Abstract:
A rafter layout tool for facilitating the layout of ridge cut, bird&#39;s mouth, seat cuts, fascia and soffit for the common hip, valley rafter cuts comprising a protractor member, measurement indicator arm and 90 degree arm and move up and down and side to side for different size lumber from 2″×6″ to 2″×12″ which is pivotally connected to the base of the protractor member, incorporating means for indicating pitch markings on said protractor. Extending linearly along the measurement indicator arm is a bounded slot providing means for slidably up and down and attaching the 90 degree arm ably to slide side to side and up and down for different size lumber.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates generally to measurement tools and, more specifically, to a rafter layout tool for facilitating the layout of bird&#39;s mouth, seat cuts, fascia and soffit cuts and for the common, hip and valley rafters. 
   The tool is comprised of a protractor member, indicator arm and 90 degree arm with ability of indicator arm to slide up and down for different size lumber from 2″×6″ to 2″×12″ and 90 degree arm to slide side to side and up and down for different size fascia, soffit and seat cuts. 
   2. Description of the Prior Art 
   There are other rafter squares designed for construction. Typical of these is U.S. Pat. No. 6,725,555 issued to Moore on Apr. 27, 2004. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 6,725,555 
   Inventor: Darren S. Moore 
   Issued: Apr. 27, 2004 
   The present invention 10 discloses a rafter square 18 having a pivotal indicator arm 14 and pivotal indicator guide 16. The pivotal arm 14 and guide 16 are detachable from the rafter square portion 18 by unscrewing the thumbscrew 20 that secures the device to its pivotal point 22 located on the heel portion of the right angle square 18. A wing nut 24 is also removable and when in use allows the indicator arm 14 to slide along a track 26 and point to indication markings 28 along the tracks surface. Also provided are a ring bearing 38 and wing nut retainer 30. Located at the distal end of the indicator guide 16 is a storage port 40 with an end cap 42. The storage port 40 can hold the removed wing nut 24 and thumbscrew 20 when the arm 14 is removed. Within the storage port 14 a guide chart 44 can also be stored and used for reference. 
   While these squares may be suitable for the purposes for which they were designed, they would not be as suitable for the purposes of the present invention, as hereinafter described. 
   It is thus desirable to provide a tool to facilitate in scribing cut lines associated with rafter roof framing construction. 
   It is further desirable to provide a rafter layout tool wherein The tool is comprised of a protractor member, indicator arm and 90 degree arm with ability of indicator arm to slide up and down for different size lumber from 2″×6″ to 2″×12″ and 90 degree arm to slide side to side and up and down for different size fascia, soffit and seat cuts. 
   SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
   A primary object of the present invention is to provide a tool to facilitate in scribing cut lines associated with roof framing construction. 
   Another object of the present invention is to provide a rafter layout tool having a protractor member comprising a linear base with a protractor segment depending from both sides common rafters, hip and valley, with common on top and on both sides of 18″ indicator arm and lower side of the protractor hip and valley rafters markings. 
   Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a rafter layout tool with a measurement arm ending at one end and each side to a point to render is pitch marking upon said protractor, with common on top and hip and valley on bottom, which is on both sides of the indicator arm at a square position. 
   Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a rafter layout tool with a measurement on indicator arm having a longitudinal slot within its length with measurement marked on both sides. 
   Another object of the present invention is to provide a rafter layout tool with a 90-degree arm that is slidably and locking anchored at inside slot to the indicator arm guide slot. 
   Additional objects of the present invention will appear as the description proceeds. 
   The present invention overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art by providing a rafter layout tool for facilitating the layout of ridge cut, bird&#39;s mouth, seat cuts, fascia and soffit for the common hip, valley rafter cuts comprising a protractor member, measurement indicator arm and 90 degree arm and move up and down and side to side for different size lumber from 2″×6″ to 2″×12″ which is pivotally connected to the base of the protractor member, incorporating means for indicating pitch markings on said protractor. Extending linearly along the measurement indicator arm is a bounded slot providing means for slidably up and down and attaching the 90 degree arm ably to slide side to side and up and down for different size lumber. 
   The foregoing and other objects and advantages will appear from the description to follow. In the description reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which forms a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments will be described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. In the accompanying drawings, like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views. 
   The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is best defined by the appended claims. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES 
     In order that the invention may be more fully understood, it will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: 
       FIG. 1  is an illustrative view of the present invention in use; 
       FIG. 2  is an orthographic view of the present invention in use; 
       FIG. 3  is a top view of the present invention; 
       FIG. 4  is a front view and cut away of the present invention; 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the present invention; 
       FIG. 6  is a top view of the present invention; 
       FIG. 7  is a frontal view of the present invention showing soffit and fascia cuts; 
       FIG. 8  is a frontal view of the present invention showing bird mouth cuts; 
       FIG. 9  is a frontal view of the present invention showing ridge cuts; 
       FIG. 10  is a detailed view of the present invention; 
       FIG. 11  is a detailed view of the present invention; 
       FIG. 12  is a detailed view of the present invention; and 
       FIG. 13  is a detailed view of straight edge indicia of the present invention. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE REFERENCED NUMERALS 
   Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views, the figures illustrate the Compound Cut Rafter Square of the present invention of the present invention. With regard to the reference numerals used, the following numbering is used throughout the various drawing figures.
           10  Rafter Square of the present invention     12  rafter     13  protractor     14  straight edge     16  pitch indicator guide     18  wing nut     20  pivot and slide point     22  indicator slide arm     24  90-degree arm     26  slide track of  22       28  slide track of  24       30  indicia of straight edge     32  indicia of pitch indicator guide     34  indicia of indicator slide arm     36  indicia of 90-degree slide arm     40  point of reference     42  lumber       

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   The following discussion describes in detail one embodiment of the invention (and several variations of that embodiment). This discussion should not be construed, however, as limiting the invention to those particular embodiments, practitioners skilled in the art will recognize numerous other embodiments as well. For definition of the complete scope of the invention, the reader is directed to appended claims. 
     FIG. 1  is an illustrative view of the present invention  10  in use. The present invention is a rafter square  10  for laying out roof rafters  12 , calculating and marking out the length of ridge cut, bird cut seat cut, fascia and soffit cut and for pitches for common, hip and valley required cuts of rafters  12  having a pivotal locking indicator arm that rotates about a pitch indication guide which is located on both sides, left and right of being at square position, upper pitches for common rafters and lower pitches for hip and valley rafters. A sliding, pivotal locking indicator arm is 1″ to 18″ on right and left side with measurements and rides up and down for different size material from 2″×6″ to 2″×12″ lumber. Within the indicator arm is a 90-degree arm that slides left to right and rides up and down allowing the seat cut and soffit cut having different size measurements. On this arm is measurements 1″ to 12″ on top and bottom. The device of the present invention is for left and right handed people. 
     FIG. 2  is an orthographic view of the present invention  10  in use. The present invention  10  is a rafter square  10  for laying out roof rafters  12 , calculating and marking out the length of ridge cut, bird cut seat cut, fascia and soffit cut and for pitches for common, hip and valley required cuts of rafters  12  having a pivotal locking indicator arm that rotates about a pitch indication guide which is located on both sides, left and right of being at square position, upper pitches for common rafters  10  and lower pitches for hip and valley rafters  10 . A sliding, pivotal locking indicator arm is 1″ to 18″ on right and left side with measurements and rides up and down for different size material from 2″×6″ to 2″×12″ lumber. Within the indicator arm is a 90 degree arm that slides left to right and rides up and down allowing the seat cut and soffit cut having different size measurements. On this arm is measurements 1″ to 12″ on top and bottom. The device of the present invention  10  is for left and right handed people. 
     FIG. 3  is a top view of the present invention  10 . The present invention  10  is a rafter square for laying out roof rafters, calculating and marking out the length of ridge cut, bird cut seat cut, fascia and soffit cut and for pitches for common, hip and valley required cuts of rafters having a pivotal locking indicator slide arm  22  that rotates about a pivot and slide point  20  centrally disposed on a straight edge  14  subjacent to a semi-circular pitch indication guide  16  which is located on both sides, left and right of being at square position, upper pitches for common rafters and lower pitches for hip and valley rafters. The sliding, pivotal locking indicator arm  22  is 1″ to 18″ on right and left side with measurements and has a slide track  26  that rides up and down and rotates along the pivot and slide point  20  and is secured in the desired position by a wing nut  18  for different size material from 2″×6″ to 2″×12″ lumber. The elongate edges of the indicator slide arm  14  serve as points of reference  40  relative to the indicia  32  on the pitch indicator guide  16 . Within the indicator arm  22  is a 90 degree arm  28  that slides left to right along its own slide track  28  which intersects with the slide track  26  of the indicator arm  22  and rides up and down therein allowing the seat cut and soffit cut having different size measurements. Indicia  36  are disposed on both sides of the 90 degree arm in measurements 1″ to 12″. Indicia  30 , 32 , 34  is also provided as indication markers on the straight edge  14 , the pitch indicator guide  16  and the indicator slide arm  34 . The pivot and slide points  20  are secured in the desired positions by wing nuts  18 . 
     FIG. 4  is a front view and cut away of the present invention  10 . The present invention  10  is a rafter square for laying out roof rafters, calculating and marking out the length of ridge cut, bird cut seat cut, fascia and soffit cut and for pitches for common, hip and valley required cuts of rafters having a pivotal locking indicator slide arm  22  that rotates about a pivot and slide point  20  centrally disposed on a straight edge  14  subjacent to a semi-circular pitch indication guide  16  which is located on both sides, left and right of being at square position, upper pitches for common rafters and lower pitches for hip and valley rafters. The sliding, pivotal locking indicator arm  22  is 1″ to 18″ on right and left side with measurements and has a slide track  26  that rides up and down and rotates along the pivot and slide point  20  and is secured in the desired position by a wing nut  18  for different size material from 2″×6″ to 2″×12″ lumber. The elongate edges of the indicator slide arm  14  serve as points of reference relative to the indicia  32  on the pitch indicator guide  16 . Within the indicator arm  22  is a 90 degree arm  28  that slides left to right along its own slide track  28  which intersects with the slide track  26  of the indicator arm  22  and rides up and down therein allowing the seat cut and soffit cut having different size measurements. Indicia  36  are disposed on both sides of the 90 degree arm in measurements 1″ to 12″. Indicia  30 , 32 , 34  is also provided as indication markers on the straight edge  14 , the pitch indicator guide  16  and the indicator slide arm  34 . The pivot and slide points  20  are secured in the desired positions by wing nuts  18 . Within the indicator arm  14  is a 90-degree arm  24  that slides left to right and rides up and down allowing the seat cut and soffit cut having different size measurements. On this arm is measurements 1″ to 12″ on top and bottom. 
     FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the present invention  10 . The present invention  10  is a rafter square for laying out roof rafters, calculating and marking out the length of ridge cut, bird cut seat cut, fascia and soffit cut and for pitches for common, hip and valley required cuts of rafters having a pivotal locking indicator slide arm  22  that rotates about a pivot and slide point  20  centrally disposed on a straight edge  14  subjacent to a semi-circular pitch indication guide  16  which is located on both sides, left and right of being at square position, upper pitches for common rafters and lower pitches for hip and valley rafters. The sliding, pivotal locking indicator arm  22  is 1″ to 18″ on right and left side with measurements and has a slide track  26  that rides up and down and rotates along the pivot and slide point  20  and is secured in the desired position by a wing nut  18  for different size material from 2″×6″ to 2″×12″ lumber. The elongate edges of the indicator slide arm  14  serve as points of reference  40  relative to the indicia  32  on the pitch indicator guide  16 . Within the indicator arm  22  is a 90 degree arm  28  that slides left to right along its own slide track  28  which intersects with the slide track  26  of the indicator arm  22  and rides up and down therein allowing the seat cut and soffit cut having different size measurements. Indicia  36  are disposed on both sides of the 90 degree arm in measurements 1″ to 12″. Indicia  30 , 32 , 34  is also provided as indication markers on the straight edge  14 , the pitch indicator guide  16  and the indicator slide arm  34 . The pivot and slide points  20  are secured in the desired positions by wing nuts  18 . Within the indicator arm  14  is a 90-degree arm  24  that slides left to right and rides up and down allowing the seat cut and soffit cut having different size measurements. 
     FIG. 6  is a top view of the present invention. The tool is also designed for bird mouth cuts, ridge cuts, and other type cuts required in the building industry. Shown are the indicator slide arm  22  and 90 degree arm  24  sliding and pivoting along pivot and slide points  20  disposed within their respective slide tracks  26 , 28 . Indicia  30 , 32 , 34 , 36  disposed on the straight edge  14 , the pitch indicator guide  16 , indicator slide arm  22  and the 90 degree arm provide indicator markings for user reference. Wing nuts  18  serve to keep the arms at the desired angles as needed. The edges of the indicator slide arm  22  serve as points of reference  40  relative to the indicia  32  disposed on the pitch indicator guide  16 . 
     FIG. 7  is a frontal view of the present invention  10  showing soffit and fascia cuts being marked off on a piece of lumber  42 . The rafter square  10  is comprised of a protractor member  14 , 16 , measurement arm  22  and right angle arm  24 . The measure arm  24  is pivotally connected to the base arm  14  of the protractor and incorporates means for indicating angular measurement. 
     FIG. 8  is a frontal view of the present invention  10  showing bird mouth cuts being marked off on a piece of lumber  42 . The rafter square  10  is comprised of a protractor member  14 , 16 , measurement arm  22  and right angle arm  24 . The measure arm  24  is pivotally connected to the base arm  14  of the protractor and incorporates means for indicating angular measurement. 
     FIG. 9  is a frontal view of the present invention showing ridge cuts. Shown is a frontal view of the present invention  10  laying out a ridge cut on a piece of lumber  42 . The rafter square  10  is comprised of a protractor member  14 , 16 , measurement arm  22  and right angle arm  24 . The measure arm  24  is pivotally connected to the base arm  14  of the protractor and incorporates means for indicating angular measurement. 
     FIG. 10  is a detailed view of the protractor  13  and indicator slide arm  22  of the present invention. Shown is the relationship of the indicator slide arm  22  with the components of the protractor  13  which comprises a straight edge  14  and a pitch indicator guide  16 , both having indicia  30 , 32 . The edges of the indicator slide arm provide points of reference  40  with regard to the indicia disposed on the pitch indicator guide  16 . The indicator slide arm  22  is secured to a the straight edge  14  at the pivot and slide point  20  by means of a wing nut  18 . 
     FIG. 11  is a detailed view of the pivot and slide point  20  where the indicator slide arm  22  and the 90-degree arm  24  intersect. 
     FIG. 12  is a detailed view of the pivot and slide point  20  where the indicator slide arm  22  and the straight edge  14  intersect. 
     FIG. 13  is a detailed view of straight edge indicia  30  of the present invention. 
   It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together may also find a useful application in other types of methods differing from the type described above. 
   While certain novel features of this invention have been shown and described and are pointed out in the annexed claims, it is not intended to be limited to the details above, since it will be understood that various omissions, modifications, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and in its operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention. 
   Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention.