Adjustable Workpiece Positioning Apparatus

[0001] This regular application for patent claims priority of provisional application No. 60/597,350, filed Nov. 27, 2005.

[0002] This invention is in the field of tools for construction, more specifically that of homebuilding tools, and still more specifically that of tools for holding and positioning workpieces. It is also in the field of measuring instruments, more specifically that of length measuring devices.

[0003] Many tasks in the construction trades are repetitive. One such task is the positioning of studs, for example nominal two-inch by four-inch (“2×4”) wall studs, evenly between the top and bottom plates of a wall. Typically this task is performed, in wood home building, by a carpenter who measures the required separation between a first installed stud and the next with a tape measure or the like, and marks the position along the top or bottom plate with a pencil. The carpenter then positions the stud at the mark and nails it into place. A carpenter may, alternatively, make templates for such repetitive spacing out of short pieces of lumber, cut to a length corresponding to a desired distance between the studs, each having nail tips protruding from one side so that it will temporarily stay in place when tapped against the top and bottom plates. When it is desired to position a stud at this distance apart from a vertical surface such as the last stud, the templates are tapped into position along the top and bottom plates with one end against the vertical surface, and the next stud is positioned against the opposite end of each template. This stud is then nailed into place, and the templates are removed for use in positioning the next stud.

[0004] The prior art contains a device specially designed for this purpose. U.S. Pat. No. 5,628,119 to Bingham, et al., teaches a pair of cooperating members that may be fixed together in a small number of discreet positions using cooperating holes, bolts, and wing nuts. The members thus form a rigid spacer of a selected length against which construction elements, e.g., studs, may be placed for securing into position. Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 6,895,684 to Firth teaches a single member with multiple fixed spacers and a handle.

[0005] While these inventions constitute improvements to the above wooden templates, they lack important features of the instant invention. The most important of these is that they do not take into account that most rows of studs, rafters, trusses, etc. begin with a spacing about three-quarters of an inch shorter than the rest. This is because oftentimes, wall studs and roof trusses are covered with four-foot-wide material such as gypsum board, plywood, or particle board. Typically it is necessary to have such a board begin flush with the leading edge of the first stud or truss and end at the centerline, rather than at the leading edge, of the fourth stud (assuming 16-inch centers) or third truss (assuming 24-inch centers). For this to happen, the spacing between the first and second workpieces must be, e.g., 15¼ inches rather than 16 inches. The instant invention satisfies this long-felt need to make slightly shorter spacing with a single, quickly re-adjustable tool. The present invention also provides many more possible separation settings, such as might be encountered in special (e.g., decorative) circumstances, and improved ability to establish perpendicularity of stud ends across a plate board. These and other distinguishing characteristics and advantages will be elaborated in the following description.

[0006] The present invention is a spacing tool for construction members such as wall studs, rafters, joists, and trusses. The invention comprises two sets of jaws mounted on a rigid elongate bar, the jaws being adjustable to provide repeatable spacing of any arbitrary distance between the jaw sets. When two pieces of lumber are inserted into the two jaw sets, they are positioned at the specified spacing.

[0007] Typical spacings are 16-inch or 24-inch centers, which this invention provides using special indicia. The spacing may be set at any other interval as well, which may be useful in spacing construction members equally across a span not evenly divisible by 16 or 24 inches. Special indicia are also provided to enable the invention to be quickly set to a spacing that is ¾ inch shorter than these spacings, because such is typically the case between the first and second workpieces in a row. Indicia are also provided on the strip indicating the English or metric measure of the distance between corresponding parts of the jaw sets. The gap between jaws on one or both of the jaw sets is further adjustable to fit the thicknesses of the lumber being used, and two lengths of jaws are provided to better align lumber wider than a nominal 6 inches.

[0008] The principal object of this invention is to provide a repeatable and accurate spacing tool for plural construction members, e.g., lumber, that is also variable along a continuum of spacings. Yet another object of the invention is to permit more than one thickness, and more than one width, of plural member to be spaced apart and held securely in three dimensions while being fastened into place. An additional object of the invention is to improve the establishment of parallelism between plural members being installed as well as establishment of perpendicularity of the width dimension of the members to the elongate edges of the supporting construction members, e.g., the wall top and bottom plates.

[0009] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the first embodiment of the invention.

[0010] FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the fixed and movable single jaws of the first embodiment.

[0011] FIG. 3 is a front cross-sectional view of the fixed and movable single jaws of the invention.

[0012] FIG. 4 is a top cross-sectional view of the fixed and movable single jaws of the invention.

[0013] FIG. 5 is a front partial view of the first embodiment of the invention.

[0014] FIG. 6 is a rear partial view of the first embodiment.

[0015] FIG. 7 is a rear perspective view of the first embodiment.

[0016] FIG. 8 is a rear perspective view of the second embodiment of the invention.

[0017] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the first embodiment of the invention being used to position 2×4 wall studs on a 2×4 bottom plate.

[0018] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the first embodiment being used to position a 2×4 wall stud relative to the first stud in a row of such studs on a 2×4 bottom plate.

[0019] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing how the two basic settings of the first embodiment are used to frame the end of a wall.

[0020] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the third embodiment of the invention being used to position 2×8 wall studs on a 2×8 bottom plate.

[0021] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the fourth embodiment of the invention being used to position 8×8 posts studs on a 2×8 bottom plate.

[0022] Referring now to the drawings, in which like elements in each drawing are represented by like reference numerals, FIG. 1 shows the first embodiment of the invention in a perspective view. It comprises a rigid bar 1 having a first jaw 2 depending from first end 3 of bar 1. Also depending from, but riding adjustably along, bar 1 is a movable second jaw 4 and a movable double jaw assembly 5 comprising third jaw 6 and fourth jaw 7. In this first embodiment, third jaw 6 and fourth jaw 7 are in fixed relation to each other on slide 8. Near second end 9 of bar 1 is a stop pin 10, which may be either permanently or removably affixed to bar 1.

[0023] The preferred material for the invention is metal, for reasons of durability and rigidity, but other rigid materials can be used. If the workpieces being positioned are metal instead of lumber, rubber facings on parts contacting the workpieces are desirable.

[0024] Because third jaw 6 and fourth jaw 7 are in fixed relation to each other, this first embodiment of the invention is best suited for spacing parallel boards of a single thickness, e.g., nominal 2-inch (1½-inch) lumber. These two jaws depend from slide 8, so that vertical edges 16 and 17 are parallel to each other and both perpendicular to the elongate axis of bar 1. The jaws will comfortably engage nominal 2-inch lumber when they are 1⅝ inches apart. Double jaw assembly 5 may, however, be locked temporarily in position at any point along bar 1, so that the spacing between the jaw pairs can be set to virtually any distance from about five inches on up, with the upper limit of separation being governed by the arbitrary length of bar 1. A preferred practical length for bar 1 is approximately 52 inches.

[0025] The locking mechanism for assembly 5 is preferably a spring-loaded latch mechanism 11 which can engage any one of a plurality of notches 12 along the upper edge 13 of bar 1 as explained further on in this specification. This enables assembly 5 to be reset to a new position with one hand.

[0026] Note that movable second jaw 4 has its own latch mechanism 11′, enabling it to be set at any position between first jaw 2 and assembly 5. If its perpendicular edge 14 is set at a distance of 1⅝ inches, the invention is ready to repetitively position nominal 2×4 lumber. However, because jaw 4 may be moved, the invention may be used to position a 2×4 at any distance from another parallel board of a thickness greater or less than 1⅝ inches. This would be of value when it is desired to position a first vertical stud in relation to a 4×4 corner post, for example.

[0027] Edges 17, 16, 14 and 15 of jaws 7, 6, 4 and 2, respectively, are of a fixed length F in the first embodiment. If F is 3¼ inches, the first embodiment will optimally set typical 2×4 and 2×6 boards. As explained further on in this specification, appropriate jaw length assures that the width axis of the boards being set (e.g., the 3½-inch axis of a 2×4) is always perpendicular to the elongate axis of the supporting lumber.

[0028] FIG. 2 is a magnified front perspective view of the fixed jaw 2 and movable single jaw assembly 4 of the first embodiment of the invention, more clearly showing latch mechanism 11′. Note that bar 1 is slip fit within rectangular hole 20 through assembly 4. Tab 18, which operates latch mechanism 11′, is also shown. Section lines A-A′ and B-B′ define cutaway planes for the next two figures.

[0029] FIG. 3 is front cross-sectional view of fixed jaw 2, movable single jaw assembly 4, and bar 1 of the invention (section A-A′ from FIG. 2). Movable jaw assembly 4 is temporarily fixed in position along bar 1 by virtue of a catchment 30 engaged to a notch 12 in bar 1. The catchment 30 is part of latch mechanism 11′, which is attached by means of axle 31 to jaw assembly 4. Assembly 4 can be released to slide along bar 1 by manually moving tab 18 to the left. This causes mechanism 11′ to rotate counterclockwise against spring 32, raising catchment 30 out of notch 12. When tab 18 is released, mechanism rotates clockwise, thereby seating catchment 30 in another notch 12′.

[0030] FIG. 4 is a top cross-sectional view of the movable single jaw assembly 4 of the invention. Axis 31 can be seen running through latch mechanism 11′. Spring 32 can also be seen, in this view, as an elongate flexible member sandwiched between mechanism 11′ and one wall of assembly 4. The form of the spring is not important as long as a bias is provided to hold catchment 30 (FIG. 2) in any selected notch 12.

[0031] FIG. 5 is a front partial view of the first embodiment of the invention, showing indicia 50 in units of inches marked in front face 51 of bar 1. Using perpendicular edge 15 on fixed jaw 2 as a zero point (marked by indicium D) perpendicular edge 14 on assembly 4 can be set at any measured distance from jaw 2.

[0032] FIG. 6 is a rear partial view of the first embodiment of the invention, showing units of centimeters 60 scored in rear face 61 of bar 1.

[0033] FIG. 7 is a rear perspective view of the first embodiment of the invention, showing further indicia enabling the invention to be quickly set to standard American stud and rafter spacings. Indicium D′ along bar 1 is 15¼ inches, or 38.7 centimeters, from indicium D at edge 15. If edge 16 is moved to meet indicium D′, the center-to-center spacing of nominal 2-inch lumber will be that distance. This will often be the proper setting for the space between the first stud in a row and the second, because if the second and third center-to-center spacings are established at 16 inches, then a four-foot-wide piece of wallboard placed flush against the first stud will have its other edge at the centerline of the fourth stud. (This is depicted more clearly in FIG. 11.) For a 16-inch (40.6 cm) center-to-center distance, indicium D″ would be used.

[0034] Similarly, indicium D′″ along bar 1 is 23¼ inches, or 59.1 cm, from edge 15. If edge 16 is moved to that location, the center-to-center spacing of nominal 2-inch lumber will be that distance. If edge 16 is set at indicium D′′, the center-to-center distance between studs will be 24 inches (61.0 cm). If the first and second studs in a row are placed at indicium D′″ and the third stud is placed at indicium D″″, then a four-foot-wide piece of wallboard placed flush against the first stud will have its other edge at the centerline of the third stud.

[0035] FIG. 8 is a rear perspective view of a second embodiment of the invention. In the second embodiment, slide 8 is equipped with notches 12″ along its top edge 81. A second latch mechanism 11″ is mounted alongside latch mechanism 11, above notches 12″. This enables the distance between perpendicular edges 16 and 17 to be adjusted as well as that between edges 14 and 15. Thus, the second embodiment of the invention, while being of additional complexity compared to the first embodiment, allows pairs of workpieces of various thicknesses to be positioned.

[0036] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the first embodiment of the invention being used to position 2×4 wall studs 90 and 90′ at a spacing of 16 inches center-to-center on a 2×4 bottom plate 91. This is accomplished by positioning edge 16 of double clamp assembly 5 at indicium D″. Note also that the clamping of the jaws of sufficient length F on the studs serves not only to prevent their movement from side to side, but also maintains faces 92 and 92′ in perpendicular relation to bottom plate edge 93.

[0037] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the first embodiment of the invention being used to position a 2×4 wall stud 90′″ on a 2×4 bottom plate 91 after a first stud 90″ in a row of such studs has been nailed into position at one end 96 of bottom plate 91. To enable a center-to-center spacing of 15¼ inches, edge 16 of double clamp assembly 5 is positioned at indicium D′ instead of indicium D″.

[0038] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing how the two basic settings of the first embodiment (shown in FIGS. 9 and 10) are used to frame the end of a wall for proper fit of a 4-foot-wide piece of gypsum board 97. This view is similar to that of FIG. 10, but from a wider angle showing three studs in all. To create this wall end arrangement of studs using the invention, edge 16 of the invention is first positioned along bar 1 at indicium D′, thus putting it 15¼ inches leftward of edge 15. A first stud 90″ is then set and fastened vertically atop the right end 96 of bottom plate 91, and the invention is placed at location X so that jaws 2 and 4 grasp stud 90″. The second stud 90′″ is then placed between jaws 6 and 7 and fastened to the bottom plate. Next, the invention removed from the workpieces and adjusted so that edge 16 lies on indicium D″, thus being 16 inches leftward of edge 15. The invention is then placed in position Y so that jaws 2 and 4 grasp stud 90′″. Third wall stud 90 is nailed into place between jaws 6 and 7. The invention is then moved to position Z (without re-adjusting edge 16) so that jaws 2 and 4 grasp stud 90. A fourth stud 90′ is nailed into place between jaws 6 and 7. After these four studs are thus positioned, a 4-foot-wide piece of gypsum board 97 will properly span the distance between leading edge 98 on stud 90″ and centerline 99 on stud 90′.

[0039] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the invention being used to position 2×8 rafters 100′ and 100′ on a 2×8 stringer 101. This third embodiment differs from the third embodiment only in that jaws 2, 4, 6 and 7 are lengthened. If F′ is 6½ inches, the invention can be used on nominal 8, 10 and 12-inch-wide lumber.

[0040] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the invention. The fourth embodiment combines the second and third embodiments, in that it utilizes a double jaw assembly 5 comprising latch mechanism 11″ and notches 12′, as well as longer jaw length F′ being used to position larger workpieces. Here, the invention is being shown positioning 8×8 posts 110 and 110′ on a 2×8 bottom plate 111.