Geometrical instruments – Straight-line light ray type – Alignment device
Reexamination Certificate
1999-06-04
2001-09-11
Gibson, Randy W. (Department: 2859)
Geometrical instruments
Straight-line light ray type
Alignment device
C033S227000, C033S333000, C033S529000, C033S533000, C033S645000, C033SDIG002, C372S109000, C356S399000, C362S259000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06286219
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to apparatus and methods used regarding alignment of pipe and other materials. More particularly, it relates to laser apparatus and methods used in the alignment of pipe and other materials.
The use of lasers in the alignment of pipe and other materials is of course known in the art. One method is to use a reference beam of light generated by a laser in combination with a reference marker or target in order to provide a straight line along which to establish the desired paths of the pipe. This ensures alignment along the laser beam or at the target's reference point remote from the laser because of the straight line accuracy of the laser beam. The use of the target, however, is in many cases less than convenient, especially where only a single worker is operating the system, as may be the case when laying sprinkler pipe or other pipe in indoor construction. Moreover, the laser used in this method is a gas laser. Gas lasers are themselves unwieldy, requiring high levels of power, which makes use difficult in handheld operations.
What has been lacking to date are simple and inexpensive apparatus and methods for the alignment of pipe and other material. This lack is especially acute in pipe alignment in internal construction, for example, such as in sprinkler pipe systems for warehouses. These pipe systems, usually comprised of branch lines running outwardly from a main or mains, are often laid in a grid pattern or at right angles.
The powerful beam of a gas laser is misplaced in such construction, and the need for reference targets in methods known in the art makes those methods unwieldy and cumbersome. Therefore, and typically in such a job, sprinkler pipe grids are laid using a method of hand measurement from a fixed reference point or points. This method rapidly becomes tedious, because it requires constant measurements as the pipe is laid in a grid arrangement over the entire ceiling area. It is also slow and inefficient, because of the need for constant measurement and remeasurement—the job progresses slowly and inefficiently.
A similar situation is seen in modular construction. In modular construction, there is often a need to go through multiple walls with a single pipe run. For example, a strip mall may require pipe, such as sewer pipe, to be laid through the fire walls separating each store. The pipe run is determined by measuring to a point on each fire wall as it is successively penetrated. This again is tedious work, requiring frequent stops and starts as each section of pipe is laid, with attendant inefficiency and increased costs.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide simple and easy to use laser apparatus and methods for the alignment of pipe and other materials.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide lightweight and low power laser apparatus and methods for the alignment of pipe and other materials.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention comprises laser alignment apparatus and methods, adapted to be utilized on the end of pipe or other material and thereby using as a reference point that pipe or other material. In a preferred embodiment, the laser apparatus mounting is threaded so as to be used in mating relationship with the ends of complimentarily threaded pipes. Another preferred embodiment utilizes caps of various sizes, adapted to be placed on a pipe end, with mounting means for the laser.
The laser in these and other embodiments generally use the pipe or other materials as the reference point for the reference beam emitted by the laser. The preferred embodiments have the laser mounting apparatus centered on the pipe end, so that the reference beam generated by the laser provides a center reference point from the pipe on which the laser is mounted.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4915470 (1990-04-01), Moore et al.
patent: 4947556 (1990-08-01), Peil
patent: 5359781 (1994-11-01), Melville
patent: 5426507 (1995-06-01), Rando
patent: 5461793 (1995-10-01), Melville
patent: 5568265 (1996-10-01), Matthews
patent: 5576826 (1996-11-01), Hamar
patent: 5604987 (1997-02-01), Cupp
patent: 5653036 (1997-08-01), Dansereau
patent: 5784792 (1998-07-01), Smith
patent: 6052911 (2000-04-01), Davis
patent: 6124935 (2000-09-01), Matthews
Edmund Scientific Co. Catalog, pp. 208-209, 1999.
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