WO2025125777A1

WO2025125777A1 - An in-ground structural member or assembly

Info

Publication number: WO2025125777A1
Application number: PCT/GB2024/053012
Authority: WO
Inventors: Steven BROOKER; Sanket KAMBLE
Original assignee: Cubis Systems Ltd
Current assignee: Cubis Systems Ltd
Priority date: 2023-12-13
Filing date: 2024-12-02
Publication date: 2025-06-19
Anticipated expiration: 2026-06-13
Also published as: GB2636408A; GB202319011D0

Abstract

An in-ground structural member or assembly comprising an inner skin and outer skin with an upper web extending between the inner skin and outer skin transversely to a stacking direction to form a U-shaped member or apparatus with an open bottom and a closed upper end, each of the inner skin and outer skin comprising at least one removable portion, attached within the respective inner skin and outer skin by at least one line of weakness, the at least one removable portion within the respective inner skin and outer skin aligned to form an access opening through the inner skin and outer skin when removed.

Description

AN IN-GROUND STRUCTURAL MEMBER OR ASSEMBLY

Technical Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to the field of in-ground chambers and more particularly to an in-ground structural member or assembly including a simplified connection or access point.

Background to the Invention

Liners are used to line an in-ground chamber such as a manhole chamber or a utilities chamber to provide a barrier between the space defined by the chamber and the surrounding earth.

Liners used to line an in-ground chamber of this general type are known. One such liner is disclosed in EP0787861 which describes a liner comprising a number of stackable sections moulded from synthetic plastics materials. Each section comprises inner and outer skins joined together by two series of webs extending between and at right angles to the skins in the stacking direction. The sections are adapted to be stacked upon one another to permit the assembly of a corrosion resistant load bearing, rigid and deformation resisting structure.

One problem with liners in general is in the provision of access openings through the liner. In simple prior art solutions, the wall units are simply cut, either before or after assembly to form an opening.

In other prior art configurations of which GB2404409 is an example, a separate entry member is provided to be positioned in the modular wall of the liner as the liner is formed by stacking wall units on top of one another, and the access opening is formed through the entry member. This requires the wall units to be cut to provide space for the entry member or requires smaller wall units to be provided to allow for the entry member.

This increases complexity by increasing the number of wall units that are used to form a chamber or pit and/or decreases the structural integrity of the wall units through cutting. Still further, in-ground chambers made from -ground structural members or assemblies which have voids in an outer surface thereof are known. One significant issue with this type of chamber or member is that if the void is not used as an access point (that is, filled by a connecting member), the voids in the outer surface can create air pockets when backfilled (it is difficult to backfill the voids effectively) which prevents proper compaction of the surround soil or ground, which in turn can lead to the chamber, or surrounding ground sinking after installation.

It would therefore be an advance in the art to provide an in-ground structural member or assembly which solves any one or more of the abovementioned problems.

Summary of the Invention

According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided an in-ground structural member or assembly comprising an inner skin and outer skin with an upper web extending between the inner skin and outer skin transversely to a stacking direction to form a U-shaped member or apparatus with an open bottom and a closed upper end, each of the inner skin and outer skin comprising at least one removable portion, attached within the respective inner skin and outer skin by at least one line of weakness, the at least one removable portion within the respective inner skin and outer skin aligned to form an access opening through the inner skin and outer skin when removed.

Providing an in-ground structural member or assembly with these features provides a simplified connection or access point for connecting utilities to an in-ground chamber or pit formed from the in-ground structural member or assembly which can be formed with precision but without expertise or any specialised tools.

The inground structural member or assembly of the invention is preferably designed to bear load. The member or assembly is particularly configured to bear load in a direction perpendicular to the upper web.

The structural member or assembly of the invention may be used as an in- ground chamber member. The member or assembly may be provided in any configuration, such as an elongate linear configuration or a corner configuration. One or more linear configurations may be connected to one or more corner configurations to form a chamber ring. Alternatively, the member or assembly may be provided in a chamber ring configuration having one or more side sections and/or one or more comer sections, but the chamber ring formed as single unit. If provided in a chamber ring configuration, the chamber ring may have any shape, although a circular or rectangular ring may be preferred.

In use, the structural member or assembly may be stackable to form an in- ground chamber, particularly if provided in the chamber ring configuration.

As mentioned above, it is preferred that the structural member or assembly is provided in a single piece, even if provided in the chamber ring configuration.

The structural member or assembly comprises an inner skin and an outer skin with an upper web extending between the inner skin and outer skin, transversely to a stacking direction to form a U-shaped member or apparatus with an open bottom and a closed upper end.

Both the inner skin and the outer skin may preferably be planar from top to bottom. The inner skin and the outer skin may be spaced apart by the upper web at an upper end thereof and remain spaced apart over their height.

One or more secondary webs may be provided extending between respective facing surfaces of the inner skin and the outer skin. The one or more secondary webs may extend in the stacking direction between the inner skin and the outer skin to bear load in the stacking direction. The one or more secondary webs may preferably extend substantially perpendicularly between the inner skin and outer skin.

The distal surface of both the inner skin and outer skin (the surface furthest from the other of the inner or outer skin respectively) is preferably planar and more preferably smooth. The distal surface of the outer skin is preferably planar as this allows for even/distributed backfill compaction on an outer side of the outer skin of the in-ground structural member or assembly. The distal surface of the inner skin is preferably planar as this renders it easier to mount items or components on an inner side of the in-ground chamber.

Both the inner skin and outer skin preferably have a free end provided at a lower end thereof. A laterally extending lip may be provided at the free end of one or both of the inner skin and outer skin. The laterally extending lip may preferably extend outwardly or away from the other of the skins. In a preferred embodiment, a laterally extending lip may be provided on one of the skins but not on the other.

Preferably, a laterally extending lip is provided on the outer skin but not on the inner skin. When provided on the outer skin, the laterally extending lip preferably extends away from the inner skin. The laterally extending lip may extend away from the outer skin in order to create a ridged outside surface to any in-ground chamber formed from the structural member or assembly. This may assist with engaging with the ground in which the structural member or assembly is provided, once backfilled against the outer side of the outer skin. The creation of ribs or ridges does not cause the issues that are created with pockets or voids on the outer surface of prior art chambers.

The inner skin and outer skin may diverge away from each other as they extend from top to bottom. In one form, the inner skin may be substantially vertical, and the outer skin may be angled away from the inner skin from top to bottom. Alternatively, the inner skin and outer skin may be angled away from each other in opposite directions from top to bottom.

The upper web is preferably transverse between the inner skin and outer skin. The upper web may include one or more openings therethrough. The provision of openings may allow the use of connector rods or similar, to connect stacked structural members or assemblies to one another if necessary. When provided in the preferred chamber ring configuration, at least one opening may be provided approximately centrally through the upper web along each side of the chamber ring. The at least one opening may function as a drain opening.

At least one opening may be provided at each comer portion of the chamber ring. A boss or strengthened portion may be provided about the at least one opening at each corner portion of the chamber ring to allow for mechanically fixing the chamber sections together.

An upper surface of the upper web may be textured. Inclusion of a textured surface may assist with any bond or engagement formed with the upper web.

The upper web may be provided as a part of a stacking configuration provided at the top of the structural member or assembly. In one form, the stacking configuration may include an inwardly stepped portion at the top of the structural member or assembly.

An inwardly stepped portion may be provided at an upper end of at least one, and preferably both of the inner skin and outer skin. In particular, a support shoulder may be provided at an upper end of the inner skin and the outer skin. The support shoulder will preferably extend inwardly toward the midline of the member or assembly, in other words, towards the other of the inner skin or outer skin.

An upwardly extending wall may extend upwardly from an inner or proximal side of each support shoulder. The upper web may preferably be provided between the upwardly extending walls. The upper web may be spaced below the upper terminal plane of the upwardly extending walls. This may form a recess or depression in the upper side of the structural member or assembly.

When stacked, the inner skin and outer skin of an upper structural member or assembly may be aligned with the respective inner skin and outer skin of a lower structural member or assembly.

The lower free ends of the inner skin and outer skin of an upper structural member or assembly in a stacked configuration may receive the upwardly extending sidewalls of a lower structural member or assembly therebetween, with the free ends of the inner skin and outer skin of an upper structural member or assembly in a stacked configuration, abutting the respective support shoulder of the lower structural member or assembly. This will preferably transmit load from above, through the inner skin and outer skin of the upper structural member or assembly directly to the inner skin and outer skin of the lower structural member or assembly.

The inner skin and outer skin of the structural member or assembly also each preferably comprises at least one removable portion attached within the respective inner skin and outer skin by at least one line of weakness. The at least one removable portion may be provided in any shape but may preferably be circular. Any number of removable portions may be provided. If multiple removable portions are provided on a structural member or assembly, it is preferred that they are spaced over the structural member or assembly. Preferably, any removable portion is provided between the preferred secondary webs of the structural member or assembly. A further advantage of the at least one removable portion is that the or each removable portion may also provide a visual indicator to an operator of the location of an access point and avoidance of any secondary webs, which was not provided on prior art members in which an operator could easily cut through a secondary web without knowing, thus weakening a prior art structural member or assembly.

The at least one removable portion may comprise one or more inner removable portions of different dimension to an outer removable portion. Each inner removable portions may be delineated by at least one line of weakness. This configuration may allow an installer to select the desired dimension of the removable portion to be removed on the inner skin and outer skin.

Where the at least one removable portion is provided in a circular shape, an outer removable portion may be provided with at least one inner removable portion concentrically within the outer removable portion, separated from each other removable portion by at least one line of weakness. The innermost removable portions may preferably then be circular, whereas the or each concentrically outer removable portion will preferably be annular.

An operator may remove different removable portions from the inner skin and the outer skin. For example, a larger removable portion may be removed on an inner skin with a smaller removable portion removed on the outer skin in order to allow attachment of a stepped connector.

A particularly preferred embodiment has each removable portion provided as a larger outer removable portion and a smaller inner removable portion with the portions being concentric, although they do not need to be the same shape.

Where more than one concentric removable portion is provided, the lines of weakness used to separate the removable portions may be different. For example, a line of weakness between concentrically inner removable portion and a concentrically outer removable portion may be "weaker", that is provided with fewer attachments, than a line of weakness provided between the concentrically outer removable portion and the inner skin/outer skin in which the removable portion is located. This may result in less force being required to remove a concentrically inner removable portion from a concentrically outer removable portion than that required to separate a concentrically outer removable portion from the inner skin or outer skin.

Each line of weakness may preferably be formed by providing a series of attachments and openings between the adjacent attachments. The openings may be formed between the attachments to define the shape of the removable portions.

The openings may be shaped through the thickness of the inner skin or outer skin in which they are provided. For example, the openings may be provided to taper in thickness from a distal side to a proximal side of the respective inner skin or outer skin. This may provide the openings in a wedge shape when viewed from the end of the inner skin or outer skin.

Any opening provided in an outer skin may be larger on the distal side of the outer skin and tapering to be thinner on the proximal side of the outer skin. In an embodiment, the opening will extend through the outer skin. Any opening provided in an inner skin may be larger on the distal side of the inner skin and tapering to be thinner on the proximal side of the inner skin. In an embodiment, the opening will extend through the inner skin. Providing wedge-shaped openings between the attachments in the lines of weakness may allow easier removal of the removable portion from the outer side of the outer skin and from the inner side of the inner skin.

The at least one removable portion within the respective inner skin and outer skin are preferably aligned to form an access opening through the inner skin and outer skin when the aligned removable portions are removed from both the inner skin and outer skin. The removable portions provided in the inner skin and outer skin may be aligned in any direction. The removable portions in the inner skin and outer skin may be aligned at an angle to one another but preferably, will be aligned perpendicularly to the plane of the inner skin and outer skin.

The removable portions are preferably provided within the respective inner skin and outer skin. The removable portions are therefore preferably coplanar with the inner skin and outer skin which they are formed. The removable portions may be formed in anyway, such as by cutting or stamping or chiselling to form the at least one line of weakness into the inner skin and/or outer skin in the required location and shape.

In use, an operator may preferably be able to press the removable portions to remove them from the inner skin and/or outer skin. Removal may require a tool and/or manipulation of the removable portion in some circumstances.

Detailed Description of the Invention

In order that the invention may be more clearly understood one or more embodiments thereof will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:

Figure 1 is an axonometric view of an in-ground structural member according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a top view of the in-ground structural member as illustrated in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a side view of the in-ground structural member as illustrated in Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a sectional side view of the in-ground structural member along line A- A as shown in Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a sectional end view of the in-ground structural member along line B- B as shown in Figure 3.

An in- ground structural chamber ring 10 is illustrated in the accompanying Figures.

The illustrated structural chamber ring 10 comprises an inner skin 11 and outer skin 12 with an upper web 13 extending between the inner skin 11 and outer skin 12 transversely to a stacking direction to form a U-shaped member or apparatus with an open bottom and a closed upper end as shown best in Figure 5. Each of the inner skin 11 and outer skin 12 comprise a number of removable portions 14 attached within the respective inner skin 11 and outer skin 12 by a line of weakness. The removable portions 14 within the respective inner skin 11 and outer skin 12 are aligned to form an access opening through the inner skin 11 and outer skin 12 when removed.

When the chamber ring illustrated in Figure 1 is used as one of the stacked chamber rings to form an in-ground chamber, the chamber ring provides a number of connection or access points for connecting utilities to the in-ground chamber or pit which can be formed by knocking out or removing the aligned removable portions 14 in the inner 11 and outer skins 12 as required to form the connection or access points with precision but without needing expertise or any specialised tools.

In use, the structural member or assembly may be stackable to form an in- ground chamber, particularly if provided in the illustrated chamber ring configuration.

The chamber ring illustrated is provided in a single piece.

Both the inner skin 11 and the outer skin 12 shown are planar from top to bottom. The inner skin 11 and the outer skin 12 are spaced apart by the upper web 13 at an upper end thereof and remain spaced apart over their height as shown in Figure 5 in particular.

One or more secondary webs (not shown) may be provided extending between respective facing surfaces of the inner skin and the outer skin. The one or more secondary webs may extend in the stacking direction between the inner skin and the outer skin to bear load in the stacking direction. The one or more secondary webs may preferably extend substantially perpendicularly between the inner skin and outer skin.

Both the inner skin 11 and outer skin 12 have a free end provided at a lower end thereof. A laterally extending lip 15 is provided on the outer skin 12 but not on the inner skin 11. The laterally extending lip 15 extends away from the inner skin 11. When stacked, this configuration will provide a flat inner surface and a ridged outside surface to any in-ground chamber formed including the chamber ring as shown. This may assist with engaging with the ground in which the chamber ring is provided, once backfilled against the outer side of the outer skin 12.

The inner skin 11 and outer skin 12 diverge away from each other as they extend from top to bottom. The upper web 13 extends transversely between the inner skin 11 and outer skin 12. The upper web 11 as shown in Figure 2 in particular includes a number of openings 16 therethrough. The provision of openings 16 may allow the use of connector rods or similar (not shown), to connect stacked chamber rings to one another if necessary. The preferred chamber ring configuration shown has at least one opening 16 provided approximately centrally through the upper web 13 of long each side of the chamber ring 10, and an opening 16 is provided at each comer portion of the chamber ring 10.

The upper web 13 of the illustrated embodiment is provided as a part of a stacking configuration provided at the top of the chamber ring. In this form, the stacking configuration includes an inwardly stepped portion at the top of the chamber.

In particular, an inwardly stepped support shoulder 17 is provided at an upper end of the inner skin 11 and the outer skin 12. The support shoulder 17 extends inwardly toward the midline between the inner skin 11 and the outer skin 12, in other words, towards the other of the inner skin 11 or outer skin 12.

An upwardly extending wall 18 extends upwardly from an inner or proximal side of each support shoulder 17. The upper web 13 is provided between the upwardly extending walls 18. The upper web 13 is spaced below the upper terminal plane of the upwardly extending walls 18. This may form a recess or depression in the upper side of the chamber ring 10.

When stacked on another chamber ring having a similar configuration (with by preferably without removable portions), the inner skin 11 and outer skin 12 of an upper chamber ring may be aligned with the respective inner skin 11 and outer skin 12 of a lower chamber ring and vice versa.

The lower free ends of the inner skin 11 and outer skin 12 of the chamber ring

10 in a stacked configuration may receive a stacking configuration of a lower structural member or assembly of a similar type therebetween, with the free ends of the inner skin

11 and outer skin 12 of an upper structural member or assembly in a stacked configuration, abutting the respective support shoulder 17 of the chamber ring 10. This will preferably transmit load from above, through the inner skin 11 and outer skin 12 of the upper structural member or assembly directly to the inner skin 11 and outer skin 12 of the chamber ring and thence downwardly to the next lower chamber ring in turn.

The removable portion 14 may be provided in any shape but may preferably be circular as shown. Any number of removable portions may be provided. If multiple removable portions are provided on a chamber ring 10 as shown, it is preferred that they are spaced over the chamber ring 10. Preferably, any removable portion is provided between the preferred secondary webs of the chamber ring 10.

The removable portion 14 shown comprise an inner removable portion 19 of different dimension to an outer removable portion 20. The inner removable portion is delineated by a line of weakness. This configuration may allow an installer to select the desired dimension of the removable portion to be removed on the inner skin 11 and outer skin 12.

As shown, the outer removable portion 20 is provided with an inner removable portion 19 concentrically within the outer removable portion 20, separated by a line of weakness. The innermost removable portion 19 is circular as shown, whereas the concentrically outer removable portion 20 is annular.

Each line of weakness 19’, 20’ is formed by providing a series of attachments and openings between the adjacent attachments. The openings are formed between the attachments to define the shape of the removable portions.

The lines of weakness used to separate the removable portions may be different. For example, a line of weakness between concentrically inner removable portion 19 and a concentrically outer removable portion 20 may be "weaker", that is provided with fewer attachments (only two attachments are shown in Figure 3 between the inner removable portion 19 and the outer removable portion 20), than a line of weakness provided between the concentrically outer removable portion 20 and the inner skinl 1/outer skin 12 in which the removable portion is located (Figure 3 shows a larger number of closely spaced attachment points). This may result in less force being required to remove a concentrically inner removable portion 19 from a concentrically outer removable portion 20 than that required to separate a concentrically outer removable portion 20 from the inner skin 11 or outer skin 12. As shown in Figure 3, the openings 21 forming a part of a line of weakness shaped through the thickness of the inner skin 11 and/or outer skin 12 in which they are provided may be provided to taper in thickness from a distal side to a proximal side of the respective inner skin 11 or outer skin 12. This may provide the openings in a wedge shape when viewed from the end of the inner skin 11 or outer skin 12.

Any opening 21 provided in an outer skin 12 may be larger on the distal side of the outer skin 12 and tapering to be thinner on the proximal side of the outer skin. In an embodiment, the opening 21 will extend completely through the outer skin 12. Any opening 21 provided in an inner skin 11 may be larger on the distal side of the inner skin 111 and tapering to be thinner on the proximal side of the inner skin 11. In an embodiment, the opening 21 will extend completely through the inner skin 11. Providing wedge-shaped openings between the attachments in the lines of weakness may allow easier removal of the removable portion from the outer side of the outer skin 12 and from the inner side of the inner skin 12.

As shown, the removable portions within the respective inner skin 11 and outer skin 12 are aligned to form an access opening through the inner skin 11 and outer skin 12 when the aligned removable portions are removed from both the inner skin 11 and outer skin 12.

The removable portions are preferably provided within the respective inner skin and outer skin (the thickness of the respective inner skin or outer skin). The removable portions are therefore preferably coplanar with the inner skin 11 and outer skin 12 within which they are formed.

The removable portions may be formed in anyway, such as by cutting or stamping or chiselling to form the at least one line of weakness into the inner skin and/or outer skin in the required location and shape.

The one or more embodiments are described above by way of example only. Many variations are possible without departing from the scope of protection afforded by the appended claims.

Claims

1. An in-ground structural member or assembly comprising an inner skin and outer skin with an upper web extending between the inner skin and outer skin transversely to a stacking direction to form a U-shaped member or apparatus with an open bottom and a closed upper end, each of the inner skin and outer skin comprising at least one removable portion, attached within the respective inner skin and outer skin by at least one line of weakness, the at least one removable portion within the respective inner skin and outer skin aligned to form an access opening through the inner skin and outer skin when removed.

2. An in-ground structural member or assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the inner skin and the outer skin are spaced apart by the upper web at an upper end thereof and remain spaced apart over their height.

3. An in-ground structural member or assembly as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 further comprising one or more secondary webs provided extending between respective facing surfaces of the inner skin and the outer skin.

4. An in-ground structural member or assembly as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 further comprising a laterally extending lip provided at a free end of one or both of the inner skin and outer skin.

5. An in-ground structural member or assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the inner skin and outer skin diverge away from each other as they extend from top to bottom.

6. An in-ground structural member or assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the upper web comprises one or more openings therethrough.

7. An in-ground structural member or assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims further comprising a stepped portion provided at an upper end of both the inner skin and outer skin, the support shoulder extending inwardly toward a midline of the member or assembly, towards the other of the inner skin or outer skin.

8. An in-ground structural member or assembly as claimed in any claim 7 further comprising an upwardly extending wall extending upwardly from an inner or proximal side of each support shoulder.

9. An in-ground structural member or assembly as claimed in any claim 8 wherein the upper web is provided between the upwardly extending walls.

10. An in-ground structural member or assembly as claimed in any claim 9 wherein the upper web is spaced below the upper terminal plane of the upwardly extending walls.

11. An in-ground structural member or assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein multiple removable portions are provided on a structural member or assembly spaced over the structural member or assembly.

12. An in-ground structural member or assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the at least one removable portion comprises one or more inner removable portions of different dimension to an outer removable portion, each inner removable portion delineated by at least one line of weakness from the outer removable portion in which each inner removable portion is located.

13. An in-ground structural member or assembly as claimed in any claim 12 wherein the at least one removable portion is provided in a circular shape, the outer removable portion is provided with at least one inner removable portion concentrically within the outer removable portion, separated from each other removable portion by at least one line of weakness.

14. An in-ground structural member or assembly as claimed in claim 12 or claim 13 wherein the lines of weakness used to separate the one or more inner removable portions from the outer removable portion, are configured differently.

15. An in-ground structural member or assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein each line of weakness is formed by providing a series of attachments and openings between the adjacent attachments, the openings formed between the attachments defining a shape of the removable portions.

16. An in-ground structural member or assembly as claimed in any claim 15 when dependent from claims 14 wherein a line of weakness between the one or more inner removable portion and the outer removable portion has fewer attachments than a line of weakness provided between the outer removable portion and the inner skin/outer skin in which the outer removable portion is located.

17. An in-ground structural member or assembly as claimed in claim 15 or claim

16 wherein the openings of the line of weakness are shaped through the thickness of the inner skin or outer skin in which they are provided.

18. An in-ground structural member or assembly as claimed in claim 17 wherein the openings taper in thickness from a distal side to a proximal side of the respective inner skin or outer skin.

19. An in-ground structural member or assembly as claimed in claim 18 wherein the openings provided in the outer skin are larger on the distal side of the outer skin and tapering to be thinner on the proximal side of the outer skin.

20. An in-ground structural member or assembly as claimed in any one of claims

17 to 20 wherein the openings provided in the inner skin are larger on the distal side of the inner skin and tapering to be thinner on the proximal side of the inner skin.

21. An in- ground structural member or assembly as claimed in any one of claims 17 to 20 wherein the openings extend through the outer skin.

22. An in-ground structural member or assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the removable portions in the inner skin and outer skin are aligned with each other perpendicularly to the plane of the inner skin and outer skin.

23. An in-ground structural member or assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the removable portions are coplanar with the inner skin and outer skin in which they are formed.

24. An in-ground structural member or assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims provided in a single piece.

25. An in-ground chamber comprising a structural member or assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims stacked with one or more chamber wall structural member or assembly to form an in-ground chamber.