Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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PIPE SUPPORT
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] This relates to a pipe support for supporting a pipe and allowing
inspection of the
pipe.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Pipe supports are used in order to raise a pipeline off of a
ground surface and
support the pipeline in a safe and secure manner. Regulations require that
pipes and pipe
supports be inspected for corrosion and other damage to the surface of the
pipe where it is in
contact with the pipe support. One example of a pipe support is found in US
Patent No.
6,863,248.
SUMMARY
[0003] According to an aspect, there is provided a support for a pipe, the
pipe having a
diameter, a length, and an axis in the direction of the length of the pipe,
the support
comprising a plurality of pipe support members, each pipe support member
comprising a top
surface that has a raised portion toward a first end relative to a second end
of the pipe support
member, wherein the pipe support members are assembled such that the top
surfaces of the
pipe support members define a pipe support surface by alternating the
orientation of a first
group of pipe support members relative to a second group of pipe support
members such that
raised portions are provided on opposite sides of the pipe support surface,
and at least one
removable anchor that selectively anchors the pipe support members together.
[0004] According to another aspect, each pipe support member may comprise
one or more
openings that extend between a first face and a second face of the pipe
support member, and
the at least one removable anchor may be positioned in a passage formed by
aligning
openings of the pipe support members in the direction of the axis of the pipe.
[0005] According to another aspect, the support may further comprise a base
that retains
the plurality of pipe support members.
[0006] According to another aspect, each pipe support member may be sized
and shaped
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to be interchangeable between the first group and the second group.
[0007] According to another aspect, the pipe support surface may have a
radius of
curvature that is equivalent to a radius of curvature of the pipe.
[0008] According to another aspect, the pipe support members of the first
group may be
interleaved with the pipe support members of the second group.
[0009] According to another aspect, each pipe support member may have a
first opening
spaced from the first end by a first distance and a second opening spaced from
the second end
by a second distance.
[0010] According to another aspect, the first distance may be equal to
the second
distance.
[0011] According to another aspect, the pipe support surface may have a
central line
extending parallel to the axis of the pipe, and the top surface of each pipe
support member
may comprise an insertion portion that extends from the central line opposite
the respective
raised portion, the insertion portion having a height that is equal to or less
than the height of
the pipe support member at the central line.
[0012] According to an aspect, there is provided a method of supporting a
pipe, the pipe
having a diameter, a length, and an axis in the direction of the length of the
pipe, the method
comprising the steps of providing a plurality of pipe support members, each
pipe support
member comprising a top surface that has a raised portion toward a first end
relative to a
second end of the pipe support member, assembling the pipe support members to
define a
pipe support surface by alternating the orientation of a first group of pipe
support members
relative to a second group of pipe support members such that raised portions
are provided on
opposite sides of the pipe support surface, and selectively anchoring the pipe
support
members by applying at least one removable anchor to the body, and causing the
pipe support
surface to support a pipe.
=
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[0013] According
to another aspect, each pipe support member may comprise one or more
openings that extend between a first face and a second face of the pipe
support member, the
method may further comprise the step of forming one or more passages by
aligning openings
of the pipe support members in the direction of the axis of the pipe, and
selectively anchoring
the pipe support members may comprise inserting the at least one removable
anchor through
the one or more passages through the body.
[0014] According
to another aspect, assembling the pipe support members may further
comprises placing the pipe support members on a base that retains the
plurality of pipe
support members
[0015] According
to another aspect, the method may further comprise the steps of
removing the one or more anchors from at least a portion of the one or more
passages to
release some or all of the pipe support members and removing some or all of
the released pipe
support members laterally to expose a corresponding portion of the pipe.
[0016] According
to another aspect, each pipe support member may be sized and shaped
to be interchangeable between the first group and the second group.
[0017] According
to another aspect, the pipe support surface may have a radius of
curvature that is equivalent to a radius of curvature of the pipe.
[0018] According
to another aspect, assembling the pipe support members may comprise
interleaving the first group of pipe support members with the second group of
pipe support
members.
[0019] According
to another aspect, each pipe support member may have a first opening
spaced from the first end by a first distance and a second opening spaced from
the second end
by a second distance.
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[0020] According to another aspect the first distance may be equal to the
second distance.
[0021] According to another aspect, the pipe support surface may have a
central line
extending parallel to the axis of the pipe, and the top surface of each pipe
support member
may comprise an insertion portion that extends from the central line opposite
the respective
raised portion, the insertion portion having a height that is equal to or less
than the height of
the pipe support member at the central line.
[0022] According to another aspect, causing the pipe support surface to
support a pipe
may comprise placing the pipe on the pipe support surface.
[0023] According to another aspect, causing the pipe support surface to
support a pipe
may comprise assembling the pipe support members below an installed pipe.
[0024] According to an aspect, there is provided a support for a pipe, the
pipe having a
diameter, a length, and an axis in the direction of the length of the pipe.
The support
comprises a plurality of pipe support members. Each pipe support member
comprises a
support portion at a first end of the pipe support member, and an insertion
portion at a second
end of the pipe support member. Insertion portion is connected to the support
portion at a
transition, the insertion portion having a height from a bottom surface to a
top surface that is
equal to or less than the height at the transition. The pipe support members
are assembled
such that the support portions of the pipe support members define a pipe
support surface by
alternating the orientation of a first group of pipe support members relative
to a second group
of pipe support members such that support portions are provided on opposite
sides of the pipe
support surface. At least one removable anchor selectively anchors the pipe
support members
together.
[0025] According to another aspect, each pipe support member may comprise
one or
more openings that extend between a first face and a second face of the pipe
support member,
and the at least one removable anchor may be positioned in a passage formed by
aligning
openings of the pipe support members in the direction of the axis of the pipe
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[0026] In other aspects, the features described above may be combined
together in any
reasonable combination as will be recognized by those skilled in the art.
5 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0027] These and other features will become more apparent from the
following
description in which reference is made to the appended drawings, the drawings
are for the
purpose of illustration only and are not intended to be in any way limiting,
wherein:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pipe support.
FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of a pipe support member.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a pipe support supporting a pipe.
FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of a pipe support being disassembled.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a pipe support supporting a pipe and a pipe
support
member being removed from under the pipe.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of a pipe support.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a pipe support on a stand.
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an alternate pipe support on a stand.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0028] A support for a pipe generally identified by reference numeral 10
will now be
described with reference to FIG. 1 through 8.
[0029] Referring to FIG. 1, support 10 is formed from a plurality of pipe
support
members 12. When pipe support members 12 are formed into support 10, top
surfaces 20 of
the pipe support members 12 cooperate to define a pipe support surface 28.
Preferably, each
pipe support member 12 has a transition, identified generally by broken line
52, which is
located between .a raised portion 22 and an insertion portion 54. Transition
52 extends
parallel to the axis 38 of pipe 40. Transition 52 marks the point at which the
top surface 20 of
each support member changes from insertion portion 54, which is designed to be
insertable
under a pipe, to raised portion 22, or the portion designed to engage and
support pipe. In the
depicted embodiment, raised and insertion portions 22 and 54 are defined by
top surface 20 of
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each pipe support member 12 has an insertion portion 54 that extends from
central line 52
opposite the respective raised portion 22. The insertion portion 54 of each
pipe support
member 12 has a height that is less than or equal to the height of the pipe
support member 12
at the central line 52. By providing insertion portion 54, pipe support member
12 can be slid
laterally in the direction of the raised portion 22, such that it is easily
removed from
underneath pipe 40. It will be understood that top surface 20 and bottom
surface 21 may have
different profiles, depending on the preferences of the user, and to provide
other benefits. As
an example, it may be preferred to provide a small raise on some portion of
top surface 20
around insertion portion 54, which may be used to provide a friction or
interference fit in
order to secure pipe support member 12 against being easily removed.
Alternatively, recesses
may be provided .either in top or bottom surfaces 20 or 21 to allow for
drainage, reduce the
amount of material required, or other reasons.
[0030] Pipe support members 12 are assembled such that the orientations
of a first group
30 of pipe support members 12 are alternated relative to a second group 32,
with raised
portions 22 provided on opposite sides of pipe support surface 28. Preferably,
the pipe support
members 12 are arranged such that pipe support members 12 in first group 30
are interleaved
with pipe support members 12 in second group 32. Different arrangements of
first group 30
and second group 32, including the number of pipe support members 12, may be
used,
depending on the application, preferences of the user, and dimensions of pipe
support
members 12 in order to properly support pipe 40.
[0031] The length of pipe support surface 28 as defined by the assembled
pipe support
members is preferably close to the diameter 42 of the pipe 40 to provide
sufficient vertical
and lateral support to the bottom of pipe 40, as shown in FIG. 3. It will be
understood the
width of the pipe support surface 28 may vary depending on the type of pipe
being supported
and the particular application of the pipe support 10. Pipe support surface 28
also preferably
has a radius of curvature that is equivalent to a radius of curvature of the
pipe 40, also shown
in FIG. 3. This allows pipe 40 to rest against the entire pipe support surface
28. However, the
radius of curvature of pipe support surface 28 may be smaller or larger than
the radius of
curvature of the pipe 40, depending on the application, while still providing
sufficient support
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to pipe 40. For example, the radius of curvature of the pipe support surface
28 may be smaller
than the radius of curvature of pipe 40, such that pipe support 10 contacts
pipe 40 at only two
areas and allows a space to be open below pipe 40. In other circumstances, it
may be found
that an approximate radius of curvature provides sufficient support, even
though they may not
be properly matched. In the depicted embodiment, each pipe support member 12
is similarly
sized and shaped, and are preferably identical, such that they are
interchangeable between,
and repositionable among, the first group 30 and the second group 32 of pipe
support
members 12. However, it will be understood that the shapes of pipe support
members 28 may
vary. For example, there may be variations in the size or shape of the
external surface of pipe
40, such as at connection points close to fittings, etc., which can be
accommodated with
different sized pipe support members 12.
[0032] Referring to FIG. 2, each pipe support member 12 may have one or
more
openings 14 extending between a first face 16 and a second face 18.
Preferably, pipe support
member 12 has two openings 14 that are spaced from opposite ends of pipe
support member
12. Referring to FIG. 2, this preferably provides a first opening 44 spaced
from a first end 24
by a first distance 46, and a second opening 48 spaced from a second end 26 by
a second
distance 50. Preferably, first distance 46 is equal to the second distance 50.
However, it will
be understood that different numbers and spacing of openings 14 may be used,
such as one
opening 14 that is centred in pipe support member 12, two openings 14 that are
not equally
spaced, or three openings 14 evenly spaced along pipe support member 12. Other
arrangements may also be used. Each pipe support member 12 has a top surface
20 with a
raised portion 22 toward the first end 24 relative to the second end 26.
[0033] Pipe support members 12 may be selectively anchored together using
at least one
removable anchor 34 positioned in a passage 36 formed by aligning openings 14
in the
direction of the axis 38 of the pipe 40 (FIG. 5) to be supported. As shown,
removable anchor
34 is a threaded bolt fastened with a nut. However, it will be understood that
other fasteners
may be used, as is well known in the art. For example, removable anchor 34 may
be a rod or a
flexible member passed through the openings and tied at either end or around
pipe support 10.
The attachment of pipe support members 12 may also take other forms. For
example,
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referring to FIG. 6, pipe support members 12 may not have openings 14. Pipe
support
members 12 may instead be attached by a clamp 56 or by being fit within a
retaining surface
58, as shown in FIG. 8. Clamp 56 or retaining surface 58 may take a variety of
forms, as will
be understood by those skilled in the art. For example, clamp 56 may be a user-
operated
screw clamp, or a spring loaded clamp. Retaining surface 58 may be a hinged
surface as
shown in FIG. 8, or may be slidably retained. The attachment may also use a
combination of
techniques, such as openings 14 and anchors 34 on one end, and a fixed
retaining surface on
the other end. The attachment may allow for removal of one group of pipe
support members
12 from one side of the pipe support 10, with the other group being retained.
[0034] Referring to FIG. 7, pipe support members 12 may also be arranged
on a stand 60
as shown. Stand 00 may take a variety of forms, as will be understood by those
skilled in the
art. As shown, stand 60 has retaining members 62 to aid in placement of pipe
support 10.
Retaining members 62 may be attached to stand 60 in a variety of ways, such as
by welding,
pin fastened, keyway, etc. Stand 60 may have openings that are aligned with
openings 14 of
pipe support members 12 as shown. Stand 60 may also have a recessed area for
placement of
pipe support 10, or retaining pins or other mechanisms for supporting pipe
support 10. Stand
60 may be designed to facilitate installation of pipe support 10 in a variety
of locations, such
as on beams or other fixtures.
[0035] An example of the use of pipe support 10 will now be described.
Referring to
FIG. 4, a plurality of pipe support members 12 are provided. Pipe support
members 12 are
assembled to define pipe support surface 28 by alternating the orientations of
first group 30
and second group 32 such that raised portions 22 are provided on opposite
sides of the pipe
support surface 28. One or more passages 36 are formed by aligning openings 14
in the
direction of axis 38 of the pipe 40, as shown in FIG. 3. Pipe support members
12 can then be
selectively anchored by inserting at least one removable anchor 34 through the
one or more
passages 36. Referring to FIG. 3, pipe support surface 28 can then be caused
to support a pipe
40. FIG. 4 depicts the plurality of pipe support members 12 in a partially
assembled state. In
the depicted assembly, the pipe support members are interleaved and the raised
portions 22
alternate sides of the pipe support 10. Once all of the pipe support members
have been moved
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into position, openings 14 will create passages 36. As shown in FIG. 3, after
pipe support
members 12 are assembled, a pipe 40 may be placed on the pipe support surface.
Alternatively, pipe support 10 may be installed under a pre-installed pipe 40.
This may be
done, for example, when replacing other types of supports, after pipe support
10 has been
disassembled for an inspection, or if additional support is required along
pipe 40. In this
embodiment, pipe support members 12 are assembled below installed pipe 40.
[0036] Referring
to FIG. 5, pipe support 10 is also designed to allow it to be fully or
partially disassembled from under pipe 40 to allow for inspection. When it is
desired to
remove pipe support 10, removable anchors 34 are fully or partially removed
from passages
36 in pipe support 10 to release all or only some of pipe support members 12
will. The
released pipe support members 12 may then be removed laterally, as shown in
FIG. 5, to
expose a corresponding portion of pipe 40. This allows for all or portions of
pipe support 10
to be removed for inspection or other purposes, and to be replaced underneath
pipe 40, all
without disturbing the placement of pipe 40. While inspection is simplified if
all support
members are removed, in some cases, it may be necessary to remove only some of
pipe
support members 12 in order to continue to provide some support to pipe 40
during
inspection.
[0037] In this patent document, the word "comprising" is used in its non-
limiting sense to
mean that items following the word are included, but items not specifically
mentioned are not
excluded. A reference to an element by the indefinite article "a" does not
exclude the
possibility that more than one of the elements is present, unless the context
clearly requires
that there be one and only one of the elements.
[0038] The scope
of the following claims should not be limited by the preferred
embodiments set forth in the examples above and in the drawings, but should be
given the
broadest interpretation consistent with the description as a whole.
