Abstract:
A template includes a base on which a plurality of wings are slidably mounted to move with respect to each other. The base also includes locks for locking the wings in positions. Levels, tape measures and markings are also on the base to assist with placement of the template.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to the general art of geometric instruments, and to the particular field of gauges and templates. 
   2. Discussion of the Related Art 
   Many construction projects require cutting specifically sized and located holes in a substrate. For example, placing electrical outlets, electrical switches, and the like require specifically sized and located holes. Further examples include pipe outlets, conduit outlets and the like. 
   While the art contains many examples of templates, most of these templates have several drawbacks. For example, the presently available templates of which the inventor is aware, are not adjustable. That is, a template is specifically sized for a specific application, such as defining an opening for an electrical outlet, or the like. If other openings, or other sized or shaped openings are required, the template cannot be used for those openings and other templates are required. Thus, a worker may be required to have several templates in his possession for a single job. This is inconvenient and expensive. 
   Therefore, there is a need for a template that is adjustable so it can be used for a variety of tasks. 
   Still further, some of the templates of which the inventor is aware are not durable and some may not even be re-usable. This also requires a worker to have several templates which is also inconvenient and expensive, Therefore, there is a need for an adjustable template that is durable and re-usable. 
   Many of the templates of which the inventor is aware are not as accurate as possible. This is especially true of a template that is being used for a task for which it is not specifically designed. A skilled worker can account for this, but some less skilled workers may have difficulty and the final product may not be as finished as possible. 
   Therefore, there is a need for an adjustable template that is accurate, even for a variety of different applications. 
   Many templates must be used by holding the template in place with one hand and marking with the other. If the template is not securely held in place, the marked area may not be in a desired location. However, this may be difficult if the template is not durable and easily held in place. 
   Therefore, there is a need for an adjustable template that will remain securely in place. 
   PRINCIPAL OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
   It is a main object of the present invention to provide a template that is adjustable so it can be used for a variety of tasks. 
   It is another object of the present invention to provide an adjustable template that is durable and re-usable. 
   It is another object of the present invention to provide an adjustable template that is accurate, even for a variety of different applications. 
   It is another object of the present invention to provide an adjustable template that will remain securely in place. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   These, and other, objects are achieved by an adjustable template that has a base with wings that are movable so a wide variety of shapes and sizes can be defined by moving the wings with respect to each other. The template also includes levels and markings so accurate placement can be effected. 
   Using the template embodying the present invention will permit a worker to adjust the template to the exact application and to obtain accurate and precise marks for the task at hand. The template is durable and thus is re-usable and is very adaptable to a wide variety of tasks whereby a single tool can be used for a wide variety of applications. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an adjustable template embodying the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a side elevational view of a portion of the template shown in  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 3  is a plan view of a locking element used to hold portions of the template in a selected position. 
       FIG. 4  is a plan view of an alternative form of a slide which can be used for marking arcuate guide lines. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a consideration of the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings. 
   Referring to the Figures, it can be understood that the present invention is embodied in an adjustable template  10 . Adjustable template  10  comprises a base  12  which includes a first surface  14  that is a front surface when base  12  is in a use orientation such as shown in  FIG. 1 . Base  12  further includes a second surface  16  that is a rear surface when base  12  is in a use orientation. A thickness dimension  18  extends between first surface  14  and second surface  16 . 
   Base  12  further includes a first side edge  20 , a second side edge  22 , and a width dimension  24  which extends between first side edge  20  and second side edge  22 . 
   Base  12  further includes a first end edge  30 , a second end edge  32 , and a longitudinal dimension  34  which extends between first end edge  30  and second end edge  32 . 
   A first inside edge  40  is located adjacent to first side edge  20 , a second inside edge  42  is located adjacent to second side edge  22 , and a third inside edge  44  is located adjacent to first end edge  30  of base  12 . 
   An opening  50  is defined in base  12  by first inside edge  40 , second inside edge  42 , third inside edge  44 , and second end edge  32 . Opening  50  has a width dimension  52 , which extends between first inside edge  40  and second inside edge  42 , and a length dimension  54 , that extends between third inside edge  44  and second end edge  32 . 
   A first forward groove  60  is defined in first inside edge  40 . First forward groove  60  intersects second end edge  32  and is located adjacent to first surface  14  of base  12 . 
   A second forward groove  64  is defined in second inside edge  42 . Second forward groove  64  intersects second end edge  32  and is located adjacent to first surface  14  of base  12 . 
   A third forward groove  66  is defined in third inside edge  44 . Third forward groove  66  intersects the first and second forward grooves  60 ,  64  and is located adjacent to first surface  14  of base  12 . 
   A first side opening  70  is defined in second side edge  22  of base  12  near second surface  16  of base  12 . 
   A first rear groove  72  is defined in second side edge  22  of base  12  adjacent to first side opening  70  and adjacent to rear surface  16  of base  12 . First rear groove  72  includes a tongue element  74 . A second rear groove  76  is defined in second side edge  22  of base  12  adjacent to first side opening  70  and adjacent to first end edge  30  of base  12  and adjacent to rear surface  16  of base  12 . Second rear groove  76  extends adjacent to third forward groove  66  between second side edge  22  of base  12  and first inside edge  40  of base  12 . Second rear groove  76  includes a tongue element  78 . 
   Template  10  further includes a first wing element  80  movably mounted on base  12 . First wing element  80  is slidably accommodated in the first forward groove  60 , in the second forward groove  64 , and in the third forward groove  66 . 
   First wing element  80  has a first tongue element  82  that is slidably received in first forward groove  60 , a second tongue element  84  that is slidably received in second forward groove  64  and a first end edge  86  which is sized and shaped to be accommodated in third forward groove  66 . First wing element  80  further includes a second end edge  88  and a longitudinal axis  90  that extends between first end edge  86  and second end edge  88  of first wing element  80 . A width dimension  94  extends between first tongue element  82  and second tongue element  84  and is essentially equal to width dimension  52  of opening  50 . A length dimension  96  extends between first end edge  86  and second end edge  88  of first wing element  80 . Length dimension  96  of first wing element  80  is greater than longitudinal dimension  34  of base  12 . 
   A handle  100  is located on second end edge  88  of first wing element  80 . 
   First wing element  80  is slidable between a first position in which first end edge  86  is accommodated in third forward groove  66  of base  12  and a second position shown in  FIG. 1  in which first end edge  86  is spaced apart from third forward groove  66 . 
   A second wing element  110  is movably mounted on base  12  and includes a first side edge  112  having a groove  114  defined therein and which is sized and shaped to slidably accommodate tongue element  74  of first rear groove  72  of base  12 . A second side edge  116  has a groove  118  defined therein which is sized and shaped to slidably accommodate tongue element  78  of second rear groove  76  of base  12 . 
   Second wing element  110  has a width dimension  120  which extends between first side edge  112  and second side edge  116 . Width dimension  120  is less than length dimension  34  of base  12 . 
   Second wing element  110  further includes a first end edge  130 , a second end edge  132 , and a length dimension  134  which extends between first end edge  130  of second wing element  110  and second end edge  132  of second wing element  110 . Length dimension  134  of second wing element  110  is greater than width dimension  24  of base  12 . 
   A handle  140  is located on first end edge  130  of second wing element  110 . 
   Second wing element  110  is slidable between a first position with second end edge  132  in abutting contact with first inside edge  40  of base  12  and a second position shown in  FIG. 1  with second end edge  132  spaced apart from the first inside edge of the base. 
   A template opening  150  is defined between first end edge  86  of first wing element  80 , second end edge  132  of second wing element  110 , third inside edge  44  of base  12 , and first inside edge  40  of base  12  when the first and second wing elements  80 ,  110  are in the second positions thereof as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
   A first lock element  160  is located on base  12  and includes a handle  162  located on first surface  14  of the base  12  and a first wing element-engaging element, such as cam  164  shown in  FIG. 3 . As can be understood from the teaching of this disclosure, rotation of handle  162  will move cam  164  between a position which engages a surface of first wing element  80  and a position spaced apart from the surface of the first wing element. When the cam  164  engages the wing element  80 , the wing element  80  will be locked in a position, and when the cam  164  is spaced apart from the wing element  80 , the wing element  80  can slide. Once the wing element  80  is in a selected position, the handle  162  is operated so the wing element  80  will be locked in the selected position. 
   A second lock element  170  is similar to first lock element  160  and is located on base  12  and includes a handle  172  on the first surface  14  of base  12  and a second wing element-engaging element  174  which is identical to cam  164  discussed above. Lock element  170  operates with respect to second wing element  110  in a manner identical to the manner of operation of first lock element  160  and first wing element  80  and thus will not be discussed in detail. 
   A first bubble level  180  is located on base  12  adjacent to first side edge  20 , and a second bubble level  182  is located on base  12  adjacent to first end edge  30 . 
   A plurality of measuring markings, such as markings  184 , are located on first surface  14  of base  12  adjacent to opening  50  adjacent to first side edge  20  of base  12  and adjacent to second side edge  22  of base  12 . 
   A first tape measure  186  is rotatably mounted within a houing thereof, the first tape measure  186  being mounted on first surface  14  of base  12  adjacent to first side edge  20  and being extendable horizotally from the base  12 , and a second tape measure  188  is rotatably mounted within a houing thereof, the second tape measure  18  being mounted on first surface  14  of base  12  adjacent to first end edge  30  of the base  12  and being extendable vertically from the base  12 . 
   Use of template  10  will be understood from the teaching of this disclosure and thus will only briefly be discussed. Template  10  is positioned using tape measures  186  and  188 , and levels  180  and  182  and opening  150  is defined by moving the wing elements  80  and  110  as well as markings  184 . Locks  160  and  170  are operated to lock the wing elements  80 ,  110  in place and a guide line is drawn on a substrate using the edges of the wing elements  80 ,  110  and the base  12  as guides. 
   An alternative form of the template can include an arcuate opening  190  defined in one of the wing elements as shown in  FIG. 4 . 
   It is understood that while certain forms of the present invention have been illustrated and described herein, it is not to be limited to the specific forms or arrangements of parts described and shown.