PIPE STAND
Pipe stands support waste-conveying pipes in a trench in a septic system. The pipe stands are preferably flat bowtie-shaped sheets (preferably polymeric). Holes or notches are formed that align when the sheet is folded, thus providing stable support for a horizontal pipe when the panels' bottom edges rest on the ground. Modified versions include panels having: a fold-out foot for engaging soft soil, a fold-out dispersing flange for dispersing waste dropped from the pipe, a stake for driving into soft soil, punch-out rings or multiple holes for supporting different sized pipes, stabilizers between the panels that fixedly maintain their spacing, a feature for receiving a grounded wire stake, and/or bias from the living hinge of the fold line causing frictional gripping of the pipe. Many versions can be used in different orientations. Also, the present pipe stand can be used to support pipes and wires hanging from overhead rafters.
The present invention relates to pipe stands, and more particularly relates to pipe stands used to support liquid-filled horizontally-extending pipes supported in a trench above ground, such as are used to convey human waste to drain fields of septic systems, though not limited to only that use.
One type of septic system (sold by Infiltrator Systems, Inc., Old Saybrook, Conn., by Chamber Systems ADS Company, and also by Hancor Company) includes waste-conveying pipes supported above ground and that extend from a septic tank to a drain field. The pipes are positioned in trenches in the ground, and supported under semi-cylindrical chambers, such as by tying the pipes to the chambers by straps or by supporting the pipes on posts that extend into the ground at a bottom of the trenches. In a gravity system, the waste-conveying pipes are generally horizontal but slightly downhill, such that the waste flows from the septic tank by gravity to a dump location in the drain field. In a low pressure system, the waste is communicated under pressure through waste pipes that define several dump locations in the drain field. Both systems require that the waste-conveying pipes be stably supported above the ground in a horizontal position so that low sections are avoided, both at installation and also over time. The avoidance of low sections prevents solid waste from collecting in low sections and thus prevents the collecting waste from stopping flow through the pipe. However, known pipe supports for the above-discussed septic system are deficient in that they require a difficult installation and also they may allow the pipe to sag and form low sections prematurely over time. For example, one system preassembles the pipe to the chambers using tie straps, and then places the pipes and chambers as a unit.
Specifically, the two most common ways of supporting waste-conveying pipes in the above-mentioned septic system include either straps or posts, both of which have significant installation and durability problems. For example, it is difficult to attach straps under the chambers and difficult to assure that the pipes are held in a horizontal position under the chambers with no low sections, since vision and reach are difficult. Further, the straps may break or sag over time (especially since waste-filled pipes are heavy), causing low sections to occur well after the installation, thus requiring maintenance and/or repair. Posts can be installed before the chambers are placed in the trench, such that installation is a bit easier than straps. However, posts tend to tip sideways or sink (or erupt from ground pressure), such that there is a significant risk of low sections forming over time. Also, sometimes it is difficult to drive the posts into the ground deep enough in the location and true-vertical orientation desired.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTIONIn one aspect of the present invention, a pipe stand is provided for supporting a pipe above a ground surface. The pipe stand includes a flat sheet having two panels defining a fold line therebetween, the panels including a first pipe-supporting surface formed to engage and stably support a pipe and including a pipe-remote section. The sheet when folded on the fold line positions both of the pipe-supporting surfaces in an aligned position for engaging and stably supporting the pipe while simultaneously positioning the pipe-remote sections to engage the ground surface in at least three non-aligned locations for stably supporting the pipe above the ground surface.
In another aspect of the present invention, a pipe supporting system for supporting a pipe away from a primary support comprises two panels integrally connected by a living hinge. The two panels include a pipe-supporting surface formed to engage and stably support a pipe and include a pipe-remote section configured for attachment to the primary support. The sheet when folded about the living hinge positions the pipe-supporting surface in an aligned position for receiving and stably supporting the pipe while simultaneously positioning the pipe-remote sections to engage the primary support in at least three non-aligned locations for stably supporting the pipe away from the primary support.
In another aspect of the present invention, a septic system includes a drain field having a long section of waste-conveying pipe, and a plurality of pipe stands. Each stand includes at least one panel with a pipe-supporting surface and an edge adapted to stably engage a ground surface, each panel having a width extending non-parallel the pipe. By this arrangement the plurality of pipe stands can be slipped onto or under the waste-conveying pipe and the pipe stably arranged in a horizontal position without low sections before covering the waste-conveying pipe.
In another aspect of the present invention, a septic system includes an elongated chamber adapted for positioning in a trench on a ground surface. A pipe is positioned under the chamber.
Multiple pipe stands engage and support the pipe at spaced locations. The pipe stands each comprise a body having a pipe-supporting portion and include a stabilizer for the body. The stabilizer has at least three non-aligned ground-engaging points for resting on the ground surface to hold the pipe in a stable position above the ground surface based primarily on gravity.
In another aspect of the present invention, a method of constructing a septic system comprises steps of providing a trench and a long section of waste-conveying pipe, and providing a plurality of pipe stands, each including at least one panel with a pipe-supporting surface and an edge adapted to stably engage a ground surface. The method further includes positioning the pipe stands transversely to the pipe and in a position supporting the pipe, including slipping the pipe stands onto or under the waste-conveying pipe before covering the waste-conveying pipe.
In a broader aspect of the present invention, it is contemplated that the present pipe stand includes a structural member of sufficient strength to support a pipe in an elevated position, and includes a pipe-receiving feature and a ground-engaging stabilizer of sufficient width to prevent tip-over.
An object of the present invention is to provide a very simple pipe stand that is durable, long-lasting, and very stable when used to support waste-conveying pipes in the primary environment of a septic system.
An object of the present invention is to provide a pipe stand that promotes an efficient installation of a septic system, and which is intuitive to use, yet flexible in use.
These and other aspects, objects, and features of the present invention will be understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art upon studying the following specification, claims, and appended drawings.
The present pipe stands 20 (
The present pipe stands 20 are particularly simple, effective, flexible in use, and easy to install in the present environment of a septic system for a variety of reasons. In regard to their construction, the pipe stand 20 (
Also, when attached to the pipe 21, each bottom edge 35 and 36 of the panels 30 and 31 rest on the ground. Due to a width of the edges 35 and 36, they stably engage the ground surface 22 even if there are some variations in the surface 22. A fold-out foot 37 is formed at the bottom edges 35 and 36 by pairs of slots 38. The fold-out foot 37 is useful where the ground is soft, since it can be bent to a horizontal position that gives a wider footprint along the bottom edge 35 and 36. At the same time, the end tabs 39 (outboard of the foot 37) extend into the soil of the ground surface 22, adding further stability to the arrangement.
It is noted that variations can be made in the pipe stand 20 of
A number of modified pipe stands are shown in
The pipe stand 20A (
The pipe stand 20B (
The pipe stand 20C (
The pipe stand 20F (
A U-shaped slot 49F (
The pipe stand 20G (
The pipe stand 20H (
The pipe stand 20I (
The pipe stand 20J (
The pipe stand 20K (
The pipe stand 20L (
Advantageously, the present pipe stands can be used in low pressure chamber systems, and do not have to be tied to a chamber. This allows the chamber to be installed after the “squirt” test. The present stands are easily installed, including folding and sliding onto the pipe that they support. They ship flat and are low weight, such that they ship at low cost, and are easily shipped and stored. They are easily adjustable to different spacings on a given pipe. Notably, different pipe sizes require different spacings, and the present pipe stands readily fill that need, while providing excellent stability and levelness of the pipe off the ground. In some forms, the pipe stands squeeze the pipe, yet release for adjustment. Some pipe stands cradle and/or snap over the pipe for additional sureness of retention. Others have punch-outs that permit selection of a desired hole size. The present pipe stands are independent from the chamber, and stand alone. They fit multiple sizes of pipes, with holes on one pipe stand fitting more than just one pipe size. Sides of the pipe stands can be fixed in a desired spread condition, either by using a cross piece, or ground-engaging tabs. Further, the sides of the pipe stands can include fold-out feet for increased footprint for loose soil, and also can include fold-out flanges for dispersing waste material dropping from the pipe. The pipe stands include integral hinges that are low-cost, easily bent to a desired shape, and ARE highly efficient and satisfactory for their intended purpose. The pipe stands can be inverted and used as a pipe hanger. They can be made by a variety of processes, such as injection molding, stamping, cutting, forming, sawing/drilling, and the like. They can be made out of many different materials, such as plastic, metal (steel, aluminum) composite, or the like. The present pipe stands can be made to virtually any size or shape, with any desired hole size.
It is to be understood that variations and modifications can be made on the aforementioned structure without departing from the concepts of the present invention, and further it is to be understood that such concepts are intended to be covered by the following claims unless these claims by their language expressly state otherwise.
Claims
1. A pipe stand for supporting a pipe above a ground surface, comprising:
- a flat sheet having two panels defining a fold line therebetween, the panels including a first pipe-supporting surface formed to engage and stably support a pipe and including a pipe-remote section, the sheet when folded on the fold line positioning both of the pipe-supporting surfaces in an aligned position for engaging and stably supporting the pipe while simultaneously positioning the pipe-remote sections to engage the ground surface in at least three non-aligned locations for stably supporting the pipe above the ground surface.
2. The pipe stand defined in claim 1, wherein a material of the sheet forms a living hinge at the fold line.
3. The pipe stand defined in claim 1, wherein the two panels define a bow-tie shape with the fold line extending across a narrow region of the bow-tie shape.
4. The pipe stand defined in claim 1, including a slot along the fold line to thus form a pair of living hinges, one on each side of the slot.
5. The pipe stand defined in claim 1, wherein the fold line defines a living hinge that applies a biasing force that biases the panels toward a less angled position, thus causing the panels to frictionally engage and lock onto the pipe.
6. The pipe stand defined in claim 1, wherein the pipe-supporting surface is hole.
7. The pipe stand defined in claim 1, wherein the pipe-supporting surface is an upwardly open notch.
8. The pipe stand defined in claim 1, wherein the pipe-supporting surface is an open notch that extends more than 180 degrees and that is adapted to snap-lock onto the pipe.
9. The pipe stand defined in claim 1, wherein the pipe-remote section includes an edge adapted to engage the ground surface and includes a fold-out foot along the edge that defines an enlarged area suitable for engaging soft soil of the ground surface.
10. The pipe stand defined in claim 1, wherein the panels each include a fold-out dispersing flange for dispersing waste dropped from the pipe.
11. The pipe stand defined in claim 1, wherein each panel includes at least one additional pipe-supporting surface, the first pipe-supporting surface defining a first shape for stably engaging and supporting a first diameter pipe, and the additional pipe-supporting surface being spaced from the first pipe-supporting surface and defining a second shape for matably engaging and supporting a second diameter pipe different than the first shape.
12. The pipe stand defined in claim 1, including punch-outs extending around a hole formed by the pipe-supporting surface for supporting different diameter pipes when punched out.
13. The pipe stand defined in claim 1, including a leg stabilizer for connecting the first and second panels at a location spaced from the fold line.
14. The pipe stand defined in claim 13, wherein the leg stabilizer is a third panel integrally connected to one of the two panels and that is configured to engage a second one of the two panels thus creating a bridge across between the ground-engaging end of the two panels.
15. The pipe stand defined in claim 1, wherein each panel includes a feature along an edge near the ground surface, and including a spike for engaging the feature and the ground, thus locking the panel to the ground surface.
16. The pipe stand defined in claim 1, wherein each panel includes at least one downwardly pointed integrally formed stake-simulating tab for engaging the ground surface.
17. A septic system comprising a septic tank, a waste-conveying pipe extending from the tank toward a drain field, and a plurality of the pipe stands as defined in claim 1, the pipe stands engaging and supporting the pipe in a generally horizontal orientation at spaced apart locations.
18. A pipe supporting system for supporting a pipe away from a primary support, comprising:
- two panels integrally connected by a living hinge, the two panels including a pipe-supporting surface formed to engage and stably support a pipe and including a pipe-remote section configured for attachment to the primary support, the sheet when folded about the living hinge positioning the pipe-supporting surface in an aligned position for receiving and stably supporting the pipe while simultaneously positioning the pipe-remote sections to engage the primary support in at least three non-aligned locations for stably supporting the pipe away from the primary support.
19. A septic system comprising:
- a drain field including a long section of waste-conveying pipe; and
- a plurality of pipe stands, each including at least one panel with a pipe-supporting surface and an edge adapted to stably engage a ground surface, each panel having a width extending non-parallel the pipe, whereby the plurality of pipe stands can be slipped onto or under the waste-conveying pipe and the pipe stably arranged in a horizontal position without low sections before covering the waste-conveying pipe.
20. A septic system comprising:
- an elongated chamber adapted for positioning in a trench on a ground surface;
- a pipe positioned under the chamber; and
- multiple pipe stands engaging and supporting the pipe at spaced locations, the pipe stands each comprising a body having a pipe-supporting portion and including a stabilizer for the body, the stabilizer having at least three non-aligned ground-engaging points for resting on the ground surface to hold the pipe in a stable position above the ground surface based primarily on gravity.
21. A method of constructing a septic system comprising steps of:
- providing a trench and a long section of waste-conveying pipe;
- providing a plurality of pipe stands, each including at least one panel with a pipe-supporting surface and an edge adapted to stably engage a ground surface; and
- positioning the pipe stands transversely to the pipe and in a position supporting the pipe, including slipping the pipe stands onto or under the waste-conveying pipe before covering the waste-conveying pipe.
Type: Application
Filed: Feb 4, 2008
Publication Date: Aug 6, 2009
Inventor: William R. Brooks (Boyne City, MI)
Application Number: 12/025,320
International Classification: C02F 1/00 (20060101); F16L 5/00 (20060101); B21D 39/03 (20060101);