US3898778A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Slotted drainage conduit and integral concrete floor
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1974-01-10
•
Granted: 1975-08-12
•
Expires: 1994-01-10
Abstract
Abstract An improved method for cast-in-place construction of a concrete drainage conduit immediately below an integral concrete floor surface, including a longitudinal slot for discharge of surface fluids into said conduit. A water-inflated, fabric-reinforced plastic tubular form and longitudinal slot-forming inserts, used during the concrete pouring operations, are later retrieved at one end of the conduit for reuse following deflation of the tubular form. Conduits of non-circular cross section may be formed if desired. This improved method is useful for construction of drainage facilities for flushable slotted floors for cattle confinement feedlots and for other paved surfaces such as auto parking areas, roadways and airports.
Inventors
- 👤 Lennart G Erickson
- 👤 William S Erickson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 16:14
CPC Classifications
E; E04; E04G; E04G11/00; E04G11/04; E01; E01C; E01C11/00; E01C11/22; E01C11/224; E01C11/227; E04G11/045
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 36
Claim 1
Independent Claim
142 words
A method of forming a slotted drainage conduit comprising: forming a trench in the ground; laying a concrete base in the bottom of the trench; placing an inflatable tube on said base; inflating the tube, the transverse dimension of the tube when inflated being less than the width of the trench; holding the tube against substantial lateral movement on the base when the tube is inflated; pouring concrete in the trench onto the base and about and along the tube when the latter is inflated and held on said base; maintaining a region extending upwardly from the tube free of concrete as concrete is poured about the tube; allowing the concrete about the tube to set to a hardened condition to thereby form a conduit having a slot through said region; and deflating the tube and removing the same from the conduit.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
142 words
A method of forming a slotted drainage conduit comprising: forming a trench in the ground; laying a concrete base in the bottom of the trench; placing an inflatable tube on said base; inflating the tube, the transverse dimension of the tube when inflated being less than the width of the trench; holding the tube against substantial lateral movement on the base when the tube is inflated; pouring concrete in the trench onto the base and about and along the tube when the latter is inflated and held on said base; maintaining a region extending upwardly from the tube free of concrete as concrete is poured about the tube; allowing the concrete about the tube to set to a hardened condition to thereby form a conduit having a slot through said region; and deflating the tube and removing the same from the conduit.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the tube is removed from one end of the conduit.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method as set forth in claim 1, wherein said maintaining step includes blocking said region against the entrance of concrete thereinto, and including the step of unblocking said region after the conduit has been formed.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
44 words
A method as set forth in claim 3, wherein said blocking step includes placing a block in said region, said unblocking step including moving the block from said region into the conduit, and shifting the block out of the conduit through one end thereof.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method as set forth in claim 1, wherein said laying step incluDes forming an elongated recess in the base, said holding step including positioning the tube in the recess.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method as set forth in claim 1, wherein is included the step of laying a concrete floor above and on opposite sides of the conduit.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as set forth in claim 1, wherein said inflating step includes filling the tube with water.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as set forth in claim 7, wherein said inflating step includes keeping the fluid in the tube at a predetermined pressure.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
230 words
A method of forming a concrete floor and a subfloor conduit for an animal feedlot comprising: forming a trench in the ground; pouring a first mass of concrete in the bottom of the trench to a first level spaced below the top of the trench; allowing the first mass of concrete to set to a hardened condition to form a base and tube-receiving recess in the base; placing an inflatable tube in the trench and on the base; inflating the tube, the sides of the tube being spaced from the sides of the trench; placing a block in a region above the tube when the latter is inflated with the region extending upwardly to a second level spaced above the top of the trench; pouring a second mass of concrete into the trench on opposed sides of the inflated tube and the block and onto the ground on opposite sides of the trench when the tube is inflated and over the recess with the upper surface of the concrete being substantially at said second level; permitting the second mass of concrete to set to a hardened condition to thereby form a subfloor conduit and a floor above and on opposed sides of the conduit; deflating the tube and removing the same from the conduit; and removing the block to present a slot extending between the conduit and the second level.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
230 words
A method of forming a concrete floor and a subfloor conduit for an animal feedlot comprising: forming a trench in the ground; pouring a first mass of concrete in the bottom of the trench to a first level spaced below the top of the trench; allowing the first mass of concrete to set to a hardened condition to form a base and tube-receiving recess in the base; placing an inflatable tube in the trench and on the base; inflating the tube, the sides of the tube being spaced from the sides of the trench; placing a block in a region above the tube when the latter is inflated with the region extending upwardly to a second level spaced above the top of the trench; pouring a second mass of concrete into the trench on opposed sides of the inflated tube and the block and onto the ground on opposite sides of the trench when the tube is inflated and over the recess with the upper surface of the concrete being substantially at said second level; permitting the second mass of concrete to set to a hardened condition to thereby form a subfloor conduit and a floor above and on opposed sides of the conduit; deflating the tube and removing the same from the conduit; and removing the block to present a slot extending between the conduit and the second level.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
56 words
A method as set forth in claim 9, wherein said inflating step includes filling the tube with water, and keeping the water at a predetermined pressure in the tube, said deflating and removing step includes causing the water to flow out of the tube and urging the tube out of the conduit through one end thereof.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method as set forth in claim 9, wherein said block removing step includes forcing the block into the conduit, and moving the block out of the conduit through one end thereof.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
75 words
A method as set forth in claim 9, wherein the step of pouring the second mass of concrete includes pouring a first portion of concrete into the trench on opposed sides of the tube and the block, and pouring a second portion of concrete above the first portion and onto the ground, said permitting step including allowing the first portion of concrete to set to a hardened condition before the second portion is poured thereon.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method as set forth in claim 9, wherein said trench-forming step includes sloping the bottom of the trench so that the conduit will slope toward one end of the trench.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
148 words
A method of forming a slotted drainage conduit comprising: forming a trench in the ground; laying a concrete base in the bottom of the trench and forming an elongated, concave recess in the base; placing an inflatable tube in the recess on said base; inflating the tube, said recess being substantially complemental to the lower margin of the tube when the latter is inflated, the transverse dimension of the tube when inflated being less than the width of the trench; pouring concrete in the trench onto the base and about the tube when the latter is inflated; maintaining a region extending upwardly from the tube free of concrete as concrete is poured about the tube; allowing the concrete about the tube to set to hardened condition to thereby form a conduit having a slot through said region; and deflating the tube and removing the same from the conduit.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
148 words
A method of forming a slotted drainage conduit comprising: forming a trench in the ground; laying a concrete base in the bottom of the trench and forming an elongated, concave recess in the base; placing an inflatable tube in the recess on said base; inflating the tube, said recess being substantially complemental to the lower margin of the tube when the latter is inflated, the transverse dimension of the tube when inflated being less than the width of the trench; pouring concrete in the trench onto the base and about the tube when the latter is inflated; maintaining a region extending upwardly from the tube free of concrete as concrete is poured about the tube; allowing the concrete about the tube to set to hardened condition to thereby form a conduit having a slot through said region; and deflating the tube and removing the same from the conduit.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
147 words
A method of forming a slotted drainage conduit comprising: forming a trench in the ground; laying a concrete base in the bottom of the trench and forming an elongated, substantially V-shaped recess in the base; placing an inflatable tube in said recess on said base; inflating the tubE, the transverse dimension of the tube when inflated being less than the width of the trench; pouring concrete in the trench onto the base and about the tube when the latter is inflated; maintaining a region extending upwardly from the tube free of concrete as concrete is poured about the tube; allowing the concrete about the tube to set to a hardened condition to thereby form a conduit having a slot through said region, the recess providing a relatively steep slope for the bottom portion of the conduit; and deflating the tube and removing the same from the conduit.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
147 words
A method of forming a slotted drainage conduit comprising: forming a trench in the ground; laying a concrete base in the bottom of the trench and forming an elongated, substantially V-shaped recess in the base; placing an inflatable tube in said recess on said base; inflating the tubE, the transverse dimension of the tube when inflated being less than the width of the trench; pouring concrete in the trench onto the base and about the tube when the latter is inflated; maintaining a region extending upwardly from the tube free of concrete as concrete is poured about the tube; allowing the concrete about the tube to set to a hardened condition to thereby form a conduit having a slot through said region, the recess providing a relatively steep slope for the bottom portion of the conduit; and deflating the tube and removing the same from the conduit.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
153 words
A method of forming a slotted drainage conduit comprising: forming a trench in the ground; laying a concrete base in the bottom of the trench; placing an inflatable tube on said base; inflating the tube as it is supported on the base with the transverse dimension of the inflated tube being less than the width of the trench; pouring concrete in the trench onto the base and about the inflated tube; maintaining a region extending upwardly from the tube free of concrete as concrete is poured about the tube; allowing the concrete about the tube to set a hardened condition to thereby form a conduit having a slot through said region; deflating the tube and removing the same from the conduit; directing a mass of concrete onto the ground above and on opposite sides of the conduit to form a floor; and sloping the upper surface of said mass downwardly toward said slot.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
153 words
A method of forming a slotted drainage conduit comprising: forming a trench in the ground; laying a concrete base in the bottom of the trench; placing an inflatable tube on said base; inflating the tube as it is supported on the base with the transverse dimension of the inflated tube being less than the width of the trench; pouring concrete in the trench onto the base and about the inflated tube; maintaining a region extending upwardly from the tube free of concrete as concrete is poured about the tube; allowing the concrete about the tube to set a hardened condition to thereby form a conduit having a slot through said region; deflating the tube and removing the same from the conduit; directing a mass of concrete onto the ground above and on opposite sides of the conduit to form a floor; and sloping the upper surface of said mass downwardly toward said slot.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
254 words
A method of forming a concrete floor and a subfloor conduit for an animal feedlot comprising: forming a trench in the ground; pouring a first mass of concrete in the bottom of the trench to a first level spaced below the top of the trench; allowing the first mass of concrete to set to a hardened condition to form a base and elongated, tube-receiving recess for said base with said recess being substantially V-shaped to present a pair of relatively angularly disposed surfaces converging toward each other as the bottom of the base is approached; placing an inflatable tube in the trench and on the base; inflating the tube, the sides of the tube being spaced from the sides of the trench when the tube is inflated; placing a block in a region above the tube when the latter is inflated with the region extending upwardly to a second level spaced above the top of the trench; pouring a second mass of concrete into the trench on opposed sides of the inflated tube and the block and onto the ground on opposite sides of the trench with the upper surface of the concrete being substantially at said second level; permitting the second mass of concrete to set to a hardened condition to thereby form a subfloor conduit and a floor above and on opposed sides of the conduit, deflating the tube and removing the same from the conduit; and removing the block to present a slot extending between the conduit and the second level.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
254 words
A method of forming a concrete floor and a subfloor conduit for an animal feedlot comprising: forming a trench in the ground; pouring a first mass of concrete in the bottom of the trench to a first level spaced below the top of the trench; allowing the first mass of concrete to set to a hardened condition to form a base and elongated, tube-receiving recess for said base with said recess being substantially V-shaped to present a pair of relatively angularly disposed surfaces converging toward each other as the bottom of the base is approached; placing an inflatable tube in the trench and on the base; inflating the tube, the sides of the tube being spaced from the sides of the trench when the tube is inflated; placing a block in a region above the tube when the latter is inflated with the region extending upwardly to a second level spaced above the top of the trench; pouring a second mass of concrete into the trench on opposed sides of the inflated tube and the block and onto the ground on opposite sides of the trench with the upper surface of the concrete being substantially at said second level; permitting the second mass of concrete to set to a hardened condition to thereby form a subfloor conduit and a floor above and on opposed sides of the conduit, deflating the tube and removing the same from the conduit; and removing the block to present a slot extending between the conduit and the second level.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
243 words
A method of forming a concrete floor and a subfloor conduit for an animal feedlot comprising: forming a trench in the ground; pouring a first mass of concrete in the bottom of the trench to a first level spaced below the top of the trench; allowing the first mass of concrete to set to a hardened condition to form a base and an elongated, substantially concave tube-receiving recess for said base; placing an inflatable tube in the trench and on the base; inflating the tube, the tube being complementally received in the base when the tube is inflated, the sides of the tube being spaced from the sides of the trench when the tube is inflated; placing a block in a region above the tube when the latter is inflated with the region extending upwardly to a second level spaced above the top of the trench; pouring a second mass of concrete into the trench on opposed sides of the inflated tube and the block and onto the ground on opposite sides of the trench with the upper surface of the concrete being substantially at said second level; permitting the second mass of concrete to set to a hardened condition to thereby form a subfloor conduit and a flooR above and on opposed sides of the conduit; deflating the tube and removing the same from the conduit; and removing the block to present a slot extending between the conduit and the second level.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
243 words
A method of forming a concrete floor and a subfloor conduit for an animal feedlot comprising: forming a trench in the ground; pouring a first mass of concrete in the bottom of the trench to a first level spaced below the top of the trench; allowing the first mass of concrete to set to a hardened condition to form a base and an elongated, substantially concave tube-receiving recess for said base; placing an inflatable tube in the trench and on the base; inflating the tube, the tube being complementally received in the base when the tube is inflated, the sides of the tube being spaced from the sides of the trench when the tube is inflated; placing a block in a region above the tube when the latter is inflated with the region extending upwardly to a second level spaced above the top of the trench; pouring a second mass of concrete into the trench on opposed sides of the inflated tube and the block and onto the ground on opposite sides of the trench with the upper surface of the concrete being substantially at said second level; permitting the second mass of concrete to set to a hardened condition to thereby form a subfloor conduit and a flooR above and on opposed sides of the conduit; deflating the tube and removing the same from the conduit; and removing the block to present a slot extending between the conduit and the second level.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
212 words
A method of forming a concrete floor and a subfloor conduit for an animal feedlot comprising: forming a trench in the ground; pouring a first mass of concrete in the bottom of the trench to a first level spaced below the top of the trench; allowing the first mass of concrete to set to a hardened condition to form a base; placing an inflatable tube in the trench and on the base; inflating the tube, the sides of the tube being spaced from the sides of the trench when the tube is inflated with the region extending upwardly to a second level spaced above the top of the trench; pouring a second mass of concrete into the trench on opposed sides of the inflated tube and the block and onto the ground on opposite sides of the trench; sloping the upper surface of the second mass upwardly and away from the second level on opposed sides thereof; permitting the second mass of concrete to set to a hardened condition to thereby form a subfloor conduit and a floor above and on opposed sides of the conduit; deflating the tube and removing the same from the conduit; and removing the block to present a slot extending between the conduit and the second level.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
212 words
A method of forming a concrete floor and a subfloor conduit for an animal feedlot comprising: forming a trench in the ground; pouring a first mass of concrete in the bottom of the trench to a first level spaced below the top of the trench; allowing the first mass of concrete to set to a hardened condition to form a base; placing an inflatable tube in the trench and on the base; inflating the tube, the sides of the tube being spaced from the sides of the trench when the tube is inflated with the region extending upwardly to a second level spaced above the top of the trench; pouring a second mass of concrete into the trench on opposed sides of the inflated tube and the block and onto the ground on opposite sides of the trench; sloping the upper surface of the second mass upwardly and away from the second level on opposed sides thereof; permitting the second mass of concrete to set to a hardened condition to thereby form a subfloor conduit and a floor above and on opposed sides of the conduit; deflating the tube and removing the same from the conduit; and removing the block to present a slot extending between the conduit and the second level.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
295 words
A method of forming a concrete floor and a subfloor conduit for an animal feedlot comprising: forming a trench in the ground; pouring a first mass of concrete in the bottom of the trench to a first level spaced below the top of the trench; allowing the first mass of concrete to set to a hardened condition to form a base; placing an inflatable tube in the trench and on the base; inflating the tube as it remains on the base with the sides of the tube being spaced from the sides of the trench; placing a block in a region above the inflated tube with the region extending upwardly to a second level spaced above the top of the trench; pouring a second mass of concrete into the trench on opposed sides of the tube and the block and onto the ground on opposite sides of the trench with the upper surface of the concrete being substantially at said second level; permitting the second mass of concrete to set to a hardened condition to thereby form a subfloor conduit and a floor above and on opposed sides of the conduit; deflating the tube and removing the same from the conduit; removing the block to present a slot extending between the conduit and the second level; forming a second trench coextensive with the first-mentioned trench; forming a concrete base in the second trench with the base in the second trench being coextensive with the base in the first-mentioned trench; moving the deflated tube end-wise of the conduit onto the second base; and repeating the inflating, block placing, second mass pouring, permitting, tube deflating and block-removing steps to form a second subfloor conduit and concrete floor coextensive with the first-mentioned subfloor and conduit and concrete floor.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
295 words
A method of forming a concrete floor and a subfloor conduit for an animal feedlot comprising: forming a trench in the ground; pouring a first mass of concrete in the bottom of the trench to a first level spaced below the top of the trench; allowing the first mass of concrete to set to a hardened condition to form a base; placing an inflatable tube in the trench and on the base; inflating the tube as it remains on the base with the sides of the tube being spaced from the sides of the trench; placing a block in a region above the inflated tube with the region extending upwardly to a second level spaced above the top of the trench; pouring a second mass of concrete into the trench on opposed sides of the tube and the block and onto the ground on opposite sides of the trench with the upper surface of the concrete being substantially at said second level; permitting the second mass of concrete to set to a hardened condition to thereby form a subfloor conduit and a floor above and on opposed sides of the conduit; deflating the tube and removing the same from the conduit; removing the block to present a slot extending between the conduit and the second level; forming a second trench coextensive with the first-mentioned trench; forming a concrete base in the second trench with the base in the second trench being coextensive with the base in the first-mentioned trench; moving the deflated tube end-wise of the conduit onto the second base; and repeating the inflating, block placing, second mass pouring, permitting, tube deflating and block-removing steps to form a second subfloor conduit and concrete floor coextensive with the first-mentioned subfloor and conduit and concrete floor.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method as set forth in claim 20, wherein said moving step includes keeping an end portion of the tube in the first conduit for alignment purposes.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
133 words
A combination drainage conduit and floor for placement on the ground in an open trench comprising: a base having a concave recess in the upper surface thereof and adapted to be placed in the bottom of the trench; a pair of spaced sides having means integral with and interconnecting the upper margins thereof, the sides being positionable on the base and cooperating therewith to form the conduit; and a pair of floor members integral with respective sides at the upper margins thereof and extending laterally therefrom in opposed directions, there being a slot through the junction of the floor members and through said interconnecting means, the floor members being sloped toward said slot, whereby fluids on the upper surface of the floor members can gravitate to the slot and pass into the conduit.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
133 words
A combination drainage conduit and floor for placement on the ground in an open trench comprising: a base having a concave recess in the upper surface thereof and adapted to be placed in the bottom of the trench; a pair of spaced sides having means integral with and interconnecting the upper margins thereof, the sides being positionable on the base and cooperating therewith to form the conduit; and a pair of floor members integral with respective sides at the upper margins thereof and extending laterally therefrom in opposed directions, there being a slot through the junction of the floor members and through said interconnecting means, the floor members being sloped toward said slot, whereby fluids on the upper surface of the floor members can gravitate to the slot and pass into the conduit.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
132 words
A combinatioN drainage conduit and floor for placement on the ground in an open trench comprising: a base having a V-shaped recess in the upper surface thereof and adapted to be placed in the bottom of the trench; a pair of spaced sides having means integral with and interconnecting the upper margins thereof, the sides being positionable on the base and cooperating therewith to form the conduit; and a pair of floor members integral with respective sides at upper margins thereof and extending laterally therefrom in opposed directions, there being a slot through the junction of the floor members and through said interconnecting means, the floor members being sloped toward said slot, whereby fluids on the upper surface of the floor members can gravitate to the slot and pass into the conduit.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
132 words
A combinatioN drainage conduit and floor for placement on the ground in an open trench comprising: a base having a V-shaped recess in the upper surface thereof and adapted to be placed in the bottom of the trench; a pair of spaced sides having means integral with and interconnecting the upper margins thereof, the sides being positionable on the base and cooperating therewith to form the conduit; and a pair of floor members integral with respective sides at upper margins thereof and extending laterally therefrom in opposed directions, there being a slot through the junction of the floor members and through said interconnecting means, the floor members being sloped toward said slot, whereby fluids on the upper surface of the floor members can gravitate to the slot and pass into the conduit.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
140 words
A combination drainage conduit and floor for placement on the ground in an open trench comprising: a base adapted to be placed in the bottom of the trench; a pair of spaced sides having means integral with and interconnecting the upper margins thereof, the sides being positionable on the base and cooperating therewith to form the conduit; and a pair of floor members integral with respective sides at the upper margins thereof and extending laterally therefrom in opposed directions, there being a slot through the junction of the floor members and through said interconnecting means, the sides of the floor members defining the slot being convergent as their upper ends are approached, the floor members being sloped toward said slot, whereby fluids on the upper surface of the floor members can gravitate to the slot and pass into the conduit.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
140 words
A combination drainage conduit and floor for placement on the ground in an open trench comprising: a base adapted to be placed in the bottom of the trench; a pair of spaced sides having means integral with and interconnecting the upper margins thereof, the sides being positionable on the base and cooperating therewith to form the conduit; and a pair of floor members integral with respective sides at the upper margins thereof and extending laterally therefrom in opposed directions, there being a slot through the junction of the floor members and through said interconnecting means, the sides of the floor members defining the slot being convergent as their upper ends are approached, the floor members being sloped toward said slot, whereby fluids on the upper surface of the floor members can gravitate to the slot and pass into the conduit.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-08-11 | 1979-02-10 | 1979-08-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-08-11 | 1983-02-10 | 1983-08-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-08-11 | 1987-02-10 | 1987-08-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |