Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02928288 2016-04-27
TUBULAR INSERT FOR EXCAVATED HOLE WITH SAFETY COVER
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates to a tubular insert sleeve for use with
excavated holes of
the kind which are dug to receive elongated objects such as utility poles, and
more
particularly to a combination of the tubular insert sleeve with a safety cover
to discourage
tampering and mitigate the circumstances in which anything may accidentally
fall into the
hole.
BACKGROUND
[0002] It is quite common for a commercial excavator to dig a series of spaced
holes for
receiving a number of respective elongated objects, such as utility poles. The
excavation of
the holes may take place before the utility poles can be located into the
holes and therefore the
holes may be left in a condition to receive the poles for a day or more.
Because this is not
safe, the holes are usually covered over by any convenient cover such as a
board or pallet and
the public danger may be signaled by a warning pylon placed over the board.
[0003] An improvement over such an improvised safety cover is to provide a
tubular insert
sized to fit the diameter of the hole and to place the insert into the hole. A
protective cap
having an internal diameter which is sized to fit over the external diameter
of the insert is used
to seal off the hole. The insert has the advantage of retaining surrounding
soil and dirt so that
it does not collapse into the hole thereby preserving the hole so that it can
receive a utility
pole at a later time.
[0004] The insert is usually provided in lengths which are commensurate with
the depth of
the hole and may vary in lengths of several feet to ten feet or more. One
problem which arises
with such inserts is that they are preferably withdrawn from the surrounding
hole in order to
be reused at another job site. With deep holes, this becomes particularly
difficult because the
entire length of the insert must be withdrawn and if this is done after the
utility pole has been
installed, the tubular insert must be lifted the entire height of the utility
pole as well. Another
problem which arises is that the smooth tubular surface of the insert is
difficult to grasp for
1
CA 02928288 2016-04-27
removal. In addition, the diameter of such tubes must in some cases be quite
large and storage
for transportation takes up a lot of space.
[0005] U.S. Patent No. 7,966,772 and Canadian Patent No. 2,547,084 teach a
tubular insert
sleeve system for an excavated hole in which the sleeve is made of cooperating
segments
which can easily be separated and which form a sleeve when assembled. In a
preferred
embodiment, the sleeve is made of two cooperating segments, each segment
extending the full
height of the sleeve so that the joint between segments extends longitudinally
along the height
of the assembled sleeve. The operatively upper end of the assembled sleeve has
an outwardly
extending portion of greater outer diameter than the outer diameter of the
remainder of the
sleeve. The upper end thereby defines an outwardly extending flange which is
more easily
grasped for removal of the sleeve from an excavated hole and which in use will
rest on the
ground to surround the excavated hole.
[0006] The tubular insert sleeve system taught by U.S. Patent No. 7,966,772
and Canadian
Patent No. 2,547,084 include a snug fitting and removable safety cover adapted
to extend over
the upper end of the tubular insert sleeve in order to cover the excavated
hole. However, there
remains a risk that a curious or mischievous school age child or adolescent
could remove the
cover and then climb or fall into the hole and become trapped therein.
SUMMARY
[0007] In one aspect, a tubular insert sleeve system, comprises a tubular
insert sleeve for
insertion into an excavated hole, and a snug fitting and removable safety
cover adapted to
extend over the upper end of the tubular insert sleeve in order to cover the
excavated hole.
The tubular insert sleeve comprises at least two longitudinally extending
segments adapted to
cooperate with each other to form the tubular insert sleeve. The tubular
insert sleeve has a
cylindrical main portion having a pre-determined first external diameter
selected to fit in the
excavated hole so that an exterior surface of the main portion retains walls
of the excavated
hole when the tubular insert sleeve is inserted therein. The main portion
extends from a
bottom end of the tubular insert sleeve adapted for insertion into the
excavated hole toward an
upper portion of the tubular insert sleeve adjacent an upper end of the
tubular insert sleeve
2
CA 02928288 2016-04-27
remote from the bottom end. The upper portion has a pre-determined second
external
diameter greater than the first external diameter and selected to be larger
than the excavated
hole, and the main portion is longitudinally substantially longer than the
upper portion. There
is a discontinuity between the first external diameter and the second external
diameter so that
the upper end of the sleeve defines an outwardly extending annular flange
providing a bearing
surface for removal of the tubular insert sleeve from the excavated hole. The
tubular insert
sleeve being open at the bottom end. At least one sleeve fastening aperture is
defined through
the tubular insert sleeve adjacent the upper end thereof and is adapted to
receive at least one
vermiform fastener for fastening the safety cover to the tubular insert
sleeve.
[0008] In some embodiments, at least one cover fastening aperture is defined
through the
safety cover, and the at least one cover fastening aperture is adapted to
receive the at least one
vermiform fastener for fastening the safety cover to the tubular insert
sleeve. In some
particular embodiments, the at least one cover fastening aperture is disposed
in a covering
face of the safety cover, inwardly of an annular rim thereof.
[0009] In certain embodiments, the at least one cover fastening aperture
comprises two
opposed cover fastening apertures and the at least one sleeve fastening
aperture comprises two
opposed sleeve fastening apertures.
[0010] In some embodiments, the at least one sleeve fastening aperture is
formed in the main
portion of the tubular insert sleeve, inferiorly of the upper portion of the
tubular insert sleeve.
[0011] In some embodiments, each sleeve fastening aperture forms a handle in
the tubular
insert sleeve for removal of the tubular insert sleeve from the excavated
hole.
[0012] In another aspect, a tubular insert sleeve system comprises a tubular
insert sleeve for
insertion into an excavated hole and a snug fitting and removable safety cover
adapted to
extend over the upper end of the tubular insert sleeve in order to cover the
excavated hole. At
least one cover fastening aperture is defined through the safety cover and at
least one sleeve
fastening aperture is defined through the tubular insert sleeve adjacent the
upper end thereof.
The at least one cover fastening aperture and the at least one sleeve
fastening aperture are
3
CA 02928288 2016-04-27
adapted to receive at least one vermiform fastener for fastening the safety
cover to the tubular
insert sleeve.
[0013] In a further aspect, a tubular insert sleeve system, comprises a
tubular insert sleeve for
insertion into an excavated hole and a snug fitting and removable safety cover
adapted to
extend over the upper end of the tubular insert sleeve in order to cover the
excavated hole. At
least one pair of opposed sleeve fastening apertures is defined through the
tubular insert
sleeve adjacent the upper end thereof The sleeve fastening apertures are
adapted to receive at
least one vermiform fastener for encircling the safety cover to thereby fasten
the safety cover
to the tubular insert sleeve.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] These and other features of will become more apparent from the
following description
in which reference is made to the appended drawings wherein:
FIG. 1 is an exploded top front perspective view showing an assembled tubular
insert sleeve
and safety cover;
FIG. 2 is a top front perspective view of the assembled tubular insert sleeve
and safety cover
of FIG. 1;
FIG. 2A is a detailed top front perspective view of an upper region of the
assembled tubular
insert sleeve and safety cover of FIG. 1 showing a first method for securing
the safety cover
to the tubular insert sleeve;
FIG. 2B is a detailed top front perspective view of an upper region of the
assembled tubular
insert sleeve and safety cover of FIG. 1 showing a second method for securing
the safety
cover to the tubular insert sleeve;
FIG. 3 shows an upper region of the assembled tubular sleeve of FIG. 1 in use
inserted into an
excavated hole;
FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the tubular insert sleeve of FIG. 1 without the
safety cover;
4
CA 02928288 2016-04-27
FIG. 5 is a first side elevation view of the tubular insert sleeve of FIG. 1
without the safety
cover;
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the assembled tubular insert sleeve and
safety cover of
FIG. 1, taken along the line A-A in FIG. 7;
FIG. 7 is a first side elevation view of the assembled tubular insert sleeve
and safety cover of
FIG. 1;
FIG. 8 is a bottom plan view of the assembled tubular insert sleeve and safety
cover of FIG. 1;
FIG. 9 is a top plan view of the assembled tubular insert sleeve and safety
cover of FIG. 1;
FIG. 10 is a second side elevation view of the assembled tubular insert sleeve
and safety cover
of FIG. 1;
FIG. 11A is a cross-sectional schematic view showing details of a joint
between two segments
of the tubular insert sleeve of FIG. 1; and
FIG. 11B is a cross-sectional schematic view showing a rib formed during
moulding and
which is cut to form the joint of FIG. 11A.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0015] An exemplary tubular insert sleeve is generally indicated in FIGS. 1
and 2 by
reference numeral 20. In use, the tubular insert sleeve 20 will be inserted
into an excavated
hole 22 shown in FIG. 3. The tubular insert sleeve 20 comprises a cylindrical
main portion 25
having a first pre-determined external diameter and extending from a bottom
end 45 of the
tubular insert sleeve 20 toward the operatively upper end 23 of the tubular
insert sleeve 20.
The upper end 23 of the tubular insert sleeve 20 has an outwardly extending
upper portion 24
of greater outer diameter than the outer diameter of the main portion 25,
which forms the
remainder of the sleeve 20. Thus, the upper portion 24 has a pre-determined
second external
diameter that is greater than the first external diameter (i.e. of the main
portion 25) and which
is selected to be larger than the excavated hole 22, and there is a
discontinuity between the
first external diameter and the second external diameter. The upper portion 24
thereby
5
CA 02928288 2016-04-27
defines an outwardly extending flange 26 which as shown in FIG. 3 will rest on
or slightly
above the ground 28 to surround the excavated hole 22. Because the upper
portion 24 of the
sleeve 20 is proud of the excavated hole 22 and the flange 26 provides a
bearing surface, the
tubular insert sleeve is more easily grasped for removal of the sleeve from
the excavator hole
22. As can be seen in the drawings, the main portion 25 is longitudinally
substantially longer
than the upper portion 24.
[0016] Conveniently, the tubular insert sleeve 20 is made of a pair of
cooperating segments
30, 32 which can easily be separated and which form the tubular insert sleeve
20 when
assembled. In the embodiment illustrated, each segment 30, 32 extends the full
height of the
tubular insert sleeve 20 so that a pair of joints 34 (FIG. 2) between the
segments 30, 32 extend
longitudinally along the height of the assembled tubular insert sleeve 20 on
opposite sides
thereof.
[0017] Conveniently, the entire tubular insert sleeve is rotation moulded from
a single mould.
During moulding, the joint 34 which is shown in more detail in FIG. 11A, is
formed from an
5 outwardly extending hollow rib 36 shown in FIG. 11B. After the moulding,
the ribs 36 are
drilled with vertically spaced apertures 38 along the height of the tubular
insert sleeve 20 and
the ribs 36 are subsequently cut to separate the respective segments 30, 32
forming the tubular
insert sleeve 20. Thus, after cutting the ribs 36 there are two longitudinally
extending
segments 30, 32 adapted to cooperate with each other to form the tubular
insert sleeve 20.
The rib 36 is separated into an L-shaped section 42 which is integral with
segment 32 and a
straight wall section 44 which is integral with segment 30. In this way, the
apertures 38 from
both segments 30, 32 are aligned with each other. In order to secure the two
segments 30, 32
together, a number of zip ties 40 (FIG. 2) corresponding in number to the
apertures 38 are
inserted through the apertures 38. Conveniently, during transportation, the
segments 30, 32
may be separated from each other and transported in a nested configuration.
[0018] In order to improve the structural integrity of the tubular insert
sleeve 20, the tubular
insert sleeve 20 is provided with an outwardly extending hollow amulet 43 on
the main
portion 25, intermediate the upper end 23 and the bottom end 45. A similar
hollow annulet 46
is formed at the bottom end 45 so that the tubular insert sleeve 20 has an
inwardly directed
6
annular flange 47 at the bottom end 45. The bottom end 45 is, aside from the
annular flange
47, open and is adepted for insertion into an excavated hole 22 (FIG. 3).
[0019) in use, the tubular insert sleeve 20 is inserted into an excavated hole
22 as shown by
FIG, 3. As can be seen, the outwardly extending upper portion 24 and about 20
to 2R inches
of the main portion 25 immediately below the upper portion 24 remain above
grade so as to
reduce the likelihood of an individual, stepping on the safety cover 48; the
remainder of the
main portion 25 is disposed in the hole 22. The cylindrical main portion 25
has a pre-
determined first external diameter selected to fit in the ,exeavated. hole 22
so that an exterior
surface 49 of the main portion 25 will act to retain the walls of the
excavated hole 22 when
o the tubular insert sleeve 22 is inserted therein. The sleeve 20 them
operates to maintain the.
integrity of the excavated hole 22 by retaining the surrounding dirt or
material from which the
hole has been excavated and preventing the same from collapsing into the bole
22. The
amulets 43,46 and joints 34 protrude very 1..ittle relative to the diameter of
the main portion
25 and are not considered when assessing the diameter of the main portion 25.
100201 hi. order to safeguard the public ,from accidentally falling into the
hole or dropping.
objects into the hole, the upper portion 24 is covered with a safety cover 48
which is
dimensioned to snap fit over the upper portion 24, Thus, the safety cover 48
is snug fitting
and removable and is adapted to extend over the upper end 23 of the tubular
insert sleeve 20
in order to cover the excavated h.ote 21 The choice of design fOr the safety
cover 48 may
vary considerably but it is intended that the safety cover 48 will fit snugly
over the upper end
23 of the tubular insert sleeve 20 so that it is not easily removed.
Preferably., the safety cover
48 and the upper end 23 of the tubular insert sleeve 20 are coloured a bright
safety orange or
green.
[0021) In order to inhibit unauthorized removal of the safety cover 48, the
safety cover 48 is
preferably fastened to the tubular insert sleeve 20 when the tubular insert
sleeve 20 is
disposed within the hole 22. To achieve this end, in the illustrated
embodiment two opposed
sleeve fastening apertures 60 are defined through the main portion of the
tubular insert. sleeve
20 adjacent to and inferiorly of the upper end 23 thereof, Each sleeve
fastening aperture 60
forms a handle in the tubular insert sleeve 20 to assist in removal of the
tubular insert sleeve
7
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-12-05
CA 02928288 2016-04-27
20 from the excavated hole 22, and each sleeve fastening aperture 60 is
adapted to receive at
least one vermiform fastener such as a zip tie (also referred to as a cable
tie, tie strip or tie-
wrap) 62 (FIG. 2A), 64 (FIG. 2B) for fastening the safety cover 48 to the
tubular insert sleeve
20. As can be seen in FIG. 2A, a zip tie 62 comprises an elongate, flexible
tape portion with
teeth 62A that are engaged by a pawl in the head 62B to form a ratchet whereby
as the tape
portion is pulled through the head 62B in a tightening direction it will
resist movement
through the head 62B in the opposite (loosening) direction. Preferably, the
zip ties 62, 64 for
fastening the safety cover 48 to the tubular insert sleeve 20 are of the type
which cannot be
released but must be cut to be removed. For example, one-way nylon or steel
zip ties may be
used.
[0022] In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2A, a single large zip tie 62 may
be threaded
through the sleeve fastening apertures 60 to extend diametrically across the
upper end 23 of
the tubular insert sleeve 20 and then fastened over top of the safety cover
48, which may be
provided with a channel 66 to receive the zip tie 62. Thus, in this embodiment
the single
large zip tie 62 encircles the safety cover 48 to thereby fasten the safety
cover 48 to the
tubular insert sleeve 20.
[0023] In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2B, two opposed cover fastening
apertures
68 are defined through the safety cover 48; these cover fastening apertures 68
are also each
adapted to receive a suitably sized zip tie 64 for fastening the safety cover
48 to the tubular
insert sleeve 20. The cover fastening apertures 68 are disposed in a covering
face 70 of the
safety cover 48, inwardly of an annular rim 72 thereof. The safety cover 48
can be positioned
so that the cover fastening apertures 68 are approximately aligned with the
sleeve fastening
apertures 60. Then, respective zip ties 64 can be threaded through the cover
fastening
apertures 68 and the sleeve fastening apertures 60 to encircle portions of the
annular rim 72 of
the safety cover 48 and thereby fasten the safety cover 48 to the tubular
insert sleeve 20.
While two opposed cover fastening apertures 68 and two opposed sleeve
fastening apertures
60 are shown in the illustrated embodiment, in other embodiments there may be
only a single
cover fastening aperture and a single sleeve fastening aperture, or there may
be three or more
cover fastening apertures and sleeve fastening apertures. In addition, while
sleeve fastening
8
CA 02928288 2016-04-27
apertures which also function as handles are preferred, in other embodiments
the sleeve
fastening apertures need not take the form of handles.
[0024] Furthermore, while FIG. 2A shows the safety cover 48 with two opposed
cover
fastening apertures 68, it is to be appreciated that in embodiments in which a
single large zip
tie 62 is used as shown in FIG. 2A, the cover fastening apertures may be
omitted. The
channel 66, although preferred, is also optional.
[0025] When a utility pole or other elongated object is ready to be installed
into the excavated
hole 22, the tubular insert sleeve 20 may be removed from the hole 22.
Depending on the
nature of the ground surrounding the hole 22, it may be necessary to leave the
tubular insert
sleeve 20 in place when a utility pole or the like is installed in which case,
the safety cover 48
is first removed. The upper portion 24 and/or sleeve fastening apertures 60 of
the tubular
insert sleeve 20 can then be grasped in order to raise the tubular insert
sleeve 20 until it is
withdrawn from the hole 22. As the tubular insert sleeve 20 progresses
upwardly, access to
the zip ties 40 allows a worker to sever the zip ties in order that the
segments 30, 32 may be
separated from each other. Thus, it is not necessary to withdraw the tubular
insert sleeve 20
over the height of the utility pole or other object in order to withdraw the
tubular insert sleeve
from the job site. Once removed, the segments 30, 32 are once again nested
together in
order to be transported to the next job site.
[0026] It will be understood that several variations may be made to the above
described
20 arrangements as will be apparent to those skilled in the art. In
particular, the shape and
configuration of the safety cover may vary as required. It will also be
appreciated that other
fasteners besides the zip ties 40 may be used to secure segments to each other
and that the
number of segments may also vary. In addition, the manner of forming a joint
between
segments may be changed in accordance with any design choice that is
preferred.
Furthermore, while zip ties are considered convenient for fastening the safety
cover to the
tubular insert sleeve, other types of fasteners, such as chains or cables with
keyed or
combination locks, may also be used. Finally, it will be appreciated that the
tubular insert
sleeve may be made in a variety of lengths and have a number of different
diameters suited to
the diameter of the intended excavation hole. For example, and without
limitation, suitable
9
CA 02928288 2016-04-27
diameters may include 16 inch and 24 inch diameters, among others. For some
applications
where the tubular insert sleeve is perhaps shorter in length, a grooved joint
coupling whereby
the cooperating segments will slide longitudinally relative to each other may
be desirable.
Alternatively, the segments may also be hinged relative to each other. Other
such variations
will be apparent to those skilled in the art.
[0027] One or more currently preferred embodiments have been described by way
of
example. It will be apparent to persons skilled in the art that a number of
variations and
modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the claims.
=
