GB2230037A

GB2230037A - Frame assembly having spacer means from surrounding paved area

Info

Publication number: GB2230037A
Application number: GB9007390A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Anthony Charles Elmer
Original assignee: Glynwed Consumer and Building Products Ltd
Current assignee: Glynwed Consumer and Building Products Ltd
Priority date: 1989-04-04
Filing date: 1990-04-02
Publication date: 1990-10-10
Anticipated expiration: 2010-04-02
Also published as: GB8907555D0; GB9007390D0; GB2230037B

Abstract

A frame assembly for a paved area, comprises a plurality of projections (22) provided at spaced intervals around the wall (6) on the exterior thereof, the projections (22) being adapted in use to co-operate with paving blocks (26) laid adjacent the peripheral wall (6) of the assembly. <IMAGE>

Description

Title.* "Frame assembly' Description of Invention This invention is concerned with a frame assembly for a paved area, particularly a frame assembly suitable for mounting a cover or grating such as in the covering of access opening (manhole).

A conventional frame assembly for a manhole cover comprises a generally vertical peripheral wall extending around an opening, and a generally horizontal flange extending outwardly from the base of the wall.

Such a frame assembly is hereinafter referred to as being "of the kind specified".

In the use of the frame assembly, the frame is laid over the access opening, conventionally on a bed of infill material such as building sand or mortar. Paving blocks are then laid around the frame, closely adjacent to the wall and over the flange. The frame and the paving blocks are compacted using a vibrating compactor, allowing material from the bed to migrate upwardly into the spaces between the blocks and into the spaces between the blocks and the frame.

Problems are encountered where, due an obstruction, such migration under vibratory influence is impeded, since this may result in a failure to provide a firm base for the frame and surrounding blocks.

According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a frame assembly of the kind specified, comprising a plurality of projections provided at spaced intervals around the wall on the exterior thereof, the projections being adapted in use to co-operate with paving blocks laid adjacent the peripheral wall of the assembly.

In accordance with a second aspect of the invention there is also provided, in combination, a frame assembly of the first aspect of the invention and a plurality of paving blocks laid around the frame assembly, such that at least some of the projections which project outwardly of the peripheral wall of the assembly engage with corresponding paving blocks to space the paving blocks a small distance from the peripheral wall.

There will now be given a detailed description, to be read with reference to the accompanying drawings, of a preferred embodiment which has been selected for the purposes of illustrating the invention by way of example.

In the accompanying drawings: FIGURE 1 is a plan view of the preferred embodiment; FIGURE 2 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of Figure I; and FIGURE 3 is a plan view illustrating the application of the invention to a frame assembly which is circular in plan view.

The preferred embodiment of the invention comprises a frame assembly which is particularly for use in supporting a cover member over an access opening, e.g. a manhole A.

The frame assembly comprises an upstanding wall 6 in the form of a rectangular grid, the inner and outer faces 8, 10 of which are inwardly tapered in the upward direction (see Figure 2). From a base of the wail 6 an outwardly-extending horizontal flange 14 is provided, in conventional manner.

Also provided by the wall 6, in conventional manner, are hinge mountings 16 for a cover or grid (not shown), and stop flanges 18 to locate the cover in the closed position, and drainage holes 20.

Provided on the outside face 8 of the wall 6 are a plurality of projections afforded by vertical ribs 22, the ribs 22 extending approximately the full height of the wall 6, and extending from the wall typically by a distance of 2 mm. However, the projections may be otherwise formed as desired. The ribs 22 are so positioned as to be capable of mating with peripheral faces of paving blocks 26, as is shown in Figure I. The blocks 26 may themselves be provided with projections P to retain a desired separation between adjacent blocks when laid.

In use, the frame assembly may be located over the access hole A e.g.

in a bed B of sand and may be secured to the ground by fasteners which pass through the flange 14, in conventional manner. The surrounding area is paved by blocks 26, including the blocks 26 laid over the flange 14. The ribs 22 co-operate with the blocks to provide a small gap between the wall 6 and the blocks 26, conveniently in the order of magnitude of 2 to 5 mm.

When the frame assembly and blocks are laid, the bed B is compacted e.g. by a vibratory compactor, and sand from the bed, or sand introduced onto the top of the blocks 26 and the assembly, migrates into all the nooks and cranies, including the spaces between adjacent blocks 26 and between the blocks 26 and the wall 6, ensuring a stable support for the blocks 26 adjacent the wall 6.

It will of course be appreciated that the ribs 22 are preferably of a depth such as to provide, a spacing between the blocks 26, and the wall 6 which is sufficient to permit of free flow of the sand (or other particulate material) used for the bed B.

It will be noted that the ribs 22 are arranged in pairs around the peripheral wall 6 of the frame assembly. The spacing between the ribs 22 of each poir is generally equal around the entire frame. Thus the blocks 26 in general each co-operate with the two ribs 22 of a pair.

In a modified arrangement, the ribs 22 and projections P of the sides of the blocks which lie adjacent the wall 6, are equaily spaced so as to cooperate with each other such that the spacing between the wall 6 and the blocks 26 is achieved in part by the ribs 22 and in part by the projections P. In this way, a spacing at the upper end of the range 2-5 mm or greater, may be achieved.

As is shown in Figure 3, the invention may be applied to frame assemblies which are other than rectangular in plan, e.g. circular in plan, where the blocks are formed (e.g. cut) to fit in with the peripheral wall of the frame. Again, the ribs 22 or other projections are preferably arranged in pairs with the ribs of each pair being generally equally spaced around the frame.

Other similar parts to the figures 1-2 assembly are indicated by the same reference numerals.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, the following claims, or the accompanying 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 frame assembly of the kind specified, comprising a plurality of projections provided at spaced intervals around the peripheral wall on the exterior thereof, the projections being adapted in use, to co-operate with paving blocks laid adjacent the peripheral wall of the assembly.
2. An assembly according to Claim I wherein the projections are in the form of relatively narrow ribs which extend generally vertically and project generally outwardly of the peripheral wall.
3. An assembly according to Claim I or Claim 2 wherein the projections project outwardly of the peripheral wall for at least one millimetre.
4. An assembly according to Claim 3 wherein the projections project outwardly of the peripheral wall for between two and five millimetres.
5. An assembly according to any one of the preceding claims which is generally rectangular, the projections being arranged around each side of the rectangle in pairs, the spacing between the projections of each pair being generally equal around the entire frame.
6. A frame assembly according to any one of claims I to 4 which is generally circular in plan view, the projections being arranged in pairs and the spacing between the projections of each pair being generally equal around the entire peripheral wall of the frame.
7. A frame assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.
8. A combination of a frame assembly according to any one of the preceding claims and a plurality of paving blocks laid around the frame assembly such that at least some of the projections which project outwardly of the peripheral wall of the assembly engage with corresponding paving blocks to space the paving blocks a small distance from the peripheral wall.
9. A combination according to claim 8 wherein each paving block cooperates with at least two projections of the frame.
10. The combination according to claim 9 wherein the paving blocks each have projections correspondingly spaced with the pair of projections of the frame with which they co-operate so that the spacing of the blocks from the frame is afforded in part by the projections of the frame and in part by the projections of the blocks.
I I. A combination according to claim 10 wherein the paving blocks are bedded in an infil material which also fills spaces between adjacent paving blocks, and the space between each block and the peripheral wall of the frame.
12. A combination of a frame assembly a plurality of paving blocks substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.
13. Any novel feature or novel combination of features described herein and/or as shown in the accompanying drawings.