Abstract:
An improved spacing and positioning device is provided for facilitating spacing and positioning of construction materials. The device allows for the installation of construction materials in various orientations. Preferably, the device is used in a set of two or more, which are placed at proximate opposed ends of the materials being spaced, to ensure correct spacing and positioning of the workpiece materials along the length thereof. The device includes a self-adhesive material on one or more surfaces to allow the spacer to be positioned on vertical or pitched construction members. A self-adhering spacer is provided for maintaining accurate spacing between adjacent wooden boards or other construction members during construction activities. The spacer can be formed from a variety of materials, including wood, metal, or plastic. The self-adhering spacer can also be shaped in a variety of configurations, including a T or L shape. The self-adhering spacer has at least one surface a material, such as one or two-sided tape, that will allow the spacer to be temporarily affixed to the construction member. The self adhering qualities of the spacer will allow the easy placement of spacers on many different construction member surfaces and at all angles of orientation.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     The present invention relates to a device for orienting construction materials such as, for example, adjacent sheet of plywood. More particularly, the present invention relates to a device for spacing multiple construction materials a fixed distance apart, while simultaneously positioning those construction materials parallel to one another in a preferred orientation thereof, and placing the materials in a straight line, with respect to one another.  
         [0003]     2. Description of the Background Art  
         [0004]     The building construction trade is a relatively fast paced industry; a great deal of pressure is exerted on those engaged in such labor to work as quickly as possible, particularly as favorable weather permits. However, the major portion of such work is hand labor; very little has been accomplished in the way of mass production methods, or the development of tools and equipment, other than electrical power tools, to permit those engaged in the building construction trade to work more rapidly and efficiently.  
         [0005]     One of the more time consuming tasks in the trade is the precise alignment, spacing, and cutting of construction members such as plywood sheets. The methods used to date have been relatively crude, involving the use of nails as makeshift spacing guides, and the experience and judgment of the worker. The need arises for a device which allows the worker to quickly, efficiently, and accurately mark, cut, align, and secure plywood sheets, and the like.  
         [0006]     Many of these materials are installed vertically or in a pitched manner, such as plywood sheets. Workers assembling such structures could benefit from, and could save time on the job with a reliable spacer template, which would allow them to assemble components for such structures at the correct spacing and orientation thereof. Some materials for use as spacers in the construction industry are known. Examples of these known spacers may be found in U.S. Pat. No. 3,959,945 to Allen, U.S. Pat. No. 4,322,064 to Jarvis; U.S. Pat. No. 4,420,921 Hardin, U.S. Pat. No. 4,958,814 to Johnson, U.S. Pat. No. 5,190,266 to Barrera, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,491,905 to Jablonski et al.  
         [0007]     While the known spacers are useful for their intended purposes, a need still exists in the art for a versatile spacer device, which will allow for fast, inexpensive installation on a variety of surfaces, including vertical and pitched.  
         [0008]     The invention is directed to a device for maintaining two construction members, such as boards, in spaced relative relationship to each other, as for example, plywood boards or similar wooden boards incident to nailing during construction activities. Typical of spacers for spacing two boards are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,735,497 (Boettcher), U.S. Pat. No. 5,560,117 (Tallman), U.S. Pat. No. 4,930,225 (Phillips), U.S. Pat. No. 4,955,142 (Rieck). These patents each disclose structures for accomplishing the broad concept of board spacing, but each includes the disadvantage of preventing the worker or other person using the spacer from placing the spacer on the construction member, regardless of the pitch or angle of that construction member. The prior art lacks self-adhering spacers that allow for quick, stable, and accurate spacing during construction activities. The self-adhering spacer solves these problems.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0009]     The present invention provides an improved spacing and positioning device for facilitating quick and easy spacing, positioning and alignment of construction materials, and to place those materials in a desired configuration. The spacer device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention allows for similarly aligning and spacing a plurality of similar workpiece materials, in relation to each other.  
         [0010]     One embodiment of the spacing and positioning device hereof includes one or more self-adhesive strips so that the user can quickly and easily position the spacer at the desired location without the need to take additional time to secure the spacer. In one embodiment, the spacer has a tab affixed for easy removal of the spacer after use.  
         [0011]     Another embodiment of the spacing and positioning device hereof and attached thereto includes one or more tacks that can be pressed into the construction member at the desired location without any additional time needed to secure the spacer. This embodiment would allow the spacer to be affixed and removed easily and also be used multiple times.  
         [0012]     Accordingly, one of the objects of the present invention is to provide an improved device for the proper and precise alignment of construction members.  
         [0013]     Another object of the present invention is to provide a device capable of serving as a guide for the precise measuring, marking, and/or cutting of such materials at a variety of angles.  
         [0014]     A further object of the present invention is to provide a device serving as a guide for the proper and precise spacing and location of nails or other fasteners.  
         [0015]     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a device which will protect the material upon which it is being used from hammer marks or other defacement.  
         [0016]     An additional object of the present invention is to provide a device, which could be color coded to denote particular sizes, making identification simple and reducing mistakes.  
         [0017]     Another object of the present invention is to provide a device serving all of the above functions and is compact, portable, and disposable and may perform the above functions with a variety of standard shapes and sizes.  
         [0018]     With these and other objects in view which will more readily appear as the nature of the invention is better understood, the invention consists in the novel combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully described, illustrated and claimed with reference being made to the attached drawings.  
         [0019]     Preferably, the spacer device hereof will be used in a set of two or more at opposed ends or sides of the materials being spaced, to ensure correct spacing along the lengths thereof.  
         [0020]     A self-adhering spacer is provided for maintaining accurate spacing between adjacent construction members during construction activities. The spacer can be formed from a variety of materials, including wood, metal, or plastic. The self-adhering spacer can also be shaped in a variety of configurations, including T or L shapes.  
         [0021]     In one embodiment, an adhering material, such as one or two-sided tape, is affixed to at least one surface of the spacer surface that will allow the spacer to be temporarily affixed to the construction member. In another embodiment, one or more small tacks protrude from one or more surfaces of the spacer, which will allow the spacer to be affixed to the construction member. The self adhering qualities of the spacer will allow the easy placement of spacers on many different construction member surfaces and at all angles of orientation. This will reduce construction time and costs.  
         [0022]     With the above and other objects in view that will hereinafter appear, the nature of the invention will be more clearly understood by reference to the following detailed description, the appended claims and the several views illustrated in the accompanying drawings.  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0023]     A spacer device in accordance with the present invention, generally, includes: a generally T shaped spacer body having a top edge, a left bottom edge, a right bottom edge, a left edge, and a right edge, wherein each spacer may be manufactured in various sizes and lengths of the various edges, as well as the relative lengths and sizes of the edges; or a a generally L shaped spacer body having a bottom edge, a right edge, and a left edge, wherein each spacer may be manufactured in various sizes and lengths of the various edges, as well as the relative lengths and sizes of the edges  
         [0024]     A generally L shaped spacer body with a triangular piece connecting the two edges, positioned on top of the leading edges, as shown in  FIGS. 7, 8 ,  9 , and  10  for use as a corner spacer.  
         [0025]     A spacer as described with an affixed tab for extraction following use.  
         [0026]     A spacer as described, with self adhesive material on one or more edges, thus allowing simple and secure placement of the spacer on a variety of surfaces and at a variety of angles and slopes.  
         [0027]     A self adhering spacer as described, with one or more small tacks protruding from it, thus allowing simple and secure placement of the spacer on a variety of surfaces and at a variety of angles and slopes.  
         [0028]     The spacer as described, can be manufactured using a variety of materials, including, but not limited to plastic, metal or wood. In one embodiment, the spacer would be made of plastic to facilitate uniformity, low weight, and amenability to mass production. It is anticipated that the described spacers can be manufactured in strips containing multiple units, allowing for easier mass production and also allows the user to remove one or more of the spacers from the strip as desired. See  FIGS. 11 and 12 .  
         [0029]     For a more complete understanding of the present invention, the reader is referred to the following detailed description section, which should be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Throughout the following detailed description and in the drawings, like numbers refer to like parts. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0030]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a spacer tool in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0031]      FIG. 2  is depicts another perspective view of the spacer tool in  FIG. 1  in accordance with the present invention. This drawing illustrates a typical positioning of the spacer against a construction member.  
         [0032]      FIG. 3  is a side view of the spacer between two construction members of a butt joint, being used to stabilize, and space apart the members;  
         [0033]      FIG. 4  is a side view of a spacer wherein left bottom edge is shorter than the right bottom edge, between two construction members of a tongue and groove joint, being used to stabilize, and space apart the members;  
         [0034]      FIG. 5  is a front view of four of the spacer devices of  FIG. 1  in a use thereof to align a structural workpiece member in a configuration thereof.  
         [0035]      FIG. 6  is a front view of 10 of the spacer devices of  FIG. 1  in a typical use thereof to align a structural workpiece member in a configuration thereof.  
         [0036]      FIG. 7  depicts a spacer with a triangular piece connecting the two edges, positioned on top of the leading edges, for use as a corner spacer. This figure also shows a tab positioned on top of the triangular piece, typically used for extraction of the spacer following use.  
         [0037]      FIG. 8  depicts a different perspective view of the spacer tool in  FIG. 7  in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0038]      FIG. 9  depicts a different perspective view of the spacer tool in  FIG. 7  in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0039]      FIG. 10  depicts a different perspective view of the spacer tool in  FIG. 7  in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0040]      FIG. 11  is a front view of  10  of the spacer devices of  FIG. 7  in a typical use thereof to align a structural workpiece member in a configuration thereof.  
         [0041]      FIG. 12  depicts a strip containing multiple spacer tools in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0042]      FIG. 13  depicts a different perspective view of the spacer tool in  FIG. 11  in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0043]      FIG. 14  is a perspective view of a spacer tool in accordance with the presentinvention using tacks on one surface to fasten or affix to construction member  
         [0044]      FIG. 15  is a side view of a spacer tool in accordance with the present invention using a tack on one surface of the spacer. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0045]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a spacer tool in a generally T shaped configuration. The spacer has a top portion  21 , a left bottom portion  23 , a right bottom portion  25 , a left edge portion  27 , a right edged portion  29 , and an adhesive material  31  located on the left edge  27  portion. In this particular configuration, it is anticipated that the spacer will be affixed to a first construction member  37  such that the spacer makes initial contact along the adhesive material  31  located along the left edge, and the left bottom portion. It is also anticipated in this configuration that a second construction member  39  will be placed along side or against the top portion and/or against the right bottom  25  and right edge  29  portion.  
         [0046]      FIG. 2  is a side view of a spacer tool in a generally T shaped configuration. This drawing illustrates the spacer after it has been affixed to a construction member  37 . The adhesive material  31  is attached to the left edge of the spacer. The construction member  37  is in contact with the adhesive material  31  and the left bottom portion of the spacer. With the spacer so affixed, the user becomes free to place additional construction members against the spacer while the spacer remains affixed to the original construction member. The user would then be free to secure the construction members while the spacer maintains the desired separation between the members. After the construction members have been secured, the user may elect to remove the spacer(s) to use again, or dispose of them. The user may also chose to leave the spacer(s) in place as desired.  
         [0047]      FIG. 3  is a side view of the spacer between two construction members of a butt joint, being used to stabilize, and space apart the members. This configuration shows the adhesive material located on the left edge  27  of the spacer. The spacer contacts the first construction member  37  at the left bottom portion  23  and along the left edge  27 . The adhesive material  31  is between the left edge  27  and the first construction member  37 . A second construction member  39  may now be placed against the top portion  21  of the spacer, or along the right edge  29  portion. The second construction member  39  in this illustration is adjacent to the top portion of the spacer. After the construction members have been secured, the user may elect to remove the spacer(s) to use again, or dispose of them. The user may also-chose to leave the spacer(s) in place as desired.  
         [0048]      FIG. 4  is a side view of a spacer wherein the left bottom edge is shorter than the right bottom edge, between two construction members of a tongue and groove joint, being used to stabilize, and space apart the members. This configuration shows the adhesive material  31  located on the left edge  27  of the spacer. The spacer contacts the groove containing construction member at the left bottom portion  23  and along the left edge  27  of the spacer. The adhesive material  31  is between the left edge  27  and the top of the groove containing construction member. The shorter length of the left bottom  23  portion allows for proper spacing of the construction members without interfering in the tongue and groove connection. The tongue containing construction member will contact the spacer on the top portion of the spacer. After the construction members have been secured, the user may elect to remove the spacer(s) to use again, or dispose of them. The user may also chose to leave the spacer(s) in place as desired.  
         [0049]      FIG. 5  is a front view of four of the self adhering spacer devices  43  in a use thereof to align structural workpiece members  45  in a configuration thereof. The drawing shows spacers being used to space and separate three construction members in a side by side configuration. As the drawing illustrates, one of the advantages of this invention is its ability to affix itself to construction members at any angle. Both the spacer(s) with the adhesive material and the spacer(s) with the tack(s) would allow for this configuration. After the construction members have been secured, the user may elect to remove the spacer(s) to use again, or dispose of them. The user may also chose to leave the spacer(s) in place as desired.  
         [0050]      FIG. 6  shows a front view of  10  of the self adhering spacer devices  43  in a use thereof to align structural workpiece members  45  in a configuration thereof. The drawing shows spacers being used to space and separate four construction members in side by side and vertical configurations. As the drawing illustrates, one of the advantages of this invention is its ability to affix itself to construction members at any angle. Both the spacer(s) with the adhesive material and the spacer(s) with the tack(s) would allow for this configuration. After the construction members have been secured, the user may elect to remove the spacer(s) to use again, or dispose of them. The user may also chose to leave the spacer(s) in place as desired.  
         [0051]      FIG. 7  depicts a spacer with a triangular top piece  47  connecting the two edges portions  49 , positioned on top of the leading edges, for use as a corner spacer. This figure also shows a tab  35  positioned on top of the triangular piece  47 , typically used for extraction of the spacer following use. Although not shown in this drawing, it is anticipated that this corner spacer will have adhesive material located on one or both of the inside surfaces of the edge pieces  49 , or as depicted in  FIG. 8 , on the bottom portion of the triangular top piece  47  connecting the two edges. Alternatively, or in conjunction with other means, the corner spacer could utilize tacks on or in the spacer&#39;s edge pieces  49  or triangular top piece to allow it to be affixed to the desired construction member.  
         [0052]      FIG. 8  depicts a different perspective view of the spacer tool in  FIG. 7  in accordance with the present invention. In particular, the illustration depicts the underside of the triangle shaped corner spacer of  FIG. 7 , including two strips of adhesive material  31  on the underside of the triangular top piece  47 . It is anticipated that this corner spacer will have adhesive material located on one or both of the inside surfaces of the edge pieces  49 , or as depicted here, on the bottom portion of the triangular top piece  47  connecting the two edges. Alternatively, or in conjunction with other means, the corner spacer could utilize tacks on or in the spacer&#39;s edge pieces  49  or triangular top piece  47  to allow it to be affixed to the desired construction member.  
         [0053]      FIG. 9  depicts a different perspective view of the spacer tool in  FIG. 7  in accordance with the present invention. Specifically, this drawing illustrates a side view of the corner spacer shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 . The drawing shows the tab  35  on top of the triangular top piece  47 , as well as two strips of adhesive material  31 . Also, the interior surfaces of the edge portions  49  are shown.  
         [0054]      FIG. 10  depicts a perspective view of a spacer with a triangular top piece  47  connecting two edges portions. However, in contrast to  FIGS. 7-9 , the middle section of the edge portions are absent such that the edge portions consist of surfaces perpendicular to the triangular top piece at only the corners of the top piece. This figure also shows a tab  35  positioned on top of the triangular piece  47 , typically used for extraction of the spacer following use.  
         [0055]      FIG. 11  shows a front view of ten of the self adhering spacer devices  43  in a use thereof to align structural workpiece members  45  in a configuration thereof. Specifically, the drawing shows the corner spacer embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 7-10  being used to space and separate three construction members in a typical configuration. The illustration depicts the use of the corner spacers at varying angles. Both the spacer(s) with the adhesive material and the spacer(s) with the tack(s) would allow for this configuration. After the construction members have been secured, the user may elect to remove the spacer(s) to use again, or dispose of them. The user may also chose to leave the spacer(s) in place as desired.  
         [0056]      FIG. 12  depicts a strip containing multiple spacer tools in accordance with the present invention. The drawing illustrates the invention&#39;s ability to be produced in strips containing multiple and independent spacer devices. It is anticipated that these spacers can be manufactured in such a way as to allow them to be mass produced. This figure shows the spacers attached to each other so that they could be easily detached from the strip and used as desired. This embodiment would also make carrying the spacers more convenient.  
         [0057]      FIG. 13  depicts a different perspective view of the strip of spacer tools in  FIG. 12  in accordance with the present invention. In particular, the illustration depicts the underside of the strip of temporarily attached spacer tools shown in  FIG. 12 .  
         [0058]      FIG. 14  is a perspective view of a spacer tool in a generally T shaped configuration. The spacer has a top portion  21 , a left bottom portion  23 , a right bottom portion  25 , a left edge portion  27 , a right edged portion  29 , and tacks  33  located on the left edge  27  portion. In this particular configuration, it is anticipated that the spacer will be affixed to a first construction member  37  such that the spacer makes initial contact along the adhesive material  31  located along the left edge, and the left bottom portion. It is also anticipated in this configuration that a second construction member  39  will be placed along side or against the top portion and/or against the right bottom  25  and right edge  29  portion.  
         [0059]      FIG. 15  is a side view of a spacer tool in a generally T shaped configuration. T tack(s) are attached to the left edge of the spacer. The tack(s) are used to affix the spacer to a construction member while in use, and may be utilized as an alternate means to secure the spacer. The user would then be free to secure the construction members while the spacer maintains the desired separation between the members. After the construction members have been secured, the user may elect to remove the spacer(s) to use again, or dispose of them. The user may also chose to leave the spacer(s) in place as desired.  
         [0060]     Although particular embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed herein for purposes of explanation, it should be understood that further modifications or variations thereof would be apparent to those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains.