US 7,797,842 B2 · Multi-functional carpentry tool

(a) a base member including:

i. a first elongated body having a first uniform thickness throughout, a pair of first side edges, each of said pair of first side edges disposed substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of said first elongated body, and a pair of major surfaces disposed perpendicular to said pair of first side edges,

ii. an elongated groove having a longitudinal axis thereof substantially aligned with said longitudinal axis of said first elongated body, said groove defined by a main portion formed in one surface of said first elongated body, said main portion having each of a base surface disposed parallel to and recessed a first predetermined distance from said one surface of said first elongated body and a pair of parallel sides, said groove further having a pair of channels, each of said pair of channels abutting a respective side of said main portion and extending a predetermined distance into said first elongated body toward a respective first side edge, whereby a bottom surface of said each channel is disposed coplanar with a base surface of said main portion and whereby said pair of channels form a generally T-shaped cross-section of said elongated groove in a plane perpendicular to said one surface of said first elongated body,

iii. a pair of end notches, each of said pair of end notches disposed in said one surface of said first elongated body at a respective end thereof, wherein a surface of said each end notch is disposed substantially coplanar with said base surface of said main portion of said elongated groove,

iv. a first linear measuring scale indicia disposed along one first side edge of said first elongated body,

v. a pair of first protractor means, each of said pair of first protractor means disposed adjacent to and spaced from said respective end of said first elongated body, said each first protractor means having a first mark line provided on said one surface of said first elongated body perpendicular to said pair of parallel first side edges thereof, and a pair of first angular measuring scale indicia, each of said pair of first angular measuring scale indicia aligned relative to each of said first mark line and said respective first side edge of said first elongated body,

vi. a second protractor means disposed mediate ends of said first elongated body, said second protractor means defined by a pair of spaced apart second mark lines provided on said one surface of said first elongated body perpendicular to said pair of parallel first side edges thereof and a pair of second angular measuring scale indicia, each of said pair of second angular measuring scale indicia aligned relative to each of a respective second mark line and one first side edge of said first elongated body, and

vii. a squaring groove disposed mediate said ends of said first elongated body and perpendicular to said longitudinal axis thereof, wherein each end of said squaring groove is aligned in open communication with said respective first side edge of said first elongated body and wherein a base surface of said squaring groove is recessed a second predetermined distance from said one surface of said first elongated body;

(b) a rule member including:

i. a second elongated body having a second uniform thickness throughout and a pair of second side edges, each of said pair of second side edges disposed substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of said second elongated body,

ii. an elongated slot formed through said second elongated body and aligned with a longitudinal axis thereof, said elongated slot having a first end thereof disposed adjacent to and spaced from a first end of said second elongated body, and

iii. a pair of second linear measuring scale indicia, each of said pair of second linear measuring scale indicia disposed on one surface of said second elongated body along a respective second side edge thereof;

(c) at least one bubble level mounted within a predetermined portion of one of said first and second elongated bodies in operative alignment with a respective side edge thereof;

(d) a clamping means for selectively securing said base member and said rule member together in frictional engagement maintaining said base member and said rule member in selected positions relative to one another and permitting each of a sliding and pivoting movement of said rule member relative to said base member, said clamping means including:

i. a slide member having each of a T-cross-section so that said slide member is operatively and slideably received within said elongated groove of said first elongated body, a predetermined thickness so that an upper surface of said slide member is recessed a third predetermined distance from said one surface of said first elongated body, and a threaded aperture centrally formed through said predetermined thickness, and

ii. a fastener having a threaded stem defining a first end thereof, said threaded stem passed through said aperture of said rule member and operatively extending into said threaded aperture of said slide member, said fastener further having an annular shoulder positioned at inner end of said threaded stem and abuttingly engaging said one surface of said rule member being in frictional engagement with said base member;

(e) a pair of end members, each of said pair of end members secured to a respective end of said first elongated body for closing a respective end of said elongated groove so that to retain said slide member therewithin;

and

(f) means for marking an arc, said arc marking means including:

i. an axial aperture formed through said fastener and through said threaded stem,

ii. a pivot aperture formed through said first elongated body of said base member on said longitudinal axis thereof and defining a pivoting axis of said second protractor means,

iii. a pin slideably mounted within said axial aperture, said pin having a generally pointed first end and a mushroomed second end, said first end adapted to pass through said pivot aperture and extend past an opposed surface of said first elongated body when a predetermined force is applied axially to said second end of said pin,

iv. an axial bore formed within said second end of said fastener,

v. a bias means disposed within said axial bore for biasing said second end of said pin in a direction away from a surface of said second end of said fastener,

vi. means for retaining said bias means within said axial bore, and

vii. means for positioning a marking implement at a preselected distance from said pivoting axis of said second protractor means, said marking implement positioning means including at least one of a predetermined plurality of spaced apart apertures formed through said second elongated body and a holder mounted for sliding motion thereon, wherein said predetermined plurality of spaced apart apertures disposed along said longitudinal axis of said second elongated body between a second end thereof and a second end of said elongated slot.

Multi-functional carpentry tool

Life of this patent

Multi-functional carpentry tool

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims9