Abstract:
The invention relates to a cylindrical or frustoconical annular element or liner for producing a gully hole or pipe well or a pipe conduit. The outer surface ( 5 ) of the annular element ( 1 ) is provided with longitudinal ribs ( 3 ) which are aligned especially in parallel to the generatrices and/or parallel to the center central axis ( 7 ) of the annular element ( 1 ). According to the invention, at least two contiguous longitudinal ribs ( 3 ) with substantially parallel direction of projection extend from the outer surface ( 5 ).

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application claims the priority of Austrian Patent Application A 280/2004 filed Feb. 20, 2004, and is a U.S. National Phase application of PCT/AT2005/000048 filed Feb. 14, 2005, both of which disclosures are incorporated herein by reference.  
       STATEMENT AS TO RIGHTS TO INVENTIONS MADE UNDER FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT  
       [0002]     NOT APPLICABLE  
       REFERENCE TO A “SEQUENCE LISTING,” A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING APPENDIX SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISK.  
       [0003]     NOT APPLICABLE  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004]     The invention relates to a device according to the preamble of claim  1 .  
         [0005]     It is known to build conduits or pipe-cased shafts, channel shafts, manholes, maintenance shafts or pipelines from individual sections, modules, liners or annular elements, whereby the annular elements are transported to the building site and are assembled on site.  
         [0006]     Usually, shafts or lines of this type are lowered, laid or moved in the ground and for the most part poured in concrete or placed as industrially produced prefabricated parts, i.e. in the form of pipe-cased shafts cast in concrete. To give the construction as secure and permanent a support as possible in the preset position, longitudinal and/or transverse ribs are configured on the outer side of the elements.  
         [0007]     In conventional forms of the annular elements, the longitudinal ribs extend parallel to the generatrix and/or parallel to the central median axis of the cylindrical or truncated conical annular element. The direction of projection direction, i.e. the direction in which the longitudinal ribs point, is essentially radial, i.e. pointing radially outward from the median axis of the annular element.  
         [0008]     By this type of radial construction of the longitudinal ribs, the production of the elements, optionally by injection-molding processes, is expensive and difficult since it results in undercuts when removing the finished component from the die. Consequently, expensive mold constructions are required during compression molding or injection molding of the elements.  
         [0009]     The object of the invention is to avoid the aforementioned disadvantages.  
         [0010]     Furthermore, it is the object of the invention to provide elements of the above-noted type for pipe-cased shafts, channel shafts, manholes, maintenance shafts or pipes, optionally to be poured in concrete or cast, which are as stable and waste-water resistant as possible and that are permanently secured in their position, in particular against distortions or destructions or separations caused by ground movements and which or whose individual parts can be easily and simply produced or removed from the mold and that can be simultaneously stored, stacked or transported in a space-saving manner.  
         [0011]     According to the invention, this is attained by the characterizing features of claim  1 . This does not result in any undercuts of the longitudinal ribs when removing from the mold, instead the mold can be pulled off from the annular element along the direction of forming without damaging the longitudinal ribs or it being necessary to fold or bend the form or the annular element. At the same time, there are defined resistance forces or directions of force for the anchoring.  
         [0012]     Structurally and with respect to strength, it is especially advantageous if the features of claim  2  are developed.  
         [0013]     For structural reasons and to make the annular element more stable, it is advantageous if the features of claim  3  are developed.  
         [0014]     To ensure a better anchoring in the ground or in the surrounding ground or concrete, the features of claim  4  are advantageously developed.  
         [0015]     To give the construction additional stability and rigidity and to be able to better anchor the elements in the surrounding ground or concrete, it is advantageous if the features of claim  5  are developed.  
         [0016]     The features of claim  6  give the advantage that the production is simpler since the size of the mold and the machines can be reduced and that the segments of the pipe-cased shaft can be more easily transported with greater space-savings.  
         [0017]     The features of claim  7  ensure that many similar parts can be produced in a single production form.  
         [0018]     For production reasons, it is advantageous if the features of claim  8  are developed. This substantially facilitates the removal of the mold from the production machine or the injection-molding machine since it can be pulled off without undercutting the ribs or bending or cracking the annular element or mold.  
         [0019]     In this connection, it is especially advantageous if the features of claim  9  are developed.  
         [0020]     For production reasons and to ensure an optimal anchoring of the annular element in the ground or in the concrete, it is advantageous if the features of claim  10  are developed.  
         [0021]     To be able to distribute the forces as uniformly as possible and to anchor the annular element as uniformly as possible in the ground or in the concrete and to secure it against twisting, it is advantageous if the features of claims  11 ,  12  and  13  are developed.  
         [0022]     The features of claim  14  ensure that the annular segments can be easily and accurately connected to form a complete annular element.  
         [0023]     To be able to easily, quickly and accurately assemble several annular elements, it is advantageous if the features of claim  15  are developed.  
         [0024]     For the secure connection or to connect the individual segments or elements together as exactly and permanently as possible, it is advantageous if the features of claim  16  are developed.  
         [0025]     The features of claim  17  ensure an even better rigidity or structural advantages and an improved anchoring in the ground or in the concrete.  
         [0026]     Additional safeguarding against distortions or displacements are ensured by the features according to claim  18 .  
         [0027]     For a simple production and a space-saving transport, it is advantageous if the features according to claim  19  are developed.  
         [0028]     The pressure stability against the pressure of the surrounding ground and rigidity of the construction is increased by the features of claim  20 .  
         [0029]     Further advantages and embodiments of the invention are found in the description and the attached drawings.  
         [0030]     The invention is schematically shown in the drawings with reference to emobidments and described in the following with reference to the drawings by way of example. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0031]      FIG. 1   a  shows an annular element of the invention in a top view.  
         [0032]      FIG. 1   b  shows an annular element of the invention in a side view.  
         [0033]      FIG. 1   c  shows an annular element of the invention in cross section.  
         [0034]      FIGS. 1   d  and  2   a  show an annular segment as part of an annular element.  
         [0035]      FIG. 2   b  shows a sectional view of the detail A.  
         [0036]      FIG. 2   c  shows a sectional view of the detail B.  
         [0037]      FIG. 2   d  shows a sectional view of detail A in combination with another annular segment.  
         [0038]      FIG. 2   e  shows a cross section through the annular segment.  
         [0039]      FIG. 2   f  shows a side view of the annular segment.  
         [0040]      FIGS. 2   g  to  2   j  show sectional views of the details C, D, E, F and G.  
         [0041]      FIG. 3   a  shows a schematic top view onto an annular element with six annular segments.  
         [0042]      FIG. 3   b  shows a schematic top view onto an annular element with three annular segments.  
         [0043]      FIG. 3   c  shows a schematic top view onto an annular element with eight annular segments.  
         [0044]      FIG. 3   d  shows a schematic top view onto an annular element with four annular segments.  
         [0045]      FIG. 4   a  shows a top view onto an annular element in the form of a straight truncated cone.  
         [0046]      FIG. 4   b  shows a side view of an annular element in the form of a straight truncated cone.  
         [0047]      FIG. 5   a  shows a top view onto an annular element in the form of a sloping truncated cone.  
         [0048]      FIG. 5   b  shows a side view of the annular element in the form of a sloping truncated cone.  
         [0049]      FIG. 6   a  shows a top view onto a semi-annular segment in the form of half a truncated cone with transverse ribs.  
         [0050]      FIG. 6   b  shows the cross section of this annular segment.  
         [0051]      FIG. 7  shows an overall view of a channel shaft with concrete-poured annular elements.  
         [0052]      FIG. 8  shows the pattern for determining the direction of projection.  
         [0053]      FIGS. 9 and 10  show design details of annular elements. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0054]      FIG. 1   a  shows a top view onto a cylindrical annular element. Longitudinal ribs  3  are formed on the outer surface  5  of the annular element  1 . As can be seen in  FIG. 1   b,  the longitudinal ribs  3  extend parallel to the generatrix and parallel to the central median axis  7  of the annular element  1 .  
         [0055]     Preferably, the longitudinal ribs  3  have an essentially rectangular, or at least partially rectangular cross section, whereby the surface of the longitudinal ribs  3  facing the annular element is adapted to the curvature of the outer surface  5 .  
         [0056]     When the longitudinal ribs  3  are shaped rectangular in the cross section, at least partial areas of the lateral surfaces of at least two adjacent longitudinal ribs  3  are aligned essentially parallel to one another or project from the outer surface  5  parallel to one another.  
         [0057]     The longitudinal ribs  3  may also have triangular or trapezoidal cross sections, optionally with rounded points.  
         [0058]     The longitudinal ribs  3  may be made either as solid ribs or as hollow or profiled projections from the outer surface  5 , dependent on the production method.  
         [0059]     The important point is that at least two adjacent longitudinal ribs  3  have an essentially parallel direction of projection from the outer surface  5 . The projection direction is given by the basic direction in which the longitudinal ribs  3  extend, measured from the inner side of the annular element in direction of the outer side of the annular element. The projection direction also corresponds to the direction in which the annular segments or annular elements are removed from the mold. The projection direction of longitudinal ribs  3  that are rectangular in cross section is essentially determined by the shape of the lateral surfaces.  
         [0060]     If the projection direction cannot be clearly identified and established without a doubt, the following system can be applied: the cross section of a longitudinal rib  3  is thereby defined by three points, namely by a point  30  which is formed by the point of the cross section of the longitudinal rib  3  that is furthest from the outer surface  5  in a triangular or round cross-sectional area. In a cross sectional area of the longitudinal rib  3  that is rectangular or trapezoidal in cross section, the point  30  lies in the middle of the surface of the longitudinal rib  3  or cross section facing away from the outer surface  5 . The two further points by which the cross section is defined are the two base points  31  of the longitudinal rib  3  or cross section.  
         [0061]     A triangle is formed with three points  30 ,  31 ,  31 . The straight line  31 - 31  is now shifted parallel through the point  30 , so that the point  30  is in the middle or halfway on this straight line  31 - 31 . This results in a straight line with the two end points  31 ′- 31 ′. A straight line is now placed through the points  31  and  31 ′. The direction of these straight lines  31 - 31 ′ provides the direction of projection. That is, in principle, a parallelogram defines the triangle  30 - 31 - 31 , the one side of which is formed by the base straight line  31 - 31 .  
         [0062]     At least one longitudinal rib  3  should have a radial projection direction for structural and procedural reasons. On the whole, the annular element in  FIG. 1   a  has nine longitudinal ribs  3  in three groups with three different directions of projection. A longitudinal rib  3  each of every group has a radial direction of projection.  
         [0063]     Moreover, it is advantageous if the longitudinal ribs  3  are arranged at regular distances from one another. This results in an increased stability and improved anchoring.  
         [0064]     As can be seen in  FIG. 1   b,  transverse ribs  2 , extending parallel to one another in peripheral direction can be provided on the outer surface  5 , said transverse ribs optionally crossing the longitudinal ribs  3 . This results in structural advantages and increases the stability, in particular when the transverse ribs  2  extend peripherally in a continuous manner.  
         [0065]     The annular element  1  is divided into three similar annular segments  10  in  FIG. 1   a. In  FIGS. 1   d  and  2   a,  an annular segment  10  of this type is shown separately. Basically, an annular element  1  can be composed of a variable number of annular segments  10 . In  FIGS. 3   a  to  3   d,  current possibilities are noted. Thus, the annular element  1  may consist of two, three, four, six, eight or ten annular segments  10 . A central aperture angle or a central angle α is defined for each annular segment  10  in the median axis  7 . The smaller the annular element  10 , the smaller the form can be and the easier the annular segment is to transport.  
         [0066]     It is also advantageous if the annular segments  10  together with the longitudinal ribs  3  are built identical to one another. That is, an annular element  1  may be composed of several identical annular segments  10 .  
         [0067]     The annular segment  10  shown in  FIGS. 1   d  and  2   a  has three longitudinal ribs  3  which have projection directions from the outer surface  5  that are parallel to one another. The middle rib of these longitudinal ribs  3  lies on the angular symmetrical plane  20  of the central angle α and, as a result, also has a radial direction of projection. The two other longitudinal ribs  3  are arranged equidistantly or symmetrically to the angular symmetrical plane  20 .  
         [0068]     In  FIG. 2   c,  the longitudinal rib  3  on the angular symmetrical plane  20  can be seen in a large-scale view.  
         [0069]     For the production of the annular segments  10 , it is advantageous if the projection directions of the longitudinal ribs extend parallel to one another since only then is it possible to easily release or extract it from the mold.  
         [0070]     If all longitudinal ribs  3  project in radial direction from the outer surface  5 , this would result in an undercutting during extraction or release from the mold and the annular segment  10  could no longer be removed from the mold without damage to the longitudinal ribs  3  or a deformation of the form or the annular segment  10 .  
         [0071]     To be able to assemble the annular segments  10  to form the annular element  1 , broad surfaces  16  of the flange that extend radially outward and/or inward can be formed on the straight broad sides  15  of each annular segment  10 . Broad surfaces  16  of the flange are shown in a detailed view in  FIGS. 2   b  or  2   d,  whereby  FIG. 2   d  shows two adjacent flange broad surfaces  16  of two adjacent annular segments  10 .  
         [0072]     To be able to assemble the annular elements  1  to form a pipe-cased shaft, channel shaft, manhole, maintenance shaft or the like, it is advantageous if outwardly and or inwardly extending longitudinal flange surfaces  18  are formed on the curved longitudinal sides normal to the median axis or axis of curvature  7 .  
         [0073]     Recesses  21  for fastening means can be provided in the broad surfaces  16  and/or longitudinal surfaces  18  of the flange. The annular segments  10  or the annular elements  1  can also be screwed or glued or welded together. Advantageously, this connection should be watertight.  
         [0074]     Transverse ribs  2  formed on the annular segments  10  which extend on the outer surface  5  in peripheral direction and parallel to one another can be seen in  FIGS. 2   e  and  2   f.    
         [0075]     Detail views of these transverse ribs  2  or the longitudinal surfaces  18  of the flange are shown in  FIGS. 2   g  to  2   j.  Two transverse ribs  2  can also be formed directly or tightly adjacent to one another, as a result of which smaller annular elements  1  or annular segments  10  of low height can be obtained by cutting between these transverse ribs  2 .  
         [0076]     An annular element  1  in the form of a truncated conical casing is shown in  FIGS. 4   a ,  4   b ,  5   a  and  5   b,  whereby the truncated cone in  FIGS. 4   a  and  4   b  is a straight truncated cone and a sloping truncated cone in  FIGS. 5   a ,  5   b.  In this embodiment, the annular element  1  consists of two assembled annular segments  10 . Smaller subdivided units during production of the annular segments  10  are advantageous for transportation, however, they require several operational steps when being assembled on site or in the factory.  
         [0077]     The shape of the longitudinal ribs  3  along the generatrix of the truncated conical casing can be clearly seen in these drawings.  
         [0078]     An embodiment of a truncated conical annular element is shown in  FIGS. 6   a  and  6   b  which also has transverse ribs  2  in addition to the longitudinal ribs  3 .  
         [0079]     Preferably, the annular segments  10  or annular elements  1  are made of waste-water resistant, in particular acid-proof plastic, in particular of polyethylene, preferably HDPE, of polypropylene or glass fibre-reinforced plastic. The material should protect the concrete against aggressive contents in the waste water, e.g. sulfuric acid, hydrogen sulfide, etc.  
         [0080]     The annular elements  1  or the annular segments  10  are produced according to current methods, in particular casting, injection molding, pressure die casting or briquetting methods.  
         [0081]     The thickness of the annular elements  1  or the annular segments  10  is usually between 3 and 8 mm. Annular elements  1  or annular segments  10  of this type are, for the most part, not placed in the ground without a concrete jacket, whether it be industrially or at the building site. Advantageously, the entire shaft is surrounded by concrete, however, several annular elements  1  can also be poured to form a shaft part, whereby several shaft parts are assembled to form the entire shaft. The concrete jacket also serves as relief against the outside pressure of the ground. The longitudinal ribs  3  and, optionally, the transverse ribs  2  provide a better adhesion between concrete and the annular elements  1  or annular segments  10  and prevent the annular elements  1  or annular segments  10  from separating from the surrounding concrete jacket.  
         [0082]     However, annular elements  1  or annular segments  10  of appropriate thickness, e.g. 20 to 30 mm which are, in particular, tightly connected to one another, preferably welded together, are also quite feasible. Shafts built in this manner can be used without a concrete jacket or concrete grouting and surrounded by earth. The longitudinal ribs  3  and, optionally, the transverse ribs  2  serve to anchor and prevent the annular elements  1  or the entire shaft from shifting.  
         [0083]      FIG. 9  shows detail A of  FIG. 2   b  corresponding to a sectional view through abutting broad surfaces  16  of the flange. A recess  16 ′ is formed in at least one of these broad flange surfaces  16  which serves to accommodate a seal with which the two abutting broad flange surfaces  16  can be sealed. The groove  16 ′ and the seal (not shown) extend along the broad surface of the flange  16 .  
         [0084]      FIG. 10  shows a view of the detail G according to  FIG. 2   j.  In two opposite longitudinal flange surfaces  18 ′, a groove  18 ′ for accommodating a seal (not shown) with which these two longitudinal flange surfaces  18  can be sealed is formed in at least one of these longitudinal flange surfaces.  
         [0085]     The embodiments of the sealing arrangements according to  FIGS. 9 and 10  thus offer the possibility of assembling the annular elements in a sealing manner and producing a tight shaft due to the seals  16 ″ or  18 ″ inserted in the broad surfaces  16  of the flange and in the longitudinal surfaces  18  of the flange.