GB2246152A

GB2246152A - Cover and frame assembly

Info

Publication number: GB2246152A
Application number: GB9015847A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ian Smith
Original assignee: Glynwed Consumer and Building Products Ltd
Current assignee: Glynwed Consumer and Building Products Ltd
Priority date: 1990-07-19
Filing date: 1990-07-19
Publication date: 1992-01-22
Also published as: GB9015847D0

Abstract

A cover and frame assembly, the cover comprises two cover parts (1, 2) at least one of the parts (1, 2) providing a projecting member (5) which is formed integrally with or is rigidly connected to the part (1, 2), and the other of the parts providing an aperture (6) therein, the projecting member (5) and the aperture (6) being 50 juxtaposed on the respective parts (1, 2) that the projecting member (5) is received in the aperture (5) when the parts (1, 2) are together in the frame (13) and there being a resilient element (25) disposed between the two cover parts (1, 2) and being carried by the projecting member (5) whereby the resilient element (25) prevents the cover parts (1, 2) from coming into contact with one another and moving about in the frame (13) thereby reducing the wear to seatings etc. and at least substantially reducing the amount of noise created by the assembly. <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 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 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.

One such multicover arrangement is shown and described in our prior application No. 8907641.8 In this arrangement, one or each of two cover parts carry a pin which extends towards the other cover part and in use, is received in an aperture of the other cover part.

Such an arrangement satisfactorily connects the two cover parts loosely in the frame, but it has been found that the cover parts can move relative to one another in the frame for example as traffic passes over the assembly, thereby creating noise and abnormal wear on seatings for the cover 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 cover parts, at least one of the parts providing a projecting member which is formed integrally with or is rigidly 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 parts that the projecting member is received in the aperture when the parts are together in the frame and there being a resilient element disposed between the two cover parts and being carried by the projecting member.

It has been found that the provision of such a resilient element prevents the cover parts from coming into contact with one another and moving about in the frame, thereby reducing the wear to seatings etc, and at least substantially reducing the amount of noise created by the assembly.

Preferably, when the cover parts are received in the frame, the resilient element is at least partially compressed, so as to exert a force on each of the cover parts.

Each of the two cover parts may provide at least one projecting member which is receivable in and removable from a respective aperture which is provided in the other of the cover parts such that the parts are inter-engaged by insertion of each of the respective projecting members into the corresponding aperture when the parts are together in the frame, and each projecting member may carry a resilient element.

The or each aperture may be larger in cross section than the or the respective projecting member which is engaged thereby such that the cover 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 may comprise a roll pin such as a Bissel pin which may be rigidly secured in an opening in the cover part on which it is provided.

If desired, a fixing element such as a bolt may be passed through an axial hollow of the roll pin, the bolt retaining a link of a securing chain link which is affixed relative to the ground, to deter theft of the cover parts.

For example, the link of the chain may be located in use between the head of the bolt, and an end of the roll pin, and a nut may be received on the bolt to engage with the other end of the roll pin and to prevent removal of the bolt.

The resilient element conveniently comprises an annulus e.g. of natural or synthetic rubber or other plastics, which is received on the projecting member prior to engaging the projecting member in the aperture of the other cover part.

Preferably the annulus is a tight fit with the 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 second 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 comprising a pin connected to the part, the pin comprising a hollow which opens to each axial end of the pin, and the other of the parts providing an aperture therein, the projecting member and the aperture being so juxtaposed in the respective parts that the projecting member is received in the aperture when the parts are together in the frame.

The invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which : FIGURE 1 is an illustrative 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 1 in a mutually engaged condition, FIGURE 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion of the assembly of figure 2, FIGURE 4 is an illustrative view of part of a modified assembly in accordance with the invention.

FIGURE 5 is a plan view of an assembly in accordance with the invention.

Referring to Figures 1 to 3, 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 adopted, 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 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 1,2, are engaged together. This loose engagement of the projecting members 5 within the apertures 6 permits of limited articulation of the parts 1,2, relative to one another about an interface of the sides 3,4, as described in our co-pending patent application 8907641.8, such that the parts 1, 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 shown in dotted lines in figure 2, for one of the projecting members 5 only, 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.

The parts 1,2, may be formed of cast or diecast metal and the projecting members 5 may be cast integrally therewith, but preferably, as in this example, the projecting members 5 are formed separately from the parts 1,2, and then fixed to the parts 1,2, 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 1,2, to which they are permanently attached.

In the example described, the projecting members 5,6, are each roll pins such as Bissel pins, which are each a close fit into an opening P in the respective cover part 1,2, and are a loose fit in the corresponding aperture 6 of the other cover part.

The openings P and apertures 5 are provided in depending ribs R1, R2 of the sides 3,4, of the cover parts 1,2.

Disposed between the cover parts 1,2, when the cover parts 1,2, are connected, are resilient elements 25 (best seen in Figure 3) which in this example each comprise an annulus of rubber, natural or synthetic, but could be foam or any other suitable plastics and of an alternative configuration such as a pad adhered to one of the cover parts 1, 2.

The elements 25 are in use partially compressed so as to exert a slight force on each of the cover parts 1, 2.

A resilient element 25 is carried by each projedting member 5, the annulus preferably being a tight fit on the projecting member 5 to facilitate connecting of the cover parts 1,2, in the frame.

The resilient elements 25 in use, prevent the two covers parts 1,2, contacting one another, and reduce any tendency of the covers parts 1,2, to move in the frame.

In Figure 4, it can be seen that a security chain 5 to deter theft of the cover parts 1,2, can conveniently be secured to the cover parts by a fastener such as a bolt B which is axially received in an internal hollow H of the roll pin 5 with a link L of the chain 5 located between the head of the bolt B and one end El of the roll pin 5, and the bolt B being prevented from being removed from the roll pin 5, by a nut N received in the bolt B so as to engage the other end E2 of the roll pin 5 directly or through a washer.

Whilst in Figures 1 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 for each cover part 1,2, each of the parts 2, 1 providing a suitable juxtaposed aperture 6 for the reception of each projecting member 5.

Referring now to Figure 5, it can be seen that the parts 1,2, fit snugly in the frame 13 which frame 13 is slightly narrower at a base of upstanding portion 15 which surrounds the parts 1,2, than at the top 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.

Figure 5 shows the two cover parts 1,2, connected together in a frame 13.

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 cover 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 accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing 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

1. A cover and frame assembly of the kind specified in which the cover comprises two cover parts, at least one of the parts providing a projecting member which is formed integrally with or is rigidly 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 parts that the projecting member is received in the aperture when the parts are together in the frame and there being a resilient element disposed between the two cover parts and being carried by the projecting member.

2. An assembly according to claim 1 wherein when the cover parts are received in the frame, the resilient element is at least partially compressed, so as to exert a force on each of the cover parts.

3. An assembly according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein each of the two cover parts provide at least one projecting member which is receivable in and removable from a respective aperture which is provided in the other of the cover parts such that the parts are inter-engaged by insertion of each of the respective projecting members into corresponding apertures when the parts are together in the frame, each projecting member carrying a resilient element.

4. An assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the or each aperture is larger in cross section than the, or the respective, projecting member which is engaged thereby such that the cover parts may be articulated relative to one another when the projecting member is, or members are each, in the, or the respective, aperture of the other part.

5. An assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the or each projecting member comprises a roll pin which is rigidly secured in an opening in the cover part on which it is provided.

6. An assembly according to claim 5 wherein a fixing element is passed through an axial hollow of the roll pin, the element retaining a link of a securing chain which is affixed relative to the ground, to deter theft of the cover part.

7. An assembly according to claim 6 wherein the fixing element is a bolt and the link of the chain is located in use between the head of the bolt, and an end of the roll pin, with a nut being received on the bolt to engage with the other end of the roll pin and to prevent removal of the bolt.

8. An assembly according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the resilient element comprises an annulus of plastics.

9. An assembly according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the resilient element comprises an annulus of natural rubber.

10. An assembly according to claim 8 or claim 9 wherein the annulus is a tight fit with the projecting member.

11. An assembly according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the or each projecting member and the or each aperture are provided respectively on and in a rib which depends from a top surface of the part.

12. 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 comprising a pin connected to the part, the pin comprising a hollow which opens to each axial end of the pin, and the other of the parts providing an aperture therein, the projecting member and the aperture being so juxtaposed in the respective parts that the projecting member is received in the aperture when the parts are together in the frame.

13. An assembly of the kind specified substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

14. Any novel feature or novel combination of features as defined herein and/or shown in the accompanying drawings.