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US 7,628,428 B2Granted
Method and apparatus for protecting conduit systems
OwnerFrank Rampton, Charles Kennedy +1inventors
InventorsFrank Rampton, Charles Kennedy, Daniel Zowada
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system and method for protecting underground utility pipes from corrosion or otherwise. The system includes an enclosure having first component and a second component hingedly attached to form a claim-shell like enclosure. The enclosure is adapted to enclose a pipe portion and attached fixture and receive an anti-corrosion agent.
Claims17
An enclosure system for conduit and fixture attached thereto, the system comprising:
- a first component having a first mating surface;
- a second component having a second mating surface;
- an attachment feature for hingedly attaching the first and second components and guiding the enclosure to move between an open and closed position, said attachment feature comprising a first and a second portion, wherein the first portion is integrally formed with the first component and the second portion is integrally formed with the second component;
- an engagement feature for maintaining closure of the enclosure having a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion is integrally formed with the first component and the second portion is integrally formed with the second component;
- wherein upon closure a cavity is formed between the first and second components which includes a first opening and a second opening for receiving a first conduit, and a third opening for receiving a second conduit, the first conduit extending through the enclosure and said first conduit having a fixture attached thereto, further wherein at least a portion of the first opening is at least partially formed by the first and second components, at least a portion of the second opening is at least partially formed by the first and second components, at least a portion of the third opening is at least partially formed by the first and second components, and further wherein upon closure the first mating surface and the second mating surface engage each other forming at least a partial seal between the first conduit having a fixture attached thereto.
2 more elements
An enclosure system for pipe portions having valves attached thereto, the system comprising:
- a first shell component having a cavity formed in a central portion and a first mating surface formed about a peripheral portion, the first mating surface including a first recessed portion for forming at least a portion of a first opening, a second recessed portion for forming at least a portion of a second opening, and a third recessed portion for forming at least a portion of a third opening;
- a second shell component having a cavity formed in a central portion and a second mating surface formed about a peripheral portion, the second mating surface including a first recessed portion for forming at least a portion of the first opening, a second recessed portion for forming at least a portion of the second opening, and a third portion for forming at least a portion of the third opening;
- a hinge at least partially integrally formed with the first and second components, the hinge providing rotational movement of the first and second components for joining the first and second mating surfaces and providing opening and closing of the enclosure;
- and
- a locking device at least partially integrally formed with the first and second components, wherein upon closing of the enclosure the locking device substantially prevents opening of the enclosure,
- wherein upon closing of the enclosure an enclosure cavity is formed between the first and second components for receiving a first pipe portion within the first and second openings and a second pipe portion within the third opening, and wherein a valve joining the first and second pipe portions is substantially housed in the cavity of the first component, and
- wherein the first or second shell components include a fluid nozzle for receiving an anti- corrosion agent.
4 more elements
An enclosure system for pipe portions having valves attached thereto, the system comprising:
- a first component having a cavity formed in a central portion and a first mating surface formed about a peripheral portion of the first component, the first mating surface including a first recessed portion for forming at least a portion of a first opening, a second recessed portion for forming at least a portion of a second opening, and a third recessed portion for forming at least a portion of a third opening;
- a second component having a cavity formed in a central portion and a second mating surface formed about a peripheral portion of the second component, the second mating surface including a first recessed portion for forming at least a portion of the first opening, a second recessed portion for forming at least a portion of the second opening, and a third portion for forming at least a portion of the third opening;
- an attachment feature comprising a first and a second portion, wherein the first portion is integrally formed with the first component and the second portion is integrally formed with the second component, for hingedly attaching the first and second components and guiding the enclosure to move between an open and closed position;
- an engagement feature comprising a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion is integrally formed with the first component and the second portion is integrally formed with the second component;
- and
- wherein upon closing of the enclosure an enclosure cavity is formed between the first and second components for receiving a first pipe portion within the first and second openings, and a second pipe portion within the third opening.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.