GB2416803A

GB2416803A - Locking mechanism for ground surface cover assembly

Info

Publication number: GB2416803A
Application number: GB0417172A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Stuart Gordon Young
Original assignee: R & B Uk Jt Ltd
Current assignee: R & B Uk Jt Ltd
Priority date: 2004-07-31
Filing date: 2004-07-31
Publication date: 2006-02-08
Also published as: GB0417172D0

Abstract

A ground surface cover assembly (10 figure 1), for example a manhole cover, includes a cover member 16, a support arrangement 14 for supporting the cover member 16, and a locking member 50 engageable with the cover member 16 and the support arrangement 14 for securing the cover member 16 to the support arrangement 14. The locking member 50 includes a locking formation 56, and is moveable in use, preferably by rotation of the locking member, between a first unlocked position and a second locked position in which the locking formation 56 engages the support arrangement 14 to secure the cover member 16 to the support arrangement 14. The locking member 50 may be an elongate shank 52 with an enlarged head 56, preferably the locking member can only rotate through a maximum of 90{. There may also be a barbed retaining means 58 and locating means (see figure 4) to align the cover in position.

Description

Ground Surface Cover Assembly The present invention relates to ground

surface cover assemblies.

Ground surface cover assemblies such as manhole covers, gully gratings and drainage assemblies are installed in the ground surface and typically include a cover member which is removably locatable in a support arrangement such as a frame or a trough. Means are provided for securing the cover member in the support arrangement. One known securing means includes a threaded fastener such as a bolt which passes through an aperture defined in the cover member to locate in a threaded passage in the support arrangement. However, such arrangements suffer a number of disadvantages. After a period of time in use, dirt, debris and corrosion can make removal of the fastening member difficult. It can be difficult to align the fastening member with the passage in the support arrangement. The fastening member can become separated from the cover member resulting in delays during installation or maintenance. It is possible to over tighten threaded fasteners, causing damage to the support arrangement and/or the cover member.

According to the present invention, there is provided a ground surface cover assembly, the assembly including a cover member, a support arrangement for supporting the cover member, and a locking member engageable with the cover member and the support arrangement for securing the cover member to the support arrangement, the locking member including a locking formation and being selectively arrangeable in use between a first position in which the locking formation permits the cover member to be released from the support arrangement, and a second position in which the locking formation engages the support arrangement to secure the cover member to the support arrangement.

Further according to the present invention, there is provided a locking member for securing a cover member to a support arrangement in a ground surface cover assembly, the locking member being engageable with the cover member and the support arrangement for securing the cover member to the support arrangement, the locking member including a locking formation and being selectively arrangeable in use between a first position in which the locking formation permits the cover member to be released from the support arrangement, and a second position in which the locking formation engages the support arrangement to secure the cover member to the support 1 0 arrangement.

Preferably, the locking formation is shaped so as to pass through a correspondingly shaped passage defined by the support arrangement when in the first position but not to pass through the support arrangement passage when in the second position. Preferably, in moving between the first and the second positions the locking member rotates about its longitudinal axis, and desirably rotates through approximately 90 . Preferably, the locking member rotates through substantially no more than 90 .

Preferably, when in engagement with the cover member, the locking member extends through a passage defined by the cover member.

Preferably, when in engagement with the support arrangement, the locking member extends through the shaped passage defined by the support arrangement.

Preferably, the locking formation is located at or towards an end of the locking member. Preferably, the locking formation projects laterally outwardly from the locking member and may project laterally outwardly from two opposite sides of the locking member. The locking formation may be substantially rectangular in section along the said axis. Preferably, the support arrangement passage is correspondingly substantially rectangular in section.

Preferably, the locking member includes an enlarged head, which may be located at or towards one end of the locking member. Preferably, the cover member passage substantially prevents passage of the head therethrough.

Preferably, the assembly includes retaining means to retain the locking member in engagement with the cover member. Preferably the retaining means are arranged to permit the locking member to move into engagement with the cover member by movement in one direction. Preferably, the retaining means substantially prevent movement of the locking member out of engagement with the cover member in a direction opposite to the one direction.

Preferably, the locking member includes an elongate shank, which may extend from the head. Preferably, the retaining means include a retaining formation projecting from the shank. Preferably, the retaining formation is spaced from the head, and may be located so that when the locking member is in engagement with the cover member, the retaining formation is located on an opposite side of the cover member to the head.

The retaining means may comprise a pair of retaining formations, which may extend laterally from opposed sides of the shank. Preferably, the or each retaining formation is resilient, and may be in the form of a barb.

Preferably, the or each retaining formation is arranged to deform to permit the locking member to move into engagement with the cover member.

Preferably, the assembly includes anti-rotation means. Preferably, the anti-rotation means substantially prevent free rotation of the locking member.

Preferably, the anti rotation means allow a user to rotate the locking member through approximately 90 . Preferably, the anti rotation means substantially prevent the user rotating the locking member through substantially more than 90g.

Preferably, the anti rotation means substantially align the locking member for engagement with the support arrangement.

Preferably, the anti rotation means include a shaped portion of the shank and may include a correspondingly shaped part of the cover member passage. Preferably, the shaped portion is substantially square in section, and the corresponding part of the cover member passage is rectangular in section. Preferably, the square portion is a close fit within the rectangular part, and may include a pair of rounded opposed corners which allow the user to rotate the locking member through approximately 90g. Preferably, the square portion includes another pair of corners which substantially prevent the user rotating the locking member through substantially more than 90g.

Preferably, in an assembled condition, the rectangular part of the cover member passage is substantially aligned with the rectangular support arrangement passage.

Preferably, the assembly includes locating means for substantially aligning the cover member passage with the support arrangement passage.

Preferably, the locating means include a locating formation which may project from the cover member. Preferably, the locating means include a locating recess defined by the support arrangement in which the locating formation is receivable.

Preferably, the locating means include a plurality of said locating formations, and may include a plurality of corresponding said locating recesses.

Preferably, the or each locating formation is tapered to aid location.

Preferably, the assembly includes a plurality of substantially identical locking members. Preferably, the cover member defines a plurality of the cover member passages, and the support arrangement defines a corresponding plurality of the support arrangement passages.

Preferably, the cover member is arranged so that when the assembly is in an assembled condition, the cover member is substantially wholly received within the support arrangement. Preferably the overall thickness of the cover member is substantially the same as the overall thickness of the support arrangement.

Preferably, the cover member and/or the support arrangement and/or the or each locking member is formed of a resilient material and may be formed of a plastics material. Preferably, the cover member, the support arrangement and the or each locking member are formed of the same material. Preferably, the plastics material is a glass fibre reinforced plastics material.

20Further according to the present invention, there is provided a cover member for use in an assembly as set out above.

Still further according to the present invention, there is provided a support arrangement for use in an assembly as set out above.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a view from above of a ground surface cover assembly 30according to the invention; Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the assembly along the line loll of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a sectional view along the line lil-lil of Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a sectional view along the line IV-IV of Fig. 1; Fig. 5 is a sectional view along arrow V of Fig. 2; and Fig. 6 is a sectional view along line VI-VI of Fig. 2.

Fig. 1 shows a ground surface cover assembly 10 including a substantially circular cover member 12 and a support arrangement in the form of a ringlike frame member 14 which supports, in use, the cover member 12.

The cover member 12 includes a substantially planar in use upper part 16 having a peripheral rim edge 17, a rim formation in the form of a wall 18 which extends downwardly from an underside of the upper part 16 close to but spaced from the rim edge 17, and a reinforcing formation 20 which also extends downwardly from the underside of the upper part 16, the reinforcing formation 20 being spaced from the rim wall 18 and extending across a central portion of the underside of the cover member 16. The reinforcing formation 20 reinforces the cover member 16 to allow the cover member 16 to withstand loads in accordance with the use for which the cover member 16 is designed.

The cover member 16 defines three through passages 22 which are substantially equally spaced close to and around the rim edge 17 of the cover member 12. The rim wall 18 extends substantially alongside the rim edge 17 of the cover member 12, but is broken to form gaps 19 at the locations of the cover member passages 22 as shown most clearly in Fig. 3.

Each cover member passage 22 includes an upper, bevelled part 24 and a lower part 26, the lower part 26 being substantially rectangular as shown in Fig. 6.

The frame member 14 includes a base wall 34, an outer wall 30 extending upwardly from the base wall 34 and an inner wall 32 extending upwardly from the base wall 34, the inner wall 32 being spaced from and located inwardly of the outer wall 30, and being of lesser height than the outer wall 30. The inner wall 32, the base wall 34 and the outer wall 30 together define a channel 36. The base wall 34 extends outwardly of the outer wall 30 to form an outer flange 38. The outer wall 30 extends downwardly from the base wall 34 to form a lower outer wall 31. The inner wall 32 extends JO downwardly from the base wall 34 to form a lower inner wall 33. The lower inner wall 33 and the lower outer wall 31 are of substantially the same height.

The base wall 34 defines three equally spaced through passages 40, which correspond in location and orientation with the cover member passages 22. The frame passages 40 are of similar size and shape to the lower rectangular parts 26 of the cover member passages 22.

The rim wall 18 includes three equally spaced locating formations in the form of lugs 70 which project from a lower end of the rim wall 18. Three corresponding locating recesses 72 are defined in the base wall 34 of the frame member 14. The lugs 70 are tapered to aid location in the recesses 72.

The assembly 10 includes three locking members 50, each locking member 50 including a shank 52 of substantially square section as shown in Fig. 6, an enlarged head 54 at one end of the shank 52 and a locking formation in the form of an enlarged foot 56 located at an opposite end of the shank 52 to the head 54. The head 54 is bevelled to correspond with the bevelled upper part 24 of the cover member passages 22. The head 54 defines a slot 60 suitable for engagement for example with a driving tool such as a screwdriver. The foot 56 projects laterally outwardly from two opposite sides of the shank 52 and is substantially rectangular in section along the longitudinal axis of the locking member 50.

The locking member 50 includes retaining means in the form of a pair of resilient barbs 58 which extend laterally outwardly and upwardly from opposed sides of the shank 52. As shown in Fig. 6, the square section of the shank 52 includes one pair of opposed corners 62 which are rounded and one pair of opposed corners 64 which are square.

In use, the assembly to is assembled as follows. The frame member 14 is bedded in position in the ground for instance over an inspection JO chamber, typically on a bed of cementious material such as mortar, so that the cementious material is battered up to the outer wall 30 covering the flange 38. The assembly 10 can be assembled before or after the frame 14 is bedded in position.

Each locking member 50 is inserted through one of the cover member passages 22, the rectangular foot 56 being orientated to pass through the rectangular lower part 26 of the cover member passage 22. The resilient barbs 58 of each locking member 50 deform to permit the shank 52 of the locking member 50 to pass through the cover member passage 22 until the bevelled head 54 locates against the correspondingly bevelled upper part 24 of the cover member passage 22. The cover member passage 22 receives the head 54 so that the head 54 is substantially flush with the upper surface of the planar part 16 of the cover member 12, the cover member passage 22 being thus arranged to prevent passage of the head 54 therethrough.

The barbs 58 are arranged to deform when inserted through the cover member passage 22 from above, but substantially prevent withdrawal of the locking member 50 from the cover member passage 22, the barbs 58 spreading to catch against the underside of the planar part 16 of the cover member 12. Thus, following insertion of the locking member 50 through the cover member passage 22, the head 54 is substantially on one side of the cover member 12 and the barbs 58 are on an opposite side of the cover member 12, so that the locking member 50 is then retained in engagement with the cover member 12.

The square shank 52 is a close fit within the rectangular lower part 26 of the cover member passage 22 as shown in Fig. 6, each side of the square shank 52 being of similar, but slightly smaller, dimension to the shorter sides of the rectangular lower part 26, so that free rotation of the shank 52 within the lower part 26 is substantially prevented. Thus, after insertion of the locking member 50 through the cover member passage 22, the foot 56 of the locking member 50 is aligned with the longitudinal axis of the rectangular part 26 of the cover member passage 22, and is substantially held in this position by the fit of the square shank 52 within the rectangular part 26, which prevents free rotation of the shank 52 within the rectangular part 26.

The cover member 12 is mounted to the frame member 14 so that the rim wall 18 seats in the channel 36 on the base wall 34 of the frame 14, and is adjusted so that the locating lugs 70 locate in the locating recesses 72. In this position, the rectangular lower parts 26 of the cover member passages 22 are substantially aligned with the rectangular frame passages 40, and because of the fit of the square shanks 52 within the rectangular lower parts 26, the feet 56 of the locking members 50 are substantially aligned with the rectangular frame passages 40, and can be readily passed therethrough without requiring rotation of the locking members 50.

When each foot 56 has passed through the respective frame passage 40, each locking member 50 is rotated from a first position in which the cover member 12 is releasable from the frame member 14 to a second position in which the cover member 12 is secured to the frame member 14. In the second position, the longitudinal axis of each foot 56 lies at approximately 90 to the longitudinal axis of the respective rectangular frame passage 40 as shown in Fig. 5. Each locking member 50 is rotated by engagement of a driving tool such as a screwdriver into the slot 60 in the head 54. The rounded corners 62 allow the locking member 50 to be rotated through 90 against a resistance provided by the fit of the rounded corners 62 within the rectangular part 26, but the square corners 64 prevent further rotation. The fit of the shank 52 of the locking member 50 within the cover member passage 22 thus forms an anti-rotation means to prevent the locking members rotating through substantially more than Doe. In the second position, the fit of the shank 52 within the cover member passage 22 substantially prevents free rotation of the locking members 50 out of engagement with the frame member so that in use the cover member 12 is held securely to the frame member 14, the locking members 50 being resistant to rotation caused by vibration or other causes in use.

To remove the cover member 12 from the frame member 14, each of the locking members 50 is rotated by the user anticlockwise through 90g, moving the locking member 50 from the second position to the first position, in which the longitudinal axis of the foot 56 is substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the rectangular frame passage 40 so that the cover member is releasable from the frame member 14. The cover member 12 can then be lifted away from the frame member 14, allowing access through the frame member 14. The locking members 50 remain in engagement with the cover member 12.

In one example, the cover member 12, the frame member 14 and the locking members 50 are formed by moulding of a resilient glass fibre reinforced plastics material. Ground surface cover assemblies in such material are particularly suitable for areas of light traffic use, such as pavements, pedestrian areas, and domestic driveways. The assembly is relatively light and easy to handle and install, is relatively strong, and is resistant to corrosion.

As shown in Fig. 4, the overall thickness of the cover member 12 with the reinforcing formation 20 is substantially similar to the overall thickness of 1 1 the frame member 14, so that the cover member 12 is substantially wholly received within the frame member 14. Thus the assembly can be easily stacked for storage and transportation and damage to the assembly 10 is minimised during storage and transportation, as transmitted loads are spread evenly over the plan area of the assembly. Also, the reinforcing formation 20 does not extend downwardly into the interior of the manhole, drain or inspection chamber, thus reducing the risk of blockage.

Various modifications may be made without departing from the scope l O of the invention. The assembly could be of any suitable size and shape, and could include a plurality of cover members. The cover member could be a grid or grating. The support arrangement could include a plurality of frame members or could be formed by or as part of the trough of a drainage channel or drainage assembly. The assembly could be formed of any suitable material. The head of the locking member could include a formation suitable for driving by any suitable tool, such as a cross head screw driver, a spanner, or an hexagonal headed key. The shank of the locking member could be arranged to be a close fit within the rectangular frame passage as well as, or instead of being a close fit within the cover member passage. The anti rotation means could be provided by the fit of the shank of the locking member within the cover member passage and/or frame passage in any suitable way. For example, the shank of the locking member could be circular in section and could include projections which prevent free rotation and/or rotation past 90 of the shank within the rectangular cover member and/or frame member passage.

The ground surface cover assembly of the invention thus provides an assembly which is quick and easy to assemble on site. The locking members cannot be over tightened, and the assembly can be easily disassembled for access and maintenance purposes. The locking members remain in engagement with the cover member so that they cannot be lost while the cover member is separated from the frame member. The locking members are automatically aligned for assembly, and the anti rotation means acts to prevent movement of the locking members out of engagement with the support arrangement when in use, providing a secure fixing.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed 1 0 thereon.

Claims

1. A ground surface cover assembly, the assembly including a cover member, a support arrangement for supporting the cover member, and a locking member engageable with the cover member and the support arrangement for securing the cover member to the support arrangement, the locking member including a locking formation and being selectively arrangeable in use between a first position in which the locking formation permits the cover member to be released from the support arrangement, and a second position in which the locking formation engages the support arrangement to secure the cover member to the support arrangement.

2. An assembly according to claim 1, in which the locking formation is shaped so as to pass through a correspondingly shaped passage defined by the support arrangement when in the first position but not to pass through the support arrangement passage when in the second position.

3. An assembly according to claims 1 or 2, in which in moving between the first and the second positions the locking member rotates about its longitudinal axis.

4. An assembly according to claim 3, the locking member rotates through approximately 90 .

5. An assembly according to any of the preceding claims, in which when in engagement with the cover member, the locking member extends through a passage defined by the cover member.

6. An assembly according to clairr' 2 or any claim dependent thereon, in which when in engagement with the support arrangement, the locking member extends through the shaped passage defined by the support arrangement.

7. An assembly according to any of the preceding claims, in which the locking formation is located at or towards an end of the locking member.

8. An assembly according to any of the preceding claims, in which the locking formation projects laterally outwardly from the locking member.

JO

9. An assembly according to claim 8, in which the locking formation projects laterally outwardly from two opposite sides of the locking member.

10. An assembly according to claim 3 or any claim dependent thereon, in which the locking formation is substantially rectangular in section along the said axis.

11. An assembly according to claim 10 when dependent on claim 2 or any claim dependent thereon, in which the support arrangement passage is correspondingly substantially rectangular in section.

12. An assembly according to any of the preceding claims, in which the locking member includes an enlarged head.

13. An assembly according to claim 12, in which the enlarged head is located at or towards one end of the locking member.

14. An assembly according to claims 12 or 13 when dependent on claim 5 or any claim dependent thereon, in which the cover member passage substantially prevents passage of the head therethrough. 1 1

15. An assembly according to any of the preceding claims, in which the assembly includes retaining means to retain the locking member in engagement with the cover member.

16. An assembly according to claim 15, in which the retaining means are arranged to permit the locking member to move into engagement with the cover member by movement in one direction.

17. An assembly according to claim 16, in which the retaining means JO substantially prevent movement of the locking member out of engagement with the cover member in a direction opposite to the one direction.

18. An assembly according to any of the preceding claims, in which the locking member includes an elongate shank.

19. An assembly according to claim 18 when dependent on claim 12 or any claim dependent thereon, in which the elongate shank extends from the head.

20. An assembly according to claims 18 or 19 when dependent on any of claims 15 to 17, in which the retaining means include a retaining formation projecting from the shank.

21. An assembly according to claim 20, in which the retaining formation is spaced from the head.

22. An assembly according to claim 21, in which the retaining formation is located so that when the locking member is in engagement with the cover member, the retaining formation is located on an opposite side of the cover member to the head.

23. An assembly according to any of claims 20 to 22, in which the retaining means comprise a pair of retaining formations.

24. An assembly according to claim 23, in which the retaining formations extend laterally from opposed sides of the shank.

25. An assembly according to any of claims 20 to 24, in which the or each retaining formation is resilient.

26. An assembly according to any of claims 20 to 25, in which the or each retaining formation is in the form of a barb.

27. An assembly according to any of claims 20 to 26, in which the or each retaining formation is arranged to deform to permit the locking member to move into engagement with the cover member.

28. An assembly according to any of the preceding claims, in which the assembly includes anti-rotation means.

29. An assembly according to claim 28, in which the anti-rotation means substantially prevent free rotation of the locking member.

30. An assembly according to claims 28 or 29, in which the anti rotation means allow a user to rotate the locking member through approximately 90 .

31. An assembly according to claim 30, in which the anti rotation means substantially prevent the user rotating the locking member through substantially more than 90 .

32. An assembly according to any of claims 28 to 31, in which the anti rotation means substantially align the locking member for engagement with the support arrangement.

33. An assembly according to any of claims 28 to 32 when dependent on claim 18 or any claim dependent thereon, in which the anti rotation means include a shaped portion of the shank.

34. An assembly according to claim 33 when dependent on claim 5 or any claim dependent thereon, in which the anti rotation means include a correspondingly shaped part of the cover member passage.

35. An assembly according to claim 34, in which the shaped portion is JO substantially square in section, and the corresponding part of the cover member passage is rectangular in section.

36. An assembly according to claim 35, in which the square portion is a close fit within the rectangular part.

37. An assembly according to claims 34 or 35, in which the square portion includes a pair of rounded opposed corners which allow the user to rotate the locking member through approximately 90Q.

38. An assembly according to claim 37, in which the square portion includes another pair of corners which substantially prevent the user rotating the locking member through substantially more than 90 .

39. An assembly according to claim 35 or any claim dependent thereon when dependent on claim 2 or any claim dependent thereon, in which in an assembled condition, the rectangular part of the cover member passage is substantially aligned with the support arrangement passage.

40. An assembly according to claim 5 or any claim dependent thereon when dependent on claim 2 or any claim dependent thereon, in which the assembly includes locating means for substantially aligning the cover member passage with the support arrangement passage.

41. An assembly according to claim 40, in which the locating means include a locating formation which projects from the cover member.

42. An assembly according to claim 41, in which the locating means include a locating recess defined by the support arrangement in which the locating formation is receivable.

43. An assembly according to claim 42, in which the locating means l O include a plurality of said locating formations and a plurality of corresponding said locating recesses.

44. An assembly according to any of claims 41 to 43, in which the or each locating formation is tapered to aid location.

45. An assembly according to any of the preceding claims, in which the assembly includes a plurality of substantially identical locking members.

46. An assembly according to claim 45, in which the cover member defines a plurality of the cover member passages, and the support arrangement defines a corresponding plurality of the support arrangement passages.

47. An assembly according to any of the preceding claims, in which the cover member is arranged so that when the assembly is in an assembled condition, the cover member is substantially wholly received within the support arrangement.

48. An assembly according to claim 47, in which the overall thickness of the cover member is substantially the same as the overall thickness of the support arrangement.

49. An assembly according to any of the preceding claims, in which the cover member and/or the support arrangement and/or the or each locking member is formed of a resilient material.

50. An assembly according to claim 49, in which the cover member and/or the support arrangement and/or the or each locking member is formed of a plastics material.

51. An assembly according to claim 50, in which the plastics material is a l O glass fibre reinforced plastics material.

52. An assembly according to any of the preceding claims, in which the cover member, the support arrangement and the or each locking member are formed of the same material.

53. A cover member for use in an assembly according to any of the preceding claims.

54. A support arrangement for use in an assembly according to any of claims 1 to 52.

55. A locking member for securing a cover member to a support arrangement in a ground surface cover assembly, the locking member being engageable with the cover member and the support arrangement for securing the cover member to the support arrangement, the locking member including a locking formation and being selectively arrangeable in use between a first position in which the locking formation permits the cover member to be released from the support arrangement, and a second position in which the locking formation engages the support arrangement to secure the cover member to the support arrangement.

56. A locking member according to claim 55, in which the locking formation is shaped so as to pass through a correspondingly shaped passage defined by the support arrangement when in the first position but not to pass through the support arrangement passage when in the second position.

57. A locking member according to claims 55 or 56, in which in moving between the first and the second positions the locking member rotates about its longitudinal axis.

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58. A locking member according to claim 57, in which the locking member rotates through approximately 90 .

59. A locking member according to any of claims 55 to 58, in which the locking formation is located at or towards an end of the locking member.

60. A locking member according to any of claims 55 to 59, in which the locking formation projects laterally outwardly from the locking member.

61. A locking member according to claim 60, in which the locking formation projects laterally outwardly from two opposite sides of the locking member.

62. A locking member according to claim 57 or any claim dependent thereon, in which the locking formation is substantially rectangular in section along the said axis.

63. A locking member according to any of claims 55 to 62, in which the locking member includes an enlarged head.

64. A locking member according to claim 63, in which the enlarged head is located at or towards one end of the locking member.

65. A locking member according to any of claims 55 to 64, in which the locking member includes an elongate shank.

66. A locking member according to claim 65, in which the elongate shank extends from the head.

67. A locking member according to claims 65 or 66, in which the locking member includes a retaining formation projecting from the shank.

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68. A locking member according to claim 67 when dependent on claim 63 or any claim dependent thereon, in which the retaining formation is spaced from the head.

69. A locking member according to claim 68, in which the retaining formation is located so that when the locking member is in engagement with the cover member, the retaining formation is located on an opposite side of the cover member to the head.

70. A locking member according to any of claims 67 to 69, in which the locking member comprises a pair of retaining formations.

71. A locking member according to claim 70, in which the retaining formations extend laterally from opposed sides of the shank.

72. A locking member according to any of claims 67 to 71, in which the or each retaining formation is resilient.

73. A locking member according to any of claims 67 to 72, in which the or each retaining formation is in the form of a barb.

74. A locking member according to any of claims 67 to 73, in which the or each retaining formation is arranged to deform to permit the locking member to move into engagement with the cover member.

75. A locking member according to claim 57 or any claim dependent thereon, in which the locking member includes anti-rotation means to substantially prevent free rotation of the locking member about the said axis.

76. A locking member according to claim 75 when dependent on claim 65 JO or any claim dependent thereon, in which the anti rotation means include a shaped portion of the shank.

77. A locking member according to claim 76, in which the shaped portion is substantially square in section.

78. A locking member according to claim 77, in which the square portion includes a pair of rounded opposed corners which allow the user to rotate the locking member through approximately 90Q.

79. A locking member according to claim 78, in which the square portion includes another pair of corners which substantially prevent the user rotating the locking member through substantially more than 90 .

80. A locking member according to any of claims 55 to 79, in which the or each locking member is formed of a resilient material.

81. A locking member according to claim 80, in which the or each locking member is formed of a plastics material.

82. A locking member according to claim 81, in the plastics material is a glass fibre reinforced plastics material

83. A ground surface cover assembly substantially as hereinbefore described and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

84. A cover member substantially as hereinbefore described and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

85. A support arrangement substantially as hereinbefore described and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

86. A locking member substantially as hereinbefore described and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

87. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter disclosed herein, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding claims.