GB2458132A - Alignment device - Google Patents

Abstract

The alignment device 10 for use in for example plumbing includes a standard pipe fitting 11 in conjunction with a beam emitting device 14 which may project a beam on the axis of the fitting. An alternative drilling guide for e.g. spotting pipe holes through obstructions, includes a mounting frame for attachment to a substrate and a carriage movable on an axis of the mounting frame. A movable beam emitting device is located on the carriage. An alternative method of drilling successive holes on an axis defined by a beam includes marking a target, projecting a beam on to an obstruction, aligning the drilling axis of a drill with the beam and drilling through the obstruction.

Description

Alignment Device The present invention relates to an alignment device, particularly though not exclusively for use in plumbing. The invention also discloses a modified drill, and a method of marking and of drilling on the axis of a beam, such as a laser beam.

Beam emitting devices are used in surveying and building, particularly to ensure that horizontal levels are accurate. Typically a laser beam is projected along a line of sight to a target.

Particular difficulties arise in connection with installation of pipe work, for example plumbing and electrical conduit. One example concerns the installation of such pipe work perpendicular to an array of floor joists. Ideally, such joists should be drilled on the neutral axis so as to minimize any reduction in the load bearing capabilities; however it is almost impossible to measure and drill on a fixed axis because of slight variations in joist shape and positioning, and thus straight lengths of pipe cannot be installed in the preferred manner without bending of the pipe in situ. The alternative is to notch the joists at top or bottom, but this is in the region of maximum bending stress and very undesirable. Laying pipes over or under joists is not practical because the installation of floors and ceilings is obstructed.

What is required is a relatively simple and trouble free apparatus for cnsuring that holes can be formed through barriers on a single axis, and in a manner suitable for receiving a straight close-fitting pipe or the like.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided an alignment device comprising a beam pmjector and a standard pipe fitting in combination, the beam being adapted for emission on the rotational axis of the pipe fitting.

Such a device ensures that when attached to a component for which alignment is required, the pipe fitting ensures automatic alignment of the beam with the pipe connection of the component, and can thus project a beam on the axis of said pipe connection. By relying upon standard pipe fittings, the shape of the cut end of a pipe is not material, and accordingly better alignment is assured. The beam is preferably a laser beam.

For example a wet heating radiator may be mounted on a wall and require connection to a pipe work main beneath a floor. By attaching the device of the invention to the radiator pipe connection, a beam is emitted onto the floor to mark the precise drilling point. The use of a standard pipe fitting as part of the alignment device ensures accurate marking notwithstanding that the alignment device is subsequently replaced by standard pipe fittings of the same kind. A standard pipe fitting is self-aligning and is adapted to receive other kinds of standard fittings such as elbows, tee pieces and size adapters. Where the pipe fitting allows some variation in pipe direction, the same variation is provided in the alignment device and in the pipe fitting which replaces it.

The invention is a considerable aid in fitting neat accurate straight pipe work, and is especially useful where holes must be right first time -as for example through a tiled surface. The hole can be a close fit for the pipe because the position is marked with a high degree of accuracy.

In a preferred embodiment the aligmnent device includes an on-board power supply, such as a battery, and an on-off switch. The switch may comprise a momentary pressure activated switch and/or a selectable on/off switch. In a preferred embodiment a rotary switch is provided comprising an arcuately movable ring located around the body of the device. The ring may turn one way for momentary contact, and the other way for a detent contact.

Although described in relation to plumbing, the invention is suitable for other pipe work installations such as electrical conduit, waste pipes and soil pipes.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a hand-held drill having a body, a rotatable tool holder at one end of said body and on a rotational axis of the drill, wherein the other end of said axis is marked by a target on the exterior of said body. Preferably said target comprises for example a cross or co-axial rings.

In use a location marked by a beam can be spotted with a drill bit of said drill, and the body of said drill manoeuvred so that the target is also marked by said beam. This procedure allows a hole to be drilled on the beam axis, and thus straight. It has been found that successive holes may be formed on a beam axis with sufficient accuracy to permit a close fitting straight pipe to pass smoothly therethrough.

This aspect of the invention also comprises a method of drilling a hole on a beam, whereby a drill bit is spotted on a target of the beam, and the beam is subsequently aligned with a target of the drill on the rotational axis thereof. I0

Accutdiug to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a drilling guide comprising a mounting frame for attaclunent to a substrate, a carriage movable on an axis of the mounting frame and a movable beam emitting device on the carriage. Such a guide may be used to direct a beam, such as a laser beam, along a line of sight in the direction of a target location. Subsequently the position of the carnage may be shifted on the movement axis thereof so as to direct said beam onto an obstruction through which a hole is required. In this way a hole may be formed in the correct direction by checking line of sight before shifting the carriage and marking the obstruction. A hole may be formed using a drill according to the second aspect of this invention.

Typically the mounting frame could be attached to a joist with the movement axis arranged vertically so as to permit the beam to the shifted from a line of sight above the joist to the neutral axis of the next nearest joist.

In a refinement of the third aspect a target frame is provided, having a target carriage movable on an axis thereof, and wherein a target is provided on the target carriage.

The target carriage may be mounted at the target location and spotted by the beam emitted from the mounting frame. Subsequently both carriages are shifted in the same direction by a predetermined distance, and this technique allows the actual target position to be accurately aligned with beam emitting device without line of sight, thus permitting drilling of a straight through passage. For example such a passagc may be fonned though a series of joists on the neutral axis.

The movement axis of the carriage(s) may be set using e.g. a spint level or combination square, and such a setting guide may be incorporated into the body of the mounting frame and target frame.

Preferably the beam emitting device is mounted on a freely movable mount, for example an eyeball mount, so as to permit the beam to be directed in any desired direction. The mount may for example have a friction adjuster to permit movement by hand to a desired alignment In one embodiment the friction adjuster comprises an eyeball beam emitting device mounted between opposed part-spherical pressure pads.

The pads may be spring loaded, and the spring loading may be adjustable to vary the frictional retention fone on the eyeball.

A movable beam emitting device permits non-perpendicular axes to be spotted, and moreover can permit spotting out of horizontal, for example to ensure a pre-determined fall in a drain pipe. A precise downwardly or upwardly directed close fitting series of holes may be formed in this manner using the mounting frame, an eyeball beam emitter and a target frame.

Other features of the invention will be apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments, in which:-Fig. I is an alignment device according to a first aspect of the invention in side elevation.

Fig. 2 schematically illusfrates the use of thc device of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a drilling guide according to a third aspect of the invention in schematic perspective view.

Fig. 4 schematically illustrates the use of the guide of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 illustrates the method of the invention for drilling successive joists.

S

Fig. 6 illustrates a target on a drill body, according to a second aspect of the invention.

With reference to Figs. I and 2 an alignment device 10 comprises a pipe fitting 11 having a body member 12 and a relatively rotatable captive nut 13. The body member 12 has the form of a pipe fitting or tube fitting of the kind appropriate to the type of pipe work installation for which alignment is required. Attached to the body is a beam source 14, typically a laser source, which is arranged to emit a beam on the axis of the member 12, which is also the rotational axis of the nut 13.

An external sleeve 15 comprises a switch and is arcuately movable from OFF' to ON'. A momentary ON' condition may be also provided by movement against a return spring.

Use of the device 10 is illustrated in Fig. 2, in which wet heating radiator 21 has an inlet 22, and an outlet 23, and is mounted above a floor 24 having joists 25. For reasons of nearness and accuracy it is necessary to mark the floor for a straight connecting pipe.

By attaching the device 10 to the usual tee piece 26, a beam can illuminate the floor at the precise drilling location for connection to a hot water main 27. The nut 13 and body member 12 replicate the connection of a pipe which will connect the main 27 to the inlet 22, and thus accuracy is assured. Self-alignment occurs via the usual close fitting surfaces of the pipe fitting, and thus hand-tightening of the nut 13 is sufficient.

Accurate marking is assured even in difficult to access locations, for example in spotting drilling locations for sink or bath pipe work. The invention ensures that through holes are precise and close fitting, and that pipe bending to fit misaligned holes is avoided. The latter is important where chromed pipes are provided, which are intolerant of bending, and in avoiding squeaking as pipe work warms up and cools down in use.

Figs. 3 and 4 illustrate an embodiment of a drilling guide 30 comprising a frame 31 for fixing to a substrate. As illustrated the frame includes a shoe 32 for fitting over a joist, but any other suitable means is acceptable so long as temporary but firm fixing is assured; clamp screws 33 (one shown) are provided for the shoe. A fixing plate to receive a G' clamp, or a foot having screw holes are suitable alternatives.

Mounted in the frame 31 for relative vertical movement is a carriage 34. The carriage locates in opposite slots 35 by way of guide pins 36, but any suitable single axis slide way may be adopted. A clamp screw 37 is provided to fix the carriage 34 relative to the frame 31, and a linear scale 38 illustrates the relative position of the frame with respect to the upper edge 39 of the carriage.

Tne caniage 34 carries an eyeball beam projector 40 by way of a friction mount, and has a joystick 41 to allow limited arcuate movement of the eyeball within a cone of possible beam directions having a centre approximately perpendicular to the movement axis of the carriage 31.

The drilling guide 30 may be used on it's own to mark a direction of drilling through a series of joists, as illustrated in Fig. 4. Thus the device 30 is clamped to a joist 61, and used to project a beam 51 in the direction of a target on a line of sight. The joystick 4! may be used to align the beam precisely with a target location or target direction.

Subsequently the carriage 34 is lowered (to the dotted position in Fig. 4) without altering the position of the eyeball 40, and re-clamped so that the beam 52 is aligned through the neutral axis of a first joist 62 to be drilled. Having drilled joist 62, the beam 53 spots a second joist 63 through the hole just drilled and so on. The linear scale allows the eyeball to be dropped precisely to the neutral axis and the device does not require re-positioning as each successive hole is drilled.

In order to improve beam aiming, a target frame 70 may be provided, and also having a movable carriage with linear scale. The target frame 70 is similar ii' function to the frame 31, and has a target in place of the eyeball 40. In use the target frame is clamped to the distant joist 64, and the carriage is lowered to position the target at the desired position. The reading of the linear scale of the target frame is noted, and the carriage raised by a predetermined amount until the target is in line of sight The beam from the eyeball 40 is aligned on to the target, and once aligned the carriage 34 is dropped by the distance that the target was raised. The beam is in consequence precisely aligned with the target location on the distant beam 64.

Fig. 5 illustrates the method of the invention in use. A drilling guide 30 is attached to a right-band joist 65, and the carriage 34 lowered so that a beam 54 is emitted on the neutral axis of the adjacent joists. As illustrated a hole 68 has been drilled in the next adjacent joist 66 so that the beam passes through and spots a drilling point 69 on the left-hand joist 67 (as viewed). The drill 70 is then positioned so that the drilling bit 71 is on the drilling point 69, and the drill body 72 is manoeuvred so that the beam impinges On a target 73 (Fig. 6) marked on the rear of the body coincident with the rotational axis. The target 73 can take any suitable fonn, for example a cross, a spot or concentric roundels, and is preferably moulded in or on the drill body.

It will be appreciated that a pre-determined pipe fall can be marked with the device by manoeuvring the beam projector to protect a beam at the desired angle. Where a target frame 70 is utilised, the fall may be precisely determined by setting the beam projector higher than the target frame. and aligning the beam down to the target of the target frame. Alternatively a combination square or equivalent can be used to set the fall, and of course a rising axis can be marked if for reasons of access the fall is to be produced from the lowest point.

Numerous alternative marking possibilities exist, based on the realisation that spotting through each successive drilling location is possible without movement of the beam emitter.

Claims (10)

1. Claims I. A drilling guide comprising a mounting frame for attachment to a substrate, a carnage movable on an axis of the mounting frame and a movable beam emitting device on the carnage.
2. 2. A guide according to claim I and further including a target frame for remote mounting, said target frame having a carriage movable on an axis thereof, and a target on the target carnage.
3. 3. A guide according to claim 2 wherein said mounting frame and target frame include graduations to indicate the relative position of the respective carriage.
4. 4. A guide according to any preceding claim wherein said beam emitting device is arcuately movable in two perpendicular planes.
5. 5. A guide according to claim 4 wherein said beam emitting device comprises an eyeball mounted for movement in a socket of the mounting frame.
6. 6. A guide according to claim 5 wherein said socket comprises opposed arcuate friction pads.
7. 7. A guide according to claim 6 wherein said pads include adjustment means to vary the gripping force on said eyeball.
8. 8. A guide according to any of claims 5-7 wherein said eyeball further includes a joystick protruding therefrom.
9. 9. A guide according to any preceding claim and further including a drill having a tool holder at the distal side of a rotatable axis thereof, said drill further including a target on said axis at the proximal side.
10. 10. A method of drilling successive holes on an axis defined by a beam, the method comprising the steps of: marking a target on the drilling axis of a drill at the proximal side of the drill body, projecting said beam in a desired direction and on to an obstruction, spotting said beam on said obstruction with the drilling point of said drill, aligning the drilling axis of said drill with said beam by spotting said beam on said target, drilling through said obstruction, and repeating the spotting aligning and drilling steps on one or more further obstructions or which the beam impinges.