GB2582758A

GB2582758A - A ground surface access assembly frame and method of installation or replacement

Info

Publication number: GB2582758A
Application number: GB1904506.1A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Turner Barry; Sarah Elizabeth Evans Samantha; Mark Ratcliffe Liam; John Gibson Simon; John Turner Simon
Original assignee: Wrekin Holdings Ltd
Current assignee: Wrekin Holdings Ltd
Priority date: 2019-03-30
Filing date: 2019-03-30
Publication date: 2020-10-07
Anticipated expiration: 2039-03-30
Also published as: GB2582758B; GB201904506D0

Abstract

A ground surface access assembly frame 10 surrounding and defining an aperture; said frame comprising sidewalls 12 that extend downwardly to connect to an outwardly extending flange portion 14 and further comprising a key-engaging member 16 that extends upwardly and/or outwardly from said support flange portion and further comprises a key-hole; said key-engaging member allowing engagement of said frame by a lifting key and includes a keyhole. The key engaging member may be raised relative to the flange.

Description

A Ground Surface Access Assembly Frame and Method of Installation or Replacement

Technical Field

This invention relates to the frame of a ground surface access assembly; and in particular to means of engaging the flange with lifting gear in order to facilitate initial installation or subsequent removal.

Background Art

Ground surface access assemblies are widely employed in roadways and sidewalks/pavements. Typically, such assemblies include a frame with a flange and hinged or removable cover portion. Often, such covers are relatively heavy and need to be handled using approved lifting gear, in order to avoid possible injury to operatives.

In use, after such assemblies have been installed in a roadway etc., subsequent removal of a frame and flange from bedding material, for replacement etc., can be difficult owing to a lack of provision for attachment of lifting gear to the frame.

Disclosure of Invention

An aim of the present invention is to provide a frame for a ground surface access assembly that is easier and safer to install or replace than existing frames because means for engaging lifting keys are provided on the frame; in particular on the frame flange, the frame side-walls, or both.

In a first aspect the invention comprises a ground surface access assembly frame surrounding and defining an aperture; said frame comprising sidewalls that extend downwardly to connect to an outwardly extending flange portion; and further comprising: at least one key-engaging member that extends externally from said frame; is configured to allow engagement of a lifting key; and includes a keyhole Normally, each said key-engaging member comprises a roof portion. Preferably, the roof portion is located at a raised position relative to the flange. Optionally the key-engaging member further comprises a pair of spaced-apart key-engaging slots that are located side-by-side on the underside of the roof portion, and separated by said keyhole. The underside surface of the roof portion may be, at least partly, arcuate or semi-circular in cross section.

Normally, the frame flange portion is generally flat/planar and does not extend underneath the keyhole. Optionally, the frame flange portion is generally flat/planar but does extend underneath the keyhole.

Preferably, said key-engaging member extends upwardly from said-flange portion. Optionally, said key-engaging member extends outwardly from said frame sidewall. Optionally, said key-engaging member extends both upwardly from said base portion and outwardly from a said sidewall.

In another aspect the invention comprises a method of lifting a ground surface access assembly frame according to present invention, during initial installation or replacement; wherein said frame has at least two key-engaging members located on opposite sides of said frame; using a pair of keys (K1, K2), comprising a main shaft with at least one radially extending side-arm, that in use engages said key engaging members; and comprising the following steps: (a) Engaging said lifting keys (K1, K2) within each key-engagement member keyhole by firstly downward movement and then secondly rotational movement of said keys (K1, K2), both movements being relative to said keyhole; and (b) Lifting or lowering frame into desired bedding position using said pair of engaged keys (K1, K2), either by hand or using approved lifting gear

Brief Description of Drawings

The present invention is illustrated by the following diagrammatic figures in which: Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a ground surface access assembly frame according to a first embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 shows an enlarged perspective view, for the frame illustrated in Figure 1, of one key engaging member looking downwards; Figure 3 shows an enlarged perspective view, for the frame illustrated in Figure 1, of one key engaging member looking upwards toward the underside of the flange; Figure 4 shows an underside perspective view of the frame illustrated in Figure 1; Figures 5a and 5b show a lifting key just prior to being inserted into the key-engaging member; and engaged therein respectively; Figure 6 shows a perspective view of a ground surface access assembly frame according to a second embodiment of the invention; Figure 7 shows an enlarged perspective view of one key engaging member, for the frame illustrated in Figure 6, looking downwards; and Figure 8 shows the ground surface access assembly frame illustrated in Figure 1 with two lifting keys engaged prior to installation or removal (for replacement).

Detailed Description

Figure 1 shows a perspective view illustration of a ground surface access assembly frame (10) according to a first embodiment of the invention. The frame (10) surrounds and defines an aperture and comprises four sidewall portions (12) that extend downwardly; three of these sidewall portions (12) being connected via curved intermediate portions (12a) to three outwardly extending flange portions; that together form a flange (14). The flange (14) further comprises a member(s) configured to allow engagement of a lifting key; thus a key-engaging member (16) is located on the upper surface of at least one of said three flange portions.

Figure 2 shows an enlarged perspective view of the key-engaging member (16) illustrated in Figure 1 (looking downwards), that comprises a roof portion (20) located in a raised position above the level of the flange (14) and supported in this position by two adjoining sidewalls (22), that in this case splay outwardly from the roof portion (20) at an obtuse angle. Alternatively, the sidewall portions (22) may extent upwardly from a flange portion in a generally vertical direction (generally perpendicular to the flange portion). The space underneath the roof portion (20) is open -that is there is no flange portion beneath this member. The frame is preferably made by casting a ferrous material; and the open-bottom arrangement of the key-engaging member facilitates the casting process.

Figure 3 shows an enlarged perspective view of one key engaging member looking upwards toward the underside of the flange. The roof portion (20) has adjoining slots (24, 26) that together define a keyhole aperture (A). The central slot comprises two internal arcuate-shaped walls (26), which separate two adjoining rectangular slots (24). The underside of the roof portion (20) further comprises a pair of spaced-apart engaging slots (18a, 18b) that are separated by the keyhole aperture (A). In use, these slots (18) help to retain a lifting key in the desired position when engaged and ready to lift The pair of spaced-apart key-engaging slots (18) are formed by planar walls. Alternatively, these slots may comprise a continuous curved face, when using a lifting key that has a pair of (outwardly extending) blades of circular cross section.

Figure 4 illustrates an underside perspective view of the frame shown Figure 1; and shows in particular that the flange has a pair of key-engaging members (16) located on opposing flange portions.

Figures 5a and 5b show how a lifting key can engage the key-engaging member (16). Figure 5a shows the blade (Kb) of the lifting key positioned slightly above the keyhole (A) just before engagement: subsequent engagement being achieved simply by: firstly downwards movement; and then secondly rotational movement of the key shaft (Ks) and blade (Kb); both movements being relative to the roof portion keyhole (A).

In use, the space defined by the raised roof portion (20) and sidewalls (22) is less likely to become blocked with debris than a keyhole, located on the surface of a planar flange portion; and can in any event be cleaned more easily.

Rather than the generally planar frame flange (14) being interrupted by the sidewall portions (22), as illustrated in Figures 1 to 5, the frame member may extend continuously underneath the engagement member(s) (16).

Figure 6 shows a perspective view illustration of a ground surface access assembly frame (110) according to a second embodiment of the invention. The frame (110) surrounds and defines an aperture and comprises four sidewall portions (112) that extend downwardly; three of these sidewall portions (112) being connected via curved intermediate portions (112a) to three outwardly extending flange portions that together form a flange (114). The flange (114) further comprises a member(s) configured to allow engagement of a lifting key; thus a key-engaging member (116) is located on the outer surface of at least one of the four sidewall portions (112).

Figure 7 shows an enlarged perspective view of the key-engaging member (116) illustrated in Figure 6: that comprises a roof portion (120) located in a raised position above the flange (114) and supported in this position by connection to the outer surface of a sidewall (112). The roof portion has adjoining slots (124, 126) that together define a keyhole aperture (A). The central slot comprises two internal arcuate-shaped walls (126) which separate two adjoining rectangular slots (124). The underside of the roof portion (120) further comprises a pair of spaced-apart engaging slots (118) that are separated by the keyhole aperture (A); in use these slots (18) help to retain a lifting key in the desired position when engaged and ready to lift Figure 8 shows the ground surface access assembly frame illustrated in Figure 1 with two lifting keys (K1, K2) engaged prior to installation or removal (for replacement) according to the method of the present invention.

Claims

Claims 1. A ground surface access assembly frame (10) surrounding and defining an aperture; said frame comprising sidewalls (12) that extend downwardly to connect to an outwardly extending flange portion (14); and further comprising at least one key-engaging member (16) that extends externally from said frame; and is configured to allow engagement of a lifting key; and includes a keyhole 2. A ground surface access assembly frame according to Claim 1 where said key-engaging member comprises a roof portion (20) that has an aperture defining a keyhole, and is located at a raised position relative to the flange.3. A ground surface access assembly frame according to Claim 2 where said key-engaging member further comprises a pair of spaced-apart key-engaging slots (18) that are located side-by-side on the underside of said roof portion (20), and separated by said keyhole.4. A ground surface access assembly frame according to Claim 2 or 3 where the underside surface of said roof portion may, at least partly, be arcuate or semicircular in cross section.5. A ground surface access assembly frame according to any preceding claim where the frame flange portion is generally flat/planar does not extend underneath said key-engaging slot(s).6. A ground surface access assembly frame according to any of Claims 1 to 4 where the frame flange portion is generally flat/planar and extends underneath said key-engaging member.7. A ground surface access assembly frame according to any preceding claim where said key-engaging member extends upwardly from said-flange portion.8. A ground surface access assembly frame according to any preceding claim where said key-engaging member extends outwardly from a said frame sidewall.9. A method of lifting a ground surface access assembly frame according to any preceding claim, during initial installation or replacement; wherein said frame has at least two key-engaging members (16) located on opposite sides of said frame; using a pair of keys (K1, K2), comprising a main shaft with at least one radially extending side-arm, that in use engages said key engaging members; and comprising the following steps: (a) Engaging said lifting keys (K1, K2) within each key-engagement member keyhole by firstly downward movement and then secondly rotational movement of said keys (K1, K2), both movements being relative to said keyhole; (b) Lifting or lowering frame into desired bedding position using said pair of engaged keys (K1, K2), either by hand or using approved lifting gear