Method and Apparatus for Installing a Manhole Cover

Abstract

A manhole installation jig including at least one example with: a manhole collar attachment system configured to removably attach the installation jig to a manhole collar having an upper edge, the manhole collar configured to support a manhole lid; a plurality of surface brackets extending outward from the manhole collar; each surface bracket comprising a ground engagement surface configured to engage the ground surface exterior of the manhole collar; and the manhole installation jig configured to support the manhole collar with the upper edge substantially at a vertical position level with the ground surface.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Field of the Disclosure

This disclosure relates to the field of devices, systems, and methods for installing a manhole cover on a manhole vault structure or assembly.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

A manhole installation jig is disclosed herein, including at least one example with: a manhole collar attachment system configured to removably attach the installation jig to a manhole collar having an upper edge, the manhole collar configured to support a manhole lid; a plurality of surface brackets extending outward from the manhole collar; each surface bracket comprising a ground engagement surface configured to engage the ground surface exterior of the manhole collar; and the manhole installation jig configured to support the manhole collar with the upper edge substantially at a vertical position level with the ground surface.

The manhole installation jig may be arranged wherein the plurality of surface brackets extend radially outward from the manhole collar.

The manhole installation jig may be arranged wherein the plurality of surface brackets is greater than three, each extending non-linearly from the manhole collar.

The manhole installation jig may be arranged wherein the plurality of surface brackets are connected to a bracket ring.

The manhole installation jig may be arranged wherein: the bracket ring comprises a plurality of surfaces defining fastener receivers; and a plurality of fasteners configured to pass through the fastener receivers to be removably coupled to the manhole collar to connect the manhole collar to the manhole installation jig.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of one example of the disclosed apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side hidden line view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1 in use.

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a bottom perspective view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1

FIG. 6 is a top perspective view of another example of the disclosed apparatus.

FIG. 7 is a top view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a side view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 9 is a bottom view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 10 is a bottom perspective view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 11 is a top perspective view of another example of the disclosed apparatus.

FIG. 12 is a top view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a side view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 11.

FIG. 14 is a bottom view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 11.

FIG. 15 is a bottom perspective view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 11.

FIG. 16 is a top perspective view of another example of the disclosed apparatus.

FIG. 17 is a top view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 16.

FIG. 18 is a side view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 16.

FIG. 19 is a bottom view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 16.

FIG. 20 is a bottom perspective view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 16.

FIG. 21 is a top perspective view of another example of the disclosed apparatus.

FIG. 22 is a top view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 21.

FIG. 23 is a side view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 21.

FIG. 24 is a bottom view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 21.

FIG. 25 is a bottom perspective view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 21.

FIG. 26 is a side partial cutaway view of one example of a manhole assembly.

FIG. 27 is a top isometric view of another example of the disclosed apparatus.

FIG. 28 is a bottom isometric view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 27.

FIG. 29 is a top isometric view of the disclosed apparatus.

FIG. 30 is a top isometric view of an inflatable device disclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

Before describing the examples of the apparatus (e.g., jig 20) for installing a manhole cover disclosed herein, a basic background of manholes, their installation, and use is helpful in understanding the invention at hand.

Looking to FIG. 26 is shown a general manhole assembly 22 comprising in part a manhole casing 24 which has been installed in an excavation 26 below a ground level 28. The ground level 28 may be a floor, roadway, sidewalk, walkway, field, parking lot, combination thereof, or another similar surface. The casing 24 may be a container, vault, room, access point, conduit, pipe, channel, or other structure that needs periodic access. Generally, these are places below walkways or roadways; for these reasons and others they cannot be sealed, nor can they be left open. A manhole cover 30 comprising a manhole collar 32 and a manhole lid 34 is thus placed on top of the casing 24 and often sealed thereto. Generally, the upper surface 38 of the lid 34 is level with or substantially level with and continuous with the surrounding ground surface 28.

Historically, such a manhole collar 32 is positioned by installing shims 42, spacers, wedges, debris, etc. between the upper edge 44 of the casing 24 or attached structure, and the lower edge 46 of the collar 32 or attached structure. The cover 30 then resting temporarily on the shims 42 etc. This forming a gap 48 between the upper edge 44 of the casing 24 or attached structure, and the lower edge 46 of the collar 32 or attached structure.

Historically, hardening fill such as quick set concrete, mortar, etc. is troweled or otherwise placed in the gap 48 around the shims 42 when the collar 32 is positioned as desired. This hardening fill then hardens to support the collar 32 above the casing 24 with the lid 34 substantially level with the ground surface 28. This approach has several problems, including that as the wheels 50 of vehicles roll over the lid 34, and compress and vibrate the shims 42 and fill 52 the hardening fill deteriorates. Because neither of these materials has the needed compression and vibration resistance, the hardening fill 52 cracks and deteriorates over time, this allowing more movement of the collar 32 relative to the casing 24 and amplifying subsequent deteriorating effects of compression and vibration. The shims 42 must remain in place until the fill 52 hardens and can support the collar 32 and the additional weight of vehicles, pedestrians, etc.

This relative rapid deterioration of the fill 52 then results in movement of the cover 30 toward the casing 24. This lowering the lid 34 below the ground surface 28 and forming a hole in the roadway, walkway, etc. This hole making driving and walking dangerous and uncomfortable.

To alleviate these issues, a new method and apparatus (jig 20) for installing manhole cover 30 is disclosed herein facilitating installation without the shims and facilitating the use of structural fill such as concrete. The jig 20 is configured to be removably attached to the collar 32 during installation and then removed when installation is complete. The jig 20 extends vertically above the collar 32 and includes armatures that extend horizontally outward from the collar 32 to contact and rest upon the ground surface 28 during installation. These armatures of the jig 20 temporarily support the collar 32 above the manhole casing 24 while installation is completed. In one example installation is accomplished with no direct contact points between the collar 32 and the casing 24 or devices such as the shims 42 or equivalent spacers between the collar 32 and the cover 30. Thus, structural fill 54 can be troweled, poured, or otherwise placed in the entire gap 48 between the collar 32 and the casing 24. During installation, the jig 20 supports the collar 32 above the casing 24 while the structural fill 54 hardens or cures. In one example, structural fill such as concrete, such as “7 bag” concrete may be used having a much higher structural resistance to vibration and deterioration than many products currently required.

In historical applications, fill 52 formed of quick set concrete, mortar, or similar low viscosity materials that harden quickly had to be used to avoid flowing of the fill 52 out of the gap 48. In many installations the fill 52 would flow into the interior of the casing 24. These fill materials often have very low resistance to compression, chemical deterioration, and vibration. The installation jig 20 disclosed herein overcomes these detriments by a unique apparatus which allows the use of structural fill of a slow set and much more vibration resilient material than the quick set mortar traditionally used.

In one example the jig includes the use of an inflatable device 56 e.g., FIG. 28 which may be cylindrical, toroidal, or another shape with a radial exterior surface 58 which contacts and substantially seals to the inner surface 60 of the casing 24 as well as the inner surface 62 of the collar 32. Once this inflatable device 56 is in place, the inflatable device may be pressurized if needed by connecting a fitting 64 and inflation hose 66 to a source of pressurized air. Pressurizing of the inflatable device 56 further seals the inflatable device to the inner surfaces of the collar 32 and casing 24.

Once the inflatable device 56 is placed into the collar 32, overlapping the inner surface of the casing 24 in contact with each of the collar 32 and the casing 24, structural fill 54 can be poured, pressed, troweled, pressed, or otherwise placed in the gap 48 in a viscous or fluid form. In one example the structural fill 54 can be poured in to fill a space radially outward to the walls 68 of the excavation 26 or a form/mold placed exterior thereof as desired. In one example, the structural fill 54 is provided in sufficient quantity to fill the area radially exterior the collar 32 up to the ground surface 28. The structural fill hardening to a rigid state and thus sealing the casing 24 to the collar 32 and firmly supporting the collar 32 above the casing 24.

Once the structural fill 54 is sufficiently hardened, the jig 20 and optional inflatable device 56 may be released from the collar 32 and removed for use on another collar 32.

Looking to the example shown in FIG. 1-FIG. 5, the installation jig 20 comprises a bracket ring 70 which inserts partially inside the collar 32. A plurality of surface brackets 72 are welded, formed, adhered, fastened, or otherwise secured to the bracket ring 70 so as to extend radially outward, with a ground engaging surface 74 configured to rest upon the ground surface 28 and thus support the collar 32 above the casing 24 as disclosed above when the collar 32 is attached to the jig 20.

In this example, the bracket ring 70 is substantially cylindrical with a center opening allowing easy access to an inflatable device 56 and other internal components.

In addition, in the example shown, the surface brackets 72 each comprise a surface defining a grasping handle 76. The grasping handles 76 configured to allow part of a user's hand through them for grasping and lifting the jig 20 along with the attached collar 32 onto the casing 24 and positioning it as desired.

To attach the jig 20 to the collar 32 in one example, the jig 20 comprises surfaces defining a plurality of voids 78 through which fasters pass. Fasteners 80, such as screws or bolts pass through these voids 78 and engage the collar 32. In one example, receiving surfaces 82 are provided on the collar 32. These receiving surfaces 82 may be threaded to correspond to threaded surfaces on the fasteners 80. These receiving surfaces may also be the surfaces historically utilized to secure the manhole lid 34 in the same manner, after installation of the collar is complete. Many manhole collars 32 commonly are manufactured with such receiving surfaces 82 to secure the manhole lid 34 to the manhole collar, and thus no post-production modification is needed to attach the jig 20.

In this example three surface brackets (armatures) 72 are attached to or formed with the bracket ring 79. These brackets 72 extending substantially radially outward from the circumferential center of the bracket ring 79, equiangularly so as to provide a resting surface for the jig 20 and attached collar 34 that does not tilt or rock on the ground surface 28.

In the example shown in FIG. 6-FIG. 10 many of the same components are used. In this example, a hub 170 is used in place of the bracket ring 70. This hub 170 changing the access to the collar 32 and changing the force dynamics. This example may use the same voids 78 and fasteners 80 as disclosed above.

In the example shown in FIG. 11-FIG. 15 the surface brackets 272 extend radially inward to a central connection point 270. Although the example shows four surface brackets 272, two, three, or more than four surface brackets may be used.

In addition, this example utilizes collar clamps 84 utilized instead of the fasteners 80. These collar clamps 84 may slide radially along the surface brackets 272 and pass through the central opening of the collar 32. These collar clamps 84 comprise a radially outwardly extending foot 86 which engages a lower surface of the collar 32 to support the collar 32. In one example, each clamp 84 comprises a tensioning device such as a spring, bolt, or set screw 88. When the set screw 88 or other device is tensioned, the clamp 84 is repositioned longitudinally against the surface brackets 84 and compress the collar 32 between the surface brackets 84 and the foot 86. This arrangement effectively clamps the collar 32 to the jig 20.

The example shown in FIG. 16-FIG. 20 comprises similar voids 387 to the voids 78 previously discussed, and similar surface brackets 372 to the brackets 272 previously described each used as disclosed above. The clamps 84 of the previous example may also/alternatively be used. One substantial difference is that this example may include a removable hub 370 which removably connects each of the surface brackets 372 thus allowing for a smaller overall apparatus for shipping and storing.

In one example, the hub 370 comprises a plurality of surfaces defining receivers 92 which receive a first end 94 of each surface clamp 94 and thus connect the surface clamps 372 to form the jig 320. This arrangement producing a jig 320 which is easily disassembled to be shipped or stored in its component parts overall smaller than the assembled jig 320.

The example shown in FIG. 21-FIG. 25 comprises a hinged hub 470 functionally similar to the hub 370. This example includes fastening voids 478 and/or clamps 84 as disclosed above. In this example, the hub 470 comprises a hinge 96 connecting the individual surface brackets 472′ for ease in assembly and reducing shipping and storage space needs. In this example the hinge 96 comprises a vertical axis 98 about which the surface brackets rotate 102. In one example, some (two in this example) of the surface brackets 472′ comprise a bend or angle 104 so that all surface brackets will lie parallel to each other when folded 106.

Looking to FIG. 27, FIG. 28 is another example with components similar to the previously described examples (FIG. 16-20) including surface brackets 572 and a hub 570. One addition, which may be used with other examples, is a center eyebolt 590. The center eyebolt 590 may be used to attach a lifting cable, rope, chain, or similar apparatus to lift and position the combined jig 520 and collar 32.

In addition, an example is shown including a fastener 92 in this example extending through the hub 570 and engaging a cross-member 94. The cross-member 94 engaging a lower surface 96 of the collar 32 and thus clamping the collar 32 between the surface brackets 572 and the cross-member 94 during transportation, placement, and installation as described above.

Looking to FIG. 29 is shown an example where the surfaces defining voids 578 are elongated, to allow for various sized collars and to allow for manufacturing tolerances. These surfaces defining voids 578 may be utilized on one or more of the surface brackets 572 of this example and the other examples previously described.

While the present invention is illustrated by description of several embodiments and while the illustrative embodiments are described in detail, it is not the intention of the applicants to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications within the scope of the appended claims will readily appear to those sufficed in the art. The invention in its broader aspects is therefore not limited to the specific details, representative apparatus and methods, and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the spirit or scope of applicants' general concept. The invention illustratively disclosed herein suitably may be practiced in the absence of any element which is not specifically disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A manhole installation jig comprising: a manhole collar attachment system configured to removably attach the installation jig to a manhole collar having an upper edge, a lower edge, the manhole collar configured to support a manhole lid;a plurality of surface brackets extending outward from the manhole collar;each surface bracket comprising a ground engagement surface; each ground engagement surface configured to rest upon the ground surface exterior of the manhole collar;the manhole installation jig configured to support the manhole collar with the upper edge substantially at a vertical position level with the ground surface during installation; andthe manhole installation jig configured to support the manhole collar with the bottom edge substantially at a vertical position above and not in direct contact with a manhole casing below the ground surface.

2. The manhole installation jig as recited in claim 1 wherein the plurality of surface brackets extend radially outward from the manhole collar.

3. The manhole installation jig as recited in claim 1 wherein the plurality of surface brackets is three or greater, each extending non-linearly from the manhole collar.

4. The manhole installation jig as recited in claim 1 wherein the plurality of surface brackets is connected to a bracket ring.

5. The manhole installation jig as recited in claim 4 wherein: the bracket ring comprises a plurality of surfaces defining fastener receivers; anda plurality of fasteners configured to pass through the fastener receivers to be removably coupled to the manhole collar to connect the manhole collar to the manhole installation jig.

6. The manhole installation jig as recited in claim 1 further comprising an inflatable device having a perimeter surface in continuous contact around an inner periphery surface of the collar and in contact with continuous contact around an inner periphery surface of the casing.