Patent Publication Number: US-2005115091-A1

Title: Carpenter&#39;s tool

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS  
      The present application is a nonprovisional patent application and claims priority benefit, with regard to all common subject matter, of earlier-filed U.S. provisional patent application titled “CARPENTER&#39;S TOOL,” Ser. No. 60/526,367, filed Dec. 2, 2003. The identified earlier-filed provisional application is hereby incorporated by reference into the present application.  
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      1. Field of the Invention  
      The present invention relates to a tool for measuring a size and shape of an area. More particularly, the present invention relates to a carpenter&#39;s tool that adjusts to conform to a size and a shape of an area such as a window sill and retains the size and shape as a pattern for cutting a material to the same size and shape as the area.  
      2. Description of Prior Art  
      Carpentry requires frequent measuring to determine the necessary length, width, and/or height of boards or other material used in construction. Often, a board or other material needs to be cut to a specific size and shape to cover or fill a particular area. For example, a board may need to be cut to fit within a window sill; a piece of linoleum may need to be cut to cover a portion of floor; or a piece of sheet rock may need to be cut to cover a particular area of a wall.  
      Cutting a material to the proper size and shape to cover a particular surface area presents several challenges. First, acquiring the proper dimensions and transferring those dimensions to the material is time consuming and often difficult to do with a high degree of precision. Second, the area to be covered often includes arbitrarily angled and/or curved edges, in which case a user must try to cut the material to replicate the angled and/or curved edges.  
      Prior art measuring tools present undesirable limitations when used to prepare a material to fit within such an area. Tape measures, for example, measure only a single dimension at a time and thus require a user to make and record/remember multiple measurements when measuring the area. It will be appreciated that taking time to make and record multiple measurements can significantly add to the overall time spent on a construction project, particularly if the project involves cutting material to fit multiple distinct areas, and thus can add to the overall cost of the project. Furthermore, tape measures are not useful for replicating a curved edge and can be cumbersome and inaccurate in replicating angled edges.  
      One method of cutting a material to match the size and shape of an area with arbitrarily curved and/or angled edges involves using a piece of paper or cloth to replicate the area for use as a pattern by, for example, tracing an outer edge of the paper or cloth onto the material to be cut. This, too, is time consuming because a user must first cut the paper or cloth to the size and shape of the area by, for example, laying the paper or cloth in the area, tracing the edges of the area onto the paper/cloth, and cutting out the traced portion. This method is time consuming and susceptible to inaccuracies because errors may be introduced during the tracing and cutting of the pattern as well as during the tracing and cutting of the material to cover or fill the area.  
      Due to the above-mentioned and other problems and disadvantages in the art, a need exists for an improved carpenter&#39;s tool that allows a carpenter to quickly and accurately prepare a material to match the size and shape of an area.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      The present invention provides an improved measuring device that does not suffer from the problems and limitations of the prior art discussed above. Particularly, the present invention provides a measuring device with an adjustable size and shape that may be adjusted to conform to a size and a shape of an area, wherein the device retains the size and shape as a pattern for cutting a material to the same size and shape as the area.  
      In one embodiment, the device comprises a base that includes a first elongated segment and a second elongated segment adjustably secured to the first segment so that the second segment is moveable relative to the first segment along a longitudinal axis of the base. The device further comprises an elongated cross member adjustably secured to the base so that the cross member is substantially perpendicular to the base and is moveable relative to the base along a lateral axis of the base.  
      In another embodiment of the invention, the device comprises a base with a groove running longitudinally along a center of the base, the base including a first fastener located proximate a first end of the base and a second fastener located proximate a second end of the base. A first elongated arm mates with the groove so that a first end of the arm is located in the groove near a middle of the base and a second end of the arm extends over the first end of the base. The arm is moveable relative to the base along the groove and includes an elongated aperture for receiving the first fastener of the base, the arm further including a fastener near the first end of the arm.  
      A second elongated arm also mates with the groove so that a first end of the arm is located in the groove near the middle of the base and a second end of the arm extends over the second end of the base. The second arm is also moveable relative to the base along the groove and includes an elongated aperture for receiving the second fastener of the base, the arm further including a fastener near the first end of the arm.  
      The device further comprises a first elongated cross member with an elongated aperture for receiving the fastener of the first arm, and a second elongated cross member with an elongated aperture for receiving the fastener of the second arm.  
      In another embodiment of the invention, the device comprises an elongated base with a top surface and a bottom surface, the top surface presenting a groove running longitudinally along a center of the top surface and extending from the top surface toward the bottom surface, the base including a first bolt located proximate a first end of the base and a second bolt located proximate a second end of the base, wherein each bolt extends upward from a center of the groove.  
      A first planar elongated arm mates with the groove so that a first end of the arm is located in the groove near a middle of the base and a second end of the arm extends over the first end of the base. The arm is moveable relative to the base along the groove and includes an elongated aperture running longitudinally along a portion of a center of the arm for receiving the first bolt of the base, wherein securing a nut to the bolt prevents the arm from moving relative to the base. The arm further includes a bolt near the first end of the arm and extending upward from the arm.  
      A second planar elongated arm mates with the groove so that a first end of the arm is located in the groove near the middle of the base and a second end of the arm extends over a second end of the base. The arm is moveable relative to the base along the groove and includes an elongated aperture running longitudinally along a portion of a center of the arm for receiving the second bolt of the base, wherein securing a nut to the bolt prevents the arm from moving relative to the base. The arm second arm also includes a bolt near the first end of the arm and extending upward from the arm.  
      The device further comprises a first planar elongated cross member with an elongated aperture running longitudinally along a center of a portion of the cross member for receiving the bolt of the first arm and guiding the movement of the cross member relative to the first arm; and a second planar elongated cross member with an elongated aperture running longitudinally along a center of a portion of the cross member for receiving the bolt of the second arm and guiding the movement of the second cross member relative to the second arm.  
      These and other important features of the present invention are more fully described in the section titled DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS, below.  
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
      A preferred embodiment of the present invention is described in detail below with reference to the attached drawing figures, wherein:  
       FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective exploded view of a measuring device constructed in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the invention;  
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the measuring device of  FIG. 1 , wherein the device is fully assembled and arms and cross members of the device are shown in a retracted position;  
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the measuring device of  FIG. 1 , wherein the device is fully assembled and the arms and cross members are shown in an extended position;  
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the measuring device of  FIG. 1  shown measuring a window sill;  
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the measuring device of  FIG. 1  shown presenting a pattern on a board to be cut to fit within the window sill of  FIG. 4 ;  
       FIG. 6  is a side elevation view of the measuring device of  FIG. 1 , illustrating a cross section of the device;  
       FIG. 7  is a sectional perspective view of a measuring device constructed in accordance with a second preferred embodiment of the invention; and  
       FIG. 8  is a sectional perspective view of a measuring device constructed in accordance with a third preferred embodiment of the invention.  
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
      Referring initially to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , an exemplary measuring device employing the principles of the present invention is shown and designated generally by the reference numeral  10 . The measuring device  10  generally adjusts to conform to a size and a shape of a surface area and retains the size and shape as a pattern of the area for cutting a material to cover or fill the area. The measuring device  10  comprises a base  12 , a first arm  30 , a second arm  40 , a first cross member  50 , and a second cross member  58 .  
      The base  12  generally receives and supports the arms  30 , 40  and guides the arms  30 , 40  in their movement relative to the base  12 . The illustrated base  12  is elongated and presents a top surface  14 ; a bottom surface  16 ; a first end  18 ; a middle  20 ; a second end  22 ; a groove  24 ; a first fastener  26 ; and a second fastener  28 . The groove  24  receives at least a portion of each of the arms  30 , 40  and serves as a track to guide their movement relative to the base  12 . The groove  24  runs longitudinally along a center of the base  12 , opening on the top surface  14  and extending toward the bottom surface  16 .  
      Referring also to  FIG. 6 , the first fastener  26  generally adjustably secures the first arm  30  to the base  12 , wherein the first arm  30  is moveable relative to the base  12  when the fastener  26  is loosened and is fixed to the base  12  when the fastener  26  is tightened. The illustrated fastener  26  includes a nut and bolt combination and various washers, wherein a shank of the bolt extends through a hole in the base  12 , through a substantially elongated aperture  36  in the first arm  30  (described below in detail), and receives the nut so that the nut (or a washer) contacts the first arm  30  and a head of the bolt (or a washer) contacts the bottom surface  16  of the base  12 . The fastener  26  preferably includes a wing nut, as illustrated, to enable a user to loosen and tighten the fastener  26  without the use of tools. The bolt preferably passes through a hole (not shown) of the base  12 , but may be integral with the base  12 .  
      The first fastener  26  of the base  12  is located proximate the first end  18  of the base  12  so that when the fastener  26  is loosened, a portion of the first arm  30  is slidable beyond the first end  18  of the base  12  to adjust an overall length of the device  10 , for example, to a length of an area to be measured. The device  10  retains the length when the fastener  26  is tightened to prevent the first arm  30  from moving relative to base  12 .  
      The second fastener  28  is virtually identical in form and function to the first fastener  26 , except that the second fastener  28  is located proximate the second end  22  of the base  12  and adjustably secures the second arm  40  to the base  12 . When the fastener  28  is loosened, therefore, a portion of the second arm  40  is slidable beyond the second end  22  of the base  12  to adjust the overall length of the device  10  to a length of the area to be measured. The device  10  retains the length when the second fastener  26  is tightened to prevent the second arm  40  from moving relative to the base  12 .  
      The first arm  30  adjustably secures to the base  12  via the first fastener  26 , as explained above. The illustrated first arm  30  includes a first end  32 ; a second end  34 ; an aperture  36 ; and a fastener  38 . The first end  32  of the arm  30  is placed proximate the middle  20  of the base  12  while the second end  34  of the arm  30  extends over the first end  18  of the base  12 .  
      The arm  30  is shaped so that at least a portion of the arm  30  engages the groove  24  of the base  12 . When the first fastener  26  is loosened, the arm  30  is movable relative to the base  12  along the groove  24 . The aperture  36  is wide enough to receive the shank of the bolt of the first fastener  26  of the base  12 , is substantially elongated, and runs longitudinally along a center of the arm  30 . When the first fastener  26  is loosened, the arm  30  is slidable along the groove  24  of the base  12  toward the first end  18  or the middle  20  of the base  12  until the first fastener  26  contacts an end of the aperture  36 . The fastener  38  secures the first cross member  50  to the first arm  30 , as explained below in greater detail. The fastener  38  is located proximate the second end  34  of the first arm  30  and is substantially identical in form to the first fastener  26  and the second fastener  28  of the base  12 .  
      The second arm  40  adjustably secures to the base  12  via the second fastener  28  to allow a user to adjust the arm  40  along a longitudinal axis of the base  12  so that a length of the device  10  conforms, for example, to a length of an area to be measured. The second arm  40  includes a first end  42 ; a second end  44 ; an aperture  46 ; and a fastener  48 . The second arm  40  is virtually identical in form and function to the first arm  30 , except that the second arm  40  is located so that the first end  42  of the arm  40  is placed proximate the middle  20  of the base  12  while the second end  44  of the arm  40  extends over the second end  22  of the base  12 .  
      The first cross member  50  generally adjustably attaches to the first arm  30  via the fastener  38  of the first arm  30  to allow the cross member  50  to pivot and/or slide relative to the first arm  30 . Pivoting or sliding the cross member  50  relative to the arm  30  allows the cross member  50  to conform, for example, to an angle and/or a depth of an edge of the area to be measured. The cross member  50  includes an aperture  52 ; a first end  54 ; and a second end  56 . The aperture  52  generally receives the fastener  38  of the first arm  30  so that when the fastener  38  is loosened, the cross member  50  is moveable relative to the first arm  30 , and when the fastener  38  is tightened the cross member  50  is fixed to the first arm  30 . The aperture  52  is large enough to receive, for example, the shank of a bolt yet sufficiently narrow to prevent passage of a nut threaded onto the shank.  
      The cross member  50  does not engage a groove or similar feature on the first arm  30 , therefore the cross member  50  is free to pivot about the fastener  38  of the first arm  30 . Thus, the cross member  50  may pivot to conform to an edge of a surface area to be measured that is at an arbitrary angle relative to the base  12 , and may further slide along the fastener  38  of the first arm  30  to conform to a depth of the edge. It will be appreciated that the first cross member  50  may also be used to extend the length of the device  10  by, for example, pivoting the cross member  50  until it is longitudinally aligned with the base  12  and sliding it away from the middle  20  of the base  12 .  
      The second cross member  58  generally adjustably attaches to the second arm  40  via the fastener  48  of the second arm  40  to allow the cross member  58  to pivot and/or slide relative to the second arm  40 . The second cross member  58  includes an aperture  60 ; a first end  62 ; and a second end  64 . The second cross member  58  is virtually identical in form and function to the first cross member  50 , except that the second cross member  58  attaches to the second arm  40  instead of the first arm  30  and thus can adjust to conform to a second edge of the area to be measured.  
      In use, a user first adjusts the device  10  to conform to a shape of an area to be measured, such as a window sill  66  as illustrated in  FIG. 4 . The user first adjusts a length of the device  10  to conform to a length of the window sill  66 . The user adjusts the length of the device  10  by loosening the first fastener  26  and extending the first arm  30  to increase the length of the device  10  to conform to the length of the window sill  66 . If the first arm  30  is fully extended and the length of the device  10  is insufficient to conform to the length of the window sill  66 , the user loosens the second fastener  28  and extends the second arm  40  to further increase the length of the device  10  until it conforms to the length of the window sill  66 . The first cross member  50  and/or the second cross member  58  may be used to further extend the length of the device  10  by pivoting the cross member(s) to align longitudinally with the base  12 , as explained above.  
      When the length of the device  10  is adjusted to conform to the length of the window sill  66 , the user adjusts a width of the device  10  to conform to a width of the window sill  66  by adjusting the first cross member  50  and/or the second cross member  58 . The user first positions the device  10  so that a longitudinal edge of the base  12  is flush with an edge of the window sill, as illustrated in  FIG. 4 . The user then loosens the fastener  38  of the first arm  30  and adjusts the first cross member  50  relative to the first arm  30  so that the first cross member  50  conforms to an edge of the window sill  66  at a first end of the sill  66 . The user tightens the fastener  38  so that the device  10  retains the angle and depth of the edge. The user then loosens the fastener  48  of the second arm  40  and adjusts the second cross member  58  relative to the second arm  40  so that the second cross member  58  conforms to an edge of the window sill  66  at a second end of the sill  66 . The user tightens the fastener  48  of the second arm  40  so that the device  10  retains the angle and depth of the edge.  
      With the device  10  adjusted to conform to a size and shape of the window sill  66  and the fasteners  26 , 28 , 38 , 48  tightened, the device  10  may be removed from the window sill  66  and placed on a board  68  as illustrated in  FIG. 5 . Once the device  10  is placed on the board  68 , the user traces the shape of the window sill  66  onto the board  68  by tracing a first line along an outer edge  70  of the first cross member  50  and a second line along an outer edge  72  of the second cross member  58  with a pencil or other marking device. The user completes the pattern by marking a line on the board  68  to connect an end of the first line with an end of the second line. Once the pattern of the window sill  66  is transferred to the board  68 , the board  68  may be cut in the shape of the window sill  66  by cutting along the lines.  
      While the illustrated window sill  66  is substantially square, the measuring device  10  is useful to measure areas that are defined by edges that do not form a square and/or are not parallel. If a first edge of a window sill is not at a ninety-degree angle to a front edge of the window sill, for example, the first cross member  50  may be pivoted relative to the first arm  30  to reflect the angle of the first edge of the window sill, as illustrated in  FIG. 3 . In this manner, the measuring device  10  retains a pattern of not only the size but the shape of the window sill.  
      While the measuring device has been described as measuring a board  68  to be cut to fit within a window sill  66 , it will be appreciated that the measuring device  10  is useful to measure a size and shape of any area that needs to be fitted or covered with a material. The measuring device  10  may be used, for example, to measure a size and shape of an area of a wall or a ceiling in which sheet rock is to be hung.  
      Referring now to  FIG. 7 , an exemplary measuring device employing the principles of the present invention and constructed according to a second preferred embodiment is shown and designated generally by the reference numeral  100 . The measuring device  100  is similar in form and function to the measuring device  10  and includes, for example, a base  102 ; a first arm  104 ; a second arm  106  (not shown); a first cross member  108 ; and a second cross member  110  (not shown). These elements are substantially identical to analogous elements of the device  10 . The cross members  108 , 110  of the measuring device  100 , however, include fasteners  122 ,  124  and the measuring device  100  further includes a first end member  112  and a second end member  114  (not shown).  
      The first end member  112  generally adjustably attaches to the first cross member  108  via fastener  122  of the first cross member  108  to allow the end member  112  to pivot and/or slide relative to the first cross member  108 . Pivoting or sliding the end member  112  relative to the cross member  108  allows the device  10  conform, for example, to a length and an angle of an edge of the area to be measured. The end member  112  includes an aperture  116 ; a first end  118 ; and a second end  120 . The aperture  116  generally receives the fastener  122  of the first cross member  108  so that when the fastener  122  is loosened, the end member  112  is moveable relative to the first cross member  108 , and when the fastener  122  is tightened the end member  112  is fixed to the first cross member  108 . The aperture  116  is large enough to receive, for example, the shank of a bolt yet sufficiently narrow to prevent passage of a nut threaded onto the shank. The aperture  116  is substantially elongated so that when the fastener  114  is loosened, the end member  112  slides relative to the first cross member  108 .  
      The end member  112  does not engage a groove or similar feature on the first cross member  108 , therefore the end member  50  is free to pivot about the fastener  114  of the first cross member  108 . Thus, the end member  112  may pivot to conform to an edge of the area to be measured that is at an angle to the cross member  108 , and may further slide along the fastener  122  of the first cross member  108  to conform to a depth of the edge. It will be appreciated that the illustrated device  100  is illustrative only, and that the principles of the present invention may be employed in a measuring device that includes multiple end members, including a plurality of serially-linked members that form one or more articulating arms.  
      The measuring device  100  is used in a manner substantially similar to that of the measuring device  10 , described above, except that the measuring device  100  is capable of conforming to a shape of an area defined by more sides, such as a trapezoidal-shaped area or an area with an array of non-parallel sides. This may be particularly useful, for example, to cut a board to fit within a sill of a bay window, or to create pattern of a multi-sided obstacle in a wall around which sheet rock will be hung.  
      Referring now to  FIG. 8 , an exemplary measuring device employing the principles of the present invention and constructed according to a third preferred embodiment is shown and designated generally by the reference numeral  200 . The measuring device  200  is similar in form and function to the measuring device  10  and includes, for example, a base  202 , a first arm  204 , and a second arm  206  (not shown) that are substantially similar to the base  12 , the first arm  30 , and the second arm  40  of the measuring device  10 , described above. The measuring device  200 , however, further includes a first flexible cross member  208  and a second flexible cross member  210  (not shown).  
      The first flexible cross member  206  generally adjustably attaches to the first arm  204  and conforms to one or more arbitrary curves of an edge of an area to be measured. The flexible cross member  208  adjustably attaches to the first arm  204  via an adjustable gripping mechanism  212  of the first arm  204  that includes a clamp structure braced with a bolt and wingnut combination, as illustrated. The flexible cross member  208  is preferably constructed of a malleable material, such as a polymer or elastomer capable of retaining its shape and enduring repeated deformation and re-shaping. The second cross member  210  is substantially identical to the first cross member  208 , except that the second cross member  210  is adjustably attached to the second arm  206 .  
      The measuring device  200  is used in a manner substantially similar to that of the measuring device  10 , described above, except that the measuring device  200  is capable of measuring an area with one or more arbitrarily curved edges. The first arm  204  and/or the second arm  206  are adjusted so that a length of the device  200  conforms to a length of an area to be measured, as described in detail above in relation to the device  10 . The first flexible cross member  208  is then adjusted to conform to a shape and/or a depth of a first edge of the area to be measured. The flexible cross member  208  is adjusted by loosening the gripping mechanism  212  and sliding the cross member  208  relative to the arm  204  so that the cross member  208  conforms to a depth of the first edge. The cross member  208  may also be adjusted by bending it to conform to one or more arbitrary curves in the first edge. The second flexible cross member  210  is similarly adjusted to conform to a size and/or depth of a second edge of the area to be measured.  
      Although the invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments illustrated in the attached drawings, it is noted that equivalents may be employed and substitutions made herein without departing from the scope of the invention as recited in the claims. It will be appreciated, for example, that the first and second arms of the measuring device may be pivotally attached to the base and/or may include telescoping segments to further extend the reach of the measuring device.  
      Having thus described the preferred embodiment of the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent includes the following: