U.S. patent application number 14/935340 was filed with the patent office on 2016-06-16 for safe maintenance industrial covers.
This patent application is currently assigned to SMIC AUSTRALASIA PTY LTD. The applicant listed for this patent is SMIC Australasia Pty Ltd. Invention is credited to Paul Harazim, Levi Johnson.
Application Number | 20160168818 14/935340 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 52388487 |
Filed Date | 2016-06-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160168818 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Harazim; Paul ; et
al. |
June 16, 2016 |
SAFE MAINTENANCE INDUSTRIAL COVERS
Abstract
The Safety Manhole Industrial Cover (SMIC) is a lightweight
temporary safety manhole cover with a hinged access door made with
aluminium or a strong nonferrous composite used when sewerage,
storm water, water maintenance or inspections are required. It is a
temporary self-ventilating design manhole grate to be used whenever
the manhole cover is removed when operations are in progress around
the manhole. The slots allow for natural light and airflow and it
allows workers below ground to see through to the persons above;
and vice versa. The safety manhole cover is designed to eliminate
the risk of falling from heights regulations requirement whilst
works are carried out near or over sewer openings by allowing the
operators to walk freely above ground without having a harness to
secure themselves.
Inventors: |
Harazim; Paul; (Molendinar,
AU) ; Johnson; Levi; (Molendinar, AU) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
SMIC Australasia Pty Ltd |
Main Beach |
|
AU |
|
|
Assignee: |
SMIC AUSTRALASIA PTY LTD
Main Beach
AU
|
Family ID: |
52388487 |
Appl. No.: |
14/935340 |
Filed: |
November 6, 2015 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
404/25 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E02D 29/1463 20130101;
E02D 29/1445 20130101; E02D 29/1472 20130101; E02D 29/14
20130101 |
International
Class: |
E02D 29/14 20060101
E02D029/14 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Nov 8, 2014 |
AU |
AU2014101337 |
Claims
1. A lightweight temporary safety manhole cover comprising: (i) a
plurality of ventilation slots in main body of the cover; (ii) an
underside bearing flat stiffening bars; (iii) a load bearing hinged
access door; and (iv) the cover sits on top of a concrete lip of
the manhole opening wherein the slots occupy a substantial portion
of the cover to provide adequate ventilation and light to a worker
undertaking maintenance below ground; and at least one of the slots
is substantially rectangular in shape and this slot is continuous
from centre to circumference of the cover, wherein the manhole
cover is substantially circular, spherical, or oval.
2. The cover according to claim 1 wherein the underside of the
safety cover has three flat bars attached to a concentric flat bar
ring for support.
3. The cover according to any one of the claim 2 when used for
conducting maintenance below ground enabling a worker to be secured
by means of a harness to be lowered down the cover.
4. The cover according to claim 3 wherein the harness is secured by
a cable which is positioned in the slot which is continuous from
the centre to the circumference of the cover as defined in claim
1.
5. A lightweight temporary safety manhole cover comprising: (i) a
plurality of ventilation slots in main body of the cover; (ii) an
underside bearing flat stiffening bars; (iii) a load bearing hinged
access door; and (iv) the cover sits on top of a concrete lip of
the manhole opening wherein the slots occupy a substantial portion
of the cover to provide adequate ventilation and light to a worker
undertaking maintenance below ground; and at least one of the slots
is substantially rectangular in shape and this slot is continuous
from centre to perimeter of the cover, wherein the manhole cover is
substantially rectangular or square.
6. The cover according to claim 5 wherein the underside of the
safety cover has three flat bars attached to a concentric flat bar
ring for support.
7. The cover according to claim 6 when used for conducting
maintenance below ground enabling a worker to be secured by means
of a harness to be lowered down the cover.
8. The cover according to claim 7 wherein the harness is secured by
a cable which is positioned in the slot which is continuous from
the centre to the perimeter of the cover as defined in claim 5.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to AU2014101337, filed Nov.
8, 2014, which is incorporated herein by reference in its
entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention is designed to eliminate the
possibility of a fall from heights when working around
openings.
BACKGROUND
[0003] It is widely known in the industry that opening a manhole is
a high risk and fatal activity that requires operators to erect
approved safety equipment in order to adhere to current
legislation. It is impractical and inefficient to erect and remove,
in typical situations, safety barricades each time a manhole is
needed to be inspected or maintenance to be carried out.
[0004] Manhole covers are heavy, typically circular, plates used to
close vertical shafts, i.e. manholes. Manholes provide access to
underground areas such as water and storm water pipes, sewage ways
and other underground utility areas.
[0005] The following is a non-comprehensive list of the procedure
to be administered during typical manhole maintenances.
Procedure Prior to Removal of Manhole Cover
[0006] Erect safety barricades for a safe working perimeter;
[0007] Set up your working equipment around perimeter such as
cranes, tripods and certified anchor points;
[0008] Have all operators to be anchored to a certified anchor
point; and
[0009] Use lever to remove the manhole cover.
Procedure Post Inspection or Maintenance
[0010] Replace manhole cover;
[0011] Remove equipment and detach from certified anchor points;
and
[0012] Remove safety barricade.
[0013] Consequently, it will be realized that the present invention
will be a useful alternative to the costly and inefficient
operating procedure in the inspection and maintenance of manhole
operations as detailed below.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
Technical Problem
[0014] When operating around manholes and sewerage openings,
barricades are erected to form a barrier so that no outside
influences can affect the working environment. All workers below
and above ground are to be harnessed to a certified anchor point at
all times to prevent falls from heights into the confined
space.
Solution to the Problem
[0015] A temporary safety manhole cover to be used whenever the
common manhole cover is removed or any other water related opening.
It is designed to eliminate the need of the existing maintenance
procedure of setting up the manhole and being harnessed and
anchored to a certified anchor point whilst works are carried out
near or over openings. With this innovation, only the operator who
is conducting maintenance below ground needs to be secured using a
harness hooked up to a winch, which is secured to a certified
anchor point situated above ground.
Advantages of the Invention
[0016] Eliminating the risk of falling from heights;
[0017] Reducing the set up time of the maintenance and/or
inspection procedures;
[0018] SMIC weighs less than existing manhole covers and can easily
be removed and put back in place by a single road worker;
[0019] Corrosion resistant;
[0020] Cost effective to the cost and maintenance of existing fall
from heights safety equipment and certified anchor points;
[0021] The cover is versatile and can be made to any shape to suit
any application; and
[0022] The manhole cover is typically circular in shape but manhole
openings of other shapes including but not limited to rectangular
and oval configurations.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0023] The innovation will be described by example only in
reference to the accompanying drawings:
[0024] FIG. 1A is a photograph showing the perspective view from
the top of an existing circular manhole cover.
[0025] FIG. 1B is a photograph showing the perspective view from
the underside of an existing circular manhole cover.
[0026] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the perspective view from the
top of the circular embodiment of the innovation.
[0027] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the perspective view from the
underside of the circular embodiment of the innovation.
[0028] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the isometric view of the
circular embodiment of the innovation.
[0029] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the isometric view of the
circular embodiment with the opened door depicted of the
innovation.
[0030] FIG. 6A is a diagram showing the ventilation slot detail of
the innovation.
[0031] FIG. 6B shows the internal ring, and FIG. 6C shows the
stiffening ring.
[0032] FIG. 7A is a diagram showing the door rest detail of the
circular embodiment of the innovation.
[0033] FIG. 7B is a diagram showing the door detail of the circular
embodiment of the innovation.
[0034] FIG. 8A is a diagram showing the cross section view of the
circular embodiment of the innovation.
[0035] FIGS. 8B and 8D show the hinge, and and FIGS. 8C and 8E show
the hinge pin.
[0036] FIG. 9A is a diagram showing the top perspective view of the
square embodiment of the innovation, and FIG. 9B shows a side
view.
[0037] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the underside perspective view
of the square embodiment of the innovation.
[0038] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the isometric view of the
square embodiment of the innovation.
[0039] FIG. 12A is a diagram showing the isometric view of the
square embodiment with the opened door depicted of the innovation.
FIGS. 12B and 12C show additional views of this embodiment.
[0040] FIG. 13A is a diagram showing the door rest detail of the
square embodiment of the innovation.
[0041] FIG. 13B is a diagram showing the door detail of the square
embodiment of the innovation.
[0042] FIG. 14 shows the door stop.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0043] Any embodiment of the present invention is meant to be
illustrative only and is not meant to be limiting the invention. It
is to be understood that throughout the specification that the term
"cover" and "grate"; "invention" and "innovation", will be used
interchangeably.
[0044] FIG. 2 shows the topside of the temporary manhole cover
according to the circular embodiment of the present invention. The
manhole cover (1) consists of a flat ventilated plate with a
semicircular hinged aperture (2) formed there through.
[0045] It is preferable that the circular embodiment and temporary
manhole grate (FIG. 1a) be formed of a lightweight material such as
aluminium or even in some circumstances a suitably strong plastic
or non-ferrous composite material.
[0046] Where the temporary manhole cover will be used in a
situation where operators may walk over it then it may be necessary
to stiffen the plate by forming the plate with stiffening ribs (3)
on the underside (FIG. 3) of the temporary cover. (FIG. 3) shows
where a number of stiffening members are welded to the underside of
the temporary grate. The ventilation slot detail to be laser
cut.
[0047] The top plate (1) is laser cut to drawing specifications and
ventilation slots (4) are laser cut or via computer numeric control
process. This can be 6 realised in other shapes and embodiments of
the current invention. In the alternative, when a strong plastic or
non-ferrous composite is available, the use of 3D plastic injection
molding may be used. The company logo will also be laser cut on the
topside of the temporary manhole grate positioned as depicted
(5).
[0048] A semi-concentric doorstop (6) of the same material is
welded to the topside to prevent the door from falling through. The
doorstop and the invention is tested to industry weight load
bearing specifications.
[0049] In the preferred embodiment or any other embodiment of the
temporary manhole grate, it will be covered with a textured powder
coating with a sand finish to give a non-slip texture.
[0050] Since the temporary manhole grate weighs less than 20 kg, it
can be readily lifted into place by a single operator.
[0051] The stiffening ring (7) is rolled into shape, which is
welded to the top plate (8) and is positioned concentric therewith
in accordance with the internal ring (9). In the circular
embodiment of the invention a stiffening member is welded to the
stiffening ring through the diameter on the underside of the top
plate (10). In the square embodiment of the invention, the
stiffening member (11) is welded to the stiffening ring through the
centre.
[0052] It should be realised in other embodiments that the top
plate, the stiffening member, the stiffening ring, hinge and other
features will be cast as a single unitary piece.
[0053] The door (12) will be aligned with the doorstop (13), a
hinge (14) will be welded together with a hinge pin (15) inserted
to secure the door. The door will have a finger hole to allow for
operators to lift open the door (17). Accordingly there will be an
indent in the doorstop to accommodate for the finger hole (18).
[0054] FIG. 5 is an open detail view of the invention. When the
door (16) is opened, equipment can be safely passed through to the
operator working in the confined space. This is convenient, as it
is not required to remove the entire manhole cover in order to pass
equipment, which will compromise the safety of all operators
working in and around the manhole.
[0055] It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to
specific features shown or described since the means herein
described comprises preferred forms of putting the invention into
effect.
[0056] Therefore, it should be appreciated that various other
changes and modifications can be made to any embodiment described
without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
VARIATIONS
[0057] As the SMIC can come in different shapes and sizes, it can
also allow for different materials such as non-metallic materials
including but not limited to strong plastics and composites. The
utilisation of these materials include but not limited to the
following advantages:
[0058] Resistance to a wide range of chemical agents including acid
rain and salt spray, conditions under which metal parts would
suffer. This results in much reduced maintenance and repair
costs;
[0059] Low weight--with substantial savings in weight over similar
metal parts (25%
[0060] the weight of steel, 30% lighter than aluminium);
[0061] Thermal properties--composite structures act as very good
insulators, whilst retaining their shape while not becoming brittle
in cold temperatures;
[0062] Strength--comparable to aluminium and steel, strength
characteristics of many materials;
[0063] Safety--fibre-reinforced composites are low in electrical
conductivity and are efficient fire retardants; and
[0064] Reduced cost--effective techniques have been developed which
produce a post-mold paint-finish type surface which requires no
further processing, thus eliminating the need for time consuming
and expensive finishing.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0065] A Form 15--Compliance Certificate for building Design or
Specification is attached detailing the structural design
certification of the invention in accordance with the Building Act
1975 (Qld).
[0066] The Safety Manhole Industrial Cover (or Safe Maintenance
Industrial Cover) (SMIC) is a lightweight temporary safety manhole
cover with a hinged access door made with aluminium or a strong
nonferrous composite used when sewerage, storm water, water
maintenance or inspections are required. It is a temporary
self-ventilating design manhole grate to be used whenever the
manhole cover is removed when operations are in progress around the
manhole. The slots allows for natural light and airflow and it
allows workers below ground to see through to the persons above;
and vice versa.
[0067] The safety manhole cover is designed to eliminate the risk
of falling from heights regulations requirement whilst works are
carried out near or over sewer openings by allowing the operators
to walk freely above ground without having a harness to secure
themselves.
[0068] The safety manhole cover prevents large objects from falling
into the confined space as the cover has been designed to exceed
industrial safe load bearing weight standards. The safety manhole
cover also has a unique cut out slot design that allows for persons
to move freely when cables are in use. In the alternative, the
safety manhole cover is embodied in a square form, and other shapes
to suit any applications that may be required.
* * * * *