SE543970C2 - Height adjustable underground installation system - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a height adjustable underground installation system (10), such as a height adjustable manhole cover system or height adjustable sewer grid system. The system comprises a first part (14) having an upper flange (22) arranged for supporting a grid (12) or cover, and an upper cylindrical part (16) and an intermediate conical part (24) connecting said upper flange (22) and said upper cylindrical part (16). The system further comprises a second part (18) arranged for interconnecting the first part (14) to a substructure, such as a pipe shroud (40). The second part (18) comprises a lower cylindrical part (20) arranged to cooperate and interconnect with the upper cylindrical part (16) of the first part (14), and a lower flange (34) arranged for supporting the first and second parts on said substructure.

Description

Height adjustable underground installation system TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates a height adjustable underground installation system.

The height adjustable underground installation system is particularly suitable to be used as a height adjustable manhole cover system or height adjustable sewer grid system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Within the technical field of underground installation systems, such as manhole or sewer grid systems, it is known to arrange an upper part for supporting a cover or grid in a vertical displaceable manner. These systems are used in situations where the height of the ground surface to the substructure, such as a sewer structure, vary from installation to installation. It is thus possible to use the same product in a variety of situations.

These systems are typically comprised of an upper part for supporting a cover or grid, and a lover part, which is to be embedded into the ground and being part of the substructure. The upper and lower parts comprise mechanical locking means arranged in connection with the two parts and typically involving screws or other mechanical adjusting means, interconnecting the two parts and being operated with suitable tools.

However, these known types of systems are time consuming to install, as they involve the need for an installation worker to use tools. Further, the known systems comprise mechanical locking mechanisms, which tend to deteriorate and rust due to environmental influence with the following risk of malfunction.

One example of such a prior art system is disclosed in DE 102 61 338 A1 , which discloses two system parts, each having a number of cooperating adjusting means and interlocking screws.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a height adjustable underground installation system which is easy to install at several heights without the use of any tools, and without the risk of deterioration eventually resulting in malfunction.

The above object and advantages, together with numerous other objects and advantages, which will be evident from the following description of the present invention, are according to a first aspect of the present invention obtained by: A height adjustable underground installation system, such as a height adjustable manhole cover system or height adjustable sewer grid system, the underground installation system comprising: a first part arranged for supporting a grid or cover, the first part comprising an upper flange for supporting the grid or cover, an upper cylindrical part, and an intermediate conical part connecting the upper flange and the upper cylindrical part; and a second part arranged for interconnecting the first part to a substructure, such as a pipe shroud, the second part comprising a lower cylindrical part arranged to cooperate and interconnect with the upper cylindrical part of the first part, and a lower flange arranged on an outer circumference of the lower cylindrical part, and arranged for supporting the first and second parts on the substructure.

Hereby is defined a most basic embodiment of the invention comprising the first and second part. The parts of the height adjustable underground installation system are preferably manufactured from cast iron, but may likewise be manufactured from other suitable materials, such as a other metals, including aluminum or steel, or alternatively from non-metal materials, such as PVC or composites.

The second part is suitable for being arranged onto a substructure via the lower flange, which enables the upper part to be arranged at a distance from the substructure in a simple and, installation-wise, cost effective manner compared to the known type of height adjustable installations or installations not having a second part between an upper part and the substructure.

According to a further embodiment of the first aspect of the invention, the upper cylindrical part has a smaller diameter than the lower cylindrical part, the upper cylindrical part comprising a number of upper locking elements, and the lower cylindrical part comprising a number of lower locking elements arranged to interconnect with the upper locking elements.

In order to secure the two parts in place in relation to each other, the upper cylindrical part has a smaller diameter than the lower cylindrical part, whereby the first part may be partly arranged within the second part, hereby securing the two parts, and also arranging a water-proof installation in a path of travel from the first part to the second part.

The upper locking elements are preferably arranged on an outside of the upper cylindrical part, such that an interlocking is established between the contact surfaces of the upper and lower cylindrical parts.

According to a further embodiment of the first aspect of the invention, the upper locking elements comprise protrusions, and the lower locking elements comprise recesses arranged extending downwards from a first edge of the lower cylindrical part.

The upper locking means are preferably arranged as protrusions, and the lower locking elements are preferably arranged as recesses, where the upper locking elements are arranged for interconnection with the lower locking elements. Arranging the lower locking elements as recesses, avoids the need for further mechanical locking means arranged in a space between the upper and lower cylindrical parts, which mechanical locking means tends to deteriorate or rust due to environmental influence with the following risk of malfunction. The locking elements are thus incorporated into the component.

According to a further embodiment of the first aspect of the invention, the upper and lower locking elements have a tapered shape.

The locking elements, arranged as projections and recesses, preferably have a tapered shape, which allows the person installing the system to easier interconnect the two parts. Hereby the risk for misalignment is minimalized, and the two parts are further, due to the tapered shape, locked firmly together.

According to a further embodiment of the first aspect of the invention, the protrusions have a length which is substantially equal to the depth of the recesses.

The protrusions and recesses preferably have substantially the same length and depth. The protrusions may however be longer or shorter. The protrusions are in an alternative embodiment arranged such that they may be shortened, e.g. with a grinder or other suitable tools, whereby the first part may be arranged closer to the second part compared to the starting point.

According to a further embodiment of the first aspect of the invention, the lower flange is arranged at a distance from a second edge of the lower cylindrical part, and the lower cylindrical part comprises a second number of lower locking elements arranged as second recesses, extending in a direction opposite the recesses arranged on the first edge.

In a preferred embodiment, the lower flange is arranged between the first and second edges in an offset position, such that the lower flange is closer to the second edge than the first edge, or vice versa. This has the technical effect that the second part has two sets of opposite lower and second lower locking elements to interact with the upper locking elements, whereby the offset configuration of the flange arranges the first part at different heights to an underground structure. The second part may thus be arranged onto a substructure with either the first edge or the second edge extending into the substructure.

According to a further embodiment of the first aspect of the invention, the lower cylindrical part, at a first or second edge thereof, comprises a number of depressions, corresponding to the number of protrusions, the depressions being arranged to interconnect with the protrusions, and the depressions having a smaller extent than the recesses.

In order to arrange the system with even further height adjustment possibilities, the first and/or the second edge comprises depressions. The depressions have a smaller extent than the recesses, whereby the first part is less embedded into the second part, resulting in a larger distance from the first part to a substructure.

According to a further embodiment of the first aspect of the invention, the system further comprises a pipe shroud arranged to be embedded in a ground, where the pipe shroud is a hollow cylinder having an inner diameter which is slightly larger than the diameter of the lower cylinder.

In a further preferred embodiment, the system comprises a pipe shroud arranged with dimensions compatible with the dimensions of the second part. Hereby any risk of malfunction due to misalignment is reduced.

According to a further embodiment of the first aspect of the invention, the system comprises a grid being hingedly connected to the upper flange or the grid, and the upper flange comprises a snap fit.

According to a further embodiment of the first aspect of the invention, the snap fit comprises a number of openings arranged on opposing edges of the upper flange, and a number of projections arranged on opposing edges of the grid.

In order to attach the grid to the first part, the upper flange comprises a number of openings, and the grid comprises a number of projections corresponding to the openings. The first part may comprise openings on all parts of the upper flange, enabling the grid to be attached in several directions.

According to a further embodiment of the first aspect of the invention, the openings comprise a first number of openings arranged at a first vertical level of the upper flange and a second number of openings arranged at a second vertical level, hereby arranging the grid to be attached to the first part at at least two different vertical positions.

Arranging the upper flange with first and second openings arranged at different vertical levels has the technical advantage that the grid itself can be adjusted in a vertical direction in relation to the first part.

Further, it is possible to attach a first set of protrusions of the grid to a first number of openings, and a second opposite set of protrusions of the grid to a second number of openings arranged at a different vertical level. Hereby, the grid is arranged with an inclination in relation to the first part. Thus, there is the possibility of arranging the grid adapted to an inclined ground surface.

Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the height adjustable underground installation system.

Fig. 2A is a perspective view of the height adjustable underground installation system in a first configuration.

Fig. 2B is a cross-sectional view A-A of the height adjustable underground installation system in a first configuration.

Fig. 2C is an upper view of the height adjustable underground installation system.

Fig. 3A is a perspective view of the height adjustable underground installation system in a second configuration.

Fig. 3B is a cross-sectional view B-B of the height adjustable underground installation system in a second configuration.

Fig. 3C is an upper view of the height adjustable underground installation system.

Fig. 4A is a perspective view of the height adjustable underground installation system in a third configuration.

Fig 4B is a cross-sectional view C-C of the height adjustable underground installation system in a third configuration.

Fig. 4C is an upper view of the height adjustable underground installation system.

The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown. The invention may, however, be embodied in different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. Like elements will thus not be described in detail with respect to the description of each figure.

Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the height adjustable underground installation system 10.

The figure illustrates a basic embodiment of the invention, where the system 10 comprises a first part 14 and a separate second part 18 arranged to be interconnected with the first part 14. The figure further illustrates a grid 12 arranged to be connected to the first part 14. The system may in an alternative, instead of a grid 12, comprise a cover (not shown).

The first part 14 comprises an upper flange 22 arranged to interconnect with the grid 12 or cover. The upper flange 22 comprises a perimeter being larger than the perimeter of the grid 12, such that the grid 12 is encircled by the upper flange 12. The Grid 12 and the upper flange 22 preferably comprise snap-fit locking means for locking the grid 12 to the first part 14. The grid 12 comprises projections 36, and the upper flange comprises openings 38 arranged to engage with the projections 36. In order to disassemble the two parts, the projections 36 may be depressed out of engagement with the openings 38 by a suitable tool, such as a crowbar. The connection between the grid 12 and the upper flange 22 may in an alternative embodiment comprise a hinge construction.

The first part 14 further comprises an upper cylindrical part 16 suitable to be arranged between the upper flange 22 and a substructure, such as a sewer system (not shown). The upper cylindrical part 16 is arranged with an opening area being smaller than the opening area defined by de upper flange 22. Therefore, the first part 14 further comprises a conical section 24 arranged between and interconnecting the upper flange 22 and the upper cylindrical part 16. The upper cylindrical part 16 is illustrated as a square, but may as well be arranged as a polygon or have a rounded shape, such as a circular shape.

The second part 18 comprises a lower cylindrical part 20 having an opening area being larger than the opening area of the upper cylindrical part 16, whereby the lower cylindrical part 20 may encircle the upper cylindrical part 16 when the two parts are interconnected. The second part 18 further comprises a lower flange 34 being circumferentially arranged in an outer surface of the lower cylindrical part 20. The flange is illustrated as encircling the entire circumferential surface of the lower cylindrical part 20, but may in an alternative embodiment be arranged as several distanced flange parts distributed in a spaced relationship around the lower cylindrical part 20. The lower flange 34 is arranged on the lower cylindrical part 20, such that when arranging the system onto a substructure, the lower flange abuts the substructure and supports the first and second parts 14,16. The lower flange 34 is in a preferred embodiment arranged between a first and a second edge 42,44 (second edge 44 being shown in e.g. fig 2B) of the lower cylindrical part 20 in an offset position between the two edges 42,44, such that the lower flange 34 is closer to the second edge 44 than the first edge 42 or vice versa.

In order to interlock the first part 14 and the second part 16, the upper cylindrical part 16 and the lower cylindrical part 20 comprise a number of locking elements 26,28,30. The upper cylindrical part 16 comprises a number of upper locking means 26, which in the illustrated embodiment is arranged as projections having a generally tapered shape. The lower cylindrical part 18 comprises a number of lower locking elements 28 arranged as recesses on the first edge 42 of the lower cylindrical part 20, and a number of second locking elements 30 being arranged as second recesses on the second edge 44 of the lower cylindrical part 20, the recesses of the first and second edge 44 being arranged in opposite directions. The number of first locking elements 26 corresponds to the number of lower locking elements 28 and the number of second lower locking elements 30, respectively.

The lower and second lower locking elements 28,30 of the lower cylindrical part 20 are arranged as tapered recesses having substantially the same length as the upper locking elements, and arranged for engagement therewith. Arranging the locking elements 26,28,30 with a tapered shape has the technical effect that the person installing the system can easily interengage the two parts. A further technical advantage is that the tapered shape arranges the two cylindrical parts 16,20 in a tight fit, which eliminates any displacement of the two parts 16,20. The locking elements 26,28,30 of the cylindrical parts 16,20 may however in a different embodiment have a shape other than the tapered shape, such as the shape of straight projections/recesses.

The second part 18 further comprises a number of depressions 32 arranged at the first edge 42 of the lower cylindrical part 20. The depressions may in an alternative embodiment be arranged on the second edge 44 of the lower cylindrical part 20 or on both edges 42,44.

The depth of the depressions 32 is smaller than the depth of the lower and/or second lower locking elements being arranged as recesses. The number of depressions 32 corresponds to the number of upper locking elements, and the depressions are arranged on the first edge 42 of the lower cylindrical part 20, such that the upper locking elements 26 may interengage with the depressions 32 in a manner similar to the recesses.

Due to the special arrangement of the lower flange, in an offset distance between the first and second edges 42,44 of the lower cylindrical part 20, it is possible to arranged the upper side of the first part 14 at different heights in relation to the substructure, hereby adapting the installation system 10 to several, different ground heights. The various installation heights are illustrated throughout figs. 2A-4C.

Figs. 2A-2C show a first configuration of the underground installation system. The figures illustrate the first part 14 arranged in connection with the second part 18, which second part 18 is arranged onto a substructure, which in the illustrated embodiment is a pipe sprout 40. The second part 18 is, via the lowerflange 34, supported onto an upper rim part of the pipe sprout 40, and the second part 18 is arranged onto the pipe sprout 40, such that the lower cylindrical part 20 and the first edge 42 (see fig. 2B) extend into the pipe sprout, and the second edge 44 is arranged towards the first part 14.

I this first configuration, the upper locking elements 26 are arranged in connection with the second lower locking elements 30, which establishes the most lower configuration of the underground installation system 10. This configuration is preferably used in a situation where the ground level is close to the substructure.

Figs. 3A-3C show a second configuration of the underground installation system. The second part 18 is in this configuration, via the lowerflange 34, supported onto the upper rim part of the pipe sprout 40, and the second part 18 is arranged onto the pipe sprout 40, such that the lower cylindrical part 20 and the second edge 44 (see fig. 2B) extend into the pipe sprout, and the first edge 42 is arranged towards the first part 14.

I this second configuration, the upper locking elements 26 are arranged in connection with the lower locking elements 28, which establishes a middle configuration of the underground installation system 10. This configuration is preferably used in a situation where the ground level is higher to the substructure compared to the situation of the first configuration.

Figs. 4A-4C show a third configuration of the underground installation system. The second part 18 is in this configuration, via the lower flange 34, supported onto the upper rim part of the pipe sprout 40, and the second part 18 is arranged onto the pipe sprout 40, such that the lower cylindrical part 20 and the second edge 44 (see fig. 2B) extend into the pipe sprout, and the first edge 42 is arranged towards the first part 14.

In this third configuration, the upper locking elements 26 are arranged in connection with the depressions 32, which establishes the highest configuration of the underground installation system 10. This configuration is preferably used in a situation where the ground level is even higher to the substructure compared to the situation of the second configuration.

Claims (8)

1. A height adjustable Underground installation system (10), such as a height adjusta-ble manhole cover system or height adjustable sewer grid system, said undergroundinstallation system (10) comprising: a first part (14) arranged for supporting a grid (12) or cover, said first part (14)comprising an upper flange (22) for supporting said grid (12) or cover, an upper cylin-drical part (16) and an intermediate conical part (24) connecting said upper flange (22)and said upper cylindrical part (16); and a second part (18) arranged for interconnecting said first part (14) to a substruc-ture, such as a pipe shroud (40), said second part (18) comprising a lower cylindricalpart (20) arranged to cooperate and interconnect with said upper cylindrical part (16)of said first part (14), and a lower flange (34) arranged on an outer circumference ofthe lower cylindrical part (20), and arranged for supporting the first and second parts(14, 18) on said substructure, said upper cylindrical part (16) has a smaller diameter than said lower cylindricalpart (20), said upper cylindrical part (16) comprising a number of upper locking ele-ments (26), and said lower cylindrical part (20) comprising a number of lower lockingelements (28) arranged to interconnect with said upper locking elements (26), said upper locking elements (26) comprise protrusions, and said lower lockingelements (28) comprise recesses arranged extending downwards from a first edge(42) of said lower cylindrical part (20), characterized in that said lower flange (34) is arranged a distance from a second edge (44) of saidlower cylindrical part (20), and said lower cylindrical part (20) comprises a secondnumber of lower locking elements (30) arranged as second recesses, extending in a direction opposite said recesses arranged on said first edge (42).

2. A height adjustable underground installation system (10) according to claim 1, wherein said upper and lower locking elements (26, 28) have a tapered shape.

3. A height adjustable underground installation system (10) according to claims 1 or 2,wherein said protrusions have a length which is substantially equal to the depth of said FGCGSSGS.

4. A height adjustable underground installation system (10) according to any of claims1-3, wherein said lower cylindrical part (20), at said first or second edge (42, 44) thereof, comprises a number of depressions (32), corresponding to said number of protrusions, said depressions (32) being arranged to interconnect with said protru- sions, and said depressions (32) having a smaller extent than said recesses.

5. A height adjustable underground installation system (10) according to any of theprevious claims, wherein said system (10) further comprises a pipe shroud (40) ar-ranged to be embedded in a ground, where said pipe shroud (40) is a hollow cylinderhaving an inner diameter, which is slightly larger than the diameter of said lower cylin- der.

6. A height adjustable underground installation system (10) according to any of theprevious claims, wherein said system (10) comprises a grid (12) being hingedly con-nected to said upper flange (22),or said grid (12) and said upper flange (22) comprises a snap fit.

7. A height adjustable underground installation system (10) according to claim 6,wherein said snap fit comprises a number of openings arranged (38) on opposingedges of the upper flange (22) and a number of projections (36) arranged on opposing edges of said grid (12).

8. A height adjustable underground installation system (10) according to claim 7,wherein said openings (38) comprise a first number of openings arranged at a first ver-tical level of said upper flange, and a second number of openings arranged at a sec-ond vertical level, hereby arranging the grid (12) to be attached to said first part at at least two different vertical positions.