Patent Application
20170129094
The present subject matter relates to adapters for supporting a variety of tools with chain pipe vises.
Applications arise when it is desirable or necessary to stably mount a tool for subsequent use of the tool. In some cases, this need results from the tool having been designed to be mounted prior to tool use, such as for example when a workpiece is brought to the tool. In other cases, a tool can be used both in handheld and mounted configurations, such as for example when the tool is brought to the workpiece and vice versa.
Pipe working professionals typically have a chain pipe vise available when working with pipe. A chain pipe vise provides a stable mounting point for pipe and conduit for example. However, chain pipe vises are specifically designed to hold pipes and similarly shaped workpieces. In order to stably mount tools, various work stands or portable work benches are typically used. Although use of such stands and benches is generally acceptable for work performed in a shop or other designated facility; for work performed in the field or at a jobsite, it is undesirable to transport and set up additional stands or benches.
Accordingly, a need exists for a strategy by which a chain pipe vise, which is often present or used by those at jobsites, can be used to stably mount or support tools or other objects besides pipes, conduits, or workpieces.
The difficulties and drawbacks associated with previous approaches are addressed in the present subject matter as follows.
In one aspect, the present subject matter provides an adapter for mounting a tool to a chain vise. The adapter comprises a stanchion defining a first end and a second opposite end. The adapter also comprises at least one support, each support extending laterally outward from the stanchion. Each support defines a distal end. The stanchion is sized and shaped to be received and engaged with the chain vise. The support(s) are sized and oriented to receive a tool for mounting to the adapter which is mounted to the chain vise.
In another aspect, the present subject matter provides an adapter for mounting a tool to a chain vise. The adapter comprises a stanchion defining a first end and a second opposite end. The adapter also comprises at least one leg extending outward from the stanchion. And, the adapter comprises a key extending outward from the stanchion. The stanchion is sized and shaped to be received and engaged with the chain vise. And the at least one leg is configured to contact a support surface associated with the chain vise.
In still another aspect, the present subject matter provides a method of mounting a tool in a chain vise. The method comprises providing an adapter including (i) a stanchion defining a first end and a second opposite end, (ii) at least one support, each support extending laterally outward from the stanchion, and (iii) optionally, at least one coupling, each optional coupling engaged with the support. The stanchion is sized and shaped to be received and engaged with the chain vise, and the supports and optional couplings are sized and oriented to receive a tool for mounting to the chain vise. The method also comprises providing a chain vise including (i) a V-shaped support, (ii) a chain, and (iii) a chain tightening assembly. The method further comprises positioning the adapter on the V-shaped support, positioning the chain around the stanchion of the adapter, tightening the chain positioned around the stanchion, positioning a tool to be mounted in the chain vise on the at least one support of the adapter, and engaging at least one of the support and the optional coupling with the tool to thereby mount the tool in the chain vise.
In yet another aspect, the present subject matter provides a method of mounting a tool in a chain vise. The method comprises providing an adapter including (i) a stanchion defining a first end and a second opposite end, (ii) at least one leg extending outward from the stanchion, and (iii) a key extending outward from the stanchion. The stanchion is sized and shaped to be received and engaged with the chain vise, and the leg is configured to contact a support surface associated with the chain vise. The method also comprises providing a chain vise including (i) a V-shaped support, (ii) a chain, and (iii) a chain tightening assembly. The method additionally comprises positioning the adapter on the V-shaped support. The method further comprises positioning the chain around the stanchion of the adapter. And, the method comprises tightening the chain positioned around the stanchion. The method also includes positioning a tool to be mounted in the chain vise, on the adapter. And, the method additionally includes engaging the adapter with the tool to thereby mount the tool in the chain vise.
As will be realized, the subject matter described herein is capable of other and different embodiments and its several details are capable of modifications in various respects, all without departing from the claimed subject matter. Accordingly, the drawings and description are to be regarded as illustrative and not restrictive.
The present subject matter relates to the use of chain pipe vises as mounting supports for a variety of tools. Chain pipe vises are primarily used by plumbers, pipefitters, electricians, and others who typically work with pipe, tubular components or workpieces. The present subject matter also relates to adapters used with chain pipe vises to enable certain tools to be affixed to the vise. This results in eliminating the need for a separate or specific stand. The present subject matter further relates to the use of adapters and/or tools in conjunction with chain pipe vises. The present subject matter, i.e., the various method(s) and adapter(s), provides numerous benefits which include the following.
A user can utilize a chain vise they already have to secure and/or support their various tools in place. Thus, the user does not have to buy or otherwise obtain a dedicated stand that takes up additional space as compared to the adapters of the present subject matter.
With handheld tools, the tool can be mounted for bench use. The present subject matter adapters positively locate the tool in the vise. In many embodiments, the adapter engages with the chain vise in only a single orientation, to thereby promote repeatable and stable affixment of a tool.
The configuration of the adapter can be modified for use with a variety of tools, including geared threaders and beveling tools, other types of vises, benders, cutters, press and crimp tools, punches, saws, etc.
Using the adapter to mount a tool may allow the tool to be used in a different manner, change or increase capacity, and potentially increase productivity through ease of material handling, etc. For example, with a beveling tool, mounting the beveller as described herein allows much shorter workpieces to be beveled and reduces handling time. For a geared threader, mounting the threader thereby enables the threader to be used with a rotating pipe. Using the adapter to mount a tool can change the way that the tool is used. For example, the tool may typically be brought to the workpiece in normal use, while use of a fixed or mounted tool allows the workpiece to be brought to the tool.
The present subject matter adapters and related methods, are utilized with a wide array of chain pipe vises (or periodically referred to herein as “chain vises”). Chain pipe vises are well known in the art and described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,103,243; 1,807,917; 1,158,414; 1,653,326; 6,073,919; and 6,382,610 for example. Chain vises adapted for mounting on a bench or other component are well known and commercially available such as Bench Chain Vises available from RIDGID such as Model Nos. BC210, BC410, BC210P, BC410P, BC510, BC610, BC810, BC2A, and BC4A. Stand Chain Vises are also available from RIDGID as Model No. 560. Chain vises incorporated in a work stand referred to as a TRISTAND are also available from RIDGID as Model Nos. 425, 460-6, and 460-12.
Chain pipe vises are typically characterized by and include a V-shaped support upon which a pipe or workpiece is positioned for subsequent affixment, a chain which is typically a roller chain that is placed over the workpiece to be affixed, and a chain tightening assembly.
Most chain pipe vises are designed for use such that the V-shaped support is directed vertically upwards. Thus, upon placing a workpiece on the support, the weight of the workpiece keeps the workpiece centered within the V-shaped support. However, the present subject matter is not limited to such uses or orientations and thus includes uses with chain pipe vises that are directed along other angles or orientations besides vertical.
The adapters of the present subject matter generally comprise a central or primary stanchion member that is sized and/or shaped to be received within and engaged with a chain pipe vise. In many embodiments, the stanchion is cylindrical and may include a hollow interior extending between opposite ends of the stanchion and be in a variety of forms such as for example a steel tube. However, the stanchion may exhibit a variety of other cross sectional shapes besides a circular cross section. The stanchion may also be nonsymmetrical or irregular in shape.
The adapter also comprises one or more supports that extend outward and in many embodiments, laterally outward from the stanchion. The supports can be permanently formed with the stanchion and/or releasably affixed thereto, such as by using threaded fasteners. In many versions, one or more of the support includes an adjustable coupling at or near a distal end of the support. In particular embodiments, each support includes an optional adjustable coupling at its distal end. The supports and their corresponding couplings are sized and oriented to receive a tool to be mounted in the chain vise of interest. The various adapters may optionally include one or more leg(s) and key(s). These aspects are described in greater detail herein.
It is also contemplated that the adapters of the present subject matter could be incorporated within or integrally formed with a stand or other component. It is also contemplated that the adapters could be incorporated in a tool or tool system. For example, an adapter or its components could be integrally formed in a tool. Thus, it will be understood that the adapters of the present subject matter can be provided in a variety of different forms and configurations.
The methods of the present subject matter generally relate to affixment and mounting various tools in chain pipe vises using the adapters of the present subject matter. The methods typically comprise providing an adapter in accordance with the present subject matter. The adapter can be in the form of the embodiments described herein or can be in a variety of other forms. The methods also comprise positioning the adapter in the chain pipe vise such that a stanchion member of the adapter is positioned on the V-shaped support of the vise and particularly centrally located and extending parallel or collinearly with a center axis of the V-shaped support. Upon appropriate positioning of the stanchion on the V-shaped support such that the optional adjustable couplings can be accessed and engaged with a tool subsequently positioned on the adapter, the chain of the chain pipe vise is positioned around the stanchion and tightened to thereby engage and affix the adapter to the chain pipe vise. It will be understood that if couplings are not used, the tool can be engaged with one or more of the supports. Thus, the support(s) are positioned to be accessible. After such engagement and affixment of the adapter, a tool to be mounted on the adapter is placed on the adapter. The supports and/or optional couplings are then engaged with the tool and typically along one or more lower regions of the tool. The couplings are tightened to thereby affix and mount the tool to the adapter and chain pipe vise. The present subject matter also includes performing these operations in a different sequence or order. For example, the tool can be mounted on the adapter, and then the adapter engaged and affixed to the chain pipe vise.
Generally, regardless of the mounting configuration, the adapter is positioned within the V-shaped support of the vise. The optional one or more leg(s) assist and/or preclude rotation of the adapter positioned on the V-shaped support. The adapter is also aligned along its length direction, i.e., a central axis of the adapter, and relative to the V-shaped support by the optional one or more key(s).
For versions of the adapter which include one or more legs extending from the stanchion, the methods also include contacting the legs with a support surface associated with the vise. If the chain pipe vise is incorporated in a TRISTAND or other stand chain vise, the support surface is typically a work surface of a base plate of the TRISTAND or other stand. If the chain pipe vise is in the form of a bench chain vise, the support surface is typically a surface of the bench, other work surface, or the base of the vise. The leg(s) contact the support surface to “time” or ensure appropriate rotational position of the adapter relative to the vise.
For versions of the adapter which include a key extending from the stanchion, and when using the adapter with a chain pipe vise having a V-shaped support having a pair of spaced apart, co-extending legs, the methods also include disposing or positioning the key between the spaced apart legs within a space between such legs. This promotes stability of the adapter within the V-shaped support. It will be appreciated that use of one or more key(s) in the present subject matter adapters may be useful for engagement with other vise configurations including those that do not include pair(s) of spaced apart legs. That is, the key(s) serve to positively axially locate the adapter relative to the vise. Typically, this is performed by positioning the adapter on the V-shaped support until the key contacts the V-shaped support or another region of the chain vise or stand for example. That is, in many embodiments of the present subject matter, the key extends outwardly from the stanchion such that upon proper axial placement of the adapter relative to the chain vise, the key contacts the chain vise. It is contemplated that a wide array of outwardly projecting or extending member(s) could be used for the key(s) noted herein. For example, in certain embodiments, the key is in the form of a plate or rigid member that contacts the chain vise, components thereof such as the V-shaped support, and/or a work stand having a chain vise, to thereby axially locate the adapter.
A wide array of tools can potentially be stably mounted and/or secured in chain pipe vises using the present subject matter adapters and methods. For example, beveling machines and devices such as a B-500 Transportable Pipe Beveller from Ridge Tool and beveling tools described in US 2015/0040731 for example can be mounted. Various power threading tools such as hand-held power drives and larger power threading machines can also be used with the adapters of the present subject matter. The power drives can be in the form of various commercially available power drives from Ridge Tool such as 600-I Power Drive, 690-I Power Drive, and 700 Power Drive. The present subject matter includes the use of other power drives besides these. The present subject matter can also be used with groovers and more particularly pipe groovers. A variety of pipe groovers could potentially be used with the adapters such as for example a 915 Roll Groover available from Ridge Tool. The present subject matter includes the use of other groovers.
The plurality of supports 220 can be arranged in various configurations relative to the stanchion 210. Any number of supports could be used such as from one to ten or more. Four is useful for many embodiments. In the particular embodiment of
The adapter 200 also comprises one or more adjustable couplings 230 for releasable affixment with a tool. In the version of the adapter 200 shown in
A variety of adjustable couplings can be used in the present subject matter adapters. In the version shown in
The adapter 200 may optionally comprise one or more legs 240 extending from the stanchion 210. Use of the legs 240 is described in greater detail herein. The leg(s) 240 typically extend outward from the center axis A of the stanchion 210 and in many embodiments, in a direction away from the supports 220. For example, if the supports extend upward, the legs typically extend downward or at an angle or downward inclination when the adapter is positioned in a chain pipe vise. The legs 240 may also serve to prevent inadvertent rotation of the adapter 200 about the center axis A of the stanchion 210.
After appropriate positioning of the tool 300 on the adapter 200 affixed in the TRISTAND chain pipe vise 10, the adjustable couplings 230 are engaged with the tool 300. In many applications, the adjustable couplings 230 are engaged with a lower region of the tool such as portions of the tubular members 310. The adjustable couplings can be engaged with the tool by contacting or positioning an engagement end 237 over a portion of the tool 300 such as for example a tubular member 310 and then tightening the coupling 230 by rotating the handle portion 235 as shown in
The adapter 500 is configured to mount a tool system which can for example include a threading die 600 and a power drive 650 to the TRISTAND chain vise 10. The adapter 500 includes a stanchion 510 defining a first end 512, a second opposite end 514, and an exterior surface 516. The stanchion 510 may be hollow and in the form of a cylindrical tube. The stanchion 510 is positioned on the V-shaped support (not shown) as previously described for
The adapter 500 also includes one or more couplings 530 for supporting a tool or tool system, which in the embodiment of
The adapter 500 also includes legs 540 extending from the stanchion 510. In the particular version of
Many other benefits will no doubt become apparent from future application and development of this technology.
All patents, applications, standards, and articles noted herein are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.
The present subject matter includes all operable combinations of features and aspects described herein. Thus, for example if one feature is described in association with an embodiment and another feature is described in association with another embodiment, it will be understood that the present subject matter includes embodiments having a combination of these features.
As described hereinabove, the present subject matter solves many problems associated with previous strategies, systems and/or devices. However, it will be appreciated that various changes in the details, materials and arrangements of components, which have been herein described and illustrated in order to explain the nature of the present subject matter, may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the principle and scope of the claimed subject matter, as expressed in the appended claims.
