# US 2017/0284784 A1 · Jig of spirit level clamping aid tools, squares and hand clamps > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2017/0284784 A1 - Document ID: US20170284784A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/390,281 - Filed: 2016-12-23 - Published: 2017-10-05 - Earliest claimed: 2015-12-24 - Inventors: Cosimo Fuda - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20170284784A1 ## CPC - G01B 3/566: {Squares} - B23K 31/02: relating to soldering or welding - B23K 37/0435: {Clamps} - B23K 37/0443: {Jigs} - B23K 37/0533: External pipe alignment clamps - B25B 5/003: {Combinations of clamps} - B25B 5/006: {Supporting devices for clamps} - B25B 5/06: Arrangements for positively actuating jaws - B25B 5/163: {Jaws or jaw attachments} - B25B 7/123: {with self-locking toggle levers} - B25B 11/002: {Magnetic work holders} - B25H 1/10: with provision for adjusting holders for tool or work - B25H 7/00: Marking-out or setting-out work (measuring, gauging G01; optical apparatus G02B; by photographic means G03C) - B25H 7/02: Plates having a flat surface - B43L 7/00: Straightedges (guides; curve rulers or templets B43L13/20; straightedges characterised by the provision of indicia or the like for measuring, e.g. rulers or tapes with measuring scales or marks for direct reading, G01B) - B43L 7/10: Plural straightedges relatively movable - B43L 7/14: Square and sliding straight edges - G01B 3/04: rigid - G01B 3/563: {Protractors (for use in geodesy G01C1/00; protractor heads for drawing machines B43L13/08)} - G01B 5/0004: {Supports (G01B5/025 takes precedence)} - G01C 9/26: Details - G01C 9/28: Mountings - B23K 2101/06: Tubes - B25B 5/04: with pivoted jaws - G01B: MEASURING LENGTH, THICKNESS OR SIMILAR LINEAR DIMENSIONS; MEASURING ANGLES; MEASURING AREAS; MEASURING IRREGULARITIES OF SURFACES OR CONTOURS - B23K: SOLDERING OR UNSOLDERING; WELDING; CLADDING OR PLATING BY SOLDERING OR WELDING; CUTTING BY APPLYING HEAT LOCALLY, e.g. FLAME CUTTING; WORKING BY LASER BEAM - B25B: TOOLS OR BENCH DEVICES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, FOR FASTENING, CONNECTING, DISENGAGING, OR HOLDING - B25H: WORKSHOP EQUIPMENT, e.g. FOR MARKING-OUT WORK; STORAGE MEANS FOR WORKSHOPS (storing or packaging B65) - B43L: ARTICLES FOR WRITING OR DRAWING UPON; {WRITING OR DRAWING AIDS;} ACCESSORIES FOR WRITING OR DRAWING (workshop equipment for marking-out work B25H7/00; teaching hand-writing or drawing G09B11/00) - G01C: MEASURING DISTANCES, LEVELS OR BEARINGS; SURVEYING; NAVIGATION; GYROSCOPIC INSTRUMENTS; PHOTOGRAMMETRY OR VIDEOGRAMMETRY (measuring liquid level G01F; radio navigation, determining distance or velocity by use of propagation effects, e.g. Doppler effects, propagation time, of radio waves, analogous arrangements using other waves G01S) ## Abstract One or more clamping aid tools for mounting to various squares and straight edges, including carpenter squares, framing squares, speed squares or the like, and various straight edges and rulers for easily and accurately positioning various objects, either flat and/or round, magnetic or not. The clamping aid tools can secure these squares and straight edges to various objects while they are being fitted, secured and/or welded together. ## Claims ### Claim at position 1 1-28. (canceled) ### Claim 29 A clamping aid tool comprising: a body having generally flat side surfaces, end surfaces, a top edge surface and a bottom edge surface; said top edge surface is perpendicular to said side surfaces, said bottom edge surface is generally flat and perpendicular to said side surfaces; and at least one elongate slot along the full length of said tools for easily mounting to squares and straight edges. ### Claim 30 (depends on 29) A clamping aid tool of claim 29, wherein the elongate slot height of each clamping aid tool corresponds to a dimension from squares and straight edges; said square dimensions include dimensions from carpenter squares, framing squares, try squares, I′ hardware brackets and the like; said straight edges include straight edges, rulers and the like, and wherein the end surfaces of said clamping aid tools are flat, but alternatively, said end surfaces of said tools can be rounded or a combination of flat and rounded. ### Claim 31 (depends on 30) A clamping aid tool of claim 30, additionally comprising a top edge surface with ‘V’ groove for aligning round objects; a bottom edge surface for aligning flat objects; and said elongate slot can be open along the bottom edge surface or alternatively said elongate slot of said tools can be closed along the bottom edge surface. ### Claim 32 (depends on 31) A clamping aid tool of claim 31, additionally comprising a ‘V’ groove with magnets on said top edge surface for attaching to ferromagnetic objects; and said clamping aid tools with an open bottom edge surface along said elongate slot can vary in width for mounting other thicker squares and straight edges; said tools can include a speed square, a triangular square or the like. ### Claim 33 (depends on 32) A clamping aid tool of claim 32, additionally comprising of threaded holes with mounting screws on one or both sides of said tools, said mounting screws engage and secure a square or straight edge in said elongate slot of said tools, and said mounting holes to align with other tools and component brackets of the present invention. ### Claim 34 (depends on 32) A clamping aid tool of claim 32, additionally comprising of a spring(s) in the elongate slot for securing the tools to squares and straight edges, and said spring(s) type can comprise of a clip, leaf or the like. ### Claim 35 (depends on 33) A clamping aid tool of claim 33, additionally comprising of one or more spirit level vials in the body of the tool, above the elongate slot, and said spirit level vials can be positioned at various angles in relation to the elongate slot. ### Claim 36 (depends on 33) A clamping aid tool of claim 33, additionally comprising a slot perpendicular to the elongate slot; said slot extending from the top edge surface to the bottom edge surface for use with a straight edge, said slot width corresponding to a dimension from a straight edge; said slot preferably a 2 inch width for a 2 inch straight edge, but can be of a different size, and said slot aligning with one of the threaded holes and screws of said tool to form a ‘T’ square. ### Claim 37 (depends on 35) A clamping aid tool of claim 35, additionally comprising a slot perpendicular to the elongate slot; said slot extending from the top edge surface to the bottom edge surface for use with a straight edge, said slot width corresponding to a dimension from a straight edge; said slot preferably a 2 inch width for a 2 inch straight edge, but can be of a different size, and said slot aligning with one of the threaded holes and screws of said tool to form a ‘T’ square. ### Claim 38 (depends on 35) A clamping aid tool of claim 35, additionally comprising: a combination square tool comprising: a slot adapted in the flat end surface for use with a conventional straight edge ruler, a housing in the body for a conventional combination square mounting screw in the body; perpendicular holes in the body for use with the combination square; one hole for the combination mounting screw to engage said perpendicular slot in said flat end surface; said second hole for the combination mounting screw to additionally engage and secure said straight edge ruler in said elongate slot in addition to said threaded holes and mounting screws; a conventional combination square mounting screw for use with a conventional straight edge ruler; and said mounting screw engages a groove in said straight edge ruler in said flat end slot of the tool for securing said ruler at a set measurement. ### Claim 39 (depends on 35) A clamping aid tool of claim 35, additionally comprising a slot in the flat end surface, said slot perpendicular and inline with the main elongate slot for use with a carpenter or framing square, to form a tool known as a try square. ### Claim 40 (depends on 30) A clamping aid tool of claim 30, additionally comprising of two or more elongate slots; said elongate slots can be of the same or of different heights and widths; said elongate slots can be open along the bottom flat edge surface, closed along the bottom edge surface and/or a combination of open and closed along the bottom edge surface of said elongate slots. ### Claim 41 (depends on 40) A clamping aid tool of claim 40, additionally comprising of threaded holes with mounting screws on both sides of the tool to engage a square or straight edge in the elongate slot, and said mounting holes can be positioned to align with mounting holes of other tools of the present invention and additional holes or openings are provided in the portion of the clamping aid tool between the slots to access the adjacent slot(s). ### Claim 42 (depends on 41) A clamping aid tool of claim 41, additionally comprising a ‘V’ groove on the top edge surface. ### Claim 43 (depends on 42) A clamping aid tool of claim 42, additionally comprising a ‘V’ groove with magnets on the top edge surface. ### Claim 44 (depends on 43) A clamping aid tool of claim 43, additionally comprising of one or more spirit level vials in the body of the tool above the elongate slot, and said spirit level vials can be positioned at various angles in relation to said elongate slot. ### Claim 45 (depends on 43) A clamping aid tool of claim 43, additionally comprising a slot perpendicular to the elongate slot; said slot extending from the top edge surface to the bottom edge surface for use with a straight edge, and said straight edge is secured with an aligning mounting hole and screw of the tool to form a ‘T’ square. ### Claim 46 (depends on 41) A clamping aid tool of claim 41, additionally comprising of perpendicular flanges on each end; said flanges are an extension of the end surfaces and connect to a side flange extending from the bottom edge surface; said end surface flanges include matching ‘V’ grooves, and said ‘V’ grooves being perpendicular the top edge surface ‘V’ groove, for added versatility in aligning round objects. ### Claim 47 (depends on 43) A clamping aid tool of claim 43, additionally comprising of perpendicular flanges on each end; said flanges are an extension of the end surfaces and connect to a side flange extending from the bottom edge surface; said end surface flanges include matching ‘V’ grooves, and said ‘V’ grooves being perpendicular the top edge surface ‘V’ groove, for added versatility in aligning round objects. ### Claim 48 (depends on 30) A clamping aid tool of claim 30, additionally comprising one rounded end surface and one flat end surface; said rounded end comprising a pivot bore in the body of the tool above the elongate slot; said pivot bore extending from one side of the tool through to the other side and located in the center between the top edge surface and the bottom edge surface. ### Claim 49 (depends on 48) An angle finder comprising a pair of clamping aid tools of claim 48, connected together with mounting hardware; said mounting hardware can include a connecting screw, a securing nut and one or more washers. ### Claim 50 (depends on 49) An angle finder of claim 49, additionally comprising of threaded mounting holes and mounting screws in both tools; said mounting screws engage said mounting holes and secure a square or straight edge in the elongate slot of the tool. ### Claim 51 (depends on 50) An angle finder tool of claim 50, additionally comprising a ‘V’ groove on the top edge surface of both clamping aid tools for aligning round objects. ### Claim 52 (depends on 51) An angle finder tool of claim 51, additionally comprising a ‘V’ groove with magnets on the top edge surface of both clamping aid tools for aligning and attaching to round ferromagnetic objects. ### Claim 53 (depends on 52) An angle finder of claim 52, wherein one of the clamping aid tools is adapted with a square pivot bore and the other tool is adapted with a degree indicating scale ranging from 0 to 360 degrees located around the pivot bore, and includes the appropriate hardware for connecting both tools together; said hardware comprising a connecting screw with a degree indicator, a securing nut and one or more washers. ### Claim 54 (depends on 53) An angle finder of claim 53, additionally comprising a locking angle finder, wherein one half of the tool includes treaded bore(s) located near and around the pivot bore; the other half includes multiple threaded bores near and around the pivot bore; said threaded bores on the opposing side of the 360 degree scale; and a locking screw engages said threaded bores of both halves of the angle finder, to lock the angle finder at a specific angle; ### Claim 55 (depends on 54) A angle finder of claim 54, additionally comprising a threaded bore of one clamping aid tool extending from one side of the tool through to the other side and aligns with a threaded bore of the other clamping aid tool; said threaded holes are provided between the top and bottom edge surfaces above the elongate slot approximately ½ inch from the end surfaces and the locking screw locks the tools in a folded and closed position. ### Claim 56 (depends on 54) An angle finder of claim 54, additionally comprising of one or more spirit level vials in the clamping aid tools. ### Claim 57 (depends on 56) An angle finder of claim 56, additionally comprising a slot in the body of one half of the tool, said slot perpendicular to the elongate slot; said slot extending from the top edge surface to the bottom edge surface for use with a straight edge, and said straight edge is secured with an aligning mounting hole and screw of the tool to form a ‘T’ square; and the other half of the tool is adapted for additional use as a combination square, comprising: a slot adapted in the flat end surface for use with a conventional straight edge ruler, a opening in the body for a conventional combination square mounting screw; perpendicular holes in the body at the opening, for use with the combination square mounting screw; one hole for the combination mounting screw to engage said perpendicular slot in said flat end surface and a second hole for the combination mounting screw to additionally engage and secure said straight edge ruler in said elongate slot in addition or independent of said threaded holes and mounting screws; a conventional combination square mounting screw for use with a conventional straight edge ruler; and said mounting screw engages a groove in said straight edge ruler inserted in said flat end slot of the tool for securing said ruler at a set measurement. ### Claim 58 (depends on 56) An angle finder of claim 56, wherein the clamping aid tools have equal height slots and can correspond to a dimension of a straight edge, ruler or square, preferably with a 1 inch height. ### Claim 59 (depends on 57) An angle finder of claim 57, wherein the clamping aid tools have equal height slots and can correspond to a dimension of a straight edge, ruler or square, preferably with a 1 inch height. ### Claim 60 (depends on 41) A clamping aid tool of claim 41, additionally comprising a housing for a ½ inch tall sleeve insert in one or more clamping aid tools; said sleeve insert adjusts the height of the elongate slots when using various size squares and straight edges. ### Claim 61 (depends on 43) A clamping aid tool of claim 43, additionally comprising a housing for a ½ inch tall sleeve insert in one or more clamping aid tools; said sleeve insert adjusts the height of the elongate slots when using various size squares and straight edges. ### Claim 62 A triangular square comprising: a right-triangular body; said body comprising of two edges of equal length with forty-five degree opposite angles; a body with a thickness that is equal to the elongate slot opening along the bottom edge surface of a clamping aid tool; mounting holes in the triangular body along all three edges; said mounting holes aligning with mounting holes of clamping aid tools, component bracket and to a modified hand clamp with clamping aid elements of the present invention for creating various tools; said mounting holes ensures the clamping aid tools are mounted and secure in the correct position when used to align various objects, and said triangular square ensures a more accurate 90 degree angle than a carpenter or framing square, when used with the clamping aid tools of the present invention. ### Claim 63 (depends on 62) A triangular square of claim 62, additionally comprising: a plurality of slots of uniform thickness are included the body, said slots parallel to each long edge of the triangular body, and measurements, scales and degree markings on both sides of the tool as found on common squares, including speed squares and roofing squares. ### Claim 64 (depends on 63) A triangular square of claim 63, wherein one of said measurement scales is provided along one of the 90 degree right angle edges; said measurement starts at a set distance from the other 90 degree right-angle edge; said distance equals the height dimension of an elongate slot of an open bottom clamping aid tool to form a speed square like tool, with added features. ### Claim 65 (depends on 63) A triangular square of claim 63, additionally comprising a flange on one of the right angle edges perpendicular to the body; said flange having portions on both sides of the body to form a speed square; said flange includes a ‘V’ groove with magnets on the bottom of said flange, along its length for aligning round objects. ### Claim 66 A speed square comprising: generally of right-triangular body with forty-five degree opposite angles; a flange secured to one of the right angle edges perpendicularly thereto; said flange having portions on each side of the body and includes a ‘V’ groove on the bottom of the flange for aligning round objects. ### Claim 67 (depends on 66) A speed square of claim 66, additionally comprising a ‘V’ groove with magnets for use with round ferromagnetic objects. ### Claim 68 (depends on 67) A speed square of claim 67, additionally comprising mounting holes along all three edges for aligning and connecting to clamping aid tools and component brackets of the present invention; a plurality of slots of uniform thickness are included the body, said slots parallel to each long edge of the triangular body, and at least one portion of the flange having a wider surface area for clamping said speed square to various objects. ### Claim 69 (depends on 68) A speed square of claim 68, additionally comprising various common measurements, scales, and degree markings as found with common squares, including speed squares and roofing squares; and said measurements, scales and degree markings are provided on both sides of the square. ### Claim 70 (depends on 69) A speed square of claim 69, additionally comprising parallel slots in the flange; said slots include one on each side of the square to permit passage and use of band strapping as an extra feature for securing a round object along the ‘V’ groove. ### Claim 71 (depends on 70) A speed square of claim 70, additionally comprising holes in the flange for securing said speed square as a shelf bracket or corner clamp. ### Claim 72 A first and second component bracket for attaching to the clamping aid tools at different heights and positions; said component brackets corresponding to dimensions of squares and straight edges and each can provide a different function. ### Claim 73 (depends on 72) A first component bracket of claim 72, comprising: generally an ‘L’ shaped angle bracket having a front face and a face flange, end face flanges on the ends of the ‘L’ bracket perpendicularly connected to the front face and face flange; a front edge surface and a top edge surface; said end face flanges each comprising matching ‘V’ grooves on the front edge surface, and perpendicular to the ‘V’ grooves on the top edge surface, for aligning round objects when connected to a clamping aid tool, angle finder, or squares of the present invention; a plurality of rows of mounting holes on the front face spaced equally apart; said mounting holes adjust the mounting height of the said component bracket when different size squares and straight edges are used with a clamping aid tool; a row of mounting holes along the face flange; and said mounting holes on both perpendicular surfaces can be used with various squares of the present invention for creating a corner bracket for aligning or bracing various objects or as a shelf hanging bracket. ### Claim 74 (depends on 72) A second component bracket of claim 72, comprising: an ‘L’ shaped bracket with a plurality of rows of mounting holes on both perpendicular surfaces for mounting to a clamping aid tool at different heights and positions; said mounting hole rows are spaced equally apart by increments of ½ inch to adjust to different size squares and straight edges when used with the clamping aid tools; said component bracket can be attached to the clamping aid tools by using the mounting holes on either side to perform a different function of use, and said component bracket can be used as a aligning corner bracket, a bracing corner bracket or as a shelf hanging bracket when used with the various squares of the present invention. ### Claim 75 (depends on 43) A clamping aid tool of claim 43, wherein the securing device can comprises of one or more springs; and said spring(s) can include clip, leaf or the like. ### Claim 76 A conventional clamp adapted for use with clamping aid elements comprising: a plate-like body, a front face, a back face, two perpendicular members on the back face for connecting to various modified conventional clamps; a connecting means for connecting said clamping element to said clamp; rows of mounting holes through said plate body for attaching to the tools of the present invention, said tools including clamping aid tools, a triangular square and speed square; and said clamping element secured to one or both arms of locking clamps, or one or both jaws of bar clamps, pipe clamps, regular ‘C’ clamps or other clamps with a strong clamping force. ### Claim 77 (depends on 76) A hand clamp with clamping elements of claim 76, additionally comprising: a connection with a pivot pivotally connecting said clamping aid elements to said modified hand clamps said clamp provides a portable and versatile jig when combined with the clamping aid tools, and can additionally be used with various squares and straight edges for aligning various flat and round objects. ### Claim 78 (depends on 77) A hand clamp with clamping elements of claim 77, additionally comprising a perpendicular pad connected to the bottom of the edge plate; said pad aimed towards the clamp and provides protection to the surface area of an object or material when clamping. ### Claim 79 A conventional hand clamp modified for use with a clamping aid element comprising: a channel like body, a front face, a back face, a top surface, two perpendicular members extending from the body for connecting to various arms or jaws of adapted hand clamps; said clamps include locking clamps, a bar clamps, regular ‘C’ clamps, pipe clamps and other clamps with a high clamping force; a slot for mounting and securing squares and straight edges to an object; said slot corresponding to a dimension from said squares and said straight edges; said squares include carpenter and framing squares and straight edges include straight edges, rulers and the like; and a connecting means for connecting said clamping aid element(s) to said adapted hand clamps. ### Claim 80 A hand clamp with clamping aid elements of claimed 79, additionally comprising two or more slots of the same or different heights; said slot heights corresponding to dimensions from various squares and straight edges; said squares include carpenter and framing squares and straight edges include straight edges, rulers and the like; and ### Claim 81 (depends on 80) A hand clamp with clamping aid elements of claim 80, additionally comprising, a perpendicular pad extending from the bottom edge surface of said clamping aid element and provides a protection to a surface area of an object or material when clamping. ### Claim 82 (depends on 81) A hand clamp with clamping aid elements of claim 81, wherein the clamping aid elements are fixed to the arms or jaws of various hand clamps; said clamps include locking clamps, a bar clamps, regular ‘C’ clamps, pipe clamps and other clamps with a high clamping force. ### Claim 83 A kit comprising two or more clamping aid tools, multiple first and second component brackets, and triangular square of the present invention or any combination of these items; wherein each clamping aid tool can include elongate slots of the same or of different heights and widths; said elongate slot heights of each clamping aid tools can have various combinations for mounting to various squares and straight edges, said squares include carpenter and framing squares, and said straight edges include straight edges, rulers or the like. ### Claim 84 (depends on 83) A kit of claim 83, additionally comprising two or more hand clamps adapted with the various clamping aid elements. ### Claim 85 A ‘L’ square with mounting holes in accordance with the present invention; said ‘L’ squares include a carpenter or framing square or plain ‘L’ square for use with clamping aid tools, component brackets, and hand clamps of the present invention; said squares are combined with said tools and/or component brackets to align and secure various objects; and said ‘L’ squares combined with said component brackets and can be used as a aligning corner bracket, a bracing corner bracket or as a shelf hanging bracket. ### Claim 86 (depends on 43) A clamping aid tool of claim 43, additionally comprising a slot perpendicular to the elongate slot of the tool; said slot along one side of the tool; said slot extending from the top edge surface to the bottom edge surface for use with a straight edge and secured with a component bracket, to form a ‘T’ square.