Layout tool for laying out perpendicular lines

Abstract

The layout instrument or tool of this invention includes a pair of members arranged together to form an “L” at a right angle. The unique feature of this arrangement is that the two opposing ends of the “L” are also affixed to another member changing the shape from an “L” to the shape of a 3-4-5 triangle. All members of the instrument are permanently attached, therefore, misalignment is avoided and accuracy is assured and maintained. The two members are configured to slide with respect to one another at the pivot point of the “L” and simply pivot at their opposite ends about their pivot points connecting the third member and creating an enclosed triangle. A spring loaded rivet mounted in one of the “L” members slides in a skewed slot in the adjacent member to open the triangle from a closed position where the three sides or members of the triangle are substantially parallel to one another. The rivet locks in a semi-circular aperture which maintains the tool in a proper locking position even if the rear portion of the semi-circle becomes distorted from the repeated use.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A triangular layout device for right angles comprising: 
       a first elongated member having a substantially rectangular shape, a first end and a second end each having an aperture extending therethrough, and a slot extending from the first end aperture along the first member in a skewed direction with respect to the axis of the member;  
       a second elongated member having a substantially rectangular shape, a first end and a second end each having an aperture extending therethrough;  
       a third elongated member having a substantially rectangular shape, a first end and a second end each having an aperture extending therethrough;  
       a first pivot pin engaging the apertures in the first end of the second and third elongated members, a second pivot pin engaging the apertures in the second end of the first and the second end of the third elongated members and a third spacing loaded pin engaging the apertures in the first end of the first member and the second end of the second member, said spring loaded pin being slidable along the slot to collapse the triangular device into a configuration with the members lying in substantially the same vertical plane; and,  
       wherein the first, second, and third elongated members have a length relationship ratio of 3:4:5.  
     
     
       2. A triangular layout device for right angles in accordance with  claim 1  wherein: 
       the third member includes a notch along the interior side thereof to engage the spring loaded pin limiting the pivotal movement of the first member when the device is collapsed.  
     
     
       3. A triangular layout device for right angles in accordance with  claim 2  wherein: 
       the slot includes a semi-circular aperture at one end in the first member to be engaged by the spring loaded pin locking the device in an open position.  
     
     
       4. A triangular layout device for right angles in accordance with  claim 2  wherein: 
       the spring loaded pin comprises a locking mechanism wherein the pin includes a push button head at one end, an elongated shank and a coiled spring wrapped thereabout engaging the first member, and a washer at the other end having an elongated shank with an axial recess mounted over the first shank wherein the push button head lock the washer in the central aperture.  
     
     
       5. A triangular layout device for right angles in accordance with  claim 4  wherein: 
       the pin further includes a washer having a head with an enlarged outer portion and a smaller inner portion which engages the semi-circular aperture to lock the pin therein under spring pressure.  
     
     
       6. A triangular layout device for right angles in accordance with  claim 2  wherein: 
       the first, second and third members are respectively 3, 4 and 5 feet in length.  
     
     
       7. A triangular layout device for right angles in accordance with  claim 1  wherein: 
       the first, second and third pivot pins comprise rivets.  
     
     
       8. A triangular layout device for right angles comprising: 
       a first elongated member having a substantially rectangular shape, a first end and a second end each having an aperture extending therethrough, and a slot extending from the first end aperture along the first member in a skewed direction with respect to the axis of the member;  
       a second elongated member having a substantially rectangular shape, a first end and a second end each having an aperture extending therethrough;  
       a third elongated member having a substantially rectangular shape, a first end and a second end each having an aperture extending therethrough;  
       a first pivot pin engaging the apertures in the first end of the second and third elongated members, a second pivot pin engaging the apertures in the second end of the first and the second end of the third elongated members and a third spring loaded pin engaging the apertures in the first end of the first member and the second end of the second member, said spring loaded pin being slidable along the slot to collapse the triangular device into a configuration with the members lying in substantially the same vertical plane; and  
       wherein, the first and second elongated members are equal in length forming, an isosceles triangle with the third elongated member.  
     
     
       9. A triangular layout device, comprising: 
       
         a first elongated member having a first end and a second end, each having an aperture extending there through;  
       
       
         a second elongated member having a first end and a second end, each having an aperture extending there through;  
       
       
         a third elongated member having a first end and a second end, each having an aperture extending there through;  
       
       
         a first pivot pin engaging the apertures of the first end of the first elongated member and the second end of the third elongated member;  
       
       
         a second pivot pin engaging the apertures of the first end of the second elongated member and the second end of the first elongated member;  
       
       
         a third pivot pin engaging the apertures of the first end of the third elongated member and the second end of the second elongated member;  
       
       
         wherein the device is selectively arranged in an open configuration and a folded configuration while maintaining the engagement of each of the pivot pins with the respective elongated members, the device in the folded configuration having each of the elongated members lying in substantially the same vertical plane;  
       
       
         and wherein the device is capable of moving from the folded configuration to the open configuration to form a triangular layout device wherein the device locks such that two of the elongated members automatically form a  90  degree angle. 
       
     
     
       10. The triangular layout device in accordance with  claim 9 , wherein the first, second and third elongated members have a length relationship of 3:4:5. 
     
     
       11. The triangular layout device in accordance with  claim 9 , wherein the lengths of two of the first, second and third elongated members are substantially equal. 
     
     
       12. A layout device, comprising: 
       
         a plurality of elongated members, each having a respective first end and a second end, each elongated member being engaged to an adjacent elongated member, wherein the device is selectively arranged in an open configuration and a folded configuration while maintaining the engagement of each of the elongated members, the device in the folded configuration having the members lying in substantially the same vertical plane, and wherein the device is capable of moving from the folded configuration to the open configuration to form a triangular layout device wherein the device locks such that two of the elongated members automatically form a  90  degree angle. 
       
     
     
       13. The layout device according to  claim 12 , wherein device in the open configuration comprises a  3 -   4   -   5  triangle.   
     
     
       14. The layout device according to  claim 12 , wherein the length of two of the elongated members is substantially equal. 
     
     
       15. A layout device, comprising: 
       
         a plurality of elongated members, each having a respective first end and a second end, each first end of each elongated member being engaged to the second end of an adjacent elongated member, wherein the device is selectively arranged in an open configuration defining a triangular structure and a folded configuration with the members lying substantially parallel in a linear direction while maintaining the engagement of each of the elongated members, and wherein the device is capable of moving from the folded configuration to the open configuration to form a triangular layout device wherein the device locks such that two of the elongated members automatically form a  90  degree angle. 
       
     
     
       16. The layout device according to  claim 15 , wherein the device in the open configuration comprises a  3 -   4   -   5  triangle.   
     
     
       17. The layout device according to  claim 15 , wherein the length of two of the elongated members is substantially equal. 
     
     
       18. A triangular layout device, comprising: 
       
         a first elongated member having a first end and a second end;  
       
       
         a second elongated member having a first end and a second end, the first end of the second elongated member being engaged to the second end of the first elongated member;  
       
       
         a third elongated member having a first end and a second end, the first end of the third elongated member being engaged to the second end of the second elongated member, the second end of the third elongated member being engaged to the first end of the first elongated member;  
       
       
         wherein the device is selectively arranged in an open configuration and a folded configuration while maintaining the engagement of each of the elongated members, the device in the folded configuration having the first, second and third elongated members lying in substantially the same vertical plane, and wherein the device is capable of moving from the folded configuration to the open configuration to form a triangular layout device wherein the device locks such that two of the elongated members automatically form a  90  degree angle. 
       
     
     
       19. The triangular layout device according to  claim 18 , wherein the first, second and third elongated members have a length relationship of  3 : 4 : 5 . 
     
     
       20. The layout device according to  claim 18 , wherein the length of two of the elongated members is substantially equal. 
     
     
       21. A triangular layout device, comprising: 
       
         a first triangle leg having a first end and a second end;  
       
       
         a second triangle leg having a first end and a second end, the first end of the second leg being pivotably engaged to the second end of the first leg;  
       
       
         a third triangle leg having a first end and a second end, the first end of the third leg being engaged to the second end of the second leg, the second end of the third leg being engaged to the first end of the first leg;  
       
       
         wherein the device is selectively arranged in a fully open configuration and a folded configuration while maintaining the engagement of each of the legs, the device in the folded configuration having the first, second and third legs lying in substantially the same vertical plane, and wherein the device is capable of moving from the folded configuration to the fully open configuration to form a triangular layout device wherein the device locks such that two of the legs automatically form a  90  degree angle when the device is in the fully open configuration. 
       
     
     
       22. The layout device as specified in  claim 21  wherein the first and second legs are joined by a first pivot pin to form the  90  degree angle in the fully open configuration, wherein the second leg first end includes a slot extending to a midsection of the second leg. 
     
     
       23. The layout device as specified in  claim 22  wherein the third leg includes a locking mechanism cooperating with the first pivot pin in the folded configuration.