US3631601A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for laying pipe
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1969-10-29
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Granted: 1972-01-04
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Expires: 1989-10-29
Abstract
Abstract A laser beam projector is used to set a series of pipe sections in place along a predetermined line and grade by mounting the projector inside of a first pipe section preset on the desired line and grade by conventional surveying techniques, and then utilizing adjusting screws on the mounting housing supporting the laser projector in the first pipe section to precisely center the laser beam on a remote target positioned on the proper line and grade. With the laser beam thus projecting down the desired pipeline at the proper grade angle, successive pipe sections are set in place by placing the target within each successive pipe section and moving each pipe section laterally or vertically as required to center the target on the laser beam.
Inventors
- 👤 Lloyd J Mcnulty
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 14:29
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16M; F16M11/00; F16M11/02; F16M11/04; F16M11/06; F16M11/12; F16M11/125; G; G01; G01C; G01C15/00; G01C15/002
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
295 words
A method of laying a pipeline along a predetermined line and grade comprising the steps of: presetting a plurality of pipe sections end to end along a predetermined line and grade using a line-of-sight device and a level indicator; installing a light projector capable of projecting a collimated beam of light for an extended distance horizontally within one of said plurality of preset pipe sections, the longitudinal axis of said light projector being parallel to the longitudinal axis of said one pipe section; adjusting said light projector within said one pipe section so that the longitudinal axis of the projector, and thus of the beam projected therefrom, is centered laterally on the vertical centerline of said one pipe section; placing a target within the far end of another one of said plurality of pipe sections remotely located from said light projector along the desired pipeline; centering said target laterally within said remote pipe section so that the center of said target is on the vertical centerline of said remote pipe section; projecting a beam of light from said projector and precisely adjusting said projector as required so that said beam of light strikes the center of said target, the center of said target and the center of said light beam being set at the same, predetermined elevation above their respective pipe sections so that said laser beam will now be in line with the predetermined pipeline axis at the desired grade angle; and successively installing additional pipe sections along said predetermined line and grade by positioning said target within each successive pipe section after it has been coupled to the preceding pipe section and shifting each pipe section laterally or vertically as required until said collimated beam of light strikes the center of said target.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
295 words
A method of laying a pipeline along a predetermined line and grade comprising the steps of: presetting a plurality of pipe sections end to end along a predetermined line and grade using a line-of-sight device and a level indicator; installing a light projector capable of projecting a collimated beam of light for an extended distance horizontally within one of said plurality of preset pipe sections, the longitudinal axis of said light projector being parallel to the longitudinal axis of said one pipe section; adjusting said light projector within said one pipe section so that the longitudinal axis of the projector, and thus of the beam projected therefrom, is centered laterally on the vertical centerline of said one pipe section; placing a target within the far end of another one of said plurality of pipe sections remotely located from said light projector along the desired pipeline; centering said target laterally within said remote pipe section so that the center of said target is on the vertical centerline of said remote pipe section; projecting a beam of light from said projector and precisely adjusting said projector as required so that said beam of light strikes the center of said target, the center of said target and the center of said light beam being set at the same, predetermined elevation above their respective pipe sections so that said laser beam will now be in line with the predetermined pipeline axis at the desired grade angle; and successively installing additional pipe sections along said predetermined line and grade by positioning said target within each successive pipe section after it has been coupled to the preceding pipe section and shifting each pipe section laterally or vertically as required until said collimated beam of light strikes the center of said target.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
247 words
A method of installing a pipeline along a predetermined line and grade comprising: presetting a plurality of pipe sections end to end along a predetermined line and grade using a line-of-sight device and a level indicator; installing a laser beam projector within a first pipe section preset on said desired line and grade with the longitudinal axis of said projector parallel to the longitudinal axis of said pipe section; projecting a laser beam from said projector towards a remote target so positioned laterally and vertically with respect to said predetermined line and grade that said laser beam will extend along the desired pipeline at the proper grade angle when it is centered on said target; adjusting said laser beam projector within said first pipe section laterally or vertically as required to center said laser beam on said target, whereby said laser beam will serve as a visual indication of said predetermined line and grade; and connecting additional pipe sections end to end along the desired longitudinal axis of the pipeline by placing a target inside of each successive pipe section transversely thereof with the center of said target at a predetermined height above the inside, bottom wall of each pipe section which is the same as the height at which the longitudinal axis of said laser beam is located above the inside, bottom wall of said first pipe section, and adjusting each successive pipe section as required until said laser beam strikes the center of said target.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
247 words
A method of installing a pipeline along a predetermined line and grade comprising: presetting a plurality of pipe sections end to end along a predetermined line and grade using a line-of-sight device and a level indicator; installing a laser beam projector within a first pipe section preset on said desired line and grade with the longitudinal axis of said projector parallel to the longitudinal axis of said pipe section; projecting a laser beam from said projector towards a remote target so positioned laterally and vertically with respect to said predetermined line and grade that said laser beam will extend along the desired pipeline at the proper grade angle when it is centered on said target; adjusting said laser beam projector within said first pipe section laterally or vertically as required to center said laser beam on said target, whereby said laser beam will serve as a visual indication of said predetermined line and grade; and connecting additional pipe sections end to end along the desired longitudinal axis of the pipeline by placing a target inside of each successive pipe section transversely thereof with the center of said target at a predetermined height above the inside, bottom wall of each pipe section which is the same as the height at which the longitudinal axis of said laser beam is located above the inside, bottom wall of said first pipe section, and adjusting each successive pipe section as required until said laser beam strikes the center of said target.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
57 words
A method of installing pipeline as defined in claim 2 wherein: said centering of said laser beam projector within said first pipe section is accomplished by shifting said projector therein on mounting means engaging the inside, curvilinear walls of said first pipe section until said projector is level as indicated by reference to a level vial thereon.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
57 words
A method of installing a pipeline as defined in claim 2, and further including: centering said laser beam projector within said first pipe section by shifting it on support means engaging the interior wall surface of said first pipe section until said laser beam projector is centered on the vertical center line of said first pipe section.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
365 words
Apparatus for laying a pipeline along a predetermined line and grade comprising: a light projector capable of emitting a collimated beam of light; mounting means in the form of a cradle structure on which said light projector is securely mounted, said cradle structure being of such a size and shape as to be completely receivable within a section of pipe set in place along said predetermined line and grade; support means for said cradle structure constructed and arranged to engage opposed, interior wall portions of said section of pipe to firmly hold said cradle structure and light projector therein, said support means comprising downwardly depending leg means permanently attached to said cradle structure and adapted to engage the bottom of said pipe section and an upwardly extending, elongated support member adapted to engage the top, interior wall of said pipe section, said upwardly extending support member having at least a portion thereof shiftable in a vertical direction to permit said support means to be tightly held between upper and lower wall portions of pipe sections of varying diameters; a target having support elements thereon for mounting said target transversely within a pipe section remotely located along the desired pipeline from said pipe section within which said light projector is mounted, whereby such remote pipe sections might be set in place on the desired pipeline by being shifted to center said target therein on beam from said light projector, said support elements for said target comprising downwardly depending leg means permanently secured to said target and adapted to engage the bottom of a pipe section and an upwardly extending support member adapted to engage the top of a pipe section, said upwardly extending support member including a vertically shiftable section to permit the secure mounting of said target in pipe sections of varying diameters; and said leg means for said cradle structure and said target being of a predetermined height and so constructed as to support the center of said target and the longitudinal axis of the light beam emitted by said projector at exactly the same, predetermined elevation above the inside, bottom walls of the pipe sections in which said projector and target are installed.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
365 words
Apparatus for laying a pipeline along a predetermined line and grade comprising: a light projector capable of emitting a collimated beam of light; mounting means in the form of a cradle structure on which said light projector is securely mounted, said cradle structure being of such a size and shape as to be completely receivable within a section of pipe set in place along said predetermined line and grade; support means for said cradle structure constructed and arranged to engage opposed, interior wall portions of said section of pipe to firmly hold said cradle structure and light projector therein, said support means comprising downwardly depending leg means permanently attached to said cradle structure and adapted to engage the bottom of said pipe section and an upwardly extending, elongated support member adapted to engage the top, interior wall of said pipe section, said upwardly extending support member having at least a portion thereof shiftable in a vertical direction to permit said support means to be tightly held between upper and lower wall portions of pipe sections of varying diameters; a target having support elements thereon for mounting said target transversely within a pipe section remotely located along the desired pipeline from said pipe section within which said light projector is mounted, whereby such remote pipe sections might be set in place on the desired pipeline by being shifted to center said target therein on beam from said light projector, said support elements for said target comprising downwardly depending leg means permanently secured to said target and adapted to engage the bottom of a pipe section and an upwardly extending support member adapted to engage the top of a pipe section, said upwardly extending support member including a vertically shiftable section to permit the secure mounting of said target in pipe sections of varying diameters; and said leg means for said cradle structure and said target being of a predetermined height and so constructed as to support the center of said target and the longitudinal axis of the light beam emitted by said projector at exactly the same, predetermined elevation above the inside, bottom walls of the pipe sections in which said projector and target are installed.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-01-03 | 1975-07-05 | 1976-01-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-01-03 | 1979-07-05 | 1980-01-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-01-03 | 1983-07-05 | 1984-01-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |