US2887776A

US2887776A - Template

Info

Publication number: US2887776A
Application number: US547065A
Authority: US
Inventors: John H Eisner
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1955-11-16
Filing date: 1955-11-16
Publication date: 1959-05-26
Anticipated expiration: 1976-05-26

Description

May 26, 1959 J.H.-EISNER TEMPLATE Filed Nov. 16, 1955 IN V EN TOR.

fm H. Eisna United States Patent TEMPLATE John H. Eisner, Auburn, N.Y.

Application November 16, 1955, Serial No. 547,065

2 Claims. (Cl. 33-174) This invention relates to a template adapted to use in measuring and cutting out a space in a wall for the insertion of electrical equipment such as outlet boxes, or other receptacles.

In previous templates of this type, there was no means of providing markings to designate the space for the screws of the cover at the center top edge of the box and also at the center bottom edge. There was also no means for marking the center location of the template. For this reason, the cut in the markings of the template would be off possiblyan eighth of an inch, the result of which would show outside of the plastic cover placed over the opening. Another disadvantage of the present template now in use is the need' to measure the exact position to determine where the holes for the screws were to be I drilled.

This invention enables one to center the template exactly, avoiding guess work and insuring the exact position of the center of the template for marking the cut of the opening. Following these markings in cutting the wall, permits a perfect cut opening for the outlet. box, leaving no space showing.

Another object of this invention is to provide means for marking the outline of the cut where the box or receptacle is to be placed. Following these markings in the wall, assures a perfect cut opening for the outlet box and also a perfect fit.

When the cover is placed over this opening, no space shows through because 'ofincorrect cutting Still another object of this novel invention isto provide means for punching indentations which positively aligns the holes to be. drilled for the screws with both, theitop and thebottom edges of the template; I"

My invention also facilitates a means for marking an opening for an outlet box or other such electrical receptacle in one easy operation. This saves time and eliminates the necessity of measuring to determine the location where the cut should be made.

Still another advantage of this novel template, is th fact that a guiding outline is impressed in the wood at the same time as the holes for the screws are marked. This can be accentuated by including a sharper edge on the sides of the template.

This present invention of a template is very economica and easy to use.

In accordance with the present invention, a template, made from steel or any other such suitable material, conforms to the following description. The template is made primarily in the shape of a rectangle, of substantial thickness to withstand the force of a hammer. The perimeter of this rectangular template forms a semi-circle at each corner. Also, at both, the center of the top and the bottom edges of the perimeter of this template, are semicircles. Located exactly in each of the four corners, and at the center of the top and bottom edges are extruding punch studs, punched from the face of the template, outwardly. The edges of this template are so shaped, so that when hit with a hammer against the wall, mark the 2,887,776 Patented May 26, 1959 outline of the cut of the box. A knife-edged point is cut from the body of the template and bent so as to form a 90 degree angle with the center of the surface of the template. The punch studs are to designate the location of the holes to be drilled for the screws, whereas, the center knife-edged point marks the center of the template in the wall. This knife-edged point also extends adequately outwardly so as to make a deep enough cut in the wall to give one a start for the cutting procedure.

The template is'positioned against the wall where the desired switch box, or other such receptacle, is to be marked. The punch studs and the center knife-edged point are placed contacting the wall. After this is done, one simply hammers the template against the wall or tile. With this. force against the template, the edges of the template for the cut are impressed, the punch studs indent the place where the holes are to be drilled, and the center point cuts sulficiently into the wall to enable one to easily begin the cutting of the opening.

Various other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawing hereinafter set forth in which:

' Figurel is an elevated view of the back of the template illustrating the studs and the center point in relation to the body of the template.

Figure 4 illustrates the impression left on the wall after the template has been placed and hammered.

Figure 5 represents a template blank illustrating the cut i'n'the blank before theprojection has been bent.

' Referring now to the drawings, in Figure 1, the reference character 1 indicates a template of suitable material with the back face up. Located in each corner of the template 1, are punch studs 3' which are pressed outwardly from the template 1 and which are accurately aligned with the positioning of the screws to hold a standard'size' switch box. In the exact center of the template 1, at both, the top and the bottom edges, are punched studs 5, which are also pressed outwardly from the template 1, and are means for marking the holes where the extending punch studs 3 and 5, as shown in Figure 1.

Figure '3, aside elevation view of the template 1, reveals the relationship of the protruding punch studs 5 and 3, and also the relatively sharp edge of the perimeter 13, designated by the numeral 21, with respect to the template 1. The sharp edge of the perimeter 13 is in a single plane. Cut out from the body of the template 1 is a sharp-edged projection 7, comprising a point 14 and a back represented by the number 15. This cut 20, before it is bent to form a degree angle with the surface of the body of the template 1, is illustrated in Figure 5. This projection 7 is bent at the center of the surface of the body of the template 1, so that the point 14 of the projection 7 extends outwardly in the same direction as the punch studs 3 and 5, and the sharp edge 21 of the perimeter 13, as shown in Figure 3. In forming the template, sharp edge 21 remains substantially adjacent the plane of the body of the template, yet is just high enough to work the perimeter of the template, as shown by the dotted line showing in Figure 3.

In Figure 2, the front of the template 1 is illustrated showing the back 15 of the projection 7.

The template 1 is placed so that the punch studs 3 and 5, and the point 14 of the projection 7 contact the wall at the pre-determined position Where the box is to be located. Using a hammer, or other such means, the template is hit so that the point 14 enters the wall until the surface of the template 1 is pressed against the surface of the wall. At the same time the force of the blow indents shallow holes, 9 and 10 designating the place to be drilled for placing the screws. This also impresses in the Wall a mark 3, which is the result of the contact of the sharp edge 21 of the perimeter 13 of the template 1. This mark 8 outlines the form of the opening to be cut. When the point 14 of the projection 7 is removed, comparatively deep holes, 9, 10 and 11 are left, marking the center of the template 1, and also giving starting points for the drill to bore openings, and for the saw to further proceed to cut the outline of the opening.

In wall construction, various means are employed for mounting an electrical box. Such means includes fastening a block or cleat (not shown) between a pair of framing members or studs. The cleat is placed at the proper height for positioning the electrical box, and is spaced away from the face of the wall the proper distance for aligning an electrical box with the face of the wall. The electrical box is then fastened to the cleat, and the front of the box is properly aligned with the face of the wall for receiving a decorative cover plate to fit over the plug or switch or the like. This method is in common use in present light construction inasmuch as scraps of lumber may be used for rigidly mounting the electrical boxes.

In using this invention, the electrical box is not mounted prior to placing the wall covering over the framing. Instead, the location of the cleat or the like is determined and indicated on the wall board, and the wall board is then placed in its proper position over the framing and fastened thereto in the conventional manner. The template is then placed against the wall board at the position indicated by the mark or the like showing the location of the cleat, it being understood that the cleat will already be located behind the wall board. The template being in position, is then struck with the hammer as described above, leaving the indents for the screw locations, the center mark for starting the cut, and the peripheral outline mark for indicating the exact portion of wall board to be removed. The required screw holes are next drilled through the wall board and into the cleat or other mounting structure for the box, and the portion of the wail board enclosed by the peripheral outline is then cut out. The electrical box is then placed in the opening and fastened by conventional screws into the cleat. Thus, the box is positioned as required in the Wall, and the wall board is cut out for the box in the exact outline of the box. It will be understood that necessary Wiring is already in place and, upon cutting out the wall board, the wiring is drawn out through the hole a short distance and inserted through an opening (not shown) in the side of the box, after the conventional manner before the box is fastened in place in the wall.

The terms block or cleat as used herein will designate generally any such member supplementing the framing members of a building construction for permitting the installation of an electrical box at some point Within the building construction.

It should be understood that this invention is not to be limited to the exact construction as shown in the drawing, but may be varied in size and cut. It should also be understood that circular openings may be substituted for the punch studs, so that the holes to be marked for drilling, may also be marked with a pencil by following the outline of these circular openings. The template may be used in a vertical or horizontal position, and may be cut in a series for a gang of boxes. It should be also understand that I am entitled to all such changes therefrom, as fainly fall within the scope of what I claim.

I claim:

1. A template of substantial thickness comprising a base plate having a sharp edged perimeter, punch studs formed from said base plate, said punch studs located in the corners of the template, said punch studs extending outwardly, for marking holes to be drilled for sawing, and punch studs formed from said base plate located in the center of both the top and the bottom edges of said template, said punch studs provided means for marking holes to be drilled for the screws.

2. A template, as described in claim 1, having a cut in the base plate, said cut shaping a projection having an edged point and a back, said projection bent to form an angle with said base plate, said point of said projection extending outwardly in the same direction as the punch studs, and said point extending sufficiently to cut into the wall forming means for marking the center of said template.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 836,737 Connely Nov. 27, 1906 945,445 Carr Jan. 4, 1910 1,611,930 MacLeod Dec. 28, 1926 1,849,961 Snelling Mar. 15, 1932 2,540,032 Johnson Jan. 30, 1951 2,547,489 Priebe Apr. 3, 1951 2,733,513 Gatineau Feb. 7, 1956 2,775,812 Mohr Jan. 1, 1957