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US 8,261,459 B2Granted
Extendable edge reference tool
AssigneeD2M International Pty Ltd.
InventorsEdward Cooper, Jeff Hayashida, Andrew Butler, David Titzler, Brian Lamb, John Johnston, Christopher Tacklind
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An extendable edge reference tool is disclosed. A first segment having a extending end and a receptacle end is provided. The receptacle end includes a coupling mechanism for joining a second segment using an over-center locking force to secure said second segment to said first segment. This tool provides for a useful continuous reference edge over extended distances through adjoining segments. Each segment is suitably compact to be easy stowed. The segments are useful individually. The segments can be joined to extend tool to lengths useful in common construction tasks.
Claims20
A modular edge reference tool comprising:
- a first segment defining a longitudinal axis and a reference edge and having an extending end;
- a second segment defining a longitudinal axis and a reference edge and having a receptacle end;
- a coupling mechanism that couples the extending end and the first segment to the receptacle end of the second segment in a first and second stage that includes:
- a first component mounted within the extending end of the first segment that includes:
- a shaft slidably mounted to the extending end of the first segment with extended and retracted positions that includes an external geometry that extends from the extending end in the extended position;
- a compression spring that is coupled to the shaft with one end that is substantially fixed to the shaft and a second end that moves relative to the shaft;
- a handle coupled to the second end of the spring with a first position that arranges the second end of the spring to extend the shaft and a second position that arranges the second end of the spring to retract the shaft;
- a second component mounted within the receptacle end of the second segment that defines a hole, wherein the hole includes an entrance geometry that allows the hole to receive the extended external geometry of the shaft when the second segment is offset along the longitudinal axis from the first segment, wherein the hole includes internal geometry that subsequently engages the external geometry of the shaft and moves the shaft deeper into the hole upon a rotation of the second segment relative to the first segment to substantially hold the shaft in the extended position
- wherein the first end of the spring moves with the shaft closer to the second end of the spring as the shaft moves deeper into the hole upon the rotation of the second segment to provide a force of a first degree in the first stage to couple the first segment to the second segment;
- and
- wherein the transition of the handle from the first position to the second position moves the second end of the spring farther towards the first end of the spring to provide a force of a second degree higher than the first degree in the second stage to couple the first segment to the second segment.
8 more elements
A method for a two stage engagement of segments of a modular edge reference tool comprising:
- providing a first segment defining a longitudinal axis with an extending end;
- providing a second segment defining a longitudinal axis with a receptacle end;
- providing a coupling mechanism with a first component mounted substantially within the extending end of the first segment that includes an external geometry that extends from the extending end of the first segment and a spring that provides a bias to retract the external geometry and a second component mounted substantially within the receptacle end of the second segment that includes an entrance geometry that receives the extending first component and an internal geometry that engages the external geometry of the first component;
- offsetting the second segment along the longitudinal axis from the first segment;
- extending the external geometry of the first component and inserting the extended first component into the receptacle end of the second component;
- rotating the second segment and allowing the external geometry of the first component and the internal geometry of the second component to engage and substantially align the first and second segments and to pull the external geometry farther into the receptacle end of the second segment to engage the spring to provide a first force in the first stage to couple the first and second segments;
- further engaging the spring to provide a second force higher than the first force in the second stage to couple the first and second segments.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.