US4223445A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Carpentry measuring tool
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1979-03-23
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Granted: 1980-09-23
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Expires: 1999-03-23
Abstract
Abstract A carpentry measuring tool including two arms pivotally connected at adjoining ends thereof. The two arms are angularly adjustable with respect to one another, and are adapted for determining the angle formed between the interior portions of intersecting horizontal and vertical surfaces of a door or window frame. One of the arms is provided with an extendable slide portion on the end thereof and is adapted for measuring the distance between interior portions of opposed surfaces of the frame. The distal end of the slide portion contains a spring biased heel which may be retracted for removal of the one arm from within the door or window jam. The angular relationship of the two arms and the length of the one arm may be fixed so that these measurements may be transferred to a door or window which is to be hung in a measured door or window frame. Slidable clips or plates along the exterior portions of the other arm are particularly suited for use with doors and are adapted to be extended from the other arm to permit proper alignment of the measuring tool along one edge of the door for accurate marking of the desired dimensions thereon and for an automatic predetermined reduction of the door width.
Inventors
- 👤 John L. Goodland
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 17:07
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01B; G01B3/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
449 words
A measuring tool comprising: a first member adapted for measuring distances between opposed surfaces, and including a captive slide formed as an extension thereof and extensible outwardly from a second end thereof in a direction away from a first end; a second member secured at one end thereof to said first end of said first member, said second member being adapted to be pivoted within predetermined limits about said first end of said first member to form an angle with respect to said first member to thereby permit the measurement of angles formed by intersecting surfaces; a beveled heel disposed on the distal end of said slide and being spring biased away from said first end, said beveled heel being momentarily retractable toward said first end a predetermined distance upon the longitudinal application of force thereto to permit disengagement of said beveled heel from one of said opposed surfaces; tensioning means for urging surfaces on said first end against surfaces on said one end to prevent angular movement between said first member and said second member and to thereby permit the transfer of an angular measurement therebetween to a workpiece; retaining means for securing said slide in a selected position to permit the transfer of a measurement of a distance by said first member to a workpiece; means permitting said second member to be attached in a measuring position to one of said opposed surfaces; a plurality of clips slidably disposed on a side of said second member substantially parallel to one of said opposed surfaces when said second member is in a measuring position, said clips being adapted to be slid parallel to said side and to project beyond said second member in such a manner as to permit desired alignment of said second member along said one edge of said workpiece, each of said clips being captured within a channel formed in said side of said second member, said channel having walls overlapping portions of said clips, each of said clips comprising: a depression formed on surfaces of said clip confronting surfaces of said channel substantially parallel to said side and having a shape elongated substantially parallel to a direction in which said clips are adapted to be slid; and a spring captured between said parallel surfaces of said channel and surfaces in said depression; said spring being operable to urge said clip outwardly away from said side and against said overlapping walls, thereby preventing said clip from sliding without the application of a predetermined external force thereto; and said spring and said depression cooperating to restrict the distance said clips are permitted to be slid to an amount equal to the elongated dimension of said depression.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
449 words
A measuring tool comprising: a first member adapted for measuring distances between opposed surfaces, and including a captive slide formed as an extension thereof and extensible outwardly from a second end thereof in a direction away from a first end; a second member secured at one end thereof to said first end of said first member, said second member being adapted to be pivoted within predetermined limits about said first end of said first member to form an angle with respect to said first member to thereby permit the measurement of angles formed by intersecting surfaces; a beveled heel disposed on the distal end of said slide and being spring biased away from said first end, said beveled heel being momentarily retractable toward said first end a predetermined distance upon the longitudinal application of force thereto to permit disengagement of said beveled heel from one of said opposed surfaces; tensioning means for urging surfaces on said first end against surfaces on said one end to prevent angular movement between said first member and said second member and to thereby permit the transfer of an angular measurement therebetween to a workpiece; retaining means for securing said slide in a selected position to permit the transfer of a measurement of a distance by said first member to a workpiece; means permitting said second member to be attached in a measuring position to one of said opposed surfaces; a plurality of clips slidably disposed on a side of said second member substantially parallel to one of said opposed surfaces when said second member is in a measuring position, said clips being adapted to be slid parallel to said side and to project beyond said second member in such a manner as to permit desired alignment of said second member along said one edge of said workpiece, each of said clips being captured within a channel formed in said side of said second member, said channel having walls overlapping portions of said clips, each of said clips comprising: a depression formed on surfaces of said clip confronting surfaces of said channel substantially parallel to said side and having a shape elongated substantially parallel to a direction in which said clips are adapted to be slid; and a spring captured between said parallel surfaces of said channel and surfaces in said depression; said spring being operable to urge said clip outwardly away from said side and against said overlapping walls, thereby preventing said clip from sliding without the application of a predetermined external force thereto; and said spring and said depression cooperating to restrict the distance said clips are permitted to be slid to an amount equal to the elongated dimension of said depression.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
197 words
The measuring tool of claim 1 wherein said tensioning means comprises: a pin interconnecting said first end and said one end; means securing one end of said pin to one of said first end and said one end; disc means securing another end of said pin to the other of said first end and said one end and having a first inclined cam surface formed thereon; a lock washer disposed adjacent said disc means and having a finger anchoring said lock washer in a fixed relationship to the other of said first end and said one end, said lock washer having a second inclined cam surface adapted to cooperate with said first cam surface; and a handle member attachable to said disc means and adapted to rotate said disc means in one direction with respect to said lock washer to cause said first cam surface to ride along said second cam surface in one direction and to rotate said disc means in another direction with respect to said lock washer to cause said first cam surface to ride along said second cam surface in another direction to release tension on said first end against said second end.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
454 words
A carpentry measuring tool adapted for fitting a door to an existing door frame and comprising: a first arm having at least one planar surface formed thereon and adapted for placement in a measuring position for determining interior distances between opposite sides of a door frame; a second arm pivotally secured at one end thereof to a first end of said second arm, said second arm being pivotable within predetermined limits with respect to said first arm to form an angle therewith to thereby permit the measurement of an angle formed by interior intersecting surfaces of a door frame; a captive slide, one surface of which is formed as an extension of said planar surface, said slide being extensible outwardly from a second end of said first arm away from said first end, said slide being adapted to cooperate with said first arm to measure distances between opposite sides of said door frame; beveled heel means being disposed on the distal end of said slide and being spring-biased away from said first end, said beveled heel means being momentarily retractable a predetermined distance toward said first end to permit said first arm to be removed from said measuring position wherein said beveled heel tightly abuts one of said opposite sides; first tensioning means engaging said one end and said first end for retaining said first arm and said second arm in a fixed angular relationship to permit the transfer of a measured angle between said intersecting surfaces of said door frame to a door to be mounted therein; second tensioning means for retaining said slide in a desired extended measuring position to permit the transfer of a measured distance between said opposite sides of said door frame to said door to be mounted therein; nail means for securing said second arm to one of said opposite sides of said door frame; a plurality of clips slidably mounted into grooves formed in said second arm on a surface thereof parallel to one of said opposite sides when said second arm is in said measuring position, each of said plurality of clips being captured within one of said grooves and being spring-biased outwardly away from said surface against overlapping portions of said groove, said plurality of clips being extensible to project beyond said second member in a direction substantially parallel to said surface to permit an alignment of said second member parallel to an edge of said door such that said surface is positioned beyond said edge a predetermined distance, said predetermined distance being equal to the difference between the width of said door frame and the width of said door necessary to permit said door to operate freely within said door frame when mounted therein.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
454 words
A carpentry measuring tool adapted for fitting a door to an existing door frame and comprising: a first arm having at least one planar surface formed thereon and adapted for placement in a measuring position for determining interior distances between opposite sides of a door frame; a second arm pivotally secured at one end thereof to a first end of said second arm, said second arm being pivotable within predetermined limits with respect to said first arm to form an angle therewith to thereby permit the measurement of an angle formed by interior intersecting surfaces of a door frame; a captive slide, one surface of which is formed as an extension of said planar surface, said slide being extensible outwardly from a second end of said first arm away from said first end, said slide being adapted to cooperate with said first arm to measure distances between opposite sides of said door frame; beveled heel means being disposed on the distal end of said slide and being spring-biased away from said first end, said beveled heel means being momentarily retractable a predetermined distance toward said first end to permit said first arm to be removed from said measuring position wherein said beveled heel tightly abuts one of said opposite sides; first tensioning means engaging said one end and said first end for retaining said first arm and said second arm in a fixed angular relationship to permit the transfer of a measured angle between said intersecting surfaces of said door frame to a door to be mounted therein; second tensioning means for retaining said slide in a desired extended measuring position to permit the transfer of a measured distance between said opposite sides of said door frame to said door to be mounted therein; nail means for securing said second arm to one of said opposite sides of said door frame; a plurality of clips slidably mounted into grooves formed in said second arm on a surface thereof parallel to one of said opposite sides when said second arm is in said measuring position, each of said plurality of clips being captured within one of said grooves and being spring-biased outwardly away from said surface against overlapping portions of said groove, said plurality of clips being extensible to project beyond said second member in a direction substantially parallel to said surface to permit an alignment of said second member parallel to an edge of said door such that said surface is positioned beyond said edge a predetermined distance, said predetermined distance being equal to the difference between the width of said door frame and the width of said door necessary to permit said door to operate freely within said door frame when mounted therein.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
195 words
The measuring tool of claim 3 wherein said nail means comprises: an elongated nail extending through a channel within said second arm and having a head portion projecting from a surface opposite said surface and a pointed portion projectable from said surface; a retaining disc extending radially outwardly from said nail within said channel; a retaining disc extending radially outwardly from said nail within said channel; a spring means within said channel captured between said disc and said opposite surface, said spring means being operable to urge said nail into a position wherein said head portion projects from said opposite surface and said pointed portion does not project beyond said surface; a first shoulder at one end of said channel adjacent said surface; and a second shoulder at another end of said channel opposite of said one end and adjacent said opposite surface; said head portion being adapted to receive a force urging said nail toward said surface and thereby driving said pointed portion into a confronting side of a door frame; and said spring means being operable to return said nail to said position when said pointed portion is withdrawn from said confronting side.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
410 words
A measuring tool comprising: a first member adapted for measuring distances between opposed surfaces, and including a captive slide formed as an extension thereof and extensible outwardly from a second end thereof in a direction away from a first end; a second member secured at one end thereof to said first end of said first member, said second member being adapted to be pivoted within predetermined limits about said first end of said first member to form an angle with respect to said first member to thereby permit the measurement of angles formed by intersecting surfaces; a beveled heel disposed on the distal end of said slide and being spring biased away from said first end, said beveled heel being momentarily retractable toward said first end a predetermined distance upon the longitudinal application of force thereto to permit disengagement of said beveled heel from one of said opposed surfaces; retaining means for securing said slide in a selected position to permit the transfer of a measurement of a distance by said first member to a workpiece; and tensioning means for urging surfaces on said first end against surfaces on said one end to prevent angular movement between said first member and said second member and to thereby permit the transfer of an angular measurement therebetween to a workpiece, said tensioning means comprising: a pin interconnecting said first end and said one end; means securing one end of said pin to one of said first end and said one end; disc means securing another end of said pin to the other of said first end and said one end and having a first inclined cam surface formed thereon; a lock washer disposed adjacent said disc means and having a finger anchoring said lock washer in a fixed relationship to the other of said first end and said one end, said lock washer having a second inclined cam surface adapted to cooperate with said first cam surface; and a handle member attachable to said disc means and adapted to rotate said disc means in one direction with respect to said lock washer to cause said first cam surface to ride along said second cam surface in said one direction and to rotate said disc means in another direction with respect to said lock washer to cause said first cam surface to ride along said second cam surface in said another direction to release tension on said first end against said second end.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
410 words
A measuring tool comprising: a first member adapted for measuring distances between opposed surfaces, and including a captive slide formed as an extension thereof and extensible outwardly from a second end thereof in a direction away from a first end; a second member secured at one end thereof to said first end of said first member, said second member being adapted to be pivoted within predetermined limits about said first end of said first member to form an angle with respect to said first member to thereby permit the measurement of angles formed by intersecting surfaces; a beveled heel disposed on the distal end of said slide and being spring biased away from said first end, said beveled heel being momentarily retractable toward said first end a predetermined distance upon the longitudinal application of force thereto to permit disengagement of said beveled heel from one of said opposed surfaces; retaining means for securing said slide in a selected position to permit the transfer of a measurement of a distance by said first member to a workpiece; and tensioning means for urging surfaces on said first end against surfaces on said one end to prevent angular movement between said first member and said second member and to thereby permit the transfer of an angular measurement therebetween to a workpiece, said tensioning means comprising: a pin interconnecting said first end and said one end; means securing one end of said pin to one of said first end and said one end; disc means securing another end of said pin to the other of said first end and said one end and having a first inclined cam surface formed thereon; a lock washer disposed adjacent said disc means and having a finger anchoring said lock washer in a fixed relationship to the other of said first end and said one end, said lock washer having a second inclined cam surface adapted to cooperate with said first cam surface; and a handle member attachable to said disc means and adapted to rotate said disc means in one direction with respect to said lock washer to cause said first cam surface to ride along said second cam surface in said one direction and to rotate said disc means in another direction with respect to said lock washer to cause said first cam surface to ride along said second cam surface in said another direction to release tension on said first end against said second end.
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) | 1983-09-23 | 1984-03-24 | 1984-09-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-09-23 | 1988-03-24 | 1988-09-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-09-23 | 1992-03-24 | 1992-09-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |