The presently disclosed subject matter relates to the field of alignment and sighting. Particularly, the presently disclosed subject matter is directed to a device and method for accurately projecting a path for the drilling of multiple in-line sloped holes.
Drain pipes form an important part of any plumbing installation. Local ordinances and building codes generally require that drain pipes be installed with a slight pitch or downward slope leading away from the plumbing installation to help prevent waste and drain water from backing up into the house or building plumbing system. The angle of downward slope can vary according to the diameter of the drain pipe, use of the pipe, and so forth. A common requirement is that a drain or sewer line three inches or less in diameter must slope vertically downward one-quarter inch per foot of travel, while drain pipes greater than three inches in diameter must slope vertically downward one-eighth of an inch downward for each foot of travel. Traditionally, the slope between adjacent joists have been individually measured and drilled, requiring significant time and attention to detail. Commonly, measurements are miscalculated, leading to considerable construction defects that can be costly to repair. It would therefore be beneficial to provide a device that produces the accurate projection of a path for the drilling of multiple aligned holes for a succession of construction joists.
In some embodiments, the presently disclosed subject matter is directed to a device for sloped laser sighting. The device comprises a cup comprising an interior, an open first end, a closed second end, and a sidewall that connects the open first end and the closed second end. The closed second end comprises a face with an aperture configured therein, and the interior comprises a housing positioned adjacent to the closed second end, sized and shaped to contain a laser unit. The device further comprises a slope level comprising an interior that houses a liquid and a bubble of gaseous fluid disposed at a location within the liquid, wherein the location is an indicator of slope of the device. The device also includes a laser unit disposed within the cup housing, wherein one end of the laser unit extends through the aperture, and wherein the extended end is configured to emit a light therefrom. In some embodiments, the sidewall tapers inward from the first open end of the cup to the second closed end.
In some embodiments, the device sidewall has an exterior that comprises a brace sized and shaped to house the slope level.
In some embodiments, the cup is constructed from plastic, metal, wood, cardboard, chipboard, stiff paper, foamed plastics, recycled materials, compostable materials, heavy foil, or combinations thereof.
In some embodiments, the slope level comprises markings that indicate a downward slope of ⅛ inch, ¼ inch, or ½ inch per foot.
In some embodiments, the liquid of the slope level is colored to increase visibility.
In some embodiments, the laser unit is releasably disposed within the housing.
In some embodiments, the sidewall has an outer surface that comprises a brace that releasably houses the slope level.
In some embodiments, the open first end of the cup is configured to fit over one end of a pipe.
In some embodiments, the laser unit comprises an internal battery source for energizing a beam circuitry.
In some embodiments, the presently disclosed subject matter is directed to a method of marking a hole location at a desired slope in a structure. The method comprises positioning the disclosed device for sloped laser sighting on one end a pipe, tilting the device to a desired slope as indicated by the bubble location in the slope level, and initiating the laser unit to emit light to mark a location for a first hole in a first structure where indicated by the laser. In some embodiments, the method further comprises drilling a hole in the first structure at the location marked, and marking a location for a second hole in a second structure where indicated by the emitted light passing through the first hole to align the first hole in the first structure with the marked location on the second structure at a desired slope.
In some embodiments, the structure is a joist.
In some embodiments, the desired slope is a downward slope of ⅛ inch, ¼ inch, or ½ inch per foot.
In some embodiments, the laser unit is releasably disposed within the housing.
In some embodiments, the sidewall has an outer surface that comprises a brace that releasably houses the slope level.
In some embodiments, the presently disclosed subject matter is directed to a method of forming a plurality of aligned holes. The method comprises positioning the disclosed device for sloped laser sighting on one end a pipe, tilting the device to a desired slope as indicated by the bubble location in the slope level, and initiating the laser unit to emit light to mark a location for a first hole in a first structure where indicated by the laser. The method further comprises drilling a hole at the marked location in the first structure, marking a location for a second hole in a second structure where indicated by the emitted light passing through the first hole, and drilling a second hole in the location marked on the second structure, wherein the first hole and the second hole are aligned at a desired slope.
In some embodiments, the first and second structures are joists.
In some embodiments, the method further comprises drilling one or more successive holes marked on successive structures, wherein the successive holes are aligned with the first and second holes at a desired slope.
The previous summary and the following detailed descriptions are to be read in view of the drawings, which illustrate some (but not all) embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter.
The presently disclosed subject matter is introduced with sufficient details to provide an understanding of one or more particular embodiments of broader inventive subject matters. The descriptions expound upon and exemplify features of those embodiments without limiting the inventive subject matters to the explicitly described embodiments and features. Considerations in view of these descriptions will likely give rise to additional and similar embodiments and features without departing from the scope of the presently disclosed subject matter.
Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood to one of ordinary skill in the art to which the presently disclosed subject matter pertains. Although any methods, devices, and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the presently disclosed subject matter, representative methods, devices, and materials are now described.
Following long-standing patent law convention, the terms “a”, “an”, and “the” refer to “one or more” when used in the subject specification, including the claims. Thus, for example, reference to “a device” can include a plurality of such devices, and so forth.
Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing quantities of components, conditions, and so forth used in the specification and claims are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term “about”. Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth in the instant specification and attached claims are approximations that can vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by the presently disclosed subject matter.
As used herein, the term “about”, when referring to a value or to an amount of mass, weight, time, volume, concentration, and/or percentage can encompass variations of, in some embodiments +/−20%, in some embodiments +/−10%, in some embodiments +/−5%, in some embodiments +/−1%, in some embodiments +/−0.5%, and in some embodiments +/−0.1%, from the specified amount, as such variations are appropriate in the disclosed packages and methods.
The presently disclosed subject matter relates generally to a pipe fitting alignment device. Particularly, as shown in
As illustrated in
Face 34 can be vertically disposed as shown in
In some embodiments the interior of sidewall 32 can be angled to allow the device to tilt when installed on a pipe so that a desired slope can be achieved during use. Particularly,
Cup 10 can be configured in any desired size. However, the cup will typically have an inner diameter larger or slightly larger than the size of the outer diameter of the pipe it is to be used with. To this end, cup 10 can be of any desired size to fit on any desired pipe. For example, the cup can be used with pipes with external diameters of about 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 inches. However, the presently disclosed subject matter Is not limited and the device can be used with pipes of any size. In some embodiments, the pipe used with the disclosed device can be of the type used in plumbing or sewer applications, as would be known in the art.
Cup 10 can be constructed from any rigid or semi-rigid material known or used in the art. The term “rigid” as used herein refers to a material that has a substantially stiff structure that resists bending and is not generally flexible. The term “semi-rigid” as used herein refers to a material that holds a shape without external support, but exhibits higher flexibility when external forces are exerted on the material. Thus, cup 10 can be constructed from plastic, metal (e.g., aluminium), wood, cardboard, chipboard, stiff paper, foamed plastics, recycled materials, compostable materials, heavy foil, and/or combinations thereof. Such materials are typically suitable for forming, yet stiff or rigid enough to resist buckling, folding, crumbling or collapsing due to compression, handling, and shipping. The material used to construct cup 10 is typically portable, lightweight, easy to use, and durable.
Cup 10 can be constructed using any conventional process known or used in the art. For example, in some embodiments, the cup can be constructed by rotational molding, blow molding, injection molding, casting, roll forming, stamping, billet machining, and the like. The cup can be formed as one integral piece or can be configured as multiple components joined together.
As set forth above, device 5 comprises slope level 15 for easy pitch determination relative to a horizontal ground axis. Particularly, in the field of building construction, pipes are usually required to be constructed at an acute angle to the horizontal to allow for complete draining of water being transported. For instance, drain pipes can be required by building codes to be installed at a slope of ⅛ inch per foot, ¼ inch per foot, or ½ inch per foot, depending on the particular application. These slopes correspond to approximate angles from the horizontal of 0.60 degrees, 1.2 degrees, and 2.4 degrees, respectively. The term “slope” or “pitch” as used herein typically refers to a downward inclination or slant.
As shown in
Tube 40 further comprises markings 55 located on the top surface thereof that allow the user to determine a particular slope. In some embodiments, markings 55 can include an indication of a downward slope of 0, ½, ¼, ⅛, or 1/16th of an inch per one foot of drainage pipe. However, it should be understood that markings 55 can include any desired indication of angular position. It should also be appreciated that instead of having two or more markings 55 (e.g., ½ inch or ¼ inch), the slope level can be provided with a single marking. In some embodiments, the markings can be configured with spaced apart lines 56 so that a that level is at the required slope when bubble 50 is centered between the lines. The markings can be engraved, painted, printed, or otherwise formed on the upper surface of the housing.
Bubble 50 has a density less than that of liquid 45, so that the bubble will always rise in the vertical direction to achieve a position above that of the liquid. Thus, when slope level 15 is inclined or declined, the bubble will move in a longitudinal direction along the length of housing 40. The user can observe the position of bubble 50 through the housing aligned with a particular marking, thus providing the user with a visual indication of the angular position of the device and the pipe to which the housing is attached.
In some embodiments, the slope level is directly attached to one surface of cup sidewall 32 (e.g., the top surface in some embodiments) using welding, adhesives, and the like such that the slope level is permanently attached to the body. In other embodiments, the sidewall 32 includes brace 60 that cooperates with slope level 15, as illustrated in
Device 5 further comprises laser unit 20, as illustrated in
Suitable laser units include those capable of producing a laser beam (or beam of light) on a surface, visible as a spot of white or colored light. Commercial laser units can be used, such as (but not limited to) low-cost infrared diode laser modules of up to 1000 mW (1 watt) output. However, the laser unit is not limited and can include any device used to generate a narrow projection of light energy, such as an incandescent lamp or light emitting diode which in certain embodiments can be focused with a reflector. In some embodiments, the laser unit is a Class III laser, which satisfies the specifications and standards stipulated for consumer use.
In use, device 5 is assembled by attaching slope level 15 directly to sidewall 32 or to housing 60. Laser unit 20 is inserted into housing 36 of cup 10 to arrive at the configuration of
The cup can be angled to a desired slope, as indicated by bubble 50 and markings 55 of slope level 15. In embodiments where sidewall 32 of the cup is angled, the cup (and slope level) can be easily adjusted and/or tilted to the desired slope. Once a desired slope has been achieved, the laser unit is then initiated to provide a visual indicator for drilling multiple joist holes at a set pitch from pipe 70. The laser unit can be initiated using any of a wide variety of methods, such as pushing a button, flipping an “on” switch, and the like. As shown in
Advantageously, the disclosed alignment device provides a quick and accurate way to locate marks for drilling multiple holes that slope at a desired angle. As such, the need to measure, level, and mark individual joists one-by-one is eliminated. Accordingly, disclosed device enables a user to locate and drill aligned holes in an efficient manner, thereby saving valuable time and reducing the need for additional tools, such as plumb lines, caulk lines, sight wires, and the like. The disclosed device further advantageously allows one person instead of multiple workers to pinpoint drilling locations and accurately align components and structures to a desired slope.