DK202001265A1

DK202001265A1 - Access system for an underground installation

Info

Publication number: DK202001265A1
Application number: DKPA202001265A
Authority: DK
Inventors: Kjeldahl Noer Rasmus
Original assignee: Rkn Solutions Aps
Priority date: 2020-11-10
Filing date: 2020-11-10
Publication date: 2022-05-18
Also published as: WO2022101142A1; DK180895B1

Abstract

The present invention relates to an access system for an underground installation. The system comprises a) a frame adapted for delimiting an opening to said underground installation, b) a lid hingedly attached to said frame, c) a grate hingedly attached to said frame, said attachment positioned opposite to said attachment of said lid, d) a first unfoldable and/or flexible fall protection barrier connected with one end to said lid and with the opposite end to said grate; and e) a second unfoldable and/or flexible fall protection barrier connected with one end to said lid and with the opposite end to said grate. The grate is positioned beneath said lid, and the grate is configured to rest in a horizontal position on a part of said frame and configured to be manually raised from said horizontal position to a vertical position and releasably fastened in said vertical position.

Description

DK 2020 01265 A1 Access system for an underground installation Technical field of the invention The present invention relates to access systems for underground installations.

Background of the invention The utility infrastructure for urban society is implemented in significant part using underground facilities. The infrastructure includes electricity, gas, telecommunication, and water services, which are distributed in part underground. Another example is sewer systems that remove wastewater via underground conduits.

To service this infrastructure, utility personal access the underground facilities through manholes or the like at the interface with the ground surface. During the servicing of underground utility systems, both the utility personnel and the public in general are subjected to a number of safety concerns. Personnel in the underground installation may be subjected to noxious or toxic fumes and may otherwise have an inadequate supply of fresh air. Materials and tools need to be safely transported to and from the surface without injury to personnel, and personnel may need to be recovered from the installation in the event of injury or other circumstances. Workers need to be able to successfully move to and from the surface into the underground installation without injury and must be able to work around the manhole or the like. Furthermore, the public needs to be protected from accidentally falling into an open manhole.

These safety concerns have been addressed in a number of regulations, standards and practices. Blowers are used to provide fresh external air through the manhole into the vault using flexible, reinforced air conduits. Temporary, portable manhole guards are placed around open manholes to prevent people from accidentally falling in or tripping over the opening. Various forms of hoists and fall protection systems have been devised to move personnel and material

, DK 2020 01265 A1 into and out of the underground vault through the manhole. However, there is a need for a system that secures that the barrier is not unintentionally forgotten. Description of the invention It is an object of the present invention to overcome the above-mentioned problems. The present invention provides a system that secures that a barrier is formed around the opening as soon as the cover is opened, thereby preventing fall accidents.

A first aspect relates to an access system for an underground installation, the system comprising: - a frame adapted for delimiting an opening to said underground installation; - a lid hingedly attached to said frame; - a grate hingedly attached to said frame, said attachment positioned opposite to said attachment of said lid; - a first unfoldable and/or flexible fall protection barrier connected with one end to said lid and with the opposite end to said grate; and - a second unfoldable and/or flexible fall protection barrier connected with one end to said lid and with the opposite end to said grate; wherein said grate is positioned beneath said lid; wherein said grate is configured to rest in a horizontal position on a part of said frame and configured to be manually raised from said horizontal position to a vertical position and releasably fastened in said vertical position.

The underground installation may e.g. be a well, a manhole, a water reservoir, a tank, or the like. In one or more embodiments, the grate comprises a first plate with a front side, a back side and side edges. The edges are preferably bent as a U-shape towards said backside to provide strength to the grate. The first plate preferably

3 DK 2020 01265 A1 comprises a plurality of holes or cut-outs, thereby allowing the worker to look through said grate and into said underground installation, and to reduce the weight of the grate. When the grate is in its horizontal position it is configured to rest on the frame delimiting the opening to the underground installation. The frame may for that purpose be configured with one or more brackets, or a profile, or the like. The grate may comprise one or more reinforcement rods fastened to the backside of the first plate. Preferably, the reinforcement rods span from one side edge of said first plate to an opposite side edge of said first plate. One or more of the reinforcement rods may be configured as a hinge part, thereby hingedly connecting the grate to said frame. Obviously, a part of the frame may also be configured with a hinge part for that purpose. The frame is hinged to the first plate on the opposite side as it is hinged to the lid in order to form two opposing barriers. Between these two opposing barriers there spans a first and a second unfoldable and/or flexible fall protection barriers, each connected with one end to the lid and with the opposite end to the grate. The first and second unfoldable and/or flexible fall protection barriers thereby form two opposing barriers, such that there will be no risk of falling into the underground installation. The first and second unfoldable and/or flexible fall protection barriers may e.g. be a chain, a wire, an unfoldable fence, or the like. When the lid and grate are raised to vertical, the first and second unfoldable and/or flexible fall protection barriers will stretch or unfold. In one or more embodiments, the grate further comprises one or more reinforcement rods fastened to the back side of said first plate and spanning from one side edge of said first plate to an opposite side edge of said first plate. In one or more embodiments, one end of at least one of said reinforcement rodss forms part of a hinge allowing said grate to be hingedly attached to said frame.

In one or more embodiments, the grate further comprises a) a second plate with

1 DK 2020 01265 A1 a plurality of holes or cut-outs, b) a frame, or c) a third unfoldable and/or flexible fall protection barrier, wherein said second plate, frame, or third fall protection barrier is hingedly connected to said first plate, wherein said second plate, frame, or third fall protection barrier is configured to rest in a horizontal position on top of said first plate and configured to be manually raised from said horizontal position to a vertical position and releasably fastened in said vertical position. In one or more embodiments, the second plate, frame, or third fall protection barrier is configured as or with a handle allowing for manual lifting of said first plate from a horizontal position to a vertical position. In one or more embodiments, the grate further comprises one or more reinforcement rods fastened to the back side of said first plate and spanning from one side edge of said first plate to an opposite side edge of said first plate; wherein one end of at least one of said reinforcement rods form part of a hinge allowing said grate to be hingedly attached to said frame; wherein the opposite end of said reinforcement rod form part of a hinge allowing said second plate, frame, or third fall protection barrier to be hingedly attached to said first plate.

In one or more embodiments, the second plate, frame, or third fall protection barrier comprises a stop pin adapted for engaging with the opposite end of said reinforcement rod, thereby preventing said second plate, frame, or third fall protection barrier from reaching the back side of said first plate.

In one or more embodiments, the grate comprises a first plate with a front side, a back side, and side edges; wherein said first plate comprises a plurality of holes or cut-outs, thereby allowing a worker to look through said grate and into said underground installation; wherein said grate further comprises a) a second plate with a plurality of holes or cut-outs, b) a frame, or c) a third unfoldable and/or flexible fall protection barrier,

DK 2020 01265 A1 wherein said second plate, frame, or third fall protection barrier is hingedly connected to said first plate, wherein said second plate, frame, or third fall protection barrier is configured to rest in a horizontal position on top of said first plate and configured to be manually raised from said horizontal position to a 5 vertical position and releasably fastened in said vertical position.

In one or more embodiments, the first and second protection barriers each are connected with one end to said lid and with the opposite end to said second plate, frame, or third fall protection barrier, thereby securing that said opening to said underground installation is always protected when said grate is positioned in said vertical position. As used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Ranges may be expressed herein as from "about" or "approximately" one particular value and/or to "about" or "approximately" another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent "about", it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment. It should be noted that embodiments and features described in the context of one of the aspects of the present invention also apply to the other aspects of the invention.

Brief description of the figures Figure 1 shows an access system according to various embodiments of the present invention for an underground installation, where the lid is open.

A DK 2020 01265 A1 Figure 2 shows an access system according to various embodiments of the present invention for an underground installation, where the grate lid is partly open.

Figure 3 shows an access system according to various embodiments of the present invention for an underground installation, where the grate lid is fully open.

Figure 4 shows a closeup view of a safety system for the lid, securing that the lid is preventing from closing during operation. Detailed description of the invention The following description is to be seen as a non-limiting example of an access system according to various embodiments of the present invention.

Figure 1 shows an access system 100 for an underground installation with the lid 2 open. The access system 100 comprises a frame 1 adapted for delimiting an opening to said underground installation. The lid 2 is hingedly attached to the frame 1. A grate 3 is positioned across the opening and thereby prevent anyone opening the lid from falling into the underground installation (not shown). The grate 3 is hingedly attached to the frame 1, and said attachment is positioned opposite to the hingedly attachment of the lid 2. In order to enter the underground installation, the worker must lift the grate by hand — a process illustrated by the still shot shown in Figure 2. When the grate 3 is lifted and fastened in its vertical position, a pair of chains 4,5 automatically stretch out to create a barrier at each side of the opening. Hence, the only ways that the worker can enter the opening to the underground installation is by stepping between the chains or detaching one or more chains. Once inside the barrier, the worker can then reattach the one or more chains again. The grate 3 is shown comprising a first plate 6 and a frame 21. The frame 21 is hingedly connected to

DK 2020 01265 A1 the first plate 6. The frame 21 is configured to rest in a horizontal position on top of the first plate 6 when the grate 3 is covering the opening to the underground installation.

This configuration is necessary for access systems where the size of the opening prevents the barrier from fitting in its full height.

Here, the frame 21 also functions as the handle for raising the grate to a vertical position.

The grate 3, via the first plate 6, is configured to be releasably fastened in the vertical position by a fastening mechanism 8 best seen in Figure 4. Such a fastening mechanism 8 may have many different configurations, and the shown mechanism is only to be interpreted as an exemplary fastening mechanism.

The first plate 6 has a front side 7, a back side (not shown), and side edges 9. The side edges 9 are bent in a U-shape towards the backside.

The first plate 6 comprises a plurality of cut-outs 10, allowing a worker to stand on and look through the grate 3/first plate 6 for inspection of the underground installation without having to open it.

One or more of the cut-outs may be of a size allowing for insertion of sensors or other types of equipment, such as analytical equipment.

When such cut-outs are present, it may be necessary to strengthen the grate to be able to stand on it.

In Figure 2, it is possible to see a part of a reinforcement rod 15 fastened to the back side of the first plate 6 and spanning from one side edge 9 of said first plate 6 to an opposite side edge 9 of said first plate 6. In Figure 3, the access system 100 is shown in a fully opened position.

The grate 3 is in vertical position and the chains/protection barriers 4 and 5 are unfolded/stretched as the frame 21 is raised to its vertical position.

To prevent the frame 21 from tilting, a stop pin 24 is implemented.

Figure 4 also shows a lock mechanism 12 to prevent that the lid 2 could fall down during operation.

The lock mechanism comprises a bracket with a guide track and a guide pin (not shown) attached to the frame.

Such mechanisms are well- known within the art.

The lock mechanism could also or alternatively comprise dampeners, also well-known within the art.

g DK 2020 01265 A1 References 1 Frame 2 Lid 3 Grate 4 First unfoldable and/or flexible fall protection barrier

5 Second unfoldable and/or flexible fall protection barrier 6 First plate 7 Front side 8 Fastening mechanism

9 Side edges 10 Holes or cut-outs 11 Bracket 12 Lock mechanism Reinforcement rods

15 16 Hinge 21 Frame 24 Stop pin 100 Underground installation

Claims

o DK 2020 01265 A1 Claims

1. An access system (100) for an underground installation comprising: - a frame (1) adapted for delimiting an opening to said underground installation; - a lid (2) hingedly attached to said frame (1); - a grate (3) hingedly attached to said frame (1), said attachment positioned opposite to said attachment of said lid (2); - a first unfoldable and/or flexible fall protection barrier (4) connected with one end to said lid (2) and with the opposite end to said grate (3); and - a second unfoldable and/or flexible fall protection barrier (5) connected with one end to said lid (2) and with the opposite end to said grate (3); wherein said grate (3) is positioned beneath said lid (2); wherein said grate (3) is configured to rest in a horizontal position on a part (11) of said frame (1) and configured to be manually raised from said horizontal position to a vertical position and releasably fastened in said vertical position.

2. The access system (100) according to claim 1, wherein said grate (3) comprises a first plate (6) with a front side (7), a back side, and side edges (9), wherein said side edges (9) are bent in a U-shape towards said backside; wherein said first plate (6) comprises a plurality of holes or cut-outs (10), thereby allowing a worker to look through said grate (3) and into said underground installation.

3. The access system (100) according to claim 2, wherein said grate (3) further comprises one or more reinforcement rods (15) fastened to the back side (8) of said first plate (6) and spanning from one side edge (9) of said first plate (6) to an opposite side edge (9) of said first plate (6).

4. The access system (100) according to claim 3, wherein one end of at least one of said reinforcement rods (15) form part of a hinge (16) allowing said grate (3) to be hingedly attached to said frame (1).

0 DK 2020 01265 A1

5. The access system (100) according to claim 4, wherein said grate (3) further comprises a) a second plate (20) with a plurality of holes or cut-outs, b) a frame (21), or c) a third unfoldable and/or flexible fall protection barrier, wherein said second plate, frame (21), or third fall protection barrier is hingedly connected to said first plate (6), wherein said second plate , frame (21), or third fall protection barrier is configured to rest in a horizontal position on top of said first plate (6) and configured to be manually raised from said horizontal position to a vertical position and releasably fastened in said vertical position.

6. The access system (100) according to claim 5, wherein said second plate, frame (21), or third fall protection barrier is configured as or with a handle allowing for manual lifting of said first plate (6) from a horizontal position to a vertical position.

7. The access system (100) according to claim 5, wherein said grate (3) further comprises one or more reinforcement rods (15) fastened to the back side (8) of said first plate (6) and spanning from one side edge of said first plate to an opposite side edge of said first plate (6); wherein one end of at least one of said reinforcement rods (15) form part of a hinge allowing said grate (3) to be hingedly attached to said frame (21); wherein the opposite end of said reinforcement rod (15) form part of a hinge allowing said second plate, frame (21), or third fall protection barrier to be hingedly attached to said first plate (6).

8. The access system (100) according to claim 7, wherein said second plate, frame (21), or third fall protection barrier comprises a stop pin (24) adapted for engaging with the opposite end of said reinforcement rod (15), thereby preventing said second plate, frame (21), or third fall protection barrier from reaching the back side of said first plate (6).

9. The access system (100) according to claim 1, wherein said grate (3)

i” DK 2020 01265 A1 comprises a first plate (6) with a front side (7), a back side, and side edges (9); wherein said first plate (6) comprises a plurality of holes or cut-outs (10), thereby allowing a worker to look through said grate (3) and into said underground installation; wherein said grate (3) further comprises a) a second plate with a plurality of holes or cut-outs, b) a frame (21), or c) a third unfoldable and/or flexible fall protection barrier, wherein said second plate, frame (21), or third fall protection barrier is hingedly connected to said first plate (6), wherein said second plate (20), frame (21), or third fall protection barrier is configured to rest in a horizontal position on top of said first plate (6) and configured to be manually raised from said horizontal position to a vertical position and releasably fastened in said vertical position.

10. The access system (100)according to any one of the claims 8-9, wherein said first (4) and second protection barriers (4) each are connected with one end to said lid (2) and with the opposite end to said second plate, frame (21), or third fall protection barrier, thereby securing that said opening to said underground installation is always protected when said grate (3) is positioned in said vertical position.