Woodworking – Process – Mechanical cutting or shaping
Reexamination Certificate
1999-10-20
2001-04-24
Bray, W. Donald (Department: 3725)
Woodworking
Process
Mechanical cutting or shaping
C144S144100, C144S144510
Reexamination Certificate
active
06220317
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a template assembly useful for the placement of apertures for junction boxes and other electrical power and communication devices that accommodate switches, receptacles, telephone outlets, data outlets, and the like. It relates in particular to the provision of a guide for a router used in cutting such apertures.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
During a remodeling or new construction project, electricians or drywallers are required to appropriately place in sheetrock or other wall materials apertures where junction boxes and other electrical power and communication devices will be located. When measuring for the cut-out sections in the walls, the installer will typically use a ruler to measure the appropriate location of the cut-out, and then trace a junction box with a pencil to outline the shape to be cut out. The marking and cutting out of junction box locations by this procedure requires a considerable amount of time and labor. Due to the time constraints and high cost of labor involved in construction projects, there is a great need for a device which will expedite the locating of cut-outs on new and existing walls to accommodate boxes for devices. Additionally, the traced outline is then cut with a saw, a router or other cutting instrument, following the traced line. If the operator of the cutting instrument misdirects the cutter, the cut may not be appropriately sized.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
While previous inventions have provided templates which facilitate the locating of positions for cutouts, the present invention not only assists in properly locating cutouts, but meets a further need by providing a guide for the tool used in cutting apertures in walls to accommodate junction boxes and other electrical power and communication devices. Further, the present invention provides a template that not only assists in cutting of such apertures in a vertical wall, but also in cutting of such apertures in horizontally disposed walls boards, as are encountered in the manufactured housing industry, modular housing industry and recreational vehicle industry.
The device is used to control the cuts made in drywall and other applicable materials by routers. It expedites the process by allowing an adjustable “ladder” type template assembly to be preset at the installer's predetermined wall box height. The dimensional cut of a hole is controlled with sliding templates that can be set to any desired height and used to guide the router bit by means of a collar fitted so that the router performs the cut in the drywall while tracing the inside edge of either a single gang or a double gang template. The device is designed to work particularly well in fast-paced, repetitious environments such as at construction sites or in the aforementioned housing and recreational vehicle industries.
In most commercial and domestic building environments, junction boxes are commonly positioned at either of two standard heights above floor level. Typically, electrical outlets are centered at a height of one foot, while switches are at a four-foot height. The present invention preferably has two templates, one corresponding to each height, but capable of adjustment in half-inch increments to take account of variations in local construction practices or building codes.
In summary, it is a purpose of this invention to provide a template assembly which functions as a guide for a router in repetitiously cutting apertures at standard heights in walls to accommodate electrical fixtures.
It is further a purpose of this invention to provide a template assembly which functions as a guide for a router in repetitiously cutting apertures at two standard heights in walls to accommodate electrical fixtures, both heights being readily adjustable to meet variations in standards.
It is further a purpose of this invention to provide a template assembly which functions as a guide for a router in repetitiously cutting apertures at two heights in walls to accommodate electrical fixtures, the assembly being easily and reversibly dismantled into compact portable sections.
It is further a purpose of this invention to provide a template assembly which can readily be configured as a guide for repetitiously cutting apertures at standard heights either in vertical walls or in horizontally positioned wall boards.
It is further a purpose of this invention to provide a template assembly which functions as a guide for a router in repetitiously cutting apertures at standard heights in walls to accommodate electrical fixtures, the assembly having templates which are easily and reversibly removable for independent use in non-standard applications.
It is finally a purpose of this invention to provide a template assembly which functions as a guide for a router in repetitiously cutting apertures at standard heights in walls to accommodate electrical fixtures, the assembly being readily adaptable by the user to be operable in more confined spaces than normal.
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Coon Richard A.
Martin Michael D.
Morel Charles S.
Bray W. Donald
Pass & Seymour, Inc.
Wall Marjama & Bilinski
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