GB2427233A

GB2427233A - Isolating device for use with a drain or manhole

Info

Publication number: GB2427233A
Application number: GB0523468A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Donald John Morrison
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-06-18
Filing date: 2005-11-18
Publication date: 2006-12-20
Also published as: GB0512452D0; GB0523468D0

Abstract

The isolating device 3, primarily for use with a drain or manhole 1 to prevent surrounding surface water entering the opening while it is being accessed, comprises an in-use upstanding wall dimensioned to fit within or around the opening and a seal 5, located around the wall, which is designed to form a seal between the wall and the drain/manhole. The wall may comprise a number of segments joined by hinges 7 so that the device can be folded when not in use. The device may also comprise handles 6 to facilitate carrying.

Description

I

Drain/manhole Isolator.

This invention relates to a device for isolating surrounding surface water from blocked drains and/or manholes (sometimes referred to as road gullies') while they are being accessed or about to be accessed.

Conventional methods of cleanng a blocked drain/manhole involve having to remove any surrounding surface water from the area surrounding the drain/manhole before being able to access the inside. This can be costly and time consuming and can cause difficutties with the disposal of this excess surface water. Conventional methods usually employ the use of a specialist vehicle fitted with a suction device such as a Road Sweepers or a Gully Emptying machine'.

To overcome these problems, the present invention proposes an isolator which will be placed into a drain/manhole after the cover has been removed to create a barrier round the drain/manhole. This should significantly reduce the amount of surface water that needs to be removed before accessing the drain/manhole and should allow any work (such as cleanng a blockage) to be carried out without having to remove the surrounding water first and will therefore save time, costs, and solve any difficulties involved with the disposal of this excess water. If the work carried out involves clearing a blockage, the surrounding surface water will then be able to flow naturally into the drain system when the isolating device is removed without the surrounding excess surface water having to be removed first. It will also help to prevent any surface water from flowing into the drain/manhole while it is being accessed.

The invention will preferably fit into the existing drain/manhole thus blocking or significantly reducing the surrounding water from flowing into the drain/manhole while it is being accessed and will be of sufficient height above the surrounding water to prevent the water from flowing over the top of the device, although the invention may also fit around the drain/manhole with another means of preventing or significantly reducing the surrounding water from flowing into the drain/manhole, such as with the use of a seal(s) or such like. These seals would be placed at the most appropriate point and height on the outer side or bottom of the device to aid sealing the device to the drain/manhole or road surface in order to block or significantly reduce the amount of surrounding water from flowing into the drain/manhole while it is being accessed and may also be used to help keep the device in position.

Existing devices are designed to be permanent, for use with drains or manholes without a drainage sump, before they become blocked, whereas the present device is designed to be portable, as an accessory tool to be camed in Road Sweepers or Gully Emptying Machines and the like. It is suitable for use with drains and manholes with or without a sump and is especially suitable as a tool to aid the clearing of a drain or manhole after the drain or manhole has become blocked. The device is quick and easy to use, with very little set up time, making it a time/man-hour and cost saving device when unblocking drains/manholes and will help to dear a larger quantity of blocked drains/manholes in the same amount of time.

The invention may be adaptable so that it can be modified to suit a range of different sizes and shapes of drains/manholes or be made to specific measurements for different sizes and shapes of drains/manholes and depths of surrounding surface water.

Preferably, the invention will be able to fold for ease of storage with these fold(s) being constructed of a hinge(s) or flexible waterproof material such as plastic, rubber or other suitable material. These fold(s) will preferably be placed at an appropriate position, such as along the sides or edges of the device or may be placed at any other suitable position as required and may be attached to the device by use of a suitable means such as glue or other suitable means.

Preferably, the invention will have a form of handle(s) attached for ease of carrying.

Optionally, the invention will be constructed in any shape, size or height to suit differing shapes and sizes of drain/manhole and differing depths of surrounding surface water.

Preferably, the invention will be constructed of plastic, rubber or other suitable material.

An example of the invention will now be described by referring to the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 shows a drain/manhole 1 surrounded by surface water 2.

Figure 2 shows a drain/manhole isolator 3 according to the invention.

Figure 3 shows a drain/manhole isolator 3 according to the invention in relation to it's position to a drain/manhole 1 with the cover removed.

Figures 4, 5, 6 and 7 show alternative constructions of drain/manhole isolators 3.

Figure 8 shows a drain/manhole isolator 3 in position inside the drain/manhole 1 with the cover removed.

Figure 9 shows a drain/manhole isolator 3 in position around the drain/manhole I with the cover removed; and Figure 10 shows a drain/manhole isolator 3 in a folded state.

In figure 3 an isolating device 3 is placed into a drain/manhole I opening. This construction will isolate the drain/manhole I and enable the drain/manhole I to be accessed while reducing or blocking the surface water 2 from entering the drain/manhole 1. This will reduce the amount of surface water 2 that needs to be removed before being able to access a drain/manhole I and will reduce the amount of surface water 2 flowing into the drain/manhole while it is being accessed.

In normal circumstances the surrounding surface water 2 does not rise above kerb level (usually approx 6-8 inches in height) and, as drains/manholes are usually situated beside the kerb, a drain/manhole isolator 3 of approx 12 inches in height would suffice although this height may be decreased or increased to include situations of extreme rainfall or flood conditions. Alternatively, the drain/manhole isolator 3 may be constructed to suit specific height requirements.

The isolating device 3 may have a form of seal(s) 5 or such like placed on the outer waH or bottom of the isolating device 3 at a suitable height to help seal the isolating device 3 against the drain/manhole 1 and the road surface to help prevent surface water 2 from entering the drain/manhole 1.

The isolating device 3 may have a folding means 7 or such like attached where and as necessary for ease of storage.

The isolating device 3 may have a handle(s) 6 or such like attached where and as needed for ease of carrying.

The isolating device 3 may then be removed from around the drain/manhole 1 and may be used again or stored as necessary.

Figure 4 shows an alternative shape of isolating device 3 which is predominantly square in shape and is of a suitable height 4.

Figure 5 shows an alternative shape of isolating device 3 which is predominantly rectangular in shape and is of a suitable height 4.

Figure 6 shows an alternative shape of isolating device 3 which is predominantly triangular in shape and is of suitable height 4.

Figure 7 shows an alternative shape of isolating device 3 which is predominantly circular in shape and is of suitable height 4.

Figure 8 shows a drain/manhole isolator 3 in position inside a drain/manhole I with the cover removed.

Figure 9 shows a drain/manhole isolator 3 in position around a drain/manhole 1 with the cover removed.

Figure 10 shows a drain/manhole isolator 3 in a folded position.

Alternatively, the isolating device 3 may be constructed in any shape, size or height as required.

Preferably, the seal(s) 5 will be constructed of rubber or other suitably watertight material.

Optionally, the isolating device 3 will be constructed of plastic, rubber or other suitable material.

Claims

Claims 1. A drain/manhole isolating device comprising of a unit which

forms a barrier in or around a drain/manhole while they are being accessed or about to be accessed.
2. A drain/manhole isolating device according to claim 1 in which the isolating device fits into the existing drain/manhole.
3. A drain/manhole isolating device according to claim 1 in which the isolating device fits about the existing drain/manhole.
4. A drain/manhole isolating device according to any of the preceding claims in which the isolator is fitted with a folding means in which the folding means may be positioned and adapted as necessary for ease of folding.
5. A drain/manhole isolating device according to any of the preceding claims in which the isolator is fitted with a seal(s) in which the seal(s) may be varied in shape or size as required and placed at a suitable position and height on the isolator.
6. A drain/manhole isolating device according to any of the preceding claims in which the isolator is fitted with a handle(s) which may be placed in a suitable position on the isolator.
7. A drain/manhole isolating device according to any of the preceding claims in which the isolator is made in any shape or size or height as required to fit drains/manholes.
8. A drain/manhole isolating device according to any of the preceding claims in which the isolator is placed in or around a drain/manhole in order to keep the said drain/manhole and cover accessible and free from debris or heavy rainfall or floodwater.