Alignment device and methods

Abstract

In accordance with at least one aspect of this disclosure, an alignment device for assembling a structure having two or more legs includes a base configured to support a pile driver for pile driving at least one of the two or more legs, and a plurality of alignment structures configured to define an alignment opening, connected to the base, and extending at least partially laterally from the base, wherein the plurality of alignment structures are configured to receive a respective leg of the two or more legs to allow the two or more legs to be positioned relative to each other.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An alignment device for assembling a structure having two or more legs, comprising:
 a base configured to support a pile driver for pile driving at least one of the two or more legs;   a plurality of alignment structures configured to define an alignment opening, connected to the base, and extending at least partially laterally from the base, wherein the plurality of alignment structures are configured to receive a respective leg of the two or more legs to allow the two or more legs to be positioned relative to each other.   
     
     
         2 . The alignment device of any preceding claim, wherein each alignment structure further comprises one or more alignment support members connected to each alignment structure and extending into and/or over the alignment opening, each alignment support member configured to contact a leg disposed in the alignment opening. 
     
     
         3 . The alignment device of  claim 2 , wherein the one or more alignment support members are complementary to surface of a respective leg and are positioned to contact the respective leg in flush contact. 
     
     
         4 . The alignment device of  claim 3  or  4 , wherein the one or more alignment support members positionably mounted to each alignment structure to allow each alignment support member to be positioned relative to a respective leg disposed within the alignment opening. 
     
     
         5 . The device of any preceding claim, wherein the plurality of alignment structures include a complimentary shape to the two or more legs. 
     
     
         6 . The alignment device of  claim 5 , wherein each alignment structure is complementary to a caisson having a substantially polygonal shape. 
     
     
         7 . The alignment device of  claim 6 , wherein each alignment structure is a dodecagon. 
     
     
         8 . The device of any preceding claim, wherein the base forms a substantially planar shape. 
     
     
         9 . The device of any preceding claim, wherein the alignment opening of each alignment structure includes an opening planar vector that is substantially parallel to a base planar vector of the planar shape of the base. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the substantially planar shape is a square shape. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the base includes a support frame and a platform supported by the support frame. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the base includes a first side and a second side detachably connected to each other along a midline. 
     
     
         13 . The alignment device of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one pair alignment baffles configured to receive a portion of a pile driver on the platform. 
     
     
         14 . The alignment device of  claim 13 , wherein the each alignment baffle is configured to receive a foot of a pile driver and/or are complimentary to a shape of a foot of a pile driver. 
     
     
         15 . The alignment device of  claim 14 , wherein the at least one pair of baffles are at least one inch in height. 
     
     
         16 . The alignment device of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of connection points configured to connect to a lifting device for lifting and/or transport of the alignment device. 
     
     
         17 . A method, comprising:
 constructing a structure having a plurality of legs using an alignment device configured to align each leg relative to each other.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising disposing an alignment device onto a surface; wherein disposing alignment device includes lowering the alignment device from a helicopter. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising disposing a pile driver onto the alignment device; wherein disposing the pile driver includes lowering the pile driver from a helicopter. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  17 , comprising:
 placing a first leg of the structure into a first alignment structure of the alignment device; and   pile driving the first leg of the structure into the surface using a pile driver supported by the alignment device.   
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , further comprising:
 placing a second leg of the structure into a second one of the alignment structures of the alignment device;   turning the pile driver to interact with the second leg and/or to align the pile driver with the second one of the at least one alignment structures; and   pile driving the second leg of the structure into the surface using the pile driver.   
     
     
         22 . A method, comprising:
 constructing a multi-legged utility tower having a plurality of legs on wetland using an alignment device configured to rest on the wetland surface to align at least two of the plurality of legs.   
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the multi-legged utility tower is an electrical transmission structure.