EP2366835B1 - Manhole cover - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a road device, in particular a manhole, comprising a rectangular frame whose side and end walls delimit an opening and at least one buffer, one side of which is articulated to tilt relative to an adjacent end wall. frame by at least one articulation hinge.

The invention applies in particular but in a non-limiting manner to manholes.

A road device according to the preamble of claim 1 is known by WO 2008/043972 A .

In such an application, the frame is permanently sealed in the ground and one or more buffers hinged to the frame can occupy a folded position to which the buffers seal the opening in this frame or a raised position to which the buffers give off. opening of the frame.

Each articulation hinge of a frame buffer generally has a functional clearance allowing the stamp to articulate without difficulty to the frame and to register correctly in the opening of the frame delimited by its four side walls and ends for close this opening.

However, each floor manhole plug is very heavy because of its construction made of cast iron material, in particular spheroidal material. Thus, such buffers are difficult to maneuver when tilting between the closed and open positions of the frame and, moreover, when they occupy their raised open position, they can accidentally tilt to their closed position. the opening of the frame.

To solve this problem, it has already been proposed a safety device for each articulated footstool buffer. Such a device comprises, for each sighting plug, at least one assist cylinder for opening and closing the buffer mounted articulated by its ends under the buffer and the frame and a self-locking arm also articulated by its ends between the buffer and the frame and allowing to block the buffer in its upright open position without risk of accidental tilting of the buffer to its closed position of the opening of the frame.

However, such a safety device has the disadvantage that during the swing of the buffer to its closed position of the opening of the frame, the assistance cylinder exerts on the buffer a thrust force towards the end wall of the opposite frame to the hinge hinge whose functional clearance may cause the corresponding edge of the buffer to hit the upper edge of the end wall, thus preventing a correct closure of the frame opening by the buffer and risking d damage both the edge of the pad and the corresponding end wall of the frame.

It is an object of the present invention to overcome the above disadvantage of known safety devices for roadway device buffers.

For this purpose, according to the invention, the road device, in particular the manhole, of the type comprising a rectangular frame whose side and end walls delimit an opening, at least one buffer, one side of which is articulated relative to a adjacent end wall of the frame by at least one hinge hinge having a functional clearance to allow the buffer to switch between a standing position released from the opening of the frame and a closed position of this opening being supported on a inner circumferential wall of the frame and being inscribed in the frame, at least one assistance cylinder for opening or closing the buffer mounted hinged between the buffer and the frame, and at least one self-locking arm mounted articulated between the buffer and the frame parallel to the assistance cylinder and making it possible to block the buffer in its raised position of disengagement from the opening of the frame, is characterized in that the self-locking arm has its articulated end mounted to the frame being slidable in a fixed, elongated groove of integral guide of the frame and extending below the frame of the frame wall parallel to this wall so that the end of the self-locking arm can approach the other end wall of the frame during the tilting of the buffer at its closed position of the opening of the frame, in that at least one stop is fixed to the frame perpendicular to the other end wall of the frame so that the sliding end of the self-locking arm bears against the stop when the pad is tilted to its closed position of the opening of the frame to cause the recoil of the buffer to the end wall adjacent to the hinged side of the buffer and allow the latter to close the opening of the frame.

The self-locking arm has a predetermined length and is hingedly connected to a specific location of the pad so that, bearing on its sliding end against the fixed stop, it keeps the pad in a half-open position relative to the frame and the arm self-locking causes the recoil of the buffer towards the adjacent end wall of the frame by exerting on the buffer occupying its interlocked position a relatively high pressure to bring the buffer to its closed position of the opening of the frame.

According to a first embodiment, the buffer has the shape of a right triangle and a single self-locking arm is articulated under the buffer near its right side adjacent to the hinged side of the frame and the corresponding side wall of the frame.

In this embodiment, the road device comprises a second buffer in the form of a right triangle whose one side is hinged relative to the other end wall of the frame by at least one hinge hinge having a functional clearance to allow the second buffer to switch between a standing position released from the opening of the frame and a closed position of this opening being in resting on the inner circumferential wall of the frame and being inscribed in the frame, at least one assistance cylinder for opening or closing the second buffer mounted hinged between this buffer and the frame and a single self-locking arm articulated parallel to the assistance cylinder between the frame and under the second buffer adjacent its right side adjacent to the hinged side of the frame and to block the buffer to its standing position of the opening of the frame, the self-locking arm having its articulated end mounted to the frame being slidable in a second fixed groove fixed guide integral with the frame and extending below the frame of the seat wall parallel to this wall so that the end of the self-locking arm can be closer to the opposite end wall of the frame during the tilting of the second buffer to its closed position of the frame opening and a second stop being fixed to the frame perpendicularly to the opposite end wall of the frame so that the sliding end of the self-locking arm bears on the second stop when the second pad is tilted to its closed position of the opening of the frame to cause the recoil of the second buffer to the end wall adjacent to the hinged edge of the second buffer and allow the latter to close the opening of the frame.

The two triangulated buffers allow to completely close the opening of the frame to their closed position.

According to another embodiment, the pad is of rectangular shape able to completely close the opening of the frame to its closed position, a second self-locking arm is articulated between the pad and the frame parallel to the assistance cylinder and also allowing to block the buffer to its standing position of the opening of the frame, the second self-locking arm having its end mounted articulated to the slidable frame in a second fixed groove fixed guide integral with the frame extending below the frame of the seat wall parallel to this wall so that the end of the second self-locking arm can move closer to the other wall end of the frame during the tilting of the buffer to its closed position of the opening of the frame, a second stop being fixed to the frame perpendicular to the other end wall of the frame so that the sliding end of the second arm self-locking comes to bear on the second stop when tilting the buffer to its closed position of the opening of the frame to cause the recoil of the buffer to the end wall adjacent to the hinged side of the buffer and allow the latter to close the opening of the frame.

Each self-locking arm is articulated on the one hand by one of its ends under the buffer around a transverse axis of the arm and on the other hand by its opposite end sliding around a transverse axis of the arm and engaged through the corresponding guide groove for sliding along this groove.

Each guide groove comprises at its end opposite to the corresponding abutment a notch for receiving the sliding axis of the self-locking arm to block the buffer in its standing position of disengagement from the opening of the frame.

Preferably, the two self-locking arms have the same length, are arranged in two planes perpendicular to the plane of the opening edge of the frame and are articulated by two of their ends under the buffer around two coaxial axes and their two opposite ends to the frame around two coaxial axes.

Advantageously, the device comprises two coaxial articulation hinges of the buffer frame spaced from each other parallel to the adjacent end wall of the frame.

Each articulation hinge comprises a cylindrical axis parallel to the adjacent end wall of the frame carried by a clevis integral with the corresponding part of the frame of the frame and two lugs forming integral with the buffer and arranged between the two arms of the frame. the clevis being traversed by the cylindrical axis, the lugs forming knuckles having an orifice of dimension greater than the diameter of the cylindrical axis to allow movement with clearance of the buffer relative to the cylindrical axis.

Each stop is adjustable in the direction perpendicular to the corresponding end wall.

Advantageously, the device comprises at least one resiliently deformable means attached to the seat wall projecting from it in the vicinity of the end wall of the frame opposite to the end wall adjacent to the hinge hinge and adapted to facilitate the opening of the buffer from its closed position of the frame.

The assistance cylinder is articulated on an axis integral with a plate below the frame of the frame.

• la figure 1 est une vue de dessus d'un regard de chaussée suivant un premier mode de réalisation de l'invention où le tampon occupe sa position de fermeture du cadre ;
• la figure 2 est une vue en coupe selon la ligne II-II de la figure 1 ;
• la figure 3 est une vue agrandie de la partie cerclée en III de la figure 2 ;
• la figure 4 est une vue agrandie de la partie cerclée en IV de la figure 2 ;
• la figure 5 est une vue en coupe suivant la ligne V-V de la figure 1 et représentant le tampon en position d'ouverture entrebâillée relativement au cadre ;
• la figure 6 est une vue agrandie de la partie cerclée en VI de la figure 5 ;
• la figure 7 est une vue en perspective du tampon du regard occupant sa position relevée de dégagement de l'ouverture du cadre ;
• la figure 8 est une vue agrandie de la partie cerclée en VIII de la figure 7 ;
• la figure 9 est une vue en perspective suivant la flèche IX de la figure 7 ;
• la figure 10 est une vue agrandie de la partie cerclée en X de la figure 9 ;
• la figure 11 est une vue en perspective de dessous du regard de chaussée dont le tampon occupe sa position de fermeture du cadre de ce regard ;
• la figure 12 est une vue agrandie de la partie cerclée en XII de la figure 11 ;
• la figure 13 est une vue en perspective agrandie de la partie cerclée en XIII de la figure 7 ; et
• la figure 14 est une vue en perspective d'un second mode de réalisation du regard de chaussée de l'invention à deux tampons triangulés et articulés au cadre de ce regard.

The invention will be better understood, and other objects, features, details and advantages thereof will appear more clearly in the explanatory description which follows with reference to the accompanying drawings given solely by way of example illustrating two embodiments. of the invention and in which:

• the figure 1 is a top view of a manhole according to a first embodiment of the invention wherein the buffer occupies its closed position of the frame;
• the figure 2 is a sectional view along line II-II of the figure 1 ;
• the figure 3 is an enlarged view of the part circled in III of the figure 2 ;
• the figure 4 is an enlarged view of the part circled in IV of the figure 2 ;
• the figure 5 is a sectional view along line VV of the figure 1 and representing the pad in open half-open position relative to the frame;
• the figure 6 is an enlarged view of the part circled in VI of the figure 5 ;
• the figure 7 is a perspective view of the gaze pad occupying its raised position of disengagement from the opening of the frame;
• the figure 8 is an enlarged view of the part circled in VIII of the figure 7 ;
• the figure 9 is a perspective view along arrow IX of the figure 7 ;
• the figure 10 is an enlarged view of the part circled in X of the figure 9 ;
• the figure 11 is a perspective view from below of the manhole whose buffer occupies its closing position of the frame of this gaze;
• the figure 12 is an enlarged view of the part circled in XII of the figure 11 ;
• the figure 13 is an enlarged perspective view of the part circled in XIII of the figure 7 ; and
• the figure 14 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the manhole of the invention with two triangulated pads articulated to the frame of this look.

The device of the invention which will be described applies to at least one buffer for manhole but it is understood that it can be applied to any buffer or leaf other than that of a manhole.

According to the first embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 13 , the manhole comprises a frame 1 of generally rectangular shape comprising two side walls 2 and two end walls 3 welded to each other and defining an opening.

Each side wall 2 and end wall 3 constitutes one of the wings of an L-shaped section section whose other wing 4 is fixed on a sub-frame 5 by means of fixing bolts 6.

The wings 4 associated with the side walls 2 and the ends 3 protrude into the opening of the frame 1 and are arranged in the same plane to form a peripheral wall seat 7 of a rectangular buffer 8 of the manhole when the buffer 8 occupies its closed position of the opening of the frame 1 being inscribed in the opening of this frame 1.

The sub-frame 5 is intended to be partially buried in the floor of a roadway and is constituted by a flat rectangular upper frame 9 and a lower underlying skirt 10 assembled together by welding so as to present in cross-section a shape The wing 4 associated with each side wall 2 and end 3 is fixed on the horizontal portion forming the T head of the sub-frame 5 projecting into the opening of the frame 1 and outside the latter.

The sub-frame 5 is also provided with four angled feet 11 respectively fixed to the four inner corners of the skirt 10.

The buffer 8 is articulated by one of its sides 8a, called the rear side, to an adjacent end wall 3, called the rear wall, preferably by two hinge hinges 12 to allow the buffer 8 to to switch between a standing position of clearance of the opening of the frame 1 and a fully closed position of the opening of this frame.

The two hinge hinges 12 are arranged coaxially on the flange 4 associated with the rear wall 3 extending parallel to this rear wall.

As it stands out better from figure 13 each hinge hinge comprises a cylindrical axis 13 parallel to the rear wall and carried by a yoke 14, the two parallel branches 14a are fixed, for example by welding, on the flange 4 perpendicular to the latter. The cylindrical axis of articulation 13 of each hinge 12 crosses virtually without play the two branches 14a of the support yoke 14. Each hinge hinge 12 also comprises two lugs forming knuckles 15 integral with the inner face of the buffer 8 in the vicinity the rear edge thereof and arranged parallel between the two branches 14a of the yoke 14 being traversed by the cylindrical axis of articulation 13.

As it stands out better from figure 4 , the orifice 16 formed through each lug forming the knuckle 15 is larger than the diameter of the hinge pin 13 passing through this orifice to form a relatively large functional clearance of the hinge hinge 12. The orifice 16 is obtained by a foundry core and has the particular shape in cross-section of the figure 4 allowing the pad 8 to switch between its upright positions of the opening of the frame 1 and closing of this opening without risk of jamming of the hinge hinge 12, while allowing movement of the rear edge 8a of the buffer 8 relatively to the rear wall 3 as will be seen later.

Of course, the orifice 16 may have a different shape and be constituted by an oblong hole as soon as this orifice allows the rear edge 8a of the buffer 8 to move away from or approach the corresponding rear wall 3 during the tilting of the buffer 8 between its two open and closed positions of the frame 1.

Each hinge pin 13 is held axially to the yoke 14 by at least one elastic ring 14b, in this case two in number, attached to each end of the axis 13 outside the corresponding branch 14a of the yoke 14.

The two axes 13 of the hinges 12 are arranged coaxially with respect to each other.

The pad 8 comprises at each of its four corners a pad 17 bearing on the peripheral wall seat 7 when the pad 8 is in its closed position of the opening of the frame 1.

The buffer 8 is also provided with a lock housing 18 fixed under the buffer in the vicinity of its front edge 8b and whose bolt 19 can engage under a striker 20 projecting from the inner face of the front end wall 3 of the frame 1 to lock the buffer 8 to the frame 1 as shown in FIG. figure 2 . The bolt 19 is operable in its unlocked position of the striker 20 by a key 21.

The manhole further comprises two parallel jacks 22 for assistance in opening or closing the buffer 8 and mounted hinged between the buffer 8 and the frame 1. More specifically, the body 23 of each assistance cylinder 22 at one of its ends articulated on an axis 24 secured to a lug 25 fixed to a plate 26 projecting into the opening of the frame 1 and integral with the inner face of the corresponding skirt wall and the corresponding wing 4 associated with the rear wall 3 so that the hinge pin 24 is disposed below the wing 4 forming part of the seat wall 7 of the frame 1. The rod 27 of each cylinder 22 is hinged to its other end on an axis 28 secured to the end of a rib 29 projecting from the inner face of the pad 8 perpendicular thereto. The two shafts 24 and 28 of each jack 22 are parallel to the hinge pins 13 of the hinges 12.

The two jacks 22 are thus arranged respectively in two planes perpendicular to the plane of the opening edge of the frame 1.

If necessary, a single assistance cylinder 22 can be articulated between the buffer 8 and the frame 1.

The manhole also comprises two self-locking arms 30 each consisting of a flat rigid bar and articulated between the buffer 8 and the frame 1 on either side of the assistance cylinders 22 parallel thereto.

Each self-locking arm 30 has one of its ends articulated on an axis 31 carried by a lug 32 secured to the inner face of the pad 8 perpendicular thereto and located near the corresponding lateral edge 8c of the pad 8. The two axes hinge 31 to the buffer 8 of the two self-locking arms 30 are coaxial and parallel to the hinge pins 13 of the hinges 12. As shown, each hinge pin 31 is constituted by a threaded rod of a screw passing through the lug 32 and the end of the arm 30 and whose head 33 is supported on the side face of the lug 32 opposite that on which bears the end of the self-locking arm 30.

The opposite end of each self-locking arm 30 is articulated on an axis 34 which passes through a fixed groove guide 35 extending below the flange 4 and parallel to the latter which is part of the seat wall 7 associated with the corresponding side wall 2 of the frame 1, groove 35 which also extends perpendicularly from the plane containing the front end wall 3 of the frame 1 for a predetermined distance corresponding to half the length of the side wall 2 The two axes 34 of the arms 30 are coaxial and parallel to the axes 13 of the hinge hinges 12.

Each groove 35 is made through a rectangular plate 36 fixed, for example by welding, facing the corresponding wall portion of the skirt 10 of the sub-frame 5 and parallel to this portion leaving a space in which is housed the head 37 of a screw constituting the axis 34 passing through the corresponding end of the self-locking arm 30.

Thus, each self-locking arm 30 is disposed in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the opening edge of the frame 1 and located near the inner edge of the flange 4 associated with the side wall 2 of the frame 1 so that the two self-locking arms 30 can debate in the opening of the frame 1 when switching the buffer 8 between its open and closed positions of this frame.

Each of the grooves 35 has at its end opposite to the front end wall 3 of the frame 1 a notch 37 for receiving the hinge pin 34 when the pad 8 is in its raised or standing position for disengaging the opening of the frame 1 represented in figure 7 so that the two self-locking arms 30 can block the buffer at this raised position.

The coaxial articulation axes 31 of the two self-locking arms 30 to the buffer 8 are located relatively to the front edge 8b of the buffer 8 at a distance farther than that separating the coaxial articulation axes 28 of the cylinders 22 of this front edge.

The manhole further comprises two stops 38 fixed to the frame 1 being respectively disposed in the two planes containing the two self-locking arms 30 protruding into the opening of the frame 1 from the plane containing the front end wall 3 of this frame perpendicular to this plane. More specifically, each abutment 38 is fixed to a stud 39 fixed under the horizontal branch portion 9 of the T of the sub-frame 5 so that the abutment 38 protrudes from the two superposed internal edges of the flange 4 associated with the wall. front end 30 and the transverse leg portion of the T of the sub-frame 5.

Each stop 38 is adjustable in the direction perpendicular to the plane containing the front end wall 3 of the frame 1.

For this purpose and preferably, each abutment 38 comprises a screw whose rod 40 is anchored in its stud 39 and the head 41 protrudes into the opening of the frame 1, and a nut 42 for locking the rod 40 in the stud 39.

The two cylinders 23, the two self-locking arms 30, the two guide grooves 35 of the corresponding ends of the two self-locking arms 30 and the two stops 38 are arranged symmetrically to the vertical median plane of the frame 1 parallel to the two side walls 2 of this frame.

The manhole is finally provided with at least one means 43 for assisting the opening of the buffer 8 when it occupies its closed position of the opening of the frame 1.

Preferably, two means 43 for assisting the opening of the buffer 8 are provided and are respectively arranged in the two corners of the frame 1 defined between the front end wall 3 and the two side walls 2 of this frame and to the opposite hinge hinges 12.

Each means 43 is elastically deformable and protrudes from the seat wall 7 so that it is resiliently compressed by the corresponding pad 17 of the pad 8 when the latter occupies its closed position of the frame and is locked to the frame by the bolt assembly 19 and striker 20.

As shown in the figures, each means 43 may be constituted by a rod push rod 44 secured to a circular head 45 and compression coil spring 46 mounted coaxially around the rod 44 resting on the one hand under the head 45 and on the other hand at the bottom of a blind hole 47 made in the thickness of the seat wall portion 7 and the underlying part of the head 9 of the T of this frame 5.

Thus, in the closed position of the buffer 8, each of the two studs 17 located near the front edge 8b of the buffer 8 is in abutment with the corresponding head 45 of the plunger means 43 for engaging it, against the restoring force of the spring 46, in the blind hole 47 so that the outer face of the head 45 is flush with the upper face of the corresponding wall portion sitting 7.

In a variant, each means 43 facilitating the opening of the buffer 8 may consist of a cylindrical block of elastomeric material fixed in the corresponding blind hole 47 projecting from the upper face of the corresponding part of the frame's seat wall. 1 and can be elastically compressed by the corresponding stud 17 in the closed position of the buffer 8.

Of course, it is possible to provide only one means 43 for opening the buffer 8 by placing it in the middle of the seat wall portion 7 perpendicular to the front end wall 3 of the frame 1. In this case, the pad 8 comprises an additional pad 17 disposed near the front edge 8b of the pad 8 between the two end pads 17.

The operation of the manhole is already the result of the description which has been made above and will now be explained from the closed position of the opening of the frame 1 by the buffer 8.

At this position, the buffer 8 is locked in the frame 1 by the bolt 19 of the lock housing 18 engaged under the striker 20 of the frame 1. The two means 43 forming pusher are then elastically compressed in their respective blind holes 47 by the two pads 17 of the buffer 8.

To perform the tilting operation of the buffer 8 from its closed position to its open position of the frame 1, an operator unlocks the buffer 8 of the frame 1 with the aid of the key 21 to disengage the bolt 19 from the latch 20. The two pusher means 43 then exert on the buffer 8 a thrust force causing this buffer to a half open position, no shown in the figures, in which the operator can easily grasp the front edge 8b of the buffer 8, if necessary with the aid of a tool, to rotate it to its upright position of the opening of the frame 1 shown in FIG. to the figures 7 and 9 . Of course, the cylinders 22 fulfill their role of assisting the opening of the buffer 8 and the ends of the self-locking arms 30 slide respectively in the two grooves 35 until their two pivot axes 34 engage in their notches 37 to safely block the buffer 8 to its raised position of disengagement of the opening of the frame 1.

In addition, the functional clearance of each hinge hinge 12 allows a displacement of the rear edge 8a of the buffer 8 relative to the fixed axis of articulation 13 to avoid any risk of jamming during assisted tilting of the buffer 8 from its position closing at its open position.

To switch the pad 8 from its open position to its closed position of the frame 1, the operator manually disengages the two pivot axes 34 from their respective notches 37 by acting on the self-locking arms 30 to cause pivoting assisted by the jacks 22 of the buffer 8 to its closed position.

During this tilting, the two shafts 34 slide along their respective guide grooves 35 until the lower free ends of the self-locking arms 30 bear respectively on the two stops 38. The two self-locking arms 30 have the same length determined and articulated are connected to a specific location of the buffer 8 so that bearing on the two abutments 38, they hold the buffer 8 in the intermediate safety interlocked position of the figure 5 .

This security half-open position will then force the operator to switch the buffer 8 to its position of closing the opening of the frame 1 by exerting on the buffer a significant pressure obtained by the weight of the operator on this buffer.

When tilting buffer 8 from its half-open position figure 5 at its closing position of the figure 1 the stops 38 act on the two self-locking arms 30 which then cause the buffer 8 to retract towards the rear end wall 3 of the frame 1 by virtue of the functional clearance between each pair of knuckle plates 15 and the fixed hinge axis corresponding 13 of each of the two hinge hinges 12, thereby preventing the front edge 8b of the buffer 8 to hit the front end wall 3 of the frame 1.

In the closed position of the opening of the frame 1 by the buffer 8, the two self-locking arms 30 are substantially horizontal by considering the pavement of a pavement and the two assistance cylinders 22 are slightly inclined up and down in the direction of the front end wall 3 of the frame 1.

In this way, the pad 8 is correctly inscribed in the opening defined by the side walls 2 and end 3 of the frame 1 to its closed position of this frame and is automatically locked to the frame 1 by the bolt 19 engaged under the strike 20.

The figure 14 represents another embodiment of the manhole according to which two buffers 8 in the form of a right triangle are articulated on the opposite sides of a rectangular frame 1 between a raised position of the buffers 8 of this figure to which the opening of the frame 1 is disengaged and a fully closed position of the opening of this frame to which the two buffers 8 are inscribed in the frame 1 with their hypotenuse walls 8d juxtaposed and extending along a diagonal of the frame 1.

Each pad 8 is articulated by one of its straight sides 8a relative to the so-called corresponding end wall 3 of the frame 1 by two hinges 12 identical hinge hinges 12 of the first embodiment of the Figures 1 to 13 . In this way, it is unnecessary to detail the structure of each articulation hinge 12 of a triangulated pad 8 relative to the wall 3 of the frame 1, nor the way in which the components of this hinge are fixed to the pad 8 and to the corresponding seat wall part 7.

Each triangulated buffer 8 comprises beneath it at its top a stud 17 bearing, in the closed position of the buffer, on the seat wall portion 7 located at the corner of the frame 1 defined between the end wall 3 opposite the articulation hinges 12 of this buffer and the side wall 2 adjacent to the other right side of the triangulated buffer 8 in the closed position of this buffer. Although that does not come out of the figure 14 , the two diagonally opposite corners of the frame 1 in which are housed respectively the two pads 17 of the two triangulated pads 8 each comprise means for assisting the opening of each pad 8 and identical to the means 23 described in the first embodiment of FIG. realization of the look of roadway.

Similarly, one of the two triangulated pads 8 is equipped with a bolt lock housing 18 which can engage under a striker, not shown, of the side wall 2 of the frame 1 adjacent to the side or edge 8c of the buffer 8 to lock the two buffers 8 to the frame 1 after having first folded the other buffer 8 not equipped with the lock housing 18 and then the buffer 8 equipped with the lock housing 18 which blocks the other buffer 8 in the frame 1 by its hypotenuse wall 8d bearing on a tongue 8e of the other buffer 8 projecting transversely from its hypotenuse wall 8d.

Each triangulated buffer 8 is also equipped with two jacks 22, of which only one pair is visible for one of the buffers, and which makes it possible to witness the opening and the closing of the buffer 8. The opposite ends of each of the assistance cylinders 22 are articulated respectively under the buffer 8 and the frame 1 below the hinge pins 13 of the hinges 12 in the same manner as each of the assistance cylinders 22 of the first embodiment so that it is unnecessary to repeat a detailed description. Of course, each buffer 8 may have only one assistance cylinder 22.

Each of the triangulated pads 8 is also equipped with a self-locking arm 30 only visible for one of the pads 8 and identical to each self-locking arm 30 of the first embodiment.

Thus, the self-locking arm 30 of each pad 8 has one of its ends articulated on a pivot axis 31 carried by a lug 32 secured to the inner face of the pad 8 perpendicular thereto and close to the inner face of the pad. the wall 8f of the buffer 8 adjacent to the hinged rear side or edge 8a of the buffer 8. The opposite end of the self-locking arm 30 is articulated on an axis that can slide along a guide groove, not shown, and identical to the 34 and the guide groove 35 described in the first embodiment for each self-locking arm 30. Thus, the guide groove 35 is formed through a rectangular plate identical to the plate 36 of the first embodiment and which is perpendicularly fixed to and under the seat wall portion 7 adjacent to the side wall 2 of the frame 1 facing the wall 8f of the buffer 8 when it is in its closed position of the frame 1. Of course, the guide groove of the corresponding end of the self-locking arm 30 of each pad 8 has at its end opposite its hinge hinges 12 a notch as for the first embodiment for receiving the pivot axis and sliding of the self-locking arm to block the buffer 8 at its raised position of clearance of the opening of the frame 1.

As for each self-locking arm 30 of the first embodiment, the self-locking arm 30 associated with each triangulated pad 8 is disposed in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the opening edge of the frame 1 and is located near the inner edge of the part of seat wall 7 adjacent to the side wall 2 of the frame 1.

The manhole of this second embodiment is also equipped with two stops respectively associated with the two triangulated pads 8.

Each of these stops is not represented in figure 14 but is identical to each stop 38 of the first embodiment and is fixed in the same manner as in this first embodiment.

Thus, the abutment associated with the self-locking arm 30 of the lock-lock pad 8 is disposed in the corner of the sub-frame 5 opposite to the hinge hinges 12 of this pad projecting into the opening of the frame 1 in the perpendicular direction. at the end wall 3 of the other pad substantially in the same plane as that containing the self-locking arm 30 of the lock-box pad 18.

Likewise, the abutment associated with the pad 8 that does not comprise a lock casing is fixed in the corner of the frame 5 opposite to the hinge hinges of this pad, projecting into the opening of the frame 1 in the direction perpendicular to the wall of the casing. end 3 of the buffer 8 comprising the lock housing 18 being located substantially in the same plane as the one passing through the self-locking arm 30 of the buffer 8 not having a lock housing.

To bring the two triangulated panels 8 to their open position represented in figure 14 from their position of closing the opening of the frame 1, the operator first unlocks the bolt 19 of his keeper 20 by means of the key, not shown, of the lock housing 18 and the two pusher means exert respectively on the two studs 17 of the two buffers 8 a thrust force bringing their front edges 8b of the top 8 buffers to an open position allowing the operator to grasp and lift, if necessary using a tool, first of all the front edge 8b of the lock box buffer 8 to rotate, under the assistance of the jacks 22, the buffer 8 in its raised position clearance of the opening of the frame 1 to which it is securely blocked by the self-locking arm 30 as for the first embodiment.

Then, the operator grasps and lifts the front edge 8b of the other triangulated pad 8 to rotate it, under the assistance of the cylinders 22, to its raised position of total clearance of the opening of the frame 1 to which the buffer 8 is blocked by the self-locking arm 30 associated with it.

The tilting operations of the two buffers 8 to their open position are facilitated by the functional clearances of the hinge hinges 12 which thus avoid any risk of jamming of each buffer during its tilting in the open position.

To return the two triangulated pads 8 to their closed position of the frame 1, the operator first disengages the lower end of the self-locking arm 30 from the notch of the corresponding guide groove associated with the pad 8 having no lock housing and toggles this buffer to its closed position under the assistance of the cylinders associated with this buffer until the end of the self-locking arm 13 bears on the corresponding stop to allow immobilize the buffer 8 to a half-open security position as for the buffer 8 shown in FIG. figure 5 of the first embodiment.

Then, the operator climbs on the pad 8 to exert by his own weight a major force causing the pad 8 to move back to the end wall 3 of the frame 1 through the functional play of hinge hinges adjacent to this wall so that the front edge vertex 8b of the buffer is engaged at least partially in the corresponding corner opposite the articulation hinges defined by two of the side walls 2 and corresponding ends 3 with the stud 17 resting on the pusher means which is partially compressed by the own weight of the buffer.

Then, the operator disengages the self-locking arm 30 from the other lock-lock pad 8 from the notch of its associated guide groove and toggles the pad to its closed position under the assistance of the cylinders 22 to the end of the self-locking arm 30 comes to bear on the corresponding stop so as to immobilize this buffer to a half-open security position.

To completely close the pad 8 with lock case 18, the operator goes up on it to exert from his own weight a large force allowing the pad to move back to the corresponding end wall 13 thanks to the functional play of its hinges articulation 12 and to introduce the vertex of the front edge 8 equipped with this buffer in the corresponding opposite corner defined between the other side walls 2 and end 3. The pad 17 of this buffer completely depresses the associated pusher means, which at the same time causes complete depression of the other pushing means by the pad 17 of the other pad by the action exerted on the lower edge of the hypotenuse wall 8d of the lock-lock pad 8 on the tongue 8e of the other buffer 8 and the two buffers are locked in their fully closed position of the opening of the frame 1 by the bolt 19 engaged under its corresponding keeper.

Alternatively, the two pads 8 could be brought to their closed position by first tilting the pad 8 without lock housing to its half-open position, then the other pad 8 with lock housing 18 in its half-open position. Then, the operator, by its own weight, exerts a significant pressure on the pad 8 with lock case 18 so as to bring its hypotenuse wall 8d on the tongue 8e of the other pad 8 to drive the studs 17 into their respective diagonally opposite corners of the frame 1 by compressing the means forming a pusher and simultaneously backing the edges 8a of the two buffers towards the end walls 3 to ensure the closure of the frame 1 by the two buffers without their edges before 8b The two buffers 8 are then locked to the frame 1 by the bolt and striker assembly.

The presence of the two stops, the two self-locking arms respectively associated with the two triangulated pads 8 as well as the functional clearances of the hinge hinges of each of these two frame buffers 1 ensure that each pad its tilting in the closed position and opening the frame 1 by avoiding the edge before 8b of the buffer to hit the corresponding portion of the end wall of the frame opposite to the joints of the buffer.

The fact that the frame 1 has been described as being rectangular does not limit the invention to this geometric shape which also includes square frames of manholes.

Claims (14)

1. A manhole cover, in particular an inspection chamber, comprising a rectangular frame (1) whereof the side (2) and end (3) walls delimit an opening, at least one lid (8) whereof one side (8a) is hingedly mounted relative to an adjacent end wall (3) of the frame (1) by at least one hinge (12) having functional play to allow the lid (8) to tilt between an upright position freeing the opening of the frame (1) and a closed position of said opening while bearing on an inner peripheral bearing wall (7) of the frame (1) and fitting into that frame, at least one power cylinder (22) for opening or closing the lid (8) hingedly mounted between the lid (8) and the frame (1), and at least one self-locking arm (30) hingedly mounted between the lid (8) and the frame (1) parallel to the power cylinder (22) and making it possible to lock the lid (8) in its upright position freeing the opening of the frame (1), characterized in that the end of the self-locking arm (30) integrally mounted to the frame (1) can slide in a fixed longilineal guide slot (35) secured to the frame (1) extending below the bearing wall (7) of the frame (1) parallel to said wall (7) so that the end of the self-locking arm (30) can come closer to the other end wall (3) of the frame (1) when the lid (8) is tilted from its closed position to its open position of the frame (1), in that at least one stop (38) is fastened to the frame (1) perpendicular to the other end wall (3) of the frame (1) so that the sliding end of the self-locking arm (30) bears on the stop (38) when the lid (8) is tilted from the closing position to the opening position of the frame (1) to cause the lid (8) to withdraw toward the end wall (3) adjacent to the hinged side (8a) of the lid (8) and to allow the latter to close the opening of frame (1).
2. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the self-locking arm (30) has a predetermined length and is hingedly connected to a predetermined location of the lid (8) so that by bearing by its sliding end on the fixed stop (38), it keeps the lid (8) in a half-open safety position relative to the frame (1), and in that the self-locking arm (30) causes the lid (8) to withdraw toward the adjacent end wall (3) of the frame (1) by exerting, on the lid (8) in the half-open position thereof, a relatively high pressure to bring the lid (8) to the position thereof closing the opening of the frame (1).
3. The device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the lid (8) assumes the shape of a right angled triangle, and in that a single self-locking arm (30) is hinged under the lid (8) near the right side (8c) thereof adjacent to the side (8a) articulated to the frame (1) and the corresponding side wall (2) of the frame (1).
4. The device according to claim 3, characterized in that it comprises a second lid (8) in the form of a right angled triangle whereof one (8a) of the sides is hinged relative to the other end wall (3) of the frame (1) by at least one hinge (12) having functional play to allow the second lid (8) to tilt between an upright position freeing the opening of the frame (1) and a position closing said opening bearing on the inner peripheral bearing wall (7) of the frame (1) and fitting into said frame, in that at least one power cylinder (22) for opening or closing the second lid (8) is hingedly mounted between said lid and the frame (1) and a single self-locking arm (30) is hinged parallel to the power cylinder (22) between the frame (1) and under the second lid (8) close to the right side (8c) thereof adjacent to the side (8a) hinged to the frame (1) and making it possible to lock said lid in the upright position thereof freeing the opening of the frame (1), in that the end of the self-locking arm (30) hinged to the frame (1) can slide in a second fixed longilineal guide slot (35) secured to the frame (1) extending below the bearing wall (7) of the frame (1) parallel to said wall so that the end of the self-locking arm (30) can come closer to the opposite end wall (3) of the frame (1) when the second lid (8) is tilted to its position closing the opening of the frame (1), in that a second stop (38) is fastened to the frame (1) perpendicular to the opposite end wall (3) of the frame (1) so that the sliding end of the self-locking arm (30) bears on the second stop (38) when the second lid (8) is tilted to its position closing the opening of the frame (1) to cause the second lid (8) to withdraw toward the end wall (3) adjacent to the hinged edge (8a) of the second lid (8) and allowing the latter to close the opening of frame (1).
5. The device according to claim 4, characterized in that the two triangular lids (8) make it possible to completely cover the opening of the frame (1) in their closed position.
6. The device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the lid (8) is rectangular and capable of completely covering the opening of the frame (1) in its closed position, in that a second self-locking arm (30) is hingedly mounted between the lid (8) and the frame (1) parallel to the power cylinder (22) and also making it possible to lock the lid (8) in its upright position freeing the opening of the frame (1), in that the end of the second self-locking arm (30) hingedly mounted to the frame (1) can slide in a second fixed longilineal guide slot (35) secured to the frame (1) extending below the bearing wall (7) of the frame (1) parallel to said wall (7) so that the end of the second self-locking arm (30) can come closer to the other end wall (3) of the frame (1) when the lid (8) is tilted to its position closing the opening of the frame (1), in that a second stop (38) is fastened to the frame (1) perpendicular to the other end wall (3) of the frame (1) so that the sliding end of the second self-locking arm (30) bears on the second stop (38) when the lid (8) is tilted to its position closing the opening of the frame (1) to cause the lid (8) to withdraw toward the end wall (3) adjacent to the hinge side (8a) of the lid (8) and to allow the latter to close the opening of the frame (1).
7. The device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each self-locking arm (30) is hinged on the one hand by one of its ends under the lid (8) around a transverse pin (31) of the arm (30), and on the other hand by its opposite end sliding around a transverse pin (34) of the arm (30) and engaged through the corresponding guide slot (35) to slide along said slot.
8. The device according to claim 7, characterized in that each guide slot (35) comprises, at its end opposite the corresponding stop (38), a notch (37) for receiving the sliding pin (34) of the self-locking arm (30) to lock the lid (8) in its upright position freeing the opening of the frame (1).
9. The device according to one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that the two self-locking arms (30) are the same length, are positioned in two planes perpendicular to the plane of the opening edge of the frame (1), and are hinged by two of their ends under the lid (8) around two coaxial pins (31) and by their other two ends opposite the frame (1) around two coaxial pins (34).
10. The device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises two coaxial hinges (12) for hinging the lid (8) to the frame (1) spaced apart from one another parallel to the adjacent end wall (3) of the frame (1).
11. The device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each hinge (12) comprises a cylindrical pin (13) parallel to the adjacent end wall (3) of the frame (1) supported by a yoke (14) secured to the corresponding bearing wall (7) portion of the frame (1), and two tabs forming knuckles (15) secured to the lid (8) positioned between the two branches (14a) of the yoke (14) while being passed through by the cylindrical pin (13), the tabs forming knuckles (15) having an opening (16) larger than the diameter of the cylindrical pin (13) to allow the lid (8) to move with play relative to the cylindrical pin (13).
12. The device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each stop (38) is adjustable in a direction perpendicular to the corresponding end wall (3).
13. The device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least one elastically deformable means (43) fastened to the bearing wall (7) protruding therefrom near the end wall (3) of the frame (1) opposite the end wall (3) adjacent to the hinge (12) and capable of facilitating opening of the lid (8) from its position closing the frame (1).
14. The device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the power cylinder (22) is hinged on a pin (24) secured to a platen (26) below the bearing wall (7) of the frame (1).

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