Metal fin pipe foundation apparatus and method

Abstract

Disclosed are a metal fin pipe foundation apparatus and method for airport approach lighting and method of making, using, and installing a metal fin pipe foundation for airport approach lighting. The metal fin pipe foundation (MFPF) of the present invention requires a small 16 inch diameter hole to be drilled approximately 8 feet deep. The MFPF, in one aspect, consists of 16 inch diameter schedule 30 pipe 6 feet long with two (2) ⅜ inch thick flat plate fins which are 6 feet, in length, and which are welded to the 16 inch schedule 30 pipe. A top plate 5 feet in length, 1 foot 6 inches in width, and ¾ inch thick is attached by welding the top plate to the top of the 16 inch pipe and the top of the ⅜ inch fins. After the MFPF of the present invention is completely fabricated, it is dipped in hot galvanizing to protect the raw steel. This coating of galvanizing protects the MFPF for 75 years. The MFPF of the present invention can be fabricated off site and shipped to the airport ready for installation. The 16 inch diameter hole is drilled, which requires soil being extracted from the hole, and the soil is placed next to the drilled shaft hole to be placed back into the 16 inch diameter pipe after the MFPF is installed. The 16 inch diameter pipe is used as the junction box for housing the electrical transformer to provide power to the structure to be mounted to the top plate of the MFPF of the present invention. The MFPF then is installed by pushing it into the previous 16 inch drilled hole, which acts as a guide to keep it perfectly straight as it is being installed. The structure of the present invention can be immediately erected and ready for use within 6 hours. The present invention eliminates large excavation, removes soil by trucking, placing of reinforced rods, trucking of concrete, and placing of concrete during off hours and requires twenty-eight (28) days for curing before the foundation can be used.

1 . An airport approach light apparatus comprising a metal fin pipe foundation.  
     
     
         2 . An airport approach light apparatus as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising a top plate.  
     
     
         3 . An airport approach light apparatus as set forth in  claim 2 , wherein said top plate is welded to said pipe foundation.  
     
     
         4 . An airport approach light apparatus as set forth in  claim 3 , wherein said pipe foundation is composed of galvanized steel.  
     
     
         5 . An airport approach light apparatus as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said pipe foundation is fabricated off site and shipped to the airport ready for installation.  
     
     
         6 . An airport approach light apparatus as set forth in  claim 3 , wherein said pipe foundation consists of a 16 inch diameter schedule 30 pipe 6 feet long.  
     
     
         7 . An airport approach light apparatus as set forth in  claim 3 , wherein said pipe foundation comprises a junction box housing an electrical transformer.  
     
     
         8 . A method of providing an airport approach light apparatus, comprising a metal fin pipe foundation.  
     
     
         9 . A method as set forth in  claim 8 , further comprising providing a top plate.  
     
     
         10 . A method as set forth in  claim 9 , wherein said top plate is welded to said pipe foundation.  
     
     
         11 . A method as set forth in  claim 10 , wherein said pipe foundation is composed of galvanized steel.  
     
     
         12 . A method as set forth in  claim 11 , wherein said airport approach light apparatus is fabricated off site and shipped to the airport ready for installation.  
     
     
         13 . A method as set forth in  claim 12 , wherein said pipe foundation consists of a 16 inch diameter schedule 30 pipe 6 feet long.  
     
     
         14 . A method as set forth in  claim 13 , wherein said pipe foundation comprises a junction box housing an electrical transformer.  
     
     
         15 . A method of installing an airport approach light, comprising inserting a mutual fin pipe foundation into the ground.  
     
     
         16 . A method of installing an airport approach light as set forth in  claim 15 , comprising providing a segmented anchor.  
     
     
         17 . A method of installing an airport approach light as set forth in  claim 15 , comprising installing said pipe foundation by pushing into the ground.  
     
     
         18 . A method of installing an airport approach light as set forth in  claim 15 , comprising installing said pipe foundation by pulling into the ground.  
     
     
         19 . A method of installing an airport approach light as set forth in  claim 15 , wherein said pipe foundation consists of a 16 inch diameter schedule 30 pipe 6 feet long.  
     
     
         20 . A method of installing an airport approach light as set forth in  claim 15 , wherein said pipe foundation is fabricated off site and shipped to the airport ready for installing.