US4379654A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Device for keeping a lining-layer in contact with the walls of a civil-engineering works
Assignee: Industrie Pirelli SpA
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Filing: 1981-02-19
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Granted: 1983-04-12
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Expires: 2001-02-19
Abstract
Abstract This invention provides a device for maintaining a flexible, inextensible fluid impervious sheet which forms a lining for the walls of a cavity in the earth in contact with the walls. The device has a plurality of frames comprising rods hinged one to the other in a cascade-connection, the end rods being provided with elastically deformable means (such as pressure pads) to distribute the contacting pressures between the lining and the walls, independently of any uneveness in the cavity wall.
Inventors
- 👤 Giuseppe Rovelli
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 19:18
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21D; E21D11/00; E21D11/38; E21D11/381
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
143 words
A device for maintaining a flexible liner in contact with the walls of an excavation in the earth comprising a plurality of frames spaced one from the other and disposed in planes which are substantially perpendicular to the larger dimension of the excavation, said frames comprising a double series of rods, means hinging the rods of each series together in a cascade-connection, means hinging the first rods of each series to each other at one end, and to the wall, an elastically deformable member hinged to the ends of the last rods of the series, and at least one rod intermediate said first and last rods hinged to the immediately preceding rod at a point intermediate of its length and hinged to the rod that follows in each series at its ends, and resilient means for drawing apart the double series of rods.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
143 words
A device for maintaining a flexible liner in contact with the walls of an excavation in the earth comprising a plurality of frames spaced one from the other and disposed in planes which are substantially perpendicular to the larger dimension of the excavation, said frames comprising a double series of rods, means hinging the rods of each series together in a cascade-connection, means hinging the first rods of each series to each other at one end, and to the wall, an elastically deformable member hinged to the ends of the last rods of the series, and at least one rod intermediate said first and last rods hinged to the immediately preceding rod at a point intermediate of its length and hinged to the rod that follows in each series at its ends, and resilient means for drawing apart the double series of rods.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device of claim 1, wherein each hinge is placed in an asymmetrical position with respect to the rod's bary-center.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
12 words
The device of claim 1, wherein said elastically deformable elements are pressure-pads.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The device of claim 1, wherein said elastically deformable elements are H-shaped structures.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The device of claim 1, wherein said means for drawing apart the double series of rods are biasing means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The device of claim 5 wherein said biasing means comprise a spring interposed between the said first rods of two series of rods.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The device of claim 1, wherein said means for drawing apart the double series of rods is a strut of variable length.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
175 words
A skeleton supporting structure for a flexible sheet lining a wall of a cavity in the earth comprising on each of opposite sides of the cavity spaced flexible pads disposed against said sheet, and a series of rods connected together to form a support structure having axes which are substantially perpendicular to the axis of the cavity on opposite sides of the median line of the cavity, each series comprising a first rod pivotally secured to each of two adjacent flexible pads and spanning the space therebetween, a second rod pivotally secured at its ends to each of a pair of adjacent first rods, and a third rod pivotally secured at one end to a second rod and pivotally secured at its opposite end to said wall, and resilient means secured between said third rods on opposite sides of the cavity biasing the third rods apart thereby initiating a pressing force in the third rods which is transferred through the said second rods to the said first rods to press the pads against said sheet.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
175 words
A skeleton supporting structure for a flexible sheet lining a wall of a cavity in the earth comprising on each of opposite sides of the cavity spaced flexible pads disposed against said sheet, and a series of rods connected together to form a support structure having axes which are substantially perpendicular to the axis of the cavity on opposite sides of the median line of the cavity, each series comprising a first rod pivotally secured to each of two adjacent flexible pads and spanning the space therebetween, a second rod pivotally secured at its ends to each of a pair of adjacent first rods, and a third rod pivotally secured at one end to a second rod and pivotally secured at its opposite end to said wall, and resilient means secured between said third rods on opposite sides of the cavity biasing the third rods apart thereby initiating a pressing force in the third rods which is transferred through the said second rods to the said first rods to press the pads against said sheet.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
181 words
A skeleton supporting structure for a flexible sheet lining of a wall of a cavity in the earth comprising: means securing a flexible hinge to the top of the cavity at a point intermediate the side walls of the cavity; a first pair of rods of approximately equal length suspended by their upper ends from said hinge with spring means between said rods forcing them outwardly to form an inverted "V" formation, with one rod on each side of the center of said cavity; a second pair of rods, each of which is pivotally secured, from a point intermediate its ends, to the lower ends of the first pair of rods; third and fourth pairs of rods, each of which is pivotally secured, from a point intermediate its ends, to one of the ends of said second pair of rods; a pressure pad secured to each end of each of said third and fourth rods, said pads contacting said sheet lining and pushing it outwardly from the center of said cavity to hold the lining against the walls of the cavity.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
181 words
A skeleton supporting structure for a flexible sheet lining of a wall of a cavity in the earth comprising: means securing a flexible hinge to the top of the cavity at a point intermediate the side walls of the cavity; a first pair of rods of approximately equal length suspended by their upper ends from said hinge with spring means between said rods forcing them outwardly to form an inverted "V" formation, with one rod on each side of the center of said cavity; a second pair of rods, each of which is pivotally secured, from a point intermediate its ends, to the lower ends of the first pair of rods; third and fourth pairs of rods, each of which is pivotally secured, from a point intermediate its ends, to one of the ends of said second pair of rods; a pressure pad secured to each end of each of said third and fourth rods, said pads contacting said sheet lining and pushing it outwardly from the center of said cavity to hold the lining against the walls of the cavity.
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) | 1986-04-11 | 1986-10-11 | 1987-04-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-04-11 | 1990-10-11 | 1991-04-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-04-11 | 1994-10-11 | 1995-04-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |