Portable cofferdam system
AssigneeSubsurface, Inc.
InventorsGary H. Strom, Brandon G. Strom
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A portable cofferdam system for isolating a working area from water such as a culvert. The portable cofferdam system generally includes a first sidewall and a second sidewall each having an interior side, an exterior side, an upper edge, a lower edge and a rear edge. A middle wall is connected to the sidewalls opposite of the rear edges of the sidewalls forming a substantially U-shaped structure. An opening formed between the rear edges of the first sidewall and the second sidewall to allow for positioning about or near the inlet of an object or area to be kept dry such as the inlet of a culvert.
Claims41
A portable cofferdam, comprising:
- a first sidewall having an interior side, an exterior side, an upper edge, a lower edge and a rear edge, wherein the first sidewall is vertically orientated;
- a second sidewall having an interior side, an exterior side, an upper edge, a lower edge and a rear edge, wherein the second sidewall is vertically orientated and wherein the second sidewall is distally spaced from the first sidewall;
- a middle wall extending between the first sidewall and the second sidewall, the middle wall includes an interior side, an exterior side, an upper edge and a lower edge, wherein the middle wall is vertically orientated;
- and
- an opening formed between the rear edges of the first sidewall and the second sidewall;
- wherein the first sidewall, the second sidewall, and the middle wall are constructed of a sheet of metal that forms a monolithic structure;
- wherein the first sidewall and the second sidewall both taper outwardly from their rear edges to the middle wall.
A portable cofferdam, comprising:
- a first sidewall having an interior side, an exterior side, an upper edge, a lower edge and a rear edge, wherein the first sidewall is vertically orientated;
- a second sidewall having an interior side, an exterior side, an upper edge, a lower edge and a rear edge, wherein the second sidewall is vertically orientated and wherein the second sidewall is distally spaced from the first sidewall;
- a middle wall extending between the first sidewall and the second sidewall, the middle wall includes an interior side, an exterior side, an upper edge and a lower edge, wherein the middle wall is vertically orientated;
- and
- an opening formed between the rear edges of the first sidewall and the second sidewall;
- wherein the first sidewall, the second sidewall, and the middle wall are constructed of a sheet of metal that forms a monolithic structure;
- wherein the first sidewall is substantially parallel with respect to the second sidewall;
- wherein the middle wall is curved;
- wherein the first sidewall, the second sidewall and the middle wall form a substantially U-shaped structure.
A method of using a first portable cofferdam having a first sidewall that is vertically orientated having a rear edge, a second sidewall that is vertically orientated having a rear edge and parallel with respect to the first sidewall, an opening formed between the rear edges of the first sidewall and the second sidewall, and a middle wall that is vertically orientated extending between the first sidewall and the second sidewall, wherein the first sidewall, the second sidewall, and the middle wall are constructed of a sheet of metal that forms a monolithic structure, the method comprising the steps of:
- positioning the first portable cofferdam with the opening of the first portable cofferdam facing and near a first inlet of a first culvert;
- pressing downwardly upon the first portable cofferdam driving the first portable cofferdam into a ground surface to a desired depth to prevent external water from entering an interior of the first portable cofferdam;
- and
- removing water from the interior of the first portable cofferdam to provide a dry working area surrounding the first inlet of the culvert.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.