Abt, Inc.

Charles E Gunter

Blake Locke

Tom Simon

Tim Wallace

The present invention is manufactured to prevent the difficulties that may arise when installing a drainage system into a trench that has been cut into a sidewall of a building containing a network of structural members. The present invention is developed to produce a secure and effective connection between the structural member(s) of a drainage system and the structural members in the sidewall of a building in order to increase the stability of the drainage system within the sidewall.

Drainage device and methods for constructing and use

Embodiments of the present invention include apparatus and methods relating to a drainage channel comprising two half members further comprising overhangs extending away from the half member along the length of the half member, wherein the overhang features alternating protrusions and recesses at regular distances along the length of the overhang and wherein the first half member and the second half member are joined together by the recesses of the first half member receiving the protrusions of the second half member and the recesses of the second half member receiving the protrusions of the first half member; and wherein the interior edges of the first half member and the second half member define a channel.

Deck drain and method of manufacture

A text fixture apparatus for testing structures with a compression testing machine. The test fixture apparatus includes a support plate assembly and a load plate assembly. The support plate assembly includes two parallel support plates and has sloped surfaces to support a first and second structures and angles of equal magnitude and opposite slope. The load plate assembly is configured to oppose the support plate assembly, includes at least one load plate, and allows the load plate assembly to apply a load to the structures in response force on the support plate assembly, load plate assembly, or a combination thereof in a direction other than perpendicular to the sloped surfaces. A vertical force applied by the assemblies results in substantially equal and opposite horizontal components of force on the first structure and the second structure. Methods of testing and of making the apparatus are provided.

Dynamic test fixture

Embodiments of the present invention allow for the manufacture of a number of drainage channels of different heights, widths, thicknesses, shapes, and slopes from only one mold or a greatly-reduced number of molds. In one embodiment, the drainage channel mold has an interior mold and an exterior mold. The exterior mold has two opposing sidewalls that can be placed at different distances apart from one another to vary the overall width of the drainage channel. The sidewalls can be independent of each other or they can be coupled to each other yet still allowed to be positioned at different distances apart. In one embodiment, the sidewalls are hingedly coupled to a base support mechanism. The mold also contains mold spacers that can be located between the interior mold and the exterior mold sidewalls to create different heights, widths, shapes, and slopes in the drainage channel walls formed by the adjustable mold.

Adjustable mold and associated method for making a drainage channel

A channel system for forming a trench is disclosed that includes a number of precast drainage channel sections and one or more alignment keys for aligning and interlocking adjacent channel sections. Each alignment key includes a base shaped for laterally bridging across a predetermined exterior portion of adjacent bottom walls of the adjacent channel sections. The alignment key also includes first and second opposed, inwardly facing jaw members shaped for longitudinally bridging across a predetermined exterior portion of adjacent first and second sidewalls, respectively, of the adjacent channel sections. Each pair of the jaw members can be carried by a respective base, and can be positioned in a lateral and longitudinal direction relative to the respective base to thereby substantially align and interlock the adjacent channel sections.

Method and apparatus for aligning channel sections with an adjustable alignment key

An assembly for forming a trench comprising a frame having two elongated members that define a support surface and at least one opening. The assembly also includes a removable grate that is disposed on the support surface and includes a hook that is disposed proximate the opening defined by the elongated frame members. The assembly also includes a removable pin that is slidably inserted through an opening defined by an elongated member and is mechanically engaged by the hook of the grate to secure the grate to the frame.

Method of using a trench forming assembly having removable pin anchoring mechanism

Trench forming assembly having removable pin anchoring mechanism

An elongate drainage channel capable of receiving runoff from an athletic surface is provided which includes a bottom wall and a pair of sidewalls extending upwardly from the opposed sides of the bottom wall. The drainage channel also includes a projection extending transversely outwardly from the exterior of at least one of the sidewalls and spaced at a predetermined distance below the open top for defining a height to which a subsurface layer is applied adjacent to the drainage channel. The projection is also fracturable from the sidewall so as to act as a mechanical fuse to prevent vibratory or tamping machinery from damaging the drainage channel. In another embodiment of the invention, an elongate channel section is provided which has a bottom surface which includes end portions which are shaped as generally planar reference surfaces. The shaped reference surfaces are generally coplanar with each other and are spaced at a predetermined distance below the open top of the channel for supporting the opposed ends of the channel section in a properly aligned position. The present invention also includes a mold for making drainage channel sections having aligned reference surfaces and associated methods for molding the drainage channel sections and for installing the drainage channel.

Mold and associated method for making a drainage channel

An elongate grate capable of securing an edge portion of an artificial turf surface within a drainage channel is provided. The grate includes an elongate central portion defining a plurality of openings to permit runoff from the artificial turf surface to flow into the drainage channel. Connected to at least one exterior edge of the central portion is a downwardly extending wall portion being interior of the exterior edge for applying a downwardly directed engagement force to the edge portion of the artificial turf surface. According to another embodiment of the grate, an elongate slot is integrally defined in the central portion having a width such the edge portion of the artificial turf can be frictionally engaged therein. According to yet another embodiment, a grate is provided with a central portion positioned between opposed edge portions and defines a plurality of openings therein such that an impervious athletic surface can be formed over each of the edge portions. Associated methods of forming drainable athletic playing surfaces also form a part of the invention.

Drainable fields and associated methods

Trench forming assembly having a counterbuoyancy member and associated

A resilient edge adapter is provided for defining an edge of a drainable athletic playing surface formed of a moldable material. The edge adapter includes a base portion for cooperably engaging an upper portion of a drainage channel and an upstanding portion extending upwardly from the base portion for restraining the moldable material when applied adjacent to the drainage channel, thereby defining an edge of the athletic playing surface. The upstanding portion may be formed of a resilient and elastically deformable material and the base portion may include an elongate continuous plug portion to cooperably engage a corresponding slot defined in the upper edge of the channel. An edge adapter is also provided which has a pair of upstanding portions extending upwardly from a base portion for forming a running track surface over both opposed edges of a grate. Associated methods for forming athletic playing surfaces are also provided.

Edge adapter for athletic playing surface and associated method

Drainage channel and associated method

Drainage channel grates for athletic playing surfaces and associated

A support frame assembly is provided for supporting drainage channel sections adjoined in an end-to-end relationship and for anchoring the drainage channel sections to a support surface. The support frame assembly includes a pair of substantially vertical legs and a channel support piece mounted to the upper end portion of each of the legs for supporting the drainage channel sections. The support frame assembly also includes a cross member extending between the lower end portions of the legs at a position below the channel support pieces. In one embodiment, a pair of aligned openings are provided in the cross member and one of the legs so that an anchor member can be driven through the openings and enter the support surface at an acute angle relative thereto. In another embodiment, hinge members are provided between the cross member and the legs so that the cross member can be oriented to sit flat on a sloped surface. Associated methods also form a part of the invention.

Method and apparatus for supporting and anchoring drainage channel

An apparatus for connecting and aligning frame member sections of a trench with a connector is disclosed according to the present invention. The connector may include horizontal and vertical panel sections each defining a pair of openings therein. Protrusions extending from the ends of the adjacent frame member sections are inserted into the openings to securely connect the frame member sections together. The frame member sections may have a protrusion on both horizontal and vertical legs thereof and the connector may include a peripheral edge portion defining an edge of each of the openings and further defining a gap in the body portion. The gap allows the protrusion to be inserted in the opening. The peripheral edge portion may include a resilient end segment and a guide surface defined thereby for guiding the protrusion into the opening. The peripheral edge portion may also include a side segment defining a guide edge adjacent to the gap which is tapered to help guide the protrusion into the opening. A hinge member may also be provided between the horizontal and vertical panel sections to increase the resiliency of the connector.

Growing community of inventors

Mooresville, NC, United States of America

Charles E Gunter