초록 ▼

Systems and methods are provided wherein a tube insert is at least partially disposed within the end portion of a tube. An alignment fixture can be used to assist in forming an aperture through the wall of the tube at a predetermined location that is aligned with at least one cavity in the outer sur

Systems and methods are provided wherein a tube insert is at least partially disposed within the end portion of a tube. An alignment fixture can be used to assist in forming an aperture through the wall of the tube at a predetermined location that is aligned with at least one cavity in the outer surface of a tube insert.

대표청구항 ▼

We claim: 1. A system adapted to cooperate with an aperture forming tool, the system comprising: a) a tube including a wall and an end portion; b) at least one fastener; c) a tube insert at least partially disposed within the end portion of the tube, the tube insert including a first registration s

We claim: 1. A system adapted to cooperate with an aperture forming tool, the system comprising: a) a tube including a wall and an end portion; b) at least one fastener; c) a tube insert at least partially disposed within the end portion of the tube, the tube insert including a first registration structure, an outer surface, and at least one cavity in the outer surface for reception of the at least one fastener; and d) an alignment fixture including a second registration structure adapted to cooperate with the first registration structure of the tube insert to inhibit a relative movement between the alignment fixture and the tube insert, wherein the tube is disposed between the tube insert and the alignment fixture, such that the alignment fixture further includes at least one alignment device adapted to receive at least a portion of a tool to assist in forming at least one aperture through the wall of the tube at at least one predetermined location, such that the at least one aperture through the wall of the tube is aligned with the at least one cavity in the outer surface of the tube insert for utilization of the at least one fastener in attachment of the tube to the tube insert. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the first registration structure comprises a first angular registration structure and the second registration structure comprises a second angular registration structure, wherein the first and second angular registration structures are adapted to cooperate with one another to inhibit a relative angular movement between the alignment fixture and the tube insert. 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the first registration structure comprises a first axial registration structure and the second registration structure comprises a second axial registration structure, wherein the first and second axial registration structures are adapted to cooperate with one another to inhibit a relative axial movement between the alignment fixture and the tube insert. 4. The system of claim 1, wherein the alignment device is adapted to clamp the alignment fixture to the tube. 5. The system of claim 1, wherein the alignment device includes an elongated alignment aperture adapted to receive a drill bit. 6. The system of claim 1, wherein the alignment fixture further comprises a body portion. 7. The system of claim 6, wherein the alignment device is mounted to the body portion. 8. A system adapted to cooperate with an aperture forming tool, the system comprising: a) a tube including a wall and an end portion; b) a tube insert at least partially disposed within the end portion of the tube, the tube insert including a first registration structure, an outer surface, and at least one cavity in the outer surface; and c) an alignment fixture including a second registration structure adapted to cooperate with the first registration structure of the tube insert to inhibit a relative movement between the alignment fixture and the tube insert, the alignment fixture further including an alignment device adapted to receive at least a portion of a tool to assist in forming an aperture through the wall of the tube at a predetermined location that is aligned with at least one cavity in the outer surface of the tube insert, wherein the alignment fixture further comprises a body portion such that the alignment device is mounted to the body portion, and wherein the alignment device is adjustably mounted to the body portion. 9. The system of claim 8, wherein the alignment device is adapted to clamp the alignment fixture to the tube by adjusting the alignment device with respect to the body portion. 10. The system of claim 8, wherein the body portion includes a mounting aperture and wherein at least a portion of the alignment device is adapted to adjustably engage the mounting aperture. 11. A system adapted to cooperate with an aperture forming tool, the system comprising: a) a tube including a wall and an end portion; b) a tube insert at least partially disposed within the end portion of the tube, the tube insert including a first registration structure, an outer surface, and at least one cavity in the outer surface; and c) an alignment fixture including a second registration structure adapted to cooperate with the first registration structure of the tube insert to inhibit a relative movement between the alignment fixture and the tube insert, the alignment fixture further including an alignment device adapted to receive at least a portion of a tool to assist in forming an aperture through the wall of the tube at a predetermined location that is aligned with at least one cavity in the outer surface of the tube insert, wherein the alignment fixture further comprises a body portion, wherein the body portion includes an outer flange, such that the alignment device is mounted to the outer flange of the body portion. 12. The system of claim 11, wherein the outer flange comprises a substantially continuous wall. 13. The system of claim 11, wherein the body portion further includes an inner flange spaced from the outer flange. 14. The system of claim 13, wherein the inner flange comprises the second registration structure. 15. The system of claim 14, wherein the first registration structure comprises a first angular registration structure and the second registration structure comprises a second angular registration structure, wherein the first and second angular registration structures are adapted to cooperate with one another to inhibit a relative angular movement between the alignment fixture and the tube insert. 16. The system of claim 15, wherein the first registration structure comprises a tongue and the second registration structure comprises a groove adapted to receive the tongue. 17. The system of claim 13, further comprising a bridge flange attached between the inner flange and the outer flange. 18. The system of claim 17, wherein the first registration structure comprises a first axial registration structure and the second registration structure comprises a second axial registration structure, wherein the first and second axial registration structures are adapted to cooperate with one another to inhibit a relative axial movement between the alignment fixture and the tube insert. 19. The system of claim 18, wherein the first registration structure comprises an upper surface of the tube insert and the second registration structure comprises an inner surface of the bridge flange. 20. The system of claim 17, wherein the bridge flange includes at least one view port to permit observation of a relative axial orientation between the alignment fixture and the tube insert. 21. The system of claim 20, wherein the view port includes at least one aperture extending through the bridge flange.