Patent ID: 8006401

Claim:
A cut-out tool ( 10 ) for making a utility receptacle ( 12 ) cut-out in sheeting material ( 16 ) that is to be secured to a structural support ( 14 ) to which the utility receptacle ( 12 ) is secured, the utility receptacle ( 12 ) including a plurality of interconnected walls ( 18 ) defining a receptacle chamber ( 20 ) between the walls ( 18 ), the cut-out tool ( 10 ) comprising: a. an exterior template ( 32 ) having a mounting post ( 34 ) to extend beyond a mounting surface ( 36 ) of the template ( 32 ) a distance greater than a thickness ( 38 ) of the sheeting material ( 16 ) and configured to be received within the receptacle chamber ( 20 ) and secured by the interconnected walls ( 18 ) of the utility receptacle ( 12 ), said template has a perimeter larger than a perimeter of the utility receptacle, the template ( 32 ) also including a cutting surface ( 40 ) opposed to the mounting surface ( 36 ) of the template ( 32 ), the cutting surface ( 40 ) defining a cutting slot ( 42 ) passing completely through the template ( 32 ) and, whenever the mounting post ( 34 ) of the template ( 32 ) is secured within the receptacle chamber ( 20 ) of the utility receptacle ( 12 ), the cutting slot ( 42 ) being configured to substantially and contiguously overlie at least one-half of an exterior perimeter ( 28 ) of the utility receptacle ( 12 ); and, b. wherein the exterior template ( 32 ) includes an alignment guide apparatus ( 50 ), ( 52 ), ( 54 ), ( 56 ), ( 58 A), ( 58 B) configured to guide one-hundred and eighty degree pivoting of the mounting surface ( 36 ) of the exterior template ( 32 ) relative to the mounting post ( 34 ), the alignment guide apparatus comprising an alignment guide spring ( 50 ) within an alignment cylinder ( 52 ) secured by an alignment screw ( 54 ) to force an alignment ball ( 56 ) into one of two alignment recesses ( 58 A, 58 B) defined within the mounting surface ( 36 ) of the exterior template ( 32 ).