U.S. patent application number 14/151651 was filed with the patent office on 2014-08-07 for method and apparatus for reinforcing barrier interconnections.
The applicant listed for this patent is Wayne Wolf. Invention is credited to Wayne Wolf.
Application Number | 20140219715 14/151651 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 51163056 |
Filed Date | 2014-08-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140219715 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Wolf; Wayne |
August 7, 2014 |
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR REINFORCING BARRIER INTERCONNECTIONS
Abstract
In an underground barrier wherein each barrier member has a
first edge having a flange defining a first connector and an
opposed second edge having a channel defining a second connector,
the channel being sized and shaped to receive the flange in
slidable interconnection therein an apparatus for reinforcing a
connection between adjacent barrier members comprises a first plate
shaped to correspond to a first side of the barrier member around
the channel, a second plate shaped to correspond to a second side
of the barrier member, around the channel and a plurality of
fasteners extending between the first and second plates so as to
retain the first and second plates proximate to the channel.
Inventors: |
Wolf; Wayne; (Kelowna,
CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Wolf; Wayne |
Kelowna |
|
CA |
|
|
Family ID: |
51163056 |
Appl. No.: |
14/151651 |
Filed: |
January 9, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61750731 |
Jan 9, 2013 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
403/381 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E02D 5/06 20130101; F16B
2200/30 20180801 |
Class at
Publication: |
403/381 |
International
Class: |
E02D 29/02 20060101
E02D029/02 |
Claims
1. An apparatus for reinforcing a connection between adjacent
barrier members, each barrier member having a first edge having a
flange defining a first connector and an opposed second edge having
a channel defining a second connector, the channel being sized and
shaped to receive the flange of an adjacent barrier member in
slidable interconnection therein, the apparatus comprising: a first
plate shaped to correspond to a first side of the barrier member
around the channel; a second plate shaped to correspond to a second
side of the barrier member, around the channel; and a plurality of
fasteners extending between the first and second plates so as to
retain the first and second plates proximate to the channel.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said channel is formed between
free distal edges wherein the first and second plates have edges
located proximate thereto so as to prevent displacement of the free
distal edges.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said fasteners comprise
bolts.
4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said fasteners are passed
through bores in the barrier members adjacent to the channel.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first and second plates
are formed of metal.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first plate includes a
planar section and an arcuate section corresponding to a first arm
forming said channel.
7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said second plate includes a
planar section and an arcuate section corresponding to a second arm
forming said channel.
8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said second plate includes a
planar section and an arcuate section corresponding to a second arm
forming said channel.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent
Application No. 61/750,731 filed Jan. 9, 2013 entitled Method and
Apparatus for Reinforcing Barrier Interconnections.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to barrier walls in general
and in particular to a method and apparatus for reinforcing the
below surface connection of adjacent barrier members forming a
subterranean barrier.
[0004] 2. Description of Related Art
[0005] In the field of geotechnical engineering, it is frequently
necessary to physically isolate one area in a soil formation from
an adjacent area for a variety of purposes. These purposes may
include providing a either a temporary or a permanent retaining
wall, or may be for the purpose of isolating contaminants in one of
those areas of soil from the other. One known method of providing
such isolation is to insert successive panels into the soil
formation between the two areas so as to form a continuous barrier
therebetween. In the case of remediation work where the purpose is
to contain and remove contaminants from the soil of one of the
areas, it is frequently necessary to ensure that the barrier
created by such panels does not have significant gaps therebetween
which may allow the contaminants to escape.
[0006] Commonly, such panels used to form such barriers include
connectors on each side of so that the panels may be interconnected
to each other to form a continuous barrier. In particular, the
barrier panels may include a flange on one side of the barrier
panel which adapted to be slidably received within a slot or
channel on an opposite side of an adjacent panel to slidably lock
the two barrier panels together.
[0007] A difficulty with present methods of inserting remediation
panels into soil formations is their susceptibility to encountering
large boulders or other subsurface objects. It is well known that
encountering such subsurface objects may cause the panel to buckle
or otherwise deform. Buckling is particularly a concern for barrier
panels formed of plastic or composite materials. Buckling of one
remediation panel may cause the connector of that panel to
disengage or unzipper from the corresponding connector of an
adjacent panel. In particular, during buckling, the connectors
between the barriers panel may be forced apart thereby creating a
gap therebetween. The resulting unzippered connection will no
longer contain contaminants or other fluids thereby compromising
the barrier.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] According to a first embodiment of the present invention
there is disclosed an apparatus for reinforcing a connection
between adjacent barrier members, each barrier member having a
first edge having a flange defining a first connector and an
opposed second edge having a channel defining a second connector,
the channel being sized and shaped to receive the flange in
slidable interconnection therein. The apparatus comprises a first
plate shaped to correspond to a first side of the barrier member
around the channel, a second plate shaped to correspond to a second
side of the barrier member, around the channel and a plurality of
fasteners extending between the first and second plates so as to
retain the first and second plates proximate to the channel.
[0009] The channel may be formed by free distal edges wherein the
first and second plates are located proximate thereto so as to
prevent displacement of the free distal edges. The fasteners may
comprise bolts. The fasteners may be passed through bores in the
barrier members adjacent to the channel. The first and second
plates may be formed of metal.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] In drawings which illustrate embodiments of the invention
wherein similar characters of reference denote corresponding parts
in each view,
[0011] FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of a prior art system of a
barrier wall being formed in a soil formation utilizing
interlocking barrier members.
[0012] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a section of the barrier
member having a reinforcing apparatus according to a first
embodiment of the present invention.
[0013] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the connection between
the adjacent barrier members of FIG. 1 taken along the line 3-3
with the reinforcing apparatus applied thereto.
[0014] FIG. 4 is a detailed perspective view of the reinforcing
apparatus being applied to a barrier member.
[0015] FIG. 5 is a detailed perspective view of the reinforcing
apparatus applied to a barrier member.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0016] Referring to FIG. 1, a barrier wall is shown generally at 10
being formed in a soil formation 8. The barrier wall 10 comprises a
plurality of barrier members 12 inserted into the soil formation 8
adjacent to and interlocked with each other so as to form a
continuous barrier wall 10. The barrier wall 10 may, by way of
non-limiting example be a sheet piling wall wherein the barrier
members comprise impermeable sheets. Barrier members 12, such as
barrier piling sheets, for use in forming barrier walls in soil
formation 8 are known in the art. Methods of inserting such barrier
member are also known in the art, such as, by way of non-limiting
example, by utilizing known pile driver methods such as drop
hammers, vibratory hammers or plate tampers and excavators,
utilizing a mandrel or digging a trench to receive the barrier
members 12. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the barrier wall 10 may be
formed by inserting a first barrier member 12a into the soil
formation and thereafter inserting a second barrier member 12b
adjacent to and slidably interlocked with the first barrier member
12a.
[0017] With reference to the first barrier member 12a, each barrier
member comprises a body having a substantially rectangular outline
defined by top 14, bottom 16 and first and second side edges, 18
and 20, respectively. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the barrier member
12 may comprise a sheet of material having front and rear surfaces,
15 and 17, respectively and a variety of cross section profiles as
are commonly known in the art. For example, by way of non-limited
example, the barrier member 12 may have a substantially planar,
z-shaped, a double z-shape, u-shaped or c-shaped cross section
profile. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the top and bottom edges 14 and
16 are substantially parallel to each other. Furthermore, the first
and second side edges 18 and 20 are substantially parallel to each
other and substantially perpendicular to the top and bottom edges.
With reference to FIG. 2, the first edge 18 has a first connector
22 disposed therealong while the second edge 20 has a second
connector 24 disposed therealong. As further described below, the
first and second connectors 22 and 24, are adapted to cooperate
with corresponding first and second connectors of adjacent panels.
The barrier members 12 may be formed of any known material in the
art. Barrier members may be formed of metal, such as steel or
aluminium, resins such as vinyl, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or other
known plastics, or composite materials such as fibreglass or carbon
fibre by way of non-limiting example.
[0018] Turning now to FIG. 3, a cross-sectional view of a
connection between adjacent first and second barrier members 12a
and 12b is illustrated. As illustrated, the first connector 22 of
the second barrier member 12b is interlocked with the second
connector 24 of the first barrier member 12a. In the embodiment
illustrated in FIG. 3, the first connector 22 comprises an elongate
flange 23 extending along the length of the first edge 18 of the
barrier member. The flange 23 of the first connector 22 has front
and rear surfaces, 34 and 32, respectively. The second connector 24
comprises a c-shaped channel 30 extending along the second edge 20.
The c-shaped channel 30 is defined by first and second opposed
partitions, 26 and 28, respectively adapted to surround the flange
23 and bear against the rear surface 32 of the first connector so
as to retain the flange within the c-shaped channel 30.
[0019] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the first and second connectors 22
and 24 extend along the first and second edges 18 and 20 of the
barrier member. It will therefore be appreciated that the first
connector 22 is adapted to be longitudinally slidable within the
second connector 24. Adjacent first and second barrier members 12a
and 12b may be connected by first interlocking the second connector
24 of the first barrier member with the first connector 22 of the
second barrier member. The first barrier member 12a may then be
moved in a direction generally indicated at 9 in FIG. 1 parallel to
the second barrier member until the first and second barrier
members 12a and 12b form a continuous barrier wall 10. Successive
barrier members 12 may then be added to lengthen the barrier wall
10.
[0020] As illustrated in FIGS. 2 through 5, the second connector 24
includes a reinforcing apparatus 40 for reinforcing the first and
second opposed arm partitions, 26 and 28 of the c-shaped channel
30. The apparatus 40 comprises a first plate 42 shaped to
correspond to the first side 15 of the barrier member 12 around the
c-shaped channel 30 and a second plate 70 shaped to correspond to
the second side 17 of the barrier member 12, around the c-shaped
channel 30. A plurality of fasteners 90, such as bolts, screws
rivets or the like by way of non-limiting example extend through
the first and second plates 42 and 70 and the barrier member 12 so
as to retain the first and second plates around the channel as will
be further described below.
[0021] The first plate 42 extends between first and second ends, 44
and 46, respectively and first and second side edges, 48 and 50,
respectively and has front and rear surfaces, 52 and 54,
respectively. The first plate includes a substantially planar
portion 56 and first and second curved portions, 58 and 60,
respectively. The first and second curved portions 58 and 60 have
profiles corresponding to the curvature of the first partition 26.
In the particular, the first and second curved portions may have
radiuses of curvature selected to be between 1/4 and 3 inches (13
and 76 mm) although it will be appreciated that other radiuses may
be utilized as well. As illustrated, the first curved portion 58
bends the first plate 42 away from the barrier member 12 wherein
the second curved portion 60 thereafter curved back towards the
barrier member 12 as illustrated. It will be appreciated that other
profiles may also be utilized to correspond to the shape of the
second connector 24 of the barrier member. The first plate 42
includes a plurality of fastener bores 62 through the planar
portion for receiving the fasteners 90 therethrough as will be
discussed further below.
[0022] The second plate 70 extends between first and second ends,
72 and 74, respectively and first and second side edges, 76 and 78,
respectively and has front and rear surfaces, 80 and 82,
respectively. The first plate includes a substantially planar
portion 84 and a curved portion 86 corresponding to the curvature
of the second partition 28 towards the barrier member 12 as
illustrated. The second plate 70 includes a plurality of fastener
bores 88 through the planar portion for receiving the fasteners 90
therethrough as will be discussed further below.
[0023] As illustrated the barrier member includes a plurality of
bores 25 extending therethrough in an arrangement and location
corresponding to the fastener bores 62 and 88 of the first and
second plates. As illustrated the bores 25, 62 and 88 may be
arranged in a regular array, such as by way of non-limiting example
a 2.times.3 array although it will be appreciated that other
patterns may also be utilized. As illustrated, the fasteners 90 may
comprise bolts although it will be appreciated that other fasteners
may also be utilized. The bores 25, 62 and 88 are selected to have
a diameter sufficient to permit the fasteners 90 to be passed
therethrough, such as by way of non-limiting example, between 1/4
and 1 inches (6 and 25 mm) although it will be appreciated that
other diameters may be utilized as well. The fasteners 90 be passed
through the bores 25, 62 and 88 and thereafter secured in place
with nuts 92 or the like so as to compressible grip the first and
second plates 42 and 70 against the barrier member 12. The
fasteners 90 and 92 may be selected according to known methods to
have sufficient strength to retain the first and second plates 42
and 70 in position. By way of non-limiting example, the fasteners
may comprise bolts having a nominal size of between 1/4 and 7/8
inches (6 and 22 mm) although it will be appreciated that other
bolts may be utilized as well.
[0024] In operation, the first and second plates 42 and 70 are
located on opposed sides of the barrier member 12 proximate to the
top or bottom end 14 or 16 thereof with the bores 25, 62 and 88 in
alignment with each other. Optionally, the barrier member may not
include bores 25 wherein the first and second plates 42 and 70 may
be located as desired by a user and thereafter, the bores 25 in the
barrier member drilled to align with the bores 62 and 88.
Thereafter fasteners 90 may be passed through the bores 25, 62 and
88 and secured in place with nuts 92. As illustrated in FIG. 3 the
first and second curved portions 58 and 60 of the first plate 42
and curved portion 86 of the second plate 70 are located so as to
be proximate to and bear against the first and second partitions 26
and 28. In such a manner, the first and second plates 42 and 70
will prevent or reduce outward deflection of the first and second
partitions under loading.
[0025] The first ends 44 and 72 of the first and second plates have
a spacing therebetween when applied to the barrier member 12 so
such that opening of the c-shaped channel is not obstructed. By way
of non-limiting example, the first ends 44 and 72 may be spaced
apart by a distance of between 3 and 8 inches (76 and 203 mm)
although it will be appreciated that other distances may be useful
as well depending upon the shape and size of the c-shaped channel.
The first and second plates 42 and 70 may be formed of any suitable
material, such as, by way of non-limiting example steel, stainless
steel, alloys, composite materials or plastics so as to have
sufficient strength to reinforce the first and second partitions 26
and 28. The first and second plates 42 and 70 may also be formed of
any thickness so as to have sufficient strength to restrain the
first and second partitions 26 and 28 from moving depending on the
material utilized. By way of non-limiting example, the first and
second plates may be formed of between 1/16 of 3/8 inch (2 and 10
mm) thick steel plate although other materials and thicknesses may
be used as well.
[0026] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the apparatus 40 may be located
proximate to a bottom edge 16 of the barrier member although it
will be appreciated that it may also be located at other locations,
such as by way of non-limiting example, proximate to the top edge
14 or in the middle of the barrier member. It will also be
appreciated that more than one of the apparatus may be provided
along each edge depending upon the reinforcement needs of the
application.
[0027] While specific embodiments of the invention have been
described and illustrated, such embodiments should be considered
illustrative of the invention only and not as limiting the
invention as construed in accordance with the accompanying
claims.
* * * * *