GB2450631A

GB2450631A - Access cover or gully grating with integral handle system

Info

Publication number: GB2450631A
Application number: GB0811906A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Brian Worthington
Original assignee: Peter Savage Ltd
Current assignee: Peter Savage Ltd
Priority date: 2007-06-29
Filing date: 2008-06-30
Publication date: 2008-12-31
Anticipated expiration: 2028-06-30
Also published as: GB0811906D0; GB0712708D0; GB2450631B

Abstract

The access cover or gully grating comprises a tray shaped main body 30 and at least one lifting device 32 which comprises a key 42 capable of being retracted or extended such that in the retracted position the key lies flush with or below the upper surface of the main body, with a limiting element provided on the main body which engages with the key to limit the extent of retraction and extension. The key is preferably in the form of a bar 45 bent into a generally rectangular partial loop which defines an aperture. The key is preferably located in a housing 44 formed from a single sheet of material, the limiting element being formed by a bent portion of the housing. A lid may be provided to cover the key when in the retracted position and more than one key may be provided. Also claimed is a method for providing a lifting device for an access cover.

Description

An Article Being an Access Cover or Gully Grating This invention

relates to an article being an access cover or gully grating.

In a known access cover, in order to remove the cover from its frame in the ground, the cover is provided with at least one through hole, into which the end of a key can be inserted, so that the cover can be lifted or lowered relative to the frame. Fig. I shows a portion of a cover 8 with such a hole 10. The hole is in the shape of an elongate rectangle centrally intersected by a circle which has a diameter greater than the width of the rectangle. Fig. 2 shows a known key 12. The key comprises a metal bar, circular in cross section, bent at one end into a loop to form a handle 14 on the end of a shaft 16.

A rectangular piece of metal 18, its length greater than the width of the shaft 16, is joined to the other end 20 of the shaft 16 so that it forms lugs 22 either side of the shaft 16. The length of the rectangular piece of metal 18 is less than that of the hole 10. The diameter of the shaft 16 is smaller than that of the circular part of the hole 10, and greater than the width of the rectangular part of the hole 10. Therefore, when the lugs 22 are aligned with the length of the hole 10, the key 14 can be inserted into the hole 10. The key 14 can then be twisted through 90 about the shaft 16, so that the lugs 22 will contact the cover 8 if the key 14 is lifted. * I.

However, such a method of removing access covers is not ideal as it requires carrying S...

extra equipment to the cover, namely the key. In addition, grit and other debris may S...

collect between the cover and frame reducing clearance or jamming the cover so that it 5.5 may be difficult to exert the required force to remove the cover simply by pulling. S... * . . S. S *. . a. * * S.

Also, the contact area of the lug on the key with the cover is relatively small, and so it is easy for the key to twist and lose contact with the cover.

Furthermore, for mull type access covers, which are designed to blend in with the surrounding ground, the keyhole must be accessible once the cover is filled. Infill type covers are generally tray shaped with a planar bottom surface and side walls upstanding from the bottom surface to create a space in which infill material, for example paving slabs, can be placed. The bottom planar surface of the cover is thus covered with infill material and not suitable for placement of a keyhole. To overcome this, in a known cover, each corner of the cover is provided with a triangular metal flange 11 flush with the ground level, defining a keyhole 10, as shown in Fig. 1. This results in the cover not being as discreet as it could be. In addition, the previously outlined disadvantages of using a key are likely to be exacerbated by the heavy nature of infill type covers and the fact that the lifting point is at the corner of the cover.

In a further known infill type access cover, disclosed in GB-A-2397322, a lifting device has been suggested which comprises a receptacle and a T-shaped handle, the receptacle being attached to one side wall of a tray shaped main body of the cover. The handle compnses a stem portion and a head portion extending transversely to opposite sides of the upper end of the stem portion. The handle is extendable out of and retractable into the receptacle. The 1-shaped handle further comprises a foot portion extending transversely to opposite sides of the lower end of the stem portion. The receptacle defines a recess having an upper part for receiving the head portion of the handle when in retracted condition, a lower part receiving the stem and foot portions of the handle, and the recess having a neck portion between the upper and lower parts. The neck portion is defined by two inwardly extending projections and is narrower than the foot portion of the handle, so that the handle is held captive relative to the receptacle. Each projection defines a bore to receive a bolt to attach the receptacle to the wall of the main body of the access cover. Thus, with this device, the cover can be lifted without the need to bring any extra equipment to the cover, such as a separate key, and the handles are discreetly provided in parallel with the side walls of the main body of the cover. A downwardly tapered plate is interposed between the receptacle and the side wall to compensate for a slight inclination of the side walls so that the handles lift vertically. However, if the access cover is set flush with a surface that is not horizontal, the handles will not lift vertically, if the key is not lifted vertically there is a risk it will be deformed by contact with the housing or the side wall.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an article being an access cover or gully grating, the article comprising a main body and at least one lifting device, the or each lifting device comprising a key capable of being retracted and extended with respect to the main body such that in the retracted position the key lies flush with or below the upper surface of the main body, limit means being provided on the main body which engages with the key to limit the extent of retraction and extension, the key defining means to receive a pinch bar or the like to enable the article to be levered up.

The key, therefore, is a captive part of the article, and so removal of the cover does not *: 20 require a separate key to be brought to the cover for use.

S *5S

S

Should removal of the access cover be difficult, the key can receive a pinch bar or the S...

like, so that the article can be levered up.

The T-shaped handle disclosed in GB-A-2397322 is not suited to receiving a pinch bar as it would only be possible to place the bar under one side of the handle, and thus part of the force applied would be directed to rotating the handle, rather than all being in an upward direction. In addition, it would be possible for the pinch bar to slip sideways from underneath the handle.

The or each means to receive the pinch bar or the like may comprise means defining an aperture to receive the pinch bar or the like. Preferably the or each limit means engages with the means defining the aperture. Preferably the portion of the key which forms the top edge of the aperture contacts the limit means when the key is fully retracted and preferably the portion of the key which forms the bottom edge of the aperture contacts the limit means when the key is fully extended.

The or each limit means is preferably elongate and may be parallel to the upper surface of the main body.

Preferably the portion of the or each key which defines the bottom edge of the aperture and the surface of the limit means for contact therewith are substantially parallel. Thus, on lifting or lowering the article the force of the mass of the article is spread over the maximum possible contact area between the limit means and the key. Preferably the * ** * * * * ** portion of the or each key which defines the top edge of the aperture is substantially * S..

parallel to the limit means. Therefore, in its retracted state, the key protrudes a *SS.

minimum amount above the limit means. Preferably the portions of the or each key 5.5 which define the sides of the aperture are substantially perpendicular to the limit means. * *..

Thus the key should move easily past the limit means and the top portion of the key is aligned with the bottom portion of the key so that maximum force can be applied in a direction perpendicular to the upper surface.

The or each key may be an at least partial loop, and preferably is a partial loop. Thus the loop defines the aperture. The or each ioop is preferably substantially rectangular.

Preferably the key is formed from a bent bar, preferably with a circular cross section.

The key may be made of metal, such as mild steel. Thus the design of the key is very simple, and so is easy and inexpensive to manufacture.

The article may be a gully grating, or the article may be an access cover, in which case, the access cover may be of an infill type. The main body may thus comprise a tray, suitable for holding infill matenal, and the tray may comprise a planar surface and side walls upstanding from the planar surface. The or each limit means may be provided on a side wall.

The article may include a housing for the or each key, the key being at least partially retractable into the housing. The housing may be attached at spaced apart points to a side wall to define a space between the housing and the side wall, for location of the key. Thus the key can be located parallel to a side wall and be unobtrusive from the top of the access cover. * *. * * * *S.

Preferably the or each housing is attached at spaced apart points which are honzontally : spaced. This prevents rotating movement of the key which could disrupt the smooth extension and retraction of the key. * .0. * * S 0S *

Preferably the limit means is provided on the housing. This allows the housing and key to be applied to conventional, unmodified access covers. Preferably the limit means comprises a flange. The or each housing, preferably including the limit means, may be formed from a single piece of sheet material. Preferably the or each housing is made of metal, such as steel, preferably mild steel, preferably in sheet form, which may be bent to shape. Preferably the flange is a bent portion of the housing. Preferably the flange is a bent portion of the top of (he housing opposing the side wall, bent towards the side wall. This design of the flange allows easy access to grasp the key when it is retracted.

Overall, the design of the housing is very simple, and so is easy and inexpensive to manufacture.

Providing the limit means at the top of the housing enables a minimum length of the side portions of the key to be retained in the housing when the key is fully extended.

This, combined withthe preferred feature that the key is a bar having a circular cross section, enables the key to easily rotate around an axis through its bottom portion.

Therefore the key can be positioned vertically, even if the side walls of the access cover are not vertical. Therefore, in the case where the side walls of the access cover are not vertical, no tapered plate is needed to adjust the position. Thus, the lifting device can be such that an extra plate is not needed to ensure the handles extend vertically. In the case where the access cover is set flush with a surface that is not horizontal, the key will be able to move to vertical or closer to vertical. * S. * S S * * S...

A lid, which may be plastic, may be provided to cover the key when it is retracted.

*: 20 This will prevent debris entering the housing and hindering the movement of the key.

The portions of the housing to either side of the flange may extend above the flange so *: that, when the key is retracted, the lid can rest on the portions of the housing which *5 S extend above the flange.

Preferably, two lifting devices are provided, and preferably each lifting device is positioned centrally on a side wall of the access cover. Preferably the side walls on which the lifting devices are positioned are opposite to each other. This can be seen to be the most stable arrangement for lifting and lowering with a minimal number of handles. Preferably, if the access cover is rectangular, the handles are located on the shorter side walls.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided an infill type access cover including at least one lifting device, the or each lifting device comprising a key at least partially retractable into a housing, the key being an at least partial loop, limit means being provided on the housing to engage with the key to limit the extent of retraction and extension, the limit means being a flange which is a bent portion of the housing, the at least partial loop defining an aperture to receive a pinch bar or the like to enable the article to be levered up.

Thus the limit means can be simply formed, and does not require complicated machining or joining. The key is also simply formed. The key may be a bent bar.

Preferably the entire housing is made of sheet metal. Thus, the housing and the limit means are very simple and do not require complicated machining. * S.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided an intill type access cover including at least one lifting device, the or each lifting device comprising a S...

key at least partially retractable into a housing, the key being a partial loop in the form S..

of a bent bar, limit means being provided on the housing to engage with the key to limit the extent of retraction and extension, the partial loop defining an aperture to receive a pinch bar or the like to enable the article to be levered up.

Thus, the key is simple to form, requiring no machining or joining. Preferably the bar has a circular cross section. This again simplifies manufacture of the key. The circular cross section also aids rotation of the key about the bottommost part of the key about an axis parallel with the plane of the loop, and aids in grasping the key when it is retracted in the housing.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of providing a lifting device for an access cover, the lifting device comprising a key which is retractable into and extendable from a housing, the access cover being a type to receive infill material and comprising a main body defining a floor and side walls upstanding from the floor, the key defining an at least partial loop, the method comprising the steps of: forming the housing by bending a metal sheet to form a space for location of the key and to provide two spaced apart parts for attachment to the access cover; forming a flange on the housing by bending a top portion of the housing; arranging the key and housing so that the flange is located within the loop; and, securing the key between the housing and a side wall of the access cover by joining the two spaced apart parts of the housing to a side wall of the main body of the access cover.

The housing may be joined to the side wall of the main body of the access cover by welding or the like. Thus, as well as the components of the lifting device being simple *: 20 and inexpensive to form, the method of joining the lifting device to the access cover is also simple and inexpensive. * ***

Preferably the method further comprises the step of forming the key by bending a bar into a partial loop.

An article being an access cover in one embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. I is a fragmentary detail plan view of the corner of a known infill type access cover.

Fig. 2 is an elevation of a known key, for insertion into a keyhole of the known access cover, shown in Fig. 1, to lift the cover.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the access cover of the embodiment, which is an infihl type access cover with two lifting devices, with housings, one shown with the key JO retracted and one with the key extended; Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a lifting device with housing of the access cover of the embodiment, with the key retracted and a lid in place, viewed from the side which would normally face the side wall of the access cover; Fig. 5 is the view of Fig. 4 with the lid removed; Fig. 6 is the view of Fig. 5 with the key extended; * *.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the access cover of the embodiment, in the ground, with I...

one lifting device shown with the key extended and receiving a pinch bar for lifting. * * .

Fig. 8 is a perspective view showing the top of the lid; and *": Fig. 9 is a perspective view showing the underneath of the lid. 0* * S S * **

The access cover 28 of the embodiment, as illustrated in Figs. 3 to 9 is of a type to receive infill matenal, and comprises a main body 30 and two lifting devices 32.

The main body 30 is a rectangular tray 34, which may be made from steel, with a generally planar floor 36 and four side walls 38, 39 upstanding from the floor 36. The lifting devices 32 are each attached in the centre of opposing side walls 39, which are the shorter pair of walls 39. When positioned as intended in the ground, the upper surface 40 of the cover 28, constituted by the upper edges of the side walls 38, 39, is flush with, or below, the surrounding finished surface 41.

Each lifting device 32 comprises a key 42 held captive at the side of the tray 34 in a space 43 defined by a housing 44. Each key 42 is made from a mild steel bar 45 bent into a rectangle, apart from a gap 46 on the bottom side of the rectangle, where the ends 48 of the bar 45 do not meet. Thus, a rectangular aperture 50 is created inside the partial loop formed by the bar 45. The key 42 thus has two short sides 59, one complete long side 61, and one incomplete long side 62.

The depth of the housing 44 between its top edge 52 and bottom edge 54 is slightly greater than the depth of the key 42. The housing 44 is formed by bending opposite * side edges of a single mild steel sheet to form two side portions 56 perpendicular to and extending rearwardly from a central portion 57. Two cuts are also made from the top *.* edge 52 of the central portion 57, to a depth just less than width of the side portions 56. I...

Thus the section of sheet between the Cuts can be bent rearwardly to create a flange 58.

The key 42 and housing 44 are arranged so that the flange 58 is positioned within the aperture 50 of the key 42 with the incomplete long side 62 of the key 42 beneath and held captive by the flange 58. The two side portions 56 are joined to a side wall 39 of the cover 30, below the upper surface 40, by a suitable method, for example by welding.

The key 42 is, thus, retained in a direction parallel to the floor 36 by the horizontally spaced apart side portions 56. The short sides 59 of the key loop 42 are held substantially perpendicular to the flange 58 and the top 61 and bottom 63 sides of the loop are held substantially parallel to the flange 58. The flange 58 acts as a limit means to limit the movement of the key 42 in a direction perpendicular to the planar surface 36.

When the key 42 is retracted, the inner edge 60 of the top portion 61 of the key 42 is in contact with the flange 58. The diameter of the bar 45 is less than the height of the edge portions 56 above the flange 58, so that the key 42 lies below the top edge 52 of the housing 44, and thus also below the upper surface 40 of the cover 28. When the key 42 is extended, the inner edge 63 of the bottom portion 62 of the key 42 is in contact with the flange 58. When the key 42 is extended, the upper part 61 of the key 42 protrudes above the upper surface 40 of the cover 28, and thus it can be grasped manually, or it can act as means to receive a lever such as a pinch bar 64, for lifting of the cover 28. * **

When the key 42 is retracted a plastic cover or lid 66 can be placed over the key 42. s.c..

The lid 66 comprises an elongate top portion 68, approximately 3 mm thick. The width I...

and length of the lid 66 are such that, when viewed from above, the lid 66 covers the S..

upwardly facing opening of the housing 44. When in place, one of the lengthways S...

edges, the inside edge 70, faces into the tray 34, and the other, outside edge 72, faces the side wall 39 of the tray 34. The outside edge 72 is slightly shorter than the inside edge 70. On the underneath surface 74 of the lid 66 there are two ridges 76 running in a widthways direction, which provide a press fit with the inside of the edge portions 56 of the housing 44. The ridges 76 are positioned slightly away from the ends 78 of the top portion 68, and do not extend fully to the inside edge 70, to allow the top portion 68 to completely overlap the upwardly facing opening of the housing 44. Another ridge 80 runs adjacent the inside edge 70, to cover the gap 92 where the side of the housing 44 was bent to form the flange 58. A further ridge 82 is provided centrally adjacent the outside edge 72, with a length about a third of the opposite ridge 80. The ridge 82 widens towards the top portion 68, to provide a tighter fit with the upper part 61 of the key42.

The top surface 94 of the lid 66 can be embossed or pnnted with detail, such as a company name, or website.

In use, when the cover 28 is in place on a frame, a lid 66 can be removed from a housing 44 of a lifting device 32, and the key 42 extended so that a pinch bar 64 or the like, grasped at one end 84, can be placed through the aperture 50, the free end 86 of the pinch bar 64 being placed in contact with the finished surface 41 next to the cover 28. When an upward force is applied to the grasped end 84 of the pinch bar 64, the pinch bar 64 will contact the inner edge 60 of the top portion 61 of the key 42, lifting * I. the key 42 until the inner edge 63 of the bottom portion 62 of the key 42 is brought into :, 20 contact with the flange 58. Thus, the upward force can be transferred through the ** * housing 44 to the main body 30 of the cover 28, so that it can be lifted. The use of the pinch bar 64 allows the benefit of leverage so that the access cover 28 is easier to raise. ** * * * * * *

It should be apparent that the number and position of the lifting devices provided on the cover can be varied, as can the materials used. * *e ** * * ** * S.. * S Sr. I... * *. ** S

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I $ S.. * S.

S * S. * S.

Claims

Claims I. An article being an access cover or gully grating, the

article comprising a main body and at least one lifting device, the or each lifting device comprising a key capable of being retracted and extended such that in the retracted position the key lies flush with or below the upper surface of the main body, limit means being provided on the main body which engages with the key to limit the extent of retraction and extension, the key defining means to receive a pinch bar or the like to enable the article to be levered up.
2. An article as claimed in claim I wherein the or each means to receive a lever comprises means defining an aperture.
3. An article as claimed in claim 2 wherein the or each limit means engages with the means defining the aperture.
4. An article as claimed in claim 3 wherein the portion of the key which forms the top edge of the aperture contacts the limit means when the key is fully retracted.
5. An article as claimed in claim 3 or claim 4 wherein the portion of the key which *:*::* 15 forms the bottom edge of the aperture contacts the limit means when the key is fully extended. * . ****
6. An article as claimed in any of claims 2 to 5, wherein the or each limit means is *.* * elongate. * S..
7. An article as claimed in claim 6 wherein the or each limit means is parallel to the upper surface.
8. An article as claimed in any of claims 2 to 7 wherein the portion of the or each key which defines the bottom edge of the aperture is substantially parallel to the limit means.
9. An article as claimed in any of claims 2 to 8 wherein the portion of the or each key which defines the top edge of the aperture is substantially parallel to the limit means.
10. An article as claimed in any of claims 2 to 9, wherein the portions of the key which define the sides of the aperture are substantially perpendicular to the limit means.
11. An article as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the or each key is an at least partial ioop.
12. An article as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the or each key is a partial loop.
13. An article as claimed in claim II or claim 12, wherein the or each loop is substantially rectangular.
14. An article as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the article includes a S...

housing for the or each key, the key being at least partially retractable into the housing.
15. An article as claimed in claim 14, wherein the or each limit means is provided S..

on the housing. * . . S. S
16. An article as claimed in claim 15, wherein the or each limit means comprises a flange.
17. An article as claimed in claim 16, wherein the flange is a bent portion of the housing.
18. An article as claimed in any of claims 14 to 17, wherein the or each housing is formed from a single piece of sheet material.
19. An article as claimed in claim 18, wherein the or each housing, including the limit means, is formed from a single piece of sheet material.
20. An article as claimed in any of claims 14 to 19, wherein the or each housing is made from metal.
21. An article as claimed in claim 20, wherein the or each housing is made from mild steel.
22. An article as claimed in any of claims 14 to 21, wherein the housing is bent to shape.
23. An article as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the article is an access cover. * **
24. An article as claimed in claim 23, wherein the access cover is of an infill type. * S..
25. An article as claimed in claim 24 wherein the main body comprises a tray, suitable for holding infill material. S...
26. An article as claimed in claim 25 wherein the tray comprises a planar surface * and side walls upstanding from the planar surface.
27. An article as claimed in claim 26, wherein the or each limit means is provided on a side wall.
28. An article as claimed in claim 26, wherein, where the article includes a housing for the or each key, the key being at least partially retractable into the housing, the housing is attached to a side wall by spaced apart points to define a space between the housing and the side wall, for location of the key.
29. An article as claimed in claim 28, wherein the or each housing is attached at points which are horizontally spaced apart.
30. An article as claimed in any of claims 26 to 29, wherein, where the or each limit means compnses a flange, the flange is a bent portion of the top portion of the housing opposing the side wall, bent towards the side wall.
31. An article as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the key is formed from a bent bar.
32. An article as claimed in claim 31, wherein the bar has a circular cross section.
33. An article as claimed in claim any preceding claim, wherein the key is made of * * mild steel. **.
34. An article as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a lid is provided to cover S..

the key when it is retracted. * S S S. S
35. An article as claimed in claim 34 wherein, where the article includes a housing for the or each key, the key being at least partially retractable into the housing, portions of the housing extend above the limit means so that, when the key is retracted, the lid can rest on the portions of the housing which extend above the limit means.
36. An article as claimed in claim35, wherein a ridge is provided depending from the lid, the ridge covering the gap created in the housing by bending a portion to create a flange forming the limit means.
37. An article as claimed in any of claims 34 to 36, wherein the lid is plastic.
38. An article as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein two lifting devices are provided.
39. An article as claimed in claim 38, wherein each lifting device is positioned centrally on a side wall of the access cover.
40. An article as claimed in claim 38 or claim 39, wherein the side walls on which the lifting devices are positioned are opposite to each other.
41. An article as claimed in claim 40, wherein the access cover is rectangular and the lifting devices are located on the shorter sides. * **
42. An infill type access cover including at least one lifting device, the or each lifting device comprising a key at least partially retractable into a housing, the key **** being an at least partial loop, limit means being provided on the housing to engage with S..

the key to limit the extent of retraction and extension, the limit means being a flange S...

which is a bent portion of the housing, the key defining means to receive a pinch bar or the like to enable the article to be levered up.
43. An access cover as claimed in claim 42 wherein the key is formed from a bent bar.
44. An access cover as claimed in claim 42 or claim 43 wherein the entire housing is sheet metal.
45. An infill type access cover including at least one lifting device, the or each lifting device comprising a key at least partially retractable into a housing, the key being an at least partial loop made of a bent bar, limit means being provided on the housing to engage with the key to limit the extent of retraction and extension, the key defining means to receive a pinch bar or the like to enable the article to be levered up.
46. An access cover as claimed in claim 45 wherein the bar has a circular cross section.
47. A method for providing a lifting device for an access cover, the lifting device comprising a key in the form of an at least partial loop which is retractable into and extendable from a housing, the access cover being a type to receive infill material and comprising a planar surface and side walls upstanding from the planar surface, the method comprising the steps of: * * *:::: forming the housing by bending a metal sheet to form a space for location of the * key and to provide two spaced apart points for attachment to the access cover; *: forming a flange on the housing by bending a top portion of the housing; S. *

S S

* 20 arranging the key and housing so that the flange is located within the loop; securing the key between the housing and a side wall of the access cover by joining the two spaced apart points of the housing by welding or the like to a side wall of the access cover.
48. A method for providing a lifting device for an access cover as claimed in claim 47, further comprising the step of forming the key by bending a bar into a partial loop.
49. A method as claimed in claim 47 or claim 48, wherein the housing is joined to the side wall of the main body of the access cover by welding or the like.
50. A lifting device for an access cover or gully grating, the lifting device comprising a housing and a key capable of being retracted into and extended out of the housing, the housing including limit means engaging the key to limit the extent of retraction and extension, the key in its extended position defining means to receive a pinch bar or the like to enable the access cover or gully grating to be levered up. * ** * * * * S. * . * *. * * e. S. S

S S..

S S... * S* *5 S * . S* * S.