Method and apparatus for aligning drainage channel sections
US5522675A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 19, 1994 |
| Grant date | Jun 4, 1996 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 19, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T24/344
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
A drainage channel system for forming a trench is disclosed according to the present invention. The drainage channel system includes a number of precast drainage channel sections and one or more alignment keys for aligning and interlocking adjacent drainage channel sections. Each alignment key includes first and second opposed, inwardly facing jaw members shaped for longitudinally bridging across a predetermined exterior portion of adjacent first and second sidewalls, respectively, of adjacent drainage channel sections. Accordingly, each jaw member engages the predetermined exterior portions of the respective sidewalls to longitudinally interlock the drainage channel sections. In particular, each jaw member includes opposed clamping tabs having longitudinally opposed surfaces which apply a longitudinally compressive force to the adjacent drainage channel sections. In addition to longitudinally interlocking the adjacent drainage channel sections, the alignment key advantageously includes surfaces which substantially align the adjacent drainage channel sections both vertically and laterally.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.