WO2018107215A1

WO2018107215A1 - Marking template

Info

Publication number: WO2018107215A1
Application number: PCT/AU2017/051370
Authority: WO
Inventors: Stephen Anthony McLaughlin
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2016-12-12
Filing date: 2017-12-12
Publication date: 2018-06-21
Anticipated expiration: 2019-06-12

Abstract

Marking templates and methods of using the templates are described for determining the precise location where cuts are to be effected in building products to form checks, notches, rebates, cutouts or similar enabling the building products to correctly and accurately join to other similar building products so that all building products have the correct orientation and relationship to one another for forming a building structure from the building products. The marking template includes voids along one part of the template and projections along a further part of the template in spaced apart relationship to one another to enable cuts in two building products in stacked relationship one upon the other to be made substantially simultaneously allowing for correct and accurate joining of the two building products to one another. The advantage of the marking template and its use is to avoid errors of measurement in cutting the building products.

Description

MARKING TEMPLATE

FIELD

The present description relates generally to the building industry, generally, and to building devices and building techniques used in the construction of a building structure.

In one form the present description relates to a building device in the form of an aid for use in locating building products or items in the correct position and orientation within the building structure, including locating building products with respect to one another in a p re-determined or required orientation or relationship to each other. In one form the present description relates to a building device, implement or tool and to methods of using the building device, implement or tool to mark or identify preselected locations on building products or items to correctly identify where the building product or item is to be secured to other building products or items, so that the building products can be installed in the correct position and orientation within the building structure, particularly to match up with other building products used in the construction of the building structure which building products are required to be in the correct or accurate orientation or relationship to one another.

The present description is primarily directed to a marking template for use with framing members for making the framework of the building structure to mark the framing members at preselected spaced apart locations enabling the framing members to be connected together or connected to other building products to form the structural framework of the building structure, such as for example, the structural wall of a house or similar or for connecting a wall assembly to rafters or to a wall assembly of an upper story of a building. Although the present description is directed to one or other embodiments of a marking template, the scope of protection is not restricted to the described embodiments but rather the scope of protection is more extensive so as to include other forms, variations or arrangements of the marking template and the use of the various forms of the marking template in applications other than specifically described.

BACKGROUND

When constructing a house or similar building structure having a wall, typically a structural wall or similar, such as for example, a stud wall or a wall of studding or the like having a multitude of spaced apart framework members, each individual frame member of the stud wall needs to be secured to adjacent frame members in the correct position and/or orientation, such as for example by being nailed, stapled or screwed to one another, to secure the various framework members to one another to form the framework. Often, individual framework members are required to be checked, notched, grooved, rebated, or have similar cuts at selected locations in order to be able to be secured to the adjacent framework members to form a wall or framework which is compliant with the relevant building codes of the location in which the building structure is being formed. A typical example where selected framework members need to be checked are the bottom plate and top plate of a stud wall assembly in which the vertical studs extend in spaced apart parallel relationship to each other between the bottom plate and top plate at pre-selected spacings.

Identifying the correct locations at which the individual framework members need to the checked, notched or similar is often problematic, usually requiring repeated measuring of each individual framework member to identify the correct location at which adjacent framework members are to be joined to the individual member to form the stud wall. In many instances, the framework has individual members at regularly spaced apart locations. In the past it was usual that a workman measured each individual framework member using a measure such as a ruler or tape measure or similar, to identify the locations at which the framework member was to be checked or similar, to receive other framework members therein. The repeated measuring of the individual spacing apart of where adjacent members are to be secured to the individual member often introduces errors of measurement so that often the individual member is cut or sawn or checked or notched or rebated at the wrong location. One of the reasons for introducing errors is that the location of one place for the framework member to be checked is dependent upon the location of an adjacent position or location being a previously measured location. If one location is incorrectly measured, the error is compounded by each subsequent measurement also being incorrect since subsequent measurements are taken from the position of the earlier measurement and the correctness of each subsequent measurement is dependent on each previous measurement being correct. If a framework member is incorrectly measured, the individual member must be discarded as scrap or waste because it usually cannot be re-used for the same purpose or function to form the stud wall owing to the strength of the individual member being compromised because of the unwanted notching or rebating through at least a part of the thickness of the individual member without an adjacent member being received in the notch or rebate to contribute to the strength of the wall by the interlocking of the individual frame members to one another.

Accordingly, such unwanted checking or notching introduces weakness to the stud wall. Therefore, there is a need to accurately identify the exact location or position at which an individual member of a building is to be joined to adjacent members, particularly when forming a stud wall or similar of the building structure that requires repeated measurements, the accuracy of which is dependent upon the accuracy of a previous measurement.

Accordingly, it is an aim to provide a building aid which enables more accurate identification of where an individual building member is to be secured to another individual building member, so that the building member can be checked or similar to correctly position and orient the building members with respect to one another in the building structure.

Accordingly, it is an aim to provide a marking template for cooperative engagement with one or more building products to mark the building products to allow assembly of the building products in accurate alignment with one another so as to secure the two building products to one another at the correct position and/or in the correct orientation in the building structure.

Accordingly, it is an aim to provide a method of using a building aid to accurately identify and mark the location of where one building member is to be joined to another building member in a building structure to reduce or eliminate errors of measurement or marking the building member.

Accordingly, it is an aim to reduce the time taken to mark and/or identify the locations of a building product where other building products are to be secured thereto. It is to be noted that not all embodiments of the building aid satisfy all aims of the present description. Some embodiments will satisfy one aim whereas other embodiments will satisfy a different aim. Some embodiments will satisfy two or more aims.

SUMMARY According to one form of the present invention there is provided a marking template for use in marking at least a first building product enabling correct installation of the first building product within a building structure, the marking template comprising a first portion for use in positioning the template with respect to a first surface of the first building product, a second portion for use in positioning the template with respect to a second surface of the first building product, the first portion of the marking template being provided with at least one first marking element for use in marking the first surface of the first building product at a first location, the second portion of the marking template being provided with at least one second marking element for use in marking the second surface of the first building product at a second location, wherein the first marking element and the second marking element are in alignment with each other so that the position of the first location is in alignment with the position of the second location enabling identification of the position and orientation of the first building product for correct installation in the building structure.

According to one form of the present invention there is provided a marking template for use in marking a framing member for use in constructing a framework of a building structure, the marking template comprising a generally planar elongate first portion having at least one void for use in marking a first face of a generally rectilinear first framing member at a first location, a generally planar elongate second portion having at least one projection for use in marking a second face of the generally rectilinear first framing member at a second location, the first portion of the marking template and the second portion of the marking template being arranged to extend substantially perpendicularly to one another and the first face of the first framing member and the second face of the first framing member being generally perpendicular to one another, wherein the location of the void of the first portion is aligned with the location of the projection of the second portion, and one dimension of the void corresponds to one dimension of the projection, the void enabling the first surface of the framing member to be marked at a first desired location in accordance with the one dimension of the void and the projection enabling the second surface of the framing member to be marked at a second desired location in accordance with the one dimension of the projection, the first surface being generally perpendicular to the second surface, wherein the position of the first location corresponds to the position of the second location for facilitating installation of the first framing member in the correct position and orientation in the building structure.

According to one form of the present invention there is provided a method of marking a building product for facilitating installation of the building product within a building structure in the correct position and orientation using a marking template having a first portion and a second portion, the method comprising the steps of locating the marking template with respect to the building product to be marked so that the first portion of the template is in contact with a first surface of the building product and the second portion of the template is in contact with a second surface of the building product, marking the first surface of the building product in accordance with the location of a first marking element provided in the first portion of the marking template at a first location, marking the second surface of the building product in accordance with the location of a second marking element provided in the second portion of the marking template at a second location, the first surface of the building product being substantially perpendicular to the second surface of the building product, and the first marking element being arranged substantially perpendicularly to the second marking element, wherein the first marking element and the second marking element are substantially aligned with one another allowing marking of the first surface and marking of the second surface to facilitate installation of the building member in the correct position and orientation in the building structure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS In one form the building product is a timber or wooden product or a metal product, such as a steel or aluminium product including alloys thereof, suitable for use in constructing a building structure, typically a structural part of the building structure, such as a load bearing wall or similar. Typically, the products are timber products for forming the support structure of the building. More typically, the support structure includes wall assemblies, walls, including internal walls or external walls, floors, roofs, roof trusses, floor joists, rafters, ceilings, battens, purlins or the like.

In one form the building structure is a wall or is provided with a wall, typically a stud wall or a wall of studding in which a multitude of individual studs are assembled in substantially parallel spaced apart relationship to one another to extend, typically, perpendicularly between a lower support member and an upper support member to form the stud wall or assembly. More typically, the lower support member of the stud wall includes a lower plate or bottom plate, and the upper support member of the stud wall is an upper plate or a top plate and a multitude of studs extend substantially vertically between the bottom or lower plate and the top or upper plate at spaced apart locations, typically at pre-determined spaced apart locations, in which the bottom plate and top plate are both substantially horizontal and in spaced apart relationship to one another in an amount corresponding to the height of the wall due to the lengths of the studs, typically the height between the floor and the ceiling of the building structure. Even more typically, the individual studs extend collectively between the undersurface of the top plate and the upper surface of the bottom plate.

The building structure includes ceilings, roofs, rafters, floor joists, roof trusses, upper story wall assemblies and similar, many or all of which are made from frame members which require marking to indicate where such individual frame members are to be checked, notched, rebated or similar to allow the frame members to be secured to other frame members to form the building structure.

In one form, the marking template is used to almost simultaneously mark two frame members. In one form the two frame members are similar to one another whereas in other forms the two frame members are different from one another. The two frame members are positioned in stacked relationship one upon the other in which the upper member is the top plate and the lower member is a bottom plate for forming the stud wall.

In one form the two frame members include a top plate and a rafter which is to be securely joined to the top plate to either form a stud wall at the upper story of a two- storey dwelling or similar or to directly securely join a roof truss to the top plate.

In one form the template is a marking template for use in marking the layout of a framework or framing structure with a suitable marking implement, such as a pencil, pen, chalk, awl or the like. In one form the marking template is for use in marking lengths of timber at regularly spaced apart locations in the lengthwise extending direction of the length of timber at locations corresponding to where studs are joined to the top plate and to the bottom plate so as to extend substantially vertically there between.

In one form the first portion of the marking template is a generally planar element such as a strip or length, typically made from metal, such as steel, aluminium, including alloys thereof or similar. However, the template can be made from any suitable or convenient material including timber, wood, plastics, composites, laminates, engineered wood products, or similar including combinations of two or more materials.

Other forms of the first portion include a plate, a base, a strip, a platform, a slat, a cover, a cap, an arm, or other flat length or elongate component such as a flattened bar, flat rod, or the like.

In one form the first marking element of the first portion is an aperture, hole, bore, opening, cut-out, void, slot, slit, open channel, cavity, or similar. Typically, the void or similar is an open sided void, typically having one or two open sides or is fully enclosed having all sides forming a more or less continuous perimeter, periphery, edge or margins around the void. In one form, the void is rectangular, square or other rectilinear shape. It is to be noted that marking of the timber framework member is through the void by tracing around the edge of the opening formed in the base of the template. In one form the second portion of the marking template is a generally planar element such as a strip or length, typically made of metal, such as steel, aluminium, or alloys thereof or similar. However, the template can be made from any suitable or convenient material including timber, wood, plastics, composites, laminates, engineered materials, such as engineered timber or combinations of two or more different materials. Other forms of the second portion include a plate, a skirt, a flange, a slat, a leg or similar or any other flat length or elongate component such as a flattened bar, flattened rod, or the like Typically the template is in the form of an elongate right-angled strip of metal or section.

In one form the second marking element of the second portion is a projection, such as for example in the form of a lug, tab, boss, finger, protrusion, tongue, flap, web, leg, return, lip, slat, or the like. In one form the base of the template is provided with at least two, typically at least three, or four or more voids at pre-determined spaced apart locations along the lengthwise extending axis of the template. Preferably, there is a void located at either end of the template, and a third void located centrally about the midpoint of the template. In one form, the skirt of the template is provided with at least two projections, typically at least three, or four or more projections at predetermined spaced apart locations along the lengthwise extending axis of the template. Preferably, there is a projection located at or towards either end of the template, and a third projection located centrally about the midpoint of the template. In one form the template is provided with an inner edge at which the base portion joins to the skirt portion substantially at a right angle or similar. In use, the inner edge of the template abuts against an upper edge of the upper frame member when two frame members in stacked relationship are being marked simultaneously at aligned locations.

Forms of the template are provided with a grip or a gripping arrangement or gripping element for holding, handling and/or manoeuvring the template during use, including moving the template lengthwise along the framing member. Typically, the grip is one or more handles, typically two handles. If there is more than a single handle, the two handles are located at spaced apart locations in the lengthwise extending direction of the template in either half segment or sector of the template, whereas if the template has a single handle, the handle is located centrally about the midpoint of the template, more typically in close proximity to the location of the aligned central void and central projection. The handle or handles maybe permanently attached to the template or are detachably mounted on the template allowing the handles to be removed for storage of the template when not in use. Forms of the handle are fixedly attached to the template or are movably attached to the template so as to be movable between a storage configuration lying flat against one part of the template and a use configuration allowing the template to be gripped by the fingers of a hand.

Forms of the template have voids and projections having the same or similar lateral dimension, such as for example, being of the same or similar widths so that the marking of the frame members has substantially the same or similar width to enable the matching of where the members are to be checked, rebated, notched or similar so as to be able to receive the other frame member therein.

Forms of the template have the same number of voids and projections whereas other forms of the template have different numbers of voids and projections.

In one form the voids are spaced apart at about 450mm centres as are the projections similarly spaced apart from each other. In forms, the voids are spaced apart at about 600mm centres, as are the projections similarly spaced apart from each other. In forms, the template is a combined template having projections and voids with spacings apart between two adjacent voids or between two adjacent projections of both 450mm and 600mm within the same template, i.e. the one template has both spacings apart of the voids/projections of both 450 mm and 600 mm from centreline to centreline.

Forms of the template have cut outs located on the base member of the template having a lateral dimension of about 35 mm and a length of about 50 mm. Forms of the template have projections located on the side skirt of the template which have a lateral dimension of about 35 mm and a length of about 65 mm. It is to be noted that forms of the marking template are rigid and maintain their form at all times. Forms of the marking template are collapsible, foldable, movable or the like to assist in storage of the template when not in use. Forms of the template are hinged at spaced apart locations so as to be foldable about multiple fold points each of which is provided with a hinge. The hinges may allow transverse folding of segments of the marking template or may allow lengthwise folding of the marking template, such as for example, the base part of the template being foldable or movable or adjustable with respect to the skirt part of the template.

Forms of the template are adjustable in size, such as for example being telescopically adjustable or slidably adjustable, including being extendable and/or retractable or similar so as to alter the length of the template whilst maintaining the spacing apart of the voids and of the projections.

Forms of the template have movable voids or movable projections for altering or changing the spacing between respective voids or between respective projections, such as for example, when non-standard spacings apart of studs forming a stud wall are required for one reason or another.

Forms of the template are provided with indicia, such as for example markings, graduations, scale, or other measurements. Forms of the template are provided with a measuring scale, such as for example a ruler or similar for measuring the spacing apart of cuts, notches, checks, rebates or similar to confirm that the cuts or similar have been made in the correct location and/or orientation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Forms of the marking template will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of one form of the marking template.

Figure 2 is a schematic top plan view of the marking template of figure 1 .

Figure 3 is a schematic side elevation view from one side of the marking template of figure 1 . Figure 4 is a schematic perspective view of another form of the marking template.

Figure 5 is a schematic top plan view of the marking template of figure 4.

Figure 6 is a schematic side elevation view from one side of the marking template of figure 4.

Figure 7 is a schematic perspective view of a further form of a marking template. Figure 8 is a schematic top plan view of the form of the marking template of figure 7.

Figure 9 is a schematic side elevation view from one side of the marking template of figure 7. Figure 10 is a schematic perspective view of a further form of a marking template.

Figure 1 1 is a schematic top plan view of them marking template of figure 10.

Figure 12 is a schematic side elevation view from one side of the marking template of figure 10. Figure 13 is a schematic perspective view of the marking template of figure 1 in situ for marking two building products in stacked relationship one on top of the other.

Figure 14 is a schematic perspective view of the two building products of figure 7 in stacked relationship one upon the other showing the markings on each being in alignment with each other. Figure 15 is a schematic perspective view of a further form of the marking template being a combined template having two sets of dimensions between marking elements within the one template.

Figure 16 is a schematic top plan view of the template of figure 15. Figure 17 is a schematic side elevation view of the template of figure 15. Figure 18 is a schematic perspective view of one form of framing of a building structure showing a stud wall constructed from various interconnected building products located at selected locations as marked by the marking template as the ground floor of the building structure having a stud wall of about 450 mm centres, a stud wall constructed from various interconnected building products located at selected locations as marked by the marking template as the first or upper floor of the building structure, the stud wall having 600 mm centres, and a roof truss having rafters in alignment with studs of the upper floor stud wall also at 600 mm centres.

SPECIFIC EMBODIMENT

Forms of marking templates and their application in accurately marking individual frame members for installation in a building structure, in the correct position and/or orientation, will now be described with reference to the drawings.

One form of the marking template is illustrated in figures 1 to 3. This form of marking template is denoted by reference numeral 10 and includes a first portion in the form of an elongate generally planar base 12 and a second portion in the form of an elongate generally planar skirt 14 in which base 12 and skirt 14 are arranged substantially perpendicular to one another to form a generally right-angled template in cross-section for location along the corner or edge of a frame member to be marked in readiness for forming framework of a building structure. The junction or join between base 12 and skirt 14 on the sides of base 12 and skirt 14 in contact with the frame member in use is referred to as the inner edge or internal edge of the template 10.

Base 12 is provided with a void in the form of a generally rectilinear opening defined along two sides by a generally L-shaped cut-out 16 located at or towards one longitudinal end of marking template 10. Base 12 is provided with a further void in the form of a generally rectilinear opening defined along two sides by a generally L-shaped cut-out 18 located at or towards the other longitudinal end of template 10. Thus, either end of elongate template 10 is provided with a marking void through which the framework member can be marked by a Carpenter's pencil or similar writing or marking implement Base 12 is provided with a further void in the form of a centrally located generally rectilinear opening defined as a generally U-shaped cut-out 20 located about the midpoint of template 10.

Cut-outs 16, 18 and 20 are for use in marking a first surface of a frame member, typically a top plate of a stud wall assembly, requiring checking, notching or rebating at predetermined spaced apart locations for secure joining to other frame members, such as the studs. In one form cut-out 20 is spaced apart from cut-out 16 at about 450mm centres and cut-out 20 is spaced apart from cut-out 18 at about 450mm centre to centre.

Base 12 is provided with a pair of grips in the form of handles 22a, 22b in which handle 22a is located intermediate cut-out 16 and cut-out 20, and handle 22b is located intermediate cut-out 18 and cut-out 20. Handles 22 allow ease of placement of template 10 against the surface of the frame member being marked and allows ease of sliding movement of template 10 in the lengthwise extending direction of the frame member in order to make successive repeated markings of the frame member along the length of the frame member.

Skirt 14 which depends downwardly from the inner edge of base 12 is for location in use against a second surface of the frame member being marked when template 10 is located against the upper surface of the upper framework member, such as the upper surface of the top plate, and in contact with an edge of the frame member with base 12 resting on the upper surface of the frame member and skirt 14 abutting against the side surface of the frame member.

Skirt 14 is of any suitable width or depth to assist in accurately locating template 10 against the side face of the frame member to enable marking of the site surface, but is of a width or depth less than the width or depth of the frame member. In one form the voids and projections are 35mm wide and the projections are 65 mm long.

Skirt 14 is provided with a first projection in the form of a downwardly depending tongue or finger 24, located at or towards one longitudinal end of template 10. In one form tongue 24 is generally rectilinear, typically in the form of a square or rectangle.

Skirt 14 is provided with a second projection in the form of a downwardly depending tongue or finger 26 located at or towards the other longitudinal end of template 10. Similarly, in one form tongue 26 is generally rectilinear, typically in the form of a square or rectangle. Skirt 14 is provided with a further projection in the form of a downwardly depending tongue 28 centrally located along the length of skirt 14 about the midpoint of template 10. Similarly, tongue 28 is generally rectilinear, typically in the form of a square or rectangle.

It is to be noted that the amount of downward extension of tongues 24, 26 and 28is greater than the width or depth of the frame member upon which template 10 rests to mark the frame member but is less than twice the width or depth of the frame member being marked, or less than the combined thickness or depth of two frame members being marked simultaneously by template 10 when the frame members are in stacked relationship one upon the other to form an upper frame member and a lower frame member so as to extend only part way along the thickness or depth of the lower of the two stacked frame members being marked in order to provide clearance with the substrate upon which the frame members are being supported during the marking operation. It is to be noted that in one use of template 10, two individual frame members are in stacked relationship one upon the other to form an upper frame member, typically a top plate, and the lower frame member, typically a bottom plate, to allow simultaneous marking of the two frame members when in stacked relationship so that the individual marks of both members are in alignment with each other allowing checking, notching or rebating of the frame members at locations corresponding to where other frame members are joined to the frame members, such as where the studs extend between the top plate and bottom plate of the stud wall assembly, in order to eliminate or reduce errors in measurement of the locations at which the frame members are to be checked as can occur if individual measurements of the separate spacings between two adjacent locations is required using a ruler or measuring tape or similar.

Further, it is to be noted that the width or lateral dimension of cut-outs 16, 18 and 20 correspond to the width or lateral dimension of tongues 24, 26 and 28 so that two frame members can be marked simultaneously by template 10 with markings having a uniform or constant width or lateral dimension, so that the dimensions of the notches or rebates to be formed in both the upper frame member, being the top plate, and the lower frame member, being the bottom plate, are equal to each other in lateral dimension and in location by the markings guided by the void and projection having a width corresponding to the width of the cut formed when checking, notching or rebating the framing member thereby allowing accurate location of individual studs between the top plate and bottom plate for secure connection to other framework members in the correct position and orientation when constructing the building structure.

Template 10 is for use in marking frame members for use in constructing a stud wall of a building structure in which individual studs of the stud wall are spaced about 450mm centre to centre. In one form, using template 10 allows three markings to be formed almost simultaneously using the three marking elements, being the voids and/or projections provided on the base member and skirt, respectively thereby eliminating measurement errors when using rulers or tape measures or similar.

Another form of the marking template is illustrated in figures 4 to 6, which template is denoted by reference numeral 30. The basic structure of template 30 is similar to the basic structure of template 10 except that spacing apart of the cut-outs of the base is about 600mm from centreline to centreline, and the spacing apart of the tongues depending downwardly from the skirt is also about 600mm centre to centre. Template 30 is for use in marking the correct position of frame members in the form of rafters or ceiling joists or floor joists of an upper floor of a two-storey house or similar, which are usually at 600mm centres.

It is to be noted that using template 30, it is possible to form three separate markings almost simultaneously in the framework members using the three voids and the three projections. If further markings are required along the lengths of the framework member or members, template 30 can be moved in the lengthwise direction along the longitudinal axis of the framework member by aligning one of the voids with the existing marking so that the next three markings are also accurately located at 600 mm centres without the need for further measurement using a ruler or tape measure or similar.

A further form of the marking template is shown in figures 7 to 9, which template is denoted by reference numeral 40. The basic structure of template 40 is similar to the basic structure of template 10, except that the voids of the base 42 in the form of cutouts have a different configuration to cut-outs 14, 16 and 18 of base 12 of template 10. Instead of having an L-shaped perimeter to define the basic shape of the cut-outs of template 10, the cut-outs of template 40 are completely enclosed being surrounded by edge margins along all four sides of each individual cut-out. The cut-outs are all of a generally rectilinear shape, typically in the form of rectangles or squares, more typically rectangles having a length of about 65 mm and a width of about 35 mm. More specifically, base 42 is provided with a void in the form of an aperture 44 located at or towards one longitudinal end of base 42 and a further void in the form of an aperture 46 located at or towards the other longitudinal end of base 42. A further void in the form of aperture 48 is centrally located about the midpoint of base 42. Aperture 44 is provided with side margins 50a, 50b along two sides thereof, being the outboard edges of aperture 44 along the end, and outer edge of base 42 to define aperture 44. A similar arrangement is provided at the other end of base 42 where aperture 46 is located. Aperture 46, also of a generally rectangular or square shape, is provided with two side margins 52a, 52b along the outboard or outer edges of aperture 46 so as to fully enclose or completely surrounded aperture 46. Base 42 is provided with side margin 54 defining the outer edge of central aperture 48 so as to fully enclose aperture 48. Aperture 48 is of a generally square or rectangular shape.

Again, it is to be noted that the lateral dimension of apertures 44, 46 and 48 is the same as the lateral dimensions of respective tongues 56 downwardly depending from the side skirt 58 of template 40, which tongues are located in alignment with respective apertures 44, 46 and 48 of base 42 enabling markings to be formed simultaneously on different surfaces of the frame member or frame members.

A still further embodiment of the marking template is illustrated in figures 10 to 12. This form of marking template, generally denoted by reference numeral 60, is of a similar basic structure to the structure of template 10 apart from some differences which will be discussed below. The differences include having a single centrally located handle 62 mounted to base 64 at or towards the inner edge of base 64 to assist in gripping template 60 during use of the template, such as for example, slidably moving template 60 along the upper surface of the upper frame member, typically the top plate of the framework being constructed from the frame member.

Additionally, template 60 is provided with a measuring arrangement located along the inner edge of side skirt 66. The measuring arrangement can have any convenient desirable or suitable form. Typical examples of the measuring arrangement include graduations 68 such as, scales, or other measuring indicia, preferably in both metric and imperial measurements, such as for example in the form of subdivisions forming a ruler or similar.

Other forms and arrangement of the marking template are possible. One such form is illustrated in figures 15-17 which show a combined marking template having two sets of dimensions, one being at 450 mm centres and the other at 600 mm centres.

Marking template, generally denoted as 80, includes a base 82, a side skirt 84 and a pair of spaced apart handles 86. Base plate 82 is provided with five voids or cutouts 88a to 88e located at spaced apart locations in the lengthwise extending direction of template 80. The spacing between void 88a and void 88b is a first dimension being 600 mm whereas the spacing between void 88b and 88d is a second dimension being 450 mm as shown more particularly in figures 15-17 where the distance A to A is 600 mm and the distance B to B is 450 mm. Additionally, the distance from void 88c to 88e is 600 mm. Similarly, side skirt 84 is provided with projections 90a to 90e located at spaced apart locations in the lengthwise extending direction of template 80. The respective locations of projections 90 are aligned with the respective locations of voids 88 so that the spacing between projections 90a and 90c is 600 mm and the spacing between projection 90b and projection 90d is 450 mm. Marking template 80 having voids and projections located at 450mm centres and other voids and projections located at 600mm centres, enables a single template 90 to be used to mark out the spacing apart on the bottom plate and top plate of a stud wall which are usually located at 450mm centres, and also the spacing apart of rafters on the top plate, which are usually located at 600mm centres simultaneously using the one template.

It is to be noted that forms of the template can have any suitable or convenient length, and can be provided with any suitable or convenient number of voids in the base and any suitable or convenient number of projections in the side skirt. Furthermore, in forms of the template, the number of voids in the base is the same or is different to the number of projections in the side skirt.

Operation of the marking template will now be described with particular reference to figures 13 to 15. Initially, operation of the template will be described when forming a stud wall assembly. Two individual frame members are located on a suitable substrate or support (not shown), such as for example a workbench or floor of a building, in stacked relationship one upon the other in which the upper of the two frame members is to form the top plate of the stud wall and the lower of the two frame members is to form the bottom plate of the stud wall assembly. One form of the marking template, such as for example marking template 10, is located on the upper surface of the upper frame member, being the top plate 74, with the inner edge of template 10 abutting against the edge of the upper frame member 74, whereupon a suitable implement, such as for example a carpenters pencil, or similar, is used to mark the upper surface of the upper frame member using the cut-outs 16, 18 and 20, at the predetermined spaced apart locations, and the side surfaces of both the upper frame member and the lower frame member 76 using tongues 24 of base 12 as guides for the pencil marks, both in location along the lengthwise extending direction of both frame members, and for the width of the markings which correspond to the thickness of the rebates or notches to be formed in the studs 72 for interconnecting the two framework members 74, 76 to one another in forming the stud wall assembly 70, as shown more particularly in figure 13. When the first 3 markings are formed in the required surfaces of the two framework members, template 10 is slidably moved along the pair of frame members in stacked relationship to a new location where one of the cut-outs at the end of template 10 is aligned with the marking on the frame members to correctly locate the template so that the spacing apart of the cuts in the framework member are correct allowing further pencil markings to be formed at spaced apart locations indicating the exact locations where both the upper frame member and lower frame member are to be checked, notched or rebated as shown more particularly in figure 14. If further markings are required due to the length of the framework member for framework members template 10 is slidably moved in the lengthwise extending direction so that the position of the cut out at the end of template 10 is aligned with the existing marking on the framework member to correctly position the template for further marking at accurate spacings. When both frame members are fully marked with all of the required markings at the predetermined spacing apart, template 10 is removed from the pair of stacked frame members, leaving both frame members having pencil marks at all of the required locations allowing the frame members to be checked to provide notches or rebates at the precise location where studs 72 are to be securely connected to both the upper frame member and the lower frame member, to form the stud wall 70 as shown in figure 15.

Owing to the structure of the template, it is possible to mark simultaneously both upper frame member 76 and lower frame member 74 with marks at the correct position corresponding to a spacing of 450 mm centres, thereby saving time with little or no error in measurement using the set spacing apart of the voids and projections of the template at the required spacing for forming the stud wall and joining the joists and rafters to the top plate of the stud wall. In forms of the template, marking at 450 mm centres and 600 mm centres is possible within the same operation using a suitably modified template with voids/projections corresponding to both spacings.

It is to be understood that, if any prior art publication is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms a part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country.

In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention.

Claims

THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS:

A marking template for use in marking at least a first building product enabling correct installation of the first building product within a building structure, the marking template comprising a first portion for use in positioning the template with respect to a first surface of the first building product, a second portion for use in positioning the template with respect to a second surface of the first building product, the first portion of the marking template being provided with at least one first marking element for use in marking the first surface of the first building product at a first location, the second portion of the marking template being provided with at least one second marking element for use in marking the second surface of the first building product at a second location, wherein the first marking element and the second marking element are in alignment with each other so that the position of the first location is in alignment with the position of the second location enabling identification of the position and orientation of the first building product for correct installation in the building structure.

A marking template for use in marking a framing member for use in constructing a framework of a building structure, the marking template comprising a generally planar elongate first portion having at least one void for use in marking a first face of a generally rectilinear first framing member at a first location, a generally planar elongate second portion having at least one projection for use in marking a second face of the generally rectilinear first framing member at a second location, the first portion of the marking template and the second portion of the marking template being arranged to extend substantially perpendicularly to one another and the first face of the first framing member and the second face of the first framing member being generally perpendicular to one another, wherein the location of the void of the first portion is aligned with the location of the projection of the second portion, and one dimension of the void corresponds to one dimension of the projection, the void enabling the first surface of the framing member to be marked at a first desired location in accordance with the one dimension of the void and the projection enabling the second surface of the framing member to be marked at a second desired location in accordance with the one dimension of the projection, the first surface being generally perpendicular to the second surface, wherein the position of the first location corresponds to the position of the second location for facilitating installation of the first framing member in the correct position and orientation in the building structure.

A method of marking a building product for facilitating installation of the building product within a building structure in the correct position and orientation using a marking template having a first portion and a second portion, the method comprising the steps of locating the marking template with respect to the building product to be marked so that the first portion of the template is in contact with a first surface of the building product and the second portion of the template is in contact with a second surface of the building product, marking the first surface of the building product in accordance with the location of a first marking element provided in the first portion of the marking template at a first location, marking the second surface of the building product in accordance with the location of a second marking element provided in the second portion of the marking template at a second location, the first surface of the building product being substantially perpendicular to the second surface of the building product, and the first marking element being arranged substantially perpendicularly to the second marking element, wherein the first marking element and the second marking element are substantially aligned with one another allowing marking of the first surface and marking of the second surface to facilitate installation of the building member in the correct position and orientation in the building structure.

A marking template or method according to any preceding claim characterised in that the template is for use with a building product wherein the building product is a timber or wooden product or a metal product, such as a steel or aluminium product including alloys thereof.

A marking template or method according to any preceding claim characterised in that the building product is suitable for use in constructing a building structure, including a structural part of the building structure, such as a load bearing wall or similar.

A marking template or method according to any preceding claim characterised in that the support structure includes wall assemblies, walls, including internal walls or external walls, floors, roofs, roof trusses, floor joists, rafters, ceilings, battens, purlins or the like.

A marking template or method according to any preceding claim characterised in that the support structure is a stud wall or a wall of studding in which a multitude of individual studs are assembled in substantially parallel spaced apart relationship to one another to extend perpendicularly between a lower support member and an upper support member to form the stud wall or assembly.

A marking template or method according to any preceding claim characterised in that the wall structure comprises the lower support member in the form of a lower plate or bottom plate, an upper support member in the form of an upper plate or a top plate and a multitude of studs extend substantially vertically between the bottom or lower plate and the top or upper plate at spaced apart locations.

9. A marking template or method according to any preceding claim characterised in that the spacing apart of the substantially vertical studs are at predetermined spaced apart locations, in which the bottom plate and top plate are both substantially horizontal and in spaced apart relationship to one another in an amount corresponding to the height of the wall due to the lengths of the studs.

A marking template or method according to any preceding claim characterised in that the building structure includes ceilings, roofs, rafters, floor joists, roof trusses, upper story wall assemblies or similar.

A marking template or method according to any preceding claim characterised in that the two frame members are similar to one another or the two frame members are different from one another.

A marking template or method according to any preceding claim characterised in that the two frame members are positioned in stacked relationship one upon the other in which the upper member is the top plate and the lower member is a bottom plate for forming the stud wall.

A marking template or method according to any preceding claim characterised in that the two frame members include a top plate and a rafter which is to be securely joined to the top plate to either form a stud wall at the upper story of a two-storey dwelling or similar or for directly securing a roof truss to the top plate.

A marking template or method according to any preceding claim characterised in that the marking template is for use in marking lengths of timber at regularly spaced apart locations in the lengthwise extending direction of the length of timber at locations corresponding to where studs are joined to the top plate and to the bottom plate so as to extend substantially vertically there between wherein the locations of the top plate are in alignment with the locations of the bottom plate.

A marking template or method according to any preceding claim characterised in that the form of the first portion of the marking template is a generally planar element.

16. A marking template or method according to any preceding claim characterised in that the template is in the form of strip or length, typically made from metal, such as steel, aluminium, including alloys thereof or similar. A marking template or method according to any preceding claim characterised in that the first portion includes a plate, a base, a strip, a platform, a slat, a cover, a cap, an arm, or other flat length or elongate component such as a flattened bar, flat rod, or the like.

A marking template or method according to any preceding claim characterised in that the first marking element of the first portion of the marking template is an aperture, hole, bore, opening, cut-out, void, slot, slit, open channel, cavity, or similar.

A marking template or method according to any preceding claim characterised in that the void or similar is an open sided void, having one or two open sides or is fully enclosed having all sides forming a more or less continuous perimeter, periphery, edge or margins around the void.

A marking template or method according to any preceding claim characterised in that the void is rectangular, square or other rectilinear shape.

A marking template or method according to any preceding claim characterised in that the second portion of the marking template is a generally planar element such as a strip or length, in the form of a plate, a skirt, a flange, a slat, a leg or similar or any other flat length or elongate component such as a flattened bar, flattened rod, or the like.

A marking template or method according to any preceding claim characterised in that the template is in the form of an elongate right-angled strip of metal or section.

A marking template or method according to any preceding claim characterised in that the second marking element of the second portion is a projection, such as for example in the form of a lug, tab, boss, finger, protrusion, tongue, flap, web, leg, return, lip, slat, or the like.

A marking template or method according to any preceding claim characterised in that the base of the template is provided with at least two, typically at least three, or four or more voids at predetermined spaced apart locations along the lengthwise extending axis of the template.

25. A marking template or method according to any preceding claim characterised in that the void includes three voids wherein the first and second void is located at either end of the template, and a third void is located centrally about the midpoint of the template.

A marking template or method according to any preceding claim characterised in that the second portion of the template is a skirt in which the skirt of the template is provided with at least two projections, typically at least three, or four or more projections at predetermined spaced apart locations along the lengthwise extending axis of the template.

A marking template or method according to any preceding claim characterised in that the marking template has a projection located at or towards either end of the template, and a third projection located centrally about the midpoint of the template.

A marking template or method according to any preceding claim characterised in that the template is provided with an inner edge at which the base portion joins to the skirt portion substantially at a right angle or similar.

A marking template or method according to any preceding claim characterised in that in use, the inner edge of the template abuts against an upper edge of the upper frame member when two frame members in stacked relationship are being marked simultaneously at aligned locations.

A marking template or method according to any preceding claim characterised in that the marking template further comprises a grip or a gripping arrangement or gripping element for holding, handling and/or manoeuvring the template during use, including moving the template lengthwise along the framing member.

A marking template or method according to any preceding claim characterised in that the grip is a single handle centrally mounted on the template or the grip includes two handles located at spaced apart locations in the lengthwise extending direction of the template in which one handle is located in one half segment or sector of the template and the second handle is located in the other half segment or sector of the template.

32. A marking template or method according to any preceding claim characterised in that the template includes voids and projections having the same or similar lateral dimension, such as for example, being of the same or similar widths so that the marking of the frame members has substantially the same or similar width to enable the matching of where the members are to be checked, rebated, notched or similar so as to be able to receive the other frame member therein.

A marking template or method according to any preceding claim characterised in that the voids are spaced apart at about 450mm centres as are the projections similarly spaced apart from each other.

A marking template or method according to any preceding claim characterised in that the voids are spaced apart at about 600mm centres, as are the projections similarly spaced apart from each other.

A marking template or method according to any preceding claim characterised in that the template is a combined template having projections and voids with spacings apart between two adjacent voids or between two adjacent projections of both 450mm and 600mm within the same template, i.e. the one template has both spacings apart of the voids/projections of both 450 mm and 600 mm from centreline to centreline.

A marking template or method according to any preceding claim characterised in that the template includes cutouts located on the base member of the template having a lateral dimension of about 35 mm and a length of about 50 mm.

A marking template or method according to any preceding claim characterised in that the template includes projections located on the side skirt of the template which have a lateral dimension of about 35 mm and a length of about 65 mm.

A marking template or method according to any preceding claim characterised in that the template is rigid and maintains the rigid form at all times.

A marking template or method according to any preceding claim characterised in that the marking template is collapsible, foldable, movable or the like to assist in storage of the template when not in use.

40. A marking template or method according to any preceding claim characterised in that the marking template is hinged at spaced apart locations so as to be foldable about multiple fold points each of which is provided with a hinge wherein the hinges facilitate transverse folding of segments of the marking template or may allow lengthwise folding of the marking template, such as for example, the base part of the template being foldable or movable or adjustable with respect to the skirt part of the template.

A marking template or method according to any preceding claim characterised in that the template is adjustable in size, such as for example being telescopically adjustable or slidably adjustable, including being extendable and/or retractable or similar so as to alter the length of the template whilst maintaining the spacing apart of the voids and of the projections.

A marking template or method according to any preceding claim characterised in that the template is provided with indicia, such as for example markings, graduations, scale, or other measurements.

A marking template substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

44. A method of using a marking template substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.