US2607995A - Calculated framing and folding rule - Google Patents

Description

D. J. BUTLER CALCULATED FRAMING AND. FOLDING RULE Aug. 26, 1952 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 15, 1951 FIG. 2a

TOP (117' INVENTOR DAVID J. BUTLER B3 W :12am.

Aug. 26, 1952 D. J. BUTLER 2,607,995

CALCULATED FRAMING AND FOLDING RULE Filed Feb. 15, 1951 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 7UP PZA rz FIG 3 a Jncxlw'rsasg" sm: curs INVENTOR DAVID J. BUTLER BY t ATTO EY Aug. 26, 1952 D. J. BUTLER 2,607,995

CALCULATED FRAMING AND FOLDING RULE Filed Feb. 13. 1951 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 I /5 W INVENTOR 7 DAVID J. BUTLER BY d mn Aug. 26, 1952 D. J. BUTLER CALCULATED FRAMING AND FOLDING RULE 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Feb. 13, 1951 MAJ m 2.

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Will/1m i Patented Aug. 26, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Application February 13, 1951 Serial No. 210,719

- 4 Claims. (01.33 495) My invention relates broadly to folding rules and more particularly to a construction and arrangement of a folding rule which is provided with graduations thereon for quickly marking rafters, beams, risers, treads, etc. for facilitating cutting with minimum expenditure of time.

One of the objects of my invention is to provide a construction of precalculated foldable rule which may be conveniently carried by carpenters on a building job and folded to a triangular position from available specifications on the rise per foot required in any building condition to quickly provide means for marking rafters, beams, risers, treads, etc. for facilitating cutting, eliminating the need for making calculations on each building job.

Still another object of my invention is to provide a construction of foldable rule calibrated for the'marking of rafters, beams, risers, treads, etc. to enable the proper angular cuts to be made therein from available specifications with respect to the overall rise per foot necessary in any building construction wherein the foldable sections of the rule are provided with perforations and coacting keying members for maintaining the sections of the foldable rule in selected angular positions determined by the rise per foot required for the rafters, beams, risers, treads, etc. in a building structure for enabling markings to be quickly made and the rafters, beams,risers, treads, etc. out without the expenditure of time in calculating the angularity of such cuts on the building job.

Still another object of my invention is to provide a foldable rule in which the sections thereof niay be interlocked in angular positions determined by the angular requirements for the cuts of rafters, beams, risers, treads, etc. according to graduations thereon precalculated according to specifications based on requirements in rise per foot in a building structure in which the sections of the rule are provided with displa-ceable slide members having angularly latchable guides thereon displaceable from a linear position with respect to the sections of the rule to positions normal thereto and serving as means for aligning the sections of the rule with the peripheriesof the rafters, beams, risers, treads, etc. being marked. i l

Still another object of my invention is to provide a construction of foldable rule in which the sections of the rule carry calibrations thereon determinative of the angularity required for marking' rafters, beams, risers, treads, etc. to meet various specification requirements with regard to rise per foot in any building structure and wherein the sections of the rule are conjointly provided withk-eying pintles and coacting recesses in the sections of the rule together with slidable guides thereon, each of which include guide members latchable in positions either normal to the plane of the sections of the rule or coplanar therewith for facilitating mounting of the rule in a selected triangular lay-out upon the rafters, beams, risers, treads, etc. to be marked.

Other and further objects of my invention are to provide a foldable carpenters rule having calibrations thereon and associated pocket recesses and coacting keying pintles and adjustable angularly displaceable guides for aligning the rule with the sections thereof maintained in selected angular relationship according to the calibrations thereon for facilitating the marking of rafters, beams, risers, treads, etc. as set forthmore fully in the specification hereinafter following by reference tothe accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective View of the foldable rule constructed inaccordance with my invention and shown in folded position; Fig. 2 shows the applioation of the rule of my invention for the markings of common rafters, the view showing the position of the sections of the rule for marking both the top and bottom cuts for a common rafter whichmust meet conditions in a building construction for a six inch rise per foot; Fig. 2a is a fragmentary view of a common rafter which has been marked at both thetop and bottom for cutting without expenditure of calculation time on the building job; Fig. 3 shows the application of the foldable rule of my invention for marking the hip cut in the rafter; Fig. 3a is a, view illustrating an installation of a rafter cut at both the top and bottom and at the hip accordingto the markings which have been quickly made by use of the rule of my invention; Fig. 4 is a view showing the application of the foldable rule of my invention for marking a jack rafter side out; Fig. 5; shows the application of the foldablerule of my invention for laying out stringers for stairways or steps; Fig. 6 shows the application of the foldable rule of my invention for laying out and marking thereof.

enabling the rule to be folded in the required angular relationship for forming the marking required for the rafters in various building construction; Fig. 8 illustrates sections of the foldable rule which carry the adjustable guidesthereon with the angularly movable guide pins which are shiftable to positions either at right angles to the plane of the rule or coplanar with the associated section thereof; Fig. 9 is a view illustrating the calibrations which I apply to the sections of a six foot foldable rule for carrying out the rapid markings of rafters, beams, risers, treads, etc.

according to my invention; Fig. 10 is a transverse sectional view on line l0i ll of Fig. 9 and showingthe keying member provided on each extremity of the end sections of the rule; Fig. 11 is an en'- larged view of the adjustable guide carried by certain of the sections of the foldable rulewith the guide pin illustrated in coplanar alignment with the section of the rule; Fig. 12 is an end View of 'the'adjustable guide-which is applied to the foldable rule and illustrating the guide pin in full line in coplanar alignment with'the section of the rule and indotted line when moved toa position normal to the plane of the section" of the rule; Fig. 13 is a fragmentary view of the adjustable guide broken away to show the means for mounting the guide pinin a position in which the guide pin may be latched selectively in coplanar alignment with the section of the foldable rule or hip-and valley rafters, beams, risers, treads, etc;

to meet specifications generally given on the basis of rise per foot.- The foldable rule of my invention is providedwith graduations which have been precalcul'ated" for enabling markings to be made for the proper framing of a'building structure. The foldable rule of my invention is-a two-wayrule, one side-of which is provide'cl with calculated markings for laying out cutsfor roof rafters, beams, risers, treads, etc. The other side of the rule-has a six foot measurement graduatiori' thereon accompanied by recesses or permratiijnsdesignated according to angular degrees. The rule as calculatedon both sides is readily useable by carpenters unable to read a conventional framing square. Because the rule ofm'y invention containsprecalculated graduations, the laying out and marking ofrafters, beams, risers, treads etc. is rendered easier, faster and'simpler than by use of any previous form of scale of which I have knowledge. The foldable'rule of my invention calibrated as hereinafter more fully explained has been found highly accurate and convenient in use since angularly movable guides carried by adyustable guides enable the rule-to be maintained inposition against the rafters, beams, risers, treads,- etc. to permit an accurate withless chance of error than has heretofore been encounteredwhen using a conventional The foldable construction offraming square as the cutting lines may be marked on either of the two equal sides of the triangle which is formed by folding the rule. When using a conventional framing square, one particular side must be used in making a marking cut. Moreover the length or short point of the out can be marked on either edge of the rafter without turning it or moving it in different positions as is the case in using a conventional frame s'quare. l

The calibrations on tlie'foldable rule of my invention show the lengths of the rafters, beams, risers, treads, etc. on the respective ends of the rule thus eliminatingconfusion with other markings on the scales. The rule when folded for the lay-out of risers and treads according to my invention can; be held on the exact riser and tread by guide means which may be adjusted to positions adjacent selected calibrations on the scale, thus eliminating the trouble and inconvenience of applying the rule on the same graduations' each time the ruleis moved. An angle of any degree can be determinedor se lected for marking on the job in just a few sec.- onds of time. i'

The foldable rule of my invention employs two independent sets of markings in addition to the'conventional measuring, scale; that is, markings for common and jack rafters which are designated in black. For, marking common and jack rafters, the rule is folded at the end carrying the black calibrations.v The markings for hip and valley rafters are designated in red.

For marking hip and valley rafters the endof the rule carrying the red calibrations is folded to a position in which markings may be applied directly to the rafters for insuring the correct angular cuts. In the application of the folding rule for the backing of a hip rafter the rule is folded according tothespecified rise on the bottom out and the depth of the equal angle will give the correct amount to be cutoff of the plate cut; 7 v V Referring particularly to Fig. 1 the calculated framing and folding rule of my invention is shown in perspective as comprising asix foot folding scale including foldable sections foldable intoa compact length convenient for carrying onto the job. Certain of the folded sections which I have designated at I and 2 are provided with adjustable slidesfi; and 4. These adjustable slides are illustrated more clearly in Figs. 11, 12 and 13 and comprise metallic transversely extending'strip members which I have designat'ed at 5 embracing the scale I and slidable linearly thereof. Eachstrip member 5 is apertured' at. one side thereof as designated at 6; in Fig. 1'3 for the passage of a rod member I which carries on one end thereof a flat shoe 8. which is frictionally forced againstthe edge of the scale I" by compression coil spring 9 concentrically disposed around rod member 1 and confined "length" approximately seen to four times .the

5 thickness of the scale with which the transversely extending strip member 5 is associated. The length of the pintle II as described is's'uch that the pintle may readily project beyond the surface of the beam or rafter to which the scale is applied and provide engaging means with the edge of the beam or rafter for. maintaining the scale in position with respect-thereto while effecting measurements and markings'as will be hereinafter more fully explained. The semicylindrical recesses in, the projection l are represented at [4 and i extending on axes at right angles to each other and forming latching pockets in which the pintle vII maybej seated under action of compression coil spring In Figs. ll, 12'and 13 I have 'shown'the' pintle ll seatedin semi-cyIindric'alrecesS in alignment with" the edge of scale I ,and' in 12 [have shown in dotted line position H the location of the pintle when "it is desired to maintain the scale 'I in' a position adjacent the edge of a beam or rafter. By grasping the pintle II and drawing it outwardly against the force of compression coil spring 9 to a position clearing the semi-cylindrical recess I5, the pintle H maybe oriented to the dotted line position I I shown in Fig. 12 and released to occupythe semi-cylindrical recess l4 and maintained in the dotted line position H for engagement with the'edge of a beam or rafter as shown particularly in Fig. 5. Wherethe scale is used in effecting measurements and markings which do notrequire the maintenance of certain sections of engineers graduations. are. set forth more clearly inr Fig. -9.. The markingsinclude aperturespr recesses shownat .I9...extending through or.- into the scale .sectionsuin precalculated positions adapted' to. receive pintles which; project fromv diagonally opposite endsof the extremities of the rule asindicatedat 20 and 21. in Fig. 9.; .The' pintles when engaged in. av selected. aperture: or recess .19 in the scale sections serve to maintain the scale in theselected foldedposition to enable markings to.be made for the proper cutting of therrafters, beams, risers, treads, or the backingv of a hip rafter. ,In using the folding rule of my inventionthere'is, little chance .of error astl'le. cutting .line can be marked on either of the two equal sides of a triangle which is formed byfoldr in'gthe'rule- When using acarpenters square, one'particular side must be .used formarkingout. In using the scale of my invention a longer short point. of cutcan be applied oneither edge. of 1a, rafter on, turning it or moving it in different positions as with a square. I v 1 Markings for thelengths of the rafters are applied on the respective ends of the rule as represented at 22 and 23 in Figs. 2-4 and in Fig. 9 thus eliminatingconfusion with other numbers on the rule. Precalculated measurements are provided onv the rule for all of the probable angular rises which will be encountered in conventional building construction; that is, th required angles for each foot of rise for rises of 4."; 6''; 8"; l0"; l2"; l6 and 18'f. I provide on the scale 24 a table which I have precalculated as follows y the scale against the edge of a beam or rafter,

Rise

4 inches Ginches 8inches 10 inches 12 inches 16 inches 18inches Length of hip and valley rafters= in inches to each foot of run. 7

the pintle II is oriented from a positionlnormal to they plane of the scale section to a position 4 1 At the otherend of the scale I provideatj25 a precalculated table reading as follows:

Rise

in inches 4 inches 6 inches 8 inches 10 inches 12 inches 18 inches 16 inches coplanar with the scale section enabling the scale section to bereadily moved over the surface of the beam or rafterwith-the obstruction due to the otherwise projecting pintles.

The rule for laying out common rafters, jack rafters, hip and valley rafters, beams, risers, treads and for backing of a hip rafter contains in addition to the graduations and markings applicable to the particular use for which the calculated framing and folded rule of my invention has been developed, an engineers scale containing graduations in hundredths of a foot transposed to inches and fractions of an inch, or vice versa. The scale. also includes measurations respecting surfaces, volumes and areas of geometrical figures useful for rapid calculations 011113118 building construction job where the rule of my invention may be used. I have designated these markings at 16 and I! in Figs. 2 and 9. The

scale graduations on one side of the scale have been designated generally at I8. The special calibrations for determining the angular cuts of .rafters, beams, risers and treads which are arranged on the side of the rule opposite tothe The rule thus provides for angular markings for all of the conventional rises per footusually found in building specifications and also provides means for interpolations of any intermediate values.

The rule with the sections thereof folded in triangular relation for laying out rafters, risers and treads and for the backing of a hip rafter is held on the exact riser and tread graduation vby the pintles ll moved to the position H illustrated in Fig. 12 and adjusted by the spacial position of'the runners or transversely extending strips 5 to locate the scale in position such as represented in Fig. 5 for example. The pintles H are frictionally maintained in position under action of compression coil springs 9 are for all practical purposes locked in position so that the rule may be taken off and applied to successive rafters without reassembly each time that a marking and cut'is to be made on any job where the rise is uniform for a multiplicity of rafters. The angle of any out can be determinedand made. atany time on a building job very quickly ;as heretofore explained. I The markings applimo' i and'iack raftersare' black and themarkingsi for hip and valley: rafters are. red and the dif-.

ferent ends 'of the scale are folded accordingly.

when applying the rule tothese different jobs)...

In laying out common and jack rafters it will be noted in Fig. 2 that a number of apertures 01 recesses are provided in the coacting scale sec.- tion's. These holes or recesses are designatedat 26 where the holesor recesses are marked with the letters C:-.T in black designating common rafter-top cut and other apertures or recesses 21 designating C-B in black for. common rafterb'ottomcut. Adjacent these letters I have designated by number the rise in inches. .For a practical example: To obtain a top out for a common rafter with a 6 inch rise simply :fold rule. at second and fourth joints. then place the pintle 2|" attached to end of rule into hole marked C-T-S; a triangle with two equal: sides is formed. Either side can be used for marking correct rafter cut shown at 28 in Fig. 2a.

For eifecting the bottom out shown on the rafter at 29 in Fig. 2a the rule is applied by folding the scale sections as explained heretofore but with the end of the rule having the pintle 2| inserted in the hole or aperture marked (2-34; in black. The bottom plate cut for the common rafter is made by holding the rule as thu's arranged over the plumb mark which is the same as the top out. The rule can be moved to give the amount desired for the plate cut.

A short method may be employed for making these markings and cuts by folding the rule for the bottom out (C. 13.). The plumb cut; or top cut, can be made by holding the straight side of rule directly across the piece and marking one side of the angle. With the same folding of the rule, the bottom plate out can also be made by using it in thesame position as Fig. 3; therefore, all cuts can be made by folding the 'ruleone time only. This also applies to hip and valley rafters. except for their side cuts. Y Fig. 9 shows the several sectionsand both ends of rule, one end in black, the other in red giving lengths of common and hip rafters in inches to each foot of run for rise desired.

An example of the application of the rule is as follows: To obtain length of rafter for and foot run with a 6 inch rise, find under 6 inch rise, the dimension 13.41 which is multiplied by a" giving 107.28" or 107 /4 or 8'11'- /4 for length of rafters. Also, lengths of shortest jack on 16" and 24. centers are given.

For hip and valley rafters which are thesame length and get same cuts, and are obtained: by folding red end of, rule in same manner (second and fourth joints) as in Fig. 3, but the holes are marked in red H-T, designating hip and valley top out designated at 33' and II-B hip and valley bottom out designated .at 34'. w

The backing bevel cut is obtained'by folding the rule for hip rafter, bottom out and using angleXinFig.3. V H

I have shown in Fig. 4 the manner of obtainingjack rafter side cuts. For example a jack rafter side out with an 8 rise is obtained by using same method asin Fig. 3, but with, rule 'folded at first and second joints, insteadof sectained in the same manner, by using hip and the section of the rule;

valleyside out markings in red on opposite. end ofrule; Fig. 5 shows-Va method used. for laying out stringers for Stairways, or. steps. For example; to obtain an.8" rise; and a 10" tread; use the same end of the rule in the same mannento obtain common rafter top and bottom cuts, by folding rule at second and fourth joints and inserting the pintle (on end of rule) into hole marked 7 which forms. the rule into a right triangle, then fasten the slides l 1' the folded side or the, to number marked 8" onone side, and to nun) ber marked 9} on the other side, then holding slides, '11 against. the edge of the stringer; cuttinfg marks can bema e for risers and treads,

Fig. Gsliows how any angle can be determin' d or cut, by folding the rule at second and thi joints and holding the end of the rule on the de' greemarkings which are designated by red dots 35" found on the fifth and sixth section 2 of the rule;

In Fig. 1 1 I have shownthe manner of'ap plying the folding rule in the backing of a hip rafter designated at 29.- Ih this arrangementthe folding sections of the rule are moved to posi; tions designated by "the specified rise on the bottom out, The depth of the equal angles are given" the correct amount to be cut off of the plate 29 as designated at 30 and 3l The total amount to be cut off of the plate 29' is designated by the area 32 for properly shaping the hip rafter. This is accomplished by latching pintle 20 of the scale into the designated hip rafter aperture or recess in the associated sections of the rule". I have designated in Fig. 14 typical dimensions for a hip rafter and have shown the manner in which rapid cuts of the proper angularity may be effected.

I have found the folding s'cal'e of my invention with the special markings thereon highly useful, practical and efficient in effecting proper angular outs on rafters, beams, risers, treads and in the backing of hip rafters, etc. While I have illustrated the scale of my invention in one of its preferred embodiments and with certain preferred calibrations thereon, I realize that modifications may be made and I desire that it be understood thatno limitations upon my invention are intended other than may be imposed by the scope of the appended claims.

I What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is as follows: V V

l". A .fo ldable rulezcomprising' a multiplicity of f oldable andunfol'dable latmable'v linear sections unfoldable' to .formip'redetermined polygonal figureshaving angular sides adapted to be: registered with a work surface formar'king-and cutting the work surface along prescribed linear marks, runiners engaged withzcertain of thesections of the foldable' rule; eaolr :of .said runners including a from said friction member and projecting through the side of said runner, a" pintle carried by the external end of said rod member and means carried by said runner for latchin'gsaid pintle in either a p'ositi'on 'extendingnormal' to the plane of the rule o'r a position aligned with 2. A foldable rule astset forth in-cl'aim r i which a coil spring interposed between said friction member and the interior of the side of said runner and surrounds said rod member for yieldably maintaining said pintle in a position adjacent the exterior of said runner and shiftable to either of the two positions thereof.

3. A slidable runner for a scale comprising a runner embracing the face and opposite edges of a scale and apertured at one side thereof, a projection carried by the side of said runner adjacent the aperture therein, said projectionhaving semi-cylindrical recesses therein extending linearly on axes substantially normal to each other, a rod member extending through the aperture in the side of said runner and through said projection, a friction shoe carried by one end of said rod member and engageable with the edge of the scale, spring means interposed between the rear face of said friction shoe and the inside of said runner and surrounding said rod member and a pintle carried by the external end of said rod member and adapted to be seated selectively in either of the semi-cylindrical recesses in said projection, said pintle when maintained in the semi-cylindrical recess normal to the plane of said scale projecting beyond opposite faces of the scale for distances sufficient to form a grip with the edge of the work against which the scale is applied, while said pintle when yieldably maintained in the recess aligned with the edge of the scale is coplanar with the plane of the scale.

4. A runner for the sections of a multiple section foldable and unfoldable scale comprising a strip member slidably engageable with the face and opposite edges of a selected scale section, a projection extending from one side of the runner, said projection including a cruciform recess therein perforated at the center thereof, a rod member extending through the perforation in said projection, a friction shoe carried by the interior end of said rod member and engageable with the edge of the scale, a pintle carried by the external end of said rod member, spring means surrounding said rod member and interposed between the interior side of said runner REFERENCES CITED The following. references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 775,951 Trout Nov. 29, 1904 1,114,134 Gustafson Oct. 20, 1914 1,521,980 Zook Jan. 6, 1925 2,487,457 Marino Nov. 8, 1949

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