US 5,711,536 A · Seal component for use in on-site poured concrete or plastic tank or box components of fluid distribution systems

Abstract

An improved multi-function seal component for use in the walls of poured concrete or plastic tank or box components of fluid distribution systems is disclosed. The seal component includes a cylindrical wall member, an angled frustro-conical wiper blade which is connected to a front end of the cylindrical wall member, and a backplate component which is connected to the back end of the cylindrical wall member. The backplate component may be integrally molded with the cylindrical wall member or may be formed as a separate component which attaches to the cylindrical wall member during assembly. When the backplate is molded as a separate component, it includes a U-shaped groove for attaching to the cylindrical wall member and includes a locking mechanism for releasably securing the backplate to the cylindrical wall member. The backplate also includes a sealing membrane which may include a plurality of removable portions each including an annular score line and one of more of the removable portions may further include a pull tab. The removable portions may be selectively removed to accommodate the insertion of different size pipes through the sealing membrane. When used in a poured concrete tank or box, a leveling device may be disposed in one of the openings formed by removing a portion of the sealing membrane for adjusting fluid flow out of the tank or box. When used in a plastic distribution or drop box, the backplate itself can have one of the openings removed so that the backplate itself can be used as a leveling device. The remaining portion of the sealing membrane deforms slightly inwardly around the leveling device, or outwardly around a pipe, to form, in effect, a secondary wiper blade to seal the connection to the backplate.

Claims42

Dependent claims

A seal component for use in poured concrete or plastic tank or box components of a fluid distribution system, said seal component comprising:

a cylindrical wall member having inner and outer surfaces and front and back ends;
a radially-extending anchor flange disposed on said outer surface of said cylindrical wall member;
an angled wiper blade having a first end connected to said front end of said cylindrical wall member and having a second free end, said second free end of said wiper blade having a smaller diameter than a diameter of said first end;
a generally circular backplate which extends across and seals the back end of said cylindrical wall member;
and
connecting means for removably connecting said backplate to the back end of said cylindrical wall member, wherein said connecting means comprises a generally U-shaped annular groove disposed on said backplate and being defined by an inner first cylindrical portion, an outer second cylindrical portion spaced apart from said first cylindrical portion, and a radially-extending intermediate portion, said U-shaped groove being in shape to receive an annular edge of said back end of said cylindrical wall member.

3 more elements

In a poured concrete box product of an on-site waste water disposal system having a plurality of side walls, a plurality of seal components cast into said side walls, and a plurality of discharge pipes connected to at least some of said plurality of seal components for fluid communication with an interior of the poured concrete box, wherein the improvement comprises:

each of at least two of said seal components comprising a cylindrical wall member, an angled wiper blade having a first end connected to a front end of said cylindrical wall member and a second free end which receives one of said plurality of pipes, and a generally circular backplate which extends across a back end of the cylindrical wall member, said backplate including connecting means for removably connecting said backplate to said back end of the cylindrical wall member, said connecting means comprising a generally U-shaped annular groove disposed on said backplate and having inner and outer spaced-apart cylindrical portions and a radially-extending intermediate portion, said U-shaped groove being shaped to receive an annular edge of said back end of said cylindrical wall member, and said backplate further including a sealing membrane which defines an opening and includes sealing means which extend about a periphery of said opening;
and
a leveling device disposed within said opening and including a smooth cylindrical wall received within said sealing means, a radial faceplate, and an eccentric opening disposed on said faceplate, said leveling device being rotatable within said sealing means of said backplate to adjust a height of said eccentric opening.

In a plastic box product of an on-site waste water disposal system having a plurality of side walls, a plurality of seal components disposed in apertures in said side walls, and a plurality of discharge pipes connected to at least some of said plurality of seal components for fluid communication with an interior of said box, wherein the improvement comprises:

each of at least two of said seal components comprising a cylindrical wall member, an angled wiper blade having a first end connected to a front end of said cylindrical wall member and a second free end which receives one of said plurality of pipes, and a generally circular backplate which extends across a back end of the cylindrical wall member, said backplate including connecting means for removably connecting said backplate to said back end of said cylindrical wall member, said connecting means comprising a generally U-shaped annular groove disposed on said backplate and having inner and outer spaced-apart cylindrical portions and a radially-extending intermediate portion, said U-shaped groove being shaped to receive an annular edge of said back end of said cylindrical wall member, said backplate further including a sealing membrane which defines an eccentric opening and being rotatable on said cylindrical wall member to adjust a height of said eccentric opening.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Seal component for use in on-site poured concrete or plastic tank or box components of fluid distribution systems

Life of this patent

Seal component for use in on-site poured concrete or plastic tank or box components of fluid distribution systems

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims42