U.S. patent application number 13/843868 was filed with the patent office on 2014-09-18 for manhole and sewer basin cover.
The applicant listed for this patent is James Blackowicz. Invention is credited to James Blackowicz.
Application Number | 20140270943 13/843868 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 51527588 |
Filed Date | 2014-09-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140270943 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Blackowicz; James |
September 18, 2014 |
MANHOLE AND SEWER BASIN COVER
Abstract
A cover prevents asphalt, gravel and other debris from falling
into the basin during construction or paving by covering the
manhole cover or basin with a thin metal plate. The cover can be
made in a size to match the size of the top of a basin frame and
can include a central hole into which a metal shaft can be inserted
to secure the cover into a center hole of a manhole cover, for
example, to prevent the cover from moving. The cover can help
environmentally during construction and paving by ensuring
construction debris does not enter the sewer. Moreover, the cover
helps makes paving around manholes easier.
Inventors: |
Blackowicz; James;
(Johnsburg, IL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Blackowicz; James |
Johnsburg |
IL |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
51527588 |
Appl. No.: |
13/843868 |
Filed: |
March 15, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
404/25 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E02D 29/1481 20130101;
E02D 29/14 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
404/25 |
International
Class: |
E02D 29/14 20060101
E02D029/14 |
Claims
1. A cover plate comprising: a plate member sized to fit over a
basin cover; a hole centrally disposed in the plate member; a pin
adapted to fit through the hole and into a central hole of the
basin cover; and a connector attachable to the pin to removably
retain the plate member to the basin cover.
2. The cover plate of claim 1, further comprising a hinged handle
configurable between a first position resting flat against the flat
plate, and a second
3. The cover plate of claim 1, wherein the connector is a cotter
pin.
4. The cover plate of claim 1, further comprising a sleeve member
formed in the hole.
5. A method for preventing debris from entering a basin, the method
comprising: placing a plate member over a basin cover; inserting a
pin through a hole in the plate member, the pin extending beyond
the basin cover; and retaining the plate member to the basin cover
to prevent the plate member from sliding.
6. The method of claim 5, further comprising securing the pin with
a connector to removably retain the plate member to the basin
cover.
7. The method of claim 6, wherein the connector is a cotter
pin.
8. The method of claim 5, further comprising lifting the plate
member via a handle disposed on a top surface of the plate
member.
9. The method of claim 8, further comprising folding the handle
flat to the plate member when in use.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to manhole and sewer basin
covers and, more particularly, to a metal plate used to cover and
protect manholes and sewer basins during paving or
construction.
[0002] During construction or paving, the slotted holes of a
manhole cover, which allows rain water to flow in, can also allow
debris, such as gravel, asphalt, or dirt to fall in, clogging the
drainage system. When excess amounts of this debris falls into the
basin, it must be removed manually. The current methods for
preventing this is not adequate and can often result in the need to
manually clean debris from basins.
[0003] For example, a current option for preventing debris from
entering basins is to place a filter fabric underneath the slotted
manhole cover. This fabric often breaks down and falls into the
basin itself. Also, when someone tries to remove the fabric, any
material still on the cover or built up around the manhole is
allowed to fall into the basin.
[0004] As can be seen, there is a need for an improved cover to
protect manholes and sewer basins during paving or
construction.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] In one aspect of the present invention, a cover plate
comprises a plate member sized to fit over a basin cover; a hole
centrally disposed in the plate member; a pin adapted to fit
through the hole and into a central hole of the basin cover; and a
connector attachable to the pin to removably retain the plate
member to the basin cover.
[0006] In another aspect of the present invention, a method for
preventing debris from entering a basin comprises placing a plate
member over a basin cover; inserting a pin through a hole in the
plate member, the pin extending beyond the basin cover; and
retaining the plate member to the basin cover to prevent the plate
member from sliding.
[0007] These and other features, aspects and advantages of the
present invention will become better understood with reference to
the following drawings, description and claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a basin cover, in use,
according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
[0009] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the basin cover of
FIG. 1;
[0010] FIG. 3 is a side view of the basin cover of FIG. 1;
[0011] FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of the basin cover of FIG.
1;
[0012] FIG. 5 is a side view of a basin cover including a handle
member disposed on an upper surface thereof;
[0013] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the basin cover of FIG. 5,
including the handle member, in use;
[0014] FIG. 7 is an exploded view of a sleeve element usable with
the basin cover of FIG. 1;
[0015] FIG. 8 is a top perspective view of the basin cover of FIG.
1 with the sleeve element of FIG. 7;
[0016] FIG. 9 is a bottom perspective view of the basin cover of
FIG. 1 with the sleeve element of FIG. 7;
[0017] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a basin cover with a
straight pin, in use, according to an exemplary embodiment of the
present invention; and
[0018] FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of the basin cover
of FIG. 10.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0019] The following detailed description is of the best currently
contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the
invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense,
but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general
principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is
best defined by the appended claims.
[0020] Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides a
cover that prevents asphalt, gravel and other debris from falling
into the basin during construction or paving by covering the
manhole cover or basin with a thin metal plate. The cover can be
made in a size to match the size of the top of a basin frame and
can include a central hole into which a metal shaft can be inserted
to secure the cover into a center hole of a manhole cover, for
example, to prevent the cover from moving. The cover can help
environmentally during construction and paving by ensuring
construction debris does not enter the sewer. Moreover, the cover
helps makes paving around manholes easier.
[0021] Referring to FIGS. 1 through 4, a manhole cover 10 may
conventionally be disposed over a manhole 24. A manhole cover plate
12 can be secured to the manhole cover 10 to prevent debris from
falling into the manhole 24. The manhole cover plate 12 allows for
construction to be done on and around the basin/sewer without worry
of damage or debris filling the drainage system.
[0022] The manhole cover plate 12 may be sized to cover the manhole
cover 10. The cover plate 12 may be made of various materials,
typically of a galvanized metal having a thickness of about 1/8
inch.
[0023] The manhole cover plate 12 can include a plate pin hole 14
in a central region thereof. A pin 18 may fit into the plate pin
hole 14 and may pass through a central hole of the manhole cover
10. The pin 18 prevents the cover plate 12 from sliding relative to
the manhole cover 10. In some embodiments, a cotter pin 22, or some
other connector, can hold the pin 18 in place under the manhole
cover 10. A pin handle 20 can be provided on the pin 18 to assist
in the removal of the pin or to help lift the manhole cover plate
12 and the manhole cover 10.
[0024] In some embodiments, as described above, the pin 18 may fit
directly into the central hole 14. In other embodiments, as shown
in FIGS. 7 through 9, a sleeve may be disposed in the plate pin
hole prior to insertion of the pin 18. The sleeve may be formed in
various configurations. In some embodiments, the sleeve can depend
from an underside of the manhole cover plate 12. In some
embodiments, the sleeve can be formed integrally with the manhole
cover plate 12. In other embodiments, the sleeve can be formed in
multiple parts. For example, a male threaded tubular member 26 may
extend through the top of the manhole cover plate 12. A washer 28
may be disposed between a hex-shaped nut end of the male threaded
tubular member 26. The threads of the male threaded tubular member
may then extend below the manhole cover plate 12. A female threaded
tubular member 30 may then be threaded on to the male threaded
tubular member 28, securing the manhole cover plate 12
therebetween. The female threaded tubular member 30 may extend
below the manhole cover plate 12, providing a means to align the
manhole cover plate 12 with the manhole cover 10 before placing the
pin 18 through the sleeve.
[0025] Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, a handle 16 may be formed on a
top side of the manhole cover plate 12. The handle 16 may pivot
from a position nearly flat with the manhole cover plate 12 to a
use position, allowing a user to pick up and move the manhole cover
plate 12.
[0026] Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, the pin 18 described above can
be a straight pin 18-1. Other pin shapes and styles are also
contemplated within the scope of the present invention.
[0027] It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing
relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that
modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and
scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.
* * * * *