GB2519759A

GB2519759A - Template

Info

Publication number: GB2519759A
Application number: GB1319051.7A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Peter Capstick
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2013-10-29
Filing date: 2013-10-29
Publication date: 2015-05-06
Also published as: GB201319051D0

Abstract

A template for a utilities fitting for example for use in positioning and/or orientating an electrical socket 100 on a surface. The template has four outer edges 111, 112, 113 & 114 which form a physical guide which can be scribed around. The outer edges at least partially correspond to at least one dimension of a utilities fitting. The template comprises a visual guide 130 for positioning and/or orientating the template on a surface. The physical guide at least partially surrounds the visual guide. The visual guide may be an opening, a transparent part, markings, a spirit level or a combination. A method for positioning and/or orientating a utilities fitting on a surface using such a template is also described.

Description

Template

Field

Example embodiments relate to templates for utilities fittings and a method of positioning and/or orientating a utilities fitting on a surface using such a template.

Background

The internal spaces of modern buildings are often provided with a range of utilities which require mounting a utilities fitting to walls and/or ceilings. Examples of such utilities fittings include electrical sockets, data points, telephone points, fire alarms, security related fittings and emergency call buttons. Such utilities fittings are commonly mounted on finished walls and ceilings, such as plastered and painted walls and modular ceiling tiles. In order to obtain an aesthetically pleasing finish, the utilities fittings must be placed accurately in their desired positions and, particularly in the case of square or rectangular utilities fittings, in the desired orientation. For example it is desirable for square or rectangular utilites fittings to be orientated so that two of their straight edges are substantially horizontal and the other two of their straight edges are substantially vertical.

In the case of modular ceiling tiles, for example square modular ceiling tiles, it is desirable to place a utilities fitting substantially in the centre of the modular ceiling tile. A utilities fitting placed off-centre on a ceiling tile provides an undesirable appearance.

Current methods for positioning and/or orientating utilities fittings on walls and ceilings involve the careful positioning of the base (or back plate) of the fitting, or a template for such a fitting, on the wall or ceiling using accurate measurements and markings. The utilities fining may then be fixed to the wall directly, or the template may be scribed around for the subsequent positioning, orientating and fining of the utilities fining. It is preferable to only mark the surface within the region of the surface which is to be covered by the utilities fining or cut out to accommodate the utilities fining. This process is time consuming and therefore significantly slows down the process of fixing the utilities fittings into their required position.

Mounting a utilities fitting to a wall or a ceiling may require a hole to be cut into the wall or ceiling to accommodate cabling and/or a part of the utilities fitting.

In the case of modular ceiling tiles it is particularly time consuming to arrange the utilities fining substantially in the centre of the modular ceiling tile without marking the tile outside of the region of the ceiling tile which is to be covered by the utilities fining or cut out to accommodate the utilities fining.

It is an aim of example embodiments of the present invention to provide a template for a utilities fitting that addresses at least one disadvantage of the prior art, whether identified here or elsewhere, or to provide an alternative to existing templates for utilities fittings.

Summary Of The Invention

According to the present invention there is provided a template and method as set forth in the appended claims. Other features of the invention will be apparent from the dependent claims,

and the description which follows.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a template for a utilities fitting (for example for use in positioning and/or orientating the utilities fitting on a surface); wherein the template comprises a physical guide which at least partially corresponds to at least one dimension of a utilities fitting; wherein the template comprises a visual guide for positioning and/or orientating the template on a surface; and wherein the physical guide at least partially surrounds the visual guide.

Utilities fittings for which the template is suitable include, but are not limited to, electrical sockets, data points, telephone points, fire alarms, security related fittings and emergency call buttons.

Suitably the physical guide can be used to scribe (for example with a physical or visual mark) onto a surface with a mark at least partially corresponding to a dimension of a utilities fitting.

The physical guide at least partially corresponds to at least one dimension of a utilities fitting.

Suitably the physical guide at least partially corresponds to at least two dimensions of a utilities fitting. Suitably the physical guide corresponds to at least one dimension of a utilities fitting.

Suitably the physical guide corresponds to at least two dimensions of a utilities fitting.

The physical guide may be provided by an opening or openings in the template.

The physical guide may be provided by one or more outer edges of the template.

Suitably at least one outer edge of the template corresponds to an edge of the utilities fitting.

Suitably at least two outer edges of the template correspond to two edges of the utilities fitting.

Suitably at least three outer edges of the template correspond to three edges of the utilities fitting. Suitably four outer edges of the template correspond to four edges of the utilities fining.

Suitably an outline of the template formed from its outer edge or edges corresponds to the outline of a utilities fining. The outline of the utilities fining is formed by the outer edge or edges of the utilities fining which contact a surface onto which the utilities fining is fixed.

Suitably the physical guide can be used to scribe onto a surface with a mark corresponding to the entire outline of a utilities fitting.

Suitably the outline of the template substantially corresponds to the outline of the utilities fitting. The template may be any shape that corresponds to a utilities fitting. The template may be substantially square, rectangular, or substantially circular. The template may comprise a substantially flat face for applying to a surface, for example a wall or a ceiling. Suitably the outline of the substantially flat face corresponds to the outline of the utilities fitting.

The outline of the template may substantially correspond to the shape which has to be cut into the surface to accommodate part of the utilities filling.

Suitably a surface can be viewed through at least a part of the template. Suitably the template comprises a transparent part or comprises an opening. Suitably the transparent part or the opening is substantially at the centre of the template.

The template comprises a visual guide for positioning and/or orientating the template on a surface. Suitably the visual guide is provided at the centre, substantially at the centre or around the centre of the template. The visual guide may be provided by an opening, by a transparent part, by markings or a combination thereof.

Suitably the visual guide allows a user to position and/or orientate the template on a surface which has had a mark applied to it. Suitably the visual guide allows a user to position and/or orientate the template on a surface which has had a mark applied to it in the form of a cross.

A cross may be provided substantially at the centre point of a surface. Sutably the cross is applied to substantially the centre point of a modular ceiling tile.

The visual guide may comprise markings on the template. The markings may comprise points or lines suitable for aligning with a mark or marks on a surface. The markings may be suitable for aligning with a cross marked on a surface. Suitably the markngs comprise a square/rectangular marking, the four corners of the square/rectangular marking being suitable for aligning with the four arms of a cross marked on a surface. Suitably the markings comprise a cross marking, the four arms of the cross marking being suitable for aligning with the four arms of a cross marked on a surface.

At least a part of the template may be transparent. In embodiments wherein at least a part of the template is transparent, a transparent part of the template is suitably provided with the markings. Suitably the transparent part is substantially at the centre of the template. Suitably the markings are at the centre, substantially at the centre or around the centre of the template.

Suitably the markings comprise at least two line markings. Suitably the markings comprise at least three point markings. Suitably the markings comprise a square/rectangular marking.

Suitably the markings comprise a cross marking. The markings may be suitable for aligning with the tour arms of a cross marked on a surface.

In embodiments wherein the template comprises at least one opening, one or more features (for example the dimensions, shape, corners and the like) of the opening may provide the visual guide for positioning and/or orientating the template on a surface. Sutably the opening is substantially at the centre of the template. Suitably the template comprising at least one opening comprises a square/rectangular-shaped opening wherein the corners of the square/rectangular-shaped opening provide the visual guide for positioning and/or orientating the template on a surface. For example, the corners of the square/rectangular-shaped opening may be aligned with the four arms of a cross marked on a surface to position and/or orientate the template on a surface.

In embodiments wherein the template comprises at least one opening, markings on the template adjacent to the opening may provide the visual guide for positioning and/or orientating the template on a surface. Markings on the template adjacent to the opening may be suitable for alignment with the four arms of a cross marked on a surface to position and/or orientate the template on a surface. Suitably the template is provided with points or lines which provided on or in the template (for example painted or etched onto the template) to form the markings for positioning arid/or orientating the template on a surface.

Suitably a mark on a surface can be viewed through the template and enable the user to position and/or orientate the template on that surface. Suitably a mark on a surface can be viewed through an opening in the template or through a transparent part of the template.

The physical guide at least partially surrounds the visual guide. Suitably the physical guide is provided on an outer region of the template and the visual guide is provided on an inner region of the template. Suitably the visual guide is provided at the centre, substantially at the centre or around the centre of the template. Suitably the physical guide is provided on the template between the visual guide and the outer edge of the template, including the outer edge of the template.

The physical guide at least partially surrounding the visual guido allows the template to be aligned with a mark on a surface, which mark is smaller than a utilities fitting, by using the visual guide. The physical guide can then be used to scribe onto the surface, and this scribed mark used to position and/or orientate the utilities fitting on the surface. The mark on the surface being smaller than the utilities fitting allows the utilities fitting to be positioned and/or orientated on the surface without marking the surface outside of the area which is covered by the utilities fitting or cut out to accommodate the utilities fitting.

Suitably the template has large front and back faces and small side faces. The side faces may be referred to as defining the thickness of the template. Suitably the large faces of the template are at least 3 cm wide, preferably at least 5 cm wide, for example at least 7cm wide.

Suitably the large faces have a width of up to 28 cm, preferably a width of up to 24 cm, for example a width of up to 20 cm.

The template may have a suitable thickness for allowing the template to be easily handled by a user. Suitably the template has a thickness of at least 0.5 cm, preferably at least 1 cm, for example at least 2cm. Suitably the template has a thickness of up to 10 cm, preferably up to 8cm, for example up to 6cm.

Suitable materials from which the template may be constructed include wood, metal and plastics. Suitably the template is constructed from a plastic material. Suitable plastic materials include acrylic. Suitably the template is constructed from a transparent material. Suitably the template is constructed from a transparent acrylic material.

The template may comprise at least one spirit level. Suitably the spirit level can assist with the horizontal or vertical alignment of the template on a vertical wall. Suitably the template comprises at least two spirit levels. Suitably the template comprises two spirit levels. Suitably one of the at least two spirit levels can assist with the vertical alignment of the template on a vertical surface. Suitably one of the at least two spirit levels can assist with the horizontal alignment of the template on a vertical surface.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method for positioning and/or orientating a utilities fitting on a surface, the method comprising the steps of: a) positioning and/or orientating a template according to the first aspect with a mark on the surface using the visual guide; b) scribing using the physical guide of the template; c) positioning and/or orientating the utilities fitting using the scribing produced in step b).

Step a) may involve providing the surface with a cross mark. Suitably step a) involves providing the centre of a ceiling tile with a cross mark. Suitably the mark is smaller than the template so that the outline of the utilities fitting completely encompasses the mark.

Step a) may involve aligning the template with a cross mark on a surface. Suitably step a) involves aligning the visual guide of the template with the cross mark. Suitably step a) involves aligning the visual guide of the template with the four arms of the cross mark.

S

Step b) may involve scribing around part of one edge of the template. Scribing may involve proving the surface with a visual or a physical marking. Suitable physical markings include complete cuts through the surface and partial cuts through the surface. Suitable visual markings include pencil, paint and ink markings.

Suitably step b) involves scribing around at least part of more than one edge of the template.

Suitably step b) involves scribing around at least a part of four edges of the template. Suitably step b) involves scribing around substantially the whole template.

Step c) may involve mounting the utilities ftting on the surface using fasteners. Step b) or c) may involve cutting a hole into the surface to accommodate at least a part of the utilities fitting.

Step b) or c) may involve cutting a hole in the surface corresponding to some form of scribing produced in step b) to accommodate substantially the whole base of the utilities fitting.

The template and method described herein may provide an efficient way of positioning and/or orientating a utilities fitting on a surface. In particular the template and method described may allow the efficient positioning and/or orientating of a utilities fitting at the centre of a surface, for example a substantially square or substantially rectangular surface. Using a template or a method according to the present invention may reduce the time required to mount a utilities fitting on a surface. Using a template or a method according to the present invention may reduce the time required to provide the internal space of a building with a plurality of the utilities fittings. Using a template or a method according to the present invention may reduce the cost of providing an internal space of a building with a plurality of utilities fittings. Using a template or a method according to the present invention may avoid having to mark a surface outside the region of the surface covered by the utilities fitting, and having to remove such markings after mounting the utilities fitting.

The advantages described above may be particularly pertinent to a tem [plate and/or method for positioning and/or orientating a utilities fitting on a ceiling tile.

Brief Description Of The Drawings

For a better understanding of the invention, and to show how example embodiments may be carried into effect, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a template comprising an opening according to the first aspect; Figure 2 is a perspective view of a transparent template comprising a square marking according to the first aspect; and Figure 3 is a perspective view of a template comprising a cross mark according to the first aspect.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a template comprising a central opening and four outer openings according to the first aspect.

Figure 5 is a diagram representing the method according to the second aspect.

Detailed Description Of The Example Embodiments

Figure 1 shows a template for a utilities fitting (100). The template (100) comprises an opening (130), a front face (120), a rear face (110) and four side edges (Ill, 112, 113 (not shown) and 114 (not shown)). The template (100) is substantially square-shaped, and the size of the template (100) corresponds to a common utilities fitting. Therefore the four side edges (111 to 114) of the template (100) correspond to the outer edges of the utilities fitting. The opening (130) is substantially square-shaped and is positioned at the centre of the template (100). The opening (130) comprises four corners (125, 126, 127 and 128).

In use a cross is drawn on a surface where a utilities fitting is to be mounted, for example at the centre of a surface such as a ceiling tile. The size of the cross is suitably larger than the opening (130) of the template and smaller than the outline ot the template (100). The template is then positioned and orientated on the cross marked on the surface so that the four arms of the cross pass under the corners (125 to 128) of the square opening (130). A line is then scribed around the base (110) of the template along the side edges (111 to 114) to provide an outline for positioning the utilities fitting before mounting it to the surface and/or cuffing a hole in the surface for mounting the utilities filling in.

Figure 2 shows a template (200) for a utilities fitting. The template (200) comprises a front face (220), a rear face (210) and a square marking (230) on either the front face (220) or the rear face (210). The square marking (230) comprises four corners (225, 225, 227 and 228).

The body of the template (200) is formed from a transparent material, such as a transparent acrylic.

In use the template (200) is positioned and orientated on a cross marked on a surface and scribed around substantially as described in relation to Figure 1.

Figure 3 shows a template (300) for a utilities fitting. The template (300) comprises a front face (320), a rear face (310) and a cross marking (330). The cross marking (330) comprises four arms (325, 326, 327 and 328). The template (300) is formed from a transparent material, such as a transparent acrylic material.

In use the template is positioned and orientated on a cross marking in a similar fashion to that described above in relation to Figure 1 by aligning the four arms (325 to 328) of the cross marking (330) on a cross marking on the surface. The template is then scribed around to provide an outline for positioning the utilities fitting as described above in relation to Figure I Figure 4 shows a template for a utilities fitting (400). The template (400) comprises a front face (420), a rear face (410), a central opening (430) and four outer openings (441, 442, 443 and 444). The template (400) is substantially square-shaped, and the size of the template (400) is larger than a common utilities fitting. The four outer openings (441 to 444) of the template (400) correspond to the outer edges of the utilities fitting. The opening (430) is substantially square-shaped and is positioned at the centre of the template (400). The opening (430) comprises four corners (425, 426, 427 and 428).

In use the template (400) is positioned and orientated on a cross marked on a surface substantially as described in relation to Figure 1 using the central opening. The four outer openings (441 to 444) are then used to scribe an incomplete outline of the utilities fitting onto the surface. The scribed incomplete outline is then used for positioning and orientating the utilities fitting before mounting it to the surface and/or cutting a hole in the surface for mounting the utilities fining in.

Figure 5 shows a method according to the second aspect of the present invention. The method is a method for positioning and/or orientating a utilities fitting on a surface. The method comprises the three steps of step a), step b) and step c). The method starts with step a) which involves positioning and/or orientating a template according to the first aspect with a mark on the surface using the visual guide. Step a) is followed by step b) which involves scribing using the physical guide of the template. Step b) is followed by step c) which involves positioning and/or orientating the utilities fitting using the scribing produced in step b). Steps a) to c) are followed to position and/or orientate a utilities fitting on a surface as part of a process of providing an internal space with utilities fittings.

Although a few preferred embodiments have been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications might be made without departing from the scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims.

Attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Claims

Claims 1. A template for a utilities fitting, wherein the template comprises a physical guide which at least partially corresponds to at least one dimension of a utilities fitting; wherein the template comprises a visual guide for positioning and/or orientating the template on a surface; and wherein the physical guide at least partially surrounds the visual guide.
2. The template according to claim I, wherein the physical guide at least partially corresponds to at least two dimensions of a utilities fitting.
3. The template according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the physical guide s provided by an opening or openings in the template.
4. The template according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the physical guide is provided by one or more outer edges of the template.
5. The template according to claim 4, wherein an outline of the template formed from its outer edge or edges corresponds to the outUne of a utilities fitting.
6. The template according to any preceding claim, wherein the visual gude is provided by an oponing, by a transparont part, by markings or a combination thoroof.
7. The template according to any preceding claim, wherein the visual guide is provided at the centre, substantially at the centre or around the centre of the template.
8. The template according to any preceding claim, wherein the visual guide comprises markings on a transparent part of the template.
9. The template according to claim 8, wherein the markings comprise a square marking.
10. The template according to claim 8, wherein the markings comprise a cross marking.
II. The template according to any of clams I to 7, wherein the template comprises at least one opening and one or more features of the opening provide the visual guide for positioning and/or orientating the template on a surface.
12. The template according to claim 11, wherein the template comprises a square-shaped opening; wherein the corners of the square-shaped opening provide the visual guide for positioning and/or orientating the template on a surface.
13. The template according to any preceding claim, wherein the template is constructed from a transparent material.
14. The template according to any preceding claim, wherein the template comprises at least one spirit level.
15. A method for positioning and/or orientating a utilities fitting on a surface, the method comprising the steps of: a) positioning and/or orientating a template according to any preceding claim with a mark on the surface using the visual guide; b) scribing the surface using the physical guide of the template; c) positioning and/or orientating the utilities fitting using the scribing produced in step b).
16. A template for a utilities fitting or a method for positioning and/or orientating a utilities fitting on a surface as described above, and/or with reference to the accompanying drawings.