Alignment of flanges

Abstract

Disclosed is an apparatus for aligning flanges (e.g., to facilitate the proper coupling of the flanges). The apparatus is designed for use with flanges having matched patterns of holes therethrough for receiving coupling members (e.g., bolt and nut pairs). The flange alignment apparatus comprises a flange support having a body sized and shaped to extend partially (e.g., half way) around the periphery of a first flange and includes a plurality of pins projecting from the body and disposed in a pattern that matches a portion of the pattern of holes in a flange. The body also includes means for engaging the second flange thereby to support the second flange in proper alignment with the first flange. Preferably, the means that engage the second flange are adjustable thereby permitting adjustment in the orientation of the second flange relative to the flange support, and, thus, relative to the first flange. The apparatus may include, in combination with the flange support, a template releasably securable to one of the flanges and having a series of openings for removably supporting bolts or nuts that will be used to connect the two flanges. The template may itself have a series of bolts received in threaded openings therein; those bolts operative, upon being advanced with respect to the template, to bear against the flange in order to withdraw the template from the bolts or nuts supported therein after the two flanges have been connected.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.