Abstract:
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&#39; 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.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    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. 
         [0002]    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. 
         [0003]    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 INVENTION 
       [0004]    In 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. 
         [0005]    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. 
         [0006]    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. 
         [0007]    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. 
         [0008]    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. 
         [0009]    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. 
         [0010]    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. 
         [0011]    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. 
         [0012]    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. 
         [0013]    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. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0014]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a septic system including the drain field, the drain field being uncovered so that components can be seen, one of the chambers being broken away to reveal the waste-conveying pipe as supported by a pipe support of the present invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is a cross section taken through a chamber in the drain field, showing the chamber, the pipe, and the pipe stand, and  FIG. 3  is a perspective view showing a similar area and components. 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a long waste-conveying pipe section and with multiple pipe stands for supporting the pipe. 
           [0017]      FIGS. 5-6  are plan and side views of a pipe stand blank prior to bending. 
           [0018]      FIGS. 7-20  are perspective views of alternative pipe stand constructions,  FIGS. 13 and 20  showing installations. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0019]    The present pipe stands  20  ( FIGS. 1-4 ) support waste-conveying pipes  21  above a trench-bottom ground surface  22  in a septic system  23  having a septic tank  19 . The illustrated septic system  23  includes semi-cylindrically-shaped chambers  24  that are positioned over the pipes  21  in the drain field  25  thereby defined. Notably,  FIG. 1  illustrates the components  20 ,  21 , and  24  as positioned in a bottom of trenches  26 . These trenches  26  are filled during a later part of the installation to a level generally equal to the top soil  27 , with the chambers  24  protecting the pipes  21  (and stands  20 ). 
         [0020]    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  ( FIGS. 4-6 ) is cut from a flat bowtie-shaped sheet (preferably durable polymeric sheet such as high density polyethylene that is about ⅛″ to ¼″ thick, though it could be metal, aluminum, composite, or other structural material). The bowtie shape defines two panels  30  and  31  connected by a narrow region  32  (also called a “fold line” or a “living hinge”). The narrow region  32  of the “bow tie” shape, when folded, forms a living hinge that biases the panels  30  and  31  toward a more planar shape. The fold line can include slits or thinned areas to assist in folding, and to reduce the outward biasing force. This may be desirable when it is unnecessary for the panels  30  and  31  to frictionally engage the pipe  21 . A hole  33  is formed in each panel slight larger than the pipe  21  that it is intended to receive, thus forming a pipe-supporting surface. The holes  33  align when the sheet is folded, thus providing a stable two-point support for a horizontal pipe  21 . In stands where the panels  30  and  31  are biased apart, the stand  20  frictionally engages the pipe  21 . This assists in installation by holding the stands in position on the pipe  21  while the pipe  21  is being manipulated to a final position. Advantageously, the pipe  21  does not have to be tied to the chamber  24  covering it. 
         [0021]    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. 
         [0022]    It is noted that variations can be made in the pipe stand  20  of  FIG. 5-6 . For example, pipe stand  20  can be used in a second orientation (i.e. rotated about 100 degrees on the pipe from the orientation shown in  FIG. 2-3 ). In this second orientation, the pipe  21  is positioned slightly closer to the ground surface  22 , thus giving the user a height selection capability. Also, the living hinge can be replaced with actual hinges or straps or tethers. Further, the material of the stand  20  can be any structural material, including metal (corrosion-treated steel, stainless steel, aluminum) composites, and other materials. The pipe stand  20  can be injection molded, stamped, CNC cut, saw and drilled, die-cut, water-jet cut, routed, or shaped by other known methods. 
         [0023]    A number of modified pipe stands are shown in  FIGS. 7-20 . In these modified pipe stands, similar and identical components, features and characteristics are identified using identical numbers to those used in  FIGS. 1-6 , but with the addition of a letter “A,” “B,” “C,” etc. This is done to reduce redundant discussion. Notably, the various modified pipe stands include the same features and characteristics as the pipe stand  20  unless otherwise noted. 
         [0024]    The pipe stand  20 A ( FIG. 7 ) is similar to pipe stand  20  except pipe stand  20 A includes slots  40 A at ends of the fold line  32 A. This reduces an outward bias of the living hinge, thus making it easier to fold the sheet to form the pipe stand  20 A and also reducing a grip of the pipe stand  20 A on the pipe ( 21 ). 
         [0025]    The pipe stand  20 B ( FIG. 8 ) includes a hole  33 B and further includes a plurality of circular slits or depressions forming a plurality of punch-out rings  41 B- 43 B of different sizes around the hole  33 B. Each ring  41 B- 43 B can be punched out to form a hole sized for a particular pipe ( 21 ), such as 1¼″, 1½″, 2″, 3″, etc. 
         [0026]    The pipe stand  20 C ( FIG. 9 ) includes a notch  33 C instead of a hole ( 33 ). The notch  33 C opens toward the fold line  32 C, thus reducing a strength of the living hinge at the fold line  32 C. Also, there are slits  44 C at outer ends of the fold line  32 C, further weakening the bias of the living hinge. Notably, the edges of the notch  33 C extend vertically, such that it engages a maximum of 180 degrees of the pipe ( 21 ). Note that pipe stands  20 D ( FIG. 10) and 20E  ( FIG. 11 ) include inwardly-facing tips  45 D (rounded) and  45 E (relatively pointed) at upper ends of their respective notches  33 D and  33 E. The tips  45 D,  45 E are made to resilient snappingly engage a pipe  21 D,  21 E pressed into the respective notch  33 D or  33 E. Thus, the pipe  21 D,  21 E is retained in the notch ( 33 D,  33 E) even though the notch  33 D,  33 E is upwardly open. 
         [0027]    The pipe stand  20 F ( FIGS. 12-13 ) includes slots  40 F at ends of its fold line  32 F (similar to pipe stands  20 A), which shorten its living hinge and the bias of its hinge. Slots  38 F are formed to define a fold-out foot  37 F. The illustrated end tabs  39 F are pointed and stake-simulating, such that they dig into soft ground for retaining the panels  30 F and  31 F in position. Further, the tabs  39 F include a small hole or other feature/structure  47 F for receiving a U-shaped ground-engaging wire stake or pin  48 F that fixedly holds the panels  30 F and  31 F in their respective selected positions. 
         [0028]    A U-shaped slot  49 F ( FIGS. 12-13 ) is formed in the panels  30 F and  31 F, defining a fold-out dispersing flange  50 F. In pressurized septic systems, the waste product  51 F is pushed out openings  52 F in the pipe  21 F. When the waste product  51 F is dispensed onto a dispersing flange  50 F, the flange  50 F spreads the waste product  51 F and reduces an impact of the waste product  51 F as it engages a particular area of the ground  22 F. 
         [0029]    The pipe stand  20 G ( FIG. 14 ) includes three holes  33 G,  53 G, and  54 G, each sized to receive a different size diameter pipe ( 21 ). Each hole  33 G,  53 G, and  54 G is located in a different corner of the pipe stand  20 G. By positioning the pipe stand  20 G in different orientations (compare  FIGS. 14 and 15 ), different holes  33 G,  53 G,  54 G can be positioned at a top of the stand  20 G (i.e., at their preferred height). It is contemplated that more or less holes  33 G,  53 G,  54 G could be used, and also that punch-out rings could be used in combination with multiple holes  33 G,  53 G,  54 G. Also, it is noted that the living hinge of pipe stand  20 G is located at a corner and that the panels  30 G and  31 G are triangularly shaped, such that the living hinge is relatively short without the need for cutting slots into the fold line  32 G. 
         [0030]    The pipe stand  20 H ( FIG. 16 ) includes a stabilizer panel  56 H with corners having tabs  57 H configured to frictionally engage the end tabs  39 H. When engaged, the stabilizer panel  56 H holds the panels  30 H and  31 H at a desired spacing, thus adding stability to the pipe stand  20 H without the need for stability to come from the way that the holes  33  engage the pipe ( 21 ). Also, the stabilizer panel  56 H adds considerably to the footprint of the pipe stand  20 H, and can be particularly useful where the soil is particularly soft. Nonetheless, it is noted that care must be taken to not reduce the surface area of the ground surface, since a minimum amount of surface area is required in order to qualify as a drain field for a given septic system. 
         [0031]    The pipe stand  20 I ( FIG. 17 ) includes two triangular panels  30 I and  31 I connected by a relatively long fold line  32 I. As noted above, the fold line  32 I can be made easier to fold if necessary, such as by adding perforations, slits, slots, or thinned areas along the fold line  32 I. As illustrated, the holes  33 I are located near the outer corners of the triangular panels  30 I and  31 I. When folded, the long fold line  32 I is positioned at the ground, with the pipe  21 I engaging the holes  33 I at a selected height above the ground and fold line  32 I. Notably, in previous illustrated pipe stands, the fold line was along a top (or side) of the part. In pipe stand  20 I, it is located along its bottom. 
         [0032]    The pipe stand  20 J ( FIG. 18 ) includes a panel-shaped structural member  30 J of sufficient strength to support a pipe  21 J in an elevated position above a ground surface  22 J, and includes a pipe receiving feature (hole  33 J and potentially within the hole  33 J a short pipe  33 J° large enough to receive pipe  21 J) and a ground-engaging stabilizer (foot  37 J) of sufficient width to prevent tip-over. The foot  37 J can be integrally formed as part of the structural member  30 J (and folded outwardly therefrom), or can be a separately formed part attached along a bottom edge of the panel-shaped structural member  30 J. 
         [0033]    The pipe stand  20 K ( FIG. 19 ) includes a pair of panel-shaped structural members  30 K and  31 K connected by transverse rib  32 K from their bottom and connected by pipe  21 K at their top, where the pipe  21 K is extended through closely fitting holes  33 K. 
         [0034]    The pipe stand  20 L ( FIG. 20 ) is similar to pipe stand  20 , and includes two panels  30 L and  31 L connected at their narrow section (fold line  32 L). The pipe  21 L is extended through holes  33 L. However, the pipe stand  20 L is inverted so that panels  30 K and  31 K can be attached to an overhead beam, such as a ceiling beam or floor joist  60 K. Thus, the present pipe stand is converted into a pipe hanger. This same concept of inverting the component and using it as a hanger can be done using any of the pipe stands shown in  FIGS. 6-8 ,  10 - 12 ,  18 - 19 . 
         [0035]    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. 
         [0036]    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.