Patent Application
20120325983
The present invention relates generally to arrangements for mounting plurality of conduits or ducts, and more particularly to template assembly for simultaneously positioning of plurality of generally parallel conduits or ducts, with the assembly including a template member through which the conduits extend, and one or more associated stabilizing elements, and an associated template support, which receives the template member and which provides a base upon which the template member and conduits can be positioned. The arrangement desirably abates “floating” of the conduits and templates during introduction of stabilizing material such as concrete.
There are many instances during road maintenance, building construction, sewer construction and like construction projects wherein it is necessary to position and install a plurality of generally parallel conduits or ducts. While it is known to use various spacers and the like which are positionable between adjacent ones of the conduits, any technique by which installation is facilitated desirably reduces installation costs.
The present invention contemplates a template assembly for use in conduit installation, which greatly facilitates such installation by permitting a plurality of conduits to be handled as an assembly, and positioned as desired, such as in an associated trench or the like. Notably, the provision of a lower support component desirably abates “floating”, or the tendency of the conduits to rise, during pouring of concrete or the like.
A template assembly embodying the principle of the present invention facilitates installation of a plurality of generally parallel conduits or ducts. The assembly comprises at least one, and preferably a plurality of template members each having a generally planar configuration. Each template member defines a plurality of conduit-receiving openings, sized for receiving the associate conduits.
The present template assembly can further include a template support configured to receive the template member in a generally vertical orientation thereof. By this arrangement, the plurality of conduits can be positioned to extend through a plurality of spaced apart ones of the template members. The template members, in turn, are each positioned in a generally vertical orientation within a respective one of the template supports. The template members and template supports are preferably secured to each other, so that the conduits, template members, and template supports can all be handled, as an integrated unit or an assembly, for positioning in the desired location, such as a trench. Efficient installation of the conduits is thus greatly facilitated. Notably, the tendency of the conduits to “float” or rise such as during the pouring of concrete is desirably abated, as the concrete covers and stabilizes the template support
In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the template member has a generally planar configuration, and defines a plurality of conduit-receiving openings therein. The template support of the assembly is configured to receive the template member in a generally vertical orientation thereof. The template support can be provided in any of a variety of configurations, and includes a lower base portion, and a pair of generally upstanding support portions positionable on respective opposite sides of the template member when the template member is received in the template support.
The template member and template support are configured to cooperate with a plurality of associated, generally elongated conduits by disposition of the conduits through the template member. By this arrangement, the template member and template support can be assembled with the conduits to permit simultaneous handling and positioning of the conduits, with the conduits positioned in the template member, and the template member conduits supported by the template support while the template support is positioned on its base portion.
In one illustrated embodiment, the base portion of the template support is generally planar, and the support portions of the template support extend upwardly from the base portion in generally parallel relationship to define a channel there between for receiving the conduit template member. In an alternative embodiment, the template support is generally tubular, and includes a lower portion which provides the base portion thereof, and an upper portion which provides the pair of outstanding support portions positionable on respective opposite sides of the conduit template. It is within the purview of the present invention that such a tubular template support can be provided with a variety of cross-sectional configurations, including a generally circular cross-section, or a generally polygonal cross-section.
If desired, the template support can be configured to have a generally telescopic configuration whereby the length of the template support can be selectively varied.
In the preferred form, each of the conduit template and template support defines at least one securement opening through which an associated securement member, such as a zip tie, can extend for securing the conduit template and the support to each other.
In accordance with the present invention, a method of positioning a plurality of conduits comprises the steps of providing a plurality of the generally planar conduit templates, each having a plurality of openings through which the plurality of conduits respectively extend. The present method further contemplates providing a plurality of the conduit supports, each having a base portion, and a pair of upstanding support portions.
The conduit templates are positioned in a generally vertical orientation within respective ones of the template supports, and the conduit templates secured to the respective conduit supports. Thereafter, the conduits, conduit template and template supports can be positioned as an integrated assembly, such as in an associated trench or the like, thus greatly facilitating efficient installation of the conduits in a generally parallel orientation. Suitable fill or the like can thereafter be supplied, depending upon the specific configuration.
In another aspect of the present invention, the template members can optionally be provided with one or more openings through which one or more stabilizing elements, such as steel rods, can be inserted. Thus, at least one stabilizing element can be inserted through the template member and into the region adjacent the integrated assembly, such as into the wall of the associated trench.
Other features and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent from the following detailed description, the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims.
While the present invention is susceptible of embodiment in various forms, there is shown in the drawings, and will hereinafter be described, presently preferred embodiments, with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the invention, and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiment illustrated.
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The template assembly 10 further includes a template support 16 which is configured to receive the template member 12 in a generally vertical orientation thereof. The specific configuration of the template support can be varied in accordance with the principles disclosed herein, but the template support essentially includes a lower base portion, and a pair of generally upstanding support portions positionable on respective opposite sides of the template member 12 when the template member 12 is received in the template support. In this illustrated embodiment, the template support 12 includes a base portion 18 having a generally planar configuration, and a pair of upstanding support portions 20 which extend upwardly from the base portion and generally parallel, spaced apart relationship to define a channel there between for receiving the conduit template member 12. The template supports may be provided in suitable pre-cut lengths, or can be provided in the form of an elongated member, such as 5-10 feet in length, with individual ones of the supports cut to length.
In the preferred embodiment, each of the template member 12 and template support 16 define at least one, and preferably a plurality, of securement openings through which one or more associated securement members, such as zip ties, can extend for securing the template member and template support to each other. In this illustrated embodiment, the template member includes a pair of securement openings 22, while the support portions 20 of the template support 16 define securement openings 24 positionable in alignment with the securement openings defined by the template member. By way of example, ¼ inch pilot holes can be provided at 6-inch spacing.
By this arrangement of the template assemblies with the conduits, the conduit template member, and the template supports can be positioned as an integrated assembly, such as in an associated trench or the like. Suitable back fill or other material can thereafter be positioned around the conduits, with the base portion of each template support 16 providing secure and stable mounting of the integrated assembly.
Stable and secure positioning of the conduit/template assembly can be enchanced by inserting at least one stabilizing element, such as a steel rod or bar, angularly through one or more of the templates and into the surrounding region, such as the wall of the trench. One or more openings 25 can be provided in each template member for this purpose, with such a stabilizing element 25′ shown in
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From the foregoing, it will be observed that numerous modifications and variations can be effected without departing from the true spirit and scope of the novel concept of the present invention. It is to be understood that no limitation with respect to the specific embodiments illustrated herein is intended or should be inferred. Disclosure is intended to cover, by the appended claims, all such modifications as fall within the scope of the claims.
