Patent Publication Number: US-2013241199-A1

Title: Device and method for centering tubular members

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/539,282, filed Jun. 29, 2012, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/372,482, filed Feb. 13, 2012, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/245,824, filed Sep. 26, 2011, which claimed the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/386,438, filed Sep. 24, 2010, which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entireties, including but not limited to those portions that specifically appear hereinafter, the incorporation by reference being made with the following exception: In the event that any portion of the above-referenced applications is inconsistent with this application, this application supercedes said above-referenced provisional application. 
    
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not Applicable. 
     BACKGROUND 
     1. The Field of the Present Disclosure 
     The present disclosure relates generally to devices and methods for centering tubular members of thin-wall design. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Components of wastewater systems in the U.S. may be formed from pre-cast concrete structures made from cement and aggregate. For example, pre-cast concrete structures may include concrete pipes, box culverts, vaults, catch basins, and manhole assemblies. These pre-cast concrete structures may be formed off site and transported to a work site as needed. At the work site, the pre-cast concrete structures may be installed into wastewater systems, including sewage systems, as is known to one having ordinary skill in the art. Typically, the pre-cast concrete structures may be installed underground. 
     Traditional pre-cast concrete structures may be interconnected using tongue and groove type joints. For example, referring now to  FIG. 1 , there is depicted a manhole assembly  1 . The manhole assembly  1  may comprise a base section  2 , a riser section  3 , a cone section  4 , a ring section  5 , a frame  6 , and a cover  7 . The base section  2 , the riser section  3 , and the cone section  4  may be formed from concrete, i.e., a mixture of cement and aggregate. 
     The base section  2  and the riser section  3  may be joined together using a tongue and groove type joint. In particular, the base section  2  may comprise an annularly shaped tongue  2   a.  The tongue  2   a  may slidably engage an annular groove or recess  3   a  formed in a lower portion of the riser section  3 . Likewise, the riser section  3  and the cone section  4  may be joined by a tongue and groove type joint. 
     Increasingly, pre-cast structures for use in wastewater systems, including sewage systems, are formed using a polymer concrete. As used herein, the term “polymer concrete” may refer to a concrete made from a polymer binder and an aggregate, e.g., a sand and gravel mixture. The wall thickness of pre-cast polymer concrete structures may be thinner than that of structures made using traditional cement. As a result, pre-cast polymer concrete structures are not amenable to the use of tongue and groove type joints. Therefore, there exists a need of an apparatus and method for forming a joint between adjacent pre-cast polymer concrete structures in sewage systems. 
     The features and advantages of the present disclosure will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by the practice of the present disclosure without undue experimentation. The features and advantages of the present disclosure may be realized and obtained by means of the instruments and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The features and advantages of the disclosure will become apparent from a consideration of the subsequent detailed description presented in connection with the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is an exploded view of a prior art manhole assembly formed from pre-cast concrete structures using a tongue and groove type joint; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a guide member for centering stacked tubular members pursuant to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 3  is a bottom view of the guide member depicted in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a top view of the guide member depicted in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of the guide member depicted in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective, exploded view of the guide member depicted in  FIG. 1  and stacked tubular structures; 
         FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of the guide member depicted in  FIG. 1  and stacked tubular structures; 
         FIG. 8  is a fragmentary view of a manhole assembly incorporating a pair of guide members according to the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view of a guide member according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and 
         FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional view of a guide member according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles in accordance with the disclosure, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the disclosure is thereby intended. Any alterations and further modifications of the inventive features illustrated herein, and any additional applications of the principles of the disclosure as illustrated herein, which would normally occur to one skilled in the relevant art and having possession of this disclosure, are to be considered within the scope of the disclosure claimed. 
     In describing and claiming the present disclosure, the following terminology will be used in accordance with the definitions set out below. It must be noted that, as used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. As used herein, the terms “comprising,” “including,” “containing,” “characterized by,” “having,” and grammatical equivalents thereof are inclusive or open-ended terms that do not exclude additional, unrecited elements or method steps. 
     Applicant has discovered a device and method for centering tubular members, such as pre-cast concrete structures used in manhole assemblies, and for forming joints between tubular members. The present disclosure may eliminate the need for traditional tongue and groove joints between adjacent pre-cast concrete structures. The present disclosure may be suited for use with thin-walled pre-cast concrete structures. The present disclosure may be suited for use with pre-cast concrete structures formed from a polymer concrete. The present disclosure may align and center adjacent pre-cast concrete structures during installation. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 2 ,  3 ,  4  and  5 , there is depicted a guide member  100  according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The guide member  100  may include a sidewall member  102 . The sidewall member  102  may be ring shaped. The sidewall member  102  may have an outer surface  104  and an inner surface  106 . A bottom surface  108  may extend between the outer surface  104  and the inner surface  106  to thereby form a lowermost portion of the guide member  100 . 
     A top surface  110  may extend between the outer surface  104  and the inner surface  106  to thereby form a topmost portion of the guide member  100 . A cross-piece  112  may extend inwardly from the inner surface  106  of the guide member  100 . The cross-piece member  112  may include a bottom surface  113  and a top surface  114 . The cross-piece member  112  may be perpendicular to the inner surface  106  of the guide member  100 . The cross-piece member  112  may be cantilevered. The sidewall member  102  may include a ring portion  116  and a flared or sloped portion  118 . The ring portion  116  may extend between the bottom surface  108  to a transition  120  between the ring portion  116  and the sloped portion  118 . The sloped portion  118  may extend between the transition  120  and the top surface  110 . The radiuses of the outer surface  104  and the inner surface  106  may be constant along the ring portion  116  of the sidewall member  102 . The radiuses of the outer surface  104  and the inner surface  106  may increase along the sloped portion  118  of the annular member  102  from the transition  120  to the top surface  110 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , there is depicted a cross-sectional view of the guide member  100  where like reference numerals depict like components. The ring portion  116  may have a height x of between about 3 inches to about 7 inches. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the height x may be about 4 inches. The sloped portion may have a height y of about 1 inch to about 3 inches. In an embodiment, the height y may be about 1 inch. 
     In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the cross-piece member  112  may have length z of about the same thickness of a wall of a tubular member onto which the guide member  100  is installed. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the length z of the cross-piece member  112  may be about 1 to 3 inches. In an embodiment of the length z of the cross-piece member  112  is about 1 and inches. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , there is depicted the guide member  100  in relation to a first tubular member  150  and a second tubular member  160  where like reference numerals depict like components. To center and join the first tubular member  150  and the second tubular member  160 , the guide member  100  is first installed onto a top portion  162  of the second tubular member  160 . A top surface  164  of the top portion  162  may abut against the lower surface  113  of the cross-piece member  112 . Then, a bottom portion  152  of the first tubular member  150  is installed into the guide member  100  such that a bottom surface  154  of the first tubular member  150  abuts against the top surface  114  of the cross-piece member  112 . The sloped portion  118  may assist in guiding and centering the lower portion  152  of the first tubular member  150  into the second tubular member  160 . The inner wall  106  of the guide member  100  may further center and guide the first tubular member  150  onto the second tubular member  160 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 7 , in an embodiment of the present disclosure, an inner wall  156  of the first tubular member  150  and an inner wall  166  of the second tubular member  160  may have a diameter A of about 1 to 10 feet. An outer wall  158  of the first tubular member and an outer wall  168  of the second tubular member  160  may have a diameter B of about 1 to 6 inches greater than the diameter A. A thickness C between the inner wall  156  and the outer wall  158  of the first tubular member  150  may about 1 to 6 inches. An inner diameter of the inner surface of the ring portion  116  may be equal or be about equal to the diameter B such that the guide member  100  may snugly engage, center, and join the first tubular member  150  and the second tubular member  160 . In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the first tubular member  150  and the second tubular member  160  may be formed from polymer concrete. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 8 , there is depicted a manhole assembly  200  incorporating guide members  100  according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The manhole assembly  200  may comprise a base section  202 , a riser section  204 , a cone section  206 , a ring section  208 , a frame  210 , and a cover  212 . The base section  202  may have a riser portion  203  extending therefrom. The riser section  204  and the riser portion  203  may be tubular members. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the base section  202 , the riser section  204 , and the cone section  206  may be formed from a polymer concrete. 
     A guide member  100  may be interposed between the riser portion  203  of the base section  202  and the riser section  204 . Another guide member  100  may be interposed between the riser section  204  and the cone section  206 . It will be appreciated that the use of the guide members  100  may eliminate the need for a tongue and groove joint between the riser section  203  and the riser portion  204 , and the riser section  204  and the cone section  209  in the manhole assembly  200 . 
     During installation of the manhole assembly  200 , a hole may be excavated in the ground. The base section  202 , with the riser portion  203 , may be placed into the bottom of the hole using a lift, such as a crane. A guide member  100  may be installed onto a top portion of the riser portion  203  of the base section  202 . The riser portion  204  may then be lifted over the riser portion  203  of the base section  202 . The riser section  204  may then be lowered onto the riser portion  203 . A sloped portion  118  of the guide member  100  may guide and center the riser portion  204  into place on the base section  202 . A ring portion  116  of the guide member  100  may further guide and center the riser section  204  onto the base section  202 . 
     Once the riser section  204  is installed, the cone portion  206  may then be installed as follows. First, a guide member  100  may be placed onto a top portion of the riser section  204 . The cone section  206  may then be lifted over the riser section  204  and lowered into place. A sloped portion  118  of the guide member  100  may guide and center the cone section  206  into place on the riser section. A ring portion  116  of the guide member  100  may further guide and center the cone section  206  onto the riser section  204 . As can be observed, the guide members  100  form joints between the different sections of the manhole assembly  200 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 9 , there is depicted a guide member  300  according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The guide member  300  may take substantially the same annular shape of the guide member  100  shown in  FIGS. 2-4 . The guide member  300  may include a sidewall member  302  may have an outer surface  304  and an inner surface  306 . A bottom surface  308  may extend between the outer surface  304  and the inner surface  306  to thereby form a lowermost portion of the guide member  300 . A top surface  310  may extend between the outer surface  304  and the inner surface  306  to thereby form a topmost portion of the guide member  300 . A cross-piece member  312  may extend inwardly from the inner surface  306  of the guide member  300 . The cross-piece member  312  may include a bottom surface  313  and a top surface  314 . The cross-piece member  312  may be perpendicular to the inner surface  306  of the guide member  300 . 
     The sidewall member  302  may include a ring portion  316  and a sloped portion  318 . The ring portion  316  may extend between the bottom surface  308  to a transition  320  between the ring portion  316  and the sloped portion  318 . The sloped portion  318  may extend between the transition  320  and the top surface  310 . The radiuses of the outer surface  304  and the inner surface  306  may be constant along the ring portion  316  of the sidewall member  302 . The radiuses of the outer surface  304  and the inner surface  306  may increase along the sloped portion  318  of the sidewall member  302 . 
     Extending downwardly from a terminal end of the cross-piece member  312  may be a leg member  322 . The cross-piece member  312 , the leg member  322  and the inner surface  306  of the sidewall member  302  may define a seat  324  for receiving a top portion of a tubular member. The guide member  300  may be utilized in the same manner as the guide member  100  as shown in  FIGS. 6-8 . 
     In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the ring portion  316  may have a height r of between about 3 inches to about 7 inches. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the height r may be about 4 inches. The heights s and t as shown in  FIG. 9  may be about 2 inches each. The sloped portion  318  may have a height q of about ½ inch to about 3 inches. The sloped portion  318  may have a height q of about 1 inch. 
     In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the cross-piece member  312  may have length v of about the same thickness of a wall of a tubular member onto which the guide member  300  is installed. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the length v of the cross-piece member  312  may be about 1 to 3 inches, or about 2 inches. The leg  322  may have a height u of about 1 to 3 inches, or about 2 inches. The sloped portion  318  may be angled about 20 to 40 degrees, or about 30 degrees, from vertical as indicated. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 10 , there is depicted a guide member  400  according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The guide member  400  may take substantially the same annular shape of the guide member  100  shown in  FIGS. 2-4 . The guide member  400  may include a first sidewall member  402  which may have an outer surface  404  and an inner surface  406 . A bottom surface  408  may extend between the outer surface  404  and the inner surface  406  to thereby form a lowermost portion of the guide member  400 . A top surface  410  may extend between the outer surface  404  and the inner surface  406  to thereby form a topmost portion of the guide member  400 . 
     The guide member  400  may include a second sidewall member  420  having an outer surface  422  and an inner surface  424 . A bottom surface  426  may extend between the outer surface  422  and the inner surface  426  to thereby form a lowermost portion of the guide member  400 . A top surface  428  may extend between the outer surface  422  and the inner surface  424  to thereby form a topmost portion of the guide member  400 . 
     A cross-piece member  412  may extend between the inner surface  406  and the inner surface  424 . The cross-piece member  412  may include a bottom surface  413  and a top surface  414 . The cross-piece member  412  may be perpendicular to the inner surface  406  and the inner surface  424 . A seat  430  for receiving a top portion of a tubular member may be defined by the bottom surface  413  of the cross-piece member  412 , the inner surface  406  and the inner surface  424 . A seat  432  for receiving a bottom portion of a tubular member may be defined by the top surface  414  of the cross-piece member  412 , the inner surface  406  and the inner surface  424 . 
     The sidewall member  402  may comprise a ring portion  434  and a sloped portion  436 . The sidewall member  420  may comprise a ring portion  438  and a sloped portion  440 . It will be appreciated that the sloped portion  440  and the sloped portion  436  may facilitate insertion of a tubular member into the seat  432  by guiding and centering the tubular member into the seat  432 . The guide member  400  may be utilized in the same manner as the guide member  100  as shown in  FIGS. 6-8 . In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the guide member  400  may be substantially H-shaped. 
     In an embodiment, a guide member according to the present disclosure may be annular or ring shaped to fit between adjacent tubular members. In an embodiment, a guide member according to the present disclosure may be arcuate to thereby engage a top wall of a tubular member, but not completely circumscribe the top wall. In this instance, multiple guide members may be utilized to form a joint between stacked tubular members. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, a joint sealant, such as cold tar, may be utilized in conjunction with the guide members. In an embodiment, a guide member according to the present disclosure may be formed from a resilient or flexible material, such as rubber. In an embodiment, a guide member according to the present disclosure may be formed from a flexible butyl mastic. A guide member according to the present disclosure may comply with ASTM C990. 
     In accordance with the features and combinations described above, an apparatus for forming a joint between a pair of tubular members may comprise:
         a sidewall;   a crosspiece member extending from the sidewall; and   a sloped portion extending from a top of the sidewall.       

     In accordance with the features and combinations described above, a useful method of centering a first tubular member and a second tubular member includes the steps of:
         (a) installing a guide member on an end of the first tubular member; and   (b) stacking the second tubular member on top of the first tubular member;   wherein the guide member comprises a sidewall, a crosspiece member extending from the sidewall, and a sloped or slanted portion extending from a top of the sidewall.       

     Those having ordinary skill in the relevant art will appreciate the advantages provide by the features of the present disclosure. For example, it is a feature of the present disclosure to provide an apparatus for facilitating the formation of a joint between a pair of tubular members. It is a feature of the present disclosure to provide a guide member for centering adjacent tubular members. 
     In the foregoing Detailed Description, various features of the present disclosure are grouped together in a single embodiment for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed disclosure requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. 
     Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into this Detailed Description of the Disclosure by this reference, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     It is to be understood that the above-described arrangements are only illustrative of the application of the principles of the present disclosure. Numerous modifications and alternative arrangements may be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure and the appended claims are intended to cover such modifications and arrangements. Thus, while the present disclosure has been shown in the drawings and described above with particularity and detail, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that numerous modifications, including, but not limited to, variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use may be made without departing from the principles and concepts set forth herein.