Method and apparatus for supporting and anchoring drainage channel sections

DETAILED DESCRIPTION All of these needs and others are met by the methods and apparatus for supporting and anchoring drainage channel sections according to the present invention.
In particular, the present invention provides a support frame assembly including a pair of legs, a cross member extending therebetween and at least one anchor member for anchoring the cross member to a support surface.
The legs are generally parallel and extend in a substantially vertical direction.
Each of the legs has an upper end portion and a lower end portion.
In one advantageous embodiment, the legs are formed of a channel section having a central wall and a pair of opposed sidewalls.
A channel support piece is mounted on each of the parallel legs adjacent to the upper end portions thereof for supporting the adjoining drainage channel sections.
In another advantageous embodiment, the central wall of each leg includes a slot having upper and lower ends and a fastener extending through the slot for fastening the channel support piece to the respective leg.
Advantageously, the lower end of the slot terminates at a predetermined distance above the cross member to ensure that there is always an adequate thickness of hardenable composition below the drainage channel sections.
A cross member extends between the lower end portions of the parallel legs at a position below the channel support pieces.
The cross member may also be formed of a channel section having a central wall and a pair of opposed sidewalls.
Advantageously, the legs and cross member are made of a single continuous piece of channel section steel.
At least one opening is provided in the cross member adjacent to the support surface.
The opening is advantageously adapted to allow an anchor member to extend therethrough and engage the support surface to thereby anchor the frame to the surface.
The anchor member may be a substantially rigid rod which is driven through the opening and into the bottom surface of an earthen ditch.
The anchor member may also be a nail which is hammered into a wooden form or a screw which is screwed into a metal form