COVER FOR PRESTRESSED CONCRETE MEMBER

• US 20090293389A1
• Filed: 08/17/2009
• Published: 12/03/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 10/17/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: High Industries Incorporated
• Original Assignee: High Industries Incorporated
• Inventors: BAUR, Kenneth C., ALLAMENA, Alicia, GRAZIANO, Gary C.
• Application Number:
  US12/542,547
• Publication Number:
  US 20090293389A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 52/223.13
• CPC Class Codes: E02D 29/14 Covers for manholes or the like; Frames for covers gully gratings E03F5/06

Abstract

A prestressed structural concrete system is disclosed that includes a prestressed concrete structural member and a cover configured to securely engage a cavity of the member to substantially seal the cavity from an outside environment. The cover includes a surface configured to achieve a substantially fluid tight seal with the concrete member.

Claims

1. A prestressed structural concrete system comprising

a prestressed concrete structural member comprising a cavity;

and

a cover configured to securely engage the cavity and substantially seal the cavity from an outside environment.

2. The system of claim 1, the prestressed concrete structural member further comprising a fitting at least partially disposed in the cavity.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the cover comprises at least one protruding feature configured to engage the cavity and a sealing surface that substantially conforms to a surface of the prestressed structural member.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the cover comprises a layer of adhesive material.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the cover comprises a rib.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the protruding feature comprises at least two protruding portions separated by a discontinuity.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the body is composed of a resilient material.

8. A cover for sealing a cavity of a prestressed concrete structural member, comprising

at least one protruding feature configured to engage the cavity;

and

a sealing surface that substantially conforms to a surface of the prestressed structural member.

9. The cover of claim 8, further comprising:

a layer of adhesive material in contact with the sealing surface.

10. The cover of claim 8, further comprising:

a rib protruding from the sealing surface.

11. The cover of claim 8, wherein the protruding feature comprises at least two protruding portions separated by a discontinuity.

12. The cover of claim 8, wherein the body is composed of a resilient material.

13. A method for sealing a cavity of a prestressed concrete structural member, comprising:

providing a prestressed concrete structural member comprising a cavity;

at least partially inserting a cover into the cavity to substantially seal the cavity from an outside environment.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the prestressed structural concrete member further comprises a fitting at least partially disposed in the cavity.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the cover achieves a substantially fluid tight seal with the prestressed concrete structural member when the cover is securely engaged with the cavity.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein at least one protruding feature of the cover releasably engages the cavity.

17. The method of claim 13, wherein a sealing surface of the cover substantially conforms to a surface of the prestressed structural member to form a substantially fluid tight seal.

18. The system of claim 13, wherein a layer of adhesive material is disposed between the cover and the prestressed concrete structural member to improve the seal between the cavity and the outside environment.

19. The system of claim 13, wherein a rib protrudes from the cover and contacts the prestressed concrete structural member to improve the seal between the cavity and the outside environment.

20. The system of claim 13, wherein the protruding feature comprises at least two protruding portions separated by a discontinuity, the protruding portions including a surface that conforms to and engages a surface of the cavity to securely engage the cover to the prestressed concrete structural member.