Position indicator tools and methods

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11458604-B2
Application number	US-202016988230-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 7, 2020
Priority date	May 29, 2018
Publication date	Oct 4, 2022
Grant date	Oct 4, 2022

Abstract

Position indicator tools systems and methods for use with an elongated adapter are disclosed. Tools are configurable to engage the distal end of the elongated adapter include a first member wherein the first member has a distal end and two projection elements positioned in a plane and a channel between the projection elements further wherein at least one of the first members has a notch at a distal end on a channel-facing side, a positioning member formed integrally with the first member wherein the positioning member has a linear marker on a first side, an angled marker on a second side, and a rocker positioned between the angled marker and the channel.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A position indicator tool comprising:
a semicircular body having a first curved end, a second curved end, a first straight side, a second straight side, a convex exterior surface, and a concave interior surface;
a mounting member extending from the convex exterior surface; and
a level tool engaged by the mounting member on the convex exterior surface.

2. The position indicator tool of claim 1 wherein the level tool comprises a sealed vial.

3. The position indicator tool of claim 2 further comprising a laser pointer.

4. The position indicator tool of claim 2 wherein the mounting member further comprises a first mounting member and a second mounting member, further wherein the first mounting member is positioned on the convex exterior surface in a first position and the second mounting member is positioned on the convex exterior surface in a second position offset the first position and the sealed vial engages the first mounting member and the second mounting member to achieve a position at an angle off a central axis of the position indicator tool.

5. The position indicator tool of claim 1 wherein the level tool comprises a laser pointer.

6. The position indicator tool of claim 1 further comprising a flange on at least one of the first straight side of the semicircular body and the second straight side of the semicircular body.

7. A position indicator tool comprising:
a semicircular body means having a first curved end, a second curved end, a first straight side, a second straight side, a convex exterior surface, and a concave interior surface;
a mounting member means extending from the convex exterior surface; and
a level tool engaged by the mounting member means on the convex exterior surface.

8. The position indicator tool of claim 7 wherein the level tool comprises a sealed vial.

9. The position indicator tool of claim 8 further comprising a laser pointer.

10. The position indicator tool of claim 8 wherein the mounting member means further comprises a first mounting member and a second mounting member, further wherein the first mounting member is positioned on the convex exterior surface in a first position and the second mounting member is positioned on the convex exterior surface in a second position offset the first position and the sealed vial engages the first mounting member and the second mounting member to achieve a position at an angle off a central axis of the position indicator tool.

11. The position indicator tool of claim 7 wherein the level tool comprises a laser pointer.

12. The position indicator tool of claim 7 further comprising a flange on at least one of the first straight side of the semicircular body means and the second straight side of the semicircular body means.

13. A method of using a position indicator tool comprising the steps of:
attaching a position indicator tool comprising a semicircular body having a first curved end, a second curved end, a first straight side, a second straight side, a convex exterior surface, and a concave interior surface, a mounting member extending from the convex exterior surface, and a level tool engaged by the mounting member on the convex exterior surface to a telescoping adapter;
positioning a distal end of the telescoping adapter on a surface; and
determining a level indication from the level tool.

14. The method of using a position indicator tool of claim 13 further comprising the steps of:
adjusting a position of the distal end of the telescoping adapter to adjust a level indication of the level tool.

15. The method of using a position indicator tool of claim 13 wherein the position indicator tool further comprises a laser pointer further comprising the steps of:
activating the laser pointer;
determining a location of a light beam from the laser pointer on a surface; and
identifying a location where a fastener will penetrate the surface from the location of the light beam on the surface.

16. The method of using a position indicator tool of claim 13 wherein the position indicator tool further comprises a flange comprising the steps of:
engaging the flange to install or remove the position indicator tool from the circular surface.

17. The method of using a position indicator tool of claim 13 wherein the mounting member further comprises a first mounting member and a second mounting member, further wherein the first mounting member is positioned on the convex exterior surface in a first position and the second mounting member is positioned on the convex exterior surface in a second position offset the first position and the level tool comprises a sealed vial, further wherein the sealed vial engages the first mounting member and the second mounting member to achieve a position at an angle off a central axis of the position indicator tool.

Assignees

• Simpson Strong Tie Co Inc

Inventors

• Tillinghast Adam
• Hale Troy

Classifications

• B25B27/14 Primary

  for assembling objects other than by press fit or detaching same · CPC title

• B25B23/0021

  Prolongations interposed between handle and tool · CPC title

• B25B23/005

  Screw guiding means · CPC title

• B25B23/08 Primary

  for holding or positioning screw or nut prior to or during its rotation · CPC title

• B25F3/00

  Associations of tools for different working operations with one portable power-drive means; Adapters therefor · CPC title