Electronic sensors, methods, and systems for pipe benders

Abstract

An apparatus for determining an angle of a handle of a pipe bender includes a sensor configured to determine an orientation angle of the sensor and a display configured to display the orientation angle of the sensor. The apparatus further includes a housing configured to attach to the handle of the pipe bender. The sensor is within the housing.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A pipe bender comprising:
 a bender head comprising an arcuate-shaped rocker;   a handle attached to the bender head and having a free end; and   an angle indicator display device comprising:
 a housing that is selectively coupleable to the handle;
 at least one sensor coupled to the housing and configured to determine an orientation angle of the sensor in or on the pipe bender; and 
 
   a display configured to display the orientation angle of the sensor.   
     
     
         2 . The pipe bender of  claim 1 , wherein the display is coupled to the housing. 
     
     
         3 . The pipe bender of  claim 1 , wherein the housing is at least partially insertable into a free end of the handle. 
     
     
         4 . The pipe bender of  claim 1 , wherein the housing is configured to clamp to the handle. 
     
     
         5 . The pipe bender of  claim 4 , wherein the housing comprises a first piece and a second piece, the first piece configured to be selectively secured to the second piece with the handle between the first piece and the second piece. 
     
     
         6 . The pipe bender of  claim 4 , wherein the housing comprises a main portion and a coupling portion, wherein the coupling portion is securable to the handle and the main portion is selectively coupleable to the coupling portion, wherein the sensor is coupled to the main portion. 
     
     
         7 . The pipe bender of  claim 1 , wherein the handle is ferromagnetic and the housing comprises a magnet configured to secure the housing to the handle. 
     
     
         8 . The pipe bender of  claim 7 , wherein the magnet is disposed in a longitudinal groove defined by the housing, wherein the groove comprises a radius that is substantially similar to a radius of the handle. 
     
     
         9 . The pipe bender of  claim 1 , wherein the housing comprises a protrusion formation that is insertable into the free end of the handle and defines a groove for coupling around the handle, wherein the groove is at least partially defined by the protrusion formation. 
     
     
         10 . The pipe bender of  claim 9 , wherein the handle is ferromagnetic and the housing comprises a magnet configured to secure the housing to the handle, wherein the magnetic strip is disposed along the groove. 
     
     
         11 . An angle indicator display device for use with a pipe bender, the display device comprising:
 a housing that is selectively coupleable to a pipe bender;   at least one sensor coupled to the housing and configured to determine an orientation angle of the sensor in or on the pipe bender; and   a display coupled to the housing and configured to display the orientation angle of the sensor.   
     
     
         12 . The angle indicator display device of  claim 11 , wherein the housing is configured to clamp to a handle of the pipe bender. 
     
     
         13 . The angle indicator display device of  claim 12 , wherein the housing comprises a first piece and a second piece, the first piece configured to be selectively secured to the second piece with the handle between the first piece and the second piece. 
     
     
         14 . The angle indicator display device of  claim 12 , wherein the housing comprises a main portion and a coupling portion, wherein the coupling portion is securable to the handle and the main portion is selectively coupleable to the coupling portion, wherein the sensor is coupled to the main portion. 
     
     
         15 . The angle indicator display device of  claim 11 , wherein the housing comprises a magnet configured to secure the housing to the pipe bender. 
     
     
         16 . The angle indicator display device of  claim 15 , wherein the magnet is disposed in a longitudinal groove defined by the housing. 
     
     
         17 . The angle indicator display device of  claim 11 , wherein the housing comprises a protrusion formation that is insertable into a free end of a handle of the pipe bender and defines a groove for coupling around the handle, wherein the groove is at least partially defined by the protrusion formation. 
     
     
         18 . The angle indicator display device of  claim 17 , wherein the housing comprises a magnet configured to secure the housing to the handle, wherein the magnetic strip is disposed along the groove. 
     
     
         19 . An angle indicator display device for use with a pipe bender, the display device comprising:
 a housing that is selectively coupleable to a handle of the pipe bender, the housing comprising a rounded portion that is insertable into a free end of a handle of the pipe bender;   at least one sensor coupled to the housing and configured to determine an orientation angle of the sensor in or on the pipe bender; and   a display coupled to the housing and configured to display the orientation angle of the sensor.   
     
     
         20 . The angle indicator display device of  claim 19 , wherein the rounded portion is on an opposite side of the housing from the display.