GB2468541A

GB2468541A - Road hole cover

Info

Publication number: GB2468541A
Application number: GB0904391A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Vincent Byrne
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-03-13
Filing date: 2009-03-13
Publication date: 2010-09-15
Also published as: GB0904391D0

Abstract

A cover 100 for a hole on a road includes a central beam 110 with at least one plate 130 coupled on either side. Ideally the beam spans the hole in one direction X while the plates span it in the other Y so that the cover engages the ground around the holes circumference. The beam may be reinforced and have top and bottom faces, side faces and end faces. The beam can have angled arms 117, 118 at the ends to engage the ground. The beam may pivotally attach to the plates along one edge, possibly comprising cylindrical sleeves 125, 150 and a pin 160 to resemble a hinge. There is preferably a ramp 170 adjacent to the distal ends of the beam. Each ramp portion may take the form of a quarter of a dome, there being two quarters at each end. The top surfaces can be slip resistant.

Description

Road Hole Cover

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to road or trench covers of the type used to temporarily cover a single access hole or trench formed in a path or road.

Background

It is well known that pathways or roads may require the digging of a trench or formation of a single access hole for example, to lay or install services and/or for access to the services. During the periods when the hole or trench is open and that work is continuing on the services it is desirable to provide for a temporary covering of that hole or trench. Trench or road covers such as those described in my earlier application W002084033 are known for this purpose.

While such trench or road covers are suitable for a wide variety of trenches, there are limitations with regard to the size of trench that may be covered.

Depending on the services and types of components to be installed under a road or pathway increasingly large trench openings are often required.

Issues in covering relatively large trenches include the requirement for a covering means that meets strength and stability requirements, adequately bears weight, and distributes loads across a relatively large span open trench or hole.

In one prior art approach a heavyweight metal sheet cover may be placed temporarily across such a trench and supported by an overlap of lower surface peripheral portions of the sheet with the supporting ground surfaces around the periphery of the trench. This is typically retained in position by providing a retaining portion of asphalt around the perimeter of the sheet. However, problems with this approach include for example, difficulty in handling, storing, transporting and installing the sheet cover due to the necessary heavy weight of the component. It is often also difficult for users to remove the temporary sheet cover to gain access to the services. More than one operator would normally be required to move such a cover. There may often be safety issues with such an arrangement depending on how the sheet cover rests or interfaces with the surface surrounding the trench and further constraints and limitations in the size of the sheet cover will result in constraints in the size of holes and trenches and vice versa.

For these reasons and others there is a need for an improved road cover.

Summary

These problems and others are addressed by a road hole cover assembly provided in accordance with the invention for covering holes or openings in a road surface, the assembly comprising a support member configured for coupling to a first and second hole covering plate, the plates being coupled on opposite sides of the support member to define a cover for a hole.

Accordingly the invention provides a hole cover as claimed in claim 1 with advantageous embodiment as claimed in the dependent claims.

Preferably, the support member is oriented in use to span the hole is a first longitudinal direction and the covering plates on opposite sides of the support member are oriented and arranged together with the support to span the hole in a second transverse direction.

The arrangement provides for excellent load bearing and weight distribution over a relatively large hole, the assembly being arranged to contact the ground proximal to the hole on all sides. The support member is preferably a reinforced member of high strength which overlies the ground on first and second sides of the hole directly facilitating distribution of load therethrough.

In one embodiment the support member comprises a reinforced beam of elongate form having first and second longitudinal side walls, front and rear lateral side ends and upper and lower surfaces. Preferably the lower surface of the support member near the lateral ends define ground engaging portions which in use directly overlap and engage the ground peripheral to the hole.

In another embodiment the support member comprises fixing arms located near and oriented at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the support for fixing the support to the ground.

The fixing members provide a very secure fixing of the support to the ground to hold the assembly securely and safely in place against movement or any lifting forces.

In a further embodiment the covering plates are pivotably coupled to the support member. The covering plates comprise an elongate form having a first connection end which in use is arranged proximal the support member and a second distal ground engaging end which is use engages the ground peripheral to the hole.

The pivotable coupling between the plates and support provides for the plates to be pivoted relative to the ground to take account of any camber or bumpiness and provides for an improved and safe covering.

In one embodiment, the covering plates comprise a connector for connection to the support member. The support member having a plurality of connectors located along opposite longitudinal side walls wherein adjacent connectors are spaced apart to define a seat for receiving a corresponding connector of a covering plate. In a preferred embodiment he connectors comprise connector sleeves of substantially cylindrical form, the assembly further comprising a fixing pin for insertion through corresponding connector sleeves of the covering plate and support member to secure covering plates to the support member as required. Each covering plate may be pivotable about the connection between the connector sleeve and fixing pin.

In a further embodiment first and second ramp portions locatable adjacent to the front and rearward facing lateral ends of the assembly of the support and covering plates to define a ramp for vehicles or users passing onto and off the cover assembly. The ramp portion comprising a low profile leading/trailing edge to be presented to user rolling onto and off the cover assembly. The ramp slopes upwardly from the leading/trailing edge to a rear side wall or end.

The ramp portion may have a hemispherical form comprising a curved leading/trailing edge and the rear side wall may be configured to abut the front or rearward facing lateral ends of the assembly of the support and covering plates. The ramp portion is comprised of two quadrant portions configured for assembly.

The ramp portion and the covering plates effectively act together to provide ramp features on all sides.

In a further embodiment the cover assembly has an upper surface and a lower surface, the upper surface being presented to users passing over the cover wherein the upper surface comprises skid resistant covering or means.

These and other features of the present invention will be better understood with reference to the drawings which follow which are provided to assist in an understanding of the teaching of the specification and are not to be construed as limiting in any fashion.

Brief Description Of The Drawings

The present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view from the above of a road cover assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present specification; Figure 2 is a perspective view of support portion of the road cover assembly; Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing detail of the connector arrangement on a portion of the support member, the connectors are arranged on both of the longitudinal sides of the support and a connecting pin is provided for threading through the connectors; Figs. 4 and 5 are perspective views of portions of the road cover assembly of Figs. 1 to 3 showing the coupling of road cover plates to the support member by means of connectors provided on the road cover plates and on the support member, and threading of the connector pin through the corresponding connectors; Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing a detail of the assembly with cover plates arranged side by side on opposite longitudinal sides of the support; Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a the components of a road cover assembly according to an embodiment of the specification showing a support and covering plates for assembly/coupling to the support; Fig. 8 is an illustration of the cover assembly located over a hole in a road or pathway; and Figs. 9(a) and 9(b) show detailed views of a cover plate of an embodiment

according to the present description.

Detailed Description Of The Drawings

The teaching of the present invention will now be described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof which are provided to assist with an understanding of the invention and are not to be construed as limiting in any way. It will be appreciated that modifications can be made to the exemplary arrangements which follow without departing from the scope of the invention which is only to be limited insofar as is deemed necessary in the light of the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings and in particular Fig. 1 and 8 a road cover assembly 100 for covering a single access hole 200 on a road comprises a support member 110 and a plurality of hole covering plates 130. The support member is configured for coupling two or more covering plates on opposite sides thereof so that the support member and opposed covering plates together cover the trench or single access hole. Within the present specification the terms trench and single access hole will be used interchangeably and while a trench may be considered to have an extended longitudinal dimension relative to a single access hole it will be appreciated that each share the common feature of a hole in the road or path surface. The cover assembly of the present teaching serves to temporarily cover that hole. Furthermore where the use of the cover assembly is described with reference to a road, it will be understood that utility operators often also require access to services below pathways and gain access through provision of a hole in the pathway. The cover assembly of the present teaching can be equally used within the context of covering holes or openings in the pathway.

The cover assembly comprises a support member 110 which is in use located across an open hole in a first longitudinal direction. The hole may be considered as having four sides. The support member has a length sufficient to span the open hole from a first to a second side of the hole such that first and second end portions of the support member are supported on the road surface.

A central portion of the support member extends therefore across the trench from a first side to a second side thereof.

The support member is configured to couple to one or more covering plates 130. On positioning of the support member across the hole, the covering plates may then be coupled to the support member. The coupling arrangement provides on coupling for the cover plates to extend transverse to the longitudinal axis of the support member. The cover plates are coupled at a first end to the support member and have a length sufficient to extend across the hole away from the support member so as to be supported at a second end by the road surface. Covering plates 130 are desirably coupled to each of the two sides of the support member such that on final assembly one or more cover plates extend from each side of a support member which is bisecting a trench to opposite sides of the hole. In this way the final cover assembly is supported on four sides of the hole.

It will be understood that in use the covering plates are arranged at opposite sides of the support member to extend in opposite directions of the support substantially at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the support member. In this way the support member covers the hole in a first direction and the covering plates cover hole in a second transverse direction. Further ramp portions 170 are located adjacent or proximal to the first and second ends of the ends of the support member 110. Typically the support member is arranged parallel to a central median of the road such that its longitudinal axis is parallel with the direction of traffic on that road. In such an arrangement the ramp portions may be considered as being provided at lead in and lead out portions of the hole-depending on the direction of traffic.

Portions of the cover assembly 100 which in use are exposed or presented to the user preferably comprise a skid resistant finish. For example, the upper surfaces of the covering plates preferably comprise a skid resistant finish, and the upper surfaces of the support and the ramp portions may comprise a covering of skid resistant tiles or other skid resistant finish. The skid resistant covering may be provided integral to the cover assembly components or for assembly thereto.

Referring to the drawings and in particular Figs. 2 to 4, the support member 110 and covering plates 130 are described.

The support member 110 comprises an elongate form having longitudinal first and second side walls 111 and 112, front and rear lateral side ends 113 and 114 and upper and lower surfaces 115 and 116. The support member 110 comprises a reinforced metal support preferably of beam form and having a substantially rectangular lateral cross-section and may further comprise reinforcing ribs or members. The beam is preferably of reinforced steel. The support member or beam provides the main load bearing and distribution of the assembly. The support member has a load bearing of 8 to 10 tonnes.

When the support member 110 is arranged across a trench the ends are arranged to rest on the ground at the periphery of the trench to support it in place. The support member is coupled to fixing arms 117, 118, 119 and 120 located near each of the lateral side ends 113, 114. The fixing arms are offset from the longitudinal axis of the support member and are arranged to extend outwardly at an angle thereto and/or to the lateral side ends 113 and 114. The fixing arms are connected to the support member at a first proximal end and are provided with fixing holes 121 near their distal ends.

In use the support member 110 may be fixed to a ground surface by inserting fixing means for example bolts or pins through the fixing holes 121 into the ground. In the exemplary embodiment, the fixing arms are arranged at an angle of the order of 135 degrees to the longitudinal axis of the support, in preferred embodiments the arms may be at an angle of between 135 and 180 to the lateral ends and most preferably at 180 degrees or at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the beam. The angular orientation of the arms relative to the beam provides excellent stability in the fixing and prevents movement of the support means relative to the trench or hole. The relative angular arrangement of arms to provide secure fixing and support prevents the beam from moving or lifting from the fixed position.

The support member 110 comprises a plurality of connectors 125 located along both thefirstand second longitudinal sidewalls 111 and 112. The connectors 125 comprise a substantially cylindrical sleeve form configured for receiving a corresponding pin 160. The pin 160 is elongated and arranged so that it may be threaded through all connectors provided along the longitudinal side edges of the support. In the case that a long support member of the order of 2-3m is being used then two connection pins may be provided for example, for threading from opposite directions. Adjacent connectors 125 are spaced apart to define a gap or seat 126 for receiving a corresponding covering plate connector 150. Connectors located near the lateral side ends of the support member may be shorter than the others.

A web or rib 128 may be provided at the side walls 111, 112 located below the connector sleeves 125. The web or rib is arranged to project relative to the walls and act to support the connectors of the arrangement and to assist in alignment of connector sleeves 150 to the connector sleeves 125 during assembly. The web 128 may be formed integrally to the beam. The connectors may be formed to the beam for example, by welding, the connectors for example, may comprise cylindrical sleeves having walls of the order of 5mm in thickness.

Referring to the drawings in particular Figs. 1, 4 to 8, the covering plates 130 comprise a central hole covering portion 131 arranged to span a portion of the hole between the support member 110 and ground at the periphery of the hole or trench. Covering plates 130 are connectable to the support at a proximal support connection end 132, and engage the ground at a distal ground engaging end 133. The covering plates 130 comprise an upper surface 134 which in use is presented to the user and a lower surface 135 which in use faces and is proximal to the hole and ground. Referring to Fig. 5 the covering plate 130 comprises a plate connector 150 located at the connection end 132 on the lower surface 135 thereof. The connector 150 comprises a substantially cylindrical sleeve form.

The gap or seat 126 defined by adjacent support member connectors 125 is dimensioned to accommodate the plate connector 150 in a close fitting relationship and assists with alignment of the corresponding connectors 125 and 150 to facilitate ease of insertion of the holding pin 160 through adjacent connectors 125, 150 from one lateral end to the other. The connectors 125, are arranged such that when aligned and fixed in place a close connection is maintained to prevent undue tolerance or movement in the longitudinal direction at the points of connection.

The covering plates 130 are desirably pivotably connectable to the support member 110, the cover plate connector sleeve 150 being pivotable about the holding pin 160. The pivotable arrangement is advantageous from the point of view of the user as it facilitates pivoting of the covering plates between an open position and a hole covering position when the distal end engages the ground at the periphery of the hole the pivoting arrangement enables pivoting of the covering plates to take account of the camber or any bump in the road on either side of the main support.

Ramp portions 170 are locatable adjacent to the front and rearward facing lateral ends of the assembly of the support 110 and covering plates 130 to define a ramp for vehicles or users passing onto and over the hole cover assembly 100. Referring to Figs. 1 and 8 the ramp portion 170 presents a low profile leading/trailing edge 171 to users rolling onto and off the cover assembly.

The ramp portion 170 slopes gently upwardly from the leading/trailing edge in the direction of the support defining a substantially linear back edge 172 arranged to abut the ends of the lateral ends of the support 110 and covering plate 130 assembly.

The ramp portion is fixable directly to the road surface which it overlies, fixing points being provided as required to provide a secure fixing. The ramp portion which is arranged to cover the fixing arms 117-120 of the support 110 may further comprise fixing holes arranged for alignment with fixing holes 121.

The ramp 170 and arms 117-120 may then be fixed together to the ground by inserting fixing pins through the fixing holes 174 and 121. The ramp portion may further be fixable to the support 110 and/or covering plates adjacent to the ramp back edge.

As shown in the exemplary embodiment of Figs. 1 and 8 the ramp portion may have an integral hemispherical form, with a curved leading/trailing edge 171. The ramp portion may further be provided in a plurality of components for example comprise two quadrants which are configured for assembly together.

The ramp portion may be provided as a plurality of components which may be hingeably or otherwise interconnected.

As noted above the surface of the ramp portion 170 may comprise a skid resistant surface being provided integral to the ramp portions or for connection thereto.

The relatively large area and footprint of the ramp portion again provides for a stable overlap with the ground near the hole.

The cover assembly described herein opens up possibilities for effectively covering relatively large holes for example of the order 1 m xl m. Typically the assembly of the exemplary embodiment is usable to cover holes of the order of 1200mm in width in the transverse direction by 1 m to 2m or 3m in length in the longitudinal direction in dimension.

The hole cover assembly 100 may be provided as a kit of the component parts for assembly on site to provide a cover for a hole as required. The kit would include the support 110, covering plates 130, connector pin 160 and forward and rearward ramp portions 170.

The covering plates 130 are usable with support members of different lengths for example, 1 m, 2m or 3m as noted above. In the case where longer support members for example of 2m or 3m are being used then the connector pin 160 may be provided as two separate connector pins for ease of handling to cover the longitudinal extent of the support member.

Exemplary steps of assembly are described with reference to the drawings in particular Figs 2-8.

First of all, the support member 110 is laid down across a single access hole 200 to be covered. In a preferred in use orientation the support 110 is laid such that the longitudinal axis (shown here as the X-axis direction) thereof runs substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the path or road and to the direction of travel of vehicles.

The support member 110 is preferably located near the centre of the hole or along a central axis of the hole to effectively define two transverse hole portions 210, 220 to be covered by the covering plates 130 to opposite sides of the support member.

Lateral end portions of the lower surface 116 of the support member 110 overlay the ground at first and second opposite peripheral sides (201, 204) of the hole to provide support and load distribution. The ground engaging arms 117, 118, 119 and 120 are arranged for connection to the ground peripheral to the hole.

With the support member 110 in place the user then selects the required cover plates 130 and arranges the connection sleeves 150 of the cover plates in seats 126 proximal to the connection sleeves 125 of the first and second side walls 111 and 112 of the support member. The user inserts the holding pins 160 through the successive connection sleeves 125 and 150 until all the required cover plates are coupled to the support at the first and second side walls.

It will be understood that in use the covering plates 130 are arranged at opposite sides of the support member 110 to extend in opposite directions of the support substantially at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the support member. In this way the support member covers the hole in a first direction on first and second opposite peripheral sides 201 and 202 and the covering plates cover hole in a second transverse direction (shown here as the Y-direction) to third and fourth opposite peripheral sides 203 and 204. The hole cover assembly thus arranged can be described as contacting the ground on all sides of the hole.

Fixing means for example bolts or pins may be inserted through fixing holes 121 of the ground engaging arms.

The ramp portions 170 are arranged and located to the forward and rearward sides of the covering assembly. As noted above fixing means for example bolts and pins may be inserted through one or more fixing holes provided in the ramp portion to fix it in place relative to the ground or road surface adjacent the hole.

Referring to the drawings and in particular Figs. 7, 8 and 9 the covering plate 130 is described in further detail. As noted above the covering plates 130 comprise a ground engaging end 133. The ground engaging end 133 may be provided with an arcuate or curved surface 140 which in use is in contact with the ground. It will be appreciated that by providing a curved surface that multiple points of contact between the ground engaging end 133 and the ground are provided, the specific points of contact being dependent on the actual camber of the surface on which the cover is used. In this way the contact between the cover and the ground can be distributed depending on the camber thereby ensuring that when the cover is located over a hole that it will not rock on the hole. It will be understood that as there are multiple points of contact between the covering plate and the ground at the ground engaging end, that there is a minimisation of rocking between the cover assembly and the ground surface.

To provide the multiple possible points of contact it is necessary for the ground engaging portions to have a convex surface presented to the ground.

The central covering portion 131 of the covering plates have an upper 134 and a lower 135 surface, the lower surface being that surface which is proximal to the hole when the cover is in use. The lower surface 135 may also be curved, but in contrast with the ground engaging portions, it is desirable that where curved, that the lower surface present a concave surface to the ground. In this way any debris which has accumulated around the perimeter of the hole is cleared by the hole cover, the concave surface increasing the clearance height between the lower surface of the covering portion and the ground.

The covering plates 130 may include wings 141 which are located at the sides of the hole cover adjacent to the ground engaging ends 133. Desirably, if provided these wings 141 are pivotable relative to the central covering portion 131 of the plates. Each of the wings has a ground engaging portion proximal portion 142 and a ground engaging portion distal portion or tip 143. The pivoting of the wing relative to the central covering portion effects a change in the relative orientation of the central trench covering portion to the tip 143 of the wing. Once the hole cover is in location relative to the hole, the pivoting of the wing enables the tip 143 to be brought into contact with the ground, to provide a ramp along each side of the cover 100.

The prior art approach of using a relatively large area metal sheet cover to cover a large hole presents handling problems for users due to the sheer size and weight of the cover. Often the cover will be so heavy that it can only be handled by machine and so large in dimension that it must be transported by truck. In addition more than one operator will normally be needed for handling, placement and removal of such a cover. The cover assembly described herein comprises a kit of a number of components each of which is suitable and safe for handling by users without the requirement for lifting machinery from the point of view of properties of size and weight of the components. The component parts may be flat packed into a relatively small area for ease of transportation for assembly on site. The components of the assembly and the assembly have the advantages that they may be safely handled by users.

The provision of a cover assembly as a kit allows for an increased ease and flexibility in assembly and in enabling use of a cover assembly kit to cover holes of different size and form. As noted above the same covering plates may flexibly be used with support members of different lengths. The components are configured to enable ease and speed of assembly at the hole site, the user does not required any specialised tool set, assembly is by the steps of aligning the connection sleeves and insertion of the connector pins.

The provision of pivotable covering plates which in use are arranged transverse to longitudinal axis of the road has the advantages of providing a road hole cover which is flexible to and adaptable to the camber or bumpiness of the surface of the road.

The cover assembly has the advantage that it is not necessary to remove the entire assembly to gain access to the hole. For example, the covering plates on only one side of the support member may be removed by removing the relevant connector pin to provide access to the hole while leaving the covering plates on the other side in place. This provides increased ease or access for the user and increased safety from the point of view of the public since it is possible to limit the opening to that required for access.

The provision of a reinforced central longitudinal support member for use with covering plates each of which is arranged to cover half of the width of the hole and spans from the support to ground at the edge of the hole provides advantages from the point of view of strength and load bearing. The arrangement is very strong and secure, the support being anchored in place by the fixing means described. The reinforced support interacts with each of the covering plates to distribute the load from the plates and/or spread the weight.

The hole cover assembly described has the advantage of having an integral skid resistant surface, although of course be appreciated that this represents a desirable but not essential feature of the assembly.

The assembly which includes ramp portions and pivotably mounted hole covering plates has the advantage of providing a ramp means on all sides with safety advantages from the point of view of users. This is advantageous over the prior art arrangement in which tarmac may be provided/laid to the leading or trailing edge, the tarmac does not providing a ramp and has the disadvantage that it may be easily disturbed or removed.

The hole cover assembly described includes fixing means for securely fixing the assembly to the road. The hole cover assembly is thus secure against lifting during use and provides increased security and safely for users.

The hole cover assembly described may be flexibly used to cover holes of different shapes and sizes for example in ranges of 1 m x 1 m to 1.2mx2m or 1.2x3m.

It will be understood that preferred embodiments of the invention have been described. It will be further understood that where a hole cover has been heretofore described with reference to specific features or integers that other features or integers could equally be used without departing from the scope of the road cover assembly described and the invention.

It will be appreciated that for the purposes of providing clear views in the drawings that not all of the details are shown in all of the drawings. For example, details of the coupling and connector features are shown and described with reference to in particular to Figs. 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 and Figs. 1 while 8 which are perspective views of the overall assembled cover do not show all of these details but rather show the arrangement of the main components.

The words comprises/comprising when used in this specification are to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A hole cover assembly for covering holes or openings in a road surface, the assembly comprising a support member configured for coupling to first and second hole covering plates, the plates being coupled on opposite sides of the support member to define a cover for a hole.
2. The cover assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the support member is configured such that in use it may be orientated to span the hole in a first longitudinal direction, with the coupled covering plates being orientated and arranged together with the support to span the hole in a second transverse direction.
3. The cover assembly as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein the support member comprises a reinforced beam of elongate form having first and second longitudinal side walls, front and rear lateral side ends and upper and lower surfaces.
4. The cover assembly as claimed in claim 3 wherein the lower surface of the support member near the lateral ends define ground engaging portions which in use directly overlap and engage the ground peripheral to the hole.
5. The cover assembly as claimed in claims 3 or 4 wherein the support member comprises fixing arms located near and oriented at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the support for fixing the support to the ground.
6. The cover assembly as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the covering plates are pivotably coupled to the support member.
7. The cover assembly as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the covering plates comprise an elongate form having a first connection end which in use is arranged proximal the support member and a second distal ground engaging end which is use engages the ground peripheral tothe hole.
8. The cover assembly as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the covering plates comprise a connector for connection to the support member.
9. The cover assembly as claimed in claim 8 the support member having a plurality of connectors located along opposite longitudinal side walls wherein adjacent connectors are spaced apart to define a seat for receiving a corresponding connector of a covering plate.
10. The cover assembly of claims 8 or 9 wherein the connectors comprise connector sleeves of substantially cylindrical form, the assembly further comprising a fixing pin for insertion through corresponding connector sleeves of the covering plate and support member to secure covering plates to the support member as required.
11.The cover assembly of claim 10 wherein each covering plate is pivotable about the connection between the connector sleeve and fixing pin.
12.The cover assembly as claimed in any preceding claim further comprising first and second ramp portions locatable adjacent to the front and rearward facing lateral ends of the assembly of the support and covering plates to define a ramp for vehicles or users passing onto and off the cover assembly.
13.The cover assembly as claimed in claim 12 the ramp portion comprising a low profile leading/trailing edge to be presented to user rolling onto and off the cover assembly.
14.The cover as claimed in claims 12 or 13 wherein the ramp slopes upwardly from the leading/trailing edge to a rear side wall or end.
15.The cover assembly as claimed in claims 12 to 14 the ramp portion having a hemispherical form comprising a curved leading/trailing edge.
16.The cover assembly as claimed in claims 14 or 15, wherein the rear side wall is configured to abut the front or rearward facing lateral ends of the assembly of the support and covering plates.
17. The cover assembly of claims 15 or 16 wherein the ramp portion is comprised of two quadrant portions configured for assembly.
18.The cover assembly of any preceding claim having an upper surface and a lower surface, the upper surface being presented to users passing over the cover wherein the upper surface comprises skid resistant covering or means.
19.A road cover assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 9 of the accompanying drawings.