Frame and cover for inground utility enclosures
Described are hatch assemblies comprising a frame having sidewalls, a pivotally connected cover, and a number of easily repairable and replaceable torsion-spring-assisted hinge assemblies. Hinge assemblies may comprise a torsion spring having a coiled body along the center axis of which a carriage bolt is inserted. Once one end of the torsion spring that extends vertically from the center axis is engaged by a support member, such as a semi-open enclosure that is mounted on a hinge plate, the spring is rotated and supports the torque generated by the weight of the cover when operated by a user. Advantageously, this provides for a controlled and almost effortless opening and closing of a heavy door or covers of hatch assemblies.
1 . A hatch assembly for an inground utility enclosure, the hatch assembly comprising:
a frame comprising two pairs of opposing sidewalls, each sidewall comprising a bottom portion, the combination of the bottom portions defining an opening in the frame;
a cover assembly pivotally connected to the frame, the cover assembly comprising a cover having a bottom surface and flatbars that extend perpendicular to the bottom surface; and
a hinge assembly mounted to one of the sidewalls, the hinge assembly comprising:
a torsion spring comprising a coiled body that is coiled along a center axis and having first and second ends, wherein the first end extends away from the coiled body;
a shaft extending through the center axis of the torsion spring; and
a hinge bracket coupled to the cover assembly and including a torsion spring engagement member that faces the torsion spring, the torsion spring engagement member, in response to the hinge bracket being rotated, engages the first end of the torsion spring and causes the torsion spring to rotate, wherein
at least one of the sidewalls form sides of the frame and include a front end and a rear end, and comprise, along a periphery of the frame and between the front end and the rear end, a plurality of linear anchors in the form of studs extending outwardly at a non-perpendicular angle from the frame, between the front end and the rear end.
2 . The hatch assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the cover has a top surface opposite the bottom surface and the top surface comprises an anti-slip surface.
3 . The hatch assembly according to claim 1 , further comprising a semi-open enclosure that at least partially encloses the first end of the torsion spring.
4 . The hatch assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the anchors are configured to anchor the frame into a concrete or asphalt surrounding.
5 . The hatch assembly according to claim 2 , wherein the cover comprises a first cutout with a recessed area.
6 . The hatch assembly according to claim 2 , wherein the cover comprises a first cutout for accommodating a lid.
7 . The hatch assembly according to claim 6 , wherein a resting position of the lid is flush with the cover.
8 . The hatch assembly according to claim 1 , further comprising an alignment spacer disposed between and in contact with one of the flatbars and the hinge bracket.
9 . The hatch assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the hinge bracket includes a hinge bore that is an elongated hole for coupling the hinge bracket to the cover assembly.
10 . A hatch assembly for an inground utility enclosure, the hatch assembly comprising:
a frame comprising two pairs of opposing sidewalls, each sidewall comprising a bottom portion, the combination of the bottom portions defining an opening in the frame:
a cover assembly pivotally connected to the frame, the cover assembly comprising a cover having a bottom surface and flatbars that extend perpendicular to the bottom surface; and
a hinge assembly mounted to one of the sidewalls, the hinge assembly comprising:
a torsion spring comprising a coiled body that is coiled along a center axis and having first and second ends, wherein the first end extends away from the coiled body:
a shaft extending through the center axis of the torsion spring; and
a hinge bracket coupled to the cover assembly and including a torsion spring engagement member that faces the torsion spring, the torsion spring engagement member, in response to the hinge bracket being rotated, engages the first end of the torsion spring and causes the torsion spring to rotate, wherein
an alignment spacer is disposed between and in contact with one of the flatbars and the hinge bracket.
11 . The hatch assembly according to claim 10 , wherein at least one of the sidewalls comprise, along a periphery of the frame, a plurality of linear anchors in the form of studs extending outwardly at a non-perpendicular angle from the frame.
12 . The hatch assembly according to claim 10 , wherein the hinge bracket includes a hinge bore that is an elongated hole for coupling the hinge bracket to the cover assembly.