Patent Application
20230029305
The present invention relates generally to tools, more specifically but not by way of limitation, a tool configured to assist in the installation of ceiling members, in particular tongue and groove style planks that are installed onto the bottom of support members present at the ceiling of a room.
As is known in the art, there are many different types of ceiling materials that are installed in either commercial or residential structures. Materials such as but not limited to drywall, suspended foam tile and wood are utilized and the selection of the material may either be based on code requirement or as a design preference. On popular type of material utilized in many structures are tongue and groove wood planks. These planks are typically eight to twelve feet in length and approximately four to six inches in width. The tongue and groove planks have mateable longitudinal edges that are designed to couple when placed adjacent each other. Tongue and groove planks are typically mechanically fastened to support members at the ceiling, which can be portions of a roof truss or floor truss.
Due to their length, conventional tongue and groove planks can be cumbersome to install especially if only one individual is performing the installation. Typically, to successfully install conventional tongue and groove planks for a ceiling it is required that two individuals perform the installation. This is not always possible and as such the task of installing tongue and groove planks for one individual can prove to be quite difficult.
It is intended within the scope of the present invention to provide a tool that assists in the installation of tongue and groove planks for a ceiling in order to facilitate installation by a single individual.
It is the object of the present invention to provide a tool configured to facilitate installation of an elongated plank style member for a ceiling wherein the present invention includes a frame having an upper portion and a lower portion.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an installation tool for tongue and groove ceiling planks wherein the upper portion of the frame includes a lateral support member.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a tool configured to facilitate installation of an elongated plank style member for a ceiling wherein the lateral support member has secured thereto a first longitudinal support member and a second longitudinal support member at opposing ends of the lateral support member.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide an installation tool for tongue and groove ceiling planks wherein the lateral support member is adjustable in length.
An additional object of the present invention is to provide a tool configured to facilitate installation of an elongated plank style member for a ceiling wherein the lower portion of the frame includes a vertical support member extending downward from the lateral support member of the upper portion of the frame.
Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide an installation tool for tongue and groove ceiling planks wherein the lower portion of the frame includes an upper horizontal support member operably coupled to the vertical support member.
Another object of the present invention is to a provide a tool configured to facilitate installation of an elongated plank style member for a ceiling wherein the lower portion of the frame includes a lower horizontal support member secured to the vertical support member distal to the lateral support member of the upper portion of the frame.
An alternate object of the present invention is to provide an installation tool for tongue and groove ceiling planks wherein the upper portion is adjustable in width so as to accommodate various support trusses.
To the accomplishment of the above and related objects the present invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Attention is called to the fact that the drawings are illustrative only. Variations are contemplated as being a part of the present invention, limited only by the scope of the claims.
A more complete understanding of the present invention may be had by reference to the following Detailed Description and appended claims when taken in conjunction with the accompanying Drawings wherein:
Referring now to the drawings submitted herewith, wherein various elements depicted therein are not necessarily drawn to scale and wherein through the views and figures like elements are referenced with identical reference numerals, there is illustrated a ceiling member installation tool 100 constructed according to the principles of the present invention.
An embodiment of the present invention is discussed herein with reference to the figures submitted herewith. Those skilled in the art will understand that the detailed description herein with respect to these figures is for explanatory purposes and that it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that alternative embodiments are plausible. By way of example but not by way of limitation, those having skill in the art in light of the present teachings of the present invention will recognize a plurality of alternate and suitable approaches dependent upon the needs of the particular application to implement the functionality of any given detail described herein, beyond that of the particular implementation choices in the embodiment described herein. Various modifications and embodiments are within the scope of the present invention.
It is to be further understood that the present invention is not limited to the particular methodology, materials, uses and applications described herein, as these may vary. Furthermore, it is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is used for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. It must be noted that as used herein and in the claims, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” include the plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, a reference to “an element” is a reference to one or more elements and includes equivalents thereof known to those skilled in the art. All conjunctions used are to be understood in the most inclusive sense possible. Thus, the word “or” should be understood as having the definition of a logical “or” rather than that of a logical “exclusive or” unless the context clearly necessitates otherwise. Structures described herein are to be understood also to refer to functional equivalents of such structures. Language that may be construed to express approximation should be so understood unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
References to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, “exemplary embodiments”, and the like may indicate that the embodiment(s) of the invention so described may include a particular feature, structure or characteristic, but not every embodiment necessarily includes the particular feature, structure or characteristic.
Now referring in particular to the Figures submitted as a part hereof, the ceiling member installation tool 100 includes a frame 10. The frame 10 includes an upper portion 15 and a lower portion 20 that are integrally formed utilizing suitable techniques. The frame 10 is manufactured from a lightweight rigid material such as but not limited to square metal tubing. It is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the frame 10 or portions thereof could be manufactured from alternate suitable materials in order to accommodate various support structures to which the ceiling member installation tool 100 is secured during use thereof.
The upper portion 15 includes a lateral support member 25 wherein the lateral support member 25 includes a first end 26 and second end 27. The lateral support member 25 includes outer sections 28 wherein the sections are movably coupled to the center section 29 utilizing suitable techniques and/or fasteners. The outer sections 28 are configured to be adjustable in order to facilitate the altering of the length of the lateral support member 25 in order to facilitate engagement with exemplary support trusses 99. As is known in the art, depending upon the ceiling location, the structure will have different widths between the support trusses and as such the lateral support member 25 is adjustable in length in order to accommodate alternate distances between adjacent support trusses of a structure. While no particular length is required, it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the lateral support member 25 could be adjustable between a range of eleven to twenty eight inches. It is further contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the lateral support member 25 could be provided in a fixed length or a variety of fixed lengths so as to accommodate standard spacing's between support trusses.
Secured to the first end 26 and second end 27 of the lateral support member 25 are the first longitudinal support member 30 and second longitudinal support member 35. The first longitudinal support member 30 and second longitudinal support member 35 are secured to the lateral support member 25 utilizing suitable durable techniques and are perpendicular to the lateral support member 25. The first longitudinal support member 30 and second longitudinal support member 35 are oriented so as to be placed adjacent to the exemplary support trusses 99 and releasably secured thereto during use of the ceiling member installation tool 100. It should be understood within the scope of the present invention that the first longitudinal support member 30 and second longitudinal support member 35 could be provided in various lengths and further be formed from alternate materials instead of square metal tubing. By way of example but not limitation, it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the first longitudinal support member 30 and second longitudinal support member 35 could be manufactured from angle iron so as to be secured to the bottom of the exemplary support trusses 99 when required for installation of ceiling members having plumbing or electrical present.
The lower portion 20 of the frame 10 extends downward from the upper portion 15 and is secured thereto utilizing suitable techniques. The lower portion 20 includes a vertical support member 40. The vertical support member 40 is secured to the center section 29 of the lateral support member 25 and extends downward therefrom being perpendicular therewith. The vertical support member 40 includes an upper horizontal member 50 secured thereto and a lower horizontal member 60 secured thereto. Both upper horizontal member 50 and lower horizontal member 60 are utilized during the installation of exemplary ceiling members 98. The lower horizontal member 60 is secured to the end 42 of the vertical support member 40 and extends outward therefrom being perpendicular thereto. The lower horizontal member 60 is of sufficient length so as to accommodate thereon a plurality of exemplary ceiling members 98. The lower horizontal member 60 functions to maintain exemplary ceiling members 98 in a proximate location to the installation so as to add a convenience for the individual installing the exemplary ceiling members 98 utilizing the ceiling member installation tool 100. It should be understood within the scope of the present invention that the lower horizontal member 60 could be provided in various lengths in order to achieve the desired objective stated herein.
The upper horizontal member 50 is secured to the vertical support member 40 and is axially aligned with the lower horizontal support member 60. The upper horizontal member 50 is shorter in length than the lower horizontal support member 60 and is configured to provide support for one exemplary ceiling member 98. The upper horizontal member 50 is positioned so as to provide the required positioning of the ceiling member 98 for installation thereof. It is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the upper horizontal member 50 could be secured in the required position for standard installations or additionally be adjustable in position along the vertical support member 40 in order to facilitate movement thereof in an upwards-downwards direction in order to place a ceiling member 98 in the required location for installation. It should be understood within the scope of the present invention that the upper horizontal support member 50 could be movably secured utilizing various types of conventional fasteners and/or techniques.
While a preferred embodiment of the frame 10 has been illustrated and discussed herein, it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the frame 10 could employ alternate structures in order to accomplish the desired objective of the ceiling member installation tool 100 as discussed herein. By way of example but not limitation, it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the lower portion 20 could employ only one horizontal support member.
In the preceding detailed description, reference has been made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments, and certain variants thereof, have been described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. It is to be understood that other suitable embodiments may be utilized and that logical changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. The description may omit certain information known to those skilled in the art. The preceding description is, therefore, not intended to be limited to the specific forms set forth herein, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, as can be reasonably included within the spirit and scope of the invention.
