Multi-purpose hand tool and scribing apparatus utilizing multi-purpose hand tool

A multi-purpose hand tool comprising:

• a first member having a first portion, and a second portion;
• a second member slidably and pivotally coupled to the second portion of the first member;
• and a coupling assembly for pivotally coupling the second member to the second portion of the first member and allowing the second member to slide on and pivot relative to the second portion between a first position proximate a first end of the second portion in which the multi-purpose hand tool can be used to obtain a measurement for a first marking or scribing operation, and a second position proximate a second end of the second portion opposite the first end thereof in which the multi-purpose hand tool can be used to obtain a measurement for a second marking or scribing operation different from the first marking or scribing operation, thereby providing a multi-purpose hand tool reconfiguration for a plurality of purposes;
• wherein each of the first member and the second member is fabricated from a transparent material.

A scribing apparatus comprising:

• a first member having a first surface for contacting a surface of a material to be marked or scribed, a second surface disposed opposite the first surface, a longitudinal slot extending from the first surface to the second surface, a central longitudinal axis, and a pair of through-holes extending from the first surface to the second surface of the first member and on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis thereof;
• a second member slidably and pivotally coupled to the first surface of the first member, the second member having a first main surface, a second main surface disposed opposite the first main surface, and a through-hole extending from the first main surface to the second main surface, the through-hole being generally vertically aligned with the longitudinal slot of the first member at preselected positions of the second member relative to the first member;
• a coupling assembly for pivotally coupling the second member to the first surface of the first member and allowing the second member to slide on and pivot relative to the first surface of the first member;
• and
• a cutting tool having a cutting member for insertion generally vertically through the through-hole of the second member and the longitudinal slot of the first member in any of the preselected positions for contacting the surface of the material to mark or scribe a line in the surface of the material when the first member and the second member are displaced relative to the material while the first member is maintained in contact with the surface of the material.

A scribing apparatus comprising:

• a first member having a first surface for contacting a surface of a material to be marked or scribed, a second surface disposed opposite the first surface, and a longitudinal slot extending from the first surface to the second surface;
• a second member slidably and pivotally coupled to the first surface of the first member, the second member having a first main surface, a second main surface disposed opposite the first main surface, and a through-hole extending from the first main surface to the second main surface, the through-hole being generally vertically aligned with the longitudinal slot of the first member at preselected positions of the second member relative to the first member;
• a coupling assembly for pivotally coupling the second member to the first surface of the first member and allowing the second member to slide on and pivot relative to the first surface of the first member;
• and
• a cutting tool having a cutting member for insertion generally vertically through the through-hole of the second member and the longitudinal slot of the first member in any of the preselected positions for contacting the surface of the material to mark or scribe a line in the surface of the material when the first member and the second member are displaced relative to the material while the first member is maintained in contact with the surface of the material;
• wherein each of the first member and the second member is fabricated from a transparent material.

In combination:

• a multi-purpose hand tool comprised of a first member having a first portion and a second portion, a second member slidably and pivotally coupled to the second portion of the first member, and a coupling assembly for pivotally coupling the second member to the second portion of the first member and allowing the second member to slide on and pivot relative to the second portion between a first position proximate a first end of the second portion in which the multi-purpose hand tool can be used to obtain a measurement for a first marking or scribing operation on a piece of material, and a second position proximate a second end of the second portion opposite the first end thereof in which the multi-purpose hand tool can be used to obtain a measurement for a second marking or scribing operation on the piece of material different from the first marking or scribing operation;
• a frame member having a first end portion and a second end portion opposite the first end portion, and connecting means for removably integrally connecting the first end portion of the frame member to the first portion of the first member of the multi-purpose hand tool and for removably connecting the second end portion of the frame member to the first portion of the first member of the multi-purpose hand tool and for removably connecting the second end portion of the frame member to the piece of material to allow relative movement between the frame member and the piece of material;
• wherein the connecting means comprises a pair of through-holes extending from a first surface of the first portion of the first member to a second surface thereof opposite the first surface, a pair of first fasteners extending through the respective through-holes and engaging the first end portion of the frame member, and a second fastener extending through the second end portion of the frame member and engaging the piece of material.

In combination:

• a multi-purpose hand tool comprised of a first member having a first portion and a second portion, a second member slidably and pivotally coupled to the second portion of the first member, and a coupling assembly for pivotally coupling the second member to the second portion of the first member and allowing the second member to slide on and pivot relative to the second portion between a first position proximate a first end of the second portion in which the multi-purpose hand tool can be used to obtain a measurement for a first marking or scribing operation on a piece of material, and a second position proximate a second end of the second portion opposite the first end thereof in which the multi-purpose hand tool can be used to obtain a measurement for a second marking or scribing operation on the piece of material different from the first marking or scribing operation;
• a frame member having a first end portion and a second end portion opposite the first end portion, and connecting means for removably integrally connecting the first end portion of the frame member to the first portion of the first member of the multi-purpose hand tool and for removably connecting the second end portion of the frame member to the first portion of the first member of the multi-purpose hand tool and for removably connecting the second end portion of the frame member to the piece of material to allow relative movement between the frame member and the piece of material;
• wherein the first and second members of the multi-purpose hand tool are fabricated from a transparent material.