US1343604A - Rule for cutting roof-rafters - Google Patents

Description

W. A. WINN.

RULE FOR CUTTING ROOF RAFTERS.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 14, 1919.

1,343,64. Patented June 15, 1920E 2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

W. A. WINN.

RULE FoR CUTTING ROOF RAFTERS.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE I4, 1919. 1,343,604. Patented June 15, 1920.

2 SHEETS-SHET 2.

3&2 .1.2

UNITEDSTATES PATENT OFFICE.

RULE FOR CUTTING ROOF-RAFTERS.

To @ZZ fio/mm t may concern.:

Be it known that I, WARNER A. VINN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Clarksville, in the county of Montgomery and State of Tennessee, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Rules for Cutting- Roof-Rafters, of which the fol lowing is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings. t

This invention relates to rules, and particularly to instruments of this class designed for the purpose of marking the cuts to be used on the rafters of roof frames.

ln the construction of ordinary roofs there are common rafters, jack rafters, hip and valley rafters, and cripple rafters, and theseraftershave to be cut'so as to fit at the base against the plate and against the ridge. Each rafter, therefore, has to be formed with a top cut and a bottom cut or heel out. Certain of the rafters, as for instance, the jack, hip, valley and cripple rafters, in addition to being angularly cut at their ends, must be beveled properly so as to fit against the ridge raftei" and against the other rafters with which they are used.

llleietofore, these cuts have been usually marked by means of steel squares or'like instruments which Vare formed on their two arms with a plurality of rows of graduations.l a different row of graduations being used for each cut to be made, and considerable calculation is necessary in order to use these steel squares and make the proper cuts. Not only this, but it is an easy matter for a person using the steel square to make a mistake unless great care is used. Steel s uares can only be used by those expert in their use.

lThe general object of my invention is to provide an instrument which may be adj usted without dilflculty in accordance with a very simple series of graduations and which. when` adjusted, will provide for marking the top and bottom cuts of common rafters, the top and bottom cuts of jack rafters, and the bevel for the face thereof where the jack rafter isi-joined tothe hip rafters. And it may also be used for marking the proper angle of the top cut and the proper double bevel for hip and valley rafters, and for cripple rafters without readjustinent, the instrument being so construeted that when 'it is set it may be used without i'eadjustment for all Aof the rafters of a plain roof.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Juil@ 15, 1920.

Application filed .Tune 14, 1919.

Serial No. 304,175.

l A further object is to provide a construction of this'kind which may be easily ad- )usted for roofs of any desired pitch.

And another Objectis to provide an instrument of this kind which may be also adjusted for roofs where the pitch of one side of the roof is dilferent from the pitch on the other side of the roof.

Still another object is to provide a device of this character wherein one of the rules may be angularly adjusted to any desired relation to the main frame of the rule so as to mark off any desired angle-on a board` or plank.

Other objects will appear in the course of the following description.

My invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein r- Figure l is a face view of an instrument constructed in accordance with my invention;

F 2 is a side elevation thereof:

F ig. 3 is a section on the line 3-3 of Fig.l l; l

Fig tis a section through one leg of the pivoted square, showing the manner of attaching the arc thereof; f i

Fig. 5 is a sectional view through the are showing the means for clamping it in adjusted positions;

F 1g. 6 is a section on the ,line 6 6 of Fig. 5; l

Fig. 7 is a side "elevation of the instru ment applied to marking an end cut for a rafter; and Y Fig. 8 is a face view of the instrument shown in Fig. 7 showing the manner in which the bevel for a jack rafter is marked.

Referring particularly to Figs. l and i2, it will be seen' that my instrument comprises a `rectangular frame. I do not wish to be limited to the particular construction of this frame, but as illustrated, it comprises two transversely extending end bars l0 and two pairs of' longitudinally extending strips or bars il, each of which is angular in form to provide a flange l2. The flanges l2l extend in opposite directions. These angular strips ll are spaced from each other bv the transverse strips or bars l0 which are disposed between the angular strips. These strips ll and l2. at the corners of theV frame are held together by means of wing nuts and bolts 13. Y

Movable longitudinally of the main frame Yis a sliding frame formed by a pair of parallel cross bars 14 and 15, rigidly connected by longitudinal strips 16, which strips 16 are folded longitudinally so as to embrace one of the strips or bars '11, as illustrated in Fig. 3. These frame `members 16 are longitudinally slotted, as at 17, y(see Fig.,1) for the passage of boltsV 18 carrying clamping Wing nuts. By loosening the nuts and bolts 18, the frame formed of the members 14, 15 and 16 may be longitudinally shifted along the main frame and then adjusted and held in their adjusted positions.

Pivotally mounted upon the cross bar 14 is a square, that is a right angular member .composed of tivo legs 19 and 20, the leg 19 being preferably longer than the leg 20.

The 1eg20 is provided at its upper end With an aperture for the passage of the cross bar 14, which is round in cross section, and suitable means, as for instance collars 14a, are provided for holding this square in a middle position onthe cross bar 14. The legs 19 and 2() are hinged to each other by a hinge 21sol that they maybe folded into parallel relation, but in use these legs 19 and 2O are always disposed in right angular relation and held therein by an arcuate bar 22. This bar at its ends is angularly bent, as at`23, and as illustrated in F ig. 4, this angularly bent foot 23 is held clamped against the inner faces of the arms by means of a bolt `24 and Wing nut 25. The foot 23 is also provided With a pin 26 which enters a perforation in the face of the member 19 Y or 2O so as to hold this, arcuate cross bar 22 in the same plane with the tivo legs 19 and 20. It Will be `seen from `Fig?) that the legs 19 and v2O have lateral ianges 2?, and from Fig. 4 that the nuts 25 are entirely disposed Within the channels Vformed by these flanges. The arcuate cross bar 22, as shown in Fig. 3, is longitudinally slotted, as at 28, and for the purpose of adjusting the square and holding it in its adjusted position, l provide clamping means on Vtherarc 22 which enga es the arc with the cross bar 15.

i s illustratedV Vin Fig. 5, l provide a Washer 29 having a head which is rectangular in cross section and nts within the slot 28, and passing through this Washer is an eye-bolt 30 having an eye, as illustrated in Fig. 6, through which the transverse rod 15 passes, and this bolt carrying a nut 31. The Washer 29, as shown in Fig. 6, has an opening for the passage of the bolt, this opening being liared toward the rod 15. By

this means it is obvious that the arc 22 may at that end of the main frame adjacent the cross rod 14, is a pair of blades constituting rules, designated 32. Eachof these blades is longitudinally slotted, as at 33, for the passage of bolt 13, and When the Wing nut on this bolt is clamped down, it Will be obvious that the corresponding rule 32 Will be held from movement. It Will alsobe seen that these rules Aor blades may be shifted longitudinally or rotated with respect to the bolt upon Which they are mounted. Preferably, onel or both of the blades is slidingly mounted upon a rectangular block 34, through which thebolt 13passes, this block being rotatable upon the bolt and the` rule being 'shiftable along this block. Freferablyk also, this block carries uponit a circular dial 35 havin-g graduations upon its perimeter, coacting With'an .index mark 36 von the` frame. This dial is graduated in degrees, and by this means the angle of the corresponding blade with the longitudinal a-Xis of the main frame Will be indicated. The inner ends of the blades 32 are beveled, as at 37:, and the pointed ends of these blades are ,adapted to be disposed against the extreme edges or corners of the channelshaped leg 20, as shown mostclearly in Fig. 1. f Y

ln the use of this device, it will be obvious that the sliding frame formed of the parts 14,15 and 16 and carrying the square formed of the. legs 19 and 20 and the arc 22, may be longitudinally shifted upon the main frame, and that if `the square-carrying frame is shifted away from that end of the main frame upon which the blades -32 are mounted, the bla-des have to be shifted to a more acute angle ifn order to engage with the legs -22 than if thesquare supporting frame is shifted toward that end of the main frame supporting these rules or blades 32. It will likewise be seen thatthe legs 19 and 2O are valways `disposed at right angles to each other, but that theymay be shifted into varying relations with the plane of the main frame by turning this square, composed ofthe legs 19 and 20, upon the pivot 110 formed by the cross rod 14.

AAAs illustrated in Fig. 3, the arc has on one longitudinal edge a scale A having thereon subdivisions indicating linch rise to foot run. This vscale A is for the purpose of 115 adfjusting'the square to indicate the top and vbottom cuts of common rafters, jack rafters and cripple rafters. On the opposite edge of the arc there is disposed a scale C which is also marked `olf by subdivisions 120 indicating inch rise to foot run, and this scale C is to be used'for marking the bottom and top cuts for lhip and valley rafters. On face of the main frame, `as illustrated in Fig. v1, there is disposed a scale B having`l25 subdivisions from 2 to '24 indicating inch rise to foot run, this scale being for the pur pose of adjusting vthe sliding frame in the main frame so as to give the proper angles to the rule blades 32 to indicate the bevels 130 on the side faces of the jack rafters and cripple rafters. 0n the opposite edge of the main frame from scale B and preferably on the same face as said scale, there is a scale D for the adjustment of the sliding frame within the main frame, to thereby indicate the proper adjustment of the rule blades 32 in order to secure the proper bevels for the hip and valley rafters. Disposed beyond the scale B and preferably on the same face, though not necessarily so, and coactinf with the lower cross rod 15, is a scale also marked in subdivisions indicating inch rise to foot run, used for marking jack and cripple rafters where one side of the roof has a different pitch from the other side of the roof. On the opposite edge of the main frame there is another scale F which is to be used,` for the hip and valley rafters where the two sides of the roof have diiferentV pitches.

Then `a common rafter is to be cut, the square formed of the members 19 and 20, is rotatably adjusted upon its pivot 14, by reference to scale A, on the arc 22 until one limb, as for instance, the limb 19 is disposed at the proper angle for the top cut. The other limb E20 will then be disposed in proper position to indicate the bottom cut, as will be obvious.` The main frame is then disposed against the edge face of the rafter, as indicated in Fig. 7,1 with the limb 19 disposed against the side face o-f the rafter and the top cut is then marked. The frame is then reversed so that the leg 20 lies across the face of the ra-fter and the frame is shifted down the rafter a `proper distance and the bottom cut marked. The bottom and top cuts will always. be at right angles to each other.

The same operation is performed yin marking jack rafters, except that in this case the sliding frame, formed of the members 14, 15 and 1G, and carrying the square, is adjusted along the main frame in accordance with scale B, the end 7) of one of the members 1G being the index mark coacting with the scale. Then the sliding frame has been adjusted, one orboth of the blades 32 is adjusted in the manner illustrated in Fig. 1, and then after the top cut has been marked, the main frame is turned at right angles to the side face of the rafter and then one of the rule blades 32 `will extend diagonally across the edgeof the rafter, as indicated in Fig. S, and this marks the bevel edge Y given to the jack rafter. Of course, for

. half of the jack rafters, the rule blade indicated in Fig. 8 will be used. For the other half, that is for those on the other side of the hip rafter, the other blade will be used, giving a reverse angle. Of course, what is true in marking jack rafters is also true with regard to marking cripple rafters.

ln marking hip or valley rafters, the

sliding frame is set in the main frame with relationv to the hip and valley scale D,while the square is set with relation to the hip` and valleyscale C in Fig. 3. One limb of the square will give the top cut and the other limb the bottom cut. r1`he frame is Vthen turned in the manner indicated in Fig. `8 so as to carry one of the rules across the edge of the rafter andY a diagonal line is drawn, and then the frame is shifted So that the square is disposed against the opposite face of the rafter and theother rule blade 82 is used to draw a second diagonal line intersecting the first diagonal line on the edge .face of the rafter and the limb of the square is used to draw. a second end out line, which will, of course, be directly opposite the first end cut line. These lines will then indicate the cuts to be made in order to form the hip rafter with a double bevel end which will fit the ridge rafter and the common rafters intersecting the ridge rafter at the end thereof. lVhat `is true ofthe hip rafters is .also true of the valley rafters, except that the scales E and F for the jack rafters and the hip and valley rafters will be used in an obvious manner.

lt will be seen that my device is extremely convenient, that it does away with all necessity of calculating or with thenecessity of a skilled` knowledge of the useand manipulation of the steel square or framing square, and requires only that the operator shall adjustfthe device according to the scales, which may be readily done. It is ob vious also that the device may be folded so that it will lie all in the same plane for carriage, and it is obvious also that the frames might be formed in sections so as to be readily taken apart. y

lWhile l have illustrated a form of my invention which l have found to be extremely practical and effect-ive, l do not wish to be limited to Vthe details of the `construction illustrated, as these mightY be modified in many ways without udeparting from Vthe spirit ofthe invention. i

I claim 1. An instrument of the character described comprising a relatively ilat base adapted to be applied4 against the edge face of a rafter, a square having two limbsfat right angles pivotally mounted upon the base at the intersection of the limbs for movement in a plane at right angles to the plane of the base, and means for holding the limbs in rectangular' relation and holding the square with aflimb atI any desired angle with relation to the plane of the base.

2. An instrument of the character described comprising a rectangular frame having side members and end members and adapted lto be disposedj; against the edge face of 'a rafter, a square lhaving two legs disposed at an angle to eachl other' and pivotallyvmounted in said frame, thefpivotal axis of the legs being disposed in the plane ofthef-ram'e andj extending through the square at the intersection of thd-legs, an varcuate member connecting said' legs, and a cross` bar on the frame over which 'said `arcuate member passes and .having means whereby the arcuate member may Vbe clamped andthe square held at any desired angular relation to the main frame.

v3. An instrument of the character deL scribed comprising a rectangular frame having side members and end members and adapted to be disposed against the edge face of a rafter,- a square having two legs dis posed atan angle to each other, and pivotally mounted in said frame, theV pivotal axis "of the legs being disposed ini` the plane ofthe frame and extending through the square. at Vthe intersection of the legs, an 'arcuate f member connecting the legs and longitudinally slotted, a transverse member mounted-on the frame ,andV having a clamping bolt passing through said slot, fand a' clamping nut engaging thebolt, the arcuate member at one side'ofthe slot being provided with a scale by which the VVarcuate member may be adjusted.

4. An. instrument of the; character described comprising aV rectangular frame Ahaving end members and side members and adapted to be applied against the'edge face 'of a rafter, a cross rod carried by said frame, a square having two limbs at right ang-les pivotally mounted at the intersection olf t'he limbs upon said rod, an arcuate member connecting said legs' and holding them at "right angles, a cross bar on the fra-me, a clamping bolt and nut on the cross bar operatively engaging said arcuate member Tto n hold the square in any adjusted position, the arcuate 'member having-a scale indicating inch rise to foot run of a roof whereby saidsquare 'may be set with reference to the Yplane Vof the yframe to indicate the top andV bottom cuts yof rafters. .y Y

5. Ajn instrument of/ theV character' described comprising a rectangular frame adapted to be applied against the edge face of arafter, a square having two limbs disposed at right anglesi to each' other, the Vsquare being adjustable upon and longitudinally with. relation to the main frame and being pivoted to swing into angular relation to the plane ofthe main frame, and

Y a rule blade pivotally and slidably mounted at onev corner ofthe frame adjacent the intersection ofthe limbsof the square and being thereby adjustable lengthwise of itself and "angularly adjustable with relation tov the main frame and in a plane parallel theretoto bring one corner in coincidence with the apex v4`of the square at the pivotal point thereof. Y

I '6. An instrument .of the character de-v scribed comprlsmg ay rectangular frame mounted upon the main fram-e and includl ving two cross rods, oneof said rods passing through the square ati-the intersection Vof its vlimbs andi form-ingy a pivot for the square, an arcuate member connectingthe limbs of the square, a clamping member on the second vnainedl rod yengaging 'said arcuate member, the arcuate member being formed with a scale indicating inch rise to foot run of a roof rafter, one side of the frame being formed with a! scale by which the sliding frame Vis longitudinal-ly adjusted upon the main frame and indicating inch rise to foot run, and a rule blade pivotally and slidably mounted at one corner of the frame'adjacent the rod upon which the 'square is pivota-lly supported, said rule blade being thereby adjustable longitudinally of itself and angularly with relation to the main frame to bringone corner in coincidence with the apex' ofthe square at the pivotal point thereof.

'7'. An instrument of the character described comprising a rectangular frame Vhaving end mem-bers an'dside members and adapted to be applied against the edge face -ofa rafter, a square having two legs at right angles 'to each other and disposed within said frame, a sliding frame slidably mounted upon the main frame and including two cross rods, one of said rods passing through lthe square at the intersection 'of its limbs and forming a pivot kfor the square, an arcuate member connecting the limbs of the square, a clamping member .on the ksecond named rodengaging said arcuate member,

the Varcuate member vbeing formed with a l scale indicating Vinch rise `'to foot run of a roof rafter, one sidero'f the frame `being formed with a scale by which the sliding frame is longitudinally adjusted upon the main frame and indicating inch rise to foot run, and rule `blades pivo'tally and slidably mounted at the corners of the frame adjacent the pivotal center of the square, said rule lblades being disposed normally in a convergent relation and'eachV being adjustable longitudinally of itself and angularly 'with relation to the main frame to bring their extremities in coincidence with the apexV of the square at the pivotal point thereof.. Y

-f A8. An instrument Aof the character described comprising a rectangular frame having side members and end members, a sliding frame slidably mounted upon the main frame and including two cross rods, a square having two limbs at right angles to each ether and pivoted at the intersection of the limbs upon one of said rods, an arcuate member attached to the limbs of the square and coacting with the other of said rods, a clamp upon said last named rod adapted to engage said arcuate member to hold the squareadjusted in any desired position, rule blades pivotally and slidably mounted at the corners of the main :trame adjacent the pivotal axis of the square whereby the rule blades may be longitudinally and angularly adjusted to bring their extremities in coincidence with the apex of the square at the pivotal point thereof, and means for holding the sliding frame adjusted in the main frame and the rule blades adjusted with relation to the sliding frame and main `frame, the arcuate member being provided on its face with a common rafter scale and a hip and valley scale whereby the square may be angularly adjusted with reference to the plane of the main frame, said members of the main frame being provided with a jack and cripple rafter bevel scale and with a hip and valley bevel scale whereby the sliding frame may be adjusted.

9. An instrument of the character described comprising a rectangular main frame formed of two pairs of side members, each side member being angular in form, transverse members detachably connected to the side members and having their ends disposed between each pair of side members, a sliding frame comprisingside members sliding between the side members of the main .frame and longitudinally slotted, cross rods connecting said side members of the sliding "frame, clamping bolts passing l throughthe side members of the main frame and through the slots of the side members of the sliding frame, a square having two limbs hinged to each other, a longitudinally slotted, arcuate member normally attached to said limbs and holding the limbs in rectangular relation, one of said cross rods passing through the. square at the intersection of said limbs and the other cross rod coacting with the arcuate member, the bolt on said last named cross rod extending through the slot of the arcuate member, a clamping nut on the bolt, and longitudinally slidable, pivotally mounted rule blades disposed at the corners of the main frame adjacent the apex of the square and having their inner ends beveled to form points, said rule blades being adjustable to bring their points into coincidence with the apeX of the square at the pivotal. point thereof, the arcuate member being provided with a common rafter pitch scale, and a hip and valley pitch scale, and the main frame being provided with a jack and cripple rafter bevel scale and a hip and valley bevel scale with relation to which the sliding frame is adjusted. i

l0. An instrument of the character described comprising a relatively flat base adapted to be applied against the edge face of a raiter, and a marking instrument having two limbs disposed in divergent relation to each other and being pivotally meunted atthe intersection ofy its limbs upon the base for bodily movement in a plane at right angles'to thekplane of the base, said limbs being connected by an arcuate mem ber having graduations whereby the angular adjustment of the instrument relative to the base may be determined.

ll. An instrument of the character described comprising a fiat base adapted to be applied against the edge face of a rafter, a sliding frame mounted uponthe base Jfor sliding movement on the base in the kplane thereof, and a marking blade swingingly mounted upon said sliding member for movement in a plane at right angles to the plane oi the base and sliding member and for adjustment into different angular relations to the plane of the base.

ln testimony whereof I hereunto aiiix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

WARNER A. WINN. i

Vitnesses: Y

FREDERIC B. WRIGHT, ROBERT A. BoswnLL.

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