GB2291452A - Cover and frame assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

A cover and frame (10) assembly comprises a frame (10) having a side wall (11) with spaced apart first (12) and second (13) edges, the side wall (11) defining an access opening, a seating for the cover which extends inwardly of the sidewall (11), the seating comprising first (25) and second (26) seating surfaces, the first seating surface (25) being at a first position between the first and second edges (12, 13) of the side wall (11) and the second seating surface (26) being at a second position between the first and second edges (11, 12), closer to the second edge (13) than the first seating surface (25), and the cover having a generally planar cover part from which extends inwardly of the access opening (20), a seat formation comprising a first seat formation surface (50) adapted, in use, to seat on the first seating surface (25) of the frame (10), and a second seat formation surface (51) adapted to seat on the second seating formation (26) of the frame (10). The cover has one or more lugs on its periphery which engage one or more recesses on the first edge (12) of the side wall (11) of the frame. <IMAGE>

Description

Title: Cover and Frame Assembly Description of Invention This invention relates to a cover and frame assembly and more particularly but not exclusively to cover and frame assembly comprising so called roadway furniture, in which at least part of the frame is adapted to be imbedded in the ground over an opening such as a manhole, sewer, sump or drain, or other opening to which access is subsequently required.

According to a first aspect of the invention we provide a cover and frame assembly comprising a frame having a side wall with spaced apart first and second edges, the side wall defining an access opening, a seating for the cover which extends inwardly of the side wall, the seating comprising first and second seating surfaces, the first seating surface being at a first position between the first and second edges of the side wall and the second seating surface being at a second position between the first and second edges, closer to the second edge than the first seating surface, and the cover having a generally planar cover part from which extends inwardly of the access opening, a seat formation comprising a first seat formation surface adapted, in use, to seat on the first seating surface of the frame, and a second seat formation surface adapted to seat on the second seating formation of the frame.

Hence the invention provides a novel and inventive seating arrangement for a cover in a frame.

Preferably the first seating surface of the frame comprises a generally planar surface inclined relative to the side wall, inwardly of the access opening towards the second edge of the side wall, and the first seat formation surface of the cover is of corresponding configuration so as to provide surface to surface contact between the first seating surface of the frame and the first seat formation surface of the cover.

The second seating surface of the frame may also be generally planar and may extend inwardly of the access opening generally perpendicularly to the side wall, and the second seat formation surface of the cover may be of a corresponding configuration so as to provide surface to surface contact between the first seating surface of the frame and the first seat formation surface of the cover.

The side wall of the frame may comprise four side wall members connected together to provide a substantially rectangular access opening, in which case a seating for the cover may be provided at each inside corner of the frame.

In this event, two first seating surfaces may extend inwardly from each of two opposite side wall members such that where such first seating surfaces are inclined towards the second edge of the side wall, the two first seating surfaces which extend inwardly from one of the two opposite side wall members, may be generally parallel and preferably are in the same plane to one another, and the two first seating surfaces which extend inwardly from the opposite side wall member of the frame may be generally parallel to, and are preferably in the same plane as, one another, but the planes of the pairs of first seating surfaces being oppositely inclined relative to their respective side wall members.

The generally planar cover part may be adapted to be received within the access opening defined by the side wall, with an upper surface of the cover part lying in or close to a plane containing the first edge of the side wall.

Where the access opening is generally rectangular, the cover part too may be of generally corresponding rectangular configuration. Thus the cover may include two or four pillar formations which each extends generally perpendicularly to the cover part in use, inside the access opening, the pillar formations having the seat formations.

The cover part may have on its inside surface, ribbing for added strength.

Preferably a periphery of the cover part lies generally inside the access opening defined by the frame, but the periphery of the cover part may include an outwardly projecting lug which is received in a recess provided in the first edge of the side wall.

Where the side wall comprises four members which define a generally rectangular access opening, preferably a pair of such lugs and recesses are provided along one side wall member and a further pair of such lugs and recesses are provided along an opposite side wall of the assembly.

The spacing between the lugs along one side wall member of the frame may be different to the spacing between the pair of lugs on the opposite side wall member of the frame.

Such a lug or lugs can act as a pivot point or points to permit the cover to be prised out of the frame at an opposing position to the lug or lugs, without there being any danger of the cover falling into the access opening.

According to a second aspect of the invention we provide a cover and frame assembly comprising a frame having a side wall with spaced apart first and second edges, the side wall defining an access opening, the cover and frame having co-operating seat formations and seatings respectively whereby the cover is in use, seated in the frame, the cover part having a periphery which in use lies generally inside the access opening defined by the frame, a periphery of the cover part having an outwardly projecting lug which is received in a recess provided in the first edge of the side wall.

The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a plan view of a frame of a cover and frame assembly in accordance with the invention.

Figure 2 is a cross section on the lines C-C of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a cross section on the lines A-A of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a cross section on the lines B-B of Figure 1.

Figure 5 shows a corner detail of the frame of Figure 1 with the cover received in the frame.

Figure 6 is an underside plan view of a cover for use with the frame of Figures 1 to 4.

Figure 7 is a view of the cover of Figure 6 on the arrow B.

Figure 8 is a end view of the cover of Figure 6 on the arrow C.

Figures 9(a), 9(b) and 9(c) show other details of the cover of Figures 6 to 8.

Referring to the drawings a cover and frame assembly comprises a frame 10 which has a side wall 11 having a first edge 12 which in use comprises an upper edge of the frame 10, and a second edge 13 which in use, comprises a bottom edge of the frame 10.

The side wall 11 is made up of four side wall members 14, 15 ,16 and 17 connected together in a generally rectangular configuration in this example, the side wall 11 defining a generally rectangular access opening 20.

Extending inwardly of the side wall 11 in the inside corners of the frame 10, are in this example, four seatings 21, 22, 23 and 24. Each seating 21 to 24 comprises a first seating surface 25 at a first position between the top and bottom edges 12 , 13 of the side wall 11, and a second seating surface 26 at a second position between the top and bottom edges 12 and 13 of the side wall 11, but closer to the bottom edge 13 than the first seating surface 25.

Each of the first seating surfaces 25 of the frame 10 comprises a generally planar surface which is inclined relative to its adjacent long side wall member 15, 17 inwardly of the opening 20 towards the bottom edge 13 of the side wall 11.

The second seating surfaces 26 of the frame 10 are also generally planar, but extend inwardly of the opening 20 generally perpendicularly to their respective adjacent long side wall member 15 and 17.

The first inclined seating surfaces 25 adjacent side wall member 15 lie in a generally common plane, whilst the first seating surfaces 25 of the seatings adjacent the opposite side wall member 17, also lie in a generally common plane, but the planes of the respective pairs of first seating surfaces 25 are generally inclined to one another relative to the respective side walls 15 and 17.

The frame 10 includes at the bottom edge 13 of the side wall 11 a generally outwardly extending flange 30 with ribs 31 adjacent to each corner, for strength.

It will be appreciated that in use, the frame 10 is adapted to be at least partially imbedded in the ground with ground overlying the flange 30, above an opening in the ground such as a manhole, sewer, sump or other opening to which access is subsequently required.

The assembly further comprises a cover 40 which is of generally rectangular configuration in plan view, and comprises a cover part 41 which is generally planar, and from which extends at each corner thereof in use inwardly of the access opening 20 of the frame 10, a seat formation 42, 43, 44 and 45, carried on a respective pillar.

It can be seen that on the underside of the cover part 41, there is provided ribbing 46 to give the cover part 41 strength. Also provided in the cover part 41, are a pair of keyhole openings 48 to enable the cover 40 to be lifted out of the frame 10 when desired.

Each seat formation 42-45 provides a first seat formation surface 50 which is adapted, in use, to sit on a respective first seating surface 25 of the frame 10, and a second seat formation surface 51 which is adapted, in use, to seat on a respective second seating surface 26 of the frame 10.

The first seat formation surfaces 50 of the cover 40 are generally of corresponding configuration to the seating surfaces 25 of the frame 10, such that surface to surface contact is achieved between the first seating surfaces 25 of the frame 10, and the first seat formation surfaces 50 of the cover.

The second seat formation surfaces 51 of the cover 40 are of corresponding configuration to the second seating surfaces 26 of the frame 10, again so as to provide surface to surface contact between the second seating surfaces 26 of the frame 10, and the corresponding second seat formation surfaces 51 of the cover 40.

The seatings 21-24 of the cover 10, and seat formations 42-45 of the cover 40 are positioned such that when the cover 40 is received by the frame 10, an upper surface 55 of the cover 40 lies generally in the same plane as the top edge 12 of the side wall 11 of the frame 10.

Furthermore, the periphery of the generally rectangularly cover part 41 lies within the access opening 20, there being a small clearance between the periphery of the cover part 41 and the side wall 11 of the frame.

However, the cover part 41 includes at one side of the cover 40, a pair of lugs 58 and 59 which are received respectively in corresponding recesses 60 and 61 in the top edge 12 of side wall member 16. An opposite edge of the cover part 41 has a yet further pair of lugs 62 and 63 which are adapted respectively to be received in corresponding recesses 64 and 65 provided in the top edge 12 of the side wall member 14 of the frame 10.

Between each of the respective pairs of lugs 58, 59 and 62, 63, is a prising slot 70, 71 respectively.

When the cover 40 is received in the frame 10, the cover 40 can be prised open by lifting the cover using a prising tool in either slot 70 or 71.

The opposite pair of lugs 62, 63 or 58, 59 to the prising slot 70, 71 used, respectively, will thus act as pivot points, so that there is no danger of the cover part 40 falling into the access opening 20 as it is opened.

Various modifications are possible without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the first seating surfaces 25 of the seatings of the frame 10 need not be inclined downwardly at the angle as indicated, but could extend at other angles relative to the side wall 11.

The cover 40 need not comprise a modular construction, but could comprise two or more cover parts connected together and supported in the frame 10.

The pattern of ribbing 46 shown on the underside of the cover part 41 is only one example of the suitable rib strengthening pattern.

The invention may be applied to other than rectangular cover and frame assemblies. If desired, lugs 58, 59 or 62, 63 need not be provided at each of the opposing positions of the periphery of the cover part 40, but for example, a single lug only may be provided at one position around the periphery of the cover part 41 with there being a suitable prising slot at an opposing position.

Although it is preferred for an outwardly extending flange 30 to be provided at the bottom edge 13 of the frame 10, this need be provided if not required or a flange 30 of an alternative configuration to that described may be provided.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or 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, as appropriate, may, separately or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

Claims (13)

1. A cover and frame assembly comprising a frame having a side wall with spaced apart first and second edges, the side wall defining an access opening, a seating for the cover which extends inwardly of the side wall, the seating comprising first and second seating surfaces, the first seating surface being at a first position between the first and second edges of the side wall and the second seating surface being at a second position between the first and second edges, closer to the second edge than the first seating surface, and the cover having a generally planar cover part from which extends inwardly of the access opening, a seat formation comprising a first seat formation surface adapted, in use, to seat on the first seating surface of the frame, and a second seat formation surface adapted to seat on the second seating formation of the frame.

2. An assembly according to claim 1 wherein the first seating surface of the frame comprises a generally planar surface inclined relative to the side wall, inwardly of the access opening towards the second edge of the side wall, and the first seat formation surface of the cover is of corresponding configuration so as to provide surface to surface contact between the first seating surface of the frame and the first seat formation surface of the cover.

3. An assembly according to claim 2 wherein the second seating surface of the frame is generally planar and extends inwardly of the access opening generally perpendicularly to the side wall, and the second seat formation surface of the cover is of a corresponding configuration so as to provide surface to surface contact between the first seating surface of the frame and the first seat formation surface of the cover.

4. An assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the side wall of the frame comprises four side wall members connected together to provide a substantially rectangular access opening, and a seating for the cover is provided at each inside corner of the frame.

5. An assembly according to claim 4 wherein two first seating surfaces extend inwardly from each of two opposite side wall members such that where such first seating surfaces are inclined towards the second edge of the side wall, the two first seating surfaces which extend inwardly from one of the two opposite side wall members, are generally parallel, and the two first seating surfaces which extend inwardly from the opposite side wall member of the frame are generally parallel to one another, the planes of the pairs of first seating surfaces being oppositely inclined relative to their respective side wall members.

6. An assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein the generally planar cover part is adapted to be received within the access opening defined by the side wall, with an upper surface of the cover part lying in or close to a plane containing the first edge of the side wall.

7. An assembly according to any one of claims 4 to 6 where appendant to claim 4 wherein the cover part is of generally rectangular configuration, including two or four pillar formations which each extends generally perpendicularly to the cover part in use, inside the access opening, the pillar formations having the seat formations.

8. An assembly according to any one of the preceding claims wherein a periphery of the cover part lies generally inside the access opening defined by the frame, but includes an outwardly projecting lug which is received in a recess provided in the first edge of the side wall.

9. An assembly according to claim 8 where appendant to claim 4 wherein a pair of such lugs and recesses are provided along one side wall member and a further pair of such lugs and recesses are provided along an opposite side wall of the assembly.

10. An assembly according to claim 9 wherein the spacing between the lugs along one side wall member of the frame is different to the spacing between the pair of lugs on the opposite side wall member of the frame.

11. A cover and frame assembly comprising a frame having a side wall with spaced apart first and second edges, the side wall defining an access opening, the cover and frame having co-operating seat formations and seatings respectively whereby the cover is in use, seated in the frame, the cover part having a periphery which in use lies generally inside the access opening defined by the frame, a periphery of the cover part having an outwardly projecting lug which is received in a recess provided in the first edge of the side wall.

12. A cover and frame assembly structure as hereinbefore described and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

13. Any novel feature or novel combination of features hereinbefore described and/or shown in the accompanying drawings.