AU2022100054A4

AU2022100054A4 - A water standpipe assembly

Info

Publication number: AU2022100054A4
Application number: AU2022100054A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Ian Dale Martin
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2020-10-02
Filing date: 2022-04-07
Publication date: 2022-05-12
Anticipated expiration: 2028-10-02
Also published as: AU2020244576B2; AU2022100054B4; AU2020244576A1

Abstract

A water standpipe assembly including a frame, a pump assembly mounted on the frame, a standpipe midsection portion hingedly connected to the outlet assembly of the pump assembly and the frame and a standpipe top portion hingedly connected to the standpipe midsection portion. The pump assembly includes an inlet assembly for receiving water, an outlet assembly for delivering water and a pump connected therebetween. The standpipe midsection portion includes a first passage operable to directly connect to and receive water from the outlet assembly of the pump assembly, and the standpipe top portion includes a second passage operable to directly connect to and receive water from the first passage of the standpipe midsection portion. 2/11 337 332 330 10 334 e 317 -- 310 340 314 340 232 231 23023 120 'O 120 FIGURE 2

Description

2/11

337 332

330 10 334 e

317

-- 310

340 314 340 232

231

23023

120 'O

120

FIGURE 2

A WATER STANDPIPE ASSEMBLY TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The invention relates to a water standpipe assembly. In particular, the

invention relates, but is not limited, to trailer mounted water standpipe assembly.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Any references to methods, apparatus or documents of the prior art are not

to be taken as constituting any evidence or admission that they formed, or form, part

of the common general knowledge.

[0003] A standpipe is a water pipe tower that is designed to pump water into a

semi-trailer water truck in a time efficient manner. For example, a 30,000-litre water

truck can be filled in less than 10 minutes.

[0004] These standpipes are typically used in remote areas primarily for the repair

and construction of large civil projects such as road building.

[0005] A prominent issue with existing standpipes is the transport and erection on

site in remote areas. To safely erect a standard 5-meter-high, 6-inch diameter water

pipe a truck is required to first float the pump and pipe as well as a small crane to lift

and erect the pipe

[0006] In very remote areas this could require a full day in transport and, with

labour could costs, in the tens of thousands.

OBJECT

[0007] It is an aim of this invention to provide a water standpipe assembly which

overcomes or ameliorates one or more of the disadvantages or problems described

above, or which at least provides a useful commercial alternative.

[0008] Other preferred objects of the present invention will become apparent from

the following description.

SUMMARY

[0009] In one form, although it need not be the only or indeed the broadest form,

there is provided a water standpipe assembly comprising:

a frame;

a pump assembly mounted on the frame, the pump assembly comprising an

inlet assembly for receiving water, an outlet assembly for delivering water and a pump

connected therebetween;

a standpipe midsection portion hingedly connected to the outlet assembly of

the pump assembly and the frame, the standpipe midsection portion having a first

passage operable to directly connect to and receive water from the outlet assembly of

the pump assembly; and

a standpipe top portion hingedly connected to the standpipe midsection portion,

the standpipe top portion having a second passage operable to directly connect to and

receive water from the first passage of the standpipe midsection portion.

[0010] Preferably, the frame comprises wheels. Preferably, the frame comprises a

trailer configured to be attached to a vehicle for towing and transportation.

[0011] Preferably, the water standpipe assembly further comprises a raising arm.

Preferably, the raising arm is movably attached to the standpipe midsection portion.

Preferably, the raising arm is movable along a first axis. Preferably, the first axis

extends along a length of the raising arm. Preferably, the first axis is perpendicular to

a longitudinal axis of the standpipe midsection portion.

[0012] Preferably, the frame is adapted to support one or more pipes for

attachment to the inlet of the pump assembly.

[0013] Preferably, the standpipe midsection portion comprises a first end and a

second end. Preferably, the first passage of the standpipe midsection portion is an

open ended passage having a first opening defined by the first end of the standpipe

midsection portion and a second opening defined by the second end of the standpipe

midsection portion.

[0014] Preferably, the standpipe top portion comprises a first end and a second

end. Preferably, the first passage of the standpipe top portion is an open ended

passage having a first opening defined by the first end of the standpipe top portion

and a second opening defined by the second end of the standpipe top portion.

[0015] Preferably, the outlet of the pump assembly, the first passage of the

standpipe midsection portion and the second passage of the standpipe top portion are

directly connectable to form a continuous passage from the outlet of the pump

assembly to the second opening of the second passage of the standpipe top portion

to deliver water therefrom.

[0016] Preferably, the outlet assembly of the pump assembly comprises a

standpipe base portion. Preferably, the standpipe base portion comprises a first end

connected to the pump of the pump assembly and a second end hingedly connected

to the first end of the standpipe midsection portion. Preferably, the first end of the standpipe base portion defines a first opening and the second end of the standpipe base portion defines a second opening. Preferably, the standpipe base portion comprises a third passage extending between the first opening and the second opening.

[0017] Preferably, each end of the standpipe midsection portion comprises a

flange plate surrounding the respective opening of the first passage. Preferably, each

flange plate extends from the respective opening of the passage perpendicularly to

the longitudinal axis of the standpipe midsection portion.

[0018] Preferably, the second end of the standpipe base portion comprises a

flange plate surrounding the second opening of the third passage.

[0019] Preferably, the first end of the standpipe top portion comprises a flange

plate surrounding the first opening of the second passage.

[0020] Preferably, the flange plate surrounding the second opening of the third

passage of the standpipe base portion is operable to engage the flange plate

surrounding the first opening of the first passage of the standpipe midsection portion

to thereby connect the first passage and the third passage. Preferably, the flange plate

surrounding the second opening of the third passage of the standpipe base portion is

operable to be fastened to the flange plate surrounding the first opening of the first

passage of the standpipe midsection portion to thereby connect the first passage and

the third passage

[0021] Preferably, the flange plate surrounding the second opening of the first

passage of the standpipe midsection portion is operable to engage the flange plate

surrounding the first opening of the second passage of the standpipe top portion to

thereby connect the first passage and the second passage. Preferably, the flange plate

surrounding the second opening of the first passage of the standpipe midsection portion is operable to be fastened to the flange plate surrounding the first opening of the second passage of the standpipe top portion to thereby connect the first passage and the second passage.

[0022] In one form, although it need not be the only or indeed the broadest form,

there is provided a method for assembling water standpipe, the method comprising

the steps of:

providing a water standpipe assembly in a stowed configuration;

connecting the water standpipe assembly in the stowed configuration to a

winch;

activating the winch to thereby bring the water standpipe assembly from the

stowed configuration to a pumping configuration.

[0023] Further features and advantages of the present invention will become

apparent from the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] By way of example only, preferred embodiments of the invention will be

described more fully hereinafter with water standpipe water assembly in a stowed

configuration in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 2 illustrates the water standpipe assembly in an erect configuration;

[0026] Figure 3 illustrates a connection detail of the water standpipe assembly;

[0027] Figure 4 illustrates a rear view of the standpipe assembly;

[0028] Figure 5 illustrates a perspective view of the standpipe assembly;

[0029] Figure 6 illustrates the raising arm of the frame in a lowered or retracted

configuration;

[0030] Figure 7 illustrates the raising arm of the frame in an extended

configuration;

[0031] Figure 8 illustrates a rear view of the water standpipe assembly;

[0032] Figure 9 illustrates section A-A of Figure 8 showing the connection of the

standpipe base portion and the standpipe midsection portion;

[0033] Figure 10 illustrates section B-B of Figure 8 showing the hinged connection

of the standpipe midsection portion to the frame;

[0034] Figure 11 illustrates another water standpipe assembly in accordance with

a second embodiment of the present invention in a stowed configuration; and

[0035] Figure 12 illustrates the water standpipe assembly of Figure 11 in an erect

and operable configuration pumping water from a water source to a truck.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0036] Referring firstly to Figures 1-10, there is shown a water standpipe assembly

(WSA) 10 according to an embodiment of the invention. The WSA 10 can be seen in

a transportable state in a stowed configuration or collapsed configuration. A second

embodiment of a water standpipe assembly 20 in a stowed configuration is shown in

Figure 11. WSA 20 is substantially similar to WSA 10 having the same features.

[0037] The WSA 10 is operable to be converted from the stowed configuration to

a pumping configuration or erect configuration shown in Figure 2 by the use of an

electric winch attached to a vehicle (not shown). For clarity, the pump assembly 200 is omitted from Figure 2. WSA 20 is also shown in an erected configuration in Figure and is shown delivering water from a water source (not shown) into a water storage unit of a truck T so that the water can be transported.

[0038] The WSA 10 is comprised of a support frame in the form of a portable trailer

100 having wheels 102 for supporting a pump assembly 200 and a pipe assembly 300

thereon. The portable trailer 100 also includes an attachment mechanism, such as a

trailer hitch ball coupler 104, to allow the trailer 100 to be attached to a vehicle for

portability and transportation from one location to another.

[0039] While not essential, the portable trailer 100 in the illustrated embodiment is

also adapted to support a plurality of pipes 106 thereon for attachment to an inlet

assembly 210 of the pump assembly 200 for the collection of water from a water

source. The pipes 106 are secured to the portable trailer 100 by way of a platform 108

located over the wheels 102 of the portable trailer 100 and four upright members 110

in the corner of each platform 108 to ensure the pipes 106 cannot roll off the platform.

[0040] The pump assembly 200 includes an inlet assembly 210 for receiving water

from a water source, an outlet assembly 220 for delivering water to the standpipe and

a pump 225 connected therebetween.

[0041] The pipe assembly 300 includes a standpipe midsection portion 310 and a

standpipe top portion 330.

[0042] The standpipe midsection portion 310 is hingedly (preferably by a hinge

mechanism 318) connected to the outlet assembly 220 of the pump assembly 200.

Extending from a first end 311 to a second end 312 through the standpipe midsection

portion 310 is a first open-ended passage 313 which is operable to directly connect to

and receive water from a third passage of the outlet assembly 220 of the pump

assembly 200.

[0043] Each end of the standpipe midsection portion 310 includes a flange plate

314, 315 surrounding the respective ends 311, 312 of the first passage 313 and

extending from the respective opening of the passage 313 perpendicularly to the

longitudinal axis 316 of the standpipe midsection portion 310.

[0044] Located along an edge of the standpipe midsection portion 310 is a

midsection support member 317. The midsection support member 317 is connected

to the first and second ends 311, 312 of the standpipe midsection portion 310. At the

first end 311, the midsection support member 317 is spaced away from the standpipe

midsection portion 310 by a first distance D1.

[0045] At the second end 312, the midsection support member 317 is spaced

away from the standpipe midsection portion 310 by a second distance D2 which is

less than the first distance D1 creating an irregular quadrilateral shape defined by the

midsection support member 317 and the standpipe midsection portion 310.

[0046] Similarly, located along an edge of the standpipe top portion 330 is a top

support member 337. The top support member 337 is connected at a plurality of points

along the length of the standpipe top portion 330 and, in the operable configuration,

fasteningly connects at an end of the midsection support member 317 (see Figure 3)

to provide improved rigidity and stability of the standpipe assembly.

[0047] The midsection support member 317 is rotatably attached to the trailer 100

by a hinged bolt arrangement 318 which allows the midsection support member 317

and the attached standpipe midsection 310 to pivot about the longitudinal axis of the

hinged bolt arrangement 318.

[0048] As can be seen in the Figures, the WSA 10 further comprises a raising arm

340 which is movably attached to the standpipe midsection portion 310. In use, the

raising arm 340 is movable along a first axis 341 extending along a length of the raising arm 340 perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 316 of the standpipe midsection portion

310.

[0049] The standpipe top portion 330 is hingedly connected to the standpipe

midsection portion 310 and includes a second open-ended passage 333 extending

through the standpipe top portion 330 from a first opening at a first end 331 to a second

opening at a second end 332.

[0050] The standpipe top portion 330 is operable, by way of moving the standpipe

top portion 330 from disconnected position to a connected position, to directly connect

to and receive water from the first passage 313 of the standpipe midsection portion

310.

[0051] The first end 331 of the standpipe top portion 330 comprises a flange plate

334 surrounding the first opening 331 of the second passage 333 which engages and

seals against the flange plate 315 of the standpipe midsection portion 310 when

erected and in use.

[0052] The flange plate 315 surrounding the second end 312 of the first passage

313 of the standpipe midsection portion 310 is operable to engage the flange plate

334 surrounding the first end 331 of the second passage 333 of the standpipe top

portion 330 to thereby connect the first passage 313 and the second passage 333.

[0053] Returning to the pump assembly 200, the outlet assembly 220 comprises a

standpipe base portion 230 that is connectable to the standpipe midsection portion

310.

[0054] The standpipe base portion 230 includes a third open-ended passage 233

extending between a first end 231 connected to the pump 225 of the pump assembly

200 and an opening at a second end 232 hingedly connected to the first end 331 of

the standpipe midsection portion 310.

[0055] The second end 232 of the standpipe base portion 230 includes a flange

plate 234 surrounding the second end 232 of the third passage 233.

[0056] The flange plate 234 surrounding the second end 232 of the third passage

233 of the standpipe base portion 230 is operable to engage the flange plate 314 at

the first end 311 of the first passage 313 of the standpipe midsection portion 310 to

thereby connect the first passage 313 and the third passage 233.

[0057] Effectively, in use, the third passage 233 of the standpipe base portion 230,

the first passage 313 of the standpipe midsection portion 310 and the second passage

333 of the standpipe top portion 330 are directly connectable to form a continuous

passage from the outlet assembly 220 of the pump assembly 200 to the second end

332 of the second passage 333 of the standpipe top portion 330 to deliver water

therefrom.

[0058] In order to erect the WSA 10 from the stowed configuration, the standpipe

top portion 330 is moved about the axis of the hinge connecting the standpipe top

portion 330 to the standpipe midsection portion 310 to engage the flange plate 315 at

the second end 313 of the standpipe midsection portion 310 with the flange plate 334

at the first end 312 of the standpipe top portion 330. The two flange plates 315, 334

are then secured together by fasteners.

[0059] Subsequently, the raising arm 340 is extended from the trailer 100 (see

Figure 7), substantially perpendicular to the standpipe midsection portion 310.

[0060] The extended raising arm 340 receives a part of a winch rope 350 which is

connected at one end to a winch (not shown) and at the other end to the standpipe

midsection portion 310. The raising arm 310 is then actuated and rotated, acting as a

lever by which the standpipe midsection portion 310 can be raised from a lying down

position to an upright position. This engages the flange plate 314 of the first end 312 of the standpipe midsection portion 310 with the flange plate 234 of the second end

232 of the standpipe base portion 230 of the outlet assembly 220. The two flange

plates 234, 314 are then secured together by fasteners.

[0061] Stay wires 114 can also be attached to tie-down portions of the trailer 100

and the standpipe assembly to ensure rigidity and safety of the structure.

[0062] When the standpipe has completed its task, the WSA 10 can be returned

to its stowed configuration as shown in Figure 1 by disconnecting the standpipe

midsection portion 310 from the standpipe base portion 230 and lowering the

standpipe midsection portion 310 to its horizontal resting position. The standpipe

midsection portion 310 and standpipe top portion 330 can then also be disconnected

and the WSA 10 can be transported to a new location for use or re-erected at a later

time for further pumping.

[0063] Referring back to Figure 1, it can be seen that the trailer 100 further includes

four rotatable, telescopic legs 120. In use, once the standpipe has been erected, the

legs 120 are rotated and extended to raise the trailer 100 and the pump assembly 200

and standpipe assembly 200 mounted thereon. The legs 120 can be seen in the

rotated and extended configuration in Figures 2 and 12.

[0064] The Inventor envisions that the trailer can be used in conjunction with an

electric winch attached to a utility to significantly reduce the time and complexity

involved in setting up a water standpipe.

[0065] The components (in particular, the frame and the standpipe) of the

embodiments of the water standpipe assembly described herein are preferably made

from metal.

[0066] Using embodiments of the present invention, a water standpipe can be set

up by a single person without the need for the use of a crane to lift it into place. As mentioned above, traditionally the standpipe must be lifted with a separate crane that needs to be trucked to the work site. Therefore, embodiments of the invention provide significant savings in both time and costs.

[0067] In this specification, adjectives such as first and second, left and right, top

and bottom, and the like may be used solely to distinguish one element or action from

another element or action without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such

relationship or order. Where the context permits, reference to an integer or a

component or step (or the like) is not to be interpreted as being limited to only one of

that integer, component, or step, but rather could be one or more of that integer,

component, or step, etc.

[0068] The above detailed 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. The invention 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.

[0069] In this specification, the terms 'comprises', 'comprising', 'includes',

'including', or similar terms are intended to mean a non-exclusive inclusion, such that

a method, system or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include

those elements solely, but may well include other elements not listed.

[0070] Throughout the specification and claims (if present), unless the context

requires otherwise, the term "substantially" or "about" will be understood to not be

limited to the specific value or range qualified by the terms.

Claims

1. A water standpipe assembly comprising:

a frame;

a pump assembly mounted on the frame, the pump assembly comprising an

connected therebetween;

a standpipe midsection portion hingedly connected to the outlet assembly of

the pump assembly; and

a standpipe top portion hingedly connected to the standpipe midsection portion,

receive water from the first passage of the standpipe midsection portion.

2. The water standpipe assembly of claim 1, wherein the frame comprises wheels.

3. The water standpipe assembly of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the frame

comprises a trailer configured to be attached to a vehicle for towing and

transportation.

4. The water standpipe assembly of any one of claims 1-3 further comprising a

raising arm, wherein the raising arm is movably attached to the standpipe

midsection portion.

5. The water standpipe assembly of claim 4, wherein the raising arm is movable

along a first axis extending along a length of the raising arm and the first axis

is perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the standpipe midsection portion.

6. The water standpipe assembly of any one of claims 1-5, wherein the frame is

adapted to support one or more pipes for attachment to the inlet of the pump

assembly.

7. The water standpipe assembly of any one of claims 1-6, wherein the standpipe

midsection portion comprises a first end and a second end, and the first

passage of the standpipe midsection portion is an open ended passage having

a first opening defined by the first end of the standpipe midsection portion and

a second opening defined by the second end of the standpipe midsection

portion.

8. The water standpipe assembly of claim 7, wherein the standpipe top portion

comprises a first end and a second end, and the first passage of the standpipe

top portion is an open ended passage having a first opening defined by the first

end of the standpipe top portion and a second opening defined by the second

end of the standpipe top portion.

9. The water standpipe assembly of claim 8, wherein the outlet of the pump

assembly, the first passage of the standpipe midsection portion and the second

passage of the standpipe top portion are directly connectable to form a

continuous passage from the outlet of the pump assembly to the second

opening of the second passage of the standpipe top portion to deliver water

therefrom.

10.The water standpipe assembly of claim 9, wherein the outlet assembly of the

pump assembly comprises a standpipe base portion comprising a first end

connected to the pump of the pump assembly and a second end hingedly

connected to the first end of the standpipe midsection portion.

11.The water standpipe assembly of claim 10, wherein the first end of the

standpipe base portion defines a first opening and the second end of the

standpipe base portion defines a second opening, and the standpipe base

portion comprises a third passage extending between the first opening and the

second opening.

12.The water standpipe assembly of claim 11, wherein each end of the standpipe

midsection portion comprises a flange plate surrounding the respective opening

of the first passage.

13.The water standpipe assembly of claim 12, wherein each flange plate extends

from the respective opening of the passage perpendicularly to the longitudinal

axis of the standpipe midsection portion.

14.The water standpipe assembly of claim 13, wherein the second end of the

standpipe base portion comprises a flange plate surrounding the second

opening of the third passage.

15.The water standpipe assembly of claim 14, wherein, the first end of the

standpipe top portion comprises a flange plate surrounding the first opening of

the second passage.

16.The water standpipe assembly of claim 15, wherein the flange plate

surrounding the second opening of the third passage of the standpipe base

portion is operable to engage the flange plate surrounding the first opening of

the first passage of the standpipe midsection portion to thereby connect the first

passage and the third passage.

17.The water standpipe assembly of claim 16, wherein the flange plate

surrounding the second opening of the third passage of the standpipe base

portion is operable to be fastened to the flange plate surrounding the first opening of the first passage of the standpipe midsection portion to thereby connect the first passage and the third passage

18.The water standpipe assembly of claim 17, wherein the flange plate

surrounding the second opening of the first passage of the standpipe

midsection portion is operable to engage the flange plate surrounding the first

opening of the second passage of the standpipe top portion to thereby connect

the first passage and the second passage.

19.The water standpipe assembly of claim 18, wherein the flange plate

surrounding the second opening of the first passage of the standpipe

midsection portion is operable to be fastened to the flange plate surrounding

the first opening of the second passage of the standpipe top portion to thereby

connect the first passage and the second passage.

20.A method for assembling water standpipe, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a water standpipe assembly in a stowed configuration;

connecting the water standpipe assembly in the stowed configuration to

a winch;

activating the winch to thereby bring the water standpipe assembly from

the stowed configuration to a pumping configuration.

21.The method of claim 20, further comprising the step of providing the water

standpipe assembly of any one of claims 1-19.