Conduit assembly and method of use thereof
A conduit assembly for supporting a cover of a maintenance structure with a passage therein. The conduit assembly includes one or more conduit segments. Each conduit segment has at least one aperture, an also includes top and bottom surfaces adapted to be positioned adjacent to bottom and top surfaces respectively of other conduit segments to form a conduit structure having a conduit passage therein alignable with the passage. The conduit structure has an inner wall surface defining the conduit passage and an opposed outer wall surface adapted to receive a coating of mortar. The conduit assembly also includes one or more shims for positioning on the top surface of the conduit segment, for locating the cover substantially at a predetermined position therefor.
This invention is related to conduit assemblies for supporting covers for maintenance structures.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONMaintenance structures, such as manhole structures or storm sewer basins, are typically included in modern streets. For each maintenance structure, a cover is required, usually in the form of a removable lid or grating mounted in a frame. However, the cover is required to be located at a predetermined position. This is necessary in order to position the cover properly relative to a street or road surface surrounding it. Typically, the surrounding road surface is an asphalt surface which is the top of a final coat of asphalt, but the cover may also be positioned in (or partially in) a curb or sidewalk. For example, a manhole cover is typically positioned so that a top surface of the lid portion is substantially flush with the surrounding road surface.
In practice, locating a maintenance structure so that the cover therefor is at the predetermined position is difficult, because maintenance structures are relatively large, and making adjustments in the position of a typical maintenance structure to the accuracy required in positioning the cover is very difficult. In the prior art, where the maintenance structure is lower than it should be in accordance with a plan, the mispositioning of the maintenance structure is usually addressed by using one or more risers, interposed between the maintenance structure and the cover, to support the cover at the desired elevation. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,121,390 (Hall et al.) discloses the use of precast concrete units positioned on the maintenance structure to support the cover. Also, U.S. Pat. No. 6,169,760 (Sinclair) discloses an adjustment riser molded to include ribs (in top surfaces) and corresponding grooves (in lower surfaces). However, the prior art risers do not include an apparatus to facilitate height adjustments which are less than a single riser's thickness.
Therefore, there is a need for a conduit assembly which will permit finer adjustment of the position of the cover relative to the maintenance structure.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIn its broad aspect, the invention provides a conduit assembly for supporting a cover of a maintenance structure with a passage therein. The conduit assembly includes one or more conduit segments. Each conduit segment has at least one aperture, and also includes top and bottom surfaces adapted to be positioned adjacent to bottom and top surfaces respectively of other conduit segments to form a conduit structure having a conduit passage therein alignable with the passage. The conduit structure has an inner wall surface defining the conduit passage and an opposed outer wall surface adapted to receive a coating of mortar. The conduit assembly also includes one or more shims for positioning on the top surface of the conduit segment, for locating the cover substantially at a predetermined position therefor.
In another aspect, the invention provides two or more cavities in the bottom surface of each conduit segment for facilitating movement of each conduit segment.
In yet another of its aspects, the top surface of each conduit segment includes one or more channels in which the shims are receivable, for maintaining each shim in a preselected position relative to the top surface.
In yet another aspect, the conduit assembly is made of high-density polyethylene.
In another aspect, one or more conduit segments includes a body with a main portion and one or more detachable portions adapted for removal from the main portion. Removal of a detachable portion results in an opening in the conduit structure extending between the outer wall surface and the inner wall surface of the conduit structure. The conduit assembly also includes one or more pipe segments, each having an inner end and an outer end. The inner end is receivable in the opening in the conduit structure, and the outer end is positionable a predetermined distance outside the conduit structure to provide for drainage through the pipe segment into the conduit passage.
In yet another aspect, the invention provides one or more ladder rungs positioned for location in the conduit passage.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSThe invention will be better understood with reference to the drawings, in which:
Reference is first made to
In the preferred embodiment, each conduit segment 28 includes two or more cavities 46 in the bottom surface 34 thereof (
Also, the top surface 32 of each conduit segment 28 preferably includes one or more channels 48 (
The conduit segments 28 and the shims 44 can be made of any suitable material. Preferably, the conduit segments 28 and the shims 44 are made of a relatively tough, light-weight plastic, so that they are tough and durable, and relatively easy to handle. In the preferred embodiment, the conduit segments 28 and the shims 44 are made of high-density polyethylene.
Preferably, the conduit segments 28 are produced with various thicknesses. For example, each conduit segment 28 can have a thickness of about 12 mm. (0.47 in.), 25 mm. (0.98 in.), or 50 mm. (1.97 in.). Also, the width and other dimensions of the conduit segments can vary as required. In a conduit assembly, conduit segments having different thicknesses may be used as required. Also, conduit segments having greater thickness can be used for specific applications, as will be described.
As can be seen in
In use, after the maintenance structure 24 is put in position, one or more conduit segments 28 is positioned on the maintenance structure 24. The apertures 30 in the conduit segments 28 are aligned with the passage 26 in the maintenance structure 24 as the conduit segments 28 are put in place. The first conduit segment 28 to be emplaced is positioned directly on the maintenance structure 24, with the bottom surface 34 of the conduit segment 28 engaging the maintenance structure 24. In some circumstances, only one conduit segment 28 may be sufficient, depending on the predetermined position of the cover 22 relative to the actual position of the maintenance structure 24, and the actual position of the cover 22, if it is placed directly on the maintenance structure 24. If any additional conduit segments 28 are needed, they are put in position by first aligning the bottom surface 34 of the next conduit segment 28 to be added to the stack with the top surface 32 of the next adjacent (and lower) conduit segment 28 so that the bottom surface 34 of the higher conduit segment 28 cooperates with the top surface 32 of the lower conduit segment 28 to form a relatively stable conduit structure 36. Once sufficient conduit segments 28 are in position, the cover 22 is emplaced on top of the conduit structure 36, to determine the extent to which the cover 22 is or is not (as the case may be) located in the predetermined position therefor. The cover 22 is placed directly on the top surface 32 of the topmost conduit segment 28 in the conduit structure 36. Shims 44 are preferably interposed between the top surface 32 of the topmost conduit segment 28 and the cover 22, as required in order to locate the cover 22 in the predetermined position therefor.
Preferably, the conduit segments 28 are put in place by way of manual labour, in which the cavities 46 on the bottom surfaces 34 of the conduit segments 28 are utilized, in order to ensure that fingers of workers are not crushed between adjacent conduit segments 28 as the conduit structure 36 is erected.
It will be understood that, as is known in the art, mortar is to be placed on the outer wall surface 42 after the conduit assembly 20 is constructed and the cover 22 has been positioned thereon. Any gaps between the top of the topmost conduit segment 28, on the one hand, and the bottom of the lowest conduit segment 28 and the maintenance structure 24, on the other hand, are to be filled in with mortar, applied from outside the conduit assembly 20. In this way, the conduit passage 38 will be made substantially watertight.
In the preferred embodiment, the top surfaces 32 of the conduit segments 28 include channels 48 in which the shims 44 are receivable. The shims 44 can then be pushed into the channels 48 on the top surface 32 of the topmost conduit segment 28 when the shims 44 are interposed between the topmost conduit segment 28 and the cover 22. The channels 48 serve to maintain the shims 44 in position. Preferably, the shims 44 are provided in a variety of preselected sizes and shapes, so that a shim 44 having the appropriate size can be selected to be interposed.
In the preferred embodiment, and as shown in
Additional embodiments of the invention are shown in
An alternative embodiment of a conduit assembly 120 is shown in
Another alternative embodiment of a conduit segment 228 is shown in
Preferably, the conduit segment 228 has sufficient thickness that the ladder rung 262, when supporting a load (not shown), can itself be supported by the conduit segment 228. In practice, it has been found that the conduit segment 228 should preferably have a thickness of about 75 mm. (2.95 in.) or more, to ensure that the conduit segment 228 can support the weight of a man on the rung 262.
Another alternative embodiment of the conduit segment 328 is shown in
As can be seen in
Another alternative embodiment of a conduit assembly 420 is shown in
Each conduit segment 427 includes a body 471 and a main portion 472 of the body 471. Each conduit segment 427 includes one or more detachable portions 474 adapted for removal from the main portion 472. Removal of the detachable portion 474 from the main portion 472 creates an opening 476 between an interior wall 445 of the conduit segment 427 and an exterior wall 447 located opposite the inner wall surface 445. The opening 476 is adapted for receiving at least part of a pipe segment 478. Although slots for receiving shims are not shown in
As can be seen in
Accordingly, the pipe segment 478 is required to provide for drainage of water on the surface 489 into the maintenance structure 24, until the subsequent asphalt layer(s) result in the surface 486 at the final design elevation. When the second lift of asphalt is to be laid down, the pipe segment 478 is filled (usually with cement), and then covered by the second lift.
Preferably, the conduit segment 427 is approximately 75 mm. (2.95 in.) thick. This thickness permits the detachable portion 474 to have a diameter sufficiently large to receive a 2¼″ pipe, or in any event a pipe large enough to drain water from the surface 489 reasonably quickly.
As can be seen in
The conduit structure 436 defines the conduit passage 438 which is substantially square in plan view. However, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conduit segments including detachable portions can be provided in a variety of forms. For example, a conduit segment 527 is shown in
It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention can take many forms, and that such forms are within the scope of the invention as claimed. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the descriptions of the preferred versions contained herein.
Claims
1. A conduit assembly for supporting a cover of a maintenance structure with a passage therein, the conduit assembly comprising:
- a plurality of conduit segments, each said conduit segment having at least one aperture;
- each said conduit segment having a top surface adapted to be positioned facing upwardly and a bottom surface positioned opposite to the top surface and adapted to be positioned facing downwardly, said top surface and said bottom surface being adapted to cooperate with bottom and top surfaces respectively of adjacent conduit segments such that said adjacent conduit segments are maintained in position relative to each other to form a conduit structure having a conduit passage therein, the conduit passage being alignable with the passage;
- the conduit structure having an inner wall surface defining the conduit passage and an opposed outer wall surface adapted to receive a coating of mortar; and
- at least one shim to be positioned on the top surface of at least one conduit segment, for locating the cover substantially at a predetermined position therefor.
2. A conduit assembly according to claim 1 in which each said conduit segment includes at least two cavities in the bottom surface thereof, for facilitating movement of each said conduit segment.
3. A conduit assembly according to claim 1 in which the top surface of each said conduit segment includes at least one channel in which said at least one shim is receivable, for maintaining said at least one shim in a preselected position relative to the top surface.
4. A conduit assembly according to claim 1 comprising high-density polyethylene.
5. A conduit assembly according to claim 1 in which at least one of said conduit segments includes:
- a body with a main portion and at least one detachable portion adapted for removal from said main portion, to result in an opening in the conduit structure extending between said outer wall surface and said inner wall surface thereof; and
- the conduit assembly additionally including at least one pipe segment having an inner end and an outer end, the inner end being receivable in said opening in the conduit structure, and the outer end being positionable a predetermined distance outside the conduit structure to provide for drainage through said at least one pipe segment into the conduit passage.
6. A conduit assembly according to claim 1 in which each conduit segment includes at least one ladder rung positioned for location in the conduit passage.
7. A conduit assembly according to claim 1 in which the conduit structure defines a conduit passage having substantially a round cross-section.
8. A conduit assembly according to claim 1 in which the conduit structure defines a conduit passage having a substantially square cross-section.
9. A conduit assembly according to claim 1 in which the conduit structure defines a conduit passage having a substantially rectangular cross-section.
10. A conduit assembly for supporting a cover of a maintenance structure with a passage therein, the conduit assembly comprising:
- at least one conduit segment having at least one aperture;
- said at least one conduit segment being positionable on the maintenance structure such that said at least one aperture is substantially alignable with the passage; and
- at least one shim to be positioned on the top surface of said at least one conduit segment, for locating the cover substantially at a predetermined position therefor.
11. A conduit assembly according to claim 10 in which said at least one conduit segment includes at least two cavities in the bottom surface thereof, for facilitating movement of said at least one conduit segment.
12. A conduit assembly according to claim 10 in which the top surface of said at least one conduit segment includes at least one channel in which said at least one shim is receivable, for maintaining said at least one shim in a preselected position relative to the top surface.
13. A conduit assembly according to claim 10 comprising high-density polyethylene.
14. A conduit assembly according to claim 10 in which said at least one conduit segment has an inner wall surface defining said at least one aperture and an opposed outer wall surface adapted for receiving a coating of mortar.
15. A conduit segment for supporting a cover of a maintenance structure, the maintenance structure having a passage therein, the conduit segment comprising:
- a body with at least one aperture therein;
- the body having a top surface and a bottom surface positioned opposite to the top surface, the top and bottom surfaces being adapted to cooperate with bottom and top surfaces respectively of adjacent conduit segments to form a conduit structure; and
- the top surface being adapted for receiving at least one shim, to locate the cover substantially at a predetermined position.
16. A conduit segment according to claim 15 in which the body includes at least two cavities in the bottom surface thereof, for facilitating movement thereof.
17. A conduit segment according to claim 15 in which the top surface includes at least one channel for receiving said at least one shim, said at least one channel being adapted to maintain said at least one shim in a preselected position relative to the top surface.
18. A conduit segment according to claim 15 comprising high-density polyethylene.
19. A conduit segment according to claim 15 in which the body includes a main portion and at least one detachable portion adapted for removal therefrom, to create an opening between an inner wall surface of the conduit segment defining said at least one aperture and an outer wall surface located opposite the inner wall surface, for receiving at least part of at least one pipe segment.
20. A method of locating a cover of a maintenance structure at a predetermined position, the maintenance structure having a passage therein, the method comprising the steps of:
- (a) providing at least one conduit segment having at least one aperture;
- (b) positioning said at least one conduit segment on the maintenance structure such that said at least one aperture is substantially aligned with the passage in the maintenance structure, to form a conduit structure defining a conduit passage therein substantially aligned with the passage;
- (c) positioning the cover on the conduit structure;
- (d) providing at least one shim; and
- (e) interposing said at least one shim between said at least one conduit segment and the cover, for locating the cover at a predetermined position therefor.
21. A method of locating a cover of a maintenance structure at a predetermined position, the maintenance structure having a passage therein, the method comprising the steps of:
- (a) providing at least one conduit segment having at least one aperture, said at least one conduit segment having a top surface and a bottom surface positioned opposite to the top surface, the top surface including at least one channel;
- (b) positioning said at least one conduit segment on the maintenance structure such that said at least one aperture is substantially aligned with the passage in the maintenance structure, to form a conduit structure defining a conduit passage therein substantially aligned with the passage;
- (c) positioning the cover on the conduit structure;
- (d) providing at least one shim receivable in said at least one channel; and
- (e) interposing said at least one shim between said at least one conduit segment and the cover, said at least one shim being received in said at least one channel, for locating the cover substantially at a predetermined position therefor.
Type: Application
Filed: Nov 26, 2004
Publication Date: Jun 15, 2006
Inventors: Ken Taylor (Orangeville), Cynthia Taylor (Orangeville)
Application Number: 10/996,429
International Classification: E04F 11/00 (20060101);