GB2431214A

GB2431214A - A capping assembly for use with a rodding eye

Info

Publication number: GB2431214A
Application number: GB0620048A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David John Walters
Original assignee: Thames Water Utilities Ltd
Current assignee: Thames Water Utilities Ltd
Priority date: 2005-10-11
Filing date: 2006-10-10
Publication date: 2007-04-18
Also published as: GB0620048D0; GB0520668D0

Abstract

A set of parts 6' for assembly to provide a cap for a rodding eye 5 of a pipe 3 comprises a seal 7, 8 adapted for closing the rodding eye 5, and a device for maintaining the seal in position on the rodding eye 5, the arrangement being that when assembled, the device is inserted through the rodding eye 5 and secured to the seal 7, 8 to provide a cap for the rodding eye 5. The device preferably comprises a stud (10, figure 2), a stirrup device 14 and an elongate member (15, figure 2). The seal preferably comprises a plate member 7 and a gasket 8.

Description

1 2431214

A SET OF PARTS FOR USE WITH A RODDINC EYE

The invention relates to a set of parts for use with a rodding eye, more particularly to a set of parts to provide a cap for a rodding eye of a pipe, and to a cap assembled from the set of parts.

There is required a device adapted to mitigate the effects of pollution and flooding for sewerage systems.

A significant proportion of Victorian, Edwardian arid pre-war suburban properties comprise separate or partially separate drainage systems. Foul drainage from toilets and sinks etc. is conveyed in a pipe to a Public foul water sewer, typically in the highway, which in tm-n conveys sewage to a sewage treatment works. Surface water from the property such as runoff from the roof or paved areas is conveyed in a separate pipe to a Public surface water sewer, typically also in the highway, which may in turn connect to a watercourse or stream.

At many properties, it has been common practice for builders to construct a single inspection chamber to provide access to both the foul and surface water drains which typically run parallel in close proximity. These chambers may be referred to as dual' inspection chambers. In most cases, the foul drainage runs in an open channel through the inspection chamber and may pass through an interceptor' or U' bend to connect to the Public sewer. The surface water pipe may be encased within a concrete floor or benching' of the chamber, with a small opening or rodding eye' provided for the purpose of maintenance. When built, a clayware cap would have been installed within the opening to ensure the two systems remained separate within the dual inspection chamber.

Over time, the clayware caps on the surface water rodding eyes are removed or lost. As such, in the event of a blockage in the foul water sewer or drain, there is potential for the sewage level to back up and overspill into the surface water rodding eye. As the surface water sewer may connect to a watercourse, there is likelihood that a pollution incident will result from the overspill.

With many hundred such properties within a surface water catchment, the task of tracing pollution incidents is complex and time-consuming. When a pollution incident can be traced and attributed to a missing rodding eye cap, there is an urgent requirement effectively to seal off the aperture to prevent further events. However, there is a significant range of shapes and sizes of rodding eyes from the wide variety suppliers used by builders over many years. As such the likelihood of obtaining the correct shape and size cap is remote.

It is an object of the present invention to seek to mitigate the effects of foul sewage pollution incidents due to missing surface water rodding eyes caps.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a set of parts for assembly to provide a cap for a rodding eye of a pipe, comprising a seal adapted for closing a rodding eye, and means for maintaining the seal in position on the rodding eye, the arrangement being that when assembled the means is insertable through the rodding eye and secured to the seal to provide a cap for the rodding eye.

Using the invention, it is possible to provide a "universal" rodding eye cap or plate to seal off the rodding eye, i.e. the cap or plate can seal a variety of shapes of sizes of a rodding eye.

The seal may comprise plate means. This is suitably of sufficient area in plan to cover, and seal off, a variety of ranges and shapes and sizes of rodding eyes.

Suitably, there may be a gasket for cooperation with a plate, and, in use, the rodding eye.

The means for maintaining the seal in position may comprise a stud, a stirrup device and an elongate member, the arrangement being such that the stud and stirrup may be releasably assemblable via suitable means and the elongate member may be mountable in the stirrup device for mounting at an angle thereto prior to insertion through the rodding eye in use. This provides a particularly useful set.

The set may further comprise end caps for mounting on free ends of the elongate member and detents mountable on the elongate member intermediate the length thereof.

This provides for a positive position of the means in the rodding eye.

The detents may comprise rubber washers. These are particularly inexpensive to manufacture and install.

The end caps may comprise plastic end caps. This again provides a particularly inexpensive item to manufacture arid install.

The stud may comprise a threaded stud, the plate means comprising a through hole and the set further including releasable locking means for connecting the plate and stud together. This is a relatively simple yet efficient connection means.

The set may include force distributor means, for distributing the force from the means for maintaining the seal in position across the seal when the cap is in place. The distributor means may be a disc, or rods, or the like.

The releasable locking means may comprise a wing nut.

According to a second aspect, the invention relates to a cap for a rodding eye of a pipe, whenever assembled from a set of parts as hereinbefore described.

According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a cap for a rodding eye of a pipe, comprising a seal adapted for closing a rodding eye, and means for maintaining the seal in position on the rodding eye, the arrangement being such that the means is insertable through the rodding eye from above in use and adjusted in position to maintain the seal on the rodding eye.

The seal may comprise a plate, suitably a plastic plate of substantially rectangular configuration.

There may in addition be a gasket associated with the plate for effecting a seal in use between the plate and the rodding eye.

The gasket may comprise a compressible foam seal device. This provides for a positive sealing action between the rodding eye.

The gasket and plate may have substantially the same area in plan. This provides for a positive seal of the rodding eye.

The plate and gasket may comprise a through orifice adapted to receive means for maintaining the seal in place. This is a particularly simple yet efficient construction, particularly when the means may comprise a stud means to interconnect the stud with the plate, and a stirrup device adapted to receive an elongate member adapted to be inserted through the rodding eye and to extend transversely to the stud.

Force distributor means may be provided to distribute the force from the means for maintaining the seal in place across the plate. This allows a relatively pliable and easily workable plate to be used, which can be cut to shape on site.

The stud may be threaded at one end adapted for passage through the through orifice, and the stirrup device may be mounted at an end of the stud opposite in use the plate.

Preferably the stirrup device may comprise a closed ring.

The closed ring may have a diameter greater than that of the elongate member to provide for an initially loose fit therein.

The stirrup device may comprise a threaded boss and the stud may have a complementary thread, such that the stud and stirrup device may be initially separate, and releasably interengageable by the respective threads.

There may be a lock nut adjacent the boss.

The cap may also comprise an end cap on each of a respective opposite end of the elongate member.

There may be means to obviate passage of the elongate member out of the ring, which may suitably comprise rubber washers which are a push fit on the elongate member intermediate the length thereof and arranged in use on opposite sides of the ring.

The cap may be made of material(s) which is or are not susceptible to corrosion by sewage.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention there is provided a manhole or inspection chamber including a pipe or pipes with a cap as hereinbefore defined mounted on a rodding eye of the or each pipe.

A set of parts for assembly to provide a cap for a rodding eye of a pipe, and cap assembled therefrom, are hereinafter described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Fig. I is a schematic exploded view of a set of parts for assembly to provide a cap for a rodding eye of a pipe; Fig. 2 is a schematic side elevational view of a cap assembled from the set of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 shows schematically one step in inserting the cap in a rodding eye of a pipe; Fig. 4 shows schematically a further step in which the cap is secured in place to seal a rodding eye of a pipe; Fig. 5A, SB and 5C show respectively schematic side section, transverse section and a plan view of a manhole or inspection chamber of a drainage system; Figs. 6A, 6B and 6C show respectively schematic views similar to those of Figs. 5A to SC, but including a cap according to the invention.

Figs. 7A and 7B show respectively schematic side and plan elevational views of an assembled set of parts providing a cap for a rodding eye of a pipe similar to that shown in Figure 2, but including an additional force distributor plate; Figures 8A and 8B show side and plan elevational views of a cap similar to that shown in Figure 7, but with force distributor bars in place of the distributor plate.

Referring to the drawings, an inspection chamber or manhole 1 for a property such as a domestic property is a dual inspection chamber in that it provides access to both a foul water sewer 2 which runs in an open channel through the chamber I and a surface water pipe 3 for run off water from a roof andlor paved area which runs through the chamber substantially parallel to and spaced in close proximity from the sewer pipe 2, the pipe 3 being generally encased in a concrete floor or "benching" 4 of the chamber, and being provided with a rodding eye 5 for maintenance purposes. The rodding eye 5 may be of any desired shape. If there is back up of sewage in the pipe for whatever reason that sewage may overspill via the rodding eye 5 into the pipe 3 for water (which is usually connected downstream to a watercourse or stream) so causing pollution.

There is provided a set of parts 6 for assembly to provide a seal for a variety of shapes and sizes of rodding eye 5, i.e. a universal rodding eye cap or seal.

In the embodiment, there is a set of parts comprising a seal in the form of a plate 7, suitably a rectangular plastic plate, and a gasket 8 in the form of a compressible foam element. Each has a through orifice 9 which orifices 9 are aligned vertically when the plate 7 and gasket 8 are superimposed with the plate 7 uppermost, in use.

Means for maintaining the seal in position in a manhole on a rodding eye 5 comprises a stud 10 having a thread at one end for passing through the aligned orifices 9 for screw engagement with a fastening device such as a wing nut 11 and associated washer 12 (penny washer).

The opposite end of the stud 10 is threaded for releasable threaded engagement with a threaded blind boss 13 mounted on a stirrup device 14 in the form of a ring or eye nut.

The set 6 also includes an elongate member 15 in the form of a rod which passes with a loose fit through the ring 14, which latter has a greater inner diameter than the outer diameter of the elongate member 15.

Alternatively to, or in addition to, the washer 12, a circular force distributor plate 18 (Fig. 7), force distributor bars 19 (Fig. 8) or the like may be provided. Such a force distributor may be metal and may be provided to evenly distribute the closing force from the fastening device over the plate 7 and gasket 8.

The force distributor may be provided at a suitable size to fit with differently sized rodding eyes. In one embodiment the force distributor plate is in the form of a disc which extends over approximately half of the diameter of the fitted plate.

There is an end cap such as a plastic end cap, stall, or ferrule 16 on each end of the elongate member 15, and detents in the form of rubber washers 17 which are a tight push fit on the elongate member 15 and in use are spaced either side of the ring 14 to prevent the bar 15 from sliding through the ring.

When assembled (Fig. 2), a cap 6' is formed and installed on the rodding eye 5 by inserting the stud 10 and elongate member 15 through the rodding eye 5, the elongate member 15 being at an angle to the length of the stud 10, and generally transversely arranged thereto owing to the loose fit therein (Fig. 3).

The stud plate 7 and gasket 8 in one mode of assembly are then offered up to the stud 10 so that the stud passes through the aligned orifices 9 and the washer 12 and wing nut 11 are assembled on the protruding threaded end of the stud. The wing nut 11 is then tightened to clamp the plate 7 and gasket 8 in position on a part 18 of the pipe defining the rodding eye (Fig. 4). The washers 17, of soft rubber, assist installation by ensuring that the elongate member 15 does not fall out of the ring 14 during installation, and the end caps 16, also of soft rubber, ensure a positive fit within the host water pipe 3 below and laterally of the rodding eye 5 (Fig. 4).

Once fitted, the cap 6' described hereinbefore with reference to the drawings provides a tight seal to the rodding eye 5 to prevent pollution incidents in the event of a blockage or back up in the foul drain or sewer.

It will be understood that the materials are non-corrosive, e.g. the stud 10 and member could be made of stainless steel. Also, all the components such as the plate, gasket, stud and elongate member could be cut to size on site to accommodate a variety of sizes of rodding eye opening.

Provision of a force distributor allows relatively pliable and easily cut material to be used for the plate, while reducing distortion of the plate when the cap is tightened into place, so maintaining the seal of the gasket of the cap.

The cap has the advantage of being physically clamped in position as opposed to simply capping off' the opening by means of the self weight of the cap as originally proposed.

This has advantages during storm events, where flow may back up the surface water drainage system and moderately pressurise the underside of the rodding eye cap. The pressure may be sufficient to blow out' a traditional rodding eye cap, potentially leading to flooding. In contrast, the cap hereinbefore described would be mechanically retained in place on the drainage opening, providing a seal and preventing displacement in such circumstances.

If the rodding eye opening was large, two or more vertical threaded studs or bars could be attached to the horizontal elongate member or bar to fix the plate in position more securely.

In every embodiment, the cap 6' provides a seal for a variety of sizes and shapes of rodding eye.

Claims

CLAiMS 1. A set of parts for assembly to provide a cap for a rodding eye

of a pipe, comprising a seal adapted for closing a rodding eye, and means for maintaining the seal in position on the roddmg eye, the arrangement being that when assembled the means is insertable through the rodding eye and secured to the seal to provide a cap for the rodding eye.
2. A set according to Claim 1, the seal comprising plate means.
3. A set according to Claim 2, including a gasket for cooperation with the plate, and in use, the rodding eye.
4. A set according to any preceding claim, the means for maintaining the seal in position comprising a stud, a stirrup device and an elongate member, the arrangement being such that the stud and stirrup are releasably assemblable via suitable means and the elongate member is mountable in the stirrup device for mounting at an angle thereto prior to insertion through the rodding eye in use.
5. A set according to Claim 4, further comprising end caps for mounting on free ends of the elongate member and detents mountable on the elongate member intermediate the length thereof.
6. A set according to Claim 5, the detents comprising rubber washers.
7. A set according to Claim 5 or Claim 6, the end caps comprising plastic end caps.
8. A set according to any of Claims 4 to 7, the stud comprising a threaded stud, the plate means comprising a through hole and the set further including releasable locking means for connecting the plate and stud together.
9. A set according to Claim 8, the releasable locking means comprising a wing nut.
10. A set according to Claim 9, the set further comprising a washer adapted for insertion between the plate and wing nut.
11. A set according to any of the preceding claims, the set further comprising force distributor means, for distributing force from the mains for maintaining the seal in position across the seal when the cap is in place.
12. A set according to claim 11, wherein the force distributor means comprises a plastics disc.
13. A set of parts for assembly to provide a cap for a rodding eye of a pipe, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
14. A cap for a rodding eye of a pipe, whenever assembled from a set of parts according to any preceding claim.
15. A cap for a rodding eye of a pipe, comprising a seal adapted for closing a rodding eye, and means for maintaining the seal in position on the rodding eye, the arrangement being such that the means is insertable through the rodding eye from above in use and adjusted in position to maintain the seal on the rodding eye.
16. A cap according to Claim 15, the seal comprising a plate.
17. A cap according to Claim 16, the plate comprising a plastic plate of substantially rectangular configuration.
18. A cap according to Claim 16 or Claim 17, comprising a gasket associated with the plate for effecting a seal in use between the plate and the rodding eye.
19. A cap according to Claim 18, the gasket comprising a compressible foam seal device.
20. A cap according to Claim 19, the gasket and plate having substantially the same area in plan.
21. A cap according to any of Claims 18 to 20, the plate and gasket comprising a through orifice adapted to receive means for maintaining the seal in place.
22. A cap according to claim 21, further comprising force distributor means for distributing the force from the means across the plate when the cap is in place.
23. A cap according to Claim 21 or 22, the means comprising a stud, means to interconnect the stud with the plate, and a stirrup device adapted to receive an elongate member adapted to be inserted through the rodding eye and to extend transversely to the stud.
24. A cap according to Claim 23, the stud being threaded at one end adapted for passage through the through orifice, and the stirrup device being mounted at an end of the stud opposite in use the plate.
25. A cap according to Claim 24, the stirrup device comprising a closed ring.
26. A cap according to Claim 25, the closed ring having a diameter greater than that of the elongate member to provide for an initially loose fit therein.
27. A cap according to any of Claims 24 to 26, the stirrup device comprising a threaded boss and the stud having a complementary thread, the stud and stirrup device being initially separate, arid releasably interengageable by the respective threads.
28. A cap according to Claim 26, including a lock nut adjacent the boss.
29. A cap according to any of Claims 23 to 28, comprising an end cap on each of a respective opposite end of the elongate member.
30. A cap according to any of claims 25 to 29, comprising means to obviate passage of the elongate member out of the ring.
31. A cap according to Claim 30, the said means comprising rubber washers which are a push fit on the elongate member intermediate the length thereof and arranged in use on opposite sides of the ring.
32. A cap according to any of Claims 15 to 31, made of material(s) which is or are non corrosive by sewage.
33. A cap for a rodding eye of a pipe, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
34. A manhole or inspection chamber including a pipe or pipes with a cap according to any of Claims 15 to 33 mounted on a rodding eye of the or each pipe.