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US 11,578,821 B2Granted
Pipe support system, and method of use
AssigneeComalander Fabrication and Services, LLC
InventorChristopher R. Comalander
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A pipe support system. The pipe support system comprises a first wedge block and a second opposing wedge block. Each of the wedge blocks comprises a base having walls, and forming an angled top surface. The angled top surfaces face one another and support respective replaceable caps. The caps are configured to support a joint or section of pipe along an outer diameter of the pipe. Beneficially, the distance or spacing between the wedge blocks may be adjusted by an operator to accommodate sections of pipe having different diameters. A method for supporting a section of pipe is also provided.
Claims24
A pipe support system, comprising:
- a first wedge block and a second wedge block, wherein each of the first and second wedge blocks comprises:
- a base having an inside wall, an outside wall, and opposing end walls, wherein:
- the base has a polygonal profile,
- the outside wall is taller than the inside wall, and
- the opposing end walls serve as feet;
- a first through-opening through the inside wall proximate a first end of the base;
- a first through-opening through the outside wall proximate the first end of the base;
- a second through-opening through the inside wall proximate a second end of the base;
- a second through-opening through the outside wall proximate the second end of the base;
- wherein:
- the first through-openings through the inside wall and the outside wall of the first wedge block are aligned with the first through-openings through the inside wall and the outside wall of the second wedge block, forming first aligned through-openings;
- and
- the second through-openings through the inside wall and the outside wall of the first wedge block are aligned with the second through-openings through the inside wall and the outside wall of the second wedge block, forming second aligned through-openings;
- a first threaded bar extending through the first aligned through-openings;
- a second threaded bar extending through the second aligned through-openings;
- wherein the first and second threaded bars reside in a parallel and spaced-apart relationship, and with the pipe support system configured such that a rotation of each of the first and second threaded bars in a first direction will draw the first and second wedge blocks inwardly towards each other, while a rotation of each of the first and second threaded bars in a second direction opposite the first direction will cause the first and second wedge blocks to be moved outwardly away from each other;
- a first cap residing on the base of the first wedge block;
- and
- a second cap residing on the base of the second wedge block;
- and wherein:
- the first and second caps are angled inwardly towards one another and are configured to support a section of pipe;
- each of the first and second caps resides at an angle of between 20° and 40° relative to a surface on which the first and second wedge blocks sit;
- each of the first and second caps comprises channels dimensioned to gravitationally wick away water, forming corrugations to prevent water from building up along an outer diameter of the section of pipe;
- and
- each of the first and second caps is configured to engage a respective one of the first and second wedge blocks through a snap-fit connection, providing a removable bearing surface for the section of pipe.
22 more elements
A method of supporting a section of pipe, comprising:
- providing a pipe support system, the pipe support system comprising:
- a first wedge block and a second wedge block, each of the first and second wedge blocks including:
- an inside wall,
- an outside wall, with the outside wall being taller than the inside wall,
- a top surface extending from the outside wall to the inside wall, and
- a pair of through-openings;
- a first removable cap residing over the top surface of the first wedge block, and a second removable cap residing over the top surface of the second wedge block,
- and wherein:
- each of the first and second removable caps provides a bearing surface for the section of pipe,
- each of the first and second removable caps comprises channels dimensioned to gravitationally wick away water to prevent water from building up along an outer diameter of the section of pipe,
- the top surfaces of the first and second wedge blocks are angled inwardly towards each other,
- a first through-opening of the pair of through-openings of the first wedge block is aligned with a first through-opening of the pair of through-openings of the second wedge block, forming first aligned through-openings, and
- a second through-opening of the pair of through-openings of the first wedge block is aligned with a second through-opening of the pair of through-openings of the second wedge block, forming first and second aligned through-openings;
- a first threaded bar extending through the first aligned through-openings;
- and
- a second threaded bar extending through the second aligned through-openings;
- determining a spacing between the first wedge block and the second wedge block in order to support the section of pipe;
- rotating each of the first and second threaded bars in order to provide for the determined spacing, wherein a rotation of each of the first and second threaded bars in a first direction will draw the first and second wedge blocks inward towards each other, while a rotation of each of the first and second threaded bars in a second direction opposite the first direction will move the first and second wedge blocks outward away from each other;
- and
- placing the section of pipe onto the first and second removable caps, thereby supporting the section of pipe above a ground surface.
17 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.