Granted Patent B2

US 7,429,022 · App. 10/941,074 · Granted Sep 30, 2008

Abstract

Claims (68)

1. A manhole collar for mounting in a manhole, defined by a generally circular rim surrounding a hole with a peripheral support surface surrounding the rim, and for providing support to an element located at the manhole comprising:

a hollow cylindrical tube dimensioned so as to be inserted into the hole of the manhole co-axially therewith and with an outer surface of the cylindrical member closely adjacent the rim of the manhole and with a hollow interior through which material can pass into and out of the manhole;

the tube having an upper circular edge arranged to be located adjacent the rim of the manhole and a lower circular edge arranged such that the outer surface projects into the hole of the manhole to locate the lower circular edge below the rim of the manhole;

the tube having peripheral support surface engaging components thereon attached thereto and extending outwardly from the outer surface thereof at a position thereon adjacent the upper edge and spaced from the lower edge for engaging the peripheral support surface around the manhole;

and a support sleeve mounted on the tube at an angular location thereon defining a cylindrical receptacle coaxial with the axis of the tube for a port to hold the post standing up from the manhole;

wherein the peripheral support surface engaging components comprise a plurality of separate components each attached separately to the outer surface of the tube at angularly spaced positions around the periphery;

wherein each separate component comprises a rigid strip attached at each end to the outer surface and shaped to divert away from the outer surface between the ends such that one side edge of the strip faces downwardly and acts to engage the support surface;

wherein the strips are attached and shaped so that they include adjacent each end a portion which is generally tangential to the outer surface and a curved section coupling the end portions to form a lobe shape; and

wherein the end of each strip is arranged adjacent the end of the next adjacent strip.

2. A manhole collar for mounting in a manhole, defined by a generally circular rim surrounding a hole with a peripheral support surface surrounding the rim, and for providing support to an element located at the manhole comprising:

a hollow cylindrical tube dimensioned so as to be inserted into the hole of the manhole co-axially therewith and with an outer surface of the cylindrical member closely adjacent the rim of the manhole and with a hollow interior through which material can pass into and out of the manhole;

the tube having an upper circular edge arranged to be located adjacent the rim of the manhole and a lower circular edge arranged such that the outer surface projects into the hole of the manhole to locate the lower circular edge below the rim of the manhole;

the tube having peripheral support surface engaging components thereon attached thereto and extending outwardly from the outer surface thereof at a position thereon adjacent the upper edge and spaced from the lower edge for engaging the peripheral support surface around the manhole;

and a support sleeve mounted on the tube at an angular location thereon defining a cylindrical receptacle coaxial with the axis of the tube for a port to hold the post standing up from the manhole;

wherein the peripheral support surface engaging components comprise a plurality of separate components each attached separately to the outer surface of the tube at angularly spaced positions around the periphery; and

wherein there are provided two handles at diametrically spaced locations wherein the handles are attached to two of the components.

3. The manhole collar according to claim 2 wherein the support sleeve is recessed into the upper edge of the tube so as to partly project inwardly from the tube and partly project outwardly of the tube.

4. A manhole collar for mounting in a manhole, defined by a generally circular rim surrounding a hole with a peripheral support surface surrounding the rim, and for providing support to an element located at the manhole comprising:

a hollow cylindrical tube dimensioned so as to be inserted into the hole of the manhole co-axially therewith and with an outer surface of the cylindrical member closely adjacent the rim of the manhole and with a hollow interior through which material can pass into and out of the manhole;

the tube having an upper circular edge arranged to be located adjacent the rim of the manhole and a lower circular edge arranged such that the outer surface projects into the hole of the manhole to locate the lower circular edge below the rim of the manhole;

the tube having peripheral support surface engaging components thereon attached thereto and extending outwardly from the outer surface thereof at a position thereon adjacent the upper edge and spaced from the lower edge for engaging the peripheral support surface around the manhole;

and a support sleeve mounted on the tube at an angular location thereon defining a cylindrical receptacle coaxial with the axis of the tube for a port to hold the post standing up from the manhole;

wherein the peripheral support surface engaging components comprise a plurality of separate components each attached separately to the outer surface of the tube at angularly spaced positions around the periphery;

wherein the support sleeve is recessed into the upper edge of the tube so as to partly project inwardly from the tube and partly project outwardly of the tube; and

wherein the support sleeve has an outer surface butting against an inner surface of one of the separate components.

5. The manhole collar according to claim 4 wherein each separate component comprises a rigid strip attached at each end to the outer surface and shaped to divert away from the outer surface between the ends such that one side edge of the strip faces downwardly and acts to engage the support surface.

6. The manhole collar according to claim 5 wherein the strip is metal and is welded to the tube at its ends.

7. The manhole collar according to claim 5 wherein the strips are attached and shaped so that they include adjacent each end a portion which is generally tangential to the outer surface and a curved section coupling the end portions to form a lobe shape.

8. The manhole collar according to claim 6 wherein the top edge of each strip is substantially coplanar with the upper edge of the tube.

9. The manhole collar according to claim 4 wherein each separate component comprises a rigid strip attached at each end to the outer surface and shaped to divert away from the outer surface between the ends such that one side edge of the strip faces downwardly and acts to engage the support surface and wherein the support sleeve is received within the portion which diverts away from the outer surface.

10. The manhole collar according to claim 9 wherein a bottom of the sleeve is coplanar with a the side edge of the strip.

11. The manhole collar according to claim 4 wherein there is provided a supporting gusset connecting the inwardly projecting part of the sleeve to the inner surface of the tube.

12. The manhole collar according to claim 11 wherein the supporting gusset is planar and lies on line which is a chord of the tube.

13. A manhole collar for mounting in a manhole, defined by a generally circular rim surrounding a hole with a peripheral support surface surrounding the rim, and for providing support to an element located at the manhole comprising:

a hollow cylindrical tube dimensioned so as to be inserted into the hole of the manhole co-axially therewith and with an outer surface of the cylindrical member closely adjacent the rim of the manhole and with a hollow interior through which material can pass into and out of the manhole;

the tube having an upper circular edge arranged to be located adjacent the rim of the manhole and a lower circular edge arranged such that the outer surface projects into the hole of the manhole to locate the lower circular edge below the rim of the manhole;

the tube having peripheral support surface engaging components thereon attached thereto and extending outwardly from the outer surface thereof at a position thereon adjacent the upper edge and spaced from the lower edge for engaging the peripheral support surface around the manhole;

and a support sleeve mounted on the tube at an angular location thereon defining a cylindrical receptacle coaxial with the axis of the tube for a port to hold the post standing up from the manhole;

wherein the peripheral support surface engaging components comprise a plurality of separate components each attached separately to the outer surface of the tube at angularly spaced positions around the periphery; and

wherein the sleeve includes a cylindrical bushing therein of a plastics material allowing free rotation of the post in the sleeve.

14. The manhole collar according to claim 13 wherein the sleeve includes a clamping member for clamping the post in the sleeve, the clamping member comprising a screw threaded pin engaging through a hole in the sleeve against an outer surface of the cylindrical bushing so that threaded adjustment of the pin causes an end of the pin to press against the cylindrical bushing and divert the bushing inwardly.

15. A manhole collar for mounting in a manhole, defined by a generally circular rim surrounding a hole with a peripheral support surface surrounding the rim, and for providing support to an element located at the manhole comprising:

a hollow cylindrical tube dimensioned so as to be inserted into the hole of the manhole co-axially therewith and with an outer surface of the cylindrical member closely adjacent the rim of the manhole and with a hollow interior through which material can pass into and out of the manhole;

the tube having an upper circular edge arranged to be located adjacent the rim of the manhole and a lower circular edge arranged such that the outer surface projects into the hole of the manhole to locate the lower circular edge below the rim of the manhole;

the tube having peripheral support surface engaging components thereon attached thereto and extending outwardly from the outer surface thereof at a position thereon adjacent the upper edge and spaced from the lower edge for engaging the peripheral support surface around the manhole;

and a support sleeve mounted on the tube at an angular location thereon defining a cylindrical receptacle coaxial with the axis of the tube for a post to hold the post standing up from the manhole;

wherein the support sleeve is recessed into the upper edge of the tube so as to partly project inwardly from the tube and partly project outwardly of the tube; and

wherein the support sleeve has an outer surface butting against an inner surface of one of the components.

16. The manhole collar according to claim 15 wherein each of the components comprises a rigid strip attached at each end to the outer surface and shaped to divert away from the outer surface between the ends such that one side edge of the strip faces downwardly and acts to engage the support surface and wherein the support sleeve is received within the portion which diverts away from the outer surface.

17. The manhole collar according to claim 16 wherein a bottom of the sleeve is coplanar with the side edge of the strip.

18. A manhole collar for mounting in a manhole, defined by a generally circular rim surrounding a hole with a peripheral support surface surrounding the rim, and for providing support to an element located at the manhole comprising:

a hollow cylindrical tube dimensioned so as to be inserted into the hole of the manhole co-axially therewith and with an outer surface of the cylindrical member closely adjacent the rim of the manhole and with a hollow interior through which material can pass into and out of the manhole;

the tube having an upper circular edge arranged to be located adjacent the rim of the manhole and a lower circular edge arranged such that the outer surface projects into the hole of the manhole to locate the lower circular edge below the rim of the manhole;

the tube having peripheral support surface engaging components thereon attached thereto and extending outwardly from the outer surface thereof at a position thereon adjacent the upper edge and spaced from the lower edge for engaging the peripheral support surface around the manhole;

and a support sleeve mounted on the tube at an angular location thereon defining a cylindrical receptacle coaxial with the axis of the tube for a post to hold the post standing up from the manhole;

wherein the support sleeve is recessed into the upper edge of the tube so as to partly project inwardly from the tube and partly project outwardly of the tube; and

wherein there is provided a supporting gusset connecting the inwardly projecting part of the sleeve to the inner surface of the tube.

19. The manhole collar according to claim 18 wherein the supporting gusset is planar and lies on line which is a chord of the tube.

20. A manhole collar for mounting in a manhole, defined by a generally circular rim surrounding a hole with a peripheral support surface surrounding the rim, and for providing support to an element located at the manhole comprising:

a hollow cylindrical tube dimensioned so as to be inserted into the hole of the manhole co-axially therewith and with an outer surface of the cylindrical member closely adjacent the rim of the manhole and with a hollow interior through which material can pass into and out of the manhole;

the tube having an upper circular edge arranged to be located adjacent the rim of the manhole and a lower circular edge arranged such that the outer surface projects into the hole of the manhole to locate the lower circular edge below the rim of the manhole;

the tube having peripheral support surface engaging components thereon attached thereto and extending outwardly from the outer surface thereof at a position thereon adjacent the upper edge and spaced from the lower edge for engaging the peripheral support surface around the manhole;

and a support sleeve mounted on the tube at an angular location thereon defining a cylindrical receptacle coaxial with the axis of the tube for a post to hold the post standing up from the manhole;

wherein the sleeve includes a cylindrical bushing therein of a plastics material allowing free rotation of the post in the sleeve;

and wherein the sleeve includes a clamping member for clamping the post in the sleeve, the clamping member comprising a screw threaded pin engaging through a hole in the sleeve against an outer surface of the cylindrical bushing so that threaded adjustment of the pin causes an end of the pin to press against the cylindrical busing and divert the bushing inwardly.

21. The manhole collar according to claim 2 wherein each separate component comprises a rigid strip attached at each end to the outer surface and shaped to divert away from the outer surface between the ends such that one side edge of the strip faces downwardly and acts to engage the support surface.

22. The manhole collar according to claim 21 wherein the strips are attached and shaped so that they include adjacent each end a portion which is generally tangential to the outer surface and a curved section coupling the end portions to form a lobe shape.

23. The manhole collar according to claim 4 wherein the support sleeve is recessed into the upper edge of the tube so as to partly project inwardly from the tube and partly project outwardly of the tube.

Assignments (11)