# US 4,394,801 A · Multifunction, multipurpose construction tool

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 4,394,801 A
- Document ID: US4394801A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 06/262,998
- Filed: 1981-05-12
- Granted: 1983-07-26
- Earliest claimed: 1981-05-12
- Inventors: Francis Thibodeaux
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US4394801A

## CPC

- G01B 3/56: Gauges for measuring angles or tapers, e.g. conical calipers
- B25H 7/00: Marking-out or setting-out work (measuring, gauging G01; optical apparatus G02B; by photographic means G03C)
- G01B: MEASURING LENGTH, THICKNESS OR SIMILAR LINEAR DIMENSIONS; MEASURING ANGLES; MEASURING AREAS; MEASURING IRREGULARITIES OF SURFACES OR CONTOURS
- B25H: WORKSHOP EQUIPMENT, e.g. FOR MARKING-OUT WORK; STORAGE MEANS FOR WORKSHOPS (storing or packaging B65)

## Abstract

A multifunction, multipurpose construction tool comprised generally of two operating arms pivotally connected via their terminal ends, preferably their rounded terminal ends, one to the other, an angle indicator being provided at the pivotal connection, or hub, for reading the angle formed by the two arms. A pair of alternately disposed abuttments are located at the extremities defining the rounded end of one of said arms as well as the beginning and end of the scale of angular component values of the scale. A stop located on the rounded terminal end of the other pivotally connected arm provides a means for indexing the scale of angular values between said alternately disposed abuttments. In its preferred form, the operating arm carrying the indicia representative of the angular scale of values is constituted of a pair of alternately disposed generally similar spaced apart panels, the indicia marks are located on an outer surface of the rounded end of the pivotally connected terminal end of said member, and the opposite arm is constituted of a single panel which can be retracted within the spaced apart alternately disposed panels.

## Claims

### Claim 1

In apparatus characterized as a multifunction, multipurpose tool for use in the construction trades, which includes in combination
a pair of operating arms having rounded terminal ends, the arms being pivotally connected via an axis through said rounded terminal ends one to the other,
an angle indicator provided at the pivotal connection for reading the angular relationship between said pair of arms,
the improvement comprising,
on a first arm
an angular scale of indicia marks located on the outer surface of the outermost rounded end of said arm outboard of the pivotal axis through which said pair of arms are adjoined,
a pair of alternately disposed abuttments located at the extremities defining the rounded end of said arm, the abuttments further defining the beginning and end of said scale of angular component values, and
on the second arm
a stop located on an outer edge of the rounded terminal end of said arm movable in unison therewith for indexing the scale of angular values between the alternately disposed abuttments.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first operating arm carrying the indicia representative of the scale of values is constituted of a pair of alternately disposed generally similar spaced apart panels, and the opposite arm is constituted of a single panel which can be retracted within the spaced apart alternately disposed panels constituting said arm.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The Apparatus of claim 2 wherein the pivotally connected terminal ends of the two arms contain openings, the two arms are joined together via a bolt, and the upper surface constituting the head of the bolt is flush with the outside surface of said arm within which the head of the bolt is outwardly faced.

### Claim 4 (depends on 2)

The Apparatus of claim 2 wherein a surface of the operating arm constituted of a single panel member is scribed with indicia representative of roof pitch, by virtue of which the pitch of a roof can be easily and rapidly measured.

### Claim 5 (depends on 2)

The Apparatus of claim 2 wherein an outer surfaces of the operating arm constituted of a pair of alternately disposed generally similar spaced apart panels is provided with bubble vials in sufficient number and orientation for measuring levels.

### Claim 6 (depends on 2)

The Apparatus of claim 2 wherein the upper surface of one of the outer surfaces of the operating arm constituted of a pair of alternately disposed generally similar spaced apart panels is notched to facilitate withdrawal of the opposite arm when retracted.

### Claim 7 (depends on 2)

The Apparatus of claim 2 wherein the scale defining the beginning and end of the scale of angular component values ranges from 0.degree. to 180.degree..

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The Apparatus of claim 7 wherein the scale at mid point reads 90.degree., the two extremities reads 0.degree., and the total angular value for angles greater than 90.degree. is obtained by adding the values actually read.