GB2574225A

GB2574225A - Ground surface access assemblies

Info

Publication number: GB2574225A
Application number: GB1808856.7A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Gibson Simon; Scott White David; Turner Barry; Sarah Elizabeth Evans Samantha; John Turner Simon
Original assignee: Wrekin Holdings Ltd
Current assignee: Wrekin Holdings Ltd
Priority date: 2018-05-31
Filing date: 2018-05-31
Publication date: 2019-12-04
Anticipated expiration: 2038-05-31
Also published as: GB2574225B; GB201808856D0

Abstract

A raising frame 10 configured to be mountable to a base frame 102 of a ground surface access assembly 100 and configured to receive a manhole cover 104. The raising frame defines a raising frame opening 12. The raising frame opening is dimensioned to correspond to dimensions of a base frame opening 106 defined by the base frame 102. The raising frame may comprise corner mountings 110 and securing means for attaching the raising frame to a detent in the base frame.

Description

TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD

Examples of the disclosure relate to ground surface access assemblies, and in particular means and methods to increase the height of ground surface access assemblies.

BACKGROUND

Ground surface access assemblies, such as manhole covers, comprise a frame defining an opening and a cover which is mountable in the frame in the opening. The cover is mounted removably to permit access to the hole.

In some instances, it is necessary to install a ground surface access assembly in a roadway before the roadway is compete, for instance on a construction site. In such instances, only the base course of the roadway may have been laid. To avoid damage to the assembly, and to traffic using the roadway, the assembly may be installed such that the cover of the assembly is at the level of the base course of the roadway such that no part of the assembly extends above the level of the base course.

Prior to laying the wearing course of the roadway it is necessary to reconfigure the assembly so that the cover of the assembly is at the level of the wearing course of the roadway. Accordingly, there is a requirement to provide means to increase the height of an assembly so that the cover of the assembly is at the level of the wearing course of the completed roadway.

BRIEF SUMMARY

According to various, but not necessarily all, examples of the disclosure there is provided a raising frame, the raising frame being configured to be mountable to a base frame of a ground surface access assembly and configured to receive a cover of the ground surface access assembly, the raising frame defining a raising frame opening, wherein the raising frame opening is dimensioned to correspond to dimensions of a base frame opening defined by the base frame.

The raising frame may comprise corner mountings which extend into the raising frame opening, the corner mountings comprising an in use upper face configured to receive corner mountings of the cover, and an in use lower face configured to mount to corner mountings of the base frame.

The in use lower face of each respective raising frame corner mounting may comprise an abutment formation configured to abut with a respective corner mounting of the base frame to mount the raising frame to the base frame.

Each respective abutment formation may comprise an abutment surface which in use intimately contacts an abutment surface on a respective corner mounting of the base frame.

Each respective abutment formation abutment surface may be coplanar with each of the other abutment formation abutment surfaces.

The raising frame may comprise a securing means to secure the raising frame to the base frame. The securing means may comprise a resilient member configured to be engageable with a detent on the base frame. The detent may be a wedge-shaped formation, wherein the resilient member comprises a formation configured to engage about the thick end of the wedge.

The raising frame may comprise at least one formation configured in use to locate over a side wall of the base frame.

The raising frame may comprise a first and a second frame portion, wherein the second frame portion comprises the corner mountings. The second frame portion may extend from the first frame portion into the raising frame opening. The second frame portion may comprise four respective corner portions, wherein each respective corner portion comprises a corner mounting. The second frame portion may comprise the securing means. Each respective corner portion may comprise at least one securing means.

The first frame portion may define the raising frame opening. The first frame portion may comprise the at least one formation configured in use to locate over a side wall of the base frame. A formation may be provided on each side of the first frame portion.

The raising frame may be substantially square in plan view. The raising frame may comprise a corner mounting in each of the respective corners of the square. The raising frame opening may be dimensioned to correspond exactly to the dimensions of the base frame opening.

According to various, but not necessarily all, examples of the disclosure there is provided a method of installing a raising frame in a ground surface access assembly, the method comprising:

removing a cover of the ground surface access assembly in a first configuration of the assembly;

mounting the raising frame to a base frame of the ground surface access assembly, wherein an opening defined by the raising frame is dimensioned to correspond to dimensions of a base frame opening defined by the base frame;

mounting the cover to the raising frame to provide a second configuration of the assembly, wherein the cover is at a higher level in the second configuration than in the first configuration.

According to various, but not necessarily all, examples of the disclosure there is provided a ground surface access assembly, the assembly comprising:

a base frame defining a base frame opening;

a raising frame defining a raising frame opening, wherein the raising frame opening is dimensioned to correspond to dimensions of the base frame opening;

and a cover mountable in a first configuration of the assembly to the base frame in the base frame opening, and in a second configuration of the assembly to the raising frame in the raising frame opening.

The raising frame, method and ground surface access assembly may comprise any of the features described in any of the preceding statements or following description.

According to various, but not necessarily all, examples of the disclosure there may be provided examples as claimed in the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

For a better understanding of various examples that are useful for understanding the detailed description, reference will now be made by way of example only to the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 illustrates an exploded view of a ground surface access assembly in a second configuration;

Fig. 2 illustrates the ground surface access assembly of Fig. 1 in the second configuration;

Fig. 3 illustrates a raising frame;

Fig. 4 illustrates the raising frame of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 illustrates another raising frame;

Fig. 6 illustrates the raising frame of Fig. 5 in plan view;

Fig. 7 illustrates a part the ground surface access assembly of Fig. 1 in cross section; and;

Fig. 8 illustrates a part the ground surface access assembly of Fig. 1 in cross section; Fig. 9 illustrates an exploded view of a ground surface access assembly in a first configuration;

Fig. 10 illustrates the ground surface access assembly of Fig. 9 in the first configuration; and

Fig. 11 illustrates a base frame of a ground surface access assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The figures illustrate a ground surface access assembly 100 according to examples of the disclosure comprising a raising frame 10. The figures also illustrate a raising frame 10 according to examples of the disclosure.

The assembly 100 comprises a base frame 102 defining a base frame opening 106, a raising frame 10 defining a raising frame opening 12, and a cover 104.

The raising frame opening 12 is dimensioned to correspond to dimensions of the base frame opening 106. Accordingly, the dimensions of the raising frame opening 12 are substantially the same as the dimensions of the base frame opening 106. In some examples, the dimensions of the raising frame opening 12 are exactly the same as the dimensions of the base frame opening 106, subject to manufacturing tolerances.

In the illustrated example, the base frame opening 106 and the raising frame opening 12 are substantially square in plan view.

The cover 104 is mountable in a first configuration of the assembly 100 to the base frame 102 in the base frame opening 106, and in a second configuration of the assembly 100 to the raising frame 10 in the raising frame opening 12.

Figs. 1, 2, 7 and 8 illustrate the second configuration of the assembly 100, in which the cover 104 is mounted to the raising frame 10 in the raising frame opening 12.

Figs. 9 and 10 illustrate the first configuration of the assembly, in which the cover 104 is mounted to the base frame 102 in the base frame opening 106.

In use, the ground surface access assembly 100 is installed in a roadway, for example on a construction site, in a first configuration and a base course of the roadway is installed up to the level of the cover 104.

Subsequently, for example when construction on the site is complete, the cover 104 of the ground surface access assembly 100 is removed, and the raising frame 10 is mounted to the base frame 102.

The cover 104 is subsequently mounted to the raising frame 10 in the raising frame opening 12 to provide the second configuration of the assembly 100, wherein the cover 104 is at a higher level in the second configuration than in the first configuration. The wearing course of the roadway is then installed to bring the roadway up to its final height, which is to the height of the cover 104 in the second configuration of the assembly 100.

As the raising frame opening 12 defined by the raising frame 10 is dimensioned to correspond to dimensions of the base frame opening 106 defined by the base frame 102, the same cover 104 can be mounted in the raising frame opening 12 and in the base frame opening 106. Accordingly, in examples of the disclosure a first cover corresponding to the base frame opening and a second cover with different dimensions to the first cover corresponding to the raising frame opening is not required.

As best illustrated in Fig. 11, the base frame 102 includes side walls 118 which define the base frame opening 106. A flange 120 extends outwardly from the lowermost parts of the side walls 118.

The raising frame 10 may be formed from ductile cast iron. The raising frame 10 may have an overall height of about 30 to 60 mm.

In the illustrated examples, the raising frame 10 comprises corner mountings 14 which extend into the raising frame opening 12. In the illustrated example, the raising frame 10 is substantially square in plan view and comprises a corner mounting 14 in each of the respective corners.

As best illustrated in Fig. 11, the base frame 102 includes a plurality of corner mountings 110, which extend inwardly into the base frame opening 106 from each corner.

The cover 104 includes a plurality of corner mountings 108, which extend downwardly in use from the underside of the cover 104. The cover 104 comprises a pair of substantially identical cover members 122, each of which is substantially triangular in plan view. In use, each corner mountings 108 of a first opposed pair of corner mountings 108 is formed from corresponding formations 130 on each cover member 122. Each corner mountings 108 of a second opposed pair of corner mountings 108 is provided by a respective formation 132 on each of the respective cover members 122. The second pair of corner mountings 108 may comprise hinge means to facilitate actuation of each respective cover member 122 to allow access to the hole.

The corner mountings 14 of the raising frame 10 correspond in position and geometry to the corner mountings 110 of the base frame 102. This is illustrated, for example, by a comparison of Fig. 6 (which illustrates the raising frame 10 in plan view) and Fig. 11 (which illustrates the base frame 102 in plan view). Accordingly, in the second condition of the assembly 100 the corner mountings 108 of the cover 104 are received in the corner mountings 14 of the raising frame 10 in the same way that the corner mountings 108 of the cover 104 are received in the corner mountings 110 of the base frame 102 in the first condition of the assembly 100. The seating position of the cover 104 in the base frame 102 is therefore replicated in the raising frame 10.

As best illustrated in Figs. 3, 4, 5 and 7, the corner mountings 14 comprise an in use upper face 16 which is configured to receive corner mountings 108 of the cover 104, and an in use lower face 18 which is configured to mount to corner mountings 110 of the base frame 102. The in use lower face 18 of each respective raising frame corner mounting 14 comprises an abutment formation 20 configured to abut with a respective corner mounting 110 of the base frame 102 to mount the raising frame 10 to the base frame 102.

Referring to Fig. 7, each respective abutment formation 20 comprises an abutment surface 22 which in use intimately contacts an abutment surface 112 on a respective corner mounting 110 of the base frame 102. In the illustrated examples, each respective abutment formation abutment surface 22 is coplanar with each of the other abutment formation abutment surfaces 22. Accordingly, in use all four corners of the raising frame 10 are in the same plane.

In the illustrated examples, the raising frame 10 comprises a first frame portion 24 and a second frame portion 26, wherein the second frame portion 26 comprises the corner mountings 14. The second frame portion 26 extends from the first frame portion 24 into the raising frame opening 12. The second frame portion 26 extends in use downwardly from the first frame portion 24. The first frame portion 24 includes four side walls 38 which define the raising frame opening 12.

As best illustrated in Fig. 7, in the second configuration of the assembly 100, in some examples, an in use lower surface 40 of the side walls 38 of the first frame portion 24 is spaced from an in use upper surface 124 of the side walls 118 of the base frame

102 by a small degree. Accordingly, in such examples there is clearance between the in use lower surface 40 and the in use upper surface 124. Such an arrangement ensures that each respective abutment surface 22 makes an in use intimate contact with a corresponding abutment surface 112.

As best illustrated in Fig. 7, in the second configuration of the assembly 100, in some examples, an in use inner surface 42 of the side walls 38 of the first frame portion 24 is aligned with an in use inner surface 126 of the side walls 118 of the base frame 102.

As best illustrated in Fig. 7, in the second configuration of the assembly 100, in some examples, the side walls 38 of the first frame portion 24 extend in an in use horizontal direction beyond the side walls 118 of the base frame 102. A portion of the side walls 38 may therefore overhang the side walls 118. Accordingly, in such examples an in use outer surface 44 of the side walls 38 of the first frame portion 24 is not aligned with an in use outer surface 128 of the side walls 118 of the base frame 102.

The second frame portion 26 may comprise four respective corner portions 28, wherein each respective corner portion 28 comprises a corner mounting 14.

In the illustrated examples, the raising frame 10 comprises a securing means 30 to secure the raising frame 10 to the base frame 102.

As best illustrated in Fig. 8, in the illustrated examples the second frame portion 26 comprises the securing means 30 to secure the raising frame 10 to the base frame 102. In the example illustrated in Fig. 3, each respective corner portion 28 comprises a single securing means 30. In the example illustrated in Fig. 5, each respective corner portion 28 comprise two separate securing means 30. In other examples, there may be a different number of securing means provided, and not all of the corner portions 28 may comprise securing means 30.

In the illustrated example, the securing means 30 comprises a plurality of resilient members 32 configured to be engageable with detents 114 on the base frame 102. The detents 114 may be wedge-shaped formations 116, wherein each respective resilient member 32 comprises a formation 34 configured to engage about the thick end of the wedge-shaped formation 116. The formation 34 may urge against the thick end of the wedge-shaped formation 116 such that there is a frictional resistance.

In some examples, the resilient members 32 may be integrally formed on the second frame portion 26, for example, by forming the raising member 10 as a cast in a mould. In other examples, the resilient members 32 may be separate parts which in use can be mounted to the second frame portion 26 of the raising frame 10. Accordingly, the raising member 10 (without resilient members 32) may be formed, for example, as a cast in a mould. Each respective resilient member 32 may be formed separately, for example, as a cast in a mould. In such examples, the resilient members 32 may comprise a formation configured to mountable to a corresponding formation, for example a shelf or a recess, on the second frame portion 26. The resilient members 32 in such examples may be engageable with the detent 114 on the base frame 102 as described above. In use, the raising frame 10 may be mounted to the base frame 102, and subsequently each respective resilient member 32 may be mounted to the second frame portion 26 of the raising frame 10 and engaged with a respective detent 114 on the base frame 102.

In other examples, the securing means may comprise securing taps (not illustrated) projecting inwardly into the raising frame opening 12. Corresponding security tabs (not illustrated) may be provided on the base frame 102 extending into the base frame opening 106. In use to secure the raising frame 10 to the base frame 102, a fastener such as a nut and bolt arrangement may be used, with the bolt locating through respective openings provided in the corresponding security taps of the raising frame 10 and the base frame 102.

In the illustrated examples, the raising frame comprises at least one formation 36 configured in use to locate over a side wall 118 of the base frame 102.

In the illustrated examples, a formation 36 is provided on each side 38 of the first frame portion 24. As illustrated in Fig. 2, in use the formations 36 extend over the side walls 118 of the base frame 102. The formations 36 prevent a side impact from any side of the assembly 100 from displacing the raising frame 10 from the base frame 102.

In the example illustrated in Fig. 3, the formations 36 are rectangular. In the example illustrated in Fig. 5, the formations 36 are rounded. In other examples, the formations 36 may have a different shape.

Examples of the disclosure provide a number of advantages as detailed above.

Although embodiments of the present invention have been described in the preceding paragraphs with reference to various examples, it should be appreciated that modifications to the examples given can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as claimed. For example, the raising frame 10 may be formed from any suitable material, for example, instead of ductile cast iron, the raising frame could be formed of plastics. For example, the assembly 100 may be substantially circular in plan view. Accordingly, in such examples the base frame 102, the base frame opening 106 and the cover 104 would be substantially circular in plan view. Accordingly, the raising frame 10 and the raising frame opening 12 would also be correspondingly substantially circular in plan view.

Features described in the preceding description may be used in combinations other than the combinations explicitly described.

Although functions have been described with reference to certain features, those functions may be performable by other features whether described or not.

Although features have been described with reference to certain embodiments, those features may also be present in other embodiments whether described or not.

The term “comprise” is used in this document with an inclusive not an exclusive meaning. That is any reference to X comprising Y indicates that X may comprise only one Y or may comprise more than one Y. If it is intended to use “comprise” with an exclusive meaning then it will be made clear in the context by referring to “comprising only one...” or by using “consisting”.

In this brief description, reference has been made to various examples. The description of features or functions in relation to an example indicates that those features or functions are present in that example. The use of the term “example” or “for example” or “may” in the text denotes, whether explicitly stated or not, that such features or functions are present in at least the described example, whether described as an example or not, and that they can be, but are not necessarily, present in some 5 of or all other examples. Thus “example”, “for example” or “may” refers to a particular instance in a class of examples. A property of the instance can be a property of only that instance or a property of the class or a property of a sub-class of the class that comprise some but not all of the instances in the class. It is therefore implicitly disclosed that a features described with reference to one example but not with 10 reference to another example, can where possible be used in that other example but does not necessarily have to be used in that other example.

Whilst endeavoring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood 15 that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims

1. A raising frame, the raising frame being configured to be mountable to a base frame of a ground surface access assembly and configured to receive a cover of the ground surface access assembly, the raising frame defining a raising frame opening, wherein the raising frame opening is dimensioned to correspond to dimensions of a base frame opening defined by the base frame.

2. A raising frame according to claim 1, wherein the raising frame comprises corner mountings which extend into the raising frame opening, the corner mountings comprising an in use upper face configured to receive corner mountings of the cover, and an in use lower face configured to mount to corner mountings of the base frame.

3. A raising frame according to claim 2, wherein the in use lower face of each respective raising frame corner mounting comprises an abutment formation configured to abut with a respective corner mounting of the base frame to mount the raising frame to the base frame.

4. A raising frame according to claim 3, wherein each respective abutment formation comprises an abutment surface which in use intimately contacts an abutment surface on a respective corner mounting of the base frame.

5. A raising frame according to claim 4, wherein each respective abutment formation abutment surface is coplanar with each of the other abutment formation abutment surfaces.

6. A raising frame according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the raising frame comprises a securing means to secure the raising frame to the base frame.

7. A raising frame according to claim 6, wherein the securing means comprises a resilient member configured to be engageable with a detent on the base frame.

8. A raising frame according to claim 7, wherein the detent is a wedge-shaped formation, wherein the resilient member comprises a formation configured to engage about the thick end of the wedge.

9. A raising frame according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the raising frame comprises at least one formation configured in use to locate over a side wall of the base frame.

10. A raising frame according to any of claims 2 to 9, wherein the raising frame comprises a first and a second frame portion, wherein the second frame portion comprises the corner mountings.

11. A raising frame according to claim 10, wherein the second frame portion extends from the first frame portion into the raising frame opening.

12. A raising frame according to claims 10 or 11, wherein the second frame portion comprises four respective corner portions, wherein each respective corner portion comprises a corner mounting.

13. A raising frame according to any of claim 10 to 12, wherein the first frame portion defines the raising frame opening.

14. A raising frame according to any of claim 10 to 13 when dependent on claim 6, wherein the second frame portion comprises the securing means to secure the raising frame to the base frame.

15. A raising frame according any of claims 12 to 14 when dependent on claim 6, wherein each respective corner portion comprises at least one securing means.

16. A raising frame according to any of claim 10 to 15 when dependent on claim 9, wherein the first frame portion comprises the at least one formation configured in use to locate over a side wall of the base frame.

17. A raising frame according to claim 16, wherein a formation is provided on each side of the first frame portion.

18. A raising frame according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the raising frame is substantially square in plan view.

19. A raising frame according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the raising frame opening is dimensioned to correspond exactly to the dimensions of the base frame opening.

20. A ground surface access assembly, the assembly comprising:

a base frame defining a base frame opening;

21. A ground surface access assembly, wherein the raising frame comprises corner mountings which extend into the raising frame opening, the corner mountings comprising an in use upper face configured to receive corner mountings of the cover, and an in use lower face configured to mount to corner mountings of the base frame.

22. A method of installing a raising frame in a ground surface access assembly, the method comprising:

23. A raising frame substantially as hereinbefore described and/or with reference to any of the accompanying drawings.

5

24. A ground surface access assembly substantially as hereinbefore described and/or with reference to any of the accompanying drawings.

25. A method of installing a raising frame in a ground surface access assembly substantially as hereinbefore described and/or with reference to any of the 0 accompanying drawings.