Patent Abstract:
The present invention relates to novel woodworking tool. This tool allows for precise measurements of square ends; square/mitered end combination, and mitered ends. Additionally, this tool can scribe arcs and circles and square up cabinets and other structures. This simple to operate tool will ensure proper measurements for difficult inside and outside dimensions critical for fine woodworking and cabinetry.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to a novel woodworking tool for precisely measuring difficult inside and outside dimensions critical for fine woodworking and cabinetry. More particularly, it relates to a woodworking gauge that can measure square ends, measure square/mitered end combinations, measure mitered ends, scribe arcs, and check diagonal squareness of cabinets and other structures. 
   Fine woodworking projects require precise measurements before preforming cuts and/or assembly. Often, numerous tools are required to ensure proper measurements. Accurately measuring inside dimensions of windows or cabinets, for example, is difficult with a measuring tape. Once this gauge is locked to the exact dimensions, the tool can create a pattern for a new piece of trim with mitered or square corners by setting a saw stop, fence, or by scribing a knife line on top of the stock from which you are creating the new piece. Additionally, trammel points for making circles and arcs can be removably affixed at either end. By rotating the trammel points to extend from both ends of the gauge, the gauge can be used to measure diagonals, which is useful for squaring up cabinets and other structures. 
   Prior art woodworking devices have been to designed to do each of the aforementioned actions; however, no prior art discloses a gauge that does all of the aforementioned actions. Therefore, there is a need for a woodworking gauge that is simple to operate and can measure square ends, measure square/mitered end combinations, measure mitered ends, scribe arcs, and square up cabinets and other objects. This need will be achieved by the novel invention herein disclosed. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a multi-use woodworking gauge. The gauge has many of the advantages mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a new woodworker&#39;s gauge which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art, either alone or in any combination thereof. 
   In accordance with the invention, an object of the present invention is to provide an improved woodworker&#39;s gauge capable of precisely measuring inside and outside dimensions for fine woodworking projects. 
   It is another object of this invention to provide an improved woodworker&#39;s gauge capable of measuring and setting a pattern for square ends. 
   It is a further object of this invention to provide an improved woodworker&#39;s gauge capable of measuring and setting a pattern for mitered ends. 
   It is a further object of this invention to provide an improved woodworker&#39;s gauge capable of measuring and setting a pattern for square/mitered end combinations. 
   It is still a further object of this invention to provide an improved woodworker&#39;s gauge cable of measuring and setting a pattern for a right-handed miter. 
   It is still a further object of this invention to provide an improved woodworker&#39;s gauge cable of measuring and setting a pattern for a left-handed miter. 
   It is still a further object of this invention to provide an improved woodworker&#39;s gauge cable of scribing arcs and circles. 
   It is yet a further object of this invention to provide an improved woodworker&#39;s gauge cable of measuring inside diagonals and hence squaring up cabinets and other structures. 
   The subject matter of the present invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of this specification. However, both the organization and method of operation, together with further advantages and objects thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with accompanying drawings wherein like reference characters refer to like elements. 
   Other objects, features and aspects of the present invention are discussed in greater detail below. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a first view isometric projection of the multi function gauge; and 
       FIG. 2  is a second view isometric projection of the multi function gauge. 
       FIG. 3A  is a top view of the first linear member; 
       FIG. 3B  is a bottom view of the first linear member; 
       FIG. 3C  is a cross-sectional view of the first linear member; 
       FIG. 4A  is a top view of the second linear member; 
       FIG. 4B  is a bottom view of the second linear member 
       FIG. 4C  is a cross-sectional view of the second linear member; 
       FIG. 5  is a proximal end view of the second linear member; 
       FIG. 6  is an is a proximal end view of the first linear member; 
       FIG. 7  is a bottom view of the second scribe retaining device; 
       FIG. 8  is a bottom view of the first scribe retaining device; 
       FIG. 9  is a top view of the second scribe retaining device; 
       FIG. 10  is a top view of the first scribe retaining device; 
       FIG. 11  is a is a side view of the second scribe retaining device; 
       FIG. 12  is a side view of the first scribe retaining device; 
       FIG. 13  is an end view of the second scribe retaining device partially frictionally affixed to the first linear member; 
       FIG. 14  is a end view of the first scribe retaining device frictionally affixed to the second linear member; 
       FIG. 15  is a top view of a first assembly configuration of the multi function gauge; 
       FIG. 16  is a top view of a second assembly configuration of the multi function gauge; 
       FIG. 17  is a top view of a third assembly configuration of the multi function gauge; 
       FIG. 18  is a top view of a fourth assembly configuration of the multi function gauge; 
       FIG. 19  is a top view of a fifth assembly configuration of the multi function gauge; 
       FIG. 20  is a top view of a sixth assembly configuration of the multi function gauge; 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. 
   In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of descriptions and should not be regarded as limiting. 
   Looking at  FIGS. 1 and 2  the main elements of the multi purpose adjustable measuring gauge  2  can be best seen. The first linear member  4  is extendably engagable with second linear member  6  by virtue of the insertion of the T-shaped track  8  into the matingly conformed T-shaped groove  10 . Linear locking thumbscrew  12  tightens to frictionally bind the first linear member  4  and the second linear member  6  in any of the extended configurations of these elements. 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 3-6  the first linear member can be best illustrated and described. First linear member  4  is of generally linear quadrilateral configuration, comprised of a uniform thickness A, a first planar face  14  and a second planar face  16 , a proximal end  18 , a distal end  20 , and a T-shaped track  8 . The proximal end  18  is squared and the distal end  20  is at a 45 degree angle (although alternate angles may be used this angle is the most common for woodworking applications.) Track  8  lies along the centerline of the first planar face  14  and extends the entire linear length of the first planar face  14  to slidably engage the matingly conformed groove  10  of the second linear member  6  (although different track and groove configurations may be utilized, this style has economic advantages.) Additionally, two nuts  22  are disposed and affixed through first opening  24  and second opening  26  and are threading engageable for coupling with a thumbscrew  28  ( FIGS. 11 and 12 ). The heads of nuts  22  are recessed in the second face  16  so as to remain at least flush with the second face  16 . 
   The second linear member  6  is of generally linear quadrilateral configuration of uniform thickness B substantially similar to the thickness A of first linear member  4 . The second linear member  6  comprises a third planar face  30 , a fourth planar face  32 , a squared proximal end  34 , an angled distal end  36  of 45 degrees, and a groove  10  extending along its entire linear length matingly conformed to the track  8  for slidable engagement with the first linear member  4 . The second member  6  further comprises a proximal end plate  38  having a substantially similar thickness as that thickness A and B of both the first and second linear members  4 , 6  matingly affixed to the forth planar face  32  via three pop rivets  40  to the second linear member&#39;s proximal end  34  (although in a different type of fabrication the proximal end plate  38  and the second linear member  6  may be integrally formed.) Additionally, the proximal end plate  38  has a nut  22  disposed through an third opening  42  to be coupled with a thumbscrew  28  in a similar fashion as that described above. The nut  22  is recessed in the proximal end plate  38  so as to remain at least flush with the exposed face  44 . A distal end plate  46  having a substantially similar thickness as that of thickness A and B of the first and second linear members  4  and  6  and that of proximal end plate  38 , is matingly affixed via three rivets  40  to the third planar face  30  of second linear member&#39;s distal end  36 . The distal end plate  46  and the proximal end plate  38  reside on opposite planar faces of the second linear member  6 . The proximal end plate  38  matingly conforms to the distal end  20  of the first linear member  4 , and the distal end plate  46  matingly conforms to the squared proximal end  18  of the first linear member  4 . A thumb screw  28  is used to lock the first linear member  4  to the second linear member  6 . 
   Looking at  FIG. 5  the proximal end view of the second linear member  6  showing the groove  10  can be seen. This view is also identical for the distal end of the second linear member  6  when the second linear member is rotated end for end about the X-Y horizontal axial axis of the second linear member  6 . 
   Looking at  FIG. 6  the proximal and distal end view of the first linear member  4  showing the track  8  can be seen. 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 7 to 12 , two scribe attachment devices can be seen. The first scribe attachment device  48  has a first planar face  50  a second planar face  52 , and four substantially similar edge faces differing only wherein a first edge face  54  has an orifice  56  therein to accept and frictionally or mechanically constrain a scribe  58 . The second scribe attachment device  60  has a first planar face  62  a second planar face  64 , and four substantially similar edge faces with the four faces differing only wherein a first edge face  66  has an orifice  68  therein to accept and frictionally or mechanically constrain a scribe  58 . 
   The first and second scribe attachment devices each have a central orifice (not illustrated) formed therethrough for the entry of thumbscrew  28  but differ in the configuration of their first planar faces  50  and  62 . The first scribe attachment device  48  has a square plate  64  formed centrally thereon dimensioned so as to be received by groove  10  on the second linear member  6 . There is a central orifice formed therethrough (not illustrated.) In this manner the square plate  64  of the first scribe attachment device  48  may be placed into groove  10  and the thumbscrew  28  tightened into the nut  22  recessed into third opening  42  of proximal end plate  38  so as to secure the first scribe attachment device  48  in a non rotatable fashion so as to be squared with the proximal end  34  of the second linear member  6 . A retaining clip  70  is affixed to thumbscrew  22  to hold it on the first scribe attachment device  48 . The first scribe attachment device  48  may be locked into any of four orientations each 90 degrees apart so that the scribe  58  may extent parallel or perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the gauge  2 . 
   The second scribe attachment device  60  has four substantially similar squared platforms  72  formed at its corners so as to form a depressed region  74  there between in the shape of a cross so as to allow the track  8  to reside in the depressed region  74  in any of the possible 90 degree rotations of the second scribe attachment  60 . In this manner the second scribe attachment device  60  may be placed onto track  8  in any of the possible 90 degree rotations and the thumbscrew  28  tightened into the nut  22  recessed into first opening  4  of the first linear member  4  so as to secure the second scribe attachment device  60  in a non rotatable fashion so as to be squared with the proximal end  18  of the first linear member  4 . A retaining clip  70  is affixed to thumbscrew  28  in a recess  76  to hold it on the second scribe attachment device  60  similar to that discussed above. The second scribe attachment device  60  may be locked into any of four orientations each 90 degrees apart so that the scribe  58  may extent parallel or perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the gauge  2 . 
     FIG. 11  shows a side view of the assembled second scribe attachment device  60  and  FIG. 12  shows a side view of the assembled first scribe attachment device  48 . 
     FIG. 13  shows a side view of the second scribe attachment device  60  partially engaged with the first linear member  4  and  FIG. 14  shows a side view of the first scribe attachment device  48  fully engaged with the second linear member  6 . 
     FIGS. 15 to 20  show the various configurations of the gauge  2  as can be accomplished by inverting and rotating the linear members. The interchangeablity and reversability of the first and second linear members allowing sliding engagement will be discussed with reference to the individual FIGS. 
     FIG. 15  is a configuration of the gauge  2  for measuring the distance between mitered edges. In this configuration the proximal end  18  of the first face  14  of the first linear member  4  engages the proximal end  34  of the third face  30  of the second linear member  6  such that the first face  14  of the first linear member  4  is in frictional contact with the third face  30  of the second linear member  6 . 
     FIG. 16  is a configuration of the gauge  2  for measuring the distance between a square end to a left hand miter. In this configuration the proximal end  18  of the first linear face  14  of the first linear member  4  engages the distal end  36  of the fourth face  32  of the second linear member  6  such that the first face  14  of the first linear member  4  is in frictional contact with fourth face  32  of the second linear member  6 . 
     FIG. 17  is a configuration of the gauge  2  for measuring the distance between squared ends. In this configuration the distal end  20  of the first face  14  of the first linear member  4  engages the distal end  36  of the fourth face  32  of the second linear member  6  such that the first face  14  of the first linear member  4  is in frictional contact with the fourth face  32  of the second linear member  6 . 
     FIG. 18  is a configuration of the gauge  2  for measuring the distance between square end to a right hand miter. In this configuration the distal end  20  of the first face  14  of the first linear member  4  engages the proximal end  34  of the third face  30  of the second linear member  6  such that the first face  14  of the first linear member  4  is in frictional contact with the third face  30  of the second linear member  6 . 
     FIG. 19  is a configuration of the gauge  2  for measuring diagonal distances. In this configuration the distal end  20  of the first face  14  of the first linear member  4  engages the distal end  36  of the fourth face  32  of the second linear member  6  such that the first face  14  of the first linear member  4  is in frictional contact with the fourth face  32  of the second linear member  6 . The first scribe attachment device  48  is fictionally affixed onto the proximal end of the third face  30  of the second linear member  6  such that the scribe  58  extends parallel to the longitudinal axis of the gauge  2 . The second scribe attachment device  60  is frictionally affixed onto the proximal end  18  of the first face  14  of the first linear member  4  such that the scribe  58  extends parallel to the longitudinal axis of the gauge  2 . 
     FIG. 20  is a configuration of the gauge  2  for scribing arcs or circles. In this configuration the distal end  20  of the first face  14  of the first linear member  4  engages the distal end  36  of the fourth face  32  of the second linear member  6  such that the first face  14  of the first linear member  4  is in frictional contact with the fourth face  32  of the second linear member  6 . The first scribe attachment device  48  is locked onto the proximal end of the third face  30  of the second linear member  6  such that the scribe  58  extends perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the gauge  2 . The second scribe attachment device  60  is locked onto the proximal end of the first face  14  of the first linear member  4  such that the scribe  58  extends perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the gauge  2 . 
   The multi function gauge  2  could be formed from wood, light weight metals, steels, alloys, plastics, or any combination thereof. Although described as use for woodworking, the present invention is equally applicable to use in all other fields where precise measurement is critical such as metalworking, drafting, pattern making and the like. 
   The above description will enable any person skilled in the art to make and use this invention. It also sets forth the best modes for carrying out this invention. There are numerous variations and modifications thereof that will also remain readily apparent to others skilled in the art, now that the general principles of the present invention have been disclosed. As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. In the way of an example, it is known that different fabricating methods such as extrusion, welding, riveting etc. may result in the incorporation of two or more elements into a monolithic structure. Such may be the case of the incorporation of the distal and proximal end plates with either of the linear quadrilateral members.

Technology Classification (CPC): 1