GB2347959A

GB2347959A - Organic tile cover for trench

Info

Publication number: GB2347959A
Application number: GB0006322A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Anthony Green
Original assignee: ASG CONTRACTORS Ltd
Current assignee: ASG CONTRACTORS Ltd
Priority date: 1999-03-16
Filing date: 2000-03-16
Publication date: 2000-09-20
Also published as: GB9905871D0; GB0006322D0

Abstract

A tile cover 20 has locating means for locating over the trench opening. The tile is made of at least one organic material, preferably a recycled organic material. The organic material may be rubber, plastics, cardboard, paper or wood. The tile is reinforced with corrugated sheet steel reinforcement 36, Fig 3 or box-section reinforcement. The upper surface 26 of the tile cover is non-slip. There may also be hollow sections 74, Fig 6 extending between opposing edges 66, 68, Fig 6.

Description

IMPROVED TILE COVER Field of the Invention The present invention relates to tile covers and in particular although not exclusively to tile covers constructed from materials yielding improved resistance to weathering compared with prior art tile covers.

Background to the Invention In order to supply services such as gas, electricity and the like to buildings it is known to lay the pipes containing the services in trenches dug in the ground which run from the central points of the services to the buildings. Here in order to conceal the pipes it is known to cover the tops of the trenches in order not to obstruct pedestrian and vehicle traffic and the like.

Similarly trenching is used widely to conceal pipework and cabling at many industrial sites and is particularly used at power stations and the like where it is inconvenient or highly dangerous to employ overhead cabling.

Referring to Figure 1 herein, there is illustrated schematically a prior art means for covering a trench containing a pipe for supplying gas, electricity and the like. Pipe 10 has been laid within a ground trench 12 which has been dug in the ground and lined with concrete to form a ducting. In order to maintain access to the pipe 10 once it has been installed it is known to place a series of removable covers 14 on top of the exposed trench in order to allow access to the pipes etc. for maintenance, replacement and the like. The prior art covers are constructed in a range of lengths, typically, 30 centimetres to 1 metre. It has been known for many years to construct such trench covers from concrete. In order to improve the load bearing properties of trench covers it is known to embed within the concrete, during manufacture, a welded steel mesh 16. The strength of the prior art trench cover, which is also known herein as a tile, to withstand a given load is determined by the thickness of the tile. In order to securely locate the trench cover 14 within the top of the trench it is known to form the trench cover to have two indented channels 18 running on either side of trench cover 14 in order to securely locate the trench cover within the top of trench 12 and prevent lateral movement of the trench cover.

However, there are significant problems associated with the use of steel meshed reinforced concrete trench covers such as described hereinbefore. In particular, the concrete is prone to fracture due to effects of traffic, weathering and the like. Additionally, the properties of concrete change as it ages with the result that concrete trench covers have a tendency to become brittle over time.

Fracture tends to occur at weak points such as comers of the trench cover and once a corner has fracture then, due to unequal loading on the two edges of the trench cover, wear occurs more rapidly. Ultimately, the trench cover can become so damaged that it is no longer supported on its edges and falls into the trench.

Prior art trench covers constructed from concrete are both heavy and inflexible, and since the trench cover has such a large weight it is likely that it will damage the pipes contained within the trench as it falls. Additionally, because of the inflexibility of the concrete material comprising prior art trench covers they are not particularly resistant to shock loads and it is likely that the trench cover will shatter exposing the encased steel mesh. The exposed steel mesh may, as a result, puncture gas mains, electricity supplies etc. with the obvious attendant danger.

Additionally, sharp edges of the exposed steel mesh could pose a danger to a person falling into the trench.

While the lifetime of trench covers is highly variable depending on the location, etc. an average lifetime for a prior art trench cover might be of the order of ten years. When it is time to replace prior art trench covers it is necessary to dump the old trench covers because it is not economically advantageous to recycle any of the materials.

It is important that improved covers be made for trenches and the like which have a greater resistance to weathering than current covers. Additionally, it is important that improved tile covers be developed which are less likely to damage pipework or result in exposed metal work which can damage pipes and/or cause injury.

Summary of the Invention According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a tile cover comprising: a first substantially planar upper surface; a lower surface located adjacent to said first planar surface, wherein said second substantially planar surface is substantially co-planar with said first planar surface; at least one edge surface connecting a corresponding respective at least one edge of said first and said second surfaces; and wherein said tile cover is composed of at least one organic material.

Preferably said tile cover is configurable for covering at least a portion of a ground trench.

The tile cover conveniently overlies the trench and is supported by the edges thereof over the opening of the trench. The tile cover may be provided with locating means for further locating said tile cover over the opening. Locating means may be provided by a groove or pair of grooves in the lower surface one each at opposite edges of the tile cover so that the grooves engage respective opposing edges of the opening of the trench. Edges of the trench may be rebated or likewise grooved to correspond to the grooves in the tile cover so that the upper surface of the tile cover is substantially level with the surrounding ground. The tile cover may be provided with reinforcing means embedded within the tile cover and which reinforcing means might conveniently be placed in each tile cover along a trench length alternatively may be deployed those tile covers at designated crossing points where heavier and or more repeated loads are experienced.

The reinforcing means for the tile cover may be provided by any convenient material such as, for example, steel. In one embodiment corrugated steel sheet is used which may have a thickness in the range of 1 millimetre to 10 millimetres.

Altematively said reinforcing means may be provided by box-section steel which may be further provided by a single length of box-section steel or a plurality of such lengths embedded in the tile cover.

The organic material comprising this tile cover may be produced by recycling at least one waste organic material, such as; -rubber compound; -waste plastics material; -cardboard; and -paper.

Alternatively the organic material may be or may comprise a cellulose based organic material such as compressed wood fibres.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a tile cover for covering at least a portion of a ground trench and the like comprising: a substantially planar upper surface; a lower surface located adjacent to said substantially planar upper surface, wherein said lower surface is substantially co-planar with said upper planar surface; at least one edge surface connecting a corresponding respective at least one edge of said first and said second surfaces; and wherein said tile cover is composed of at least one substantially weather-proof material.

Alternatively said reinforcing means may be provided by box-section steel which may be further provided by a single length of box-section steel or a plurality of lengths embedded in the tile cover.

The weather proof material comprising this tile cover may be an organic material which may be produced by recycling at least one waste organic material, such as: -rubber compound; -waste plastics material ; -cardboard; and -paper.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a tile cover for covering at least a portion of a trench and the like comprising: a substantially planar upper surface; a lower surface located adjacent to said first planar surface, wherein said second substantially planar surface is substantially co-planar with said first planar surface ; at least one hollow section intermediate and parallel to the upper and lower surfaces extending between opposing edges of the tile cover.

The tile cover may be manufactured from any suitable material, such as plastics. Such as glass-reinforced plastics, composite polymers and the like or an organic material which may be produced by recycling at least one waste organic material, such as ; -rubber compound; -waste plastics material ; -cardboard; and -paper.

Where the colour of the tile is unimportant, such as in most industrial applications, the use of recycled materials is ideal. Unfortunately recycled material does not take colouring, it is usually black or dark gray. Thus where a colour is required to blend into a particular environment, like say a National Park, then the fresh materials are preferred as these will respond well to colouring.

The tile cover may be provided with a convenient number of parallel hollow sections having walls therebetween and arranged to be aligned across the width of the trench when the tile cover is deployed over an opening thereof.

In one preferred embodiment of the third aspect of the present invention five hollow sections are used extending between opposing edges of the tile cover and which edges may be provided with locating means for locating said tile cover over the opening of the trench.

Said locating means may be provided by a pair of grooves in the lower surface each one on an opposing edge of the tile cover and adapted to engage respective edges of the trench.

The grooves may be formed integrally in the tile cover, e. g. where the tile cover is moulded in a plastics material. Alternatively the grooves may be cut or machined in the tile cover after forming or molding said cover.

In use the trench may be prepared so that its edges are similarly grooved to receive tile covers with the effect that the upper surfaces thereof are substantially level with the surrounding ground.

It will appreciated that the grooves will bisect the hollow section or sections across each end thereof thereby reducing the area of the lower surface of the tile cover in direct contact with the edges of the trench. In some circumstances this may be acceptable, and indeed there may be advantages where the exposed sections and edges of the walls therebetween can bed into the edges of the trench.

Where a substantially planar lower surface needs to be maintained, even to its edges, the exposed parts of the hollow sections which are bisected by the grooves may be closed off by means of additional planar surfaces intermediate the upper and lower surfaces of the tile cover.

The additional planar surfaces may be formed integrally with the tile cover, for example, when the grooves are themselves formed integrally during manufacture. Alternatively the surfaces may be provided by strips of material bonded, welded or otherwise attached to the exposed part of each groove.

The, at least one, hollow section may be provided with reinforcing means extending along the length of said section. Where a plurality of hollow sections are deployed each may be provided with a reinforcing means or where the construction allows alternate sections only may be provided with a reinforcing means.

In a preferred embodiment the reinforcing means is provided by means of a length of box-section steel of a cross section to correspond with the cross section of the hollow section of a dimension to provide an interference fit within said hollow section.

The reinforcing means may be provided by any suitable construction or material. For example a circular cross section may be used in steel or in carbon fibre or in nylon. It will be appreciated that any suitable material having the required strength may be employed to construct the reinforcing means.

The reinforcing means preferably extend the entire width of the tile cover thereby providing additional strength to the tile cover when supported by opposing edges of the trench.

The reinforcing means may be suitably deformed at each end e. g. by flattening so as not to extend unduly into the grooves. Alternatively reinforcing means may be cut down to substantially match the depth of the grooves.

Tile covers in accordance with any aspect of the present invention may be provided with a non-slip area on the upper surface thereof. The non-slip area may be provided by any convenient means, such as embedded grit. Alternative means include molding ribs on the upper surface or machining grooves thereon.

Brief Description of the Drawings For a better understanding of the invention and to show how the same may be carried into effect, there will now be described by way of example only, specific embodiments, methods and processes according to the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 2 is a perspective view of an improved tile cover according to a first embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 is a side view of the improved tile cover of Figure 2 and shows the location of a corrugated steel strengthening means contained within the tile cover according to a specific implementation of the present invention; Figure 4 is a perspective view of an improved tile cover according to a second embodiment of the present invention; Figure 5 is a side view of the tile cover of Figure 4 and shows a corrugated steel reinforcing member embedded within the tile cover according to a specific implementation of the present invention; Figure 6 is a perspective view from above and one end of a tile cover according to a third embodiment of the present invention; Figure 7 is an end elevation of the tile cover of Figure 6; Figure 8 is a part-sectional underneath plan of the tile cover of Figure 6; Figure 9 is a section on the line IX-IX of Figure 8; Figure 10 is a perspective view from above and one end of a tile cover according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention; Figure 11 is an end elevation of the tile cover of Figure 10; Figure 12 is a section on the line Xtt-Xi ! of Figure 11; Figure 13 is a perspective view from above and one end of a tile cover according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention; Figure 14 is an end elevation of the tile cover of Figure 13; Figure 15 is a section on the line XV-XV of Figure 13; Figure 16 is a perspective view from above and one end of a tile cover according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention; Figure 17 is an end elevation of the tile cover of Figure 16; Figure 18 is a part-section on the line XVIII-XVIII of Figure 16.

Detailed Description of the Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention There will now be described by way of example the best mode contemplated by the inventor for carrying out the invention. In the following description numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be apparent however, to one skilled in the art, that the present invention may be practiced without limitation to these specific details. In other instances, well known methods and structures have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure the present invention.

Specific methods according to the present invention as described herein are directed towards tile covers which are also known as ground trench covers, for covering ductings and the like. The ductings may contain pipes for carrying electricity cables, gas pipes, telephone lines and the like. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the scope of the claims are not limited to tile covers for ductings carrying cables, etc.

Referring to Figure 2 herein, there illustrated schematically an improved tile cover 20 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The tile cover has a substantially planar rectangular upper surface 22 parallel to a co-planar lower surface 24. Preferably, said upper surface 22 may be configured during manufacture to have a textured, anti-slip surface 26. The improved tile cover, according to a first embodiment of the present invention is configured to have a first groove 28 in the direction parallel to the side of the tile cover 30 and second groove 32 configured to be parallel to a second side 34 of the improved tile cover.

Grooves 28 and 32 run a full length of tile cover 20 and grooves 28 and 32 are configured to be substantially parallel to each other and have a same length. Tile cover 20, when viewed in section substantially orthogonal to a main length of grooves 28 and 32, has a substantially constant cross-section being"T"shaped in character.

Grooves 28 and 32 are configured so as to locate tile cover 20 securely over an open top of a ground trench and the like. According to a first embodiment of the present invention, grooves 28 and 32 of improved tile cover 20 are configured to prevent lateral movement of improved tile cover 20 when it is located in place on top of a trench and the like.

Referring to Figure 3 herein, there is illustrated in an end view of improved tile cover 20 according to a first embodiment to the present invention. In Figure 3, improved tile cover 20 is viewed in a direction substantially at right angles to a direction of a main length of grooves 28 and 32. Indicated by line 36 is shown the approximate position of a sheet of reinforcing means embedded within tile 20.

Embedded reinforcing means 36 provides additional lateral rigidity to the tile cover. Embedded reinforcing means 36 is introduced into the tile cover during manufacture. Preferably, reinforcing means 36 is formed from a sheet of corrugated steel. The steel which reinforcing means is formed may have a thickness in the range 1 millimeter to 10 millimeters. Preferably, the steel which is formed into reinforcing means 36 has a thickness of 5 millimeters. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the claims of the present invention are not limited in scope by precise details of the composition and shape of the reinforcing means.

Alternatively, reinforcing means 36 may comprise a fabricated steel member. Preferably, the fabricated steel member is box-like in section. The boxsection reinforcing means may be formed from substantially a single sheet of steel, being folded such that it comprises a substantially rectangular upper surface, a substantially rectangular lower surface located parallel to said upper surface, wherein said lower surface has a substantially same shape as said upper surface and is located substantially adjacent to said upper surface; a first elongate side member having a substantially rectangular shape configured such that a first elongate upper edge of said side member is joined to a corresponding elongate edge of said upper surface and a second lower elongate edge is joined to a corresponding respective edge of said lower surface. Additionally, there is a second elongate rectangular side member having a substantially same shape as said first elongate member and being located such that each edge of said second elongate side member is parallel with the corresponding respective edge of said first elongate side member. An upper edge of said second elongate side member is joined to a corresponding second elongate edge of said upper surface and a second elongate edge of said second side member is joined to a second elongate edge of said lower surface. The box-section reinforcing means may be fabricated by welding separate sheets of steel. Alternatively, box-section reinforcing means may also be fabricated by folding a single sheet of steel.

According to a specific embodiment of the present invention, improved tile cover 20 is formed from organic materials such as recycled rubber compound and/or recycled waste plastics material and/or compressed recycled paper and/or compressed recycled cardboard or other cellulose based material. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the claims are not limited to tile covers composed of materials such as recycled rubber, recycled waste plastics material, recycled paper or recycled cardboard. Preferably, the improved tile cover 20 maybe formed from materials as described herein before wherein said materials are mixed with at least one adhesive compound.

Additionally, tile cover 20 may be extracted from the sources of cellulose such as compressed wood fibers and the like.

Constructing a tile cover 20 from organic recyclable materials such as described herein before yields several advantages over prior art reinforced concrete tile covers. In particular, improved tile covers as described herein are significantly more resistant to weathering than prior art concrete tile covers. A tile cover constructed from recycled material, according to the best mode described herein, would be expected to last approximately twice as long as a similarly shaped prior art concrete tile cover when exposed to similar traffic and/or weathering conditions. While an average lifetime of a prior art concrete tile cover may be of the order 10 years an improved tile cover 20 is likely to have a lifetime of approximately 20 years. Additionally, tile covers constructed from recycled rubber and the like are significantly more flexible than prior art concrete tile covers. This has the advantage that the improved tite covers are more resistant to repeated loading by traffic and the like. Furthermore, an improved tile cover such as described herein is less likely to shatter when dropped and, because of increased flexibility of edges of an improved tile cover, is less likely to damage pipe work, etc. should the tile cover be dropped into a ground trench. The increased resistance to shattering of the improved tile cover also results in a reduced risk of sharp edges from the reinforcing means embedded within the tile cover becoming exposed and damaging pipe work or causing injury.

Referring to Figure 4 herein, there is illustrated a perspective view of an improved tile cover according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

The tile cover 40 comprises a substantially planar upper surface 42 being square or rectangular in shape. Preferably, said upper surface 42 may be configured to have a texture anti-slip finish during manufacture of the tile cover. Additionally, the tile cover 40 has a second lower surface 44 located substantially adjacent to said upper surface 42. Lower surface 44 having a substantially planar central section which is substantially parallel to said upper surface 42. Upper surface 42 and lower surface 4 are connected by four edge surfaces 48,50,52 and 54.

Improved tile cover 40 is, according to a first aspect of the present invention, moulded from a mixture of recycled materials. Preferably, tile cover 40 is constructed from a mixture of a recycled rubber compound and/or recycled waste plastics material and/or compressed recycled paper or cardboard.

Improved tile cover 40 also includes a reinforcing means 56 which is embedded into tile cover 40 during manufacture of the tile cover. Preferably, the reinforcing means is constructed from corrugated steel having a thickness in the range 1 millimeter to 10 millimeters. Preferably, reinforcing means 56 is constructed from steel having thickness of 5 millimeters.

Referring now to the embodiment illustrated in Figures 6,7,8 and 9, a tile cover 60 comprises a planar upper surface 62, a lower surface 64 parallel thereto, and two pairs of opposing edges 66,68 and 70,72. There is provided a plurality of hollow sections 74 intermediate and parallel to the upper and lower surfaces 62 and 64 and which extend between opposing edges 66 and 68. As can be seen, adjoining hollow sections 74 have walls 76 therebetween.

Grooves 78 and 80 are provided in the lower surface 64 each on an opposing edge 66 and 68 respectively and adapted to engage respective edges of a trench (not shown).

A non-slip area 82 is formed on the upper surface 62 as shown in this embodiment, by means of embedded grit therein.

It can be seen, in Figure 6 especially, that the grooves 78 and 80 bisect the hollow sections 74 and that in this embodiment the area of the lower surface 64 in contact with the edge of the trench (not shown) is somewhat reduced.

Figures 10,11 and 12 illustrate an embodiment which maintains a constant area of lower surface for contact with the edge of the trench. In this embodiment a tile cover 90 comprises a planar upper surface 92, a lower surface 94 parallel thereto, two pairs of opposing edges 96,98 and 100,102, and hollow sections 104 intermediate and parallel to the upper and lower surfaces 92 and 94 and which extend between opposing edges 96 and 98. As before hollow sections 104 have walls 106 therebetween.

Grooves 108 and 110 are provided in the lower surface 94 each one on an opposing edge 96,98 respectively and adapted to engage respective edges of a trench (not shown), and provided with an integral lower surface 112 formed integrally with said tile 90. It will be appreciated that the surface 112 could be formed separately and attached to the tile 90 by any convenient means such as by welding or adhesive.

Referring now to Figures 13,14 and 15, a tile cover 120 comprises a planar upper surface 122, a lower surface 124 parallel thereto, and two pairs of opposing edges 126,128 and 130,132, a plurality of hollow sections 134 intermediate and parallel to the upper and lower surfaces 122 and 124 and which extend between the opposing edges 126 and 128 and which hollow sections 134 have walls 136 therebetween.

Once again grooves 138 and 140 are provided in the lower surface 124 each one on an opposing edge 126 and 128 respectively and adapted to engage respective edges of a trench (not shown).

In this embodiment alternate hollow sections 134 are each provided with elongate box sections 142 by means of reinforcement. It will be appreciated from and as can be seen particularly in, Figures 13 and 15 that the elongate box sections 142 in order to be effective have to extend substantially along the full distance between opposite edges 126 and 128 of the tile 120. This results in the depth of grooves 138 and 140 being reduced. This may result in the grooves 138 and 140 not properly seating upon respective edges of the trench (not shown).

Figures 16,17 and 20 illustrate an embodiment which incorporates elongate reinforcement but again improves the constancy of the area of lower surface in contact with the trench. In this embodiment a tile cover 150 comprises a planar upper surface 152, a lower 154 parallel thereto, and two pairs of opposing edges 156,158 and 160,162, together with a plurality of hollow sections 164 intermediate and parallel to the upper and lower surfaces 152 and 154 and which extend between opposing edges 156 and 158. Again adjoining hollow sections 164 have walls 166 therebetween.

Grooves 168 and 170 are provided in the lower surface 154 each one at an opposing edge 156 and 158 respectively and adapted to engage respective edges of a trench (not shown). Again alternate hollow sections 164 are provided with elongate box section reinforcement 172 but in this embodiment the box section elements 172 are deformed at respective ends 174 and 176 thereof to reduce the proportion of said elements 172 which encroach into the respective grooves 168 and 170.

Claims

Claims :

1. A tile cover comprising: a first substantially planar upper surface; a lower surface located adjacent to said first planar surface, wherein said second substantially planar surface is substantially parallel to said first planar surface; at least one edge surface connecting a corresponding respective at least one edge of said first and said second surfaces; and wherein said tile cover is composed of at least one organic material.

2. A tile cover as claimed in claim 1, wherein said tile cover is configurable for covering at least a portion of a trench.

3. A tile cover as claimed in claim 1, wherein said tile cover further comprises a locating means for locating said tile cover over an opening of a ground trench.

4. A tile cover as claimed in claim 1, wherein said tile cover further comprises a reinforcing means embedded within said tile cover.

5. A tile cover as claimed in claim 4, wherein said reinforcing means is a corrugated steel sheet.

6. A tile cover as claimed in claim 4, wherein said corrugated steel sheet is comprised of a steel sheet having a thickness in the range of 1 millimetre to 10 millimetres.

7. A tile cover as claimed in claim 4, wherein said reinforcing means is a box-section steel reinforcing means.

8. A tile cover as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least one organic material is produced by recycling at least one waste organic material.

9. A tile cover as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least one recycled waste organic material is selected from the set: -rubber compound; -waste plastics material; -cardboard; and -paper.

10. A tile cover as claimed in claim 1, wherein said organic material is a cellulose based organic material.

11. A tile cover as claimed in claim 10, wherein said cellulose based organic material is compressed wood fibres.

12. A tile cover for covering at least a portion of a trench and the like comprising: a substantially planar upper surface; a lower surface located adjacent to said substantially planar upper surface, wherein said lower surface is substantially parallel to said upper planar surface; at least one edge surface connecting a corresponding respective at least one edge of said first and said second surfaces ; and wherein said tile cover is composed of at least one substantially weather-proof material.

13. A tile cover as claimed in claim 12, wherein said tile cover further comprises a reinforcing means embedded within said tile cover.

14. A tile cover as claimed in claim 13, wherein said reinforcing means is a corrugated steel sheet.

15. A tile cover as claimed in claim 14, wherein said corrugated steel sheet is comprised of a steel sheet having a thickness in the range of 1 millimetre to 10 millimetres.

16. A tile cover as claimed in claim 12, wherein said substantially weather proof material comprises of at least one organic material.

17. A tile cover as claimed in claim 16, wherein said at least one organic material comprises at least one recycled waste organic material.

18. A tile cover as claimed in claimed 17, wherein said at least one recycled waste organic material is selected from the set: -rubber compound; -waste plastics ; -cardboard; and -paper.

19. A tile cover for covering at least a portion of a trench and the like comprising: a substantially planar upper surface; a lower surface located adjacent to said first planar surface, wherein said second substantially planar surface is substantially co-planar with said first planar surface; at least one hollow section intermediate and parallel to the upper and lower surfaces extending between opposing edges of the tile cover.

20. A tile cover as claimed in claim 19 wherein the tile cover is manufactured from a plastics material.

21. A tile cover as claimed in claim 19 wherein the tile cover is manufactured from an organic material which may be produced by recycling at least one waste organic material selected from the set; -rubber compound; -waste plastics ; -cardboard; -paper.

22. A tile cover as claimed in any one of claims 19 to 21 wherein the tile cover is provided with a number of parallel hollow sections having walls therebetween and arrange to be aligned across the width of the trench when the tile cover is deployed over an opening thereof.

23. A tile cover as claimed in claim 22 wherein five hollow sections are provided extending between opposing edges of the tile cover.

24. A tile cover as claimed in claim 23 wherein said opposing edges are provided with locating means for locating said tile cover over the opening of the trench.

25. A tile cover as claimed in claim 24 wherein said locating means are provided by a pair of grooves in the lower surface each one on an opposing edge of the tile cover and adapted to engage respective edges of the trench.

26. A tile cover as claimed in claim 25 wherein the grooves are formed integrally in the tile cover.

27. A tile cover as claimed in claim 25 wherein the grooves are cut into the tile cover after its manufacture.

28. A tile cover as claimed in any one of claims 24 to 27 wherein the exposed parts of the hollow sections which are bisected by the grooves are closed off by means of additional planar surfaces intermediately upper and lower surfaces of the tile cover.

29. A tile cover as claimed in claim 28 wherein the additional planar surfaces are formed integrally with the tile cover.

30. A tile cover as claimed in claim 28 wherein the additional planar surfaces are provided by strips of material attached to the exposed parts of each groove.

31. A tile cover as claimed in any one of claims 19 to 30 wherein at least one hollow section is provided with reinforcing means extending along its length.

32. A tile cover as claimed in claim 31 wherein a plurality of hollow sections are deployed and each being provided with a reinforcing means.

33. A tile cover as claimed in claim 31 wherein a plurality of hollow sections are deployed and alternate sections thereof are provided with a reinforcing means.

34. A tile cover as claimed in any one of claims 31 to 33 wherein the reinforcing means is provided by means of a length of box-section steel of a cross section to correspond with the cross section of the hollow section and of a dimension to provide an interference fit within a hollow section.

35. A tile cover as claimed in any one of claims 31 to 33 wherein the reinforcing means is provided by a length of circular cross section material.

36. A tile cover as claimed in any one of claims 31 to 35 wherein the material for constructing the reinforcing means is carbon fibre.

37. A tile cover as claimed in any one of claims 31 to 35 wherein the material for constructing the reinforcing means is nylon.

38. A tile cover as claimed in any one of claims 31 to 37 wherein the reinforcing means extend the entire width of the tile cover.

39. A tile cover as claimed in any of one of claims 31 to 38 wherein the reinforcing means is suitably deformed at each end thereof.

40. A tile cover as claimed in any of one of claims 31 to 38 wherein the reinforcing means are cut down at each end thereof to substantially match the depth of grooves.

41. A tile cover as claimed in any preceding claim wherein a non-slip surface is provided on the upper surface thereof.

42. A tile cover as claimed in claim 41 wherein the non-slip surface is provided by embedded grit in the upper surface thereof.

43. A tile cover as claimed in claim 41 wherein the non-slip surface is provided by moulding ribs on the upper surface thereof.

44. A tile cover as claimed in claim 41 wherein the non-slip surface is provided by cutting grooves in the upper surface thereof.

45. A tile cover for covering at least a portion of a trench and the like substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 2 and 3 of the accompanying drawings.

46. A tile cover for covering at least a portion of a trench and the like substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 4 and 5 of the accompanying drawings.

47. A tile cover for covering at least a portion of a trench and the like substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 6 to 18 of the accompanying drawings.