U.S. patent application number 10/575994 was filed with the patent office on 2007-06-28 for setting utility access covers.
Invention is credited to Richard B. Davis.
Application Number | 20070144788 10/575994 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34920933 |
Filed Date | 2007-06-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070144788 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Davis; Richard B. |
June 28, 2007 |
Setting utility access covers
Abstract
Apparatus and method of setting access covers to grade wherein
the apparatus includes rubblizing bits and a vacuum, the first
rubblizing bit having a central core with attached carriers for
teeth to grind the underlying material into small pieces, a second
rubblizing bit to rubblize below the ring of the access, a third
bit for trimming a step for a T-lock, and a fourth bit for milling
around an access ring for resurfacing and the steps of rubblizing
down to the area of the bottom of the ring and sucking out the
material by vacuum, settting the height of the ring and cover,
trimming a step for a T-lock, and milling around the ring and cover
a selected distance.
Inventors: |
Davis; Richard B.; (Grand
Junction, CO) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Edwin L Hartz
Suite 115
619 Main Street
Grand Junction
CO
81501
US
|
Family ID: |
34920933 |
Appl. No.: |
10/575994 |
Filed: |
February 17, 2004 |
PCT Filed: |
February 17, 2004 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US04/04617 |
371 Date: |
April 18, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
175/331 ;
299/41.1; 404/75 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E01C 23/06 20130101;
E02D 29/12 20130101; E01C 23/0885 20130101; E02D 29/1409
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
175/331 ;
404/075 |
International
Class: |
E01C 7/32 20060101
E01C007/32; E21B 10/08 20060101 E21B010/08 |
Claims
1. A rotary bit for rubblizing the material around a utility access
cover and ring down to the flange of the ring by rotary grinding,
comprising a cylindrical central core having an inside diameter
that is larger than the outside diameter of the ring and at least
one carrier having an attachment surface that is perpendicular to
the outside surface of the cylindrical central core and extending
beyond the outside diameter of the central core with a plurality of
rubblizing teeth attached to and extending below the attachment
surface.
2. A bit in accordance with claim 1 wherein some of the rubblizing
teeth extend below the flange when the bit is in contact with the
flange.
3. A bit in accordance with claim 2 wherein the carrier comprises a
mounting plate at the top for attaching to the central core, a
vertical plate that extends down the outside surface of the
cylindrical central core, and an attachment plate extending out at
a 90.degree. angle from the vertical plate near the bottom on the
central core and providing the attachment surface for the
teeth.
4. (canceled)
5. (canceled)
6. (canceled)
7. A bit in accordance with claim 3 wherein the plurality of teeth
include a first row of teeth mounted near the outside edge of the
attachment plate and angled forward toward the direction of
rotation of the bit and angled outwardly with the tips of the teeth
extending beyond the outer edge of the attachment plate.
8. A bit in accordance with claim 7 wherein the plurality of teeth
include a second row of teeth inside the outside row of teeth and
having tips above the tips of the outside row.
9. A bit in accordance with claim 8 wherein teeth are attached to
the bottom of the attachment plate between the second row and the
central core.
10. A bit in accordance with claim 9 wherein the central core is
open at the bottom and has a surface around the bottom and further
comprising a plurality of teeth attached to the surface.
11. A bit in accordance with claim 10 wherein the tips of the teeth
in the second row extend below the tips of the teeth on the bottom
surface of the central core and the tips of the teeth of the first
row extend below the tips of the teeth in the second row.
12. A rotary bit for rubblizing the material below the flange of
the ring of a manhole and down to below the top of the cone of the
manhole comprising a cylindrical central core having teeth on a
surface at the bottom of the cylinder, the central core having an
inside diameter that is greater than the outside diameter of the
cone, a plurality of carriers, each having a horizontal attachment
plate extending out from the vertical cylindrical surface of the
central core and positioned at a selected distance from the top of
the central core, a plurality of teeth attached to the underside of
the attachment plate for grinding a step in the surface of the
roadway beyond the outside diameter of the central core.
13. A rotary bit having a cylindrical central core with an outside
surface and open at the bottom, an attachment plate extending a
selected distance beyond the outside diameter of the central core
and at a 90.degree. angle to the outside surface of the cylindrical
core, and a plurality of teeth attached to the underside of the
attachment plate.
14. A bit in accordance with claim 13 further comprising teeth on
the bottom surface of the central core to grind into the material
around the ring to stabilize the bit in use.
15. A bit in accordance with claim 14 wherein the selected distance
is 12 inches.
16. The method of setting manhole covers, the manhole having a
cone, a ring and a cover, comprising the steps of rubblizing the
material around the ring and cover by a rotary grinder and removing
the rubblized material by a vacuum machine to form an excavated
area around the ring.
17. The method in accordance with claim 16 wherein the grinding
rubblizes the material down to at least the flange of the ring.
18. The method in accordance with claim 16 wherein the rubble is
removed while the grinding is taking place.
19. The method in accordance with claim 17 comprising the further
step of grinding down below the top surface of the cone to rubblize
the material below the material rubblized in the first rubblizing
step.
20. The method in accordance with claim 19 further comprising the
step of removing the rubblized material below the material
rubblized in the first rubblizing step.
21. The method in accordance with claim 20 wherein the rubblized
material is removed by sucking up the material with a vacuum.
22. The method in accordance with claim 20 comprising the further
step of removing the ring, cover and any height adjusting material
from the excavated hole.
23. The method in accordance with claim 22 comprising the further
steps, determining the distance between the top surface of the ring
and the bottom surface of the flange on the ring, inserting a
height adjusting form on the top surface of the cone, placing a
cutter inside the form with the depth of the cutter referenced to
the surface of the roadway, cutting the form at a height determined
to place the top of the ring aligned with the surface of the
roadway, removing the cutter and the top cut portion of the form,
inserting the ring and cover on top of the form and filling the
evacuated area around the top of the cone, form and ring to the
surface of the roadway.
24. The method of claim 23 wherein the filling steps include
pouring concrete into the area up to the level of the bottom of the
flange and filling the rest of the area with asphalt.
25. The method in accordance with claim 23 wherein the area is
filled with concrete to the surface of the roadway.
26. The method in accordance with claim 23 wherein the area is
filled with asphalt to the surface of the roadway.
27. The method in accordance with claim 16 further comprising the
step of milling the road surface to a selected depth and out a
selected distance from the outside diameter of the hole.
28. The method in accordance with claim 27 wherein the milling is
performed during the step of drilling down beyond the top of the
cone.
29. The method of claim 27 comprising the further step of filling
the area milled with the same material as the roadway.
30. The method of milling around an access ring and cover
comprising the steps of grinding a hole around the ring to
stabilize and position the milling bit and milling out a selected
distance and depth by grinding the material with a rotating
bit.
31. Apparatus for setting utility covers comprising a rubblizing
bit as means for grinding the material into small pieces around the
utility access cover and ring and down to a selected depth and
means for sucking out the small pieces.
32. A trimmer bit for milling around a ring and cover of a utility
access for resurfacing the roadway around the access comprising a
central core with teeth to position and stabilize the trimmer and
teeth attached to an attachment plate extending out a selected
distance from the core.
33. The method of removing the material above a cone of a manhole
comprising the steps of rubblizing the material above the cone and
out a selected distance beyond the outer periphery of the top of
the cone and removing the rubblized material by a vacuum machine.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1). Field of Invention
[0002] This invention relates to setting utility access covers to
grade and more particularly to apparatus for rubblizing the
material around the utility access and a method for setting utility
access covers to grade including rubblizing material, removing the
rubblized material and establishing the proper position of a
utility access cover when renovating, reconstructing or installing
new access covers.
[0003] There are a number of utilities that are underground and
that have components that have to be accessed. Some of these
components are meters, valves and pipes, for example. Some require
servicing or inspection underground by personnel. In this case,
there must be a manhole with a sufficiently wide opening for a
person. In other situations, underground access by personnel is not
required. In both cases, it is often necessary to set the access
cover to grade.
[0004] 2). Related Art
[0005] The apparatus and method will first be described in
connection with manholes, and then with respect to other utility
access covers, including small ones used for such things as water
valves. Manholes are associated with access to underground
utilities. There are many different sizes and construction of
manholes, but all have a cover that should be set according to the
grade of the surrounding material. Some have standard components
and sizes, such as sanitary sewer manholes in some parts of the
United States. These manholes have a 24-inch (2-foot) diameter lid
or cover and a ring that holds and supports the cover. The ring has
an outside diameter of 25 1/2 inches and a cylindrical outer body
with a height between 4 inches and 8 inches. There are also
inverted rings with 1-inch height. The ring, other than inverted
rings, has a circular flange around the body near the bottom to
support weight and to hold it in place. Not all rings have flanges.
Nevertheless, for purposes of illustration, rings with flanges will
be described. The ring sits on the top surface of an eccentric cone
that has an internal diameter of 2 feet at the top and 4 feet at
the bottom. The cone sits on a manhole barrel section. The barrel
section has an inside diameter of 4 feet and a wall thickness of 5
inches. Above the barrel section the eccentric cone transitions
from the 4-foot internal diameter of the barrel section to the
2-foot internal diameter at the top of the cone. The wall thickness
of the cone varies from 6 inches at the top to 5 inches at the
bottom where it mates with the barrel section. The barrel section
rests on a foundation that supports the components of the manhole
and the utility to be accessed. Often times, one or more height
adjusting rings or material is positioned between the bottom of the
ring and the top surface of the cone to adjust the cover to grade
so that it is even with and aligned with the surface of the
roadway. Also, on occasion, when a roadway has a new layer of
asphalt or concrete applied, the height of the cover is adjusted by
placing height- adjusting rings between the top of the ring and the
cover. There are other manholes that are larger and others that are
smaller than the standard sanitary sewer manhole. For example,
manholes for communication lines or equipment are often 3 feet in
diameter at the top. These other manholes also require the setting
of the cover to grade when renovating a manhole, reconstructing a
manhole or installing a new manhole.
[0006] Some manholes in areas of the United States and outside of
the United States have an understructure made of brick instead of a
preformed barrel section or pipe. Generally, these understructures
of brick or pipe have a side with steps in the structure or a
ladder attached to the side for ease of access. Additionally, the
step or ladder side of the understructure cooperates with a side of
the eccentric cone to provide the ladder or steps to the top of the
cone. The cone may also be constructed with brick. Thus, the
dimensions of the cone and understructure of a barrel section may
vary from those set forth above for a particular municipality's
standard sanitary sewer manhole. The dimensions will be different
for other sewer manholes, for other utility manholes and for those
constructed of various materials, such as brick.
[0007] Access cover are often located in roadways and over time the
position of surrounding material deteriorates so that bumps are
encountered by the vehicles using the roadway. Sometimes the bumps
are caused by holes or cracks in the material surrounding the
cover. Other times the bumps are caused by the surface of the cover
not being aligned with the surface of the roadway or not level with
the roadway. The cover may be tilted relative to the roadway or sit
below the surface of the roadway because of deterioration in the
housing supporting the ring and cover or in the material used
during installation to bring the cover up to the desired height
aligned with the roadway. Also, resurfacing the street may leave
the cover below the surface of the new roadway. In these cases, the
manhole will either be renovated or reconstructed. The term
renovation will be used to cover both reconstruction and
renovation.
[0008] The renovation of manholes is a time consuming and labor
intensive job. Each time a manhole is to be renovated, traffic
control has to be put in place before work can begin. Thereafter,
the material around the cover and ring has to be removed. One or
more men, operating jackhammers and shovels, break through the
roadway surface and the underlying material, down to the flange on
the ring. The breaking up of asphalt roadway with jackhammers
leaves a raised lip, commonly known as the "volcano effect".
Typically, the removal of material stops at the flange area of the
ring The height can then be adjusted or not. Also, often times when
the height of the cover needs adjusted, the removal continues down
to the top of the cone and a few inches below.
[0009] The roadway surface is typically asphalt or concrete. The
material under the roadway around the ring and upper part of the
cone, is either asphalt, concrete or road base. Once the roadway
material and underlying material is broken down and removed and the
cover set to grade, if not already at grade, the hole is filled
with new material.
[0010] An adjustment of the height of the cover is done by using
material between the top of the cone and the bottom of the ring.
Preformed material, such as adjusting rings, do not provide
incremental adjustment, only a gross adjustment. Fine adjustment of
the height of the cover is needed. The time to set up and do the
work to renovate a manhole, without height adjustment, often
averages between one to two hours or more. When height adjustment
is required it takes an extraone-half to one hour. When there are a
series of manholes, in a roadway that need adjusted and using the
typical operation described above, between 4 and 5 covers are
typically adjusted in a normal workday. Time limitations are
commonly in effect by local jurisdictions so that traffic may be
detoured only during certain hours. This drastically reduces the
time available to perform the necessary work.
[0011] The first installation of a ring and cover for a newly
installed manhole or other utility access requires removal of a
portion of the underlying material down to the top of the cone or
the top of the riser sleeve for utility accesses that are not
designed for personnel going underground.
[0012] Again, jackhammers are used to break up the material and
shovels are used to remove the material. An improvement in this
process is the cutting a plug out of the roadway by a rotary
cutter, such as that made by Stehr Baumaschinen GmbH. The cutter
cuts out a plug that may be removed mechanically by a scoop on a
skidster or backhoe, for example. Once the plug (circular piece of
roadway) is removed, the underlying material is loosened and
shoveled out down to the top of the cone.
[0013] The top of the cone is covered with a steel plate to keep
material out of the manhole. Similarly, the top of the riser for
smaller access holes is covered with a plate. The plate is removed
and the ring and cover are installed by using height- adjusting
material to set the cover to grade.
[0014] A problem also exists when a roadway is to be resurfaced. A
layer of roadway is milled off or cut away. The milling machines
are large devices that cut down large widths of roadway. These
machines are too large to maneuver around utility access covers and
rings. Consequently, in the past, scoops or jackhammers and shovels
have been used.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0015] It is an overall object of this invention to reduce the time
and labor to set access covers to grade. Where the adjustment is
associated with renovation, in place of jackhammers and numerous
men on the jackhammers and shovels, a rubblizing bit is used with a
prime mover. The bit is powered hydraulically, pneumatically, or
electrically from a machine operated by one person. One such
machine or prime mover for driving the bit and controlling the
position of the bit is a skidster.
[0016] The bit has a cylindrical central core that has an inner
diameter slightly larger than the outside diameter of the ring and
a wall thickness sufficient for strength and durability. A
plurality of teeth are attached to the bottom surface of the core.
One or more carriers of rubblizing teeth are attached to the
central core and the rubblizing teeth extend beyond the
circumference of the central core a selected distance to rubblize
the material around the ring and down to the desired depth. Where
the ring has a flange, this depth is down to the flange of the
ring. Each carrier has a mounting plate at the top, which fits in a
slot in the central core, or fits on top of the central core. The
mounting plate is either welded or bolted to the central core or
positioned between two mounting plates that are permanently
attached to the core to hold the carrier in place. The carrier
further includes a vertical portion or plate that determines the
extension of the carrier from the mounting plate at the top to the
rubblizing teeth at the bottom. An attachment plate is attached to
the vertical plate at the bottom of the plate at a right angle to
carry the rubblizing teeth. A pair of triangular pieces of metal,
having a right angle that fits between the vertical plate and the
attachment plate, is welded between the vertical plate and the
attachment plate to strengthen the carrier of the rubblizing teeth.
A plurality of teeth are attached to the bottom side of the
attachment plate at selected distances from the vertical plate and
the outside diameter of the central core. There is a first row
remote from the vertical plate consisting of a pair of teeth and
then inside the outside pair of teeth is another pair of teeth. The
outside pair of teeth are slanted to the outside of the attachment
plate to meet and cut the material before the outside edge of the
attachment plate engages the material. Inside these pairs of teeth
are 3 teeth that are staggered at shorter distances from the
vertical plate or central core of the bit. Additionally the pairs
of teeth are stepped down and are at the greatest depth relative to
bottom surface of the central core of the bit. Advantageously,
there are three carriers with rubblizing teeth, spaced 120 degrees
apart around the central core of the bit.
[0017] The inside diameter of the cylindrical central core is
greater than the outside diameter of the ring to provide sufficient
clearance for ease of rotation of the rubblizing bit to grind the
material around and beyond the ring. This inside diameter for
typical access covers and rings for water valves is 10 inches. This
diameter nay be greater or lesser depending on the size of the
ring. Further, the inside diameter for sanitary sewer rings and
covers is 27 inches. Again this diameter may be greater or lesser
depending upon the outside diameter of the ring.
[0018] The method of setting existing utility access covers to
grade will be explained in connection with a sanitary sewer manhole
for a particular municipality. The method is not limited to
sanitary sewer manholes with preformed cones and barrels, but
applies to manholes made of other material such as brick. The
method also applies to manholes of other sizes and to smaller
utility access covers.
[0019] The method of setting manhole covers to grade employs the
following steps when an existing manhole is being renovated. First
the traffic control devices and person is set in place. Next the
rubblizing bit is used and as it rotates it grinds and rubblizes
the material around the ring down to the flange. The third step is
to vacuum the rubblized material, which may take place while the
rubblizing bit is rotating or after the bit has rubblized down to
the flange. Once the material has been rubblized, the bit is pulled
out of the hole and the vacuuming is completed to completely remove
the rubblized material. If the height of the cover does not need
adjusted, the hole is filled with new material to complete the
renovation.
[0020] Additionally, with renovation a T-lock may be desired. If
so, a step is milled in the roadway surface out from the hole
created by the rubblizing bit to a selected distance and depth. The
step is created by teeth on a milling carrier or trimmer. There are
three carriers attached to the top of a central core and spaced 120
degrees apart to mill or grind the step. The central core may be
the same core as used for the rubblizing step or it may be a
central core used solely for this purpose or a central core with a
larger inside diameter used to rubblize the material below the
flange. When a step is milled and the hole is filled, the filling
material extends out to fill this step and to form the moisture
resistant T-lock.
[0021] If the height of the cover relative to the surface of the
roadway needs adjusting, then a second rubblizing step takes place.
In the first rubblizing step, the bit stops its downward movement
when the teeth on the bottom surface of the central core reach the
top surface of the steel flange on the ring. The rubblizing teeth
are designed to cut through and rubblize concrete, asphalt and
roadbase, but not steel. The second rubblizing step is accomplished
by a bit that has a cylindrical central core with an internal
diameter slightly larger than the outside diameter of the top
surface of the cone in the manhole. The material below the flange
and to a few inches below the top of the cone is loosened and
sucked out by a vacuum. Once the rubblized material is removed, the
ring and cover are lifted out of the excavation. Next all or part
of the old leveling material, if any, is removed from the top of
the manhole cone. A height-adjusting device is then employed.
Preferably, this device does not have a set height but is
adjustable and acts as a form for either concrete or asphalt around
the device while holding the ring at the desired height.
[0022] If the distance between the bottom of the ring and the top
of the cone is 2 inches or greater, then a form called a Whirlygig
is used to adjust the proper height of the ring and cover. The
Whirlygig is a form and apparatus for selecting and cutting the
desired height of the form. This apparatus and system are disclosed
in U.S. Pat. No. 5,934,820 granted Vernon W. Hinkle on Aug. 10,
1999 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,161,985 granted Hinkle et al on Dec. 19,
2000. The disclosures of these two patents are incorporated herein
by this reference as though set forth in full. The Whirlygig forms
are available from Whirlygig Company, 2418 Bishop Circle, Caldwell,
Id. 83605 (www.whirlygigcompany.com).
[0023] The form is placed on the cone and an apparatus with arms
that extend to the roadway engages and references the roadway in
three or more places. This establishes the final top surface of the
form and the height and slope of the cover and the top of the ring.
A cutting tool then cuts the top portion of the form so that it can
be removed. Next the top portion and the cutter are removed. Then
the ring and cover are placed on the top of the form. The
excavation up to the top of the form is first filled with concrete.
Then the remainder of the excavated hole is filled with either
asphalt or concrete.
[0024] If the distance between the bottom of the ring and the top
of the cone is less than 2 inches, advantageously an inflatable
donut shaped form with Adjusting Ring and Leveller with three or
more arms are employed. An inflatable donut shaped form and
Adjusting Ring are made by Stehr Baumaschinen GmbH and are
available from Mountain Valley Equipment, 647 25 Road, Grand
Junction, Colo. 81505. First the ring is attached to the holder of
the Adjusting Ring. Then the ring and Adjusting Ring are placed
over the excavated hole with the ring hanging above the top of the
cone. The ring is centered over the cone and the top of the ring is
adjusted relative to the roadway by leveling the arms of the
Adjusting Ring so that the top of the ring and the cover will be on
grade with the roadway. The inflatable donut is then placed inside
the ring and extends down inside the top of the cone. The donut is
inflated inside the ring and cone and provides a surface between
the bottom of the ring and the top of the cone as a form for
concrete to establish the height and to hold the ring at the
established height above the cone. The inflated donut forms a seal
at the bottom of the ring and at the top of the cone to prevent the
filler material, typically a concrete material, from seeping into
the manhole cone. A T-lock in the roadway around the manhole may
also be used when the cover and ring height is adjusted. The
milling or trimmer bit is used with the first or the second
rubblizing bit in the first or second rubblizing step or as a
separate trimmer bit mounted on its own central core.
[0025] The above apparatus and steps of the method are applicable
to the setting of manhole covers to grade for the initial
installation of a ring and cover on earlier installed
understructure (barrel section or pipe and base) and eccentric
cone. In this application, a coring bit is located above the cone
and cuts out a circular section of the roadway. This circular
section or plug is lifted out and discarded. In new construction of
a manhole, the cone is covered with a plate before the hole over
the cone is filled and the road surface laid down. Thus, the
excavation goes down to the plate so that it may be removed. The
underlying material down to the top of the cone is sucked out by
vacuum. If loosening of the material is required, a lightweight
jackhammer supplied with pressurized air from the vacuum truck is
used.
[0026] After the plate is removed, the distance between the top of
the cone and the surface of the roadway is determined. This
distance dictates the type and height of ring to be used and the
height-adjusting device to be used. The height adjusting device is
advantageously, either a Whirlygig form or an inflatable donut.
Other height adjusting devices may be used.
[0027] If a T-lock is to be included, a trimmer bit is used to cut
a step in the roadway at the same time as cutting the plug or at a
different time.
[0028] A rubblizing bit or trimmer bit is also useful when
resurfacing a roadway. The time consuming process of breaking up
the material with a jackhammer and removal with a shovel or
scooping out a desired depth with a mechanical device is very
inefficient. A trimmer bit having a reach greater than the bit for
milling a T-lock is used. The bit has a central core that fits
around the ring and grinds down into the material around the ring
to stabilize and position the trimmer bit. The bit grinds or mills
the roadway down a desired depth, which is typically 1 1/2 inches
or 2 inches for resurfacing.
[0029] Objects, features and advantages of this invention will
become apparent from a consideration of the foregoing and the
following description, the appended claims and the accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0030] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional elevation view of a manhole with
a properly positioned cover using asphalt;
[0031] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional elevation view of a manhole with
a properly positioned cover using concrete;
[0032] FIG. 3 is a top plan view of a properly positioned cover
with section lines 2-2 for the cross sectional views of FIG. 1 and
FIG. 2;
[0033] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional elevation view of the top
portion of a manhole with the cover being misaligned with the
roadway, in accordance with the present invention;
[0034] FIG. 5 is a top plan view of deteriorated road surface
around a manhole cover, in accordance with the present
invention;
[0035] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the rubblizing bit attached
to a machine for controlling the position and operation of the bit,
in accordance with the present invention;
[0036] FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of the rubblizing bit with part
of the supporting structure removed, in accordance with the present
invention;
[0037] FIG. 8 is a bottom plan view of the rubblizing bit, in
accordance with the present invention;
[0038] FIG. 9 is a top plan view, partially cut away, of the
rubblizing bit with the carrier placed in slots in a central core
and held in place by plates welded to the central core, in
accordance with the present invention;
[0039] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the right rear quarter
of a rubblizing bit, in accordance with the present invention;
[0040] FIG. 11 is a bottom plan view of a carrier for rubblizing
teeth, in accordance with the present invention;
[0041] FIG. 12 is a right side elevation view of the carrier with
rubblizing teeth, in accordance with the present invention;
[0042] FIG. 13 is a perspective view from the right front of the
carrier with rubblizing teeth, in accordance with the present
invention;
[0043] FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view showing the rubblizing bit
in use in the renovation of a manhole, in accordance with the
present invention;
[0044] FIG. 15 is a top plan view of an alternative attachment of
the carrier of the rubblizing teeth to the central core of the
rubblizing bit, in accordance with the present invention;
[0045] FIG. 16 is a front elevation view of the right half of the
rubblizing bit with the carrier welded to the top of the central
core of the bit, in accordance with the present invention;
[0046] FIG. 17 is a top plan view of an alternate attachment of the
rubblizing teeth carrier to the central core of the rubblizing bit,
in accordance with the present invention;
[0047] FIG. 18 is a elevation view of the right half of the
rubblizing bit of FIG. 17 with the carrier attached to the central
core, in accordance with the present invention;
[0048] FIG. 19 is a left side elevation view in schematic of a
vacuum truck, in accordance with the present invention;
[0049] FIG. 20 is a top plan view in schematic of the vacuum truck,
in accordance with the present invention;
[0050] FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the prior art form and
apparatus as used in accordance with this invention;
[0051] FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional elevation view of the form and
apparatus of FIG. 21 in use, in accordance with the present
invention;
[0052] FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional elevation view of the ring and
cover at its proper elevation with respect to the roadway with a
cut T-lock step, in accordance with the present invention;
[0053] FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional elevation view of the renovated
manhole with the cover at its proper elevation with a T-lock
connection to the roadway, in accordance with the present
invention;
[0054] FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional elevation view of an inflatable
donut shaped form of the Stehr design in use, in accordance with
the present invention;
[0055] FIG. 26 is a cross-sectional elevation view with the manhole
cover at the proper level using the form of the Stehr design, in
accordance with the present invention;
[0056] FIG. 27 is a front elevation view of a T-lock miller or
trimmer, in accordance with the present invention;
[0057] FIG. 28 is a front elevation view, partially cut away, of
the right side of a T-lock milling bit with an alternative
attachment of the carrier of the T-lock teeth to the central core
of the bit, in accordance with the present invention;
[0058] FIG. 29 is a top- plan view of an elevated manhole cover at
grade with a T-lock in the roadway, in accordance with the present
invention;
[0059] FIG. 30 is a top plan view of an adjusting ring device for
use with an inflatable donut shaped form, in accordance with the
present invention;
[0060] FIG. 31 is a cross-sectional elevation view of the
understructure of a new installation, in accordance with the
present invention;
[0061] FIG. 32 is a perspective view of a core bit and rubblizing
bit, in accordance with the present invention;
[0062] FIG. 33 is a front elevation view of the bit of FIG. 32, in
accordance with the present invention;
[0063] FIG. 34 is a bottom plan view of the bit of FIG. 32, in
accordance with the present invention;
[0064] FIG. 35 is a perspective view of the bit attached to a prime
mover, in accordance with the present invention;
[0065] FIG. 36 is a cross-sectional view of a covered manhole cone
with an excavated hole down around the plate on the cone, in
accordance with the present invention;
[0066] FIG. 37 is a cross-sectional view of the manhole cone with
cover plate removed and ready for installation of ring and cover,
in accordance with the present invention; and
[0067] FIG. 38 is a cross-sectional elevation view of the right
rear quarter of a trimmer bit for a T-lock or for milling in
resurfacing a roadway, in accordance with the present
invention.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0068] Utility access covers in roadways are hardly noticeable if
properly aligned with the roadway. Proper alignment of the standard
manhole cover for sewer manholes, as required by a municipality, is
shown in FIGS. 1-3. This invention will be illustrated in
connection with such a standard sanitary sewer manhole. However,
the grinding bits and methods are also applicable to other manholes
and to smaller utility accesses that do not require personnel
access underground Also this invention is especially useful where
the underlying structure is composed of brick or other similar
material and not preformed.
[0069] In the standard sanitary sewer, a sewer pipe 1 is located at
the bottom of a manhole, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and is
positioned on a base 3. The access hole for access to the sewer
pipe 1 is provided by a manhole barrel section or pipe 2, sitting
above the base 3 and extending upward toward the roadway 4. An
eccentric cone 5 is placed on top of the manhole barrel section 2
and extends up toward the road surface. At least one municipality
limits this distance to 20 inches. The distance between the top
surface 12 of the cone and the surface of the roadway 4 typically
has a standard of no greater than 24 inches. A cover 6 is supported
above the cone 5 by a ring 7 and height adjusting elements 8.
[0070] In the standard sanitary sewer manhole, the manhole barrel
section 2 has an inside diameter of 4 feet and the eccentric cone 5
transitions from an inside diameter of 4 feet at the top of the
barrel section 2 to an inside diameter of 2 feet at the top of the
cone. Further, the barrel section 2 and bottom of the cone 5 have a
wall thickness of 5 inches. The wall thickness of the cone 5
increases to 6 inches at the top of the cone. The ring 2 comes in
standard heights of 4 inches, 6 inches, 8 inches, and 12 inches.
The jurisdiction governing the manhole specification establishes
the standard dimensions for that jurisdiction. Grand Junction,
Colo., for example, requires a 6-inch high ring, while Denver,
Colo. typically requires an 8-inch high ring. The cover 6 has a 24
inch or 2 foot diameter and the ring 7 has an outside diameter of
25 1/2 inches. Ring 7 has a flange 9 near the bottom of the ring
that acts as a weight supporting and locking device. When either
asphalt or concrete is poured around the ring and height adjusting
elements 8 it flows under and over the flange 9 to lock the ring in
place. The flange 9 has a space above the height adjusting elements
8 as the result of a mug ring 17 under the flange and extending to
the bottom of ring 7. Not all rings have such mud rings. The ring
adjusting elements and the top of the cone 5 are encased in asphalt
10 as shown in FIG. 1 or are encased in concrete 11 as shown in
FIG. 2.
[0071] Over time the alignment of the cover 6 relative to the
surface of the roadway 4 changes or may change because of
deterioration in the supporting surfaces, improperly compacted
underlying material or resurfacing of the roadway which adds
additional asphalt or concrete above the height of the cover 6. The
possibility of change may be noted during routine inspections of a
manhole. Sometimes, wood shims have been used to adjust the height
of the ring and cover relative to the surface of the roadway. This
wood can and does rot out, causing a shift in the alignment of the
ring and cover. Also, metal washers or other metal shims can rust
out and cause shifting in the alignment of the ring and cover.
Another reason for misalignment of a ring and cover of a manhole is
settlement around the ring and cover due to lack of proper
compaction at the time of installation. Further, the roadway
surface around the cover 6 often times deteriorates because of
aging and weather. If cracks form in the material around the cover,
moisture can penetrate down into the cracks. Chunks of material can
be dislodged, especially where freezing takes place, resulting in
holes around the cover 6. The cover 6, being below the surface of
the roadway 4 is shown in FIG. 4. The cover below the surface in
FIG. 4 is illustrative only of misalignment. The distance down can
be as much as 4 inches or more when the roadway is resurfaced.
Also, the cover can tilt relative to the surface of the roadway.
Cracks 14 and chips 15 around the cover 6 are shown in FIG. 5.
These conditions require renovation of the manhole.
[0072] Renovation requires removal of the material around the cover
6 and ring 7 at least down to the flange 9 of the ring 7. This
material is easily removed by using the rubblizing bit of this
invention and sucking out the rubble with a vacuum. The rubblizing
bit provides easy breaking up of the material into small pieces
about the size of one and one-half inch gravel so that the material
may be easily sucked out by a vacuum.
[0073] As an example of the efficacy of the rubblizing bit and the
method of this invention, there were 47 manholes requiring
renovation in about 3 miles of roadway. Bids to do the renovation
employing the old system of jackhammers and shovels, covered a
range of approximately $40,000-$90,000. The bid using the
rubblizing bit of this invention and the method of this invention
was about $23,000. The apparatus and method of this invention is
much faster in setting manhole covers to grade and three to four
times as many or more can be set in a normal workday with less
labor.
[0074] The detail and use of the rubblizing bit for the
illustrative sanitary sewer manhole is illustrated FIGS. 6-18. In
FIG. 6, the rubblizing bit 20 is shown in housing 21 attached to a
skidster 22, partially shown in FIG. 6. The rubblizing bit 20 and
housing 21 may be attached to other motorized vehicles or prime
movers that provide means for controlling the position of the
rubblizing bit and the operation of the bit. As noted above, the
prime mover may be any device that provides power to move the bit
and rotate the bit. The housing 21 is attached to the skidster 22
by a coupler 23 and by hydraulic hoses 24. The hydraulic hoses 24
provide means for controlling the up and down operation of the
rubblizing bit 20 and for rotating the bit when desired. Housing 21
has legs 25, which stabilize the position of the rubblizing bit 20.
A safety screen can be connected between the legs 25 around the
housing 21 to prevent chunks of material from flying beyond the
housing 21.
[0075] The rubblizing bit 20 has a cylindrical central core 30 that
is open at the bottom and closed at the top 36 as show in FIGS.
7-10. The central core 30 has a wall 31 and a surface 35 at the
bottom of the wall 31. Teeth 32, FIG. 8 (These teeth are also
numbered 38 in FIGS. 10 and 14) are attached to the bottom surface
35 between the inner diameter 33 of the wall 31 and the outer
diameter 34 of the wall 31. The wall 31 is 1/2 inches thick and the
central core 30 is made of steel to provide rigidity and
durability.
[0076] The rubblizing bit 20 further includes a plurality of
carriers 40 that are attached to the central core 30. As seen in
FIGS. 12 and 13 the carrier 40 has an upper mounting plate 41 that
is attached to the central core 30 by one of various means. As
shown in FIG. 8, the mounting plate 41 is welded to the inside
surface of the top of the central core 30. The plate 41 is welded,
as shown by the bead lines 43, to the top 36 (FIG. 8). The carrier
40 has an attachment plate 44 at the bottom, which carries the
rubblizing teeth for the bit. The attachment plate 44 is spaced a
distance from the mounting plate 41, determined by a vertical plate
45 that connects between the mounting plate 41 and attachment plate
44. The carrier 40 is strengthened by two triangular plates
positioned between the attachment plate 44 and vertical plate 45.
The strengthening plates 46 and 47 have right angles with the edges
48 attached to the front surface of vertical plate 45 and edges 49
attached to the top surface of attachment plate 44.
[0077] The attachment plate 44 has an outer curved surface 50 that
matches the outer curved surface of the central core 30 and has a
radius that extends from the central axis of the central core 30.
This radius may be any desired length determined by the size of
hole around the ring to be excavated by the bit and vacuum. A
leading edge 51 and trailing edge 52 of the attachment plate are
not at right angles to the vertical plate 45, but rather are at
obtuse angles to the vertical plate 45. There are several rows of
rubblizing teeth attached to the bottom of the attachment plate 44.
The first row of rubblizing teeth 54 are a pair of teeth on a
radius that is one-half inch shorter than the radius for the outer
curved surface 50, which is 191/2 inches from the center of core
30. A second row of a pair of rubblizing teeth 55 are attached to
the bottom surface of the attachment plate on a radius that is two
inches shorter than the radius of the outer curved surface 50.
Three additional teeth 56, 57 and 58 are attached to the bottom of
the attachment plate at radii that are increasingly shorter than
the radius of the pair of teeth 55. The teeth 56, 57 and 58 are at
one depth and extend a first distance below the attachment plate
44. The teeth 55 are at a second depth and extend further from the
bottom of the attachment plate 44 than the teeth 56, 57, and 58.
The outside row 54 of rubblizing teeth extend the deepest relative
to the bottom of the attachment plate 44. The teeth 55 can be
attached to a first step in the attachment plate 44 or to a
separate lowering plate 59 as shown in FIG. 12. To get the pair of
teeth 54 at a depth greater than the pair of teeth 55, the teeth 54
are attached to the lowering plate 59 with an additional lowering
bushing 60. The rubblizing teeth attached to the bottom of
attachment plate 44 are tilted toward the leading edge 51 to
contact and rubblize the material as the grinding bit is rotated
into the ground. Further, the outside pair of teeth 54 are angled
out beyond the outer curved surface 50 to contact the material to
be rubblized and removed before surface 50 contacts the
material.
[0078] When the carrier is mounted on the central core 30, the
bottom of attachment plate 44 is above the bottom of the teeth 38
that are attached to the bottom surface 35 of the central core 30.
The teeth 56, 57, and 58 attach to the bottom of attachment plate
44 and have tips that are 1/4 inch above the tip of the teeth 38 on
the bottom surface 35 of the central core 30. The depth of the
rubblizing teeth is best seen in FIGS. 10 and 12. In FIG. 10, the
teeth 38 on the bottom surface 37 of central core 30 extends below
the teeth 56,57 and 58 attached to the attachment plate 44 of
carrier 40. The tips of the pair of teeth 55 extend 1/4 inch below
the tips of the teeth 38 and the tips of the pair of teeth 54
extend 1 inch below the tips of the teeth 38. All of the teeth have
a hardened steel body and a carbide tip.
[0079] The rubblizing teeth carrier of FIGS. 6-10 fit in a a slot
in the side of the central core 30 of the grinding or rubblizing
bit 20. Inside the slot, the mounting plate 41 is either welded to
the inside top surface of the central core 30 (FIG. 8), or held in
place between plates 27 and 28 that are welded in place by weld
beads 29 and 26 (FIG. 9).
[0080] The mounting plate 41 is three-fourths inches thick,
attachment plate 44 is five-eighths inches thick and vertical plate
45 is three-eighths inches thick. All are made of steel plate. The
mounting plate 41 is tapered to easily slide into the metal plates
26 and 29 that are welded to the top of the core 30 or into slots
in the side of the core to be held by plates or welded. At the
point of attachment to the vertical plate 45, the mounting plate 41
has a width of 9 1/2 inches and at the end remote from the vertical
plate 45, the mounting plate 41 has a width of 5 3/4 inches. The
attachment plate 44 extends 6 inches outside the vertical plate 45,
which has a height of 9 inches and a width of 9 1/4 inches. The
braces or strengthening triangles 46 and 47 are made of
three-eighths inch steel plate and are spaced 7 inches apart
against the vertical plate 45.
[0081] In an alternative embodiment, shown in FIG. 15, the mounting
plate 41 of the carrier 40 is welded to the top surface 36 of the
central core 30. The mounting plate 41 welded to the top 37 of the
central core 30, is also shown in FIG. 16. Alternatively, the
mounting plates 41 may be bolted to the central core 30 as shown in
FIGS. 17 and 18.
[0082] The rubblizing bit is useful where the height of the utility
access cover needs adjusting as well as where the cover does not
need adjusting relative to the surface of the roadway in which it
is located. The operation of the bit will first be described in
connection with a sanitary sewer manhole where the height of the
cover (lid) does not need adjusting. The first step is the setting
out of traffic control devices and if necessary, a flag person. The
second step is centering the rubblizing bit 20 over the manhole
cover 6 and causing it to rotate as it goes down against and into
the material around the cover 6 and ring 7. The material is either
asphalt or concrete, with roadbase below. The cover has a diameter
of 24 inches and sits in a ring that has an outside diameter of 25
1/2 inches. The inside diameter of the rubblizing bit is 27 inches
so that there is a three-fourths inch clearance between the outside
diameter of the ring 7 and the inside diameter of the bit 20. As
the bit rotates and moves down around the cover 6 and ring 7, it
chews up (grinds) or rubblizes the material. The result is rubble
or small pieces the size of one and one-half inch gravel that are
small enough to be sucked out of the hole by a vacuum. The open end
of a vacuum hose 64, shown in FIG. 14, is placed in the hole 18
being ground out by the rubblizing drill bit 20. The rubble is
sucked up through the hose 64 into a vacuum tank 65, located on a
truck 66 (FIGS. 19 and 20). The vacuum can be transported on a
trailer as well as on a truck. The removal of the rubble, while the
rubblizing bit 20 is drilling the hole, makes it easier for the bit
to rotate and reach the desired depth. The desired depth of the bit
20 is where the teeth 38 touch or engage the flange 9 of the
casting or ring 7. The teeth 38 on the bottom surface 35 of the
cylindrical central core 30 cut into and through asphalt, concrete
and roadbase, but not steel. Consequently, when the teeth 38
contact the steel of flange 9 the rubblizing bit cannot descend
further. The desired depth of rubblizing has been reached.
[0083] With the rubble sucked out, the bit 20 has created a hole
approximately 3 1/3 feet in diameter, with the outer portion of the
hole being deeper than the inner portion established by the teeth
38 on the central core and teeth 56-58 on the carrier 40. Teeth 54
on the outer periphery of the carrier 40 and teeth 55 cut down
below the flange 9. In this way the bit breaks loose the flange 9
from the top of cone 5 or the height adjusting material 8. The
rubblizing bit is then pulled up out of the excavated hole 18. The
height of the cover 6 is checked and, if it is in proper position,
the hole 18 is filled with either asphalt or concrete. The traffic
control and equipment can then be moved to the next utility cover
to be set to grade.
[0084] There are additional steps in the method where the cover 6
and ring 7 need to have a height adjustment relative to the surface
of the roadbase. Sometimes when the roadbase is resurfaced, the
resurfacing is done around the manhole cover or over the manhole,
leaving the cover below the surface of the roadway. Additionally,
there are times when the supporting structure, such as the height
adjusting rings 8 or shims (not shown) have broken down and the
height of the cover 6 and ring 7 are below the street level or at
least one side is below the surface of the roadway. In all cases,
the renovation includes setting the height of the ring and cover to
grade or aligned with the surface of the street.
[0085] First the traffic control devices are put in place and if
necessary a flag person is used so that the renovation, including
the adjustments of the height of the manhole cover may be done
safely. Again, the rubblizing bit 20 is centered over the manhole
cover and it is caused to rotate as it goes down against and into
the material around the cover 6 and the ring 7. Again, as the teeth
38 reach the flange 9 of the ring 7, the rubblizing bit stops and
the vacuum completes the removal of the rubble from hole 18. The
rubblizing bit 20 is removed from the hole 18. Rubblizing or
in-situ grinding of the material is more desirable than
jackhammering, which leaves large, heavy pieces of material that
have to be manhandled or machine loaded into a disposal unit.
[0086] After removal of bit 20, another bit 79 (FIG. 27), having
only a central core 80, of the same construction as the central
core 30, with teeth on the bottom surface of the cylindrical
portion of the central core, is substituted for the rubblizing bit
20 in the housing 21 or placed in another housing, as shown in FIG.
6. The internal diameter of the central core 80 of the bit of FIG.
27 is 43 inches so that it will go down and around the top portion
of the cone 5 of the illustrative standard sanitary sewer manhole,
which at it's uppermost reach is 36 inches in diameter, or 3 feet
across. In this way the material down around the top of the cone 5
is broken loose and sucked out by the vacuum unit 66 through hose
64. At this point the bit 79 is pulled out of the hole and the ring
7 and cover 6 are removed from the hole as well as any height
adjusting rings 8 on top of the cone 5. As noted above the bit 79,
shown in FIG. 27, has an additional set of teeth used for creating
a step for a T-lock that may not be present for this operation.
[0087] The design and use of the rubblizing bit 20 is especially
advantageous where the cone and barrel section or pipe are
constructed out of brick. Because the rubblizing bit 20 stops at
the flange of the ring, the bit will not go into the underlying
brick. However, in the past, cones made of brick have been damaged
by the jackhammers used in the prior art method.
[0088] If the distance between the bottom of the ring 7 and the top
surface 12 of cone 5 is greater than 2 inches, a cuttable form 30
is used to provide the proper height for the cover 6. This form, as
described above, is disclosed in detail in U.S. Pat. No. 5,934,820
('820) granted on Aug. 10, 1999 to Vernon W. Hinkle and U.S. Pat.
No. 6,161,985 ('985) granted Dec. 19, 2000 to Vernon W. Hinkle and
John D. Tensen. The apparatus is disclosed in the '985 patent and
the process for employing the apparatus is covered in the '820
patent. The '820 patent and '985 are incorporated herein by this
reference as though set forth in full.
[0089] As shown in FIGS. 21 and 22 and described in the '820
patent, the form 70 is placed in the hole 18 on top of the top
surface 12 of the cone 5. The form 70 is a tubular cone that is
wider at the bottom to fit on the top surface of the cone 5 and
narrower at the top to fit under the ring 7. The form is comprised
of a material that is strong enough to support a concrete pour. The
form 70 is stabilized on the top surface 12 of the cone 5 and a
trimmer jig frame 72 is placed on the surface of the roadway and
internal of the form 70 as shown in FIG. 22. The jig frame 72 has a
circular member 73 with horizontal tabs 74 on the outside of the
circular member 73, which rest on the surface of the roadway to
which the cover 6 of the manhole cover is to be adjusted. The jig
72 further has vertical tabs 75 on a X-shaped cross frame 76. The
vertical tabs 75 fit inside the form 70 to stabilize the form 70
while it is cut to provide the precise height for the form 70 and,
thus, the ring 7 and cover 6 relative to the surface of the
roadway. The amount of tubular form 70 to be trimmed away by the
inverted trimmer is determined by measuring the critical dimension
of the manhole ring 7. This critical dimension is the distance from
the upper surface 13 of the ring 7 and the bottom surface 16 of the
flange 9 as shown in FIGS. 23 and 24. A cutter 77 of the trimmer 72
is then positioned to cut the form 70 at a distance from the top
down that is equal to the critical distance of the ring 7 between
its top surface 13 and the bottom surface 16 of flange 9. Upon
completion of the cutting of the form 70, the trimmer jig frame is
removed. The ring 7 is placed on top of the trimmed form 70 as
shown in FIG. 23. The area around the form is filled with concrete
to the bottom of flange 9, and when sufficiently cured, the balance
of the hole 18 is filled, either with concrete or asphalt.
[0090] If the hole 18 is filled with asphalt, a further feature of
the invention may be employed as shown in FIGS. 23 and 24. After
the rubblizing bit 20 has been removed, a bit 79 shown in FIG. 27,
with a larger inside diameter central core 80 is attached and used
to complete the loosening of the material around the bottom of the
ring 7 and the top of the cone 5. This bit is modified to provide a
T-lock 99 that reduces the possibility of moisture getting down
into the area of the manhole. This bit also removes any elevated
road material at the edge of the hole. Carriers 81 for a T-lock
trimmer 86 (milling bit) is attached to the central core 80 of the
larger circumference bit 79 as show in FIG. 27. Carrier 81 has a
mounting plate 82 that fits in a slot 83 in the side of the central
core 80. The mounting plate 82 also extends beyond the
circumference of the central core 80 by 6 inches to provide a
further cut or step 90 (FIG. 23) in the road surface. When the hole
18 and step 90 are filled with asphalt as shown in FIG. 24, a
T-lock 99 results. The teeth of the trimmer 86 create ridges on the
horizontal surface of step 90. Tack oil is placed on the horizontal
surface before laying down the asphalt to create a barrier to
moisture.
[0091] Teeth 85 are attached to the bottom surface of the mounting
plate 82 and cut away or grind the surface of the roadway 4 as the
bit 79 goes down into the hole 18 and forms the cut or step 90 in
the existing asphalt or concrete surface. There are 3 carriers 81
located 120 degrees apart around the central core 80. The front
carrier 81 is not shown in FIG. 27.
[0092] The T-lock trimmer 86 may have an alternative means of
attachment to the central core 80 as shown in FIG. 28. In this case
the carrier 91 for the T-lock teeth has a step 92 to have the teeth
93 at the desired depth with respect to the surface of the roadway
4. Carrier 91 has an attachment plate 94 for the teeth 93 and a
mounting plate 95, both of which are horizontal relative to the
vertical member 96. Vertical plate 96 provides a step of selected
distance between attachment plate 94 and mounting plate 95. In a 3
inch thick asphalt or concrete surface, the cut 90 will be 1 1/2
inches deep to provide the T-lock. The depth and width of the
T-lock may vary depending upon the material and road conditions.
Additionally, the central core 80 may have a short height, such as
6 inches, and no teeth on the bottom surface. In this case, the bit
will only function as a trimmer bit.
[0093] If the distance between the bottom of ring 7 and the top
surface 12 of cone 5 is less than 2 inches, then an inflatable
donut shaped form 100 is employed as shown in FIG. 26. A means for
positioning and orienting the top of the ring 7 relative to the
surface of the roadway is available form Mountain Valley Equipment
and is manufactured by Stehr Baumaschinen GmbH, This device is
called an Adjustable Ring and Leveling Rule 98. This device (shown
in FIG. 25) has three arms 104 (FIG. 30) that extend out from a
center piece 103 to lie on the surface of the roadway 4.
Additionally, the Adjustable Ring has a means for holding the ring
7 consisting of clamps 107 in cooperation with adjustable clamp
105. The clamp 105 has a movable arm that extends down into the
ring where the cover will be positioned. This arm, when moved by
handle 108 forces the ring 7 against the stationary clamps 107 to
hold it in place.
[0094] The ring 7 is attached to the Adjusting Ring 98 and the
combination is placed over the cone 5 with the arms 104 lying on
the surface of the roadway with adjustable feet 102. The altitude
or position of the top of the ring 7 is adjusted by use of a level
and the feet 102. Once the top of ring 7 is on grade with the
roadway, an inflatable doughnut shaped form 100 is placed inside
the ring 7 and inside the top of cone 5 as shown in FIG. 26.
[0095] Straps 106 extend up from form 100 and one strap is placed
over the handle 108 of adjustable clamp 105. The form is then
inflated to fill the space between the bottom of ring 7 and the top
surface 12 of cone 5 to provide a surface 110 that holds out the
concrete poured around the form 100 and bottom of the ring 7. The
inflated form 100 seals against the bottom inside surface of ring 7
and the top inside surface of cone 5 to prevent seepage into cone 5
of the grout or concrete that is poured into the hole up to the top
of flange 9. When the concrete is cured, the doughnut shaped form
100 is deflated and removed. The remainder of the hole is then
filled with concrete or asphalt and the cover 6 is put into
place.
[0096] Another occasion where the cover and ring of a manhole are
involved is where they are at grade with the present surface of the
roadway and the roadway is to be resurfaced. Generally, old road
material is milled down so that a new layer of material may be laid
down to result in the same surface level. In the past, it has taken
considerable time to mill around each ring and cover of the
manholes in the street. This has been done with milling brushes on
prime movers, such as skidsters, by scoops on skidsters or
backhoes, or with jackhammers and shovels. A more efficient and
faster way is to employ a trimmer 112 shown in FIG. 38, with a
central core. The central core may have teeth at the bottom, as
shown in FIG. 38, or may be just a carrier for the trimming or
milling teeth 115. There are a plurality of carriers 114 with
trimming or milling teeth 115 attached to an attachment plate 116.
The attachment plate and teeth extend out 12 inches from the
outside surface of the central core. This distance may be more or
less depending upon how close the large milling equipment is able
to get to the access hole. The milling around each manhole may be
done before or after the milling of the street.
[0097] The central core has an inside diameter of 27 inches for the
standard sanitary sewer manhole cover and ring. The carrier 114
(FIG. 38) has an attachment plate 116 that extends 12 inches beyond
the outside diameter of the central core 113. A plurality of teeth
115 are attached to the bottom of the attachment plate 116. The
trimmer 112 is attached to a prime mover, such as a skidster, for
positioning and rotation. The height of the central core 113 is 6
inches from the top 117 of the core 113 to the tip of the teeth 118
at the bottom of the central core 113. This height only has to be
sufficient to cut down 11/2 inches for the typical roadway.
[0098] The carrier 114 has a mounting plate 119 that is slid into a
slot in the side of the central core 113 and is held in place by
plates (not shown) and welded to the inside of the top 117. The
plate 119 may also be welded to the top 117 of the core 113 or
bolted in the sot or on top.
[0099] The bit without attachments is useful in setting the ring
and cover in new installations. These new installations may be of
small access covers or large access covers, such as used for
manholes.
[0100] In a new installation, as illustratively shown for a manhole
in FIG. 31, other cone and other understructure is in place when
the roadway is put down. The cone 5 is covered with a plate 120 and
is covered with compacted roadbase material 121. The roadway 122 is
then laid over the cone 5 and plate 120.
[0101] The cone 5, shown in FIG. 31 is a cross-sectional view that
is rotated 90 degrees from the cross-sectional views of FIGS. 1, 2,
4, 14, 22-26. The cone is eccentric and has a surface 123 that is
relatively flat for attachment of an access ladder.
[0102] The location of the covered cone under the roadway is
generally marked by two or more marks on the curb or the side of
the roadway. Intersecting arcs are used to locate the center of the
cone.
[0103] Once the center of the cone is determined, a core bit 124,
as shown in FIGS. 32 and 35, is centered over the cone. This core
bit 124 has exterior flanges 125 that curve from the bottom of the
bit to its top to assist in bringing up the ground up roadway and
roadbase. Stehr Baumaschinen GmbH has made a core bit without these
flanges 125. Stehr now makes a core bit with flanges that are
available from Mountain Valley Equipment. The core bit is also
shown in FIGS. 33 and 34 without the flanges 125.
[0104] The core bit is used to cut a circular plug (not shown), out
of the roadway. This plug is moved out of the circular hole cut by
bit 124. The plug may be moved by a scoop on a skidster or by some
other means. After removal of the plug, the underlying material is
sucked out by vacuum.
[0105] If the material is too tightly compacted, a small jackhammer
is supplied by pressurized air from a compressor (not shown)
mounted on the vacuum truck 66 (FIGS. 19 and 20) and is used to
loosen the material. In any event, the material is sucked out by
vacuum to significantly speed up the process of setting the new
ring and cover. Once the hole 126 is evacuated down to the top of
the cone 5, the plate 120 is removed.
[0106] The distance 127 from the top of the cone 5 to the surface
of the roadway 122 is determined. Based upon the distance, an
adjustable height form, such as the Whirlygig or the inflatable
donut is selected for use in setting the ring and cover to
grade.
[0107] The bit of FIGS. 32 and 35 does not have a carrier for
rubblizing teeth or a carrier for milling a step for a T-lock or a
carrier for milling or trimming around a utility access cover.
[0108] The core bit of FIGS. 32 and 35, depending upon its
dimensions and attachments, has many uses. One use is rubblizing
down to the cone area of a manhole after a rubblizing bit has
rubblized down to and around the flange of the ring. Another use is
the rubblizing with carriers of rubblizing teeth attached to and
carried by the central core. A further use is for milling a step in
the roadway for a T-lock when milling or trimming teeth carriers
are attached. For this purpose the central core may have a very
short height and no teeth on the bottom surface 35 or it may have a
height of 12 inches or more or less with the milling teeth near the
top and teeth 38 on the bottom surface 35. Also, where the trimming
teeth are for milling or trimming the surface around a utility
access cover during resurfacing, the inside diameter of the cone is
slightly greater than the outside diameter of the ring. The teeth
38 at the bottom of the core 30 grind down around the ring and
stabilizes and positions the trimmer. The teeth on the trimmer
carrier extend out 12 inches or another selected distance to mill
around the ring for resurfacing of the roadway area around the
access hole.
[0109] Although the description above contains specificity, this
should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention, but
merely as providing illustrations of one of the presently preferred
embodiments of the invention. Although preferred embodiments and
method for renovating manholes have been described above, the
invention is not limited to the specific embodiments, but rather
the scope of the invention is to be determined as claimed.
* * * * *