Patent Document

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
   This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 09/551,681 filed Apr. 18, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,766,282, the entire contents of which is incorporated herein by reference. 

   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates generally to a structure layout and marking during construction. More particularly, the present invention relates to an automated layout system that acquires data directly from the architectural design e.g., drawing, blueprint, or CAD (computer aided design)) to generate a template to locate the building elements of a structure. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Generally building construction includes framing. In platform framing, which is used for most residential construction, the first floor is built on top of the foundation walls as though it were a platform. The floor provides a base upon which the carpenter can assemble wall sections and then raise them into place. The wall sections may support a platform for the second floor where the wall sections and partitions are again built and erected. Each floor is framed separately. The roof is framed above the upper walls. 
   Typically, a carpenter must read a building blueprint to determine the dimensions for each wall. The carpenter then uses a flexible measuring tape to make manual measurements of distances along a structural member such as a top or bottom plate of a wall. Markings are manually applied to the structural member to locate the positions of various members such as studs, jack posts, cripples, etc. Additionally, the locations for doors and windows have to be manually marked. 
   The manual marking method is time consuming and requires a large number of measurements. The measurements may also require the assistance of another person. Measuring and marking errors may result in misplaced components such as doors or windows. These mistakes can result in costly construction delays involving reinstallation and rebuilding of structural elements. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention provides an automated layout system that acquires data directly from the architectural design (e.g, drawing, blueprint, or CAD (computer aided design)). The automated layout system then generates a full size template, hereafter referred to as ˜banner,” for denoting the precise location of building components such as studs, doors, windows, etc., for a building under construction. 
   The present invention in one embodiment generally provides an apparatus comprising: 
   an input system for acquiring an architectural design of a structure; 
   a processing system for converting the architectural design into a plurality of component locations of the structure; and 
   an output system for receiving at least one component location from the processing system and for outputting each component location as markings on a banner, the banner being sized to overlay a first surface of an elongated framing element of the structure, the elongated framing element having a rectangular cross section defined by said first surface, an opposite surface and two narrow side surfaces. 
   The architectural design may include an identification of a first component of the structure. This identification may comprise at least one of a (a) vendor part number for said first component and (b) dimensional measurements of the first component. The first component may comprise a door or a window, and the measurements may comprise rough opening dimensional measurements of the door or window. Alternatively, the processing system may determine dimensions of the first component by using the vendor part number to access a data base of vendor part specifications. 
   In another aspect, the architectural design may include a job site location metric, and the processing system may determine particular region engineering specifications for the structure by using this metric to access a data base of such specifications. 
   In another aspect, the structure may comprise a roof truss assembly, a gable end and/or a rafter assembly. When the structure is a roof truss assembly, the framing element may comprise a top chord or a bottom chord. When the structure comprises a gable end, the framing element may comprise at least one of a rafter and a bottom plate. When the structure comprises a roof top assembly, the framing element may comprise a rafter member and the at least one component location may comprise a location of at least one of (a) an end cut, (b) a bird&#39;s mouth cut, (c) a hip jack rafter, and (d) a valley jack rafter. 
   The present invention provides a method comprising the steps of: 
   providing an architectural design of a framing structure; 
   with a computer aided design system, generating a digitized data file from the architectural design; 
   with a processing system, converting the digitized data file into a plurality of component locations of the structure; and 
   marking the location for at least one component onto at least one banner, the banner being sized to overlay a first surface of an elongated reference component of the framing structure, the reference component having a rectangular cross section defined by the first surface, an opposite surface and a pair of narrower side surfaces; and 
   applying a gasket to said banner. 
   The banner may be oversized so that a portion of the banner extends beyond the first surface and the gasket is affixed to said portion. The banner may be attached onto the first surface of the reference component with the banner portion affixed to a side or end surface of the component. 
   The present invention also provides a banner sized to overlay an elongated framing element of a building structure, comprising: 
   an elongated sheet of material; and 
   a plurality of uniformly spaced markings on the elongated sheet of material for indicating a location for at least one component of the structure, these markings including junction set back markings. The markings may also include stud location markings, and at least one of wall board location markings and directional markings. 
   In another aspect, a banner sized to overlay an elongated framing element of the building structure comprises: 
   an elongated sheet of material; and 
   a plurality of markings on the elongated sheet of material for indicating a location for at least one component of the structure, and the structure comprises a roof truss assembly, a gable end, and/or a rafter assembly. 
   In a further aspect, a weatherproofing gasket may be affixed to the sheet of material forming the banner, or the sheet of material may be comprised of printable weatherproofing gasket material. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The features of the present invention will best be understood from a detailed description of the invention and a preferred embodiment thereof selected for the purposes of illustration and shown in the accompanying drawings in which: 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a schematic apparatus view of an automated layout system; 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a schematic view of a flow chart of the automated layout system; 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a plan view of a banner attached to a first reference component and a second reference component of a structure; 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a side view of the banner attached to the first reference component and the second reference component; 
       FIG. 5  illustrates an end view of the banner attached to the first reference component and the second reference component; 
       FIG. 6  illustrates a plan view of the banner separated into a first banner portion and a second banner portion; 
       FIG. 7  illustrates a side view of a framed wall of the structure including an electrical component, a plumbing component, a heating, ventilation, or air conditioning component, and a window opening; 
       FIG. 8  illustrates another embodiment of a banner including a door opening; 
       FIG. 9  illustrates a side view of a framed wall of a structure including the door opening; 
       FIG. 10  illustrates a side view of a roof truss; 
       FIG. 11  illustrates another embodiment of a banner for a bottom chord of the roof truss; 
       FIG. 12  illustrates a banner for a top chord of a the roof truss; 
       FIG. 13  illustrates a side view of a gable end; 
       FIG. 14  Illustrates a plan view of a banner for a plate member of the gable end; 
       FIG. 15  illustrates a plan view of a banner for a gable rafter; 
       FIG. 16  illustrates a perspective view of a rafter member of the structure; 
       FIG. 17  illustrates a perspective view of a hip rafter member of the structure; 
       FIG. 18  illustrates a perspective view of a valley rafter member of the structure; and 
       FIG. 19  illustrates a schematic plan view for a builder to determine the locations for each banner; 
       FIG. 20  illustrates a banner for a rafter member; 
       FIG. 21  illustrates the application of a gasket to the banner of the present invention; 
       FIG. 22  is a side view illustrating the use of a banner with a gasket on a framing element; 
       FIG. 23  illustrates a plan view of a first side of a generic banner; and 
       FIG. 24  illustrates a plan view of a reverse side of the generic banner of  FIG. 23 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   Although certain preferred embodiments of the present invention will be shown and described in detail, it should be understood that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the appended claims. The scope of the present invention will in no way be limited to the number of constituting components, the materials thereof, the shapes thereof, the relative arrangement thereof, etc., which are disclosed simply as an example of the preferred embodiment. The features and advantages of the present invention are illustrated in detail in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout the drawings. Although the drawings are intended to illustrate the present invention, the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. 
     FIG. 1  illustrates a schematic apparatus view of an automated layout system  10 . The automated layout system  10  includes an input system  12 , a processing system  14 , and an output system  16 . The input system  12  acquires an architectural design  30  of a structure  32  ( FIG. 7 ). 
     FIG. 2  illustrates a schematic view of a flow chart of the automated layout system  10 . A designer creates an architectural design  30  of a structure  32  ( FIG. 7 ). The structure  32  may be, for example, a wall of a residential building, an office building, a warehouse, etc. The architectural design  30  may be generated using a Computer Aided Design System (CAD) 34 . The CAD system  34  converts the architectural design  30  into a digital drawing data file  36 . The digital drawing data file  36  is sent to the input system  12 . From the input system  12  the digital drawing data file  36  is sent to the processing system  14 . the processing system  14  may include a computer  38 . The computer  38  may include a display system  24  ( FIG. 1 ) for displaying information transmitted from the computer  38 . The computer  38  may include any suitable device, for example, a keyboard  26  or mouse, for enabling an operator to send commands to the computer  38 . The display system  24  and the keyboard  26  may be included in a workstation  250 . 
   The architectural design  30  includes component  40  information. The component  40  information may include a structural member  40 A, a window  40 B, a door  40 C, an electrical element  40 D, a plumbing element  40 E, and a heating, ventilation, air conditioning element  40 F, etc. The structural member  40 A may include a wooden member  40 G a metallic member  40 H, or other building material of the structure  32 . The window  40 B information, door  40 C information and other component information may include not only the specific location of the component but also a particular component identification such as a vendor part or call out number, or actual rough opening dimensional measurements. Vendor part numbers may be used to access a data base of vendor part specifications in order to determine the dimensions of components. The component  40  information is transmitted through the input system  12  to the processing system  14 . 
   The architectural design  30  may include an architectural drawing  42 , such as a blueprint. The architectural drawing  42  may be fed through a scanning system  22 . The scanning system  22  generates a digital drawing data file  36 A that is transmitted through the input system  12  into the processing system  14 . 
   The architectural design  30  may include Uniform Building Code (UBC) or International Residential Code (IRC) or other building code  44  data that is transmitted through the input system  12  into the processing system  14 . The UBC  44  data contains local building code standards that a structure must meet. These standards include, for example, structural member  40 A thickness dimensions and spacings. 
   The architectural design  30  may also include a building site area code number or other job site location metric which can be used to identify and access particular region engineering specifications for the structure. Such specifications may be stored in a data base associated with input system  12  and/or processing system  14 . 
   The processing system  14  combines the component  40  information, the digital drawing data file  36 ,  36 A, and the code  44  data. The processing system  14  calculates and generates the dimensional location for each of the component  40  (e.g., structural member  40 A, window  40 B, door  40 C, electrical element  40 D, plumbing element  40 E, heating, ventilation, air conditioning element  40 F, etc.) within the structure  32 . The dimensional location of each component  40  is digitized and automatically transferred to the output system  16 . 
   The output system  16  may send the digitized dimensional location of each component  40  to a network  20 . The network  20  may be, e.g., an internet connection, a computer network, etc. The network  20  may transmit digitized dimensional location information for each component  40  to a remote computer system  28 . The remote computer system  28  may be used to output a banner  48 A. Additionally, the output system  16  may store the digitized location for each component  40  on any suitable storage media (e.g., hard disk, floppy disk, tape, etc.). The storage media may then be transported and inserted into the remote computer system  28 . The remote computer system  28  may be used to output the banner  48 A. 
   The output system  16  sends the digitized dimensional location of each component  40  to the printing system  18 . The printing system  18  prints a banner  48 . The banner  48  is a full size template including a plurality of markings  50 , a plurality of component identification numbers  52 , colored markings  54 , dimensional data  56  (e.g., English, Metric, etc.)and so on. The banner  48  may be made from any suitable durable waterproof sheet material, for example, TYVEK™ (DuPont), plastic, etc. The TYVEK™ includes spunbonded olefin fibres. The markings  50  show the location for each component  40  of the structure  32  on the banner  48 . The markings may be uniformly spaced, for example, at 16 inch intervals to indicate stud spacing. The markings  50  may be colored markings  54  to indicate a component type, such as black for the structural member  40 A, red for the electrical element  40 D, blue for the plumbing element  40 E, and green for the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning element  40 F. Identification numbers  52  (e.g., vendor part numbers) may be printed on the banner  48  adjacent to the location of the component such as a window  40 B or a door  40 C. Dimensional data  56  for structural member  40 A lengths may be printed on the banner  48 . The dimensional data  56  may be printed in any suitable standard (e.g., English, Metric, etc.). One or more different types of the markings  50  may be pre-printed on the sheet material forming the banner  48  (e.g., by the manufacture of the sheet material of the banner  48 , by other manufacturers, or by a printing company, etc.) prior to the banner  48  being printed by the printing system  18 . For example, indicia, such as uniformly spaced lines arranged 16″ on center, may be pre-printed on the sheet material forming the banner  48 . The banner is preferably sized to overlay a first broader surface of an elongated framing element but may be sized and/or placed on a narrower side surface of the element. 
   The printing system  18  may print a listing of components  58 . The listing of components  58  includes a printout of all of the components  40  in a structure  32  for each banner  48  within the structure  32 . The printing system  18  may print a schematic plan view  60  of the banner  48  locations within the structure  32 . 
     FIGS. 3 ,  4  and  5  illustrates the banner  48  attached to a first reference component  62 A and a second reference component  63 A of a structure  32 A ( FIG. 7 ).  FIG. 3  illustrates a plan view of the banner  48  attached to the first reference component  62 A and the second reference component  63 A.  FIG. 4  illustrates a side view of the banner  48  attached to the first reference component  62 A and the second reference component  63 A.  FIG. 5  illustrates an end view of the banner  48  attached to the first reference component  62 A and the second reference component  63 A. The first reference component  62 A is a bottom plate of the structure  32 A and the second reference component  63 A is a top plate of the structure  32 A as illustrated in  FIG. 7 . The first reference component  62 A and the second reference component  63 A are placed adjacent to each other and the banner  48  is attached to the first reference component  62 A and the second reference component  63 A ( FIGS. 3 ,  4 , and  5 ). The markings  50  on the banner indicate the location of the components  40  such as structural members  40 A, the window  40 B, the electrical element  400 , the plumbing element  40 E, and the heating, ventilation, air conditioning element  40 F, etc. 
   As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the markings  50  for structural members  40 A include a plurality of stud locations  64 , a plurality of jack locations  66 , and a plurality of cripple locations  68 . Markings  50  include a location  70  for a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning element  40 F. Markings  50  include a location  72 A and a location  72 B for the electrical element  400 . Markings  50  include the location  174  for the plumbing element  40 E.  FIG. 3  illustrates an identification part number  76  for a window  40 B that is printed on the banner  48 . Marking  50  includes lines  78  for identifying the location for the window  40 B. The lengths and the quantity of the structural members  40 A including a plurality of jacks  80 , a plurality of cripples  82 , a sill  84 , a plurality of headers  86 , and a header sill  86  are printed  88  onto the banner  48 . Markings  50  include dotted lines  90 A and  90 B spaced 4 feet apart to denote the location for a four foot wide wall board (not shown). Markings  50  include a cut line  94  that is cut by a sharp object such as a knife. 
   Cutting along the cut line  94  of the banner  48  separates the first reference component  62 A from the second reference component  63 A ( FIG. 6 ). Thus, the banner  48  is separated into a first banner portion  96 A and a second banner portion  97 A. The first banner portion  96 A remains attached to the first reference component  62 A, and the second banner portion  97 A remains attached to the second reference component  63 A. The first reference component  62 A forms the bottom plate of the structure  32 . The second reference component  63 A forms the top plate of the structure  32 . The markings  50  include a direction arrow  92 A printed on the first banner portion  96 A, and a direction arrow  92 B printed on the second banner portion  97 A. The direction arrows  92 A and  92 B are kept pointing in the same direction when the first reference component  62 A and the second reference component  63 A are placed into position as bottom  98  and the top  100  of the structure  32 . 
   A plurality of studs  102  are cut to the appropriate selected length and are located and attached to the first reference component  62 A and the second reference, component  63 A at the stud location  64  markings  50  ( FIG. 7 ). The jacks  80 , the cripples  82 , the sill  84 , the headers  86 , and the header sill  87  are cut to the lengths as indicated on the printed list  88  on the banner  48  ( FIG. 3 ). The jacks  80  are located and attached to the first reference component  62 A as indicated by the jack location  66  markings  50 . The cripples  82  are located and attached to the first reference component  62 A as indicated by the cripple location  68  markings  50 . The sill  84  is attached to the cripples  82  and jacks  80 . The header sill  87  is attached to the jacks  80 . The headers  86  are attached to the studs  102  and the second reference component  63 A. The jacks  80 , the sill  84  and the header sill  87  form a window opening  104 . 
     FIG. 7  illustrates a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning element  40 F positioned at the marking  50  location  70 . The heating, ventilation, and air conditioning element  40 F may be any component (e.g., supply duct, return duct, etc.). The electrical element  400  is positioned at the  72 A and  72 B marking  50  locations. The electrical element  400  may be any electrical component (e.g., outlet, wire, switch, etc.). The plumbing element  40 E is positioned at the marking  50  location  74 . The plumbing element  40 E may be any plumbing component (e.g., cold water pipe” hot water pipe, drain pipe, etc.). 
     FIG. 8  illustrates another embodiment of a banner  48 B. The banner  48 B includes markings  50  for stud locations  64  and a plurality of jack locations  66 . Marking  50  includes lines  106  for identifying the location for the door  40 C. The lengths and the number of structural members  40 B including a plurality of jacks  80 B, a plurality of headers  86 B, and a header sill  87   a  are printed  108  on the banner  48 B. The banner  48 B is attached to a first reference component  62 B and a second reference component  63 B. The markings  50  include a cut line  94 B that is cut by the knife. 
   Similar to the banner  48 , cutting along the cut line  94 B of banner  48 B separates the first reference component  62 B from the second reference component  63 B. The banner  48 B is separated into a first banner portion  96 B and a second banner portion  97 B. The first banner portion  96 B remains attached to the first reference component  62 B, and the second banner portion  97 B remains attached to the second reference component  63 B. The first reference component  62 B is a bottom plate of the structure  32 B and the second reference component  638  is a top plate of the structure  32 B as illustrated in  FIG. 9 . 
   A plurality of studs  102  are cut to a uniform selected length and are located and attached to the first reference component  62 B and the second reference component  63 B at stud location  64  markings  50 . The jacks  80 B, the header sill  87 B, and the headers  86 B are cut to the lengths as indicated on the printed list  108  on the banner  48 B ( FIG. 8 ). The jacks  80 B are located and attached to the first reference component  62 B as indicated by the jack location  66  markings  50 . The header sill  87 B is attached to the jacks  80 B. The headers  86 B are attached to the studs  102  and the second reference component  63 B. After the structure  32 B is erected, cuts  116 A and  116 B are made through the first reference component  62 B. Then a portion  110  of the first reference component  62 B is removed from the door opening  112 . 
     FIG. 10  illustrates a side view of a roof truss assembly  116 . The roof truss assembly includes a bottom chord  118 , a top chord  120 A, a top chord  120 B, and a plurality of web members  122 A- 1220 .  FIG. 11  illustrates a banner  4 ˜C that attaches to a bottom chord  118  of the roof truss assembly  116 . The banner  48 C is attached to the bottom chord  118  and is used to locate the web members  122 A and  122 B at the location  124 A, and the web members  122 C and  1220  at the location  124 B. 
   As illustrated in  FIG. 12 , a banner  480  includes markings  50  for a location  126 , a location  128 , and a location  130 . A first copy of the banner  480  is attached to the top chord  120 A, and a second copy of the banner  480  is attached to the top chord  120 B. For the top chord  120 A, the location  126  positions the top chord  120 B with the bottom chord  118 , the location  128  positions the top chord  120 A with the web member  1220 , and the location  130  positions the top chord  120 A with the web member  122 C. For the top chord  120 B, the location  126  positions the top chord  120 B with bottom chord  118 , the location  128  positions the top chord  120 B with the web member  122 A, and the location  130  positions the top chord  120 B with the web member  122 B. 
     FIG. 13  illustrates a side view of a gable end  132 . The gable end  132  includes a bottom plate  134 , a rafter  136 A and a rafter  136 B, and a plurality of studs  138 A- 138 K. A banner  48 E is illustrated in  FIG. 14 . The banner  48 E includes location  142 A- 142 K markings  50  corresponding to the locations for the studs  138 A- 138 K. A location  144 A marking  50  and a location  144 B marking  50  corresponds to the position of the rafter  136 A and the rafter  136 B. The banner  48 E is attached to the base plate  134 . A banner  48 F is illustrated in  FIG. 15 . The banner  48  F includes location  146 A- 146 E and location  148  markings  50 . A first copy of the banner  48 F is attached to the rafter  136 A and a second copy of the banner  48 F is attached to the rafter  136 B. The markings on the banner  48 F on rafter  136 A locate the studs  138 G- 138 K and the base plate  134 . The markings on the banner  48 F on rafter  136 B locate the studs  138 A- 138 E and the base plate  134 . 
     FIG. 16  illustrates a perspective view of a rafter member  150 . A banner  48 G is attached to the rafter member  150 . The banner  48 G, as illustrated in  FIG. 20 , provides a full size template so that the rafter member  150  has been cut to conform to the banner  48 G shape. The banner  48 G includes markings  50  for an over hang detail or end cut  152 , a plumb angle or end cut  154 , and a “bird&#39;s mouth” cut  156 . The “bird&#39;s mouth” cut  156  allows the rafter member  150  to accept a double top plate  158 . 
     FIG. 17  illustrates a perspective view of a hip rafter member  160 . A banner  48 K is attached to the hip rafter member  160 . The banner  48 K provides a full size template so that the hip rafter member  160  has been cut to conform to the banner  48 K shape. The banner  48 K includes markings  50  for an end cut  162 , and for a plurality of locations  164 A- 164 E. The plurality of locations  164 A- 164 E position a plurality of hip jack rafters  166 A- 166 E, respectively. 
     FIG. 18  illustrates a perspective view of a valley rafter member  168 . A banner  48 H and a banner  48 J are attached to the rafter member  168 . The banner  48 H and the banner  48 J provide full size templates onto the rafter member  168  and the rafter member  168  has been cut to conform to the shapes of the banner  48 H and the banner  48 J. The banner  48 H includes markings  50  for a plurality of locations  170 A- 170 C, and for a “bird&#39;s mouth cut”  172 . The plurality of locations  170 A- 170 C position the valley jack rafters  174 A- 174 C. The “bird&#39;s mouth cut”  172  accepts the double top plate  176 . The banner  48 J includes markings  50  for a plurality of locations  178 A- 178 C, and for the “bird&#39;s mouth cut”  172 . The plurality of locations  178 A- 178 C position a plurality of valley jack rafters  180 A- 180 C. 
     FIG. 19  illustrates a schematic plan view  200  of a structure  32 E such as a building. The printing system  18  ( FIG. 2 ) prints the schematic plan view  200 . The schematic plan view  200  includes a plurality of banner locations  202 A- 202 E. Each banner  48 L- 48 P includes a unique banner number that is printed onto each banner  48 L- 48 P and onto the schematic plan view  200 . For example, if the banner  48 L at location  202 A is given a number “1floor1”, then “1floor1” is printed onto the banner  48 L and also onto the schematic plan view  200 . A builder uses the schematic plan view  200  to determine the locations for each banner  48 L- 48 P. The direction arrow  92 A ( FIG. 3 ) is printed on each banner  48 L- 48 P. Additionally, the direction arrow  92 A is printed onto the schematic plan view  200  for each banner location  202 A- 220 E. The direction arrow  92 A allows a builder to position each banner  48 L- 48 P in a proper orientation. Additionally, locations for components  40  such as windows  40 B and doors  40 C are printed on the schematic plan view  200 . 
   It may be advantageous to add a gasket to edges of a banner substrate to form a continuous weatherproofing gasket barrier when the banner is attached to a framing element of a building structure. As illustrated in the end view of  FIG. 21 , a banner  48 Q may overlay a first surface of a pair of reference components  62 A and  62 B, and a gasket  203  may be affixed to an overhanging portion  204  of the banner substrate. The overhanging portion  204  can then be attached to a side or end surface of the reference component. Gasket  203  may comprise foam or any other suitable weatherproofing gasket material. The gasket material may be affixed, for example, with adhesive, to the overhanging portion of the oversized banner  48 Q after the banner has been printed by the printer. Gasket  203  could also be applied to the split or cut middle of the banner to address the other lateral side surface of an individual reference component. 
   As shown in  FIG. 22 , gasket  203  is especially useful where plywood or other sheathing  205  on the outside of a wall and sheetrock material  206  on the inside come in contact with a framing element  207  having gasket  203  on its two side surfaces. This occurs throughout the total lineal perimeter of the building structure. Eventually, the wall cavity between sheathing  205  and sheetrock  206  will be filled with insulation. The gasket  203  on the sides of framing element  207  serves to eliminate wind infiltration into insulation cavity  208  thus allowing the manufacturer&#39;s insulation to perform at its highest performance rating. Alternatively the oversized banner could be made entirely from printable gasket material. 
     FIG. 23  illustrates a generic banner  210  of the present invention. This generic banner can be printed by the printer of the present invention or provided as a preprinted banner by a banner manufacturer. 
   A first side  212  of banner  210  is provided with uniformly spaced markings including stud location markings  214 , wallboard markings  216 , directional markings  218 , e.g. arrows, and junction set back markings  220 . The junction set back markings are used when framing elements abut orthogonally. For 2″×4″ studs, banner  210  may have a width of 7″ with the set back marking  220  located 3 ½″ from a remote end of an adjacent stud location marking  216 . For a 2×6 stud system, the banner width might be 11″ with a corresponding set back marking distance of 5½″. The latter system is illustrated in  FIG. 24  and may be marked on a reverse side  222  of banner  210 . Double-sided printed banner  210  can thus be used with either 2×4 or 2×6 stud systems. As is well known in the 2×4 system, studs are located 16″ on center on side  212 ; on reverse side  222 , the 2×6 stud system would use 24″ on center locations. Other stud placement locations are, of course, also possible. Instead of printing on two sides of a banner, markings for different stud size systems may be provided on the same side of a banner and distinguished by use of different colors or other differentiating features. Different banners for different stud size and spacing systems may also be provided. 
   The foregoing description of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed, and many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. For example, the automated layout system  10  may be used to create banners  48  for any suitable structure (e.g., a residential building, a commercial building, a warehouse, a boat, etc.). Such modifications and variations that may be apparent to a person skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of this invention as defined by the accompanying claims.

Technology Category: 0