Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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FRAME FOR AN INLET OF A CATCH BASIN OR MANHOLE
TECHNICAL FIELD
The invention relates to a frame for an inlet of a catch basin or a manhole.
BACKGROUND OF THE ART
During road construction, storm drains (also known as catch basins) and sewer
inlets are disposed at various points along the road to evacuate excess water
and/or debris that
may accumulate. Such accumulation can occur for example during rainfall.
The storm drains (or catch basins) are connected to a system which is a
network
of pipes, pumps, and force mains for the collection of wastewater, or sewage,
from the
community. Typically, storm drains use a separate and distinct network from
sanitary sewer
systems for human waste. Sometimes a combined system provides only one network
for all
types of sewage and excess water or debris.
In order to evacuate the excess water and debris toward the system, the storm
drain includes an inlet disposed on the road surface. Two main types of inlets
exist : the side
inlet and the grated inlet. The typically ends in an outlet for the water
which is a single large
exit at the point of discharge. The separation of storm sewers from sanitary
sewers helps to
prevent sewage treatment plants becoming overwhelmed by infiltration/inflow
during a
rainstorm, which can result in untreated sewage being discharged into the
environment.
The grated inlets prevent pedestrians, vehicles and large objects from falling
into
the storm drain. The design of the grate bars facilitates a flow of water
towards the inside of
the drain. Storm drains provided in streets and parking areas must be strong
enough to support
the weight of the vehicles. Some of the heavier sediment and small objects or
debris may enter
the grated inlet and settle in the catchbasin below the inlet. A frame is
provided for the
catchbasin or catch pit and the grate covers the open top of the frame of the
catchbasin. The
frame supports the grate/cover.
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It is common to have the frames disposed floatingly on the catch basin/manhole
inlets. In a floating arrangement, the concrete constituting the road is
poured around the sides
of the frame and provides the connection between the road and the frame. No
additional
connection is used to secure the frame to the road. As such, movements between
the road and
the frame, which could happen during frosting and defrosting periods, is
absorbed by the
relative flexibility of the connection between them. To install the frame
while pouring the
concrete to make the road, the frame is first inserted in a guiding holder.
The guiding holder is
fixedly connected to the catch basin inlet. Wood shims are used to position
the frame in place
into the guiding holder. An inconvenience with that method is that the wooden
shims may
displace during the concrete pouring operation, which in turn can induce
imprecise alignment
between the frame and the catch basin. Over time, water infiltration can occur
and premature
wear of the frame and its connection to the road can happen.
To reduce the imprecision of the wood shim technique, some have fixedly
attached the frame into the concrete road. However, any further adjustment is
prevented and
replacement of portions of the road would be needed should the frame need to
be changed.
SUMMARY
In accordance with one aspect, there is provided a frame for a cover for one
of a
catch basin and a manhole, the one of the catch basin and the manhole having
an inlet, the
frame comprising: a frame skeleton having a hollow body, the hollow body
having a first end
and a second end, the second end of the hollow body being adapted to be
inserted into the inlet
of the one of the catch basin and the manhole, the frame skeleton having at
least one flange
extending laterally outwardly from the first end of the hollow body, a surface
of the at least
one flange facing the second end being an under surface of the at least one
flange; and a
concrete sleeve disposed around the hollow body on an external surface
thereof, the concrete
sleeve being adapted to be disposed between the inlet of the one of the catch
basin and
manhole and the at least one flange, the concrete sleeve having a top surface
abutting the
under surface of the at least one flange, the under surface of at least one
flange covering the
top surface of the concrete sleeve.
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In one embodiment, the hollow body has an asymmetrical cross-section.
In one embodiment, the hollow body has a truncated circular cross-section.
In one embodiment, the frame skeleton further includes at least one outwardly
extending anchor point disposed on the external surface of the hollow body,
the outwardly
extending anchor point being adapted to connect with the concrete sleeve.
In one embodiment, the frame skeleton further includes at least one aperture
provided on an extension of the hollow body, the aperture being adapted to
connect with the
concrete sleeve using attachment means.
In one embodiment, the external surface of the hollow body is tapered
outwardly
from the second end to the first end of the hollow body.
In one embodiment, the hollow body has an inside surface, and the inside
surface
is vertically straight.
In one embodiment, the at least one flange includes at least one groove.
In one embodiment, an outer perimeter of the at least one flange has a same
shape
of an inner perimeter of the at least one flange.
In one embodiment, the at least one flange has at least one section with a
width
narrower than a main width of the at least one flange.
In one embodiment, the frame skeleton includes a plurality of U-shaped anchor
points disposed on an inside surface of the hollow body.
In one embodiment, the hollow body has an inside surface, and the inside
surface
includes a recess at the first end of the hollow body for receiving the cover,
the cover being
one of a grate and a closed cover.
In accordance with another aspect, there is provided a method for making a
frame
for an inlet of one of a catch basin and a manhole, the method comprising:
providing a frame
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skeleton, the frame skeleton having a hollow body, the hollow body having a
first end and a
second end, the second end of the hollow body being adapted to be inserted
into the inlet of
the one of the catch basin and the manhole, the frame skeleton having at least
one flange
extending laterally outwardly from the first end of the hollow body, a surface
of the at least
one flange facing the second end being an under surface of the at least one
flange; and
assembling a concrete sleeve around the hollow body to form the frame before
placing the
frame into the inlet of the one of the catch basin and manhole, the concrete
sleeve being
adapted to be disposed between the inlet of one of the catch basin and manhole
and the at least
one flange, the concrete sleeve having a top surface abutting the under
surface of the at least
one flange, the under surface of at least one flange covering the top surface
of the concrete
sleeve.
In one embodiment, assembling the concrete sleeve includes casting the
concrete
sleeve around the hollow body.
In one embodiment, the assembling the concrete sleeve includes attaching the
concrete sleeve to the hollow body using attachment means and openings on the
hollow body.
In one embodiment, the method further comprises casting the frame skeleton
before providing the frame skeleton.
In accordance with another broad aspect, there is provided a frame for one of
a
catch basin and a manhole is provided. The one of the catch basin and the
manhole has an
inlet. The frame comprises a frame skeleton having a hollow body. The hollow
body has a
first end and a second end. The second end of the hollow body is adapted to be
inserted into
the inlet of the one of the catch basin and the manhole. The frame skeleton
has at least one
flange extending laterally outwardly from the first end of the hollow body. A
surface of the at
least one flange facing the second end is an under surface of the at least one
flange. A concrete
sleeve is disposed around the hollow body on an external surface thereof. The
concrete sleeve
is adapted to be disposed vertically between the inlet of the one of the catch
basin and
manhole and the at least one flange. The concrete sleeve has a top surface
abutting the under
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surface of the at least one flange. The under surface of at least one flange
covers totally the top
surface of the concrete sleeve.
In one embodiment, the frame skeleton further includes a plurality of
outwardly
extending anchor points disposed on the external surface of the hollow body.
The plurality of
outwardly extending anchor points connect with the concrete sleeve.
In one embodiment, the external surface of the hollow body is tapered
outwardly
from the second end to the first end of the hollow body.
In one embodiment, the hollow body has an inside surface. The inside surface
is
substantially vertically straight.
In one embodiment, the at least one flange includes at least one groove.
In one embodiment, an outer perimeter of the at least one flange has a same
shape
of an inner perimeter of the at least one flange.
In one embodiment, the frame skeleton includes a plurality of U-shaped anchor
points disposed on an inside surface of the hollow body.
In one embodiment, the hollow body has an inside surface, and the inside
surface
includes a recess at the first end of the hollow body.
In accordance with still another broad aspect, there is provided a method for
making a frame for an inlet of one of a catch basin and a manhole is also
provided. The
method comprises providing a frame skeleton. The frame skeleton has a hollow
body. The
hollow body has a first end and a second end. The second end of the hollow
body is adapted to
be inserted into the inlet of the one of the catch basin and the manhole. The
frame skeleton has
at least one flange extending laterally outwardly from the first end of the
hollow body. A
surface of the at least one flange faces the second end being an under surface
of the at least
one flange. The method comprises casting a concrete sleeve around the hollow
body to form
the frame before placing the frame into the inlet of the one of the catch
basin and manhole.
The concrete sleeve is adapted to be disposed vertically between the inlet of
one of the catch
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basin and manhole and the at least one flange. The concrete sleeve has a top
surface abutting
the under surface of the at least one flange. The under surface of at least
one flange covers
totally the top surface of the concrete sleeve.
In one embodiment, the method of comprises casting the frame skeleton before
providing the frame skeleton.
Embodiments of the present can have at least one of the above-mentioned
aspects,
but do not necessarily have all of them.
Additional and/or alternative features, aspects, and advantages of embodiments
of
the present will become apparent from the following description, the
accompanying drawings,
and the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Having thus generally described the nature of the invention, reference will
now be
made to the accompanying drawings, showing by way of illustration embodiments,
aspects
and features thereof and in which:
FIG. 1 is an illustration of a road partially cut out to reveal a system
including a
plurality of catch basins, drains and manholes;
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of one of the catch basins of FIG. 1
revealing a
frame disposed thereon;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a frame skeleton of the frame of FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the frame skeleton of FIG. 3 with a concrete
sleeve
thereby forming the frame of FIG. 2; and
FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a method of making the frame of FIG. 2;
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the frame of FIG. 4 disposed on the concrete
head
with a shim;
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FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an alternative frame skeleton with extensions
and
openings; and
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the alternative frame skeleton of Fig. 7 with
a
concrete sleeve on a concrete head with partly surrounding shims.
It will be noted that throughout the appended drawings, like features are
identified
by like reference numerals.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Referring to FIG. 1, a sewerage system 10 includes a plurality of
interconnected
pipes or conduits 12, disposed underground below a concrete or paved road 4. A
plurality of
manholes 14 and catch basins 16 connect the sewerage system 10 to an upper
surface 5 of the
road 4. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the catch basins 16 are located on lateral
sides of the road 4
near sidewalks or curbs 9, while the plurality of manholes 14 are found toward
a middle of the
road 4. The manholes 14 have closed covers 18 which do not allow the passage
of debris,
while the catch basins 16 have open grated covers 50 which allow passage of
excess water and
small debris. A frame 100 (described in detail below) connects the grate 50 to
its associated
catch basin 16. While the below description refers to the frame 100 disposed
onto the catch
basin 16 having the grate 50, it is contemplated that the frame 100 could be
disposed onto a
manhole 14 having a cover 18. It is contemplated that one, some or all of the
plurality of
manholes 14 could be provided with grated covers 50 instead of closed covers
18. The frame
100 will be described in detail below.
Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, an assembly of the catch basin 16 with the frame
100
into the road 4 will be described. The description will refer to the following
orientations:
vertical will be along a vertical direction V, and horizontal/lateral will be
along a lateral
direction L defined with respect to a center axis A of the frame 100. Should
the frame 100 be
symmetrical around the center axis A, the lateral direction L would be radial
direction.
The catch basin 16 has an inlet 17 proximal to the road 4. The inlet 17 is
surrounded by a concrete head 13. The concrete head 13 allows to reduce a
width 16a of the
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inlet 17 of the catch basin 16 to a width 105a which corresponds to a largest
width of an
outside surface 105 of a hollow body 104 of the frame 100. The hollow body 104
will be
described below. It is contemplated that the concrete head 13 could be
omitted, should the
width 16a of the catch basin 16 generally match the width 105a of the hollow
body 104 of the
frame 100. The frame 100 is disposed on top of the concrete head 13 and
extends partially
thereinto. It is contemplated that the frame 100 could extend partially into
the inlet 17 of the
catch basin 16. The top surface of the frame 100 ends flush with the upper
surface 5 of the
road 4. A method of assembling the frame 100 to the catch basin 16 and the
road 4 will be
described below.
to It is
contemplated that the inlet 17 or the concrete head 13 may be offset with
respect to the center of the catch basin or manhole to allow an installation
of the frame 100
and grate/cover 50 closer to the curb. Additionally or alternatively, the
frame 100 may be
asymmetrical or excentric to provide the grate/cover 50 closer to the curb.
Shims 132, 134 allow adjustment of a distance between the frame 100, the
concrete head 13, and the road 4. The shims 132, 134 are made of cast iron. It
is contemplated
that the shims 132, 134 could be made of ductile iron, or steel, or hard
rubber, or a polymer, or
any suitable material that would resist to wear. A shape of an inside surface
of the shims 132,
134 corresponds to a shape of a cross-section of the outside surface 105 of
the hollow body
104 of the frame 100.
Gravel 7 is disposed around the catch basin 16 and the concrete head 13. The
road
4 is disposed vertically above the gravel 7 and surrounds a top portion of the
frame 100. The
frame 100 is shown in the Figures as being vertically disposed on top of the
catch basin inlet
17, but it is contemplated that the frame 100 could be at an angle with the
top of the catch
basin inlet 17. For example, if the road 4 is at an angle with the top of the
catch basin inlet 17,
the frame 100 would be disposed at an angle with the catch basin inlet 17. In
one embodiment,
the shims 132, 134 are sized and shaped to allow the frame 100 to be disposed
at such an
angle.
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Turning to FIGS. 3 and 4, the frame 100 will now be described. The frame 100
includes a frame skeleton 102 and a concrete sleeve 120.
The frame skeleton 102 is made of ductile iron. It is contemplated that the
frame
skeleton 102 could be made of cast iron, or a polymer, or hard rubber, or any
material that
would be suited for use as a frame skeleton (for example, at least low
deformation property
and resistant to wear and weather). The frame skeleton 102 includes the hollow
body 104,
which has a first end 106 and a second end 108. The first and second ends 106,
108 are open.
When in place, the first end 106 is disposed proximal to the upper surface 5
of the road 4 and
the second end 108 is disposed distal to the upper surface 5 of the road 4. As
such, the first
end 106 indicates globally a top of the frame 100.
The hollow body 104 has an asymmetrical or excentric cross-section. More
particularly, it has an asymmetrical truncated circular cross-section. The
hollow body 104
includes first and second straight sides 105a,c and first and second curved
sides 105b,d. The
first curved side 105b adjoins the first straight side 105a. The second
straight side 105c
adjoins the first curved side 105b and is shorter than the first straight side
105a. The second
curved side 105d adjoins the second straight side 105c and the first straight
side 105a. The
first and second curved sides 105b,d are each disposed between the first and
second straight
sides 105a,c and at opposite ends thereof. It is contemplated, however, that
the hollow body
104 could have a cross-section other than the ones shown in the Figures. For
example, the
hollow body 104 could have a circular cross-section or a rectangular cross-
section or any
other shape desired.
An inside surface 103 of the hollow body 104 is generally vertically straight.
The
inside surface 103 has a small angle with respect to the vertical V to allow
its removal from a
mold during its making.), but it is contemplated that the inside surface 103
of the hollow body
104 could be more slanted than shown in the Figures or have a variety of highs
and dips. As
best seen in FIG. 2, an outside surface 105 of the hollow body 104 is tapered
slightly
outwardly from the second end 108 to the first end 106. It is contemplated
that the outside
surface 105 could be straight or have a taper angle higher or lower than shown
in the Figures.
It is also contemplated that the outside surface 105 could have a variety of
highs and dips.
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The inside surface 103 includes a recess 107 near the first end 106. The
recess 107
allows the grate 50 to be disposed thereon. The inside surface 103 also
features a plurality of
U-shaped anchor points 109a, 109b. The U-shaped anchor points 109a, 109b
receive rods (not
shown) which are used as retainers should the grate 50 or a large object fall
into the catch
basin 16. It is contemplated that the U-shaped anchor points 109a, 109b could
have a shape
different from the ones shown in the Figures and could be placed at locations
on the inside
surface 103 other than shown in the Figures, as long as they allow to catch at
least partially the
grate 50 or a large object that would fall into the catch basin 16. It is
contemplated the U-
shaped anchor points 109a, 109b could be omitted if the application does not
require use of
the rods or if the rods are attached to the frame using other means.
The outside surface 105 includes two pairs of anchor points 113 on the first
and
second straight sides 105a,c. The anchor points 113 facilitate connection with
a concrete
sleeve 120. The concrete sleeve 120 and a method of assembling the concrete
sleeve to the
frame skeleton 102 will be described below. The anchor points 113 further
restrict movement
between the concrete sleeve 120 and the frame skeleton 102 should the concrete
sleeve 120 at
least partially move with respect to the frame skeleton 102.
Fig. 7 shows an alternative embodiment in which anchor points 113 are omitted.
Wall 176 has extensions 176a and 176b extending from wall 176. Width 153 of
extensions
176a, 176b ensures that the extensions are covered by flange 148 while
extending beyond the
surface 105 of the hollow body of the frame skeleton 142. Openings 140
provided on
extensions 176a and 176b are used to assemble the alternative frame skeleton
142 to the
concrete sleeve 144 with a shape adapted to receive the alternative frame
skeleton 142.
Referring back to Figs. 3 and 4, the first end 106 of the hollow body 104
includes
a laterally extending flange 110 with four sides. The laterally extending
flange 110 extends
around the first end 106 (inner perimeter 112a of the laterally extending
flange 110). It is
contemplated that the hollow body 104 could have more than one laterally
extending flange. It
is also contemplated that the hollow body 104 could have a laterally extending
flange
extending only around a portion of the first end 106. It is also contemplated
that flange 110
could extend only on some sides of the first end of the hollow body 104.
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The laterally extending flange 110 has an outer perimeter 112b whose shape is
shown as matching a shape of the cross-section of the inside surface 103 of
the hollow body
104 and a shape of the inner perimeter 112a. It is contemplated however that
the shape of the
outer perimeter 112b could differ from the inside perimeter 112a. For example,
the inner
perimeter 112a could be circular and the outer perimeter 112b could be square.
The lateral
extending flange 110 has a width 111. Although in the laterally extending
flange 110
described herein has the width 111 generally constant throughout, it is
contemplated that the
laterally extending flange 110 could have a different width throughout. For
example, a width
of the laterally extending flange 110 on the first and second straight sides
105a,c could be
longer than a width on the first and second curved sides 105b,d of the hollow
body 104.
As shown in Fig. 7, alternative frame skeleton 142 has an alternatively shaped
flange 148. Flange 148 is three-sided since the flange section 150 does not
extend radially
outward from wall 176. Width 152 of the wider section of the flange 148 is
greater than width
154 of flange section 150. In one embodiment, width 152 can correspond to the
thickness of
wall 176. This embodiment facilitates installation of the grate/cover closer
to the curb,
sidewalk or side of the road.
Referring back to Fig. 3, the laterally extending flange 110 includes a
plurality of
discharge grooves 115. The discharge grooves 115 are slightly slanted with
respect to the
horizontal toward the inside 103 of the hollow body 104 so as to facilitate
water to flow from
the road 4 toward the inlet 17 of the catch basin 16. It is contemplated that
the discharge
grooves 115 could be different from shown in the Figures. For example, the
laterally
extending flange 110 could have only one discharge groove. In another example,
the discharge
groove is larger than the ones shown in the Figures. It is also contemplated
that the lateral
extending flange 110 could not have any discharge groove.
Turning now to FIG. 4, a portion of the outside surface 105 is covered by a
concrete sleeve 120. The concrete sleeve 120 has a first end 122 located at
the first end 106 of
the hollow body 104. A top surface 119 of the concrete sleeve 120 abuts an
under surface 114
of the laterally extending flange 110. The under surface 114 covers totally
the top surface 119
of the concrete sleeve. As a consequence, when in place on the catch basin 16,
the concrete
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sleeve 120 is covered by the flange 110, which reduces water infiltration
which in turn
reduces wear of the frame 100. Although the concrete sleeve 120 is shown
herein to be
vertically aligned with the width 111 of the laterally extending flange 110,
it is contemplated
that the concrete sleeve 120 could be shorter than the laterally extending
flange 110. In other
words, the laterally extending flange 110 could extend beyond the concrete
sleeve 120
laterally.
A second end 124 of the concrete sleeve 120 is disposed at a distance from the
second 108 of the hollow body 104. As such, a height 123 of the concrete
sleeve 120 is shorter
than the height 117 of the hollow body 104, and the concrete sleeve 120 is
disposed around
only a portion of the outside surface 105. The height 123 of the concrete
sleeve 120 matches a
height 4a of the concrete road 4 as shown in FIG. 2. Because the concrete
sleeve 120 is shorter
than the hollow body 104, the second end 108 of the hollow body 104 extends
within the
concrete head 13. As a consequence, should there be any lateral movement of
the frame 100, it
would be limited by an abutment of the second end 108 of the hollow body 104
onto the catch
basin inlet 17. The second end 108 of the hollow body 104 extending within the
catch basin
inlet 17 also acts as a guide to facilitate positioning of the frame 100
during installation onto
the catch basin 16. In the present embodiment, the concrete sleeve 120 does
not extend
laterally beyond the laterally extending flange 110, as best illustrated in
FIG. 2.
Fig. 6 shows the frame 100 inserted in the concrete sleeve 120 and further
provided on concrete head 13 with a shim 134. Grate 50 is shown installed on
frame 100. In
Fig. 8, shims 162 and 164 only partly surround the frame skeleton 142 to
further reduce the
overall width of the grate, frame, concrete sleeve and shim combination from
the original
width 166 to a reduced width 160.
Although the concrete sleeve 120 is shown having a smooth external surface
121,
it is contemplated that the concrete sleeve 120 could have lift pockets to
facilitates its
manipulation during transport for example.
As will be readily understood, the embodiment of Fig. 7 includes many
alternatives to the embodiment of Fig. 3. Indeed, the flange 148 has a
different shape with
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three radially extending sides instead of four for flange 100, wall 176 has
extensions 176a and
176b and the anchor points 113 are replaced by openings 140 on extensions 176a
and 176b.
As will be readily understood, a further embodiment which includes only one or
two of these
alternative features is possible without departing from the present invention.
For example, an
embodiment with a flange of the type of Fig. 3 and the openings 140 could be
used. Another
embodiment with a flange of the type of Fig. 7 and the anchor points 113 could
be used.
Turning now to FIG. 5, a method 200 for making the frame 100 will now be
described. The method starts at step 202 with casting the frame skeleton 102.
Melted iron is
poured in a mold (not shown) having a negative print of the frame skeleton 102
so as to cast
the frame skeleton 102. Once cooled, the mold is removed to reveal the frame
skeleton 102
and at step 204, the frame skeleton 102 is provided for assembly with the
concrete sleeve.
At step 206, the concrete sleeve 120 is assembled to the frame skeleton. The
concrete sleeve 120 can be prepared independently or casted around the frame
skeleton 102. If
prepared independently, the concrete sleeve is then assembled to the frame
skeleton by
inserting the frame skeleton into the prepared concrete sleeve. The resulting
frame can be
secured by attaching the frame skeleton to the concrete sleeve or simply kept
unitary by
gravity. If the concrete sleeve 120 is casted around the frame skeleton 102, a
mold for the
concrete sleeve 120 is placed around the frame skeleton 102, and concrete is
casted around the
frame skeleton 102 inside the mold. Once cured, the mold is removed to reveal
the assembled
frame 100 which includes the frame skeleton 102 and the concrete sleeve 120.
When using the
alternative embodiment of Figs. 7-8, an independently prepared concrete sleeve
is typically
used and attached to the frame skeleton 142 using attachment means such as
screws and bolts
146 and openings 140. Other attachment means could be used rods, wires, bars,
etc. Once
assembled, the alternative frame 101 is ready to be used. Alternatively, the
concrete sleeve
could be casted around the frame skeleton using an appropriately shaped mold.
For some applications, the frame skeleton and the concrete sleeve
manufacturers
may be different entities. In that situation, the frame skeleton may be
provided to the concrete
sleeve manufacturer for the assembly with the concrete sleeve.
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Once the frame 100 or 101 is made, it is being provided to the road
construction
site. The installation onto the catch basin inlet 17 is as follows (refer to
Figs. 2 and 6). In a
first step, if it is not already done, the concrete head 13, which already
made before assembly
to the catch basin inlet 17, is disposed and assembled onto the catch basin
inlet 17. The catch
basin inlet 17 may be offset from the center of the catch basin or manhole to
allow an
installation of the frame and grate/cover as close as possible to the curb of
the road. Gravel 7
is then backfilled around the catch basin inlet 17 and concrete head 13. One
or more of shims
132, 134, 162 and 164 are disposed onto the concrete head 13 depending on the
requirements
of the installation. The shims are chosen to have a height 135 that will
position the top surface
of the frame 100 flush with the road 4. It is contemplated that a single shim
could be used,
that the shims could be omitted or that they could have a height 135 different
from shown in
the Figures or that they could have a varying thickness therefore allowing to
install the frame
at an angle to the inlet 17. The frame 100 or 101 is inserted into the inlet
17 of the catch basin
16. The gravel 7 is then backfilled around the shim 132, 134, and the road
material 4 is poured
on top of the gravel 7 around the frame 100 or 101. It is contemplated,
however, that the road
material 4 could be put around the frame 100 or 101 and the shims without
using gravel. It is
also contemplated that the steps of the above installation method could be
performed in a
different order, for example, the gravel 7 could be backfilled around the
catch basin inlet 17
after the frame 100 or 101 is inserted into the inlet 17 of the catch basin
16, as long as the
frame skeleton and the concrete sleeve are assembled to each other to form the
frame 100 or
101 before assembling the frame to the catch basin 16. Unlike other methods,
the frame
skeleton and the concrete sleeve are first assembled together by inserting the
frame skeleton in
the concrete sleeve and relying on gravity, by casting the concrete sleeve
around the frame
skeleton or by attaching the concrete sleeve to the frame skeleton to form the
assembled frame
100 or 101. Then, the assembled frame is provided for installation at the
inlet of the manhole
or catch basin, with or without the use of a concrete head.
Modifications and improvements to the above-described embodiments of the
present may become apparent to those skilled in the art. The foregoing
description is intended
to be exemplary rather than limiting. The scope of the present is therefore
intended to be
limited solely by the scope of the appended claims.
¨ 14 ¨
CA 02840696 2014-01-23
110956-215
The embodiments described above are intended to be exemplary only. The scope
of the invention is therefore intended to be limited solely by the appended
claims.
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