IE911289A1

IE911289A1 - A Manhole Cover

Info

Publication number: IE911289A1
Application number: IE128991A
Authority: IE
Inventors: Andrew James Cregan
Original assignee: Andrew James Cregan
Priority date: 1991-04-18
Filing date: 1991-04-18
Publication date: 1992-10-21
Also published as: IE64999B1; BE1003957A6

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 and industry generally.

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 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.

According to the invention, there is provided a manhole cover comprising a plurality of parallel slats and a hinge for connection of each slat to the ground.

Preferably, the slats are mounted for independent hinged motion.

In one embodiment, there is a hinge between each pair of adjacent slats, the hinge comprising a removable pin.

Preferably, the cover further comprises a lock for locking the EE 911289 - 3 slats in the closed position.

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

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 whichsFig. 1 is a perspective view of a floor and manhole cover 10 of the invention; 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 a hinge of the cover; and Figs. 5(a), (b), and (c) are various views showing a lock. - 4 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, of 210 mm width and spaced-apart 40 mm. Each slat 5 is connected by a hinge 7 to the frame 4 and incorporates a lock 8 for individual opening and locking.

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 (Fig. 1) extending transversely and interleaving with a tongue on an adjacent slat. The end slot 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. - 5 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 at the hinge 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 10 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 and industrial applications. Another advantage is that lifting of a heavy manhole cover is avoided. Even if the slat 5 were of heavysteel 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 industry for example, power stations, purifying plants, ship yards, drilling rigs or other uses. It is not essential that the slats be perforated. - 6 The invention is not limited to the embodiments hereinbefore described, but may be varied in construction and detail.

Claims

CLAIMS . A manhole cover comprising a plurality of parallel slats and a hinge for connection of each slat to the ground. A manhole cover as claimed in claim 1, wherein the slats are mounted for independent hinged motion. A manhole cover as claimed in claim 2, wherein there is a hinge between each pair of adjacent slats, the hinge comprising a removable pin. A manhole cover as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising a lock for locking the slats in the closed position. A manhole cover as claimed in claim 4, wherein the lock comprises a manually operable catch member mounted for engagement with a frame for the cover. A manhole substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings .