Workpiece-alignment Tools and Techniques

• US 20180141178A1
• Filed: 09/18/2017
• Published: 05/24/2018
• 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.
• Granted Patent: US 10,639,757 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• 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 to the first panel and forming an angle therewith, the second 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 panel and second panel, 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, wherein the angle is about 90-degrees.

3. The portable, workpiece-alignment tool of claim 1, wherein the angle is less than 90-degrees.

4. The portable, workpiece-alignment tool of claim 1, wherein the angle is greater than 90-degrees.

5. The portable, workpiece-alignment tool of claim 1, further comprising multiple additional panels joined either directly or indirectly to the first and second 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.

6. The portable, workpiece-alignment tool of claim 5, wherein at least one of the respective connection angles is greater than 90-degrees and at least one of the respective connection angles is less than 90-degrees.

7. 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.

8. A portable, workpiece-alignment tool comprising:

a diaphragm having a surface defining a 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;

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 first and second planes forming an angle, the first and second panels each having a cutout extending from the intersection of the first and second planes.

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, further comprising a third panel connected to the diaphragm, the third panel joined to the first panel and forming a first angle therewith, the third panel joined to the second panel and forming a second angle therewith.

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

13. The portable, workpiece-alignment tool of claim 12, wherein one of the first angle or the second angle is less than 90-degrees.

14. The portable, workpiece-alignment tool of claim 12, wherein one of the first angle or the second angle is greater than 90-degrees.

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 form an angle and such that the first panel and the second panel do not contact one another.

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 16, further comprising a hinge constraint to restrict movement of the hinge.

19. The portable, workpiece-alignment tool of claim 18, 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.

20. 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.