Geometrical instruments – Gauge – Pipe layout or fitting
Reexamination Certificate
2001-10-03
2003-01-14
Gutierrez, Diego (Department: 2859)
Geometrical instruments
Gauge
Pipe layout or fitting
C033S412000, C033S0010DD, C033S645000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06505412
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to gauges and measuring devices, and more particularly to an adjustably positionable protractor for temporary placement on the end of a section of pipe, for measuring the angle between that pipe and another pipe for fabricating an elbow having the proper angle for joining the two pipes. The present protractor includes a pipe attachment bar for temporary placement across the end of a pipe, with a protractor extension bar or arm and protractor thereon extending from the center of the pipe attachment bar. The assembly includes various adjustments for different pipe diameters, relative orientations of the pipes, and other factors.
2. Description of Related Art
Pipefitters and related workers are often confronted with the need to connect two existing runs of pipe to one another, where the angle between the two pipes is predetermined by the existing locations of the two pipe runs. The angle between the pipes is of course critical, in that it determines the angle of the elbow which must be used to interconnect the two pipes.
In many, or perhaps most, cases, the angle between the two existing pipes is something other than that of a conventional elbow of thirty, forty five, or sixty degrees. This angle must of course be measured precisely in order to fabricate an elbow of the proper angle. Such custom fabrication may be encountered in many different environments, but is particularly true in the energy production industry in coal, gas, and petroleum processing plants and refineries, where large diameter pipe runs must be modified from time to time as different processing lines or tanks are installed or modified, etc.
Accordingly, a need will be seen for a pipefitter's protractor which can precisely measure the angle between two existing pipes. The present protractor accomplishes this by centering the protractor along the centerline of one of the pipes, with a string or line extended to the center of the second of the two pipes. The resulting angle of the line on the protractor, indicates the angle of the elbow required to connect the two pipes. The present protractor is also linearly adjustable along the length of the pipe to which it is secured, thus also providing an indication of the length of pipe needed from the end of the existing pipe to the angular center of the elbow.
A discussion of the related art of which the present inventor is aware, and its differences and distinctions from the present invention, is provided below.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,334,422 issued on Nov. 16, 1943 to Carl H. Lehnus, titled “Pipe Protractor,” describes a device for cutting or marking pipes or cylindrical objects about their circumferences. The Lehnus device comprises a bracket which is secured to a pipe or the like by a chain which is secured around the pipe. A protractor is provided at the end of the bracket, with the protractor having a series of interconnected links extending therefrom. The links are fixed in one plane, and can only be adjusted in a plane passing around the pipe. The protractor is adjusted at the desired angle and the links are extended around the pipe, with the cutting or marking line falling along the plane defined by the links. This device cannot be extended to another pipe in order to determine the angle between two pipes, as provided by the present invention.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,466,464 issued on Apr. 5, 1949 to James W. Moore, titled “Pipe Pattern Maker,” describes a device for marking the side of a pipe or other cylindrical object to join a similarly shaped object thereto. The Moore device comprises a series of plates with a series of holes formed therethrough to define various diameters, and accepting series of pins. The pins are arranged to define a circular pattern of the desired diameter, and a center reference pin with a protractor at the distal end thereof serves to measure the desired angle. The pins serve to mark the elliptical pattern on the subject pipe, for joining the other pipe thereto. As in the device of the Lehnus '422 U.S. Patent discussed immediately above, the Moore device cannot measure an angle between two pipes, but only marks one pipe after the angle is known.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,502,660 issued on Apr. 4, 1950 to Joseph A. McLean, titled “Device For Scribing Pipes,” describes another device for marking a line about a pipe for cutting or other work. The McLean device comprises a protractor which is secured rigidly along the length of the pipe, by a pair of bands which extend about the pipe. A line is extended from the origin of the protractor, around the pipe, and back to the origin, with the angle of the line being adjusted as desired to position the line for marking or cutting the pipe. Thus, the McLean device is more closely related to the device of the Lehnus '422 U.S. Patent than to the present invention, as the McLean device cannot be used to determine an angle between two pipe runs, which is the function of the present pipefitter's protractor invention.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,717,454 issued on Sep. 13, 1955 to Rudolph O. Sekki, titled “Pipe Layout Gauge,” describes a device for scribing a pipe for cutting through a plane passing through the pipe. The device comprises a laterally expandable saddle which is placed over the pipe. A pair of separable semielliptical plates are secured around the pipe and to the saddle, and aligned as desired according to a protractor on the side of the saddle. The cutting line is marked along the plane of the semielliptical plates. The Sekki device cannot measure an angle between two pipe runs for fabricating an elbow joining the two, as provided by the present invention. The Sekki device will thus be seen to be more closely related to the devices of the Lehnus '422 and McLean '660 U.S. Patents discussed above, than to the present invention.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,827,708 issued on Mar. 25, 1958 to Evans A. De Peu, titled “Pipe Cutting Indicator,” describes two embodiments of a device for laying out a cutting line around the circumference of a pipe. As in the Lehnus '422 and Sekki '454 U.S. Patents discussed above, De Peu provides a saddle or shoe which is seated along the surface of the pipe. A protractor extends from the saddle, either across or parallel to the plane of the pipe, depending upon the embodiment. A guide extends from the protractor and is adjusted to the desired angle for marking or cutting the pipe in the desired plane. As in the other devices discussed above, the De Peu device cannot measure an angle between the centerlines of two intersecting pipe runs for fabricating an elbow joining the two, as provided by the present invention.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,899,750 issued on Aug. 18, 1959 to James O. Becroft, titled “Measuring Device For Pipes,” describes a device for determining the setback from the intersection of the centerlines of two pipes, for fabricating or assembling an elbow connecting the two pipes. The Becroft device comprises a pair of arms arcuately secured together at a mutual origin point. One of the arms includes a scale for different pipe diameters, while the other arm includes a scale indicating the setback from the intersection of the centerlines of the pipes. Neither of the scales of the Becroft device includes a scale calibrated in degrees of arc for measuring an angle, as provided by the present invention; this must be accomplished in order to determine the angle of the elbow, which problem Becroft does not address.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,038,261 issued on Jun. 12, 1962 to Griffin C. Blain, titled “Pipe Layout Apparatus And Method,” describes an apparatus for determining the layout for a pipe used for interconnecting two non-coplanar pipes. The Blain device is relatively complex, comprising two separate base components which fit respectively on each pipe. One of the base components includes a protractor. A line is extended between a pivot for the protractor and a similar pivot extending from the base component of the opposite pipe, and the angle of the line relative to the protractor is note
Gutierrez Diego
Hoolahan Amanda J.
Litman Richard C.
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