AU2013100692A4 - Inspection cover lifting means - Google Patents

Abstract

Abstract An inspection cover lifting means for a GATIC@-style inspection cover is disclosed. The inspection cover lifting means includes an operating arm connected through a cam mechanism to a key-hole engaging means. When engaged, rotation of the operating arm lifts the inspection cover.

Description

AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION Invention title: "INSPECTION COVER LIFTING MEANS" Applicant: WESTURN ENGINEERING PTY LTD Associated provisional applications: The following statement is a full description of the invention, including the best method of performing it known to me: 2 "INSPECTION COVER LIFTING MEANS" Field of the Invention [0001] The present invention relates to the raising of inspection covers, such as those manufactured by Gatic Pty Ltd under the trade mark 'GATIC' - an acronym for 'Gas Air Tight Inspection Covers'. Background to the Invention [0002] Inspection covers are used in connection with the provision of utilities such as water, gas, telecommunications and electricity to homes and businesses. All these utilities employ pipes or conduits located underground, and these pipes and conduits require access for maintenance and other purposes. In order to facilitate this, access holes are provided at regular intervals, often located along footpaths, verges or at the side of roads. [0003] In order to limit unauthorised access, and to prevent the ingress of water, the access holes are generally each provided with an inspection cover which seals about the hole, and is difficult to remove. [0004] Often, inspection covers are provided with key holes into which a suitably shaped key must be inserted, thus providing a grasping point which can be used to lift the cover. Such arrangements are generally satisfactory when, as designed, the covers can be lifted or opened without using further tools. [0005] Problems arise when this is not the case. Where an inspection cover is particularly tight-fitting, or has become encrusted with dirt over time, it can be difficult to break the resulting seal. [0006] The present invention seeks to provide a means of readily overcoming this problem. Summary of the Invention [0007] According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided an inspection cover lifting means including: a. an inspection cover key-hole engaging means; b. a ground engaging portion horizontally spaced from the key hole engaging means; and c. an activating mechanism; 3 whereby operation of the activating mechanism alters the relative vertical position of the key-hole engaging means and the ground engaging portion. [0008] Preferably the activating mechanism is moveable between a first position and a second position, whereby the key-hole engaging means moves upwards relative to the ground engaging portion as the activating mechanism moves from the first position to the second position. [0009] The activating mechanism may include an eccentric rotating actuator, or cam. [0010] The activating mechanism preferably includes an operating arm rotatable about a horizontal axis. Advantageously, this may allow an operator to employ the inspection cover lifting means in a standing position. [0011] The activating mechanism may also include a rotation limiting means, to ensure that the operating arm cannot move past the second position. [0012] The activating mechanism may further include a stabilizing means arranged to bear against an inspection cover being lifted. Brief Description of the Drawings [0013] It will be convenient to further describe the invention with reference to preferred embodiments of the present invention. Other embodiments are possible, and consequently the particularity of the following discussion is not to be understood as superseding the generality of the preceding description of the invention. In the drawings: [0014] Figure 1 is a perspective of an inspection cover lifting means in accordance with the present invention; shown in a first position; [0015] Figure 2 is a side view of the inspection cover lifting means of Figure 1; [0016] Figure 3 is a side view of the inspection cover lifting means of Figure 1, shown in a second position; [0017] Figure 4 is a perspective of a key-hole engaging means within the inspection cover lifting means of Figure 1; and [0018] Figure 5 is a perspective of a cam mechanism from within the inspection cover lifting means of Figure 1.

4 Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments [0019] Referring to the Figures, there is shown an inspection cover lifting means 10 for a GATIC@ inspection cover. The inspection cover lifting means includes an operating arm 12, a body portion 14 and a key-hole engaging means 16. [0020] The body portion 14 includes a main portion 18 having a substantially horizontal base 20, and a downwards extension 22 located at one end of the main portion 18 and extending downwardly from the base 20 to a rounded ground engaging portion 24 vertically spaced form the base 20. In the embodiment shown, the ground engaging portion 24 is vertically spaced about 40mm from the base 20. [0021] The main portion 18 of the body portion 14 houses an operating mechanism of the inspection cover lifting means 10. The operating mechanism includes a cam 26, as seen in Figure 5. [0022] The cam 26 includes two rollers 28, arranged to be received within corresponding bearings 30 in the body portion 14. The rollers 28 are arranged to be rotatable about a horizontal axis, transverse to an elongate direction of the body portion 14. The cam 26 also includes an arm attachment 32, opposed to the rollers 28. The arm attachment 32 is arranged to be bolted within the operating arm 12, such that the operating arm 12 is able to rotate about the axis of the rollers 28. [0023] Between the rollers 28 and the arm attachment 32 is a shackle 34 which is generally U-shaped. [0024] The rollers 28 includes a pin receiving aperture 36 passing through the rollers in a direction parallel to the axis of the rollers 28, but displaced from the axis by about one half the radius of the rollers. It will be appreciated that as the operating arm 12 is rotated about its horizontal axis, the pin receiving aperture 36 will similarly rotate about the same axis. [0025] The key-hole engaging means 16 is shown in Figure 4. It is an elongate member, having a head 40, a shaft 42 and a body 44. The body 44 is sized and shaped to locate within the shackle 34. The body 44 has a pin receiving aperture 46 at an outer end thereof, sized and positioned so as to align with the pin receiving aperture 36 of the shackle 34. [0026] The shaft 42 extends from an inner end of the body 44, and is sized to readily pass within the key-hole of a GATIC@ inspection cover.

5 [0027] The head 40 extends transversely of the shaft 42, and is sized and shaped so as to pass through the key-hole of a GATIC@ inspection cover when oriented in one direction, but to be prevented from passing through the key hole when oriented in a second direction (that is, when rotated 90 0 about a vertical axis). [0028] The operating mechanism further includes a pin 48 connecting the body of the key-hole engaging means 16 to the rollers 28. [0029] It will be appreciated that the eccentric position of the pin receiving aperture 36 relative to the axis rollers 28 means that rotation of the operating arm 12 translates into vertical movement of the key hole engaging means 16. The arrangement is such that when the operating arm 12 is in a first position with the pin 48 at is closest to the base 20, as shown in Figure 2, the head 40 is vertically displaced from the base 20 by about 60mm. When the operating arm 12 is rotated to a second position about 1200 from the first position, as shown in Figure 4, the head 40 moves towards the base 20 by 5 to 10mm. [0030] The shackle 34 also includes a stopper receiving aperture 50 located on one of the U-shaped arms. A protruding stopper (not shown) may be received within the stopper receiving aperture 50. It will be appreciated that this stopper rotates about the axis of the rollers 28. The body potion 14 may include a part-circular track (not shown) in which the stopper can rotate, with the track including a barrier to prevent rotation beyond a particular position, such as the second position. In this way the operating arm 12 can be prevented from rotating beyond the second position. [0031] In use, the inspection cover lifting means 10 is arranged in its first position. In this position, the head 40 of the key-hole engaging means may be inserted into a key-hole of an inspection cover by being oriented in the correct position. Once the head is fully within the cover, with the shaft 42 within the key-hole itself, the inspection cover lifting means 10 can be rotated about a vertical axis such that the head 40 is restrained from moving into the key-hole, and that the ground engaging portion 24 of the body portion 14 is located in contact with the ground, outside the inspection cover. [0032] In this position the head 40 is in contact with the inside of the inspection cover.

6 [0033] A stabilizing means in the form of an adjusting bolt (not shown) may be provided in the main portion 18 of the body portion 14, at the end opposed to the downwards extension 22. The adjusting bolt extends vertically through the base 20, and is threaded adjustable. If provided, the adjusting bolt may be rotated until it bears against the top of the inspection cover, thus helping to hold the inspection cover lifting means in position. [0034] The operating arm 12 can then be pulled into the second position. This has the effect of applying an upwards force to the inspection cover via the head 40 of the key-hole engaging means 16. This upward force, and associated movement of 5 to 10mm, is sufficient to break the seal of the cover, and to allow insertion of a suitable tool to complete removal of the cover. [0035] Modifications and variations as would be apparent to a skilled addressee are deemed to be within the scope of the present invention.

Claims (5)

1. An inspection cover lifting means including: a. an inspection cover key-hole engaging means; b. a ground engaging portion horizontally spaced from the key hole engaging means; and c. an activating mechanism; whereby operation of the activating mechanism alters the relative vertical position of the key-hole engaging means and the ground engaging portion.

2. An inspection cover lifting means as claimed in claim 1, wherein the activating mechanism is moveable between a first position and a second position, whereby the key-hole engaging means moves upwards relative to the ground engaging portion as the activating mechanism moves from the first position to the second position.

3. An inspection cover lifting means as claimed in claim 1, wherein the activating mechanism includes an eccentric rotating actuator.

4. An inspection cover lifting means as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the activating mechanism includes an operating arm rotatable about a horizontal axis.

5. An inspection cover lifting means as claims in claim 4, wherein the activating mechanism includes a stabilizing means arranged to bear against an inspection cover being lifted. WESTURN ENGINEERING PTY LTD By its Patent Attorneys ARMOUR IP P2090AUOO