System and method for slip forming concrete slotted drains

Abstract

A system for making slotted drains of slip-formed concrete can comprise concrete, a block, a drain path forming structure, a hopper and a mold. The hopper can be for receiving concrete and for providing concrete to the mold for molding concrete. The mold can comprise a drain member guide, a topper, a first side and a second side. The drain member guide can be configured to slide over the drain path forming structure and wherein the hopper can be configured to provide concrete around the drain member guide. The topper, first and second sides can be for molding the top, first and second sides of the slotted drain respectively. The second side can also be configured to create a slot in the slotted drain and to selectively hold the block, the slot configured to selectively receive the block.

1 . A system for making slotted drains of slip-formed concrete comprising:
 a block;   a drain path structure;   a hopper for receiving concrete and for providing concrete to a mold for molding concrete, the mold comprising:
 a drain member guide configured to slide over the drain path structure and wherein the hopper is configured to provide concrete around the drain member guide; 
 a topper for molding the top of the slotted drain; 
 a first side for molding a first side of the slotted drain; and 
 a second side for molding a second side of the slotted drain, wherein the second side is configured to create a slot in the slotted drain and to selectively hold the block, the slot configured to selectively receive the block. 
   
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the drain path structure comprises metal piping. 
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the drain path structure comprises an elongated balloon. 
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the drain member guide is a metal pipe. 
   
   
       5 . A mold for use with a slip-form machine comprising:
 a drain member guide;   a first portion configured to receive concrete and direct the concrete around a portion of the drain member guide; and   a second portion configured to shape said concrete to a desired shape comprising:
 a top portion configured to shape a top of the concrete in a flat linear manner; 
 a first segment connected to the top portion and configured to shape a first side of the concrete; and 
 a second segment configured to shape a second side of the concrete with a slot along the second side of the concrete, the second segment connected to both the top portion and the drain member guide. 
   
   
   
       6 . The mold of  claim 5 , further comprising a rebar guide. 
   
   
       7 . The mold of  claim 5 , further comprising a front flange, wherein the front flange projects outward from a front of the drain member guide. 
   
   
       8 . The mold of  claim 5  wherein the drain member guide is a cylindrical metal pipe. 
   
   
       9 . A mold for slip-forming a concrete slotted drain comprising:
 a cylindrical metal pipe;   a form comprising:
 a top member configured to be above a part of a top of the cylindrical metal pipe, having a flat bottom surface parallel with the axis of the pipe and the top member configured to substantially block concrete from flowing over the bottom surface; and 
 a side member connected to and at an angle from the bottom surface of the top member and having a portion formed by or attached to a side of the cylindrical metal pipe and having a closed end. 
   
   
   
       10 . The mold of  claim 9 , further comprising a rebar guide. 
   
   
       11 . The mold of  claim 9 , wherein the side member is further configured to hold an elongated block. 
   
   
       12 . A mold for use with a slip-form machine comprising:
 an outer housing;   a drain member guide;   a void forming projection extending outwardly from the drain member guide; and   a pair of dropdown side shields.   
   
   
       13 . A method of laying slip-formed concrete comprising the steps of:
 laying a main drain portion defining an outer surface;   positioning a guide member around the main drain portion, the guide member comprising a void generating outward projection;   initiating the flow of concrete onto the guide member;   encouraging the concrete to shift around substantially all of the outer surface of the main drain portion;   moving the guide member along the main drain portion;   generating a void in the concrete along a pre-determined portion of the main drain portion, the void exposing the outer surface of the main drain portion to the atmosphere; and   selectively inserting a secondary material into the void as the guide member moves along the main drain portion.   
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the guide member further comprises a rebar guide, the method further comprising selectively inserting rebar along the rebar guide into an outer surface of the concrete. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the main drain portion comprises steel pipe with preformed slots, the method further comprising punching out the preformed slots. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the main drain portion comprises a balloon, the method further comprising:
 deflating the balloon; and   removing the balloon.   
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the secondary material comprises foam block, the method further comprising removing the foam block to expose the main drain portion. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the secondary material comprises a preformed drain with grating that is not removed from the void. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising vibrating the concrete around the main drain portion. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising positioning rebar before laying the main drain portion. 
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein at least a portion of the rebar extends above the outer surface of the concrete, the method further comprising forming a concrete barrier over and connected to the rebar.