GB2401641A

GB2401641A - Access cover for use with manholes etc.

Info

Publication number: GB2401641A
Application number: GB0311144A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ronald Francis Clark
Original assignee: CLARKSTEEL HOLDINGS Ltd
Current assignee: CLARKSTEEL HOLDINGS Ltd
Priority date: 2003-05-15
Filing date: 2003-05-15
Publication date: 2004-11-17
Anticipated expiration: 2023-05-15
Also published as: GB0311144D0; GB2401641B

Abstract

The access cover, which is designed to receive an infill such as a settable material or one or more slabs, is in the form of a tray with two lifting devices that each comprise a receptacle 14 and a handle 15 that is extendable from and retractable into the receptacle. Each handle comprises a first lifting part 21 and a second bearing part 22 that is pivotable relative to the receptacle, with the first and second parts being pivotably connected together. The second part is preferably in the form of an arm journalled at one end to the receptacle and pivotally connected to the first lifting part at its other end. The first lifting part preferably comprises a stem portion connected at one end to the second part and a head portion 25 at its other end with the head portion extending transversely to opposite sides of the stem portion. The tray and lifting devices are preferably made from plastic. Each lifting device also preferably includes a body portion 27 that is attached to a respective side wall of the tray and a plate 28 which is interposed between the body portion and the respective side wall. Each lifting device also preferably includes a removable lid 29 for closing the receptacle when the handle is in a retracted position.

Description

2401 641

AN ACCESS COVER

This invention relates to an access cover for manholes and the like and more particularly relates to such a cover designed to receive an infil in the form, for example, of a gettable material or one or more slabs.

Traditionally, infil covers have keyways and separate keys are provided which co-operate with the keyways so that the cover can be raised or lowered relative to an access hole.

Our co-pending British Patent Application No. 0300838.0 discloses an infil cover having two lifting devices each of which comprises a T-shaped receptacle and a handle slidably extendible from and retractable into the receptacle but held captive relative to the receptacle. These lifting devices are suitable where the depth of the infil cover allows the use of a lifting device that enables a comfortable space between the lifting fingers and the handle once the handle is extended from the receptacle.

However, many infil covers are of shallow depth, typically 40 to 45 mm, this being necessary due to the limited rebate depth on site to receive such a cover.

According to the present invention there is provided an access cover shaped to receive an infil, the cover being in the form of a tray and having two titling device, each comprising a receptacle and a handle extendible from and retractable into the receptacle, wherein each handle comprises a first lifting part and a second bearing part pivotable relative to the receptacle, the first and second parts being pivotably connected together.

Preferred and/or optional features of the present invention are set forth in claims 2 to 9, inclusive.

The invention will now be more particularly described, by way example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of an access cover according to the present invention, Figure 2 is a perspective exploded view of one of the lifting devices of the cover shown in Figure 1, Figure 3 is a perspective view of the lifting device in a closed position, and Figure 4 is a rear view of the lifting device in a fully extended condition with the plate of the receptacle removed for clarity.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown therein an access cover 10 which may be of plastics material, typically polypropylene, and which is designed to receive an infil, such as gettable material. The cover is in the form of a rectangular tray having a horizontal base 11 and substantially vertical side walls 12.

The cover has two lifting devices 13 bolted to the inside of opposite side walls 12 of the tray.

Each lifting device 13 may also be of plastics material, typically nylon, and comprises a receptacle 14 and a handle 15 extendible from and retractable into the receptacle. The handle 15 is held captive relative to the receptacle 14.

Each receptacle 14 defines a cavity 16 having cylindrical bosses 17 adjacent opposite ends. Each boss 17 has a through hole 18 for receiving a bolt 19. Each end wall of the receptacle has an internal part cylindrical recess 20 adjacent to and co- axial with a respective boss 17.

Each handle 15 comprises a first lifting part 21 and a second bearing part 22.

Each second part 22 is in the form of an arm journalled at its one end to one of the bosses 17 and within a respective recess 20. It is pivotably connected at its other end by a pivot pin 23 to the first lifting part 21.

Each first part 21 comprises a stem portion 24 pivotably connected at one end by the pivot pin 23 to the second part and a head portion 25 at its other end. The head portion 25 extends transversely to opposite sides of the stem portion 24.

Figure 4 shows the lifting device 13 fully extended. In order to retract the lifting device 13 into the receptacle 14, the lifting device 13 is manipulated so that the second part 22 pivots clockwise, as viewed in Figure 4, and the first part 21 pivots relative to the second part anticlockwise as viewed in Figure 4. When in a fully retracted position, the head 25 of the first part 21 of the lifting device rests on shoulders 26 formed internally within the receptacle 14.

Each receptacle comprises a body portion 27 and a separate plate 28. The plate 28 is interposed between the respective body portion 27 and a respective side wall 12 of the cover 10. The side walls 12 are very slightly inclined to the vertical and the thickness of each plate 28 is downwardly tapered to compensate for the very slight inclination of the side walls 12 to ensure that the handles 15 lift vertically. This gives a straighter lift.

Each lifting device 13 has a removable lid 29 for closing the receptacle 14 when the handle 15 is in a retracted condition.

Each lid 29 has two depending pegs 30 (only one of which is shown) which are press fittable in respective holes 31 in the upper surface of the receptacle 14, to locate the lid 29 in place.

When it is desired to raise or lower the cover 1O, the lid 31 is removed from each of the receptacles 14 and the handle l 5 is raised to extend the lifting device.

The provision of integral lifting devices 13 facilitates raising and lowering of the cover and the provision of a handle l S formed of two pivotable parts reduces the overall depth of the lifting device.

The lifting devices described above are particularly suitable for use with relatively shallow infil covers, typically having a depth of 40 to 45 mm.

The embodiment described above is given by way of example only and various modifications will be apparent to persons skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. For example the tray to and lifting devices 13 could be of other appropriate materials, including metal, and the side walls 12 of the tray could be inclined at a greater angle rather than being substantially vertical.

Claims

An access cover shaped to receive an infil, the cover being in the form of a tray and having two lifting devices comprising a receptacle and a handle extendible from and retractable into the receptacle, wherein each handle comprises a first lifting part and a second bearing part pivotable relative to the receptacle, the first and second parts being pivotably connected together.
2. An access cover as claimed in claim 1, wherein each second part is in the form of an arm journalled at its one end to the receptacle and pivotably connected at its other end to the first part.
3. An access cover as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein each first part comprises a stem portion pivotably connected at one end to the second part and a head portion at its other end, the head portion extending transversely to opposite sides of the stem portion.
4. An access cover as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the tray and lifting devices are formed of plastics material.
5. An access cover as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the tray is rectangular and has an in use horizontal base and in use vertical or substantially vertical sides.
6. An access cover as claimed in claim 5, wherein each lifting device further comprises a body portion and a separate plate. s
7. An access cover as claimed in claim 6, wherein the body portion is attached to a respective side wall of the tray and the plate is interposed between the body portion and said respective side wall.
8. An access cover as claimed in claim 7, wherein the thickness of the plate is downwardly tapered.
9. An access cover as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein each lifting device has a removable lid for closing the receptacle when the handle is in a retracted condition.
10. An access cover substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying arawlngs.