EP1565624A1 - Access covers - Google Patents

Access covers

Info

Publication number
EP1565624A1
EP1565624A1 EP02785609A EP02785609A EP1565624A1 EP 1565624 A1 EP1565624 A1 EP 1565624A1 EP 02785609 A EP02785609 A EP 02785609A EP 02785609 A EP02785609 A EP 02785609A EP 1565624 A1 EP1565624 A1 EP 1565624A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
cover
hole
wall
hinge mechanism
facing
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP02785609A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Rainer Hollaender Rainer Limited CLOVER
Derek Hollaender Rainer Limited PEARCE
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Publication of EP1565624A1 publication Critical patent/EP1565624A1/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
    • E02D—FOUNDATIONS; EXCAVATIONS; EMBANKMENTS; UNDERGROUND OR UNDERWATER STRUCTURES
    • E02D29/00—Independent underground or underwater structures; Retaining walls
    • E02D29/12—Manhole shafts; Other inspection or access chambers; Accessories therefor
    • E02D29/14—Covers for manholes or the like; Frames for covers
    • E02D29/1463—Hinged connection of cover to frame
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
    • E02D—FOUNDATIONS; EXCAVATIONS; EMBANKMENTS; UNDERGROUND OR UNDERWATER STRUCTURES
    • E02D29/00—Independent underground or underwater structures; Retaining walls
    • E02D29/12—Manhole shafts; Other inspection or access chambers; Accessories therefor
    • E02D29/14—Covers for manholes or the like; Frames for covers
    • E02D29/1427—Locking devices
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
    • E02D—FOUNDATIONS; EXCAVATIONS; EMBANKMENTS; UNDERGROUND OR UNDERWATER STRUCTURES
    • E02D29/00—Independent underground or underwater structures; Retaining walls
    • E02D29/12—Manhole shafts; Other inspection or access chambers; Accessories therefor
    • E02D29/14—Covers for manholes or the like; Frames for covers
    • E02D29/149—Annular gaskets

Definitions

  • This invention relates to access covers and, in particular, access covers which are used to provide access to an underground utility, such as a sewer, cabling or the like.
  • an underground utility such as a sewer, cabling or the like.
  • Such a cover is set in a floor, level with the surrounding floor.
  • Access covers are usually made from metal, or from concrete, or a mixture of the two and are consequently heavy.
  • a typical cover can weight 150 kg or more. Accordingly, when it is desired to gain access via such a cover, several operatives are required to lift the heavier covers or the use of hydraulic lifting machines are required. Besides the obvious advantage of not having to lift the cover this unique combination eliminates the damage lift out covers do to the surrounding floor covering when they are dragged across the floor.
  • Access covers are found in many locations, such as in supermarkets, airports, hospitals, swimming pools and the like where there is pedestrian or vehicular traffic. It is important that the access cover is flush to the surrounding floor, thereby not providing an obstacle, such as a "trip-hazard". In addition it is important to avoid shapes which can trap and retain dust and dirt or allow the downward passage of water or upward passage of gases.
  • proposals to address this objective see e.g. GB 1124717, GB 1164727 and GB 227198, but as far as I am aware none has been accepted commercially.
  • the invention provides an access cover in a hole in substrate, the cover being connected at one side by a hinge mechanism to a wall of the hole, the cover being level with the surrounding substrate when the cover is in a lowered condition, characterised in that the wall of the hole and the facing hinge mechanism are shaped relative to each other so that the hinge mechanism is not obstructed when the cover is moved between the lowered condition and a raised condition.
  • the wall of the hole and the facing wall of the hinge mechanism are relieved, preferably in corresponding fashion.
  • the hinge mechanism is located in an infill member between the wall of the hole and the facing wall of the cover.
  • the infill preferably includes a hinge rod present in aligned length portions of a member between the facing sides of the hole and the cover.
  • the hole wall and the cover each have frame members and the length portions are located between the facing frame members.
  • the frame members are extruded lengths of aluminium or the like.
  • the cover includes a compartment to receive a body of set material, typically concrete.
  • the frame comprises one or more seal members which preferably extend around the entire periphery of the frame. The cover member may engage the seal members to ensure that the passage of fluids such as liquids and/or gases is prevented.
  • the cover is preferably pivotable between a closed, substantially horizontal position, whereby access to the utility is denied and a open, more upright position, whereby access to the utility is afforded to an operative.
  • the hinge mechanism may be arranged to hold the cover in an intermediate position.
  • the cover will have a locking mechanism, usually opposite the hinge mechanism.
  • the cover may be raised in any way when the lock is released, either by hand or power assisted.
  • Such an opening means may comprise one of a pneumatic cylinder, such as an air spring, a winch mechanism, a hydraulic cylinder or an electric motor.
  • the opening means is a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder, say an air spring, biased to urge the cover open, i.e. from the horizontal toward the vertical.
  • the hinge rod is resting in an infill which is there to ensure that there is no discontinuity between the wall of the hole of the facing edge of the cover which would allow the ingress of dirt and water from above and the escape of gas from below the floor.
  • the infill is shaped to coordinate with the adjacent half of the hole to allow the cover to be raised in a pivotal movement which would not allow ingress of undesirable matter.
  • the infill is generally box-like in section, but the wall of the box and the facing wall of the hole have corresponding arcuate raised surfaces designed so that the hinge action can take place conveniently.
  • Figure 1 is a sectional view of an access cover of the invention in raised condition taken from one side;
  • Figure 2 is the same as Figure 1 in the lowered condition
  • Figure 3 is an enlarged vertical view of the hinge mechanism, but from the other side to that of Figure 1 ;
  • Figure 4 is a partial plan view of the region A on Figure 2.
  • the device shown in Figures 1 to 4 includes an outer frame 1 which engages the sides of a hole 2 in a floor F.
  • the floor is typically above a utility passage or the like and is covered by tiles or the like.
  • the hole is generally square and the frame has the same shape.
  • the walls of the frame are lengths of extruded aluminum joined at the corners of the frame.
  • the frame houses an access cover C which also has four frame walls 10 defining its perimeter.
  • the walls provide a compartment 11 to receive set material, e.g. concrete to a level flush with the upper edge of the cover frame walls.
  • the outer frame has an outer vertical wall and a ledge 3,4 is present on at least two opposite sides for the cover C to rest on when in a closed condition.
  • a hinge mechanism H made up of a hinge rod 12 located with an elongate extruded box like body 13.
  • the body has a flat top 14 so that it is flush with the floor F and the cover C.
  • One vertical wall 15 has external lugs 16 for engagement in the vertical wall of the frame 1 so locking the body 13 to the frame.
  • the facing wall 17 is short and has an arcuate outside face 18.
  • the facing wall 19 of the cover C is also correspondingly arcuate, and while at the top 20 it is level with the top 14 of the body 13, it is concavely relieved at 21 and dimensioned so that when the cover C is raised it will. easily ride up and over the flat top 14. In the fully raised condition it reaches the far cover of the body 13.
  • the body 13 is in length portions 13A, 13B some of which lack the vertical wall extension 15.
  • the apparatus shown provides an access cover which can be inserted into the floor flush with the floor and able to withstand or prevent increase of dirt and dust from above and the escape of gases from below. Despite its weight the cover can be unlocked and raised by one operator.
  • the cover may be filled with any material and the shape may be varied. The cover will reduce installation and maintain costs.
  • the relieved portion is in the wall of the hole and the wall of the hinge socket is curved; these arrangements may be reversed.
  • the curved surfaces may have different inclinations from that shown.
  • the infill need not be of metal.
  • the hinge rod need not go the full extent of the adjacent cover wall.
  • the frame may be in one piece.
  • the inside surface of the walls of the cover may have ledges to guide filling the compartment to different levels.
  • this access cover has the hinge facility and that is not visible from the outside of the access cover which would otherwise mar the overall appearance of the floor.
  • the cover will satisfy the British Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
  • Paleontology (AREA)
  • Civil Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Structural Engineering (AREA)
  • Hinges (AREA)
  • Underground Structures, Protecting, Testing And Restoring Foundations (AREA)

Abstract

An access cover (C) includes a hinge mechanism (H) to raise the cover (C) from the hole (2) in which it is set in a floor (F). A hinge rod (12) sits in a box like socket (13), one wall (19) of which is curved and the facing wall (17) of the hole (2) is relieved so that the cover (C) can be raised without fouling infills (13) present to make the cover level with the surrounding floor (F).

Description

ACCESS COVERS
This invention relates to access covers and, in particular, access covers which are used to provide access to an underground utility, such as a sewer, cabling or the like. Such a cover is set in a floor, level with the surrounding floor.
Access covers are usually made from metal, or from concrete, or a mixture of the two and are consequently heavy. A typical cover can weight 150 kg or more. Accordingly, when it is desired to gain access via such a cover, several operatives are required to lift the heavier covers or the use of hydraulic lifting machines are required. Besides the obvious advantage of not having to lift the cover this unique combination eliminates the damage lift out covers do to the surrounding floor covering when they are dragged across the floor.
Access covers are found in many locations, such as in supermarkets, airports, hospitals, swimming pools and the like where there is pedestrian or vehicular traffic. It is important that the access cover is flush to the surrounding floor, thereby not providing an obstacle, such as a "trip-hazard". In addition it is important to avoid shapes which can trap and retain dust and dirt or allow the downward passage of water or upward passage of gases. There are proposals to address this objective, see e.g. GB 1124717, GB 1164727 and GB 227198, but as far as I am aware none has been accepted commercially.
It is an object of this invention to provide an access cover which can be opened by a single operative and which is substantially flush to the surrounding floor.
In one aspect the invention provides an access cover in a hole in substrate, the cover being connected at one side by a hinge mechanism to a wall of the hole, the cover being level with the surrounding substrate when the cover is in a lowered condition, characterised in that the wall of the hole and the facing hinge mechanism are shaped relative to each other so that the hinge mechanism is not obstructed when the cover is moved between the lowered condition and a raised condition.
Preferably the wall of the hole and the facing wall of the hinge mechanism are relieved, preferably in corresponding fashion.
Preferably, the hinge mechanism is located in an infill member between the wall of the hole and the facing wall of the cover. The infill preferably includes a hinge rod present in aligned length portions of a member between the facing sides of the hole and the cover. Preferably, the hole wall and the cover each have frame members and the length portions are located between the facing frame members. Preferably the frame members are extruded lengths of aluminium or the like.
Preferably, the cover includes a compartment to receive a body of set material, typically concrete. Preferably the frame comprises one or more seal members which preferably extend around the entire periphery of the frame. The cover member may engage the seal members to ensure that the passage of fluids such as liquids and/or gases is prevented.
The cover is preferably pivotable between a closed, substantially horizontal position, whereby access to the utility is denied and a open, more upright position, whereby access to the utility is afforded to an operative. The hinge mechanism may be arranged to hold the cover in an intermediate position.
Typically the cover will have a locking mechanism, usually opposite the hinge mechanism. The cover may be raised in any way when the lock is released, either by hand or power assisted. Such an opening means may comprise one of a pneumatic cylinder, such as an air spring, a winch mechanism, a hydraulic cylinder or an electric motor. In a preferred embodiment the opening means is a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder, say an air spring, biased to urge the cover open, i.e. from the horizontal toward the vertical.
It is a feature of the invention that the hinge rod is resting in an infill which is there to ensure that there is no discontinuity between the wall of the hole of the facing edge of the cover which would allow the ingress of dirt and water from above and the escape of gas from below the floor. It is a further feature that the infill is shaped to coordinate with the adjacent half of the hole to allow the cover to be raised in a pivotal movement which would not allow ingress of undesirable matter. The infill is generally box-like in section, but the wall of the box and the facing wall of the hole have corresponding arcuate raised surfaces designed so that the hinge action can take place conveniently.
In order that the invention may be well understood it will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a sectional view of an access cover of the invention in raised condition taken from one side;
Figure 2 is the same as Figure 1 in the lowered condition;
Figure 3 is an enlarged vertical view of the hinge mechanism, but from the other side to that of Figure 1 ; and
Figure 4 is a partial plan view of the region A on Figure 2.
The device shown in Figures 1 to 4 includes an outer frame 1 which engages the sides of a hole 2 in a floor F. The floor is typically above a utility passage or the like and is covered by tiles or the like. The hole is generally square and the frame has the same shape. The walls of the frame are lengths of extruded aluminum joined at the corners of the frame. The frame houses an access cover C which also has four frame walls 10 defining its perimeter. The walls provide a compartment 11 to receive set material, e.g. concrete to a level flush with the upper edge of the cover frame walls. The outer frame has an outer vertical wall and a ledge 3,4 is present on at least two opposite sides for the cover C to rest on when in a closed condition. At one side there is a hinge mechanism H, made up of a hinge rod 12 located with an elongate extruded box like body 13. The body has a flat top 14 so that it is flush with the floor F and the cover C. One vertical wall 15 has external lugs 16 for engagement in the vertical wall of the frame 1 so locking the body 13 to the frame. The facing wall 17 is short and has an arcuate outside face 18. The facing wall 19 of the cover C is also correspondingly arcuate, and while at the top 20 it is level with the top 14 of the body 13, it is concavely relieved at 21 and dimensioned so that when the cover C is raised it will. easily ride up and over the flat top 14. In the fully raised condition it reaches the far cover of the body 13. The body 13 is in length portions 13A, 13B some of which lack the vertical wall extension 15.
The apparatus shown provides an access cover which can be inserted into the floor flush with the floor and able to withstand or prevent increase of dirt and dust from above and the escape of gases from below. Despite its weight the cover can be unlocked and raised by one operator. The cover may be filled with any material and the shape may be varied. The cover will reduce installation and maintain costs.
The invention is not limited to the embodiment shown. As shown, the relieved portion is in the wall of the hole and the wall of the hinge socket is curved; these arrangements may be reversed. The curved surfaces may have different inclinations from that shown. The infill need not be of metal. The hinge rod need not go the full extent of the adjacent cover wall. The frame may be in one piece. The inside surface of the walls of the cover may have ledges to guide filling the compartment to different levels.
It is a further advantage of this access cover that it has the hinge facility and that is not visible from the outside of the access cover which would otherwise mar the overall appearance of the floor. The cover will satisfy the British Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992.

Claims

1. An access cover (C) in a hole (2) in a substrate (F), the cover (C) being connected at one side by a hinge mechanism (14) to a wall of the hole, the cover (C) being level with the surrounding substrate (F) when the cover is in a lowered condition, characterised in that the hinge mechanism (H) and the facing wall (17) of the hole (2) are shaped relative to each other so that the hinge mechanism (H) is not obstructed when the cover (C) is moved between the lowered condition and a raised condition.
2. A cover according to Claim 1 , wherein the hinge mechanism comprises a hinge rod (12) in an elongate body (13) and the wall (17) of the hole adjacent the hinge mechanism and the facing portion (19) of the body (13) are relieved in corresponding fashion.
3. A cover according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the elongate body (13) comprises an infill member between the wall (17) of the hole (2) and the facing wall (19) of the cover (C).
4. A cover according to Claim 3, wherein the infill comprises aligned length portions of the body (13A, 13B ) between the facing sides of the hole
(2) and the cover (C).
5. A cover according to Claim 3 or 4, wherein the hole wall (17) has a frame member (1) and the infill (13) is located between the frame members (i) and the cover (C).
6. A cover according to Claim 5, including one or more seal members to prevent the passage of fluids such as liquids and/or gases through the hole (2).
7. A cover according to any preceding Claim, wherein the cover has a locking mechanism, preferably opposite the hinge mechanism.
EP02785609A 2002-11-18 2002-11-28 Access covers Withdrawn EP1565624A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0226901A GB2395217A (en) 2002-11-18 2002-11-18 Access cover
GB0226901 2002-11-18
PCT/GB2002/005406 WO2004046469A1 (en) 2002-11-18 2002-11-28 Access covers

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1565624A1 true EP1565624A1 (en) 2005-08-24

Family

ID=9948066

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP02785609A Withdrawn EP1565624A1 (en) 2002-11-18 2002-11-28 Access covers

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1565624A1 (en)
AU (1) AU2002350896A1 (en)
GB (1) GB2395217A (en)
WO (1) WO2004046469A1 (en)

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2872182B1 (en) * 2004-06-24 2007-11-23 Saint Gobain Pam Sa BUFFER FOR ROAD DEVICE AND CORRESPONDING ROAD DEVICE
EP1920114A1 (en) * 2005-05-26 2008-05-14 Gerhardt Christensen A/S A cover adapted to opening and closing a manhole
FR2933993B1 (en) * 2008-07-18 2013-08-16 Cahors App Elec BOX FORMING A LOOK OF PROTECTION OF AN APPARATUS

Family Cites Families (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3130651A (en) * 1960-08-23 1964-04-28 Neenah Foundry Company Mounting for hinged covers
GB2265402A (en) * 1992-02-18 1993-09-29 John Terence Thelwell Manhole or inspection cover having sealable opening
DE9207542U1 (en) * 1992-06-04 1992-09-03 Passavant-Werke AG, 6209 Aarbergen Manhole cover with hinged manhole cover
FR2716473B1 (en) * 1994-02-22 1996-05-15 Barat Sa Pivoting hatch for civil engineering works.
US5507590A (en) * 1994-08-04 1996-04-16 Argandona; Toby Cover assembly for manholes and the like
GB2299357B (en) * 1995-03-27 1998-04-08 Rainer Clover Access frames
US6021606A (en) * 1998-10-01 2000-02-08 The Bilco Company Lifting mechanism for horizontal hinged doors

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
See references of WO2004046469A1 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB2395217A (en) 2004-05-19
WO2004046469A1 (en) 2004-06-03
GB0226901D0 (en) 2002-12-24
AU2002350896A1 (en) 2004-06-15

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