GB2457563A

GB2457563A - An installation kit for pipes running in the substructure of a road

Info

Publication number: GB2457563A
Application number: GB0902187A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael Buhla
Original assignee: Heinz Kettler GmbH and Co KG
Current assignee: Heinz Kettler GmbH and Co KG
Priority date: 2008-02-20
Filing date: 2009-02-10
Publication date: 2009-08-26
Anticipated expiration: 2029-02-10
Also published as: DE102008010066A1; GB2457563B; GB0902187D0

Abstract

An installation kit 1 for pipes 11 running in the substructure of a road comprises a key rod 2 ending in the road cover 12, which key rod is surrounded by a sleeve pipe 3 and at its end 7 facing the spindle of the pipe slide comprises a coupling sleeve 6 to be connected therewith. The key rod 2 and the sleeve pipe 3 comprise at least two rod sections 8 or pipe sections 9 connected by a bend 4, 5.

Description

1 2457563 Installation Kit with Bends The invention relates to an installation kit for pipes running in the substructure of a road, which comprises an elongate actuating member or "key rod" which is housed in a pipe-like sleeve member, and has an upper end accessible under a road cover and a lower end with a coupling such as a sleeve or socket adapted to engage with the end of an actuator spindle on the underground pipe.

In the development of residential and industrial areas fresh water pipes, drainage pipes and other pipes are laid in the substructure of roads, whereby in part the connections to consumers are only made subsequently. For example, installation kits have to be provided for this at regular intervals which allow the connection to be made to consumers by means of which the respective pipes can be shut down section by section or opened. It is known to accommodate so-called road covers in the road surface which comprise a hollow chamber under a small lid in which a key rod ends, which provides the connection to the locking element for the pipe also arranged in the ground.

There may be problem if the road cover is not located directly above the pipe actuator spindle or if such an arrangement is not possible for technical reasons. In other cases pipes are located between the road cover and spindle in the ground, which block the direct passage and thus also make the use of a conventional installation kit impossible.

Therefore, the objective of the present invention is to create an installation kit for pipes running in the substructure of roads, which even when the road cover is not located above the spindle allows a simple and reliable connection.

This objective is achieved by arranging both the key rod and the sleeve pipe to comprise at least two co-extensive elongate sections connected via a bend.

Thus such an installation kit has at least one bend in the key rod and the sleeve pipe, so that on both sides of the bend a rod or pipe section is produced which does not run in the longitudinal axis of the actual installation kit. The key rod usually made of metal and the sleeve pipe preferably made of plastic comprise sections arranged and designed to be synchronous and run substantially in parallel, so that in this way a modular installation kit is produced which can be adapted in an optimum manner to the circumstances on site. At least one second bend may be provided to ensure the return of the installation kit in its longitudinal axis and a reliable connection to the underground locking element.

In previously known installation kits the key rod is centred relative to the sleeve pipe at the upper end facing the road cover and the bottom end facing the pipe slide. Since the installation kit according to the invention now comprises at least one bend, it is necessary to provide centring means between the rod sections and the pipe sections, which provide centring means in the respective section of the key rod centre relative to the pipe section. Jamming and wedging are thus prevented; the key rod and sleeve pipe run continually in a parallel axis relative to one another, In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention spacer discs are used for centring between the pipe section and rod section, which on their inside correspond with the key rod and on their outside correspond with the sleeve pipe or the respective sections. In this way also the centring of the key rod in the sleeve pipe is ensured section by section.

In particular it has been considered that the spacer discs are able to be pushed or placed onto the key rod and/or bear against the inside of the sleeve pipe. The spacer discs can be pushed onto the key rod axially hereto or placed radially onto the latter with suitable recesses. Thus the spacer disc has a central aperture fitting the outer profile of the key rod, while its periphery matches the internal bore of the sleeve pipe.

A variant of a disc as a separate centring means ensures that the centring means are integrated into the sleeve pipe. The centring means are thus designed in one piece with the respective sleeve pipe section. This is the case for example when the centring means is formed on the sleeve pipe.

In order to achieve the best possible adjustment to local conditions the installation kit has rigid and/or flexible pipe sections. In a particularly simple variant of the invention the sleeve pipe comprises at least in the modular assembled part of the installation kit a sleeve pipe made of continuously flexible material in the form of a hose. Alternatively to this the sleeve pipe or its sections are rigid, structurally defined components with predetermined angles. In this way by means of an at least partially telescopic sleeve pipe a corresponding adjustment can be achieved.

The assembly can be facilitated in that the pipe sections are designed to be connected by means of plug connections. Sections of the sleeve pipe can thus be pushed inside one another for longitudinal or also angular adjustment.

In addition, it is proposed that the installation kit comprises telescopic sections, in order to obtain a length adjustment of the installation kit even in the straight sections. The sleeve pipe and/or key rod comprise corresponding telescopic sections for this particularly in the section of the installation kit between the road cover and the first bend.

Whereas the bends of the sleeve pipe are managed by having rigid or flexible sections with respect to the key rod it is provided that adjacent sections of the key rod are joined together by means of articulated joints such as Cardan joints. The latter form the bend in the region of the key rod arranged corresponding to the bends of the sleeve pipe.

Furthermore, it is also possible to provide the centring means in the region of the Cardan joints, so that the centring means are assigned to the Cardan joints. A corresponding shoulder acting a centring means can for example also be rotated on or also used there as a separate component. This is practical in addition to or as an alternative to the centnng means on the sleeve pipe and/or key rod.

In a particularly effective embodiment of such a Cardan joint adjacent sections of the key rod are connected together by pins. For this parts in the form of couplings are used hinged together at 90' degrees relative to one another.

The latter are used at the same time as a mount for the adjacent rod section, this means that the key rod ends finally in such a coupling element, which with the corresponding coupling element of the next rod section forms the Cardan joint. Thus it is possible in a particularly suitable manner to exert torques exerted at the top end of the installation kit without particular force on the coupling sleeve for opening and closing the pipe slide.

It is also conceivable for adjacent sections of the key rod to be joined together by locking elements. The latter are for example components, which are mounted externally in the joint parts and are connected via a spring in a positive and/or non-positive manner, in order to ensure a sufficiently secure connection between the joint parts.

The variants of the invention described above relate to bends with a maximum angle of about 45 degrees between the individual sleeve pipe or key rod sections. The concept according to the invention however also includes a solution in which the installation kit comprises at least one section running substantially at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the installation kit. Thus the latter to a certain extent performs a leap over its length in the region of a section running at right angles to the actual longitudinal axis. In this case it is necessary to transmit the torques by means of the technique described in the following.

Also for the transverse section of the installation kit, to which here at both ends an in principle perpendicular section of the installation kit running in the installation axis connects, it is considered that the transverse section of the key rod has an inner rod section and/or an outer sleeve pipe section.

For the transmission of torques according to one proposal adjacent sections of the key rod are connected together by bevel gears. The corresponding sections of the key rod are hereby mounted rotatably about their longitudinal axis in the sleeve pipe.

In an alternative embodiment the transverse section of the key rod is bridged by a chain drive or a toothed belt. The torque is thus transmitted by means of a device such as chain drive or a toothed belt by two drives provided at both ends of the transverse section from one section running in the longitudinal axis of the installation kit to the next.

In addition, it is necessary that the transverse section at its ends comprises mounts for a chain and/or a toothed belt, whereby preferably also the drive is positioned for transmitting the torque via the transverse section of the installation kit to be bridged.

This is the case for example, when a gearwheel is used as the toothed belt drive. When operating the key rod the first gearwheel rotates and thus transmits the torque to the second gearwheel positioned at the other end of the section to be bridged.

In order to ensure the transmission of torque and at the same time a good connection between the key rod section and the transverse section of the installation kit, the toothed belt drive comprises a coupling corresponding to the key rod. By means of this coupling the relevant section of the key rod is mounted and the transmission of torque to the chain or toothed belt drive is ensured.

This solution is achieved in a particularly simple manner when the toothed belt drive and the coupling for the key rod are formed by a common component.

For this at the ends of the transverse section there are bearings which surround the toothed belt drive and the coupling for the key rod. The torque is thus transmitted directly from the section facing the road cover of the key rod via the mount for the latter or the relevant common bearing component to the toothed belt or even chain.

It should also be ensured that even in the region of the transverse section of the installation kit the centring of the rod section is ensured relative to the sleeve pipe. With regard to this the bearings comprise a spacer element relative to the sleeve pipe section, The spacer element ensures the necessary spacing between the key rod and the sleeve pipe in this section and ensures the functioning of the components.

According to one simple embodiment of the invention the sleeve pipe is designed in one piece, i.e. in the form of a flexible hose incorporating the bends and surrounds the key rod over its entire length.

Lastly, at the bottom end of the installation kit a sealing ring is positioned for sealing the spindle. Said ring seals on the one hand the installation kit at the bottom and on the other hand the ring is also used to centre the installation kit at its bottom end.

The invention is also characterised in particular in that an installation kit is created for pipes running in the substructure of a road, which allows an optimum adjustment to the local conditions, in that by means of bends the function of the installation kit as such remains complete. The activation is thus ensured via a key rod which functions despite the bends or the bridging of individual sections. If local conditions are such that the road cover is not located directly above the spindle or there is an obstacle, e.g. in the form of pipes, between the road cover and the spindle, the installation kit according to the invention can be used. Also it is assembled in module form according to the requirements. Advantageously, the individual modules are defined structurally. In this way there can be optimum compatibility between adjacent sections. According to the principle of modular construction telescopic sections, rigid or flexible parts of the sleeve pipe and correspondingly designed and arranged sections of the key rod can be selected. In general in this way an installation kit with a first bend leading from the longitudinal axis of the installation kit and a section bend leading back into the longitudinal axis is formed. A centring between the respective sections of the key rod and sleeve pipe thus ensures the functioning. The same applies to Cardan joints between individual sections of the key rod or also substantially transverse sections which are bridged via a drive.

Further details and advantages of the subject matter of the invention are given in the following description of the attached drawing, in which a preferred exemplary embodiment is illustrated with the necessary details and individual parts.

Figure 1 shows an installation kit in partial cross section, Figure 2 shows a section of an installation kit, Figure 3 shows the perspective view of an installation kit between the road cover and pipe, Figure 4 shows two sections of the installation kit connected together via conical gearwheels, Figure 5 shows an enlarged view of Figure 4 Figure 6 shows an installation kit with transverse sections, Figure 7 shows an alternative view of Figure 6, Figure 8 shows an installation kit with only one bend, Figure 9 shows a seal of a sleeve pipe section, Figure 10 shows a end ring and Figure 11 shows a section of Fig. 8.

Figure 1 shows an installation kit 1, which is used for operating a coupling sleeve 6 positioned at its lower end 7 subsequent to exerting torque on the key rod 2 in order to operate the locking element in the pipe 11. The installation kit I essentially consists of the key rod 2 and the sleeve pipe 3 surrounding the latter. Both comprise, here as viewed over the length of the installation kit 1, two bends 4a, 4b in the key rod 2 and corresponding bends 5a, 5b in the sleeve pipe 3. Rod sections 8a, 8b, 8c and pipe sections 9a, 9b, 9c are formed. Whereas the bends 5a, 5b in the sleeve pipe 3 are formed by rigid or flexible components1 within the framework of the key rod 2 in particular Cardan joints 20a, 20b are used, in which a pin 22a, 22b ensures that the torque can be transmitted to the pipe slide in the end by fitting a key and rotating the square end 18 in the road cover 12 via rod sections 8a, 8b, 8c and the coupling sleeve. The sleeve pipe 3 is designed to be telescopic in the region between the road cover 12 and the first bend 5a with several sections.

In addition a centring means 13 in the form of a spacer disc 14 is shown, which with its inner side is fitted or pushed onto the rod section 8b, whereas with its outside it bears against the inside 15 of the corresponding pipe section 9b.

A bend 4, 5 is shown in an enlarged view in Figure 2. Here on the one hand the mechanism of the sleeve pipe 3 with sections 9, 9' is shown and on the other hand the key rod 2 with sections 8, 8'. Plug connections form the parts of the sleeve pipe 9, 9', whereby the arrow 40 indicates the displcaeability or telescopic nature and the associated easy adjustability of said parts. The Cardan joint 20 consists of two parts 21 and 23 joined together by the pin 22, so that the bend 4 of the key rod 2 corresponds to the bend 5 of the sleeve pipe 3. Spacers discs 14, 14' ensure on the one hand the corresponding arrangement and on the other hand in particular the function of the actual installation kit and the transmission of torques.

Figure 3 shows an example of the application of the installation kit I according to the invention. The road cover 12 and the connection 39 for the pipe 11 do not lie above one another. In this case the reason for this is the existing pipes 41 which have to be reconfigured accordingly. In other words the spacing between the longitudinal axes 17 of the installation kit and 46 of the connection 39 has to be bridged in the form of section 16 with the sleeve pipe 9b, the longitudinal axis 47 of which runs essentially at right angles to longitudinal axes 17 and 46. The sleeve pipe sections 9a, 9b, 9c are thus connected together via housing parts 48, 49 positioned in the transition. A sleeve 42 is provided between the connection 39 and the pipe 11 as a connecting component.

Figure 4 shows a section through pipe sections 9b, 9c. The torque exerted on the rod section 8b is transmitted via the conical gearwheels 24 and 25 arranged in the housing part 49 on the rod section 8c or the coupling sleeve 6.

Between the rod section 8b and the conical gearwheel 24 a mount 50 is provided for the rod section 8b or for transmitting the torque.

This is also shown in detail in Figure 5. On the mount 50 surrounded by the pipe section 9 for the rod section torque is exerted and then transmitted via the two conical gearwheels 24, 25 to the rod section 8c positioned in the pipe section 9c.

The installation kit I shown in Figure 6 is more extensive. The latter in addition to the axes running in longitudinal axial direction 17 and 46 has two transverse sections 16a running in axial direction 43 and 16b in axial direction 44, which have to be overcome due to the installation conditions and also with respect to a comparatively large distance between the longitudinal axes 17 and 46 of the installation kit 1. Said transverse sections 1 6a form within the framework of the sleeve pipe 3 sleeve pipe sections 27a, 27b and rod sections 26a, 26b arranged therein, whereby the latter are not mounted rotatably here but are bridged. In between there is a transition 51 in the form of a coupling. Thus a comparatively long transverse path can be bridged in the section 16 between the longitudinal axes 17 and 46.

Figure 7 shows a cutout of an installation kit with a section 16 to be bridged running essentially at right angles to the axes 17, 46. The latter consists of a sleeve pipe section 27 and a rod section 26 provided therein. The coupling between the sleeve pipe 3 and sleeve pipe section 27 is denoted by the reference number 36. At the ends 29, 30 of this section 16 are bearings 37, 56 in the form of mounts 31, 31 for the toothed belt 28, where they form the toothed belt drive 34, 35. This means that on rotating the key rod 2, 8a via the toothed belt drive 34 the torque is transmitted to the toothed belt 28 and thus in bridging the transverse section 16 of the installation kit is transmitted to the toothed belt drive 35 and thus to the key rod 2, 8b or the coupling sleeve 6.

The bearings 37, 56 in addition to the toothed belt drive 34 in the form of the gearwheel 33 also surround the mount in the form of coupling 36 for the rod section 2, 8a. In the bearing 56 it can also be seen that the spacer element 38 between the rod section 26 and the sleeve pipe section 27 also belongs thereto.

Figure 8 shows an installation kit I with only one bend 5. The key rod 2 covered at its top end by the square cover 19 at its upper end and the sleeve pipe 3 in this embodiment have only one such bend 5. This can be used in the case of armatures 39 which have been put under stress by earth movements, whereby with the installation kits according to the invention an equalisation can be achieved. The same applies with existing gradients and a spindle position obliquely to the surface.

Figure 9 shows a seal 53 for a modular component, here for a sleeve pipe section 9 or rod section 8. Said seal 53 prevents in this area of the installation kit in a reliable manner the penetration of dirt and comprises a labyrinth seal 54 and/or a sealing ring 55. In this case the rod section remains rotatable.

Figure 10 shows a sealing ring 56 which forms the bottom closure of an installation kit. The outer collar 57 can clearly be seen on the outer end of the sealing ring 56 and on the other hand the obliquely running inner ring 58 which is placed in a sealing manner about the spindle.

Lastly, Fig. 11 shows the installation state, whereby for a better illustration a cutout has been made. At the bottom 58 there is a sealing ring 56 inserted into the sleeve pipe section 9 which is placed in a sealing manner about the spindle 57. The latter is connected via the coupling sleeve 6 to the actual installation kit. The centring means 13 is positioned above the coupling sleeve 6, which can also be arranged in the region of the Cardan joint 20.

Claims

CLAIMSAn installation kit (1) for pipes (11) running in the substructure of roads, which comprises a key rod (2) with one end which extends into a road cover (12) in use, which key rod is surrounded by a sleeve pipe (3) and comprises a coupling device (6) at its other end to engage with a pipe, characterised in that the key rod (2) and the sleeve pipe (3) comprise at least two rod sections (8) and pipe sections (9) connected together by a bend (4, 5).
2. An installation kit according to claim I characterised in that centring means (13) are provided between the rod sections (8) and the pipe sections (9).
3. An installation kit according to claim 2, characterised in that spacer discs (14) are used for centring between the pipe section (9) and rod section (8).
4. An installation kit according to claim 3, characterised in that the spacer dIscs (14) can be pushed or fitted onto the key rod (8) and/or bear against the inside (15) of the sleeve pipe (3).
5. An installation kit according to claim 2, characterised in that the centring means (13) are integrated into the sleeve pipe (3).
6. An installation kit according to claim 1, characterised in that the installation kit (1) comprises rigid and/or flexible pipe sections (9).
7. An installation kit according to claim 6, characterised in that the pipe sections (9) are designed to be connectable via plug-in connections.
8. An installation kit according to claim 1, characterised in that the installation kit (1) comprises telescopic sections (9a, 9b, 9c, 9d, 9e).
9. An installation kit according to claim 1, characterised in that adjacent sections (2a, 2b, 2c) of the key rod (2) are joined together via Cardan joints (20).
10. An installation kit according to claim 2 and 9, characterised in that the centring means (13) are allocated to the Cardan joints (20).
11. An installation kit according to claim 9, characterisedin that adjacent sections (2a, 2b, 2c) of the key rod (2) are joined together via pins (22).
12. An installation kit according to claim 9, characterised in that adjacent sections (2a, 2b, 2c) of the key rod (2) are connected together by locking elements.
13. An installation kit according to claim 1, characterised in that the installation kit (1) comprises at least one section (16) running substantially at right angles to the longitudinal axis (17) of the installation kit (1).
14. An installation kit according to claim 13, characterised in that the transverse section (16) of the key rod (2) comprises an inner rod section (26) and/or an outer sleeve pipe section (27).
15. An installation kit according to claim 13, characterised in that adjacent sections (2b, 2c) of the key rod (2) are joined together via conical gearwheels (24, 25).
16. An installation kit according to claim 13, characterised in that the transverse section (16) of the key rod (2) is bridged by a chain drive or a toothed belt (28).
17. An installation kit according to claim 13, characterised in that the transverse section (16) at its ends (29, 30) comprises mounts (31, 32) for a chain and/or a toothed belt (28).
18. An installation kit according to claim 16, characterised in that a gearwheel (33, 45) is used as a toothed belt drive (34, 35).
19. An installation kit according to claim 16, characterised in that the toothed belt drive (34, 35) comprises a coupling (36) corresponding to the key rod (2).
20. An installation kit according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterised in that at the ends (29, 30) of the transverse section bearings (37, 53) are provided, which surround the toothed belt drive (34, 35) and the coupling (36) for the key rod (2).
21. An installation kit according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the beanngs (37, 53)comprise a spacer element (38) opposite the sleeve pipe section (9).
22. An installation kit according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterjsed in that the sleeve pipe (3) is designed in one piece.
23. An installation kit according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterised In that at the bottom end (56) of the installation kit (1) a sealing ring (58) sealing the spindle is positioned.
24. An installation kit substantially as herein described with reference to any of the accompanying drawings.