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 1. Field of the Invention (Technical Field):
 The present invention relates to the field of measurement tools, in particular a measurement tool for accurately placing conduits extending along a wall and into a panel box.
 Field of search 33/1 G,516,520,528,529,644,671,DIG. 10
 2. Background Art
 Conduits of various materials are used to enclose and protect electrical wiring running along the vertical surface of walls. These conduits often junction into an electrical panel box so that the electrical connections can be made. (See
 First, the electrician must determine the width of the strut installed above the panel box, for example, whether the strut is ⅞″ or 1⅝″. Next, the electrician must determine how far out to drill the center of the hole for each conduit, as well as how far apart the conduits must be spaced. These measurements are critical because the conduit must fit up against the strut, and there must be space available for the couplings and hardware to attach the conduit to the panel box. The conduits must be spaced so that there is ample room for each conduit going into the panel box.
 A tool is needed to eliminate the repetitive measuring and mathematical calculations required to mark the locations on the panel box for each conduit. Such a tool would simplify the task, increase the efficiency of the electrician, and increase the accuracy of conduit placement.
 The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated into and form a part of the specification, illustrate several embodiments of the present invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. The drawings are only for the purpose of illustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention and are not to be construed as limiting the invention. In the drawings:
 Referring to
 The present invention for a conduit layout tool solves the problem described above and provides an efficient means for electricians to layout the locations of conduits to be installed into an electrical panel box. This tool is used in three easy steps without the aid of other tools, measurements or any math calculations. This tool takes into account the standard trade sizes and measurements used world wide Referring to
 Referring first to
 First, the conduit layout tool is placed on the top surface of the electrical panel box as shown in
 The remaining markings on the conduit layout tool aid the electrician in finding the locations for the center drill hole for each conduit to be installed into the panel box. For example, if a conduit combination of a 4″, 3″, 1¼″, 1″, 1″, and a ¾″ Step #
 Step #
 Referring to
 Referring to
 In an alternative embodiment, the 1⅝″ strut marking locations are located on the top surface of the conduit layout tool and the ⅞″ strut marking locations are located on the bottom surface of the conduit layout tool. In this embodiment, the “no strut” marking locations can be located on either of the top or bottom surfaces of the conduit layout tool. However, it is to be understood that the marking locations as described herein can be arranged in alternative configurations, and the size and shape of the conduit layout tool itself can take alternative configurations, and still achieve the purpose of the invention as will be understood by those skilled in the art,
 In either the first or the alternative embodiment, the folded edge of the conduit layout tool is preferably detachable and attachable to either end of the conduit layout tool. The folded edge can be approximately ⅛″ in length away from the plane defined by the conduit layout tool and is attached by two or more attachments means, such as small bolts. The detachable folded edge is preferred in that the conduit layout tool can be guided along the edge of the panel box when using marking locations on either of the top or bottom surface, as well as when the conduit layout tool is positioned 180° for using the, for example, ⅞″ strut marking locations versus the 1⅝″ strut marking locations. Additionally, removing the detachable folded edge aids in marking the adjacent conduit locations for conduits larger than 1″ in diameter such as described with respect to
 It is to be understood that the marking locations presented in
 The marking locations are preferably drilled through the tool, the size of each drilled hole large enough to accommodate a marking pen or pencil, the opening on the top surface where the pencil enters being larger and gradually diminishing in diameter to the opening on the opposite or bottom surface where the pencil will protrude through and mark the panel box so that the pencil is easily guided into the correct marking location.
 Although the invention has been described in detail with particular reference to these preferred embodiments, other embodiments can achieve the same results. Variations and modifications of the present invention will be obvious to those skilled in the art and it is intended to cover all such modifications and equivalents.