AU2005315252A1

AU2005315252A1 - Device for supporting pipes

Info

Publication number: AU2005315252A1
Application number: AU2005315252A
Authority: AU
Inventors: George A. Kovacs Jr.
Original assignee: Thread Guard Technology Ltd
Current assignee: Thread Guard Technology Ltd
Priority date: 2004-12-14
Filing date: 2005-11-23
Publication date: 2006-06-22
Anticipated expiration: 2025-11-23
Also published as: MX2007007083A; EP1825179B1; AU2005315252B2; BRPI0518605B1; EP1825179A1; DE502005010495D1; ATE487079T1; BRPI0518605A2; WO2006064380A1; DE202004019291U1

Abstract

Pipe holders (1) are held together as a single unit using clamping rods (10) and clamping springs (25). A spiral spring or a multi-leaf spring device is used as the clamping spring. The pipes are held next to each other and one above the other in holders are arranged vertically on top of each other. The holders have opposing spaces (2) which define openings for holding the pipes. A clamping device (10) is passed through vertically aligned grooves (9) in each end of the holder.

Description

VERIFICATION OF TRANSLATION Australian application for: 1, Thomas Ermer of Wordmaster Translations P/L, 19 High Road Camberwell, 3124, am the translator of the document(s) attached and I state that the following is a true translation to the best of my knowledge and belief of International patent application P"CT/IB2005/004133 (WO 2006/064380 A 1), filed on 23.11.2005. Australian application for: Dated: 5.6.2007 Y FOR Signature of translator: NAT013 THOMAS ERMER UA GER -> ENLSH Translation of PCT/IB2005/004133 (WO 2006/064380 A1) Device for supporting pipes 5 The invention concerns a device to support pipes during their storage and transport by a construction according to the preamble of claim 1. Commencing from a known device of this kind (EP-A-0 859 181) the invention deals with the problem to produce a device that ensures a safe support of the 10 pipes even during wide temperature changes or fluctuations. The invention solves the problem by a device having the features of claim 1. By virtue of the intermediate inclusion of a tension spring in the bracing of the pipe-retaining element it is ensured, that even in the case of temperature-caused 15 expansions and shrinkages in the components of the device and the pipes the clamping of the parts is carried out with an adequate tensioning force and damages due to tension peaks, as those which can occur in the case of great expansions, will be avoided. 20 Further details and effects become apparent from the following description and the drawing, in which several embodiments of the subject matter of the invention are illustrated in detail. The drawings show in: Fig.1 - a first embodiment according to the invention of the device, sectioned 25 along the line 1-1 of Fig.2, Fig.2 - a side view of Fig.1, Fig.3 - a perspective illustration of the device according to Figs.1 and 2, 30 Fig.4 - an enlarged illustration of detail A in Fig.3, Fig.5 - an enlarged illustration of detail B in Fig.3, 35 Fig.6 - a side view of an individual pipe-retaining element, Z Fig.7 - a frontal view of Fig.6, Fig.8 - a section along line VII-VII of Fig.6, and 5 Fig.9 - a partially sectioned illustration of the device to illustrate the tensioning means sectioned in a modified execution. In the operating position the supporting device illustrated in the drawing comprises pipe-retaining elements 1 provided below and above each layer of 10 pipe and aligned vertically below one another, of which in the example illustrated four pipe-retaining elements 1 are illustrated, however, units of the device can be constructed with three or more than four pipe-retaining elements 1. The pipe retaining elements 1 have on top and bottom a number of diametrically opposed situated and spaced apart recesses 2 to accommodate the pipes, all of which are 15 illustrated in the drawing only as sections 15 of pipes, yet in practice have appropriate lengths, like those that are required, for example, for boring or draining bores. Depending on the length of the pipes they are supported in the vicinity of the ends of the pipes by units of the device made up from pipe-retaining elements 1 as well as possibly by intermediate units, so that the support of the 20 pipes is carried out altogether at two, three or more positions. In the case of the example illustrated each pipe-retaining element 1 has on top and bottom four recesses 2 each, so that it is suited to support four pipes in one layer of pipes. The number of recesses 2 can be, however, less or more than 25 four. The recesses 2 have a trapezoid-shaped cross-section, while each of the outward diverging lateral surfaces 3 enclose with a base, situated between them, an angle of 120'-1500, preferably 135'. On the outside the diverging lateral 30 surfaces 3 merge into external surfaces 5 of the pipe-retaining element 1, that are parallel with the base surface 4, said external surface being able to be used in the case of the uppermost or lowermost pipe-retaining element 1 in a unit as standing or mounting surface for stacking, for example.

15 At their ends the pipe-retaining elements 1 have a flat end face 6 that is vertical in the operating position and join the external end edges 7, 8 of the adjacent external surfaces 5. At the same time the pipe-retaining elements 1 are provided on their end faces with grooves 9, which in the operating position are vertical and 5 pass through downward from above and serve the purpose of accommodating or guiding a clamping means 10. All pipe-retaining elements 1 can be identically executed. This is the case, for example, of the embodiment illustrated in Fig.9. Instead of this, however, the 10 uppermost pipe-retaining element 1 in a unit of the device may have a special shape, that will be further discussed in the following. All pipe-retaining elements 1 or all pipe-retaining elements 1 situated below an uppermost pipe-retaining element 1 have at both end faces a transversal bore 11 15 that extends at the height of the horizontal central plane 12 of the pipe-retaining element 1, said bores serving to accommodate a transverse pin 13 that passes through the groove 9 at the end face when the pipe-retaining element 1 is the lowermost element in the unit of the device. When the pipe-retaining element 1 is the uppermost element within a unit of the device, then the two bore portions, 20 forming the transverse bore 11, can accommodate a threaded bolt in such a manner that it will fix a mount for the clamping means 10, as it will be further discussed in the following. In their central portion 16 between the recesses 2 on both sides the pipe-retaining 25 elements 1 are provided with a reinforcing insert 17, provided they are made, as it is preferred, from a polymer material, like PVC, PE, PU or the like. The reinforcing insert 17 is preferably made from metal, like steel and is embedded in the pipe-retaining element 1. 30 The reinforcing insert 17 is an I-beam, the central gusset 18 of which is arranged parallel and central to the base surfaces 4 of the recesses 2 along the central plane 12 and has passing-through openings to let material through during pouring. The reinforcing insert 17 extends essentially over the entire length of its pipe-retaining element 1, but is covered at the ends by the material of the pipe 35 retaining element 1. It occupies a dominant portion of the width and height of the central portion 16 of the pipe-retaining element 1, as this can be seen in Figs.6 to 8. In the case of all pipe-retaining elements 1 or those provided below the 5 uppermost pipe-retaining element 1 the central gusset 18 of the reinforcing insert 17 is removed in the region of the grooves 9 slightly past them until its end faces are covered by the material of the pipe-retaining element 1 in the region of the grooves 9. 10 When the pipe-retaining elements 1 are configured in accordance with Figs.1 to 8, in the case of a configuration that is to be used as uppermost pipe-retaining element 1 in a unit of the device, the central gusset 18 of the reinforcing insert extends into the grooves 9 at the end face and terminates only just in front of the end faces 6 of the pipe-retaining element 1, thus forming a mount on which the 15 clamping means 10 can rest. This region 18' of the central gusset 18, that protrudes into the grooves 9, has a passing-through bore and can be reinforced by a plate 19, that is allocated to the central gusset 18' on its underside and is joined with that, in particular by welding. It can, however, be allocated to the central gusset 18' on the upper side and at the same time constructed as a disc 20 that has its own passing-through hole corresponding to the passing-through hole of the central gusset 18', that in the operating position is aligned with it. As polymer material preferably such is used, which offers a certain flexibility, e.g. has a Shore D hardness of 43-48, so that after clamping the pipe-retaining 25 elements 1 the pipes 15 accommodated in the recesses 2 do not form a linear contact with the surfaces 3 or 3 and 4 of the recesses 2, but form a strip-shaped mounting region. Pipes 15, the diameters of which may differ within a considerable range, can be 30 securely accommodated in the recesses 2. In this conjunction it is understood, that in one layer of pipes only pipes of one and the same diameter can be supported. The range of diameters that can be serviced depends on the geometry of the trapezoid-shaped recesses, i.e. on the incline of the lateral surfaces 3 and the distance of the lateral surfaces 3 at the level of the base 35 surface 4. For pipes, the diameters of which are within the range of the intended range of diameters, the shape of the recesses 2 ensures, that the pipes abut at least against the lateral surfaces 3 or the lateral surfaces 3 and the base surface 4 of each recess 2. 5 Basically any means, that can apply an adequate clamping power, operates reliably on the long run and has a long service life, can be used as clamping means 10. It is important, that in all cases of application of the device, when the device is exposed to great differences of the ambient temperature, the clamping power, acting between the lowermost and uppermost pipe-retaining element 1, is 10 applied via a tension spring, so that the phenomena of shrinkage and expansion of the components of the device and/or of the pipes can be absorbed within the travel of the spring without falling short of a specifiable minimum tension or exceeding a specifiable maximum tension. 15 The clamping means 10 has preferably a clamping rod 20 with opposite running threads, preferably outside threads 21, 22, and comprises tensioning pieces 23, 24 that can be screwed together with the clamping rod 20, said tensioning pieces being able to be joined with a mount on the uppermost and lowermost pipe retaining element 1 of a unit of the device. In doing so the tension spring is 20 advantageously arranged between the top mount and the upper tensioning piece 24. In the case of the configuration according to Figs.1 to 8 the tension spring is formed as a packet of cup springs 25, but it can also be a coil spring 26, as 25 illustrated in Fig.9. Basically any suitable spring element can be used as a tension spring, but for reasons of cost as well as reliable operation and service life cup springs or coil springs are preferred. The upper tensioning piece 24, that in its lower region has a bore with an inside 30 thread, forms a clamping bolt that in the vicinity of its upper end has a bearing shoulder 27 to support the underside of the tension spring 25 or 26. The bearing shoulder 27 is preferably formed as a collar. The region above the bearing shoulder 27 is preferably constructed as a bolt head 28.

0 The upper tensioning piece 24 can have an inside thread up to the lower region as a component with a solid cross-section, but it can also have a tubular shape and correspondingly form a tubular body in the region above the inside thread. 5 The lower tensioning piece 23 is constructed as a hook and after screwing its inside thread on the outside thread 21 of the clamping rod 20 it is secured by a locknut 29 on the clamping rod 20. The lower tensioning piece 23 with its hook wraps around the transverse pin 13 in the lowermost pipe-retaining element 1, that forms the lower mount. 10 When, as is the case in the embodiment according to Fig.9, all pipe-retaining elements 1 have an identical construction, the top mount in the topmost pipe retaining element 1 of a unit of the device is preferably a clamping block 30 that in the operating position has a vertical passing-through bore 31. To support the 15 clamping block 30 in the groove 9 at the end face of the pipe-retaining element 1, said clamping block being able to be constructed as a cube or a parallelepiped possibly with slightly spherical lateral surfaces, threaded bolts are used in the transversal bores 11, which extend from opposite sides up to a transversal bore 32 in the clamping block 30. This transversal bore 32 in the clamping block 30 is 20 at right angle to the passing-through bore 31 in the clamping block 30 and intersects it. In the case of the embodiment according to Fig.9 the coil spring 26 rests on the clamping block 30, its other end abuts against the bearing shoulder 27 of the upper tensioning piece 24. 25 The tension spring can basically act also at another place, for example when the clamping rod is constructed as a telescopic rod and the tension spring acts between the parts of the rod to spread them apart. An arrangement between the lower tensioning piece 23 and the lower mount 13 is also conceivable. It may also be completely omitted when no temperature differences are expected. 30 A protective sleeve 33 may be placed over the upper tensioning piece 24, to protect, for example, the lifting cable or belt from getting damaged during the lifting operations in transport.

t The device according to the invention ensures a secure support of the pipes even under temperature conditions which reach, for example, in desert conditions 70*C and more during the day or between a location of preparing the bracing of the parts of the device with the pipes and a remote location of their use at low 5 temperatures. The clamping means 10 of the type described above is completely within the region of the grooves 9 of the pipe-retaining elements, so that there are no protrusions at all upwards or downwards nor laterally which would result in 10 damages.

Claims

1. A device for supporting pipes (15) during their storage and transport in a specified arrangement next to and above one another in spaced apart layers, 5 with pipe-retaining elements (1) that in the operating position are positioned vertically below and above each layer of pipe, said pipe-retaining elements having on the upper and underside a number of diametrically opposing situated and spaced apart recesses (2) to accommodate the pipes and can be clamped together to form a unit by clamping means (10) provided in vertical 10 grooves (9) passing through in both end faces of the pipe-retaining element (1), characterised in that the clamping means (10) clamp the pipe-retaining elements (1) together via a tension spring (25, 26) to form a unit.

2. A device according to claim 1, characterised in that the clamping means (10) 15 has a clamping rod (20) with opposite running threads (21, 22) at its end regions and two tensioning pieces (23, 24) that can be screwed together with the clamping rod, said tensioning pieces being able to be joined with the mounts (18', 30, 31) on the uppermost and lowermost pipe-retaining element (1), and the tension spring (25, 26) is arranged between the mount of the 20 uppermost pipe-retaining element (1) and the upper tensioning piece (24).

3. A device according to claim 1, characterised in that the clamping rod is constructed as a telescopic rod and the tension spring is provided between the parts of the rod and acts against their pulling apart. 25

4. A device according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the clamping rod (20) is provided at both ends with an outside thread (21, 22) onto which the tensioning pieces (23, 24) can be screwed, the upper tensioning piece (25) engages a passing-through bore in the mount (18', 30) of the uppermost pipe 30 retaining element (1) and rests on its upper side via the tension spring (25, 26) that is situated between the upper tensioning piece (24) and the upper side of the mount. 35

5. A device according to claim 3 or 4, characterised in that the upper tensioning piece (25) is formed by a clamping bolt with inside thread in the lower region and has a bearing shoulder (27) in the vicinity of its upper end to support the tension spring (25, 26). 5

6. A device according to claim 5, characterised in that the in the upper region the upper tensioning piece (24) has a collar (27) as upward-facing bearing shoulder and the region above the annular shoulder (27) is constructed as a bolt head (28). 10

7. A device according to claim 5 or 6, characterised in that up to the lower region of the inside thread the upper tensioning piece (24) is constructed as a component with a solid cross-section. 15

8. A device according to claim 5 or 6, characterised in that in the region above the inside thread the upper tensioning piece (24) has a tubular construction.

9. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that the lower tensioning piece (23) is constructed as a hook and after screwing it on the 20 clamping rod (20) it is secured on the clamping rod (20) by a locknut (29).

10. A device according to any one of claims 1, 2 or 4 to 9, characterised in that as tension spring a coil spring (26) is provided. 25

11. A device according to any one of claims 1, 2 or 4 to 9, characterised in that as tension spring a spring packet (25) comprising a plurality of cup springs is provided.

12. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that as mount 30 for the uppermost pipe-retaining element (1) a clamping block (30) is provided, that has a transverse bore at right angle to its passing-through bore (31), said transverse bore being provided at its external regions adjacent to the passing-through bore (30) with an inside thread to accommodate a threaded bolt supported in a pipe-retaining element (1). 35 I U

13. A device according to claim 12, characterised in that the clamping block (30) is constructed as a cube or a parallelepiped.

14. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that in its 5 central portion (16) between the trapezoid-shaped recesses (2) on both sides the pipe-retaining element (1) is provided with a reinforcing insert (17) constructed as an I-beam, the central gusset (18) of which is parallel to the base surfaces (4) of the recesses (2) and extends centrally between them. 10 15. A device according to claim 14, characterised in that to form a mount the central gusset (18) of the reinforcing insert (17) extends in an uppermost pipe-retaining element (1) up to its grooves (9) at its end faces, however, in the pipe-retaining elements (1) situated below it terminates before the grooves at the end faces.

15

16. A device according to claim 15, characterised in that the central gusset region (18') of the reinforcing insert (17) protruding as a mount into the grooves (9) of the uppermost pipe-retaining element (1) at the end faces is reinforced by a plate (19) that surrounds the passing-through bore in the mount. 20

17. A device according to claim 16, characterised in that the plate (19) is provided on the underside of the central gusset region (18') protruding into the grooves (9). 25

18. A device according to claim 16 or 17, characterised in that the plate (19) is firmly joined with the central gusset region (18') of the reinforcing insert (17), preferably by welding.

19. A device according to claim 16, characterised in that the plate (19) is provided 30 on the upper side of the central gusset region (18') of the reinforcing insert (17) and is constructed as a supporting disk.

20. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 19, characterised in that the upper end of the upper tensioning piece (24) is placed completely inside the 35 groove (9) at the end face of the pipe-retaining element (1).