GB2312228A - Two part manhole cover - Google Patents

Abstract

A cover for a manhole, sump, sewer outlet or the like, comprising two parts 1,2, each part comprising adjacent receiving formations 25a,25b and the assembly comprising a securing element 30 adapted to releasably engage the two parts 1,2 in operative relationship, the securing element 30 being retained in an operative position under gravity, in which transverse separative movement of the cover parts is prevented. As shown the securing element has a key-shaped cross-section, which is passed through complementary key-hole shapes 6a,6b in the receiving formations 25a,25b and rotated through 180 degrees to its operative position.

Description

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

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

It is known to provide a manhole cover assembly in which the cover comprises more than one part. For example in the specification of our application GB 2230036A, the cover parts are, in plan view, generally of isosceles triangular shape. The two parts may be fitted together in relation to the frame, to close the opening, having the advantage that there will be a reduced tendency for the two cover parts to "rock", when compared with a conventional rectangular cover.

As is shown in the specification of said patent application, one of the parts is provided with a projecting member which is formed integrally therewith, the other of the parts being provided with an aperture, so that when the two cover parts are brought together into operative relationship, the projecting member extends into the aperture to secure the two parts together relative to the frame.

It has therefore been suggested to utilise two apertures, conveniently in the flanges which provide the projecting part and the aperture, and to utilise a bolt which may be inserted through the two apertures, and which may be secured in position by the use of nuts.

In particular this constructions allows the two parts to be assembled together in the convenience of a factory environment, and whilst allowing a small degree of relative articulative movement between the two parts, retain the two parts in operative relationship during transportation, installation and subsequent use in position on the frame.

According to this invention there is provided a cover for a cover and frame assembly of the kind specified, the cover comprising two parts, each part comprising a receiving formation and the assembly comprising a securing element adapted releasably to engage the two parts in operative relationship, the securing element being retained in an operative position, in which transverse separative movement is prevented, by gravity.

The receiving formation may be entered into engagement with the receiving formations in a first orientation, and on being inserted into engagement with the receiving formations may be moved to a second orientation in which subsequent separative movement at the two cover parts is restrained, return movement of the securing member being against the force of gravity.

Alternatively the securing element may be inserted into the receiving formations in a first relative position, movement thereof to the operative position involving translational movement thereof, movement of the securing member in the reverse direction being prevented by gravity.

Preferably the securing member is separate from the two parts (i.e. is not connected thereto) and each of said parts is preferably provided with a receiving formation with which the securing member may be engaged.

Conveniently the receiving formations are provided in the faces of the two parts which, when the two parts are in operative positions, are adjacent.

Preferably the securing member is so shaped as to be capable of being inserted into engagement with the two receiving formations by longitudinal movement thereof whilst in a first relative position, movement thereof to the operative position involving rotational or translational movement thereof.

Preferably the receiving formations are provided by apertures, conveniently in adjacent flanges thereof, and the securing member may thus comprise head portions, conveniently one at each end thereof, which may be inserted through the apertures when the securing member is aligned with the apertures.

Preferably by translational movement of the securing member from alignment with the apertures, the head portions thereof may engage behind the apertures to retain the two parts of the cover in operative positions, and to prevent the securing member from being displaced longitudinally thereof from said operative position.

The rotational movement may be about the longitudinal axis of the securing member.

There will now be given a detailed description, to be read with reference to the accompanying drawings, of a cover for a cover and frame assembly, which is a preferred embodiment of this invention, having been selected for the purposes of illustrating the invention by way of example.

In the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 is a plan view showing the cover, and two securing members thereof, in separated positions; Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view showing the cover in place in relation to the frame assembly; Figures 3) and 3b are enlarged views showing the location of the securing member into engagement with the receiving formations; Figure 3 is an end elevational view of the securing member; and Figure 4 is a view of an alternative shape of securing member which may be used in the performance of this invention.

Referring to Figures 1 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 general form of a right angled isosceles triangle. The sides 3, 4 of the respective parts 1, 2 which are opposite to the right angles are adapted, when the parts 1 and 2 are in operative, mutually engaged positions, to lie adjacent to each other.

Each part is provided with an elongate flange 25, which when the two parts are in their operative positions are closely adjacent (Figure 2), and each of the flanges 25 is provided with two receiving formations, in the form of keyhole apertures 6, 7.

In the drawings the flange 25, and the apertures 6 and 7 of the cover part 2 is signified by the suffix = whilst the flange 25 and apertures 6 and 7 of the cover part 1 are denoted by the suffix h.

When the two cover parts are in their operative positions, as shown in Figure 2, both pairs of apertures 6 6b and 7= 7b are in alignment.

The cover comprises two securing members 30, each comprising a shank of generally circular cross section, and a head 34t, 34b at each end thereof which projects at right angles from the longitudinal axis of the shank. In particular, as can be seen in Figure 3s, the shape of the head is similar to, but slightly smaller than, the shape of the apertures 6 and 7.

Thus as is shown in Figure 3L with the securing member 30 in a first orientation, i.e. in which it is aligned with the apertures 6jamb or 7/7b. the head 34a may be inserted through both of the apertures. The securing member may then be rotated, or allowed to rotate, into the position shown in Figure 3b from which positional movement is prevented by gravity.

In this manner the two cover parts 1 and 2 may be manufactured relatively easily, and may be secured together conveniently whilst in the factory, the two securing members preventing the two cover parts from easily becoming separated. When the cover is inserted in position on the frame, as shown in Figure 1, the two securing members will be retained in their operative positions by gravity, and will be prevented from moving into an orientation in which the two cover parts may be separated, by such factors as vibration.

Notwithstanding, in the event that the cover parts subsequently need to be separated, whether in position on the frame or at a later stage, the securing members may be rotated through 1800 relatively easily, and withdrawn from the apertures, or at least from one of the apertures.

Figure 4 shows an alternative shape of a securing member 30 and it will be appreciated that in such a case, the corresponding apertures would be similarly shaped.

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 (12)

1. A cover for a cover and frame assembly of the kind specified, the cover comprising two parts, each part comprising a receiving formation and the assembly comprising a securing element adapted releasably to engage the two parts in operative relationship, the securing element being retained in an operative position, in which transverse separative movement is prevented, by gravity.

2. A cover according to to claim 1 wherein the securing element may be entered into engagement with the receiving formations in a first orientation, and on being inserted into engagement with the receiving formations is moveable to a second orientation in which subsequent separative movement of the two cover parts is restrained, return movement of the securing member being against the force of gravity.

3. A cover according to claim 1 wherein the securing element is inserted into the receiving formations in a first relative position, move thereof to the operative position involving translational movement thereof, movement of the securing member in the reverse direction being prevented by gravity.

4. A cover according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the securing member is separate from the two cover parts and each of the cover parts is provided with a receiving formation with which the securing member is engageable.

5. A cover according to claim 4 wherein the receiving formations are provided in the faces of the two parts which, when the two parts are in operative positions, are adjacent.

6. A cover according to any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein the securing element is so shaped as to be capable of being inserted into engagement with the two receiving formations by longitudinal movement thereof whilst in a first relative position, movement thereof to the operative position involving rotational or translational movement thereof.

7. A cover according to claim 6 wherein the receiving formations are provided by apertures, in adjacent flanges the cover parts, the securing element comprising head portions, which may be inserted through the apertures when the securing element is aligned with the apertures.

8. A cover according to claim 7 wherein by translational movement of the securing element from alignment with the apertures, the head portions thereof engage behind the apertures to retain the two parts of the cover in operative positions, and to prevent the securing element from being displaced longitudinally thereof from said operative position.

9. A cover according to any one of claims 6 to 8 wherein the rotational movement is about the longitudinal axis of the securing element.

10. A cover substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

11. A cover and frame assembly having a cover according to any one of the preceding claims.

12. Any novel feature or novel combination of features described herein and/or in the accompanying drawings.