Abstract:
A pivoting device for use with a manual conduit bender comprises an attachable foot portion with a non-slip rubber bottom layer and a pivoting center axle insertingly received into a bottom end of a conduit bender handle. The device is placed on the ground or other supporting surface and provides stability and improved leverage while a conduit is bent in the conduit bender.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present invention was first described in a notarized Official Record of Invention on Mar. 31, 2009, that is on file at the offices of Montgomery Patent and Design, LLC, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to pipe and conduit bending devices, and in particular, to a swivel base attachable to a manual conduit bender. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The use of Electrical Metallic Tubing (EMT) as a common conduit system used in residential, commercial and industrial wiring installations provides a useful method of distributing power and control wiring. It is easy to store, transport and cut, and provides a fairly high level of protection from physical damage. However, any special bends or offsets require the use of manually-operated or electrically-powered conduit benders. 
     Manually-operated conduit benders are a fairly simple and low cost tool used to create a desired bend or offset. However, these benders typically require time and some skill to bend a conduit properly the first time. Such time and routine errors quickly translate into lost revenue on the job which can become magnified each time the conduit has to be taken down for additional bending. One (1) significant factor affecting the performance of a manual conduit bender is that it is prone to slipping upon the floor or ground surfaces or due to its natured handle which is nothing more than a piece of pipe. Additionally, these manual benders tend to rotate and shift during use which can skew the degree and direction of the initially intended bend. 
     There are numerous variations of manual pipe and conduit bending devices. Most require some visual observation during the bending process to identify when the desired bend has been achieved. Typically these manual bending devices are affixed to an end of a pipe which then engages a length of conduit on a floor surface at the work site. This configuration puts the working end of the bender away from the user&#39;s eyes and requires frequent stops and starts during the bending process, each time creating a possibility the conduit will shift within the bender which can eventually produce an incorrect bend. Examples of these types of manual conduit benders can be seen in several U.S. Patents; including: U.S. Pat. No. 3,253,441, issued in the name of Benfield, which discloses a pipe bending tool; U.S. Pat. No. 4,269,056, issued in the name of Kozinski, which discloses a conduit bender having a curved rocker base; U.S. Pat. No. 4,321,820, issued in the name of Nason, which discloses a pipe-bending tool including a pipe-bending head mounted to a handle having an adjustable gauge for judging a desired bend angle; U.S. Pat. No. 4,372,145, issued in the name of Giordano et al., which discloses a conduit bending apparatus for bending wiring conduit projecting upward from a floor surface; and, U.S. Pat. No. 4,587,832, issued in the name of Illguth, which discloses a pipe bending tool including an audible signal to indicate to a user that a desired bend angle has been achieved. 
     Other variations include manual conduit benders which provide stand or other mountable support frame. Examples of these types of devices can be seen in U.S. Pat. No. 6,457,344, issued in the name of Godin, which discloses a bender stand for facilitating conduit bending using a hand bender; and, U.S. Pat. No. 6,912,886, issued in the name of Maes, which discloses a bending apparatus for pipe and tubing adapted to be mounted to a vise to hold the apparatus. 
     Electrically operated conduit benders eliminate much of this error; however, they can be cost prohibitive in many situations. Examples of these devices can be seen in U.S. Pat. No. 3,949,584, issued in the name of Pearson et al., which discloses an electrically driven portable conduit bender for EMT conduit and other tubing. 
     While these devices may accomplish their specific intended purpose, each suffers from one (1) or more disadvantage or deficiency with respect to design, function, or effectiveness. Accordingly, there exists a need for a means by which a manual conduit bender can be used without worry of slippage or possible floor damage. The development of the present invention substantially departs from the conventional solutions and in doing so fulfills this need. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing references, the inventor recognized the aforementioned inherent problems and lack in the art and observed that there is a need for novel tool for effectively and accurately bending conduit, pipe, and other thin walled material. Thus, the object of the present invention is to solve the aforementioned disadvantages and provide for this need. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a device which is used with various types and designs of manually operated conduit benders. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a device which prevents damage to a floor or other work surface. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a device provides increased control over the manual conduit bending procedure which produces better and more accurate results. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide a device which is simple and intuitive to use with little to no training. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide a device which is durable and economical to manufacture. 
     One (1) or more of these and other objects of the invention are achieved by providing a base for a stabilizing a conduit bender during the pipe bending process. The base including a generally rectangular foot plate having a flat top surface, a flat bottom surface, and a pair of generally triangular side plates which extend upwardly from opposing longitudinal sides of the top surface; a cylindrical shaft having a first tubular section and a second tubular section; and, an axle for pivotably connecting the first tubular section between the pair of side plates. During use the foot plate is placed on a flat work surface and the second tubular end is removably inserted into a hollow handle portion of the conduit bender. 
     In at least one embodiment of the invention, one (1) or more of the objects of the invention are achieved by providing a lower end portion of the first tubular section having a pair of opposing shaft axle apertures and an upper end of the pair of side plates each including a side plate axle aperture, whereby the shaft axle apertures and the side wall axle apertures are aligned along a common axis for receiving the axle for providing a single axis of rotation to the shaft in relation to the foot plate. 
     In at least one (1) embodiment of the invention, one (1) or more of the objects of the invention are achieved by providing a pad affixed to the bottom surface of the foot plate for providing a high friction surface between the foot plate and the flat work surface. Additionally, in at least one (1) embodiment of the invention the first tubular section includes a pair of opposing friction springs affixed to an exterior surface. The pair of friction springs provide a spring force upon an interior of the hollow end of the conduit bender handle portion for retaining the first tubular section therewithin. 
     Furthermore, the described features and advantages of the invention may be combined in various manners and embodiments as one skilled in the relevant art will recognize. The invention can be practiced without one (1) or more of the features and advantages described in a particular embodiment. 
     Further objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is an environmental view of a swivel base for a conduit bender  10  depicting an in-use state, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2   a  is a close-up view of the swivel base for a conduit bender  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2   b  is a top view of the swivel base for a conduit bender  10  depicting a foot plate portion  22 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2   c  is a bottom view of the swivel base for a conduit bender  10  depicting a pad portion  26 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and, 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded view of the swivel base for a conduit bender  10  according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTIVE KEY 
     
       
         
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 10 
                 swivel base for a conduit bender 
               
               
                 22 
                 foot plate 
               
               
                 24 
                 side plate 
               
               
                 26 
                 pad 
               
               
                 27 
                 pad aperture 
               
               
                 28 
                 anchoring aperture 
               
               
                 30 
                 first axle aperture 
               
               
                 40 
                 adapter 
               
               
                 42 
                 first tubular section 
               
               
                 44 
                 second tubular section 
               
               
                 46 
                 friction spring 
               
               
                 48 
                 second axle aperture 
               
               
                 60 
                 axle 
               
               
                 62 
                 pin aperture 
               
               
                 64 
                 locking pin 
               
               
                 80 
                 fastener 
               
               
                 100 
                 post 
               
               
                 105 
                 conduit bender 
               
               
                 110 
                 conduit 
               
               
                 200 
                 supporting surface 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted within  FIGS. 1 through 3 . However, the invention is not limited to the described embodiment, and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments of the invention are possible without deviating from the basic concept of the invention and that any such work around will also fall under scope of this invention. It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items. 
     The present invention describes a swivel base for a conduit bender (herein described as the “device”)  10 , providing a pivoting foot portion for use with manual conduit benders  105 , the device  10  comprising a foot plate  22  with a non-slip rubber pad  26 , and an adapter  40  which allows the device  10  to be attached to a post portion  100  of a conduit bender  105 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , an environmental view of the device  10  depicting an in-use state, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The device  10  is placed securely upon a supporting surface  200 , thereby stabilizing the conduit bender  105  during shaping of a length of conduit  110  in a conventional manner. Thus, as a user moves the conduit  110  along the conduit bending head  105  to produce a desired bend, the device  10  stabilizes the conduit bender  105  during the bending process and prevents slipping or damage on the supporting surface  200 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 2   a  through  2   c  and  3 , various views of the device  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, are disclosed. The device  10  comprises metal portions preferably made using a sturdy light-weight metal such as aluminum, steel, or the like. The device  10  comprises a foot plate  22 , an adapter  40 , and a connecting axle  60 . The foot plate  22  provides an anchoring means comprising a “U”-shaped metal member having a pair of generally triangularly-shaped side plates  24  which extend upwardly at right angles from outer edges of the foot plate  22  in a parallel arrangement to each other. The foot plate  22  further comprises a pair of anchoring apertures  28  formed or drilled through which provide a means to attach the device  10  in a permanent or semi-permanent manner to a floor or other supporting surface  200  using various mechanical fasteners  80  such as a screws, nails, or similar anchoring fasteners, if additional stability during the conduit bending process is desired. The foot plate  22  further comprises a high-friction pad affixed to an entire bottom surface of the foot plate  22 . The pad  26  comprises a textured soft plastic or rubber layer approximately one-quarter (¼) of an inch thick being securely attached to the foot plate  22  preferably using a construction adhesive or equivalent fastening method such as rivets, screws, or the like. The pad  26  further comprises a pair of pad apertures  27  formed or drilled through the pad  26  and positioned correspondingly with the aforementioned anchoring apertures  28 . The pad  26  provides high-friction contact between the device  10  and a subjacent supporting surface  200 , thereby stabilizing the device  10  against the supporting surface  200  during a conduit bending task (see  FIG. 1 ). 
     Each side plate  24  comprises a circular first axle aperture  30  formed or machined therethrough. The two (2) first axle apertures  30  are aligned along a common axis and provide a means for rotatingly attaching the adapter  40  to the side plates  24  via sliding insertion of the axle  60  therethrough. The axle  60  comprises an elongated cylindrical fastener approximately one-quarter (¼) inch in diameter and having a domed head. Coincidental insertion of the axle  60  through the first axle apertures  30  and a pair of corresponding and axially aligned second axle aperture portions  48  formed through a first tubular section  42  of the adapter  40  enables a single-axis rotating motion between the side plates  24  and the adapter  40 . The axle  60  is secured in the installed position via insertion of a common locking pin  64  such as a hitch pin, cotter pin, or the like, through an integral pin aperture portion  62  of the axle  60 . 
     The adapter  40  comprises a linear tubular member which provides sliding attachment of the device  10  to a post portion  100  of the conduit bender  105 . The adapter  40  comprises a larger outer diameter along a lower half portion, and a smaller outer diameter along an upper half portion, thereby defining a first tubular section  42  and a second tubular section  44 , respectively. The second tubular section  44  comprises a particular outer diameter allowing sliding insertion into the post portion  100  of the conduit bender  105 . The second tubular section  44  also provides a means to retain the adapter  40  within the post  100  via a pair of bow-shaped protruding friction springs  46 . The springs  46  are mounted in an opposing manner along an outer surface of the second tubular section  44  using fasteners  80  such as rivets, screws, or the like. The friction springs  46  provide a compressive interference fit between the second tubular section  44  and an inner bore of the post portion  100  of the conduit bender  105 , thereby providing a resistant removable attachment of the device  10  thereto. 
     It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The preferred embodiment of the present invention can be utilized by the common user in a simple and effortless manner with little or no training. After initial purchase or acquisition of the device  10 , it would be installed and utilized as indicated in  FIG. 1 . 
     The method of utilizing the device  10  may be achieved by performing the following steps: assembling the foot plate  22  to the adapter  40  by inserting the axle  60  through the first  30  and second  48  aperture portions, if not previously assembled; securing the axle  60  in place using the locking pin  64 ; inserting the second tubular section  44  into an inner bore of the post portion  100  of the conduit bender  105  wherein the pair of springs  46  engage an inner wall of the post  100  of the conduit bender  105 ; anchoring the foot plate  22  to a floor or other supporting surface  200 , if desired, by installing a fastener such as a nail or screw through the pad  27  and anchoring  28  aperture(s) in an event that additional stability is desired; motioning the adapter  40  and attached post portion  100  of the conduit bender  105  angularly to a desired position; inserting and bending a desired number of lengths of conduit  110  using the conduit bender  105 ; and, benefiting from improved stability during a conduit bending task as well as protecting a supporting surface  200  while utilizing the present invention  10 . 
     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.