WO2008096161A2

WO2008096161A2 - Alignment device

Info

Publication number: WO2008096161A2
Application number: PCT/GB2008/000462
Authority: WO
Inventors: Daran Townley
Original assignee: Daran Townley
Priority date: 2007-02-09
Filing date: 2008-02-11
Publication date: 2008-08-14
Also published as: WO2008096161A3; GB0702465D0

Abstract

An alignment device comprising a ground-engaging base member that includes at least one penetrating means and movably attached thereto at least one pin supporting member wherein once the penetrating means is inserted into the adjacent ground the pin supporting member can be suitably positioned so as to support a pin at a selected location.

Description

ALIGNMENT DEVICE

The invention relates to a ground-engaging device for aligning a plurality of markers that determine the position of kerb stones or the like. In the past, roads or pathways have been demarcated using a simple pin and line kit. This comprises a pin which is typically a metre or so in length and provided with a spike at one end and a hammer engaging portion at the other. In use, a series of pins are positioned along a selected axis in order to define the edge of a road or pathway. String is used to connect the pins together and so define a plumb line which serves as a marker for the positioning of adjacent road or path surfaces including kerbing stones.

However, when using this kit of parts it is not unknown for individuals, when hammering the pin into place, to puncture electricity cable and so harm themselves. Indeed, there have been cases where individuals have been severely injured when puncturing a 240-volt supply.

There is therefore a need to provide a safer way of providing an axis that defines the edge of a pathway or road.

The invention therefore provides an alignment device which overcomes the problems associated with the prior art and so provides a safe and reliable way of edging road surfaces or pathways.

Statements of Invention

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided an alignment device comprising a ground-engaging base member that includes at least one penetrating means and moveably attached thereto at least one pin supporting member wherein once the penetrating means is inserted into the adjacent ground the pin supporting member can be suitably positioned so as to support a pin at a selected location.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that when a plurality of pins have been positioned using a plurality of alignment devices in accordance with the invention, a piece of string can be attached to each pin in order to provide a plumb line against which road or path surfaces can be positioned.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention said penetrating means is a spike of between 40-75mm. Ideally, the spike is between 50 and 75mm. This is because, typically, the base of a road or pathway comprises 50mm tarmac and underneath this is a 25mm wear surface. Accordingly, the spike is of a length that will penetrate the tarmac and, if preferred, a fraction of the sub tarmac surface.

In yet a further embodiment of the invention the alignment device comprises a ground-engaging base member that is provided with a plurality of spaced anchoring means wherein each of these anchoring means includes at least one penetrating means. Ideally, a pair of elongate anchoring means are provided and at either end of the anchoring means there is provided a penetrating means. The anchoring means may be removably mounted on the ground- engaging base member. Each anchoring means may i) be slideably mounted on the ground-engaging base member and ii) include a securing means for securing the anchoring means to the ground-engaging base member.

More preferably still, spaced vertically above the ground-engaging base is the pin supporting member. Preferably, the pin supporting member is spaced vertically above the ground-engaging base member by one or more spacer members, and at least one spacer member is removably mounted on the ground-engaging base member. This pin supporting member is adapted for movement back and forth with respect to the ground engaging base, although in some embodiments, it may also be adapted for swivelling left and right (i.e., side to side with respect to the ground-engaging base member) so that the distance and angle of the pin from the alignment device can be varied.

In preferred embodiments, the pin supporting member includes rotating means for rotating the position of the pin so as to vary an angle of inclination of the pin towards or away from the ground-engaging base member. Advantageously, the rotating means is a knuckle joint.

In yet a further preferred embodiment of the invention the pin supporting member comprises a fixing means whereby the pin can be firmly held in the pin supporting member. This fixing means may comprise any conventional means including, but not limited to, a simple abutment screw.

Although the alignment device has been described as a single device, it may comprise two separate parts and in this instance the two parts consist of the ground-engaging base member and the pin supporting member. Where the parts are provided separately attachment means are provided on the ground- engaging base for the purpose of attaching the pin supporting member thereto.

According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a kit of parts for defining a linear axis against which a road or path surface can be positioned wherein the kit comprises a plurality of alignment devices as herein described and a plurality of pins for use therewith.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the following Figures wherein:

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the creation of a road or pathway and a partial perspective view of an alignment device, in accordance with the invention;

Figure 2 shows a perspective view of an alignment device in accordance with the invention when used on a solid surface such as tarmac; and

Figure 3 shows a perspective view of a second embodiment of an alignment device in accordance with the invention.

Referring firstly to Figure 1 , there can be seen the construction of both a road surface, towards the right-hand side of the image, and a pathway towards the left-hand side of the image. The road and pathway are demarcated by a line of kerb stones. Towards the rear of the image one can see three upstanding pins to which is attached a piece of string. This string defines the axis along which the kerbstones are to be positioned.

In the past, these pins are positioned by merely hammering them into the ground and therefore if positioned at too great a depth can cause damage.

In the foreground of the picture there is shown an alignment device in accordance with the invention. The device comprises a ground-engaging base member 1 which includes an elongate anchoring member 2 having a pair of ground-engaging spikes positioned at either end thereof. Spaced remotely above_, the ground-engaging base is an elongate pin supporting member 3. Supporting member 3 is attached to the base by upstanding and spaced bracket members 4. One of these bracket members, and in this instance the member c nearest to the kerb, is provided with a fixing means 5 in the form of an abutment screw. Thus pin supporting member 3 can be moved left or right until it is in a suitable position and then it can be fixed by turning abutment screw 5. At the distal end of pin supporting member 3 is a pin engaging device 6 which comprises a through bore having an internal size and shaped which is adapted to accommodate the diameter of a kerb pin. Additionally, this engaging means also includes an abutment screw 5 which is used to fixedly hold the kerb pin in position. It can therefore be seen that, in use, the alignment device of the invention is firstly knocked into place using the penetrating means on the anchoring device and then the pin supporting member is suitably positioned with respect to the ground-engaging device so that the alignment device is then ready to receive a kerb pin. In Figure 2 there is shown an alternative view of the device in accordance with the invention. In this figure, a pair of elongate anchoring devices 2 are shown and each anchoring device, at its outer-most end, is provided with a penetrating means in the form of a single spike. These spikes are between 40 and 75mm in length and so sufficient to penetrate the base of a road or path surface but not sufficiently deep that they knock through into lands that typically houses electrical cables or the like.

Figure 3 shows a second embodiment of an alignment device of the invention. The second embodiment shares numerous features with the first embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2, and identical numerals are used to denote such shared features. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in a number of respects. Firstly, the elongate anchoring members

2 are slideably mounted on the ground-engaging base member 1 , thereby facilitating removal of said anchoring members 2 from the alignment device. This is advantageous, because the ground-engaging spikes can become worn after use and require replacement. By providing removable anchoring members

2, it is possible to provide a new set of ground-engaging spikes merely by replacing the anchoring members 2, rather than the entire device. Each elongate anchoring member 2 is secured to the ground-engaging base member 1 at a desired position for use using an abutment screw 5. The bracket members 4 are also removably connected to the ground-engaging base member 1 by way of bolts 6, thereby facilitating the removal of the elongate anchoring members 2 from the ground-engaging base member 1. Secondly, the second embodiment of the alignment device permits the pin 7 to be rotated about a horizontal axis by way of a knuckle joint 8 provided at the distal end of the pin supporting member 3. The position of the knuckle joint is secured using an abutment screw 5. In this way, the pin 7 can be pivoted so as to vary the angle of inclination of said pin 7 either towards or away from the ground-engaging base member. This facility is useful when the device is used on sites having uneven ground, since it allows the device to be adapted to meet the camber of the ground. A further difference between the first and second embodiments of alignment device of the invention is that, in the second embodiment, both of the bracket members 4 are provided with a fixing means 5.

Although the alignment device is shown with a pin supporting member that moves horizontally back and forth with respect to the ground-engaging base, it is within the scope of the invention for the two brackets 4 to be pivotally attached to the base whereby the pin supporting member can not only move back and forth but also side to side. In this arrangement both of the brackets would be provided with fixing means to fix them into a desired position following the pivoting of same.

It can therefore be seen that the invention provides for an improved way of positioning kerb pins when constructing roads or pathways.

Claims

1. An alignment device comprising a ground-engaging base member that includes at least one penetrating means and movably attached thereto at least one pin supporting member wherein once the penetrating means is inserted into the adjacent ground the pin supporting member can be suitably positioned so as to support a pin at a selected location.

2. An alignment device according to claim 1 wherein said penetrating means is a spike of between 40 to 75 mm, preferably between 50 and 75 mm.

3. An alignment device according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein said ground-engaging base member is provided with a plurality of spaced anchoring means wherein each of these anchoring means includes at least one penetrating means.

4. An alignment device according to claim 3 wherein a pair of elongate anchoring means are provided.

5. An alignment device according to claim 3 or claim 4 wherein a penetrating means is provided at either end of the anchoring means.

6. An alignment device according to any one of claims 3 to 5 wherein the anchoring means are removably mounted on the ground-engaging base member.

7. An alignment device according to claim 6 wherein each anchoring means i) is slideably mounted on the ground engaging base member and ii) includes a securing means for securing the anchoring means to the ground- engaging base member.

8. An alignment device according to any previous claim wherein the pin supporting member is spaced vertically above the ground-engaging base.

9. An alignment device according to claim 8 wherein the pin supporting member is spaced vertically above the ground-engaging base member by one or more spacer members, and at , least one spacer member is removably mounted on the ground-engaging base member.

10. An alignment device according to claim 9 wherein the pin supporting member is adapted for movement back and forth with respect to the ground-engaging base.

11. An alignment device according to claim 10 wherein the pin supporting member is adapted so as to enable the pin to be swivelled from side to side with respect to the ground-engaging base member.

12. An alignment device according to any previous claim in which the pin supporting member includes rotation means for rotating the position of the pin so as to vary an angle of inclination of the pin towards or away from the ground-engaging base member.

13. An alignment device according to claim 12 in which the rotating means is a knuckle joint.

14. An alignment device according to any previous claim in which the pin supporting member includes a fixing means whereby the pin can be firmly held in the pin supporting member.

15. A kit of parts for defining a linear axis against which a road or path surface can be positioned comprising a plurality of alignment devices according to any one of claims 1 to 14 and a plurality of pins for use therewith.