Abstract:
A laser alignment device for use with rigid tubing of varying diameters, such as electrical conduit or plumbing piping. An embodiment of the laser alignment device includes a slide mechanism with a number of measurement indicator markings on at least one face. The slide mechanism allows the laser position to be adjusted depending on the diameter of the tubing. The primary function of the alignment device is to produce a laser beam at or near the dead-center of the tubing as it is being installed. This allows the installer to quickly ensure that existing or new sections of tubing are installed correctly and in-line. A plurality of mirror attachments may be used to alter the direction of the laser beam for turns or bends in the run of the length of tubing.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims priority in U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/552,946, filed Oct. 28, 2011, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates generally to a system and method for aligning pipes and conduits using a laser, and more particularly to a laser apparatus mount including adapters and mirrors for pipe and conduit alignment. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    There is a great desire in the field of construction for pipes and conduits to be hung in an organized manner to save space and material costs. Persons employed in the construction field use all manner of devices to determine the proper length, angle, and placement of pipes, conduits, and other elements of building infrastructure, such as tape measures and bubble-levels. 
         [0006]    Tape measures, levels, and other tools used in the field of construction are imprecise due to human error and limitations of the tools themselves. Tape measures, for instance, may produce inaccurate results at long distances due to bending or slacking of the tape. Further, using tape measures requires the user to hold the tape with one hand while marking a spot with a second hand. This often leads to imprecise measurements and markings. Similarly, bubble levels must constantly be placed and replaced to ensure a pipe or conduit remains level. 
         [0007]    Laser alignment devices have recently been employed by construction workers and home decorators to align all manner of items, including pipes and picture frames. However, existing laser alignment devices are limited. It would be difficult or impossible to locate the dead-center of a length of pipe or conduit using a hand-held laser. Existing laser alignment devices designed to be placed on a pipe-end to provide dead-center positioning fail to provide a means to adapt to different pipe sizes and connection types. Further, existing laser alignment devices only provide single- or double-directional guidance. If an obstacle is in the path of an existing laser alignment tool, a user will have to resort to tape measures, levels, and multiple laser-placements to determine an optimal path around that obstruction. 
         [0008]    What is desired is a laser alignment tool designed explicitly for pipes and conduits of any and all sizes and connection types, and which provides a means by which a user may determine a path around an existing obstruction with a single placement of the laser alignment device. 
         [0009]    Heretofore there has not been available a system and method for aligning pipes and conduits with the features and elements of the present invention. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    The present invention relates to a laser alignment system and method for pipes and conduits. A laser alignment mount includes a plurality of adaptors which allow the alignment tool to mount to the end of conduits or pipes of all sizes and connection types. This ensures that the laser provides a dead-center alignment of any pipe being placed. The laser provides an indication on an adjacent wall or structure which the user can mark, and ensures a straight and level pipe alignment. 
         [0011]    An exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a standard bubble level to ensure that the mount is level when connected to an existing pipe. The bubble level may include horizontal, vertical, and diagonal indicators, depending on the user&#39;s preference. 
         [0012]    The exemplary embodiment of the present invention further includes a nose-piece which allows an extendable mirror attachment or an elbow attachment to be temporarily affixed to the mount. This allows the user to properly anticipate a turn in the run of pipe, or to avoid obstacles in the pipe&#39;s path in the most efficient manner possible. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]    The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments of the present invention illustrating various objects and features thereof. 
           [0014]      FIG. 1  is a side elevation view of an embodiment of the present invention including a schematic diagram of included components. 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is an isometric view of an embodiment of the present invention showing two pipe lengths of different diameters and adapters for connecting to the same. 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is a side elevation view of an embodiment of the present invention showing the invention in use. 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is a top plan view of an embodiment of the present invention showing the invention in use. 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  is a side elevation view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention including a schematic diagram of included components. 
           [0019]      FIG. 6  is a top plan view of the embodiment of  FIG. 5 , showing the invention in use. 
           [0020]      FIG. 7  is a side elevation view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention including a schematic diagram of included components. 
           [0021]      FIG. 8  is an isometric view of the embodiment of  FIG. 7 . 
           [0022]      FIG. 9A  is a side elevation view of the embodiment of  FIG. 7 , presenting a problem to be solved using that embodiment. 
           [0023]      FIG. 9B  is a side elevation view of the embodiment of  FIG. 7 , showing the solution to the problem presented in  FIG. 9A . 
           [0024]      FIG. 10A  is a top plan view of the embodiment of  FIG. 7 , presenting a problem to be solved using that embodiment. 
           [0025]      FIG. 10B  is a top plan view of the embodiment of  FIG. 7 , showing the solution to the problem presented in  FIG. 10A . 
           [0026]      FIG. 11  is an isometric view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0027]      FIG. 12  is a right-side elevation view of the same. 
           [0028]      FIG. 13  is a left-side elevation view of the same. 
           [0029]      FIG. 14  is rear elevation view of the same. 
           [0030]      FIG. 15  is a front elevation view of the same. 
           [0031]      FIG. 16  is a bottom plan view of the same. 
           [0032]      FIG. 17  is a top plan view of the same. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0033]    I. Introduction and Environment 
         [0034]    As required, detailed aspects of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed aspects are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art how to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. 
         [0035]    Certain terminology will be used in the following description for convenience in reference only and will not be limiting. For example, up, down, front, back, right and left refer to the invention as orientated in the view being referred to. The words, “inwardly” and “outwardly” refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, the geometric center of the aspect being described and designated parts thereof. Forwardly and rearwardly are generally in reference to the direction of travel, if appropriate. Said terminology will include the words specifically mentioned, derivatives thereof and words of similar meaning. 
         [0036]    II. Embodiment or Aspect Laser Alignment Apparatus  2   
         [0037]    Referring to the drawings in more detail,  FIG. 1  shows an exemplary embodiment of a laser alignment apparatus  2 . The apparatus includes a housing tube  4  containing the components which produce an alignment laser beam  14 , including a laser element  6 , an electrical circuit  8 , an on/off switch  10 , and a power source  12 , such as a battery. These components produce a laser beam output  14  which is used to properly align a section of pipe or conduit. 
         [0038]    An attachment nose  16  is affixed to the front end of the housing tube  4 . The beam  14  emerges from this end of the alignment apparatus  2 . The attachment nose  16  allows additional attachment tools to temporarily be affixed to the alignment apparatus  2  to adjust or alter the alignment beam. 
         [0039]    A bubble level  28  is attached to the housing tube  4 . The level may be temporarily or permanently affixed, and may contain any number of standard level angles. In an exemplary embodiment, only vertical and horizontal directions are included. 
         [0040]    A pipe adapter  18  is affixed to the rear end of the alignment apparatus  2 . The adapter  18  may be of any size and shape to properly connect the alignment apparatus  2  with an existing pipe section  26 . In the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the adapter  18  includes a threaded connection  20  for temporarily joining to the housing tube  4  of the alignment apparatus  2 . An adapter body  22  and adaptor locking ring  24  allow the alignment apparatus  2  to be temporarily but firmly joined to a pipe section  26  by using a pipe-joint method common in the field. The adapter  18  connection must allow for quick release from the pipe section  26  when the user is ready to hook up the next section of pipe, but must remain rigidly connected to the pipe when the adapter  18  is locked. This ensures that the alignment position given by the laser  6  is accurate. 
         [0041]      FIG. 2  demonstrates a laser alignment apparatus  2  and two separate adapter sizes  18 ,  19 . The first adapter  18  allows the alignment apparatus  2  to join to a pipe section  26  of “PIPE SIZE ‘A’,” as indicated. The second adapter  19  allows the alignment apparatus to join to a pipe section  27  of “PIPE SIZE ‘B’,” as indicated. An unlimited number of adapters is included with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, to allow the alignment apparatus  2  to be temporarily joined to any pipe size or type. 
         [0042]      FIGS. 3 and 4  demonstrate an exemplary embodiment of the present invention in use. The laser alignment apparatus  2  is joined to an existing pipe  26  suspended from a pipe hanger  32  via the pipe adapter  18 . The laser beam  14  exits the alignment apparatus  2  from the front end and indicates a straight dead-center alignment against an adjacent body  34 . The body may be a wall across the room where the pipe is being placed, or any other body in the area adjacent to the end of the existing pipe  26 . A future pipe section  30  is shown. Because of the laser alignment, the future pipe section  30  is placed such that the beam  14  would pass through the dead-center of the pipe section  30  if it were suspended by a hanger  32  between the laser alignment apparatus  2  joined to the existing pipe section  26 , and the adjacent body  34 . 
         [0043]    III. Alternative Embodiment Including Telescoping Mirror Attachment  36   
         [0044]      FIG. 5  shows a laser alignment apparatus  2  with a telescoping mirror attachment  36 . The mirror attachment  36  includes an attachment tube  38 , a telescoping body  40  including a number of measurement indication markings  42 , and a mirror  44  attached to the end of the telescoping body  40  via a hinged connection  46 . The mirror attachment  36  allows redirection of a laser beam output  14  from the laser alignment apparatus  2  at a desired angle, allowing the user to plan a precise turn or bend in the line of conduit or pipe being installed. 
         [0045]    The attachment tube  38  allows the mirror attachment  36  to be temporarily affixed to the alignment apparatus  2  via the attachment nose  16 . The attachment tube  38  includes an opening which fits over the end of the nose  16 , while allowing the laser beam  14  to traverse through the tube  38 . 
         [0046]    The telescoping body  40  allows the mirror  44  to be extended to a desired distance away from the laser alignment apparatus  2 . The measurement indication markings  42  located on the telescoping body  40  allow the user to determine the appropriate length of the next pipe section. 
         [0047]      FIG. 6  shows the combination of the laser alignment apparatus  2  and the mirror attachment  36 . As before, the laser alignment apparatus  2  is affixed to an existing pipe section  26  via a pipe adapter  18 . The mirror attachment  36  is then affixed to the end of the laser alignment apparatus  2 . 
         [0048]    The telescoping body is extended a distance d to either avoid an obstacle or to otherwise estimate and determine the appropriate distance before an elbow is needed to turn the line of pipe or conduit being installed. The mirror  44  reflects the beam  14  at an angle θ as desired. This angle may be any angle between 1° and 180°, but would typically be either 45° or 90°. 
         [0049]    IV. Alternative Embodiment Including Elbow Attachment  48   
         [0050]      FIG. 7  shows a laser alignment apparatus  2  with an elbow attachment  48 . The elbow attachment  48  includes an elbow body tube  50 , an elbow attachment nose  52 , and an elbow mirror  54 . The elbow body tube  50  forms an angle Φ. The elbow mirror  54  is placed at the bend inside of the hollow elbow body tube  50 , and allows an output laser beam  14  to be diverted by the angle Φ of the elbow body tube  50 . 
         [0051]    The elbow attachment  48  is temporarily affixed to the laser alignment apparatus  2  via the attachment nose  16 . The elbow attachment  48  includes a similar elbow attachment nose  52  which allows the mirror attachment  36  to be temporarily affixed to the end of the elbow attachment  48 . This combination creates a means by which a laser beam output  14  may be redirected twice to avoid an obstacle or to create a complex turn in a line of pipe or conduit being installed. 
         [0052]      FIG. 8  shows the elbow attachment  48  interacting with the laser alignment apparatus  2 . The elbow attachment  48  may be placed onto the alignment apparatus at a predetermined angle α, and remains fixed at that angle until the elbow is removed. A number of predetermined angle positions may be defined such that the elbow attachment  48  can be placed into a variety of configurations onto the laser alignment apparatus  2 . The attachment nose  16  may include a number of notches or catches which prevent the elbow attachment  48  from being attached at any angle other than those desired. A 2-dimensional coordinate plane is shown, including an X-axis and a Y-axis. Typically, the elbow attachment  48  could only be placed onto the attachment nose  16  such that the laser beam  14  is redirected exactly upon either the X-axis or Y-axis, as shown. 
         [0053]      FIG. 9A  presents a situation where a vertical obstacle  56 , such as a wall, is impeding the laser beam  14 . The user will need to create a vertical bend or a turn in the pipe or conduit being installed to avoid the obstacle  56 .  FIG. 9B  demonstrates how the combination of the laser alignment apparatus  2 , the elbow attachment  48 , and the mirror attachment  36 , allows the user to accurately plan the path by which the pipe may be installed to avoid the obstacle  56 . The elbow attachment  48  redirects the laser beam  14  such that it is again redirected by the mirror  44  of the mirror attachment  36  at an angle θ and indicates on the target body  34  the precise dead-center location of where the pipe should run. 
         [0054]    Similarly,  FIG. 10A  presents a situation where a horizontal obstacle  57 , such as a wall, is impeding the laser beam  14 . The user will need to create a horizontal bend or a turn in the pipe or conduit being installed to avoid the obstacle  57 .  FIG. 10B  demonstrates how the combination of the laser alignment apparatus  2 , the elbow attachment  48 , and the mirror attachment  36 , allows the user to accurately plan the path by which the pipe may be installed to avoid the obstacle  57 . The elbow attachment  48  redirects the laser beam  14  such that it is again redirected by the mirror  44  of the mirror attachment  36  at an angle θ and indicates on the target body  34  the precise dead-center location of where the pipe should run. 
         [0055]    The versatility of this combination of components allows a person installing pipe or conduit to accurately plan and measure the best route for installing the pipe or conduit. The elbow attachment  48  allows the user to avoid vertical and horizontal obstacles  56 ,  57 , and the mirror attachment  36  allows the user to accurately predict the optimum position for a turn or bend in the pipeline, and provides accurate measurement for the section of pipe leading up to that bend or turn. 
         [0056]    V. Alternative Embodiment or Aspect Laser Alignment Apparatus  102   
         [0057]    An alternative embodiment laser alignment apparatus  102  is the preferred embodiment for a laser alignment apparatus used with pipe or conduit, and is shown in  FIGS. 11-17 . The object of the embodiment is to provide an adjustable laser alignment apparatus  102  for use with pipe or conduit of varying diameter. 
         [0058]    Referring to  FIG. 11 , a laser housing  104  including a laser housing mount  108  is rigidly mounted to the top of a vertical slide  110 . The slide is inserted into a slide housing  120 , and is kept in place via a locking wheel  112 . The wheel can be turned counterclockwise to release the slide, allowing the user to move the slide vertically up or down depending upon the diameter of a pipe or conduit. The wheel is then turned clockwise to lock the slide in place. 
         [0059]    The slide housing  120  is fixedly attached to a bubble level  128  including multiple bubble level indicators  118 . Each indicator includes a label  116  depicting what angle that particular indicator is measuring. 
         [0060]    The top edge of the bubble level  128  includes a pipe mounting groove interface  106 . This groove is designed to accept the bottom curve of a length of pipe or conduit, and makes it easier on a user to maintain a straight alignment of the laser alignment apparatus  102  on the pipe or conduit. The bubble level  128  may include magnets on the upper edge of the housing to allow the level to magnetically adhere to a length of pipe or conduit. Other connection means may also be used, such as a quick-tie or removable adhesive. 
         [0061]    As shown in  FIG. 12 , the laser housing  104  which includes the laser hardware produces an alignment laser beam  114  away from the end of a length of pipe or conduit. As with the previous embodiment, this beam is used to align the length of pipe with existing or future pipe sections. A number of pipe diameter indicators  142  may be included on the slide  110  to allow the user to pre-select the diameter of the pipe or conduit being aligned. With the proper diameter selected, the laser alignment apparatus  102  ensures dead-center alignment for conduits and pipe. 
         [0062]    This embodiment can be used in any of the arrangements previously shown in  FIGS. 3-10 . This embodiment does not require multiple attachments for use with varying pipe diameters. 
         [0063]    It is to be understood that the invention can be embodied in various forms, and is not to be limited to the examples discussed above. The range of components and configurations which can be utilized in the practice of the present invention is virtually unlimited.