Method of fabricating a precast concrete meter pit

Abstract

A precast concrete meter pit consisting of an elongated hollow pipe having a beveled support ledge at one end and notches at the opposite end is fabricated by utilizing a slip form packerhead apparatus in which the beveled support ledge is formed by a radially inwardly inclined trowel edge bearing against a pallet member which is caused to vibrate when concrete is injected into the slip form apparatus.

1 . A method of fabricating a meter pit, said meter pit comprising an elongated precast concrete pipe of generally cylindrical configuration having a ledge projecting radially inwardly from one end thereof, comprising the steps of:
 (a) positioning a pallet having a concentric jacket attached thereto on a turntable;   (b) lowering a packerhead assembly within said jacket, said packerhead having a concentric rollerhead provided with a trowel, said trowel having a radially inwardly and downwardly inclined lower edge which forms an inner surface of said ledge;   (c) injecting concrete into an annular space between said jacket and said rollerhead for downward flow until the space is entirely filled; and   (d) raising said rollerhead and trowel as said annular space is being filled followed by removing said jacket.   
   
   
       2 . A method of fabricating a meter pit according to  claim 1  including the step of rotating said rollerhead as concrete is injected between said jacket and said rollerhead. 
   
   
       3 . A method of fabricating a meter pit according to  claim 1  including the step of causing the lower inclined edge of said trowel to bear against said pallet. 
   
   
       4 . A method of fabricating a meter pit according to  claim 3  wherein said pallet is of annular configuration having a riser at an inner edge thereof engaging said trowel lower edge. 
   
   
       5 . A method of fabricating a meter pit according to  claim 1  wherein said ledge includes a top surface squared with respect to a longitudinal axis through said pipe. 
   
   
       6 . A method of fabricating a meter pit according to  claim 1  wherein said trowel is a segmented longbottom trowel. 
   
   
       7 . A method of fabricating a meter pit according to  claim 1  wherein a TV stand is mounted under said pallet. 
   
   
       8 . A method of fabricating a meter pit according to  claim 7  wherein a vibrator unit is mounted under said TV stand. 
   
   
       9 . A method of fabricating a meter pit according to  claim 1  wherein said ledge projects radially inwardly beyond an inner wall surface of said pipe. 
   
   
       10 . A method of fabricating a meter pit, said meter pit comprising an elongated precast concrete pipe of generally cylindrical configuration having a ledge projecting radially inwardly beyond an inner wall surface of said pipe, comprising the steps of:
 (a) positioning a pallet on a bottom plate and turntable, said pallet having an aligned outer concentric jacket and inner concentric rollerhead provided with a trowel having a radially inwardly and downwardly inclined lower edge which defines an inner beveled edge surface of said ledge;   (b) injecting concrete into an annular space between said jacket and said rollerhead for downward gravity flow until the space is entirely filled; and   (c) raising said rollerhead and trowel as said annular space is being filled followed by removing said jacket.   
   
   
       11 . A meter pit according to  claim 10  wherein said rollerhead is rotated as concrete is injected between said jacket and said rollerhead. 
   
   
       12 . A meter pit according to  claim 10  wherein said pallet is of annular configuration having a riser at an inner edge of said pallet and a vibrator unit is mounted in combination with said TV stand under said pallet. 
   
   
       13 . A meter pit according to  claim 10  wherein said beveled edge surface tapers into a bottom surface squared with respect to a longitudinal axis through said pipe. 
   
   
       14 . A method of fabricating a meter pit, said meter pit comprising a precast concrete hollow elongated cylindrical body, said body including circumferentially spaced notches at one end and a circular support ledge at the opposite end thereof, said circular support ledge projecting radially inwardly from said opposite end of said body and beyond an inner wall surface of said pipe. 
   
   
       15 . A meter pit according to  claim 14  wherein said opposite end is squared with respect to a longitudinal axis through said body. 
   
   
       16 . A meter pit according to  claim 14  wherein said support ledge includes a beveled surface portion. 
   
   
       17 . A method for making a precast concrete meter pipe wherein a packerhead assembly includes a trowel assembly and a rollerhead assembly, a jacket in outer spaced concentric relation to said packerhead assembly, and means for rotating said rollerhead assembly, the steps comprising:
 (a) positioning said trowel assembly, which is of generally cylindrical configuration and terminating in a radially inwardly and downwardly inclined lower edge, on an annular pallet; and   (b) extending a riser circumscribing an inner annular edge thereof upwardly within said trowel assembly.   
   
   
       18 . A method to  claim 17  including means for vibrating said pallet, said lower edge of said trowel being engageable with an annular surface of said riser. 
   
   
       19 . In apparatus according to  claim 17  wherein said riser tapers upwardly to project into said lower edge of said trowel. 
   
   
       20 . In apparatus according to  claim 17  including a cover plate centered on said jacket and said rollerhead assembly including circumferentially spaced lobes extending downwardly from said cover into the space between said jacket and said rollerhead assembly.