Abstract:
The invention concerns a device comprising a flexible and non-elastic yarn divided by at least three retaining means fixed to predetermined locations and at least three fixing means adapted to support the retaining means and whereof the diameter of each fixing means is substantially equal to the internal diameter of the retaining means so as to position the yard along a direction perpendicular to that of the axis of the corresponding fixing means.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
   This Application is a Section 371 National Stage Application of International Application No. PCT/FR02/01474 filed Apr. 27, 2002 and published as WO 02/088626 on Nov. 7, 2002, not in English. 
   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   Device designed to materialise limits perpendicular to existing or future limits, useable particularly in building, construction or do-it-yourself work. 
   The purpose of this invention is a device designed to materialise limits perpendicular to existing or future limits, particularly for building or construction work, do-it-yourself work, etc. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   This device is designed firstly for use by do-it-yourself enthusiasts and amateur gardeners, for example, and also for professionals such as brick layers, tilers, electricians, carpenters, roofers, gardeners, landscape artists, etc. 
   In the context of their activities, these persons are frequently confronted with the problem that consists of materialising limits that are perpendicular to other existing or future limits, for example for the construction of a house, a veranda, a fence, plantation, structure, etc. 
   For individuals, “bricklayer” right angle measuring devices are available composed of two flat bars welded together forming an angle of 90 degrees to each other. These right angle measuring devices do not resist shocks and are only precise for small dimensions (less than 2 meters). 
   Amateur gardeners cannot make good use of this instrument which is not suitable for surfaces such as lawns, gardens, and alleys. Without appropriate means, these persons usually work “by eye”. 
   Professionals have three solutions: 
   1) The bricklayer&#39;s right angle measuring device, with the limits and disadvantages mentioned above. 
   2) The “3, 4, 5” method which is nothing more than application of Pythagoras&#39;s principle of a right angled triangle, by which the square of the hypotenuse is equal to the sum of the squares of the other two sides (3×3+4×4=5×5). 
   This process has the advantage of excellent precision, but its use is old-fashioned, painstaking, complicated and requires the participation of two persons together with a measuring instrument (ten-meters rule). Furthermore, the fact that three precise measurements have to be made, frequently under poor conditions, introduces a risk of error. 
   3) The theodolite, a very precise but very expensive and fragile instrument that requires difficult and complex operations for use. 
   These known means are not adapted to the demand and to needs. Thus, plumbers have to compensate for out-of-square distances of several centimeters over the width of a bath, and tilers frequently observe differences of more than 10 cm in a single room, even in new constructions. 
   Therefore, the purpose of the invention is to divulge a device that solves the problem simply, quickly, with excellent precision even over long distances (several tens of meters) without any complex or expensive means and without any risk of error. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   According to the invention, the device designed to materialise limits perpendicular to existing or future limits, particularly for building or construction or do-it-yourself work, comprises a flexible and inelastic yarn divided by at least three retaining means fixed to predetermined locations, and at least three fixing means adapted to support the retaining means and in which the diameter of each fixing means is substantially equal to the inside diameter of the retaining means so as to position the yarn along a direction perpendicular to the direction of the axis (XX) of the corresponding fixing means. 
   The device according to this invention comprises a flexible and inelastic yarn divided by rings to form strands, at least three rings fixed on this yarn at predetermined locations starting from one end of the yarn, a predetermined length of yarn remaining free beyond the third location, and at least three plugs adapted to support the rings and the diameter of each plug being substantially equal to the inside diameter of the rings so that the yarn can be positioned along a direction perpendicular to the direction of the axis (XX) of the corresponding plug, the fixing locations of the rings on the yarn being chosen such that when the yarn is tensioned between the rings, the length of the yarn remaining is free to form a first end of a right angled triangle in which the hypotenuse and the third side are defined by the two distances between the first and second fixing locations and between the second and third fixing locations. 
   The device according to this invention comprises a housing in the form of a right angled triangle, at least one winder guided in rotation inside the housing, at least one flexible and inelastic yarn, at least three retaining means fixed on the yarn at predetermined locations starting from one end of the yarn, and at least three fixing means adapted to support the corresponding retaining means. 
   The device according to this invention is composed of a housing in the shape of a right angled triangle comprising a winder guided in rotation and on which a flexible and inelastic yarn is wound arranged in a loop. 
   The device according to this invention is composed of a housing in the shape of a right angled triangle, with three winders inside the housing being guided in rotation a flexible and inelastic yarn is wound around these winders, the said winders being able to completely come out of the housing in order to form the ends of the sides of the right angle of the housing, while the lengths of the three lengths of flexible, inelastic yarn that connect the winders in pairs are calculated such that when they are tensioned and in contact with their stops, they form a perfect right angled triangle materialised both by the tensioned yarn and by pegs or headless nails passing through the retaining means fixed to the said yarn. 
   Thus, the right angled triangle is formed by firstly unwinding the yarn fitted with its rings and placing them on the corresponding plugs, the end of the yarn beyond the third location is connected to the opposite end of the yarn to materialise the vertex of the right angle, and the yarn is tensioned between the three rings. 
   All other characteristics of the invention are described in the secondary claims. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Other specific features and advantages of the invention will become clear after reading the following description of several embodiments of the invention with reference to the attached drawings on which: 
       FIG. 1  is a diagrammatic plane view of a right angled triangle illustrating a first embodiment of the device according to the invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a diagrammatic view showing a longitudinal elevation of the device in  FIG. 1  with the yarn entirely unwound and slack, before the right angled triangle is formed. 
       FIG. 3  is an axial sectional view of a plug fitted with its ring, according to a first possible embodiment. 
       FIG. 4  is a top view corresponding to  FIG. 3 . 
       FIG. 5  is a top view of a second embodiment of the ring. 
       FIG. 6  is an elevation view of a second embodiment of a plug fitted on the device. 
       FIG. 7  is a diagrammatic elevation view showing a second possible embodiment of the device according to the invention, after being fully unwound as shown in  FIG. 2 . 
       FIGS. 8 and 9  show two right angled triangles with different characteristic angles, that can be obtained using the device in  FIG. 7 . 
       FIGS. 10 and 11  show a first example embodiment of the device according to this invention. 
       FIGS. 12 and 13  show a second example embodiment with three winders of the device according to this invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   The device shown diagrammatically in  FIGS. 1 and 2  comprises a flexible and inelastic yarn  1 , three rings such as the ring  2  visible in  FIGS. 3 and 4  fixed on the yarn at predetermined locations A, B, C from one end of the yarn, and three plugs such as plug  3  in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , adapted to support the corresponding rings. 
   Beyond the third fixing location C, the yarn extends over a determined free length CA′, with a terminal segment fixed to a plug of a winder  4 . 
   The ring fixing locations A, B, C are chosen such that after fixing the point A′ to location A and after formation of a loop of yarn, the yarn can materialise the right angled triangle ABC when it is tensioned between locations A, B and C. 
   The length of yarn CA′ then forms a first side of the triangle, for which the hypotenuse BC and the third side AB are defined by the distances between the locations AB and BC at which rings are fixed. 
   A fourth ring can advantageously be fixed at A′ so that the first ring fixed at A can be superposed. The rings  2  can be fixed to the yarn  1 , for example by crimping. 
   The right angled triangle A(A′), B, C thus formed satisfies Pythagoras&#39;s relation:
 
 AB   —   +AC   —   =BC   —  or  A′B   —   +A′C   —   +BC   — 
 
   In order to form the triangle ABC from the unwound triangle as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , all that is necessary is to superpose and clip the rings  2  of A and A′ together on a plug  3 , to clip the ring  2  of B onto a second plug  3  and to clip the ring  2  of C onto a third plug  3 , and finally to tension the yarn  1  between the three plugs  3 . The result is thus a right angle at A. 
   The plugs  3  are made such that their axis XX can be perfectly aligned with the yarn  1  to materialise the three vertices A, B, C of the right angled triangle at A, while the tensioned yarn  1  materialises the three sides of the same triangle, therefore by intersecting the axes XX of the plugs  3 . If necessary, users can prolong the sides of the triangle ABC with an ordinary string, while maintaining excellent precision. 
   Therefore, the major advantage of this invention is to quickly obtain a right angle at a determined location (A) without any risk of error, with excellent precision and easy to use means. 
   In the embodiment in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , each ring  2  is circular on the outside and on the inside and it is sized so that it can fit onto each corresponding plug  3 , for which the diameter d is substantially equal to the inside diameter of the ring  2 . This diameter d is the diameter of a cylindrical part  6  of the axis XX prolonged by a transverse shoulder  5  forming a thrust step for the ring  2 . 
   This step is connected to a cylindrical part  7  with a diameter greater than d, in which an axial hole  8  is formed prolonged by a reaming  10  opening up at the free end of the part  6 . The hole  8  is used to fix the plug  3  onto a support for example such as a metallic peg, or a headless nail that penetrates into the reaming  10 . 
   This nail is used to attach the plug  3  onto a hard surface, and plugs fitted on these nails can be removed while the nails remain in place and materialise the right angled triangle. 
   An angular window  9  is formed on plug  3 , delimiting an angular clearance between the ring  2  and the plug  3  enabling precise positioning of the yarn  1  in a direction perpendicular to the XX axis of the plug  3 . 
   Consequently, each strand  1   a  and  1   b  of the yarn attached to ring  2  is fitted with a terminal loop  11  wound onto the ring that it surrounds ( FIG. 4 ) penetrating into the clearance  9 , which advantageously extends over an appropriate angular sector, preferably more than 90 degrees. 
   Consequently, the strands  1   a  and  1   b  of the yarn can materialise a right angle or an angle less than 90 degrees, while remaining exactly perpendicular to the XX axis of the plug  3 . 
   In the variant in  FIG. 5 , the ring  12  delimits a peripheral shape  13  configured so as to define a characteristic angle or a right angle in the yarn  1  (or  19  in  FIG. 7 ). This value may be mentioned on the shape  13  as represented. In this special case (right angle), the ring  12  is adapted to materialise the position A of the right angle. 
   In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 6 , the plug  14  comprises several annular shoulders  15  to  18  with increasing diameter (d 3 , d 2 , d 1 , d). These shoulders form concentric stages which can hold rings with dimensions corresponding to right angled triangles with different complementary angles, or with dimensions adapted to the application considered. 
   In other embodiments, the device comprises, sets of rings of different colours and/or diameters. These rings are fixed to the yarn at locations at appropriate spacings, such that there is a right angled triangle with determined complementary dimensions and angles, for each different set of colours and/or given diameter. 
   Thus  FIG. 7  shows a device with yarn  19  on which there are two rings A″ and A′″ fixed beyond the first four rings A, B, C and A′ at distances calculated so that it is possible to make a right angled triangle either with the first four rings ABCA′ with complementary angles of 30 degrees at C and 60 degrees at B ( FIG. 8 ), or using the first ring A and the last three rings (A′, A″ and A′″) to form a right angled triangle with complementary angles at A″ and A′ of 45 degrees each ( FIG. 9 ). 
   Consequently, the centre-to-centre distances of the different positions are mathematically determined as follows:
 
 AB=u; BC= 2 u; CA′=u√ 3 ; A′A″=u√ 2(3+√3)
 
 A″A′″=u (3+√3)
 
   Rings A, A′, A″ and A″′ have large diameters and rings B and C have smaller diameters. 
   The large diameter rings A and A′ are superposed and rings B and C are pulled to obtain the triangle in  FIG. 8 . In this triangle:
 
AB=u and angle A=90 degrees
 
BC=2u and angle B=60 degrees
 
 CA=u√ 3 and angle  C= 30 degrees
 
   Now, if the large diameter rings A and A′″ are superposed and the rings A′ and A″ are then tensioned, the right angled triangle shown in  FIG. 9  is obtained and in this case we have:
 
 AA′=u (3+√3) and angle  A= 90 degrees
 
 A′A″=u√ 2(3+√3) and angle  A′= 45 degrees
 
 A″A′″=u (3+√3) and angle  A″= 45 degrees
 
   It can be seen that sets of rings of different colours and/or shapes or different diameters can be arranged on the yarn so as to define right angled triangles with different complementary angles, and particularly with different characteristic angles (30, 60 and 45 degrees) and different dimensions. 
   Sets of rings of a given colour may be adapted to applications in a small space (inside a building, garden or other spaces) while rings with different colours or different shapes can materialise a right angle and other characteristic angles in larger spaces (buildings, swimming pools, tennis courts and other spaces). 
   Rings  2  and  12  associated with plug  14  in  FIG. 6  may correspond to right angled triangles with different complementary angles (for example 60 and 30 degrees or 45 and 45 degrees), or appropriate dimensions depending on whether it is required to plot the right angle in a limited space or in a large space. 
   The invention also covers various manufacturing embodiments; thus, for example A′ may be made in the form of any equivalent of a ring such as a hook, a snap fastener or a small diameter eyelet. 
   A′ may also be fixed, for example by crimping, onto ring A, the yarn thus forming a loop. The plugs described may be replaced by pegs onto which rings are placed and that perform the same function. 
     FIGS. 10 and 11  show an example embodiment of the device according to this invention, designed to materialise limits perpendicular to existing or future limits. 
   The device according to this invention comprises a housing  20  in the shape of a right angled triangle comprising a first straight edge  29  and a second straight edge  30  perpendicular to the first straight edge. A winder  21  is placed inside the housing  20  in its internal part guided in rotation, and a flexible and inelastic yarn  40  arranged in a loop is wound onto a winder. 
   One or several sets of three eyelets  22  forming small rings similar to those described above are crimped onto the flexible yarn  40 . The eyelets  22  are crimped onto the yarn such that when the device is in position, the tensioned yarn is aligned perfectly with the centre line of the eyelets  22 . Each set of three eyelets  22  is identified by a different colour to materialise a right angled triangle with a different dimension. 
   For example, a 2 m×2 m right angled triangle is obtained using the yellow eyelets; a 5 m×5 m right angled triangle is obtained using the red eyelets; 10 m×10 m using the blue eyelets; 20 m×20 m using green eyelets, etc. 
   A hole  23  is drilled in the housing  20  at the vertex of the right angle to keep it in position with a peg or a headless nail, not shown. There are two marks  24  provided on the housing  20  and at the vertex of the right angle, materialising the alignment of the tensioned yarn  40 . 
   The yarn  40  is crimped to the winder  21  at one of its ends, while the other end is crimped free to move around a pin  25  fixed to one of the ends of the housing  20  forming one of the sides of the right angle. Thus, the end of the yarn  40  is fixed to the housing  20  to form a yarn loop. 
   The yarn  40  winds in and out around the winder  21 , passing through a window  26  located at the other end and around the periphery of the housing  20 . This window  26  also allows the eyelets  22  to pass through when the device is being put into place. 
   The third eyelet  22  of each set is attached to another pin  28  near the window  26  at a recess  27  formed in the housing  20 . 
   Note that the hole  23  and the pins  25  and  28  of the housing  20  form a right angle at  23 . The eyelets  22  in each set are crimped on the yarn  40  at distances such that when the device is in place, it defines a large right angled triangle, for example with characteristic complementary angles (45°, 30°, 60°). 
   Thus, it is simple to use the housing  20  forming the device according to this invention. 
   Example Use 
   
       
       
         
           Draw the perpendicular to a straight line D at a point P with a 2 m×2 m right angled triangle. 
           Place the hole  23  of the housing  20  at P and use a plug or a headless nail or a peg to hold it in place. 
           Unwind and tension the yarn  40  along the straight line D as far as the first yellow eyelet  22  and fix it in place using a plug or a headless nail or a peg. 
           Unwind the yarn  40  as far as the third yellow eyelet  22  and fix it to the pin  28  in the housing  20 . 
           Take the second yellow eyelet  22  and tension the two strands or yarn  40  that connect it to the first and third eyelets  22 . 
           Fix the second eyelet  22  using a plug or a headless nail or a peg to obtain the perpendicular to the straight line D at point P, materialised by the tensioned yarn  1  and by the pegs or headless nails. 
         
       
     
  
   All that is necessary to obtain a 5 m×5 m, 10 m×10 m or 20 m×20 m right angled triangle is to proceed in the same manner using the red, blue or green eyelets respectively. 
   As an alternative, the housing  20  may be provided with a winder  21  and a single right angled triangle dimension, in other words a single set of three eyelets  22 . In this case, the third eyelet  22  and the pin  28  can be eliminated. However, the window  26  will be arranged such that the yarn  40  is guided at the pin  28  so that a right angle can be obtained directly when the yarn  40  is completely extended. 
     FIGS. 12 and 13  show a second embodiment of the device according to this invention composed of a housing  20  in the form of a right angled triangle inside which three winders  31 ,  32  are  33  are guided in rotation and around which a flexible and inelastic yarn is wound. 
   The winders  32  and  33  are designed so that they can come out of the housing  20  and form the ends of the sides of the right angle of the housing. Consequently, when at rest, the winders  32  and  33  are arranged and retained inside the housing  20 . 
   There is a hole  34  in the winders  32  and  33 , similar to the hole  23  formed in the housing  20 , to enable the housing  20  to remain in position by means of headless nails or pegs not shown. 
   The winder  31  of the housing  20  is connected to the mobile winder  32  by a flexible and inelastic yarn  40 . 
   The winder  32  is connected to the mobile winder  33  through a flexible and inelastic yarn similar to that in  40 . 
   The winder  33  is connected to the housing  20  through a flexible and inelastic yarn similar to that in  40 . 
   Example Use 
   
       
       
         
           Draw the perpendicular to a straight line D at a point P using the housing  20  in the form of a right angle measuring device with three winders. 
           Place the hole  23  of the housing  20  at P and use a headless nail or a peg to hold it in place. 
           Take the winder  32  out of the housing  20  and hold it in place on the straight line D using a plug or a headless nail or a peg passing through the hole  34 . At the same time as the winder  32  comes out of the housing  20 , the yarn in the winder starts to unwind and continues until it reaches a stop. 
           Take the winder  33  out of the housing  20  and hold it in position using a plug or a headless nail or a peg passing through the hole  34 . At the same time as the winder  33  comes out of the housing  20 , the yarn of the winders  32  and  33  unwinds until they reach the stop. 
         
       
     
  
   Note that the tensioned yarn between the mobile winder  33  and the housing  20  is perpendicular to the straight line D at P. 
   Note that the lengths of each of the three flexible and inelastic pieces of yarn that connect two of the winders  31 ,  32 ,  33  are calculated such that when they are tensioned and have reached the stop, they form a perfect right angled triangle materialised by the tensioned yarn and by the pegs or headless nails passing the eyelets  22  in the said yarn. 
   In general, the outside diameters of the retaining means  2 ,  12  and  22  are in line with the straight edges  29  and  30  of housing  20 . 
   The outside edges of the winders  32  and  33  in the open position are also in line with the straight edges  29  and  30  of the housing  20 . 
   It must also be understood that the above description only includes examples and in no way limits the scope of the invention, which also includes embodiments in which construction details are replaced by any equivalent details.