WO2022064231A1

WO2022064231A1 - Manhole cover

Info

Publication number: WO2022064231A1
Application number: PCT/HR2021/000005
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ivo Juroš; Tomislav Juroš
Original assignee: Juros Ivo
Priority date: 2020-09-23
Filing date: 2021-04-19
Publication date: 2022-03-31
Also published as: HRP20201526A1

Abstract

The cast iron manhole cover comprises a manhole cover (1) comprising a hydraulic installation (20) which is responsible for locking the manhole cover by pushing an elastic spring tensioner (5) and a wedge (6) with hydraulic power unit through the hydraulic sockets (13) by hydraulic cylindres (3) in the grooves on the manhole frame (1). Unlocking is done by pulling the elastic spring tensioner (5) and the wedge (6) into the inside of the manhole cover (2) with the hydraulic power unit and hydraulic cylinders (3). For the hydraulic power unit to be able to connect to the hydraulic sockets (13), it is necessary to open the small cover (10), and this can be done by inserting the card into the card slot (15) and then the electronic device in the electronics box (16) sends a signal to the actuator (7) which has the role of unlocking and locking the small cover (10). Unlocking is only possible if the card is registered, otherwise, the actuator (7) will not receive an unlock signal.

Description

MANHOLE COVER

Field of technology:

The present invention refers to a cast iron manhole cover that is placed on roads and manipulative surfaces in an already existing manhole.

Technical problem:

One of the problems on roads is that the manhole covers pop out of the frame in which they were originally located. Existing covers are not sufficiently secured, which causes the cover to pop out or move inside the frame, which in turn causes increased material consumption and, after a while, noise, which creates a problem for residents in populated areas. Due to material wear, the manhole cover no longer stands at the height of the frame, which tears the tires on the vehicle wheels during the transition of the vehicle.

When important people arrive (presidents, ambassadors, popes, etc.), the covers are welded to the frame for their safety, and after their departure, the protective weld is removed with a grinder and the fault is repaired. All this requires high costs several times a year, high noise in the populated area and dust.

Also, insufficiently secured covers are prone to theft. All this together leads to a threat to road safety.

State of the art:

The state of the art includes covers that can be opened very easily with a metal lever. In some cases, there are only screws that can be easily removed. Modern covers are not sufficiently secured and there is a possibility of theft, which can endanger the safety of drivers and pedestrians. The state of the art does not include covers that have any additional protection in them, such as alarms, etc. The essence of the invention:

The invention is set forth and indicated in the main patent claim, while the dependent patent claims describe other features of the invention.

The primary purpose of the invention is to create a manhole cover that can only be opened by authorized persons, or a coverthat is almost impossible to steal or forcibly open either from below or from above.

A secondary purpose of the invention is to prevent the cover from popping out of its frame and the cover to move within the frame because the cover is blocked in length and width and locked. As soon as the cover is locked, it stands at the height of the frame, the possibility of tearing the tires on the wheels of the vehicle is reduced, and thus there is greater safety on the roads. With the present invention, welding the covers upon arrival of important persons would be unnecessary.

The manhole cover according to the invention comprises a hydraulic installation, i.e. hydraulic cylinders, 2-6 of them, and in a preferred embodiment of the invention - 3 hydraulic cylinders which are driven by a hydraulic power unit from the outside via hydraulic sockets. In order to lock the cover, the hydraulic power unit is operated by hydraulic cylinders, i.e. by pushing the hydraulic cylinders push the metal cubes containing the wedges and they pass through the frame of the manhole cover and thus the cover is locked. Furthermore, by means of a hydraulic power unit, the hydraulic cylinders are retracted and thus the wedges enter the inside of the cover and it is possible to remove the cover from the frame.

In order to be externally accessible by the hydraulic power unit, it is necessary to remove the small cover located on the upper side of the manhole cover which is originally locked. The cover on the top, in addition to the small cover, also contains a card slot. Unlocking the small cover is only possible if a registered card is inserted in the card slot, which can be registered with the main "master" card. If the card is registered, the electronic device inside the cover gives a signal to the actuator that unlocks the small cover and after that, it is possible to remove the small cover.

On the frame of the manhole cover, there is an air valve through which air is injected, with which the cover is additionally secured. There is a microswitch between the top and bottom of the cover. It has the purpose of closing the contacts from the bottom in case of forced opening and thus closes the circuit consisting of the battery, GSM module and microcontroller and sends an SMS to authorized persons.

Brief description of the drawing:

These and other features of the invention, given by way of non-limiting example, will be apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiment, referring to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a cross-section of the manhole cover;

Figure 2 shows a floor plan of the manhole cover;

Figure 3 shows a metal cube 4 (Figure 1) with associated mechanisms and its side view

Table 1 . Call signs

Detailed description

Referring to the attached drawings, a cast iron manhole cover is placed on roads and manipulative surfaces in an already existing manhole. Figure 1 shows a cross-section of the cast iron manhole cover. Manhole cover 2 is located in the manhole frame 1 .

The manhole cover 2 according to the invention comprises a hydraulic installation 20 or 3 hydraulic cylinders 3 which are driven by a hydraulic power unit from the outside via hydraulic sockets 13. Note that the manhole cover is initially locked. In order to unlock the manhole cover 2, hydraulic cylinders 3 are controlled from the outside by means of a hydraulic power unit via hydraulic sockets 13. Hydraulic cylinders 3 in the locked state push the metal cubes 4 located in the cube guides 17. The metal cubes, a total of 3 of them in the manhole cover 2, contain an elastic spring tensioner 5, wedges 6 and shock absorbers 12. The elastic spring tensioner 5 and the wedge 6 in the locked state are pushed through the openings 21 on the manhole frame 1 (seen in Figure 1). The shock absorber 12 rests on the inner side of the manhole frame 1 . The compressive force is applied in the direction from the manhole cover 2 to the manhole cover ring 1 . The shock absorber 12 is made in such a way that it passes through the spring 22 and forms an elastic joint when in contact with manhole frame 1 which prevents material wear and movement and impact of the manhole cover 2 on the manhole frame 1 . In order to unlock the cover, it is necessary to use a hydraulic power unit by which the hydraulic cylinders 3 are retracted and thus the metal cubes 4 move inside the cube guide 17, while wedges and the elastic spring tensioners pass through the opening on the manhole frame and enter the interior of the manhole cover 2. It is then possible to remove the manhole cover 2 from the manhole frame 1 .

In order to be externally accessible by the hydraulic power unit, it is necessary to open or unlock the small cover 10 located on the upper side of the manhole cover 1. The small cover 10, according to one embodiment of the invention, is opened with a hook or other mechanical tool. In another embodiment of the invention, in addition to the small cover 10, there is a card slot 15 on the upper side of the manhole cover 1. Unlocking the small cover 10 is possible only if a registered card is inserted in the card slot 15. The electronics box 16 contains an electronic card reader, a battery, a GSM module and an Arduino microcontroller. The master card is a single card that cannot be copied and is used to register or delete other user cards When the registered user card is inserted in the slot, the electronic device placed in the electronics and battery box 16 reads the code from the card. The device checks whether the inserted card is registered and if the card is registered, sends a signal to actuator 7 which unlocks the small cover 10. The actuator 7 is a linear actuator or an actuator for linear actuation or positioning. Its application is widespread in the industry, in places where linear displacement is required.

L - shaped metal bumpers 8, are attached to the inner side of the manhole frame 1 and their purpose is the disabling of moving the manhole cover 2 inside the manhole frame 1. The pressure force is applied in the direction from the frame to the manhole cover. The air mechanism, i.e. the air valve 19 is located on the outer part of the manhole frame 1. By pumping the air with the compressor, pressure is applied to the manhole cover 1 which has grooves, thus the cover is additionally fastened and locked in 3 points because there are 3 such mechanisms on manhole frame 1. Furthermore, an additional role of this mechanism is to prevent wear of the material, hitting cover 2 on the frame 1 .

In addition to the electronic card reader, the electronics box 16 also contains a battery (12V), a microcontroller (Arduino) and a GSM module that can be used for sending messages, establishing calls and connecting to the Internet. The microswitch 11 (Figure 2) is pressed while the cover is closed and it keeps the circuit open at that point. If the cover is tried to open forcibly from the bottom of cover 14, the microswitch 11 closes the circuit which at that moment is formed by the battery, microcontroller and GSM module and a warning message is sent via the GSM module to the authorized number.

Claims

Patent claims:

1. A cast iron manhole cover consisting of a manhole cover (2) located on the manhole frame (1), a small manhole cover (10) located on the upper side of the manhole cover (2), whereby the manhole cover (2) comprises: a. hydraulic installation (20) responsible for locking the manhole cover (2) by pushing the metal cubes (4), which moves along the cube guides (17); the metal cubes comprise an elastic spring tensioner (5) and a wedge (6) wherein the tensioner (5) and the wedge (6) pass through the openings (21) of the manhole frame (1), and b. a small manhole cover (10) through which access to the hydraulic installation (20) is provided.

2. Cast iron manhole cover according to claim 1 , further comprising an electrical installation consisting of an actuator (7) and an electronics box (16) for the purpose of unlocking the small cover (10).

3. Cast iron manhole cover according to claim 1 or 2, whereby the metal cubes further comprise a shock absorber (12) which rests on the inner side of the manhole frame (1) as long as the manhole is closed.

4. Cast iron manhole cover according to claim 1 , whereby the hydraulic installation (20) comprises hydraulic cylinders (3), hydraulic sockets (13) and a hydraulic power unit.

5. Cast iron cover according to claim 4, further comprising from 2 to 6 hydraulic cylinders (3).

6. Cast iron cover according to claim 5, further comprising 3 hydraulic cylinders (3).

7. Cast iron manhole cover according to claim 1 , whereby the shock absorbers (12) are designed to pass through the spring (22) in such a way that on contact with the manhole frame (1) an elastic joint is formed which relieves the pressure force of manhole cover (2) towards the manhole frame (1).

8. Cast iron manhole cover according to claim 1 , further comprising L-shaped metal bumpers (8) which prevent the manhole cover (2) from moving inside the manhole frame (1).

7 Cast iron manhole cover according to claim 1 , comprising an air valve (19) which further strengthens and secures the manhole cover (2) inside the manhole frame (1). Cast iron manhole cover according to claim 2, whereby the electronics box (16) comprise an electronic card reading device. Cast iron manhole cover according to claim 10, whereby the actuator (7) is activated in such a way that the electronic device in the electronics box (16) gives a corresponding signal if the card is registered in the card slot (15) located on the upper side of the manhole cover (2). A cast iron manhole cover according to claim 10, whereby the electronics box (16) further comprises a microcontroller, a GSM module for sending messages, making a call and connecting to the Internet, and a battery for powering the electronic circuit. Cast iron manhole cover according to claims 1 and 12, whereby the electrical installation further comprises a microswitch (11) which serves to alert authorized persons in the event of a forced opening of the manhole cover (2) from the underside of the manhole cover (14) by sending an SMS via the GSM module located in the electronics box.

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