Tracing and / or cutting aid tool

Abstract

Tool (1) for assisting with tracing and / or cutting, in particular a pocket tool, comprising - a base (2) which has a so-called rear face (20), a so-called front face (21) which is opposite the rear face and which constitutes a flat application surface intended in particular to provide a support surface for a cutting utensil blade, a so-called lower face (23) which forms at the junction with the rear face (20), a square surface (25) with a stop and guide function, a so-called upper face (24) which is opposite the lower face (23) and which comprises a receiving surface (26) intended to receive a measuring element such as a tape measure, and at least one face which comprises at least one positioning notch (27') intended to wedge a tracing utensil therein, and - a clamping part called a clamp (3) which is capable of adopting either an open position or a closed position closed,the clamp in the closed position cooperating with the base (2) by pinching against the receiving surface (26). [Fig. 7],

Description

Title of the invention: Tracing and / or cutting assistance tool

[0001] The invention relates to a tool for assisting with tracing and / or cutting.

[0002] The invention will be more particularly described, without however being limited thereto, as to a tool for drawing lines or cutting facing panels of the Pla-coplâtre® type. Such a tool will be particularly practical for a plasterer.

[0003] Previously in the field of fitting out or renovating premises, the stage of preparing by marking out different materials (plates, slabs or others) is regularly exposed to the cramped nature of maneuvers preventing the use of conventional tools of cumbersome dimensions. Faced with this situation, the method adopted consists of using both hands. Taking the example of working on a plate: in one hand, a conventional tool is placed as needed, for example a pencil for tracing or a cutter for the beginning of a break in the materials to be worked, while holding the end of a retractable tape measure, which will be held and unrolled by the other hand ([Fig.l]), stopping at the desired dimension while holding the tape between the thumb and index finger; then for the work to be done, this hand, holding the measuring tape, is placed on the edge of the plate, while the other hand is placed on the front of the same plate parallel to the edge with the chosen tool, pencil, cutter or other. The index finger of the hand which is already positioned along the edge of the plate, will serve as a guide by sliding all along this rough edge. However, the finger will undergo heating of the skin as well as burns, which can sometimes lead to an instinctive release of the tape resulting in the loss of the measurement. This method creates problems of user protection and slowing down of productivity.

[0004] The invention therefore aims to propose a tool for assisting in tracing and / or cutting a material, in particular a plate, which does not have the aforementioned drawbacks.

[0005] Generally speaking, in the remainder of the description, the term "tracing" means the tracing of a pencil line or a cutting or cutting start line.

[0006] According to the invention, the tracing and / or cutting assistance tool comprises - a base which has a so-called rear face, a so-called front face which is opposite the rear face and which constitutes a flat application surface (this flat application surface being intended in particular to provide a support surface for a cutting utensil blade), a so-called lower face which forms at the junction with the rear face, a square surface with a stop and guide function (the square surface being fixed), a so-called upper face which is opposite the lower face and which comprises a receiving surface intended to receive a measuring element (distinct and in tool-dependent) such as a tape measure, and at least one face (in particular at least one face distinct from the upper face) which comprises at least one positioning notch intended to wedge a tracing utensil (such as a pencil point) therein, and - a clamping part, hereinafter called the clamp, which is capable of adopting either an open position or a closed position, the clamp in the closed position cooperating with the base by clamping against the receiving surface.

[0007] In the remainder of the description, the term "width" means the dimension extending in the measurement direction for drawing the tracing line in the position of use of the tool, that is to say the direction perpendicular to the edge of the material against which the square surface is placed in abutment. The width is therefore the direction transverse to the planes of the front and rear faces of the base. The term "front" as opposed to "rear" describes a part of the tool directly opposite the line to be traced on the material.

[0008] In particular, the tool of the invention is a pocket tool. The term "pocket tool" means that the tool has dimensions designed to constitute a tool capable of slipping into a pocket of clothing. It fits in the pocket and fits in the palm of a hand.

[0009] The tool of the invention, which is in particular a pocket tool, is a tool which is currently missing from the range of tools intended for the work of preparing various materials, the function of this tool is to provide protection against the risks mentioned above with regard to the fingers and to ensure functionality of a marking gauge as well as better productivity in the work of materials.

[0010] The positioning notch serves to wedge the tip of a marking utensil, such as the tip of a pencil-type tracing utensil.

[0011] Thus, the tracing and / or cutting assistance tool of the invention provides - the guiding function along a material edge thanks to its square surface, the square surface allowing rapid positioning of the tool and serving to slide the tool along the material to be worked; - the marking function for tracing a line parallel to and at a distance from the edge of the material, the line being able to be a pencil line or a cutting line by having placed in said at least one positioning notch a tracing utensil such as a pencil point and / or by using the flat application surface on the front face to support a tracing and / or cutting utensil, in particular to support a cutter blade; and - the measuring element holder function to adjust the width of the line to be traced from the edge of the material if the base is not wide enough, the base being designed thanks to the clamp to temporarily fix a measuring element such as a tape meter.

[0012] The tool of the invention provides practical and rapid positioning of a tracing and / or cutting utensil regardless of the distance separating the edge of the material from the line to be drawn, and also, if necessary, serves to temporarily install a measuring element such as a meter. The tool is also protective for the user's fingers, as the guidance is in fact carried out by the tool.

[0013] According to one characteristic, in the position of use with an edge of material, in particular an edge of a plate material, the tool remains positioned against the edge (the edge) of the material, the square surface (via its so-called inner face) being placed in abutment against the edge (the edge) of the material.

[0014] In particular, the flat face of the front face allows a cutter blade to be placed against it. By placing the surface squarely against the edge of a plate to be cut and by placing the cutter blade against the front face of the base while holding it firmly, the width, from the square surface to the front face, corresponding to the width of the cutting line to be made in the plate, the user only has to slide the base along the edge of the panel, and the cutter blade draws the cutting line at the correct width.

[0015] According to one characteristic, the square surface corresponds to the extension of the so-called rear face of the base, the rear face being perpendicular to the lower face.

[0016] According to one characteristic, the base has two opposite faces called lateral faces which are (substantially) perpendicular to the front and rear faces, each of the lateral faces comprising at least one positioning notch and the front face comprising at least two spaced positioning notches. In particular, the positioning notch(s) open onto the lower face of the base.

[0017] According to one feature, the receiving surface has a cradle shape and has a concavity facing away from the lower face of the base and the clamp has a shape which matches the concavity of the receiving surface. The cradle shape has the advantage of adapting to different models (in particular different widths) of measuring tapes; whatever the width of the tape, it will remain perfectly in place and clamped by the clamp.

[0018] According to one characteristic, the clamp is removable and / or movable relative to the base, preferably the clamp is movable in pivoting and cooperates by clipping with the base in its closed position.

[0019] According to one feature, the clamp includes a mark which, in the closed position of the clamp, is in line (with the inside) with the square surface. When a tape measure is wedged in the receiving surface and is unwound via its free end including the zero reference, this makes it possible to identify the separation distance to be measured from the edge of the material (against which the inside of the square surface is in abutment). square) to the edge of the line to be drawn at the level of said free zero reference end of the meter.

[0020] According to one feature, the tool comprises at least one shim, preferably comprises a set of several shims, to be placed against the front face of the base, opposite the square surface, in particular the shim(s) being fixed against the base or between them in a removable manner. Each shim has a face opposite the base, which has a flat surface. The shim(s) are fixed in a removable manner against the base in the direction of the width of the base, and in the case of a plurality of shims, a first shim is fixed in a removable manner against the base and the other shim(s) are fixed in a removable manner by being pressed against each other. Each shim has a thickness serving to extend the width of the tool, in particular the width of the line to be traced. The shims are used for working with small dimensions (line to be traced) not requiring the use of a measuring tape.

[0021] Advantageously, each wedge comprises female shapes on one face and male shapes on the opposite face which are capable of cooperating with female shapes of the base or with the female shapes of another wedge, preferably the female shapes of the base and wedges constituting positioning notches.

[0022] The base and the shims will be adapted to the measurements of the international metric system (the meter) and the Anglo-Saxon metric system (the inch). Advantageously, the base has a width between (the inside of) the square surface (intended to be pressed against the edge of a plate) and the front face of the base, of 2 cm or 1 inch, preferably the base further comprising a positioning notch on at least one so-called lateral face, the positioning notch being arranged halfway between the distance separating (the inside of) the square surface from the front face of the base. Advantageously, the tool further comprises at least one shim with a width of 1 cm or inch and / or at least one shim with a width of 0.5 cm or inch.So, if the tool has three 1 cm wide shims and one 0.5 cm wide shim, it provides a line width relative to the edge of the material (at the edge of the plate) that ranges from 1 cm to 5.5 cm or from ^2 inches to 2.75 inches, without the need for a measuring tape.

[0023] According to one feature, the tool is used as a marking tool for marking out and / or starting cutting, parallel to a linear edge of a material, in particular a plate, the receiving surface being used if necessary to receive and wedge via the clamp a one meter measuring tape when the base, and possibly shims juxtaposed to the base, are of a width less than the expected marking and / or cutting width. The free end of the measuring tape with its zero reference is intended to be developed opposite the tool (and therefore the base) and to correspond to the marking and / or starting cutting line; the free end of the tape will be associated with a marking utensil such as a pencil tip or a utensil cut like a cutter

[0024] The invention also relates to a method for implementing the aforementioned tool of the invention, for drawing a line on a material according to a line width at a distance from an edge (edge) of the material, characterized in that - a user takes hold of the tool with one hand, places the lower face of the base against a main face of the material and the square surface against the edge of the material, then wedges with the same hand a tracing utensil in a positioning notch or presses a cutting utensil against the front face of the tool (front face of the base or front face of a wedge), and finally slides the tool against the edge of the material while pressing with the tracing or cutting utensil against the main face of the material; or - a user opens the clamp, places the one-meter measuring tape against the receiving surface of the base, having unrolled the tape via a free end of the tape, and closes the clamp, having positioned a measuring line of the tape opposite a mark on the tool, the mark being in line (with the inside) with the square surface and being in particular at the edge of the clamp and on the side of the rear face of the base, so that the distance separating the mark from the free end of the tape corresponds to the width of the line to be traced, then the user, having taken the tool in one hand, places it in contact with the lower face of the base against a main face of the material and the square surface against the edge of the material, wedges with the other hand the free end of the tape with a tracing utensil or a cutting utensil,and finally slides the tool against the edge of the material while following with his other hand the tracing or cutting utensil against the main face of the material.

[0025] The present invention is now described using an example which is solely illustrative and in no way limiting of the scope of the invention, and from the attached illustrations, in which: - [Fig.l] illustrates a schematic perspective view of a usual method of the prior art for preparing a plate for tracing and / or cutting. - [Fig.2] is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the tracing and / or cutting aid tool according to the invention, with its various parts disassembled, the tool comprising a base and a clamp as well as a set of various shims to adapt to different scribing dimensions without having to use a measuring instrument of the tape measure type. - [Fig.3] represents a front view of the so-called rear face of the base of [Fig.2] with the assembled clamp, said clamp being in the raised position (before jamming the tape of a tape measure). - [Fig.4] is a perspective view of the base and the clamp assembled and in the closed position. - [[Fig.5]] represents a side view of all the parts of the tool of [Fig.2], the clamp assembled to the base being in the raised position. - [Fig.6] is a perspective and bottom view of a wedge. - [[Fig.7]] illustrates a perspective view of the tool in use for marking out a board.

[0026] The tool 1 for assisting in tracing and / or cutting of the invention, illustrated in Figures 2 to 7, is used to trace and / or cut a flat material P ([Fig.7]) against the edge 1' of which the tool 1 is able to come to bear. The flat material P is for example a plate. The tool 1 can be used alone or with a tape 10 of a tape measure 10'. It is used alone or with a tape measure depending on the width of tracing or cutting to be obtained from the edge 1' of the plate P. The tracing is done on a main face 1 ”of the plate P.

[0027] Tool 1 constitutes a tracing and / or cutting guide while protecting the user's fingers. It is convenient and quick to implement.

[0028] The tool 1 comprises a first part defining a base 2 and a second part 3 defining a clamp. Preferably, the tool 1 further comprises one or more wedges 4 for extending the width of the tool.

[0029] The base 2 has the function of placing the tool 1 against the edge 1' of the plate P and of guiding a tracing utensil such as a pencil or a cutting utensil such as a cutter opposite the tool 1 and the edge 1' of the plate, having previously identified the tracing and / or cutting width, hereinafter referred to as the "line width", from the edge 1' of the plate.

[0030] The clamp 3 makes it possible to clamp the tape 10 of the tape measure 10'. The line width corresponds either to the unrolled length of the tape 10 from the so-called inner face of a square surface of the tool 1 to the free end 11 of the tape 10, or to all or part of the width of the base 2 or the combined width of the base 2 and one or more shims 4 coupled to the base 2.

[0031] The tool 1 may be manufactured industrially from different materials provided that these materials are low conductors of heat and are resistant to wear that may be caused by friction exerted on the materials.

[0032] The dimensions of the tool 1 may vary to meet specific needs such as the intended use, in metric or Anglo-Saxon systems; however, these variations will not modify the principle of use of the tool. In a preferred embodiment, the tool 1 is of dimensions adapted to fit in the palm of a hand. The tool 1 forms a pocket tool. The small dimensions of the tool are favorable for working in confined spaces. By way of non-limiting example, the base I has a general parallelepiped shape with a width of the order of 25 mm, a length (direction perpendicular to the width) of the order of 60 mm and height of the order of 15 to 20 mm. The shims 4 ([Fig.2]) may for example be four shims 40, 41, 42 and 43. Preferably, at least two shims have a different width (thickness) in order to provide different line widths. For example, by coupling to the base 2, one shim with four shims 40 to 43, the line width via the tool 1 can reach 55 mm.

[0033] The base 2 has a rear face 20, an opposite front face 21, two opposite lateral faces 22 and 22' which are transverse to the front and rear faces, a lower face 23 and an opposite upper face 24. The lower face 23 is the one intended to be applied against a main face of the plate P of material.

[0034] The base 2 comprises a square surface in the manner of an angle iron 25. The angle iron 25 is formed by a flat extension 20' of the rear face 20, which projects and is perpendicular to the lower face 23. The angle iron 25 constitutes a square support and guide surface for the tool 1. The angle iron 25 serves as a support base for guidance during work. The interior or the inner face 25' of the square surface 25 constitutes the zero reference for measuring a line width to be traced using the tool 1, this inner face 25' being the one intended to be applied against the edge / the edge of 1' of the plate P.

[0035] On the upper face 24, the base 2 comprises a receiving surface 26 on which the tape 10 of the tape measure 10' is intended to rest. The clamp 3 cooperates with the receiving surface 26 to hold the tape in place. Preferably, the receiving surface 26 has the shape of a curved cradle; it has a concavity facing towards the outside of the tool, opposite the lower face 23. Thus, whatever the width of the tape of the tape measure, this curved shape will, in cooperation with the clamp, ensure secure jamming of the tape.

[0036] The clamp 3 matches the shape of the receiving surface 26. The clamp 3 therefore matches the curvature of the cradle 26. The clamp 3 has in particular a quarter-moon profile. The clamp 3 has a width preferably less than the width of the base 2. The clamp 3 is movable and / or removable. The clamp 3 is capable of adopting two positions, an open position to release the receiving surface 26 in order to insert the ribbon therein and a closed position to be applied (folded down) against said receiving surface 26 in order to wedge the ribbon 10. Preferably, the clamp 3 is movable in pivoting about an axis 3' parallel to the width of the base. Alternatively, the clamp 3 could be only removable, but its fixing and its mobility in pivoting prevents it from being lost once open. The clamp 3 has two opposite ends 30 and 31.The first end 30 is fixed to one of the sides of the base, in particular at the level of the upper face 24 and substantially in extension of one of the lateral faces 22. The pivoting fixing of the first end 30 can nevertheless, as in the present illustrated example, be removable and be carried out by clipping. The second end 31 cooperates. with the opposite side of the base, in particular at the level of the upper face 24 and substantially in extension of the other lateral face 22'. The second end 31 cooperates with the base 2 by clipping, which closes the clamp 3 against the cradle 26; for example the second end 31 comprises a tab 32 with an elastic function, which is turned towards the base 2 and which preferably is provided with a bulge 33 ([Fig.3]), the tab 32 being able to be housed by snap-fastening in a cavity 24' of the upper face 24 of the base 2. Preferably, the second end 31 comprises a gripping tab 34 to facilitate the gripping of the clamp and ensure by pressure or traction the unclipping (release) of the tab 32 from the base 2.

[0037] Advantageously, the clamp comprises a mark 35 which, in the closed position of the clamp, is at right angles (perpendicular) to the inside 25' of the square surface 25. When the tape measure is wedged in the receiving surface 26 and is unwound via its free end 11 corresponding to the zero reference of the meter, this makes it possible to identify the separation distance (line width) to be measured from the edge 1' of the material to the edge of the line to be drawn at the level of said free end 11 of the zero reference of the meter.

[0038] The base 2 comprises several positioning notches for wedging a tracing utensil. The positioning notches open onto the lower face 23. Preferably, the front face 21 of the base 2 comprises at least one, in particular two, spaced positioning notches 27 ([Fig.4]). Preferably, at least one positioning notch 27' is arranged on each of the side faces 22 and 22' and is arranged halfway between the separation distance of the inner face 25' of the square surface 25 and the front face 21. Thus, when the separation distance of the inner face 25' of the square surface 25 is 2 cm to draw a line width of 2 cm from the edge 1' of the material, the user will place his tracing utensil in a positioning notch 27 of the front face 21, and if he wants to draw a line of 1 cm, he will position his tracing utensil in the positioning notch 27' of a side face 22 or 22'.

[0039] Finally, the shims 40 to 43 make it possible not to use a measuring tape and to obtain tracing distances (line width) of 0.5 cm in 0.5 cm increments, up to 5.5 cm by associating the four shims with the base. The shims 40 to 43 are removable and are fixed to the base or to each other by male shapes 44 which cooperate with female shapes 45 ([Fig.6]). Advantageously, the female shapes 45 also constitute positioning notches which are arranged on the so-called front face of the shim (parallel and opposite to the front face 21 of the base 2), intended to be the face against which the tracing utensil will be wedged. When a wedge 4 cooperates with the base 2, the male shapes 44 of the wedge cooperate with the positioning notches 27 of the front face 21 of the base 2.

[0040] The operation of the tool 1 is now described, for drawing a line on the material P according to a line width at a distance from the edge 1' of the material: - a user takes hold of the tool 1 with one hand, places the lower face 23 of the base against a main face 1 ” of the material and the square surface 25 against the edge 1' of the material, then wedges with the same hand a tracing utensil in a positioning notch 27, 27' or presses a cutting utensil against the front face 21 of the tool, and finally slides the tool 1 against the edge 1' of the material while pressing with the tracing or cutting utensil against the main face 1” of the material; or - a user opens the clamp 3, places the tape 10 of the measuring tape 10' against the receiving surface 26 of the base, having unrolled the tape via a free end 11 of the tape, and closes the clamp 3, having positioned a measuring line of the tape opposite the mark 35 of the tool, the mark being in line with the square surface 25 and being in particular at the edge of the clamp and on the side of the rear face of the base, so that the distance separating the mark 35 from the free end 11 of the tape corresponds to the width of the line to be traced, then the user, having taken the tool in one hand, places it in application with the lower face 23 of the base against the main face 1 ”of the material and the square surface 25 against the edge 1 'of the material, wedges with another hand the free end 11 of the tape with a tracing utensil or a cutting utensil,and finally slides the tool 1 against the edge 1' of the material while following with his other hand the tracing or cutting utensil against the main face 1” of the material.,

Claims

Claims

1. Tool (1) for assisting with tracing and / or cutting, in particular a pocket tool, comprising - a base (2) which has a so-called rear face (20), a so-called front face (21) which is opposite the rear face and which constitutes a flat application surface, a so-called lower face (23) which forms at the junction with the rear face (20), a square surface (25) with a stop and guide function, a so-called upper face (24) which is opposite the lower face (23) and which comprises a receiving surface (26) intended to receive a measuring element such as a tape measure, and at least one face which comprises at least one positioning notch (27; 27') intended to wedge a tracing utensil therein, and - a clamping part called a gripper (3) which is capable of adopting either an open position or a closed position, the gripper in the closed position cooperating with the base (2) by pinching against the receiving surface (26).

2. Tool according to claim 1, characterized in that the base has two opposite faces called lateral faces (22, 22') which are perpendicular to the front (21) and rear (20) faces, each of the lateral faces (22, 22') comprising at least one positioning notch (27') and the front face (21) comprising at least two spaced positioning notches (27).

3. Tool according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the receiving surface (26) has a cradle shape and has a concavity facing away from the lower face of the base and in that the clamp (3) has a shape which matches the concavity of the receiving surface.

4. Tool according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the clamp (3) is removable and / or movable relative to the base (2), preferably the clamp is movable in pivoting and cooperates by clipping with the base in its closed position.

5. Tool according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the clamp (3) comprises a mark (35), which in the closed position of the clamp, is in line with the square surface (25).

6. Tool according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least one shim (4), preferably comprises a set of several shims (40, 41, 42, 43), to be placed against the front face (21) of the base, in particular the shim(s) being fixed against the base or between them in a removable manner.

7. Tool according to the preceding claim, characterized in that each wedge (4; 40, 41, 42, 43) comprises on one face female shapes (45) and on the opposite face male shapes (44) which are capable of cooperating with female shapes of the base or with the female shapes of another wedge, preferably the female shapes of the base and wedges constituting positioning notches (27; 44).

8. Tool according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the base (2) has a width between the square surface (25) and the front face (21) of the base, of 2 cm or 1 inch, preferably the base (2) further comprising a positioning notch (27') on at least one side face (22, 22'), the positioning notch (27') being arranged halfway between the distance separating the square surface and the front face of the base, and in that the tool comprises at least one shim (40, 41, 42) with a width of 1 cm or inch and / or at least one shim (43) with a width of 0.5 cm or % of an inch.

9. Tool according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is used as a marking tool for marking and / or initiating cutting, parallel to a linear edge (1') of a material, in particular a plate (P), the receiving surface (26) being used if necessary to accommodate and wedge via the clamp (3) a tape (10) of one meter of measurement (10') when the base (2), and possibly wedges (4) juxtaposed with the base, are of a width less than the expected marking and / or cutting width.

10. Method for implementing the tool according to any one of claims 1 to 8, for drawing a line on a material (P) according to a line width at a distance from an edge (1') of the material, characterized in that - a user takes hold of the tool (1) with one hand, places the lower face (23) of the base against a main face (1”) of the material and the square surface (25) against the edge (1') of the material, then wedges with the same hand a tracing utensil in a positioning notch (27; 27') or presses a cutting utensil against the front face (21) of the tool, and finally slides the tool (1) against the edge (1') of the material while pressing with the tracing or cutting utensil against the main face (1”) of the material;or - a user opens the clamp (3), places the tape (10) of a measuring meter (10') against the receiving surface (26) of the base having unrolled the tape via a free end (11) of the tape, and closes the clamp (3) by; having positioned a measuring line of the tape opposite a mark (35) of the tool, the mark being in line with the square surface and being in particular at the edge of the clamp and on the side of the rear face of the base, so that the distance separating the mark (35) from the free end (11) of the tape corresponds to the width of the line to be traced, then the user, having taken the tool in one hand, places it in application with the lower face (23) of the base against a main face (1”) of the material and the square surface (25) against the edge of the material, wedges with another hand the free end (11) of the tape with a tracing utensil or a cutting utensil, and finally slides the tool (1) against the edge of the material while following with his other hand the tracing or cutting utensil against the main face (1”) of the material.

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