IE64999B1 - A Manhole Cover - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an access hole cover comprising a number ofparallel laths. The laths are fixed together by pivoting about hinges suchthat they can be opened independently. Each hinge comprises a removablespindle. A closing mechanism is provided for an end plate. When the end plateis in the closed position, other plates are prevented from opening by a setof overlapping tabs formed on the laths.

Description

The invention relates to a manhole cover and is particularly applicable to agriculture.

At present, manhole covers are generally of steel or concrete construction and are mounted in a seat in a floor or the ground. Many such manhole covers are quite heavy and are difficult to manually lift out of the closed position. In some situations, another problem exists with some conventional manhole covers in that a significant proportion of a slatted floor area (such as in a cow shed) may be lost to the manhole cover.

A construction of slatted floor unit is described in British Patent Specification No. GB-A-2,203,625. There is an opening in the floor unit which is covered by a main cover having a number of beams secured to transverse end supports. To allow a small opening to be provided, for example, for a hose to be lowered into the pit below, there is a small opening in the cover. This opening is covered by a lid which is hinged to main cover.

According to the invention, there is provided a manhole cover to provide an opening in a farm animal slatted floor, wherein :the cover has a number of parallel slats; the slats are hinged in such a way that they can be opened and closed individually :to make different sized openings, and to avoid having to open the full cover; the slats have interleaved tongues arranged so that an end slat can hold down the other slats; and there is a lock on the end slat so that all slats can be locked together.

According to another aspect, the invention provides a manhole cover to provide an opening in a farm animal slatted floor, wherein :the cover has a number of parallel slats; and at least some of the slats are hinged in such a way that they can be opened and closed individually :to make different sized openings; and to avoid having to open the full cover.

Preferably, the manhole cover further comprises a lock for locking the slats in the closed position.

In one embodiment, at least two side-by-side slats have interleaved tongues so that one slat can hold down another slat.

In another embodiment, the slats have interleaved tongues arranged so that an end slat can hold down the other slats.

In a further embodiment, said end slat has a lock so that all slats can be locked together.

In one embodiment, the lock comprises a manually operable catch member mounted for engagement with a frame for the cover.

In a still further embodiment, there is a hinge between each pair of adjacent slats.

The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of some preferred embodiments thereof, given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which :Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a manhole cover of the invention in position in a floor; Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the cover in more detail; Fig. 3 is a cross sectional view showing a slat of the cover; Figs. 4(a), (b), (c), and (d) are various views showing hinges of the cover; and Figs. 5(a), (b), and (c) are various views showing a lock for an end slat.

Referring to the drawings, there is illustrated a concrete slatted floor 1 in which is mounted a manhole cover 2. The manhole cover 2 is over a pump opening and the floor 1 is for a cow shed. The floor 1 forms a rectangular seat 3 in which there is secured an angle iron frame 4 in which the manhole cover 2 is seated. The manhole cover 2 comprises four perforated steel slats 5, each of 210 mm width and spacedapart 40 mm. Each slat 5 is connected by a hinge 7 to the frame 4 for individual opening.

Referring to Fig. 4, there is a hinge 7 between each side-byside pair of slats 5. Each hinge 7 comprises a sleeve 9 holding a pin 10, held in position by a fixing screw 11. This arrangement allows for ease of removal of a slat, when required, as the pin 10 may be easily removed from the sleeve 9.

Referring to Fig. 5, there is a lock 8 for an end slat 5. The lock 8 comprises a catch 15 pivotally mounted at a hinge 16 for engagement underneath a protruding part of the frame 4. The catch 15 has a handle 17 to allow manual opening. Each slat has a tongue 20 (see also Fig. 2) extending transversely and interleaving with a tongue 20 on an adjacent slat. The end slat 5 having the lock 8 has a tongue 20 located to prevent opening of the adjacent slat if it is locked. In turn, each successive slat 5 has a tongue 20 preventing opening of the adjacent slats. Spacers 21 for the slats 5 are mounted on the frame 4.

In operation, the manhole cover 2 is used in a cow shed, and as shown in Fig. 1, the slatted floor area is not reduced by the presence of the manhole cover. This is a significant advantage. Further, removal of the manhole cover is not possible because it is pivotally connected a the hinges 7 to the floor 1. The slats 5 are generally left in the locked position.

It will be appreciated that there is versatility in the manner in which the manhole cover is opened. For example, at times only a small opening is required, in which situation only some of the slats would be opened. This is particularly convenient in cow houses and in other agricultural applications. Another advantage is that lifting of a heavy manhole cover is avoided. Even if the slat 5 were of heavy steel or concrete construction, each individual slat 5 is unlikely to be too heavy for a person to lift.

Although the invention has been illustrated for use with cow sheds, it is envisaged that it may be applied to any kind of farm animal house. It is not essential that the slats be perforated.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments hereinbefore described, but may be varied in construction and detail.

Claims (9)

1. A manhole cover to provide an opening in a farm animal slatted floor, wherein :the cover has a number of parallel slats; 5 the slats are hinged in such a way that they can be opened and closed individually : to make different sized openings, and to avoid having to open the full cover; the slats have interleaved tongues arranged so that 10 an end slat can hold down the other slats; and there is a lock on the end slat so that all slats can be locked together.

2. A manhole cover to provide an opening in a farm animal slatted floor, wherein :15 the cover has a number of parallel slats; and at least some of the slats are hinged in such a way that they can be opened and closed individually :to make different sized openings; and to avoid having to open the full cover. 20

3. A manhole cover as claimed in claim 2 further comprising a lock for locking the slats in the closed position. - 8

4. A manhole cover as claimed in claim 3, wherein at least two side-by-side slats have interleaved tongues so that one slat can hold down another slat.

5. A manhole cover as claimed in claim 4, wherein the slats 5 have interleaved tongues arranged so that an end slat can hold down the other slats.

6. A manhole cover as claimed in claim 5, wherein said end slat has a lock so that all slats can be locked together.

7. A manhole cover as claimed in any of claims 3 to 6 10 wherein said lock comprises a manually operable catch member mounted for engagement with a frame for the cover.

8. A manhole cover as claimed in any of claims 2 to 7, wherein there is a hinge between each pair of adjacent slats . 15

9. A manhole cover substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.