Multipurpose tool for marking a substrate

Abstract

Described herein is a multipurpose tool used for marking a substrate. The tool includes at least first and second generally planar layers. The first layer includes first and second edges for guiding a marking device, and third and fourth edges for abutting a first surface of the substrate. The second layer may be formed on a major surface of the first layer, the second layer having fifth and sixth edges for abutting a second surface of the substrate. The first and second edges may extend beyond the fifth and sixth edges by a first predetermined lateral distance. In addition, the first and second edges may form a curved corner, while the fifth and sixth edges may form a corresponding curved corner.

1 . A multipurpose tool for marking a substrate, comprising:
 a first layer having first and second edges for guiding a marking device and third and fourth edges for abutting a first surface of the substrate, wherein the first layer is generally planar with at least one curved corner formed from the first and second edges; and   a second layer formed on a first major surface of the first layer, the second layer having a fifth and sixth edges for abutting a second surface of the substrate, wherein the first and second edges extend beyond the fifth and sixth edges by a first predetermined lateral distance, wherein the second layer is generally planar and includes at least one curved corner formed from the fifth and sixth edges.   
     
     
         2 . The multipurpose tool of  claim 1  further comprising a third layer formed on a second major surface of the first layer, the third layer having seventh and eighth edges for abutting the second surface of the substrate, wherein the first and second edges extend beyond the seventh and eighth edges by a second predetermined lateral distance, wherein the third layer is generally planar and includes at least one curved corner formed from the seventh and eighth edges. 
     
     
         3 . The multipurpose tool of  claim 2  wherein the first and second predetermined lateral distances correspond to different standard reveal widths. 
     
     
         4 . The multipurpose tool of  claim 1  wherein the first layer further comprises ninth and tenth edges forming a right-angled corner. 
     
     
         5 . The multipurpose tool of  claim 1  wherein the first or second layer includes a measuring scale formed thereon. 
     
     
         6 . The multipurpose tool of  claim 1  further comprises a fourth layer formed on a major surface of the second layer, the fourth layer having an eleventh edge for abutting the second surface of the substrate while the major surface of the second layer abuts the first surface of the substrate. 
     
     
         7 . The multipurpose tool of  claim 6  wherein the first edge extends beyond the eleventh edge by a third predetermined lateral distance. 
     
     
         8 . The multipurpose tool of  claim 6  wherein at least one edge of the fourth layer is aligned with at least one edge of the second layer. 
     
     
         9 . The multipurpose tool of  claim 6  wherein the fourth layer includes one or more measuring holes formed therein. 
     
     
         10 . The multipurpose tool of  claim 2  further comprises a fifth layer formed on a major surface of the third layer, the fifth layer having a twelfth edge for abutting the second surface of the substrate while the major surface of the third layer abuts the first surface of the substrate. 
     
     
         11 . The multipurpose tool of  claim 10  wherein at least one edge of the fifth layer is aligned with at least one edge of the third layer. 
     
     
         12 . The multipurpose tool of  claim 11  wherein the fifth layer and a housing cover enclose a roll of measuring tape. 
     
     
         13 . The multipurpose tool of  claim 12  wherein the roll of measuring tape is resiliently coiled around a spindle. 
     
     
         14 . The multipurpose tool of  claim 12  further comprises a belt clip attached to the housing cover. 
     
     
         15 . A method for marking a substrate, comprising:
 positioning a multipurpose tool in contact with first and second surfaces of a substrate, the multipurpose tool comprising:
 a first layer having first and second edges for guiding a marking device and third and fourth edges for abutting a first surface of the substrate, wherein the first layer is generally planar with at least one curved corner formed from the first and second edges; and 
 a second layer formed on a first major surface of the first layer, the second layer having a fifth and sixth edges for abutting a second surface of the substrate, wherein the first and second edges extend beyond the fifth and sixth edges by a first predetermined lateral distance, wherein the second layer is generally planar and includes at least one curved corner formed from the fifth and sixth edges; and 
   marking the first predetermined lateral distance on the substrate with a marking device.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the multipurpose tool further comprises a third layer formed on a second major surface of the first layer, the third layer having seventh and eighth edges for abutting the second surface of the substrate, wherein the first and second edges extend beyond the seventh and eighth edges by a second predetermined lateral distance, wherein the third layer is generally planar and includes at least one curved corner formed from the seventh and eighth edges. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the substrate comprises a door or window jamb, and the first and second predetermined lateral distances correspond to reveal widths. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the multipurpose tool further comprises a fourth layer formed on a major surface of the second layer, the fourth layer having an eleventh edge for abutting the second surface of the substrate while the major surface of the second layer abuts the first surface of the substrate. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18  wherein the fourth layer includes one or more measuring holes formed therein. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the multipurpose tool further comprises a fifth layer formed on a major surface of the third layer, the fifth layer having a twelfth edge for abutting the second surface of the substrate while the major surface of the third layer abuts the first surface of the substrate.