The present invention relates to a road manhole of the type defining a centre axis and comprising:
Road manholes of this type are known from the prior art. The main gasket is used in order to acoustically insulate the manhole in the closed state and to reduce the quantity of water which can enter the gap between the frame and the cover, but without ensuring complete fluid-tightness.
The object of the invention is to improve the fluid-tightness of this road manhole, using simple and economic means.
To this end, the invention relates to a manhole of the type indicated, characterised in that the main gasket and the auxiliary gasket are formed by two separate components.
According to specific embodiments, the road manhole according to the invention comprises one or more of the following features:
The invention will be better understood from a reading of the following description, given purely by way of example and with reference to the single drawing, which illustrates a portion of a road manhole according to the invention.
The single FIGURE is a section through a road manhole according to the invention, generally designated 2.
The road manhole 2 comprises a frame 4 and a cover 10 which is supported by the frame. The frame 4 and the cover 10 define a centre axis X-X and are preferably produced from ductile cast iron.
The frame 4 delimits an opening 6 and comprises an internal collar 8 which serves to support the cover 10.
The cover 10 has a substantially planar blocking web 12 which is perpendicular relative to the centre axis X-X and which blocks the opening 6 when the cover 10 is in a closing position on the frame and a cylindrical skirt 14 which is located below the blocking web 12 and which extends inwards parallel with the centre axis X-X.
The cylindrical skirt 14 is centred on the centre axis X-X and extends in the opening delimited by the internal collar 8. The skirt 14 is remote from the periphery of the blocking web 12, the blocking web thus delimiting a peripheral edge 13 which has an inner surface 15 which is perpendicular relative to the centre axis X-X and which is connected to the skirt 14. The inner surface 15 and the skirt 14 thus define a concave corner 16 which is directed radially outwards relative to the centre axis X-X.
The road manhole 2 is further provided with a main gasket 18 which is produced from resilient material, such as elastomer material, for example. The main gasket 18 is arranged on the internal collar 8 and is located between the cover 10 and the frame 4 in the closed state of the manhole 2. More precisely, the main gasket 18 has a C-shaped radial cross-section which surrounds the internal collar 8. In a closed position, the inner surface 15 of the edge 13 of the manhole rests on the main gasket 18, thereby preventing rattling noises of the cover on the frame when vehicles pass. In addition to this acoustically insulating function, the main gasket 18 also provides primary fluid-tightness with respect to surface water which is capable of entering the gap between the cover and the frame.
The road manhole 2 also comprises an auxiliary gasket 20 which is intended to improve the fluid-tightness with respect to surface water. This auxiliary gasket 20 is arranged on the skirt 14 and is in contact with the concave corner 16. The auxiliary gasket 20 is produced in one piece and from a resilient material, for example, from elastomer material. Preferably, the two gaskets 18 and 20 are produced from the same material. The auxiliary gasket 20 comprises a first portion which forms a sealing lip 22 and a second portion 24 which is fixedly joined to the first portion 22.
The first portion 22 is generally in the form of a torus and has a hollow radial cross-section which is of annular shape and which facilitates the deformation thereof.
The second portion 24 extends the first portion 22 axially inwards and has a non-circular radial cross-section, in this instance a substantially rectangular cross-section. In this manner, the radial cross-section of the auxiliary gasket 20 is substantially P-shaped.
It should be noted that the second portion 24, over the entire axial length thereof, presses on the skirt 14 and substantially serves to prevent the sliding and the torsion of the auxiliary gasket 20 on the skirt 14. Furthermore, the axial length of the second portion 24 is greater than the axial length of the first portion 22.
When the cover 10 is closed on the frame 4, the auxiliary gasket 20 is positioned against the main gasket 18 and at least the sealing lip 22 is resiliently compressed. In this manner, this auxiliary gasket 20 substantially increases the fluid-tightness of the road manhole 2.
The auxiliary gasket 20 according to the invention can be readily installed on existing road manholes.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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06 10908 | Dec 2006 | FR | national |
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Number | Date | Country | |
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20080145147 A1 | Jun 2008 | US |