Patent Abstract:
A measuring device system that provides the functions of a plurality of different measuring tools. The system has a triangular measurement member having printed indicia thereon and a first elongated slot extending along one side of the triangle and a second elongated slot extending along a second side of the triangle. An arcuate slot is connected to the second elongated slot. An elongated arm having a centrally located slot is adjustably connected to the first elongated slot and the second elongated slot or arcuate slot by connecting members. This system provides the advantage of performing a plurality of measurement functions, it replaces a plurality of tools, reduces the need for multiple tools and therefore improves efficiency.

Full Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/495,118 filed Jun. 9, 2011. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates to tools. More specifically, this invention relates to an all in one measuring tool. 
         [0003]    Measuring tools such as squares, rulers, saw guides, miter squares, rafter squares and the like have been around for years that assist workmen in accomplishing different tasks. Each of these different devices has its own unique purpose to assist the work person in a variety of different projects including tiling, roofing, decking, and the like. 
         [0004]    A problem exists in that there is such an abundance of different tools for different applications that purchasing each individual tool is expensive. In addition, by having multiple different tools to keep track of, tools are easily lost and cumbersome to carry. Further, oftentimes, a person will get to a worksite and realize that one of the many tools they intended to pack was left behind forcing them to leave the worksite and go back to retrieve the tool causing delays and frustrations. 
         [0005]    Thus, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide a measuring device system that improves upon the state of the art. 
         [0006]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a measuring device that takes the place of several independent devices. 
         [0007]    Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a measuring device that serves multiple needs. 
         [0008]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a measuring device that is cost effective. 
         [0009]    Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a measuring device that reduces the potential for lost or misplaced tools. 
         [0010]    These and other objects, features, or advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the specification and claims. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0011]    A measuring device system that provides the functions of a plurality of different measuring tools. The system has, a triangular measurement member having printed indicia thereon and a first elongated slot extending along one side of the triangle and a second elongated slot extending along a second side of the triangle. An arcuate slot is connected to the second elongated slot. An elongated arm having a centrally located slot is adjustably connected to the first elongated slot and the second elongated slot or arcuate slot by connecting members. This system provides the advantage of performing a plurality of measurement functions, it replaces a plurality of tools, reduces the need for multiple tools and therefore improves efficiency. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a measuring device. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a measuring device. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0014]    The figures show a measuring device system  10  that provides the functions of a plurality of different measuring tools. The system  10  has a triangular measurement member  12  that in a preferred embodiment is made from a metal plate. The triangular member  12  generally is a right triangle with first measuring side  14  and second measuring side  16  with a hypotenuse side  18  extending therebetween. Each of the first measuring side  14  and second measuring side  16  has printed indicia  20  thereon at predetermined locations to present measurements along each side. Similarly, the hypotenuse side  18  has printed indicia  20  thereon that provide additional predetermined measurements corresponding to different angles. The term printed indicia  20  is not meant to be limiting and can include any form of visible indicia including painted text, stickers, indented text, raised text, holes, grooves, inscribing, or the like or any combination thereof. In one embodiment the first measuring side  16  and second measuring side  18  are the same length. Alternatively, the triangular measurement member  12  is a right triangle with one side at 9 inches or alternatively a rectangle. 
         [0015]    Disposed through the triangular measurement member  12  and disposed adjacent to the first measuring side  14  is a first elongated slot  22  that extends longitudinally the length of the entire first measuring side  14 . Preferably the first elongated slot  22  extends in parallel spaced alignment with the first measuring side  14  in straight, un-curved, and square fashion. Adjacent the first elongated slot  22  is printed indicia  20 . This includes primary printed indicia  20 A positioned between the first measuring side  14  and the first elongated slot  22  which indicates length among other information. This also includes secondary printed indicia  20 B, which is positioned adjacent first elongated slot  22  on the side opposite from first measuring side  14  which indicates maximum and minimum step rise among other information. 
         [0016]    Like the first elongated slot, disposed through the triangular measurement member  12  is a second elongated slot  24  which is positioned adjacent the second measuring side  16  of the triangle measurement member  12 . Preferably the second elongated slot  24  extends in parallel spaced alignment with the second measuring side  16  in straight, un-curved, and square fashion. In a preferred arrangement, the second elongated slot  24  only extends longitudinally partially along the second measurement side  16  a distance before terminating at its terminating point  26 . Alternatively, second elongated slot  24  extends the entire length of second measuring side  16  like first elongated slot  22 . At its termination point  26 , second elongated slot  24  converges at a pivot point with an arcuate slot  28 . Arcuate slot  28  extends from the termination point  26  of second elongated slot  24  adjacent the second measuring side  16  toward and along the hypotenuse side  18 . Preferably, arcuate slot  28  curves in arcuate fashion with its convex side towards the hypotenuse side  18  and its concave side towards first measuring side  14 ; alternatively it curves in the opposite direction. 
         [0017]    Adjacent the second elongated slot  24  is printed indicia  20 . This includes primary printed indicia  20 C positioned between the second measuring side  16  and the second elongated slot  24  which indicates length, among other information. This also includes secondary printed indicia  20 D which is positioned adjacent second elongated slot  24  on the side opposite from second measuring side  16  regarding minimum tread and maximum tread regarding a depth measurement, among other information. Meanwhile, adjacent either side of the arcuate slot  28  is printed indicia  20 E at predetermined measurement locations that determine roof pitch, among other information. 
         [0018]    First elongated arm  30  and second elongated arm  32  are movably attached to the triangle measurement member  12 . Preferably, first elongated arm  30  and second elongated arm  32  are identical to one another. Both the first elongated arm  30  and second elongated arm  32  have an elongated arm slot  34  extending the length of the arm  30 ,  32  in straight and square parallel spaced alignment with the arm&#39;s exterior edges. Preferably arm slots  34  run the length of the elongated arm  30 ,  32  in a centered position. Printed indicia  20 F is positioned on either side adjacent the arm slot  34  at predetermined locations representing measurements, among other information. Each of the first and second arms  30 ,  32  are movably connected to the triangle measurement member  12  via first connection member  36  and second connection member  38  that have adjustable heads  40  secured to elongated stems  42  with threaded portions that mesh with nut elements  44  positioned opposite adjustable heads  40 . 
         [0019]    When put together the first elongated arm  30  is placed on a top surface  46  of the triangle measurement member  12  and the second elongated arm  32  is placed on a bottom surface  48  of the triangle member  12 . Preferably, nut portions  44  do not protrude past the surface of the second elongated arm  32  so that the bottom surface  48  is flat, flush and smooth and devoid of any protrusion. The stem  42  of the first connection member  36  is then disposed through the first elongated slot  22  and then through the elongated arm slot  30  of the second elongated arm  32  and then nut portion  44  is connected to the end of elongated stem  42  opposite adjustable head  40  to lock the pieces together. Similarly, stem  42  of the second connection member  38  is then disposed through the second elongated slot  24  or through the arcuate slot  28  and then through the elongated arm slot  30  of the second elongated arm  32  and then nut portion  44  is connected to the end of elongated stem  42  opposite adjustable head  40  to lock the pieces together. The nut elements  44  and/or adjustable heads  40  are twisted in a first direction to adjustably compress together the first and second arms  30 ,  32  against the triangle measurement member  12 , or alternatively are twisted in an opposite second direction to loosen the arms  30 ,  32 . 
         [0020]    In operation, the first elongated arm  30  can be used as a ruler, marking gauge, or depth gauge as a result of sliding the elongated arm  30  laterally along the triangle member  12  along the first and second elongated slots  22 ,  24 . When in place the first and second connection members  36 ,  38  can then be tightened to prevent movement between the triangle measurement member  12  and the first and second elongated arms  30 ,  32 . 
         [0021]    Alternatively, the second connection member  38  can be placed in the pivot point/termination point  26  between the second elongated slot  24  of the second measuring side  16  and the arcuate slot  28  at which point it is tightened. Then the first connection member  36  can move within the first elongated slot  22  of the first measuring side  14  to provide multiple angles to present a stair gauge. 
         [0022]    Alternatively, the second connection member  38  can be placed in the arcuate slot  28  adjacent the second side  16  and secured in place while the first connection member  36  is in the first elongated slot  22  to present a roof pitch gauge that can present different roof pitches. 
         [0023]    One skilled in the art will also appreciate that the triangle measurement member  12  itself can operate as a miter square and a rafter square. Meanwhile, the second elongated arm  32  can be utilized as a 90 degree to 50 degree saw guide. Thus, a plurality of functions and tools are incorporated into this single system. 
         [0024]    In an alternative embodiment a rectangular member  100  having first elongated side  102  and a second elongated side  104  in parallel spaced alignment and shorter parallel top and bottom sides  106 ,  108  connect the first and second elongated sides  102 ,  104  to form the rectangle  100 . Along the top short side  106  printed indicia  110 A with predetermined lengths is presented to act as a ruler. A first elongated slot  112  adjacent and extending longitudinally the length of an elongated side  102 ,  104  is presented with a secondary slot  114  running perpendicular to the first elongated slot  112  and extending therefrom at an intersection between the first elongated slot  112  and the second elongated slot  114  that occurs preferably at a right angle. 
         [0025]    The rectangular member  100  also has a rectangular opening  116  disposed therethrough of size and shape of an electrical outlet. An L-shaped arm  118  is presented having an elongated slot  120  extending longitudinally therein with marked indicia  110 B at predetermined locations on either side of the slot  120 . First and second connection members  122  having heads  124 , stems  126  and nut elements  128  as discussed above are disposed through the slot  120  of the L-shaped member  118  and the elongated slot  112 ,  114  of the rectangular member  100  to connect the L-shaped member  118  to the rectangular member  100 . As a result of the rectangular member  100  having a T-shaped slotting  112 ,  114  the L-shaped member can provide 360 degrees of positioning and measurement. 
         [0026]    Similar to the triangle measurement member  10  embodiment, in operation the first and second connection members  122  move within the elongated slot  120  of the L-shaped member  118 , the elongated slot  112  of the first side  102  of the rectangular member  100  and the perpendicular slot  114  in order to move the L-shaped member  118  in relation to the rectangular member  100 . Specifically, when the first and second connection members  122  are both within the first elongated slot  112  the L-shaped member  118  acts as a caliper providing needed measurements between the L-shaped arm  118  and the bottom side  108  (or top side  106 ). 
         [0027]    Alternatively, when a first connection member  122  is in the first elongated slot  112  and the second connection member  122  is in the perpendicular slot  114 , an angled measurement is provided wherein an indicia  110 C is on the top surface  130  of rectangular member  100  indicating where a 45 degree angle (or any other angle) is presented. When the first and second connecting members are both within the perpendicular slot  114 , again indicia is on the rectangular member  100  on either side of the L-shaped member  118  indicating that a 90 degree angle is presented and the system may be used as a traditional miter square. 
         [0028]    In addition, as a result of the rectangular opening  116  the rectangular member can be placed around an outlet so that additional measurements can be presented when doing jobs such as tiling where such obstructions are presented. Thus, one does not have to remove the outlet cover in order to present proper measuring. 
         [0029]    Thus presented are multiple systems that utilize a combination of slots and movable connection members in order to provide multiple functions of a plurality of different measurement tools. Thus, only a single tool has to be brought to a worksite eliminating the chance that a tool is forgotten and left behind. In addition, only a single system has to be purchased thus saving cost for a work person and additionally because tools do not have to be switched out, time is also saved. Thus, the present device has overcome the deficiencies in the art.

Technology Classification (CPC): 4