IL151382A - Height coordinator for cover of opening in ground - Google Patents

Description

HEIGHT COORDINATOR FOR A DRAINAGE HOLE HEIGHT COORDINATOR FOR A DRAINAGE HOLE FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to manholes and basins structures. More particularly, the present invention relates to drainage hole having a height coordination so as to adjust the height of the cover of the hole to the surrounding surface.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Drainage basins, electricity and cable chambers, water mains basins and other holes are situated beneath roads and open areas so as to enable maintenance workers to treat the water or electrical mains as well as drainage systems. The openings of the basins or chambers can be manholes or smaller holes on the surface of the ground or roads. Maintenance workers can enter the low basins through the manholes or treat drainage or electricity problems through the openings. The holes are provided with covers that should be on the same level of the surface.

Unfortunately, the most common situation is that the covers of the holes protrude above the surface of the road or most likely, sunk below the surface. This situation is due to the fact that the asphalt of the roads is pressed down over time by extensive traffic and when road asphalt is being fixed or a road is being asphalted, the cover of the hole stays in the same elevation. Elevating the cover requires new constructions and is costly. Therefore, the openings of the holes below the roads are not being adjusted to the new conditions of the road.

This situation cause continuous damage to vehicles and even more severely, the covers of the openings become obstacle to pedestrians walking on the road. There are extensive reports concerning accidents that are related to pedestrians tumbling over holes covers that were not aligned with the surface of the road. Municipal authorities lose plenty of money in law suits and are inattentive to their residents.

There were some attempts to develop an adjustable cover, however, there is no sufficient solution for the problem.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a height coordinator for underground holes that allows the level of the hole cover to be adjusted according to changes in the level of the external surface.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a height coordinator for drainage holes that is made of a material that can withstand the conditions of the hole without going through structural changes.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a method of installing a height coordinator for underground holes so as to assure the alignment of the cover of the hole to the surrounding surface.

It is therefore provided in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention a height coordinator for underground holes having an opening and edges of the opening substantially adjacent to the level of a surface, said height coordinator comprises: a member corresponding the edges of said opening, wherein said member comprises a sleeve and a shoulder adapted to support said member on the edges of the opening; at least one adjusting ring provided adjacently and beneath said member wherein said sleeve internally supports said at least one adjusting ring and wherein the adjusting rings are provided with different heights; whereby several additional adjusting rings can be stacked one on top of the other in the opening of the underground hole so as to establish the desired height and said member is mounted in the desired height on top of the acljUS†jng ringS while internally arid concentrically" holding the adjusting rings together.

Furthermore, in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the height coordinator as claimed in Claim 1 , wherein said sleeve correspond an inner diameter of said at least one adjusting ring and wherein the sleeve is placed within said at least one adjusting ring while concentrically securing the ring as well as the member together to prevent lateral movement of the height coordinator.

Furthermore, in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, said member is provided with said shoulder adapted to support a cover of the edges of the opening.

Furthermore, in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, said member is cylindrical and said at least one adjusting ring correspond the shape of said member.

Furthermore, in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, said member is in the shape of a ring.

Furthermore, in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, said at least one adjusting ring is in the shape of a circle. Furthermore, in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, an upper surface of at least one of said at least one adjusting ring is inclined so as to establish an angle relative to a bottom surface of the adjusting ring.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES In order to better understand the present invention and appreciate its practical applications, the following Figures are attached and references herein. Like components are denoted by like reference numerals.

It should be noted that the figures are given as examples and preferred embodiments only and in no way limit the scope of the present invention as defined in the appending Description and Claims.

Figure 1 illustrates a cross sectional view of a manhole beneath the surface of a road provided with a height coordinator in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2a illustrates an upper view and side cross sectional view of the outer ring of the height coordinator shown in Figure 1.

Figure 2b illustrates an upper view and side cross sectional view of the inner ring of the height coordinator shown in Figure 1.

Figure 2c illustrates a side cross sectional view of the outer and the inner rings engaged together in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 3a illustrates an isometric view of an inner ring and an outer ring of a height coordinator in accordance with another" preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 3b illustrates a cross sectional side view of the inner and outer rings shown in Figure 3a.

Figure 4a illustrates an isometric view of an inner and outer ring provided with additional adjusting rings in accordance with yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 4b illustrates a cross sectional view of the inner and outer rings shown in Figure 4a provided with an additional adjusting ring.

Figure 4c illustrates a cross sectional view of a height coordinator in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 5a-f illustrate different views of an outer ring, an inner ring and elevators of a height coordinator in accordance with yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION AND FIGURES The present invention provides a new and unique height coordinator for underground holes such as drainage holes, electricity and cable maintenance chambers, water mains basins and a like.

Reference is now made to Figure 1 illustrating a cross sectional view of a manhole beneath the surface of a road provided with a height coordinator in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Height coordinator 10 is adapted to adjust the height of a cover 12 of a drainage hole 14 to surface of a road 16. Height coordinator 10 comprises of two concentric rings: a outer ring 18 that is positioned adjacent to the upper portion of the walls 20 of drainage hole 14 and an inner ring 22 that sits within outer ring 18. Both rings are adjacent to each other while outer ring 18 is stationary and inner ring 22 is adapted to perpendicularly move within outer ring 18 so as to change the height of height coordinator 10. Outer ring 18 is provided with a shoulder 24 that is supported by an upper edge 26 of upper portion of the walls 20 of the drainage hole. Inner ring 22 is also provided with a shoulder 28 adapted to be supported on shoulder 24 of outer ring 18 and is adapted to receive cover 12.

Reference is now made to Figures 2a, b, and c illustrating upper and side cross sectional views of the outer ring, the inner ring, and both rings engaged together in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention respectively. In order to establish an engagement between outer ring 18 and inner ring 22 when the inner ring is within outer ring, both rings are provided with corresponding and opposite teeth. As shown in Figure 2a, preferably four rows of inwardly directed teeth 30 are provided on the inner wall of outer ring 18. As shown in Figure 2b, preferably four rows of corresponding outwardly directed teeth 32 are provided on the outer wall of inner ring 22.

According to the method of the present invention, outer ring 18 is positioned adjacent to the walls of a draining hole (not shown in Figures 2a-c), near its opening, supported by shoulder 24 on the edges of the hole. Then, inner ring 22 is threaded to within outer ring 18. Threading the inner ring is possible only when rows of teeth 30 and 32 of the inner and outer rings are not positioned together. The inner ring can be inserted into the outer ring when it is about 45 degrees rotated to one of the sides (initiating from the positioning shown in Figures 2a and 2b). When the suitable height of shoulder 28 of inner ring 22, on which the cover seats, is achieved, inner ring 22 is rotated to the position shown in Figure 2c, a position in which teeth 32 of inner ring 22 are supported by teeth 30 of outer ring 18.

In order to assure the height of inner ring 22, a fastening bolt 36 is provided and passes through inner ring 22 and outer ring 18.

It should be noted that any other types of supporters may be provided between the rings so as to enable grasping the inner ring within the outer ring in a specific height. Any other mechanism is covered by the scope of the present invention.

Reference is now made to Figure 3a illustrating an isometric view of an inner ring and an outer ring of a height coordinator in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention. An outer ring - which is an adjusting ring 50 is provided so as to be positioned adjacent to the opening of the hole while inner ring - member 52 is sized so as to be inserted within adjusting ring 50. Member 52 is provided with a shoulder 54 adapted to be supported on the edge of adjusting ring 50 and onto the edge of the drainage hole. Member 52 is available in different and standard sizes and establishes an adjusting ring that can be chosen according to the conditions in the field when the coordinator is arranged in the drainage hole. The height of the adjusting ring is selected according to the height that is desired so as to determine the level of member 52.

Reference is now made to Figure 3b illustrating a cross sectional side view of the inner and outer rings shown in Figure 3a. Shoulder 54 protrudes sufficiently so as to be supported in the edge of adjusting ring 50. Initially, adjusting ring 50 is installed in the opening of the drainage hole.

When there is a change in the height of the surface due to repair of the road, for example, and the surrounding surface is elevated beyond the initial height (the usual situation), member 52 that supports the cover of the hole (not shown in Figure 3a and b) has to be elevated also. This can be done by introducing a broader adjusting ring, for example, and replace the former one.

Reference is now made to Figure 4a illustrating an isometric view of an inner and outer ring provided with additional adjusting rings in accordance with yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention. Outer ring 50, which is basically an adjusting ring, and inner ring - member 52 can be similar to the ones described in the embodiment shown in Figure 3a, however, additional adjusting rings 56 are provided also. Adjusting ring 56 can be provided in several heights and can be stacked one on top of the other in accordance with the elevation of the surface surrounding the opening of the drainage hole in a modular manner. Member 52" stab1isHes' a "s1eeve~tha'f internally supports the adjusting rings so as to prevent any lateral movement of any one of the adjusting rings as well as the member itself relative to the others and to the hole.

Reference is now made to Figure 4b illustrating a cross sectional view of the inner and outer rings shown in Figure 4a provided with an additional adjusting ring. Adjusting ring 56 is provided on top of adjusting ring 50. The adjusting ring can be provided in every thickness so as to accord the changes in the surrounding surface. Optionally, more then one adjusting ring can be provided on top of the outer ring so as to correctly adjust the height of cover of the hole to the surrounding, as shown in Figure 4a.

Reference is now made to Figure 4c illustrating a cross sectional view of a height coordinator in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Basically, the height coordinator 200 is similar to the previous shown embodiments, however, it can be seen that one of the adjusting rings that are provided to the height coordinator is provided with an upper surface that is inclined. Height coordinator 200 is provided with a first adjusting ring 202 that is adapted to raise shoulder 204 of member 203 as discussed herein before, however, an additional adjusting ring 206 is provided having an upper surface that is inclined. The two types of adjusting rings are better shown in the left corner of the sheet in isometric views. Member 203 is shown to hold both adjusting rings 202 and 206 concentrically so as to prevent the adjusting rings from moving laterally relative to the member and to them.

It is shown that the basic of the height coordinator is their modular nature by which the height of the upper cover of the drainage hole will be established by as many adjusting rings stacked onto each other as necessary.

Reference is now made to Figures 5a-f illustrating different views of an outer ring, an inner ring and elevators of a height coordinator in accordance with yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention. Basically, the embodiment shown in Figures 5a-f resembles the embodiment shown in Figure 3 and 4. Figures 5a and 5b illustrates an upper view and sides cross sectional view of an outer ring comprising an outer wall 100 onto with elevators 102 are mounted. An isometric view of elevators 102 are shown in Figure 5e. Elevators 102 are partial circle that corresponds to the dimensions of the outer ring so that they will be able to be mounted one on top of the other and on top of the outer ring. Each elevator is provided with holes 104 on both sides by which the elevators can be attached to each other as well as to wall 100 of the outer ring. An inner ring is illustrated in Figure 5c and 5d. Inner ring 110 is similar to the inner rings shown herein before. The inner ring is provided with a shoulder 112 that rests on the outer ring or the elevators.

Figure 5f illustrates a side cross sectional view of the assembled height coordinator comprising outer ring 100, elevators 102 mounted on top of the outer ring and inner ring 110 whose shoulder rests on top of elevators 102. Similarly to the embodiment shown herein having adjusting rings, the elevators can be of any height so that one, two or any other combination of the number of elevators and their thickness can be mounted on the outer ring so as to correspond to the height needed for the inner ring to be elevated.

It should be noted that the height coordinator of the present invention can be applied on any type of holes or conduits such as draining conduits that are provided on under roads and have an opening on the road's level.

It should be also noted that the size of the height coordinator of the present invention can be varied in accordance to requirement as well as the shape of the opening that can be a circle, a square, an ellipsoid, or any other shape.

It should be clear that the description of the embodiments and attached Figures set forth in this specification serves only for a better understanding of the invention, without limiting its scope as covered by the following Claims.

It should also be clear that a person skilled in the art, after reading the present specification can make adjustments or amendments to the attached Figures and above described embodiments that would still be covered by the following Claims.

Claims (1)

/( C L A I M S A height coordinator for underground holes having an opening and edges of the opening substantially adjacent to the level of a surface, said height coordinator comprises: a member corresponding the edges of said opening, wherein said member comprises a sleeve and a shoulder adapted to support said member on the edges of the opening; at least one adjusting ring provided adjacently and beneath said member wherein said sleeve internally supports said at least one adjusting ring and wherein the adjusting rings are provided with different heights; whereby several additional adjusting rings can be stacked one on top of the other in the opening of the underground hole so as to establish the desired height and said member is mounted in the desired height on top of the adjusting rings while internally and concentrically holding the adjusting rings together. The height coordinator as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said sleeve correspond an inner diameter of said at least one adjusting ring and wherein the sleeve is placed within said at least one adjusting ring while concentrically securing the ring as well as the member together to prevent lateral movement of the height coordinator. The height coordinator as claimed in Claim 1 , wherein said member is provided with said shoulder adapted to support a cover of the edges of the opening. The height coordinator as claimed in Claim 1 , wherein said member is cylindrical and said at least one adjusting ring correspond the shape of said member. The height coordinator as claimed in Claim 1 , wherein said member is in the shape of a ring. The height coordinator as claimed in Claim 5, wherein said at least one adjusting ring is in the shape of a circle. The height coordinator as claimed in

1. Claim 1 , wherein an upper surface of at least one of said at least one adjusting ring is inclined so as to establish an angle relative to a bottom surface of the adjusting ring. A height coordinator for underground holes having an opening having edges substantially adjacent to the level of a surface substantially as described in the above specification, attached Figures and appending Claims. Gold -