Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02643874 2008-11-14
INTEGRATED FRAME AND COVER SYSTEM
FIELD
10011 The invention relates in general to manholes, and more particularly to a
manhole
coupling system for coupling a manhole cover to an underground structure such
as a
utility box or catch basin.
BACKGROUND
[002] Manholes are frequently constructed in roadways or other surfaces to
allow access
to underground structures such as sanitary and storm sewers and utility
conduits. The
structure defining a manhole is defined herein to include an underground
utility box or
catch basin (herein collectively referred to as a "utility box"), which
provides an
underground space to allow access to sewers, utility conduits and the like.
Also included
is structure that functions to couple the utility box to a manhole cover while
ideally
maintaining it flush with the ground.
10031 In order to preserve the structural integrity of a manhole and the
surface material
surrounding it, and in order to avoid obstruction to traffic, it is necessary
for all
underground portions of the manhole to be substantially watertight, and for
the manhole
cover to be supported flush with the ground. Roadways, for example, are
occasionally
built on inclines. In order to properly align the manhole cover, it is
therefore necessary to
adjust the angle of the manhole cover while still maintaining a watertight
seal between
the manhole cover and the structure coupling it to the manhole, and between
the manhole
and the roadway.
[004] In addition, roadways must be resurfaced from time to time, resulting in
a new
layer of paving material being deposited on the old. This leaves the cover
below the new
pavement level, and necessitates an often costly and time-consuming excavation
and
adjustment of the manhole to accommodate the manhole cover's height to the new
level.
1
CA 02643874 2011-07-28
10051 An improperly aligned manhole cover may allow surface water to
infiltrate the
ground under the roadway, which then buckles or collapses around the manhole
cover.
Seasonal freezing and thawing of infiltrated water causes expansion and
contraction of the
ground surrounding the manhole, accelerating its degradation. Misaligned
manhole covers
also increase the decay of surface material in response to loads such as
traffic. This effect
can be exacerbated by insufficient compaction of the ground surrounding the
manhole,
leading to areas of weakness which are more prone to failure.
[006] Various adjustable manholes are described in U.S. Patents 3,858,998
(Larsson et
al.), 5,451,119 (Hondulas), 5,470,172 (Wiedrich), 6,109,824 (Annes), 6371,687
(Heintz et
al.), 6,520,713 (Sondrup), 6,695,526 (Sondrup), 6,799,920 (Sondrup) and
6,955,499
(Sondrup). Nonetheless, there is still a need for improved systems that are
easy to install
and are operative to support or retain a manhole cover substantially flush
with a ground
surface.
SUMMARY
[007] An aspect of the invention provides a manhole coupling system for use in
coupling a
manhole cover to an underground utility box, the system including a holder
having an upper
end, a lower end for coupling to an underground utility box, and a channel
extending from
the upper end to the lower end, the holder further having a support structure
extending into
the channel and defining an upwardly facing support surface; an adjustment
member for
coupling to a manhole cover, having an upper end, a lower end, and a
passageway
extending from the upper end to the lower end, the adjustment member being
dimensioned
to be movably receivable within the channel at the upper end of the holder to
be seated on
the upwardly facing support surface, and to define an adjustment space between
an outer
surface of the adjustment member and the holder when so seated; wherein the
passageway
is in communication with the channel when the adjustment member is seated on
the
upwardly facing support surface; and wherein the adjustment member is
adjustable relative
to the holder for accommodating a slope and elevation of a ground surface, and
wherein the
outer surface of the adjustment member is sealable with a surface of the
channel after
adjustment.
2
CA 02643874 2011-07-28
10081 A further aspect of the invention provides a method of coupling a
manhole cover to
the underground utility box, including providing the holder coupled to the
underground
utility box; providing the adjustment member for coupling to a manhole cover;
inserting a
portion of the adjustment member within the channel at the upper end of the
holder to be
seated on the support surface; and adjusting the adjustment member to
accommodate a
slope and elevation of a ground surface; and sealing an outer surface of the
adjusted
adjustment member with a surface of the channel by inserting sealing material
in the
adjustment space.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[009] The invention will be further understood with reference to the detailed
description
and the drawings, in which:
100101 Fig. I is an exploded isometric view of a manhole coupling system,
according to a
non-limiting embodiment, and a manhole cover;
[0011] Figs. 2-12 are sectional clevational views depicting the installation
of the manhole
coupling system of Fig. 1 in the ground, according to one non-limiting method;
[0012] Figs. I3A and 13B are isometric and sectional elevational views,
respectively, of a
manhole coupling system, according to a second non-limiting embodiment;
[0013] Figs. 14A and 14B are isometric and sectional elevational views,
respectively, of a
manhole coupling system, according to a third non-limiting embodiment;
[0014] Fig. 15 is a sectional elevational view of a manhole coupling system
=cording to a
fourth non-limiting embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Referring now to Figure I, a manhole coupling system, according to a non-
limiting
embodiment, is indicated generally at 20. Manhole coupling system 20 is used
to couple a
manhole cover 30 to an underground utility box (not shown) and includes a
holder 100, an
adjustment member 200 and a floating member 300. Manhole cover 30 may be any
of a
variety of manhole covers known in the art, and is understood not to be an
element of
manhole coupling system 20. In use, holder 100 is placed in the ground atop an
underground utility box. A portion of adjustment member 200 is then inserted
within holder
100 to rest on an upwardly facing support surface, as will be described below.
Adjustment
member 200 is then adjusted, as will be described below, to
3
CA 02643874 2008-11-14
accommodate a slope and elevation of a ground surface (not shown). A portion
of
floating member 300 is then inserted within adjustment member 200, and manhole
cover
30 is supported by floating member 300. Thus, manhole cover 30 is coupled to
the
underground utility box by manhole coupling system 20 in a way that allows for
easy
slope and elevation adjustment.
100161 The installation of manhole coupling system 20 will now be described in
detail
with reference to Figure 1 and to Figures 2-12, which depict the installation
of manhole
coupling system 20 according to the embodiment depicted in Figure 1 in a
roadway. With
reference to Figures 1 and 2, holder 100 is a generally tapered, hollow
structure with a
substantially circular cross-section in a horizontal plane. In Figure 2,
holder 100 is
provided coupled to an underground utility box 400 embedded in backfill
material 500.
Utility box 400 is of a type well known in the art, and defines an underground
space
allowing access to underground sanitary and storm sewers, and utility
conduits. Backfill
material 500, as will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art, was
initially excavated
(not shown) to expose or if necessary, to install, utility box 400. Backfill
material 500
was then replaced around utility box 400 and holder 100, once holder 100 was
coupled to
utility box 400. Holder 100 includes an upper end 104, a lower end 108 for
coupling to
underground utility box 400, and a substantially cylindrical channel 112
extending
substantially vertically from upper end 104 to lower end 108. Channel 112 is
preferably
dimensioned to allow entry by a worker (not shown) to access utility box 400.
Holder 100
further includes a support structure 116 extending into channel 112 and
defining an
upwardly facing support surface 120. In this embodiment, support structure 116
extends
into channel 112 substantially continuously around channel 112 in the form of
a
substantially circular lip or rim. Support surface 120 is defined by the top
of support
structure 116, and may be substantially horizontal and therefore substantially
perpendicular to the wall of channel 112 from which it extends. In this
embodiment
support structure 116 is integrally formed with holder 100, for example as a
monolithic
concrete cast.
4
CA 02643874 2008-11-14
[0017] It will be understood that any reference in the specification to
"upper" and
"lower" elements are made in relation to the manhole coupling system in the
installed
state. As shown in Figure 2, therefore, upper end 104 of holder 100 is the end
which,
when installed, will be located towards the surface of a roadway or the like.
Similarly,
lower end 108 of holder 100 is the end which, when installed in the ground,
will be
located away from the surface of a roadway or the like, towards utility box
400. In more
general terms, as manholes are used to access underground elements from above
ground,
"upper" will be understood to mean further from the earth's core, while
"lower" will be
understood to mean closer to the earth's core.
100181 Similarly, the terms "vertical" and -horizontal" will be understood in
relation to
the installed system as depicted in the drawings. Furthermore, references in
the
specification to "inwardly" and -outwardly" and associated terms are made in
relation to
the installed manhole coupling system. "Inwardly" will be understood to mean
towards
the centre of the system in a plane substantially parallel to a ground surface
- towards the
centre of channel 112 in a horizontal plane, for example - while outwardly
will be
understood to be the opposite direction, away from the centre of the system.
[0019] Lower end 108 of holder 100 is coupled to utility box 400 by known
means.
Lower end 108 of holder 100 preferably substantially matches the upper end of
utility
box 400 in horizontal cross-section in order to provide a close, watertight
fit between
holder 100 and utility box 400. Holder 100 may also include one or more steps
140 for
easier descent towards utility box 400 when access is necessary. When holder
100 is
coupled to utility box 400, as shown in Figure 2, channel 112 communicates
with the
interior of utility box 400 to allow access to utility box 400 from upper end
104 of holder
100.
100201 In this embodiment. as can be seen in Figure 1, holder 100 includes
four
upstanding walls 142 extending upwardly from upper end 104, with inner edges
substantially tangential to channel 112. Upstanding walls 142 define between
them a
substantially rectangular space at upper end 104 of holder 100. Referring now
to Figure
CA 02643874 2008-11-14
3, a plate 144 is placed over channel 112 at upper end 104 of holder 100.
Plate 144 fits
between upstanding walls 142, into the rectangular space therebetween. Thus,
plate 144
lies against upper end 104 and substantially flush with the tops of upstanding
walls 142.
Subgrade material 504 is then placed over backfill material 500 and plate 144,
and then
leveled and compacted to provide a desired subgrade slope. Plate 144 prevents
entry of
subgrade material 504 into channel 112 during the leveling and compacting
operations,
and allows subgrade material 504 to be placed, leveled and compacted without
requiring
any special care near holder 100, thus avoiding any inadequate compaction
surrounding
holder 100. In this embodiment, plate 144 is a rectangular steel plate capable
of
withstanding compaction and the weight of subgrade material 504.
[0021] Referring to Figure 4, a portion of subgrade material 504 is removed
and plate
144 is lifted from holder 100 to expose channel 112 and allow for the
installation of
additional components of manhole coupling system 20, as will be described
below.
[0022] With reference to Figure 5, a portion of adjustment member 200 is
inserted within
channel 112 at upper end 104 of holder 100. As can be seen in Figures 1 and 5,
adjustment member 200 in this embodiment is a tubular element with a
substantially
circular horizontal cross section. Adjustment member 200 is for coupling to a
manhole
cover ¨ in this embodiment, the coupling is made via floating member 300 ¨ and
includes
an upper end 204, a lower end 208 and a substantially cylindrical passageway
212
extending substantially vertically from upper end 204 to lower end 208.
Adjustment
member 200 is adjustable relative to holder 100 to accommodate a slope and
elevation of
a ground surface (not shown), and is sealable with holder 100 after
adjustment, as will be
described below. Adjustment member 200 is dimensioned to be movably receivable
within channel 112, such that when so received as depicted in Figure 5, lower
end 208 of
adjustment member 200 is seated on upwardly facing support surface 120.
Movement of
adjustment member 200 within channel 112 is allowed by an adjustment space 216
defined between adjustment member 200 and holder 100 upon insertion of
adjustment
member 200. In this embodiment, adjustment member 200 has an outer diameter
that is
smaller than the diameter of channel 112, thus defining adjustment space 216
as an
6
CA 02643874 2008-11-14
annular space around adjustment member 200. Adjustment space 216 allows
adjustment
member 200 to move within channel 112 vertically and horizontally, and also
allows
adjustment member 200 to be tilted within channel 112. Additionally,
adjustment
member 200 may include one or more steps 140 as shown in Figure 5 to ensure
that easy
access is provided to utility box 400.
100231 Adjustment member 200 further includes a passageway insert 220 in the
form of a
steel or cast iron rim extending substantially continuously around upper end
204 of
adjustment member 200. Passageway insert 220 is attached to adjustment member
200,
though the two elements as depicted in Figures I and 5 are not integrally
formed of the
same material. In this embodiment, passageway insert 220 is cast into
adjustment
member 200 during the manufacture of adjustment member 200. Passageway insert
220
includes an upper portion 220a overlaying upper end 204 of adjustment member
200 as
well as an inner portion 220b depending downwardly into passageway 212 from
upper
portion 220a. Passageway insert 220 provides increased strength and
dimensional
stability to adjustment member 200, resulting in a better fit between
adjustment member
200 and floating member 300, as will be discussed below with reference to
Figure 7.
Inner portion 220b preferably sits flush with the wall of passageway 212, and
acts to
reduce friction between adjustment member 212 and floating member 300.
Additionally,
adjustment member 200 may include a plurality of anchors 224, as depicted in
Figure 5.
Anchors 224 are well known in the art for removably coupling to chains or
other suitable
suspension mechanisms (not shown), thus allowing adjustment member 200 to be
lifted
and moved by known means.
100241 Referring now to Figure 6, adjustment member 200 is adjusted within
channel
112 to accommodate a desired slope and elevation of a ground surface of the
roadway
(not shown). It will be appreciated that while this ground surface, which is
defined as the
final, paved surface of the roadway, is not yet in place and therefore not
illustrated in
Figure 6, such a ground surface will be substantially parallel to a surface
508 of subgrade
material 504. In order to accommodate an elevation of a ground surface, it
will be
understood that adjustment member 200 may be adjusted within channel 112 to a
level
7
CA 02643874 2008-11-14
which will place any remaining components of manhole coupling system 20 at the
elevation necessary to support manhole cover 30 flush with a ground surface,
when that
surface is in place. Accommodating the slope of a ground surface may be
achieved by
inclining upper end 204 of adjustment member 200 to be substantially parallel
to the
angle of surface 508 of subgrade material 504, which will in turn be
substantially parallel
to the angle of a ground surface as described above.
100251 Adjustment is achieved by insertion of one or more spacers between
lower end
208 of adjustment member 200 and upwardly facing support surface 120. For
angular
adjustments, the spacers may be shims 228a, which may be generally rectangular
pieces
of material of varying thicknesses. In this embodiment, shims 228a, as is well
known in
the art, are rectangular plastic elements. One or more shims 228a are inserted
between
adjustment member 200 and support surface 120 on the side of adjustment member
200
needing to be raised (the right side, as seen in Figure 6). Where uniform
adjustments to
elevation are desired, the spacers may be grade adjustment rings 228b. Grade
adjustment
rings 228b are also well known in the art, and in this embodiment are annular
concrete
elements having a shape similar to that of support structure 116 of holder
100. It will be
appreciated that a combination of shims 228a and grade adjustment rings 228b
may be
used to obtain the desired adjustment for adjustment member 200. As a result
of adjusting
adjustment member 200 as shown in Figure 6, at least a portion of adjustment
member
200 is placed above upper end 104 of holder 100 and at an angle that is
substantially
parallel to the angle of surface 508.
[0026] Preferably, when both shims 228a and grade adjustment rings 228b are
used,
grade adjustment rings 228b are placed on upwardly facing support surface 120,
as
shown in Figure 6, before shims 228a in order to prevent the generation of
stress
concentrations in grade adjustment rings 228b.
[0027] With reference to Figure 7, once adjustment member 200 is adjusted to
the
desired elevation and slope within channel 112, a portion of floating member
300 is
inserted within passageway 212 at upper end 204 of adjustment member 200. As
depicted
CA 02643874 2008-11-14
in Figures 1 and 7, floating member 300 includes an upper end 304, a lower end
308 and
an access opening 312 extending from upper end 304 to lower end 308. In this
embodiment, a sliding portion 316 of floating member 300 extends downwardly
from an
engagement member 320. and is a hollow cylindrical element dimensioned to be
slideably receivable within passageway 212. Sliding portion 316 is dimensioned
such that
the fit between sliding portion 316 and passageway 212 permits sliding motion
¨ that is,
motion substantially parallel to the walls of passageway 212¨ but as little
other motion
such as tilting and the like, as possible. Such a fit allows floating member
300 to move in
a desired manner ¨ that is, to "float" substantially perpendicularly with a
ground surface,
as will be seen below ¨ while maintaining a seal between floating member 300
and
adjustment member 200 to prevent entry of water and debris. When sliding
portion 316 is
received within passageway 212, access opening 312 and passageway 212 are in
communication as depicted in Figure 7, to provide access to utility box 400
from upper
end 304 of floating member 300.
[0028] Engagement member 320 of floating member 300, in this embodiment, is a
circular flange extending outwardly above sliding portion 316. Engagement
member 320
has an outer diameter that is larger than the inner diameter of passageway
212. As a result
engagement member 320, upon installation of sliding portion 316 within
passageway
212. engages or rests upon upper portion 220a of passageway insert 220 to
prevent
floating member 300 from simply falling through passageway 212.
[0029] Floating member 300 also includes a manhole cover support structure
324, which
defines an upwardly facing cover support surface 328. As shown in Figures 1
and 7,
manhole cover support structure 324 is in the form of a circular flange
extending into
access opening 312 from the upper end of sliding portion 316. Manhole cover
support
structure 324 may support manhole cover 30 over access opening 312 and
substantially
flush with a ground surface (not shown). Preferably, the distance between
upwardly
facing cover support surface 328 and upper end 304 of floating member 300 is
equal to
the thickness of manhole cover 30, such that upon complete installation of
manhole
9
CA 02643874 2008-11-14
coupling system 20, manhole cover 30 and the top of engagement member 320 are
maintained flush with a ground surface (not shown).
100301 As can be seen in Figures 1 and 7, sliding portion 316, engagement
member 320
and manhole cover support structure 324 may all be integrally formed, for
example from
a single piece of steel or cast iron.
[0031] With reference to Figure 8, adjustment member 200 is sealed within
channel 112
of holder 100 after adjustment is complete. It will be understood that
adjustment member
200 may also be sealed before insertion of floating member 300. Sealing is
achieved by
insertion of sealing material 232 within adjustment space 216. Preferably,
sealing
material 232, which in this embodiment is non-shrink grout, is inserted
substantially
continuously around adjustment member 200 in order to fill as much of
adjustment space
216 as possible. This fixes holder 100 and adjustment member 200 to each other
as a
single structure and provides an effective seal, preventing entry of subgrade
material 504,
water and the like into channel 112 from adjustment space 216. Sealing
material 232 may
be installed by known methods. One such method requires the use of a rubber
sleeve (not
shown) placed within passageway 212 and channel 112 to press against the walls
thereof.
Sealing material 232 may then be inserted into adjustment space 216 and will
be
prevented from falling into utility box 400 by the rubber sleeve. Once sealing
material
232 has set or dried as necessary, the rubber sleeve may be removed for reuse
elsewhere.
[0032] Manhole cover 30 may be placed on upwardly facing cover support surface
328
as shown in Figure 8. Additionally, if the elevation of adjustment member 200
within
channel 112 has been increased significantly (not shown), one or more
additional steps
140 may be placed directly in sealing material 232 to provide easy access to
utility box
400 from upper end 304 of floating member 300.
[0033] Referring to Figure 9, some of the portion of subgrade material 504
that was
excavated earlier with reference to Figure 4 is replaced and compacted around
manhole
coupling system 20. It will be noted that following the compaction of subgrade
material
CA 02643874 2008-11-14
504, upper end 304 of floating member 300 is maintained above surface 508 of
subgrade
material 504. This is to provide for the addition of further surface material,
as will be
discussed below.
100341 With reference to Figure 10, a ground surface material such as base
asphalt layer
512 is placed over subgrade material 504. As a result, manhole cover 30 is
supported
substantially flush with a surface 516 of base asphalt layer 512. Base asphalt
layer 512
may be used if the roadway is being constructed in an area where heavy
construction
traffic likely to damage the roadway will be present for a time, such as a
greenfield sub-
development or the like. Base asphalt layer 512 provides a functional roadway
for such
traffic, and following the cessation of construction traffic, a final asphalt
layer (not
shown) may be installed, as will be described with reference to Figures 11 and
12.
[0035] Referring now to Figure 11, preparations are made for the placing of a
final layer
of asphalt (not shown). A band is removed from base asphalt layer 512 to form
an angled
edge 520 of base asphalt layer 512 surrounding upper end 304 of floating
member 300.
Floating member 300 may then be lifted within passageway 212 to a desired
elevation at
which it will support manhole cover 30 substantially flush with the surface of
a final
layer of asphalt (not shown). Manhole cover 30 is not shown in Figure 11, as
it may be
necessary to remove manhole cover 30 in order to adjust the elevation of
floating member
300.
[0036] With reference to Figure 12, a final asphalt layer 524 or other ground
surface
material defining a ground surface 528 is placed over base asphalt layer 512.
A portion of
final asphalt layer 524 flows below engagement member 320 of floating member
300.
Angled edge 520 of base asphalt 512 allows the portion of final asphalt layer
524 to flow
more easily under engagement member 320. Engagement member 320 now engages
ground surface material in final asphalt layer 524 instead of upper end 204 of
adjustment
member 200. This engagement allows floating member to slide within passageway
212 in
response to movement of final asphalt layer 524, as will be described below.
11
CA 02643874 2008-11-14
109371 Once final asphalt layer 524 is in place, it may be compacted. It will
be noted that
compaction may occur equally over all of final asphalt layer 524. There is
little need to
exercise special care around manhole cover 30 and upper end 304 of floating
member
300, because floating member 300 is free to slide within passageway 212 in
response to
such compaction while still maintaining a seal with adjustment member 200.
Following
compaction, cover 30 will be coupled to utility box 400 and supported
substantially flush
with ground surface 528.
100381 In addition to sliding in response to compaction during the
installation of final
asphalt layer 524, floating member 300, by way of engagement member 320, may
also
slide within passageway 212 in response to other movement, such as that caused
by
seasonal expansion and contraction of asphalt or other ground surface
material.
Movement of ground surface material exerts a force on engagement member 320,
and
causes floating member 300 to slide within passageway 212. Passageway insert
220 helps
maintain a close fit between adjustment member 200 and floating member 300,
and
reduces friction between floating member 300 and passageway 212. The improved
dimensional stability provided by passageway insert 220, coupled with the
reduced
friction, allow for an improved seal between floating member 300 and
adjustment
member 200.
[0039] It will be noted that the placement of base asphalt layer 512 may be
omitted if it is
deemed unnecessary. This may be the case, for example, in a municipal roadway
where a
final surface is desired immediately. In such a situation, base asphalt layer
512 may be
omitted and final asphalt layer 524 may be placed directly on subgrade
material 504. It
will also be noted that the above process may be repeated if resurfacing of a
roadway or
other surface is required. Floating member 300 may simply be supported at a
new
elevation, and a new layer of ground surface material may be placed. Sliding
portion 316
of floating member 300 may be manufactured in varying lengths, capable of
accommodating greater or smaller adjustments in elevation.
12
CA 02643874 2008-11-14
[0040] It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art, in light of the
above
description, that the manufacture of holder 100 and support structure 116 as
depicted in
Figures 1-12 may be achieved by modifying a known existing tapered structure
(not
shown) by providing an enlarged opening near upper end 104 so as to define
support
structure 116 without altering the outside dimensions of holder 100. This
approach allows
the continued use of existing equipment and processes for producing such
tapered
structures. Additionally, walls 142 may be used with existing rectangular
cover support
frames (not shown) which merely rest on top of holder 100, allowing holder 100
to be
used with existing manhole structures if desired.
[0041] A person skilled in the art will appreciate that variations may be made
to the
above embodiment without departing from the scope of the invention. For
example,
utility box 400 may also include one or more steps 140 to provide easier
access. Floating
member 300 may also include one or more steps 140, for instance if floating
member 300
extends far enough into passageway 212 to warrant the addition of steps. Steps
140 may
additionally be adjustable steps, or any other suitable type of step known in
the art.
Further, plate 144 need not be a rectangular steel plate, as described. Any
other suitable
covering capable of withstanding compaction and the weight of subgrade
material 504
may also be used, with corresponding alterations made to upstanding walls 142
to match
the chosen shape of plate 144. Shims 228a and grade adjustment rings 228b may
also
vary in shape and construction. Suitable materials include plastic, concrete
and the like,
and shims 228a may, for instance, be tapered (not shown) if so desired, to
allow for
adjustment of the slope of adj ustment member 200 while maintaining greater
surface
contact with both lower end 108 and support surface 120. Sealing material,
while
described above as a non-shrink grout, may also be replaced with other
suitable materials
known to persons skilled in the art. Other components, such as floating member
300 and
its constituent parts, may also be constructed of any suitable material, in
addition to those
already mentioned, known to those skilled in the art.
[0042] In a second embodiment, depicted in Figures 13A and 13B, a manhole
coupling
system 20' is provided for coupling a manhole cover (not shown) to an
underground
13
CA 02643874 2008-11-14
utility box (not shown). Manhole coupling system 20' is useful, for example.
when the
distance between an underground feature to which access is desirable, and a
ground
surface such as the surface of a roadway, is too short to allow the use of
manhole
coupling system 20 described above with reference to Figures 1-12. Manhole
coupling
system 20' includes a holder 100', an adjustment member 200 and a floating
member
300. Adjustment member 200 and floating member 300 are as described above with
reference to Figures 1-12.
100431 As depicted in Figures 13A and 13B, a holder 100' includes an extension
124 and
a collar 128. Extension 124 is a hollow substantially cylindrical structure,
which in this
embodiment is made of concrete. Collar 128 includes an upstanding tubular
steel or cast
iron sleeve 132 surrounded by a tubular, tapered jacket 136. Extension 124 and
collar 128
both define substantially vertical openings therethrough, and the bottom of
collar 128 is
coupled to the top of extension 124 as shown in Figure 13B such that the
openings
communicate with each other. Thus, holder 100' has an upper end 104' defined
by the
top of collar 128, and a lower end 108' defined by the bottom of extension
124. Holder
100' further includes a channel 112' extending between upper end 104' and
lower end
108' of holder 100'. Channel 112' is defined by the communicating openings
through
extension 124 and collar 128. In this embodiment, collar 128 is coupled to
extension 124
by casting sleeve 132 directly into the top of extension 124.
100441 In this embodiment, the diameter of the opening through extension 124
is smaller
at the top of extension 124 than the diameter of the opening through collar
128. A support
structure 116' extending into channel 112' of holder 100' is therefore defined
by the top
of extension 124. Support structure 116' provides an upwardly facing support
surface
120'.
100451 The installation and adjustment of manhole coupling system 20' is
substantially
as described above with reference to Figures 2-12. Holder 100' is coupled at
lower end
108' to a utility box, and adjustment member 200 and floating member 300 are
installed
and adjusted in the same manner as described previously. Persons skilled in
the art will
14
CA 02643874 2008-11-14
appreciate that the height of holder 100' is smaller than that of holder 100
described
earlier, and that manhole coupling system 20' may therefore be suitable in
situations
where there is little space between an underground utility or the like and a
ground
surface.
[0046] Persons skilled in the art will also appreciate that variations may be
made to this
embodiment without departing from the scope of the invention. For example,
sleeve 132
could instead be bolted or otherwise fastened onto the top of extension 124.
This would
allow collar 128 to be used with existing structures similar to extension 124,
often
referred to as "flat top" elements. Additionally, sleeve 132 may be made of
other suitable
materials, including other metals or plastic. Likewise, jacket 136 and
extension 124,
which are depicted as concrete elements, may also be made using other suitable
materials.
[0047] In a third embodiment, depicted in Figures 14A and 14B, a manhole
coupling
system 20" is provided for coupling a manhole cover to an underground utility
box. A
holder 100" includes an upper portion of a utility box 400' and a collar 128'.
Utility box
400' is a hollow, substantially rectangular structure of a type known in the
art for use
with catch basins. Collar 128' is a substantially rectangular steel or cast
iron member, and
is coupled to the top of utility box 400'. As with the embodiment depicted in
Figures 13A
and 13B, collar 128' and the upper portion of utility box 400' have
substantially vertical
openings therein. When collar 128' is coupled to the top of utility box 400',
the openings
communicate to provide access to the remainder of utility box 400'. Therefore,
holder
100" has an upper end 104" defined by the top of collar 128', a lower end 108"
defined
by the bottom of the upper portion of utility box 400', and a channel 112"
extending
between upper end 104" and lower end 108". Additionally, holder 100" includes
a
support structure 116" defining an upwardly facing support surface 120".
Support
structure 116", similarly to the previous embodiment pictured in Figures 13A
and 13B, is
defined by the upper portion of utility box 400', in which channel 112" is
narrower than
in collar 128'.
CA 02643874 2008-11-14
[0048] An adjustment member 200' and a floating member 300' are also included
in
manhole coupling system 20". Adjustment member 200' and floating member 300'
are
rectangular rather than circular, but are otherwise analogous to adjustment
member 200
and floating member 300, respectively, as described above. The installation
and
adjustment of manhole coupling system 20" is also largely similar to the
installation and
adjustment described above, with the exception that holder 100" need not be
placed in
the ground separately after utility box 400', as holder 100" and utility box
400' are
integral with each other.
[0049] It will be clear to persons skilled in the art that collar 128', while
it is shown
embedded in the upper portion of utility box 400', may alternatively be
coupled to utility
box 400' by bolts or other suitable fasteners. This allows an existing utility
box to be
retro-fitted with collar 128' in order to make use of the present invention.
[0050] In a fourth embodiment, depicted in Figure 15, an adjustment member
200" may
be provided with an integral cover support structure in the form of a modified
floating
member 300¨ which, instead of floating, is embedded in the wall of adjustment
member
200". As can be seen in Figure 15, a wall portion 316", similar in form to
sliding portion
316 of floating member 300, is embedded in adjustment member 200", for example
by
being cast in to adjustment member 200¨ during the manufacture of adjustment
member
200-. As such, a cover support structure 324" defining an upwardly facing
cover support
surface 328" is coupled substantially immovably to adjustment member 200". It
will be
clear to persons skilled in the art that in the case of this embodiment, the
adjustment
described with reference to Figure 11 is not possible.
[0051] In addition to the above embodiments, it will be understood that
further
modifications may be made to manhole coupling system 20. For instance,
engagement
member 320 is not required to extend substantially continuously around upper
end 304 of
floating member 300 ¨ it may instead be crenellated or sectioned, for example.
Likewise,
support structure 116 and passageway insert 220 are not required to extend
substantially
continuously around channel 112 and passageway 212, respectively. The shapes
and
16
CA 02643874 2008-11-14
materials of the various system components and sub-components may be varied as
desired. Furthermore, elements described with respect to different embodiments
¨
adjustment member 200¨ and holder 100, for instance ¨ may be used in
conjunction with
each other if so desired. Likewise, a collar such as 128 or 128' may be used
in
conjunction with holder 100 if desired, and a person skilled in the art will
appreciate the
necessity to reconfigure the shape of the rectangular embodiment of collar
128' for use
with a substantially circular structure. The collar could be either embedded
within holder
100, or coupled to holder 100 as a retro-fit by way of bolts or other suitable
fasteners.
While the system has been described with regards to a manhole in a roadway, it
may also
be applied to similar systems on larger or smaller scales in a wide variety of
surfaces.
[0052] Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that there are yet more
alternative
implementations and modifications possible for implementing the embodiments,
and that
the above implementations and examples are for illustrative purposes only. The
scope,
therefore, is only to be limited by the claims appended hereto.
17
