Manhole skirt assembly and kit

Abstract

A manhole assembly is usable in combination with an underground tank assembly, and essentially comprises a double-walled, lid-supporting skirt assembly. The skirt assembly comprises inner and outer isolation walls. The inner isolation wall defines an inner manhole cavity and a moisture-directing, outer manhole channel. The outer manhole channel extends intermediate the inner isolation wall and the outer isolation wall. The outer manhole channel directs moisture from the superior skirt end adjacent a manhole lid supported by skirt assembly to the inferior skirt end thus isolating the inner manhole cavity from channel-directed moisture. The manhole assembly may further comprise a spring-actuable, lid-compressible collar assembly. It is contemplated that the collar assembly may be cooperable with the lid for selectively allowing matter to pass through the outer manhole channel depending on whether the lid is seated upon the collar assembly or removed therefrom.

Description

PRIOR HISTORY [0001] This application is a continuation-in-part patent application claiming the benefit of pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11 / 237,290, filed in the United States Patent and Trademark Office on Sep. 28, 2005.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The present invention generally relates to a manhole skirt assembly for use in combination with an underground storage tank. More particularly, the present invention relates to a moisture-diverting manhole skirt assembly or kit for outfitting underground storage tank assemblies and the like. [0004] 2. Description of the Prior Art [0005] Those experienced with underground storage tanks and the maintenance thereof must often address the fact that many of the underground storage tanks suffer from aged, deteriorated, and contaminated fill locations. In this regard, it is noted that manhole type entranceways to underground storage tanks all suffer from moisture infiltration that occurs when mo...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present invention provides a double-walled manhole skirt assembly and kit for use in underground tank assemblies. The skirt assembly helps to direct moisture away from the inner manhole cavity and structure commonly found therein. The skirt assembly includes a lid and a skirt with an inner and outer isolation wall, which helps to isolate the inner manhole cavity from channel-directed moisture. The skirt assembly also includes a collar assembly with a spring-actuating means that can open and close the outer manhole channel for allowing matter to pass through. The technical effects of the invention include improved moisture control and protection of the manhole assembly."

Problems solved by technology

Those experienced with underground storage tanks and the maintenance thereof must often address the fact that many of the underground storage tanks suffer from aged, deteriorated, and contaminated fill locations.

In this regard, it is noted that manhole type entranceways to underground storage tanks all suffer from moisture infiltration that occurs when moisture from rain, snow, and the like accumulates.

Countless attempts have been made to make a waterproof manhole assembly, all of which exhibit a poor end result, namely, a water-permeable manhole assembly.

When moisture enters a manhole assembly in superior adjacency to an underground storage tank, the moisture tends to pool upon underground storage tank components, thereby infiltrating and often damaging said components.

Often, however, the conditions surrounding the underground storage tanks are in violation of any number of local, state, and / or federal laws.

As time has gone by many of the OS devices have started to show wear and attendant contamination.

Existing OS devices thus, do not come close to offering a complete solution to the spillage, leakage, and contamination problems that still exist at underground storage tanks.

It then follows that a great deal of petroleum product enters and contaminates groundwater supplies.

Current methods of containing spillage at the fill location of underground storage tanks by an overspill device are lacking in certain respects.

The most notable problems may be listed, as follows: 1) a relatively small 9-10 inch opening at the top of the OS device (the small opening does not allow much room for delivery error or missed spillage.

3) The water / silt build up also damages the lid assembly and components of the OS device (making the initial water tight capability obsolete, and thus allowing debris, silt, or water to infiltrate the OS device, thus damaging the drain device of the OS device, and thus the probability of the water, silt, and debris infiltrating the UG storage tank.

Spillage of even the smallest amounts will build up over the lifetime of the underground storage tank system and will create certain far-reaching environmental problems.

5) Most currently used OS devices do not have means for containing, monitoring, or receiving notification of spillage or water infiltration with the use of the OS device.

It is noted that while the prior art attempting to address secondary containment of underground fill / overfill area with particular attention being given to moisture-redirective manhole assemblies for use in combination with underground storage tanks is rather poorly developed.

It will be seen from a further review of the above-referenced patents and other prior art generally known to exist relating to underground storage tank spillage containment systems, that the prior art does not teach a double-walled manhole skirt assembly in combination with primary or secondary spillage containment assemblies as situated in superior adjacency to underground storage tank assemblies.

Further, the prior art does not teach a matter isolation kit installable upon an underground storage tank assembly comprising for directing moisture away from moisture-sensitive underground storage tank assembly components.

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