GB2472211A

GB2472211A - A temporary cover for an access hole in a road

Info

Publication number: GB2472211A
Application number: GB0913104A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Vincent Byrne
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-07-28
Filing date: 2009-07-28
Publication date: 2011-02-02
Also published as: GB0913104D0

Abstract

A temporary manhole cover system including a first support member along one side of the manhole and at least one plate to cover the hole. Ideally several plates are used to cover the manhole. There is preferably be another support member at the other side of the manhole, each plate is preferably attached to both support members. The support member(s) may be elongate steel bars with protrusions to connect to the plate(s) and/or road surface. The support members can be connected at each end to form a rectangular frame. There is preferably a domed ramp attached to each end of the frame. The plates may have tread or other skid resistance. Adjacent plates can interconnect. The frame may be larger than the hole to be covered and the plates may extend beyond the bounds of the frame.

Description

Access hole cover system

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an access hole cover system and a kit for use in covering access holes in pathways or roadways.

Background

It is well known that access holes may be provided in pathways or roads, for example, and permanent covers are provided to cover the access holes.

The covers are normally removable to enable access to the services via the access hole, and replaceable to cover and secure the hole to ensure that the road or pathway is safe for users.

Over time, and due to wear and tear, the access cover may become worn, collapse, or may be otherwise damaged or removed, necessitating provision of a replacement cover. Normally a collapsed missing, worn or damaged access cover will need to be replaced with urgency to secure the access hole and remove any potential risk or danger to users.

Access holes are provided in various sizes and configurations for example, as single, double or treble access holes of dimensions of 600 x 600mm, 600 x 1200mm and 600 x 1800mm respectively, for example.

Heretofore providers may have endeavoured to maintain a stock of temporary covers in the form of steel plates of the various sizes for use, as required. There are problems associated with such an approach, for example, storage and transport requirements for a relatively large number of steel plate covers, and of course the inevitable problem that the provider may run out of steel plate covers of a particular size possibly leading to delays in securing a collapsed or damaged access hole. It may then be necessary to cordon or otherwise close off a portion of the road or pathway until the access hole can be secured. As the deployment of these known temporary cover typically requires use of a large truck to carry and lower the cover -the cover itself being a large and heavy structure-onto the hole, this can cause delays in traffic arising from traffic management situations.

For these reasons and others there is a need for an improved access hole cover system.

Summary

These problems and others are addressed by access hole cover system provided in accordance with the invention for covering an access hole.

Accordingly there is provided an access hole cover system in accordance with claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are provided in the dependent claims.

These and other features of the present specification will be better understood with reference to the drawings which follow which are provided to assist in an understanding of the teaching of the invention and are not to be construed as limiting in any fashion.

Brief Description Of The Drawings

The present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figures 1 is a partially cut-away top plan view of an access cover system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; Figures 2(a) and 2(b) are plans views from above and the side respectively of the side frame portion of the access cover system of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a plan view from above frame and ramp components of the entry and exit portions of the system of Fig. 1; Figs. 4(a) and 4(b) are cross-section views from the side of the frame and ramp components of Fig. 3 along the line A-A; and Fig. 5 is a perspective view of an exemplary cover plate of the system of Fig. 1; and Figs. 6(a) and 6(b) are views of an exemplary cover plate according to an embodiment of the invention.

Detailed Description Of The Drawings

The teaching of the present invention will now be described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof which are provided to assist with an understanding of the invention and are not to be construed as limiting in any way. It will be appreciated that modifications can be made to the exemplary arrangements which follow without departing from the scope of the invention which is only to be limited insofar as is deemed necessary in the light of the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings and in particular Figs. 1 to 4 an access hole cover system 1 is described. The access hole cover system is advantageously employed in temporarily covering access holes or openings in a road surface during periods of repair. In this way it is not intended to be a permanent cover for the access hole, rather is a temporary system that is used when the access hole has collapsed or the like. In such circumstances to prevent personal injury or damage to vehicles caused by them entering the opening in the road surface such an access hole cover system can be quickly and efficiently deployed to cover the hole or opening until such time as it can be repaired.

The access hole cover system 1 comprises a frame portion 100 and an access hole covering portion 200. The frame 100 has in this exemplary arrangement first and second side frame components 120, 121. First and second end frame components 130, 131 may also be provided. Each of the components is desirably provided as a separate component which, together are used together as part of the system or kit. While this exemplary arrangement employs a plurality of side and end frame components, in a most simple configuration only one side frame component may be required or used for temporarily covering the access hole.

The frame 100 is configured for placement on a supporting surface, normally the ground, so that it surrounds or extends about a perimeter of an access hole 300 which is to be covered. The covering portion 200 is comprised of one or more cover plates 210 which are coupled to the frame to cover over the access hole, as required.

An exemplary situation is shown in which access holes 300 arranged in a double configuration are to be covered is shown in Fig. 1. The access holes 300 define longitudinal sides 301, 302 and transverse sides 303, 304. The main or longitudinal axis of the holes 300 is shown as the X-axis being that axis which runs substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the path or road and to the direction of travel of vehicles. The Y-axis as shown is in the transverse direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of traffic. It will be appreciated that leading and trailing edges of the access holes lie in the transverse direction.

The side frame components here comprise first and second side bars 120, 121. The side bars 120, 121 are configured for laying down onto the supporting surface in a direction parallel with the longitudinal axis of the holes 300 and for holding the cover portion in place over the holes to be covered. Thus the side bars 120, 121 preferably have a low profile form with a depth of 5-15mm, preferably around 10mm. The bars 120, 121 have a lower surface 122 and upper surface 123. The lower surface 122 is desirably substantially planar being arranged in use proximal to the supporting surface. By providing a substantially planar surface when placed on the supporting surface, the lower surface 122 will sit flush on the surface. The upper surface 123 comprises bar connection means 125 to enable connection to corresponding connection means provided on the cover plates.

Desirably, the bar connection means 125 comprises one or more protrusions or upstanding studs or bolts arranged to protrude upwardly from the upper surface 123 of the bar and for co-operation with connection means 220 provided in the cover plates 210. The frame side bars 120, 121 may further comprise one or more fixing holes or receivers (not shown) for receiving a pin/bolt for fixing the frame side bar to the supporting surface.

The frame 100 may further comprise end frame components comprising frame end bars 130, 131. The frame end bars are in use positioned proximal to the entry or leading edge 303 and to the exit or trailing edge portions 304 of the access hole 300. Desirably the ends of each of the bars 120, 121, 130, 131 may comprise connectors to enable their interconnection at joints 126 to define a closed frame 100. In this way the side and end components may be coupled together during use to define a continuous frame about the perimeter of the area to be covered.

Desirably the frame end bars 130, 131 comprise a curved leading/trailing edge 132 of hemispherical form or similar form. An inner edge, that edge within the area of the defined frame, defines a concave surface whereas an outer edge defines a convex surface. Preferably, the frame end bars 130, 131 are of similar form to the side bars 120, 121 having upper and lower surfaces 133 and 134, and being comprised of steel, having a low profile with a depth of 5 mm-i 5 mm preferably 10mm. The open ends 137 and 138 of the end bars are connectable to the side bars at joints 126, as noted above. In a further exemplary embodiment, the end bars may be movable about the connections/joints connecting them to the side bars. The distance between the ends 137 and 138 of the curved frame end bars correspond to or define the preferred separation of the side bars 120, 121 when the frame is assembled.

In use the lower surface 134 is placed proximal the supporting surface.

The curved front edge 132 or the upper surface 133 of the end bars 130, 131 may comprise a reflective coating at the edges/surfaces which are exposed to users when the system is in place.

Preferably, the side and end 120, 121, 130, 131 components of the frame are formed as bars having a depth in the range of 5-15mm, preferably 10 mm, and a width of substantially 30-80mm, preferably 50 mm. The bars are preferably of steel. The bars having a low profile and substantially planar lower surfaces which may be arranged to rest stably on the supporting surface as noted above. By having a low profile the bars when placed on the surface do not project too high thereby minimising the possibility of generation of a trip surface. The side bars 120, 121 may be of different lengths, depending on the size, or length of access hole(s) 300 to be covered. If required, one or more side bars may be arranged end to end, or, one or more side bars 120, 121 may be connected end to end to define a side bars of a different length, as required.

In use, the frame side bars 120, 121 are arranged to the longitudinal sides of the access hole(s) 300 so as to be substantially parallel to the intended direction of travel of users, here shown as the X direction, as discussed above.

The side bars 120, 121 are desirably placed adjacent to the first and second longitudinal sides 301, 302 of the hole 300, but not over the hole. For example, if the holes 300 are of width 600mm then the side bars are placed at a separation of the order of 650 -700 mm. The side bars thus define the longitudinal sides of the frame 100 and define supports for the cover plates which are coupled between the side bars and arranged to span the hole in the transverse direction, here shown as the Y direction.

The system 1 desirably further comprises a ramp 150. In use, the ramp may be located between the end portions 130, 131 of the frame and the cover portion 200 of the system.

The ramp 150 preferably has an upper ramped surface 151 which in use is located proximal to users and away from ground, and a lower support or ground contacting surface 152. The upper surface is ramped from a leading edge portion 153 to a raised end portion 154 which in use is arranged proximal the cover portion 200. The ramp is configured to convey users from the supporting surface or ground G at a first lower level to the cover portion 200 which is raised relative to the supporting surface or ground. The ramp 150 is preferably configured such that the raised portion 154 lies substantially at the level of the top surface of the road plates 210 seated on the frame side bars 120, 121.

The ramp portion may have a hemispherical form comprising a curved leading/trailing edge 153 and the substantially straight rear side wall 154 configured to abut the front or rearward facing lateral ends of the assembly of the cover portion 200. The heights or depths of the lower leading edge portion 153 and the raised portion 154 are configured to correspond to the height or depth of the frame, shown as dl, and the covering portion, shown as d2. In a preferred embodiment the depth at the lower edge portion is 10mm and the depth at the raised portion is 40mm. The radius rof the curved ramp form of an exemplary embodiment is 350mm. However, it will be appreciated that the dimensions of the ramp may be varied as required depending on the depth of the frame and level of the covering portion.

The ramp preferably is comprised of a resilient material, for example, rubber.

The ramp 150 is formed to co-operate with the end bars or leading/trailing edge portions 130, 131 of the frame 100. The leading edge 153 of the ramp 150 comprises a curved form, preferably a semi-circular or a hemispherical form.

The inner radius of the end bars 130, 131 preferably corresponds to the radius r of the ramp. The end bars 130, 131 of the frame define a seat for holding the ramp in place between the leading/trailing edge portion of the frame 100 and the covering portion 200.

The ramp 150 is preferably formed as a unitary piece which does not include any receivers or through holes for fixing the ramp to the supporting surface or ground. Instead the ramp is held in position by an end portion of the frame which is formed and dimensioned such that the inner side wall thereof abuts against the curved leading edge of the ramp. The end portion of the frame is connected at joints to the frame side bars to hold the ramp in position between the end portion of the frame and the covering portion. The end portions of the frame hold the ramp in place, the leading edge of the ramp is protected by the edge of the frame and the lifetime of the ramp increased by the fact that the ramp is not fixed directly to the ground by fixing means. The arrangement of the present specification provides for reduced wear of the ramp.

It will be appreciated that in contrast a ramp having a receiver for fixing a ramp to the supporting surface may in particular be subject to wear due to the forces acting through this point.

The cover portion 200 is comprised of one or more cover plates 210 which are operably arranged to extend transversely across the access hole(s) being coupled near a first side end to the first side bar 120 and near a second side end to the second side bar 121. The one or more cover plates 210 of the cover portion 200 are preferably arranged side by side to provide a substantially complete or continuous cover. As noted above, the upper surface 123 of each of the side bars 120, 121 comprises a number of spaced apart connection members or protrusions 125, for example studs or bolts. The cover plates 210 comprise corresponding holes 220 used to couple the plates to the frame side bars 120, 121. The protrusions 125 are spaced apart by a distance corresponding to the distance between holes 220 on adjacent cover plates.

The holes 220 of the cover plate may be sized to be of a greater diameter than the protrusions 125 to provide for some limited movement of the cover plates 210 relative to the frame side bars 120, 121 facilitating dissipation of forces.

Depending on the manner of coupling, the plates may be arranged such that there is some movement between the plates and bars in substantially vertical directions relative to side bar surface and the protrusions and/or some limited movement between the side bars and cover plates in the plane of the access cover system. The frame and cover plates are formed to co-operate and the distance between the holes 220 near first and second lateral ends of the plates corresponds to the separation of the side bars 120,121, and in particular the protrusions 125 on the opposed side bars of the frame.

Exemplary cover plates 210 are shown in Fig. 1 and Fig 5. The cover plate 210 comprises a lower surface 212 which in use is placed proximal to the access hole and an upper surface 211 which in use is exposed to users. The upper surface 211 may comprise a skid resistant means 213. The cover plates comprise holes 220 near each side end for coupling the plates to the frame such that the plates extend across the hole in the transverse direction. The ends of the plates here extend outwardly beyond the hole and protrusion connection and the frame and may be formed to slope downwardly to the supporting surface at the peripheral ends. The cover plates 220 may further comprise corresponding plate inter-connectors 227, 228 for holding the one or more cover plates in place side by side.

The cover plates 210 are desirably formed of ductile iron. As the system utilises a plurality of such plates for covering a single access hole, it will be appreciated that individually each of the cover plates are lighter and smaller in dimension than prior art solutions of a single sheet of steel, the single sheet being sufficiently large and strong to cover the entire hole and support passing traffic.

Referring to Figs. 6(a), (b) a further exemplary cover plate 250 suitable for use in the system of the present description is shown. The cover plate 250 comprises a central covering portion 253, a lower surface 251 which in use is placed proximal to the access hole 300, and an upper surface 252 which in use is exposed to users. The upper surface 252 may comprise a skid resistant finish, typically integrally formed in the upper surface. The cover plates 250 comprise holes 260 located near each side end for coupling the plates to the frame side bars protrusions 125. The cover plates are dimensioned for use with the frame and the access hole cover system and the separation of the holes 260 at first and second side ends corresponds to the separation of the side bars of the frame and is dimensioned to take account of the width of the access hole(s) 300 to be covered.

The cover plates 250 may further comprise corresponding plate inter-con nectors 270, 271 for holding the one or more cover plates in place side by side.

In use, the location and orientation of the frames side bars 120, 121 and end portions 130, 131, ramps 150, and the cover plates 210 depends on the form, location and direction of the access hole 300 relative to the major axis of the pathway or roadway, as noted above. The frame side bars 120, 121 are normally oriented parallel to the main axis of the path or roadway. The end bars or leading/trailing edge portions 130, 131 and ramps 150 are arranged substantially transversely to enable traffic or other user to roll on and off the cover portion 200. The side bars 120, 121 and end portions 130, 131 are inter-connectable at joints to define the frame portion 100.

The side bars 120, 121 of the frame comprise a plurality of protections 125 or studs or bolts for coupling the cover plates 210, 250 to the frame 100 to define the covering portion 200.

The side bars 120, 121 are preferably fixable to the supporting surface at the periphery of the hole to be covered. In use or when the frame 100 is assembled the side bars are located such that protrusions on the first side bar are located opposite protrusions on the second side bar to facilitate correct alignment of the cover plates upon coupling to the frame. End bars or leading/trailing edge portions 130, 131 are located to the entry and exit sides of the hole(s) 300 and ramps 150 are installed or seated into the end bars to be held in position between the leading/trailing edges of the end portions 130, 131 and the covering portion 200.

One or more cover plates 210, 250 are coupled to the side bars 120, 121, each cover plate being coupled to oppositely located side bar protrusions 125 using cover plate connection holes 220, 260. The cover plates are arranged such that each extends transversely across a portion of hole 300 between the first and second side bars 120, 121.

Access hole cover system kit The access hole cover system 1 may be provided as a kit, including a frame portion 100 having first and second side bars 120, 121, first and second end portions 130, 131, one or more cover plates 210, and entry and exit ramps 150. The kit may for example be formed and dimensioned to cover the single, double or treble access holes of the types noted earlier having widths 600mm and lengths 600, 1200 or 1800mm. The kit thus may be operably used to cover holes of common width or transverse dimension and of differing longitudinal dimensions. Of course it will be understood that different kit arrangements could equally be provided.

The frame end bars and ramps are commonly used to cover the single double and treble holes. Side bars of three different lengths corresponding to the lengths required to cover single, double and treble holes may be provided in the kit. Alternatively side bars of one or two different lengths may be connected or laid side by side to define a longer side bar. For example, the kit may include only single and double, or single length side bars. The cover plates are all of similar form and the number cover plates used will depend on the longitudinal extent of the hole(s) to be covered. The cover plates and frames are formed to cover a common access hole width and the separation of the side bars and the connection members at the end of the cover plates correspond as required to enable their coupling.

The kit provides excellent flexibility since it may be used to cover single, double or treble access holes, as required. The user may hold a stock of side bars of various lengths or may use a number of side bars end to end to define a side bar of the required length. The user is thus prepared to quickly cover a collapsed hole of various dimensions. The cover plates, end portions and ramps are components that are used in common as part of the access hole cover system for holes of different sizes. To cover a hole(s) of greater longitudinal dimension, the user will use a longer side bar or a series of side bars with a greater number of cover plates.

Furthermore all of the individual components of the system or kit are of relatively compact form and are light and easy to store and handle individually.

This is advantageous from the point of view of storage, transport and handling.

The system of the invention may be used to cover holes of various sizes with ease.

It will be understood that exemplary arrangement of an access hole cover system have been described to assist in an understanding of the teaching of the present invention. Where such a system has been described with reference to specific features or integers it will be understood that other features or integers could equally be used without departing from the scope of the invention.

Therefore while an access hole cover system for covering access holes or openings in a road surface has been described, it will be understood that the present teaching is not to be limited except as is deemed necessary in light of the appended claims.

The words comprises/comprising when used in this specification are to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A temporary access hole cover system for temporarily covering access holes or openings in a road surface to facilitate repair of the road surface, the system comprising: a. a first support member configured for attachment to the road surface along one side of the access hole or opening, b. At least one hole covering plate, the hole covering plate being dimensioned to extend across the hole or opening, and Wherein the hole covering plate and support member are configured to allow coupling therebetween, a coupling of the hole covering plate to the support member effecting a securing of the hole covering plate relative to the road surface and a covering of the hole.
2. The system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the first support member is operably secured to the road surface in a direction parallel with the direction of traffic on that road surface.
3. The system of claim 1 wherein the first support member is operably secured to the road surface in a direction perpendicular with the direction of traffic on that road surface.
4. The system of any preceding claim comprising a second support member configured for attachment to the road surface along a second side of the access hole or opening, the second support member and hole covering plate being configured to allow coupling therebetween to effect a securing of the hole covering plate to both the first and second support members such that the hole covering plate operably spans across the access hole or opening between the first and second support members.
5. The system of any preceding claim comprising a plurality of hole covering plates configured for individual coupling to the first support member.
6. The system of claim 5 when dependent on claim 4, wherein the plurality of hole covering plates are configured for individual coupling to each of the first and second support members.
7. The system of claim 6 wherein the first and second support members are configured such that in use they are orientated to first and second sides of the hole in a first longitudinal direction to define side support members, with the coupled covering plates being orientated and arranged together with the support to span the hole in a second transverse direction.
8. The system as claimed in claim 6 or 7 wherein the support members comprises bars of elongate form having upper and lower surfaces, the lower surface being arranged, in use, proximal to and in contact with the ground peripheral to the hole.
9. The system as claimed in claim 8 wherein the support members comprise fixing means to enable them to be fixed to the ground peripheral to the hole.
10.The system as claimed in claims 8 or 9 wherein the upper surfaces of the support members comprise a plurality of spaced apart connection members for coupling to the cover plates.
11.The system as claimed in claim 10 wherein the connection members comprise protrusions, for protruding studs or bolts.
12.The system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the at least one cover plate comprises first and second cover plate connection members located near the lateral side ends for coupling to the first support member.
13.The system as claimed in claim 12 wherein the cover plate connection members comprise through holes configured to receive corresponding support member protrusions.
14.The system as claimed in claims 13 wherein the cover plate receivers or through holes are of dimensions greater than the support member protrusions to enable some limited movement between the cover plates and support members for the dissipation of forces.
15. The system as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 14 further comprising first and second end members connectable to lateral ends of the first and second side support members at joint to define a closed support frame which in use is positioned to surround the access hole to be covered.
16.The system as claimed in claim 15 wherein the first and second end members are configured such that in use they define leading and trailing ends of the frame being oriented in a second transverse direction relative to the support members.
17.The system as claimed in claims 15 or 16 wherein the end members comprise a curved form.
18.The system as claimed in claims 15 to 17 wherein the end members comprise a substantially hemispherical form.
19.A system as claimed in claims 15 to 18 wherein the side support members and end members and the joints are configured to maintain the side support members at a fixed separation dimensioned to be greater than the width of the hole to be covered
20.The system as claimed in claims 16 to 19 wherein the leading/trailing edge portions comprise reflective means.
21.A system as claimed in any preceding claim further comprising a ramp having an upper ramped surface which in use is located proximal to users and a lower support or ground contacting surface.
22.A system as claimed in claim 21 wherein the upper surface is ramped from a leading edge portion to a raised portion which in use is arranged proximal the cover portion of the system to convey users from the supporting surface to the cover portion.
23.The system as claimed in claim 21 or 22 wherein the ramp is configured such that the raised portion lies substantially at the level of the top surface of the cover plates seated thereon.
24.A system as claimed in claims 21 to 23 wherein the ramp is formed to co-operate with the end portions of the frame.
25.A system as claimed in any of claim 22 to 24 wherein the leading edge of the ramp comprises a curved form.
26.A system as claimed in claim 21 to 25 wherein the ramp has a hemispherical form.
27.A system as claimed in claims 21 to 26 wherein the leading/trailing edges members of the frame define a seat for holding the ramp in place between the end members of the frame and the covering portion.
28.A system as claimed claim 15 wherein side support members and end members of the frame comprise steel bars of low profile form.
29.An access hole cover system comprising a support portion and a cover portion, the support portion having first and second side members for operably positioning to first and second longitudinal sides of the access hole to be covered, the cover portion comprising one or more cover plates operably coupled side by side at first and second lateral ends thereof to the first and second side members to extend transversely between the side members to define the cover portion, the side bars and cover plates having corresponding support and cover plate connection members.
30.A system as claimed in claim 29 further comprising first and second end members connectable between the first and second side members to define a frame for operably positioning to surround the access hole to be covered.
31.A system as claimed in claims 29 or 30 wherein the first and second end members define leading and trailing edge portions of the frame.
32.A system as claimed in claim 30 or 31 wherein the end members are connectable to the side members at joints to define a closed frame.
33.A system as claimed in claim 30 to 32 wherein the side members and end members and the joints are configured to maintain the side members at a fixed separation dimensioned to be greater than the width of the hole to be covered.
34.A system as claimed in claims 30 to 33 wherein the end members have a curved form to define curved leading/trailing edge portions.
35.A system as claimed in claim 34 wherein the leading/trailing edge portions comprise a substantially hemispherical form.
36.The system as claimed in claims 30 to 35 wherein the leading/trailing edge portions comprise reflective means.
37.A system as claimed in claims 29 to 36 further comprising a ramp having an upper ramped surface which in use is located proximal to users and a lower support or ground contacting surface.
38.A system as claimed in claim 37 wherein the upper surface is ramped from a leading edge portion to a raised portion which in use is arranged proximal the cover portion of the system to convey users from the supporting surface to the cover portion.
39.The system as claimed in claim 38 wherein the ramp is configured such that the raised portion lies substantially at the level of the top surface of the cover plates seated thereon.
40.A system as claimed in claims 37 to 39 wherein the ramp is formed to co-operate with the end portions of the frame.
41.A system as claimed in any of claim 37 to 40 wherein the leading edge of the ramp comprises a curved form.
42.A system as claimed in claim 37 to 41 wherein the ramp has a hemispherical form.
43.A system as claimed in claims 31 to 42 wherein the leading/trailing edges portions of the frame define a seat for holding the ramp in place between the end members of the frame and the covering portion.
44.A system as claimed in any of claims 29 to 43 wherein the side members comprise a lower surface configured to contact the ground or supporting surface and an upper surface, wherein the connection members are provided on the upper surface.
45.A system as claimed in any of claims 29 to 44 wherein the support connection members comprise protrusions or studs.
46.A system as claimed in any of claims 29 to 45 wherein support connection members are spaced apart by distances corresponding to the separation of corresponding connection members on adjacent cover plates.
47.A system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the cover plates are arranged to the cover the access hole in a direction transverse to the axis of the hole or the direction of travel of users.
48.A system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the cover plates comprise a lower surface which in use is proximal to the hole to be cover and an upper surface which is exposed.
49.A system as claimed in claim 43 wherein the upper surface comprises a skid resistant surface.
50.A system as claimed in any of claims 29 to 49 wherein the cover plate connection members comprise first and second connection holes located and formed for connection to the corresponding support connection members.
51.A system as claimed in any of claims 29 to 40 wherein the cover plate connection members are oversized or of greater dimensions than the corresponding support connection members.
52.A system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the cover plates further comprise corresponding side connectors for the inter-connection of adjacent plates side by side.
53.A system as claimed in any of claims 29 to 52 wherein the side members and end members comprise steel bars of low profile.
54.An access hole cover system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs. 1-6.
55. A access hole cover kit comprising: -frame side members and end members which are configured for assembly to define a frame dimensioned to comfortably surround the access hole(s) to be covered, -one or more cover plates, the cover plates being configured for coupling between the frame side members operably located on first and second longitudinal sides of the access hole(s) to extend transversely across the hole, -the frame side members and the cover plates comprising corresponding connection members.56 A kit as claimed in claim 55 further comprising ramp portions operably located to the leading and trailing edges of the access hole to be covered.57.An access hole cover system for covering access holes or openings in a road surface, the assembly comprising a frame having first and second side members and first and second end members configured for coupling to one or more hole covering plates, the plates being coupled between the side members to define a cover for a hole.58.The system as claimed in claim 57 wherein the first and second side members are configured such that in use they are orientated to first and second sides of the hole in a first longitudinal direction to define side support members, with the coupled covering plates being orientated and arranged together with the support to span the hole in a second transverse direction.59.The system as claimed in claim 57 or 58 wherein the side members comprise bars of elongate form having upper and lower surfaces, the lower surface being arranged, in use, proximal to and in contact with the ground peripheral to the hole.60.The system as claimed in claims 57 to 59 wherein the side or end members comprise fixing means to enable them to be fixed to the ground peripheral to the hole.61.The system as claimed in claims 59 or 50 wherein the upper surfaces of the side members comprise a plurality of spaced apart connection members for coupling to the cover plates.