Resilient Pipe Penetration Cap for Screeding Over Slab Projections
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Solution Overview
Problem
The current process of screeding concrete slabs over pipe penetrations is time-consuming, costly, and poses risks of injury and uneven surfaces due to the need for careful navigation around exposed pipes, with existing solutions failing to address all associated issues effectively.
Innovation Solution
An indicator cap for pipe penetrations featuring a cap body with an engagement portion and a capping portion that covers the pipe opening, incorporating a resilient aiding location means to facilitate screeding without obstruction and indicate the pipe's position post-screeding, which can be made from materials like elastomeric or polymeric materials and include features such as projections, magnets, or RFID chips.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If pipe projections are positioned above the slab surface for subsequent connection, then pipe access is enabled, but screeding time increases and operator safety risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an indicator cap as an intermediary component that sits on top of the pipe projection. This cap serves as a mediator between the pipe (which needs to remain exposed for access) and the screeding process (which needs a flat surface). The indicator cap allows concrete to be screeded over it while still marking the pipe location, thus resolving the contradiction by enabling both pipe access and efficient screeding.
Solution Approach 2:
The indicator cap is a temporary, disposable component used only during the screeding process. It is placed on the pipe projection before pouring concrete and is subsequently removed or cut away after the concrete sets. This disposable nature allows it to fulfill its temporary function of enabling safe screeding without requiring complex removal mechanisms, thus reducing screeding time while maintaining pipe access.
2Ease of operation
If pipe projections are positioned above the slab surface, then pipe connection is enabled, but operator safety risks increase due to trip hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The indicator cap acts as a safety intermediary by covering the protruding pipe projection during the concrete pouring and screeding process. This eliminates the trip hazard created by exposed pipes while still allowing the pipe to remain accessible for connection purposes. The cap can be easily removed or cut away after the concrete sets, restoring full pipe access.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If traditional blocking materials (cloth rags, paper, tape) are used to block pipe ends, then concrete ingress is prevented, but all associated screeding problems remain
Solution Approach 1:
The indicator cap is a superior disposable blocking solution compared to traditional materials like cloth rags, paper, or tape. It provides effective concrete ingress prevention while being designed to work seamlessly with the screeding process. The cap's rigid structure and indicator features enable faster, safer screeding compared to traditional flexible materials that can shift or fail during the process.
Solution Approach 2:
The indicator cap incorporates visible indicator features (such as colored elements or contrasting colors) that make it easily identifiable during the screeding process. This visual indication helps operators quickly locate and navigate around the capped pipes, reducing screeding time compared to traditional blocking materials that blend in with the concrete or are difficult to see.
4Strength
If operators carefully navigate around pipe projections during screeding, then pipe damage is avoided, but screeding precision decreases resulting in uneven surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The indicator cap serves as a mediator that protects the pipe projection during screeding. Operators can screed directly over the cap without worrying about damaging the underlying pipe, as the cap absorbs the mechanical stress. This eliminates the need to carefully navigate around pipes, thereby maintaining both pipe integrity and screeding precision for a level surface.
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure relates to an indicator cap for a pipe penetration. In one aspect, the indicator cap comprises a cap body, wherein the cap body comprises an engagement portion for engaging the indicator cap with the pipe, and a capping portion connected to the engagement portion for covering an open end of the pipe, and wherein a surface of the capping portion supports a means for aiding location of the indicator cap and thus the pipe, wherein the means for aiding location is adapted so as to not impede screeding thereover, and to indicate the position of the cap and thus the pipe post screeding.