Abstract: A frame construction tool system, for wood frame buildings, or for metal, polymer, concrete, or composite frame buildings, and methods of using some or all of the tools of said tool system, are particularly well-adapted for roof and/or wall construction. Preferably, a laser light unit comprises a plurality of adjustments for directing the laser light in a variety of directions, preferably for vertical, horizontal, and pivotal adjustment. The laser light unit may be used with targets, cuttings guides, and/or prism units for splitting and/or redirecting the laser beam. In one embodiment, the laser light unit is used with reflective and/or translucent/transparent targets to accurately build a “build-over roof” wherein the laser light unit maps out points and lines of an accurate connection between the roofs. In another embodiment, the laser light unit is used with one or more targets used at the top of a stud wall, to produce a straight line reference from one end/corner of a wall to another.

Abstract: The present invention comprises an apparatus and method for accurately and safely cutting residential siding members. A specialized tool and saw guide system comprise two hingedly connected plates to securely hold and balance the siding member during the cutting process, as well as resilient saw guides for guiding a saw blade. The device allows for both a straight edge cut and an angled cut to match a conventional roof pitch. Additional embodiments are anticipated to provide for various angled cuts.

Abstract: A measuring apparatus for determining the attitude of a work object, the measuring apparatus having a first element adapted to engage the work object; an instrument operable to identify the attitude of the first element during engagement of the first element with the work object; and a second element borne by the first element adapted to provide a measurement relative to the work object when the first element is in engagement with the work object.

Abstract: The present invention provides a measurement apparatus particularly suited for layout work. More specifically, the present invention is useful for taking a single measurement of a span or object, dividing the measured length into a desired number of equal segments, and providing indicators for marking those points.

Abstract: An improved framing square having integral features for automating the marking and cutting of angles. The square contains two sliding carriages—one in the body and one in the blade. Each carriage has a deployable pin. In order to set an angle, the user first deploys the pins in each sliding carriage so that they protrude downward from the square. Next, the user sets the sliding carriage in the body to the desired position and locks it in place. The user then sets the sliding carriage in the blade to the desired position and locks it in place. The two pins protruding from the sliding carriages are then butted against the board to be cut. Once they are in place, the blade of the square will form the correct cutting angle across the board. Since many common cuts employ a twelve inch base leg, the invention includes another feature: Rather than set the sliding carriage within the body to twelve inches, the user may opt instead to deploy a fixed pin located in the body at the twelve inch position.

Abstract: A construction tool and method for its use in laying out stud marks. The tool is adjustable and is especially suited for laying out stud marks on a rafter of a pitched roof so as to be aligned with the corresponding stud marks on a sill beneath the rafter. The tool includes an elongated measuring member; stud-marking members attached to the measuring member in spaced, transverse relation therealong, at least one of the marking members being adjustable along the measuring member; measurement indicia on the measuring member that enables the spacing between the marking members to be set; and conversion indicia on one or more of the members that sets forth the relationship among various roof rises and stud spacings on sills and rafters. The method involves laying out markings on the sill and rafter boards with the tool including the steps of placing the layout tool along a first of the boards, e.g.

Abstract: A template system for rafters for roof construction includes a plurality of individual templates, each dedicated to a single roof pitch. Each template is formed from a plastic material to have a base and a flange attached to the base by a living hinge formed in the plastic material. The flange allows convenience in positioning the template on a rafter stock in a position best suited to the user's own position. The edges of the template are oriented relative to the hinge to provide marking guides for various cuts for common, valley, hip, and jack rafters.

Abstract: A tile marking apparatus including an elongated member and a guide for maintaining the elongated member in a predetermined disposition relative to the surface being traced onto a tile. The elongated member of the tile marking apparatus is configured to accommodate a marking device a predetermined distance from a follower end of the apparatus for marking a tile with a profile as the elongated member moves thereover and the follower end engagably traverses the surface with which the tile is to abut. As will be appreciated, the profile marked on the tile corresponds to the profile of the surface with which the tile is to be positioned in abutting relationship. The other piece of the tile marking apparatus of the present invention is a guide. The guide is adjustably connected toward an opposite the follower end of the elongated member for maintaining the elongated member in a substantially constant disposition relative to the surface with which the tile is to abut.

Abstract: A log sizing and marking device including a base member having a slot extending through a rearward end wall and extending a length thereof. An adjustable bracket is secured to an upper surface of the base member. The adjustable bracket is adapted for coupling a can of spray paint to the base member in a horizontally disposed orientation. A sliding ruler is slidably received within the slot extending through the rearward end wall of the base member.

Abstract: A tracing tool for marking an outline of an irregular surface onto a sheet of material so that the sheet of material can be cut along such outline to fit snugly against the irregular surface, such tool including a case having a cavity in communication with an opening in the case, such case enclosing a piston having a shaft linearly extending therefrom through the case opening with a spring biasing the piston toward the case opening, and a marking device passing through a marking hole in the shaft which marking hole is perpendicular to the plane of the sheet of material. The shaft at its end includes a horizontally disposed guide roller for facilitating sideways rolling of the shaft along the irregular surface while the shaft moves back and forth perpendicularly to the irregular surface which movement moves the piston in the cavity as the marking device marks the outline of the irregular surface on the sheet of material.

Abstract: A rafter measuring and positioning template and method provides a device and method wherein a telescoping pole has rotatably and swivelably mounted on one end thereof a pad having a slide plate for juxtaposition to a ridge board, and, on the other end, a base angle having a slide clamp for juxtaposition to a wall plate, to measure the angle between the ridge board and the pad and thereby the angle of cut of the top of the rafter to be cut, and the length of the rafter between the ridge board and the wall plate.

Abstract: A square is disclosed which is especially adapted for the marking of angular dimensions on, or the transfer of angular dimensions from, rafters or other building materials and the like in that only one adjustment is needed to vary the angle being marked or measured. The disclosed square has a first elongate arm, a second elongate arm, and an elongate base having a distal and a proximal end, and a first elongate slot extending longitudinally intermediate its distal and proximal ends. The first elongate arm has a proximal end and a distal end which is pivotally attached to the proximal end of the base. The second has a proximal end, a distal end which is pivotally attached to the proximal end of the first elongate arm, and a second elongate slot extending intermediate its distal and proximal ends for intersection with the first slot.

Abstract: An under layer of a mortar material such as stucco is first applied to a structural surface such as a wall or floor. Over this under layer a second layer is applied generally of a different color than the first layer. A tool having a guide bar, an elongated strip forming a measuring rod removably attached along one edge of the guide bar, a bubble level mounted thereon and a handle for manipulating the guide bar is used to form a straight edge for a mortar scratcher which is used to groove channels in the top layer of material. The measuring rod is placed in successive channels thus formed to provide a guide for the formation of subsequent such channels. The measuring rod is removably attached to the guide bar and can be selectively positioned in a vertical orientation relative thereto or in predetermined angular orientations so that the guide bar can be utilized in forming channels at right angles or acute angles relative to the channels initially formed.

Abstract: A system for producing precise angular measurements in order to accurately configure an object, such as a wing rib, to be fit within a cavity, such as a wing. This system includes a device for measuring the interior angular measurements of the sides of the cavity and a device for measuring the exterior angular measurements of the sides of the object to be fit therein. Once these angular measurements are made, the exterior angle measuring device is made to encompass the interior angle measuring device. Any difference in space therebetween is related to the difference in angular size between the sides of the object and the cavity into which it is fit. Appropriate size adjustment of the object can then be readily made.

Abstract: A telescoping measuring rafter gauge comprising two telescoping members with locking devices. Further comprising two sliding pitch locating plates with tightening devices, where said pitch locating plates fit flush against a center ridge pole or hip rafter with graduations marked along the telescoping inner member of the rafter gauge. Hinge means are provided on the telescoping outer member.