IP Library Granted Patent US 10,954,649
Granted Patent B2
US 10,954,649 · App. 16/284,765 · Granted Mar 23, 2021

Floating manhole cover assembly

Inventors: Ryan Bonell (Menasha, WI); Hassan Shokouhi (Neenah, WI)
Assignee: Neenah Foundry Company
E02D29/1409E02D29/121E02D29/149E02D2200/1685E02D2200/1692E02D2250/0007E02D2300/0001E02D2300/002E02D2450/00E02D2600/30
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,954,649
App. No.
16/284,765
Granted
Mar 23, 2021
Kind
B2
Abstract

A manhole cover assembly comprises a base frame, the base frame comprising a base body and a base flange extending laterally outward from the base body. The assembly further comprises a top frame, the top frame comprising a top body disposed annularly about at least a portion of the base body, a top flange extending laterally outward from the top body, and a lip extending laterally inward from the top body.

Claims (43)

1. A manhole cover assembly, comprising:

a base frame comprising a base body configured to engage a pavement structure;

a top frame comprising:

a top body disposed annularly about at least a portion of the base body; and

a lip extending laterally inward from the top body;

a cover received in the top frame proximate the lip; and

a member pivotally coupled to the cover and pivotally coupled to the base frame, the member extending orthogonally away from the cover when the top body is disposed annularly about at least the portion of the base body.

2. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the member is pivotally coupled to a lower surface of the cover through a fastener.

3. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the member is pivotally coupled to the one of the top frame or the base frame through an opening formed in the member.

4. The assembly of claim 3 , wherein the member is configured to rotate about the opening as the cover is repositioned.

5. The assembly of claim 3 , wherein the member is configured to rotate about the opening as the top frame is inclined relative to the base frame.

6. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the member is coupled to a ladder.

7. The assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a base flange extending laterally outward from the base body;

wherein the top body engages the base flange.

8. A manhole cover assembly, comprising:

a manhole structure;

a base frame comprising a base body defining an outer surface diameter;

a top frame disposed in a pavement structure, the top frame comprising:

a top body disposed annularly about at least a portion of the base body, the top body defining an inner surface diameter greater than the outer surface diameter, the base body configured to engage the pavement structure when the top frame is disposed in the pavement structure; and

a lip extending laterally inward from the top body;

a cover received in the top frame proximate the lip; and

a member pivotally coupled to the cover and pivotally coupled to one of the base frame or the manhole structure.

9. The assembly of claim 8 , wherein the member is pivotally coupled to a lower surface of the cover through a fastener.

10. The assembly of claim 8 , wherein the member is pivotally coupled to the one of the top frame, the base frame, or the pavement structure through an opening formed in the member.

11. The assembly of claim 10 , wherein the member is configured to rotate about the opening as the cover is repositioned.

12. The assembly of claim 10 , wherein the member is configured to rotate about the opening as the top frame is inclined relative to the base frame.

13. The assembly of claim 8 , wherein the member is coupled to a ladder.

14. The assembly of claim 8 , further comprising a base flange extending laterally outward from the base body;

wherein the top body engages the base flange.

15. The assembly of claim 8 , wherein the top body directly engages the pavement structure.

16. A method of installing a manhole cover assembly, comprising:

providing a base frame, the base frame comprising a base body configured to engage a pavement structure and a base flange extending laterally outward from the base body;

coupling the base flange to a manhole structure;

providing a top frame, the top frame comprising a top body, a top flange extending laterally outward from the top body, and a cover received in the top body;

providing a member pivotally coupled to the cover and pivotally coupled to one of the base frame or the manhole structure;

positioning the top body annularly about the base body;

inclining the top frame relative to the base frame;

rotating the member as the top frame is inclined; and

engaging the top frame with a gasket positioned between the top frame and the base frame to maintain the incline of the top frame.

17. The method of claim 16 , wherein the member defines an opening for pivotally coupling the member to the one of the base frame, the top frame, or the manhole structure.

18. The method of claim 17 , wherein the member is configured to rotate about the opening as the top frame is inclined.

19. The method of claim 17 , wherein the member is configured to rotate about the opening as the cover is repositioned.

20. The method of claim 16 , further comprising engaging the base flange with a lower end of the top body.

Assignments (5)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 14, 2022
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
To: NEENAH FOUNDRY COMPANY; NUSFC, LLC
Reel/Frame 060510/0492 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 13, 2022
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
To: NEENAH FOUNDRY COMPANY; NUSFC, LLC
Reel/Frame 060499/0417 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Oct 26, 2021
From: NEENAH FOUNDRY COMPANY; NUSFC, LLC
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 057919/0730 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Oct 25, 2021
From: NEENAH FOUNDRY COMPANY; NUSFC, LLC
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A. AS AGENT
Reel/Frame 057904/0241 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 25, 2019
From: BONELL, RYAN; SHOKOUHI, HASSAN
To: NEENAH FOUNDRY COMPANY
Reel/Frame 048431/0126 →
Continuity (2)
Continuation 15491541 · Apr 19, 2017
Related Publication 20190186099A1 · Jun 20, 2019