GB2220967A

GB2220967A - Locking device for a gully lid

Info

Publication number: GB2220967A
Application number: GB8906249A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Brian Smallman
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1988-03-17
Filing date: 1989-03-17
Publication date: 1990-01-24
Also published as: GB8906249D0; GB8806401D0

Abstract

A locking device for a gully lid (8) comprises an elongate member (10) having securing means at one end thereof to be secured to the lid (8) and having catch means in the form of a hook (22) at the other end. The hook (22) is for removable engagement with part of a wall (12) of a chamber (14) of a gully pot. Means, in the form of a lug (26) are provided intermediate of the member (10) by which the hook (22) can be disengaged from its engagement with the wall (12). <IMAGE>

Description

LOCKING DEVICE FOR GULLY LIDS.

This invention relates to a locking device for gully lids. A gully lid is a grid or grating which caps a gully pot in coianunication with a subteranean drainage system, the pot normally being positioned at the side of roads with the lid flush with the top level of the roadway to carry away surface water through the drainage system. A gully pot has a chamber and at or adjacent to the bottom of one wall of which an outlet is provided to be incorporated into the drainage system. The outlet is shaped to provide a sump at the bottom of the chamber so that water fills the chamber to a level above the top of the outlet in the one wall. A peripheral seat is provided around the top of the chamber for seating a gully lid.

A pr,oble,n with existing gully lids is that the vast majority of them are and have been constructed as separate units from the gully pots. To gain access to the pots for whatever reason, the lids have to be removed. This has disadvantages since it requires the workmen to restore each lid correctly in its respective seat otherwise vehicles passing over the incorrectly seated lid may cause it to disengage, for example swivel. Also, vandals can remove lids. Incorrectly seated lids or lidless gully pots can subsequently give rise to insurance claims ayainst the authority in whose care the drainage system is if pedestrians trip over or are( otherwise injured or vehicles are damaged for that reason.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a locking device to obviate or mitigate the above disadvantages.

Accordingly, the present invention is a locking device for a gully lid comprising an elongate member having securing means at one end thereof to be secured to the lid and having catch means at the other end to be reiaovably engaged to part of a wall of the chamber of a gully pot, and means intermediate of the member by which the catch means can be disenyaged from its engagement.

Preferably, the elongate member is a bar having resilient properties. The securing means is preferably a plate locatable on top of a lid and securable by one or more fastenings to the one end of the elongate member which is cranked relative to the remainder thereof.

Preferably also, the catch means is a hook to engage under said wall at the top of the outlet. The intermediate means is preferably a lug extending outwardly from the member in the opposite direction to that in which the one end is cranked.

An-embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to'the accompanying drawing which shows a vertical cross section of a locking device according to the present invention as shown fitted to a gully pot and lid.

Referring to the drawing, a locking device for a gully lid 8 comprises an elongate member 10, for example a bar of mild steel, having resilient properties. The member 10 has securing means at one end thereof to be secured to the lid and has catch means at the other end to be removably engaged to part of one wall 12 of a chamber 14 of a gully pot 16.

The securing means is a plate 18 locatable on top of the lid 8 as shown and secured by two nut and bolt fastenings 20 to the one end 28 of the elongate member 10 which is cranked relative to the remainder thereof.

The catch means is a hook 22 to engage under said wall 12 at the top of the outlet 24, the hook 22 being formed by reflexively bending the member 10.

Means is provided intermediate of the member 10 by which thefcatch means can be disengaged from its engagement. The intermediate means is a lug 26 extending outwardly from the member 10 in the opposite direction to that in which the one end 28 is cranked.

In use, a locking device as above-described is fitted as shown to a lid 8 of a gully pot 16. When the lid 8 is seated, the hook 22 engages around the bottom of wall 12 at the entrance to outlet 24. The portion of member 10 below the luy 26, is immersed in the water in the swap of the chamber 14, the top level of which is shown at 30. To remove the lid, the hook 22 is disengaged. This is achieved by using a rod or stick to push down on luy 26, to flex the member 10 away from wall 12 and the hook 22 out of engagement with the wall 12.

The above embodiment has been described and shown with the outlet 24 to the chamber 14 at the rear of the pot. Gully pots are also made with the outlets at one lateral side. To allow the elongate member 10 to be fitted to lids for such gully pots, plate 18 and end 28 are of increased areal dimensions to engage the crossmembers of the lid.

Variations anS modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention above described.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A locking device for a gully lid comprising an elongate member having securing means at one end thereof to be secured to the lid and having catch means at the other end to be removably enyaged to part of a wall of a chamber of a gully pot, and means intermediate of the member by which the catch means can be disengaged from its engagement.

2. A device as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the elongate member is a bar having resilient properties.

3. A device as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, wherein the securing means is a plate locatable on top of a lid and securable by one or more fastenings to the one end of the elongate member which is cranked relative to the remainder thereof.

4. A device as claimed in Claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the catch means is a hook to engage under said wall at the top of the outlet.

5. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, wherein the interinediate means is a lug extending outwardly from the member in the opposite direction to that in which the one end is cranked.

6. A locking device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.