In particular, the invention relates to a tool meant to ensure a certain desired distance between battens for e. g. roof tile or panels prior to fastening the battens with nails or screws.

Background of the invention In connection with roofing, whether the issue is one of roofing a new house or reno- vating an existing roof construction with which the laying of a new roof is con- cerned, it is necessary to mount the roof battens on which the roof, i. e. the roof plate or roof tile, must be laid at a certain distance from each other and in parallel. This distance must be adjusted in relation to the type of roofing in question and on the basis of the dimension of the surface to be covered, e. g. the area from the ridge of the roof to the lower edge of the roof.

Thus, the distance between the battens depends on the roof slope in question since the size of the surface to be covered on any given house depends on the slope. Fur- thermore, some roofing, e. g. large roof panels, may involve the use of more than two battens to support one panel when the issue is one of small slopes so that they may carry the weight of e. g. snow while it may be sufficient to use two roof battens to support one panel when the slope is more pronounced.

Therefore, the distance between the battens will always vary in practice with the roofing of the various types of houses since there are so many different factors to be taken into consideration when determining the distance between the battens. In addi- tion, the lower part at the ends of the roof beam used for gutter and the top part leaving room for the ridge of the roof must be taken into consideration. The remain-

ing distance may be calculated/measured and divided by a realistic number of rows of e. g. roof tile, whereby the desired distance is created. Variations from roof to roof may be absorbed by the overlap of roof tile with a minimum required overlap.

Thus, the manufacture of a so-called wooden measurement setter or a batten setter of a certain size is known to be used once the distance between the battens has been determined in relation to the roofing in question by means of measuring, calculations and/or carrying out tests.

The distance between the battens, which is usually measured and determined on the basis of the distance from one upper edge to another upper edge, has been measured and transferred to a batten stump which is slightly longer than the distance between the battens at one end and a dent has subsequently been sawn at the applicable dis- tance. During mounting of the roof battens, this batten setter may be used to deter- mine the position of a batten strip in relation to other battens, since the batten setter has been placed with one end against the previous batten strip while the new batten strip to be fixed has been placed in such a manner that its lower side edge abuts the sawn dent.

Hereafter, the craftsman has to nail the new batten strip while simultaneously holding both the batten setter and the new roof batten strip which may be quite cumbersome and difficult, especially in relation to the first nailing of the roof batten strip to the beam or the like, since the new roof batten strip is completely loose. It is naturally possible to have a helper hold the roof batten strip while it is adjusted to the right distance. However, that would naturally increase the labor costs.

The mentioned example of a batten setter also has the disadvantage that the distance between the battens is usually measured from one upper edge to another so that the measuring of the distance at which the dent should be made must take into account the width of the battens. This is cumbersome and may result in uncertainties, espe- cially because the width of the roof battens may vary, which may result in systematic errors accumulating.

Another example of a batten setter used in a similar manner relates to a stump batten strip or board, e. g. a casting board, on which a couple of blocks or pieces of battens or boards have been nailed or screwed transversely onto the lower side of the board at a distance corresponding to the desired distance from one upper edge to another of two battens. Compared to the example mentioned above, this known batten setter has the advantage that it will provide the desired distance from one upper edge to the other of the roof battens but will otherwise feature the same disadvantages. For ex- ample, an inaccuracy of e. g. 5mm during manufacture of such a batten setter used for twenty rows of roof tile will result in an accumulated error of 10 cm at the last course (the uppermost row of roof tile) which is usually unacceptable.

Thus, a problem with the known art is also if two or more craftsmen are laying bat- tens at the same time which requires one batten setter of the kind described above to be manufactured for each of them individually.

Other manners than those described are known in terms of manufacture of such a batten setter, for example by sawing two dents in a batten, but they all have one thing in common, namely that they are manufactured in wood by measuring, sawing, nail- ing or the like and that they have been manufactured for one particular roofing job and cannot not be reused from time to time.

Apart from the disadvantage of having to manufacture a new batten setter with each job, it may be a problem if the batten setter is not manufactured in the exact meas- urements. This may not be discovered until a sufficiently large number of battens have been nailed whereby the deviation exemplified above has been accumulated and made the adjustment error apparent.

Finally, it is possible to use a solution of laying all battens or the like by measuring the construction, calculate the desired distance and carry out a complete scribing of for example the entire roofing construction which would, however, be too time- consuming and therefore unthinkable in practice.

Furthermore, the know art presents yet another problem with the roof batten strips which may be bent and curved. This will result in a disharmonic laying of the roof tile unless the batten strips are adjusted. However, that will be difficult with known tools, e. g. by using a batten strip with two sawn dents, just as such work would not be performed in an ergonimically correct manner if using such a tool which is a sig- nificant disadvantage, especially when taking into consideration that such work usu- ally takes several days.

Examples of devices are known from the patent literature which may be used when mounting roof batten strips. Such a device is described in US patent publication No.

4,350,279. However, this device suffers from a number of drawbacks which are avoided by the present invention. The device is a quite vast and heavy construction as it comprises, among other things, two sub-constructions for adjustment of the dis- tance between the batten strips at two separate positions, said sub-constructions be- ing mutually connected. This known device would be difficult to handle and is thus also provided with means so that it may be dislocated along the batten strips. How- ever, we are left with the fact that this known device will hardly be useable in prac- tice, and due to the complex and vast construction, it is fair to assume that it will rep- resent a fairly large expense upon acquisition. Furthermore, by means of this known apparatus, it is the distance between the two sides of the batten strips facing each other which is adjusted which is not desirable in relation to roofing as has been ex- plained above. Finally, this known construction suffers from the drawback that only simple spring-biased pressure is exercised on the batten strips against the respective positioning surfaces which will not be sufficient in many cases when the batten strips curve in the longitudinal direction etc.

The use of a batten setter is also known from other areas of application, in which elements must be placed in parallel at a certain given distance, e. g. when mounting boards or planks of a fence, a board fence, panelling or the like, from which it is also known to manufacture a simple batten setter in the shape of a block, a piece of board or batten in a size corresponding to the distance between two elements. Such a block

or the like is placed loosely between e. g. two boards, once a new board or the like must be mounted and is removed after the first nail, screw etc. has been fixed to the new board.

Thus, it is an object of the invention to create a tool for mounting elements such as roof battens and other elements, boards or the like, e. g. in parallel and at a certain mutual distance, said tool being easier to use than known batten setters, said tool being applicable universally and said tool avoiding the disadvantages of the known art mentioned above.

Furthermore, it is an object to create a tool which is easy to use in practice and which, apart from providing increased accuracy when laying for example roof batten strips, implies a significant relief when carrying out the work and thereby results in a rationalization gain which, in turn, results in a gain in terms of ergonomics, since the work places less strain on the craftsman.

Also, it is an object of the invention to create a tool which is ergonomically correct, and by means of which it will be easy to adjust the desired distance and whereby it will be particularly easy to adjust the distance in relation to curved and distorted batten strips etc.

These and other objects are obtained by a tool according to the invention as de- scribed in detail in the following.

The invention As specified in claim 1, the invention relates to a tool for mounting elements, such as building elements, during construction work, said tool according to the invention comprising -a main part with a first positioning surface for one of said elements and

a second part with a second positioning surface for another of said elements, said main part and said second part being displaceable in relation to each other so that the distance between the first and the second positioning surfaces may be ad- justed.

In this manner, a tool is obtained which is universally applicable and which may be reused from building site to building site when mounting elements, such as batten strips, which must be placed at a certain distance. Another advantage is that the tool's adjustment capabilities ensures a more efficient and reliable helping tool for use during various mounting jobs.

As specified in claim 2, the main part may advantageously feature a clamp means, whereby one of the said elements may be positioned against the first positioning sur- face. In this manner, it will be easy to fix the element to be mounted in the correct position in a reliable manner by means of the tool while the mounting itself, for ex- ample nailing, takes place.

According to the embodiment specified in claim 3, the clamp means comprises a handle which-together with a part of the main part and potentially a handle on the main part-constitutes a grip for the tool. In this manner, the tool may be held by the user in an easy and simple manner while the clamp means will fix the element by means of the grip.

According to yet another advantageous embodiment of the invention, as specified in claim 4, the clamp means is mounted in such a manner that its position in relation to said first positioning surface may be set or adjusted. In this manner, the tool may be used in relation to a large number of differently sized elements, such as batten strips, ledges or boards etc.

As specified in claim 5, it is advantageous to have the main part and the second part designed as telescopically displaceable parts which ensures a certain, durable and

stable guidance between the two parts and in such a manner that slackness may be minimized.

With the embodiment specified in claim 6, the main part comprises a tubular part, e. g. shaped as a square tube, and the second part comprises a part with a corre- sponding outer shape which is slidably displaceable in said tubular part of the main part. In this manner, the tool may be manufactured by means of standard tubular components while the square tube automatically ensures that the two parts of the tool may not rotate in relation to each other which is a significant advantage when deter- mining the desired distance.

In an advantageous embodiment, as specified in claim 7, the tool is provided with indicator means, preferably in the shape of a measuring scale on said second part and a measuring indication means on the main part. Thus, it is possible to directly adjust the distance to a certain value, just as it is possible to read the distance to which the tool has been adjusted. It will therefore not be necessary to use a foot rule, measuring tape or the like to determine the adjusted distance between the two positioning sur- faces which simplifies the adjustment process significantly.

As specified in claim 8, it is advantageous to provide the main part and said second part with a locking device for mutual fixation so that the two parts may not be unin- tentionally displaced during use.

As specified in claim 9, said locking device may comprise a locking screw which cooperates with a threaded part in the main part so that the locking screw may be screwed against a part of said second part, whereby the locking device may be estab- lished in a fairly simple manner while also providing very fixed and safe locking of the two parts, especially when using a locking screw which may be tightened by means of a tool like a spanner or an adjustable wrench. However, it is also possible to use a locking screw which may be loosened or tightened manually such as for ex- ample a finger screw.

Alternatively, the said locking device may comprise a clamp part, as specified in claim 10, which induces pressure on the said second part in relation to the main part when in locked position, making it possible to design the locking device in such a manner that it is fairly quick and easy to lock and unlock it, which makes it easy in use, if there is a need to carry out adjustments on a regular basis.

With the invention, a number of additional advantages may be obtained. The two displaceable parts, the main part and the second part, may advantageously be de- signed in such a manner that they may be separated from each other, e. g. by pulling the second part out of the main part, and the second part may be designed with sev- eral lengths, so that the same main part may be used for a selection of second parts with varying lengths so as to fit the job in question. In this manner, universal appli- cability of the tool is increased, just as it is relatively simple and inexpensive to manufacture it for a lot of different purposes, and the adjustable distance may be varied over a wide spectrum. Thus, a tool according to the invention may for exam- ple be delivered with one main part and a number of said second parts of various lengths so that the user may choose the right part for the job in question or the tool may be provided with a combination of a main part and a second part fitting the job in connection with which the user needs the tool from the manufacturer.

According to yet another advantageous embodiment, as specified in claim 11, the main part and the second part may be mutually adjustable by means of a threaded connection, whereby it is possible to easily and accurately adjust the displacement between the two parts.

As specified in claim 12, the said threaded connection may advantageously feature a threaded bush and a threaded pin, said threaded bush preferably being placed on the main part.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment, as specified in claim 13, said threaded connection features a thread pitch of 1 mm. In this manner, the adjustment of a de-

sired distance will be significantly easier, since the distance between the abutting surfaces is initially measured. Hereafter, the difference (in millimeters) between the measured and the desired dimension may be calculated and the desired distance ad- justed simply by twisting the second part for a corresponding number of revolutions so that the threaded pin is screwed in or out depending on whether the measured dis- tance is too big or too small in relation to the desired distance.

It is obvious that the thread pitch may instead be 0.5 mm or any multiple hereof or 1 mm which results in corresponding advantages.

In yet another advantageous embodiment of the invention, as specified in claim 14, the tool comprises a lengthening piece comprising a threaded bush and a threaded pin for mounting between the main part and the second part. In this manner, a tool ac- cording to the invention may quickly and easily be adjusted to other dimensions, e. g. by providing lengthening pieces of suitable lengths, so that the tool may fulfill any practical needs concerning adjustment to a desired distance between elements, such as construction elements, batten strips, boards etc.

As specified in claim 15, the main part may advantageously comprise an upper fork- shaped part, of which an inner abutting surface constitutes said first positioning sur- face. By using a fork-shaped part, several advantages are obtained. Thus, it is possi- ble to grip an upper element to be fixed by means of the tool and if the position of it is too far from the next element, e. g. if it involves a batten strip bending upwards and away from an already fixed batten strip, it will be possible to pull this element to- wards the right position by means of the fork. Furthermore, the tool may be designed in such a manner that any of the two sides of the fork will be able to constitute a po- sitioning surface.

In yet another advantageous embodiment of the invention, as specified in claim 16, the second part comprises a lower fork-shaped part, of which an inner abutting sur- face constitutes said second positioning surface. In this manner, several advantages may also be obtained. If an upper element is involved and its position is too far away

from the next element, e. g. if it is a batten strip bending upwards and away from an already fixed batten strip, and it is pulled down towards the already fixed batten strip by means of the tool, the lower fork would be able to catch the already fixed batten strip once the loose batten strip has been pulled sufficiently far down so that the use of the tool is made easier when the loose element is to be adjusted to its correct posi- tion. Correspondingly, a loose batten strip with a downwards bend would also benefit from the lower fork once the right position is to be adjusted and fixed prior to nail- ing. Furthermore, the tool may be designed in such a manner that any of the two sides may constitute a positioning surface.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, as specified in claim 17, the main part constitutes a moveable element, preferably a bolt, which may be activated and cause one of said elements to be fixed to press against said first positioning surface.

Correspondingly, as specified in claim 18, the second part may comprise a moveable element, preferably a bolt, which may be activated to pressing one of said elements against said second positioning surface, whereby it is ensured that the second posi- tioning surface will accurately abut the element in question.

As specified in claim 19, said moveable element, preferably a bolt, may advanta- geously be activated by means of a handle on the main part whereby easy and ad- vantageous utilization of the tool is obtained. For example, the upper batten strip may easily be brought into the right position and at the right distance from a lower batten strip by a comfortable pull of the handle in the downwards direction, which would be very efficient and ergonomically correct when standing or sitting in work position on e. g. a tilted roof construction or the like.

As specified in claim 20, said moveable element, preferably a bolt, may be connected with a return mechanism, preferably in the shape of a spring, so that the mechanism pressing against the elements would automatically release the clamp function once activation is disrupted so that the tool may easily and quickly be removed from a given position of the place of use and on to a new.

As specified in claim 21, said clamp means and/or said moveable element (s), pref- erably bolt (s), may advantageously be activated by means of electrical, pneumatic and/or hydraulic means so that easy, quick and efficient utilization of the tool is ob- tained.

As specified in claim 22, the tool may comprise an internal energy source, preferably in the shape of an accumulator or a gas cartridge, so that wires, tubes and similar connections to the tool, which would otherwise constitute a nuisance in terms of effi- ciently utilizing the tool, are avoided.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, as specified in claim 23, the tool comprises a unit for fixation of the said elements, preferably in the form of a nailing machine or a corresponding fixation tool. In this manner, any work involving the laying and fixation of said elements, such as for example roof batten strips, is made significantly more efficient since it is possible to fix these immediately after they have been correctly positioned by means of the unit.

The invention also relates to the use of a tool according to one or more of claims 1 to 23, as specified in claim 24, for mounting of construction elements, particularly for buildings and the like, at a basically identical mutual distance from each other.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment relating to use, as specified in claim 25, said construction elements are comprised by roof batten strips for a roof construction.

Figures The invention will be explained in the following in detail with reference to the fig- ures of which fig. 1 shows two different examples of a batten setter known from prior art fig. 2 shows a first embodiment of the invention from the side,

fig. 3 shows the tool in fig. 2 from above, fig. 4 shows the tool in fig. 3 from above but in another embodiment, fig. 5 shows a modified embodiment of a tool according to the invention in a perspective illustration, fig. 6 shows yet another embodiment of the invention from the side, fig. 7 shows a perspective illustration of a measuring tool according to an- other advantageous embodiment of the invention when determining the position of a new batten strip on roof beams in relation to an already fixed batten strip, fig. 8 shows a possible construction of the tool shown in fig. 7 from the side in a sectional view, fig. 9 also shows the tool from fig. 7 from above, fig. 10 shows use of the tool from the side when placing a batten strip at the correct distance from the previous batten strip, fig. 11 shows a lengthening piece for use in connection with a tool according to the invention, fig. 12 shows a particular embodiment of an upper abutting surface on the lower fork of a tool according to the invention, fig. 13 shows a modified embodiment of the tool in fig. 8 with a clamp func- tion being mounted on the lower fork, fig. 14 shows a corresponding embodiment in which activation of the clamp function takes place by means of special means, and fig. 15 shows an embodiment of the invention which comprises a built-in unit for fixation of elements, e. g. a nailing machine.

Embodiments Figures la and lb show examples of commonly known batten setters used in con- nection with the laying of batten strips 6.

Fig. 1 shows a batten strip stump 1, from one of whose ends the desired distance between the upper surface of one batten strip has been measured to the lower edge of

the next batten strip. Hereafter, a dent 2 has been sawn so that the batten setter may be used by placing the end of the batten setter against the upper edge of one batten strip 6, after which the next batten strip is to be placed in the dent 2. By this known batten setter, the dimension of the batten strips 6 must be taken into account since it will usually be the distance from one upper edge to another of the batten strips which must be of a certain dimension.

Another kind of batten setter is shown in fig. lb. In this example, a stump of batten strip or board, e. g. a casting board 3, has been used by nailing or screwing two blocks or two batten strips or boards 4 and 5 to the lower side of the board 3 in the transverse direction at a distance corresponding to the desired distance from one up- per edge to another upper edge of two batten strips 6. This kind of prior art batten setter will often be preferable since it provides the desired distance from one upper edge to another upper edge of two roof batten strips 6.

Fig. 2 shows a tool 7 according to a first embodiment of the invention from the side and it can be seen that it is basically comprised by two parts, namely a main part 8 and a second part 9, the latter being displaceable in relation to the main part 8 as will be explained in detail below.

The main part, which may be comprised as a tubular part 13, that may e. g. be pro- vided with a square tube, has a transverse plate 14 at one end which extends below the tube 13, and at which the plate 14 constitutes a first positioning surface 10, e. g. of the batten strip 6 shown, with the lower side of the tube 13 resting on the batten strip 6. The plate 14 may be welded or fixed to the tube in any other manner. Instead of being fixed to the end of the tube 13, the plate may also be welded onto the lower part of the tube 13.

The second part 9 comprises a part 15, which may also be tubular in shape, and which may also be in the form of a square tube. The outer shape of this tube 15 is dimensioned in a manner which makes it possible for it to slide into the tubular part

13 of the main part 8, preferably without slackness between the two parts, but in such a manner that the two parts may easily be displaced in relation to each other.

At one end, the second part 9 is provided with an angle plate 16 whose vertical part constitutes the second positioning surface 11 of a batten strip 6. This angle plate 16 may e. g. be welded onto the tubular part 15 at the second part of the angle plate which is horizontal in the figure. As shown, the second part of the angle plate 16 may rest against the batten strip 6 during use. The said second positioning surface 11 may also be formed by a single plane plate welded onto the end of the tubular part 15 in the same way as the main part 8. The advantage of using an angle plate 16 as posi- tioning surface of the second part 9 is that if the thickness of the plate basically cor- responds to the thickness of the wall of the square tube 13, the support surfaces for both batten strips 6 will be in-plane.

Furthermore, the main part 8 features a clamp means 12, as shown, which may com- prise a clamp part 19 in the form of a lever extending through the square tube 13 and provided with a handle part 20 at the upper end. The clamp means 12 is embedded in the square tube 13 with a rotation point 21 so that it may be rotated, as shown by the broken lines, into a position in which the clamp part 19 no longer abuts the batten strip 6. During use, the batten strip 6 may thus be pressed against the first positioning surface 10 and may even be fixed by the tool if sufficient pressure is exercised. The clamp means is used by the user gripping with his hand around the square tube 13 and the handle part 20 at the same time, whereby the clamp means 19 will press against the batten strip 6. It is possible to have a separate handle (not shown) placed on the square tube 13 right below handle part 20, e. g. in the form of a clamp, welded onto the square tube 13 so that the hand grips around this handle and the handle part 20 during use if this turns out to be more comfortable for the user.

Finally, fig. 2 features a locking means 17, whereby the main part 8 and the second part 9 may be locked or otherwise fixed to each other in a certain mutual position. This locking means comprises a locking screw 18 which may be screwed thorough a threaded portion in or on the square tube 13 so that the end of the locking screw 18

may be screwed against the tube 15 of the second part 9, whereby the two parts are fixed to each other.

In fig. 2, the locking screw has been placed on one side of the tool 7 but other loca- tions are naturally also possible. However, the shown location is advantageous when the tool is gripped by the left hand around the main part 8 and the locking screw is fixed by means of e. g. a spanner or an adjustable wrench by means of the right hand.

Evidently, the locking screw 18 may be designed in other manners. For example, it may be designed as a finger screw so that it may be loosened or tightened manually.

However, the locking means 17 should be sufficiently fixed so as to not unintention- ally change the determined distance, e. g. if the tool bumps against something.

In fig. 3, the same embodiment is shown from above and the terms used in relation to the case in fig. 2 also apply to fig. 3. The parts which have already been mentioned and shown in fig. 2 will thus not be described here. Meanwhile, it is obvious that the locking means 17 is comprised by a locking screw 18 being screwed into a threaded portion 22, e. g. a nut, welded onto the square tube 13, and that a hole will naturally have to be drilled through the square tube 13 so that the end of the locking screw 18 may be tightened against the side of the square tube 13 of the second part 9.

Furthermore, the side of the tube 15 may be provided with a longitudinal groove (not shown) into which the end of the screw 18 may be tightened. This is particularly ad- vantageous when round tubes are involved since the two parts 13 and 15 will then be prevented from turning in relation to each other during adjustment to the desired distance.

Furthermore, it can be seen that the tool may be provided with a measuring scale 23 for aiding the adjustment of the distance. As shown, this measuring scale 23 may be placed on the upper side of the second part of the square tube 13 so that the distance may be read by means of a measuring indicator 24 on the main part 8. This measur- ing indicator 24 may be comprised by the end of the square tube 15 of the main part as shown. It is obvious that the measuring scale 23 may be placed elsewhere, e. g. on

the side of the square tube 15, if more appropriate, with respect to readings and ad- justments. The measuring scale may be provided with numbers, e. g. distance in cen- timeters or millimeters, said distance defining the setting between two positioning surfaces 10 and 11 corresponding to e. g. the distance from one upper edge to another upper edge of two batten strips 6.

In fig. 4, yet another embodiment is shown from above. The terms used in connec- tion with figs. 2 and 3 also apply to fig. 4 and those parts already mentioned in figs. 2 and 3 will not be dealt with here. As can be seen, the clamp means 12 has been de- signed in such a manner that its location may be changed. For this purpose, its rota- tion point is embedded in a console 25 which has been fixed to the square tube 13 by means of screws or bolts as the square tube is provided with threaded holes 26. A number of these threaded holes 26 may be provided in appropriate places so that the clamp means 12 may be adjusted to clamp around elements, i. e. batten strips, boards etc, of various dimensions and of which one of said pairs of threaded holes 26 may correspond to a fixation fitting of a standard roof batten strip of e.g. 38 mm X 58 mm With this embodiment, the square tube 13 will be designed with a longitudinal slot (not shown in fig. 4) which is sufficiently long for the clamp part 19 (fig. 2) to move back and forth through this irrespective of the adjustment. Also, it is obvious that the arrangement for adjustment of the clamp means 12 may be designed in other man- ners and that the console 25 may be fixed in other ways than by means of bolts 27 and threaded holes 26.

Fig. 5 is a perspective illustration of another modified embodiment of a tool accord- ing to the invention. With the embodiment, the clamp means 12 is alternatively em- bedded by a pivot tap 28, e. g. a bolt tap or the like, being led through the square tube 13 and through a hole in the clamp part 19 so that the clamp means 12 may by ro- tated around this rotation point. It is obvious that this arrangement may also be made adjustable, e. g. by drilling holes beforehand (not shown) through the square tube 13

and by the pivot tap 28 being designed as a bolt-nut-connection which may be loos- ened and moved to another hole.

Furthermore, fig. 5 shows the slot 29 present in the square tube 13 and that the clamp part 19 may be moved back and forth. In embodiments which feature a clamp means designed in such a manner that it is moveable, the slot mortise 29 must naturally have a length corresponding to it. Apart from that, the tool shown in fig. 5 is de- signed in a similar manner to that explained above in relation to the other figures.

The use of the tool 7 in connection with the fixation of batten strips may also be ex- plained with reference to fig. 5. It is understood that the tool is pre-adjusted by means of the locking screw 18 and the measuring scale (not shown) or another concrete measurement carried out by a foot rule or the like between the first and the second positioning surfaces to a calculated or measured distance between the batten strips.

Once the first (lower) batten strip 6'has been mounted, the next batten strip 6"is fixed by the tool between the plate 14 and the clamp part 19 by e. g. a left-hand grip around the square tube 13 and the handle part 20. The lower part of the tool, i. e. the angle plate 16, is fixed against the first batten strip 6", as shown, whereby the dis- tance between the upper edge of the first batten strip 6"and the upper edge of the second batten strip 6"will equal the adjusted distance. The batten strip 6"may then be nailed to a beam or the like, e. g. by means of the right hand, and the user may move on to the next location (next beam) at which the next batten strip should be nailed.

In fig. 6, a third embodiment of the invention is shown from the side, in which the locking means 17 is designed in an alternative manner. This embodiment features a locking means with a locking handle 30 supported in a bearing 31 on the square tube 13. As shown by the arrow, the locking handle 30 may be turned up and down and part of its circumference is encompassed by a clamp surface 32 which may press against the inner tube 15 in such a manner that it is fixed in relation to the square tube 13. The locking means 17 is designed in a manner which allows the two square tubes 13 and 15 to be freely displaced in relation to each other when the locking han-

dle 30 is pulled up so that the desired adjustment may be made. Once it has been made, the locking handle may be pushed down and thereby fix the two tubes in rela- tion to each other. As indicated, the locking means 17 has a dead point 33, i. e. a point with a max. distance to the rotation axle 31, and once this dead point 33 is in the shown position, the locking handle is secured in locked position and the clamp sur- face will press against the tube 15. Once the locking handle 30 is to be released again, the dead point 33 will pass the surface of the inner tube 15 after which the two tubes may be freely displaced. Thus, it is understood that the release of the locking handle 30 takes place by a certain exertion of power, just as the locking handle must be pushed into locked position by a kind of snap function but also that the shown construction allows for quick locking and release of the locking mechanism.

Other embodiments of the locking means are naturally also possible. Furthermore, it is obvious that the tool 7 may take on several variations falling within the scope of the invention. Thus, the tool may be manufactured in iron or another metal such as e. g. aluminum, potentially a light-weight version. Also, it may be manufactured in a synthetic material, e. g. plastic, or other light-weight versions that may be used for do-it-yourself purposes or similar areas of use.

Furthermore, it is obvious that the parts 13 and 15 do not necessarily have to be square tubes but may also be e. g. round or oval, as long as the two pieces are dis- placeable in relation to each other. The part 15 may furthermore be massive while the part 13 is required to have a shape allowing the part 15 to be partly displaced in it.

Potentially, the part 13 may be designed with a simple slot or the like wherein the part 15 may be displaced.

Also, it is obvious that the two parts, the main part 8 and the second part 9, may be designed with different lengths and that these tools may feature various effective lengths and/or adjustment intervals.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, the second part 9 may be manufactured in a variety of lengths which are all useable in connection with one

single main part 8. Thus, the second part 9 may be manufactured in lengths of appro- priate intervals so that a main part 8 may be combined with these in order to obtain a tool 7 which has a length corresponding to every single need, e. g. a total efficient length (i. e. a total adjustable distance between the positioning surfaces 10 and 11) of up to 1 meter or even more. A set comprising a main part 8 and a selection of second parts 9 of different lengths is also possible and may be sold or delivered to the user, the wholesaler, the retailer, or another supplier who may match the parts according to supply and demand. The individual versions of the second part 9 may also be pro- vided with a measuring scale 23 showing the exact distance when the second part 9 in question is combined with a corresponding main part 8 which features an indicator 24, as previously mentioned, e. g. by the end of the tube 13 or another kind of indi- cator showing the adjusted distance between the positioning surfaces 10 and 11.

It is also possible to manufacture the main part 8 in two or more different sizes if necessary and a small one may be designed for quite small distances etc. These main parts 8 may then be combined with various second parts 9 of different lengths. It is also possible to design the second parts 9 in such manner that it is only possible to use them with one particular main part 8, e. g. by providing the tubes 13 and 15 with dimensions different from one main part size to another so that it is not possible to combine the individual parts. Alternatively, one particular second part 9 may be de- signed for use in connection with two or more main part sizes 8 and may potentially be provided with two or more measuring scales 23 on which the relevant main part for that piece is stated. It is also possible to place these measuring scales 23, if more than one, on the second part 9 in such a manner that only one of them is visible and useable in connection with each main part size 8. This may be done by e. g. making the measuring scale visible through a window in the tube part 13 on the main part 8, said window (not shown in the figures) being placed at various locations on the vari- ous main parts 8.

The clamp portion 19 may also be provided with means which enhances fixation of a batten strip, e. g. a pressure plate, pressed against the batten strip, teeth or the like, capable of gripping the batten strip or similar means.

In the following, yet another embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to figs. 7 to 12. In these figures, elements identical with, corresponding to or possessing functions similar to those of already described elements will be re- ferred to by the same reference numbers as those in the previous figures.

Figure 7 shows a spacing tool 50 according to this additional embodiment of the in- vention, said tool being illustrated in connection with batten strips 6'and 6"to be fixed to rafters or roof beams 51. The tool 50 comprises a main part, generally re- ferred to as 52, and a second part, generally referred to as 53. The main part 52 com- prises a middle part 54 as shown, an upper fork 55 and a handle 56, and the second part comprises a lower fork 57. In the shown example of use of the tool, the lower fork 57 is placed on a fixed batten strip 6'which is fixed by means of nails 58 on the roof beams or rafters 51. By pulling the handle 56 in the direction of the arrow 59, the loose batten strip 6"will be placed at the correct distance from the fixed batten strip 6'in the following manner.

Figures 8 and 9 show the construction of the spacing tool 50. As already mentioned, the spacing tool comprises a main part 52 and a second part 53, said second part 53 comprising a lower fork 57 with a lower abutting surface 60 and an upper abutting surface 61. A threaded pin 64 has been mounted on the lower fork 57 at the upper abutting surface, and the thread pitch is preferably such that it makes it easy to adjust the tool and may e. g. be selected to 1 mm. The threaded pin is screwed into a threaded bush 65 fastened to the middle part 54. At the other end, the middle part 54 is connected with an upper fork 55. The upper fork 55 comprises a lower abutting surface 62 and an upper abutting surface 63. A moveable bolt 67 has been mounted through a hole 66 in the lower abutting surface 62 of the upper fork 55. This bolt 67 is controlled by a guide bushing fastened to the middle part 54. By means of the han- dle, the bolt 67 may be pushed into the upper fork 55, and preferably be spring- loaded, such as e. g. by compression of a spring 69 as shown. The spring 69 may be placed between the guide bushing and a head 68 on the bolt 67, said head 68 also serving as a surface of application for the handle 56, or rather the lower part of it.

The handle 56 turns and is fastened to an axle 70 which, in turn, is fastened to a flange 71 and a flange 72 (fig. 9) that are both fastened to the middle part 54. A stop 73 serves as abutting surface for the handle 56 once this handle 56 is released and the bolt 67 returns from the upper fork 55 by means of the spring power, e. g. the spring 69. In the position shown in fig. 8, the bolt 67 has moved the distance X in the lon- gitudinal direction away from the resting position.

The distance between the abutting surfaces 60 and 61,62 and 63, respectively, of the forks 57 and 55, has been chosen so that the forks fit all widths of batten strips within a given area, e. g. all widths of batten strips used as roof batten strips. It is obvious that other fork dimensions may be selected and that the intervals at which the batten strip dimensions may be used with the tool may vary according to expressed desires.

By letting the thickness of the lower fork 53 at the upper abutting surface 61 and the thickness of the upper fork 55 at the upper abutting surface 63 be identical, e. g. di- mension B as shown in fig. 8, the batten distance A, i. e. the distance between the upper edge of one batten strip and the upper edge of another batten strip, is easily adjustable by means of a foot rule or a measuring tape or by screwing the threaded pin 64 in or out. Thus, it is basically not important whether the measurement is made between the outer side of the lower fork 57 and the outer side of the upper fork 55 or whether it is between the inner side of the lower fork 57 and the inner side of the upper fork 55. Both measurements shown in fig. 8 will result in the desired distance A between the upper edges of the two batten strips. Furthermore, it should be noted that if the threaded pin 65 mentioned above is used with a pitch of e. g. 0.5 mm, 1 mm or a multiple of these, the adjustment to the desired distance will be made easier since the distance between the forks is initially measured (according to one of the methods mentioned above). Hereafter, the difference (in millimeters) between the measured and the desired distance may be calculated and the desired distance ad- justed simply by turning the lower fork 57 a corresponding number of revolutions (if the thread pitch is 1 mm), so that the threaded pin 64 is screwed in or out depending on whether the distance is too big or too small in relation to the desired distance.

The middle part 54 may be manufactured in all kinds of material, but steel, alumi- num or possibly a synthetic material, would be preferable and it may take on all kinds of cross sections and sizes, preferably rectangular or circular. The threaded bush 65 and the guide bushing 67 may be fastened to the middle part by means of bolts, pins, screws or the like, just as fastening by means of shrinking, mechanical deformation, soldering, welding, gluing or the like is possible.

It should be noted that the guide bushing 67 may be omitted since the hole 66 in the upper fork may serve as guide and the head 68 on the bolt 67 may serve as guide of the bolt 67 in the in the middle part 54, as can be seen from fig. 8.

Figure 10 depicting the tool 50 described above also shows how the distance A be- tween two adjacent batten strips 6'and 6"is normally measured in terms of battens for use in connection with the laying of roof. The distance A is measured from the upper side or edge of a fixed batten strip 6', i. e. a batten strip which has already been fixed by e. g. nailing it to a beam or rafter 51, to the upper side or edge of a loose batten strip 6", i. e. the next batten strip, to be nailed fixed.

In addition, use of the tool 50 will be explained with reference to fig. 10. As shown, the tool is placed with the lower fork 57 on the fixed batten strip 6'and the loose batten strip in the upper fork 55. By pulling the handle 56 in the direction of the ar- row 59, the upper abutting surface 61 of the lower fork 57 will be pulled down against and abut the upper side of the lower batten strip 6'. Also, a pull of the handle 56 will result in activation of the bolt 67 which will press against the upper batten strip 6"as shown in the blown up section of fig. 10 so that the upper batten strip 6" will press against the upper abutting surface 63 of the upper fork 55. In this manner, the upper side of the loose batten strip 6"will be placed at a distance A from the upper side of the lower batten strip 6'and nailing or another other kind of fixation of the loose batten strip may subsequently be carried out.

As is obvious, the handle 56 has two functions. It is partly used to push the upper abutting surface 61 of the lower fork 57 down against the upper side of the lower

fixed batten strip 6'and partly to activate a bolt which will press the upper loose batten strip 6"against the upper abutting surface 63 of the upper fork 55.

By placing the upper loose batten strip in the correct position, two different situations will arise, namely one of the loose batten strip being placed above the desired posi- tion, e. g. if it bends upwards, and one of being below the desired position, if it bends downwards.

In the situation with the upper loose batten strip being above the desired position, e. g. if it bends upwards, the upper fork 55 of the spacing tool is placed on the upper bat- ten strip. The handle 56 is pulled downwards until the lower fork grips the lower batten strip and the upper edge or abutting surface 61 abuts the lower batten strip.

Hereafter, the upper batten strip is nailed down. The bolt 67 will press against the upper batten strip but this batten strip will already abut the upper abutting surface of the upper fork due to the downwards pressure exercised on the tool.

In the situation with the upper loose batten strip being below the desired position, e. g. if it bends downwards, the upper fork 55 is placed on the upper batten strip. By means of the handle 56, the spacing tool is pulled upwards until the lower fork grips the lower batten strip. By pulling the handle 56 downwards, the bolt 67 will cause the upper batten strip to press against the upper abutting surface 63 of the upper fork 55.

Hereafter, the batten strip is nailed down. In this situation, the bolt 67 will press against the loose batten strip and cause the upper batten strip 6"to slide into the cor- rect position prior to nailing.

By using this method, all batten strips laid down by means of a tool according to the invention will be laid down at a uniform distance corresponding to e. g. the functional dimensions of roof tile.

The length of the spacing tool 7 or 50 must be such that-when used for laying roof tile or the like-the tool must be capable of determining the distance between the batten strips for roof tile or the like of all commonly used sizes. The length of the

threaded pin 64 must be such that is covers the realistic fractions of the entire length of the roof tile corresponding to the individual number of rows of roof tile as this will vary from house to house.

Fig. 11 shows a lengthening piece 80 designed for use in connection with the spacing tool 50. It comprises a tubular piece 81 of an appropriate and practical length, said tubular piece 81 being provided with a threaded bush 82 at one end and a threaded pin 84 corresponding to the threaded bush 65 in the middle part 54 at the other end.

The threaded pin 84 may be placed in a bush 83 which is placed in the tubular piece 81. The tubular piece 81 may be of the same material and have the same cross sec- tion as the middle part 54 of the tool 50.

In this manner, a tool according to the invention may be used when laying batten strips, boards etc. at a distance which may vary over several intervals since a variety of lengthening pieces 80 may be manufactured for various purposes such as e. g. lay- ing of batten strips for roof tile of various functional dimensions etc.

Fig. 12 shows a particular embodiment of the second part 53 corresponding to the lower fork 57 with the threaded pin 64. This particular embodiment comprises a plate 85 to which a threaded pin 64 has been fastened, and one side of the plate 85 forms an abutting surface 61 corresponding to the upper abutting surface of the lower fork 57. The fastening may be welding, a bush connection or another known kind of fas- tening. The thickness, B, of the plate may be identical with the thickness, B of the part of the lower fork 57 abutting the upper abutting plate 61. By using this particular embodiment, it becomes possible to adjust the length A to any fraction of the thread pitch, which may be 1 mm as previously mentioned, since this particular embodi- ment does not require the screw to be screwed in or out for an entire revolution at a time as is the case with the fork-shaped embodiment.

In fig. 13, which basically corresponds to fig. 8, yet another advantageous embodi- ment has been shown which may also be used in connection with the tool described in connection with figs. 2 to 6 when appropriately modified.

The apparatus shown in fig. 13 features a lower fork 57 which is provided with a means for pressing a batten strip or the like against the upper abutting surface 61.

This means may be placed in, by or on the fork 57 in close proximity to the lower abutting surface 60, e. g. by the lower part of the fork forming a house in which a bolt 90 may be fastened. When activated, this bolt 90 may cause a batten strip or the like to press against the upper abutting surface 61 while at the same time having another batten strip press against the upper abutting surface 63 of the upper fork 55. The ac- tivation of the bolt 90 may take place by means of an activator 91 which is schemati- cally illustrated on fig. 13.

This activator 91 may be purely mechanical or mechanically connected to the handle 56 so that simultaneous activation of two bolts 67 and 90 may be obtained. Since the lower fork 57 must be displaceable in relation to the middle part 54, other kinds of activation may, however, be preferable such as e. g. electrical, pneumatic or hydraulic activation. For example, electrical activation may take place by means of an incorpo- rated battery, preferably rechargeable in the form of an accumulator, with the handle 56 activating a switch (not shown) when it is e. g. pulled downwards, whereby the switch activates the activator 91. Also, activation may take place by means of a pneumatic energy source, e. g. in the form of a gas cartridge, incorporated in the tool with the handle 56 being connected to e. g. a valve (not shown) which ensures that the gas pressure is led to the activator 91. Other options of activation are naturally also possible, as will be obvious to a man skilled in the art, just as it is possible to use external energy sources, e. g. 230V power supply via a wire, compressed air via a tube etc.

It is obvious that such electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic etc. activation may also be used in relation to the bolt 67 illustrated in fig. 14. The tool in fig. 14 basically corre- sponds to that in fig. 13. However, the mechanical connection between the handle 56 and the bolt 67 has been removed and the bolt 67 is activated by an activator 92 in- stead which may be of the same type as the activator 91, i. e. it may be activated electrically, pneumatically, hydraulically or the like. As previously explained, the

energy source for this activation may be an external source via a wire, tube or the like but may also be an internal energy source 93 as schematically illustrated which may e. g. be a battery, preferably rechargeable in the form of an accumulator, or a gas cartridge. The connection of energy from such an energy source 93 via wires, tubes, piping or the like, which has not been illustrated, to the activators 91 and 92 may take place by means of switches, valves or the like arranged in a control unit 94 whereby movement of the handle 56 causes the required activation. However, it is not necessary for the handle 56 to be rotatable around the axle 70 in this embodi- ment. Instead, activation may take place by pushing a button (not shown) which may be located on the handle or the middle part 54. It is obvious that any similar em- bodiment may be used in connection with the tool described in figs. 2 to 6.

It should be mentioned that instead of bolts causing a batten strip to press against an abutting surface, other means may be used such as e. g. pressure plates, pressure jaws or the like, which will be obvious to a man skilled in the art.

It should also be mentioned that what is stated above in terms of the desired distance being adjusted from the upper edge of one batten strip to the upper edge of the next batten strip, which corresponds to the distance between the upper abutting surface 61 of the lower fork 57 and the upper abutting surface 63 of the upper fork 55, does not exclude other possibilities which may be practiced by means of a device according to the invention. Thus, -the upper abutting surface 61 of the lower fork 57 may constitute the desired dis- tance with the lower abutting surface 62 of the upper fork 55, -the lower abutting surface 60 of the lower fork 57 may constitute the desired distance with the upper abutting surface 63 of the upper fork 55, or -the lower abutting surface 60 of the lower fork 57 may constitute the desired distance with the lower abutting surface 62 of the upper fork 55,

which must naturally be combined with the appropriate location of bolts or the like to exercise pressure on the batten strips or the like against the respective abutting sur- faces.

Finally, an important embodiment of the invention is described in relation to fig. 15 which shows a tool according to the invention that is basically identical with that shown in fig. 7. This tool is also provided with a schematically illustrated means 98 for fixation of batten strips or the like 6"to e. g. an underlying beam 51. The unit 9, which may e. g. be a nailing machine, a screwing machine or similar known stapling machines, has been advantageously located right next to the upper part of the tool 50, e. g. the upper fork 55, so that it will be in the correct position for e. g. nailing during use. Such a means, e. g. a nailing machine, may advantageously be driven by the same energy source as that of the tool 50, e. g. an accumulator or a gas cartridge, but may also be driven by its own internal energy source or an external energy source, such as a 230V power supply via a wire. The unit may preferably be activated by means of e. g. a push-botton operation 99 which may e. g. be placed in the handle 59, so that the person using the tool 50 may nail the loose batten strip 6"once it has been placed in the right position merely by pressing the operation button 99.

It is obvious that such a unit 98 may correspondingly be mounted on a tool of the kind described in connection with figs. 2 to 6.

As already mentioned, a tool according to the invention may be used in other areas than laying of batten strips. Thus, in a potentially modified version, it may also be used for panelling, of e. g. boards, if these are to be mounted at a certain mutual dis- tance, such as a 1 on 2 panelling, indicating that the boards are to be mounted in par- allel and at a given distance. Other areas of use would include erection of a fence, picket fence etc. where boards, strips or the likes must also be mounted at a given distance, either horizontally or vertically. Obviously, such areas of use would require certain modifications of the tool falling within the scope of the invention with respect to the dimensions of the plate 14, the angle plate 16 or the forks 55 or 57.

Also, it is obvious that other modifications may be carried out within the scope of the invention. Thus, it is possible to e. g. leave out the bolts 65,82 and 83, if the inner dimensions of the tubular parts 54 and 81 correspond to the outer dimensions of the taps 64 and 84. Also, it is apparent that the materials used in the examples are merely used for illustrative purposes since the construction parts may be designed in a wide spectrum of materials which will be obvious to a man skilled in the art.

Finally, it is obvious that the various characteristics of the described embodiments may be used in connection with all embodiments of the invention even though they are only used as examples in relation to one or a few of the embodiments above.

List of reference numbers 1. Batten strip 2. Sawed dent 3. Board 4,5. Batten or board stump 6,6', 6"Elements, construction elements 7. Tool 8. Main part 9. Second part 10. First positioning surface 11. Second positioning surface 12. Clamp means 13. Square tube on main part 14. Plate on main part 15. Square tube on second part 16. Angle plate on second part 17. Locking means 18. Locking screw 19. Clamp part 20. Handle part 21. Rotation point 22. Threaded portion 23. Measuring scale 24. Measuring indicator 25. Console 26. Threaded holes 27. Bolt 28. Bearing bolt 29. Slot 30. Locking handle 31. Support for locking handle

32. Clamp surface 33. Dead point 50. Tool 51. Beam or rafter 52. Main part 53,53'Second part 54. Middle part 55. Upper fork 56. Handle 57. Lower fork 58. Nail 59. Arrow 60. Lower abutting surface 61. Upper abutting surface 62. Lower abutting surface 63. Upper abutting surface 64. Threaded pin 65. Threaded bush 66. Hole in upper fork 67. Bolt 68. Head of bolt 69. Spring 70. Axle 71. Flange 72. Flange 73. Stop 80. Lengthening piece 81. Tubular piece 82. Threaded bush 83. Bush 84. Threaded pin 85. Plate

90. Bolt 91. Activator 92. Activator 93. Battery, gas cartridge or similar energy source 94. Control unit 98. Nailing machine 99. Button for activation of nailing machine