Apparatus for Locating Hardware

A system for locating a hardware at a desired location on a tubular structure of a machine, the system comprising:

• a pre-existing hardware mounted on the tubular structure, wherein the pre-existing hardware is used as a reference to locate the hardware at the desired location on the tubular structure;
• and
• an apparatus adapted to locate the hardware at the desired location on the tubular structure using the pre-existing hardware as the reference, the apparatus including:
• a linear element extending along a longitudinal axis, and defining a first end and a second end, wherein the linear element includes a plurality of linear reference indicia thereon;
• a slider coupled to the linear element, wherein the linear element is linearly slidable relative to the slider along the longitudinal axis to dispose the slider at any one of the plurality of linear reference indicia based on the desired location of the hardware;
• an angular element adapted to be coupled with and at least partially surround the tubular structure, wherein the slider is angularly slidable relative to the angular element, wherein the angular element includes a plurality of angular reference indicia thereon, and wherein the slider is disposable at any one of the plurality of angular reference indicia based on the desired location of the hardware;
• a hardware locator coupled to the linear element at the first end thereof, wherein the hardware locator is adapted to engage with the hardware to locate the hardware at the desired location on the tubular structure;
• and
• a reference hardware locator coupled to the angular element, wherein the angular element is coupled to the tubular structure such that the reference hardware locator engages with the pre-existing hardware mounted on the tubular structure.