CA2052962C - Manhole cover frames or the like - Google Patents

Abstract

Improvement in a so-called "floating frame" for manhole covers or the like. The frame (1) comprises a radially outwardly extending flange (2) designed to be placed flush with the surface of the road or the like in which the manhole or the like is disposed, and a skirt (3) designed to extend axially into the upper part of the manhole, formed by e.g. a concrete pipe (4) or into an elongation of such pipe. In order to determine the frame level with respect to the wall pipe (4) and/or for visual inspection of the condition or quality of the surface material in which the frame floats, the frame (1) is provided with at least one aperture or cut-out (5, 15, 16) in the frame skirt (3), the frame flange (2) and/or the cover seating (2') in the frame.

Description

MANHOLE COVER FRAME
The present invention relates to a frame for covers for manholes, hells etc, the frame comprising a rad:ially outwardly extending flange designed to be placed flush with the surface of the road or the like in which the manhole or t:he like is disposed, and a skirt designed to extend axially into the upper part of the manhole, formed by e.g. a concrete pipe. Frames of this type is also known as "floating frames", the frame floating with its radially extending flange on and in the surrounding ground. When the ground is given a new surface, e.g. by re-macadamizing, the frame is lifted whereupon surfacing material is introduced below the flange whereafter the frame is pressed down to new flushing condition by means of a road roller or the like.
By such level adjustment of the frame it may from time to time be difficu~t to ascertain how much of th.e wall pipe is overlapped by the frame skirt and it is also difficult if not impossible to ascertain the condition of the material on which the frame floates. In order to overcome these dleficiencies it is suggested through the present invention to provide the frame with at least one aperture or cut-out, the aperture~(s) or cut-outs) to be disposed in the frame skirt, in the frame flange and/or in the seating of. the cover in the frame.
These and other features of the framE~ according to the invention shall be described below with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which Figs. 1, 2, 3 and ~~ exemplify four embodiments of the invention, which embodiments may well be combined in actual practice.
The drawings show a .Frame 1 for a ma~:lholde cover or the like, the said frame having a. radially outwardly extending flange 2 designed to flush with a road surface or the like, as well as a skirt 3 designed to protrude telescopically into a manhole wall pipe 4 (cf Figs. 1 and 2) or to extend in the elongation of such wall pipe which does itself not extend right up to the level of the surface.

The frame skirt 3 is in accordance with this invention provided with at least one aperture or cut-out, which may - as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 - be in the form of a slot 5 extending axially in the skirt 3. Such slot may however if desired extend helically with respect to the frame axis. In Figs. 1 and 2 only one slot is shown, but conveniently there are two or three such slots, circumferentially separated along they skirt.
In the embodiment shown in Fig. 1 the slot 5 extends right down to the lower edge of the skirt 3 whereas it may, as exemplified in Fig. 2 be in the form of an elongated aperture ending a short distance above the lower frame skirt edge.
By means of the slot or slots 5 it will be possible at any time to determine the level of the frame with respect to the upper edge of the manhole pipe wall. Furthermore, the slot or slots makes it possible to visually inspect. the condition or quality of the surface material on which the frame floates.

In order to enhance the possibility of such visual inspection it has also been suggested in this invention to provide one or more apertures 15, 16 in the frame flange 2 (cf Fig. 3) and/or i.n the manhole cover seating 2' (cf Fig. 4).
It will be obvious to the man skilled in the art, once having been shown this idea, to exploit the embodiments in various combinations, e.g. by providing slogs or elongated apertures in the skirt as well as inspection apertures in the flange and/or cover seating.

Claims (6)

1. Improvement in a frame for covers for manholes, wells etc., the frame comprising a radially outwardly extending flange designed to be placed flush with the surface of the road or the like in which a manhole or the like is disposed, and a skirt designed to extend axially into an upper end portion of the manhole or the like, characterized in that the frame is provided with one or more cutouts adapted to visually expose a part of a manhole pipe wall or other material surrounding the manhole frame when the frame is in place.

2. Manhole cover frame according to claim 1, wherein the cutouts are disposed in the frame skirt, in the frame flange and/or in a seating for a cover associated with the frame.

3. Manhole cover frame according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the cut-outs being in the form of an elongated slot in the skirt, the elongated slot extending axially in the skirt with respect to the frame axis.

4. Manhole cover frame according to claim 1, at least one of the cut-outs being in the form of an elongated slot in the skirt, the elongated slots extending helically in the skirt with respect to the frame axis.

5. Manhole cover frame according to claim 3 or claim 4, wherein the slots are open at a lower edge of the skirt and extend over at least a lower half of the skirt.

6. Manhole cover frame according to claim 3 or claim 4, wherein the slot is closed at a lower end of the frame, said lower end being located a small distance above a lower edge of the frame skirt, and an upper end of said slot being located in an upper half of the frame skirt.