Field of the Invention

[0001 ] This invention relates generally to foldable standpipe apparatus for replenishing industrial tankers.

Background of the Invention

[0002] Water standpipes are erected at appropriate locations for filling of industrial tankers (such as dust suppression tankers) in the mining industry.

[0003] The present invention seeks to provide standpipe apparatus which will overcome or substantially ameliorate at least some of the deficiencies of the prior art, or to at least provide an alternative.

[0004] It is to be understood that, if any prior art information is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the information forms part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country.

Summary of the Disclosure

[0005] There is provided herein a foldable standpipe apparatus which may be quickly erected and connected to a water hose for replenishing industrial tankers and compactly folded down thereafter for transportation and relocation.

[0006] The present apparatus has a bi-folding configuration conferring both sufficient height and reach when erected and compactness suitable for transportation and storage when folded down.

[0007] When erected, the apparatus outlet conduit is stably cantilevered oppositely with respect to the base to have sufficient reach an allow sufficient clearance for a water tanker parked close to the base. When folded down, the bi-folding conduits may be compactly contained substantially within the periphery of the base to aid transportation and storage.

[0008] The present apparatus is especially suitable for being made from plastic so that the apparatus is lightweight and can be folded and unfolded by a single operator. [0009] The base of the apparatus itself may flood with water, thereby weighting down the apparatus during use to stably support the apparatus outlet conduit. [0010] Other aspects of the invention are also disclosed.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[001 1 ] Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of the present invention, preferred embodiments of the disclosure will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0012] Figure 1 shows a foldable standpipe apparatus in an erected configuration in accordance with an embodiment;

[0013] Figure 2 shows the apparatus in a folded configuration;

[0014] Figures 3 and 4 show the apparatus between the erected and folded configurations;

[0015] Figure 5 shows a side elevation view of the apparatus in the erected configuration shown exemplary dimensions;

[0016] Figure 6 shows a side elevation view of the apparatus in the erected configuration showing exemplary dimensions; and

[0017] Figure 7 shows a top plan view of the apparatus in the erected configuration with exemplary dimensions.

Description of Embodiments

[0018] Foldable standpipe apparatus 100 comprises a base 101 having an inlet conduit 102. An upright conduit 103 extends up from the base 101 . Furthermore, the lateral conduit 104 extends laterally from an upper end of the upright conduit 103. The lateral conduit 104 extends away from the base 101. The lateral conduit 104 defines an outlet 105. As such, water pump via the inlet conduit 102 exits via the elevated outlet 105.

[0019] The upright conduit 103 comprises a folding connection 106 between an upper section 107 and a lower section 108. As such, the upright conduit 103 is configurable in a straight configuration as shown in Figure 1 wherein the upper and lower sections 107, 108 are connected in line and a folded configuration shown in Figures 2 - 4 wherein the upper section 107 is folded out of alignment with the lower section 108 towards the base 101 . [0020] The lateral conduit 104 similarly comprises a folding connection 106 between a proximal section 109 and a distal section 110 thereof. As such, the lateral conduit 104 is configurable in a straight configuration shown in Figure 1 wherein the proximal and distal sections 109, 110 thereof are connected in line and a folded configuration as shown in Figure 2 wherein the distal section 1 10 is folded out of alignment with the proximal section 109 towards the upper section 107 of the upright conduit 103.

[0021 ] Each folding connection 106 may comprise a gasket 1 11 and a pair of connectable annular flanges 1 12 for each section which compress ends of each section against the gasket in a fluid tight manner.

[0022] The annular flanges 112 may comprise collocating apertures therethrough for a plurality of bolts through respective collocating aperture pairs thereof. The annular flanges may be made of metal.

[0023] Each folding connection 106 may comprise a hinge comprising a pair of pivotally coupled hinged arms 113 reaching around the annular flanges 112.

[0024] The hinge arms 1 13 of the upright conduit 103 may be towards the base 101 with respect to the upright conduit 103 such that the upper section 107 thereof folds towards the base 101 in the manner shown in Figures 2 - 4. The hinge arms 113 of the lateral conduit 104 may be towards the upper section 107 of the upright conduit 103 such that the distal section 110 thereof folds towards the upper section 107 of the upright conduit 103.

[0025] The base 101 may be at least partially formed by a base conduit 114 between the inlet conduit 112 and the upright conduit 103. The base conduit 1 14 may define a lateral periphery of the base 110. Preferably, the base conduit 1 14 divides into two conduits 1 14 between the inlet conduit 102 and the upright conduit to thereby hold a volume of water for weighting down the base in opposition to the weight of water flowing through the lateral conduit 104.

[0026] The base 110 may comprise a pair of spaced apart forklift tine pockets 115. The pockets 1 15 may run sideways across the base 110 over the two base conduits

114. [0027] With reference to Figure 6, when the lateral and upright conduits 104, 103 are folded, a centre point between the pockets 1 15 may substantially coincide with a centre of mass of the apparatus 100. As is further shown in Figure 6, when the lateral and upright conduits 104, 103 are folded, the conduits 104, 103 may lie substantially within the periphery of the base 101 .

[0028] The apparatus 100 may comprise one or more struts 1 16 bracing between the upper section 107 of the upright conduit 103 and the proximal section 109 of the lateral conduit 104. Furthermore, the apparatus 100 may comprise one or more struts 1 16 bracing between the lower section 108 of the upright conduit 103 and the base 101. The struts 1 16 may divert from the lower section 108 towards each of the two base conduits 1 14. The struts 1 16 may join a bracing bar 1 17 extending between the base conduits 1 14.

[0029] The apparatus may comprise a locking mechanism to lock the upper section 107 of the upright conduit 103 to the base. The locking mechanism may comprise a pair of upright flanges 1 18. The flanges 1 18 may extend up from one of the forklift tine pockets 1 15. As shown in Figures 2 - 3, upper ends of the flanges 1 18 may comprise apertures through which a locking pin 1 19 can extend through to hold a section of the conduit between the flanges 1 18. When not in use, the locking pin 190 may be held between diminutive holding flanges 120.

[0030] The apparatus 100 may further comprise a locking mechanism to lock the distal section 1 10 in the folded configuration. As is shown in Figure 4, the locking mechanism may comprise a transverse piece 121 and a pair of collocating apertures 122 extending through the struts 1 16 through which a locking pin 1 19 extends to engage behind the distal section 1 10 held between the struts 1 16 and the transverse piece 121 in the manner shown in Figure 2. When not in use, the locking pin 1 19 may be held by diminutive locking pin engagements 120 along one of the struts 1 16.

[0031 ] The conduits 104, 103 and 1 14 preferably comprise plastic such as High- density polyethylene (HDPE).

[0032] The foregoing description, for purposes of explanation, used specific nomenclature to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that specific details are not required in order to practise the invention. Thus, the foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the invention are presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed as obviously many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical applications, thereby enabling others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the following claims and their equivalents define the scope of the invention.

[0033] The term “approximately” or similar as used herein should be construed as being within 10% of the value stated unless otherwise indicated.