Abstract:
An alignment jig uses steel alignment cross members and chords to align multiple load bearing member footing legs simultaneously with great accuracy, thereby greatly speeding construction footing installation times. Using preset adjustment stops, multiple footing patterns may be readily accommodated. The entire alignment jig may be readily assembled or prepared for transport by skilled workers in an hour or less. By using the alignment jig, the speed of footing construction may be greatly increased. In some cases, footings that would have previously required four days to a week to build were reduced to a single day, with consequent cost and time savings. Although one initial use of the alignment jig is for high voltage power line tower footings with four legs, it may be used with as few as two legs, and may be used with more than four legs, and in a variety of applications.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a division of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/785,542 filed on May 24, 2010, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not Applicable 
     INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC 
     Not Applicable 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention pertains generally to footing placement, more particularly to tower footing placement, and still more particularly to tower footing placement for high voltage power lines. Traditional power line tower footings are installed by positioning one concrete form at a time, independently of the other footing locations. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An aspect of the invention is an alignment jig that may comprise: a hub; and means for placing one or more load bearing members in prescribed orientations. Typical load bearing members may be, without limitation, steel angle beams. The means for placing may comprise one or more spider arms with a hub end and a shoe end; wherein the spider arms are connected to the hub at the hub ends. 
     The means for placing may comprise a spider arm adjustment that attaches to each spider arm at the shoe end; and a shoe attached to the spider arm adjustment. 
     In the description above, the spider arm adjustment allows for a plurality of overall length adjustments of a shoe to hub distance, thereby allowing for a corresponding plurality of jig placement patterns. 
     The means for placing may comprise one or more chords with a connection point at each of two chord ends; wherein the chords are connected to the shoe by attachment of one connection point to one shoe at both chord ends. 
     There may be four spider arms corresponding with four spider arm adjustments. There may also be four chords. The chords may be retractable on at least one end. 
     In the description above, the spider arm adjustments may be retractable. Both spider arm adjustments and chords may be adjustable to one or more preset lengths. 
     The means for placing described above may comprise a tower removably attached to the hub. The means for placing may also comprise one rope segment forming a tensile connection between the tower and each spider arm. 
     Another aspect of the invention is an alignment jig, which may comprise: a hub; four spider arms, each spider arm comprising: a hub end and a shoe end; wherein each hub end is removably attached to the hub; a spider arm adjustment slidably connected on each spider arm at one or more preset lengths; a shoe attached to an end of the spider arm adjustment, wherein the shoe allows for placement of a tower leg; four chords, each chord comprising: a connection point at each of two chord ends; wherein the chords are connected to the spider arms by attachment of one connection point to one shoe at each of both chord ends; whereby each shoe end is thereby connected to two different chords. 
     A tower may be attached to a top side of the hub; and at least one rope segment connecting each spider arm to the tower in tension. 
     The alignment jig described above may further comprise one spider arm adjustment attachment tab disposed on each spider arm adjustment; and one footing form attachment tab, removably connected to one spider arm adjustment attachment tab. 
     The alignment jig may comprise: a chair, comprising: three legs joining at a chair seat; a threaded section threadedly disposed on the chair seat; a conical taper disposed atop the threaded section distal from the chair seat; and a central conical alignment receptacle disposed on the hub, whereby the conical taper mates with the central conical alignment receptacle. 
     A still further aspect of the invention is a method of aligning tower legs, which may comprise: providing a survey marker at a surveyed reference location; leveling a circular region about the survey marker; placing a circular plate about the surveyed marker, the circular plate comprising an opening whereby the surveyed marker may be viewed; placing a chair atop the circular plate, the chair comprising: three legs joining at a chair seat; a threaded section threadedly disposed on the chair seat; a conical taper disposed atop the threaded section above the chair seat; providing an alignment jig, comprising: a central conical alignment receptacle disposed on a hub, whereby the central conical taper mates with the central taper, whereby the alignment jig may be vertically spaced above the surveyed reference location at a specified elevation, and whereby the alignment jig is centered vertically above the survey marker. 
     The alignment jig described above may comprise: two or more spider arms attached to the hub; a spider arm adjustment attached to each spider arm, terminating in a shoe attached to the spider arm adjustment; one or more chords with a connection point at each of two chord ends; wherein the chords are connected to two shoes by attachment of one connection point to one shoe at both chord ends. 
     The method of aligning tower legs described above may comprise: drilling footing holes; hoisting the alignment jig; placing the alignment jig central conical alignment receptacle vertically atop the alignment jig chair conical taper; vertically adjusting the alignment jig elevation by treaded adjustment of the chair threaded section; rotating the alignment jig to a prescribed orientation; attaching a concrete form can, comprising a footing form attachment tab, to each spider arm adjustment attachment tab disposed on each spider arm adjustment; then attaching a load bearing member to each shoe; and pouring concrete in the footing holes; then pouring concrete in the concrete form cans. 
     The method of aligning tower legs described above may comprise: waiting for a time for the concrete in the footing holes and concrete form cans to allow for sufficient hardening of the concrete; retracting the spider arm adjustment into each spider arm; retracting or removing the chords; and then hoisting the alignment jig away for further use. 
     The method of aligning tower legs above may further comprise erecting a tower onto the load bearing members. Finally, for an electrical tower, electrical lines may be attached to the tower for electrical power transmission. 
     Further aspects of the invention will be brought out in the following portions of the specification, wherein the detailed description is for the purpose of fully disclosing preferred embodiments of the invention without placing limitations thereon. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S) 
       The invention will be more fully understood by reference to the following drawings which are for illustrative purposes only: 
         FIG. 1A  is a perspective top view of the alignment jig hub. 
         FIG. 1B  is a perspective bottom view of the alignment jig hub of  FIG. 1A . 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a tower. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a spider arm. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a spider arm adjustment. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of an alignment jig chair. 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a concrete form can. 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of an adjustable length cable. 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of an adjustable length chord. 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a first step in the initial assembly of the alignment jig. 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of an installed assembled alignment jig prior to alignment jig installation, load bearing member installation and footing pouring. 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view of a completely assembled alignment jig prior to footing pouring. 
         FIG. 12  is a top view of an alignment jig partially disassembled and reconfigured for shipping. 
         FIG. 13  is an exploded view of one corner of the completely assembled alignment jig of  FIG. 11 . 
         FIG. 14A  is a perspective view of a typical tower site with a central survey marker and initial locations indicated for tower footing locations. 
         FIG. 14B  is a perspective view that follows the sequence of  FIG. 14A  with a circular steel plate positioned so that a central hole allows vertical visual access to a survey marker, with footing holes already dug. 
         FIG. 14C  is a perspective view of an alignment jig chair that has been positioned above the survey marker of  FIG. 14B , where the alignment jig has been hoisted into place with the screw jacks and jack stands installed. 
         FIG. 14D  is a perspective view where load bearing members have been attached to the shoes of  FIG. 14C . 
         FIG. 14E  is a perspective view where the concrete form cans have been assembled about the load bearing members of  FIG. 14D  to attach to the spider arm adjustments. 
         FIG. 14F  is a perspective view where the holes of  FIG. 14E  have been filled with concrete. 
         FIG. 14G  is a perspective view where the concrete form cans of  FIG. 14F  have been filled with concrete. 
         FIG. 14H  is a perspective view where the concrete form cans of  FIG. 14G  have been detached from the alignment jig, and the alignment jig retracted, leaving the concrete poured in the concrete form cans projecting about the load bearing members. 
         FIG. 14I  is a perspective view where the alignment jig and the concrete form cans of  FIG. 14H  have been removed, leaving the concrete previously poured in the concrete form cans surrounding load bearing members, where concrete has been poured into the footing holes of  FIG. 14B  to form a tower footing. 
         FIG. 14J  is a perspective view where the footing of  FIG. 14I  has had a tower attached, with power lines attached to the tower. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     For clarity and ease of comprehension of this invention, the individual components will first be described, and then assembled to show their grouped functionality. Finally, the overall process of shipping, assembling, and using the alignment jig will be shown. 
     Alignment Jig Individual Major Components 
       FIG. 1A  is a perspective top view of an alignment jig hub  100 , which initially comprises an upper hub plate  102 , and a lower hub plate  104 . These upper and lower hub plates, respectively  102  and  104 , due to the demands of stresses placed upon them, and the requirement that dimensional stability be retained, may range from 12 mm to 18 mm (or more) in thickness of steel plating, or other rigid material. The upper hub plate  102  and a lower hub plate  104  are spaced apart, and attached to each other via a welded box section  106  therebetween. The welded box section  106  may be comprised of separate wall sections, but may more readily be comprised simply of a short section of square cross-section box beam. In one embodiment, this would be a 6″×6″×¼″ box beam section. 
       FIG. 1B  is a bottom perspective view of the same alignment jig hub  100  of  FIG. 1A , which comprises an upper hub plate  102  (now shown on the bottom), and a lower hub plate  104  (now shown on the top). It is noted here, however, that the lower hub plate  104  has a central alignment feature  108  with a central conical alignment receptacle  110 . This central conical alignment receptacle  110  functions to locate the alignment jig hub  100 , and all other attached structures, in proper position so as to align two or more concrete form cans in accurate locations. This function will become more apparent as the entire alignment jig is described further below. 
     Referring now to both  FIG. 1A  and  FIG. 1B , one finds eight sets of holes  112  radially distributed about the centers of the upper and lower hub plates  102  and  104 , which serve as attachment points to the alignment jig hub  100 . Mounting through holes  114  provide attachment for subsequent components. 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a tower  200 . The tower  200  has a central tower shaft  202 , which vertically rises from a tower base  204 . The tower base  204  has one or more attachment through holes  206  (here, four such holes are shown) to allow for removable mounting of the tower  200 . Near the top of the central tower shaft  202  are one or more (and typically 4) “pad-eye” anchors  208 . The “pad-eye” anchors  208  are designed for welded attachment, and allow for significant loading stresses. 
       FIG. 3  shows a single spider arm  300 . The spider arm  300  typically comprises a steel rectangular box beam  302 , having a hollow central region  304 . At one end of the rectangular box beam  302  are hub attachment points  306 , which appear both on the top  308  and bottom  310  of the rectangular box beam  302 . For simplicity, one would refer to the end having the hub attachment holes  306  as the “hub end”  312 , with the other end as the “shoe end”  314 . 
     Near the “shoe end”  314  of the steel rectangular box beam  302  appears at least one jack arm  316 . Two such jack arms  316  may be directly spaced apart across the width of the steel rectangular box beam  302 , or they may be offset as shown here to facilitate shipping. In this embodiment shown in  FIG. 3 , a second offset jack arm  318  is shown. Through each jack arm  316  and  318  is removably mounted a screw jack  320  having a jack stand  322  capable of raising and lowering the jack arm  316  via turning of a jack handle  324 , and thereby capable of raising and lowering anything attached to the spider arm  300 . 
     The jack arm  316  and offset jack arm  318  are typically steel I-beams welded to the steel rectangular box beam  302 . Although the screw jack  320  may be welded to the jack arm  316 , it is perhaps better removably mounted with nuts and bolts or other similar mechanical fasteners. For transport, it appears easiest if the screw jacks  320  and jack stands  322  are removed, thereby minimizing the vertical protrusions above and below the steel rectangular box beam  302 . 
     Also near the shoe end  314  of the steel rectangular box beam  302  are one or more threaded fasteners attached on top  326  and on one side  328 , which function to secure a subsequent interior length adjustment. Additionally, two or more “pad-eye” attachment points  330 ,  332  may be attached to the steel rectangular box beam  302 . These two “pad-eye” attachment points  330 ,  332  allow for ease in hoisting the spider arm  300 . Additionally, these two “pad-eye” attachment points  330 ,  332  may be identical to those previously used as tower  200  “pad-eye” anchors  208  to minimize the number of different fabricated parts. Precision holes  334  are spaced along the length of the rectangular box beam  302  to allow for accurate insertion placement of a spider arm adjustment, described below. 
     Each precision hole  334  may comprise a precision drilled hole within a weldable tab (details not shown). The weldable tab is positioned, along with its precision hole, in a required location, and then welded in place. The result is an accurately located precision hole  334  that after welding may be positioned within ±0.005 inches of a desired location. 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a spider arm adjustment  400 . Here, a smaller rectangular beam  402  is chosen so as to be able to slide within the steel rectangular box beam  302  of the spider arm  300  of  FIG. 3 . For instance, if the steel rectangular box beam  302  is dimensioned 8″×4″×¼″ then the smaller rectangular beam  402  may be sized 7″×3″¼″ so as to loosely slidably fit inside the steel rectangular box beam  302 . 
     Moving along the smaller rectangular beam  402 , an upper shoe plate  404  and lower shoe plate  406  are attached, typically by welding. The upper shoe plate  404  and lower shoe plate  406  allow for accurate angular placement of a shoe  408  at whatever prescribed angular orientation may be required. For example, in the U.S. power line tower industry, a common angular orientation is an angle of 2⅝″ in 12″ off of vertical, which in the industry is referred to as the “batter” angle. 
     Attached to the bottom side of the smaller size rectangular beam  402  is a spider arm adjustment  400  attachment tab  410 . 
     A dimensional reference pad  412  is disposed atop the upper shoe plate  404  of the spider arm adjustment  400 . For lateral stabilization, a shoe attachment tab  414  is attached to the shoe  408  on either side, typically by welding. The shoe attachment tab  414  has a hole  416  through which a subsequent attachment is made for lateral stabilization. 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of an alignment jig chair  500 . The alignment jig chair  500  is made of tubular steel  502  members acting as legs, forming a tripod arrangement that joins at the chair seat  504 . A threaded section  506  adjustably extends from the chair seat  504 , to allow for vertical adjustment of a conical point  508  atop the threaded section  506 . 
     When the alignment jig chair  500  is not otherwise in use, protector  510  is seated over the conical taper  508  to prevent injury from the otherwise exposed conical taper  508 . The tubular steel  502  members terminate at the bottom on chair pads  512  to prevent sinking into the ground under considerable loads. Finally, to address the high level of loading (perhaps 8-12 tons or more), cross members  514  interconnect the tubular steel  502  members. 
     The alignment jig chair  500  chair pads  512  have mounting holes  516  that allow for angular orientation adjustment. Circular plate  518  sits beneath the alignment jig chair  500 . In one embodiment, all-thread  520  is welded in three locations to the circular plate  518 , with nuts  522  to allow for individual height adjustment of each chair pad  512 . Alternatively, in other embodiments, the all-thread  520  may be removable from the circular plate  518 , either passing through reference holes in the circular plate  518 , or threaded into circular plate  518 . 
     During assembly, the circular plate  518  is placed in its proper location. Next, the alignment jig chair  500  is lowered so that the chair pad  512  mounting holes  516  allow entry of the all-thread  520 . Then the three nuts  522  are adjusted to properly position the conical taper  508  along a vertical axis, after which, an additional three nuts  522  may be used to secure the chair pads  512 . The proper location is achieved by collocating a central hole  524  over a survey marker (not shown here). After the collocating process, retention holes  526  in the circular plate  518  have stakes driven through them (not shown) to maintain a proper location. 
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a concrete form can  600 . Here, a front side  602  and back side  604  are attached by removably joining together side flanges  606  from both the front side  602  and the back side  604 . A circular middle rib  608 , lower rib  610 , and top rib  612  serve to minimize dimensional distortion when the concrete form can  600  is full of liquid cement. Protruding from the top rib  612  along the left side vertical flange  614  is a can attachment tab  616  with two or more can attachment holes  618 . Stripping bar  620  is disposed between the front side  602  and the back side  604  below the can attachment tab  616  to facilitate subsequent use. 
       FIG. 7  details a rope segment  700 . Here, a rope  702  (typically a braided steel rope) may be formed about a rigging eye  704  and swaged into place with a swage  706  on both ends of a rope segment (alternatively, a U-bolt/saddle arrangement may be use to replace the swage). A threaded shackle  708  may be secured with a threaded pin  710  to connect the metal rope  702  to a turnbuckle  712  having a right hand threaded end  714  and a left hand threaded end  716  to allow for overall fine length adjustment of the overall rope segment  700 . By using additional components, or different initial length metal ropes  702 , the overall rope segment  700  may be made to span a large length with a high load carrying capability and minimal stretch. By allowing for adjustability in the overall length of rope segment  700 , variations in thermal expansion may be accommodated. 
       FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a “chord”  800 . Here, a chord segment  802  may be a rectangular or square beam, to which is attached a fixed end  804  and a movable end  806 . Overall length of the chord  800  is accomplished by moving the movable end  806  into or out of the chord segment  802  to align with one of the length set holes  808 . These length set holes  808  may resemble the precision holes previously described. Once adjusted to the appropriate length, clevis pin  810  is passed through a selected hole  812  and secured by clevis clip  814 . At this point, the chord  800  has been adjusted to a particular predefined overall length. 
     As shown in this embodiment of  FIG. 8 , the fixed end  804  and movable end  806  have attachment points that are offset from the center line of the chord  800 . However, in other embodiments, the chord  800  attachment points may also be centered on the center line of the chord  800 . It is this latter arrangement that is shown in subsequent assembly drawings. 
     Initial Assembly of Components 
       FIG. 9  shows an initial assembly step  900  for the overall alignment jig, when all parts have been fabricated, but have never been previously assembled. Here, the tower  200  has been attached to the alignment jig hub  100 , as has one spider arm  300 . This attachment occurs via a bolt  902  passing through the tower base  204 , then through the upper hub plate  104 , then through the top  308  of the rectangular box beam  302  into a nut (not shown). The spider arm adjustment  400  has been slid into the spider arm  300  to an appropriately chosen length to be retained by a clevis pin  904  that has been passed through the precision hole  334  in the rectangular box beam  302 , to be retained by the clevis clip  906 . At this point, one or more threaded fasteners attached to the top  326  and to one side  328  of the rectangular box beam  302  are secured, locking the spider arm adjustment  400  removably in place for use. 
     By using a plurality of precision holes  334 , a single spider arm adjustment  400  may be used in a variety of configurations, adding greatly to the usability and flexibility of the invention. 
     Next, a rope segment  700  is attached between tower  200  “pad-eye” anchor  208  and corresponding spider arm  300  “pad-eye” attachment point  330 . The rope segment  700  is then adjusted to an overall length such that the tower  200  is able to hold the spider arm  300  level when lifted through tension in the rope segment  700 . 
       FIG. 10  is a perspective view of an alignment jig  1000  hoisted with the screw jacks  320  and jack stands  322  installed. Similarly, all other spider arms  300  are attached and guyed into place with respective rope segments  700 . Generally, there are four spider arms  300  symmetrically disposed about the tower  200 . Additional lifting tackle  1002  may be attached to the spider arm  300  “pad-eye” anchor  332 , thereby allowing for the hoisting of the entire alignment jig  1000  to be moved as required for use. 
     Not shown here are four concrete form cans  600  that may also be attached to the alignment jig  1000  prior to, or after, hoisting. 
       FIG. 11  is a perspective view of an installed assembled alignment jig completely set up prior to footing pouring  1100 . Here, a circular steel plate  518  is positioned so that a central hole  524  allows vertical visual access to a survey marker (not shown here). The central hole  524  allows for true vertical positioning of the alignment jig chair  500  threaded section  506  above the survey marker. For clarity, the hoisting apparatus of  FIG. 10  has been removed, though it may remain in place as required. 
     Concrete form cans  600  have been attached by bolting spider arm adjustment  400  attachment tab  410  to concrete form can  600  can attachment tab  616 . By collocating and attaching the attachment tab  410  with the concrete form can  600  attachment tab  616 , the shoe  408  is correctly positioned so as to pass a structural member (not shown at this time) aligned by the shoe  408  through the concrete form can  600  above footing holes  1102 . 
     Shipment of the Alignment Jig 
     Transport of the installed assembled alignment jig completely set up prior to footing pouring  1100  is cumbersome. To simplify shipment of the alignment jig, first the tower  200  is removed due to its height. Additionally, the concrete form cans  600  are removed. Additionally, the screw jacks  320  and jack stands  322  are removed. 
       FIG. 12  is a top view of an alignment jig prepared for shipping  1200 . Here, the spider arms  300  have been folded about the alignment jig hub  100  by removal of bolts previously passing through holes  112 . Additionally the holes  114  remain from removal of the tower  200  (not shown in this view). At this point, only loosened bolts hold the spider arms  300  to the alignment jig hub  100 . The shoes  408  of each spider arm adjustment  400  are attached together two to a side by a shipping strap  1202  that bolts to the shoes  408  as indicated. Additionally, the spider arm adjustments  400  may be slid as far as possible into the spider arms  300  to minimize overall length. 
     In this shipping configuration, the alignment jig prepared for shipping  1200  is little higher than the vertical extent of the shoes  408 . In this configuration, storage and shipment becomes much simpler than otherwise. 
     Exploded View of the Shoe End of the Alignment Jig 
       FIG. 13  is an exploded perspective view of a shoe end  1300  of the alignment jig. As each of these elements has been previously described, no further description is needed. However, in the previous figures, the attachment of the concrete form can  600  to the spider arm adjustment  400  attachment tab  410  was difficult to observe. 
     Here, concrete form can  600  can attachment tab  616  is collocated and attached to attachment tab  410 . Typically the concrete form can  600  is assembled as a unit first, and then attached to the attachment tab  410 . The stripping bar  620  is readily apparent in this  FIG. 13 . 
     Using the Alignment Jig 
     Next, we will show how to use the alignment jig to install a tower in a sequence of steps. 
       FIG. 14A  is an initial perspective view of the intended location for a tower  1400 . Here, a survey marker  1402  shows the center location of the tower. Typically, the survey marker  1402  has been surveyed and placed at a proper surveyed reference location, indicating the center of the tower to be installed. Four tower footings are to be placed at centers  1404  so that footing holes may be bored at indicated locations  1406 . 
     Refer now to  FIG. 14B , which follows the sequence of  FIG. 14A  with a circular steel plate  518  positioned so that a central hole  524  allows vertical visual access to a survey marker (now covered by the circular steel plate  518 ). Holes  1102  have been drilled, typically with a caisson drill or auger. As the force loading expected on these footings can be very high, it is not uncommon to have footings drilled 8 feet (2.4384 meters) in diameter. 
     Refer now to  FIG. 14C , which follows the site preparation shown in  FIG. 14B . Here, the alignment jig chair  500  has been positioned above the survey marker, where the alignment jig  1000  hoisted into place with the screw jacks  320  and jack stands  322  installed (as previously shown in  FIG. 10 ). Any lifting tackle  1002  has been visually removed to reduce clutter. Note that shoes  408  as yet have nothing attached to them. 
     Refer now to  FIG. 14D , where load bearing members  1408  have been attached to the shoes  408  of the preceding  FIG. 14C . Additional reinforcing bar steel is likely added (but not shown here) to the holes  1102  consistent with the design requirements of the tower. 
     Refer now to  FIG. 14E , where the concrete form cans  600  have been assembled about the load bearing members  1408  to attach to the spider arm adjustments  400 . In the sequence presented here, the concrete form cans  600  were assembled about the load bearing members  1408  for clarity. In practice, it is common to assemble the concrete form cans  600  to the alignment jig  1000 , and then install the load bearing members  1408 . In either case, the load bearing members  1408  are bolted to the shoes  408  (previously seen in  FIG. 14C ), which are now hidden from view beneath the load bearing members  1408 . 
     Refer now to  FIG. 14F , where the holes  1102  have been filled with concrete  1410 . Typically, it takes as much as two hours to fill the holes  1102  with concrete  1410 , vibrate out voids, and move from hole  1102  to another hole  1102 . 
     Refer now to  FIG. 14G , where the concrete form cans  600  have now been filled with concrete  1412 . Generally, after performing the step of  FIG. 14F , the hole  1102  concrete  1410  has cured (or “set”) sufficiently that the concrete form cans  600  may be filled with concrete  1412 . Otherwise, a little more time may be required prior to filling the concrete form cans  600 . 
     By filling the concrete form cans  600  immediately after pouring the hole  1102  concrete  1410 , a continuous pour is achieved so that the concrete  1410  and concrete  1412  appear contiguous, without a joint therebetween. Additionally, by pouring in this manner, there is only a single trip required for a concrete supplier, thereby reducing costs and time. At this point the concrete  1410  and  1412  is allowed to set for a period of time prior to removal of the concrete form cans  600 . 
     Refer now to  FIG. 14H , where the concrete form cans  600  of  FIG. 14G  have been disconnected from the alignment jig  1000 , the chords  800  detached, and the alignment jig  1000  retracted. Alternatively, but not shown here, the chords  800  may be shortened in the retracted position, while remaining attached to the alignment jig  1000 . In this configuration, the alignment jig  1000  may be readily hoisted from its present location to a new location. 
     Refer now to  FIG. 14I , where the alignment jig  1000  of  FIG. 14H  has been removed, leaving concrete  1412  surrounding load bearing members  1408 , continuing into concrete  1410  in holes  1102  to form a tower footing  1414 . 
     Finally, refer to  FIG. 14J , where the footing  1414  of  FIG. 14I  has had a tower  1416  attached, and power lines  1418  attached to the tower  1416 . 
     Although the figures here have indicated a relatively flat site for locating a tower footing, by means of elevated forms surrounding holes  1102 , and corresponding scaffolding, even highly sloping terrain may be used to accommodate tower footings. This allows for a much wider design latitude for tower locations in hilly or mountainous terrain. 
     From the discussion above it will be appreciated that the invention can be embodied in various ways, including the following: 
     1. An alignment jig, comprising: a hub; and means for placing one or more load bearing members in prescribed orientations. 
     2. The alignment jig of embodiment 1, wherein the means for placing one or more load bearing members in prescribed orientations comprises: one or more spider arms, each spider arm comprising a hub end and a shoe end; wherein the spider arms are connected to the hub at their respective hub ends. 
     3. The alignment jig of embodiment 2, wherein the means for placing one or more load bearing members in prescribed orientations comprises: a spider arm adjustment that attaches to one of the spider arms at the shoe end; and a shoe attached to the spider arm adjustment. 
     4. The alignment jig of embodiment 3, wherein the spider arm adjustment allows a plurality of overall length adjustments of a shoe to hub distance, thereby allowing for a corresponding plurality of jig placement patterns. 
     5. The alignment jig of embodiment 4, wherein the means for placing one or more load bearing members in prescribed orientations comprises: one or more chords with a connection point at each of two chord ends; wherein the chords are connected to the shoe by attachment of one connection point to one shoe at both chord ends. 
     6. The alignment jig of embodiment 5, wherein there are four spider arms corresponding with four spider arm adjustments. 
     7. The alignment jig of embodiment 6, wherein there are four chords. 
     8. The alignment jig of embodiment 5, wherein the chords are retractable on at least one end. 
     9. The alignment jig of embodiment 4, wherein the spider arm adjustments are retractable. 
     10. The alignment jig of embodiment 8, wherein the spider arm adjustments and chords are adjustable to one or more preset lengths. 
     11. The alignment jig of embodiment 1, wherein the means for placing one or more load bearing members in prescribed orientations comprises a tower removably attached to the hub. 
     12. The alignment jig of embodiment 11, wherein the means for placing one or more load bearing members in prescribed orientations comprises one rope segment forming a tensile connection between the tower and each spider arm. 
     13. An alignment jig, comprising: (a) a hub; (b) four spider arms, each spider arm comprising a hub end and a shoe end, wherein each hub end is removably attached to the hub; (c) a spider arm adjustment slidably connected on each spider arm at one or more preset lengths; (d) a shoe attached to an end of the spider arm adjustment, wherein the shoe allows for placement of a tower leg; (e) four chords, each chord comprising a connection point at each of two chord ends, wherein the chords are connected to the spider arms by attachment of one connection point to one shoe at each of both chord ends, and whereby each shoe end is thereby connected to two different chords. 
     14. The alignment jig of embodiment 13, further comprising: a tower attached to a top side of the hub; and at least one rope segment connecting each spider arm to the tower in tension; a spider arm adjustment attachment tab disposed on each spider arm adjustment; and a footing form attachment tab, removably connected to one spider arm adjustment attachment tab. 
     15. The alignment jig of embodiment 14, further comprising: (a) a chair comprising three legs joining at a chair seat, a threaded section threadedly disposed on the chair seat, and a conical taper disposed atop the threaded section distal from the chair seat; and (b) a central conical alignment receptacle disposed on the hub, whereby the conical taper mates with the central conical alignment receptacle. 
     16. A method of aligning tower legs, comprising: (a) providing a survey marker at a surveyed reference location; (b) leveling a circular region about the survey marker; (c) placing a circular plate about the surveyed marker, the circular plate comprising an opening whereby the surveyed marker may be viewed; (d) placing a chair atop the circular plate, the chair comprising three legs joining at a chair seat, a threaded section threadedly disposed on the chair seat, and a conical taper disposed atop the threaded section above the chair seat; and (e) providing an alignment jig comprising a central conical alignment receptacle disposed on a hub, whereby the central conical taper mates with the central taper, whereby the alignment jig may be vertically spaced above the surveyed reference location at a specified elevation, and whereby the alignment jig is centered vertically above the survey marker. 
     17. The method of aligning tower legs of embodiment 16, wherein the alignment jig comprises: two or more spider arms attached to the hub; a spider arm adjustment attached to each spider arm, terminating in a shoe attached to the spider arm adjustment; one or more chords with a connection point at each of two chord ends; wherein the chords are connected to two shoes by attachment of one connection point to one shoe at both chord ends. 
     18. The method of aligning tower legs of embodiment 17, further comprising: drilling footing holes; hoisting the alignment jig; placing the alignment jig central conical alignment receptacle vertically atop the alignment jig chair conical taper; vertically adjusting the alignment jig elevation by threaded adjustment of the chair threaded section; rotating the alignment jig to a prescribed orientation; attaching a concrete form can, comprising a footing form attachment tab, to each spider arm adjustment attachment tab disposed on each spider arm adjustment; then attaching a load bearing member to each shoe; and pouring concrete in the footing holes; then pouring concrete in the concrete form cans. 
     19. The method of aligning tower legs of embodiment 18, further comprising: waiting for a time for the concrete in the footing holes and concrete form cans to allow for sufficient hardening of the concrete; retracting the spider arm adjustment into each spider arm; retracting or removing the chords; and then hoisting the alignment jig away for further use. 
     20. The method of aligning tower legs of embodiment 19, comprising erecting a tower onto the load bearing members. 
     Although the description above contains many details, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but as merely providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiments of this invention. Therefore, it will be appreciated that the scope of the present invention fully encompasses other embodiments which may become obvious to those skilled in the art, and that the scope of the present invention is accordingly to be limited by nothing other than the appended claims, in which reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean “one and only one” unless explicitly so stated, but rather “one or more.” All structural, chemical, and functional equivalents to the elements of the above-described preferred embodiment that are known to those of ordinary skill in the art are expressly incorporated herein by reference and are intended to be encompassed by the present claims. Moreover, it is not necessary for a device or method to address each and every problem sought to be solved by the present invention, for it to be encompassed by the present claims. Furthermore, no element, component, or method step in the present disclosure is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether the element, component, or method step is explicitly recited in the claims. No claim element herein is to be construed under the provisions of 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase “means for.”