Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
Docket No. 0184-249CAPT
PATENT
FLOOR JOIST SQUARE
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present disclosure relates to a floor joist square, more specifically, but
not by way
of limitation, more particularly to a marking tool for facilitating marking a
straight line along
the face of an engineered I-shaped floor joist.
BACKGROUND
Any discussion of the related art throughout the specification should in no
way be
considered as an admission that such related art is widely known or forms part
of common
general knowledge in the field.
In the last 5 years alone, the use of engineered I-shaped floor joists has
become the
standard amongst builders and carpenters. In order for builders and carpenters
to modify the
engineered I-shaped floor joists for custom builds, they must ensure a
straight cut along the
flanges and web of the engineered I-shaped floor joists. Since the flanges are
raised above the
web, marking for the cuts is required in multiple planes, which reduces the
precision of
marking and ease of use when using modern marking squares resulting in
diminished
productivity.
CA Pub. No. 2,406,539 C (Doyle) discloses an extendable square for marking
along a
flat plane. Shortcomings include an inability to accommodate straight marking
along multiple
planes of an engineered I-shaped floor joist with a single stroke.
U.S. Pub. No. 2007/0074414 Al (Neuroth) discloses a combination speed square
with
an integral measuring device. Shortcomings include an inability to accommodate
straight
marking along multiple planes of an engineered I-shaped floor joist with a
single stroke.
U.S. Pub. No. 2010/0139106 Al (Atwood) discloses a hinged measuring and
marking
device. Shortcomings include an inability to accommodate straight marking
along multiple
planes of an engineered I-shaped floor joist with a single stroke.
U.S. Pub. No. 2013/0227846 Al (Buzzell) discloses a rafter angle square.
Shortcomings include an inability to accommodate straight marking along
multiple planes of an
engineered I-shaped floor joist with a single stroke.
U.S. Pub. No. 2020/0047542 Al (Walsh et al.) discloses an extendible speed
square.
Shortcomings include an inability to accommodate straight marking along
multiple planes of an
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PATENT
engineered I-shaped floor joist with a single stroke, the additional time
required to set up the
adjustment mechanism, the required maintenance of the adjustment mechanism,
and the
potential for the adjustment mechanism to jam or break over time.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,419,057 A (Jackson) discloses a floor joist square.
Shortcomings
include an inability to accommodate straight marking along multiple planes of
an engineered I-
shaped floor joist with a single stroke.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,727,325 A (Mussell) discloses a multipurpose square.
Shortcomings
include an inability to accommodate straight marking along multiple planes of
an engineered I-
shaped floor joist with a single stroke.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,174,650 B1 (Marshall) discloses an adjustable and extendable
sliding
ruler square. Shortcomings include an inability to accommodate straight
marking along
multiple planes of an engineered I-shaped floor joist with a single stroke,
the additional time
required to setup the adjustment mechanism, the required maintenance of the
adjustment
mechanism, and the potential for the adjustment mechanism to jam or break over
time.
U.S. Pat. No. 8,307,564 B1 (Heaton) discloses a deck-building assist tool.
Shortcomings include an inability to accommodate straight marking along
multiple planes of an
engineered I-shaped floor joist with a single stroke.
U.S. Pat. No. 10,759,043 B2 (Denton) discloses an adjustable square for
marking cut
lines on wooden I-beams having parallel flanges with a connect web disposed
therebetween.
.. Shortcomings include the additional time required to setup the adjustment
mechanism, the
required maintenance of the adjustment mechanism and the potential for the
adjustment
mechanism to jam or break over time.
It is clear that there exists a need for a floor joist square for facilitating
marking a
straight line along the face of an engineered I-shaped floor joist. There is a
need for a floor joist
square that accommodates straight marking along multiple planes of an
engineered I-shaped
floor joist, that may be applied with ease and marked with a single stroke and
has no
adjustment mechanism or any additional unnecessary parts that may prone to
wear, break or
require maintenance.
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PATENT
BRIEF SUMMARY
It is an object of the invention to provide a floor joist square.
In accordance with an aspect of the invention, there is provided A floor joist
square for
facilitating marking a straight-line along a face of an engineered I-shaped
floor joist. The floor
joist square comprises a blade member, a tongue member and a handle. The blade
member is
flat and rectangular in shape and comprises a substantially thin first lip
extending out from a
first end of the blade member and a substantially thin second lip extending
out from a second
end of the blade member. The tongue member is flat and rectangular in shape
and is
perpendicularly affixed to the blade member at an end of the tongue member
above the second
lip. The handle is affixed to the blade member and the tongue member such that
the handle, the
blade member, and the tongue member form a triangular shape.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method
of
applying the floor joist square for marking the engineered I-shaped floor
joist in preparation for
cutting, the method comprising inserting the floor joist square onto the
engineered I-shaped
floor joist such that the tongue member lies flat against a second flange of
the engineered I-
shaped floor joist, the blade member lies flat against a web of the engineered
I-shaped floor
joist, the first lip lies flat on top of a first flange of the engineered I-
shaped floor joist and the
second lip lies flat on top of the second flange of the engineered I-shaped
floor joist. Holding
the floor joist square in place and marking the second flange along an edge of
the second lip,
the web along an edge of the blade member and the first flange along an edge
of the first lip in
one continuous motion.
In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the blade member further
comprises a plurality of hatch marks along a surface of the blade member
designating
increments of spatial distance for measurement.
In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the tongue member further
comprises a plurality of hatch marks along a surface of the tongue member
designating
increments of spatial distance for measurement.
In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the floor joist square is
fabricated
via a 3D printer.
In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the 3D printed floor joist
square is
of unitary construction.
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PATENT
In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the blade member, the
tongue
member, and the handle are 3D printed individually and assembled into the
floor joist square.
In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, a thickness of said blade
member
and a thickness of the tongue member are equivalent to a recessed thickness of
a web from a
top of a first flange of the engineered I-shaped floor joist and a second
flange of the engineered
I-shaped floor joist.
In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the floor joist square is
inserted
onto the engineered I-shaped floor joist by gripping the handle and
maneuvering the floor joist
into place.
In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the floor joist square is
held in
place by gripping the handle.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
To easily identify the discussion of any particular element or act, the most
significant
digit or digits in a reference number refer to the figure number in which that
element is first
introduced.
In the figures, embodiments are illustrated by way of example. It is to be
expressly
understood that the description and figures are only for the purpose of
illustration and as an aid
to understanding.
Embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to
the
attached figures, wherein the figures:
FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a floor joist square, in accordance
with one
embodiment.
FIG. 2 illustrates a front view of a floor joist square, in accordance with
one
embodiment.
FIG. 3 illustrates an upright applied view of a floor joist square applied to
an
engineered I-shaped floor joist, in accordance with one embodiment.
FIG. 4 illustrates a horizontal applied view of a floor joist square applied
to an
engineered I-shaped floor joist, in accordance with one embodiment.
FIG. 5 illustrates a marking view of a floor joist square applied to an
engineered I-
shaped floor joist, in accordance with one embodiment.
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PATENT
FIG. 6 illustrates a marked view of an engineered I-shaped floor joist, in
accordance
with one embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The details of one or more embodiments of the subject matter of this
specification are
set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other
features, aspects, and
advantages of the subject matter will become apparent from the description,
the drawings, and
the claims.
Like reference numbers and designations in the various drawings indicate like
elements.
The disclosure proposes a floor joist square for facilitating marking a
straight line
along the face of an engineered I-shaped floor joist that overcomes
disadvantages inherent in
the existing marking tools, such as, but not limited to, marking for the cuts
is required in
multiple planes. The present invention provides a floor joist square that may
be used with many
different embodiments. As such, the general purpose of the present invention,
which will be
described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new and improved
floor joist square for
facilitating marking a straight line along the face of an engineered I-shaped
floor joist, which
provides the advantages and overcomes the aforementioned disadvantages.
FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view 100 of a floor joist square 102,
according to some
embodiments. The floor joist square 102 is employed for facilitating marking a
straight line
along the face of an engineered I-shaped floor joist. The floor joist square
102 is shown
comprising a blade member 104, a tongue member 106, and a handle 108.
The blade member 104 is flat and rectangular in shape, providing a guide for
users to
draw straight lines along the outer edge of the blade member 104. The blade
member 104
comprises a substantially thin first lip 112 extending out from a first end of
the blade member
.. 104 and a substantially thin first lip 112 extending out from a second end
of the blade member
104. In some embodiments, the blade member 104 further comprises a plurality
of hatch marks
110 along a surface of the blade member 104 designating increments of spatial
distance for
measurement.
The tongue member 106 is flat and rectangular in shape, providing a guide for
users to
draw straight lines along the outer edge of the blade member 104. In some
embodiments, the
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PATENT
tongue member 106 further comprises a plurality of hatch marks 110 along a
surface of the
tongue member 106 designating increments of spatial distance for measurement.
The blade member 104 is perpendicularly affixed to an end of the tongue member
106
above the second lip 114. The blade member 104 may be perpendicularly affixed
to an end of
the tongue member 106 above the second lip 114 through methods such as, but
not limited to,
an applied adhesive, unitary construction of the two components, riveting,
brazing, soldering,
welding, or other common methods of joining or fusing known in the art.
A handle 108 is affixed to the blade member 104 and to the tongue member 106
such
that the handle 108, the blade member 104, and the tongue member 106 form a
triangular
shape. The handle 108 may be affixed to the blade member 104 and to the tongue
member 106
through methods such as but not limited to, an applied adhesive, unitary
construction of the
three components, riveting, brazing, soldering, welding, or other common
methods of joining
or fusing known in the art. The composition of the blade member 104, the
tongue member 106,
and the handle 108 may include but are not limited to, plastic, wood, metals,
alloys, and other
common materials known in the art.
FIG. 2 illustrates a front view 200 of a floor joist square 102, according to
some
embodiments. This view displays the triangular shape of the handle 108, the
blade member 104,
and the tongue member 106 of the floor joist square 102, as well as further
emphasizes the
extension of the second lip 114 below the intersection of the blade member 104
and the tongue
member 106.
FIG. 3 illustrates an upright applied view 300 of a floor joist square 102
applied to an
engineered I-shaped floor joist 302, according to some embodiments. This
example depicts a
typical engineered I-shaped floor joist 302, as is known in the art, in an
upright position. The
engineered I-shaped floor joist 302 is commonly used in construction and may
vary in height
and length. In some embodiments, the floor joist square 102 is fabricated via
a 3D printer to
accommodate the wide variety of heights and lengths of the engineered I-shaped
floor joists
302. In some embodiments, the 3D printed floor joist square 102 is of unitary
construction. In
other embodiments, the blade member 104, the tongue member 106, and the handle
108 are 3D
printed individually and then assembled into the floor joist square 102 as
shown and described
herein.
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PATENT
The engineered I-shaped floor joists 302 comprises a first flange 306 and a
second
flange 308 separated by a thin board referred to as a web 304. The first
flange 306 and the
second flange 308 are elevated above the plane of the web 304 while the first
flange 306 and
the second flange 308 lie along the same plane. In some embodiments, the
thickness of the
blade member 104, and the thickness of the tongue member 106 is equivalent to
a recessed
thickness of the web 304 from the top of a first flange 306 of an engineered I-
shaped floor joist
302 and a second flange 308 of an engineered I-shaped floor joist 302.
FIG. 3 depicts a floor joist square 102 applied to an upright engineered I-
shaped floor
joist 302. The floor joist square 102 is shown inserted onto the engineered I-
shaped floor joist
302 such that the tongue member 106 lies flat against a first flange 306, the
blade member 104
lies flat against the web 304, the first lip 112 lies flat on top of the first
flange 306 and the
second lip 114 lies flat on top of a second flange 308. In some embodiments, a
user may place a
floor joist square 102 onto the engineered I-shaped floor joist 302 or remove
the floor joist
square 102 from the engineered I-shaped floor joist 302 via gripping the
handle 108 and
maneuvering the floor joist square 102.
FIG. 4 illustrates a horizontal applied view 400 of a floor joist square 102
applied to an
engineered I-shaped floor joist 302, according to some embodiments.
FIG. 5 illustrates a marking view 500 of a floor joist square 102 applied to
an
engineered I-shaped floor joist 302, according to some embodiments. Once the
length of the
engineered I-shaped floor joist 302 has been determined by an installer a user
may employ the
floor joist square 102 to the engineered I-shaped floor joist 302 to mark for
the cut. The floor
joist square 102 is shown placed onto the engineered I-shaped floor joist 302
and the user has
applied straight line markings 502 along the edge of the first lip 112, second
lip 114, and blade
member 104 in preparation for cutting the engineered I-shaped floor joist 302.
In some embodiments, the user may grip the handle 108 to hold the floor joist
square
102 in place while marking 502 a second flange 308 along the edge of the
second lip 114,
marking 502 the web 304 along the edge of the blade member 104, and marking
502 the first
flange 306 along the edge of the first lip 112 in one continuous motion.
FIG. 6 illustrates a marked view 600 of an engineered I-shaped floor joist
302,
according to some embodiments. In this embodiment, the floor joist square 102
has been
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PATENT
removed and a straight line marking 502 is present along the first flange 306,
the second flange
308, and the web 304.
The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention
have been
presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended
to be exhaustive or
to limit the invention and method of use to the precise forms disclosed.
Obviously, many
modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. As
can be understood,
the examples described above are intended to be exemplary only.
The embodiments described were chosen and described in order to best explain
the
principles of the invention and its practical application, and to thereby
enable others skilled in
the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various
modifications as are
suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various
omissions or
substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or
render expedient
but is intended to cover the application or implementation without departing
from the spirit or
scope of the claims of the present invention.
The term "connected", "attached", "affixed" or "coupled to" may include both
direct
coupling (in which two elements that are coupled to each other contact each
other) and indirect
coupling (in which at least one additional element is located between the two
elements).
As one of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate from the
disclosure,
processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or
steps, presently
existing or later to be developed, that perform substantially the same
function or achieve
substantially the same result as the corresponding embodiments described
herein may be
utilized. Accordingly, the appended claims are intended to include within
their scope such
processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or
steps.
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