Freight accommodation on freight carrier – Particular article accommodation – Grouped
Reexamination Certificate
1998-07-22
2001-07-17
Gordon, Stephen T. (Department: 3612)
Freight accommodation on freight carrier
Particular article accommodation
Grouped
C410S040000, C410S042000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06261037
ABSTRACT:
S
TATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT Not applicable.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to equipment for and methods of holding elongated members. In another aspect, the present invention relates to equipment for and methods of storing and shipping elongated members. In even another aspect, the present invention relates to equipment for and methods of storing and shipping pipes. In still another aspect, the present invention relates to equipment for and methods of securing several supports together.
Various types of elongated members, including but not limited to piping and tubing, are used in construction projects and other activities, such as petroleum drilling and delivery operations. After manufacture, elongated members must be packaged, stored and/or transported. The ability to effectively package, store and transport elongated members can save substantial time and expense, directly impacting the economy and efficiency of the project. It is thus desirable to have equipment for and methods of effectively packaging, storing and transporting elongated members without damaging the elongated members. Further, it is desirable that such equipment be versatile, long lasting, reliable, quick and/or easy to use.
Numerous prior art systems for storing pipes are discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,123,547 issued on Jun. 23, 1992 to Koch (the '547 patent), which has a common assignee with the present application and is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. The '547 patent discloses equipment for storing and shipping pipes that includes several superposed pipe supports. The illustrated pipe supports include numerous support surfaces on opposite sides acting as rests for several pipes. A plurality of pipes can thus be layered between the pipe supports, effecting a vertical stacking of pipes having pipe supports interposed between the layers of pipes.
The pipe supports shown in the '547 patent are securably held together by applying one or more steel or nylon bands, or by a tightening frame. The tightening frame of FIG. 3 of the '547 patent includes upper and lower U-channels
20
,
22
that may be laterally tightened relative to each other with a pair of threaded rods
24
,
26
. The rods
24
,
26
may be pivotably engaged within the lower U-channel and secured with nuts to the upper U-channel.
In the embodiment of FIG. 7 of the '547 patent, the uppermost and lowermost pipe supports instead include projecting parts
82
,
84
,
86
,
88
that are engageable with a pair of threaded rods
96
. At one end, each rod includes a molding
98
that is engageable with one of the lower projecting parts
82
,
84
. The other end of each rod
96
can be passed through a vertical borehole
94
in an upper projecting part
86
,
88
and secured with a nut
106
.
While '547 patent materially advances the prior art, there is a need for yet further improved equipment and methods for holding, storing and transporting elongated members. For example, the prior art equipment does not provide metal-to-metal contact buffers at substantially all locations on the equipment that may come in contact with the elongated members. Contact at these locations with elongated members, such as during loading, assembly, or transport of the equipment and elongated members, could lead to deterioration, such as rusting or galvanic corrosion, of, or otherwise damage, the elongated members, making them unusable. For another example, there may be metal-to-metal contact between the outer facing components of prior art equipment and other metal objects, such as other similar sets of equipment and elongated members. Such metal-to-metal contact can result in galvanic corrosion and other damage, decreasing the effectiveness and useful life of the equipment. For yet another example, prior art systems, such as the tightening frame of FIG. 3 of the '547 patent, require additional substantial components, such as the U-channels of FIG.
3
.
Thus, there remains a need for improved equipment for and methods of packaging, storing and/or transporting elongated members that will not significantly damage or cause deterioration to elongated members or other metal objects upon contact with the equipment. There also remains a need for improved equipment for connecting numerous support members together. Preferably, the equipment and methods can be simple and quick to utilize. Ideally, the equipment would be sturdy, versatile, long lasting and reliable. Especially well received would be equipment that does not require substantial additional components.
These and other needs in the art will become apparent to those of skill in the art upon review of this patent specification, claims and drawings.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for carrying one or more elongated members that includes at least two elongated member support members and a support member connection assembly. Each support member has ends and at least one elongated member carrier surface disposed between the ends. The support member connection assembly includes an elongated connector and at least one connector sleeve that is engageable with the elongated connector and an end of a support member.
Another apparatus made in accordance with the present invention and capable of holding one or more metallic members includes at least two supports and at least one connector engageable with the supports. The supports and connector are each constructed at least partially of metallic material. The supports and connector at least partially surround the metallic members. The apparatus also includes at least one covering at least partially of non-metallic material disposed upon the supports and capable of preventing metal-to-metal contact between the supports and the metallic members at the location of the covering. The supports may include upper and lower sides and opposing ends, and the covering(s) may be disposed upon the upper and lower sides of the supports, the opposing ends of the supports, or any combination thereof. The covering may be constructed of polyethylene material.
An assembly may be made in accordance with the present invention that is capable of holding one or more elongated members constructed at least partially of metallic material. This assembly includes at least two elongated member supports constructed at least partially of metallic material and an elongated connector. The supports have ends with apertures therethrough. Also included is a plurality of sleeves constructed at least partially of non-metallic material capable of being received over the ends of the supports. Each sleeve has at least one opening capable of alignment with one or more of the apertures. The elongated connector is extendable through the apertures and the openings and is capable of securing the supports. At least one of the sleeves may include a connector lock engageable with the elongated connector. Further, the connector lock may be a nut supported in the sleeve in a non-rotational manner.
An apparatus may be made in accordance with the present invention that is capable of connecting a threaded rod and a nut to a support member having a passage. This apparatus includes a body having an opening capable of receiving the support member and an aperture capable of receiving the rod. The apparatus also includes an extending portion connected to the body and having a cavity accessible through the aperture. The cavity is capable of housing the nut in alignment with the passage of the support member. The extending portion has one or more surfaces engageable with the nut to prevent the nut from rotating within the cavity. The body and the cavity may be constructed at least partially of non-metallic material. The surfaces may be flats formed by the cavity. The extending portion may be formed of a material that will not substantially deform under the torque required to connect the threaded rod and the nut to the support member. The extending portion may be
Baker Bryan C.
Casteran Bernard F.
Foord Cavin
Richards Darrell R.
Thornton William
Conley & Rose & Tayon P.C.
Drilltec Patents & Technologies Company, Inc.
Gordon Stephen T.
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