WO2009109752A1

WO2009109752A1 - Pipe alignment device

Info

Publication number: WO2009109752A1
Application number: PCT/GB2009/000600
Authority: WO
Inventors: Robert West
Original assignee: Robert West
Priority date: 2008-03-04
Filing date: 2009-03-04
Publication date: 2009-09-11
Also published as: GB201015539D0; GB2470531A

Abstract

An alignment device for use in plumbing comprises a standard pipe fitting (11) in conjunction with a beam emitting device (14) adapted to project a beam on the axis of the fitting. By use of a standard pipe fitting, connection to other pipe fittings is facilitated, and alignment is assured.

Description

PIPE 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 ensuring 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 projector 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 automatically 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. Furthermore, 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 alignment 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 preferred embodiment, the alignment device includes a level indicator thereon, preferably a bulls-eye spirit level having a bubble locatable within a circular target. Preferably the level indicator is adjustable with respect to the beam axis of the alignment device, and includes one or more angle indicators to indicate visually the relative angle between beam axis and the horizontal.

In a preferred embodiment the adjustment is provided by arcuate +/- 90° movement, most preferably +/- 100° movement, in a direction radial to the beam axis, and by rotation through 360° about said direction. Preferably, said arcuate and rotational movement is via respective joints, each of which is lockable by respective clamp screw. The possibilities for relative adjustment of the beam axis with respect to the horizontal can be selected according to the intended use.

The alignment device may be combined with a standard pipe fitting via an arm projecting on the rotational axis of the pipe fitting. The arm preferably comprising a ball and socket joint which permits relative rotational movement of the alignment device about the axis of said arm, and relative arcuate movement about the centre of the ball of said joint. Said arcuate movement may be 90°, or more preferably 100°, in one relative position, typically facilitated by a slot in a side wall of said socket, said slot being of smaller width than said ball, but wider than said arm. A locking screw may be provided to clamp the socket to the ball in a desired orientation.

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. According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a drilling guide comprising a mounting frame for attachment 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 carriage 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 one preferred embodiment the carriage is connected for movement vertically of the frame in use. The connection between frame and carriage may comprise a multi-leg scissor link.

In a preferred embodiment the frame is substantially fork-like and comprises a base and two equal legs, the space between said legs housing the carriage in the stowed condition. Preferably the carriage fills said space so as to comprise a block-like unit.

The carriage may also be fork-like and comprise a base and two legs between which is provided a beam emitting device. In the preferred embodiment the legs of the carriage project oppositely to the legs of the frame, and the respective pairs of legs may fit snugly within one another.

A latch may be provided to maintain the carriage and frame in the stowed condition, and the guide may further carriage a lock to retain the carriage in a desired position with respect to the frame and/or damping means to slow movement of the carriage with respect to the frame.

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 passage may be formed though a series of joists on the neutral axis.

Drilling at an angle, for example to achieve a predetermined fall, is possible by shifting the target carriage through a different distance than for the carriage of the mounting frame.

The movement axis of the carriage(s) may be set using a setting guide, such as a spirit 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 force on the eyeball. Thumb wheels rotatable about mutually perpendicular axes may be provided to permit fine adjustment of beam emitter.

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 predetermined 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. 1 is an alignment device according to a first aspect of the invention in side elevation.

Fig. 2 schematically illustrates the use of the 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.

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

Figs. 7 and 8 illustrate an alternative alignment device, and

Figs. 9 and 10 illustrate an alternative drilling guide.

With reference to Figs. 1 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 generally cylindrical 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, as illustrated by arrow 16.

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 neatness 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.

The carriage 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 41 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 in 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-hand 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 form, 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.

A variant of the alignment device of Fig. 1 is illustrated in Figs. 7 and 8 and incorporates a level indicator.

A connector 81 in the form of a standard pipe fitting, has a projecting arm 82 to which is attached a generally cylindrical body 83 of a laser emitter 84. The emitter 84 includes an internal power supply (not shown) and on/off switch (not shown), and is adapted to project a laser beam on the long axis of the body 83 in the direction of arrow E.

A locking screw 86 fixes the body 83 to the arm 82 via a ball and socket joint (not shown) which permits relative rotation of the body 83 about the long axis thereof, and swivelling through 90° by virtue of a slot (not shown) - the effect of such swivelling is illustrated in Fig. 8. By tightening the screw 86, the body 83 is fixed relative to the arm 82. Such an arrangement permits the laser beam to be projected in any direction in the hemisphere whose diameter plane is perpendicular to the axis of the arm 82.

Attached to the body 83 is a bulls-eye spirit level 91. An arm projecting radially of the housing 83 (at right angle to the long axis of the housing) includes a rotational joint 92 whereby a swivel housing 93 can be rotated through 360° and locked by a lock screw 94 (Fig. 8). The swivel housing 93 supports the spirit level 91 for pivoting movement through at least 180° via a slotted connection and is lockable by a lock screw 95. The bulls-eye bubble 96 is illustrated in Fig. 8 together with circular target 97.

The directions of possible movement and setting are illustrated by arrows as follows:

A. 360° rotation of laser body 83.

B. ± 100° swivelling of laser body 83.

C. 360° rotation of bulls-eye level 91

D. ± 100° swivelling of bulls-eye level 91.

Graduations (not shown) are provided to permit the angle of the bulls-eye level 91 to be set with respect to the swivel housing 93, and to permit the angle of the swivel housing to be set with respect to the housing 83.

Thus a user may set the laser for exact horizontal or vertical projection according to the setting graduations, and then adjust the laser with respect to the connector 81 in order to accommodate a misaligned pipe from which laser projection is required. The user may set other directions if desired, for example to give a desired 'fall' on a pipe run.

With reference to Figs. 9 and 10 an alternative drilling guide comprises a frame 101 in the form of an upturned 'U', and comprising a base 102 and projecting orthogonal legs 103. The legs 103 are substantially identical and define with the base 102 a somewhat box-like space 104 within which is housed a relatively movable carriage 105.

This carriage is also substantially 'U' shaped and comprises a base 106 and orthogonal legs 107 which are substantially identical. The respective pairs of legs 103,107 fit snugly within one another, and the carriage preferably lies wholly within the rectangular envelope of the space 104.

Fig. 10 illustrates the carriage 105 extended on an approximately vertical axis below the frame 101 by virtue of the multi-link scissor connection 108. Between the legs 107 is located a beam emitter 109 mounted for multi-axis movement, for example by a friction loaded eyeball mount of any suitable kind. The beam direction 110 is illustrated.

As an alternative the beam emitter 109 may include a separate beam projector 111 having thumb wheel adjusters 112, 113 for adjusting horizontal and vertical alignment.

In use the frame 101 is mounted above an obstruction so as to permit the emitter to project a beam in the desired direction. The carriage 107 is then moved axially with respect to the frame to permit spotting of the obstruction for the purposes of drilling a hole, as previously described.

Claims

1. An alignment device comprising a beam projector and a standard pipe fitting in combination, the beam being adapted for emission on the rotational axis of the pipe fitting.

2. A device according to claim 1 , wherein the beam is a laser beam.

3. A device according to claim 1 or claim 2, and incorporating a source of electrical power.

4. A device according to any preceding claim and incorporating both an on/off switch and a momentary contact switch.

5. A device according to claim 4, wherein said on switch is selected by a movement away from said momentary contact switch.

6. A device according to any preceding claim and further including a level indicator.

7. A device according to claim 6, wherein said indicator is a bubble/liquid level indicator.

8. A device according to claim 6 or claim 7, wherein said level indicator is adjustable with respect to said rotational axis.

9. A device according to claim 8, wherein said level indicator is adjustable through ± 100° in a direction radial to said axis.

10. A device according to claim 8 or claim 9, and further including an arm intermediate said level indicator and standard pipe fitting, said arm permitting relative rotational movement of said fitting with respect to said indicator.

11. A device according to claim 10, wherein said arm permits relative arcuate movement of said indicator with respect to said fitting.

12. A device according to any of claims 8-11, and including one or more angle indicators adapted to show visually the relative angle between said rotational axis and the horizontal.

13. A device according to any of claims 8-12 wherein said level indicator is adjustable through 360° in rotation about said axis.

14. A device according to any of claims 8-13, wherein the position of said level indicator with respect to said axis is lockable.

15. A device according to claim 14, and further including one or more screw clamps for restricting relative movement of said level indicator.