Pipe bedding system

• US 20060171782A1
• Filed: 01/19/2006
• Published: 08/03/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 01/20/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Nathan Ray Neiwert
• Original Assignee: Nathan Ray Neiwert
• Inventors: Neiwert, Nathan Ray
• Application Number:
  US11/337,124
• Publication Number:
  US 20060171782A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 405/179
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 1/028 in the ground F16L1/026 takes precedence

Abstract

A system for preparing earthen beds for installation of pipe thereon comprises a trench support frame, disposable at least partially within an earthen trench in which pipe is to be installed. A grading assembly is coupled to and movable within the trench support frame. A bedding material supply system is integrated with the trench support frame, the bedding material supply system being configured to provide bedding material to be graded by the grading assembly to prepare a floor of the earthen trench for installation of the pipe within the trench.

Claims

1. A system for preparing earthen beds for installation of pipe thereon, comprising:

a trench support frame, disposable at least partially within an earthen trench in which pipe is to be installed;

a grading assembly coupled to the trench support frame, at least a portion of which is movable within the trench support frame; and

a bedding material supply system, integrated with the trench support frame, the bedding material supply system being configured to provide bedding material to be graded by the grading assembly to prepare a floor of the earthen trench for installation of the pipe within the trench.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the bedding material is comprised of a fill material selected from the group consisting of:

soil, road base, and a concrete mixture.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the grading assembly further comprises:

a leading blade; and

a trailing shoe pivotally coupled to the leading blade, the leading blade and the trailing shoe being configured to grade and compact bedding material over which the blade and shoe travel.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the shoe is adjustable with respect to the leading blade to increase or decrease a relative angle between the leading blade and the trailing shoe to increase or decrease, respectively, a level of compaction of bedding material past which the blade and the shoe travel.

5. The system of claim 3, further comprising a channeling protrusion extending downwardly from the shoe, the channeling protrusion being configured to gouge a channel in the bedding material for receiving lengths of pipe therein.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the channeling protrusion is configured to gouge a channel in the bedding material which substantially matches a cross section of the pipe to be installed in the earthen trench.

7. The system of claim 5, further comprising a guidance system, operatively coupled to at least one of the trench support frame and the grading assembly, wherein the guidance system is configured to enable adjustment of the grading assembly to maintain a desired grade within the earthen trench and a desired directionality of the channel gouged in the bedding material.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the guidance system further comprises a detector array operable to detect a laser beam.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the detector array is coupled to control circuitry configured to activate at least one of a horizontal piston and a vertical piston to adjust a level and a position of the blade and the shoe to enable the desired grade and the directionality of the channel to be maintained within a predetermined parameter.

10. A system for preparing earthen beds for installation of pipe thereon, comprising:

a trench support frame, disposable at least partially within an earthen trench in which pipe is to be installed;

a surface grading device associated with the trench support frame; and

a concrete mixture supply apparatus, integrated with the trench support frame, the concrete mixture supply apparatus being configured to provide a layer of concrete within the earthen trench, the layer of concrete to be graded by the surface grading device to prepare the layer of concrete for installation of the pipe within the earthen trench.

11. The system of claim 10, further comprising a grading sled slidably attached to the surface grading device, the grading sled configured to grade the layer of concrete.

12. The system of claim 11, further comprising a channeling protrusion coupled to the grading sled, the channeling protrusion being configured to gouge a channel in the layer of concrete.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein a shape of the channel substantially matches a cross section of the pipe to be installed.

14. The system of claim 10, wherein a first end of the surface grading device further comprises a fitting configured to substantially match a portion of a previously installed pipe.

15. The system of claim 10, wherein a second end of the surface grading device further comprises a target area configured to receive a laser beam to enable the surface grading device to be correctly positioned before the grading sled is actuated.

16. The system of claim 10, further comprising a fill material supply apparatus, integrated with the trench support frame, the fill material supply apparatus being configured to provide fill material over a pipe installed in the earthen trench.

17. The system of claim 10, further comprising a valve associated with the concrete mixture supply apparatus, the valve configured to control dispensation of a hydrating solution as the concrete mixture is dispensed, wherein the hydrating solution is configured to be combined with the concrete mixture dispensed from the concrete mixture supply apparatus to form the layer of concrete.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the hydrating solution is comprised substantially of water.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the water is stored in one of a tank coupled to the trench support frame, a tank external to the earthen trench, and a pressurized source external to the earthen trench.

20. A method for preparing an earthen bed for installation of pipe thereon, comprising:

placing a trench support frame at least partially within an earthen trench in which pipe is to be installed;

providing a bedding material within the earthen trench on which the pipe is to be installed, wherein the bedding material is provided using a bedding material supply apparatus integrated with the trench support frame; and

forming a channel in the bedding material, the channel configured to receive the pipe to be installed, wherein the channel is formed using a surface grading device associated with the trench support frame.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein forming a channel further comprises forming a channel in the bedding material wherein the channel is shaped to substantially match a cross section of the pipe to be installed.

22. The method of claim 20, wherein providing a bedding material further comprises providing a bedding material on which the pipe is to be installed including at least one bedding material from the group consisting of a concrete mixture, an earthen bedding material, a concrete slurry, and a substantially incompressible material.

23. The method of claim 20, further comprising providing a fill material over the pipe installed within the channel using a fill material supply apparatus integrated within the trench support frame.

24. The method of claim 20, further comprising adding a hydrating solution to at least one of the bedding material and the fill material.