GB2441139A

GB2441139A - Wallboard marking device indicating position of wall fixture

Info

Publication number: GB2441139A
Application number: GB0622977A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Stephen Richards; Philip Green; Christopher Siddall
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-08-21
Filing date: 2006-11-17
Publication date: 2008-02-27
Also published as: GB0622977D0; GB0616548D0

Abstract

A device is disclosed for use in marking the position of a rail-mounted fixture, such as a pattress box, or of a recess in a wall, on to the underside of a board to be fitted to it. The device is intended particularly, but not exclusively, for use in dry-lining of walls, in which context a means is needed to transfer the positions of pattress boxes etc. to the plasterboard used for dry-lining so that a suitable aperture can be cut in the plasterboard to provide access to the pattress box beneath. The device is a body 12, formed e.g. as a plate, which is adapted to be located and mounted by the fixture or recess, e.g. by virtue of provision of a locating dowel 16 and sprung locating device 18. The body carries at least one marker, which may be formed as a sharpened projection 14a-d, positioned such that by mounting the body on the fixture 24 or recess and then presenting the board 30 to it, one or more marks representing the position can be made upon the underside of the board. Also claimed is a an electrical back box (pattress) having at least one integral marker 60 projecting from the front of the box to leave indicator marks on a wall board to indicate the position of the electrical back box.

Description

1 2441139

MARKING DEVICE

The present invention relates to a device for marking the position of a wall-mounted fixture, or of a recess in a wall, on the underside of a board to be fitted to the wall.

The invention addresses problems encountered, for example, when "dry-lining" the interior walls of a building. This involves fitting plasterboard sheeting to the walls, prior to finishing with plaster. As well as cutting the plasterboard to the correct shape to fit the wall, it is necessary to cut openings in it which will align with, and so provide access to, certain features carried by the wall beneath For example, electrical pattresses -boxes having an open outer face which are mounted upon the wall beneath the plasterboard to receive electrical sockets etc. -are typically secured to the wall prior to dry-lining and need to be accessible through openings in the plasterboard.

The problem in hand concerns marking of the position of such a fixture onto the plasterboard, to enable the corresponding opening to be tidily cut in the plasterboard in the right position. Of course, when the plasterboard is offered up to the wall it lies over the fixture, concealing it and making it difficult to accurately mark its position.

Typically this problem is addressed by measuring the vertical and horizontal position of u the fixture and then transferring these measurements to the plasterboard, but this is a S.....

* process which consumes time and can often prove inaccurate, making it necessary to S..... * .

begin by cutting a rough undersized opening and then, after trial fitting, to expand this **.**.

to provide an opening having the correct size and position. Mistakes are not uncommon and result in wastage.

Hence there is a need for a means of quickly and accurately transferring the position of a wall-mounted fixture, or indeed of a recess formed in a wall, onto the underside of a board to be fitted to it.

In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention there is a device for marking the position of a wall-mounted fixture, or of a recess in a wall, on the underside of a board to be fitted to the wall, the device comprising a body adapted to be located and mounted by the fixture or recess, and at least one marker which is carried by the body and which projects from it, such that by mounting the body in the fixture or recess and then offering the board up to the wall to contact the marker, a mark is made upon the board which represents the position of the fixture or recess.

Using a device according to the present invention, the position of the relevant feature on the wall can be quickly and accurately marked upon the underside of the plasterboard (the underside of course being the side of the plasterboard which will face toward the wall). Use of the device in question greatly reduces the time required for marking and also reduces wastage of plasterboard arising from accurate marking. The device can be small, portable and lightweight and can be carried in the toolbox. It : *..* requires no power supply -only light manual pressure is needed upon the outer face of the plasterboard to produce the required marking.

ft is particularly desirable that the device should be adapted to mark not only the position but also the size and shape of the required opening on the plasterboard. To this * : ** * end a preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a set of markers in a square or rectangular arrangement. The marker's positions can correspond to the corners of a square or rectangular fixture such as a pattress.

Various forms of marker may in principle be used. In the preferred embodiment the or each marker has a sharp point or edge to form the mark upon the board. Markers of this form are simple and robust. However, ink pen markers could for example be used as an alternative.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, the body is adapted to be ocated and mounted by the fixture or recess by provision of two locating features for engaging in diagonally opposite corners of a square or rectangular fixture or recess. A simple but positive location of the device is thus provided. In such an embodiment the body itself may comprise a flat plate from whose rear face the locating features project. In use the flat plate can be proportioned to abut against the front surface(s) of the wall-mounted fixture, while the locating features project into it.

A further preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a resiliently biased retainer for releasably securing the device to the fixture or recess. One such embodiment has a resiliently biased retainer which comprises a movable retainer member slidably received in a retainer body and a spring acting upon the movable retainer. An alternative embodiment uses a cantilevered resilient member, such as a leaf : *.* spring secured to the body. S...

*::* In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, there is a pattress comprising a cuboidal pattress box having a rear face, side walls, and an open front * face, the pattress being adapted to be mounted upon a wall with its rear face against the wall and being provided with at least one marker which projects from the front of the *..: pattress box so that when the pattress is mounted upon a wall and a board is presented to it, the marker is able to form a mark upon the board corresponding to the position of the pattress.

In a preferred embodiment, markers are provided at or adjacent the four corners of the open front face of the pattress. In this way, the size and shape of the aperture required to accommodate the pattress can be marked upon the plasterboard.

It is particularly preferred that the markers be removable. The markers may for example be adapted to be snapped off In a moulded plastic pattress this could be achieved by pre-weakening the markers at their roots. Alternatively, the markers may be adapted to be bent down after use. Such a construction may be particularly suited for use with a metal pattress.

Specific embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the following figures in which:-Figure 1 is a perspective illustration of a first marking device embodying the present invention; Figure 2 illustrates the same marking device, viewed from beneath; Figure 3 is a perspective illustration of a second marking device embodying the : **.* present invention, viewed from above; S...

*... . . Figure 4 illustrates the same marking device, viewed from beneath; Figure 5 illustrates the same marking device, viewed from one side; Figure 6 illustrates a third marking device embodying the present invention, viewed from one side; * .. .. Figure 7 shows a marking device embodying the present invention in use; and Figure 8 is a perspective illustration of an electric pattress modified in accordance with the present invention.

Figures 1 and 2 illustrate a marking device 10 for use in transferring the position of wall-mounted fixture, in this particular case pattress for receiving an electric switch or socket, onto the underside of a board which is to be mounted upon the wall, over the pattress. The marking device 10 has a body formed by a plate 12, which is square in this particular embodiment and which carries upon its upper face a set of markers 14a-d.

The markers project from the upper face of the plate 12 and each have a sharp point 13 intended to create a mark upon the underside of the board when it is urged against the marker. In the present embodiment, the markers each comprise a conical projecting member, although the particular shape could of course be varied considerably in other embodiments, and indeed it would in principle be possible to use other forms of marker, e.g. involving transfer of ink etc. The plate 12 is provided with features which enable it to locate upon, and be mounted by, the pattress. According to the present embodiment, these features comprise a locating dowel 16 and a sprung retaining device 18. The locating dowel 16 : *** projects from the underside of the plate 12, in a position adjacent one of its corners.

*. The sprung retaining device 18 is positioned diagonally opposite the locating dowel 16.

It comprises a retaining pin 20 which is slidably received in a retainer body 22, such that the pin can move along the direction of the plate's diagonal. A spring (not shown) within the retainer body 22 biases the retaining pin outwardly -i.e. toward the corner of *..: the plate 12.

In use, the locating dowel 16 is positioned in one corner of the pattress and the retaining pin 20 engages its opposite corner. Because the locating features engage with opposite diagonals of the pattress, they provide positive location for the marking device, as seen in Figure 7. Note also from this drawing that the plate 12 is sized to rest upon the outer face of the pattress, indicated at 24 in this drawing. To mount the marking device, the user need simply insert the retaining pin 20 into the corner of a pattress and push against it slightly to overcome its spring biasing, after which the locating dowel 16 can be inserted into the opposite corner of the pattress.

Figure 7 also shows the positions of the markers 14a and b with respect to the outer walls 26 and 28 of the pattress. In the present embodiment, the sharpened points of the markers align with the outer surfaces of these walls, so that the device marks the actual corners of the opening to be cut in the plasterboard.

Figure 7 also shows the plasterboard 30 itself, and it will be appreciated that by offering the plasterboard up to the marking device whilst it is mounted upon the pattress and exerting light pressure against the markers 14 a-d, the necessary marks can be made upon it.

A through-going hole 32 (Figures 1 and 2) in the plate 12 allows the marking device to be removed from the pattress 24, simply by inserting a finger into the hole so : that the fingertip, positioned against the underside of the plate 12, can be used to : withdraw the device.

Standard pattresses come in both square and rectangular shapes, and the second embodiment illustrated in Figures 3-5 differs from the first in that it is rectangular in shape, for use with a correspondingly proportioned pattress. In many other respects, these two embodiments are closely similar and the same reference numerals found in Figures 1 and 2 are used for the corresponding features in Figures 3-5. In this embodiment the plate 12 has a pair of square through-going holes 32. Note also that the exposed inner end of the retaining pin 20 carries a pull ring 34 which is accessible through one of the holes 32. Using a fingertip, the user can thus withdraw the retaining pin 20 to facilitate insertion of the device into the pattress.

The third embodiment illustrated in Figure 6 is again generally similar in construction to the first two embodiments and common features are once more given the same reference numerals. However, the sprung retaining device (labelled 36 in this drawing) differs from that of the earlier embodiments. It comprises a shaped, resilient plate (formed e.g. of spring steel or the like) having a first panel 37 which is secured to the plate 12 and which is bent or otherwise shaped to form an elbow leading to a projecting, sprung, second panel 40 which is itself shaped to form a dome 42 which engages with the corner of the pattress. Upon insertion of the marking device 10 into the pattress 24 the sprung panel 40 is deformed inwardly somewhat to provide the biasing force needed to retain the device in position.

: ** All of the embodiments described and illustrated above are intended for use with a...

". a wall-mounted pattress. Note however that the invention can be used to mark the S...

positions of other features carried by a wall, e.g. of recesses cut into the wall.

Figure 8 illustrates a somewhat different embodiment of the present invention, : in the form of a pattress 50. The general construction of pattress boxes is well known and the embodiment provides only one example of numerous different types that are commercially available, having a generally cuboidal body 52 whose rear face has through-going clearance holes 54 for receiving screws used to mount the pattress on a wall. Internal bosses 56 are pie-threaded to receive the screws used to retain the face plate of a socket, switch or other electrical fitting in place over the pattress box.

In accordance with the present invention, the pattress 50 has been provided with markers 60a-d for marking the position of the pattress onto a board placed over it. The markers comprise short, projecting, sharpened spikes positioned at the corners of.the pattress. They are preferably removable, and their precise construction could in principle take any of a number of different forms. For example pattress boxes are commonly manufactured in plastics and in such cases the markers may be formed with a weakened root to enable them to be snapped off after they have performed their function in marking the position of the pattress. Where the construction of the pattress is in metal, it could take the form of small tabs to be bent down into the body of a pattress after use. Numerous variants will present themselves to the skilled person.

The aforegoing embodiments are presented by way of example rather than limitation and numerous possible modifications and variants will readily present themselves to those skilled in the art. For example the body of the device could be : * adapted to be screwed into place upon the pattress by provision of suitable through- going holes, in place of the locating features described above. The markers 14 may be * , replaceable items, e.g. because they are threaded and screwed into the plate 12, so that *:** they can be renewed in the event of accidental damage. Significant wear during normal : use is thought to be unlikely. C. I*

C SC

Claims

CLAIMS

1. A device for marking the position of a wall-mounted fixture, or of a recess in a wall, on the underside of a board to be fitted to the wall, the device comprising a body adapted to be located and mounted by the fixture or recess, and at least one marker which is carried by the body and which projects from it, such that by mounting the body in the fixture or recess and then offering the board up to the wall to contact the marker, a mark is made upon the board which represents the position of the fixture or recess.
2. A device as claimed in claim 1, which has a set of markers in a square or rectangular arrangement
3. A device as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 in which the or each marker has a sharp point or edge to form the mark upon the board.
4. A device as claimed in any of claims 1-3 in which the body is adapted to be located and mounted by the fixture or recess by provision of two locating features for engaging in diagonally opposite corners of a square or rectangular fixture or recess.
5. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, having a resiliently biased retainer : ** for releasably securing the device to the fixture or recess. S..

.
6. A device as claimed in claim 5, in which the resiliently biased retainer S...

* . comprises a movable retainer member slidably received in a retainer body and a spring *:*-acting upon the movable retainer.

:
7. A device as claimed in claim 5 in which the resiliently biased retainer comprises a cantilevered resilient member.
8. A device as claimed in any preceding claim adapted for use with a cuboidal pattress.
9. A pattress comprising a cuboidal pattress box having a rear face, side walls, and an open front face, the pattress being adapted to be mounted upon a wall with its rear face against the wall and being provided with at least one marker which projects from the front of the pattress box so that when the pattress is mounted upon a wall and a board is presented to it, the marker is able to form a mark upon the board corresponding to the position of the pattress.
10. A pattress as claimed in claim 9, having markers at or adjacent the four corners of the open front face.
11. A pattress as claimed in claim 9 or claim 10, in which the markers are removable.
12. A pattress as claimed in any of claims 9 to II, in which the markers are adapted to be snapped off or bent down after use.
13. A marking device substantially as herein described with reference to, and as illustrated in, Figures 1 and 2 or Figures 3-5 or Figure 6.

: ..
14. A pattress substantially as herein described with reference to, and as illustrated S...

in, Figure 8 S...

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