Adjustable joist gripper

Abstract

A carpentry tool for the installation of parallel boards includes an elongated lever having a rotatable cam pivotally affixed adjacent to a distal end of the lever, a gripper body pivotally affixed at a distal end of the lever, the gripper body having two lugs or brackets extending downward from the lower end of the gripper body, wherein the gripper body includes a two-piece telescopic section having an outer tubing member and an inner tubing member in slidable engagement, the inner tubing member including a first lug or bracket on a lower face thereof, the outer tubing member including a second lug or bracket on a lower face thereof, opposing the first bracket, and a spindle extending from an upper face thereof, and a mechanism for reversibly affixing the sliding inner and outer tubing members at predetermined points. Further disclosed are novel adjustable joist grippers for use with the apparatus.

Description

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims an invention which was disclosed in Provisional Application No. 60 / 565,619, filed Apr. 27, 2004, entitled “IMPROVED RESCUE TOOLS”. The benefit under 35 USC § 119(e) of the United States provisional application is hereby claimed, and the aforementioned provisional application is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The invention pertains generally to the field of carpentry tools. More particularly, the invention pertains to apparatus and methods for gripping a floor joist or wall stud and forcing abutting edges of parallel boards into contact with one another, such as during installation or repair of tongue-and-groove type flooring or other parallel boards over a frame, joist or stud. [0004] 2. Description of Related Art [0005] Wooden flooring is usually supplied as boards having tongue-and-groove edges, such that the floor is laid ov...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present invention provides methods and apparatus for installing parallel boards with one hand, and allows for adjustment to different size joists or studs. The invention includes a carpentry tool with a rotatable cam and a gripper body with two lugs or brackets. The gripper body has a telescopic section with inner and outer tubing members that can be reversibly affixed at predetermined points. The invention also includes an adjustable joist gripper with a telescopic section and means for reversible affixing of the inner and outer tubing members. The invention allows for easy pushing of parallel boards together and can be used with different sized joists or studs."

Problems solved by technology

A number of devices have been developed in the past to aid in the installation of flooring and other parallel boards, but they have had a number of deficiencies which make them difficult to use.

Obviously, this would not work if the floor is being installed over a plywood subfloor.

Too narrow a span will prevent the gripper from fitting over the joist.

Most are undesirably complex and expensive.

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