VALVE BOX SUPPORT PAD

Abstract

The valve box support pad is a thick rubber pad made from recycled auto tire scraps or virgin rubber by a compression molding process using a polyurethane binder and is designed to be placed below-grade under irrigation valve boxes to both support the valve box and prevent gophers or other burrowing mammals from backfilling their tunneling spoils into the valve box. What is new about this invention is that it replaces the industry standard bricks, gravel and aviary mesh used in setting/constructing an irrigation valve box assembly. The pad also reduces the amount of excavation required in setting a valve box.

Claims

1. A pad comprised of; shredded rubber particles compression molded with a polyurethane binder into a round or rectangular shape, of length and width dimensions slightly larger than the dimensions of commonly used valve boxes such that a valve box may rest on said pad, of a thickness to be able to withstand compressive force on the top of said valve box without sinking into the soil, with perforated “knock outs” pre-cut into said pad for the optional use of mounting pad onto existing vertical piping.

Description

3. DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES/DRAWINGS

[0008] a.) FIG. 1: Top view/plan view.

[0009] b.) FIG. 2: Side view/elevation view.

[0010] c.) FIG. 3: Side view showing application

4. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0011] The valve box support pad is made out of shredded rubber and is machine compression-molded with a polyurethane binder into rectangular or round form to a size slightly bigger than commonly used irrigation valve boxes. The pad is slightly bigger than the bottom of the valve box so the valve box can sit/rest on the pad. The compressed shredded rubber is permeable allowing water to pass through it. The pad is placed in the bottom of a hole or excavation and an irrigation control valve is located above it or through it via pvc pipe and an irrigation valve box is placed over both. Backfill soil is placed and compacted around the valve box completing the installation.

[0012] The pad is of a thickness such that it will “give” or compress when, for instance, the tire of a truck runs over the top of the valve box, keeping the valve box installation intact The support pad is strong enough that it will prevent burrowing mammals from pushing tunneling spoils up into the valve box chamber.

[0013] NOTE: This substitute specification contains no new matter.