US1784271A - Conduit and method of constructing the same - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 9, 1930. w. H. COLLINS 1,784,271

CONDUIT AND METHOD OF CONSTRUCTING THE SAME Filed Jfily 13. 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet l Dec. 9, 1930. w. H. COLLINS 1,784,271

CONDUIT AND METHOD OF CONSTRUCTING THE SAME Filed July 13. 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Dec. 9, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT FFICE A WALTER H. CQLLINS, F LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR T0 PACIFIC CLAY PRODUCTS, OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, A CORIORA'IIGN OF CALIFQRNIA oonnnrr AND METHOD on Application filed my 13,

This invention relates to conduits of the type employing interlocking members forming an arch which is preformed and then placed in position on a slab constructed'of cementitious material.

This invention also relates to the method of constructing a conduit employing interlocking members and a cementitious slab.

, An object of the invention is strength and durability of construction.

Another object is to lower the cost of building conduits of this type.

Another object is to expedite the construction of conduits.

Further objects and advantages will appear in the subjoined detailed description.

The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention:

Fig.1 is a perspective view of a fragment 0f the slab or base constituting a portion of a conduit constructed in accordance with the provisions of this invention.

Fig. 2 is an end View of one of the arches mounted on a form and illustrates the operation 01 forming the arch from a number of interiitting blocks. 7

. Fig. 3 is a side elevation of Fig. 2 from the left thereof. 2

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of one of the completed arch units supported on a carrier by which the arch unit is moved into position to form apart of the conduit. The blocks are diagrammatically shown, no attempt being made to indicate the openings in said blocks. Fig. 5 is a view of the carrier detached, the solid lines showing the parts in the positions they occupy when the carrier is expanded and broken lines indicating the parts in the positions they occupy when the carrier is contracted.

Fig. 6 is an end view of the completed conduit, The blocks are diagrammatically 'showinnoattempt being made to show the openings in said blocks.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged sectional detail ofa fragment of a conduit showing one of the joints between the arch unit and the slab.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged broken sectional detail on the line indicated by 88, Fig. 5.

Referring to the drawings there is provided consrnnc'rrne THE SAME 1927. Serial No. 205,342.

a slab or base constructed of cementitious ma-- terial as, for example, Portland cement, or concrete. The slab or base may be reeniorced with metal members, if desired. The slab or base is'indicated in general bythe characte 11 and, in the present instance, the upper face of the slab is grooved, as indicated at 12. The bottom of the groove12 in this instance, is formed by downwardly and inwardly sloping faces 13 which meet along the median line of the slab. Thus the groove 12 is deeper near the middle than at the sides. In this instance, thesidesof the groove 12 are formed by vertical inner faces 14 of side walls 15. The upper faces of the sidewalls 15 are provided with longitudinally extending grooves or channels 16.

In Fig. 2 is illustrated an arch unit which is indicated in general by the character 17. The arch unit comprises a plurality of interfitting blocks 18. The particular details of construction of the blocks need not be entered'into'herein except as to the general construction that admits of them being secured to one another by cement keys which interlock with the blocks. It suflices to say that each block is provided with oppositely positioned spaced tongues 19 and spaced grooves 20, the tongues and grooves of ad jacent blocks interfitting or interengaging with one another, as clearly shown in Fig. 7

In constructing the arch unit 17, a suitable wooden form 21 is employed, the same comprising a base cross member 22. a pair of oppositely positioned arch sections 23, a pair of oppositely positioned arch sections 24 and a key arch section 25. The arch sections 23 rest on the cross member 22, the arch sections 24 rest on the sections 23 and the key arch section 25 is interposed between the upper ends of the sections 2 1. Suitable bracing 26 connect the different arch sections of the form. In constructing the arch unit, the form 21 will, preferably, be laid on its side, asin Fig. 2. A block 18 will be placed against each end portion of the cross member 22 and against the form section 23 and the remaining portion of the arch unit will then be built up in like manner until the arch is closed at the top, the last block being slipped edgewise into position. As an alternative the construction of the arch unit I may start at one side and be carried around and completed at the opposite side. The blocks, When in place, have alined openings 271 in the tongues 19 and cement grout is poured into said openings. some of the cement flows into the joints between the blocks, as indicated at 272 and the cement that remains in the openings 271 hardens and forms a solid rod or key 27 that locks the adjacent blocks together.

After the grout has set sufiiciently, the form 21 may be removed.

Having cast the slab 11 in situ' by the use of form members, in a manner well understood in the art relating to concrete construction, the arch unit, constructed as above described, will be mounted upon said slab. To effect this, there is'provided a carrier of a suitable construction. In the present instance the carrier is indicated in general by the character 28 and comprises a number of curved members 29 arranged in pairs, the members of each pair being hingedly connected at-their upper ends as indicated at 30 so that the lower, ends of said members can be swung into the different positions shown in solid and broken; lines in Fig. 5. The pintle, 31 of the hinge is bent back upon itself so as tov form a hook having an eye 32 to which may be fixed the tackle of a hoist. Connecting the lower ends of the members 29 on each side is a bar 34 and hinged at 35 to each of'the bars 34 are arms 36. I The arms 36 on one side overlap those on the other side and the overlapping portions of the arms are provided with holes 37. Extending through the holes 37 is a bolt 38, on which are pipe spacers or sleeves 381 interposed between the pairs of overlapping arms 36. The bolt 38 is provided atone end with a nut 39 adapted, when tightened, to frictionally clamp the arms 36 against the sleeves 381, either in the position shown in. solid lines'in Fig. 5 or in. the position indicated in broken lines insaid figure. The arms'36constitute a toggle device for spreading the members 29 to the solid line position of Fig. 5 or for retracting said members to the broken line position. I I

When it is desired to'place an arch unit in position on the slab 11, cement grout il will be placed in the, channels 16 and on the fiat faces 40 at the sides of said channels, as clearly shown in Figs. 6 and 7, and the carrier 28, in the contracted condition indicated in broken lines in Fig. 5, will be swung into position within the arch unit that is to be mounted on the slab. Then the carrier will be expanded into the open condition shown in Fig. 4 so that the members 29 will closely fit against the inner facesof the blocks 1 8;.

thus to support all of the blocks when the arch unit is being raised and lowered. The tackle 33 will then be operated by a suitable means, not shown, to raise the arch unit from its resting place and to swin said unit into position over the slab 11. then be operated to lower the arch unit so that the sides thereof will restupon the cement grout 41. More cement will then be forced through the openings 271 in the tongues 19 of the blocks that rest. on. the

cement grout 41, so as to form the cement he tackle will.

keys that firmly lock the blocks to the slab 11. Successive arch units of the conduit will be added in the same manner, successive units being placed end to end until the conduit is completed.

From the foregoing it will be clear that in the method of constructing the. conduit 11 series of arch units is constructed of individual interfitting blocks keyed or locked to one another by cement keys, a base cast insitu and thearchunits then placed in succession upon said base. It will be readily understood that after an arch unit has been properly positioned and secured in place, the exposed end thereof, as well as-the end of the arch unit that is to be placed next to it, is

coated with cement grout and thatsome of the cement grout will enter the cored openings-in the tile so as to firmly connect adjacent arch units. However, the arch units may be suitablyconnected to one another in any desired manner for this invention relates only to the construction of each arch unit and the. method of making the same, and is not concerned with the construction whereby the arch units are secured to one another.

It will also be clear that this method of constructing the conduit is expeditious and that the completed conduit will be very strong and durable.

I claim: r

1. A conduit comprising a slab of cementi- .tious material provided along its side margins with longitudinally'extending channels,

cement grout along the margins of said channels, and a series of arch units, each arch unit formed of blocks provided with tongues and grooves,the tongues and grooves of adjacent blocks interfitting, the tongues being provided with aligned openings,cement keys extending through the aligned o enings to lock the adjacent blocks together, t I e tongues of the end blocks'of eacharch unit engaging in one of the channels,-and the cement grout extending into the grooves in the end blocks of each arch unit.

2. The method of making a conduit 0011-, sisting in casting a base in situ, casting blocks provided with spaced tongues and with aligned openings extending through said tongues, placing the blocks end to end on an arched form with their tongues interfitting, forcing cement through the aligned openings to lock adjacent blocks to one another while the blocks remain on the form to produce an arch unit, allowing the cement keys to set, removing the form from the arch unit after the cement has set, placing the arch unit thus constructed on the base, and cementing said unit to the base.

3. The method of making a conduit consisting in casting a base in situ, casting blocks provided with spaced tongues and said tongues provided with openings, placing the blocks end to end on an arched form with the tongues of adjacentblocks interfitting, forcing cement through the aligned openings of adjacent tongues to form keys While the blocks remain on the form to produce an arch unit, allowing the cement keys to set, removing the form from the arch unit after the cement has set, then placing a carrier under the arch unit, then moving the carrier with the arch unit thereon into position on the base, then removing the carrier from the arch unit and cementing said arch unit to the base.

4:. The method of making a conduit consisting in casting a base in situ provided along its side margins with longitudinally 7 extending channels, casting blocks provided with spaced tongues and with aligned openings extending through said tongues from end to end thereof, placing the blocks end to end on an arched form with their adjacent tongues interfitting, forcing cement grout through the aligned openings to lock adjacent blocks to one another while the blocks remain on the form to produce an arch unit, allowing the cement keys to set, separating the form from the arch unit after the cement has set, placing cement grout in the channels,

' placing the arch unit thus constructed on the base with the end tongues of the unit in the cement grout in the channels, and then forcing cement grout into the grooves of the end blocks of the unit to key said end blocks in the channels.v

Signed at Los Angeles, Calif, this 7th day of July, 1927.

WALTER H. COLLINS.

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