Patent Publication Number: US-2022220990-A1

Title: Tube construction set

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Not applicable. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Traditional construction sets are not strong enough to support a child&#39;s weight. This limited how it can be played with. The reason kids can not climb on these sets is because the materials are not sturdy enough and or the parts do not lock together. Locking mechanisms can be both expensive and complex. Tubelox is durable, sturdy, and has a simple locking mechanism making it perfect for children that are both old enough to build structures with it and heave enough to need a robust construction set to support their weight. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF SOME EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS 
     This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential characteristics of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
     One example embodiment includes a tube construction set. The tube construction set includes a set of tubes. Each tube in the set of tubes includes a wall, where the wall is the body of the tube, a first end and a second end, where the second end is opposite the first end. Each tube in the set of tubes also includes four holes near the first end of tube and four holes near the second end of the tube. The tube construction set also includes a set of connectors. Each connector in the set of connectors is configured to attach two or more tubes to one another and includes a first port, where the first port is configured to receive a first tube a second port, where the second port is configured to receive a second tube. Each connector in the set of connectors also includes a first hole near the first port and a second hole near the second port. The tube construction set further includes a set of connector clips. Each connector clip in the set of connector clips is configured to secure one tube within a port on one connector and includes a pin, where the pin is configured to through the one of the holes in one of the connectors into one of the holes in one of the tubes. 
     Another example embodiment includes a tube construction set. The tube construction set includes a set of tubes. Each tube in the set of tubes includes a wall, where the wall is the body of the tube, a first end and a second end, where the second end is opposite the first end. Each tube in the set of tubes also includes four holes near the first end of tube, where the four holes are spaced 90 degrees from one another, and four holes near the second end of the tube, where the four holes are spaced 90 degrees from one another. The tube construction set also includes a set of connectors. Each connector in the set of connectors is configured to attach two or more tubes to one another and includes a first port, where the first port is configured to receive a first tube a second port, where the second port is configured to receive a second tube. Each connector in the set of connectors further includes a first hole near the first port and a second hole near the second port. The tube construction set also includes a set of connector clips. Each connector clip in the set of connector clips is configured to secure one tube within a port on one connector. Each connector clip in the set of connector clips includes a pin, where the pin is configured to through the one of the holes in one of the connectors into one of the holes in one of the tubes and a clasp, where the clasp is configured to be secured around the connector near a port. 
     Another example embodiment includes a tube construction set. The tube construction set includes a set of tubes. Each tube in the set of tubes includes a wall, where the wall is the body of the tube, a first end and a second end, where the second end is opposite the first end. Each tube in the set of tubes also includes four holes near the first end of tube, where the four holes are spaced 90 degrees from one another, and four holes near the second end of the tube, where the four holes are spaced 90 degrees from one another. The tube construction set also includes a set of connectors. Each connector in the set of connectors is configured to attach two or more tubes to one another and includes a first port, where the first port is configured to receive a first tube a second port, where the second port is configured to receive a second tube. Each connector in the set of connectors further includes a first hole near the first port and a second hole near the second port. The tube construction set also includes a set of connector clips. Each connector clip in the set of connector clips is configured to secure one tube within a port on one connector and includes a pin, where the pin is configured to through the one of the holes in one of the connectors into one of the holes in one of the tubes and. Each connector clip in the set of connector clips includes a clasp, where the clasp is configured to be secured around the connector near a port and one or more features which allow for removal of the connector clip. The tube construction set further includes a set of wheels, where each wheel in the set of wheels is configured to be placed on a tube and a set of hubs, where each hub in the set of hubs is configured to secure the wheel to the tube. The tube construction set moreover includes a set of panels. Each panel in the set of panels includes cutoff corners and one or more rims, where the one or more rims are configured to prevent the panel from moving relative to the tubes. 
     These and other objects and features of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of the invention as set forth hereinafter. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       To further clarify various aspects of some example embodiments of the present invention, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only illustrated embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates an example of a tube construction set; 
         FIG. 2A  illustrates an example of a straight tube; 
         FIG. 2B  illustrates an example of a bent tube; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a straight connector type; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates an elbow connector; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a T-shaped connector; 
         FIG. 6  illustrates an alternative T-shaped connector; 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a 3-way corner connector; 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a 4-way cross connector; 
         FIG. 9  illustrates a 4-way prong connector; 
         FIG. 10  illustrates a 5-way prong connector; 
         FIG. 11  illustrates an example of a connector clip; 
         FIG. 12  illustrates an example of a wheel; 
         FIG. 13  illustrates an example of a hub; 
         FIG. 14  illustrates an example of a panel; 
         FIG. 15  is a flowchart illustrating a method of manufacturing a tube for a tube construction set; 
         FIG. 16  illustrates an example of a cutting machine; and 
         FIG. 17  illustrates an example of a gang drilling machine; 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS 
     Reference will now be made to the figures wherein like structures will be provided with like reference designations. It is understood that the figures are diagrammatic and schematic representations of some embodiments of the invention, and are not limiting of the present invention, nor are they necessarily drawn to scale. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates an example of a tube construction set  100 . The tube construction set  100  can be configured in multiple orientations to create different designs. In particular, the tube construction set  100  can be assembled even by young users into multiple designs. The tube construction set  100  designs are sturdy enough that they can support some weight. For example, the tube construction set  100  can be used to create a wagon, in which a child is able to sit. 
       FIG. 1  shows that the tube construction set  100  can include a tube  102 . The tube  102  acts as the “scaffolding” or main body of the construction set  100 . In particular, the tube  102  can support weight and form the majority of the material used. Thus, the tube  102  needs to be strong enough to support the final weight of the design and also anything placed on the final design. I.e., if the tube construction set  100  is being used to construct a chair, then the tube  102  needs to support the weight of the seat and any user which sits in the chair. 
       FIG. 1  also shows that the tube construction set  100  can include a connector  104 . The connector  104  is configured to attach two or more tubes  102  to one another. That is, the connector  104  allows tubes  102  to be connected to one another in a desired configuration. The connector  104  determines the angle between the tubes  102 . For example, the tubes  100  can be connected in a straight line, at 45 degree angles, at 90 degree angles, at 135 degree angles, etc. Virtually any angle can be created although practicality tends to limit angles to 180 degrees (straight), 135 degrees, 90 degrees and/or 45 degrees. As used in the specification and the claims, the phrase “configured to” denotes an actual state of configuration that fundamentally ties recited elements to the physical characteristics of the recited structure. That is, the phrase “configured to” denotes that the element is structurally capable of performing the cited element but need not necessarily be doing so at any given time. Thus, the phrase “configured to” reaches well beyond merely describing functional language or intended use since the phrase actively recites an actual state of configuration. 
       FIG. 1  further shows that each connector  104  can include at least two ports  106  to receive tubes  102 . That is, the connector  104  has multiple ports  106  which have an inner diameter which is larger than the outer diameter of the tube  102 . Each port  106  is an opening large enough to receive a tube  102 . This allows the tube  102  to be inserted into the port and secured, as described below. 
       FIGS. 2A-2B  (collectively “ FIG. 2 ”) illustrate an example of a tube  102 .  FIG. 2A  illustrates an example of a straight tube  102 ; and  FIG. 2B  illustrates an example of a bent tube  102 . The tube  102  is a hollow cylindrical body. The tube  102  can be made of any desired material. The bent tube  102  can include a 135 degree angle, allowing for the construction of corners or other structures without straight edges. 
       FIG. 2  shows that the tube  102  can include a wall  202 . The wall  202  is body of the tube  102 . The wall  202  will be the material which structurally supports the tube construction set  100 . That is, the wall  202  is what actually supports the weight that is placed on the tube  102 . Therefore, the thickness and configuration of the wall  202  is critical to ensure that the tube construction set  100  is capable of constructing the desired designs. For example, the wall  202  can be constructed of rigid polyvinyl chloride (colloquial: polyvinyl or vinyl; abbreviated: PVC) or Polypropylene. The PVC can include other additives which strengthen the PVC. In particular, the PVC can include tin based stabilizers, impact modifiers, lubricants, etc. to create the desired composition. Without the additives, the PVC may be too brittle too support the desired weight. 
     Likewise, the wall  202  can be thick enough to support the desired weight, but not too thick which creates a product that is too heavy to be used by younger users. For example, the wall  202  can be between 2 and 5 millimeters thick. In particular, the wall  2020  can be approximately 3 millimeters thick. In addition, the length of the wall  202  can be critical to ensure that the desired designs can be created. For example, the wall  202  can be between 275 and 415 millimeters long for a long tube and 130 and 190 millimeters long for a short tube. In particular, the wall  202  can be approximately 345 millimeters long and approximately 160 millimeters long for a short tube. As used in the specification and the claims, the term approximately shall mean that the value is within 10% of the stated value, unless otherwise specified. 
       FIG. 2  also shows that the tube  102  can include one or more holes  204 . The one or more holes  204  allow connection between tubes  102  via connectors. The placement of the one or more holes  204  can be critical to ensure that the connection is easy to make and stable. I.e., if the holes  204  aren&#39;t placed correctly then the connection can cause the final design to fail, especially when weight is placed on the final design. Thus, the tolerance is low for hole  204  placement, as discussed below. 
     The one or more holes  204  are spaced at 90 degrees (i.e., there can be four holes equally spaced) from one another. One of skill in the art will appreciate that the holes  204  that are opposite one another need to be parallel to opposing holes on the other end of the tube  102 . That is holes on opposing edges of the tube  102  are on the same “edges” or “faces” as one another. This means, for example, that four tubes  102  connected and secured at 90 degree angles can be used to form a square or rectangle. If the holes  204  aren&#39;t parallel, then multiple connected tubes  102  couldn&#39;t be made to lie within the same plane. The correct orientation of holes  204  is ensured by the manufacturing process, as described below. 
     In addition, the holes  204  are near each end of the tube  102 . As used in the specification “near” the end of the tube shall mean that it is closer to the end of the tube  102  than to the center line of the tube. That is “near” means that the holes  204  are in the ¼ of the tube which is closest to the end of the tube  102 . The distance of the holes  204  from the edges of the tube  102  are critical to ensure that they can be secured using the appropriate connectors. That is, the holes  204  have to be able to align with connectors or they can&#39;t be secured and the resulting design would be unstable. For example, the holes  204  can be between 3 and 15 millimeters from the edge of the tube  102 . In particular, the holes  204  can be approximately 5 millimeters from the edge of the tube  102 . 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a straight connector type  300 . The straight connector type  300  allows for two tubes to be connected in a straight line relative to one another. That is, the connector  300  allows a first tube and a second tube to be connected and joined as if they were a single longer tube. In order to accomplish this, the straight connector type  300  is a tube with an inside diameter that is slightly larger than the outside diameter of tubes which will be inserted. 
       FIG. 3  shows that the straight connector  300  has holes  204  which are inline with one another, just as in the tubes themselves, described above. That is, the holes  204  are on a single face of the straight connector  300 . In the straight connector  300 , and all following connectors, the holes  204  are different than the opening forming the port  106  of the connector  300 . That is, the holes  204  and the ports  106  are different openings than one another and in no cases is an opening both a hole  204  and a port  106 . However, in each case the holes  204  are near a port  106 . As used in the specification and the claims “near a port” shall mean that the hole  204  is nearer the opening of said port than any other opening of any other port on the connector. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates an elbow connector  400 . The elbow connector  400  connects a first tube and a second tube to be connected at a 90 degree angle to one another. The elbow connector  400  has holes  204  which are on the same face as one another. The placement of the holes  204  are critical to ensure that the tubes will have the proper orientation when the final design is complete such that each tube can be secured in the elbow connector  400 , as described below. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a T-shaped connector  500 . T-shaped connector  5  allows for three tubes to be connected with two tubes in a straight line and the third tube at a 90 degree angle relative to the other two tubes. The T-shaped connector  500  has holes  204  which are on the same face as one another. The placement of the holes  204  can be critical to ensure that the tubes are oriented in such a way that the overall design can be constructed. In particular, if the connectors are not on the same face, then the tubes have to be rotated to be secured. That means that they will not be in a position when connected to one another once connected through other connectors. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates an alternative T-shaped connector  600 . The alternate T-shaped connector  600  allows for rotation of the tubes when connected. That is, they are different than the connector  500  of  FIG. 5  in that the tube can pass all the way through the connector creating a hinge which allow for builds with moving parts. 
       FIG. 7  illustrates a 3-way corner connector  700 . The 3-way corner connector  700  connects three tubes that are perpendicular to one another. That is, instead of all tubes being in a single plane, such as in the connector  500  of  FIG. 5  and the connector  600  of  FIG. 6 , the tubes are not planar to one another and instead each tube is normal to the plane formed by the other two tubes. The holes  204  in the corner connector  700  need to be oriented such that the clips which secure the tubes within the connector  700  do not interfere with one another. Thus, the holes  204  of two ports are oriented parallel to one another (such as the right and upper holes  204  in the drawing of  FIG. 7 ) and the third is oriented away (either the back left or bottom of the final port of  FIG. 7 ). 
       FIG. 8  illustrates a 4-way cross connector  800 . The 4-way cross connector connects  800  four tubes to one another in a single plane. That is, all four tubes form a + shape in a single plane. The holes  204  in the connector are on a single face. Because the tubes will reside in a single plane, the clips will not interfere with one another when securing all four tubes. 
       FIG. 9  illustrates a 4-way prong connector  900 . The 4-way prong connector  900  connects four tubes to one another with three tubes forming a plane, and the other tube normal to said plane. I.e., two tubes form a straight line with the third tube perpendicular to the first two tubes and the fourth tube perpendicular to the first three tubes. The holes  204  in the connector  900  are oriented with three of the holes  204  on a single face, the same face from which the fourth port extends. The hole in the fourth port is oriented away from the other holes  204 . 
       FIG. 10  illustrates a 5-way prong connector  1000 . The 5-way prong connector  1000  allows five tubes to be connected to one another. The first four tubes are in a single plane, just as in the 4-way cross connector  800  of  FIG. 8 . The fifth tube extends perpendicularly from the plane formed by the first four tubes. The holes  204  in the first four ports are on a single face. In particular, all of the holes  204  in the first four ports are oriented away from the fifth port. The hole  204  in the fourth port is oriented along the axis of one of the first four ports. 
     The connectors of  FIGS. 2-10  can include any desired material. For example, the connectors can include polypropylene. Polypropylene (PP), also known as polypropene, is a thermoplastic polymer used in a wide variety of applications. It is produced via chain-growth polymerization from the monomer propylene. Polypropylene can easily be made into any desired shape by placing the liquid polymer into a mold and then allowed to cool. 
       FIG. 11  illustrates an example of a connector clip  1100 . The connector clip  1100  is configured to secure a tube within a connector, such as the connectors discussed above. In particular, the connector clip  1100  prevents the tube from being removed from a port and prevents rotation of the tube. 
       FIG. 11  shows that the connector clip  1100  includes a pin  1102 . The pin  1102  is configured to pass through a hole in the connector and a hole in the tube. This prevents any change in position or orientation of the tube relative to the connector. That is, the tube cannot be removed from the connector or twisted within the connector. This adds strength and stability to the final design and construction. 
       FIG. 11  also shows that the connector clip  1100  includes a clasp  1104 . The clasp  1104  is configured to go around the port of the connector. In particular, the interior of the clasp  1104  is circular in shape, therefore it sits on the outside of the port of the connector. That is, the interior of the clasp  1104  is flush with the outside of the connector port. 
     In addition, the clasp  1104  has an opening  1106 . The opening  1106  allows the clip  1100  to be placed around a connector. That is, the opening  1106  can be placed against a connector and pushed, which slides the clasp  1104  onto the port of the connector. The opening needs to be large enough that the clasp  1104  can be placed on the connector but not so large that it slips off to easily. 
     Moreover, the clasp  1104  can include portions along the outside edge that allow for easier removal. For example, the clasp  1104  can include flat portions which allow a user to more easily pull on the clasp  1104  during removal. Likewise, the clip can be thick enough that it can be grasped and pulled for removal. 
       FIG. 12  illustrates an example of a wheel  1200 . The wheel  1200  can be placed on a tube. That is, there is a portion of the wheel  1200  which is similar in size to the size of a tube, such that a tube can be inserted into the wheel  1200  to act as an axle. The wheel  1200  allows a user to build designs which can actually move and function (e.g., wheelbarrows, cars, etc.). 
       FIG. 13  illustrates an example of a hub  1300 . The hub  1300  can be secured to a tube using the clip  1100  of  FIG. 11 . The hub  1300  holds a wheel, such as the wheel  1200  of  FIG. 12 , in position. Without the hub  1300  the rotation of the wheel would eventually cause the wheel to spin off the tube. Thus, the hub  1300  includes a hole that can be secured to the tube using the clip  1100  of  FIG. 11  to prevent removal of the wheel. 
       FIG. 14  illustrates an example of a panel  1400 . The panel  1400  can be placed on a set of tubes in order to create a flat surface. In particular, four tubes can be connected to one another in a square, with the panel  1400  resting on the tubes to create a flat surface. 
       FIG. 14  shows that the panel  1400  includes cutoff corners  1402 . The cutoff corners  1402  prevent the panel  1400  from resting on the connectors. That is, without the cutoff corners  1402  then much or all of the weight of the panel  1400  would rest on the connectors rather than the tubes. Thus, the cutoff corners  1402  ensure that the weight of the panel  1400  all rests on the tubes. 
       FIG. 14  also shows that the panel  1400  includes one or more rims  1404 . The rims  1404  are configured to prevent the panel  1400  from moving relative to the tubes. That is, as the panel  1400  is placed, the rims  1404  will be near the tubes, preventing to much side to side motion of the panel  1400  relative to the tubes. This allows the panel to be placed but not move relative to the tubes. 
       FIG. 15  is a flowchart illustrating a method  1500  of manufacturing a tube for a tube construction set. In at least one implementation, the tube for a tube construction set can include the tube  102  for a tube construction set of  FIGS. 1-2 . Therefore, the method  1500  will be described, exemplarily, with reference to the tube  102  for a tube construction set of  FIGS. 1-2 . Nevertheless, one of skill in the art can appreciate that the method  1500  can be used to produce a tube for a tube construction set other than the tube  102  for a tube construction set of  FIGS. 1-2 . 
       FIG. 15  shows that the method  1500  can include creating  1502  a PVC powder. The PVC powder is created  1502  from a PVC slurry. The PVC slurry is the liquid or semi-solid which can harden into a solid PVC. The PVC slurry is created by suspension of vinyl chloride monomers in a solvent. The monomers are ready for polymerization, which can be controlled to dictate the length of the polymer. The slurry also includes one or more initiators which creates the reaction which leads to polymerization. After polymerization the slurry is refined (e.g., degassed, excess monomer removed from the slurry, etc.) and dried. The dried slurry creates  1502  a powder which can be used to create solid PVC. 
       FIG. 15  also shows that the method  1500  can include adding  1504  one or more additives to the PVC powder. The additives can change the characteristics of the resulting PVC. For example, the additives can include tin based stabilizers, impact modifiers, lubricants, etc. to create the desired composition. 
       FIG. 15  further shows that the method  1500  can include producing  1506  a PVC liquid. The PVC liquid can be created by heating the mixture of the PVC powder and additives. The PVC liquid has high viscosity so that it can be manipulated. That is, the PVC powder is heated only enough to begin to form a liquid, but the viscosity needs to remain high for final production. 
       FIG. 15  additionally shows that the method  1500  can include extruding  1508  the PVC as a tube. The tubes can be molded but given their length extrusion makes the production move more quickly. Extrusion is a process used to create objects of a fixed cross-sectional profile. A material is pushed through a die of the desired cross-section. Extrusion may be continuous (theoretically producing indefinitely long material) or semi-continuous (producing many pieces). Also referred to as “hole flanging”, hollow cavities within extruded material cannot be produced using a simple flat extrusion die, because there would be no way to support the center barrier of the die. Instead, the die assumes the shape of a block with depth, beginning first with a shape profile that supports the center section. The die shape then internally changes along its length into the final shape, with the suspended center pieces supported from the back of the die. The material flows around the supports and fuses together to create the desired closed shape. 
       FIG. 15  moreover shows that the method  1500  can include allowing  1510  the PVC to solidify. As the PVC cools, it hardens into a solid. How flexible the solid is depends on the additives which are added  1504 . Some PVC solids can be quite flexible and some have almost no flexibility. In general, the more flexible, the less brittle the solid PVC will be. I.e., when the solid PVC is less flexible it is stronger but also more brittle. 
       FIG. 15  also shows that the method  1500  can include cutting  1512  the PVC in the desired length. The PVC can be cut before the PVC is allowed  1510  to solidify; however, because there may be shrinking when the PVC is allowed  1510  to solidify, cutting  1512  before solidification leads to more variation of the final length. Thus, allowing  1510  the PVC to solidify before cutting  1512  results in more uniformity of length. 
       FIG. 15  additionally shows that the method  1500  can include drilling  1514  holes in the PVC tube. The drilling of the holes  1514  requires that the holes are placed with high precision, as described above. The method of accomplishing this precision is described below. 
     One skilled in the art will appreciate that, for this and other processes and methods disclosed herein, the functions performed in the processes and methods may be implemented in differing order. Furthermore, the outlined steps and operations are only provided as examples, and some of the steps and operations may be optional, combined into fewer steps and operations, or expanded into additional steps and operations without detracting from the essence of the disclosed embodiments. 
       FIG. 16  illustrates an example of a cutting machine  1600 . The cutting machine  1600  cuts the tubes to the desired length. The cutting machine  1600  needs to cut the tube with high precision. If the tube length is off, then the hole drilling machine may drill holes at the wrong location, causing a problem when tubes are secured to connectors. 
       FIG. 16  shows that the cutting machine  1600  can include a trough  1602 . The trough  1602  places the tube in the correct position. That is, the trough  1602  includes a long shallow depression in which the tube will reside. Thus, the trough  1602  ensures that the tube is in a known position prior to cutting. The trough  1602  has a space where the cutting will actually occur. That is, the trough  1602  has two segments that have a gap between them. 
       FIG. 16  also shows that the cutting machine  1600  can include a clamp  1604 . The clamp  1604  stops the tube from moving in two directions. First, the clamp  1604  pushes the tube into the bottom of the trough  1602 , preventing vertical movement of the tube relative to the trough  1602 . This is especially important during the cutting motion as cutting can cause the tube to “jump” in the trough  1602 . Second, the clamp  1604  can prevent movement of the tube along the trough  1602 . That is, the pressure of the clamp  1604  can prevent lateral movement of the tube relative to the trough  1602 . One of skill in the art will appreciate that lateral movement can also be prevented using stops or other mechanisms. The cutting machine  1600  can include multiple clamps  1604  to ensure that there are multiple pressure points and/or that both segments are clamped even after cutting. 
       FIG. 16  also shows that the cutting machine  1600  can include a blade  1606 . The blade  1606  is rotated at a high speed to cut through the tube. During cutting, the blade  1606  passes through the gap in the trough  1602 . The blade  1606  will be left in motion during normal operation. I.e., a tube is placed in the trough  1602 , moved into position, help in position by the clamp  1604 , cut by the blade  1606 , then the tube is moved so that another segment can be cut; therefore, the blade  1606  does not need to be stopped between cuts. 
       FIG. 17  illustrates an example of a gang drilling machine  1700 . The gang drilling machine  1700  creates the holes in the tubes. The holes need to be placed with high precision, as described above. There are two important ways in which the holes need to be aligned. In the first, holes at opposite ends need to be exactly in line with one another. This ensures that the final design can be formed properly. The second is that holes along any end need to be exactly 90 degrees from one another. The tolerance is smaller than one degree and is preferred at only 0.5 degrees. 
       FIG. 17  shows that the gang drilling machine  1700  can include a trough  1702 . The trough  1702  places the tube in the correct position. That is, the trough  1702  includes a long shallow depression in which the tube will reside. Thus, the trough  1702  ensures that the tube is in a known position prior to drilling. The trough  1702  has spaces where the drilling will actually occur. For example, the trough  1702  can have multiple segments that have a gap between them or holes in the bottom of the trough  1702  where the drill bit will pass through. 
       FIG. 17  also shows that the gang drilling machine  1700  can include a clamp  1704 . The clamp  1704  stops the tube from moving in two directions. First, the clamp  1704  pushes the tube into the bottom of the trough  1702 , preventing vertical movement of the tube relative to the trough  1702 . This is especially important during the drilling motion as drilling can cause the tube to “jump” in the trough  1702 . Second, the clamp  1704  can prevent movement of the tube along the trough  1702 . That is, the pressure of the clamp  1704  can prevent lateral movement of the tube relative to the trough  1702 . One of skill in the art will appreciate that lateral movement can also be prevented using stops or other mechanisms. The cutting machine  1700  can include multiple clamps  1704  to ensure that there are multiple pressure points and/or that both segments are clamped even after drilling. 
       FIG. 17  shows that the gang drilling machine  1700  can include a pair of drill presses  1706 . The drill presses  1706  (also known as a pedestal drill, pillar drill, or bench drill) are a style of drill that is permanently mounted within the gang drilling machine  1700 . Major components of a drill press  1706  include a base, column (or pillar), adjustable table, spindle, chuck, and drill head, usually driven by an electric motor. When the tube is placed, the pair of drill presses  1706  are moved parallel to one another drilling four holes, two on each opposing ends. 
       FIG. 17  also shows that the gang drilling machine can include a servomotor  1708 . The servomotor  1708  is a rotary actuator or linear actuator that allows for precise control of angular or linear position, velocity and acceleration. It consists of a suitable motor coupled to a sensor for position feedback. It also requires a relatively sophisticated controller, often a dedicated module designed specifically for use with servomotors. Thus, the servomotor  1708  tuns the tube exactly 90 degrees within the desired tolerance. This can be done by pushing the servomotor  1708  onto the tube or having a portion of the servomotor  1708  which grips the tube. 
     The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.