GB2457165A

GB2457165A - A reversible manhole cover with a frame

Info

Publication number: GB2457165A
Application number: GB0902054A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Paul J Smith
Original assignee: Peter Savage Ltd
Current assignee: Peter Savage Ltd
Priority date: 2008-02-07
Filing date: 2009-02-09
Publication date: 2009-08-12
Anticipated expiration: 2029-02-09
Also published as: GB2457165B; GB0802304D0; GB0902054D0

Abstract

An access cover 10 has one solid face 18 and one open face. A frame 62 can receive the cover 10 either way up to achieve either a planar surface 27 or a fillable tray. When placed solid side up the cover is preferably flush with the frames top 68 and can include tread patterning 28. Ideally a continuous internal ledge at the base of the frame contacts the lowest part of the perimeter of the cover. The cover and frame may include recesses and flanges respectively to form a seal. The cover ideally includes handles 23 and/or a lifting key hole 34. The cover may be bolted 46 to the frame via holes. Any holes in the cover can be plugged. The cover may be plastic and rectangular.

Description

1 2457165 An Access Cover and Frame Assembly The invention relates to an access cover and frame assembly.

Manufacturers of access covers often manufacture both solid-top access covers and infill-type access covers. This requires two separate manufacturing procedures. Once manufactured, both types of access cover need to be stored.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided an access cover assembly comprising an access cover and a frame, the frame being arranged to mount the cover, and the cover being arranged to present a substantially continuous upper surface in a first condition and being arranged to present an upwardly facing rebate to receive infihl material in a second condition.

By means of the invention, only one manufacturing process is needed to produce a single cover which can serve as both types of cover, and the amount of stock which needs to be held can be reduced as just one type of cover can be stocked, rather than two.

The first and second conditions may represent different positions of the cover with respect to the frame.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided an access cover and frame, the access cover and frame being such that the access cover can be positioned in the frame in a first position for use as a solid top access cover or in a second position for use as an infill type access cover. *.,.

In the second position, the cover may be the opposite way up from in the first position.

* This arrangement therefore provides a reversible cover, providing two types of access cover in one unit.

The access cover may be generally in the form of a tray. The outer surface of the base of the tray may be in the style of a solid top access cover.

The outer surface of the base of the tray may include a flat surface and a raised tread pattern. This reduces the slip hazard presented by the access cover when in the first condition. Preferably the flat surface of the base of the tray is substantially flush with the top of the frame when in the first condition.

The frame may include a support for contact with the top of the side wall when the cover is in the first condition and for contact with the flat surface when the cover is in the second condition, the height of the support being greater than the depth of the tread pattern. The position of the side walls in relation to the frame in both conditions is therefore not affected by the extra height added to the cover by the tread pattern. In the first condition, the pattern will protrude above the frame, ensuring that the pattern is effective at providing grip, and in the second condition the pattern will protrude below the ledge, allowing the top of the side walls of the cover to be flush with the top of the side walls of the frame.

The support may be at the edge of the base of the frame. The support may thus form a ledge. The support may be continuous around the frame.

The frame may include a flange and the cover may include a recess, the flange being suitable for location within the recess, so that the flange and recess form a seal. A seal will help to stop smells from coming through the cover. The recess may be in the outer surface of the base of the tray. The frame may include two flanges, each for location in a respective recess in the cover, so that the flanges and recesses form a double seal. A double seal will be more effective than a single seal at preventing smells from passing through the access cover, and is preferable for use indoors.

The access cover may be made from any suitable material and may be made from metal, but preferably is made from plastics material.

* 25 The frame preferably defines an aperture which may be suitable for fitting to a * 1 polypropylene inspection chamber (PPIC). I..

I

The access cover may be any suitable shape, such as round, and preferably is rectangular, and most preferably is square. A rectangular access cover is easier to ***** * 1 tarmac around or lay paving slabs around and to fill with paviour blocks or slabs.

The cover maybe a square to round cover.

At least one lifting handle may be attached to the tray. Preferably the lifting handle is accessible for use at least in the second condition. This makes the cover easy to remove when in the second condition, without having to remove the infill material.

An aperture may be provided in the base of the tray, for use in removal of the cover when in the first condition. Such an aperture can be used to receive a lifting key, to lift the cover.

A bolt may be provided and may be removably attached to the inside of the tray.

The cover may define an aperture, and the frame may define an aperture, such that the two apertures are aligned when the cover is in the first condition, the apertures being suitable for receiving a bolt to lock the lid. Preferably two apertures are defined by each of the cover and the frame. Preferably the two apertures are defined in opposite corners of the cover and frame. Preferably one end of the bolt has a slot like a screw to receive a screwdriver. Preferably the other end of the bolt is T-shaped. Thus the cover can be locked to the frame by inserting the T-shaped end of a bolt through aligned apertures in the cover and frame, then twisting the bolt by means of a screwdriver placed in the slot at the other end of the bolt.

When the cover is being used in the first condition, sand is often used in the bottom of the tray to provide a base for the infill material that will be visible. Preferably the cover includes plastic plugs to block any apertures in the base of the tray when the cover is in the second condition. Therefore, the plastic plugs prevent the sand draining out of the tray. *I

* . An access cover and frame assembly in one embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the cover one way up showing the solid top style of the * S e access cover; Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the cover the opposite way up showing the style of the access cover for receiving infill; Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a bolt; Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the frame; Fig. 5 is an underneath plan view of the frame; Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the access cover in the frame in the first condition, the access cover thus acting as a solid-top-type access cover; Fig. 7 is a plan view of the cover in the frame in the first condition; Fig. 8 is a cross section of the cover in the frame in the first condition; Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the access cover in the frame in the second condition, the access cover thus acting as an infihl-type cover; Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the access cover in the frame in the second condition, as in Fig. 9, but exploded to show the lids to the lifting keys removed, and the keys extended; Fig. 11 is a plan view of the cover in the frame in the second condition; and Fig. 12 is a cross section of the cover in the frame in the second condition.

The access cover 10 of the embodiment, as illustrated in Figs. I and 2, comprises a main body 12 and two lifting devices 14.

The main body 12 is generally in the form of a square tray 16 which defines a rebate 17, made from plastics material, with a generally planar base 18 and four side walls 20, 21 upstanding from the base 18. The side walls are 108 mm high. The lifting devices 14 are made from metal and are held in place in the centre of opposing side walls 20 by sleeves 22. The sleeves 22 are moulded as part of the tray 16. Each lifting device 14 comprises an extendable key 23 in the form of a rectangular loop *:. held captive by a housing 24, and a removable lid 25 which can be used to cover the top of the housing 24 when the key 23 is retracted. * S SS*

As shown in Fig. 1, the outer surface 26 of the base 18 of the tray 16 comprises a flat surface 27 and a tread pattern 28 upstanding from the flat surface 27. The depth of the tread pattern is 5 mm. An annular recess 30, of depth 5 mm, is provided in the outer surface 26. In each of two opposite corners of the base 18 is an aperture 32. Each aperture 32 is in the form of an elongate rectangle intersected by a circle widening to a conical countersunk bore at the flat surface 27. In the centre of the base 18 is an aperture 34 which is in the shape of an elongate rectangle centrally intersected by a circle with a diameter greater than the width of the rectangle, and is suitable for a receiving a conventional, standalone lifting key.

As shown in Fig. 2, inside the tray 16, is a reinforcing grid 36, composed of horizontal and vertical struts 38 parallel with the sides 20, 21 of the tray 16, moulded so that it is attached to the base 18 and sides 20, 21. The depth of the grid 36 is 25 mm. A circular recess 40 in the grid 36 is provided in the centre of the base 18, to surround the aperture 34. A semicircular plinth 42 is attached, along its straight side 43, to the bottom of each housing 24 for a key 23. Each plinth 42 is attached to the base 18 of the tray 16 via a screw 44 which passes from the outer surface 26 of the base 18 of the tray 16 through the base 18 and through the plinth 42. The struts 38 of the grid 36 nearest to the housing 24 and parallel to the housing 24, have an arc portion 45 to accommodate the plinth 42. Parallel to each side wall 21 without a lifting key, a bolt 46 is provided. Each bolt 46 is positioned between side wall 21 and the closest strut 38 parallel to the side wall 21. Grooves 48 are provided in four adjacent struts 38 perpendicular to the side wall 21 to allow a bolt 46 to lie parallel to the side wall 21 and below the surface 48 of the grid 36. The bolt 46 is frictionally gripped by the struts 38 to hold it in place.

Each bolt 46, as illustrated in Figure 3, comprises a cylindrical shank 50 with a rectangular foot 52 at one end 54, which is larger than the diameter of the shank 50, *..* such that the bolt 46 will fit through the aperture 32. At the other end 56 of the bolt * *** *..* 46 there is a circular screwtype head 58, the head 58 having a slot 60 like a screw to receive a screwdriver so that the bolt 46 may be twisted. Near the head 58, there is a collar 61 around the shank 50. The collar 61 is generally square in shape and is of approximately the same side length as the diameter of the shank 50 of the bolt 46. ****

There is a slot 63 through the bolt 46. The slot 63 is elongate in the direction of the axis of the bolt 46 and intersects the axis of the bolt 46. The midpoint of the slot 63 intersects and bisects the square collar 61.

The frame 62, as illustrated in Figures 4 and 5, is made from plastics material and comprises a square tray 64 with a generally planar base 66 and four side walls 68 upstanding from the base 66. The tray 64 is of a width to allow the cover 10 to fit inside it. The side walls 68 are 113 mm high. A flange 70 protrudes outwards from the bottom of the side walls 68, perpendicular to the side walls 68. A circular aperture 74 is provided in the centre of the base 66. The circular aperture 74 has a raised circular lip 76, of a height of 9 mm, around its edge. The diameter of the raised circular lip 76 is the same as that of the annular recess 30 on the outer surface 26 of the base 18 of the cover 10. Inside the frame 62, where the side walls 68 join the base 66, there is a ledge 78, at a height of 5 mm above the base 66, which acts as a support for the cover 10. In two opposite corners of the base 66 there are apertures 80. Each aperture 80 is an elongate rectangle and each is suitable for receiving one of the bolts 46. On the outer surface 82 of the base 66 of the frame 62, there is a circular rim 84 around each aperture 80. A removable lid 86 covers the rim 84, resulting in a chamber 88.

In use, the frame 62 is positioned in the ground above a circular inspection chamber, so that the aperture 74 is aligned with the inspection chamber, and the tops 89 of the side walls 68 are flush with ground level.

The cover 10 can be placed in the frame 62 in two ways. In the first condition, as illustrated in Figures 6 to 8, the outer surface 26 of the base 18 of the tray 16 is uppermost and thus forms the upper surface, and the tops 90 of the side walls 20, 21 rest on the ledge 78. This provides a solid-top-style cover. The flat surface 27 is flush with the tops 89 of the side walls 68 of the frame 62 and the tread pattern 28 protrudes above ground level, thus providing grip. The bolts 46 can be removed from the cover : 25 10 before placing the cover 10 in the frame 62. If locking of the cover 10 is required in the first condition, the cover 10 should be placed in the frame 62 so that the rectangular apertures 32 in the corners align with the rectangular apertures 80 in the corners of the frame 62. The bolts 46 can then be pushed through the apertures 32, 80 and rotated through 90°, so that the rectangular foot 52 is no longer aligned with 0.01 aperture 32, thus preventing removal of the bolt 46. The head 58 of each bolt 46 lies O * * in the conical bore part of the aperture 32, and so does not protrude from the flat surface 27. The collar 61 around the shank 50 of the bolt 46 is slightly wider than the aperture 32, and so pressure must be applied to push the collar 61 through the aperture 32. However, once the bolt 46 is in place, the collar 61 acts to ensure removal of the bolt 46 is not straightforward, requiring considerable force. The chamber 88 provides a space underneath the frame 62 to allow the bolt 46 to be turned -otherwise the insertion and rotation of the bolt 46 could be hindered by, for example, the soil underneath the frame 62. The aperture 34 can be covered using a plug 94.

In the second condition, as illustrated in Figures 9 to 12, the outer surface 26 of the base 18 of the tray 16 faces towards the base 66 of the frame 62. There is no tread pattern 28 on the portion of the cover 10 which aligns with the ledge 78 in the frame 62. Therefore, the flat surface 27 of the base 18 of the tray 16 rests on the ledge 78 in the frame 62, and the tops 90 of the side walls 68 of the cover 10 are flush with the tops 89 of the side walls 68 of the frame 62. The circular lip 76 of the frame 62 forms a seal with the annular recess 30 in the outer surface 26 of the base 18 of the tray 16.

The tread pattern 28 is received in the frame 62 and can protrude below the ledge 78 and on either side of the lip 76. The apertures 32 for receiving bolts are closed with plugs (not shown) and the aperture 34 for receiving a lifting key is closed with a plug 94. The cover 10 is thus suitable for filling with a layer of sand and then the desired infihl material, for example paviour blocks.

The embodiment given here is an example, but there are a number of alternatives which could be used.

The support for the cover provided on the frame may not be a continuous ledge, but could be a number of individual supports.

The embodiment described is a square to round cover but the cover could be of any suitable shape, for example circular or rectangular. * ._*

The cover or frame or both may not be made of plastics material, but could instead, p for example, be made of metal, such as steel or cast iron. S..

S S... * .

S

Claims

Claims 1. An access cover assembly comprising an access cover and a frame, the frame being arranged to mount the cover, and the cover being arranged to present a substantially continuous upper surface in a first condition and being arranged to present an upwardly facing rebate to receive infihl material in a second condition.
2. An assembly according to claim 1, wherein the first and second conditions represent different positions of the cover with respect to the frame.
3. An access cover assembly, comprising an access cover and frame, the access cover and frame being such that the access cover can be positioned in the frame in a first position for use as a solid top access cover or in a second position for use as an infihl type access cover.
4. An assembly according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein in the second position, the cover is the opposite way up from in the first position.
5. An assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the access cover is generally in the form of a tray.
6. An assembly according to claim 5, wherein the outer surface of the base of the tray may be in the style of a solid top access cover.
7. An assembly according to claim 5 or claim 6, wherein the outer surface of the base of the tray includes a flat surface and a raised tread pattern.
8. An assembly according to claim 7, wherein the flat surface of the base of the * .* b tray is substantially flush with the top of the frame when in the first condition.
9. An assembly according to claim 7 or claim 8, wherein the frame includes a * ** . . . . * *. support for contact with the top of the side wall when the cover is in the first condition and for contact with the flat surface when the cover is in the second condition, the height of the support being greater than the depth of the tread pattern. * *
10. An assembly according to claim 9, wherein the support is at the edge of the base of the frame.
11. An assembly according to claim 9 or claim 10, wherein the support forms a ledge.
12. An assembly according to claim 9, claim 10, or claim 11, wherein the support is continuous around the frame.
13. An assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the frame includes a flange and the cover includes a recess, the flange being suitable for location within the recess, so that the flange and recess form a seal.
14. An assembly according to claim 13, and where the cover is generally in the form of a tray, wherein the recess is in the outer surface of the base of the tray.
15. An assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the frame includes two flanges, each for location in a respective recess in the cover, so that the flanges and recesses form a double seal.
16. An assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the access cover is made from plastics material.
17. An assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the frame defines an aperture which may be suitable for fitting to a cylindrical inspection chamber.
18. An assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the access cover is rectangular.
19. An assembly according to claim 18, wherein the access cover is square.
20. An assembly according to claim 19, wherein the access cover is a square to S...round cover. *5 S
21. An assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein at least one lifting 5.5 * S handle is attached to the access cover.I
22. An assembly according to claim 21, wherein the lifting handle is accessible for S...use at least in the second condition.SS.....S
23. An assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein an aperture is provided in the cover in the base defining the rebate, for use in removal of the cover when in the first condition.
24. An assembly according to claim 23, wherein the aperture can be used to receive a lifting key, to lift the cover.
25. An assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein a bolt is provided and is removably attached to the cover or inside the rebate.
26. An assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the cover defines an aperture, and the frame defines an aperture, such that the two apertures are aligned when the cover is in the first condition, the apertures being suitable for receiving a bolt to lock the cover to the frame.
27. An assembly according to claim 26, wherein two said apertures are defined by each of the cover and the frame.
28. An assembly according to claim 27, wherein the two apertures are defined in opposite corners of the cover and frame.
29. An assembly according to any of claims 25 to 28, wherein one end of the bolt has a slot like a screw to receive a screwdriver.
30. An assembly according to claim 29, wherein the other end of the bolt is T-shaped. S...::: 20
31. An assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the cover includes plastic plugs to block any apertures in the base of the tray when the cover is in the second condition.

S
32. An assembly substantially as described herein and/or with reference to Figures 1 to 12.SI.....S S