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US 9,808,893 B2Granted
Apparatus for aligning sections of pipe
AssigneeWalhonde Tools, Inc.
InventorMatthew W. McClure
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus for aligning sections of pipe includes a first clamp member and a second clamp member coupled with the first clamp member. The first and second clamp members each include a first clamp jaw and a second clamp jaw longitudinally spaced from the first clamp jaw. Each one of a first plurality of turnbuckle assemblies is coupled with each one of the first and second clamp jaws of the first clamp member, and each one of a second plurality of turnbuckle assemblies is coupled with each one of the first and second clamp jaws of the second clamp member. An assembly made from a kit of components is also disclosed. The kit includes an apparatus for aligning sections of pipe, and a plurality of shoe inserts. The assembly includes the apparatus and at least two of the shoe inserts coupled with the apparatus.
Claims31
An apparatus for aligning sections of pipe, the apparatus comprising:
- a first clamp member comprising a first clamp jaw and a second clamp jaw longitudinally spaced from the first clamp jaw;
- a second clamp member comprising a first clamp jaw and a second clamp jaw longitudinally spaced from the first clamp jaw;
- a first hinge comprising an elongated portion having a first aperture and a second aperture wherein the first aperture is spaced apart from the second aperture;
- a first pivot member inserted through the first aperture of the first hinge and pivotally coupling the first hinge to the first clamp jaw of the first clamp member;
- a second pivot member inserted into the second aperture of the first hinge and pivotally coupling the first hinge to the first clamp jaw of the second clamp member;
- a second hinge comprising an elongated portion having a first aperture and a second aperture wherein the first aperture is spaced apart from the second aperture;
- a third pivot member inserted through the first aperture of the second hinge and pivotally coupling the second hinge to the second clamp jaw of the first clamp member;
- a fourth pivot member inserted into the second aperture of the second hinge and pivotally coupling the second hinge to the second clamp jaw of the second clamp member;
- a first plurality of turnbuckle assemblies, each one of the first plurality of turnbuckle assemblies being coupled with each one of, and adjustable to vary the longitudinal spacing between, the first clamp jaw and the second clamp jaw of the first clamp member;
- and
- a second plurality of turnbuckle assemblies, each one of the second plurality of turnbuckle assemblies being coupled with each one of, and adjustable to vary the longitudinal spacing between, the first clamp jaw and the second clamp jaw of the second clamp member.
8 more elements
An apparatus for aligning sections of pipe, the apparatus comprising:
- a first clamp member comprising a first clamp jaw and a second clamp jaw longitudinally spaced from the first clamp jaw;
- a second clamp member hingedly coupled with the first clamp member, the second clamp member comprising a first clamp jaw and a second clamp jaw longitudinally spaced from the first clamp jaw;
- and
- a plurality of turnbuckle assemblies, each one of the turnbuckle assemblies comprising a rod and a torquing member secured to the rod, each one of the turnbuckle assemblies further comprising a first clevis and a second clevis, each one of the first clevis and the second clevis being threadedly engaged with the rod, wherein for each of the turnbuckle assemblies:
- the first clevis and the second clevis each comprise a length;
- the torquing member comprises a first end surface and a second end surface spaced from the first end surface by a first distance, the first end surface of the torquing member being spaced from the first clevis by a second distance, the second end surface of the torquing member being spaced from the second clevis by a third distance;
- the length of each one of the first clevis and the second clevis is greater than each one of the first distance, the second distance, and the third distance;
- each one of a first plurality of the turnbuckle assemblies is coupled with each one of, and is adjustable to vary the longitudinal spacing between, the first clamp jaw and the second clamp jaw of the first clamp member;
- and
- each one of a second plurality of the turnbuckle assemblies is coupled with each one of, and is adjustable to vary the longitudinal spacing between, the first clamp jaw and the second clamp jaw of the second clamp member.
7 more elements
An apparatus for aligning sections of pipe, the apparatus comprising;
- a first clamp member comprising a first clamp jaw and a second clamp jaw longitudinally spaced from the first clamp jaw;
- a second clamp member hingedly coupled with the first clamp member, the second clamp member comprising a first clamp jaw and a second clamp jaw longitudinally spaced from the first clamp jaw;
- a first plurality of turnbuckle assemblies, each being coupled with each one of the first clamp jaw and the second clamp jaw of the first clamp member;
- a second plurality of turnbuckle assemblies, each being coupled with each one of the first clamp jaw and the second clamp jaw of the second clamp member;
- and
- a plurality of spacers;
- wherein
- each one of the first clamp jaw and the second clamp jaw of the first clamp member, and each one of the first clamp jaw and the second clamp jaw of the second clamp member, comprises a first frame and a second frame spaced from the first frame by at least a respective pair of the spacers, each one of the first frame and the second frame comprising a plurality of adjoining layered plates.
5 more elements
An apparatus for aligning sections of pipe, the apparatus comprising;
- a first clamp member comprising a first clamp jaw and a second clamp jaw longitudinally spaced from the first clamp jaw;
- a second clamp member hingedly coupled with the first clamp member, the second clamp member comprising a first clamp jaw and a second clamp jaw longitudinally spaced from the first clamp jaw;
- a first plurality of turnbuckle assemblies, each being coupled with each one of the first clamp jaw and the second clamp jaw of the first clamp member;
- a second plurality of turnbuckle assemblies, each being coupled with each one of the first clamp jaw and the second clamp jaw of the second clamp member;
- and
- a plurality of spacers;
- wherein each one of the first clamp jaw and the second clamp jaw of the first clamp member, and each one of the first clamp jaw and the second clamp jaw of the second clamp member, comprises a first frame and a second frame spaced from the first frame by at least a respective pair of the spacers, each one of the first frame and the second frame comprising a plurality of layered plates;
- a plurality of turnbuckle lugs, each of the turnbuckle lugs comprising a first portion and a second portion integral with, and extending away from, the first portion;
- wherein
- for each one of a first plurality of the turnbuckle lugs, the first portion of the lug is coupled with a respective one of the first plurality of turnbuckle assemblies, and the second portion of the lug is positioned between, and coupled with, the first frame and the second frame of the first clamp jaw of the first clamp member;
- for each one of a second plurality of the turnbuckle lugs, the first portion of the lug is coupled with a respective one of the first plurality of turnbuckle assemblies, and the second portion of the lug is positioned between, and coupled with, the first frame and the second frame of the second clamp jaw of the first clamp member;
- for each one of a third plurality of the turnbuckle lugs, the first portion of the lug is coupled with a respective one of the second plurality of turnbuckle assemblies, and the second portion of the lug is positioned between, and coupled with, the first frame and the second frame of the first clamp jaw of the second clamp member;
- and
- for each one of a fourth plurality of the turnbuckle lugs, the first portion of the lug is coupled with a respective one of the second plurality of turnbuckle assemblies, and the second portion of the lug is positioned between, and coupled with, the first frame and the second frame of the second clamp jaw of the second clamp member;
- wherein the first portion of each of the turnbuckle lugs is adjacent to each one of the first frame and the second frame of the respective clamp jaw;
- wherein for each one of the first, second, third, and fourth pluralities of turnbuckle lugs:
- the second portion of each turnbuckle lug is generally T-shaped and comprises a rectangular insert and a pair of posts integral with, and extending away from, the rectangular insert, the rectangular insert being integral with the first portion of the turnbuckle lug and being positioned between the first frame and the second frame of the respective clamp jaw;
- and
- one of the posts is positioned within an aperture defined by the first frame of the respective one of the clamp jaws and the other one of the posts is positioned within an aperture defined by the second frame of the respective one of the clamp jaws.
16 more elements
An apparatus for aligning sections of pipe, the apparatus comprising;
- a first clamp member comprising a first clamp jaw and a second clamp jaw longitudinally spaced from the first clamp jaw;
- a second clamp member hingedly coupled with the first clamp member, the second clamp member comprising a first clamp jaw and a second clamp jaw longitudinally spaced from the first clamp jaw;
- a first plurality of turnbuckle assemblies, each being coupled with each one of the first clamp jaw and the second clamp jaw of the first clamp member;
- a second plurality of turnbuckle assemblies, each being coupled with each one of the first clamp jaw and the second clamp jaw of the second clamp member;
- and
- a plurality of spacers;
- wherein each one of the first clamp jaw and the second clamp jaw of the first clamp member, and each one of the first clamp jaw and the second clamp jaw of the second clamp member, comprises a first frame and a second frame spaced from the first frame by at least a respective pair of the spacers, each one of the first frame and the second frame comprising a plurality of layered plates;
- a plurality of turnbuckle lugs, each of the turnbuckle lugs comprising a first portion and a second portion integral with, and extending away from, the first portion;
- wherein
- for each one of a first plurality of the turnbuckle lugs, the first portion of the lug is coupled with a respective one of the first plurality of turnbuckle assemblies, and the second portion of the lug is positioned between, and coupled with, the first frame and the second frame of the first clamp jaw of the first clamp member;
- for each one of a second plurality of the turnbuckle lugs, the first portion of the lug is coupled with a respective one of the first plurality of turnbuckle assemblies, and the second portion of the lug is positioned between, and coupled with, the first frame and the second frame of the second clamp jaw of the first clamp member;
- for each one of a third plurality of the turnbuckle lugs, the first portion of the lug is coupled with a respective one of the second plurality of turnbuckle assemblies, and the second portion of the lug is positioned between, and coupled with, the first frame and the second frame of the first clamp jaw of the second clamp member;
- and
- for each one of a fourth plurality of the turnbuckle lugs, the first portion of the lug is coupled with a respective one of the second plurality of turnbuckle assemblies, and the second portion of the lug is positioned between, and coupled with, the first frame and the second frame of the second clamp jaw of the second clamp member;
- a plurality of threaded members;
- wherein
- each one of the first plurality of turnbuckle assemblies and each one of the second plurality of turnbuckle assemblies comprises a first clevis and a second clevis longitudinally spaced from the first clevis;
- for each one of the first plurality of turnbuckle assemblies and each one of the second plurality of turnbuckle assemblies, one of the threaded members extends through a solid portion of the first clevis and into selective engagement with the second portion of a respective one of the first plurality of lugs and the second plurality of lugs, and another one of the threaded members extends through a solid portion of the second clevis into selective engagement with the second portion of the respective one of the third plurality of lugs and the fourth plurality of lugs.
15 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.