GB2181244A - Apparatus for measuring spout lengths - Google Patents

Abstract

Apparatus for measuring the length of tubing for use in forming a connection between two non-aligned existing cylindrical spouts, tubes, pipes or the like comprises a member (41) having a datum (44) thereon, a support (40) arranged to secure the member to one of the said spouts with the datum (44) located axially of the spout at a predetermined distance from the mouth of the spout. A similar member (41) is attached to the other spout. The length of tube necessary to connect between the two spouts is then obtained by measuring, eg by a tape measure 45, the distance between the two datums (44). Angled elbow joints at each spout interconnect the tube with the spouts. A non-concentric slot 51 and slot 48 enable a correction to be allowed for when the axes of the elbow elements are not mutually intersecting. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Apparatus for measuring spout lengths This invention relates to apparatus for measuring the length oftubing for use in forming a connection between two existing spouts, tubes, pipes or the like.

Spouts are used in a variety of industries including the foodstuffs and chemical industries fortransport- ation of bulk particulate solids such as grains and powders. Abrasions by the solid particles makes replacement of spouts a frequent necessity. Measure ment of the distance between two spouts is difficult if the latter are not parallel. Two men are required to hold a measure at the central axis of each spout. Even so accuracy is difficultto attain and tubing is often cut to the wrong length.

According to the present invention measuring apparatuscomprisesa memberhavingadatum thereon, a support arranged to secure the member to a cylindrical spout with the datum located axially of the spout at a predetermined distance from the mouth of the spout.

A pair of pieces of apparatus in accordance with this invention may be used to measure distances between pipes of different diameters. This has hitherto been difficult to do precisely particularly if the spout terminates obliguely.

The member may comprise a rod or bararranged to be secured axially within the spout, the datum being a pointed end ofthe rod.

The support may constitute a plate provided with a cylindrical slot to receive the mouth ofthe spout.

Alternatively, a clamp may be adapted to be secured to the interior or exterior ofthe mouth of the spout, for example in the manner of a tool holding chuck.

Location of the datum at a predetermined distance from the centre of the mouth facilitates measurement of the distance from a second spout.

Afastener such as a clip may be attached to the memberto secure a measure, such as a measuring tape, to the latter. The fastener is preferably arranged to pivot about the datum.

Spouts are commonly connected by means of elbow-shaped swivel joints between which a straight section oftubing may be located.

The distance between the datum and the mouth of a spout may be preferably arranged to be equal to that between the mouth and the centre of the mouth ofthe swivel joint. This enables the length of the connecting pipe to be measured priorto installation of the swivel joint.

The axes of both mouths of a swivel joint need not intersect. This is often found in joints which are designed to minimise abrasion as a stream of particles at the corner. Apparatus in accordance with a preferred aspect of this invention may incorporate a cam arranged to adjustthe length of the datum orthe member dependent on the angle at which a measure, such as a measuring tape is attached.

This invention finds particular application in in stallationofspouting in flour mills.

The invention its further described by means of example, and not in any limitative sense, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which : Figure 7 illustrates use of apparatus in accordance with the invention; Figure2 shows a first apparatus in accordance with this invention; and Figure3shows alternative apparatus in accordance with this invention.

Figure 1 shows a pipe 1 extending between two spouts 2,3 to which it is connected by elbow-joints 4, 5. The measurement ofthe distance 10 between two spouts 6,7 is illustrated using two apparatus 8 in ac cordance with this invention. A measuring tape 9, 11 extends between the two apparatus as hereinafter described. This apparatus is described in detail with reference to Figure 3.

Figure 2 illustrates a first apparatus in accordance with this invention. A circular supporting plate 21 has a plurality of concentric circular slots 22 adapted to receive the mouths of various standard sized spouts, pipes, tubes orthe like23.Aclamping screw24 serves to secure the support 21 to a spout 23. A rodshaped member25extendsaxiallyofthesupport21 and is securable to the latter by means of a clamping screw 26. The end of the member 25 remote from the support 21 has a bracket 27 mounted by means of a swivel 28. A pivot 29 perpendicular to the member 25 supports a shoe 30, the latter being free to rotate aboutthe pivot 29.The axis ofthe pivot 29 is located axially ofthe spout 23 and serves as a datum from which the distanceto a second spout(notshown) may be measured. The distance 31 between the spout 23 and datum 29 may be adjusted by means of the screw 26 with reference to a calibrated scale 32. A fixing peg on the shoe allows attachmentofameas- uring tape. The distance 35 between the peg 33 and pivot 29 is known, allowing simple determination of the distance from the pivot 29. A series of holes 34 are provided to allow adjustment ofthe distance 35.

Alternative embodiments ofthis invention may incorporatevarious methods of attachment to spouts.

For example, an expanding chuck may be secured internally ofthe spout.

The apparatus shown in Figure 2 provides an accurate measurement ofthe distance to a swivel con nectorofthe kind commonly employed in flour mills to allow attachment of pipes to spouts at various an- gles. Such connectors take the form oftwo tubes joined at the swivel to form an elbow. The point of attachment 33 of the measure may be disposed atthe location of the mouth of the swivel connector avoiding any need for addition to the distance recorded by the measure.

Certainelbowconnectorscomprisetwotubular portions joined at a swivel but with the axes of the tubular portions being offset so that their axes do not intersect in the plane ofthe swivel connection. Thus rotation of the swivel not only alters the angle between the pipes but also the distance between them.

Rotation of one portion relative to the other results in a variable error in measurement using the apparatus of Figure 2. The apparatus shown in Figure 3 serves to avoid this inaccuracy.

The support40 apparatus shown in Figure 3 is similarto that shown in Figure 2, the fixing screws etc., having been omitted for clarity. The member 41 is secured to the support 40 by a swivel 42. The shoe 43 is secured to a pivot44 located in the member 41 in similar manner to the preceding Figure. Atape measure 45 is attached to the shoe 43 by fixing pegs 46, a reference point 47 being provided to facilitate measurements. Asleeve (not shown) or other clamp may securethe tape 45 to the shoe.

The pivot 44 is located in a slot 48 extending lengthwise of the member 41. Afixed pin 49 is received into a non-circular generallyeliptical slot 51 in a flange 50 of the shoe 43. Rotation of the shoe about the pivot 44 causes the pin 49 to move within the noncircularslot 51 with the result that the pivot 44 is caused to move within the slot 48. The curvature of the slot 51 is arranged to compensateforthe error induced by offsetting of the tubular portions of a swivel connector, facilitating accurate determination of the length of a pipe to be cutforfitting to the swivel connector.

Itwili be appreciated that alternative cam arrangements may be provided to alterthe distance ofthe pivotfromtheend ofthe spout as the angle ofthe shoe is changed.

Claims (10)

1. Measuring apparatus comprising a member having a datum thereon, a support arranged to se- cure a memberto a cylindrical spout with the datum located axially ofthe spout at a predetermined dis tancefrom the mouth ofthe spout.

2. Measuring apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the member comprises a rod or bar arranged to be secured axially within the spout, the datum comprising a pointed end ofthe rod.

3. Measuring apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the support comprises a plate provided with a cylindrical slot to receive the mouth of the spout.

4. Measuring apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the support comprises a clamp adapted to be secured to the interior or exterior of the mouth of the spout.

5. Measuring apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a fastener for a measure is attached to the member.

6. Measuring apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the fastener is arranged to pivot aboutthe datum.

7. Measuring apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the distance between the mouth of said spout and the datum is arranged to be equal to the distance between the mouth and the centre ofthe mouth of a swivel jointforthe spout.

8. Measuring apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, incorporating a cam arranged to adjust the length of eitherthe datum orthe memberdependent on the angle atwhich a measure is attached.

9. Measuring apparatus substantially as here inbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

10. Measuring apparatus incorporating a pair of apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim.