Patent Publication Number: US-11655915-B1

Title: Plumbing target and placement tool

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates generally to an apparatus for installing plumbing pipe. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a plumbing apparatus for precisely placing vertical and horizontal pipe in relation to an installation surface. 
     BACKGROUND 
     The installation of underground plumbing pipes is challenging due to high skill requirements and budget constraints. Due to the increasing complexity of building layouts, it is difficult to accurately place underground pipes in a timely and efficient manner. One particular challenge involves placing vertical pipes in correct positions, while also ensuring that the vertical pipes are installed perpendicularly in relation to a horizontal reference. Horizontal pipes to which the vertical pipes are to be connected must also be accurately positioned to prevent misalignment. 
     Various examples of devices for accurately placing and supporting pipes during installation can be found within the prior art. However, these devices are intended for above-ground plumbing, and are intended to be mounted to wall studs or existing structural elements of the building. These devices are unsuitable for underground plumbing work where there are no structural elements in place to which such devices can be mounted. Furthermore, these devices are often large and cumbersome, and are slow to install and disassemble. 
     A need therefore exists for an apparatus which is portable, quick to place and remove, and allows vertical and horizontal pipes to be accurately placed for installation without reliance on existing structural elements for support or reference. 
     In the present disclosure, where a document, act or item of knowledge is referred to or discussed, this reference or discussion is not an admission that the document, act or item of knowledge or any combination thereof was at the priority date, publicly available, known to the public, part of common general knowledge or otherwise constitutes prior art under the applicable statutory provisions; or is known to be relevant to an attempt to solve any problem with which the present disclosure is concerned. 
     While certain aspects of conventional technologies have been discussed to facilitate the present disclosure, no technical aspects are disclaimed and it is contemplated that the claims may encompass one or more of the conventional technical aspects discussed herein. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     An aspect of an example embodiment in the present disclosure is to provide an apparatus which allows a vertical pipe to be aligned and supported in relation to an installation surface during a plumbing installation occurring thereon. Accordingly, the present disclosure provides a plumbing apparatus comprising a plumbing target placement tool, and a plumbing target guide. The plumbing target guide has a pair of securing rods and a pipe supporting member. The plumbing target placement tool has a guide structure and a pair of securing rod guides. The plumbing target placement tool is adapted to be positioned upon the installation surface, whereby the securing rod guides allow the securing rods to be perpendicularly embedded into the installation surface. The pipe support member has a pipe guide aperture, and is attached to the securing rods with the pipe guide aperture positioned above the installation surface equidistant between the securing rods. The pipe guide aperture allows the vertical pipe to be inserted lengthwise, after which the vertical pipe is aligned perpendicularly in relation to the installation surface and remains supported therein. 
     It is another aspect of an example embodiment in the present disclosure to provide an apparatus which allows the vertical pipe to be precisely aligned with an installation point. Accordingly, the guide structure has an alignment means positioned centrally between the securing rod guides, which allows the guide structure to be positioned with the alignment means vertically aligned with the installation point. The securing rods are embedded into the installation surface astride the installation point, with the pipe guide aperture in vertical alignment with the installation point once the pipe supporting member is attached. 
     It is yet another aspect of the example embodiment in the present disclosure to provide an apparatus which allows a horizontal pipe to be precisely laid in conjunction with the vertical pipe to facilitate a connection therebetween. Accordingly, the plumbing apparatus further comprises a horizontal pipe alignment guide formed using two additional securing rods and an alignment member. The additional securing rods are embedded astride a guide line on the installation surface which passes through the installation point. The alignment member is attached to the two additional securing rods, and has a centrally positioned alignment guide marker which is vertically aligned with the guide line. The horizontal pipe alignment guide allows the horizontal pipe to be laid centrally between the additional securing rods in alignment with the guide line. 
     The present disclosure addresses at least one of the foregoing disadvantages. However, it is contemplated that the present disclosure may prove useful in addressing other problems and deficiencies in a number of technical areas. Therefore, the claims should not necessarily be construed as limited to addressing any of the particular problems or deficiencies discussed hereinabove. To the accomplishment of the above, this disclosure may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Attention is called to the fact, however, that the drawings are illustrative only. Variations are contemplated as being part of the disclosure. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In the drawings, like elements are depicted by like reference numerals. The drawings are briefly described as follows. 
         FIG.  1 A  is a diagrammatical perspective view of a plumbing alignment target placement tool, in accordance with an embodiment in the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  1 B  is a diagrammatical front view of the plumbing alignment target, in accordance with an embodiment in the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  2    is a diagrammatical perspective view of the plumbing target placement tool positioned perpendicularly upon an installation surface and in alignment with an installation point on the installation surface, in accordance with an embodiment in the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  3    is a diagrammatical perspective view of the plumbing target alignment tool positioned upon the installation surface, depicting two securing rods being inserted into securing rod guides passing vertically through the plumbing target alignment tool, in accordance with an embodiment in the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  4    is a diagrammatical perspective view of the plumbing target alignment tool, showing the securing rods being driven through the securing rod guides to become embedded into the installation surface, in accordance with an embodiment in the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  5    is a diagrammatical perspective view showing the plumbing target alignment tool being removed while the two securing rods remain embedded within the installation structure, in accordance with an embodiment in the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  6 A  is a diagrammatical exploded view of a pipe supporting member with a centrally disposed pipe guide aperture, a pair of securing rod attachment points, and a pair of securing rod caps inserted into the securing rod attachment points, in accordance with an embodiment in the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  6 B  is a diagrammatical exploded view of a pipe alignment guide with a centrally disposed alignment guide marker, a pair of securing rod attachment points, and two securing rod caps, in accordance with an embodiment in the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  6 C  is a diagrammatical perspective view of one of the securing rod caps, showing a cap projection and a securing rod receiving recess, in accordance with an embodiment in the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  7    is a diagrammatic perspective view of the pipe supporting member being attached to two securing rods projecting from the installation surface to create a plumbing target guide, in accordance with an embodiment in the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  8    is a diagrammatical perspective view of the completed plumbing target guide, in accordance with an embodiment in the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  9    is a diagrammatical perspective view of a vertical pipe projecting upwardly from the installation surface to pass perpendicularly through the pipe guide aperture of the pipe supporting member, in accordance with an embodiment in the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  10    is a diagrammatical perspective view of a series of horizontal pipe alignment guides which allow a horizontal pipe to be aligned in relation to the installation surface, in accordance with an embodiment in the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     The present disclosure now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, which show various example embodiments. However, the present disclosure may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the example embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these example embodiments are provided so that the present disclosure is thorough, complete and fully conveys the scope of the present disclosure to those skilled in the art. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       FIGS.  1 A-B  illustrate a plumbing target placement tool  10  comprising a guide structure  30  having a guide structure upper end  31 A and a guide structure lower end  31 B. The plumbing target placement tool further comprises a pair of securing rod guides, including a first securing rod guide  34 A and a second securing rod guide  34 B, which extend through the guide structure  30  between the guide structure upper end  31 A and the guide structure lower end  31 B, as well as an alignment means  20  disposed between the first and second securing rod guides  34 A,  34 B. Turning to  FIG.  2    and  FIG.  9    while also referring to  FIGS.  1 A-B , the plumbing target placement tool  10  allows a plumbing target guide  50  to be positioned upon an installation surface  90 . The installation surface  90  is a horizontal surface upon which plumbing installation work is to be performed. The installation surface  90  may be gravel, dirt, sand, or any material in which underground plumbing pipes are installed. In one embodiment, the installation surface  90  may be a floor of a trench or ditch to facilitate below-ground installation of plumbing pipe. An installation point  98  is located on the installation surface  90 , marking a position over which a vertical pipe  82  is to be installed. The plumbing target placement tool  10  further has an alignment means  20  disposed between the first and second securing rod guides  34 A,  34 B, which allows the plumbing target guide  50  to be precisely positioned over the installation point  98 . The plumbing target guide  50  comprises a plurality of securing rods including a first securing rod  12 A and a second securing rod  12 B, and a pipe supporting member  54 . The securing rods are partially embedded within the installation surface  90 , and support the pipe supporting member  54 . 
     Turning briefly to  FIG.  3    while also referring to  FIG.  9   , the first and second securing rod guides  34 A,  34 B of the plumbing target guide  50  allow the securing rods to remain correctly aligned while being embedded into the installation surface  90 . The pipe supporting member  54  has a pipe guide aperture  60  which supports the vertical pipe  82  and allows the vertical pipe  82  to be precisely positioned, such that the vertical pipe  82  is both aligned with the installation point  98 , and perpendicular to the installation surface  90 . 
     Returning to  FIGS.  1 A-B  while also referring to  FIG.  2   , the plumbing target placement tool  10  is positioned perpendicularly in relation to the installation surface  90  with the guide structure second end  34 B pointing down towards the installation surface  90  while the guide structure first end  34 A points upwardly away from the installation surface  90 . The alignment means  20  allows the plumbing target placement tool  10  to be placed in alignment with the installation point  98 , such that the installation point  98  is equidistant between the first and second securing rod guides  34 A,  34 B. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the guide structure  30  has an alignment guide aperture  44  which passes through the guide structure upper and lower ends  31 A,  31 B and is disposed equidistant between the first and second securing rod guides  34 A,  34 B. The alignment means  20  corresponds to a central alignment rod  22  which passes vertically through the guide structure via the alignment guide aperture  44 . The central alignment rod  22  has a central alignment rod upper end  26 A which projects upwardly, and a central alignment rod lower end  26 B oriented downwardly towards the installation surface  90 . The central alignment rod lower end  26 B is positioned directly over the installation point  98 . The central alignment rod upper end  26 A may have an alignment reflector  24  attached thereto. The alignment reflector  24  may be used in conjunction with a theodolite, total station, or other device used for surveying or for taking measurements, as will be apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art in the field of the invention. 
     The installation point  98  can be marked on the installation surface  90  using various techniques known to a person of ordinary skill in the art in the field of the invention. For example, the installation point  98  can correspond to an intersection point between a guide line  94  and a lateral guide line  96  drawn, marked, projected, or superimposed upon the installation surface  90 , such as by using string, a laser projector, or other devices or techniques. Once the central alignment rod lower end  26 B is positioned over the installation point  98 , the first and second securing rod guides  34 A,  34 B can be aligned with the lateral guide line  96 , such that the plumbing target placement tool  10  sits astride the guide line  94 . 
     Note that the alignment means  20  may utilize other apparatuses, devices, or techniques which are known to a person of ordinary skill in the art. For example, in certain embodiments, the alignment means  20  may be implemented using an optical alignment guide in place of the central alignment rod  22 . For example, the alignment guide aperture  44  may incorporate a visual alignment mark, which allows a user to accurately position the plumbing target alignment tool by visually aligning the alignment guide aperture  44  with the installation point  98 . 
     Turning to  FIG.  3    while also referring to  FIGS.  1 A-B , the first and second securing rod guides  34 A,  34 B are each adapted to receive the first securing rod  12 A and the second securing rod  12 B. The first and second securing rod guides  34 A,  34 B each comprise a rod guide channel  36  disposed between the guide structure upper end  31 A and the guide structure lower end  31 B. In one embodiment, the rod guide channels  36  are substantially tube shaped, and each rod guide channel  36  has a guide channel lower end  38 B positioned at the guide structure lower end  31 B. 
     The first and second securing rods  12 A,  12 B each have a rod upper end  13 A, and a distally oriented rod lower end  13 B. In one embodiment, the securing rods are pieces of rebar. The first and second securing rods  12 A,  12 B are held within the first and second securing rod guides  34 A,  34 B, with the rod lower ends  13 B pointing downwardly. The rod lower ends  13 B of the first and second securing rods  12 A,  12 B pass through the guide channel lower openings  38 B of the first and second rod securing guides  34 A,  34 B to become embedded within the installation surface  90 . 
     Turning to  FIG.  4    while also referring to  FIG.  3   , in one embodiment, the first and second securing rod guides  34 A,  34 B each have a guide channel upper opening  38 A distally oriented in relation to the guide channel lower opening  38 B. The guide channel upper openings  38 A are accessible from the guide structure upper end  31 A. The rod lower ends  13 B of the first and second securing rods  12 A,  12 B are inserted into the guide channel upper openings  38 A. The rod lower ends  13 B pass through the rod guide channels  36  before abutting the installation surface  90 , while the rod upper end  13 A of the first and second securing rods  12 A,  12 B project upwardly past the guide channel upper openings  38 A. In one embodiment, each securing rod measures approximately twenty-four inches in length, while each rod guide channel  36  measures approximately eighteen inches in length, allowing an eight-inch long portion of each securing rod to project upwardly away from the guide channel upper openings  38 A. 
     Turning to  FIG.  5    while also referring to  FIG.  4   , the securing rods are embedded into the installation surface  90  by pushing the first and second securing rods  12 A,  12 B downward through the first and second securing rod guides  34 A,  34 B. In certain embodiments, the rod lower ends  13 B of the securing rods are driven into the installation surface  90  by exerting a downward force against the rod upper ends  13 A, such as with the use of a hammer. The plumbing target placement tool  10  is lifted upwardly away from the installation surface  90 , leaving the rod lower ends  13 B of the first and second securing rods  12 A,  12 B embedded within the installation surface. In certain embodiments, the plumbing target placement tool  10  further comprises a carrying attachment  14  which allows a user to more easily lift or manipulate the plumbing target placement tool  10 . For example, the carrying means  14  may correspond to a carrying rod  16  with a handle  18  which is attached to the guide structure  30 . 
     Returning to  FIGS.  1 A-B  while also referring to  FIG.  2   , the guide structure  30  of the plumbing target placement tool  10  may be implemented in various configurations while retaining the characteristics described in the present disclosure. In one embodiment, the guide structure  30  comprises a plurality of horizontal plates  40  arranged in parallel, with each horizontal plate  40  having a pair of guide channel apertures  48  which allow the guide channels  36  to pass through the horizontal plate  40 . In one example, one of the horizontal plates  40  forms the guide structure upper end  31 A, while another horizontal plate  40  forms the guide structure lower end  31 B. A third horizontal plate  40  may be positioned between the guide structure upper and lower ends  31 A,  31 B. In certain embodiments, each horizontal plate  40  further has an aperture or opening centrally located between the guide channel apertures  48 , corresponding to the alignment guide aperture  44 . 
     Turning to  FIG.  7   , while also referring to  FIG.  6 A  and  FIG.  6 C , in a preferred embodiment, the plumbing target guide  50  is assembled by attaching the pipe supporting member  54  onto the first and second securing rods  12 A,  12 B. In a preferred embodiment, the pipe supporting member  54  has a first securing rod attachment point  58 A and a second securing rod attachment point  58 B, with the pipe guide aperture  60  disposed centrally therebetween. The first securing rod attachment point  58 A and the second securing rod attachment point  58 B are each adapted to detachably interlock with the first or second securing rods  12 A,  12 B. 
     In one embodiment the first and second securing rod attachment points  58 A,  58 B are formed as openings which allow securing rod caps  62  to be placed therein. The securing rod caps  62  may each have a cap projection  63  extending through the first and second securing rod attachment points  58 A,  58 B. To fix the securing rod cap  62  in place, the first and second securing rod attachment points  58 A,  58 B may incorporate a star-like pattern of projections which extend inwardly into the opening to grip the cap projection  63 . Each cap projection  63  may have a securing rod receiving recess  63 A which is adapted to receive the rod upper end  13 A of either the first or the second securing rod  12 A,  12 B. The cap projection  63  may be formed of plastic or a similar material which allows the cap projection to frictionally engage both the first and second securing rod attachment points  58 A,  58 B and the rod upper ends  13 A within the securing rod receiving recess  63 A. 
     In one embodiment, the pipe supporting member  54  may have supporting member upper face  56 A, with an oppositely disposed supporting member lower face  56 B. The pipe guide aperture  60  and the first and second securing rod attachment points  58 A,  58 B each pass through the pipe supporting members  54  between the supporting member upper and lower faces  56 A,  56 B. The supporting member upper face  56 A is substantially flat surrounding the first and second securing rod attachment points  58 A,  58 B. The securing rod cap  62  may have a cap upper face  62 A and a flat cap lower face  62 B from which the cap projection  63  extends perpendicularly. The securing rod caps  62  are inserted through the first securing rod attachment point  58 A and the second securing rod attachment point  58 B, with the cap lower face  62 B of the securing rod caps  62  making flush contact with the pipe supporting member upper face  56 A. The flush contact between the cap lower face  62 B and the securing member upper face  56 A ensures that the cap projection  63 , as well as the first and second securing rods  12 A,  12 B, are perpendicular in relation to the pipe supporting member  54 . 
     Note that in alternate embodiments, other attachment means may be employed to attach the pipe supporting member  54  to the first and second securing rods  12 A,  12 B, such as open clips or other means as will be apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art in the field of the invention. 
     Turning to  FIG.  8    and  FIG.  9   , once the plumbing target guide  50  is assembled, the pipe supporting member  54  is parallel with the installation surface  90 , with the pipe guide aperture  60  positioned above and in alignment with the installation point  98 . The vertical pipe  84  is inserted lengthwise through the pipe guide aperture  60  while remaining in alignment with the installation point  98 . The pipe supporting member  54  continues to support the vertical pipe  82  as vertical pipe  82  is attached to other elements of pipework. For example, the vertical pipe  82  can be attached to a horizontal pipe  80  running parallel with the installation surface  90  via a fitting  84 , such as an elbow fitting or a T-shaped fitting. The pipe guide aperture  60  may be configured with various diameters to accommodate vertical pipes  82  of different sizes. The diameter of the pipe guide aperture  60  may be nearly equal to or slightly larger than the diameter of the vertical pipe  82 . 
     Turning to  FIG.  10    while also referring to  FIGS.  6 A-B  and  FIG.  2   , the plumbing target placement tool  10  may be used to place a horizontal pipe alignment guide  70  upon the installation surface  90  instead of a plumbing target guide  50 . The pipe alignment guide  70  is used to assist in aligning a horizontal pipe  80  with the guide line  94 . In a preferred embodiment, the pipe alignment guide  70  comprises an alignment member  64  having a first securing rod attachment point  58 A, a second securing rod attachment point  58 B, and an alignment guide marker  66  which is positioned centrally therebetween. The alignment member  64  may have an upper face  68 A and a lower face  68 B. The first and second securing rod attachment points  58 A,  58 B allow the alignment member  64  to be attached to a first and second securing rod  12 A,  12 B in a manner substantially similar to the pipe supporting member  54 . In a preferred embodiment, securing rod caps  62  are used to secure the alignment member  64  to the first and second securing rods  12 A,  12 B. 
     In one example, the horizontal pipe  80  may be placed with the assistance of one or more horizontal pipe alignment guides  70 , each positioned in alignment with the guide line  94 . This allows both the horizontal pipe  80  and the vertical pipe  82  to be placed in alignment with the guide line  94 , thus avoiding potential misalignments which would prevent a proper connection between the vertical and horizontal pipes  82 ,  80 . The placement of the horizontal pipe alignment guides  70  may be facilitated by marking additional placement points  98  along the guide line  94 . Additional first and second securing rods  12 A,  12 B are embedded into the installation surface  90  using the plumbing target placement tool  10 , with the first and second securing rods  12 A,  12 B straddling the guide line  94 . The alignment guide marker  66  is positioned above, and is directly aligned with, the installation point  98 . In a preferred embodiment, the alignment guide marker  66  forms an opening that passes through the upper and lower faces  68 A,  68 B of the alignment member, allowing a user to look through the alignment guide member  64  to view the installation surface  90 , the horizontal pipe  80 , or other objects below the horizontal pipe alignment guide  70 . In one embodiment, alignment guide marker  66  is substantially cross-shaped, allowing the alignment guide marker  66  to align with both the guide line  98  and the lateral guide line  96 . Note that the alignment guide marker  66  can be any marking or apparatus which facilitates visual alignment. 
     The horizontal pipe  80  may be laid out along the installation surface  90  in alignment with the guide line  94  by placing the horizontal pipe between the first and second securing rods  12 A,  12 B of the horizontal pipe alignment guides  70 . To increase precision of the alignment, the horizontal pipe  80  may be positioned centrally and equidistant between the securing rods with the alignment guide marker  66  positioned centrally above the horizontal pipe  80 . In certain embodiments, visible guide marks may be placed on the horizontal pipe to facilitate the adjustment. 
     Once the plumbing installation is complete, the plumbing target guide  50  and any horizontal pipe alignment guides  70  can be left in place or be disassembled and removed from the installation surface  90 . 
     It is understood that when an element is referred hereinabove as being “on” another element, it can be directly on the other element or intervening elements may be present therebetween. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on” another element, there are no intervening elements present. 
     Moreover, any components or materials can be formed from a same, structurally continuous piece or separately fabricated and connected. 
     It is further understood that, although ordinal terms, such as, “first,” “second,” “third,” are used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another element, component, region, layer or section. Thus, “a first element,” “component,” “region,” “layer” or “section” discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings herein. 
     Spatially relative terms, such as “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,” “upper” and the like, are used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature&#39;s relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It is understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features. Thus, the example term “below” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device can be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly. 
     Example embodiments are described herein with reference to cross section illustrations that are schematic illustrations of idealized embodiments. As such, variations from the shapes of the illustrations as a result, for example, of manufacturing techniques and/or tolerances, are to be expected. Thus, example embodiments described herein should not be construed as limited to the particular shapes of regions as illustrated herein, but are to include deviations in shapes that result, for example, from manufacturing. For example, a region illustrated or described as flat may, typically, have rough and/or nonlinear features. Moreover, sharp angles that are illustrated may be rounded. Thus, the regions illustrated in the figures are schematic in nature and their shapes are not intended to illustrate the precise shape of a region and are not intended to limit the scope of the present claims. 
     In conclusion, herein is presented a plumbing target and placement tool. The disclosure is illustrated by example in the drawing figures, and throughout the written description. It should be understood that numerous variations are possible, while adhering to the inventive concept. Such variations are contemplated as being a part of the present disclosure.