Segmented Tubular Insert Sleeve for Excavated Holes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Tubular inserts for excavated holes are difficult to remove and transport due to their smooth surface and large diameter, especially in deep holes, which poses challenges in reuse and storage.
Innovation Solution
A tubular insert sleeve made of cooperating segments that can be easily separated, with a bell-shaped upper end for easier grasping and a safety cover for tamper-proofing, allowing for nested transportation and reduced storage space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a smooth tubular insert is used to line excavated holes, then the hole is preserved from collapse and can receive utility poles, but the insert becomes difficult to grasp for removal and transport
Solution Approach 1:
The tubular insert is divided into multiple segments that can be separated from each other. Each segment has an outwardly extending flange at its upper end that provides a grasping surface. The segments can be easily separated and transported independently, solving the difficulty of handling long smooth tubes while maintaining the hole-preserving function when assembled.
Solution Approach 2:
The insert transitions from a completely smooth surface to one with protruding flanges at the upper end of each segment. These flanges extend outward radially from the tube surface, creating additional dimensional features that provide grasping surfaces without compromising the smooth inner surface needed for hole preservation.
2Reliability
If a long tubular insert is used for deep holes, then the entire length must be withdrawn for reuse, but this becomes particularly difficult after utility pole installation
Solution Approach 1:
The long tubular insert is divided into multiple segments that can be separated from each other. After utility pole installation, only the necessary number of segments need to be removed and transported, while remaining segments can stay in place. This eliminates the need to withdraw the entire length of the insert for reuse.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of requiring removal and transport of the entire insert length, the segmented design allows removal of only the necessary portions (partial action). The flanges on each segment provide easy grasping points for this selective removal process.
3Reliability
If a large diameter tubular insert is used to fit excavated holes, then the hole is properly lined, but storage and transportation take up a lot of space
Solution Approach 1:
The large diameter tubular insert is divided into multiple segments that can be separated and nested within each other for storage and transport. This dramatically reduces the volume required for moving the insert while maintaining the full diameter when assembled for hole lining.
Solution Approach 2:
The segmented insert design allows the segments to be nested within each other when not in use. The smaller diameter segments can be placed inside larger diameter segments, creating a compact storage configuration that minimizes transportation and storage space requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
A tubular insert sleeve for an excavated hole and a safety cover fitted to cover an operatively upper end of the insert sleeve are provided to maintain the integrity of an excavated hole and limit access to the hole in order to improve the safety of the public. The sleeve is made of cooperating segments which can easily be separated and which a form a sleeve when assembled. The operatively upper end of the assembled sleeve forms an outwardly extending bell-shaped end of greater outer diameter to define an outwardly extending flange which is more easily grasped for removal of the sleeve from an excavated hole.