Protractor for calculating miter and bevel angles for installing molding

• US 7,574,813 B1
• Filed: 05/13/2008
• Issued: 08/18/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 05/13/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sanden Holdings Corp (Qingdao Huatong State-Owned Capital Operation (Group) Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Christian R. Boutan
• Inventors: Boutan, Christian R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Johnson; Amy Cohen
• Application Number:
  US12/119,892
• Time in Patent Office: 462 Days
• Field of Search: 33/1.R, 33/1.N, 33/1.PT, 334/15, 334/53, 334/56, 334/65, 334/71, 33495-500, 335/03, 335/26, 335/27, 33534-538, 335/580.1, 335/580.4, 335/584, 334/51, 522/871, 527/491, 52D/IG.1, 434/211, 434/215
• US Class Current: 33/471
• CPC Class Codes: E04F 21/0069 for cutting or mounting plinths
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 3/563 Protractors for use in geodesy G01C1/00; protractor heads for drawing machines B43L13/08

Abstract

Taught herein is a protractor capable of measuring angles within a room and angles related to the intended orientation of molding with respect to the room. Using these angles, the present invention will calculate and display the appropriate angles at which a miter saw must be set to produce mitered joints for the installation of trim and crown molding.

Claims

1. A protractor for assistance in miter and bevel angle calculations for joining molding comprising:

two arms, each having a longitudinal axis, a proximal end, and a distal end, joined by a pivot means at their proximal ends and each having a means of attaching a specimen of molding at their distal ends;

wherein the pivot means has a means of measuring the angle between the two arms;

wherein each arm has a means of rotating about its longitudinal axis to change each arm'"'"'s angular relation between its respective proximal and distal ends;

wherein the means of rotating has a means of measuring the angular relation;

wherein the means of measuring the angle between the two arms and the means of measuring the angular relation are in communication with a logic unit; and

wherein the logic unit is in communication with a display means that communicates the protractor'"'"'s measurements and miter and bevel angle calculations to a user of the protractor.

2. The protractor of claim 1 wherein the pivot means is an axle and the protractor has a means of sensing the relative positions of the two arms with respect to the axle.

3. The protractor of claim 1 wherein the means of measuring the angle between the two arms, the means of measuring the angular relation, the logic unit and the display are electronic.

4. The protractor of claim 1 which further comprises a means for capturing the miter calculations.