Workpiece-alignment tools and techniques

• US 10,639,757 B2
• Filed: 09/18/2017
• Issued: 05/05/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 05/14/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fireball Tool Works, LLC
• Original Assignee: Fireball Tool Works, LLC
• Inventors: Marburger, Jason A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Fulton, Christopher W
• Application Number:
  US15/707,628
• Publication Number:
  US 20180141178A1
• Time in Patent Office: 960 Days
• Field of Search: 33645, 228 491
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 37/0443 Jigs
• CPC Class Codes: B23P 19/04 for assembling or disassembling parts
• CPC Class Codes: B23Q 3/005 Guides for workpieces
• CPC Class Codes: B23Q 3/186 Aligning devices

Abstract

Workpiece-alignment tools and techniques are described. Workpiece-alignment tools and techniques are usable to ensure consistent and durable alignment of various workpieces while providing access for performing attachment techniques thereon. In one example, the workpiece-alignment tool includes alignment surfaces that are joined to one another and oriented at corresponding specific angles. The workpiece-alignment tool includes accessibility cutouts and access spaces that provide a user simultaneous access to points around a joint formed by objects aligned with the alignment surfaces. In this way, the workpiece-alignment tool provides accessibility that allows a user to operate upon a workpiece, e.g., as by joining aligned objects together, without interfering or obstructing access to the objects.

Claims

1. A portable, workpiece-alignment tool comprising:

a first panel having an interior surface and an exterior surface connected by a plurality of side surfaces;

a second panel joined directly to the first panel and forming a first angle less than 90 degrees therewith, the second panel having an interior surface and an exterior surface connected by respective side surfaces;

a third panel joined directly to the first panel and forming a second angle greater than 90 degrees therewith, the third panel having an interior surface and an exterior surface connected by respective side surfaces;

a diaphragm connected to at least portions of the interior surfaces of the first, second, and third panels, the diaphragm including at least one cutout having an opening adjacent and bounded by one of the first or second panels and configured to permit a workpiece to be clamped to and held against an interior surface or an exterior surface of the first or second panel to which the opening of the at least one cutout opening is adjacent.

2. The portable, workpiece-alignment tool of claim 1, further comprising multiple additional panels joined either directly or indirectly to the first, second, and third panels to form an interior region within which the diaphragm is disposed, each of the multiple additional panels having respective interior and exterior surfaces, the diaphragm being connected to at least portions of the interior surfaces of each of the multiple additional panels at respective connection angles.

3. The portable, workpiece-alignment tool of claim 1, wherein the diaphragm has a master cutout having an opening that is generally unbounded by any of the panels.

4. The portable, workpiece-alignment tool of claim 1, further comprising a fourth panel joined directly to the third panel and forming a third angle greater than 90 degrees therewith, the fourth panel having an interior surface connected to the diaphragm and an exterior surface connected by respective side surfaces.

5. The portable, workpiece-alignment tool of claim 4, further comprising:

a fifth panel joined directly to the fourth panel and forming a fourth angle greater than 90 degrees therewith, the fifth panel having an interior surface connected to the diaphragm and an exterior surface connected by respective side surfaces;

a sixth panel joined directly to the fifth panel and forming a fifth angle greater than 90 degrees therewith, the sixth panel having an interior surface connected to the diaphragm and an exterior surface connected by respective side surfaces;

a seventh panel joined directly to the sixth panel and forming a sixth angle less than 90 degrees therewith, the seventh panel having an interior surface connected to the diaphragm and an exterior surface connected by respective side surfaces.

6. The portable, workpiece-alignment tool of claim 5, wherein the first and sixth angles are each about 45 degrees, and the second, third, fourth, and fifth angles are each about 135 degrees.

7. The portable, workpiece-alignment tool of claim 1, wherein the first angle is about 45 degrees and the second angle is about 135 degrees.

8. A portable, workpiece-alignment tool comprising:

a diaphragm having a surface defining a reference plane, the diaphragm including and partially bounding an opening that is generally unbounded by any panels extending perpendicular to the reference plane;

a first panel connected to the diaphragm, the first panel having an interior surface and an exterior surface aligned with a first plane that is generally perpendicular to the reference plane, the first plane passing through the opening; and

a second panel connected to the diaphragm, the second panel having an interior surface and an exterior surface aligned with a second plane that is generally perpendicular to the reference plane, the second plane passing through the opening, the first and second planes forming an angle.

9. The portable, workpiece-alignment tool of claim 8, wherein the first, second, and reference planes are orthogonal to one another.

10. The portable, workpiece-alignment tool of claim 8, wherein the diaphragm has a cutout extending from the intersection of the first and second planes.

11. The portable, workpiece-alignment tool of claim 8, wherein the first and second planes form an angle of generally 90-degrees.

12. The portable, workpiece-alignment tool of claim 8, further comprising a third panel connected to the second panel and forming an angle therewith, and wherein the angle is less than 90-degrees.

13. The portable, workpiece-alignment tool of claim 8, further comprising a third panel connected to the second panel and forming an angle therewith, and wherein the angle is greater than 90-degrees.

14. The portable, workpiece-alignment tool of claim 8, further comprising a third panel joined directly to the first panel, the third panel having an interior surface and an exterior surface connected by respective side surfaces.

15. A portable, workpiece-alignment tool comprising:

a first panel having an interior surface and an exterior surface connected by a plurality of side surfaces;

a second panel having an interior surface and an exterior surface connected by respective side surfaces;

a first diaphragm connected to at least portions of the interior surface of the first panel;

a second diaphragm connected to at least portions of the interior surface of the second panel,

a hinge connecting the first diaphragm to the second diaphragm such that the first panel and the second panel do not contact one another, and such that the first panel and the second panel are configurable to form a first configuration and a second configuration, the first panel and the second panel form an angle greater than 45 degrees in the first configuration, and the first panel and the second panel are parallel in the second configuration.

16. The portable, workpiece-alignment tool of claim 15, wherein the hinge is movable to alter the angle.

17. The portable, workpiece-alignment tool of claim 16, wherein the hinge is offset a distance from a point forming the angle.

18. The portable, workpiece-alignment tool of claim 17, wherein the first diaphragm and the second diaphragm each have a cutout extending from the point forming the angle.

19. The portable, workpiece-alignment tool of claim 16, further comprising a hinge constraint to restrict movement of the hinge.

20. The portable, workpiece-alignment tool of claim 19, wherein the first diaphragm includes a first slot, the second diaphragm includes a second slot, and the hinge constraint is disposed within the first slot and the second slot.