AU734266B2 - Retractable measuring tape for brick laying - Google Patents

Description

AUSTRALIA

PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT

ORIGINAL

Name of Applicant: Actual Inventor: Address of Service: Invention Title: COLIN COSTIN COLIN COSTIN BAiLDwiN SHIELSTON WATERS 60 MARGARET STREET SYDNEY NSW 2000 RETRACTABLE MEASURING TAPE FOR BRICK LAYING

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50 0 55 0@ 0 *500 0 0 .5 0O 0 0O 0 00S0 The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us:- FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a measuring tape for brick quantity calculation, and more particularly to a retractable measuring tape for brick quantity calculation.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION 5 When builders or other persons in the building trade are ordering bricks for brickwork on buildings, it is necessary to estimate the total number of bricks to be ordered by measuring the total length, width and height of the structure with a standard tape measure. This requires somewhat complex calculation work which is both time consuming and often leads to either an over or under estimation of the amount of bricks required.

Furthermore it is often the case that the positioning of windows and/or doorways 5555 must be adjusted from their originally determined positions in order to suit the brick work around them. This is time consuming work which in turn increases building costs.

The handyman also experiences these problems, albeit to a lesser extent, with the construction of brick work or blocks (for example, building a retaining wall).

It is an object of the present invention to overcome or ameliorate at least one of the disadvantages of the prior art, or to provide a useful alternative.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION To this end, the present invention provides a retractable measuring tape for brick quantity calculation comprising a flexible tape, a casing for housing said tape when said tape is in a retracted state, and a retraction means for retracting said tape into said casing, wherein said tape is marked at regular intervals corresponding to two or more brick gauges so as to indicate the required number of bricks for a given distance of brick work.

-3- Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words 'comprise', 'comprising', and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of "including, but not limited to".

In one preferred form the present invention provides a retractable measuring tape marked at intervals corresponding to three brick gauges of 86, 87 and 89 mm measurements. Preferably these markings are provided along one edge of the flexible tape.

Additional markings may include a measurement for standard ceiling height (typically 2.4 metres), and measurements for double brick work (270 mm), brick veneer construction (160 mm), standard garage door height, and starter bars for besser blocks.

Preferably the tape markings have separate distinctive colours denoting 86, 87 and 89 mm measurements of the brick heights. Preferably these markings are provided along one edge of the tape.

*go Preferably the tape also includes lines or other forms of marking which indicate the standard metre box height from ground level, the standard ceiling height of 2.4 metres oooo (8 feet), and standard garage door height.

Preferably the opposing edge of the tape is marked to show measurements for brick •bond (ie. length of bricks). Marks may also be made along this edge of the tape to denote double brick and brick veneer work measurements and also showing .o measurements for block bond and starter bars.

As an alternative to using three different colours, different length markings could be used detailing on the first markings what gauge they are measuring. Further words or -4symbols could be used to denote the standard heights for the metre box, ceilings and garage doors.

Additionally, the flexible tape may be marked with standard units of measurement, such as centimetres and/or millimetres.

Advantageously, the present invention, at least in a preferred form, aids builders, carpenters, bricklayers and the handyman in the following: estimating brick quantities prior to and during building construction; the correct placement of windows; sliding doors and door jambs in frames prior to the commencement of brick work; 9 chasing bond on concrete slabs and footings for setting up door jambs and openings; e setting out brick gauge and bond; setting out besser block walls and the correct positioning of starter bars in footings; and 9 setting out the height of a metre box prior to and during bricklaying.

•BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of o• o• example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 illustrates the free end of the flexible tape according to a preferred S 20 embodiment of the invention; 99.9 Figure 2 illustrates the measuring tape being used to set out the height of windows and/or doors in a brick building; -99.9: Figure 3 illustrates the measuring tape being used to set out the gauge from the eaves to the footings of a building; o°•o eaves to the footings of a building; Figures 4 and 5 illustrate the measuring tape being used to set out the position of windows and/or sliding doors in a brick building; Figure 6 illustrates the measuring tape being used to calculate how many bricks will be required for a particular wall; Figure 7 illustrates the measuring tape being used to set out the positioning of sill bricks and to determine how many bricks are required; Figure 8 illustrates the measuring tape being used to determine the bond over arch bars on windows, doors and garage openings; Figure 9 shows the measuring tape chasing bond on slabs and footings; Figures 10 and 11 illustrate the measuring tape checking gauge from line level down to footings, step footings and foundation piers; Figure 12 outlines the measuring tape's use for block work showing correct setting out for starter bars and block bond; Figure 13 shows that for marking out top and bottom plates the user can set out the window and door studs to suit brick work; and 0 Figure 14 illustrates sections of the flexible tape marked in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to Figure 1, the free end of the flexible tape 1 of the retractable 20 measuring tape is illustrated. The retractable measuring tape includes a casing (not shown) for housing the flexible tape 1 when the tape is in a retracted state, along with a retraction means for retracting the flexible tape into the casing.

S: In accordance with the invention, the flexible tape 1 is marked at regular intervals corresponding to two or more brick gauges. In the preferred embodiment depicted, the oo~o--.:corresponding to two or more brick gauges. In the preferred embodiment depicted, the tape is marked along a first edge 2 with a series of markings 3a, 3b, 3c corresponding to three brick gauges of 86, 87 and 89 mm measurements. Preferably the tape markings have separate distinctive colours denoting the 86, 87 and 89 mm measurements of the brick heights. Alternatively to using three different colours, different length markings could be used detailing on the first markings what gauge they are measuring.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, the opposing edge 4 of the tape is marked to show measurements for brick bond (ie. length of bricks).

Additional markings denote the standard depth measurements for brick veneer (160 mm) and double brick work (270 mm) constructions. Preferably the flexible tape also includes markings indicating the standard metre box height from ground level, standard ceiling height (typically 2.4 metres), standard garage door height and starter bars for besser blocks. Additionally, the tape may be marked with standard units of measurement, such as centimetres and/or millimetres.

Marks are also made on this edge of the tape to denote double brick and brick veneer work measurements and also showing measurements for block bond and starter The markings in the tape use a combination of three different colourings for gauge measurements, different length markings and "word" symbols. In particular the tape is o •o marked to show measurements of brick gauge, in the gauge width of 86, 87 and 89 mm 20 as well as marking the brick bond (ie. length of bricks).

SFigure 2 depicts the measuring tape being used to set out the height of windows and doors to suit brick work and arch bar height from a slab or footings. This ensures that windows are in the correct position, eliminating time wasted in repositioning windows before commencement of brick work.

*ooo windows before commencement of brick work.

Figure 3 illustrates the measuring tape being used to set out the gauge from drop off point (or eaves) to footings. In this situation the tape will also provide an indication as to how many brick courses (in three gauges) are required and for marking gauge on gauge rods. This ensures exact gauge to eave and drop off point and gives quantity of bricks required.

Figures 4 and 5 illustrate the tape being used to set out windows or sliding doors in position to suit brick work prior to brick work commencing and ensuring correct position between windows or suit brick work. This ensures that there is no unnecessary cutting of bricks thereby minimising waste, and the need to reposition windows or doors thus saving time and money.

Figure 6 illustrates the tape's ability to calculate how many bricks will be required for a wall (for example, 28 courses multiplied by 20 bricks 560 bricks needed for the wall). The tape provides the user with gauge and bond at the same time and exact quantity of bricks required. This eliminates, or at least minimises, any guesswork and wastage of bricks.

Figure 7 illustrates the tape being used to set out the sill bricks and tells the user how many bricks are required and also the gauge. This saves time and makes brick work •estimations relatively quick and easy.

~Figure 8 shows the tape chasing the bond over arch bars on windows, doors and 20 garage openings. This gives the builder exact bonds with no more unsightly 3/ cuts over bars.

Figure 9 shows the tape chasing bond on slabs and footings. It is also used for setting sliding doors, units, windows, all external door units and internal doors to suit brick work. This eliminates the moving of windows or door units. It will give the exact oooo brick work. This eliminates the moving of windows or door units. It will give the exact -8brick bond (to suit door jambs and windows) and quantities of bricks, eliminating brick wastage through cuts.

Figures 10 and 11 show the tape checking gauge from level line down to footings, step footings and foundation piers. This eliminates problems in setting out bricks on footings to suit gauge from level line and eliminates, or at least minimises, the need for packing piers for bearers and joists.

Figure 12 outlines the tape's use for block work showing correct setting out for starter bars and block bond. Block gauge can also be calculated using the tape. In one quick measurement, the user obtains the correct positioning of starter bars, bond and block quantities required eliminating guesswork and bending starter bars.

Figure 13 shows that for marking out top and bottom plates the user can set out the window and door studs to suit brick work. When making frames the tape can be used to mark the studs to suit the nearest brick by setting the tape at 160 mm over the end of the plates.

Referring to Figure 14, sections of the flexible tape are illustrated and include markings according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. In one preferred form the markings on the flexible tape use a combination of three different colourings for gauge measurements, different length markings and symbols. The flexible tape includes markings (10) which show measurements of brick gauge in gauge width of 86, 87 and 89 20 mm (10) as well as markings (12) for brick bond (ie. length of bricks). The flexible tape *e further includes markings (13, 14) for 270 mm brick work (ie. double brick) and brick •o veneer (160 mm). Block bond and starter bar measurements are also marked Other standard measurements included the standard 2.4 metre ceiling height the standard metre box height from ground level (18) and standard garage door height (19).

metre box height from ground level (18) and standard garage door height (19).

-9- Although the invention has been described with reference to specific examples it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in many other forms.

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Claims (9)

1. A retractable measuring tape for brick quantity calculation comprising a flexible tape, a casing for housing said tape when said tape is in a retracted state, and a retraction means for retracting said tape into said casing, wherein said tape is marked at regular 5 intervals corresponding to two or more brick gauges so as to indicate the required number of bricks for a given distance of brick work.

2. The retractable measuring tape as defined in claim 1, wherein said brick gauge measurements are marked in units of 86, 87 and 89 mm brick gauges.

3. The retractable measuring tape as defined in claim 1 or 2 wherein said tape further 10 includes markings representing ceiling height.

4. The retractable measuring tape as defined in claim 1 or 2 wherein said tape further includes markings representing metre box height.

5. The retractable measuring tape as defined in claim 1 or 2 wherein said tape further includes markings representing garage door height.

6. The retractable measuring tape as defined in any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein said tape is also marked with measurements for double brick work (270 mm).

7. The retractable measuring tape as defined in any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein said tape is also marked with measurements for brick veneer work (160 mm).

8. The retractable measuring tape as defined in any one of claims 1 to 5 further including markings for brick bond and starter bar measurements.

9. The retractable measuring tape as defined in any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein the tape further includes markings representing standard units of measurement. 11 A retractable measuring tape substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. DATED this 6th Day of February, 2001 COLThT COSTIN Attorney: RUSSELL J. DAVIES Fellow Institute of Patent Attorneys of Australia of BALDWIN SHELSTON WATERS 4 S 0 .5 S. S. S S S S S. S S .555.5 S *.SS S S 5.55 *5 5* 4. S 4 .5*4S S S 4 S *5S* S S