Pipe bending apparatus and method thereof

Abstract

A pipe bending apparatus has a head portion, an elongated handle portion attached to a bottom section of the head portion, and a laser member adapted to attach to a pipe and be spaced a predetermined distance away from the head and handle portions, wherein the head portion includes a curved elongated channel having two side walls forming a channel interior, a channel exterior, and an open channel top, the head portion further including an end section formed on a distal front end thereof, such that the channel and the end section are formed and adapted to hold a pipe around a substantial portion of its diameter, the two side walls of the channel have a series of spaced matching pairs of holes, wherein each of the matching pair of holes are adapted to receive and hold a blocking pin therein.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to construction tools but more particularly to a pipe bending apparatus.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Bending pipes used as conduits for electrical cables can be a complicated tasks because figuring out the proper angles requires trigonometric calculations which are not easy for tradesmen.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known devices now present in the prior art, the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide objects and advantages which are:

To provide for an easy way to figure out how to bend pipes without requiring trigonometric knowledge.

In order to do so, the invention consists of a pipe bending apparatus comprising a head portion, an elongated handle portion attached to a bottom section of the head portion, and a laser member adapted to attach to a pipe and be spaced a predetermined distance away from the head and handle portions, wherein the head portion includes a curved elongated channel having two side walls forming a channel interior, a channel exterior, and an open channel top, the head portion further including an end section formed on a distal front end thereof, such that the channel and the end section are formed and adapted to hold a pipe around a substantial portion of its diameter, the two side walls of the channel have a series of spaced matching pairs of holes, wherein each of the matching pair of holes are adapted to receive and hold a blocking pin therein. The blocking pin is flexibly attached to the head portion and adapted to be placed within a chosen pair of matching holes, and the handle portion includes a series of spaced markings along the length thereof, such that when the blocking pin is placed within a chosen pair of the matching holes, a pipe can be placed within the channel and between the channel and the end section and abutting the blocking pin, the laser member can then be attached upon the pipe and produce a laser beam that is to be pointed along the length of the pipe toward the head and handle portions, and pressure can then be applied to the handle portion and thereby adapted to bend the pipe a predetermined amount determined by the positions of the blocking pin and the laser beam.

The pipe bending apparatus has the channel and the end section with U-shaped cross sections, and the U-shaped cross section of the end section is formed upside down with respect to the U-shaped cross section of the channel, thereby forming a geometric shape adapted to hold a pipe around a substantial portion of its diameter.

The pipe bending apparatus has the channel exterior of at least one of the channel side walls include a series of bend markers, each one corresponding to a respective pair of matching holes, such that when bending a pipe a person can use the bend markers to visually see the resulting bend caused by the chosen pair of matching holes.

The pipe bending apparatus has the handle markings include a series of vertical and horizontal lines adapted to be used to receive the laser beam from the laser member such that when the laser beam reaches predetermined vertical and horizontal markings the bending action is stopped.

The pipe bending apparatus of claim 1, wherein the end section of the head portion includes an elongated mark on an upper surface thereon and extending in the direction of the elongated channel, such that the mark is adapted to be used as a reference point when rotating a pipe between multiple bends.

The pipe bending apparatus has the head portion removably connected to the handle portion using threaded fasteners, such that the head portion can be adjustably rotated thereon in order to align the markings on the handle portion in a predetermined position.

The pipe bending apparatus has the laser member includes a locking cap, a locking ring, a pen body, a plug, a fixing base, an adjustment screw, a laser module, an adjusting base, a magnet base, a magnet, a PC board, a switch, and a spring.

A method of bending a pipe is also described in detail hereinbelow.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter which contains illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1 a-d Isometric view of the invention and detail close up views.

FIGS. 2 a-b Side view and side view detail.

FIGS. 3 a-b Side views of the first step

FIGS. 4 a-b Top and side views of the second step.

FIGS. 5 a-b Side views of the third step.

FIG. 6 Schematic view of a preferred format for the strip of handle markings.

FIG. 7 Isometric detail of the head portion.

FIG. 8 Cutaway view of the laser member.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

An improved pipe bending apparatus (10) and method of use consist in a head portion (12) and an elongated handle portion (14), A magnetically attached laser member (16) is used in conjunction with the pipe bending apparatus (10).

The head portion (12) has a curved elongated channel (60) having two side walls (62) forming a channel interior (64), a channel exterior (66), and an open channel top (68). The head portion (12) further includes an end section (70) formed on a distal front end (72) thereof, such that the channel (60) and the end section (70) are formed and adapted to hold a pipe (18) around a substantial portion of its diameter. The two side walls (62) of the channel (60) have a series of spaced matching pairs of holes (24). The channel (60) and the end section (70) have U-shaped cross sections. The U-shaped cross section of the end section (70) is formed upside down with respect to the U-shaped cross section of the channel (60), thereby forming a geometric shape adapted to hold the pipe (18) around a substantial portion of its diameter.

A first bend (17) is made on the pipe (18) using the pipe bending apparatus (10) until the pipe (18) abuts a blocking pin (23) inserted through the chosen pair of holes (24) made into the head portion (12). Each of the pair of holes (24) correspond to a bend marker (20) located on the side of the head portion (12) as per FIG. 4b. A mark (13) on the head portion (12) is used as a reference point to ensure that the pipe (18) is rotated exactly 180 degrees as per FIG. 5a. This puts the laser member (16) upside down. The pipe (18) is then slid through the pipe bender (10) until the beam of the laser member (16) shines on a specific mark on a strip of handle markings (22) as per FIGS. 5a-b. A second bend (19) is then made, by bending the pipe (18) until it hits the blocking pin (23), which makes both ends of the pipe (18) parallel.

Typically, at the start of the process, the laser member (16) beam should shine just above the mark (13) and when turned 180 degrees, it should hit between the vertical lines (25) on the handle (14).

Depending upon the required distance between the two parallel ends of the pipe (18), specific numbers on the handle markings (22) as well as a specific bend marker (20) must be hit. Mechanical fasteners (15) are used to secure the head portion (12) to the handle portion (14) to ensure proper alignment with the mark (13).

FIG. 6 shows an example of the handle markings (22), how they are spaced and what they indicate and what mark you should hit depending upon the angle of curvature that you bend the pipe (18) at.

The laser member is comprised of the following components: a locking cap (30), a locking ring (31), a pen body (32), an optional pen clip (34), a plug (36), a fixing base (38), an adjustment screw (40), a laser module (42), an adjusting base (44), a magnet base (46), a magnet (48), a PC board (50), a switch (52), and a spring (54).

More specifically the pipe bending apparatus (10) has a method of bending pipes (18) which comprises the steps of:

a. providing the elongated pipe (18);

b. providing the pipe bending apparatus (10) comprising the head portion (12); the elongated handle portion (14) attached to the bottom section of the head portion (12); and the laser member (16) capable of producing a laser beam and removably attached to the pipe (18) at a spaced predetermined distance away from the head and handle portions (12, 14), wherein the head portion (12) includes the curved elongated channel (60) having two side walls (62) forming the channel interior (64), the channel exterior (66), and the open channel top (68), the head portion (12) further including the end section (70) formed on the distal front end (72) thereof, such that the channel (60) and the end section (70) are formed and adapted to hold the pipe (18) around a substantial portion of its diameter. The two side walls (62) of the channel (60) have a series of spaced matching pairs of holes (24), wherein each of the matching pair of holes (24) is adapted to receive and hold a blocking pin flexibly attached to the head portion (12) and adapted to be placed within a chosen pair of the matching holes (24); wherein the channel exterior (66) of at least one of the channel side walls (62) includes a series of bend markers (20), each one corresponding to a respective pair of matching holes (24); wherein the handle portion (14) includes a series of spaced markings (22) along the length thereof; and wherein the end section (70) of the head portion (12) includes an elongated mark (13) on an upper surface thereon and extending in the direction of the elongated channel (60);

c. determining which pair of matching holes (20) to place the blocking pin (23) by using the bend markers (20) to determine the desired bend angle for the pipe (!8);

d. placing the blocking pin (23) within the chosen pair of the matching holes (24);

e. placing the pipe (18) within the channel (60) and between the channel (60) and the end section (70) and abutting the blocking pin (23);

f. attaching the laser member (16) to a top surface of the pipe (18) at a distance from the head and handle portions (12, 14) and pointing the laser beam along the length of the pipe (18) toward the head and handle portions (12, 14), such that the laser member (16) produces and points a laser beam along the length of the pipe (18) and toward the head and handle portions (12, 14);

g. producing a first bend (17) by applying pressure to the handle portion (14), thereby bending the pipe (18) a predetermined amount determined by the position of the blocking pin (23);

h. using the elongated mark (13) on the end section (70) of the head portion (12) as a reference point, rotate the pipe (18) exactly 180 degrees, such that the laser member (16) rotates below the pipe (18) and points the laser beam toward the markings (22) on the handle portion (14);

i. sliding the head portion (12) along the length of the pipe (18) away from the first bend (17) until the laser beam reaches predetermined markings (22) on the handle portion (14);

j. producing a second bend (19) by applying pressure to the handle portion (14), thereby bending the pipe (18) the same predetermined amount as the first bend (17), and thereby forming two parallel sections of the pipe (18) offset by a predetermined distance determined by the predetermined marking (22) on the handle portion (14);

k. remove the pipe (18) from the channel (60) and between the channel (60) and the end section (70).

As to a further discussion of the manner of usage and operation of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A pipe bending apparatus comprising a head portion; an elongated handle portion attached to a bottom section of said head portion; and a laser member adapted to attach to a pipe and be spaced a predetermined distance away from said head and handle portions, wherein said head portion includes a curved elongated channel having two side walls forming a channel interior, a channel exterior, and an open channel top, said head portion further including an end section formed on a distal front end thereof, such that said channel and said end section are formed and adapted to hold a pipe around a substantial portion of its diameter; said two side walls of said channel have a series of spaced matching pairs of holes, wherein each said matching pair of holes being adapted to receive and hold a blocking pin therein; a blocking pin flexibly attached to said head portion and adapted to be placed within a chosen pair of matching holes; and wherein said handle portion includes a series of spaced markings along the length thereof, such that when said blocking pin is placed within a chosen pair of said matching holes, a pipe can be placed within said channel and between said channel and said end section and abutting said blocking pin, said laser member can then be attached upon said pipe and produce a laser beam that is to be pointed along the length of said pipe toward said head and handle portions, and pressure can then be applied to said handle portion and thereby adapted to bend said pipe a predetermined amount determined by the positions of said blocking pin and said laser beam.

2. The pipe bending apparatus of claim 1, wherein said channel and said end section have U-shaped cross sections; and wherein said U-shaped cross section of said end section is formed upside down with respect to said U-shaped cross section of said channel, thereby forming a geometric shape adapted to hold a pipe around a substantial portion of its diameter.

3. The pipe bending apparatus of claim 1, wherein the channel exterior of at least one of said channel side walls includes a series of bend markers, each one corresponding to a respective pair of matching holes, such that when bending a pipe a person can use the bend markers to visually see the resulting bend caused by the chosen pair of matching holes.

4. The pipe bending apparatus of claim 1, wherein said handle markings include a series of vertical and horizontal lines adapted to be used to receive said laser beam from said laser member such that when said laser beam reaches predetermined vertical and horizontal markings the bending action is stopped.

5. The pipe bending apparatus of claim 1, wherein said end section of said head portion includes an elongated mark on an upper surface thereon and extending in the direction of said elongated channel, such that said mark is adapted to be used as a reference point when rotating a pipe between multiple bends.

6. The pipe bending apparatus of claim 1, wherein said head portion is removably connected to said handle portion using threaded fasteners, such that said head portion can be adjustably rotated thereon in order to align said markings on said handle portion in a predetermined position.

7. The pipe bending apparatus of claim 1, wherein said laser member includes a locking cap; a locking ring; a pen body; a plug; a fixing base; an adjustment screw; a laser module; an adjusting base; a magnet base; a magnet; a PC board; a switch; and a spring.

8. A method of bending a pipe, said method comprises the steps of: a. providing an elongated pipe;b. providing a pipe bending apparatus comprising a head portion; an elongated handle portion attached to a bottom section of said head portion; and a laser member capable of producing a laser beam and removably attached to said pipe at a spaced predetermined distance away from said head and handle portions, wherein said head portion includes a curved elongated channel having two side walls forming a channel interior, a channel exterior, and an open channel top, said head portion further including an end section formed on a distal front end thereof, such that said channel and said end section are formed and adapted to hold said pipe around a substantial portion of its diameter; said two side walls of said channel have a series of spaced matching pairs of holes, wherein each said matching pair of holes being adapted to receive and hold a blocking pin therein; a blocking pin flexibly attached to said head portion and adapted to be placed within a chosen pair of said matching holes; wherein the channel exterior of at least one of said channel side walls includes a series of bend markers, each one corresponding to a respective pair of matching holes; wherein said handle portion includes a series of spaced markings along the length thereof; and wherein said end section of said head portion includes an elongated mark on an upper surface thereon and extending in the direction of said elongated channel;c. determining which pair of matching holes to place said blocking pin by using said bend markers to determine the desired bend angle for the pipe;d. placing said blocking pin within the chosen pair of said matching holes;e. placing said pipe within said channel and between said channel and said end section and abutting said blocking pin;f. attaching said laser member to a top surface of said pipe at a distance from said head and handle portions and pointing said laser beam along the length of said pipe toward said head and handle portions, such that said laser member produces and points a laser beam along the length of said pipe and toward said head and handle portions;g. producing a first bend by applying pressure to said handle portion, thereby bending said pipe a predetermined amount determined by the position of said blocking pin;h. using said elongated mark on said end section of said head portion as a reference point, rotate said pipe exactly 180 degrees, such that said laser member rotates below said pipe and points said laser beam toward said markings on said handle portion;i. sliding said head portion along the length of said pipe away from said first bend until said laser beam reaches predetermined markings on said handle portion;j. producing a second bend by applying pressure to said handle portion, thereby bending said pipe the same predetermined amount as said first bend, and thereby forming two parallel sections of said pipe offset by a predetermined distance determined by said predetermined marking on said handle portion;k. remove said pipe from said channel and between said channel and said end section.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein said channel and said end section have U-shaped cross sections; and wherein said U-shaped cross section of said end section is formed upside down with respect to said U-shaped cross section of said channel, thereby forming a geometric shape adapted to hold a pipe around a substantial portion of its diameter.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein said handle markings include a series of vertical and horizontal lines adapted to be used to receive said laser beam from said laser member such that when said laser beam reaches predetermined vertical and horizontal markings the bending action is stopped.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein said head portion is removably connected to said handle portion using threaded fasteners, such that said head portion can be adjustably rotated thereon in order to align said markings on said handle portion in a predetermined position.

12. The pipe bending apparatus of claim 8, wherein said laser member includes a locking cap; a locking ring; a pen body; a plug; a fixing base; an adjustment screw; a laser module; an adjusting base; a magnet base; a magnet; a PC board; a switch; and a spring.