# US 11,441,703 B2 · Conduit alignment tool with wings > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,441,703 B2 - Document ID: US11441703B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/161,784 - Filed: 2021-01-29 - Published: 2021-08-19 - Granted: 2022-09-13 - Earliest claimed: 2020-01-31 - Applicants: Faith Technologies, Inc. - Inventors: Joseph Michael Loose; Jody David Seubert; Michael James Quella - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11441703B2 ## CPC - B25B 27/14: for assembling objects other than by press fit or detaching same - F16L 1/10: for aligning - B23P 19/10: Aligning parts to be fitted together - G01B 5/25: for testing the alignment of axes - H02G 1/00: Methods or apparatus specially adapted for installing, maintaining, repairing or dismantling electric cables or lines - F16L 3/18: allowing movement in axial direction - F16L 3/223: each support having one transverse base for supporting the pipes (F16L3/23, F16L3/237 take precedence) - F16L 21/08: with additional locking means (F16L21/06 takes precedence; couplings of the quick-acting type F16L37/00) - H02G 3/0462: {Tubings, i.e. having a closed section} - B25B: TOOLS OR BENCH DEVICES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, FOR FASTENING, CONNECTING, DISENGAGING, OR HOLDING - F16L: PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL - B23P: METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; COMBINED OPERATIONS; UNIVERSAL MACHINE TOOLS (arrangements for copying or controlling B23Q) - G01B: MEASURING LENGTH, THICKNESS OR SIMILAR LINEAR DIMENSIONS; MEASURING ANGLES; MEASURING AREAS; MEASURING IRREGULARITIES OF SURFACES OR CONTOURS - H02G: INSTALLATION OF ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES, OR OF COMBINED OPTICAL AND ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES ## Abstract An alignment tool for aligning first and second conduit sections at a connection colinearly along a longitudinal axis, wherein the first conduit section has a bell end at the connection and the second conduit section has a narrow end at the connection, includes a collar portion sized to circumscribe the bell end outer diameter; a funnel portion attached to the collar portion, the funnel portion having a diameter that increases in a longitudinal direction away from the collar portion; a step on one of the collar and funnel inner surfaces, the step having a funnel portion side and a collar portion side, wherein an inner diameter of the funnel portion side of the step is equal to the bell end inner diameter; and key and keyway wings extending laterally from the collar portion, wherein the keyway wing includes a keyway and the key wing includes a key. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An alignment tool for aligning first and second conduit sections at a connection colinearly along a longitudinal axis, wherein the first conduit section has a bell end at the connection and the second conduit section has a narrow end at the connection, and wherein the bell end has a bell end inner diameter and a bell end outer diameter, the tool comprising: a collar portion sized to circumscribe the bell end outer diameter, the collar portion having a collar inner surface; a funnel portion attached to the collar portion, the funnel portion having a diameter that increases in a longitudinal direction away from the collar portion, wherein the funnel portion has a funnel inner surface; a step on one of the collar and funnel inner surfaces, the step having a funnel portion side and a collar portion side, wherein an inner diameter of the funnel portion side of the step is equal to the bell end inner diameter; and key and keyway wings extending laterally from the collar portion, wherein the keyway wing includes a keyway and the key wing includes a key. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The alignment tool of claim 1, wherein the key is configured to fit within the keyway. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The alignment tool of claim 1, wherein an inner diameter of the collar portion side of the step is equal to the bell end outer diameter. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The alignment tool of claim 1, wherein the funnel portion has a longitudinal length, and wherein the length of a first area of the funnel portion is different from the length of a second area of the funnel portion. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The alignment tool of claim 1, wherein the funnel portion has a plurality of longitudinal lengths, and wherein the longitudinal lengths are not uniform. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The alignment tool of claim 1, wherein the funnel portion has guides extending in a direction away from the collar portion. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The alignment tool of claim 1, wherein the bell end is an EMT connector. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The alignment tool of claim 7, wherein the EMT connector includes a set screw, and wherein the collar portion includes a cutout to accommodate the set screw. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The alignment tool of claim 1, wherein the first conduit section is a conduit fitting and the second conduit section is a conduit section. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The alignment tool of claim 1, wherein the collar portion is affixed to the funnel portion. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The alignment tool of claim 1, wherein the collar portion is formed integrally with the funnel portion. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The alignment tool of claim 1, further comprising longitudinal ridges extending radially inward toward the longitudinal axis from the collar inner surface. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The alignment tool of claim 1, further comprising longitudinal ridges extending radially inward toward the longitudinal axis from the funnel inner surface. ### Claim 14 An alignment tool for aligning first and second conduit sections at a connection colinearly along a longitudinal axis, wherein the first conduit section has a bell end at the connection and the second conduit section has a narrow end at the connection, and wherein the bell end has a bell end inner diameter and a bell end outer diameter, the tool comprising: a collar portion sized to circumscribe the bell end outer diameter, the collar portion having a collar inner surface; a funnel portion attached to the collar portion, the funnel portion having a diameter that increases in a longitudinal direction away from the collar portion, wherein the funnel portion has a funnel inner surface and longitudinal ridges extending radially inward toward the longitudinal axis from the funnel inner surface; a step on one of the collar and funnel inner surfaces, the step having a funnel portion side and a collar portion side, wherein an inner diameter of the funnel portion side of the step is equal to the bell end inner diameter; and key and keyway wings extending laterally from the collar portion, wherein the keyway wing includes a keyway and the key wing includes a key. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The alignment tool of claim 14, wherein the key is configured to fit within the keyway. ### Claim 16 An alignment tool for aligning first and second conduit sections at a connection colinearly along a longitudinal axis, wherein the first conduit section has a bell end at the connection and the second conduit section has a narrow end at the connection, and wherein the bell end has a bell end inner diameter and a bell end outer diameter, the tool comprising: a collar portion sized to circumscribe the bell end outer diameter, the collar portion having a collar inner surface and longitudinal ridges extending radially inward toward the longitudinal axis from the collar inner surface; a funnel portion attached to the collar portion, the funnel portion having a diameter that increases in a longitudinal direction away from the collar portion; a step on one of the collar and funnel inner surfaces, the step having a funnel portion side and a collar portion side, wherein an inner diameter of the funnel portion side of the step is equal to the bell end inner diameter; and key and keyway wings extending laterally from the collar portion, wherein the keyway wing includes a keyway and the key wing includes a key. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The alignment tool of claim 16, wherein the key is configured to fit within the keyway. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The alignment tool of claim 16, wherein an inner diameter of the collar portion side of the step is equal to the bell end outer diameter. ### Claim 19 (depends on 16) The alignment tool of claim 16, wherein the bell end is an EMT connector. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The alignment tool of claim 19, wherein the EMT connector includes a set screw, and wherein the collar portion includes a cutout to accommodate the set screw.