Method for laying a pipeline

Claim 2

In a method for laying a pipeline along a preselected axis wherein each pipe in the pipeline is sequentially aligned with the use of light which is projected through the pipe, the improvement which comprises: aligning a first pipe along said preselected path; projecting at least two planes of light through said first pipe with said planes intersecting the ends of said first pipe at preselected points, each of said planes being parallel to said preselected axis; providing a second pipe having markers on one end thereof corresponding to said preselected points on said first pipe; inserting the other end of said second pipe in an end of said first pipe; moving said one end of said second pipe until said markers on said one end correspond with the intersection of said light planes at said one end of said pipe; and fixing said second pipe in place.

Claim 3

A method according to claim 1 wherein said planes of light intersect at said markers.

Claim 4

A method according to claim 1 wherein said markers comprise photosensitive material.

Claim 5

In a method for laying a pipeline along a preselected axis wherein each pipe in the pipeline is sequentially aligned with the use of light which is projected through the pipe, the improvement which comprises: aligning a first pipe along said preselected path; projecting at least two planes of light through said first pipe with said planes intersecting the ends of said first pipe at preselected points, each of said planes being co-planar with said preselected axis; providing a second pipe having markers on one end thereof corresponding to said preselected points on said first pipe; inserting the other end of said second pipe in an end of said first pipe; moving said one end of said second pipe until said markers on said one end correspond with the intersection of said light planes at said one end of said pipe; and fixing said second pipe in place.

Claim 6

In a method for laying a pipeline along a preselected axis wherein each pipe in the pipeline is sequentially aligned with the use of light which is projected through the pipe, the improvement which comprises: aligning a first pipe along said preselected path; projecting at least two planes of light through said first pipe with said planes intersecting the ends of said first pipe at preselected points, each of said planes being co-planar with said preselected axis; providing a second pipe having markers on one end thereof corresponding to said preselected points on said first pipe; inserting the other end of said second pipe in an end of said first pipe; moving said one end of said second pipe until said markers on said one end correspond with the intersection of said light planes at said one end of said pipe; and fixing said second pipe in place.

Claim 7

A method according to claim 4 wherein there are two of said planes of light which are perpendicular to each other and intersect at said preselected path.

Claim 8

A method according to claim 4 wherein said markers comprise photosensitive material.

Claim 9

In a method for laying a plurality of pipes along a preselected axis with the use of a light beam which is projected through the pipes; the improvement comprising: providing a light source means having the characteristic of projecting a light beam along said preselected axis, said projected light having a predetermined configuration; providing pipes each having a plurality of marks positioned at preselected points at one end thereof said marks positioned to correspond with the configuration of said light beam; placing each of said pipes in succession generally along said predetermined axis so that said light beam is projected therethrough; properly aligning said pipes by moving each of said pipes previous to the placement of the next successive pipe until said projected beam intersects said marks at the end of said pipe; and fixing each of said pipes in place after the alignment thereof.

Claim 10

In a method for laying a plurality of pipes along a preselected axis with the use of a light beam which is projected through the pipes; the improvement comprising: providing a light source means having the characteristic of projecting a light beam along said preselected axis, said projected light having a predetermined configuration; providing pipes each having a plurality of marks positioned at preselected points at one end thereof said marks positioned to correspond with the configuration of said light beam; placing each of said pipes in succession generally along said predetermined axis so that said light beam is projected therethrough; properly aligning said pipes by moving each of said pipes previous to the placement of the next successive pipe until said projected beam intersects said marks at the end of said pipe; and fixing each of said pipes in place after the alignment thereof.

Claim 11

The method of claim 7 in which the light beam is formed by projecting at least two planes of light through the pipe with said planes intersecting the ends of said pipe at said marks when said pipes aRe properly aligned.

Claim 12

The method of claim 8 in which each of said planes are parallel to said preselected axis.

Claim 13

A method according to claim 9 wherein said planes of light intersect at said marks.

Claim 14

A method according to claim 7 wherein said marks comprise photosensitive material.

Claim 15

A method according to claim 8 wherein said marks comprise photosensitive material.

Claim 16

The method of claim 9 in which each of the planes of light are coplanar with said preselected axis.

Claim 17

A method according to claim 13 wherein there are two of said planes of light which are perpendicular to each other and intersect at said preselected path.

Claim 18

Apparatus for laying a pipeline along a predetermined axis wherein each pipe in the pipeline is sequentially aligned by means of a light beam projected along the predetermined axis comprising: a source of light for projecting a light beam in a predetermined configuration along said predetermined axis, said configuration being such that said light beam has predetermined portions thereof which simultaneously intersect a plurality of points located on and spaced one from the other on a plane normal to a direction of projection of said light beam; means for mounting said source of light for projecting said light beam along said predetermined axis through a plurality of pipes; and a plurality of marks positioned at predetermined points at one end of each of said pipes, the position of said marks corresponding to the predetermined positions of said portions of said light beam whereby as said pipe is moved into proper alignment with said predetermined axis said portions of said light beam intersect said marks.

Claim 19

Apparatus for laying a pipeline along a predetermined axis wherein each pipe in the pipeline is sequentially aligned by means of a light beam projected along the predetermined axis comprising: a source of light for projecting a light beam in a predetermined configuration along said predetermined axis, said configuration being such that said light beam has predetermined portions thereof which simultaneously intersect a plurality of points located on and spaced one from the other on a plane normal to a direction of projection of said light beam; means for mounting said source of light for projecting said light beam along said predetermined axis through a plurality of pipes; and a plurality of marks positioned at predetermined points at one end of each of said pipes, the position of said marks corresponding to the predetermined positions of said portions of said light beam whereby as said pipe is moved into proper alignment with said predetermined axis said portions of said light beam intersect said marks.

Claim 20

The apparatus as defined in claim 15 wherein said marks comprise a plurality of radially extending target members positioned about the diameter of said pipe.

Claim 21

The apparatus as defined in claim 15 wherein said marks are painted at said predetermined points at the bell end of said pipe.

Claim 22

The apparatus as defined in claim 16 wherein said marks are positioned about the inner diameter of said pipes and extend radially inwardly.

Claim 23

The apparatus as defined in claim 15 in which the light beam is projected in a plurality of coplanar planes.