Access chamber

Abstract

A chamber base for an access chamber used in a below ground pipe installation is disclosed. The chamber base comprises a base body that is molded of a polymeric material as a single integral body and comprises a bottom wall and a side wall extending up from the bottom wall. The base body may further comprise at least one port formed on the side wall thereof that are spaced from each other. A flow path insert may be formed on the base body that defines a flow path from one port on the side wall through the flow path insert to at least one other port on the side wall.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A chamber base for an access chamber used in a below ground pipe installation, the chamber base comprising:
 a base body comprising a bottom wall and a side wall extending up from the bottom wall, and a plurality of ports formed in the side wall, wherein the base body is molded of a polymeric material; and   a flow path insert formed separately from the base body received within the base body, the flow path insert defining a flow path from one port across the flow path insert to at least one other port on the side wall.   
     
     
         2 . The chamber base for an access chamber according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one port of the plurality of ports, is integrally molded with the base body. 
     
     
         3 . The chamber base for an access chamber according to  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of ports comprises four ports that are integrally molded with the base body, and the ports are spaced substantially equiangularly apart from each other. 
     
     
         4 . The chamber base for an access chamber according to  claim 1 , wherein the base body further comprises a base support received within the base body for strengthening the base body to resist deformation thereof when exposed to external pressure, and the base support is formed integrally with the base body. 
     
     
         5 . The chamber base for an access chamber according to  claim 1 , wherein the base body further comprises at least one locating formation, and the side wall of the flow path insert comprises at least one complementary locating formation for locating the flow path insert in a correct rotational position on the base body. 
     
     
         6 . The chamber base for an access chamber according to  claim 1 , wherein the flow path insert is integrally molded as a single piece from polymeric material. 
     
     
         7 . The chamber base for an access chamber according to  claim 1 , wherein the insert side wall of the flow path insert is configured to be received within the side wall with a working clearance, and the flow path insert is permanently fixed to the chamber base by welding the flow path insert to the chamber base. 
     
     
         8 . The chamber base for an access chamber according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one port comprises a short cylindrical section with open ends forming a port opening in the side wall of the base body for coupling to an adjacent pipe. 
     
     
         9 . The chamber base for an access chamber according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one port comprises a swivel arm that is able to swivel relative to the side wall. 
     
     
         10 . The chamber base for an access chamber according to  claim 1 , wherein the base body further comprises a plurality of key formations on an outer surface of the side wall of the base body for keying the base body to a surrounding backfill. 
     
     
         11 . A kit for forming an access chamber in a below ground pipeline installation, the set of components comprising:
 a standard base body comprising a bottom wall and a side wall and having at least one port formed in the side wall; and   a plurality of flow path inserts formed separately from the base body for being received within the base body with a close fit, wherein each flow path insert defines a different flow path for conveying liquid from at least one inlet port to an outlet port in use.   
     
     
         12 . The kit for forming an access chamber according to  claim 11 , wherein the standard base body is integrally molded of a polymeric material as a single integral body with the at least one port formed therein. 
     
     
         13 . The kit for forming an access chamber according to  claim 11 , wherein each flow path insert comprises an insert side wall and an insert top wall extending across an end of the side wall, and the insert side wall is received within the side wall of the base body in use. 
     
     
         14 . The kit for forming an access chamber according to  claim 11 , wherein each flow path insert is integrally formed as a single component. 
     
     
         15 . The kit for forming an access chamber according to  claim 11 , wherein each flow path insert is formed by an injection molding operation. 
     
     
         16 . The kit for forming an access chamber according to  claim 11 , wherein:
 one of said plurality of flow path inserts is configured to form a flow path that connects to four ports on the base body in use; and/or   one of said plurality of flow path inserts is configured to form a flow path that connects to three ports on the base body in use; and/or   one of said plurality of flow path inserts is configured to form a flow path that connects to two ports on the base body in use.   
     
     
         17 . The kit for forming an access chamber according to  claim 11 , further comprising a riser for mounting on an upper end of the side wall, and a top member having a closable opening therein for mounting on the riser, or for mounting on an upper end of the base body, in use. 
     
     
         18 . A method of forming an access chamber that is received in the ground, the method comprising:
 lowering a chamber base as defined in  claim 1 , into an excavation in the ground.   
     
     
         19 . The method of forming an access chamber according to  claim 18 , further comprising mounting a riser on the chamber base, and further comprising mounting a top member with a closable opening on the riser, or mounting the top member on the chamber base. 
     
     
         20 . The method of forming an access chamber according  claim 18 , comprising operatively coupling each external pipe to a port on the base body, and then back filling the excavation.