AU719582B2

AU719582B2 - Access chamber base assembly

Info

Publication number: AU719582B2
Application number: AU20111/95A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Vincent James Bray; Neville Wildes
Original assignee: TILTIME Pty Ltd
Current assignee: TILTIME Pty Ltd
Priority date: 1994-05-18
Filing date: 1995-05-18
Publication date: 2000-05-11
Anticipated expiration: 2015-05-18
Also published as: AU2011195A

Description

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990

ORIGINAL

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Title of Invention: ACCESS CHAMBER BASE ASSEMBLY Name of Applicant: TILTIME PTY. LIMITED and VINCENT JAMES BRAY The following description is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me:- -1- SJS C:\WINWORD\STACEY\DJH\TILTIME.DOC 2 ACCESS CHAMBER BASE ASSEMBLY The present invention relates generally to the construction of access chambers and more particularly to an assembly for use in the construction of the base of the chamber. The invention has particular application for use in the construction of access chambers for accessing sewerage or storm drains, and is herein described in this context. However, it should be appreciated that the invention has broader application and is not limited to this particular use.

To provide entry to sewerage or storm drains, access chambers are often located over junctures in the drains. Typically, the drains at the juncture are in fluid communication with an access chamber with the discharge flow from the drains S being arranged to flow across the access chamber base. To channel the flow across the base, trough-like channels referred to as "inverts" are recessed into the base and benches, which slope into the inverts, are formed in the base to assist the channeling of the flow.

:00." 15 In the past, the inverts and benches have often been formed on site.

Usually concrete is cast into the base of the access chamber and the inverts and benches are hand-formed. However, as this process is done by hand and as access to the base is often difficult, this operation is time consuming and forms a significant component of the overall costs in installing the access chamber.

S 20 An aim of the present invention is to provide a simplified system of constructing the access chamber base.

o In a first aspect, the invention relates to an assembly for use in the construction of an access chamber base, the assembly including a body portion and channel means, the body portion forming a mould for casting of the access l• 25 chamber base and includes a circumferential wall defining a chamber, the channel means being located within the interior of the chamber and interconnecting portions of the wall, the channel means including at least one channel which extends between said portions of the wall and which, on casting of the access chamber base, forms an invert of said base and wherein apertures are formed in the circumferential wall enabling the or each channel of the channel means to be PA2011-1 .DOC:9/21/99 connected in fluid communication with fluid passage means located outside the assembly.

With this arrangement, the access chamber base may be simply formed by installing the base assembly on site and casting concrete into the chamber and around the channel means. The channel means is made according to the requirement of this job with a specific configuration of channels chosen to suit the configuration of drains to which the channels are to be connected.

Preferably the assembly further includes a base merging with the circumferential wall. An advantage of this arrangement is that on casting of the access chamber base, the weight of the concrete in the chamber anchors the body S portion. As the channel means is secured to, or integrally formed with, the body portion, this in turn ensures that the channel means remains in place.

Preferably, small apertures are located in the body portion through which a *small quantity of concrete is arranged to flow on casting of the base. This 15 concrete flow is arranged to assist in keying the assembly into the excavated site.

0oco The rigidity of the channel means is an important consideration as the element may warp by the buoyancy forces induces on casting of the concrete. In the present invention, the rigidity of the channel means is increased on securing it to the circumferential wall of the body portion. However, if required, the rigidity 20 may be further enhanced by providing reinforcing elements such as ribs, struts, or fins, to extend from the body portion to the preformed element. These reinforcing elements may be connected to or integrally formed with the channel means and the body portion.

S.i :Preferably the circumferential wall includes a first end which is open and a 25 second end which merges with the body portion base. Preferably the channel means is secured intermediate these first and second ends and apertures are formed in the circumferential wall to enable the channels within the channel means to be in fluid communication with the drains.

By securing the channel means intermediate the first and second ends, the body portion also provides a mould which enables the benches to be formed.

PA2011-1.DOC:9j2199 Typically concrete is cast to the lip of the first end of the wall and is formed to slope to the edge of the channels. Preferably the channels of the channel means are arranged to be covered adjacent the wall of the body portion such that a concrete layer may be formed over the channel means adjacent the wall. In this way the height of the cast concrete at the wall of the body portion is substantially constant and this provides a level support surface for the circumferential wall of the access chamber to be located and supported.

The assembly may be made from any suitable material or formed from a combination of materials with the channel means being either formed integrally with the body portion or formed separately. In a particularly preferred i arrangement, the whole assembly is formed from a plastic material and is formed from any suitable process such as a pressed, extruded or blow-moulded operation 0 or any combination of these processes. This arrangement is beneficial as it enables assembly to be easily manufactured and lightweight.

o: :15 Preferably the assembly further indicates coupling elements to couple the or each channel to the respective drain pipes. In a preferred arrangement, these coupling elements are flexible and are able to be displaced laterally to facilitate connecting of the drain pipes to the assembly.

Preferably removable covers are secured over the channels in the channel So 20 means to prevent the ingress of material into the channels during transportation, 0 0 installation and on casting of the base. The removable covers may be secured to S the channel means in any suitable form such as through an adhesive plastic film or through a zippered arrangement or the like.

Usually the assembly is installed on laying of the sewerage or storm drains, 25 though if required the assembly may be installed later. Typically, the drain pipes are first laid and are cut to size to accommodate the assembly. The drain pipes are coupled to the coupling elements and the concrete is then cast into the body portion chamber to form the access chamber base.

On curing of the concrete, the circumferential wall of the access chamber may be installed using any suitable technique. Typically a precast concrete PA2011 1 .DOC:9/21/99 cylinder may be installed on the support surface formed at the perimeter of the access chamber base or a concrete block maybe erected. In a further alternative, the access chamber wall may be formed as an extension of the body portion and may be formed of any suitable material such as plastic or the like. Furthermore, this extension may be integrally formed with the body portion or may be arranged to be connected after formation of the base.

In a further aspect, the present invention relates to a method of constructing an access chamber base in fluid communication with a drain, including the steps of: providing an access chamber base assembly as described above, .i coupling the channel means to the drain such that the or each channel within the channel means is in fluid communication with the drain, and casting concrete into the chamber within the assembly to form the Sbase of the access chamber, the concrete being cast around the channel means 15 such that the or each channel of the channel means is recessed in the formed S• base.

It will be convenient to hereafter describe the invention in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The particularity of those drawings and the associated description is not to be understood as superseding the generality of S: 20 the preceding broad description of the inventive concept.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a perspective view of an assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a sectional view along section line II-I of the assembly of Figure 25 1; Figure 3 is a side view of the assembly of Figure 1 in an onsite position; Figure 4 is a plan view of the arrangement illustrated in Figure 3; Figure 5 is a sectional view along section line V-V of the arrangement illustrated in Figure 4 after casting of the access chamber base; and Figure 6 is a side view of a constructed access chamber incorporating a PA2011i-1.00C:9/2199 base formed from the assembly of Figure 1.

Figures 1 and 2 illustrate an assembly 10 for use in constructing an access chamber base.

The assembly 10 includes a body portion 11 having a base 12 and a circumferential side wall 13 having an open first end 14 and a second end which merges with the base 12. A chamber 16 is defined within the body portion 11.

A channel arrangement 17 which is the illustrated arrangement is formed from plastic extends across the chamber 16 and is secured to the side wall 13 intermediate the first and second ends 14, 15. Typically the channel arrangement is located approximately 50 millimetres from the first end 14 of the side wall 13 and approximately 100 millimetres from the base 11, though it is to be appreciated that these dimensions may vary on the specific requirements of the access chamber base.

o 15 Apertures 18 are formed in the side wall 13 and the channel arrangement 17 is arranged to extend between these apertures. The channel arrangement 17 includes channels 19 adapted to the connected in fluid communication with a drain (Figure 3) through the apertures 18. Reinforcing elements 28 extend between the arrangement 17 and the body portion 11 to add rigidity to the arrangement 17.

o 20 In the illustrated arrangement, the body portion, channel arrangement and reinforcing elements are integrally formed together, though it should be appreciated that these elements may be formed separately and secured together in other ways, such as being bolted or adhered to each other.

S. The configuration of the assembly 10 and in particular the channel o 25 arrangement 17, depends on the requirements of the drain too which the assembly is to be connected. In the illustrated arrangement, the invert channel 19 includes a straight section and a branch section. However it is to be appreciated that the number of apertures as well as the configuration of the channels may of course vary.

The channels 19 are substantially U-shaped having a curved base 20 and PA2011-1 .DOC9/21/99 a straight wall section 21. The size of the channels is usually chosen to be substantially identical to the size of the drain with which they are to be connected and typically varies between 150 and 400 millimetres, though it is to be appreciated that the assembly 10 may be used with any size of drain pipe.

Extensions 22 are located over the channels, adjacent the walls 13 and removable covers 27 are secured over the channels to prevent the ingress of material into the channels during transportation, installation and on casting of the base.

Flexible coupling sleeves 23 extend outwardly from the body portion 11 and are adapted to connect the channel arrangement 17 to the drain pipes. The flexible sleeves 23 are able to move laterally to facilitate connection of the drain i to the channels 19 in case of misalignment of the drain, with the assembly Small drain apertures 24 are located in the side wall 13 adjacent the base 11.

Figures 3 to 6 illustrate the operation of the assembly 10 in construction of an access chamber 30 having a base 31 and circumferential wall 32 and being in :g 15 fluid communication with a drain 40 having drain pipes 41, 42 and 43.

As illustrated in Figure 3, a site 44 for the chamber 30 is excavated and the drain pipes 41, 42, 43 of the drain 40 are cut to accommodate the chamber. The assembly 10 which has been preformed to match the drain configuration, is installed in the excavated site 31 and the pipes 41, 42, 43 are coupled to the 20 assembly 10 through the flexible sleeves 23, thus enabling the invert channels 19 0 to be in fluid communication with the pipes. To compensate for misalignment of S the drains, the coupling sleeves may move laterally to enable correct coupling.

This arrangement is illustrated in Figure 4.

Once the assembly 10 is coupled to the pipes, concrete is cast into the o• 25 assembly chamber 16 as illustrated in Figure 5. The concrete is arranged to extend from the lip 25 of the first end 14 of the body portion and is formed to slope down to the edge of the channel arrangement 17 to thereby recess the invert channels 19. As the lip 25 is located above the arrangement 17, benches 33 are formed on the base surface which slope into channel 19. Concrete is also cast over the extensions 22 and in the way a seat 26 is formed which extends around PA2011-I.DCg21/g99 8 the entire perimeter of the body portion 11.

The weight of the concrete being cast into the chamber 16 prevents movement of the assembly 10 thereby ensuring that the assembly 10 remains connected to the drain pipes 41, 42, 43. Furthermore concrete is caused to leak from the drain apertures 24 to key the base assembly into the excavated site 44.

Once casting has been completed, the covers 27 are removed and the base 31 is left to cure.

As illustrated in Figure 6, after construction of the base 31, the walls 32 of the access chamber 30 are installed. In the illustrated arrangement this is achieved by securing a precast concrete cylinder 34 on the seat 26 formed on the i base 31.

i An advantage of this method of construction is that the formation of the access chamber 30, and in particular the base 31, is simplified over the prior art 0 technique through use of the assembly @0co 15 Finally, it is to be understood that various alterations, modifications and/or additions may be introduced into the construction and arrangement of parts previously described without departing from the spirit or ambit of the invention.

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Claims

1. An assembly for use in the construction of an access chamber base, the assembly including a body portion and channel means, the body portion forming a mould for casting of the access chamber base and includes a circumferential wall defining a chamber, the channel means being located within the interior of the chamber and interconnecting portions of the wall, the channel means including at least one channel which extends between said portions of the wall and which, on casting of the access chamber base, forms an invert of said base and wherein apertures are formed in the circumferential wall enabling the or each channel of the channel means to be connected in fluid communication with fluid passage i means located outside the assembly.

2. An assembly as claimed in claim 1, further including coupling means located on the outer side of the wall of the body portion, the coupling means being *0@@s0 in communication with the said apertures in the wall and being adapted to o 15 interconnect the or each channel with the fluid passage means.

3. An assembly according to claim 2, wherein the coupling means is formed from flexible sleeves capable of lateral displacement.

4. An assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the body portion 'further includes a base merging with the circumferential wall. 20

5. An assembly according to claim 4, wherein the circumferential wall extends from an upper edge to the base and wherein the channel means merges with the *oiSO S circumferential wall intermediate the upper end and the base.

6. An assembly according to either claim 4 or claim 5, further including at least one reinforcing element extending from the channel means to the base. 25

7. An assembly according to any preceding claim, further including removable covers secured over the or each channel in the channel means.

8. An assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the body portion includes drain apertures through which cementacious material is adapted to flow on casting of the access chamber base.

9. An assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the body portions PA2o011-1.oOC:9/21/99 and the channel means are integrally formed together.

An assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the body portion and the channel means are formed separately and secured together.

11. An assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the body portion and channel means are formed from a plastics material.

12. A method of constructing an access chamber base in communication with a drain, including the steps of: providing an assembly according to any preceding claim; coupling the assembly to the drain such that the channel within the preformed element are in fluid communication with the drain; and ego*:casting concrete into the chamber of the assembly to form the base of the access chamber, the concrete being cast around the channel means such that the or each channel of the channel means is recessed in the formed base. S13. An assembly for an access chamber base substantially as herein described S 15 with reference to the accompanying drawings. S14. A method of constructing an access chamber base substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 0 DATED: 22 September 1999 0 S"PHILLIPS ORMONDE FITZPATRICK Attorneys for TILTIME PTY LIMITED and VINCENT JAMES BRAY ee S S PA2011-1.DOC:9i1199