US-12618492-B2 - Conduit alignment tools and methods

US12618492B2US 12618492 B2US12618492 B2US 12618492B2US-12618492-B2

Abstract

Example embodiments of the described technology provide a conduit spacer tool for enforcing a minimum spacing between adjacent conduits. The conduit spacer tool may comprise a body comprising a pair of side arms, each side arm having an equal width. The body of the conduit spacer tool may comprise a slot defined by an inner surface of the side arms, the slot terminating at a groove of the body and the slot having a width for receiving a conduit. The width may be dimensioned to correspond to a designated conduit diameter. When the conduit is fully received in the slot, the conduit may have a centre located at a longitudinal centre of the body.

Inventors

Ryan Morris

Assignees

PIPE-PAL HOLDINGS INC.

Dates

Publication Date: 20260505
Application Date: 20220120

Claims (19)

1 . A kit comprising: a first conduit spacer tool and a second conduit spacer tool, each of the first and second conduit spacer tools comprising: a body comprising a pair of side arms that extend in a longitudinal direction, each side arm of the pair of side arms being dimensioned, in a width direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction, to correspond to a designated spacing in the width direction between adjacent conduits; and a slot defined between inner surfaces of the side arms, the slot terminating at a groove of the body and the slot having a width for receiving a conduit, the width of the slot in the width direction being dimensioned to correspond to a designated conduit diameter; wherein when the conduit is fully received in the slot, the conduit has a center located at a in the center of the body in the longitudinal direction midway between the side of the conduit tool defined by ends of the pair of side arms most distal from the groove and an opposing side of the conduit tool; and a laser, the laser couplable to the first and second conduit spacer tools.
2 . The kit according to claim 1 wherein the laser is couplable to the first and second conduit spacer tools between the first and second conduit spacer tools.
3 . The kit of claim 1 wherein at least one of the first and second conduit spacer tools comprises one or more magnets located at one or more of: an end of one or both of the side arms; the body on a side of the groove opposite from the pair of side arms; and the body on a surface which defines the groove.
4 . The kit of claim 3 wherein the one or more magnets are embedded in the body of at least one of the first and second conduit spacer tools.
5 . The kit of claim 3 wherein the one or more magnets are removably attachable to one or more of the conduit and a strut channel to thereby maintain a position of at least one of the first and second conduit spacer tools relative to one or more of the conduit and the strut channel.
6 . The kit of claim 1 wherein the body of at least one of the first and second conduit spacer tools has a length W+2L where W is the width of the slot and L is equal to a standard strut channel depth.
7 . The kit of claim 6 wherein L is 0.75 inches, 1.25 inches or 1.625 inches.
8 . The kit of claim 1 wherein the body of at least one of the first and second conduit spacer tools has a thickness in the range of ¼ to ¾ inches.
9 . The kit of claim 1 wherein the body of at least one of the first and second conduit spacer tools is flat and has a thickness of less than ¾ inches.
10 . The kit of claim 1 wherein the width of each of the side arms of at least one of the first and second conduit spacer tools is in the range of 0.5 to 2.5 inches.
11 . The kit of claim 1 wherein the width of each of the side arms of at least one of the first and second conduit spacer tools is approximately ⅝ inches.
12 . The kit of claim 1 wherein the body of at least one of the first and second conduit spacer tools has a total width equaling the sum of the widths of each of the pair of side arms and the width of the slot.
13 . The kit of claim 1 wherein the body of at least one of the first and second conduit spacer tools comprises a hole penetrating a thickness of the body.
14 . The kit of claim 1 wherein the body of at least one of the first and second conduit spacer tools is made from one of: wood; a polymeric material; and a metal.
15 . The kit of claim 1 wherein at least one of the first and second conduit spacer tools comprises a bore, the bore configured to at least partially receive a laser.
16 . The kit of claim 15 wherein the bore of at least one of the first and second conduit spacer tools has a diameter that forms a friction fit with the laser.
17 . The kit of claim 15 wherein a center of the bore of at least one of the first and second conduit spacer tools is aligned with the center of the groove of the slot.
18 . The kit of claim 1 wherein the first and second conduit spacer tools are coupled together with a ring.
19 . The kit of claim 1 wherein, in use to secure a conduit to a strut channel, an open end of the slot of at least one of the first and second conduit spacer tools faces away from a structure to which the strut-channel is fixed.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims priority from U.S. application No. 63/140,699 filed 22 Jan. 2021 and entitled CONDUIT ALIGNMENT TOOLS AND METHODS which is hereby incorporated herein by reference for all purposes. For purposes of the United States of America, this application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119 of U.S. application No. 63/140,699 filed 22 Jan. 2021 entitled CONDUIT ALIGNMENT TOOLS AND METHODS. TECHNICAL FIELD This invention pertains to conduit installation tools. Particular embodiments of the invention relate to conduit installation systems which accommodate conduits of varying size. BACKGROUND Conduits are generally cylindrical tubes that are used to carry electrical wiring, liquids, gases, etc. in a wide variety of applications. The term “conduits” as used herein includes electrical conduits, plumbing tubing and pipes, gas lines and/or the like. Electrical conduits are used to protect and route electrical wiring. Electrical conduits are made in standard sizes, usually with nominal dimensions in the range of % inch (about 13 mm) to 6 inches (about 150 mm). Electrical conduits are commonly made of metal, plastic, or other suitably rigid materials. In many applications there is a need to route multiple conduits along similar paths. For example, the conduits may be electrical conduits that each carry runs of cable. Such conduits are often arranged in parallel arrays. This provides a neat appearance and also facilitates following and identifying individual conduits. Conduits designed to carry fluids (e.g. plumbing pipes, air lines, gas lines) may also be arranged in parallel arrays. It is common that an array of conduits will include conduits of two or more different diameters. Conduits are typically installed by attaching sections of strut channel (also known as “fixture channel”) at locations spaced apart along a structure (e.g. along a wall, ceiling cable tray or the like) and then clamping the conduits to the strut channel. The strut channel is usually oriented at right angles to the conduits. For example, spaced apart vertical sections of strut channel may be attached to a wall to support an array of horizontal conduits. Strut channels are typically C-shaped in cross section. An opening extending along the strut channel is formed to receive clamps for holding conduits to the strut channel. Strut channels may, for example, comprise a metal sheet folded to provide an open channel. A conduit may be secured to multiple strut channels, spaced apart along the length of the conduit with a spacing selected to provide adequate support for the conduit. An array of parallel conduits may be clamped to the same set of strut channels. Certain standards exist which stipulate a specified spacing between adjacent conduits. Trade practices corresponding to the particular installation scenario may also dictate a preferred spacing between adjacent conduits. Installing an array of conduits so that the conduits are parallel to one another and evenly spaced provides a professional appearance with improved aesthetics. It can be time consuming for electricians and other tradespeople to install an array of conduits so that they are parallel and appropriately aligned (e.g. horizontal or vertical). This is especially the case where a tradesperson is working without a helper. Electricians often use a measuring tape to position clamps to achieve a desired spacing between conduits before positioning and installing a subsequent conduit. Such installation methods are time-consuming and increase the potential for error. Some tools for aligning arrays of conduits are commercially available. However, the available tools are not versatile enough to be useful for the full range of cases in which an electrician or other tradesperson may be called upon to install an array of conduits. For example, the model 68075 conduit alignment tool manufactured by Rack-A-Tiers Mfg. Inc. is designed to allow users to align and install ¾″ conduits at a spacing of 1½″ by placing the conduits into evenly spaced grooves provided on the tool. This tool is not useful for conduits having sizes other than ¾ inches or in cases where it is desired to space conduits with a spacing other than 1½ inches. There is therefore a general need for conduit installation tools which facilitate maintaining appropriate spacing between conduits in an array of conduits, particularly in cases where the conduits include conduits of two or more different sizes. The foregoing examples of the related art and limitations related thereto are intended to be illustrative and not exclusive. Other limitations of the related art will become apparent to those of skill in the art upon a reading of the specification and a study of the drawings. SUMMARY One aspect of the technology described herein provides a conduit spacer tool. The conduit spacer tool may comprise a body comprising a pair of side arms, each side arm having an equal width. A slot