Alignment guide

Abstract

An alignment guide is provided having a shaft having a longitudinal axis. The guide includes a housing configured to be attached to the shaft and rotatable about a first axis substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The housing includes a base and a plate. The base is attached to the shaft, and the plate is rotatable about the first axis relative to the base. The guide also includes a guide arm having a first portion and a second portion, the first portion being attached to the housing and extending from the housing along a second axis, the second portion extending from the first portion at a first predetermined angle.

1 . An alignment guide, comprising:
 a shaft having a longitudinal axis;   a housing configured to be attached to the shaft and being rotatable about a first axis substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, wherein the housing comprises a base attached to the shaft, and a plate rotatable about the first axis relative to the base;   a guide arm having a first portion and a second portion, the first portion being attached to the housing and extending from the housing along a second axis, the second portion extending from the first portion at a first predetermined angle;   wherein the first portion is attached to the plate and the base and the plate are configured to be fixed with respect to one another, the base including a first opening and a second opening, the plate including a protrusion and a tab, the protrusion and the tab are configured to extend through the first opening and the second opening, respectively.   
     
     
         2 . The alignment guide of  claim 1 , wherein the guide arm comprises a linking portion that extends from the first portion and is attached to the housing along the first axis. 
     
     
         3 . The alignment guide of  claim 1 , wherein the first predetermined angle is approximately 90 degrees. 
     
     
         4 . The alignment guide of  claim 1 , wherein the angle defined by the first axis and the second axis ranges from 30 to 50 degrees. 
     
     
         5 . The alignment guide of  claim 4 , wherein the angle defined by the first axis and the second axis ranges is approximately 40 degrees. 
     
     
         6 . The alignment guide of  claim 1 , wherein the base and the plate are rotatable through an arc of 70 degrees. 
     
     
         7 . The alignment guide of  claim 4 , wherein the base and the plate are positionable at five degree increments within the arc of 70 degrees. 
     
     
         8 . The alignment guide of  claim 1 , wherein the second portion is a length that ranges from about 50 mm to 150 mm. 
     
     
         9 . The alignment guide of  claim 1 , wherein the third portion is a length that ranges from about 100 mm to 200 mm.