Tool for aligning t-bar support members

Abstract

An asymmetrical tool having orthogonally disposed grooves for aligning, and magnetically securing to T-bar suspended ceiling members.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A tool for orthogonally positioning two lengths of T-bar, comprising:
 a first guide having longitudinal axis of length L 1  and having a complementary recess having a width W for receiving a portion of a length of T-bar and for coupling to the T-bar, the first guide including a first arm having a length of at least 0.6 (L 1 −M 1 ), a mid-section having a length M 1  and a second arm having a length of at most 0.4 (L 1 −M 1 );   a second guide having a longitudinal axis of length L 2  and having a complementary recess of width W for receiving another portion of a length of T-bar and for coupling to the T-bar, the second guide including a first arm having a length of at least 0.6 (L 2 −M 2 ), a mid-section having a length M 2  and a second arm having a length of at most 0.4 (L 2 −M 2 ), wherein the longitudinal axis of the first guide and the longitudinal axis of the second guide intersect at right angles, wherein L 1 >L 2 , and;   a plurality of magnets within the complementary recess of at least one of the first and second guides to magnetically couple to the T-bar.   
     
     
         2 . A tool as defined in  claim 1  wherein L 1 >13″ and L 2 >10″. 
     
     
         3 . A tool as defined in  claim 1 , wherein M 1 =M 2 . 
     
     
         4 . A tool as defined in  claim 2  wherein the first guide and the second guide include magnets. 
     
     
         5 . A tool as defined in  claim 3  wherein L 1 ≥17″ and L 2 ≥11″. 
     
     
         6 . A tool as defined in  claim 3  formed of a unitary piece of plastic. 
     
     
         7 . A tool as defined in  claim 1  wherein the first and second length each include a plurality of magnets level with or below a T-bar receiving face of the complementary recess. 
     
     
         8 . A tool as defined in claim  claim 6  wherein the first and second length each include a plurality of magnets level with or below a T-bar receiving face of the complementary recess. 
     
     
         9 . A tool as defined in  claim 5  wherein the complementary recess of the first guide and the complementary recess of the second guide have a common region. 
     
     
         10 . A tool as defined in  claim 5 , wherein the mid-section of the first guide and the mid-section of the second guide is a common region and wherein two arms of the first guide and the two arms of the second guide securely slide into the mid-section. 
     
     
         11 . A tool as defined in  claim 5  wherein the two arms of the first guide and two arms of the second guide are foldable about the mid-section. 
     
     
         12 . A plurality of tools as defined in  claim 1  wherein each of the tools have at least four magnets and wherein the at least four magnets are located in a same location on each of the tools and wherein the polarity of the magnets on each tool is oriented so that the plurality of tools magnetically couple together when stacked front to back forming a uniform stack.