GB2139140A

GB2139140A - Positioning device

Info

Publication number: GB2139140A
Application number: GB08401211A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Reginald Charles Allsopp
Original assignee: Louver Lite Ltd
Current assignee: Louver Lite Ltd
Priority date: 1983-05-06
Filing date: 1984-01-17
Publication date: 1984-11-07
Also published as: GB2139140B; GB8401211D0

Abstract

A device 10, which comprises a length of thin material having a cross-section matching the profile of a material to be cut, is held in engagement with said material, e.g. channel section 20, and its end 14, which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the device, is used to draw a straight line marking the length of material to fit an intended location, e.g. a window recess. A cutting blade is inserted into a slot 16, which is formed in the device parallel to the edge 14, to cut the material to size, the distance between the edge 14 and the slot 16 being predetermined as the amount of clearance required when the material is mounted in its intended position. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Positioning device This invention relates to a device facilitating the marking and cutting to size of elongate pieces of material.

When an unskilled person with few tools attempts to measure and cut to size an elongate piece of material for a special purpose, the accuracy attained is variable and if the length is in error, the piece of material often will not fit into its intended position. In this respect, the cutting to size of a channel from which a vertical blind is intended to be suspended is a good example, as in many cases, the channel must be cut by a householder so as to fit snugly into brackets in a particularwindowframe recess.

However, other examples, such as cutting to size of mounting or guide channels for sliding doors, or of sills for doors and windows also spring to mind.

There is therefore a need for a simple device which will facilitate accurate marking and cutting to size of such items and the main object of the present invention is provision of such a device.

Pursuant hereto the present invention provides a device facilitating marking and cutting to size of a piece of material, which device comprises a length of thin material having a cross-section formed so as to match the profile of the material to be cut to size, having one end perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the device and having a slot extending across a substantial part of the device parallel to and at a predetermined distance from the aforesaid end.

The device of the invention is preferably angled in cross-section and the angle is advantageously 90" so that the device may also be used to ascertain a perfect right-angled corner during various other do-it-yourself tasks, that is to say tasks carried out by unskilled persons.

Advantageously the other end of the device includes an edge extending at 45" to the longitudinal axis of the device so as to provide an accurate guide for marking the cutting positions for mitred joints.

A ridge may conveniently be provided at one or each end of the slot to form an effective stop for cutting implements inserted into the slot.

The invention will be described further, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating a preferred embodiment of the device of the invention in use in relation to a channel section; Figure 2 is a side view of the same device; and Figure 3 is a cross-section, to an enlarged scale, along the line Ill-Ill shown in Figure 2.

As illustrated, a preferred practical embodiment of the device of the invention comprises a strip 10 of hardened plastics about 1 Ocm long and 1 or 2 mm thick. This strip 10 is formed with an L-shaped cross-section, that is to say it consists of webs 11, 12 which are of substantially equal width, in the region of 2 to 3cm, and are at 900 to each other. At one end of the strip 10, the edge 14 is quite straight, or more specifically it is perpendicular to the planes of each of the webs 11, 12 and to the longitudinal axis of the device. At the other end of the strip 10, the edge 13 of the web 11 is parallel to the edge 14, whereas the edge 15 of the web 12 extends at an angle of 45" to the longitudinal axis of the device.

A slot 16 is provided in the strip 10 parallel to the edge 14 and about 1cm therefrom. This slot 16 extends across the junction between the two webs 11, 12 and about two thirds of the way across each web 11,12 culminating at each end in a ridge 17.

In use, an unskilled person wishing, for example, to install a channel section 20 (shown in dot-dash lines in Figure 1) for suspension of a vertical louvre blind measures the length of a window recess into which the channel section 20 is to be fitted and marks this length on a longer standard length of the selected type of channel section. The device 10 is then placed onto one corner of the channel section 20, over which it should form a reasonably close fit, with the edge 14 adjacent the mark, and using the edge 14 as a guide a straight line may be drawn across the section 20. If the suction 20 is wide, this may need to be repeated at the other corner of the channel section 20.With the device 10 held firmly onto the section 20, the edge 14 on the line marking the length of the window recess, the blade of a cutting implement (not shown), such a hacksaw, may be introduced into the slot 16 and brought to bear on the channel section 20. The distance between the edge 14 and the slot 16 is predetermined as the amount of clearance required between one end of the section 20 and the side of the window recess, for example for a mounting bracket and/or for rotrusion of a pulley mechanism operative to adjust the angle of the blind which is to be suspended from the channel section 20. The ridges 17 serve as stops for the blade and prevent excessive wear or damage at the ends of the slot 16.

Obviously, in order to achieve a clean cut through the section 20 it is usually necessary to cut both corners of the channel section 20. Once these two initial aligned cuts are made, the device 10 can be removed and the channel section 20 easily cut through. straight.

Since, in this embodiment, the webs 11, 12 are perpendicular to each other, the device 10 may be used in other situations where a right angle must be assessed. Also the device 10 may be used where mitred joints are required as with the edge 13 held against the end of the relevant member, the edge 15 can be used to mark and/or guide a cutting blade along the required path. The invention is not, of course, limited to the exact details of the above described embodiment and variations are possible.

For example, the dimensions of the parts and the angle between the web may differ from those described and the 45" edge is not essential. Moreover, in a further embodiment, the device may be arcuate in cross-section ratherthan angled so asto facilitate marking and cutting to size of cylindrical elements or elements with a curved surface.

1. A device facilitating marking and cutting to size of a piece of material which device comprises a

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Positioning device This invention relates to a device facilitating the marking and cutting to size of elongate pieces of material. When an unskilled person with few tools attempts to measure and cut to size an elongate piece of material for a special purpose, the accuracy attained is variable and if the length is in error, the piece of material often will not fit into its intended position. In this respect, the cutting to size of a channel from which a vertical blind is intended to be suspended is a good example, as in many cases, the channel must be cut by a householder so as to fit snugly into brackets in a particularwindowframe recess. However, other examples, such as cutting to size of mounting or guide channels for sliding doors, or of sills for doors and windows also spring to mind. There is therefore a need for a simple device which will facilitate accurate marking and cutting to size of such items and the main object of the present invention is provision of such a device. Pursuant hereto the present invention provides a device facilitating marking and cutting to size of a piece of material, which device comprises a length of thin material having a cross-section formed so as to match the profile of the material to be cut to size, having one end perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the device and having a slot extending across a substantial part of the device parallel to and at a predetermined distance from the aforesaid end. The device of the invention is preferably angled in cross-section and the angle is advantageously 90" so that the device may also be used to ascertain a perfect right-angled corner during various other do-it-yourself tasks, that is to say tasks carried out by unskilled persons. Advantageously the other end of the device includes an edge extending at 45" to the longitudinal axis of the device so as to provide an accurate guide for marking the cutting positions for mitred joints. A ridge may conveniently be provided at one or each end of the slot to form an effective stop for cutting implements inserted into the slot. The invention will be described further, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating a preferred embodiment of the device of the invention in use in relation to a channel section; Figure 2 is a side view of the same device; and Figure 3 is a cross-section, to an enlarged scale, along the line Ill-Ill shown in Figure 2. As illustrated, a preferred practical embodiment of the device of the invention comprises a strip 10 of hardened plastics about 1 Ocm long and 1 or 2 mm thick. This strip 10 is formed with an L-shaped cross-section, that is to say it consists of webs 11, 12 which are of substantially equal width, in the region of 2 to 3cm, and are at 900 to each other. At one end of the strip 10, the edge 14 is quite straight, or more specifically it is perpendicular to the planes of each of the webs 11, 12 and to the longitudinal axis of the device. At the other end of the strip 10, the edge 13 of the web 11 is parallel to the edge 14, whereas the edge 15 of the web 12 extends at an angle of 45" to the longitudinal axis of the device. A slot 16 is provided in the strip 10 parallel to the edge 14 and about 1cm therefrom. This slot 16 extends across the junction between the two webs 11, 12 and about two thirds of the way across each web 11,12 culminating at each end in a ridge 17. In use, an unskilled person wishing, for example, to install a channel section 20 (shown in dot-dash lines in Figure 1) for suspension of a vertical louvre blind measures the length of a window recess into which the channel section 20 is to be fitted and marks this length on a longer standard length of the selected type of channel section. The device 10 is then placed onto one corner of the channel section 20, over which it should form a reasonably close fit, with the edge 14 adjacent the mark, and using the edge 14 as a guide a straight line may be drawn across the section 20. If the suction 20 is wide, this may need to be repeated at the other corner of the channel section 20.With the device 10 held firmly onto the section 20, the edge 14 on the line marking the length of the window recess, the blade of a cutting implement (not shown), such a hacksaw, may be introduced into the slot 16 and brought to bear on the channel section 20. The distance between the edge 14 and the slot 16 is predetermined as the amount of clearance required between one end of the section 20 and the side of the window recess, for example for a mounting bracket and/or for rotrusion of a pulley mechanism operative to adjust the angle of the blind which is to be suspended from the channel section 20. The ridges 17 serve as stops for the blade and prevent excessive wear or damage at the ends of the slot 16. Obviously, in order to achieve a clean cut through the section 20 it is usually necessary to cut both corners of the channel section 20. Once these two initial aligned cuts are made, the device 10 can be removed and the channel section 20 easily cut through. straight. Since, in this embodiment, the webs 11, 12 are perpendicular to each other, the device 10 may be used in other situations where a right angle must be assessed. Also the device 10 may be used where mitred joints are required as with the edge 13 held against the end of the relevant member, the edge 15 can be used to mark and/or guide a cutting blade along the required path. The invention is not, of course, limited to the exact details of the above described embodiment and variations are possible. For example, the dimensions of the parts and the angle between the web may differ from those described and the 45" edge is not essential. Moreover, in a further embodiment, the device may be arcuate in cross-section ratherthan angled so asto facilitate marking and cutting to size of cylindrical elements or elements with a curved surface. CLAIMS

1. A device facilitating marking and cutting to size of a piece of material which device comprises a length of thin material having a cross-section formed so as to match the profile of the material to be cut to size, having one end perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the device and having a slot extending across a substantial part of the device parallel to and at a predetermined distance from the aforesaid one end.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1 which is angled in cross-section at 90" so as to permit determination of a perfect right-angled corner.

3. A device as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein the other end of the device includes an edge extending at 45" to the longitudinal axis of the device so as to provide an accurate guide for marking the cutting positions for mitred joints.

4. A device as claimed in claim 1,2 or 3 wherein a ridge is provided at one or each end of the slot to form an effective stop for cutting implements inserted into the slot.

5. A device facilitating marking and cutting to size of a piece of material substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrating in the accompanying drawing.