US3672064A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Indexing means for wall panel openings
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1970-12-21
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Granted: 1972-06-27
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Expires: 1990-12-21
Abstract
Abstract Indexing apparatus for accurately marking and positioning indicia to enable cutouts to be formed in a panel in order to accommodate fixtures and other objects associated with a building structure which must be received within the cutouts when the panel is attached to the structure.
Inventors
- 👤 Johnny C Elkins
- 👤 Gilbert A Theriot
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 13:56
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01B; G01B3/00; G01B3/10; G01B3/1071; B; B25; B25H; B25H7/00; G01B2003/1074; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S33/00; Y10S33/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
207 words
An index apparatus for indexing cutouts to be formed in a panel with objects which are to be received within the cutouts when the panel is affixed to a structure; said index apparatus comprising: a housing, a first measuring arm received within and extending from said housing; a second measuring arm received within and extending from said housing; said first and second arms extending in different directions which are normal with respect to one another; means for adjusting the effective length of each arm; brake means for maintaining each arm releasably attached to said housing; and, alignment means affixed to and depending from said housing for reproducibly aligning the housing with an object; transferring means formed on said housing for providing indicia relative to the size of the cutout to be formed on a panel for receiving the object; whereby: said alignment means can be removably affixed to an object which is to be received through a cutout to be formed in the panel, said arms can be elongated into contact with structure which is to receive the edge portions of the panel to thereby enable the cutout to be formed on a panel in the relative position which indexes the cutout with respect to the object.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
207 words
An index apparatus for indexing cutouts to be formed in a panel with objects which are to be received within the cutouts when the panel is affixed to a structure; said index apparatus comprising: a housing, a first measuring arm received within and extending from said housing; a second measuring arm received within and extending from said housing; said first and second arms extending in different directions which are normal with respect to one another; means for adjusting the effective length of each arm; brake means for maintaining each arm releasably attached to said housing; and, alignment means affixed to and depending from said housing for reproducibly aligning the housing with an object; transferring means formed on said housing for providing indicia relative to the size of the cutout to be formed on a panel for receiving the object; whereby: said alignment means can be removably affixed to an object which is to be received through a cutout to be formed in the panel, said arms can be elongated into contact with structure which is to receive the edge portions of the panel to thereby enable the cutout to be formed on a panel in the relative position which indexes the cutout with respect to the object.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
95 words
The indexing apparatus of claim 1 wherein said housing includes an outer plate member and an inner plate member; means forming a centrally located aperture through each plate member; said apertures jointly forming a passageway through said housing; a U-shaped groove extending across the face of one plate member, a U-shaped groove extending across the face of the remaining plate member; each groove forming an arm receiving passageway when the plate members are brought into contact with one another; said brake means including a bolt; said bolt being received through said passageway of the housing.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
43 words
The indexing apparatus of claim 2 wherein said alignment means including spaced apart pin means extending outwardly from said housing and adapted to be received by the recited object, to thereby index the housing with the object to be received through the cutout.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
42 words
The improvement of claim 1 wherein said alignment means includes spaced apart pin means extending rearwardly from said housing and adapted to be received by the recited object, to thereby index the housing with the object to be received through the cutout.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
55 words
The indexing means of claim 1 wherein each said arm is a flexible tape; said tape adapted to be received within a tape containing chamber with the tape being disposed within the chamber in a rolled up condition; means by which each said tape receiving housing is affixed to the interior of the main housing.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
66 words
The indexing apparatus of claim 5 wherein an intermediate portion of the flexible tape is disposed within the housing; an inside surface of the housing lying closely adjacent to said intermediate portion of the tape; said brake means including a brake shoe; means for urging said brake shoe into contact with said tape to thereby provide an infinite number of locking positions on said flexible tape.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
65 words
The indexing apparatus of claim 6 wherein a wall of said housing is provided with a threaded aperture; said brake means including a shaft having threads thereon threadedly received within the last recited aperture; said brake shoe being affixed to a terminal end of said shaft, the remaining terminal end of said shaft extending exteriorly of said housing to allow the brake to be adjusted.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
41 words
The indexing apparatus of claim 5 anD further including spaced apart pin means extending outwardly from said housing and adapted to be received by the recited object, to thereby index the housing with the object to be received through the cutout.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
64 words
The indexing apparatus of claim 8 and further including another member having means forming spaced apart apertures therein for receiving said spaced apart pins; a conical shaped outwardly directed portion of said another member adapted to be received within an object attached to structure so as to enable the indexing apparatus to be used in laying out cutouts for receiving objects of other configurations.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-06-27 | 1975-12-27 | 1976-06-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-06-27 | 1979-12-27 | 1980-06-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-06-27 | 1983-12-27 | 1984-06-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |