AU2016273834A1

AU2016273834A1 - A sand box

Info

Publication number: AU2016273834A1
Application number: AU2016273834A
Authority: AU
Inventors: David John Aughton; Dion Stevenson
Original assignee: Rubicon Research Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Rubicon Research Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2015-12-11
Filing date: 2016-12-12
Publication date: 2017-06-29

Abstract

A sand box for laying a pipeline in a trench. The sand box includes spaced side walls and a front wall attached to the side walls. The front wall has a front opening for receiving the pipeline. The sand box also includes at least one support for spacing the pipeline from a base of the trench, an upper opening for receiving flowable material, and a rear wall attached to the side walls. The rear wall has a rear opening for discharge of the pipeline and the flowable material. 2998564v1 LA L ( L't t 2489770v1

Description

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TITLE

A SAND BOX

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates generally to a sand box. In particular, although not exclusively, the invention relates to a sand box for laying a pipeline in a trench.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

[0002] When laying pipeline underground a number of steps have to be performed. Typically a trench is excavated. Once the trench has been excavated, a bedding layer of material such as sand or soft soil is typically deposited on the floor of the trench. After the bedding layer has been deposited, the pipeline is typically laid on top of the bedding layer. Once the pipeline is in position, the haunch zone is typically backfilled to ensure that the pipeline is well supported from underneath. Once these steps have been completed, the trench is usually backfilled to bury the pipeline.

[0003] A problem with the known method of laying pipeline underground is that each step requires additional work. If steps are omitted, such as the bedding step and/or the haunch zone backfill step, the pipeline may not be properly supported and may be subjected to excess stresses which could result in failure of the pipeline.

[0004] The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that the prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in Australia or elsewhere.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0005] It is an object of some embodiments of the present invention to provide consumers with improvements and advantages over the above described prior art, and/or overcome and alleviate one or more of the above described disadvantages of the prior art, and/or provide a useful commercial choice. 2998564V1

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SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] In one form, although not necessarily the only or broadest form, the invention resides in a sand box for laying a pipeline in a trench, the sand box comprising: spaced side walls; a front wall attached to the side walls, the front wall having a front opening for receiving the pipeline; at least one support for spacing the pipeline from a base of the trench; an upper opening for receiving flowable material; and a rear wall attached to the side walls, the rear wall having a rear opening for discharge of the pipeline and the flowable material.

[0007] Preferably, the sand box comprises at least one attachment towards a front portion of the sand box. Preferably, the at least one attachment is adapted to be operatively connected to a machine such that the sand box can be dragged along the base of the trench. Preferably the at least one attachment is in the form of two attachment plates attached to the front wall. Preferably the machine is a trencher that excavates the trench. For example, the trencher may be a wheel trencher.

[0008] Preferably, the sand box comprises skids attached to a lower portion of the sand box such that the sand box can be dragged along the base of the trench. Preferably each skid is attached to a lower portion of a respective sidewall.

[0009] Preferably, the front opening is shaped to contour a top portion of the pipeline. Preferably the rear opening is shaped to contour a top portion of the pipeline. Preferably the rear opening is larger than the front opening. Preferably the flowable material is discharged from the rear opening such that it creates a bedding layer between the pipeline and the base of the trench. Preferably the flowable material is discharged from the rear opening such that it fills a haunch zone.

[0010] Preferably, the sand box comprises a pipeline cover adapted to direct the flowable material to either side of the pipeline. Preferably the pipeline cover is located within the sand box. Preferably the pipeline cover comprises at least one bearing surface adapted to facilitate the movement of the pipeline through the sand 2998564V1 ο (Ν Ο ω Q (Ν m 00 m (Ν Ό ο (Ν box. Preferably the at least one bearing surface provides a downward force on the pipeline. Preferably the at least one bearing surface is a plurality of bearing surfaces. Preferably the plurality of bearing surfaces are rollers. For example conveyor rollers.

[0011] Preferably, the flowable material is a material such as sand, soft soil and/or the like. A skilled addressee will understand that any suitable flowable material may be used provided that the flowable material is able to provide a suitable bedding layer between the pipeline and the base of the trench and/or is able to sufficiently fill the haunch zone.

[0012] Preferably, the at least one support is attached towards a lower portion of the sand box. Preferably the at least one support is two supports. Preferably each support of the two supports is operatively attached to a respective side wall. Preferably each support is rotatably attached to a respective side wall. Preferably each support can be rotated between an open position and a closed position. Preferably in the open position the supports do not support the pipeline. Preferably in the closed position the supports are adapted to support the pipeline and space the pipeline from the base of the trench.

[0013] Preferably, the sand box comprises lifting points such that the sand box can be lowered into and lifted up from the trench. Preferably the sand box can be lowered onto and lifted up from the pipeline.

[0014] Preferably, the sand box is made predominantly of steel. For example, the major components such as the side walls and the front and rear walls are made of steel plate.

[0015] Preferably, the pipeline is a flexible pipeline. Preferably the pipeline is made of continuous pipe. Preferably the pipeline is predominantly made of polyethylene material.

[0016] In another form the invention resides in a method of laying a pipeline in a trench, the method including the steps of: moving a sand box along a base of the trench; 2998564V1 Ό Ο (Ν Ο ω Q (Ν m 00 m (Ν Ό ο (Ν receiving a pipeline into a front opening of a front wall of the sand box; spacing the pipeline from the base of the trench; receiving flowable material into an upper opening of the sand box; and discharging the pipeline and the flowable material from a rear opening of a rear wall of the sand box.

[0017] Preferably, the method includes the step of excavating the trench with a trencher.

[0018] Preferably the step of moving a sand box along a base of the trench involves dragging the sand box along the base of the trench. Preferably, the step of dragging the sand box along the base of the trench involves using the trencher to drag the sand box.

[0019] Preferably, the method includes the step of directing the flowable material around the pipeline inside the sand box.

[0020] No particular limitation should be placed on the invention by the use of the words ‘sand box’, the sand box may also be referred to as a pipe laying device.

[0021] Further forms and/or aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] An embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a sand box according to an embodiment of the invention; FIG. 2 is a side view of the sand box of FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is a top view of the sand box of FIG. 1; FIG. 4 is a front view of the sand box of FIG. 1; FIG. 5 is a rear view of the sand box of FIG. 1; FIG. 6 is a section view of the sand box of FIG. 2 along section A-A; 2998564V1 Ό Ο (Ν Ο (υ Q (Ν m 00 m (Ν Ο (Ν FIG. 7 is a front isometric view of a sand box according to an embodiment of the invention in use in a trench; FIG. 8 is a rear isometric view of the sand box of FIG. 7; FIG. 9 is a sectioned isometric view of the sand box of FIG. 7; FIG. 10 is a rear view of the sand box of FIG. 7; FIG. 11 is a sectioned side view of the sand box of FIG. 10 along section A-A; FIG. 12 is a sectioned side view of the sand box of FIG. 10 along section B-B; and FIG. 13 is a sectioned front view of the sand box of FIG. 12 along section C-C;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0023] Elements of the invention are illustrated in concise outline form in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are necessary to understanding the embodiments of the present invention, but so as not to clutter the disclosure with excessive detail that will be obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art in light of the present description.

[0024] In this patent specification, adjectives such as first and second, left and right, front and back, top and bottom, etc., are used solely to define one element from another element without necessarily requiring a specific relative position or sequence that is described by the adjectives. Words such as “comprises” or “includes” are not used to define an exclusive set of elements or method steps. Rather, such words merely define a minimum set of elements or method steps included in a particular embodiment of the present invention. It will be appreciated that the invention may be implemented in a variety of ways, and that this description is given by way of example only.

[0025] With reference to FIGS. 1 to 6 there is shown a sand box 10 according to an embodiment of the invention. The sand box 10 has a pair of spaced side walls 12,14. A front wall 16 and a rear wall 18 are attached to the side walls 12,14. The front wall 16 has a front opening 20 which is adapted to receive a pipeline (not shown). The 2998564V1 Ό Ο (Ν Ο (υ Q (Ν m 00 m r- (Ν Ό Ο (Ν rear wall 18 has a rear opening 22 (best seen in figure 5). The rear opening 22 will be discussed in more detail below.

[0026] Skids 24 are provided on a lower portion of the sandbox 10. The skids 24 are attached to the sidewalls 12,14 respectively. The skids 24 enable the sand box 10 to be moved along a surface such as a base of a trench (not shown). At least one attachment in the form of two attachment plates 26 are attached to the front wall 16. The attachment plates 26 are adapted to be attached via a chain, cable or the like (not shown) to a machine such as a wheel trencher (not shown) such that the sand box 10 can be dragged along a surface.

[0027] As can best be seen in FIGS 3, 4 and 5, the sand box 10 has at least one support in the form of two supports 28,30. The supports 28,30 are attached to lower portions of respective side walls 12,14. The supports 28,30 are rotatably attached to the sidewalls 12,14 such that they are movable between an open position (not shown) and a closed position (as best seen in FIGS. 4 & 5). In the open position a pipeline (not shown) can move past the supports 28,30 and into the openings 20,22. In the closed position (as best seen in FIGS. 4 & 5) a pipeline (not shown) can be supported by the supports 28,30, and spaced from a surface on which the sand box 10 is located. The supports 28,30 are rotated via chains 32 (only one shown in FIG. 1), which are attached at one end to the supports 28,30 and at another end to levers 34,36 respectively illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0028] Frame elements 38,40,42 provide additional strength to the sand box 10. Lifting eyes 44 are attached to the side walls 12,14, the front wall 16 and the rear wall 18, such that the sand box 10 can be lowered into and lifted up from a trench (not shown) and can be lowered onto and lifted up from a pipeline (not shown).

[0029] The side walls 12,14, the front wall 16 and the rear wall 18 define an upper opening 46 into which flowable material (not shown) can be received.

[0030] A pipeline cover 48 is located in the sand box 10 between the front wall 16 and the rear wall 18. The pipeline cover 48 is adapted to direct the flowable material (not shown), which is received by the upper opening 46, to either side of a pipeline 2998564V1 ο (Ν Ο <D Ο (Ν m οο m ο (Ν Η Ο (Ν 7 (not shown). When a pipeline (not shown) is located in the sand box 10 the flowable material (not shown) is able to flow around the pipeline.

[0031] Turning to FIGS. 5 and 6, the pipeline cover 48 has at least one bearing surface in the form of rollers 50. The rollers 50 minimise the resistance between the sand box 10 and a pipeline (not shown) as the pipeline moves through the sand box 10. The rollers 50 provide a downward force to maintain a pipeline (not shown) in a vertical position relative to the sand box 10.

[0032] The rear opening 22 is adapted to discharge the pipeline (not shown) and the flowable material (not shown). The rear opening 22 has an upper portion 52 which is contoured to the shape of a pipeline (not shown) and a lower portion 54. The lower portion 54 is enlarged relative to the upper portion 52, such that flowable material (not shown) can be discharged below a pipeline (not shown) to provide a bedding layer of flowable material (not shown) between the pipeline (not shown) and a surface on which the sand box 10 is located, and such that flowable material (not shown) can be discharged beside the pipeline (not shown) to fill the haunch zone.

[0033] With reference to FIGS. 7 to 13, there is shown a sand box 10 in use in a trench 60. The sand box 10, as substantially described above in relation to FIGS. 1 to 6, is dragged along a base 62 of the trench 60 behind a trencher (not shown) by chains 64, attached at one end to the trencher (not shown) and at another end to the attachment plates 26, as the trencher (not shown) is excavating the trench 60.

[0034] A pipeline 66 is received into the front opening 20 of the sand box 10. The pipeline 66 is spaced from the base 62 of the trench 60 by supports (not shown). A person skilled in the art will appreciate that the pipeline 66 can comprise flexible and continuous pipe which is predominantly made of polyethylene material.

[0035] Flowable material 68 is received into the upper opening 46 of the sand box 10. As can best be seen in FIG. 13, the flowable material 68 is directed to either side and around the pipeline 66 by the pipeline cover 48. 2998564V1 ο (Ν Ο <υ Q (Ν

m 00 m r- (N Ό o (N 8 [0036] As the sand box 10 is dragged along the base 62 of the trench 60, the pipeline 66 and flowable material 68 is discharged from the rear opening 22. The discharged flowable material 68 creates a bedding and haunch support layer 70 as best seen in FIGS. 8 and 10.

[0037] A benefit of an embodiment of the present invention is that the creation of the bedding layer, the laying of the pipeline and the filling in of the haunch zone is achieved at the same time. An additional benefit is that the sand box can be dragged behind a trencher as the trencher is excavating a trench.

[0038] The above description of various embodiments of the present invention is provided for purposes of description to one of ordinary skill in the related art. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to a single disclosed embodiment. As mentioned above, numerous alternatives and variations to the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art of the above teaching. Accordingly, while some alternative embodiments have been discussed specifically, other embodiments will be apparent or relatively easily developed by those of ordinary skill in the art. Accordingly, this patent specification is intended to embrace all alternatives, modifications and variations of the present invention that have been discussed herein, and other embodiments that fall within the spirit and scope of the above described invention. For example, individual features from one embodiment may be combined with another embodiment. 2998564V1

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A sand box for laying a pipeline in a trench, the sand box comprising: spaced side walls; a front wall attached to the side walls, the front wall having a front opening for receiving the pipeline; at least one support for spacing the pipeline from a base of the trench; an upper opening for receiving flowable material; and a rear wall attached to the side walls, the rear wall having a rear opening for discharge of the pipeline and the flowable material.
2. A sand box as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a pipeline cover adapted to direct the flowable material to either side of the pipeline.
3. A sand box as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, further comprising at least one attachment towards a front portion of the sand box adapted to be operatively connected to a machine such that the sand box can be dragged along the base of the trench.
4. A sand box as claimed in claim 3, wherein the at least one attachment is in the form of two attachment plates attached to the front wall.
5. A sand box as claimed in claim 3 or claim 4, wherein the machine is a trencher that excavates the trench.
6. A sand box as claimed in any one of claims 1-5, further comprising skids attached to a lower portion of the sand box such that the sand box can be dragged along the base of the trench.
7. A sand box as claimed in any one of claims 1-6, wherein the front opening and the rear opening are shaped to contour a top portion of the pipeline.
8. A sand box as claimed in any one of claims 1-7, wherein the rear opening is larger than the front opening.
9. A sand box as claimed in any one of claims 1-8, wherein the flowable material is discharged from the rear opening.
10. A sand box as claimed in any one of claims 1 -9, further comprising a pipeline cover adapted to direct the flowable material to either side of the pipeline.
11. A sand box as claimed in claim 10, wherein the pipeline cover comprises at least one bearing surface adapted to facilitate movement of the pipeline through the sand box.
12. A sand box as claimed in claim 11, wherein the at least one bearing surface is a plurality of bearing surfaces.
13. A sand box as claimed in any one of claims 1-12, wherein the at least one support is two supports.
14. A sand box as claimed in claim 13, wherein each support is rotatably attached to a respective side wall.
15. A sand box as claim 14, wherein each support can be rotated between an open position and a closed position.
16. A sand box as claimed in any one of claims 1 -15, further comprising lifting points such that the sand box can be lowered into and lifted up from the trench.
17. A method of laying a pipeline in a trench, the method including the steps of: moving a sand box along a base of the trench; receiving a pipeline into a front opening of a front wall of the sand box; spacing the pipeline from the base of the trench; receiving flowable material into an upper opening of the sand box; and discharging the pipeline and the flowable material from a rear opening of a rear wall of the sand box.
18. A method as claimed in claim 17, further including the step of excavating the trench with a trencher.
19. A method as claimed in claim 17 or claim 18, wherein the step of moving the sand box along the base of the trench involves using the trencher to drag the sand box along the base of the trench.
20. A method as claimed in any one of claims 17-19, further including the step of directing the flowable material around the pipeline inside the sand box.