing template tape, hereinshown at  11 ′, is an elongated retractable band formed of thin flexible metal which is coiled in a tape housing  30  on a retractable spool  31  and operated in the same fashion as the well known measuring tape. The retention means at the free end  32  of the tape is constituted by a hook end  33 . The group of measuring indicias  15  as well as all the other indicia markings are provided on the tape. This makes for a very compact and easily portable framing template. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 4A to  4 D, there is shown examples of the construction of the housings for the framing template tape  11 ″. As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B the tape  11 ″ is formed as an elongated thin tape of thermoplastic material much like the tape that is utilized in office supplies and wound about a spool  40  detachably secured in a tape dispenser housing  41 . The housing has an integrally formed projecting arm  42  which is provided with a straight serrated edge  43  over which the free end portion  44  of the tape  11 ″ extends. The tape  11 ″, as shown in FIG. 4B, has an adhesive  45  impregnated on its back surface  46  with the groups of indicia means and other indicia means  15  being printed on the top face  47  of the tape. Preferably, but not exclusively, the tape is a transparent thermoplastic tape. Accordingly, in use the free end of the tape is withdrawn from the housing  41  to a desired length, usually a 4 foot length and detached by positioning a 4 foot end mark along the serrated edge  43  to cut off or rip off the tape. Another 4 foot measure is then printed on the next section of tape and containing the same or continuing length indicias. Of course, the tape could be formed with any desirable length of indicia markings but a 4 foot length of such tape is easier to handle. As can be seen, an advantage of such tape is that it is very compact, easy to carry and can be affixed to wall surfaces, as shown in FIG. 9 at  48  whereby to locate the position of studs  49  or rafters or joists behind a wall surface  50  or floor surface, as is obvious. The tape is easy to cut at any desired length. This tape is also particularly useful for exterior wall sheeting. 
     Referring now to FIG. 4C there is shown generally at  80  another form of tape housing and it consists of a tape support bracket  81  having a freely rotatable spool  82  on which a large tape  83  constructed in accordance with the present invention is mounted. The tape  83  is constructed in accordance with that shown FIG.  4 B and is guided in the support bracket  81  by guide rolls  85 . A handle  86  is secured to the bracket  81  and provided with a belt clip  86 ′ to secure the housing  80  to the pant belt of the user. A flexile pressure applying tongue  93  is secured adjacent the mouth opening  88  to engage the tape on a wall surface. The tongue has a curved portion  93 ′ at a free end thereof for this purpose. A serrated end edge  93 ″ cuts the tape at a desired location. To dispense the tape the free end  84 ′ of the tape is stuck at a predetermined location on a wall surface or floor or ceiling etc. and by pulling the device while applying pressure on the tape with the tongue  93  the tape is dispensed automatically and quickly and secured on a surface. To sever the tape at a desired position the straight serrated edge  93 ″ is pushed against the tape. A crank handle assembly  89  is secured to the spool  82  should the tape  83  not be an adhesive but a reusable tape. When such a tape is used the bracket  81  would be provided with a face plate to maintain the tape spool  83  and the tape in substantially perfect alignment. 
     As shown in FIG. 4D the framing tape  11  may be mounted in a very large housing  90  to contain well over a 100 ft of tape. A crank handle  91  is used to retract the tape  11  back into the housing. A hook end  92  is secured to the tape  11 . A belt clip  95  may also be secured to the housing. 
     As shown in FIG. 4E, the dispenser housing  100  is of a simple design and comprised of a pair of tape support arms  101  and  101 ′ integrally molded with a handle  102 . A serrated flange  103  projects from under the handle  102  and spaced above the tape roll  104  to sever the tape, as previously described. A collapsible handle  105  is secured to the arm  101 , but this may not be required if the tape is not reusable. A belt clip  106  is secured adjacent the handle  102  to secure the dispenser on a pant belt. 
     With reference now to FIG. 5, there is shown a further example of the flexible framing template tape  11 ″′ of the present invention. As hereinshown the tape contains groups of indicias, herein groups  70  and  71  representative respectively of 12 inch and 16 inch spacings and which are distinguished from one another by a color. For example the 12 inch spacing group may have a red color while the 16 inch may have a blue color. The group of colors are in the form of color bars with a large bar  72  being positioned at the center and smaller adjacent bars  73  and  74  disposed on opposed sides and identified with the same color but having a different shading. This will permit again the proper positioning of joist or rafters in center alignment with the larger central bar  72 . Numerical values or markings  75  may be positioned on each of the bars  72 ,  73  and  74  to indicate the width of the studs being used to further indicate to the user how to properly center these studs. The center of the groups of indicias could be indicated by a transverse narrow bar of a different contrast or color as shown at  76  in FIG.  5 . 
     As shown in FIG. 6, edge aligning markings  28  may also be provided on the wide tapes, as shown in FIG. 2 wherein the tape is permanently retained within the construction framing. As previously described, this facilitates the positioning of studs or cross pieces which lie over and cover entirely the group measuring indicia  15 . By aligning the edges of the stud with these markings it is possible to position the studs centrally with the center marking  17  and square with the side edges  14  and  14 ′ of the tape, eliminating wall covering undulations. 
     FIG. 7 illustrates the method of use of the flexible framing template tape of the present invention. As hereinshown a framing template tape  60  may be secured over a sill plate  60 ′ to indicate the spacing and location of the floor joists  61  to indicate the positioning of the joists to construct a floor. Once the floor covering  62  is secured over the joist, these tapes can then be used to form the walls. The tape could either be temporarily secured on the floor surface, such as illustrated at  63  in front of the foot plate stud  63 ′ to indicate the position of the vertical studs  64  or else the wider tape as shown in FIG. 2 could be secured on the foot plate stud, as shown at  65 , with the vertical studs  64 ′ secured over the tape. It can therefore be appreciated that by the use of these tapes accurate framing of building structures is achievable and the use of the tape speeds up the construction process. It also is of great assistance to the apprentice carpenter or handyman who wishes to erect a structure but does not have the experience of the carpenter. 
     As shown in FIG. 8, the tape can also be secured on the edge faces of the studs  52  after these have been secured on the bottom flat horizontal foot plate stud  52 ″. The measuring tape  11  is attached to the faces  51  of the end ones of the studs, herein studs  52  and  52 ′, making sure that the tape markings are level with one another, that is to say, that a specific group, say the 112 inch mark of the 16 inch spacing group  15 ″, of each of the tapes  11  line up with the level line  54 ′. By doing so, all of the markings line up and if it is desirable to drill holes  53  within the studs, then a selected one of the hole markings  26  is selected whereby to line up the drill bit to drill the holes. These holes can accommodate plumbing or wiring, as previously mentioned. The markings on the tape are also utilized to locate cross braces  54  that are secured between the studs  51  and  51 ′, in perfect alignment. 
     As shown in FIG. 9 the tape  48  may be secured across a wall surface  50  to identify hidden joists  49  when required to provide for the attachment of heavy elements on the wall surface  50  whereby to connect fasteners to one or more of the hidden joists  49 . The tape  48  could also be secured vertically on the wall  50  to locate forences behind gypboard. 
     Referring to FIG. 10A there is shown another aspect of the present invention wherein the measuring template is herein provided on building materials and most specifically on a framing stud  70 ′. The template permits the stud to be cut or affixed to other studs at predetermined intervals as determined by the printed template  71 ′ which is printed along a straight line or a straight edge  72 ′ of the stud  70 ′. As previously described, the template  71 ′ consists of groups of measuring indicias  73 ′ which are disposed at predetermined intervals from one another along this straight line. Each group of indicia  73 ′ has identification means to identify the groups from one another, as previously described and this is preferably provided by having a different color. Accordingly, it can be appreciated that during the erection of a building structure all these building materials have pre-measurements thereon thereby greatly facilitating the erection process of the building. 
     FIG. 10B shows another type of building materials, herein a 4×8 ft sheet  75 ′ of plywood, gypsum, insulating board etc. and on which the template  71 ′ is printed along an elongated straight edge  76 ′ and transverse edge  77 ′ thereof. This also facilitates the erection of a building structure and the cutting of the board or stud. Of course, the template of the present invention can be printed or otherwise permanently applied to various other building materials such as metals, studs, piping either plastic or metal, as shown at  78 ′ in FIG. 10C, and all types of wall coverings and any such materials needing to be cut or secured to other building materials at precise locations. It is preferable when printing the indicias on gypsum board to utilize an ink which is easily covered by paint so that they do not show through the surface of the board once a wall surface is painted. 
     Referring now to FIG. 11 there is shown a plan view of a section of a measuring template, herein a section usually located closer to the beginning of the tape and which contains group identification means constituted by shaped symbols  80  which are different in shape and which are each associated with a repetitive measure  81 . The symbols  80  and its associated measure  81  are indicative of a group of measuring indicia. As hereinshown the measures  81  are English measures and have their associated metric measures  82  next to them. These logos appear on each measuring indicia associated with each of the groups. For example, as shown in FIG. 12 the measuring indicia  83  is associated with the square shaped logo  80  and its measure  81  as well as its metric equivalent  82  appear both on a transverse or vertical axis of the tape  11  as well as on its horizontal axis and to each side of the center marking  17 . 
     As also shown in FIG. 12 the measuring indicia  83  is further provided with a cumulative numbered indicia  84  placed on opposed sides of the center mark  17  at a convenient location and also on the transverse vertical and horizontal axis of the tape. These cumulative numbered indicias contain a number which identifies the number of building components required at that specific measuring indicia from the starting point indicia  16  of the tape, shown in FIG.  1 A. Accordingly, the user of the tape knows exactly the number of building components required along the tape up to a specific measuring indicia when utilizing a selected group of indicia for its construction project. The purpose of the shaped symbol  80  is to identify to a person who is color-blind the indicias  83  associated with each of the groups, as shown in FIG.  11 . 
     FIG. 13 is a plan view of a further tape  11  and wherein there is provided only a single group of measuring indicia, such as for use in the construction of a guard rail where guard posts are disposed every four inches. Accordingly, the numerical markings  81  associated with each indicia  83 ″ is the same whereas the cumulative numbered indicia  84  increases by one at each adjacent measuring indicia  83 ″ along the tape. The tape may also contain a logo  85  identifying a company or product. 
     FIG. 14 is a plan view showing a further measuring indicia, herein indicia  83 ′ located somewhere along a tape  11  and wherein the indicia  83 ′ is common to three different groups of measuring indicia. For example measuring indicia  83 ′ is common to all three groups as identified in FIG.  11  and therefore, on that indicia there will appear three groups spacing indicias  81  and three different cumulative numbered indicia  84  as well as three distinct shaped symbols  80 . The indicia  86  indicates the distance along the tape in English and in metric as shown at  86 ′ also, as previously described the measuring indicias  83  are colored indicias printed as above described and the shade of the color varies between the aligning markings  27 . It is also pointed out that the shaped symbols  80  also have color which is the same as their associated measure indicias  83  of the same group. The aligning marks  27  are also spaced from the center mark  17  at a predetermined distance depending on the width of the construction materials being utilized. For example, the closest marking  27  closest to the center mark will be for aligning stud joists or other such building components having a width of 1½ inches, whereas the adjacent aligning mark will be for building material of 2½ inches and the next one for building material of 3½ inches in width. 
     It is within the ambit of the present invention to cover any obvious modifications of the preferred embodiment described herein, provided such modifications fall within the scope of the appended claims.