Wall stud locator and marker

• US 7,161,343 B1
• Filed: 07/09/2004
• Issued: 01/09/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/09/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Biary Innovation Company
• Original Assignee: Biary Innovation Company
• Inventors: Biary, Sohail
• Primary Examiner(s): LEDYNH, BOT L
• Application Number:
  US10/888,253
• Time in Patent Office: 914 Days
• Field of Search: 324/67, 324/228
• US Class Current: 324/67
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 3/08 operating with magnetic or electric fields produced or modified by objects or geological structures or by detecting devices with electromagnetic waves G01V3/12
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 3/15 specially adapted for use during transport, e.g. by a person, vehicle or boat

Abstract

A locator and marking apparatus comprises a housing and a surface on the housing for holding a magnet to be dispensed. Spacer members are formed on the housing such that the surface for holding the magnet is maintained a substantially predetermined distance from a substrate on which the locating and marking apparatus is positioned.

Claims

1. A locator and marking apparatus comprising:

a housing;

a surface on the housing for releasably holding a magnet to be discharged from the housing; and

spacer members formed on the housing such that the surface for holding the magnet is maintained a substantially predetermined distance from a substrate on which the locating and marking apparatus is positioned, the magnet being completely separated from the housing upon discharge thereof on to the substrate.

2. A locating and marking apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the housing further comprises a first recess on the surface, the first recess holding a portion of the magnet to be dispensed.

3. A locating and marking apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein the housing further comprises a second recess on an opposing surface, the second recess for holding a storage magnet.

4. A locating and marking apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the spacer member comprises a plurality of legs on the surface of the housing for holding the magnet to be dispensed, the spacer members defining a through passage so that no obstacle is formed for a particular movement of the housing with respect to the magnet to be dispensed.

5. A locating and marking apparatus as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a small metal object in the housing near the surface for keeping a magnet to be dispensed in position on the surface prior to discharge thereof.

6. A locating and marking apparatus as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a lid on the housing, the housing having a storage area for a storage magnet, the lid movable between a closed position wherein the storage magnet is maintained within the housing, and an open position, wherein the storage magnet can be accessed.

7. A locating and marking apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the surface on the housing comprises a plurality of recesses, each recess holding a magnet to be dispensed.

8. A locating and marking apparatus as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a magnet on the surface of the housing.

9. A locating and marking apparatus as claimed in claim 8 wherein the magnet has a substantially non-scratching covering over at least a portion of its surface.

10. A locating and marking apparatus as claimed in claim 8 wherein a plurality of magnets are provided, and at least some of the magnets are color-coded.

11. A locating and marking apparatus as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a storage container, the storage container being adapted to contain a plurality of magnets which can be removed therefrom and placed on the surface of the housing.

12. A locating and marking apparatus as claimed in claim 11 wherein the storage container is generally of tubular shape, and comprises a cover movable between an open position wherein magnets can be accessed, and a closed position where the magnets are sealed therein.

13. A locating and marking apparatus as claimed in claim 12 wherein the cover of the storage container contains a small magnetic object therein, wherein opening of the cover dispenses a magnet adjacent the cover within the container.

14. A locating and marking apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the spacer members are covered, at least in part, with a non-scratching material, so as to prevent or reduce, scratching or damage by the housing to the substrate.

15. A locating and marking apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the spacer members comprise an elongate projection along each edge of the housing extending beyond the surface, the elongate projections forming an open channel therebetween.

16. A locating and marking apparatus as claimed in claim 15 wherein the spacer members comprise a plurality of legs on the housing extending beyond the surface, the legs defining an open channel therebetween.

17. A locating and marking apparatus as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a level.

18. A locating and marking apparatus as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a sound alarm which is actuated when a metal fastener is located.

19. A locating and marking kit comprising:

a locator and marking apparatus comprising a housing, a surface on the housing for holding a magnet to be dispensed, spacer members formed on the housing such that the surface for holding the magnet is maintained a substantially predetermined distance from a substrate on which the locating and marking apparatus is positioned; and

a storage container being adapted to contain a plurality of magnets which can be removed therefrom and placed on the surface of the housing.

20. A method of locating and marking a wall using a locating marking apparatus, the method comprising:

providing a housing with a surface on the housing for holding a magnet to be dispensed;

inserting a magnet on the surface;

forming spacer members on the housing such that the surface for holding the magnet is maintained a substantially predetermined distance from the wall on which the locating and marking apparatus is positioned; and

moving the housing across a wall with the surface facing the wall such that the magnet is dispensed from the housing when a metal object in or behind the wall is present.