EP0698692B1 - Cover for a fire hydrant shaft - 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 present invention relates to a hatch, especially for technical fire hydrant inspection, type comprising a support frame delimiting a passage and a removable shutter cover.

It is frequently necessary to have to spare in the soil surface, for example in the surface of a pavement, passages allowing access to manholes techniques.

These technical looks can for example be consisting of sumps or access shafts to sewers, or chests made in the ground and adapted to receive valves or water intakes for firefighters, or cleaning gutters.

Such hatches generally have a frame whose walls delimit a passage, these walls being provided in their upper part with a rib support device on which the edges rest of the cover in the closed position. A hole is generally provided in the cover in order to introduce there a gripping member for removing the cover.

Once this member is inserted, the cover can be removed by lifting it up and possibly doing so slide along the peripheral rib in order to lay flat on the floor next to the frame.

We also know, by the document GB-A-318 012, a hatch comprising a support frame and a removable shutter cover. The frame has a guide rail on each of two side walls of the frame and the cover is provided, laterally of each side, of a guide rail tracking pad, this pad sliding on the upper side of the rail during movement opening by sliding forwards and closing by sliding backwards.

Such devices have certain drawbacks.

Indeed, the cover can be lost after its removal, or being removed from the frame in a malicious manner.

In addition, if the support frame does not have a symmetrical rim, it is difficult to determine the right positioning of the cover on it when it is put back in place.

In other cases, indexing the cover in the frame can be made mandatory by the presence inside the hatch of elements arranged so any and may interfere with the cover if this one is badly assembled.

The object of the invention is to remedy these drawbacks, by providing a hatch, the opening of which cover is possible, this cover being removable, although that in operation it is integral with the support frame.

To this end, the subject of the invention is a hatch, of the aforementioned type, the frame of which comprises a rail of guide on each of two parallel side walls of the frame, and the cover laterally has each side, two guide rail tracking pads, one of which upper shoe sliding on the upper side of the rail during opening movements by sliding towards the front and sliding backwards cover, and a lower pad adapted to abut on the underside of the rail when the cover is lifted in the at least partially open position thereof, said guide rail ends at a rear end cover release and each side wall has a locking rib at the rear, this release end and the blocking rib delimiting a passage baffle for the cover skids to make possible complete removal of the cover.

• la nervure de blocage est disposée au moins partiellement au-dessus du patin supérieur lorsque celui-ci se trouve au-delà de l'extrémité de libération du couvercle ;
• la nervure de blocage a une forme allongée et est inclinée vers le bas et vers l'avant en direction de l'extrémité de libération ;
• les patins sont ménagés sur des jambes de support s'étendant au-dessous de la face inférieure du couvercle et perpendiculairement à celui-ci, latéralement de chaque côté ;
• les jambes de support comportent, en regard des rails de guidage, une portion plane s'étendant longitudinalement afin d'interdire tout pivotement du couvercle ;
• le couvercle comporte, dans sa partie avant, une serrure de verrouillage du couvercle par rapport au cadre en position d'obturation, dont le pêne est adapté pour coopérer avec une surface de retenue ménagée dans une paroi du cadre.
• chaque rail de guidage comporte une portion avant rectiligne parallèle au plan du couvercle en position d'obturation, et une portion arrière inclinée vers le bas et vers l'arrière depuis la portion rectiligne, jusqu'à l'extrémité de libération du couvercle.
• les patins sont au moins partiellement au-delà de l'extrémité de libération du couvercle lorsque le couvercle est en position d'obturation.
• chaque rail de guidage comporte une surface de support du couvercle lorsque celui-ci est en position d'obturation.
• le couvercle comporte sur chaque bord latéral de sa face inférieure une surface d'appui inclinée, adaptée pour coopérer avec la face supérieure de la portion inclinée du rail de guidage formant surface de support.
• chaque patin supérieur est placé à une distance de la face supérieure du couvercle qui est inférieure à la somme de l'épaisseur maximale du couvercle et de la distance entre la face supérieure de la partie avant du rail de guidage et la surface du sol entourant le cadre de support, et le patin inférieur est placé à une distance de la face supérieure du couvercle qui est supérieure à la somme de l'épaisseur maximale du couvercle et de la distance entre la face inférieure de la partie avant du rail de guidage et ladite surface du sol, afin que le couvercle puisse reposer sur ladite surface dans sa position d'ouverture maximale.
• le couvercle comporte, sur la partie avant de sa face inférieure, des surfaces de dégagement arquées.
• les patins sont disposés près de l'extrémité arrière du couvercle suivant le sens d'ouverture de celui-ci.
• le couvercle et le cadre de support sont réalisés tous deux d'une seule pièce par un procédé de fonderie.

According to particular embodiments, the invention may have one or more of the following characteristics:

• the locking rib is disposed at least partially above the upper shoe when the latter is beyond the release end of the cover;
• the locking rib has an elongated shape and is inclined downward and forward towards the release end;
• the pads are formed on support legs extending below the underside of the cover and perpendicular thereto, laterally on each side;
• the support legs include, facing the guide rails, a flat portion extending longitudinally to prevent any pivoting of the cover;
• the cover comprises, in its front part, a lock for locking the cover relative to the frame in the closed position, the bolt of which is adapted to cooperate with a retaining surface formed in a wall of the frame.
• each guide rail comprises a rectilinear front portion parallel to the plane of the cover in the closed position, and a rear portion inclined downwards and backwards from the rectilinear portion, to the release end of the cover.
• the pads are at least partially beyond the release end of the cover when the cover is in the closed position.
• each guide rail has a support surface for the cover when the latter is in the closed position.
• the cover comprises on each lateral edge of its lower face an inclined bearing surface, adapted to cooperate with the upper face of the inclined portion of the guide rail forming a support surface.
• each upper shoe is placed at a distance from the upper face of the cover which is less than the sum of the maximum thickness of the cover and the distance between the upper face of the front part of the guide rail and the ground surface surrounding the support frame, and the lower shoe is placed at a distance from the upper face of the cover which is greater than the sum of the maximum thickness of the cover and the distance between the lower face of the front part of the guide rail and said ground surface, so that the cover can rest on said surface in its maximum open position.
• the cover comprises, on the front part of its lower face, arcuate release surfaces.
• the pads are arranged near the rear end of the cover in the opening direction thereof.
• the cover and the support frame are both made in one piece by a foundry process.

• la Fig.1 est une vue de dessus en élévation d'une trappe selon l'invention, le couvercle ayant été représenté pour moitié en position d'obturation et pour moitié en position d'ouverture;
• la Fig.2 est une vue en coupe suivant la ligne II-II de la figure 1, le couvercle étant en position d'obturation;
• la Fig.3 est une vue en coupe suivant la ligne III-III de la figure 2; et
• la Fig.4 est une vue en coupe suivant la ligne II-II de la figure 1, le couvercle étant en position d'ouverture.

The invention will be better understood on reading the description which follows, given solely by way of example and made with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

• Fig.1 is a top view in elevation of a hatch according to the invention, the cover having been shown half in the closed position and half in the open position;
• Fig.2 is a sectional view along line II-II of Figure 1, the cover being in the closed position;
• Fig.3 is a sectional view along line III-III of Figure 2; and
• Fig.4 is a sectional view along line II-II of Figure 1, the cover being in the open position.

The hatch 2 shown in the drawings is a safe for access to a fire valve. It includes a support frame 4 and a shutter cover 6.

The support frame 4, produced in a single part by a foundry process, has two walls side 8,10, roughly vertical and parallel, extending on either side of a longitudinal plane median P. These side walls 8,10 are connected one to the other by two walls 12,14 extending approximately vertically, parallel to each other and orthogonally on plane P to delimit a passage 16. The walls 12 and 14 are the front and rear walls respectively, considering the opening direction F1 indicated in the figures 1 and 2.

The height of the walls 8 to 14 is defined in depending on the use of the hatch, and these walls can be sized to house an organ mechanical, for example a valve marked K as shown in Figure 2.

As can also be seen in the figures 2 to 4, the walls 8 to 14 extend in their part lower by a peripheral flange 18 oriented outwards. This peripheral flange 18 comprises oblong-shaped sealing holes 20 distributed all around the periphery of the frame.

Reinforcement gussets 22 connect the surface upper of the flange 18 to the side walls 8 to 14.

The inner faces of the walls 12,14, at inside passage 16, have in their parts upper support ribs 24,26 respectively, material coming and extending over the length of each wall. The front rib 24 extends over the walls side 8 and 10 by identical guide rails designated by the reference 28. The rib 24 comprises also two identical notches 24A at each of its ends extended by guide rails 28.

These guide rails 28 have the same thickness that the rib 24. They comprise from the rib 24, a first rectilinear front portion 28A, extending parallel to the plane of the cover when it is in shutter position, extended by a portion 28B tilted back and down. These portions inclined 28B terminate in a release end denoted 28C, distant from the wall 14.

Likewise, the rear rib 26 extends over each of the side walls 8 and 10 by short portions of identical ribs 32 extended by two identical locking ribs 36 inclined downwards and forward towards the release ends 28C, but stopping a short distance from them.

In addition, the rear rib 26 has two identical notches 26A at each of its ends extended by the portions of ribs 32. These notches 26A face the notches 24A of the front rib 24.

The cover 6 shown on each of figures is made in one piece by a process of foundry and has an outer periphery interlocking with a small peripheral clearance in passage 16. It has a flat upper face 40 on which are formed non-slip relief patterns 42, as well as markings 44 can for example indicate the nature of the elements under the hatch, etc.

According to the edges of its lower face, the cover 6 has a peripheral bearing surface 46 extending parallel to the upper face 40.

On its side edges extending on both sides on the other side of plane P, the cover 6 has, near its rear end, inclined bearing surfaces 48 spans by triangular ribs 50 extending perpendicularly on the plane of the shutter cover 6. These inclined bearing surfaces 48 have an inclination equal to that of the inclined portions 28B of the rails guidance.

Beyond the triangular ribs 50, towards rear, are provided in the rear part of the cover support legs 52 which extend longitudinally, that is to say parallel to the plane P, on each side and below the cover 6 along the bearing surface peripheral 46. These support legs 52 have on their inner face of the reinforcement gussets 54 connected to the underside of the cover.

On their outside, the support legs 52 each have, at their lower end, a lower stop pad 56, as well as an upper pad sliding 58 formed above the abutment pad 56 and spaced from it. Between these two pads is provided longitudinally a flat 59 extended portion, the height is greater than the thickness of the guide rails and whose longitudinal dimension is approximately four times higher than this height and is sufficient for oppose the removal of the cover by rotating it when in the at least partially open position.

Two series of reinforcing ribs carrying the general reference 60 protrude orthogonally the to each other on the underside of the cover 6. Some of the longitudinal ribs have at their front end, arched clearance surfaces 62 having a curved profile, roughly in a quarter circle, with a large radius of curvature.

In this same front part of the cover is formed an orifice 64 for gripping the cover.

In Figure 2, the cover has been shown in its closed position.

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

Thus, in the closed position, the cover 6 is adapted to withstand significant stresses due to the passage of heavy vehicles for example.

In the closed position, in side view (Fig. 2), the support legs 52 overlap the ends 28C release of the guide rails 28 and the locking ribs 36. In particular, on each side, the sliding shoe 58 is partially below from the lower end of the locking rib 36 and partially above the release end 28C, while the abutment pad 56 is partially below each of these.

In order to open the cover, a operator introduced into the gripping orifice 64 a suitable tool allowing it to clear the end of the cover 6 provided with this orifice of the support frame 4, until the reinforcing ribs 60 surrounding the protruding parts of valve K are located above this one. This clearance from the front end of the cover 6 leads the thrust pads 56 to engage below guide rails 28, while the sliding pads 58 engage above the upper face of the guide rails.

After this release, the pull of the cover 6 following the direction of arrow F1 shown in the figure 2, corresponding to the opening direction, allows sliding of the cover 6 relative to the support frame 4. The sliding pads 58 then rest on the faces upper inclined portions 28B of the rails guide, leading to a progressive raising of the cover 6 relative to the support frame 4. When the sliding pads 58 reach straight portions 28A guide rails, these pads continue to slide on the upper faces of these straight portions until cover 6 is in the maximum opening position shown in Figure 4. In this position of maximum opening, the end front of support legs 52 is in the notches 24A formed in the rib 24 allowing an opening important cover.

In the embodiment shown in the figures, the distance from the bottom of the skate slide 58 and the upper face 40 of the cover 6 is less than the sum of the maximum thickness of the cover and the distance from the top side of the front part of the guide rail and the surface of a pavement S surrounding the support frame, this surface flush with the top surface of the frame. In addition, the distance between the upper part of the thrust pads 56 and the upper side of the cover is higher than the sum of the maximum thickness of the cover and the distance from the bottom surface of the front of the guide rail and surrounding pavement surface S the support frame.

Thus, the cover can be placed flat on the surface of pavement S, as shown in Figure 4.

Note that as soon as the thrust pads 56 are engaged under the guide rails 28.30, it is unable to remove shutter cover 6 from frame support 4. Indeed, if we try to lift the cover 6 to remove it, the lower pads 56 of stop abut on the underside of the guide rails, prohibiting withdrawal. Also, if we try to do pivot the cover 6 around a vertical axis, to clear the runners from the rails, the extended flat portions 59 of the support legs 52 come into contact with the internal edges of the rails, preventing any pivoting notable and therefore opposing the removal of the cover.

So, from the beginning of the opening of the hatch, it is impossible to remove and therefore lose or to steal the shutter cover.

To close the shutter cover, just push it in the opposite direction to that of arrow F1, for example by a push parallel to the pavement surface through the foot of a operator.

Thanks to this thrust, the sliding pads 58 follow the upper faces of the guide rails 28 until the cover is in the closed position as shown in Figure 2. The end back of the support legs 52 is then partially in the notches 26A of the ribs 26.

During this closing phase, the surfaces clearance 62 having a large radius of curvature, guarantee the non-deterioration of the roadway when sliding the cover on the surface thereof and an easy replacement of the cover by a passage easy clearance surfaces 62 above the edge of the frame and support rib 24. They guarantee also at the end of closing an inclined position of the sufficient cover to avoid contact between ribs 60 and the upper parts of valve K.

The removable cover 6 is removed difficult for an inexperienced and unequipped person, thanks to the locking rib 36. Indeed, if one try to lift the cover upwards while it is in the closed position, the upper pads of slip 58 strike the lower end of the ribs inclined blocking 36, which form with the ends 28C release of the guide rails a baffle for pads 56 and 58.

In order to remove the cover 6, it is necessary lift the cover 6 by introducing a suitable tool in the gripping orifice 64, then slightly release the cover in the direction of the arrow F1, and then insert a second gripping tool suitable, for example a screwdriver, below the surface rear support 46 located opposite this orifice gripping. This second gripping tool allows lift up the part of the cover 6 close to the skates.

It is then possible by simultaneous lifting up the two ends of the cover, to release the sliding pads 58 of the upper faces of the inclined portions 28B of the guide rails 28, then, by movement of the cover in the opposite direction to that of arrow F1, to move the sliding pads 58 above blocking ribs 36.

By continuing to lift the cover 6, and moving the cover in the direction of arrow F1, it is then possible to release the stop shoe 56 above inclined portions 28B of the guide rails. he is then possible to completely remove the cover 6 of the support frame 4.

We understand that the removal of the frame cover support is relatively difficult since it requires the use of two tools and a sequence of steps requiring a good knowledge of the device.

To replace the cover 6 on the support frame 4, just place the cover in its open position, the underside of the lower runners 56 resting on the upper face of the guide rails 28 then push in the opposite direction to that of the arrow F1 until the cover takes its closed position, pads 56 and 58 successively crossing the release ends 28C guided by the portions inclined 28B.

Note that the distance between the end of release 28C and the lower end of the rib of blocking 36 is adjusted to allow successive passages pads 56 and 58 with very little play, depending on a roughly determined trajectory. Moreover, due to the orientation of the locking ribs 36 and inclined portions 28B it is practically impossible extract the cover while trying to move the pads following this same trajectory but in an opposite direction. Indeed, the weight of the cover and the lack of visibility makes the operation very delicate.

To remove the cover, it is therefore necessary to follow the procedure explained above and consisting of performing a back and forth movement in lifting the cover.

According to an embodiment not shown in the figures, it is possible to fix below the gripping orifice 64 a locking lock whose bolt is adapted to cooperate with the underside of the support rib 24, forming a surface of detention.

Such a lock makes it possible to lock the cover 6 on the support frame 4, making it impossible to open and remove the cover when the lock is locked.

Claims (14)

1. A hatch, in particular for technical inspection chambers for fire hydrants, of the type comprising a supporting frame (4) defining a passage (16) and a removable closing cover (6), said frame being provided with a guide rail (28) on each of two parallel side walls (8, 10), characterised in that the cover (6) comprises, laterally on each side, two guide rail (28) follower pads (56, 58) consisting of an upper pad (58) sliding over the upper face of the rail during opening by forward sliding and during closing by rearward sliding of the cover (6) and a lower pad (56) adapted so as to abut against the lower face of the rail if the cover (6) is raised into an at least partially open position, said guide rail (28) ending in a rear cover (6) release end (28c) and each side wall (8, 10) comprising at the rear a blocking rib (36), said release end and the blocking rib defining a chicane-type passage for the cover pads (56, 58), to make possible complete removal of the cover.
2. A hatch according to claim 1, characterised in that the blocking rib (36) is disposed at least partially above the upper pad (58) when the latter is located beyond the release end (28C) of the cover.
3. A hatch according to claim 2, characterised in that the blocking rib (36) is elongate in form and is inclined downwards and forwards in the direction of the release end (28C).
4. A hatch according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterised in that the pads (56, 58) are formed on supporting legs (52) extending below the lower face of the cover (6) and perpendicularly thereto, laterally on each side.
5. A hatch according to claim 4, characterised in that the supporting legs (52) comprise, opposite the guide rails (28), a flat portion (59) extending longitudinally so as to prevent any pivoting of the cover (6).
6. A hatch according to the preceding claims, characterised in that the cover (6) comprises, in its front part, a lock for locking the cover (6) with respect to the frame in the closed position, the bolt of which lock is adapted to cooperate with a retaining surface (24) formed in a wall of the frame (4).
7. A hatch according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that each guide rail (28) comprises a rectilinear front portion (28A) parallel with the plane of the cover (6) in the closed position, and a rear portion (28B) inclined downwards and backwards from the rectilinear portion (28A) to the release end (28C) of the cover.
8. A hatch according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the pads (56, 58) are at least partially beyond the release end (28C) of the cover when the cover is in the closed position.
9. A hatch according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that each guide rail (28) comprises a surface supporting the cover (6) when the latter is in the closed position.
10. A hatch according to claims 7 and 9 taken together, characterised in that the cover (6) comprises, on each lateral edge of the lower face thereof, an inclined bearing surface (48) adapted to cooperate with the upper face of the inclined portion (28B) of the guide rail forming the supporting surface.
11. A hatch according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that each upper pad (58) is positioned at a distance from the upper face of the cover which is less than the sum of the maximum thickness of the cover and the distance between the upper face of the front part of the guide rail and the surface of the ground surrounding the supporting frame (4), and in that the lower pad (56) is positioned at a distance from the upper face of the cover (6) which is greater than the sum of the maximum thickness of the cover and the distance between the lower face of the front part of the guide rail (28) and said ground surface, so that the cover may rest on said surface when it is open to the maximum.
12. A hatch according to claim 11, characterised in that the cover (6) comprises arc-shaped disengagement surfaces (62) on the front part of its lower face.
13. A hatch according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the pads (56, 58) are disposed close to the rear end of the cover (6) in the direction of opening thereof.
14. A hatch according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the cover (6) and supporting frame (4) are both made in one piece by a foundry process.

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