Patent Application
20230278845
The subject matter disclosed herein relates to a system for lifting utility covers and, in particular, to a lift system that is adaptable to a variety of different utility covers.
Utility covers, sometimes referred to as manhole covers, are used to enclose an opening in the ground that leads to a utility vault or chamber, such as for electrical or gas utilities for example. Utility covers prevent persons or objects from falling into the opening and also prevent unauthorized persons from accessing the subterranean structure. Utility covers are made from a variety of materials, such as cast iron, concrete, composites or a combination thereof. The covers need to be strong to support the weight of anyone, or anything that steps on or crosses the cover, such as an automobile or a commercial truck for example. As a result, utility covers are heavy, weighing 200 lb-300 lb (90 kg-136 kg). The utility cover is typically mounted or placed in a ring-shaped frame and has a thickness so that it is substantially flat with the surface of the ground where it is installed.
Due to the weight of the utility cover, removal and movement of the cover by utility personnel can be difficult. A tool, such as a J-hook 100 shown in
While existing devices and methods of removing and moving utility covers are suitable for their intended purposes the need for improvement remains, particularly in providing a tool for removing utility covers having the features described herein.
According to one aspect of the disclosure a lifting device for utility cover is provided. The lifting device includes a body having a curved portion, the curved portion defining an interior area. A flange extends about the periphery of the body, the flange made from a compliant material that forms a seal with a top surface of an irregular or smooth surface utility cover. A lifting element is coupled and centrally positioned to the body.
In addition to one or more of the features described herein, or as an alternative, further embodiments of the lifting device may include a mounting member disposed between the lifting element and the body.
In addition to one or more of the features described herein, or as an alternative, further embodiments of the lifting device may include the lifting element having a ring shape.
In addition to one or more of the features described herein, or as an alternative, further embodiments of the lifting device may include a valve operably coupled to the body.
In addition to one or more of the features described herein, or as an alternative, further embodiments of the lifting device may include the valve defining a fluid path between the interior area and the atmosphere.
In addition to one or more of the features described herein, or as an alternative, further embodiments of the lifting device may include a vacuum pump operably coupled to the valve and configured to remove a portion of the air from the interior area when the flange is sealed to the top surface.
In addition to one or more of the features described herein, or as an alternative, further embodiments of the lifting device may include the body having a semi-spherical shape.
According to another aspect of the disclosure a method of moving a utility cover is provided. The method includes placing a lifting device on the utility cover, the lifting device having a body and a flange disposed about the periphery of the body, the lifting device further having a lifting element coupled to the body. The flange is sealed to the utility cover. The lifting element is moved in a direction away from the utility cover to deform the body. The pressure is reduced in an interior portion defined by the body in response to deforming the body. The utility cover is moved with the lifting device based at least in part on the sealing of the flange to the utility cover and the reducing of pressure.
In addition to one or more of the features described herein, or as an alternative, further embodiments of the method may include coupling a vacuum pump to a valve coupled to the body.
In addition to one or more of the features described herein, or as an alternative, further embodiments of the method may include reducing the pressure in the interior portion with the vacuum pump after the sealing of the flange.
In addition to one or more of the features described herein, or as an alternative, further embodiments of the method may include decoupling the lifting device from the utility cover.
In addition to one or more of the features described herein, or as an alternative, further embodiments of the method may include the decoupling step also unsealing at least a portion of the flange from the utility cover.
In addition to one or more of the features described herein, or as an alternative, further embodiments of the method may include the decoupling also flows air at atmospheric pressure to the interior area.
In addition to one or more of the features described herein, or as an alternative, further embodiments of the method may include the vacuum pump being manually or mechanically operated.
According to yet another aspect of the disclosure a system for removing a utility cover is provided. The system includes a body having a curved portion, the curved portion defining an interior area. A flange extends about the periphery of the body, the flange made from a sealing material that is configured to define a pressure seal when placed in contact with a top surface of an irregular or smooth surface utility cover. A lifting element is coupled and centrally positioned to the body. A means is provided for reducing a pressure in the interior area.
In addition to one or more of the features described herein, or as an alternative, further embodiments of the system may include the means for reducing pressure deforming the curved portion when the lifting element is moved in a direction away from the utility cover.
In addition to one or more of the features described herein, or as an alternative, further embodiments of the lifting device may include the means for reducing pressure fluidly coupling a vacuum device to the interior area and withdrawing air from the interior area.
In addition to one or more of the features described herein, or as an alternative, further embodiments of the lifting device may include the curved portion having a concave shape.
In addition to one or more of the features described herein, or as an alternative, further embodiments of the lifting device may include the flange being made from an elastomer or a natural rubber.
In addition to one or more of the features described herein, or as an alternative, further embodiments of the lifting device may include the lifting element being a ring shape.
These and other advantages and features will become more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the drawings.
The subject matter, which is regarded as the disclosure, is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at the conclusion of the specification. The foregoing and other features, and advantages of the disclosure are apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
The detailed description explains embodiments of the disclosure, together with advantages and features, by way of example with reference to the drawings.
Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a lifting system for lifting and moving a utility cover, such as from the street or sidewalk for example. Embodiments disclosed herein provide advantages that allow the lifting device to attach to utility covers having a variety of styles and surface features or textures.
Referring now to
A lifting element, such as a ring 208 is attached to the body 202, such as through a mount 210. In an embodiment, the ring 208 is centrally positioned, such as coaxial with a centerline of the body 202 for example. As discussed in more detail herein, the ring 208 allows for a tool to engage the lifting device and move the utility cover. In an embodiment, the body 202 and flange are made from an elastomeric or natural rubber material. In an embodiment, the body 202, flange 204, and mount 210 are integrally formed to define a unitary member. In another embodiment, body 202 cab be metallic or composite with flange 204 being an elastomeric or natural rubber material joined so as to create a bond suitable of a pressure seal.
Referring now to
Referring now to
In an embodiment, the operator then connects a tool 406 to the lifting device 200 (
The force developed by the lifting device 200 on the utility cover 400 may be determined using the formula:
F=A*P
where F is the force, A is the area of the surface covered by the lifting device 200, and where P=P1, P is the pressure outside the lifting device 200 (i.e. atmospheric pressure). It should be appreciated that when the lifting device 300 is used, the amount of the reduced pressure in the interior 206 is added to the external pressure, which increases the force. In an embodiment, the force will be greater than or equal to the weight of the utility cover 400.
With the lifting device 200 attached to the utility cover 400, the operator may further acuate the tool 406 causing the utility cover 400 to move vertically away from the frame 403 exposing the opening 412. Once the bottom edge of the utility cover 400 clears the edge of the frame 403 or the ground, the tool 406 may be used to laterally move or swing the utility cover 400 away from the opening 410 (
The term “about” is intended to include the degree of error associated with measurement of the particular quantity based upon the equipment available at the time of filing the application. For example, “about” can include a range of ±8% or 5%, or 2% of a given value.
Additionally, the term “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example, instance or illustration.” Any embodiment or design described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments or designs. The terms “at least one” and “one or more” are understood to include any integer number greater than or equal to one, i.e. one, two, three, four, etc. The terms “a plurality” are understood to include any integer number greater than or equal to two, i.e. two, three, four, five, etc. The term “connection” can include an indirect “connection” and a direct “connection.” It should also be noted that the terms “first”, “second”, “third”, “upper”, “lower”, and the like may be used herein to modify various elements. These modifiers do not imply a spatial, sequential, or hierarchical order to the modified elements unless specifically stated.
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, element components, and/or groups thereof.
While the disclosure is provided in detail in connection with only a limited number of embodiments, it should be readily understood that the disclosure is not limited to such disclosed embodiments. Rather, the disclosure can be modified to incorporate any number of variations, alterations, substitutions or equivalent arrangements not heretofore described, but which are commensurate with the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Additionally, while various embodiments of the disclosure have been described, it is to be understood that the exemplary embodiment(s) may include only some of the described exemplary aspects. Accordingly, the disclosure is not to be seen as limited by the foregoing description, but is only limited by the scope of the appended claims.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/317,312 filed Mar. 7, 2022, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63317312 | Mar 2022 | US |
