Patent Number: 052415732
Section: description

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 to 9 thereof, a new and improved shield apparatus embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention and generally designated by the reference numeral 10 will be described. More specifically, with reference to FIG. 9, the shield apparatus 10 of the instant invention includes a first block 11 formed as a base block, at least one second block formed as an intermediate block 12, and a third block 13 mounted to an upper surface of the second block 12. It should be noted that a plurality of the intermediate blocks may be utilized, as required, depending on a needed height achieved in the assemblage of the block structure together. The block are each defined by an equal predetermined width and an equal predetermined length to permit the wall portions of the blocks to be formed to a modular construction permitting a plurality of such modular constructions to be assembled together to form a wall of any desired length and height. The first block 11 includes the first block cavity 14 coextensively directed within the first block. The first block further includes a first floor 15 spaced from and parallel a first top wall 16. A top wall rib 17 projects medially and orthogonally relative to the top wall and is oriented parallel relative to the first side walls 19 and is coextensively directed along the side walls and extends between the first end walls 20 intersecting the end walls in orthogonal relationship. The first top wall rib 17 includes at least a single first bore 23. The first bore 23 is spaced from one of said end walls a predetermined spacing, and includes a continuous torroidal first "O" ring 24 arranged in surrounding relationship relative to the first bore 23 extending above the first rib top wall 18. One of the first side walls 19 includes a drain conduit 21 directed therefrom to permit drainage of fluid from the first block cavity, as well as the second block cavity 35 (see FIG. 5) and the third block cavity 36 (see FIG. 7). The blocks when in an assembled configuration are also filled with water and the blocks each include intercommunicating passages, to be described in more detail below. The second block 12 includes a second floor 25, with the second floor 25 including a second floor groove 26 extending coextensively between the second end walls 32 and intersecting the second end walls. The groove 26 includes a groove top wall 26a that includes a rigid conduit 31 directed through the groove top wall 26a and spaced from one of the second end walls 32 said predetermined spacing to interfit and be received within the first bore 23 to effect fluid communication between the second block cavity 35 and the first block cavity 14. A second top wall 27 is spaced from and parallel the second floor 25, as well as the groove top wall 26, with the second top wall 27 including a second top wall rib 28. The second top wall rib 28 includes top wall 29, with a second bore 30 directed therethrough. The second bore 30 is spaced from the second wall the predetermined spacing and is arranged for reception of a rigid conduit 41 defined as the third floor groove top wall rigid conduit 41 that is also spaced from the third end wall 47 of the third block said predetermined spacing to effect fluid communication between the third block cavity and the second block cavity. A "O" ring 33 is arranged in surrounding relationship relative to the second bore 30 projecting above the second top wall rib top wall 29 to effect a sealing relationship between the rib 28 and the receiving third floor groove 39. The second side walls 34, as noted above, are spaced apart the predetermined width, as are the first side walls 19 and the third side walls 42 of the respective first and third blocks 11 and 13. The third block 13 is formed with a third top wall 37 spaced from and parallel a third floor 38. The third floor 38 includes the third floor groove 39 directed coextensively between the third block end walls. The third floor groove top wall rigid conduit 41, as noted above, projects through the third floor groove top wall 40 spaced from one of the end walls the predetermined spacing. A third bore 43 is directed through the third top wall 37 and utilizes a filling bore or alternatively as a venting bore. In this vein, a fourth bore 44 is arranged to be formed with a fourth bore conduit 45 that may be utilized as a vent or alternatively, to receive a fluid-fill conduit "F" secured thereto. In this manner, the ease of filling and venting of the structure once assembled is available. It should be noted that the first, second, and third blocks are each formed of a polymeric material of geometric integrity to define a rigid construction to contain the fluid to be directed therewithin and provide for efficient shielding relative to gamma radiation as required. As to the manner of usage and operation of the instant invention, the same should be apparent from the above disclosure, and accordingly no further discussion relative to the manner of usage and operation of the instant invention shall be provided. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.