FRAMING SPEEDSQUARE ATTACHMENT BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates generally to wood working tools and, more specifically, to a Framing Speedsquare Attachment 2. Description of Related Art The product known as a"Speed SquareTM"is in wide use by virtually every professional framer (individuals whose expertise is in constructing structures from wood framing material). An example of the conventional SpeedsquareT" is shown in Figure 1 and labeled as item 10 therein. The Speed Squares ils designed to be used to permit a framer to rapidly make precise cuts (typically cross-cuts) in framing material using a conventional electric handheld circular saw. As designed, the user: first, measures and marks the Board B where the cut is to be made ; second, places the Speedsquare 10 flat on the Board B with the flange 14 against one longitudinal edge of the Board B. Third, once positioned for the correct cut location (as measured and marked), the framer then runs the"fence"or guide of the saw (not shown) along the fence edge 22 of the Speedsquare 10, and the cut is complete and perfectly perpendicular.

On many job sites, it is common to require hundreds of these sorts of cuts on a single day. Unless the crew has a table-top saw, all of the cuts are made as described above using a Speedsquarew 10. The problem with making so many cuts with the Speedsquarew 10 is that the framer needs to set down the saw and Speedsquare 10 in between each cut in order to measure for the next cut. This is necessary even when the next length of board to be cut is identical to the one that the framer just made. What is needed, therefore, is a apparatus and method for eliminating or at least minimizing the "tool juggling"that is necessary when using the conventional Speedsquare 10.

Dahl, U. S. Patent No. 5, 813, 126 attempted to solve this problem, as depicted in Figure 2. The Dahl"Speedsquare Extension Bar and Saw Guide"is designed to have a conventional Speedsquarew 10 inserted into the Bar 30 until the Fence Edge 22 is at the appropriate distance from the Stop Peg 50 screwed into and extending from the end of the Bar 30. The Speedsquare 10 is then held in this position by screwing in a Thumbscrew 46 from the back side of the Bar 30. Dahl asserts that this will then permit the user to mark multiple Boards B at the identical location along their length, or alternatively to use a handheld circular saw to cut Boards B into sections of identical lengths.

There are at least three problems with Dahl : First, as admitted at the end of Column 2 of Dahl's Specification, "accommodation [must be] made for the offset between the adjacent edge of the power saw base plate and the saw blade. Second, the Dahl device does not improve upon the Speedsquarew 10 in that it still necessitates a new measurement (and corresponding tool juggling) each time that a board section of a new length is desired.

Third, the Dahl device requires the user to hold the Speedsquare 10 and Extension Bar 30 against the Board B by pushing away from one's self while making the cut (i. e. oriented with the Flange 14 towards the user) in order that the Fence of the conventional saw is against the Fence Edge 22-this is an awkward position that is not common in the field.

What is needed therefore, is an attachment for a conventional Speedsquare 10 that provides at least the benefits of Dahl, while further solving the aformentioned problems associated with the Dahl device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In light of the aforementioned problems associated with the prior devices and methods, it is an object of the present invention to provide a Framing Speedsquare Attachment. The preferred attachment will include a segment for slidingly attaching a conventional Speedsquare thereto. The attachment should further include a telescoping extension having a measuring scale on its top surface. Interconnecting the first segment to the telescoping portion should be a U-shaped segment that is configured to permit a conventional saw blade to pass through without cutting the attachment. It is another object that the attachment include an anti-jam mechanism to prevent a stop member from pinching a board to be cut. It is yet another object that the attachment provide the user with the ability to make repetitive cuts without the need to use an additional measuring tape nor needing to make cut demarcations on the board to be cut.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The objects and features of the present invention, which are believed to be novel, are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The present invention, both as to its organization and manner of operation, together with further objects and advantages, may best be understood by reference to the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, of which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a conventional Speedsquare; Figure 2 is a perspective view of a conventional Speedsquare Extension Bar as disclosed by"Dahl;" Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of a conventional Speedsquare and a preferred embodiment of the Framing Speedsquare Attachment of the present invention; Figure 4 is a perspective view of the assembled components depicted in Figure 3; Figure 5 is a perspective view of the Attachment of Figures 3 and 4 in use cutting a board; Figure 6 is a back view of the Attachment of Figures 3-5; Figure 7 is an exploded perspective view of a preferred embodiment of an anti-jam mechanism that is incorporated within the Attachment of Figures 3-6 ; and Figure 8 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the Framing Speedsquare Attachment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The following description is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention and sets forth the best modes contemplated by the inventor of carrying out his invention. Various modifications, however, will remain readily apparent to those skilled in the art, since the generic principles of the present invention have been defined herein specifically to provide a Framing Speedsquare Attachment.

The present invention can best be understood by initial consideration of Figure 1. Figure 1 is a cutaway side view of one embodiment of the present invention The present invention can best be understood by initial consideration of Figure 3. Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of a conventional Speedsquare 10, and a preferred embodiment of the Framing Speedsquare Attachment 100 of the present invention. The Attachment 100 comprises two major parts: the Frame Member 102 and the Extension Member 112. The Frame Member 102 includes a First Retaining Channel 104 and a Second Retaining Channel 106, the two channels interconnected by a U-Shaped Segment 108. The First Retaining Channel 104 is configured to slidingly accept the Conventional Speedsquare 10 therein. Once the Speedsquarew 10 is in the desired position within the First Retaining Channel 104, the Speedsquare 10 is held in this position by tightening the First Clamp Device 111. As shown here, the First Clamp Device 111 is a threaded knob that screws into the back side of the First Retaining Channel 104, but in other embodiments, other

conventional restraint mechanisms might be employed, such as a friction clamp and/or a pin, among others.

The Second Retaining Channel 106 is an elongate channel dimensioned appropriately to slidingly accept the Extension Member 112 therein. The Extension Member 112, once positioned as desired within the Second Retaining Channel 106, is held in place with a Second Clamp Device 118. The Second Clamp Device 118 is of the same family as the First Clamp Device, however, rather than screwing into the Second Retaining Channel 106, it actually passes through the Extension Slot 120 formed within the Second Retaining Channel 106, and then threads into the anti-jam mechanism 119; the anti-jam mechanism 119 is slidingly retained within the Extension Member 112, and is more fully described below in connection with Figure 7. The Extension Slot permits the Extension Member to be easily and quickly repositioned in a new position.

Protruding from proximate to the distal end of the Extension Member 112 is an End Stop Member 114. The End Stop Member 114 is preferably a structurally stiff tab attached to or otherwise extending out from the front side of the Attachment 100. Also protruding from the Extension Member 112 is an Intermediate Stop Member 116. As will be described more fully below in connection with other figures, the Intermediate Stop Member 116 has two primary orientations : extended and retracted. When a particularly short length of Board needs to be cut, the Intermediate Stop Member 116 can be extended in order to be the Board Stop for the Attachment (similar to the function of Dahl's"Stop Peg"). For longer segments to be cut, the framer can simply fold down or otherwise retract the Intermediate

Stop Member 116, and then use the End Stop Member 114 as the Board Stop. This feature give this invention substantial additional utility over the prior designs.

As will be discussed below, the U-Shaped Segment 108 is provided between the First Retaining Channel 104 and the Second Retaining Channel 106 (rather than employing a member that is coaxial with Channels 104 and 106) because the"U"shape provides a Cutting Slot 110. The Cutting Slot 110 provides a path for the blade of the handheld circular saw to pass through so that the framer can hold the Fence 14 of the Speedsquare 10 on the far side of the Board when cutting, thereby solving one of the problems associated with the Dahl device.

Regarding preferred materials of construction, the Frame Member 102 and Extension Member 112 will typically be made from either machined or cast metal, however is possible that some other durable and stiff material might be used in some embodiments. The Stop Members 114 and 116 will generally be made from steel for improved durability, stability and accuracy. Now turning to Figure 4, we can continue to examine the features and operation of this novel Speedsquarew 10 Attachment 100.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the assembled components depicted in Figure 3.

As explained above, the Intermediate Stop Member 116 can be flipped in and out along arc 130 in order to extend or retract it. Attached or inscribed on the top surface of the Second Retaining Channel 106 is a First Measuring Scale 126. The First Measuring Scale 126 is a series of markings to annotate precision distances down the length of the Second Retaining Channel from left to right (as viewed in this figure). The location of the origin (or zero

point) of the First Measuring Scale 126 is actually the proximate end of the extension member 112 when the extension member 112 is retracted completely (such that the proximate end of the extension member 112 is substantially centered within the cutting slot 110. Because the zeroing location and First Measuring Scale 126 are fixed, the user needs simply to adjust and set the Speedsquare 10 along the Zero Adjustment Direction 122 until the cutting blade of the handheld circular saw is aligned up against the proximate end of the extension member 112. Once this adjustment is completed for a particular saw design (specifically the saw blade fence design), the Speedsquare 10 will not have to be adjusted in the Zero Direction 122 again (unless a new saw is used that has different dimensions).

Because the saw blade is now cutting at the origin of the First Measuring Scale 126, it is a simple matter of aligning either the Intermediate Stop Member 116 or the End Stop Member 114 with the proper length annotation on the First Measuring Scale 126, then placing the Attachment 100 (the Speedsquare 10 being captured in the First Retaining Channel) on the Board with the appropriate Stop Member 114 or 116 at the Board's end, and then making the cut along the Speedsquarew 10 Fence Edge 22. In this way, the need for"tool juggling"is eliminated since the measuring and cutting are done with the same tools in hand. Furthermore, as with the Dahl device, repetitive cuts of the same length segment of Board can be done without additional measuring or re-setting of the Attachment 100.

An additional feature of the Attachment 100 is the Second Measuring Scale 128.

The Second Measuring Scale 128 is attached to or inscribed on the top surface of the Extension Member 112. Unlike the First Measuring Scale 126, the Second Measuring Scale 128 has annotated precision distances down the length of the Extension Member 112 fro m right to left (as viewed in this figure). The distal end of the Second Measuring Scale 128, therefore, is the beginning of the Scale 128; the proximate end of the Second Measuring Scale 128 is the end of the Scale 128. The Extension Member 112 can be adjusted and set along the Extension Adjustment Direction 124.

An example of how the First and Second Measuring Scales 126 and 128 cooperate is appropriate. Imagine that the distance from the zero location to the distal end of the First Measuring Scale 126 is one foot. Imagine also that the length of the Second Measuring Scale 128 is nine inches. In this scenario, the user would align either the Intermediate or End Stop Member-116 or 122, respectively, with markings along the First Measuring Scale 126 if the Board segment to be cut is between zero and 12 inches long.

If, however, the desired Board segment length is between 12 and 21 inches, the user will use the End Stop Member 122 as the Board stop, and will pull out the Extension Member 112 until the appropriate length is revealed on the Second Measuring Scale 128. The unique design and interaction between the First and Second Measuring Scales 126 and 128, then, provide a compact package that will extend to enable users to cut longer segments than the collapsed length of the Attachment 100.

- 11/20- The Notch 121 formed in the top surface of the First Retaining Channel 104 is provided to leave room for the blade guard of the handheld circular saw to pass by the Attachment 100 when cuts are being made.

Also depicted in Figure 4 is the grasping peg 123 extending from the U-shaped segment 108. The grasping peg 123 performs two duties for the device 100-it is configured to extend beneath the Board upon which the device 100 is resting (see Figure 5) in order to balance the attachment 100, preventing it from falling off of the Board if the user takes his or her hand from it ; the grasping peg 123 also enables the user to easily feed the Board forward after each cut. All that is necessary is for the user to grasp the handle 129 and tilt the attachment (to the right in this depiction) until the Board is pinched between the SpeedsquareTM 10 and the grasping peg 123; the user then can pull the Board (to the right in this depiction) until a sufficient amount is extending to the right, after which the user tilts the attachment back to level (and flat against the Board) and slides the appropriate stop member until it is at the end of the Board. We will now turn to Figure 5 in order to discuss the critical benefit of the U-shaped segment to the functionality of the Attachment 100.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the Attachment 100 of Figures 3 and 4 in use cutting a Board B. In this partial view of the electric hand saw 132, the Blade 136 and Saw Fence 134 are the only components shown, in order to more clearly depict how the cutting slot 110 is used. As shown here, the Attachment 100 has been adjusted such that the Intermediate Stop Member 116 is set to the desired cutting length (i. e. along the First

-12/20- Measuring Scale 126). The Attachment 100 (with the Speedsquare 10 attached thereto) is held against the side and end of the Board B, and the Saw 132 is then used to make the cut. The cut is made by running the edge of the Saw Fence 134 against the Fence Edge (see above) of the Speedsquare 10, which will guide the Saw Blade 136 to make the cut exactly aligned with the zero location (assuming that the Attachment 100 has been zeroed for the Saw Fence 134 of this Saw 132). When the cut is made, therefore, the Saw Blade 136 will pass through the Cutting Slot 110, avoiding contact with the Attachment 100. It should be apparent that repetitive cuts using this device will be extremely easy to make.

Figure 6 depicts another view of the zeroing of the Attachment 100 for a particular saw.

Figure 6 is a back view of the Attachement 100 of Figures 3-5. As shown here, the Speedsquare 10 is adjusted in direction 124 until the Saw Blade 136 is aligned correctly with the proximate end of the retracted extension member 112. The Flange 14 of the Speedsquare 10 is then clamped to the First Retaining Channel 104 by tightening the First Clamp Knob 111. After this is completed, it is a simple matter to set the Attachment 100 for the proper cut length-simply loosen the Second Clamp Knob 118 and slide the Extension Member 112 until either the Intermediate or End Stop Member, 116 and 114 respectively, is aligned with the desired length demarkation one of the two Measuring Scales (not shown), and then clamping the Extension Member 112 in position by tightening the Second Clamp Knob 118.

Now turning to Figure 7, we can review the specifics of the anti-kick mechanism 119 of the present invention. Essentially, the anti-jam mechanism 119 enables

- 13/20- the second clamp knob 118 to give slightly if the saw blade (not shown) ever gets jammed by being pinched within a partially cut board. By allowing slight movement in direction 158, the extension member (not shown) is similarly permitted to move, which will relieve the pinching force on the saw blade (and preventing injury to the user). The mechanism 119 includes a threaded bore 156 formed within a block 152. The block 152 is slidingly retained within the extension member (not shown), and is biased to a stable position by the biasing means 154, such as the spring, shown.

Finally turning to Figure 8, we can examine yet another embodiment of the device of the present invention. Figure 8 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment 200 of the Framing Speedsquare Attachment of the present invention. In the device depicted here, many of the pertinent elements are identical to those previously-described.

One new element is the feed cam 202; the feed cam 202 extends from a mounting bracket 204 that is adjustably attached to the U-shaped segment 108. The feed cam 202 in this embodiment 200 is designed to take the place of the grasping peg previously described in connection with Figure 4. The mounting bracket 204 can be formed in a variety of shapes and configurations in addition to that pictured there, with its purpose to hold the feed cam 202 rigidly in place when in use, but also to permit the feed cam 202 to be adjusted upward or downward (in relation to the SpeedsquareTM) to accommodate different thicknesses of wood.

The feed cam 202 comprises a cam lobe 205 rotatably attached to its axle 203. The lobe 205 is preferably constructed from a material that provides surface

- 14/20- roughness or"grippiness"sufficient to grasp pieces of wood reliably. As shown, the lobe 205 is football-shaped in order to provide additional grasping potential. It should be understood that the cam lobe 205 is designed to rotate clockwise (as shown), but locks in position when counter-clockwise rotation is attempted; it is in this manner that as the device 200 is slid backwards over the board, the feed cam 202 will rotate and permit the board to slide easily therethrough. When the device 200 is slid forward, however, the feed cam 202 will lock and the board will be grasped by the device 200 and resultantly pulled forward.

Another new aspect of this alternative device 200 is the display panel 206, shown here attached to the (alternate) extension member 208. This display panel 206 interacts with other elements attached to the extension member 208 and the second retaining channel 106 to display how much the extension member 208 has been extended so that the user can more quickly set the length from the Speedsquare fence to the Intermediate or End Stop Members 116 or 122, respectively. The display portion 206, for example, detects the position of the extension member 208, such as by optically or magnetically detecting the position of the extension member 208. The displayed length at the display portion would further be responsive (either automatically or manually) to which stop member 116 or 122 is extended and in use. It should be clear that the display panel takes the place of the first and second measuring scales (see Figure 4).

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various adaptations and modifications of the just-described preferred embodiment can be configured without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Therefore, it is to be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced other than as specifically described herein.