WO2015024041A1

WO2015024041A1 - A magnetic tool

Info

Publication number: WO2015024041A1
Application number: PCT/AU2013/000922
Authority: WO
Inventors: David Wilton
Original assignee: David Wilton
Priority date: 2013-08-20
Filing date: 2013-08-20
Publication date: 2015-02-26

Abstract

A magnetic tool for installing steel and/or non steel or non magnetic material framing components, typically tracks and studs, to be fixed to steel girders including a magnet and a handle to grip and lift the framing component whereby it can be clamped to the girder by magnetic attraction between the magnet and the girder passing through the component; the handle interchangeable with handles of different configurations so as to confer multifunctional purpose, and wherein the tool is removed by using the handle to break the magnetic force. A method of installation and a building wherein steel and non magnetic material framing components are installed with a magnetic tool.

Description

INTERNATIONAL (PCT) PATENT APPLICATION

A MAGNETIC TOOL

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to building tools, in particular, but not limited to a magnetic tool for installing framing components, typically metal and in some cases, non metal tracks and studs for walls and partitions adapted to be fixed to steel girders in the construction of buildings.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The use of framing in the construction industry is known. Prior art methods of installing tracks and studs to steel girders invariably involves a team of two to hold and clamp the track or stud against the girder. The framing components, if metal, are then usually tack welded to the girder. The G-clamps and F-clamps normally used for these procedures are cumbersome and often hard to manoeuvre and position. The use of the prior art clamps often require workers to lean out beyond the safety of scaffolding to align and clamp the framing components. Clamps by their nature are also time consuming and require some skill to use properly.

As labour costs increase, there is a propensity to engage sole contractors who are able to work alone without the need and added cost of an assistant or apprentice. One major problem with attempting to clamp framing components are that once clamped, it is difficult to manipulate and move the component into the correct position. While prior art clamps may be loosened, to allow light tapping of the component, the foot or heel of the clamp tends to rock or " walk" which can lead to inaccuracy or difficulty in maintain a final position.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to ameliorate some or all of the above disadvantages of the prior art by providing a novel and inventive tool of a useful and durable design in the interests of reducing labour costs and time in the construction industry and/or to provide the public with a useful choice. STATEMENT OF INVENTION

In one aspect the invention resides in a magnetic tool for installing framing components to be fixed to steel girders including in combination:

a tool body having a magnet at one end, and a handle at an opposite end;

the magnet adapted to magnetically clamp the component to the girder by magnetic attraction between the magnet and the girder passing through the component, and wherein on fixing the component to the girder, the tool is removed by leaning on the handle as a lever to break the magnetic force.

In the case where the framing components are steel, the tool is used to magnetically grip, lift, manoeuvre as well as clamp the steel components to the girder. In the case of non steel components, the tool is used mainly as a clamp.

Typically, the tool body is an elongate shaft or tubular section.

Preferably, the handle is a tee shaped handle.

Preferably, the handle is insulated to provide protection from electrocution.

Preferably the handle is adapted to be detachable from the tool body or a magnet holder and is interchangeable with handles of various types and configurations. In this example, the tool cab be magnetically attached to a steel surface and the handle interchangeable with handles of various configurations to allow the tool to be multifunctional including use as a temporary hook for hanging cords and cables, a hold down for a chalk line or an anchor point for string lines and line levels for aligning stud members.

Preferably, the magnet is of a disc or circular configuration or is mounted in a magnet holder of a disc or circular configuration to provide an edge fulcrum point to facilitate breaking the magnetic force by leaning on the handle. Preferably, the magnet is magnetically insulated from the tool body or the handle to reduce or prevent the attraction of unwanted waste metal filings to the handle.

Preferably, the magnet is a permanent magnet of sufficient magnetism wherein a pair of tools enables a sole user to lift, handle and clamp a length of steel track to a steel girder.

Suitably, the magnet is a rare earth magnet with a magnetic strength of between 80 and 100 kilogram pull.

In another aspect the invention resides in a method of installing steel framing components, typically steel tracks and studs, to be fixed to steel girders including the steps of:

using a magnetic tool having a magnet at one end, and a handle at an opposite end

to grip, lift and clamp the steel component to the girder by magnetic attraction between the magnet and the girder passing through the steel component;

permanently fixing the component to the girder, and

removing the tool by leaning on the handle as a lever to break the magnetic force. in yet another aspect the invention resides in a method of installing non magnetic material framing components, typically non steel tracks and studs, to be fixed to steel girders including the steps of: ¹

positioning and locating the non magnetic component on the steel girder;

to clamp the rion magnetic component to the girder by magnetic attraction between the magnet and the girder passing through the non magnetic component;

permanently fixing the non magnetic component to the girder, and

removing the tool by leaning on the handle as a leverto break the magnetic force. In yet a further aspect the invention resides in a building having steel and/or non steel or non magnetic material framing components, typically tracks and studs, to be fixed to steel girders installed by using any of the tools and/or the methods of installation as hereinbefore described.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order for the invention to be better understood reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, wherein;

Figure 1 and Figure 1A show a preferred magnetic tool according to the invention.

Figure 2 and Figure 2A shows metal framing components being fixed to steel girders using the tool of Figure 1.

Figures 3 to 6 show multifunctional use of the tool.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS .

Referring now to Figure 1 and Figure 1A there is shown a preferred magnetic tool 10 according to the invention. The tool for installing framing components inclusive of both steel and non steel tracks and studs, to be fixed to steel girders has a handle 12 comprising an elongate shaft 12a or tubular section with a tee bar 12b. The magnet 14 at one end of the tool is of a disc or circular configuration and is mounted in a circular holder 16 which also provides an edge 16a as a fulcrum point to facilitate breaking the magnetic force by leaning on the handle 12. Handle 12 is detachable by unscrewing shaft 12a from magnet holder 16. Handle 12 is preferably tee shaped whereby a steel framing component can also be lifted and handled with the handle and clamped to a girder by magnetic attraction between the magnet 14 and the girder passing through the framing component. In the case of non steel components such as aluminium or fibre glass building materials, the tool can still be used as a movable clamp. On fixing the component to the girder, the tool Is removed by levering the handle on the circular edge functioning as a fulcrum point to break the magnetic force. In this example, the tool body and handle are cadmium plated to prevent the tool from rusting. In a preferred embodiment, the handle can be insulated with a plastic or rubber covering to provide protection from electrocution. The magnet is a permanent rare earth magnet of sufficient magnetism wherein a pair of tools enables a sole user to lift, handle and clamp a full length of steel track to a girder.

The magnet is a rare earth magnet with a magnetic strength of between 80 and 100 kilogram pull.

Referring now to Figure 2 and Figure 2A there is shown steel framing components 20 and 22 being fixed to steel girders 24, 26 and 28, respectively, using tools 10 of Figure 1. The magnetic tool is used to lift, handle and clamp the steel framing component here shown as a track 22. The track 22 is clamped against the girder 28 by magnetic attraction between the magnet and the girder passing through the track. The magnetic clamping aaion allows accurate adjustment of the position of the track on the girder such as by tapping with a hammer without breaking the magnetic force. On permanently fixing the track to the girder, the tool is removed by levering the tool to one side to break the magnetic force.

It will be obvious to the skilled addressee that studs and non magnetic material framing components such as of aluminium, fibro-cement and fibre glass can also be easily handled, manoeuvred and clamped in place by a sole worker using a pair of tools.

Referring now to Figures 3 to 6 there is shown various other uses of the tool 10 magnetically attached to steel surfaces 30 and 32. The interchangeable handles 12, 12 allows the tool to have a multifunctional purpose. These can include a temporary anchor point for string lines 34 and line levels for aligning stud members (not shown). Figure 3A shows a cutaway view of the shaft 12a of tool 10 wherein hole 12c allows end knot 34a of string line 34 to be recessed. Figure 4 shows detail of magnetic end of the tool in partial cross section wherein the magnet holder 16 housing the magnet 14 has a screw 16b which is screwed into the shaft 12a of handle 12 shown in Figure 1. Figure 5 shows the tool 40 as a holder for a catch card comprising angular perspex vane 42 for a rotating laser application. Magnetic base 44 houses magnet 46. Figure 6 shows tool 50 with closed eye 52 as a hanging support for lines, etc (not shown). Magnet 14 is housed in magnet holder 16 with male screw thread 16b to be screwed into tool shaft 50.

VARIATIONS

It will of course be realised that while the foregoing has been given by way of illustrative example of this invention, all such and other modifications and variations thereto as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of this invention as is herein set forth.

In the specification the terms "comprising" and "containing" shall be understood to have a broad meaning similar to the term "including" and will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps. This definition also applies to variations on the terms "comprising" and "containing^ such as "comprise", "comprises", "contain" and "contains".

Claims

1. A magnetic tool for installing framing components to be fixed to steel girders including in combination:

a tool body having a magnet at one end, and a handle at an opposite end;

2. The magnetic tool of Claim 1 wherein the framing components are steel and the tool is used to magnetically grip, lift, manoeuvre as well as clamp the steel components to the girder.

3. The magnetic tool of Claim 1 wherein the tool body is an elongate shaft or tubular section.

4. The magnetic tool of Claim 1 wherein the handle is adapted to be detachable from the tool body or a magnet holder and is interchangeable with other handles.

5. The magnetic tool of Claim 1 wherein the handle is a tee shaped handle.

6. The magnetic tool of Claim 1 wherein the handle is insulated to provide protection from electrocution.

7. The magnetic tool of Claim 1 wherein the tool is magnetically attached to a steel surface and the handle is configured to allow the tool to have a. multifunctional use including use as a temporary hook for hanging cords and cables, a hold down for a chalk line or an anchor point for string lines and line levels for aligning stud members.

8. The magnetic tool of Claim 1 wherein the magnet is of a disc or circular configuration or is mounted in a magnet holder of a disc or circular configuration to provide an edge fulcrum point to facilitate breaking the magnetic force by leaning on the handle.

9. The magnetic tool of Claim 1 wherein the magnet is a permanent magnet of sufficient magnetism wherein a pair of tools enables a sole user to lift, handle and clamp a length of steel track to a steel girder.

10. The magnetic tool of Claim 1 wherein, the magnet is a rare earth magnet with a magnetic strength of between 80 and 100 kilogram pull.

11. A method of installing steel framing components, typically steel tracks and studs, to be fixed to steel girders including the steps of:

permanently fixing the component to the girder, and

removing the tool by leaning on the handle as a lever to break the magnetic force.

12. A method of installing non magnetic material framing components, typically non steel tracks and studs, to be fixed to steel girders including the steps of:

positioning and locating the non magnetic component on the steel girder;

to clamp the non magnetic component to the girder by magnetic attraction between the magnet and the girder passing through the non magnetic component;

permanently fixing the non magnetic component to the girder, and

13. A building having steel framing components to be fixed to steel girders installed using a magnetic tool of any one of Claims 2 to 10.

14. A building having steel framing components to be fixed to steel girders installed by the method of Claim 11.

15. A building having non magnetic material framing components to be fixed to steel girders installed by the method of Claim 12.