Geometrical instruments – Gauge – Wall panel outline marker for utility
Reexamination Certificate
1999-02-26
2001-05-08
Bennett, G. Bradley (Department: 2859)
Geometrical instruments
Gauge
Wall panel outline marker for utility
C101S327000, C101S333000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06226882
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to marking the back side of sheet material to enable openings to be accurately located and cut into the material.
2. Brief Description of the Prior Art
Plasterboard, also known as Sheetrock®, wallboard and gypsum board, has been used to replace plaster in construction for several decades. In comparison to plaster, plasterboard installs rapidly and requires substantially less manual labor. Plasterboard, however, still has installation problems which the industry has been attempting to solve.
Not the least of these problems is the marking of specific areas to be cut out. Currently these areas, such as for outlet boxes, heating vents, etc., are measured vertically and horizontally, from the adjacent plasterboard and floor or ceiling. The measurements are subsequently transferred to the plasterboard for cutting and installation. This is a time consuming process, even for professional installers. Plasterboard fortunately provides some leeway in that “mistakes” can be compensated through the use of spackle. The installation of wall paneling, however, does not provide any such leeway and a mistake in cutting can be quite costly.
The need for a rapid, easy to use marking device has been recognized in the construction field and is reflected in the prior art patents. U.S. Pat. No. 4,953,733 recognizes the need to mark plasterboard on the back side and has disclosed a device for use with electrical outlet boxes. The '733 device is provided with ears at each corner which fit within the outlet box. Arrow shaped marking elements are provided at the corners to engage the plasterboard. A securing screw can be inserted into a receiving hole within the body of the '733 device to secure the device to the outlet plug. Due to the construction of the '733 device, the marking elements are wedged into the plasterboard to mark the location of the plug outlet. Once the plasterboard is pressed onto the '733 device and removed for cutting the marking device is wedged into the plasterboard and must be removed prior to cutting the marked area. To prevent the device from being removed from the outlet with the plasterboard, the device must be secured through use of the securing screw. One of the problems with the '733 device is the necessity of securing the device to the outlet prior to measuring as well as removing the device after measuring, requiring substantial time on the part of the installer. Further, this device cannot be used on hard materials, such as paneling, tile or plywood. If the device is unsecured and retained within the plasterboard upon removal, the plasterboard must be maintained parallel to the wall during removal. Angling the plasterboard during removal could cause the ears of the device to catch on the outlet or even break up plasterboard.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,107,601, issued to Semchuck, uses a template consisting of indicia which define a hole pattern. These indicia are used to assist in drilling holes for mounting objects, such as towel bars. This device, however applies only to front mounted articles and does not provide any assistance with marking cut outs from the back of a rigid panel.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,969,269 discloses a device for punching cutouts through sheets of drywall. The '269 device has a pulley system which is used to cut the drywall in the shape of the outlet. The device is relatively expensive to produce and complicated to use.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,335,511 covers a marking device which marks the center of the outlet through use of a indicator which places an indentation in the wallboard at the center point of the outlet box. The wallboard is then horizontally placed, one half the depth of the wallboard is cut out in the shape of the outlet on the first side, the wallboard is turned over, and the remaining depth of the cutout is made. Cuts are made by striking the device which cuts into the wallboard. An inherent problem is that wallboard can break easily and unevenly when sharply struck, as it is brittle. Additionally, wallboard, is heavy and not easily moved or turned, rendering the '511 device awkward to use.
The disclosed invention overcomes the difficulties encountered in the prior art by providing a simple, inexpensive device for marking the reverse side of sheets of all types of material, such as paneling, plasterboard, floorboards, tiles, etc.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An easy to use and accurate marking device is disclosed to enable the placement of an indicator mark on one side of a sheet of material to mark the approximate periphery of a stationary object. The marking device has at least one marking line, each of the marking lines transferring a substance to the sheet of material upon contact. The marking line is placed into a base to maintain the marking line in a predetermined position.
In some embodiments the base is a plate with a recess having a periphery less than the base plate outer periphery in one side. A marking line is placed on the surface of the plate and, in most embodiments has a periphery less than the base periphery and greater than the periphery of the recess. A second marking line, or set of lines, can also be provided to provide off set marking on the sheet material.
A contact pad is moveable within the recess and is maintained a predetermined distance from the base plate, when not under pressure, by a spring between the contact pad and the recess back plate. One or more contact pad retaining members prevent removal of the contact pad from the base plate while permitting the contact pad to move within the recess. At least one holding member is used to secure the base plate to the stationary object.
The contact pad retaining member can be one or more horizontal securing members, such as screws, that extend through the recess back plate and are secured to the contact pad. The recess back plate is drilled to enable the securing member to slide freely within the back plate as pressure is applied to the contact pad. A helical spring can be used with the horizontal securing members, either separately or mounted on the securing member. When used separately, the helical spring is proximate the securing member, and preferably resting in opposing spring receiving areas within the recess and contact pad. In another embodiment, the marking device can have smaller, dual contact pads, each of which are independently affixed to the base.
The spring can also be a leaf spring that is either a separate unit or integral with the contact pad and/or the base plate. In one embodiment, a portion of the leaf spring is affixed to the recess back plate and another portion of the spring is affixed to the contact pad. The spring is free to flex within the recess in response to pressure applied to the contact pad while preventing the contact pad from separating from the base plate. If the spring is not affixed to the contact pad and recess back plate, a retaining member maintains the contact pad within the recess. The retaining member can be a notch within the contact pad that interacts with a flange in the recess. This prevents the contact pad from separating from the recess while enabling movement. The spring can also be two partial arcs that are an integral part of the contact pad or base plate.
Alternatively, the body of the marking device can be notched from the flanges to the contact pad recess area, thereby having a thinner cross-sectional thickness and placing at least a portion of the recess into the hollow opening of the stationary object.
The marking device is maintained on the stationary object using a friction fit through the use of at least one flange placed at a right angle to the base plate. The flange has a periphery less than that of the outer plate and greater than the periphery of the recess. The flange can be a single piece extending around all edges of the plate or can be two or more smaller, individual flanges. At least one pair of opposing smaller flanges are required to secure the marking device. A single stop flange is placed on the base pla
Bennett G. Bradley
Parker Sheldon H.
Verbitsky Gail
LandOfFree
Cutout marking device for marking sheet material does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Cutout marking device for marking sheet material, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Cutout marking device for marking sheet material will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2459851