Patent Application
20240018738
The present disclosure is directed generally to marker assemblies, and, more specifically, to marker assemblies for manholes.
Sewer, storm drains and other underground utility lines often contain one or more manholes to allo access to the line interior. These manholes sometimes are located in landscapes that are not routinely maintained, thereby resulting in undergrowth partially covering or otherwise obstructing the view of these manholes. Additionally, during construction of new or existing real estate developments, roadways and other public works, manholes of underground utility systems are sometimes exposed to potential damage from trucks or other heavy equipment. Consequently, there is a need for a system that can potentially provide some protection for and/or identification of the presence of an in-ground utility line.
The present disclosure encompasses a manhole marker assembly for identifying a manhole, the manhole marker assembly comprising: a marker assembly base comprising a marker assembly base top surface and a marker assembly base bottom surface opposing the marker assembly base top surface; a marker mounted to the marker assembly base, wherein the marker extends upward beyond the marker assembly base top surface; and, a plurality of jaws mounted to the marker assembly base; wherein the plurality of jaws comprises a first jaw and a second jaw, wherein each of the first jaw and the second jaw extends downward beyond the marker assembly base bottom surface, wherein at least one of the first jaw and the second jaw are movable, wherein the manhole marker assembly is movable between a manhole cover attached alignment and a manhole cover detached alignment, wherein the manhole marker assembly is attached to a manhole cover in the manhole cover attached alignment, wherein the marker assembly base bottom surface is aligned on a manhole cover in the manhole cover attached alignment, wherein the first jaw and the second jaw engage the manhole cover in the manhole cover attached alignment.
In one aspect, the first jaw is movably connected to the second jaw by a turnbuckle. In another aspect, the first jaw and the second jaw are movable. In a further aspect, the first jaw comprises a tooth. In yet another aspect; the marker assembly base is disposed between the first jaw and the second jaw. In still a further aspect, the marker is pivotally movable. In another aspect, the marker comprises a spring. In one aspect, the marker is aligned above the manhole cover in the manhole cover attached alignment. In a further aspect, the marker assembly base comprises a movable top plate.
The present disclosure also encompasses a manhole marker assembly for attaching to a manhole cover and for marking a manhole, the manhole marker assembly comprising: a marker assembly base; a marker mounted to the marker assembly base, wherein the marker comprises a marker body, wherein the marker body is elongated; wherein the marker body comprises a marker body top and a marker body bottom, wherein the marker body top is aligned distal to the marker assembly base and the marker body bottom is aligned proximal to the marker assembly base; and wherein the marker body is pivotally movable; and, a clamp mounted to the marker assembly base, wherein the clamp comprises a first jaw assembly mounted to the marker assembly base and a second jaw assembly mounted to the marker assembly base, wherein the first jaw assembly comprises a first jaw and the second jaw assembly comprises a second jaw; wherein the first jaw and the second jaw are movable.
In one aspect, the marker assembly base comprises a base top deck and a base skirt depending from the base top deck. In another aspect, the first jaw and the second jaw are extendable from the marker assembly base. In a farther aspect, the first jaw assembly comprises a first jaw rod movably connected to the marker assembly base, and wherein the first jaw is mounted on the first jaw rod. In still another aspect, the first jaw rod is aligned in a jaw rod channel formed in the marker assembly base. In one aspect, the first jaw assembly comprises a coupling nut threadably attached to the first jaw rod. In another aspect, the first jaw is aligned opposing the second jaw, and wherein the marker assembly base is aligned between the first jaw and the second jaw. In still a further aspect, the first jaw comprises a first tooth and the second jaw comprises a second tooth. In another aspect, the clamp comprises a turnbuckle connecting the first jaw assembly to the second jaw assembly. In a further aspect, the marker comprises a marker pivot assembly, wherein the marker pivot assembly comprises a marker spring operably connected to the marker body.
The present disclosure also encompasses a manhole marker assembly for attaching to a manhole cover and marking a manhole, the manhole marker assembly comprising: a marker assembly base comprising a base top deck and a base skirt depending from the base top deck, and wherein the base skirt is frustoconical; a marker mounted to the marker assembly base, wherein the marker comprises a marker body, wherein the marker body comprises a marker body top and a marker body bottom, wherein in the marker body top is aligned distal to the base top deck and the marker body bottom is aligned proximal to the base top deck, Wherein the marker comprises a marker pivot assembly, wherein the marker body is mounted to the marker pivot assembly, wherein the marker body is pivotally movable on the marker pivot assembly; and, a clamp mounted to the marker assembly base, wherein the clamp comprises a first jaw assembly and a second jaw assembly, wherein the first jaw assembly comprises a first jaw mounted on a first jaw rod, wherein the first jaw rod is movably aligned within a first jaw rod channel formed in the marker assembly base, wherein the second jaw assembly comprises a second jaw mounted on a second jaw rod, wherein the second jaw rod is movably aligned with a second jaw rod channel formed in the marker assembly base, wherein the first jaw rod is adjustably extendable from the first jaw rod channel, and wherein the second jaw rod is adjustably extendable from the second jaw rod channel.
These and other aspects of the present disclosure are set forth in greater detail below and in the drawings for which a brief description is provided as follows.
The present disclosure encompasses devices and assemblies that can be attached to manhole covers to identify the location of the manholes on which the manhole covers are positioned. The manhole marker assemblies described herein can be used to cover and/or to identify manholes of in-ground utility lines, such as sewer lines, storm water lines, and other such in-ground and/or in-road utility lines. The manhole marker assemblies encompassed by the present disclosure can provide identification of particular manholes when necessary, such as during the construction phase of new development projects or renovations of existing construction. The manhole marker assemblies encompassed by the present disclosure comprise components that are movably connectable to each other so as to allow different configurations of the manhole marker assembly to be assembled for use in varying conditions. Wherever possible, the application uses the same reference numbers throughout the drawings to refer to the same or similar items.
As used herein, the singular forms of “a,” “an,” and “the” encompasses the plural form thereof unless otherwise indicated. As used herein, the phrase “at least one” includes all numbers of one and greater. As used herein, the term “plurality” includes numbers of two or more. As used herein, the term “connected” encompasses configurations of elements that are attached to or otherwise engaged with each other either directly or indirectly through intermediate components. As used herein, the term “removably mounted” encompasses configurations of elements such that one element or portion thereof optionally can be directly or indirectly mounted on, removed from and/or remounted on another element in the normal course of use of the elements. As used herein, the term “operably connected” encompasses configurations of elements wherein one element is connected directly and/or indirectly to another element so as to allow the two elements to function in the intended fashion within the apparatus. As used herein, the term “in communication” encompasses direct and/or indirect opening or passage between one element and another element during at least some time periods during use.
The markers 142 of the plurality of markers 140 are configured to extend upward beyond a marker assembly base top surface 104 of the marker assembly base 102 so as to be visible well beyond the manhole 101 on which the manhole marker assembly 100 is mounted in a manhole cover attached alignment 160. The markers 142 serve as visual identifiers for the location and/or type of manhole over which the manhole cover 101 is disposed. As shown in
The manhole marker assembly 100 comprises one or more markers 142. As shown in
The marker assembly base 102 is generally circular and comprises a base top deck 111 from which depends a base skirt 112. The base top deck 111 is generally circular and flat, and the base skirt 112 is generally frustoconical with one or more flat base skirt side walls 113 formed therein. In one aspect, the base skirt 112 can comprise a plurality of base skirt side walls 113.
The base top deck 111 of the marker assembly base 102 comprises a marker assembly base top surface 104. Each marker 142 of the plurality of markers 140 extends upward beyond the top surface 104 of the base top deck 111 of the marker assembly base 102. As shown in
As shown in
The marker assembly base 102 comprises one or more base marker seats 110, as shown in
The manhole marker assembly 100 comprises a clamp 120 mounted to the marker assembly base 102 and configured to secure the manhole marker assembly 100 to a manhole cover 101 of a manhole. The clamp 120 comprises a first jaw assembly 125 and a second jaw assembly 127. Each of the first jaw assembly 125 and the second jaw assembly 127 are movably mounted to the marker assembly base 102.
The first jaw assembly 125 comprises a first jaw 122 mounted on a first jaw rod 128. The first jaw 122 is aligned adjacent the base skirt 112 of the marker assembly base 102. The first jaw rod 128 is threaded and movably aligned within an opening in one of the base skirt side walls 113. The first jaw rod 128 is disposed within the marker assembly base 102 and projects out of the base skirt side wall 113. The first jaw 122 is threadably attached to the first jaw rod 128 and positioned outside of and adjacent to the marker assembly base 102. A portion of the first jaw rod 128 is aligned within the base access port 106 formed within the marker assembly base 102.
The second jaw assembly 127 comprises a second jaw 124 mounted on a second jaw rod 130. The second jaw 124 is aligned adjacent the base skirt 112 of the marker assembly base 102 and opposing the first jaw 122. The second jaw rod 130 is threaded and movably aligned within an opening formed in the opposing base skirt side walls 113. A portion of the second jaw rod 130 is also aligned within the base access port 106. Both of the first jaw rod 128 and the second jaw rod 130 are threadably attached to a turnbuckle 132 that is disposed within the base access port 106. The first jaw rod 128 is threadably attached to a first end of the turnbuckle 132, and the second jaw rod 130 is threadably attached to a second end of the turnbuckle 132. The first jaw assembly 125 and the second jaw assembly 127 are thereby connected to each other by the turnbuckle 132.
The first jaw 122 and the second jaw 124 can be moved alternatively towards and away from the marker assembly base 102 by rotating the turnbuckle 132. Rotating the turnbuckle 132 in a first direction causes the first jaw rod 128 and the second jaw rod 130 to move outward, thereby moving or extending the first jaw 122 and the second jaw 124 away from the marker assembly base 102. Rotating the turnbuckle 132 in the opposite direction causes the first jaw rod 128 and the second jaw rod 130 to move inward or retract, thereby moving or retracting the first jaw 122 and the second jaw 124 towards the marker assembly base 102.
Each of the first jaw 122 and the second jaw 124 comprise a tooth 152. The first jaw 122 and the second jaw 124 and the teeth 152 are configured to engage pick notches formed in the manhole cover 101. Engagement of the pick notches by the first jaw 122, the second jaw 124, and the teeth 152 of the jaws thereby attaches or secures the manhole marker assembly 100 to the manhole covers 101 to form a manhole cover attached alignment 160, as shown in
The first jaw assembly 225 comprises a first jaw 222 mounted on a first jaw rod 228. The first jaw 222 is aligned adjacent the base skirt 212 of the marker assembly base 202. The first jaw rod 228 is threaded and movably aligned within a first jaw rod channel 240 formed within the marker assembly base 202. The first jaw rod channel 240 extends through the base skirt 212 and is open to the outside thereof. The first jaw rod channel 240 is radially aligned within the marker assembly base 202. The first rod channel 240 opens to a first base access port 205 formed within the marker assembly base 202. The first base access port 205 is open to the base top deck 211 of the marker assembly base 202 and has aligned therein a portion of the first jaw rod 228 and a first coupling nut 234 that is threadably attached to the first jaw rod 228. The first base access port 205 allows access to the first coupling nut 234, which can be threadably adjusted so as to move the first jaw rod 228 either inward or outward, thereby extending or retracting first jaw 222.
The second ja assembly 227 comprises a second jaw 224 mounted on a second jaw rod 230. The second jaw 224 is aligned adjacent the base skirt 212 of the marker assembly base 202 and opposing the first jaw 222. The second jaw rod 230 is threaded and movably aligned within a second jaw rod channel 242 formed within the marker assembly base 202. The second jaw rod channel 242 extends through the base skirt 212 opposite to the position of the opening of the first jaw rod channel 240 within the base skirt 212. The second jaw rod channel 242 is radially aligned within the marker assembly base 202 and linearly aligned with the first jaw rod channel 240, The second rod channel 240 opens to a second base access port 207 formed within the marker assembly base 202. The second base access port 207 is open to the base top deck 211 of the marker assembly base 202 and has aligned therein a portion of the second jaw rod 230 and a second coupling nut 236 that is threadably attached to the second jaw rod 230. The second base access port 207 allows access to the second coupling nut 236, which can be threadably adjusted so as to move the second jaw rod 230, thereby extending or retracting the second jaw 224.
Each of the first jaw 222 and the second jaw 224 comprises a tooth 252. The first jaw 222 and the second jaw 224 and the teeth 252 are configured to engage pick notches formed in the manhole covers 101 and 201. Engagement of the pick notches by the first jaw 222, the second jaw 224, and the teeth 252 of the jaws thereby attach the manhole marker assembly 200 to the respective manhole covers 101 or 201.
The marker body 150 of the marker 142 is configured to pivot downward in any direction along a 360° arc from a pivot point located at the marker base 146. As shown in
When a force is applied to a side of a marker body 150, the marker pivot assembly 145 allows the marker body 150 to pivot downward in any direction along a 360° arc. This pivoting of the marker body 150 occurs as a result of the pivot base pivoting relative to the pedestal 139. The pivoting causes the cable plate 167 to compress the marker spring 163. When the force is removed from the marker body 150, the energy stored in the compressed marker spring 163 is released and the marker pivot assembly 145 returns to its original alignment with the pivot base seated on the pedestal 139.
In one aspect, the marker body 150 can exhibit a length in the range of about 0.5 m to about 2.5 m. In another aspect, the marker body 150 can exhibit a length in the range of about 0.75 m to about 2 m. In yet another aspect, the marker body 150 can exhibit a length of approximately 1.5 m, thereby allowing the marker 142 to be visible both near and far from the manhole to which the manhole marker assembly 200 is mounted, when viewed from an elevated position, such as the cab of a vehicle. In yet another aspect, the marker body 150 can be cylindrical. The marker 142 can have indicia formed thereon identifying the particular utility line, lot, unit, or company responsible for the installation or construction.
As shown in
Each of the manhole marker assemblies 100 and 200 can exhibit a total height in the range of about 160 cm to about 165 cm. In one aspect, each of the manhole marker assemblies 100 and 200 can exhibit a total height of about 161 cm. Each of the marker assembly bases 102 and 202 can exhibit a height in the range of about 4 cm to about 6.5 cm. In another aspect, each of the marker assembly bases 102 and 202 can exhibit a height of about 4.7 cm. In still another aspect, each of the marker assembly bases 102 and 202 can exhibit a height of about 6.3 cm.
The components of the manhole marker assembly 100 and 200 can be formed from various materials have sufficiently high elastic modulus and high compressive, flexural and impact strength and can include, but are not limited to, metal, such as cast iron and steel, concrete, ceramic, high density polymers and combinations thereof. In one aspect, the parts of the manhole marker assemblies 100 and 200 can be formed of one or more polymers or monomeric moieties including, but not limited to, polycarbonate, polyimide, acetal copolymer, polyamide-imide, polyethylene terephthalate, acrylic, ultra high density polyethylene, fiber reinforced polymers, monomers, copolymers and combinations thereof. Other components of the manhole marker assemblies 100 and 200, such as the clamps, jaw assemblies, jaw rods, coupling nuts, turnbuckles, screws, springs, and nuts can be formed of any one or more of aluminum, stainless steel, galvanized steel, copper, carbon steel and/or brass.
The alignments and configurations of the parts of the manhole marker assembly disclosed herein can be varied without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The manhole marker assemblies encompassed by the present disclosure can include overall heights that vary from the examples. Other embodiments of the manhole marker assembly set forth in the present disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from their consideration of the specification and practice of the present disclosure disclosed in this document. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with the true scope and spirit of the present disclosure being indicated by the following claims.
