Alignment tool for aligning bores in structural members

Abstract

An alignment tool (1) for aligning a bore (13) extending through a first structural member (14) with a bore (19) extending through a second structural member (15) is disclosed. The alignment tool (1) comprises two shaft portions (2, 3) having a cylindrical or cylindrical like configuration. The second shaft portion (3) is arranged adjacent to the first shaft portion (2). A portion of the second surface forms a continuation of a portion of the first surface. A first bushing (8) is arranged along the first shaft portion (2) and substantially covering the first surface, and a second bushing (9) is arranged along the second shaft portion (3) and substantially covering the second surface. Mutual rotational movements are allowed between the first shaft portion (2) and the first bushing (8) and between the second shaft portion (3) and the second bushing (9).

Claims

1. An alignment tool for aligning a bore extending through a first structural member with a bore extending through a second structural member, the alignment tool comprising: a first shaft portion defining a first axis, a first diameter and a first surface, a second shaft portion defining a second axis, a second diameter and a second surface, the second shaft portion being arranged adjacent to the first shaft portion along a direction defined by the first axis, the second axis extending in parallel to the first axis, the second diameter being smaller than the first diameter, and a portion of the second surface forming a continuation of a portion of the first surface, a first bushing arranged along the first shaft portion and covering at least a portion of the first surface, and a second bushing carried by and arranged along the second shaft portion and covering at least a portion of the second surface, wherein mutual rotational movements are allowed between the first shaft portion and the first bushing and between the second shaft portion and the second bushing.

2. The alignment tool according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first bushing and the second bushing has a cylindrical shape.

3. The alignment tool according to claim 2, wherein the first bushing has a diameter which is larger than a diameter of the second bushing.

4. The alignment tool according to claim 1, further comprising a tool engaging portion arranged to engage a tool for rotating the alignment tool about the first axis.

5. The alignment tool according to claim 4, wherein the tool engaging portion is or forms part of a head part of the alignment tool.

6. The alignment tool according to claim 1, wherein the second shaft portion has a tapered shape along a direction defined by the second axis and in a region arranged opposite to the portion of the second surface which forms an extension of the portion of the first surface.

7. The alignment tool according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first bushing and the second bushing comprises an outer surface facing a respective at least one of the first structural member and the second structural member, the outer surface being composed of a copper-lead alloy, a plastic, a babbitt alloy or a bronze alloy and configured to operate as a journal bearing.

8. The alignment tool according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first bushing and the second bushing comprises an inner surface facing a respective at least one of the first shaft portion and the second shaft portion, the inner surface being composed of a copper-lead alloy, a plastic, a babbitt alloy or a bronze alloy and configured to operate as a journal bearing.

9. The alignment tool according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first shaft portion and the second shaft portion comprises an outer surface facing a respective at least one of the first bushing and the second bushing, the outer surface being composed of a copper-lead alloy, a plastic, a babbitt alloy or a bronze alloy and configured to operate as a journal bearing.

10. The alignment tool according to claim 1, wherein the second bushing includes an opening having a diameter that corresponds to the second diameter of the second shaft portion.

11. The alignment tool according to claim 1, wherein the second bushing is sized such that a gap is formed between an outer surface of the second bushing and a peripheral wall of the bore extending through the second structural member for at least a portion of the peripheral wall.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings in which

(2) FIG. 1 is an exploded view of an alignment tool according to an embodiment of the invention,

(3) FIG. 2 is a side view of the alignment tool of FIG. 1,

(4) FIG. 3 illustrates insertion of the alignment tool of FIGS. 1 and 2 into a bore,

(5) FIG. 4 illustrates rotation of the alignment tool of FIGS. 1 and 2, and

(6) FIG. 5 illustrates operation of an alignment tool according to an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(7) FIG. 1 is an exploded view of an alignment tool 1 according to an embodiment of the invention. The alignment tool 1 comprises a first shaft portion 2 and a second shaft portion 3 extending from an end part of the first shaft portion 2. The first shaft portion 2 and the second shaft portion 3 both have a cylindrical shape, the first shaft portion 2 defining a first cylinder axis 4 and a first surface, and the second shaft portion 3 defining a second cylinder axis 5 and a second surface. A part of the second surface forms a continuation of a part of the first surface, thereby providing a smooth transition between the first shaft portion 2 and the second shaft portion 3 in this region.

(8) The second shaft portion 3 has a diameter which is smaller than a diameter of the first shaft portion 2, and the second cylinder axis 5 extends in parallel to and displaced relative to the first cylinder axis 4. Accordingly, the second shaft portion 3 is arranged eccentrically with respect to the first shaft portion 2.

(9) A bolt head 6 provided with six tool engaging surfaces 7 is arranged adjacent to the first shaft portion 2, opposite to the second shaft portion 3. An appropriate tool, such as a wrench, can be arranged in contact with the tool engaging surfaces 7, thereby allowing torque transfer from the tool to the alignment tool 1 in order to rotate the alignment tool 1 about the first cylinder axis 4. This will be described in further detail below with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4.

(10) A first bushing 8, having a cylindrical shape, is sized and shaped to be arranged along the first shaft portion 2 in such a manner that the first surface is substantially covered by the first bushing 8. The first bushing 8 is allowed to rotate relative to the first shaft portion 2.

(11) A second bushing 9, having a cylindrical shape, is sized and shaped to be arranged along the second shaft portion 3 in such a manner that the second surface is substantially covered by the second bushing 9. The second bushing 9 is allowed to rotate relative to the second shaft portion 3.

(12) As described above, since the bushings 8, 9 are allowed to rotate relative to the shaft portions 2, 3, the shaft portions 2, 3 may rotate relative to bores in which the shaft portions 2, 3 are arranged, while the bushings 8, 9, forming a contacting interface between the alignment tool 1 and inner surfaces of the bores, remain substantially stationary relative to the bores. Thereby the risk of wear and damage on the inner surfaces of the bores is considerably reduced.

(13) The alignment tool 1 further comprises a washer 10 to be arranged between the bolt head 6 and the first bushing 8, an end plate 11 arranged to abut the second bushing 9, and a screw 12 arranged to keep the alignment tool 1 assembled.

(14) FIG. 2 is a side view of the alignment tool 1 of FIG. 1 in an assembled state. It can be seen that the first bushing 8 is arranged along the first shaft portion (not visible), and the second bushing 9 is arranged along the second shaft portion (not visible).

(15) FIG. 3 illustrates insertion of the alignment tool 1 of FIGS. 1 and 2 into a bore 13. The bore 13 is one of a number of bores being formed in a structural member in the form of a first flange 14 which is to be joined to another structural member in the form of a second flange 15. The second flange 15 is also provided with a number of bores. The insert is a perspective view of the alignment tool 1.

(16) The alignment tool 1 is inserted into the bore 13 along the direction indicated by arrow 16. Subsequently rotating tool 17 can be mounted on the bolt head 6 of the alignment tool 1, in engagement with the tool engaging surfaces 7, in order to rotate the alignment tool 1 about the first cylinder axis (illustrated in FIG. 1), thereby causing alignment of the bore 13 and a corresponding bore formed in the second flange 15, in the manner described above.

(17) FIG. 4 illustrates rotation of the alignment tool 1 of FIGS. 1 and 2 by means of the rotating tool 17. It can be seen that the alignment tool 1 has been inserted into the bore 13, and the rotating tool 17 has been mounted on the bolt head (not visible) of the alignment tool 1. The rotating tool 17 is then activated, causing a rotation of the alignment tool 1 as illustrated by arrow 18. Thereby the bore 13 is aligned with the corresponding bore formed in the second flange 15, in the manner described above.

(18) FIG. 5 illustrates operation of an alignment tool 1 according to an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 5a illustrates an initial situation in which a first bore 13, formed in a first structural member, and a second bore 19, formed in a second structural member, are misaligned. An alignment tool 1 according to an embodiment of the invention is inserted into the bores 13, 19 in such a manner that the first shaft portion and the first bushing are arranged in the first bore 13, and the second shaft portion and the second bushing are arranged in the second bore 19.

(19) In FIG. 5b the alignment tool 1 has been rotated about the cylinder axis of the first shaft member. This has caused the second bore 19 to be moved towards alignment with the first bore 13, in the manner described above. However, the bores 13, 19 are not yet completely aligned.

(20) In FIG. 5c the alignment tool 1 has been rotated further about the first cylinder axis. This has caused the second bore 19 to be moved into a position in which it is aligned with the first bore 13.

(21) Since the alignment tool 1 is provided with the first and second bushings, the alignment of the bores 13, 19 illustrated in FIG. 5 can be performed without risking damage or excessive wear on the inner surfaces of the bores 13, 19, because the bushings substantially prevent friction and grinding between the alignment tool 1 and the inner surfaces of the bores 13, 19.