Patent Publication Number: US-11648797-B2

Title: Carpenter speed square with pencil sharpener

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of the U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/965,830, filed on Jan. 25, 2020, which was filed by the present inventor and is incorporated by reference in its entirety, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/965,831, filed on Jan. 25, 2020, which was filed by the present inventor and is incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention generally relates to layout and measuring tools. More specifically, it relates to a layout and measuring tools that provides the user an ability to measure and mark angles with an integrated ability to sharpen a pencil. 
     BACKGROUND 
     It is desirable to have a sharp pencil when doing layout work in carpentry. Typical tools used together in layout work include the pencil, speed square and tape measure. The pencil requires regular sharpening that is typically done using an additional tool such as a pencil sharpener or knife. 
     Currently there are a number of carpenter&#39;s speed square variations with functionality to measure and mark commonly needed layout lines. These solutions fail to meet the combined needs of measuring and marking layout lines and maintaining a sharp pencil for marking layout lines in a singular device. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     To eliminate the need of this additional tool it is desirable to have pencil sharpening capability integrated into a layout tool. Furthermore, it would also be desirable to have ergonomic hand positions on the pencil and layout tool while sharpening the pencil. Still further, it would be desirable to have the pencil sharpening capability integrated into the layout tool such that when sharpening is complete the pencil and layout tool are being held in a way that they are ready for their next use or function without the need to reposition or re-grip. 
     The disclosed device and associated method advantageously fill these needs and addresses the aforementioned deficiencies by providing a speed square that has the integrated ability to sharpen a pencil while the speed square is being gripped in a similar fashion to how it would be gripped while marking a layout or cut line. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1 A  shows various aspects that are common to prior art. 
         FIG.  1 B  shows how the prior art is held during common operations. 
         FIGS.  2 A,  2 B,  2 C and  2 D  show various aspects of one embodiment. 
         FIG.  2 E  shows the operation of one embodiment. 
         FIGS.  3 A,  3 B and  3 C  show various aspects of an alternative embodiment. 
         FIG.  3 D  shows the operation of an alternative embodiment. 
     
    
    
     Other aspects of the present invention shall be more readily understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and the following detailed description, neither of which should be considered limiting. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present invention is directed to a carpenter&#39;s speed square  100  with means for sharpening a round pencil  10  or a carpenter&#39;s pencil  20 . The inventive concept is presented herein across multiple embodiments. 
     Referring now to  FIG.  1 A , which depicts the prior art for what is generally considered a carpenter&#39;s speed square  100 . The basic structure contains a triangular frame  102  possessing one 90 degree angle  104 , two 45 degree angles  106 , and a flange  108  along one of the sides adjacent to the 90 degree angle  104 . The structure containing the frame  102  and flange  108  may be constructed of polymer or metal alloy and is generally formed using common injection molding or die-casting processes. There are many variations of the carpenter&#39;s speed square; however, the carpenter&#39;s speed square is generally defined by these aspects. 
     To illustrate one possible variation of the carpenter&#39;s speed square,  FIG.  1 A  shows graduated markings  110  for measuring distance, graduated markings  112  for measuring angels or slopes and notches  114  for guiding a pencil during marking operations. The carpenter&#39;s speed square  100  is not defined by the presence of these markings or notches or the absence of different markings or notches. Additionally, it&#39;s understood that other variations of the carpenter&#39;s speed square  100  have additional feature such as scales or markings used for common carpentry layout work, adjustable attachments to mark or measure angles, water or spirit levels, or notches for holding or aligning a pencil lead during a marking operation and still be considered a carpenter&#39;s speed square as defined above. Furthermore, it is understood that the utility of the carpenter&#39;s speed square may extent functions other than marking and measuring such as guiding saws or cutting tools. 
     Referring to  FIG.  1 B , during a marking operation the carpenter&#39;s speed square is held in the user&#39;s non-dominant hand  30  while the marking device is griped with the user&#39;s dominant hand. The user&#39;s grip is often overhand and wrapped over the flange  108 . While the figures show the non-dominate hand to be the users left hand (a right handed user&#39;s non-dominate hand) it is understood that a user could reorient the carpenter&#39;s speed square  100  to produce a grip similar to what is shown accept with the user&#39;s right hand (a left handed user&#39;s non-dominant hand). 
     The invention described herein builds upon the prior art by incorporating the ability to sharpen a pencil while holding the carpenter&#39;s speed square  100  in the user&#39;s non-dominant similar to how it would be commonly held while marking a line and while maintaining a natural (ergonomic) wrist position. 
       FIG.  2 A  through  FIG.  2 E  show the construction and operation of an exemplary embodiment of the invention with means to sharpen the round pencil  10 . Referring now to  FIG.  2 A  through  FIG.  2 D , this embodiment contains a conically shaped cavity  200  in the flange  108  near the 90 degree angle  104 . The conically shaped cavity  200  is a hollow negative of a sharpened round pencil  10  tip. The conically shaped cavity  200  is oriented such that the round pencil is inserted in the side of the flange  108  that is adjacent to the frame  102  near the 90 degree angle  104 . Furthermore, the conically shaped cavity  200  is oriented such that the edge of the conical tip of a sharpened round pencil  10  is roughly parallel to the flange  108 . The conically shaped cavity  200  extends into the recess for the blade  204  located on the outside of the flange  108 . The conically shaped cavity  200  and recess  204  are generally formed during the injection molding or die-casting process that creates the structure containing the frame  102  and flange  108 . Alternatively, the conically shaped cavity  200  and recess  204  could be added by removing material form the flange  108  after frame  102  and flange  108  have been constructed. There is blade  206  set in the recess  204  such that the blade  204  is slightly protruding into the conically shaped cavity  200  as seen in  FIG.  2 D . The blade  206  is generally constructed of a metal alloy that is capable of forming and maintaining a sharp edge. The blade is secured to the flange  108  with one or more fasteners  210 . The fastener  210  may be a screw, rivet or other structure that is independent of the flange  108  or formed as part of the flange  108 . 
     Referring now to  FIG.  2 E , in operation, the user&#39;s non-dominate hand  30  is wrapped around the flange  108  and grips the frame  102 . While holding the frame  102 , the round pencil  10  is inserted into the conically shaped cavity  200  with the user&#39;s dominate hand  40 . The resulting orientation of the user&#39;s hands allows the wrists to remain in a neutral position. As the round pencil  10  enters the conically shaped cavity  200 , it comes into contact with the blade  206 . The round pencil  10  is rotated against the blade  206  removing material from the round pencil  10  which causes a point to form on the inserted end of pencil  10 . Once a sharp point is formed on the end of the round pencil  10 , it is removed from the cavity  200 . Upon completion of aforementioned process, the user is holding the carpenter&#39;s speed square  100  in a common orientation for marking a work piece using their non-dominate hand  30 . Furthermore, the user is holding the round pencil  10  in their dominate hand  40 . 
       FIG.  3 A  through  FIG.  3 D  show the construction and operation of an alternative embodiment of the invention that has the means to sharpen both the round pencil  10  and carpenter&#39;s pencil  20 . Referring now to  FIG.  3 A  through  FIG.  3 C , this embodiment contains an aperture  202  in the frame  102  near the 90 degree angle  104 . There is a recess  204  in the top surface of the frame adjacent to the aperture  202  on the side of the aperture  202  opposite flange  108 . The aperture  202  and recess  204  are generally formed during the injection molding or die-casting process that creates the structure containing the frame  102  and flange  108 . Alternatively, the aperture  202  and recess  204  could be added by removing material form the frame  102  after frame  102  and flange  108  have been constructed. There is blade  206  set in the recess  204  such that the blade  204  is slightly protruding into the aperture  202  as seen in  FIG.  3 C . The blade  206  is generally constructed of a metal alloy that is capable of forming and maintaining a sharp edge. The outer surface of the blade  208  which is adjacent to the top surface of the frame  102  has an abrasive texture  208 . The abrasive texture  208  may be formed into the blade material, applied to the surface of the blade material or be inherent to the material chosen for the blade  208 . The blade  208  is secured to the frame  102  with one or more fasteners  210 . The fastener  210  may be a screw, rivet or other structure that is independent of the frame  102  or formed as part of the frame  102 . 
     Referring now to  FIG.  3 D , during operation the user&#39;s non-dominate hand  30  is wrapped around the flange  108  and grips the frame  102 . While holding the frame  102 , the carpenter pencil  20  is inserted through the aperture  202  then pulled back across the blade  206  with the user&#39;s dominate hand  40 . The process of pulling the carpenter pencil  20  across the blade  206  removes material from the carpenter pencil  20  exposing lead and creating a sharpened point on the end of the carpenter pencil  20 . The point of the carpenter pencil  20  can be refined by rubbing it across the abrasive texture  208 . It is recognized that while the aforementioned process referenced a carpenter pencil  10 , this embodiment and the aforementioned process may substitute the carpenter pencil  20  for a round pencil  10 . Furthermore, upon completion of aforementioned process, the user is holding the carpenter&#39;s speed square  100  in a common orientation for marking a work piece using their non-dominate hand  30 . Furthermore, the user is holding the carpenter pencil  20  or round pencil  10  in their dominate hand  40 . 
     Different features, variations and multiple different embodiments have been shown and described with various details. What has been described in this application at times in terms of specific embodiments is done for illustrative purposes only and without the intent to limit or suggest that what has been conceived is only one particular embodiment or specific embodiments. It is to be understood that this disclosure is not limited to any single specific embodiments or enumerated variations. Many modifications, variations and other embodiments will come to mind of those skilled in the art, and which are intended to be and are in fact covered by both this disclosure. It is indeed intended that the scope of this disclosure should be determined by a proper legal interpretation and construction of the disclosure, including equivalents, as understood by those of skill in the art relying upon the complete disclosure present at the time of filing.