US2930295A

US2930295A - Adjustable manhole frame

Info

Publication number: US2930295A
Application number: US695000A
Authority: US
Inventors: Nathan C Hale
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1957-11-07
Filing date: 1957-11-07
Publication date: 1960-03-29
Anticipated expiration: 1977-03-29

Description

March 29, 1960 N. c. HALE 2,930,295

. ADJUSTABLE MANHOLE FRAME Filed Nov. 7, 1957 s Sheets-Sheet 1 ll l2 INVENIOR NATHAN C. HALE BY /W Fm ATTORNEY S March 29, l960 N. c. HALE ADJUSTABLE MANHOLE FRAME 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 7, 1957 Neyl Gyudq lll I INVENTOR NATHAN c. HALE ATTORNEYS March 29, 1960 N. c. HALE ADJUSTABLE MANHOLE FRAME 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Nov. 7, 1957 a W F a 4 4 4 1 3 W w. H a z r a s INVENIOR NATHAN C. HALE ATTORNEYS ADJUSTABLE MANHOLE FRAME 7 Nathan C. Hale, Falls Church,-Va.

, App'lication November 7, 1957, Serial No. 695,000

12 Claims. (CI. 94-34) This invention relates generally to manholes utilized for access purposes to underground utility lines and sewers and more particularly to adjustable manhole frames mounted at the surface end of such manholes.

In the periodic resurfacing of streets and highways wherein additional paving material, to the extent of an inch or more thickness is added to the existing surface, it becomes necessary to cut free the many manhole frames from their engagement with the original paving material in order that they may be reinstalled at a greater elevation to be flush with the new paving surface. This is not only an objectionable problem to motorists using the roads, but is an expensive undertaking for the local government involved. Therefore, it becomes desirable that manhole frames, when installed in roadways, be adjustable to allow for this periodic resurfacing, and thereby avoid the necessity of digging out each frame.

Numerous patents have been granted on adjustable manhole frames, but the utilization of the concepts presented therein has apparently been very sparse for one reason or another.

It is, therefore, the primary object of this invention to provide an improved adjustable manhole frame.

A more specific object of this invention is to provide an improved adjustable manhole frame which-may be' readily adjusted by the use of a wrench.

Another object of this inventionis to provide a manhole frame which may be adjusted upwardly or downwardlyin an installed position in a roadway without disturbing the material of the roadway. -A further object of this invention is to provide an improved manhole frame which includes a plurality of threaded bolts, the adjustment of which will raise or lower the frame in its installed position in a roadway without disturbing the material of the roadway.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved adjustable manhole frame which lends itself to mass production with the attendant economies thereof.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, the invention resides in the following specification and appended claims, certain embodiments and details of construction of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure l is a plan view of the preferred form of the invention illustrating the manhole frame, with the cover therefor, being cut away;

Figure 2 is a sectioned view in side elevation taken along the lines 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a sectioned view in side elevation of a modified form of the manhole frame comprising the invention;.

Figure 4 is a partial top plan view of the manhole frame of Figure 3, with the covercut away;

Figure 5 is a top plan view of another modified form of the manhole frame comprising the invention, with the cover partly cut away;

United Stat s Pa 2,930,295 Patented Mar. 29, 1960 Figure 6 is a sectioned view on an enlarged scale of the manhole frame, according to Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a partial view in side section of still another form of manhole frame comprising the invention;

Figure 8 is a partial plan view of the invention taken along the lines 8-8 of Figure 7.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, in Figure 1, a bearing ring 10 is illustrated as being sup* ported on a layer of grouting 11 atop the concrete road base material. The ring 10 is of substantially the same diameter as the manhole 13 defined by the road base material 12. The ring 10 is preferably, but not necessarily, provided with a plurality of bearing pockets 14 to receive and position the ends of a like number of threaded bolts 15. Each bolt 15 is threaded through the bottom of an integrally formed pocket or compartment 16, a plurality of such pockets being provided in the manhole frame 17.

The manhole frame 17 comprises a pair of

concentric walls

18 and 19, bridged by the transverse wall 20. The wall 20 is positioned a suitable distance below the top edge 21 of wall 19 and is thereby adaptable to receiving and supporting a manhole cover 22. The wall 20 is discontinuous in form at each compartment 16 of the frame 17 in order that access to the bolts 15 may be had for adjustment purposes. When the cover 22 is seated on the wall 20 of frame 17 the compartments 16 are covered and the bolts 15 are protected from the weather. The compartments 16 are preferably filled with a heavy grease or other lubricant to protect them against corrosion. The inner wall 18 of frame 17 is provided with a depending centering skirt 18.

Surrounding the frame 17 and the ring 10 is a metal sheath 23. The sheath 23 is utilized for two reasons. In original installation it prevents egress of concrete to the area between the ring 10 and the frame 17. Later, when an adjustment of the frame 17 is required, the inner surface of the sheath 23 acts as a bearing surface for the outer wall 19 of the frame 17 and permits the adjustment of the frame with less torque on the bolts 15. While the adjustment of the frame could be obtained without the sheath 23, that is with the wall 19 engaging concrete, considerably more frictional forces would be present, thereby requiring greater torque on bolts 15 to free and adjust the frame.

In operation, when a road is about to be resurfaced, the frame 17 is readily adjustable. It is merely necessary to remove the manhole cover 22 and apply a wrench to each bolt 15, threading them inwardly against the bearing ring 10. The resulting reactive force will cause the frame 17 to be raised upwardly within the sheath 23 so that the top'edge 21 of wall 19 will move from the exist ing grade level of the road to the new grade level as indicated in dottedlines in Figure 2. It is obvious that this adjustment is possible without necessitating the cutting of the concreteor other material of the basic road surrounding the sheath 23 and frame 17.

Referring now to the modified form of the invention of Figures 3 and 4, it will be observed that a manhole frame 23 is provided including an outer cylindrical wall 25 and a concentric inner wall 26 bridged along their top edges by a discontinuous wall 27. The wall 27 is discontinued at spaced points to provide access to integrally formed com- 36 which are supported on suitable ledges 37 in the' pockets 28. The inner wall 26 is provided with an inwardly directed ledge 38 upon which is supported a man hole cover 39. The frame 24 and ring 32 are encased in a metal sheath 40 which is utilized for the same reasons as in the preferred embodiment. In this form, as in the preferred form, the pockets 28 which are integrally cast with the bottom wall 29, front and back wall 41 and 42 respectively, and side wall formed by portions of the inner and outer cylindrical walls 25 and 26, are preferably filled with a lubricant to prevent corrosion of the bolts 30.

The operation of the form of the invention illustrated in Figures 3 and 4 is similar to that for the preferred form except that it is unnecessary to remove the manhole cover 39. The pocket covers 36 are removed by inserting a suitable tool through holes 43 and lifting the said covers from their supporting ledges 37. A suitable wrench may be then utilized to turn each bolt 30 sufficiently against the bearing ring 32 to force the frame 24 upwardly to the indicated dotted line position, or from the existing grade level to the new grade level.

Referring now to the form of the invention illustrated in Figures and 6, it will be observed that a manhole 44 is defined by the road base material 45. Surrounding the manhole 44 at the upper edge thereof is a bearing ring 46 provided with bolt end receiving compartments or pockets 47. The ring 46 is supported on a layer 48 of suitable grouting as in the other forms of the invention. A cylindrical manhole frame 49 is positioned directly over the bearing ring 46. The frame 49 includes an outer wall 50 with an inwardly directed ledge 51 which provides a seal for the usual manhole cover 52. At the lower extremity of wall 50, the frame 49 is provided with an integral inwardly directed wall 53. Upstanding from the wall 53 is a plurality of pockets 54, each being formed by an interior wall 55,

side walls

56 and 57, and the inner surface of frame wall 50. These pockets are included by preference as in the other forms of the invention for the purpose of holding a lubricant. The frame bottom wall 53 is tapped within the confines of each pocket 54 to threadably receive therethrough an adjustment bolt 58. A metal sheath 59 encompasses the frame 49 and ring 46 for the same purposes as discussed relative to the prior forms of the invention above.

The operation of the invention, according to Figures 5 and 6, is similar to the operation of the previous two forms above. The manhole cover 52 is removed. Each bolt 58 is then threaded further through the wall 53 to gain a reactive force against the bearing ring pocket 47 to force the manhole frame 49 upwardly'from the existing grade level to the new grade level as indicated in dotted lines.

Conditions of roadways may, in some cases, require a lowering of a manhole frame. A form of the invention which is adaptable to this lowering requirement, as well as raising requirement, is illustrated in Figures 7 and 8. A manhole frame 60 includes an outer cylindrical wall 61, a concentric inner wall 62, a bridging wall (not shown) similar to the wall 20 of Figure 2, andia bottom wall 63 which, in each case, forms the bottom of a plurality of spaced pockets 64. Each wall 63 is tapped to receive therethrough a threaded adjustment bolt 65. The end of the bolt below the wall 63 is not threaded but is provided with a continuous groove 66 in which is seated a split washer 67. The bolts 65, in this form, are threaded upwardly through wall 63 into pockets 64 at the initial installation. A bearing ring 68 surrounds, and is supported on, the top edge of a manhole 69 defined by the road base material 70, and a layer of grouting 71 is provided between the ring 68 and road base material 70. The ring 68 is provided with an elongated recess 72 to receive the washer end of each bolt 65. Each recess (only one shown) has an unrestricted portion 73 to freely receive the washer 67. and a restricted portion 74 including inw wardly directed flanges 75 and 76. Thus, upon installation, the bolts 65 will, first be aligned with portions 73 of the recess 72. Then the frame 60 is turned sufficiently to cause the washers 67 to move under fianges 75 and 76 and be confined thereby.

The ring 68 is further provided with a plurality of recesses 77 (only one shown). Extending into each recess 77 is the upper threaded end of an anchor bolt 78 which is embedded in the road base material 70. A nut 79 is applied to the end of bolt 78 and the ring 68 is thus held down securely on the road base material 70. A metal sheath 80 encompasses the frame 60 and the ring 68.

The operation of the form of the invention illustrated in Figures 7 and 8 is similar to the other previously discussed forms. The manhole cover 81 is removed and a wrench is used to turn the bolts 65. When it is desired to raise the frame 60, the bolts 65 are turned inwardly bearing against the bottoms of the pockets 72 to gain the reactive force to move the frame upwardly. When it is desired to lower the frame 60, the bolts 65 are turned outwardly. The washers 67, engaging under flanges 75 and 76 of pockets 72, will prevent the bolts from moving upwardly and hence the frame 60 will be moved downwardly.

The forms of the invention illustrated in Figures 1 to 6 may obviously be equipped with bearing rings similar to ring 68 where upward or downward adjustments of the manhole frame may be desired. The manhole frame, the bearing ring, the outer sheath and the other associated parts constitute a manhole assembly or unit in each of the various forms illustrated for cooperative use in connection with access openings in pavements.

It is obvious that the various manhole frames herein described may be installed without utilizing a bearing ring. In such case, the bolt ends would bear directly on the road base material. However, it is preferable to utilize a bearing ring which the bolts may engage.

It is realized that the invention may take many forms other than those illustrated, and it is intended that all obvious forms, which would be substantial equivalents, are within the purview of the inventor and within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. An adjustable manhole unit supported on the base material of a road about the upper end of a manhole comprising a cylindrical metal frame, said frame including a plurality of integral compartments each with a tapped bottom wall, and a threaded bolt extending through said tapped bottom wall of each compartment for engagement with the base material of the road.

2. An adjustable manhole unit supported on the base material of a road about the upper end of a manhole comprising a cylindrical metal frame, said frame including a plurality of integral compartments each with a tapped bottom wall, a threaded bolt having one end extending through said tapped bottom wall of each compartment, and a bearing ring supported on the road base material and receiving the ends of said bolts in hearing engagement.

3. An adjustable manhole unit supported on the base material of a road about the upper end of a manhole comprising a cylindrical -metal frame, said frame including a plurality of integral compartments each with a tapped bottom wall, a threaded bolt extending through said tapped bottom wall of each compartment for engagement with the base material of the road, and a metal bearing sheath engaging and surrounding said frame to permit sliding movement of the frame therein.

4. An adjustable manhole unit supported on a road base material about the upper end of a manhole comprising a cylindrical metal frame, said frame including a plurality of integral compartments each with a tapped bottom wall, a threaded bolt having one end extending through said tapped bottom wall of each compartment; 3; bearing ring supported on the road base material and receiving the ends of said boltsin bearing engagement.-

and a metal bearing sheath engaging, and. surrounding abscess said frame and said bearing ring to permit sliding movement of the frame therein.

5. An adjustable manhole unit supported on the base material of a road about the upper end of a manhole comprising a cylindrical metal frame including a pair of concentric walls with the top edge of the inner said wall being joined to the outer wall at a point below the top of said outer'wall by spaced bridging walls, the bridging walls acting as a seat for a manhole cover, said frame also including a plurality of compartments with tapped bottom walls between the inner and outer walls and located intermediate said bridging walls, a threaded bolt having one end extending through the tapped bottom wall of each compartment, and a bearing ring supported on the road base material and receiving the ends of said belts in bearing engagement.

6. An adjustable manhole unit supported on thebase material of a road about the upper end of a manhole comprising a cylindrical metal frame including a pair of concentric walls with the top edge of the inner'said wall being joined to the outer wall at a point below the top of said outer Wall by spaced bridging walls, said frame also including a compartment with tapped bottom walls between the inner and outer walls and intermediate said bridging walls, a threaded bolt having one end extending through the tapped bottom wall of each compartment, a bearing ring supported on the road base material and receiving the ends of said bolts in bearing engagement, and a metal bearing sheath engaging and surrounding said frame and said bearing ring to permit sliding movement of theframe therein.

7. An adjustable manhole unit supported on the base material of a road about the upper end of a manhole comprising a cylindrical metal frame including a pair of concentric Walls with the inner said wall being joined to the outer wall along their top edges by spaced bridging walls, said inner wall being provided with an inwardly directed ledge to support a manhole cover, said frame also including a compartment with a tapped bottom wall between the inner and outer walls and intermediate said bridging walls, a threaded bolt having one end extending through the tapped bottom wall of each compart-' ment, a bearing ring supported on the road base material and receiving the ends of said bolts in bearing engagement, and a cover for each compartment mounted on the frame.

8. An adjustable manholeunit supported on the base material of a road about the upper end of a manhole comprising a cylindrical metal frame including a pair of concentric walls with the inner said wall being joined to the outer wall along their top edges by spaced bridg- 6 and a bearing ring supported on the road base material and receiving the ends of said bolts in bearing engagement. 1

10. An adjustable manhole unitsupported on the base material of a road about the upper end of a manhole comprising a cylindrical metal frame including a mam wall and an inwardly directed bottom wall joined to the main wall along its bottom edge, said main wall including an inwardly directed ledge adjacent its upper edge to provide a seat for a manhole cover,- said bottom wall 7 being provided with a plurality of upstanding compartments with the bottom wall portion of each compartment beingtapped, a threaded bolt having one end extending through the tapped bottom wall of each compartment, a bearing ring supported on the road base material and receiving the ends of said bolts in hearingengagement, and a metal bearing sheath engaging and surrounding said frame and said bearing ring to permit sliding movement of the frame therein.

11. An adjustable manhole unit-supported on the base material of a road about the upper end of a manhole comprising a cylindrical frame including a pair of concentric walls with the top edge of the inner said. wall being joined to the outer wall at a point below the top of said outer wall by spaced bridging walls, said frame 12. An adjustable manhole unit supported on the base i material of a road about the upperend of amanhole ing walls, said inner wall being provided with an inwardlylf directed ledge to support a manhole cover, said frame also including a'cornpartment with a tapped bottom wall between the inner and outer walls and intermediate said bridging walls, a threaded bolt having'one end extending through the tapped bottom wall of each compartment, a bearing ring supported on the road base material and receiving the ends of said bolts in bearing engagement, 3 metal bearing sheath engaging and surrounding said frame and said bearing ring to permit sliding movement of the frame therein, and a cover for each compartment mounted on the frame.

9. An adjustable manhole unit supported on the base material of a road about the upper end of a manhole comprising a cylindrical metal frame including 'a main wall and an inwardly directed bottom wall joined to the main wall along its bottom edge, said main wall including an inwardly directed ledge adjacent its upper edge to provide a seat for a manhole cover, said bottom wall being provided with a plurality of upstandingcompartments with the bottom wall portion of each compartment being tapped, a threaded bolt having one end extending through the tapped bottom wall of each compartment,

comprising a cylindrical frame including a pair of conj centric walls with the top edge of the inner said wall be ing joined to the outer wall at a point below the top of said outer wall by spaced bridging walls, said frame also including a compartment with a tapped bottom wall between the inner and outer walls and intermediate said bridging walls, a threaded bolt having one end extending through the tapped bottom wall of each compartment, each said bolt being peripherally grooved adjacent the extending ends to receive a split washer therein, a '0 ing and surrounding said frame and said bearing ring to permit sliding movement of the frame therein.

References Cited in thefile of this patent i UNITED STATES PATENTS 429,251. Stafford June 3, 1890 512,440 Haustein Jan. 9, 1894 606,206 'Greger June 28, 1898 1,076,386 ODay Oct. 21, 1913 1,751,194 Elsy Mar. 18, 1930 2,254,668 Tomek Sept. 2, 1941 2,812,654 Hoseason Nov. 12, 1957 2,824,578 Blinn et al. Feb. 25, 1958 FOREIGN PATENTS i20,814 Great Britain 1893 19,468 Great Britain 1913 141,824 Switzerland t. Oct, 16, 1930 132,217 Sweden July 3, 1,951