GB2235231A

GB2235231A - Surface box for underground access chamber

Info

Publication number: GB2235231A
Application number: GB8919397A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Loverseed
Original assignee: British Gas PLC
Current assignee: British Gas PLC
Priority date: 1989-08-25
Filing date: 1989-08-25
Publication date: 1991-02-27
Anticipated expiration: 2009-08-25
Also published as: GB8919397D0; GB2235231B

Abstract

A surface box 21, for example for enclosing, protecting and providing access to a valve beneath the ground, has an opening 22 at its upper end 24 and an opening 23 at its lower end 25. A cover or lid 28 is supported at the upper end 24 of the box 21 to close the opening 22. An annular flange 29 extends outwardly from the box at or adjacent the upper of the box to support the box in position in the ground. The support flange 29 may be pressed into the material 32 which is to form the ground surface 35 at the time the surface is being prepared. A recess 34 may be provided below the flange 29 to key the box to the surrounding earth. <IMAGE>

Description

CONTAINERS AND ENCLOSURES FOR INSERTION INTO THE GROUND The invention relates to containers or enclosures and, more particularly, to a container or enclosure for insertion into the ground at surface level.

Such a container or enclosure is commonly known as, and hereinafter in this specification will be referred to as, a "surface box" or "box" and can be found in carriageways, footpaths, verges, etc. A surface box is used, for example, to enclose, protect and provide access to a valve or other piece of utilities equipment connected, via an underground opening in the box, to the utilities mains or cables which extend through the ground outside of the box, or to provide access to the plant itself. Access to the interior of the box is through an opening at the top of the box which is at ground surface level and is normally closed by a cover or lid.

One known means by which such a surface box is supported in position in the ground is via one or more pre-cast concrete blocks or slabs on which the lower end or base of the box sits. If the carriageway or footpath has to be dug up and then reinstated in the region of the surface box, the surface of the reinstated carriageway or footpath can be at a different level than it was originally. The blocks or slabs therefore often have to be moved. to a different level in the ground or packing material may have to be inserted between the existing blocks or slabs and the lower end of the box in order for the upper end of the box to be substantially level again with the fresh pavement surface. Where such adjustment is required the overall cost of the reinstatement of the ground can increase significantly.

An object of the invention is to provide a surface box which does not have to be supported on its base or lower end when installed in the ground.

Accordingly, from one aspect, the present invention provides a surface box which has an opening at its upper end; at least one opening below the upper opening; means provided below the upper end which supports or is for supporting a cover or lid in a recessed position to close the upper opening; and in which at least one flange extends outwardly from the box at or adjacent the upper end.

From another aspect, a method of embedding a surface box, as defined above, in position in the ground, comprises inserting the box in an aperture in the ground with the flange resting on surface forming material, and pressing the flange into the material, such that the box is supported in position by the flange.

The at least one opening may be at the lower end of the box, via which opening utilities equipment or the like can extend into, or be accessed from, the box.

Conveniently, the box may be of generally tubular form, for example, of straight or rectilinear tubular form and may be of substantially constant internal cross section along a substantial part of its length. In this instance the lower opening may extend across substantially the whole internal cross-sectional area of the tube. In another embodiment, the box may have a base or bottom extending across the cross-section atthe lower end of the box and a lower opening may be provided in the base or bottom and/or in a side wall portion of the box.

The flange may extend completely or substantially completely around the box. Thus, the flange may be of annular form.

Conveniently, the flange lies substantially in a single plane. Thus, when the box is positioned in the ground the upper surface of the flange can be substantially co-planar with respect to the surface of level ground.

The support means for the cover may comprise shoulder means which extend around the inside of the box. For example, the shoulder means may be formed by an upwardly facing rebate surface in the wall of the box.

Preferably, when the cover is supported by the support means the upper surface of the cover is substantially level with the upper end of the box.

Instead of pressing the support flange into the material forming the surface of the ground, the support flange may sit or rest on the ground surface, for example on paving stones. In the latter case the flange conveniently tapers in a direction away from the box with the upper surface of the flange sloping downwardly away from the box. Thus, the flange may be of bevelled form.

Where the box is a light duty box it may be made of aluminium or suitable plastics material. Alternatively, the box may be made of a heavy duty material, such as cast iron, for example when the box is to serve as a manhole opening access point.

Securing means may be provided below the flange for the purpose of being engaged by or embedded in pavement or ground surface forming material, when the box is located in position in the ground, for resisting removal of the box from the ground.

The securing means may comprise in the outer surface of the box at least one recess which opens outwardly of the box.

Alternatively, the securing means may comprise at least one projection which extends outwardly from the box.

The or each securing means may be of annular form and extend all or substantially all of the way around the box.

Thus the or each recess may be in the form of an annular groove whilst the or each projection may be in the form of an annular flange.

The securing means may comprise a plurality or series of recesses and/or projections.

The securing means may be at or adjacent the lower end of the box or at some other position below the upper flange.

Figure 1 of the accompanying drawing is a vertical crosssectional view through a known form of surface box which is shown located in the ground and will be described below.

The present invention will also now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the remaining figures in the drawings, in which Figure 2 is a perspective view from above of one embodiment of surface box according to the invention lodged in the ground, Figure 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the box shown in Figure 2 taken on the line III-III, Figure 4 is a perspective view from above of another embodiment of surface box according to the invention located in the ground, Figure 5 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the box shown in Figure 4 taken on the line V-V, and Figure 6 is a scrap view showing in cross-section a modified form of the upper flange shown in Figures 2 to 5.

With reference to the prior art shown in Figure 1, a surface box is in the form of a generally straight tubular enclosure or body 1 having openings 2 and 3 at its upper and lower ends 4,5 respectively. The upper end 4 of the tubular body has an internal annular rebate 6 which provides an upwardly facing shoulder 7 on which is seated a drop- or hinged cover or lid 8 which closes the upper opening 2 of the tubular body. The upper surfaces 9 of the cover 8 is substantially level with the upper end surface 10 of the box and the surface 11 of the ground in which the box is located. The lower end 5 of the box has an annular flange 12 which extends outwardly from the tubular body.The flange 12 rests on a support block 13 which is embedded in the ground and which has an aperture 14 into which extends the upper end of a pipe 15 which provides for access to, for example, utilities main or plant (not shown) beneath the support block.

One example embodiment of the box according to the invention and shown in Figures 2 and 3 is in the form of a generally straight tubular enclosure or body 21 having openings 22 and 23 at its upper and lower ends 24,25 respectively. The upper end 24 of the tubular body has an internal annular rebate 26 which provides an upwardly facing shoulder 27 on which is seated a drop- or hinged cover or lid 28 which closes the upper opening 22. Thus far this embodiment is similar to the prior art construction.

At the upper end an integral, rigid annular flange 29 extends both completely around and in a direction outwardly from the tubular body. The flange 29 lies substantially in a single plane, i.e. it is of planar form and the upper surface 30 of the flange provides the upper end surface of the box.

As can be seen from Figure 3, with the cover 28 resting on the shoulder 27 so as to close the opening 2, the upper surface 31 of the cover is substantially level with the upper surface 30 of the flange.

When the surface box is located in the ground, ground forming material 32 around the box supports the box by engaging the underside 33 of the flange 29. Thus, the previous requirement for the support block (see Figure 1) is removed.

Between the flange 29 and the lower end 25 of the box there is provided in the outer surface of the enclosure 21 a securing means comprising a recess in the form of an annular groove 34 which extends all the way around the enclosure and opens outwardly of the enclosure.

Another example embodiment of the invention is shown in Figures 4 and 5 and has many parts and features which correspond to the first embodiment. These have been identified by the same reference numbers but have not been described again. The essential difference in this second embodiment is that between the flange 29 the lower end 25 of the box there is provided, instead of annular groove 34, securing means comprising a projection in the form of an annular flange 35. The flange 35 extends outwardly from, and all of the way around the enclosure.

When a new ground surface is being formed or when a ground surface is being reinstated, for example from fresh bituminous material, the surface box can initially be installed in an aperture in the ground with the flange resting on the fresh (non-rolled) bituminous material.

The box can be rolled down with the bituminous material to a position as shown in Figure 3 or Figure 5 with the flange 29 pressed into the bituminous material so that the level of the ground surface 36 is level with the upper surfaces 31,30 of the cover 28 and the flange 29, respectively.

The rolling down of the bituminous material also causes some of the material to be pressed into the annular groove 34 or around the annular flange 35. Thus, the groove 34 is engaged by, or the flange 35 is embedded in, the material with the result that unauthorised removal of the surface box from the ground is prevented or resisted.

Figure 6 shows a modified form 37 of the upper annular flange, in cross-section, which is applicable to both of the embodiments of surface box described and is particularly convenient where the underside of flange 37 of the surface box is required to rest on the surface 36 of the ground, such as on paving stones, to support the surface box. Here the flange is bevelled or tapers in a direction away from the box with the upper surface 38 of the flange sloping downwardly away from the upper end of the box, in order to reduce the likelihood of a person tripping up over the flange 37 which stands slightly proud of the surface of the ground.

The pipe 15 itself is not connected, or is not connected in an operative sense, to the main or plant (not shown) but is present to provide access thereto, for example, to allow for the insertion of a spindle key (not shown) to operate a line valve or to accommodate (and together with the surface box protect) a standpipe (also not shown) which itself is attached to the main and extends upwardly to the surface box. The pipe can also serve to support the surrounding ground.

It will be understood that the lower opening 23 should be larger than the pipe 15 so that the box can be adjusted vertically with respect to the pipe, if desired, and not restrained by it.

Whilst particular embodiments of the invention have been described above, it will be appreciated that various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the cover or lid may comprise locking means to releasably lock it to the tubular body. Further, the tubular body may have an internal and/or external cross-section other than as shown in the figures. Thus the cross-section(s) may be circular instead of rectangular.

Claims

1. A surface box having an opening at its upper end; at least one opening below the upper opening; means provided below the upper end which supports or is for supporting a cover or lid in a recessed position to close the upper opening; and wherein at least one flange extends outwardly from the box at or adjacent the upper end.

2. A box as claimed in claim 1, in which the at least one opening is at the lower end of the box.

3. A box as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, which is of generally straight tubular form.

4. A box as claimed in any of the preceding claims, in which the flange extends completely or substantially completely around the box.

5. A box as claimed in any of the preceding claims, in which the flange lies substantially in a single plane.

6. A box as claimed in any of the preceding claims, in which the cover support means comprises shoulder means which extends around the inside of the box.

7. A box as claimed in claim 6, in which the shoulder means is formed by an upwardly facing rebate surface in the wall of the box.

8. A box as claimed in any of the preceding claims, in which, when the cover is supported in the opening-closed position, the upper surface of the cover is substantially level with the upper end of the box.

9. A box as claimed in any of the preceding claims, in which the flange tapers in a direction away from the box with the upper surface of the flange sloping downwardly away from the box.

10. A box as claimed in any of the preceding claims, in which securing means is provided below the flange for the purpose of being engaged by or embedded in pavement or ground surface forming material, when the box is located in position in the ground, for resisting removal of the box from the ground.

11. A box as claimed in claim 10, in which the securing means comprises, in the outer surface of the box, at least one recess which opens outwardly of the box.

12. A box as claimed in claim 10, in which the securing means comprises at least one projection which extends outwardly from the box.

13. A box as claimed in any of claims 10, 11 and 12, in which the or each securing means is of annular form and extends all or substantially all of the way around the box.

14. A surface box substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 2 and 3, or Figures 4 and 5.

15. A surface box substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 2 and 3 as modified by Figure 6, or Figures 4 and 5 as modified by Figure 6.

16. A method of embedding a surface box as claimed in any of the preceding claims 1 to 14 in position in the ground, comprising inserting the box in an aperture in the ground with the flange at or adjacent the upper end resting on surface forming material, and pressing the box into the material.