GB2230036A

GB2230036A - Cover and frame assembly

Info

Publication number: GB2230036A
Application number: GB8907641A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Robert John Snook
Original assignee: Glynwed Consumer and Building Products Ltd
Current assignee: Glynwed Consumer and Building Products Ltd
Priority date: 1989-04-05
Filing date: 1989-04-05
Publication date: 1990-10-10
Anticipated expiration: 2009-04-05
Also published as: GB2230036B; GB8907641D0

Abstract

A cover and frame assembly comprising a frame adapted to be embedded in the ground above a manhole, sump, sewer or the like, and a cover receivable by the frame to close an opening afforded by the frame, the assembly, in use, lying in a horizontal or substantially horizontal orientation, the cover comprising first and second parts (1, 2) each of which provides a projecting member (5) and an aperture (6), the projecting member on each cover part being receivable within an aperture on the respective other part such that the first and second parts may be mutually engaged when they are together in the frame. <IMAGE>

Description

Title: Cover and Frame Assembly Description of Invention This invention relates to a cover and frame assembly hereinafter referred to as being "of the kind specified", comprising a frame adapted to be embedded in the ground above a manhole, sump, sewer or the like, and a cover receivable by the frame to close an opening afforded by the frame, the assembly, in use, lying in a horizontal or substantially horizontal orientation.

The cover and/or the frame may have an aperture or apertures in a side or upper surface or surfaces thereof to permit of drainage of water through the cover and/or frame into the opening, such as where the cover comprises a grating, or may be unapertured to completely close the opening and/or be in sealing engagement with the frame, such as where the cover comprises a manhole cover.

It is known to provide manhole cover assemblies in which the cover comprises more than one part. Such multi-part covers permit of easy removal of the cover from the frame and easy replacement thereof.

Typical two-part covers for manhole cover assemblies are shown in GB 1313515 iri which a two-part cover is shown, the parts, in plan view, being essentially of isosceles triangular shape. A similar two-part cover is shown in G8 2204û76, the cover parts in this case being mutually engaged by means of interfitting hook formations provided near to respective mutual interfacial surfaces of the two parts. Moreover GB 21 1661 1 describes a two part cover in which the cover parts are loosely connected together by means of bolts which pass through apertures adjacent to respective mutual interfacial surfaces of the parts.

According to a first aspect of the invention we provide a cover and frame assembly of the kind specified in which the cover comprises two parts, at least one of the parts providing a projecting member which is formed integrally with or is permanently connected to the part and the other of the parts providing an aperture therein, the projecting member and the aperture being so juxtaposed on the respective ports that the projecting member is received in the aperture when the parts are together in the frame.

According to a second aspect of the invention we provide a cover and frame assembly of the kind specified in which the cover comprises at least two parts, at least two of which parts each provides at least one projecting member which is receivable in and removable from a respective aperture which is provided in another of the parts such that the parts are interengaged by insertion of each projecting member into the respective aperture when the parts are together in the frame.

According to a third aspect of the invention we provide a cover and frame assembly of the kind specified in which the cover comprises first and second parts each of which provides, in rigid attachment thereto, at least one straight projecting member which is receivable in a respective aperture provided in the other part such that the first and second parts may be mutually inter-engaged.

In each case the or each aperture may be larger in cross section than the or the respective projecting member such that the parts may be articulated relative to one another when the projecting member or members are each in their respective apertures of the other part.

The or each projecting member and the or each aperture may each provide plain surfaces. Alternatively and/or additionally, the or each projecting member may provide means for engagement thereof with a fixing means. In particular the or each projecting member may be provided with a means to receive a transverse member such as a fixing pin, e.g. a split pin.

The or at least one of the projecting members may be permanently connected to the part on which it is provided and preferably the projecting member is rigidly connected to the part. Preferably the at least one of the projecting members is cast integrally with the part on which it is provided.

Alternatively, the or each at least one of the projecting members may be threaded at one end and secured into a threaded opening of the respective part, or may be otherwise rigidly secured to the respective part e.g. driven in as a friction fit.

The or each projecting member may be straight and may be removable from and insertable within a respective aperture by movement of the parts relative to one another in a direction which is generally parallel to the axis of the or each projecting member.

The or each projecting member and the or each aperture may be provided respectively on and in a rib which depends from a top surface of the part.

The or each part which provides a projecting member may also provide an aperture for reception of a projecting member which is provided on the other or another part.

Each part which provides an aperture therein may also provide a projecting member for insertion into an aperture which is provided in the other or another part.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention we provide a cover part for a cover and frame assembly of the kind specified according to the first or second or third aspects of the invention.

Two specific embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: FIGURE I is an illustrative underside view of the two parts of a two part cover for a cover and frame assembly in accordance with the invention with the parts drawn in a separated condition.

FIGURE 2 shows the parts of Figure I in a mutually engaged condition.

FIGURE 3 is a side cross section through an alternotive cover and frame assembly comprising a two part cover showing a projecting member on a first part projecting through an aperture provided in a second part.

FIGURE 4 is a similar view to FIGURE 3 but in which the parts are articulated relative to one another.

Referring to Figures I and 2 a cover for a cover and frame assembly comprises two cover parts 1, 2, each of which, in plan view, is in the form generally of a right angled isosceles triangle.

The sides 3, 4 of respective parts 1, 2 which are opposite to right angle are adapted, when the parts 1, 2 are in a mutually engaged condition, to lie adjacent each other.

Each part 1, 2 provides a projecting member 5 which projects outwardly of the sides 3, 4 of the parts 1, 2 and is adapted for insertion in a respective juxtaposed aperture 6 provided on the other part 2, 1.

The outer surfaces 5 of the projecting members 5 are plain and the inner surfaces of the apertures 6 are also plain. Moreover the apertures 6 are larger in cross section than the projecting members 5 such that the projecting members 5 are loosely engaged only within the apertures 6 when the parts I, 2 are engaged together. This loose engagement of the projecting members 5 within the apertures 6 permits of limited articulation of the parts I, 2 relative to one another about an interface of the sides 3, 4 such that the parts I, 2 can be lifted to permit of disengagement thereof from the frame.

For the purposes of lifting, each of the parts 1, 2 is provided with an aperture 8 in a top surface thereof into which a suitable lifting implement may be inserted and used to lift up the parts.

In a modification one or more of the projecting members 5 is provided with a transversely extending aperture into which a releasable fixing means such as a cotter pin 7 may be inserted. This is shown for one of the projecting members 5 in Figure 2 only.

The parts I, 2 may be formed of cast or diecast metal and the projecting members 5 may be cast integrally therewith, but if desired, the projecting members 5 may be formed separately from the parts 1, 2 and then fixed to the parts I, 2, for example by driving the projecting members 5 as an inter-frame fit through holes provided in the parts 1, 2 the holes being only just large enough to receive the projecting members. Additionally, or alternatively, the projecting members may be welded to or rigidly fixed by adhesive, bolting, or to a simple friction fit to respective ones of the parts I, 2 to which they are permanently attached.

Whilst in Figures I and 2 provision of one projecting member 5 and one aperture 6 only per part 1, 2 is shown, it will be appreciated that, if desired, more than one projecting member could be provided, each of the parts providing a suitable juxtaposed apertures 6 is provided for the reception of each projecting member 5.

Referring now to Figures 3 and 4 a projecting member 5 is shown to be provided on a rib 25 which depends perpendicularly from a top surface 10 of a part 2 which surface 10 in use, lies substantially horizontally. In these Figures a frame 13 which supports and receives the parts 1, 2 is shown.

The parts 1, 2 fit snugly in the frame 3, the frame being slightly narrower at a base 14 of upstanding portion 15 which surrounds the parts 1, 2 than at top 16 thereof such that the parts 1, 2 when together in the frame 13 are wedged therein.

By articulation of the parts 1, 2 relative to one another they may be easily removed from the frame 13 because they are no longer wedged in it.

In the embodiment shown in figures 3 and 4, further depending ribs 26 which act to strengthen the parts 1, 2 are provided.

It will be appreciated that whilst the cover of the cover and frame assemblies of all of the figures, which have been described comprise only two parts, a cover comprising three or more parts could be provided if desired and the parts could be of an alternative shape to triangular in plan view, for example, rectangular.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the accompany- ing drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, or a class or group-of substances or compositions, as appropriate, may, separately or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

Claims

I. A cover and frame assembly of the kind specified in which the cover comprises two parts, at least one of the parts providing a projecting member which is formed integrally with or is permanently connected to the and the other of the parts providing an aperture therein, the projecting member and the aperture being so juxtaposed on the respective parts that the projecting member is received in the aperture when the parts are together in the frame.
2. A cover and frame assembly of the kind specified in which the cover comprises at least two parts, at least two of which parts each provides at least one projecting member which is receivable in and removable from a respective aperture which is provided in another of the parts such that the parts are inter-engaged by insertion of each projecting member into a respective aperture when the parts are together in the frame.
3. A cover and frame assembly of the kind specified in which the cover comprises first and second parts each of which provides, in rigid attachment thereto, at least one straight projecting member which is receivable in a respective aperture provided in the other part such that the first and second parts may be mutually inter-engaged.
4. A cover and frame assembly according to any one of Claims I to 3 in which the or each aperture is larger in cross section than the or the respective projecting member such that the parts may be articulated relative to one another when the projecting member or members are each in their respective apertures of the other part.
5. A cover and frame assembly according to any one of Claims I to 4 in which the or each projecting member and the or each aperture each provide plain surfaces.
6. A cover and frame assembly according to any one of Claims I to 5 in which the or each projecting member provides means for engagement with a fixing means.
7. A cover and frame assembly according to Claim 6 in which the or each projecting member is provided with means to receive a transverse member.
8. A cover and frame assembly according to any one of Claims I to 7 in which at least one of the projecting members is permanently and rigidly connected to the part on which it is provided.
9. A cover and frame assembly according to Claim 8 in which said at least one of the projecting members is cast integrally with the part on which it is provided.
10. A cover and frame assembly according to any one of Claims 4 to 9, in which the or each projecting member is straight.
II. A cover and frame assembly according to Claim 3 or Claim 10 in which the or each projecting member is removable from and insertable within a respective aperture by movement of the parts relative to one another in a direction which is generally parallel to the axis of the or each projecting member.
12. A cover and frame assembly according to any one of the preceding claims in which the or each projecting member and the or each aperture is provided respectively on and in a rib which depends from a top surface of the part.
13. A cover and frame assembly according to any one of Claims 4 to 13 in which each part which provides a projecting member also provides an aperture for reception of a projecting member provided on the other or another part.
14. A cover and frame assembly according to any one of Claims 4 to 14 in which each cover part which provides an aperture also provides a projecting member for insertion into an aperture provided in the other or another part.
15. A cover and frame assembly substantially as described hereinbefore and with reference to the accompanying drawings.
16. A cover part for a cover and frame assembly of the kind specified in accordance with any one of the preceding claims.
17. A cover part for a cover and frame assembly of the kind specified substantially as described hereinbefore with reference to the accompanying drawings.
18. Any novel feature or novel combination of features disclosed herein or shown in the accompanying drawings.