Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT MECHANISM FOR A MANHOLE ASSEMBLY
AND MANHOLE ASSEMBLY COMPRISING THE SAME
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
[0001] There is provided a height adjustment mechanism. In particular,
there is
provided a height adjustment mechanism for a manhole assembly, and a manhole
assembly comprising the same.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0002] There is provided an improved height adjustment mechanism for a
manhole
assembly, as well as a manhole assembly comprising the same.
[0003] According to one aspect, there is provided a height adjustment
mechanism for
a manhole assembly. The height assembly mechanism includes an annular lower
body
having a threaded interior bore. The height assembly mechanism includes an
annular
insert threadably engageable with the lower body. The height assembly
mechanism
includes an annular upper body threadably engageable with and extending
outwards from
the lower body. Abutting of the upper body with the insert fixes positioning
of the upper
body.
[0004] According to a further aspect, there is provided a height
adjustment
mechanism for a manhole assembly. The height assembly mechanism includes an
annular
lower body having a bore and an axis. The lower body includes two or more
radially
inwardly-extending, axially-spaced-apart height-fixing supports. The height
assembly
mechanism includes an annular upper body with an annular wall. The upper body
has an
aperture extending through the wall thereof. The upper body includes at least
one
1
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-09-08
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protuberance coupled to and extending radially outwards from the wall thereof.
The
aperture is adjacent to the protuberance. The upper body is axially rotatable
from an
insertion position in which the upper body is in part insertable within the
bore of the
lower body, to a fixed position in which the protuberance is abutable with a
respective
one of the height-fixing supports. The height assembly mechanism includes a
locking
member selectively insertable via the aperture of the wall. The locking member
is
configured to inhibit rotation of the upper body relative to the lower body.
[0005] According to another aspect, there is provided a height
adjustment mechanism
for a manhole assembly. The height assembly mechanism includes an annular
lower body
having a bore and an axis. The height assembly mechanism includes two or more
radially
inwardly-extending, axially-spaced-apart height-fixing supports. The height
assembly
mechanism includes an annular upper body. The upper body includes at least one
protuberance extending radially outwards therefrom. The protuberance has a
groove
axially-extending therethrough. The upper body is axially rotatable from an
insertion
position in which the upper body is insertable in part within the bore of the
lower body to
a fixed position in which the protuberance is abutable with a respective one
of the height-
fixing supports. The height assembly mechanism includes a locking member
insertable
within the groove of the protuberance. The locking member is abutable with at
least one
distal end of at least one of the height-fixing supports. The locking member
is configured
to inhibit rotation of the upper body relative to the lower body.
[0006] According to yet a further aspect, there is provided a height
adjustment
mechanism for a manhole assembly. The height assembly mechanism includes an
annular
lower body having a bore and an axis. The lower body includes two or more
radially
inwardly-extending, axially-spaced-apart height-fixing supports. Each of the
height-
fixing supports has spaced-apart tapered ends. The height assembly mechanism
includes
an annular upper body. The upper body includes at least one radially outwardly-
extending protuberance. The protuberance has spaced-apart tapered ends. The
upper body
is axially rotatable from an insertion position in which the upper body is
insertable in part
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-09-08
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within the bore of the lower body to a fixed position in which the
protuberance is
abutable with a respective one of the height-fixing supports.
[0007] According to yet another aspect, there is provided a height
adjustment
mechanism for a manhole assembly. The height assembly mechanism includes an
annular
lower body having a lower end, an upper end spaced-apart from the lower end,
an axis
and a bore. The axis and the bore extend from the lower end to the upper end
of the lower
body. The lower body includes a plurality of axially spaced-apart, height-
fixing support
assemblies. The height assembly mechanism includes an annular upper body
having a
lower end and an upper end spaced-apart from the lower end of the upper body.
The
upper body includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced-apart, radially
outwardly-
extending flange members. The flange members are adjacent to the lower end of
the
upper body. The upper body is axially rotatable from an insertion position in
which the
upper body is insertable in part within the bore of the lower body to a fixed
position in
which at least one of the flange members is abutable with a respective one of
the height-
fixing support assemblies.
[0008] According to an even further aspect, there is provided a height
adjustment
mechanism for a manhole assembly. The height assembly mechanism includes an
annular
lower body having a bore. The lower body includes an annular wall extending
about the
bore. The height assembly mechanism includes an annular upper body. The upper
body
includes an annular wall and is shaped to selectively fit partially within the
bore of the
lower body. The wall of a first of the lower body and the upper body includes
a plurality
of circumferentially spaced-apart recessed receptacles of varying depths. The
wall of a
second of the lower body and the upper body includes at least one protrusion
extending
radially outwards therefrom. The protrusion is shaped to at least partially
fit within
respective ones of the receptacles.
[0009] There is also provided a manhole assembly including any one of
the above set
out the height adjustment mechanisms.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0010] The invention will be more readily understood from the following
description
of preferred embodiments thereof given, by way of example only, with reference
to the
accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a top, front, exploded perspective view of a manhole assembly
according to a
first aspect, the assembly including an annular lower body, an annular upper
body and an
annular insert therebetween;
Figure 2 is a front, exploded perspective view thereof;
Figure 3 is a side elevation of the assembly of Figure 2, with the insert
disposed within
and threadably coupled to the lower body, with the upper body threadably
engaged with
the lower body and being shown in an intermediate height position, and a
spacer ring of
the assembly further being shown and a manhole barrel of the assembly also
being shown
in fragment;
Figure 4 is a side elevation sectional view taken along lines 4 ¨ 4 of the
assembly shown
in Figure 3;
Figure 5 is a side elevation view of the assembly of Figure 3, with the insert
disposed
within and threadably coupled to the lower body, with the upper body shown in
solid
lines in a retracted position fully threadably engaged with the lower body,
and with the
upper body shown in stippled lines in an extended position and partially
threadably
engaged with the lower body;
Figure 6 is a top, front, exploded perspective view of a manhole assembly
according to a
second aspect, the assembly including an annular lower body comprising a
plurality of
circumferentially spaced-apart, axially spaced-apart and radially inwardly-
extending
.. flange members aligned in columns, and the assembly including an annular
upper body
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-09-08
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with a plurality of circumferentially spaced-apart, radially outwardly-
extending flange
members shaped to selectively engage with the flange members of the lower
body;
Figure 7 is a front, side, exploded perspective view thereof;
Figure 8 is a side elevation view of the assembly of Figure 7, with the upper
body
partially received by the lower body and being shown in an intermediate height
position,
and a spacer ring of the assembly further being shown and a manhole barrel of
the
assembly also being shown in fragment;
Figure 9 is a side elevation sectional view taken along lines 9 - 9 of the
assembly shown
in Figure 8;
Figure 10 is an enlarged interior perspective view, shown in fragment, of a
locking
member of the manhole assembly extending through an aperture of the annular
wall of
the upper body of manhole assembly, with the locking member engaging with
flange
members of the lower body of the manhole assembly and inhibiting rotation of
the upper
body relative to the lower body;
Figure 11 is a side elevation view of the assembly of Figure 8, with the upper
body
shown in solid lines in a retracted position fully disposed within the lower
body, and with
the upper body shown in stippled lines in an extended position partially
disposed within
the lower body;
Figure 12 is a top, front, exploded perspective view of a manhole assembly
according to a
third aspect, the assembly including an annular lower body comprising a
plurality of
circumferentially spaced-apart, axially spaced-apart and radially inwardly-
extending
flange members aligned in a segmented spiral formation, and the assembly
including an
annular upper body with a plurality of circumferentially spaced-apart,
radially outwardly-
extending flange members shaped to selectively engage with the flange members
of the
lower body;
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-09-08
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Figure 13 is a front, side, exploded perspective view thereof;
Figure 14 is a side elevation of the assembly of Figure 13, with the upper
body partially
received by the lower body and being shown in an intermediate height position,
and a
spacer ring of the assembly further shown and a manhole barrel of the assembly
also
being shown in fragment;
Figure 15 is a side elevation sectional view taken along lines 15 ¨ 15 of the
assembly
shown in Figure 14;
Figure 16 is a side elevation view of the assembly of Figure 14, with the
upper body
shown in solid lines in a retracted position fully disposed within the lower
body, and with
the upper body shown in stippled lines in an extended position partially
disposed within
the lower body;
Figure 17 is atop, front, exploded perspective view of a manhole assembly
according to a
fourth aspect, the assembly including an annular lower body comprising a
plurality of
circumferentially spaced-apart receptacles of varying depths, and an annular
upper body
including a plurality of circumferentially spaced-apart, radially outwardly-
extending
protrusions shaped to selectively engage with various ones of the receptacles
of the lower
body;
Figure 18 is a front, side, exploded perspective view thereof;
Figure 19 is a side elevation of the assembly of Figure 17, with the upper
body partially
received by the lower body and being shown in an intermediate height position,
and a
spacer ring of the assembly further being shown and manhole barrel of the
assembly also
being shown in fragment;
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-09-08
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Figure 20 is a side elevation sectional view taken along lines 20 ¨ 20 of the
assembly
shown in Figure 19;
Figure 21 is a side elevation view of the assembly of Figure 19, with the
upper body
shown in solid lines in a retracted position fully disposed within the lower
body, and with
the upper body shown in stippled lines in an extended position partially
disposed within
the lower body;
Figure 22 is top, side perspective view of an annular upper body of a manhole
assembly
according to a fifth aspect, the annular upper body including a plurality of
circumferentially spaced-apart, radially outwardly-extending protrusions;
Figure 23 is a side elevation section view in fragment taken along lines 23 ¨
23 of the
annular upper body of the manhole assembly of Figure 22;
Figure 24 is a bottom, side perspective view of the annular upper body of the
manhole
assembly of Figure 22;
Figure 25 is a top, side perspective view of an annular lower body of the
manhole
assembly according to the fifth aspect, the annular lower body comprising a
plurality of
circumferentially spaced-apart receptacles of varying depths shaped to
selectively engage
with various ones of the receptacles of the lower body of Figure 22;
Figure 26 is a bottom, side perspective view of the lower body of Figure 25;
Figure 27 is a top plan view thereof; and
Figure 28 is a bottom plan view thereof.
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-09-08
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DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0011] Referring to the drawings and first to Figure 3, there is shown a
manhole
assembly 40.
[0012] The manhole assembly includes a manhole barrel 42 partially shown in
fragment. The manhole barrel has a top 44. The manhole assembly 40 includes an
annular
spacer, in this example a concrete spacer ring 46. The spacer ring has a
bottom 48 which
abuts the top 44 of the manhole barrel 42. The spacer ring has a top 50 spaced-
apart from
the bottom thereof. Manhole barrels and spacer rings per se, including their
various parts
and functions, are well known to those skilled in the art and thus will not be
described in
further detail.
[0013] As seen in Figure 1, the manhole assembly 40 includes a height
adjustment
mechanism 52. The height adjustment mechanism includes an annular lower body
54.
The lower body has a lower end 56 and an upper end 58 spaced-apart from the
lower end.
As seen in Figure 2, the lower body 54 has an annular wall 60 which extends
from the
lower end to the upper end thereof. The lower body 54 has an exterior 62 and
an interior
surface, in this example a threaded interior surface 64. The lower body has a
longitudinal,
central axis 66 about which the wall 60 extends.
[0014] As seen in Figure 3, lower body 54 has an annular flange 68
coupled to and
extending radially outwards from wall 60 at the lower end 56 thereof. The
flange abuts
and extends along the top 50 of spacer ring 46. As seen in Figure 1, a
plurality of
circumferentially spaced-apart apertures 70 extend through the flange 68. The
apertures
are shaped to receive fasteners, in this example bolts (not shown) for
coupling the flange
to the spacer ring 46 seen in Figure 3. Referring to Figure 1, the lower body
54 includes a
plurality of circumferentially spaced-apart stiffener members, in this example
triangular
stiffener plates 72 which extend between and couple together the flange 68 and
wall 60.
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-09-08
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[0015] As seen in Figure 2, lower body 54 has a bore 74 about which
annular wall 60
extends. The threaded interior surface 64 of the lower body and the bore are
in
communication with each other. The threaded interior surface 64 extends from
the lower
end 56 to the upper end 58 of the lower body 54.
[0016] Referring to Figure 1, the height adjustment mechanism 52 includes
an
annular insert, in this example a lock ring 76. The lock ring has a lower end
78 and an
upper end 80 spaced-apart from its lower end. The lock ring 76 includes a
threaded
exterior surface 82. As seen in Figure 4, the lock ring is insertable within
the lower body
54 and the threaded exterior surface of the lock ring is configured to
threadably engage
with the threaded interior surface 64 of the lower body via bore 74.
[0017] As seen in Figure 2, the lock ring 76 includes an interior wall
84 opposite the
threaded exterior surface 82 thereof. The lock ring includes a plurality of
circumferentially spaced-apart, radially inwardly-extending protrusions, in
this example
four evenly spaced-apart protrusions 86, 88, 90 and 92. The protrusions are
generally
rectangular prisms in shape in this example and extend from the lower end 78
to the
upper end 80 of the lock ring 76 in this example.
[0018] Referring to Figure 1, the height adjustment mechanism 52
includes an
annular upper body 94. The upper body has a lower end 96 and an upper end 98
spaced-
apart from the lower end. As seen in Figure 4, the lower end of the upper body
is shaped
to abut the upper end 80 of the lock ring 76.
[0019] Referring back to Figure 1, the upper body 94 has an annular wall
100
extending from the lower end 96 to the upper end 98 thereof. The annular wall
has a
lower interior surface 102. The lower interior surface of the wall 100 extends
from the
lower end 96 towards the upper end 98 of the upper body 94. The upper body
includes a
plurality of circumferentially spaced-apart protrusions which couple to and
extend
radially inwards relative to the lower interior surface 102 of the wall. In
this example,
there are four, evenly spaced-apart protrusions, as shown by way protrusions
104 and 105
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-09-08
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in Figure 1 and protrusions 106 and 107 in Figure 4. Each protrusion has a
rounded
bottom, in this example an outwardly convex-facing bottom, as seen by bottom
101 for
protrusion 104 in Figure 2.
[0020] Referring to Figure 4, the upper body 94 has an annular lip 108
which extends
radially inwards relative to the wall 100. The annular lip is positioned
between the lower
end 96 and the upper end 98 of the upper body, and is positioned above and
adjacent to
the protrusions as shown by protrusions 106 and 107 in this example. The
annular lip 108
is shaped receive a manhole cover (not shown).
[0021] Referring back to Figure 2, upper body 94 includes a radially
outwardly-
extending flange 110 which extends radially outwards from the wall 100
thereof. The
flange is adjacent to the upper end 98 of the upper body. As seen in Figure 1,
annular lip
108 extends radially inwards relative to the flange 110.
[0022] Still referring to Figure 1, the wall 100 of the upper body 94
has a lower
exterior surface, in this example a lower threaded exterior surface 112. As
seen in Figure
4, the upper body 94 is shaped to selectively fit partially within the bore 74
of lower body
54 and threadably engage with interior surface 64 of the lower body 54. The
exterior
surface 82 of the lock ring 76 is also insertable within bore 74 and
threadably engageable
with the interior surface of the lower body. The upper body 94 thus extends
outwards and
upwards from the lower body 54 in part. Abutting of the upper body with the
lock ring 76
fixes positioning of the upper body relative to the lower body.
[0023] Referring to Figure 2, each of the protrusions 86, 88, 90 and 92
of the lock
ring 76 and protrusions 104 of the upper body 94 is shaped to receive a
tangentially-
directed force which promotes rotation of the lock ring and upper body,
respectively. In
this example and as seen in Figure 1, the protrusions are shaped to receive
impacts 114
from a hammer 116, with the impacts promoting rotation of the lock ring 76 and
the
upper body 94 relative to the lower body 54. In this manner and referring to
Figure 4,
positioning of the lock ring relative to the lower body may first be adjusted
to a desired
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-09-08
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height or distance of separation D relative to the lower end 56 of the lower
body by
rotating the lock ring relative to the lower body 54. Rotation of the lock
ring 76 in a first
direction, in this example a clockwise direction as shown by arrow of numeral
121,
causes the lock ring to lower downwards relative to the lower body and from
the
perspective of Figure 4. Rotation of the lock ring in a second direction, in
this example a
counter-clockwise direction as shown by arrow of numeral 123, causes the lock
ring to
raise upwards relative to the lower body 54 and from the perspective of Figure
4.
[0024] Upon the desired height or distance of separation D being met,
the upper body
94 is threadably positioned in place by rotating the upper body 94 in the
clockwise
direction relative to the lower body such that the lower end 96 of the upper
body abuts
with the upper end 80 of the lock ring 76 to fix positioning of the upper body
relative to
the lower body 54 in place.
[0025] As seen in Figure 5, the manhole assembly 40 has a retracted
position shown
in solid lines. The lock ring 76 seen in Figure 4 is near to the lower end 56
of the lower
body 54 and the upper body 94 abuts the lock ring when the manhole assembly is
in the
retracted position. The manhole assembly 40 is moveable from the retracted
position to
an extended position shown in stippled lines in Figure 5.
[0026] The upper body 94 abuts the lock ring 76 seen in Figure 4. The
lock ring is
positioned adjacent to the upper end 58 of the lower body 54 when the manhole
assembly
is in the extended position. In this manner and referring to Figure 5, the
height adjustment
mechanism 52 enables the height H, or extent to which the upper body 94
extends above
the lower body 54, to be selectively adjustable as desired. The manhole
assembly 40 may
thus be installed such that flange 110 of the upper body 94 generally aligns
flush with the
surface of a road (not shown), for example. In this embodiment, the height H
may be
equal to four or five inches. However, this is not strictly required and the
extent of height
adjustment may be larger or small in other examples.
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-09-08
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[0027] Height adjustment mechanism 52 may provide a high-strength
solution that
enables infinite micro-adjustment. Lock ring 76, in addition to functioning as
a locking
means, may further function to reduce clearance between the upper body 94 and
lower
body 54 which may otherwise permit rocking of the upper body relative to the
lower
body.
[0028] Figures 6 to 11 show a manhole assembly 40.1 and height
adjustment
mechanism 52.1 therefor according to a second aspect. Like parts have like
numbers and
functions as the manhole assembly 40 and height adjustment mechanism 52 shown
in
Figures 1 to 5 with the addition of decimal extension ".1". Manhole assembly
40.1 and
height adjustment mechanism 52.1 are the same as described for manhole
assembly 40
and height adjustment mechanism 52 shown in Figures 1 to 5 with the following
exceptions.
[0029] Referring to Figure 6, lower body 54.1 includes a plurality of
radially
inwardly-extending columns of height-fixing supports, in this example three
evenly
spaced-apart arrangements, in this case vertically-extending columns 118, 120
and 122,
of height-fixing flange members. Each of the flange members is inwardly
concave with
one side aligned with interior surface 64.1 of the lower body 54.1.
[0030] Each column comprises a plurality of axially spaced-apart height-
fixing flange
members, as seen in Figure 7 by: flange members 124, 126, 128, 130, 132 and
134 for
column 118; flange members 136, 138, 140, 142, 144 and 146 for column 120; and
a
similar number of flange members for column 122 only flange member 148 of
which is
shown in Figure 7.
[0031] Flange members 124, 136 and 148 align horizontally with each
other in a first
plane P1 seen in Figure 9. Referring back to Figure 7, flange members 126 and
138 align
horizontally with each other in a second plane P2 seen in Figure 9. Flange
members 128
and 140 seen in Figure 7 align horizontally with each other in a third plane
P3 seen in
Figure 9. Referring back to Figure 7, flange members 130 and 142 align
horizontally with
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-09-08
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each other in a fourth plane P4 seen in Figure 9. Flange members 132 and 144
seen in
Figure 7 align horizontally with each other in a fifth plane P5 seen in Figure
9. Referring
back to Figure 7, flange members 134 and 146 align horizontally with each
other in a
sixth plane P6 seen in Figure 9. Each of the flange members is generally in
the shape of
an arc-shaped rectangular prism with spaced-apart tapered ends, as seen in
Figure 6 by
tapered ends 150 and 152 for flange member 140.
[0032] Still referring to Figure 6, the lower body 54.1 has a plurality
of recessed
regions, in this example three evenly spaced-apart recessed regions 149, 151
and 153 that
extend from the lower end 56.1 to the upper end 58.1 thereof. Recessed region
149 is
between the columns 118 and 120 of flange members. Recessed region 151 is
between
the columns 120 and 122 of flange members. Recessed region 153 is between the
columns 122 and 118 of flange members.
[0033] The upper body 94.1 includes a plurality of circumferentially
spaced-apart and
axially-extending, vertical strengthening ribs, as shown by way of example by
ribs 154,
156, 158, 160, 162, 164, and 166. The ribs couple to, in this example via
welding, and
extend radially inwards from the interior surface 102.1 of wall 100.1 of the
upper body.
Each of the ribs 154, 156, 158, 160, 162, 164, and 166 is generally an
isosceles trapezoid
in lateral cross-section in this example.
[0034] A plurality of circumferentially spaced-apart apertures, in this
example three
apertures, as seen by apertures 168 and 170 in Figure 7 and aperture 169 in
Figure 8,
extend through the annular wall 100.1 of the upper body 94.1. The apertures
are
rectangular in shape with rounded corners in this example and are configured
to receive
one's hand therethrough.
[0035] As seen in Figure 7, upper body 94.1 includes a plurality of
circumferentially
spaced-apart protuberances, in this example flange members 172, 174 and 176.
The
flange members of the upper body are coupled to and extend radially outwards
from the
exterior surface 112.1 of wall 100.1. Each of the flange members 172, 174 and
176 of the
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14
upper body 94.1 is outwardly convex with one side aligned with the exterior of
the
assembly. The flange members are adjacent to and align with the lower end 96.1
of the
upper body in this example. The flange members 172, 174 and 176 of the upper
body are
generally arc-shaped rectangular prisms in shape in this example. Each flange
member of
the upper body 94.1 has spaced-apart tapered ends in this example, as seen by
tapered
ends 178 and 180 for flange member 176 in Figure 6. The apertures 170 of the
wall 100.1
are adjacent to the ends 178 of respective ones of the flange members 176 of
the upper
body 94.1 in this example.
[0036] Referring to Figure 7, the flange members 172, 174 and 176 of the
upper body
are shaped to selectively pass through respective ones of the recessed regions
149, 151
and 153 of the lower body 54.1 in an insertion position of the upper body. The
height or
distance of separation of the upper body 94.1 relative to the flange 68.1 and
lower end
56.1 of the lower body 54.1 may be adjusted and selected as desired in the
insertion
position. Upon the desired height being obtained, the upper body is then
axially rotated
relative to the lower body from the insertion position to a fixed position in
which, as seen
in Figure 9, the flange members 176 of the upper body 94.1 abut with
respective one of
the flange members of the lower body 54.1 which are aligned in a given plane.
This is
shown in Figure 9 by the flange members 176 of the upper body abutting the
tops 143 of
flange members 142 of the lower body aligned in fourth plane P4. The flange
members of
the upper body are thus shaped to be received between adjacent pairs of flange
members
140 and 142 within a given column 120. In this example, rotation of the upper
body 94.1
relative to the lower body 54.1 by X degrees, in this case 60 degrees, enables
the manhole
assembly 40.1 to move from an insertion position to a fixed position. However,
this is not
strictly required and there may be other arrangements and columns of flange
members
and recessed regions in other examples.
[0037] As seen in Figure 7, each flange member has a groove axially-
extending
therethrough, as seen by groove 182 extending through flange member 176. The
grooves
are positioned adjacent to ends 178 of the flange members in this example. As
seen in
Figure 10, manhole assembly 40.1 includes a locking member, in this example of
an L-
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-09-08
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shaped locking pin 184 selectively insertable at least in part through
aperture 168 of wall
100.1 of the upper body 94.1. The locking pin includes a first portion 186
shaped to be
received within groove 182 and a second portion 188 coupled to and extending
perpendicular to the first portion. The second portion of the locking pin 184
is shaped to
extend through aperture 168 and abut a lower peripheral edge 190 of wall 100.1
which is
in communication with the aperture in this example. The first portion 186 of
the locking
pin is abutable with one or more ends 152 of the flange members 130 of the
lower body
54.1. Inadvertent or undesired rotation of the upper body 94.1 relative to the
lower body
54.1 causes the second portion 188 of the locking pin 184 to abut a respective
one of the
.. side peripheral edge portions 191 and 193 of wall 100.1 which are in
communication
with aperture 168. The locking pin 184 so shaped is thus configured to inhibit
rotation of
the upper body 94.1 relative to the lower body 54.1 upon the upper body 94.1
being
rotated into the fixed position seen in Figure 10.
[0038] In this example, the flange members of the lower body 54.1 are
arranged such
that the upper body 94.1 may be positioned in one of five positions, with each
of the
positions being axially spaced-apart by a set distance, in this embodiment
1.25 inches. In
this manner and referring to Figure 11, the height H.1, or extent to which the
upper body
94.1 extends above the lower body 54.1, is selectively adjustable as desired.
However,
neither five positions per se nor the distance of 1.25 inches between
positions is strictly
required and the distance between flange members of the lower body, as well as
the
number of axially-spaced-apart flange members of the lower body, may be
different in
other examples.
[0039] Figures 12 to 16 show a manhole assembly 40.2 and height
adjustment
mechanism 52.2 therefor according to a third aspect. Like parts have like
numbers and
functions as the manhole assembly 40.1 and height adjustment mechanism 52.1
shown in
Figures 6 to 11 with decimal extension ".2" replacing decimal extension ".1"
and being
added for parts not previously have decimal extensions. Manhole assembly 40.2
and
height adjustment mechanism 52.2 are the same as described for manhole
assembly 40.1
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-09-08
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and height adjustment mechanism 52.1 shown in Figures 6 to 11 with the
following
exceptions.
[0040] As seen in Figure 13, upper body 94.2 includes a plurality of
circumferentially
spaced-apart stops, in this example three knobs positioned adjacent to
respective ones of
the flange members of the upper body. This is shown in Figure 13 by knobs 192
and 194
positioned adjacent to and above flange members 174.2 and 176.2. Each knob is
generally a rectangular pyramid in shape in this example with a proximal end
196
coupled to the lower exterior surface 112.2 of wall 100.2, a distal end 198
spaced-apart
outwardly from the proximal end, a top 200 which extends and tapers from the
proximal
end to the distal end, and a bottom 202 which extends and tapers from the
proximal end
to the distal end. Each knob 194 has a pair of spaced-apart sides 204 and 206
which
extend from the top and bottom thereof. The sides of the knob also extend and
taper from
the proximal end 196 to the distal end 198 of the knob. The top 200, bottom
202 and
sides 204 and 206 are generally triangular in this example. Each knob is
positioned
between the ends of its associated flange member, as seen in Figure 12 by knob
194
positioned between 178.2 and 180.2 of flange member 176.2.
[0041] Referring to Figure 13, lower body 54.2 includes a plurality of
radially
inwardly-extending columns of height-fixing supports, in this example three
evenly
spaced-apart segmented spiral arrangements 118.2, 120.2 and 122.2 of height-
fixing
flange members. Adjacent ones of the flange members of the height-fixing
support
assemblies are arranged in a segmented spiral formation, as seen by segmented
spiral
formation 118.2 comprising adjacent flange members 124.2, 126.2, 128.2, 130.2,
and
132.2. In this example, the flange members extend about central axis 66.2 of
the lower
body 54.2 and flange member 124.2 is offset by or angularly spaced-apart by an
amount
.. of 30 degrees relative to flange member 126.2, which in turn is offset by
flange member
128.2 by 30 degrees, which in turn is offset by flange member 130.2 by 30
degrees,
which in turn is offset by flange member 130.2 by 30 degrees. However, this is
not
strictly required, and the flange members in a given formation may be offset
from each
other by a different angular amount in other examples.
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-09-08
17
[0042] Recessed regions 149.2, 151.2 and 153.2 extend from the lower end
96.2 to
the upper end 98.2 of the lower body 54.2 and also extend in a segmented
spiral
formation. As seen in Figure 13, recessed region 149.2 is between segmented
spiral
formations 118.2 and 120.2 of flange members. Recessed region 151.2 is between
the
columns 120.2 and 122.2 of flange members. Recessed region 153.2 is between
the
columns 122.2 and 118.2 of flange members.
[0043] In operation and referring to Figure 12, lowering upper body 94.2
onto lower
body 54.2 causes flange members 172.2, 174.2 and 176.2 of the upper body to
abut
flange members 148.2, 136.2 and 124.2 aligned in the first plane P1.2 seen in
Figure 15
of the lower body. Referring back to Figure 13, rotation of the upper body
relative to the
lower body in a first rotational direction, in this example a counter-
clockwise direction as
shown by arrow of numeral 208, enables the upper body to incrementally lower
into and
be received by the lower body until the flange members of the upper body abut
the flange
members 126.2 of the lower body in the next plane down, in this example the
second
plane P2.2 seen in Figure 15.
[0044] Knobs 192 and 194 are positioned and shaped such that rotation of
the upper
body 94.2 in a second rotational direction opposite the first rotational
direction, in this
example in a clockwise direction as shown by arrow of numeral 210, causes the
sides 204
of the knobs 194 to abut the ends 150.2 of the flange members 124.2 of the
lower body
54.2 in the plane P1.2 above the plane P2.2 on which the flange members of the
upper
body are abutting, with said planes being shown in Figure 15. The knobs thus
function to
enable rotation of the upper body 94.2 relative to the lower body 54.2 in a
first rotational
direction and inhibit rotation of the upper body relative to the lower body in
a second
rotational direction which is opposite the first rotational direction.
[0045] In this manner, the upper body may continue to be incrementally
rotated in a
counter-clockwise direction and be thereafter lowered to the flange members of
the lower
body in the next plane lower down until the desired height H.2 or degree of
extension of
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-09-08
18
the upper body relative to the lower body seen in Figure 16 is achieved. The
upper body
94.2 may be removed from the lower body 54.2 by following the above steps in
reverse.
[0046] Figures 17 to 21 show a manhole assembly 40.3 and height
adjustment
mechanism 52.3 therefor according to a fourth aspect. Like parts have like
numbers and
functions as the manhole assembly 40.1 and height adjustment mechanism 52.1
shown in
Figures 6 to 11 with decimal extension ".3" replacing decimal extension ".1"
and being
added for parts not previously having decimal extensions. Manhole assembly
40.3 and
height adjustment mechanism 52.3 are the same as described for manhole
assembly 40.1
and height adjustment mechanism 52.1 shown in Figures 6 to 11 with the
following
exceptions.
[0047] As seen in Figure 18, the upper body 94.3 includes an annular
portion 211
adjacent to the upper end 98.3 thereof. The annular portion of the upper body
extends
outwards from wall 100.3 and is between the wall and flange 110.3 in this
example.
[0048] The wall of one of the lower body and the upper body, in this
example the
wall 100.3 of upper body 94.3 includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced-
apart,
radially outwardly-extending protrusions: in this case three evenly spaced-
apart
protrusions as shown by protrusions 213 and 215 in Figure 17 and as shown by
protrusion 217 in Figure 19. Each of the protrusions couples to and extends
radially
outwards from wall 100.3 and couples to and extends downwards from flange
110.3 in
this example. Each of the protrusions is generally a rectangular prism in
shape in this
example.
[0049] As seen in Figure 18, another one of the lower body and the upper
body, in
this example lower body 54.3 includes a plurality of sets of circumferentially
spaced-
apart, recessed receptacles of varying depths: in this case three sets 212,
214 and 216 of
seven receptacles each which are formed from the wall 60.3 of the lower body
in this
example. The receptacles are shaped to selectively receive respective ones of
the
protrusions 213 and 215. Set 212 includes receptacles 218, 220, 222, 224, 226,
228 and
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-09-08
19
230 of increasing depth in the vertical direction, with respective successive
ones of the
receptacles extending increasingly downwards from the upper end 58.3 towards
the lower
end 56.3 of the lower body 54.3. Set 214 includes receptacles 232, 234, 236,
238, 240,
242, and 244 of increasing depth in the vertical direction, with respective
successive ones
of the receptacles extending increasingly downwards from the upper end towards
the
lower end of the lower body 54.3. Set 216 includes receptacles 246, 248, 250,
252, 254,
256 and 258 of increasing depth in the vertical direction, with respective
successive ones
of the receptacles extending increasing downwards from the upper end 58.3
towards the
lower end 56.3 of the lower body 54.3.
[0050] As seen in Figure 17, each of the receptacles is generally
rectangular in shape
in this example and extends radially outwards from interior surface 102.3 of
wall 60.3 of
the lower body 54.3 towards exterior surface 112.3 of the wall. The wall of
the lower
body includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced-apart elongate divider
portions
between adjacent receptacles, with divider portions extending downwards from
the upper
end 58.3 of the lower body towards the lower end 56.3 of the lower body. This
is seen in
Figure 18 by divider portion 260 between receptacles 222 and 224, and divider
portion
262 between receptacles 220 and 222. Each of the divider portions is L-shaped
in side
elevation in this example, with each said divider portion 260 including a
ledge 223. The
ledges of divider portions collectively form an annularly-arranged seat shaped
to receive
annular portion 211 of upper body 94.3.
[0051] As seen in Figure 18, the lower body 54.3 includes a plurality of
circumferentially spaced-apart, radially and axially-extending pairs of walls
which
function to define respective ones of the receptacles in this example. This is
shown by
walls 225 and 227 between receptacle 258. The walls 225 and 227 extend from
the
interior surface 64.3 towards the outer surface 112.3 of the lower body.
[0052] Still referring to Figure 18, the sets 212, 214 and 216 of
receptacles include
shallow receptacles 218, 232, and 246, respectively, as best seen by shallow
receptacle
218 for set 212. The shallow receptacles extend downwards from the upper end
58.3 of
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-09-08
20
the lower body 54.3 to the same extent and to the least extent relative to the
other
receptacles. The sets 212, 214 and 216 of receptacles include deep receptacles
230, 244
and 258, as best seen by deep receptacle 258 for set 216. The deep receptacles
extend
downwards from the upper end 58.3 of the lower body 54.3 to the same extent
and to the
greatest extent relative to the other receptacles. Deep receptacles 230, 244
and 258 are
adjacent to shallow receptacles 232, 246 and 218, respectively, in this
example.
[0053] Receptacles 220, 234 and 248 extend downwards from the upper end
58.3 of
the lower body 54.3 to the same extent and are shaped to be incrementally
deeper than
shallow receptacles 218, 232 and 246. Receptacles 222, 236 and 250 extend
downwards
from the upper end of the lower body to the same extent and are shaped to be
incrementally deeper than receptacles 220, 234 and 248. Receptacles 224, 238
and 252
extend downwards from the upper end 58.3 of the lower body 54.3 to the same
extent and
are shaped to be incrementally deeper than receptacles 222, 236 and 250.
Receptacles
226, 240 and 254 extend downwards from the upper end of the lower body to the
same
extent and are shaped to be incrementally deeper than shallow receptacles 224,
238 and
252. Receptacles 228, 242 and 256 extend downwards from the upper end 58.3 of
the
lower body 54.3 to the same extent and are shaped to be incrementally deeper
than
receptacles 226, 240 and 254. Deep receptacles 230, 244 and 258 are shaped to
be
incrementally deeper than shallow receptacles 228, 242 and 256.
[0054] In operation and referring to Figure 18, the upper body 94.3 may be
rotated
and lowered onto lower body 54.3 such that protrusions 213 and 215 of the
upper body
align with and are received by the shallow receptacles 218, 232 and 246 of the
lower
body. This configuration is the most extended position of height adjustment
mechanism
52.3 in which the upper body extends outwards from the lower body to the
maximum
extent. Raising up and then rotating the upper body 94.3 relative to the lower
body 54.3
in a first rotational direction, in this example a counter-clockwise direction
as shown by
arrow of numeral 208.3, enables the protrusions 213 and 215 of the upper body
to be
lowered into and be received by the incrementally deeper receptacles 220, 234
and 248 of
the lower body. This causes the upper body to be incrementally extended
upwards to a
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-09-08
21
lesser degree. In this manner, the upper body 94.3 can be selectively
positioned relative
to the lower body 54.3 until a desired height of the manhole assembly 40.3 is
achieved.
The positioning of the protrusions 213 and 215 of the upper body 94.3 into the
deep
receptacles 230, 244 and 258 coincides with the height adjustment mechanism
52.3 being
.. in its retracted position.
[0055] Height adjustment mechanism 52.3 of manhole assembly 40.3 may
result in a
strong and secure multi-height positioning solution that still enables the
various parts
thereof to be cast without cores. The need for machining may further be
inhibited by
manhole assembly 40.3. Height adjustment mechanism 52.3 may also provide a
greater
degree of fine adjustment, with the difference in depth between adjacent
receptacles
within a set being in the order of 0.75 inches in this example. However, this
is not strictly
required, and this incremental value, as well as the number of receptacles
and/or
protrusions of the upper body, may vary in other examples.
[0056] Figures 22 to 28 show a manhole assembly 40.4 and height
adjustment
.. mechanism 52.4 therefor according to a fifth aspect. Like parts have like
numbers and
functions as the manhole assembly 40.3 and height adjustment mechanism 52.3
shown in
Figures 17 to 21 with decimal extension ".4" replacing decimal extension ".3"
and being
added for parts not previously having decimal extensions. Manhole assembly
40.4 and
height adjustment mechanism 52.4 are the same as described for manhole
assembly 40.3
and height adjustment mechanism 52.3 shown in Figures 17 to 21 with the
following
exceptions.
[0057] As seen in Figure 22, the protrusions 213.4, 215.4 and 217.4 of
the upper
body 94.4 of the manhole assembly 40.4 are tapered in this embodiment. In this
example,
each of the protrusions tapers from the upper end 98.4 of the body to the
lower end 96.4
of the body. The protrusions are generally trapezoidal prisms in shape in this
example.
[0058] As seen in Figure 23, the upper body 94.4 includes an annular
protrusion in
the form of a seat 262 which is adjacent to, below and which extends radially
inwards
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-09-08
22
relative to annular lip 108.4 in this embodiment. The seat is trapezoidal in
cross-section
in this example, with a slopped, inwardly-facing and top-facing upper annular
edge
portion 264 and a slopped, inwardly-facing and bottom-facing lower annular
edge portion
266.
[0059] As seen in Figure 25, the receptacles 218.4, 220.4, 222.4, 224.4,
226.4, 228.4,
230.4, 232.4, 234.4, 236.4, 238.4, 240.4, 242.4, 244.4, 246.4, 248.4, 250.4,
252.4, 254.4,
256.4 and 258.4 of the lower body 52.4 of the manhole assembly 40.4 are
tapered,
generally trapezoidal in shape, and shaped to fit the protrusions 213.4, 215.4
and 217.4 of
the upper body 52.4 seen in Figure 22. Referring back to Figure 25, the
plurality of
circumferentially spaced-apart, radially and axially extending pairs of walls
225.4 and
227.4 for respective ones of the receptacles of the lower body 52.4 are
tapered in this
embodiment, tapering as the walls extend downwards from the upper end 58.4
towards
the lower end 56.4 of the lower body 54.4.
[0060] Referring to Figure 26, the lower body of the manhole assembly
40.4 includes
a plurality of circumferentially spaced-apart, downwardly-extending
positioning
members 268, 270 and 272. The members are in communication with bore 74.4. As
seen
in Figures 27 and 28, each of the positioning members 268, 270 and 272 is
arcuate-
shaped in top and bottom profile in this example. As seen with reference to
Figure 26,
each of the positioning members is L-shaped in side cross-section. The
positioning
.. members 268, 270 and 272 are shaped to abut with corresponding annular
surfaces of a
concrete spacer ring, such as ring 46.2 seen in Figure 14 for manhole assembly
40.2. In
this manner, the positioning members 268, 270 and 272 may function to retain
positioning of the lower body 52.2 of the manhole assembly 40.4 relative to
the spacer
ring.
[0061] As seen in Figure 28, the lower body of the manhole assembly
includes a
plurality of circumferentially spaced-apart, arcuate-shaped recesses 274, 276
and 278
interposed between positioning members 268, 270 and 272, respectively. The
recesses
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-09-08
23
align below the shallower receptacles, as seen in Figure 25 by recess 276
positioned
below receptacles 230.4, 232.4 and 236.6 of the lower body 52.4.
[0062] It will be appreciated that many variations are possible within
the scope of the
invention described herein. It will be understood by someone skilled in the
art that many
of the details provided above are by way of example only and are not intended
to limit
the scope of the invention which is to be determined with reference to at
least the
following claims.
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-09-08
