Patent Application
20090025238
The present invention relates generally to a device for installing stairway components and more particularly to tools for installing stairway treads, risers, handrails, newels, and balusters.
Both commercial and residential builders are often involved in construction projects that require the use of precise heights and angles in order to meet strict building codes. One of these types of projects is the installation of a stairway that is often used for providing access to adjoining floors in a basement or multistory structure. Not only must the risers and stair treads be installed to allow the stairs to rise at a predetermined angle, additional stairway components must also be constructed to match the stairway orientation such that the stairway is not only safe but also looks appealing to the user.
Many types of angle measurement devices have been used in the prior art by those in the construction trades for projects involving angular measurements. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,954,990 to Ellis teaches an angle measuring device that combines a carpenter level with a measurement scale that are both affixed against a protractor for measuring roof pitches and gradients. U.S. Pat. No. 5,533,270 to van der Heiden teaches a device that connects between stair treads for determining angles during stair construction. Finally, U.S. Pat. No. 4,736.524 to King teaches a framing T-square and protractor that includes an elongated rule for use in roofing installations or carpentry work.
The problem with these types of construction measurement devices used in the prior art is that they do not operate well for stairway construction projects. Many of these prior art devices are used for roof installations and cannot be manipulated to work easily when used for the installation of rails, risers, handrails, newels, balusters, and/or other stairway assemblies. Accordingly, a construction device is required for enabling a carpenter to more easily build a stairway assembly requiring angular and height measurements and for allowing safe construction and a pleasant appearance of the stairway in conformance with various building code requirements.
The accompanying figures, where like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate views and which together with the detailed description below are incorporated in and form part of the specification, serve to further illustrate various embodiments and to explain various principles and advantages all in accordance with the present invention.
Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of embodiments of the present invention.
Before describing in detail embodiments that are in accordance with the present invention, it should be observed that the embodiments reside primarily in combinations of method steps and apparatus components related to a construction tool for installing stairway components. Accordingly, the apparatus components and method steps have been represented where appropriate by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein.
In this document, relational terms such as first and second, top and bottom, and the like may be used solely to distinguish one entity or action from another entity or action without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. An element preceded by “comprises . . . a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises the element.
A height adjustment section 117 is located above the vertical clamp brace 103 and includes a bubble level 115 positioned between the edges of the body 101. The height adjustment section 117 is positioned on top of the body 101 so that one or more fasteners 119, affixed to the body 101, slide in a notched area 121 so that the overall height of the tool 100 can be adjusted based on a measurement from a rule 123. The rule 123 measures the over all length of the construction tool 100 from the protractor edge of the tool to the tread (not shown). In normal use, the building code typically requires that a stairway handrail be set between 36 to 42 inches above the stair tread. Although inches have been used in this example, the rule 123 may be calibrated in other measures such as used in the metric system or the like. The height adjustment section 117 includes a lower adjustment section 118 and an upper adjustment section 120 that are slidably mounted such that the can be adjusted to a desired height 120 using the rule 123. Thereafter, the fasteners 119 are used to tighten the height measurement section 117 to the body 101 such that the height of the tool 100 is held into a rigid position while in use in order to obtain an accurate measurement. Hence, this portion of the tool may also be used to set the predetermined height of a stairway handrail, newel post. or baluster.
As described in more detail herein, at the upper edge of the upper adjustment section 120 is an adjustable protractor 200 used for measuring lengths using rule 215 and/or setting the correct angle of a stairway handrail using scale 205 The protractor 200 is attached to an upper end 201 of the adjustment section 117 through the use of a bolt, bushing or other adjustable fastener for allowing a pivoting motion about a center point.
Many building codes require the a stairway handrail be installed at an angle of approximately 30 to 45 degrees in relation to the stair tread allowing the construction tool to aid the carpenter in establishing this angle. Moreover, the straight edge section 213 of the protractor 200 further includes a rule 215 for measuring distances typically between 1 to 3 feet in length. In operation, the rule 200 is pivoted about the adjustable fastener 201 where a rivet 217 or other mechanical device rides within a semicircular channel 219 located just above the scale 205. This allows the protractor 200 to be rotated about the adjustable fastener 201 to either a positive or negative position for measuring angle α or angle β in relation to the zero degree point 221.
Thus, the present invention is directed to construction tool for use in building stairways and their associated components. The construction tool includes a height measurement section for adjusting a lower adjustment section and an upper adjustment section to a predetermined height above a stair tread. An angular measurement section is pivotable about the adjustable height measurement section and is used for determining a predetermined angle for mounting stairway components. A plumb level is positioned within the lower adjustment section and is used for determining if the adjustable height measurement section is in a substantially vertical position. A rule is integrated into the lower adjustment section for measuring the predetermined height of the tool while a notch is formed below the rule for frictionally engaging with a portion of the stair tread. One or more mounting clamps are integrated with the lower adjustment section for holding the portion of the stair tread within the notch. The lower adjustment section and upper measurement section are slidably mounted over one another for setting the predetermined height of the tool above a stair tread.
In the foregoing specification, specific embodiments of the present invention have been described. However, one of ordinary skill in the art appreciates that various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention as set forth in the claims below. Accordingly, the specification and figures are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of present invention. The benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any element(s) that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as a critical, required, or essential features or elements of any or all the claims. The invention is defined solely by the appended claims including any amendments made during the pendency of this application and all equivalents of those claims as issued.
