Alignment and support apparatus

Abstract

An alignment and support device for supporting and maintaining correct alignment of at least one pipe or conduit inside a form board during a concrete pour operation, the device comprising at least two attachment points for holding a pipe or conduit, and at least one attachment bracket, wherein the at least one attachment bracket is capable of attaching the alignment and support device to a form board.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] Not Applicable. STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT [0002] Not Applicable. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] This invention relates to an alignment and support apparatus for aligning and supporting pipes and the like during a concrete pour operation. More specifically, this invention relates to an apparatus that keeps pipes and the like correctly aligned with respect to a form board during a concrete pour operation. [0004] Many building structures, such as foundations, floors, ceilings, walls, and the like, include a concrete slab having pipes and the like embedded therein. Form boards are typically used to provide the desired shape of concrete slab. The form boards are usually made out of wood, with pipe work and the like supported therein. Concrete is poured into the form, and once set, the form is removed to reveal a concrete slab with pipes and the like embedded therein. It is very important that the pip...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0012] The invention is directed to an alignment and support device for supporting and maintaining correct alignment of one or more pipes or conduits inside a form board during a concrete pour operation. The device has at least two attachment points for holding a pipe or conduit, and at least one attachment bracket adapted to attach the alignment and support device to a form board. The two attachment points are preferably aligned to hold a pipe or conduit at two separate points along the pipe or conduit's length. Two attachment points are advantageous for securing the pipe work in place where the pipes are under great strain and pressure from concrete being poured over or around them.

[0014] It is another object of the invention to provide an alignment and support device that holds a pipe at two places along the pipe's length to prevent pivoting of the pipe about either attachment point.

[0015] It is further object of the invention to provide an alignment and support kit capable of easy assembly by a construction worker in the field to hold at least one pipe or conduit in alignment.

[0016] It is an object of the invention to provide improved elements and arrangements thereof for the purposes described which is inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing its intended purposes.

Problems solved by technology

Because the rebar and tape are typically removed prior to the pouring of concrete so that footers may be dug, the pipe or pipes will often sag prior to the concrete pour operation, and unless repositioned will result in a plumbing configuration that is permanently crooked when later embedded in cured concrete.

Often this sagging results in poor pipe work configuration that causes pipe leaks, water pressure problems, and drainage issues all of which are best avoided by maintaining proper support and alignment of pipe work and the like both prior to and during a concrete pour operation.

Thus, the '887 system is not suitable for preventing misalignment that can occur when concrete his poured into a form containing pipe work.

The '619 pipe support element is unsuitable for keeping a pipe aligned correctly during a concrete pour operation.

The '130 apparatus attaches to one point along a pipe's length making the '130 device unsuitable for maintaining pipe alignment during a concrete pour.

While the '880 device has a role to play in securing one or more water supply lines to a pipe, such as a drain or vent pipe, the '880 device is not sufficiently rigid to prevent pipe work moving out of alignment during a concrete pour operation.

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