WO1998047720A1

WO1998047720A1 - A square

Info

Publication number: WO1998047720A1
Application number: PCT/US1997/019599
Authority: WO
Inventors: S. Robert Butwin
Original assignee: Butwin S Robert
Priority date: 1997-04-23
Filing date: 1997-10-06
Publication date: 1998-10-29
Also published as: AU4920797A

Abstract

The disclosed layout instrument includes a pair of members (36'', 48'') arranged together to form an L at a right angle. The unique variation to this arrangement is that the two opposing ends of the L are also permanently attached to a third member (60'') changing the shape from an L to the shape of a triangle. By permanently attaching the members misalignment is avoided and accuracy is assured and maintained. The members are configured to slide with one another at the pivot point of the L and simply pivot at their opposite ends about their pivot points connecting the third leg, creating a closed triangle.

Description

SPECIFICATIONS

TITLE OF INVENTIONS Square

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION: The proposed invention, referred to here as A

Square, was conceived during many years of applying the theory of a 3, 4, 5 triangle during the practice of laying out perpendicular lines in the construction industry.

Standard practice in creating a perpendicular line, which is any substantial length (approx. 4' or greater) requires greater accuracy than a framing square can provide due to its size. It is this need for accuracy that dictates the use of a 3, 4, 5 triangle.

Typical application of the 3, 4, 5 triangle, prior to this invention, consists of using two tape measures simultaneously, requiring two people to perform the operation A Square is a tool which creates a 3, 4, 5 rigid triangle. It is a necessity of the tool that it folds to a compact state to allow it to be portable and storable.

The intended use for A Square has a wide range of uses in the construction industry for many types of lay out, i.e., framing lay out, masonry lay out, concrete form work, finish carpentry, cabinet installation, construction supervision, ceramic tile layout, VCT tile lay out, etc. Furthermore, the design of A Square will give it the ability to hang on sheet rock and be used as a foldable sheet rock square (in the future), and it will be produced in a variety of sizes and configurations (See Fig. 3, 45°).

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION: The invention, in brief, consists of three legs, all of which are permanently attached. Two of the three points are precisely located pivot points. The third point is a precisely located stud which permits the two members to slide in a parallel plane to one another from a compact folded position to a locked open position creating a perfect 3, 4, 5 triangle.

Inherent - Critical to the design is the fact that the nature in which the members are connected and aligned guarantee a perfect and not distorted 3, 4, 5 triangle. This is crucial to the maintained accuracy of the tool. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS: Two drawings are enclosed as Figure 1 and Figure 2 as clarification to supplement the written descriptive. Figure 1 - Elevation (Side) Closed Position - Depicting the stacking sequence of the members and the pivot point arrangements. Figure 2 - Plan View (Top) Open Position - Depicting the overall foot print of the tool in the unfolded position DESCRIPTION: Three (3) rigid pieces of flat stock 1 made of light-weight material such as aluminum, fiberglass, plastic, composite material, etc., permanently fastened 2 together in such a manner which allows them to be folded with all three pieces parallel 3 (See Fig. 1) to each other, aligning the long edges in a stacked formation, forming a profile of a single piece. While folded, the tool will be three pieces stacked together with the thin edge of the rectangular profiles aligned. (See Fig. 1). In the folded position the tool will be held closed by means of tension generated by the locking mechanism 4, keeping the tool in this position and preventing it from falling open on its own.

In the open position (See Fig. 2), the tool will form a right angle at the intersection of two of the legs 5, and the other two ends will be joined by a diagonal leg 6. The dimensions of the legs will be three feet 7, four feet 8 and five feet 9 (See Fig. 2). The tool creates and guarantees the perfect right angle by design, employing the mathematics ratio of a 3, 4, 5 triangle. By design, the tool will retain its accuracy due to the fact each of the three members are continuously attached to one another which maintains the integrity of the tool. Two of the attachment points are precisely located pivot points 10. The third point is a pin 11 which rides in a slot 12. A spring loaded positive position lock 4 will keep the tool in the open position. Pressure on the push button 13 releases the spring lock enabling the tool to close to its folded or closed position 14. Friction/tension is maintained constantly to maintain a controlled motion of the members, preventing them from free falling.

It is my future intent, as the inventor of this tool, to make an assortment of sizes and models of this tool (See Fig. 3), all of which retain its ratio of the 3, 4, 5 triangle.

Claims

CLAIM:

• A layout device for right angles, comprised of three individual members: three foot, four foot and five foot, permanently attached by pivots at both ends ensuring the precision and accuracy of the right angle. Members are substantially similar, each having a similar profile as a yard stick, each member having a pivot point at opposing ends, said members being arranged and interconnected as to create a triangle where as two members, will exactly and automatically create a precise right angle (in the open position) and positively lock in that position. As to completion of said layout work, said members pivot amongst each other at two points and slide amongst one point by means of a slot and posts, to a folded position where they stop by means of straddling a slot in the piece which then becomes sandwiched in the center of the two outside pieces.

• Member in General - Elongated rectangular bar stock approximately 1/8 inch thick by 2 inch wide in cross section, length of each said member is in feet and affixed a number, i.e., 3', 4', 5'.

• Pivot - Custom made two piece internal rivet.

• Pivot Points - Members pivot on an axis normal to the plane of each other.

• Slot - A stamped notch which the post falls into, preventing the tool from over closing or opening in the wrong direction.

• Slot & Post - A skewed slot in the 3' member in which a post can travel allowing the tool to slide to the open or closed position while remaining attached to each other. At the end of the slot, as referred to being the open position, a leaf spring drops the post into a semicircular hole, thereby creating the "positive lock".