Pipe Fitter Square with Rotatable Protractors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pipe fitters face challenges in aligning multiple pipes at various angles efficiently and accurately, especially in confined spaces, often requiring multiple persons and cumbersome tools.
Innovation Solution
A multi-functional measuring tool with elongate arms and rotatable protractors allows for precise angle measurement between two points of interest, featuring adjustable extensions and attachment sections for versatility and ease of use in tight spaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional angle finding tools are used, then angle measurement capability is provided, but the tool requires two or more persons to support and position, reducing operational efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple protractors with an elongate arm into a single integrated tool assembly, allowing one person to hold and operate the entire device while measuring angles at multiple points simultaneously. This merging of components resolves the contradiction by providing comprehensive angle measurement capability without requiring multiple persons to support separate tools.
Solution Approach 2:
The measuring tool is designed with multiple protractors that can measure angles at different locations along the elongate arm, making it a multi-functional device. This universality allows a single tool to perform various angle measurement tasks that previously required multiple specialized tools and personnel, thereby improving operational efficiency while maintaining measurement precision.
2Measurement precision
If traditional measuring tools are used in confined spaces, then angle measurement is possible, but maneuverability and access are limited, requiring more space
Solution Approach 1:
The tool divides the measurement function into multiple protractors positioned at different locations along a relatively short elongate arm. This segmentation allows the operator to measure angles at multiple points without requiring the tool to be physically large, improving maneuverability in confined spaces while maintaining measurement accuracy through the distributed protractor configuration.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple protractors are mounted on an elongate arm, then angle measurement at two points is enabled, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple protractors and an elongate arm into a single integrated assembly where the protractors are directly mounted on the arm structure. This combining approach enables multi-point angle measurement capability while minimizing device complexity by eliminating the need for separate mounting mechanisms and reducing the number of discrete components that would need to be assembled and maintained.
Data Source
AI summary
A measuring tool for determining angles at two points of interest, including an elongate arm and two protractors, one protractor rotatably mounted at each end of the arm. Each protractor includes a flat for positioning the protractor against one of the two points of interest. The angle at each point of interest is the angular measurement between the arm and the two flats, respectively. The arm may include two attachment sections, one each of the two attachment sections rotatably connected to one each of the two protractors, respectively, and an L-shaped guide having three connection points for selectively receiving and retaining the two attachment sections in various configurations as desired.