Multi-purpose carpentry measuring device

• US 5,713,135 A
• Filed: 10/31/1995
• Issued: 02/03/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Brad M. Acopulos
• Original Assignee: Brad M. Acopulos
• Inventors: Acopulos, Brad M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Fulton, Christopher W.
• Application Number:
  US08/550,618
• Time in Patent Office: 826 Days
• Field of Search: 33/451, 33/1 PT, 33/285, 33/286, 33/366, 33/384, 33/403, 33/452, 33/464, 33/465, 33/471, 33/472, 33/484, 33/485, 33/DIG. 21
• US Class Current: 33/451
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 3/56 Gauges for measuring angles or tapers, e.g. conical calipers
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 15/008 combined with inclination sensor

Abstract

A multi-purpose carpentry measuring device is described. The tool combines the functions of a framing square, level and plum bob in one function and with just one measurement. Further, the tool can also be used as a bevel gauge and a level bench marker. A foot and leg member, joined by a pivot, contain bubble tubes for all necessary horizontal and vertical level measurements. Extendible rules on both members further increase the usefulness of the device. The tool has a built-in magnetic disc and bar code reader for continuously displaying angular read out on an integral calculator. Laser pin lights at either end of the tool allow for laser precision in all level bench marker observations as may be facilitated by a positioning pin disposed in said device.

Claims

1. A combination level, straight edge, framing square, bevel gauge, and plumb measuring, carpentry measuring, device comprising:

(a) a first straight member and a second straight member, said members being substantially greater in length than width and height;

(b) said first member and said second member being connected together at a pivot in a planar relationship at one end of each of said members;

(c) said first member and said second members being configured so as to fit together when manually rotated about said pivot in said planar relationship to a closed position by a user of said device;

(d) said first member and said second member being configured so as to limit the degree either member can pivot relative to the other member from said closed position in said planar relationship;

(e) said first member having a bubble tube fixedly located a spaced distance along said length of said first member so as to indicate when said first member is in a horizontal level position;

(f) said second member having at least one bubble tube rotatably affixed to it, said bubble tube having means for being manually rotated in an angular arc, said second member bubble tube being located a spaced distance along the length of said second member and,

(g) a laser pin light affixed to at least one end of one of said members, said laser pin light held in a holder, said holder being retractable so as not to extend beyond the length of said member, said holder having means for moving to a forward position in said planar relationship beyond the length of said member, said holder in said forward position being capable of being pivoted at 45 degree angles up and down, and left and right in said plane of said planar relationship.

2. The combination carpentry measuring device according to claim 1 wherein said first member and said second member having a top portion, a flat base portion, and upstanding side walls;

and at least one of said base portions of said members having a rule affixed to it, said rule and said base having means for permitting said rule to be moved a spaced distance beyond the length of said member in the same plane as said planar relationship, thereby increasing the effective length of said member.

3. The combination carpentry measuring device according to claim 2 wherein said means for permitting said rule to be moved a spaced distance beyond the length of said member is a tongue in groove joint in said rule and said member.

4. The combination carpentry measuring device according to claim 1 wherein said pivot has means for maintaining said first and second members at any planar angular relationship to one another in said planar relationship between 0 degrees and 180 degrees.

5. The combination carpentry measuring device according to claim 4 wherein said means for maintaining said first and said second members in said planar relationship between 0 degrees and 180 degrees is a wing nut.

6. The combination carpentry measuring device according to claim 4 further comprising angle gauge calibration markings on said second member immediately adjacent said pivot.

7. The combination carpentry measuring device according to claim 4, further comprising angle gauge calibration markings surrounding said arc around which said bubble tube can be rotated.

8. The combination carpentry measuring device according to claim 7, further comprising a calculator being affixed to one of said members.

9. The combination carpentry measuring device according to claim 8, further comprising a magnetic disc being affixed to said first member immediately adjacent said pivot, and an optical reader being affixed to said second member immediately adjacent said pivot, said optical reader and said magnetic disc being electrically connected to said calculator, so that when said calculator is activated to detect angular deviations of said first member and said second member relative to one another in said plane of said planar relationship said optical reader reads said deviations encrypted on said magnetic disc, and said angular deviation is then displayed on a window display portion on a face portion of said calculator.

10. The combination carpentry measuring device according to claim 9, further comprising a magnetic bubble tube level indicator affixed to said calculator, said magnetic bubble tube level indicator being electrically connected to said window display on said calculator, so that the orientation of said second member relative to a position considered to be true level is digitally displayed on said display window when said calculator is activated to receive orientation information from said magnetic bubble tube level indicator.

11. The combination carpentry measuring device according to claim 1, further including a mounting pin, the point of said pin being collinear with said laser pin light when said laser pin light is projecting a laser light in the same plane as said planar relationship of said members, said pin providing the means for positioning said device on a structure so that said device maintains itself in a desired position.