Patent Application
20150345924
This invention relates generally to the field of measuring devices, and, more particularly, to an original apparatus and related method for indicating to a user a series of predetermined spacings or measurements.
Standard measuring devices, such as tape measures, are currently used to measure distances between wall studs. The way that individuals, do-it-yourself builders and carpenters are educated and trained to use these measuring devices results in confusion, mistakes, fatigue, and code failures because the measuring device is being used incorrectly. Residential and commercial building codes require wall studs to be placed 16″ on center and trusses to be placed 24″ on center. Currently, the way that most individuals use the measuring device is to hook it to the end of a layout plate and extend it to measure 16″ to the center of a wall stud and 24″ to the center of a truss. The individuals performing the layout are then instructed to search for and measure back ¾ inch from the 16″ or 24″ center line to locate the outside placement of the framing stud or truss and to mark an “X” on the layout plate to the right of the measurement in order to identify the stud or truss placement. This measuring and measuring back to accommodate for one-half of the stud or truss thickness is where errors occur. Inexperienced, fatigued, or careless builders may overlook the required step of measuring back from the “on-center” measurement. While seemingly innocuous, this type of error could lead to code failures and safety issues. For example, in a series of roof trusses, the roofer cannot see the trusses once the plywood is laid on top. In essence, the roofer is nailing “blind” and must trust that the trusses are in the correct location. The roofer relies on the 24″ center-to-center location of the roof trusses. If one, or many, is off by half the truss width, this could cause the roofer to miss the truss, causing a structural and safety issue, not to mention a building code violation.
It would, therefore, be desirable to have an original apparatus and related method for indicating to a user a series of predetermined spacing or measurements that clearly presents to the user not only the center-to-center spacing, but more importantly, the truss or stud edge location at the desired spacing.
While certain aspects of conventional technologies have been discussed to facilitate disclosure of the invention, Applicant in no way disclaims these technical aspects, and it is contemplated that the claimed invention may encompass one or more of the conventional technical aspects discussed herein.
In this specification where a document, act, or item of knowledge is referred to or discussed, this reference or discussion is not an admission that the document, act, or item of knowledge or any combination thereof was at the priority date, publicly available, known to the public, part of common general knowledge, or otherwise constitutes prior art under the applicable statutory provisions; or is known to be relevant to an attempt to solve any problem with which this specification is concerned.
The present invention is directed to an original apparatus and related method for indicating to a user a series of predetermined spacings or measurements.
An embodiment of the invention may comprise a measuring device, such as a tape measure, as is known in the art, but improved to include highly visible markings at the ¾ inch measure of all 16-inch increments (for studs) and all 24-inch increments (for trusses). The markings would be color coded and different for studs and for trusses, with a “truss” or “stud” icon in the same color. Where the increments overlap, there would be dual color-coded markings, along with the appropriate icon(s).
In an embodiment of the invention comprising a method of using an embodiment of the apparatus, a user of the apparatus simply marks the spot as the apparatus indicates to note the placement of the stud or truss edge. This back measure marking system on measuring devices will ensure positive 16″ on center stud layout and 24″ on center truss layout over any distance. Accuracy and speed are ensured.
The present invention may address one or more of the problems and deficiencies of the prior art discussed above. However, it is contemplated that the invention may prove useful in addressing other problems and deficiencies in a number of technical areas. Therefore the claimed invention should not necessarily be construed as limited to addressing any of the particular problems or deficiencies discussed herein.
These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:
In the Summary above, in the Description and appended Claims below, and in the accompanying drawings, reference is made to particular features of the invention. It is to be understood that the disclosure of the invention in this specification includes all possible combinations of such particular features. For example, where a particular feature is disclosed in the context of a particular aspect or embodiment of the invention, or a particular claim, that feature can also be used, to the extent possible, in combination with and/or in the context of other particular aspects and embodiments of the invention, and in the invention generally.
The term “comprises” and grammatical equivalents thereof are used herein to mean that other components, structures, steps, etc. are optionally present. For example, an article “comprising” (or “which comprises”) components A, B, and C can consist of (i.e., contain only) components A, B, and C, or can contain not only components A, B, and C but also one or more other components or structures.
The term “at least” followed by a number is used herein to denote the start of a range beginning with that number (which may be a range having an upper limit or no upper limit, depending on the variable being defined). For example “at least 1” means 1 or more than 1. The term “at most” followed by a number is used herein to denote the end of a range ending with that number (which may be a range having 1 or 0 as its lower limit, or a range having no lower limit, depending upon the variable being defined). For example, “at most 4” means 4 or less than 4, and “at most 40%” means 40% or less than 40%. When, in this specification, a range is given as “(a first number) to (a second number)” or “(a first number)-(a second number),” this means a range whose lower limit is the first number and whose upper limit is the second number. For example, 25 to 100 mm means a range whose lower limit is 25 mm, and whose upper limit is 100 mm.
While the specification will conclude with claims defining the features of embodiments of the invention that are regarded as novel, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from a consideration of the following description in conjunction with the figures, in which like reference numerals are carried forward.
Referring to
Referring to
It is contemplated as part of the present invention that embodiments thereof may employ various spacing schemes and corresponding back-markings as dictated by local building codes.
Another embodiment of the present invention is shown in
Further embodiments of the present invention may comprise a retractable tape, a processor, a memory storage medium, and a power supply, wherein said retractable tape may be flexible display technology, such as “e-ink”. The processor may be programmed to receive instructions from the memory storage medium to dynamically display on the retractable tape the pre-programmed spacing scheme desired by the user. The power supply may supply power to the processor, memory storage medium, and display. Such embodiments may further comprise a user interface for selecting the desired spacing scheme from the schemes pre-loaded onto the memory storage medium.
Embodiments such as those previously disclosed may further comprise a system for upgrading the memory or of loading new spacing schemes. It is contemplated that this may be accomplished in many ways known in the art including, but not limited to, removable storage mediums such as SD-cards, input-output interfaces such as USB, or utilizing wireless communication protocols.
Referring to
In light of the foregoing description, it should be recognized that embodiments in accordance with the present invention can be realized in numerous configurations contemplated to be within the scope and spirit of the claims. Additionally, the description above is intended by way of example only and is not intended to limit the present invention in any way, except as set forth in the claims.
This U.S. Non-Provisional Patent Application claims the benefit of the currently pending, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/006,500, filed on 2 Jun. 2014, and is incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62006500 | Jun 2014 | US |
