CZ285855B6 - Cover, particularly for hydrant maintenance hole - Google Patents

Abstract

The cover (6) is surrounded by a supporting frame (4) with guide rails (8) along two opposite side walls. The cover has upper (58) and lower (56) lugs on each side to engage with the guide rails, mounted on supporting legs (52) extending from the cover's lower surface and perpendicular to it. Each leg has a flat section (59) which prevents any pivoting of the cover as it is raised or closed. Each guide rail has a rear section (28C) which frees the cover, while each of the frame's opposite side walls has a locking rib (36) which is situated at least partially above the upper lug forming a chicane for the lugs to pass through.

Description

The invention relates to a hatch, in particular for a technical opening of a hydrant comprising a support frame restricting the passage and a removable closing lid.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is often necessary to provide passages in the soil surface, such as the road surface, to allow access to technical openings.

These technical openings may consist, for example, of drainage wells or sewer inlet ducts provided in the roadway, or spaces formed in the ground and adapted to accommodate fire extinguisher valves or water wells or to clean cable blocks.

Such hatches generally comprise a frame whose walls define the passage and are provided with a circumferential support rib in their upper part on which the lids rest in the closed position. A hole is usually provided in the lid for introducing the lid withdrawal tool.

After insertion of the tool, the lid can be removed by lifting it and possibly sliding along the circumferential rib to lay it flat on the ground next to the frame.

Such devices have various disadvantages.

In fact, the lid can be placed somewhere after its removal or it can be maliciously removed from the frame.

In addition, if the support frame does not have a symmetrical circumference, it is difficult to determine the correct fit of the lid on the frame when refitted.

In other cases, the rotation of the lid may become a necessity due to the fact that within the hatch the individual members are positioned arbitrarily and may interfere with the lid if incorrectly fitted.

The purpose of the invention is to overcome these drawbacks by providing a hatch in which a lid opening that is removable is possible even if it is integral with the support frame when operating the hatch.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a hatch, in particular for a hydrant technical opening, comprising a support frame restricting the passage and a removable closure cover, the support frame comprising a guide rail on each of its two side walls, the closure lid having two guide rail supports laterally on each side. of which the upper sliding support is slidably mounted on the upper side of the guide rail when opening for forward movement and closing for rearward movement relative to the closure lid, and the lower stopper support is adapted to abut the underside of the guide rail when the closure lid is raised at least partially open position.

According to particular embodiments of the invention, the hatch may exhibit one or more of the following features:

-1 CZ 285855 B6

- the abutments are provided on support legs running under the lower surface of the closure lid and perpendicular thereto, laterally on each side,

- the support uprights have a planar section extending longitudinally against the guide rails in order to prevent any greater rotation of the closure lid,

each guide rail has a rear end for releasing the closure lid and each side wall comprises a rear locking rib located at least partially above the upper sliding abutment when the abutment is outside the releasing end for the closing lid, the releasing end and the locking rib defining a support partition the closing lid,

- the locking rib has an elongated shape and is inclined downward and forward in the direction of said release end,

- the closure lid comprises a lock in its front part for securing the closure lid in a closed position relative to the support frame, the latch bolt adapted to cooperate with a retaining surface provided in the wall of the support frame,

- each guide rail comprises a forward rectilinear section parallel to the plane of the closure cap in the closure position and a rear portion inclined downwards and backwards from the rectilinear section to the free end to release the closure cap,

- the abutments are at least partially behind the end for releasing the closure cap, in its closing position,

- each guide rail comprises a bearing surface for the closure lid when in the closing position,

- the closure lid comprises, at each lateral edge of its lower side, an inclined abutment surface adapted to cooperate with the upper side of the inclined section of the guide rail forming the support surface,

- each upper sliding support is located at a distance from the top of the closure lid less than the sum of the maximum thickness of the closure lid and the distance between the upper side of the front of the guide rail and the road surface surrounding the support frame; a side of the closure cap at a distance greater than the sum of the maximum thickness of the closure cap and the distance between the bottom of the front of the guide rail and said road surface so that the closure cap can rest on that surface in the maximum opening position;

- the closure lid has an arched release surface at the front of its lower part,

- the rests are located near the rear end of the closure lid in terms of opening,

- the lid and the support frame are made in one piece by a casting process.

The invention will now be explained by way of example with reference to the drawings.

Overview of the drawings

Giant. 1 is a top plan view of a lid according to the invention, with the closure cap half shown in the closing position and half in the open position.

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-Π in Fig. 1 where the closure lid is in the closing position.

-2GB 285855 B6

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line ΙΠ-ΠΙ in Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view along line Π-ΙΙ in Fig. 1 with the closure lid in the open position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The hatch 2 shown in the drawings is an entry box for a hydrant. It includes a supporting frame 4 and a closing lid 6.

The supporting frame 4, made in one piece by casting, comprises two side walls 8, 10, approximately vertical and parallel, which extend on one side of the median longitudinal plane P. These side walls 8, 10 are connected to each other by two walls 12, 14 extending almost vertically, parallel to each other and perpendicular to the plane P to define the passage J6. The walls 12 and 14 form the front wall or the rear wall, considering the direction of the opening arrow F1 indicated in FIGS. 1 and 2.

The height of the side walls 8 and 10 and the walls 12 and 14 is defined as a hatch use function, which walls 8 to 14 may be sized to protect the mechanical device, for example a valve K, as schematically indicated in Figure 2.

As also seen in FIGS. 2 to 4, the side walls 8 and 10 and 12 and 14 are extended at their lower part by an outwardly circumferential flange 18. This circumferential flange 18 comprises elongate-shaped sealing openings 20 distributed over the entire circumference of the support frame 4.

The stiffeners 22 connect the upper surface of the peripheral flange 18 to the side walls 8 and 10 and the walls 12 and 14.

The inner sides of the walls 12, 14 carry support ribs 24 and 26, respectively, made of the same material and extending along the length of each wall within the passage 16 at their upper part. The rib 24 is extended on the side walls 8 and 10 by guide rails of the same designation denoted by 28. The rib 24 also has two identical grooves 24A at each of its ends, extended by the guide rails 28.

The guide rails 28 have the same thickness as the rib 24. After the rib 24, they comprise a first forward rectilinear portion 28A that extends parallel to the plane of the closure lid 6 when in the closed position and is extended by an inclined section 28B inclined rearward and downward. These inclined portions 28B terminate in a release end 28C which is spaced from the wall 14.

The rear rib 26 is similarly extended on each of the side walls 8 and 10 by short identical rib sections 32, extended by two identical locking ribs 36, inclined downward and forward in the direction of the release ends 28C, but terminating at a small distance therefrom.

In addition, the rear rib 26 is provided with two identical recesses 26A at each of its ends, extended by the rib sections 32. These recesses 26A face the grooves 24A of the front rib 24.

The closure lid 6, shown in all figures, is made in one piece by a casting process and has an outer periphery which fits into the passage 16 with little circumferential clearance. It has a flat top surface 40 on which the anti-skid motifs 42 as well as the marks 44, which may, for example, indicate the nature of the members located below the hatch 2 and the like.

Along the edges of its underside, the closure lid 6 is provided with a peripheral surface 46 that extends parallel to the top surface 40.

-3GB 285855 B6

On its lateral edges extending on both sides of the plane P, the closure lid 6 is provided near its rear end with inclined abutment surfaces 48 supported by triangular ribs 50 extending perpendicularly to the bush of the closure lid 6. These abutment surfaces 48 have a slope equal to guide rail sections 28B.

In addition to the triangular ribs 50, support legs 52 are provided rearwardly at the rear of the lid 6, which extend longitudinally, i.e. parallel to the P plane on each side and below the lid 6 along the circumferential support surface 46. These support legs 52 bear on their inner side corner stiffeners 54 connected to the bottom surface of the closure lid 6.

On its outer side, each support post 52 comprises at its lower end a stop abutment 56 as well as an upper sliding abutment 58 provided above and spaced from the lower abutment abutment 56. Between the two abutments 56, 58 there is provided an elongated planar section 59 whose height is greater than the thickness of the guide rails 28 and whose longitudinal dimension is at least four times that height and is sufficient to prevent the lid 6 from being pulled away by turning it when the lid 6 is at least partially open.

Two rows of reinforcing ribs 60 extend perpendicularly to the lower surface of the lid 6. Some of the longitudinal reinforcing ribs 60 have rounded dorsal surfaces 62 at their forward end having a curved profile and extending almost on a quadrant with a large radius of curvature.

In this front part of the lid there is an opening 64 for gripping the closing lid 6.

In Fig. 2, the closure lid 6 is shown in its closed position.

In this position, the lid support surfaces 46 rest on the upper sides of the support ribs 24 and 26 as well as on the upper sides of the front rectilinear portions 28A of the guide rails 28, thus forming the bearing surfaces. Likewise, the inclined abutment surfaces 48 rest on the upper sides of the inclined sections 28B of the guide rails 28 forming the support surfaces.

The closure cap 6 is thus capable of withstanding in the closed position the considerable stresses caused, for example, by the passage of heavy vehicles.

In the closed position, seen from the side of FIG. 2, the support legs 52 overlap with the release ends 28C of the guide rails 28 and the locking ribs 36. In particular, on each side the sliding support 58 is partially below the lower end of the locking rib 36 and partly above the release end 28C, while the stop abutment 56 is partially below each of these members.

In order to open the closure cap 6, the operator introduces a suitable tool into the removal opening 64 to allow the end of the closure cap 6 provided with the opening 64 to be released from the support frame 4 until the stiffening ribs 60 surrounding the portions of the valve K are over it. This release of part of the closure lid 6 results in the stop abutments 56 engaging under the guide rails 28, so that the sliding abutments 58 engage under the upper side of the guide rails 28.

After this release, the pull on the closure lid 6 in the sense of the arrow F1 shown in FIG. 2 and corresponding to the opening direction allows the closure lid 6 to slide relative to the support frame 4. The slide supports 58 rest on the upper sides of the inclined guide rail sections 28B. When the sliding abutments 58 reach the front rectilinear guide rail parts 28A, the abutments slide on the upper sides of the rectilinear parts until the locking cap 6 is in the maximum opening position shown in FIG. in this maximum opening position, the front end of the support uprights 52 in the grooves 24A provided in the rib 24, which allows a considerable opening of the closure lid 6.

-4GB 285855 B6

In the exemplary embodiment shown in the drawings, the distance between the lower portion of the slide support 58 and the top 40 of the closure lid 6 is less than the sum of the maximum thickness of the closure lid 6 and the distance between the top of the guide rail 28 and the road surface S surrounding the support frame 4 the surface being flush with the upper surface of the support frame 4. In addition, the distance between the upper portion of the stoppers 56 and the upper side of the lid 6 is greater than the sum of the maximum thickness of the lid 6 and the distance between the lower surface of the front of the guide rail 28 and the road surface S surrounding the support frame 4.

In this way, the closure lid 6 can be laid flat on the road surface S as shown in FIG. 4.

It should be noted that once the stop abutments 56 are engaged under the guide rails 28, 30, it is impossible to pull the cap 6 away from the support frame 4. When attempting to lift the cap 6 to pull it off, the lower stop abutments 56 strike the underside of the guide rails 28 and pulling out. In an attempt to rotate the closure lid 6 about a vertical axis to disengage the guide rail supports 28, the planar sections 59 of the support legs 52 also come into contact with the inner edges of the guide rails 28, preventing any greater rotation and preventing the closure lid 6 from pulling away.

From the beginning of opening of the lid 2, it is thus impossible to pull off the closure lid 6 and thus prevent its loss or theft.

To close the lid 6 again, it is sufficient to slide them back in the sense opposite to the arrow F1, for example by pushing parallel to the road surface of the worker's feet.

As a result of this push, the sliding abutments 58 follow the upper sides of the guide rails 28 until the closing lid 6 is in the closing position, as shown in Fig. 2. The rear end of the support legs 52 is thus partially in the recesses 26A of the ribs 26.

In this closing phase, the release surfaces 62 having a considerable radius of curvature ensure that the road will not be damaged when the lid 6 is slid over the surface, the repositioning of the lid 6 in place is facilitated by easy passage of the release surfaces 62 above the edge of the support frame 4; they also provide a sufficiently inclined position of the closure lid 6 at the end of closing to prevent contact between the reinforcing ribs 60 and the upper portions of the valve K.

Removal of the removable closure lid 6 is made more difficult by persons who are inexperienced or not equipped with the locking rib 36. If someone tries to lift the closure lid 6 while in the closing position, the upper slide 58 strikes the lower end of the inclined locking ribs. 36, which with the guide rail release ends 28C form a support partition, a lower stop support 56, and an upper slide support 58.

To remove the cap 6, it is necessary to lift the cap 6 by introducing a suitable tool into the withdrawal opening 64, then release the slight cap 6 in the sense of the arrow FI, and then introduce an expensive suitable removal tool such as a screwdriver under the rear support surface 46 64. This expensive removal tool allows to lift the portion of the closure lid 6 closer to the abutments.

Thus, by simultaneously raising both ends of the closure cap 6, the upper slide supports 58 can be released from the upper surfaces of the inclined sections 28B of the guide rails 28, and then by moving the closure lid 6 in a direction opposite to the curve FI.

-5GB 285855 B6

Thus, by further lifting the closure lid 6 and moving it again in the sense of arrow FI, it is possible to slide the stopper support 56 over the inclined sections 28B of the guide rails 28. The closure lid 6 can thus be completely pulled away from the support frame 4.

Obviously, pulling off the closure lid 6 from the support frame 4 is relatively difficult, since two tools and different steps are required, which requires a good knowledge of the entire device.

For repositioning the closure lid 6 on the support frame 4, it is sufficient to place the closure lid 6 in its open position, where the bottom of the lower stop abutments 56 rest on the upper side of the guide rails 28 and then push them in the direction opposite to the direction of arrow F1 until the closure lid 6 it assumes its closing position, wherein the abutments 56 and 58 pass sequentially over the release end 28C, guided by the inclined sections 28B.

It can be seen that the distance between the release end 28C and the lower end of the locking rib 36 is adjusted to allow the gradual passage of the abutments 56 and 58 with very slight play, almost straight along the determined path. Furthermore, due to the orientation of the locking ribs 36 and the inclined sections 28B, it is virtually impossible to pull the closure lid 6 by attempting to move the abutments 56, 58 along the same path but in the opposite direction. The weight of the lid 6 and poor visibility make this procedure very difficult.

Thus, to remove the closure cap 6, it is necessary to proceed as above and to make reciprocating movements while lifting the closure cap 6.

According to an embodiment, not shown in the drawings, it is possible to mount a locking lock below the removal opening 64, the latch of which is adapted to cooperate with the underside of the support rib 24 forming the retaining surface.

Such a lock makes it possible to lock the locking lid 6 on the support frame 4 and thus prevent opening and removal of the locking lid 6 when the lock is locked.

Claims (14)

Hatch, in particular for a technical opening of a hydrant, comprising a support frame (4) restricting the passage (16) and a removable closing cap (6), characterized in that the support frame (4) comprises on each of its two side walls (4). 8, 10) guide rail (28), the closing lid (6) comprises laterally on each side two supports (56, 58) for the guide rail (28), of which the upper sliding support (58) is slidably mounted on the upper side of the guide rail (28) when opening for forward movement and closing for rearward movement (6), and the lower stop abutment (56) is adapted to abut the underside of the guide rail (28) when the closing lid (6) is lifted into its at least partially open positions. Manhole cover according to claim 1, characterized in that the upper sliding support (58) and the lower stop support (56) are provided on support legs (52) mounted below the lower surface of the closure cap (6) and perpendicular thereto laterally after each side. Manhole cover according to claim 2, characterized in that the support legs (52) have a planar section (59) running longitudinally opposite the guide rails (28) to prevent the locking lid (6) from rotating. -6GB 285855 B6 Manhole cover according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that each guide rail (28) has a rear end (28C) for releasing the closure lid (6), each side wall (8, 10) comprising a locking rib (36) at the rear, located at least partially above the upper sliding abutment (58) when it is outside the release end (28C) for the closure lid (6), the release end (28C) and the locking rib (36) defining a bulkhead passage for the abutments. A hatch according to claim 4, characterized in that the locking rib (36) has an elongated shape and is inclined down and forward in the direction of said release end (28C). Manhole cover according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the closure lid (6) comprises a lock in its front part for securing the closure lid (6) in a closed position relative to the support frame (4), the latch bolt adapted to cooperate with a retaining surface of the support rib (24) provided in the wall of the support frame (4). Manhole cover according to any one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that each guide rail (28) comprises a front rectilinear section (28A) parallel to the plane of the retention lid (6) in the closing position and an inclined section (28B) inclined in the direction down and back from the rectilinear section (28A) to the release end (28C) to release the retaining cap (6). Manhole cover according to any one of claims 4 to 7, characterized in that the upper slide abutment (58) and the lower stop abutment (56) are at least partially behind the release end (28C) for releasing the retention lid (6) when this is in the closure position. Manhole cover according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that each guide rail (28) comprises a support surface for the retaining cap (6) when the retaining cap (6) is in the closing position. Manhole cover according to claims 7 and 9, characterized in that the retaining lid (6) comprises at each side edge of its lower side an inclined abutment surface (48) adapted to cooperate with the upper side of the inclined section (28B) of the guide rail (28). forming the support surface. Manhole cover according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that each upper slide support (58) is located from the upper part of the closure cap (6) at a distance that is less than the sum of the maximum thickness of the closure cap (6) and the distance between the upper side of the front of the guide rail (28) and the road surface surrounding the support frame (4), the lower stop abutment (56) being spaced from the upper side of the closure lid (6) at a distance greater than the sum of the maximum thickness of the closure the lid (6) and the distance between the underside of the front of the guide rail (28) and said road surface such that the closure lid (6) is supported on this surface in the maximum open position. Manhole cover according to claim 1, characterized in that the closure lid (6) has an arched release surface (62) on the front side of its lower part. Manhole cover according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the upper slide abutment (58) and the lower stop abutment (56) are located at the rear end of the closure lid (6) in terms of opening. Manhole cover according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that both the closure cover (6) and the support frame (4) form a single piece formed as a casting.