Abstract:
This invention provides a novel apparatus and method for securing a work object, such as a pipe, conduit, bar, rod or the like, using a wrench or other gripping tool that acts as a second set of hands. The wrench is pivotally attached to a support that has a receiving location wherein a work object sits. The wrench can be rotated about its end opposite the mouth so that the mouth engages the work object, and the wrench is held in engagement with the work object by the force of gravity. When a pipe wrench is gripping a work object in such a way, the work object will be prevented from rotating in one sense, thereby allowing someone practising this invention to use both hands to apply a torque to the work object.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to a novel apparatus and method for securing a pipe or work object to prevent it from rotating while applying a torque to the object. The apparatus of this invention has particular application in situations where tradespeople such as plumbers and electricians need to steady a pipe or conduit they are working on. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Workers such as plumbers and electricians sometimes need to hold a work object such as a pipe, conduit, bar, rod or the like steady while applying to it a rotational force, for example to cut or thread a pipe, or to attach or remove a fitting. The known methods for holding a work object steady involve either large, cumbersome devices such as pipe vises which are not easily transported, or are awkward and can involve discomfort to the worker. 
     There are currently a number of different types of chain vises available in the marketplace which can be used to hold a pipe or other elongated work object in place while cutting it or threading one end, or while tightening or loosening a threaded connection. These vises are typically not easily mobile. While they can be carried between job sites they are typically cumbersome enough that it is not convenient to move them to each location on ajob site where work objects are being handled. On a typical job site where a chain vise is available the worker carries the work object which needs to be secured to the chain vise, performs the required task, and then carries the work object back to the desired location. This is undesirable because the time taken to travel back and forth to the chain vise causes lengthy delays for a worker with a number of tasks to perform on work objects located in a number of different places. 
     When a worker has a number of small tasks to complete at various locations which require a pipe or work object to be secured, it is common practice to use a pipe wrench to engage the work object. For example, where a worker needs to attach a fitting to a pipe the worker will typically hold the pipe steady by kneeling on the handle of a pipe wrench, with its jaws facing upward engaging the pipe, and while doing so, attach the fitting to the end of the pipe. Needless to say, this method is awkward, requires a certain level of skill and balance, and is difficult for those workers with knee or back problems. 
     A pipe wrench has a fixed jaw and an adjustable jaw that is also capable of “rocking” a few degrees so that it uses the principle of a wedge to pinch and therefore hold the work. The more rotational torque applied to the work, the tighter the wrench holds. A pipe wrench is ideally utilized with the jaws facing down so that gravity assists the moveable “rocking” jaw at the initial gripping of the work. The pipe wrench will also function with the jaws facing upward but the jaws do not firmly grip the work until the rotational torque is applied to cause the “rocking” jaw to bite into the work via the wrench&#39;s serrated jaws. This means that a second wrench is needed to apply a torque if the pipe wrench is to have the jaws facing upward, making it awkward to perform the required task. 
     It is known for workers to use various stands or sawhorses when they have to hold or cut a pipe. One example of a portable stand is the Rack-A-Tiers® (protected by U.S. Pat. No. 5,941,396 entitled WIRE DISPENSER STAND), available from Rack-A-Tiers Mfg. Inc. of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. This stand is used in pairs as a wire coil holder and it can be used for supporting conduit and pipe for cutting. The worker places the work object in the “V” notches on the top of the stand, and either holds it down with one foot, hand or knee, or holds it with a pipe wrench held in one hand while doing work on the work object with a free hand. Gravity holds the work object in the “V” notches which prevent the work from rolling off the top of the stands while work is done to the work object. The “V” notches do not prevent the conduit from rotating in the “V” if rotational torque is applied. 
     It is also known for workers to use a stand to hold a pipe wrench upright while engaging a pipe so that another pipe wrench can engage the pipe, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,791,213 entitled PIPE WRENCH STAND. 
     There is a strong need for a tool and method that can act as a second set of hands to hold work objects. The tool and method should be both highly portable and easy to use. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention provides a method for holding work objects which uses a work object engaging member which preferably comprises a pipe wrench to secure a work object, such as a pipe, conduit, rod, bar, tube or the like in order to prevent the work object from rotating. The wrench has a handle and a mouth, and is engaged by a pivoting member which defines an axis near an end of the handle. The axis is held in fixed or slidable relation to a support. There is a receiving location defined by a notch, recess, protrusion or the like on a top of the support. The work object is held in the receiving location and is prevented from moving laterally. The pivoting member is in a position that allows the wrench to be rotated around the axis so that the mouth of the wrench engages the work object and prevents the work object from rotating in one sense. 
     By altering the position of the axis relative to the receiving location, the wrench can be used to prevent the work object from rotating in an opposite sense. The invention also provides for employing two wrenches to engage the work object from either side, thereby preventing rotation in either sense. To accomplish this, a second support can be placed adjacent the first support so that the receiving locations of both supports are in alignment, with the second support rotated 180 degrees in relation to the first support. This arrangement allows the first wrench to engage the work object from one side and a second wrench to engage the work object from an opposite side, thereby preventing rotation altogether. 
     One embodiment of the apparatus comprises a support with a receiving location therein, a work object engaging member, and a pivoting member. The receiving location is capable of receiving a work object, and the pivoting member defines an axis of rotation for the work object engaging member, such that when a work object is disposed in the receiving location, the work object engaging member can be rotated about the axis defined by the pivoting member and engage the work object. 
     Alternatively, another embodiment of the apparatus comprises the support with the receiving location and the pivoting member configured to be able to accommodate a work engaging member. 
     A further alternative embodiment of the apparatus comprises a pivoting member configured to accommodate two work engaging members. 
     One embodiment of the method uses the support with the receiving location, the work engaging member, and the pivoting member, and comprises the steps of engaging the work engaging member with the pivoting member, securing the pivoting member so that it defines an axis, positioning a work object in the receiving location, and rotating the work engaging member about the axis so that it engages the work object. 
     The invention holds the pipe wrench handle in the manner and orientation in which the operators hand(s) would normally hold the pipe wrench, thus freeing the operator to operate a second wrench or tool. Further aspects and advantages of the invention are set out below. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     In the drawings, which illustrate embodiments of the invention, with the understanding that they do not illustrate the only possible embodiments of the invention: 
     FIG. 1 is an isometric view of apparatus according to the invention in operation; 
     FIG. 2 is a schematic isometric view of the basic elements of the invention; 
     FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the pivoting member shown in relation to the pipe wrench; 
     FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the pivoting member of FIG. 3; 
     FIG. 5A is a top view of the knob of the pivoting member of FIG. 3; 
     FIG. 5B is a side view of the knob of the pivoting member of FIG. 3; 
     FIG. 5C is a top view of a portion of the pivoting member of FIG. 3 without the knob; 
     FIG. 5D is a side view of a portion of the pivoting member of FIG. 3 without the knob; 
     FIG. 6A is an isometric view of the pivoting member of FIG. 3 in a first position in a slot; 
     FIG.  6 AA is a detail isometric view of the pivoting member of FIG. 6A; 
     FIG. 6B is the same as FIG. 6A, but with the pivoting member in a second position; 
     FIG.  6 BB is a detail isometric view of the pivoting member of FIG. 6B; 
     FIG. 7 is an isometric view of a preferred embodiment of a stop member for use with a support wherein the support has a slot; 
     FIG. 8A is a side view of a plug which is part of an alternative embodiment of the pivoting member; 
     FIG. 8B is a side view of a hook for use with the plug of FIG. 8A; 
     FIG. 8C is a top view of the plug of FIG. 8A; 
     FIG. 8D is a top view of the hook of FIG. 8B; 
     FIG. 9 is an isometric view of an embodiment of the invention showing two supports and two wrenches which prevent the work object from rotating in either sense; 
     FIG. 10 is an exploded isometric view of an embodiment of the invention that engages two wrenches. 
     FIG. 11 is a front elevation view of a top edge of a support which includes a work object receiving location defined between a pair of projections. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a specific preferred embodiment of this invention. In this embodiment, a support  10  is in the form of a portable rectangular stand having sides  13 , a base  11 , and with receiving locations  14  defined by V-shaped notches in a top  12 . Support  10  has a vertical slot  15  near each side  13 . Engaging member  20  (a pipe wrench in this embodiment) is pivotally and detachably secured to support  10  by means of a pivoting member  30  which engages a handle  22  of engaging member  20 . Pivoting member  30  is received in slot  15 . 
     When a work object  16  rests in a receiving location  14 , engaging member  20  can be rotated into engagement with work object  16 . It is to be understood that while the embodiment of FIG. 1 may be a preferred embodiment, other embodiments are also within the scope of this invention. 
     The preferred embodiment of this invention provides a support  10  with a receiving location  14  along a top  12  thereof. Support  10  is capable of supporting a work object  16  such as a length of pipe. Support  10  may be stationary (e.g. a work bench) or it may be portable (e.g. a saw horse or stand). In the preferred embodiment receiving location  14  is defined by a V-shaped notch, but it is to be understood that there are other possible configurations of receiving location  14  (e.g. a recess or pair of protrusions) that are within the scope of this invention. The only requirement of receiving location  14  is that it functions to hold a work object  16  in a defined location and, prevents the work object  16  from sliding along the top  12  of support  10 . 
     The operation of an apparatus  70  is illustrated by FIG.  2 . This embodiment of the invention employs as the engaging member a pipe wrench  20  with a handle  22  and a mouth  23 . Mouth  23  is defined between a fixed jaw  24  and a movable jaw  26 . Handle  22  has an end  28  opposite mouth  23 . End  28  is pivotally attached to support  10  by a pivoting member  30 , which permits wrench  20  to rotate relative to support  10  about an axis  18 . The preferred embodiment employs a standard pipe wrench (e.g. a RIGID® model 818 ALUMINUM H.D.). Such wrenches have an eye which can be used in attaching wrench  20  to pivoting member  30  as described below. 
     The axis  18  is positioned so that when the wrench  20  is rotated, an arc  21  traced by the fixed jaw  24  passes just above a first wall  14 A of the receiving location  14 . 
     To use apparatus  70 , a worker places the work object  16  in the receiving location  14 , wherein it rests against the first wall  14 A and a second wall  14 B. The worker then rotates the wrench  20  about the axis  18  in the direction of arrow  19  until the work object  16  is within the mouth  23 , and is resting against the second wall  14 B and the fixed jaw  24 . Gravity holds the wrench  20  so that the mouth  23  engages the work object  16 . The worker then adjusts the movable jaw  26  until it comes into contact with the top side of the work object  16 . While the jaws  24  and  26  grip the work object  16 , the work object  16  is prevented from rotating in a first sense  17 . It is to be understood that the work object could be prevented from rotating in a second sense opposite to the first sense  17  by an embodiment of the invention which is a mirror image of the structure illustrated by FIG.  2 . 
     FIGS. 3,  4 ,  5 A,  5 B,  5 C and  5 D illustrate a preferred embodiment of the pivoting member  30 . Pivoting member  30  of FIG. 3 is intended for use with an embodiment wherein the support  10  has a slot  15  as shown in FIG. 1, and wherein the wrench  20  has an eye  29  near the end  28 . The eye  29  is similarly shaped and is typically elongated in many commercially available wrenches (e.g. a RIGID® model 818 ALUMINUM H.D.). 
     A first function of pivoting member  30  is to engage wrench  20 , preferably non-rotationally. In order to engage wrench  20 , pivoting member  30  is provided with an elongated projection  38 , shaped so as to fit through eye  29  in handle  22  of wrench  20 . As best seen in FIG. 5C, elongated projection  38  comprises a cylinder with a cross section, generally in the shape of a rounded teardrop. Eye  29  on many pipe wrenches has this shape. Elongated projection  38  is elongated in a direction along a reference line  39 . Elongated projection  38  has a threaded hole  40  which receives a screw  42  with a large knob  44 . Knob  44  is preferably large in order to secure the pivoting member  30  to the wrench  20 , and to enable a user to tighten and loosen the screw  42  by hand. A user can engage wrench  20  with pivoting member  30  by removing knob  44 , inserting elongated projection  38  through eye  29 , and then replacing knob  44 . As illustrated by FIG. 4, when the pivoting member  30  engages the wrench  20 , the handle  22  extends in a direction  37  away from the axis  18  along the reference line  39 . 
     A second function of pivoting member  30  is to rotatably engage support  10 . Elongated projection  38  has a cylinder  32  attached at an end opposite knob  44 . Cylinder  32  has a circular stabilizer  36  attached near an end near elongated projection  38 . To an end of cylinder  32  opposite elongated projection  38 , a truncated flange  34  is attached, centred on a reference line  35 . A distance between circular stabilizer  36  and truncated flange  34  is equal to a thickness of support  10  of FIG.  2 . 
     As best seen in FIGS.  6 A and  6 AA, when pivoting member  30  of FIG. 3 is inserted through slot  15  and rotated so that direction  37  is generally towards receiving location  14 , truncated flange  34  prevents pivoting member  30  from being removed from slot  15 , and causes circular stabilizer  36  to be flush with support  10 . An angle φ is formed between reference line  35  and reference line  39 . Angle φ is between 30 and 70 degrees, preferably between 40 and 60 degrees and, in a preferred embodiment, is 50 degrees. FIG. 11 shows a portion of top  12  of a support  10  according to another embodiment of the invention. In the FIG. 11 embodiment, a work object receiving location  14  is defined between a pair of projections  12 A on support  10 . It is to be understood that the invention includes a wide range of angles, so long as the angle φ is not such that when the direction  37  is generally towards the receiving location  14 , truncated flange  34  is in substantial alignment with slot  15 . 
     As best seen in FIGS.  6 B and  6 BB, cylinder  32  has a diameter which is equal to a width of truncated flange  34 , and the diameter of cylinder  32  and the width of truncated flange  34  are slightly smaller than a width of slot  15  so that when truncated flange  34  is aligned with slot  15  as in FIGS.  6 B and  6 BB, truncated flange  34  and cylinder  32  can pass through slot  15 , allowing for detachment and re-attachment of pivoting member  30  to support  10 . 
     FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a stop member  50  for use with support  10  of FIG.  6 A. While generally it is desirable to allow the pivoting member  30  to float up and down in slot  15 , occasionally a need may arise to prevent any non-rotational movement of pivoting member  30 . Stop member  50  has a body  52  shaped so as to fit snugly into slot  15  (see FIG. 6A) when cylinder  32  of pivoting member  30  (see FIG. 3) is in slot  15 , thereby preventing any movement of cylinder  32 , other than rotation. Body  52  has a thickness equal to the thickness of support  10  of FIG.  2 . Affixed to either side of body  52  there is a partial rotatable flange  54 . Partial rotatable flanges  54  can be rotated into alignment with body  52  to allow body  52  to fit into slot  15 , and then be rotated out of alignment with body  52 , thereby holding stop member  50  in place. 
     FIGS. 8A,  8 B,  8 C and  8 D show an alternative embodiment of pivoting member  30  wherein the first function is performed by a hook  60 , and the second function is performed by a plug  61 . Hook  60  is inserted through eye  29  in handle  22  of wrench  20 . Hook  60  is attached to one side of a first circular stabilizer  62 , and to an opposite side of first circular stabilizer  62  an inner cylinder  63  is attached. Inner cylinder  63  is inserted into an outer cylinder ring  64 , which performs the second function. Outer cylinder ring  64  has an interior diameter equal to a diameter of inner cylinder  63 , so that inner cylinder  63  fits snugly into outer cylinder ring  64 . Outer cylinder ring  64  has an outer diameter equal to a width of slot  15 , so that it can pass through slot  15  (see FIG.  6 B). Attached to outer cylinder ring  64  opposite hook  60  is a second circular stabilizer  66 . Stabilizers  62  and  66  trap this embodiment of pivoting member  30  in slot  15 . 
     It is to be understood that there are embodiments of pivoting member  30  which are not shown yet still perform the first and second functions. For example, the pivoting member  30  could comprise a clamp, or other member, which grips the exterior of the handle  22 . 
     FIG. 9 shows a further preferred embodiment of the invention wherein two supports  10  are placed so that a work object  16  can be held up by them, and two wrenches  20  can engage work object  16 , one from each side. A person skilled in the art will realize that this configuration prevents the work object from rotating in either sense. 
     A still further embodiment of this invention provides two supports in parallel so that an elongated work object can be supported. 
     A still further alternative embodiment of the pivoting member is shown in FIG.  10 . The embodiment of FIG. 10 provides a pivoting member  80  capable of engaging two wrenches, one on each side of the support, so that when the wrenches engage the work object, the weight of one wrench balances the weight of the other wrench. The individual elements that make up pivoting member  80  are the same as those shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, they are just arranged in a different manner. Cylinder  32  is provided with two elongated projections  38 , one attached to each end. Each elongated projection  38  has a threaded hole  40  therein, allowing for knob  44  to be attached thereto by means of screw  42 . Truncated flange  34  is attached near a first end of cylinder  32 , and circular stabilizer  36  is attached near an opposite end of cylinder  32 . Pivoting member  80  functions in essentially the same way as the embodiment of FIGS. 3 and 4, except that once truncated flange  34  has passed through slot  15 , a second wrench  20  can be engaged by pivoting member  80 . This allows for one wrench  20  to engage work object  16  on each side of support  10 . This embodiment is particularly useful in situations where the work object is short, and therefore not suited to being held up by two supports. If only one wrench were used to engage a short work object, the weight of the wrench would cause the short work object to become unbalanced and possibly even fall off the support. 
     It is to be understood that there are many ways in which this invention could be practised. It is not possible to describe all conceivable embodiments of this invention herein. It would be obvious to any person skilled in the field of this invention that there are alternative embodiments of this invention other than those depicted, which are nevertheless within the scope of this invention as defined by the claims.