Pipe Support System, and Method of Use

Abstract

A pipe support system. The pipe support system comprises a first wedge block and a second opposing wedge block. Each of the blocks comprises a base having walls, and forming an angled top surface. The angled top surfaces face one another and are configured to support a joint or section of pipe along an outer diameter of the pipe. Beneficially, the distance or spacing between the wedge blocks may be adjusted by an operator to accommodate sections of pipe having different diameters. A method for supporting a section of pipe is also provided.

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         28 . A method of replacing bearing plates for a pipe support structure, comprising:
 providing a pipe support system comprising a first wedge block and a second wedge block, wherein each of the first and second wedge blocks comprises a base;   using a snap-lock fit, installing a bearing plate onto each of the first and second wedge blocks, wherein each of the bearing plates comprises corrugations dimensioned to gravitationally wick away water to prevent moisture from building up along the outer diameter of a pipe, and wherein each of the bearing plates resides at an angle of between 20° and 40° relative to horizontal over the respective wedge blocks;   determining a spacing between the first wedge block and the second wedge block in order to support a joint or section of pipe having an outer diameter;   placing the joint or section of pipe onto the bearing plates, thereby supporting the joint or section of pipe above a ground surface;   after a period of time, removing the bearing plates from the respective wedge blocks; and   using a snap-lock fit, installing a replacement bearing plate onto each of the first and second wedge blocks, wherein each of the replacement bearing plates also comprises corrugations dimensioned to gravitationally wick away water to prevent moisture from building up along the outer diameter of the pipe, and wherein each of the replacement bearing plates also resides at an angle of between 20° and 40° relative to horizontal over the respective wedge blocks.   
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein:
 each of the wedge blocks comprises an inside wall and an outside wall, together configured to support a respective bearing plate;   the outside wall of each of the first and second wedge blocks is taller than the inside wall, forming the angle;   an outer surface of each of the inside walls comprises a notch;   each of the corrugated bearing plates comprises:
 a first side configured to land on a top of an outside wall; 
 a shoulder along the first side configured to wrap over the top of the outside wall; 
 a second side configured to land on a top of an inside wall; and 
 a shoulder along the second side configured to wrap over the top of the inside wall; and 
   the shoulder along the second side of each bearing plate comprises a lip that is dimensioned to snap-lock into the notch.   
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein:
 the pipe support further comprises:
 a pair of through-openings through each of the first and second wedge blocks, wherein the respective through-openings are aligned, 
 two threaded bars configured to extend through the aligned through-openings in each of the first wedge block and the second wedge block; 
   and the method further comprises rotating each of the threaded bars in order to provide for the determined spacing between the first and second wedge blocks.   
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the angle of each of the corrugated bearing plates is designed to form a tangent line with the pipe after the spacing between the first wedge block and the second wedge block is determined and upon receiving the pipe. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the pipe support further comprises a tubular spacer bar residing around each of the threaded bars, with each tubular spacer being configured to hold the first wedge block and the second wedge block a predetermined distance apart. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein rotating each of the threaded bars comprises rotating the threaded bars in order to draw the first wedge block and the second wedge block inward towards each other until the first and second wedge blocks engage opposing ends of the tubular spacer bars. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein:
 the angled top surface of each of the first and second wedge blocks comprises a substantially planar cap   the base of each of the first and second wedge blocks is a polygonal base;   each of the first and second wedge blocks comprises opposing end walls that serve as feet for the wedge blocks; and   the channels on each corrugated cap are oriented transverse to the major axis of the planar cap.   
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein:
 the pipe support system further comprises a base plate;   the base plate has opposing parallel edges;   and the method further comprises placing the first and second wedge blocks onto the base such that the first and second opposing ends of each of the wedge blocks straddles the opposing parallel edges of the base plate, thereby laterally securing the first and second wedge blocks as they are moved inwardly and outwardly in response to rotation of the threaded bars.   
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein the pipe support further comprises:
 a first nut threadedly secured onto an end of a first of the threaded bars; and   a second nut threadedly secured over an end of a second of the threaded bars;   and wherein each of the first nut and the second nut abuts an outer surface of the outside wall of a respective wedge block.   
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein rotating each of the threaded bars comprises rotating the first and second nuts. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein each of the corrugated caps is fabricated from a non-conductive material.