Back to results
US 12,623,327 B2Granted
Advanced strut marker device for precise marking on manufactured struts
OwnerJimmie Gatlininventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
This disclosure describes systems, methods, and devices for accurately locating the center mark for a center punch on a metal strut, which is commonly used to support cable trays and pipes in various industries. The device solves the problem of inaccurate center marking by using a center punch and a punch alignment guide. The guide sets the punch in a precise position, and by placing the device on the strut and pressing a button, a small indentation is made on the metal to mark the center point accurately. This ensures that drilling or cutting tools do not slip or wander and that holes or cuts are placed accurately.
Claims20
A device for marking a material, comprising:
- a punch alignment guide including:
- a plate having two folded flanges on each end, oriented in opposite directions, forming a symmetrical shape with two raised edges for positioning on a strut;
- and
- a centrally located hole with an affixed female thread cylinder;
- a center punch including:
- a punch handle;
- a metallic tubing;
- a cylinder;
- a washer bonded to the cylinder for distributing the force of the punch evenly;
- a threaded cylinder with male threads welded to a piston cylinder on one side and the washer on the other side, allowing the center punch to be locked or unscrewed from the punch alignment guide;
- and
- a steel tip attached to the piston cylinder for creating precise markings on a material, wherein, when placed on the strut, the opposing folded flanges engage opposite strut edges to prevent lateral movement, and wherein, when the center punch is tightened into the female thread cylinder, the center punch is held in a fixed vertical orientation relative to the plate during marking.
9 more elements
A system for creating precise markings on a material, comprising:
- a punch alignment guide, including:
- a plate having two folded flanges on each end of the plate which are oriented in opposite directions, creating a symmetrical shape with two raised edges to position on a strut, and a centrally located hole with a female thread cylinder that is affixed to this hole;
- and
- a center punch, including:
- a punch handle,
- a metallic tubing,
- a cylinder,
- a washer,
- a threaded cylinder with male threads,
- a piston cylinder, and
- a steel tip,
- wherein the punch handle is attached to the metallic tubing that is attached to the cylinder and the cylinder has a washer bonded to it to distribute the force of the punch evenly, and the threaded cylinder with male threads is welded to the piston cylinder on one side, and the washer on the other side to lock or unscrew the center punch from the punch alignment guide, and the steel tip is attached to the piston cylinder to create precise markings on a material, and
- wherein, when the punch alignment guide is positioned on the strut, the opposing folded flanges engage opposite edges of the strut to prevent lateral movement of the punch alignment guide, and wherein, when the threaded cylinder is tightened into the female thread cylinder, the center punch is secured in a fixed vertical orientation relative to the punch alignment guide during marking.
10 more elements
A method for creating precise markings on a material, the method comprising the steps of:
- positioning a punch alignment guide on the material to be marked, wherein the punch alignment guide includes a plate with two folded flanges oriented in opposite directions, forming a symmetrical shape with two raised edges for positioning on a strut, and a centrally located hole with an affixed female thread cylinder;
- inserting a center punch into the punch alignment guide, wherein the center punch includes a punch handle, a metallic tubing, a cylinder, a washer bonded to the cylinder for distributing the force of the punch evenly, a threaded cylinder with male threads welded to a piston cylinder on one side and the washer on the other side, allowing the center punch to be locked or unscrewed from the punch alignment guide, and a steel tip attached to the piston cylinder for creating precise markings on the material;
- aligning the steel tip of the center punch at a desired marking location on the material;
- applying force to the punch handle of the center punch, causing the steel tip to create a precise marking on the material;
- and
- removing the center punch from the punch alignment guide, wherein, when the punch alignment guide is positioned on the strut, the opposing folded flanges engage opposite edges of the strut to prevent lateral movement of the punch alignment guide, and wherein, when the threaded cylinder is tightened into the female thread cylinder, the center punch is secured in a fixed vertical orientation relative to the punch alignment guide during marking.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.