Measuring instrument

Abstract

A device for measuring and marking lines and points on a steel I-beam includes a rib for contacting the outside of an I-beam flange along a line opposite the center of the beam web, a measuring blade that rests on the beam web and measures distances from the outside of the flange, and a bridge for connecting the measuring blade to the rib in a way in which the measuring blade is held perpendicular to the flange. The device marks I-beams faster and more accurately that was possible using prior art tools and techniques.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A device for measuring and marking lines and points on I-beams, comprising: 
 (a) a flange-contacting portion for contacting the flange of an I-beam to be marked, and for defining a line parallel to the flange;    (b) a measuring blade for measuring distances from said flange-contacting portion along the web of the beam; and    (c) a bridging portion for connecting said measuring blade portion to said flange-contacting portion by bridging the beam flange, wherein said bridging portion connects said measuring blade to said flange-contacting portion in a way in which the measuring blade is perpendicular to a line parallel to the flange.    
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said flange-contacting portion includes a rib for contacting the flange.  
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1  and further including a locking mechanism for releasably holding said measuring blade.  
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1  and further including a handle portion for providing a better grip on the device.  
     
     
         5 . A device for measuring and marking lines and points on I-beams, comprising: 
 (a) a flange-contacting portion for contacting the flange of an I-beam to be marked, and for defining a line parallel to the flange;    (b) a blade-gripping portion for holding a measuring blade for measuring distances from said flange-contacting portion along the web of the beam; and    (c) a bridging portion for connecting said blade-gripping portion to said flange-contacting portion by bridging the beam flange, wherein said bridging portion connects said blade-gripping portion to said flange-contacting portion in a way in which the measuring blade is held perpendicular to a line parallel to the flange.    
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 5  wherein said flange-contacting portion includes a rib for contacting the flange.  
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 5  wherein said blade-gripping portion includes a locking mechanism for releasably holding a measuring blade.  
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 5  and further including a handle portion for providing a better grip on the device.  
     
     
         9 . A method of measuring points on an I-beam, comprising: 
 (a) measuring predetermined distances from one end of the beam,    (b) positioning a measuring blade on the web of the beam so that the measuring blade is perpendicular to the beam flanges at the predetermined distances measured in step (a), wherein said measuring blade is held in a device that positions the measuring blade so that the distances marked on the blade correspond to the distances from the outside of the flange at the web; and    (c) using visual indicators on the measuring blade to indicate desired points on the beam.