Street cap

Abstract

Road cap with an installation body (1) which has a frame (2) at its upper end for receiving a cover (12), characterized in that an upper edge region of the installation body (1), preferably the frame (2), carries a joint ring (8) flush with it, which serves as a placeholder for a seal and is removable after installation in a road surface (7), preferably made of asphalt or the like, so that a joint (10) defined by the joint ring (8) remains between the upper edge of the installation body (1) and the road surface (7) for subsequent filling and / or pouring with a sealant (11).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a road cover with an installation body that has a frame at its upper end for receiving a cover. The term "road cover" is to be understood in the broadest sense. Ultimately, this refers to any inserts, manhole covers, valve covers, etc., that are installed in a road surface.

[0002] Road caps, also known as valve caps, valve boxes, hydrant boxes, etc., are installed flush with the road or sidewalk surface above shut-off valves or underground hydrants during the construction of underground water / wastewater disposal, gas supply, or district heating networks. This allows for the operation of the valve located in the road. In addition to road caps with a fixed installation height, there are height-adjustable road caps, which offer the advantage of variable installation height, thus significantly simplifying installation. Such road caps are typically used in asphalt road construction to ensure optimal adaptation to the height of the road surface.

[0003] For examples of the state of the art, reference is made only to DE 10 2011 008 189 B4, DE 10 2010 055 036 A1, DE 10 2004 010 556 B4 and DE 20 2008 012 318 U1.

[0004] The installation of such road caps in asphalt surfaces is problematic in practice, specifically once installed. A small, capillary-active gap regularly forms between the road cap and the asphalt surface, allowing water to penetrate. There is also the risk that the road cap will detach from the road surface material with regular driving over it, creating larger gaps around the cap. In winter, water that seeps in freezes, causing the edge around the road cap to crack and become systematically damaged.

[0005] Effective January 1, 2009, a regulation was incorporated into the ZPV Asphalt-StB 07 (1) stipulating that damage to seams and joints in road surfaces should be avoided. This regulation requires that all joints in road construction, specifically in traffic areas, including those around fixtures, be sealed with suitable materials, such as liquid asphalt, bitumen, or similar substances, or that a joint sealing tape be installed. Such measures are labor-intensive and, moreover, cause problems in the area of ​​road copings, as there is often no joint, or only a very small one, which can then only be filled with difficulty using liquid bitumen or a hot-applied sealant. It has been found that these measures are insufficient due to the initial capillary action of the joint, as the hot-applied sealant cannot penetrate it adequately.After repeated driving over and overwintering, the problem reappears: cracks and gaps form in the road caps, especially in plastic ones. Any repairs carried out so far, usually only after damage has occurred, are insufficient.

[0006] The present invention therefore aims to design and further develop a road cover of the generic type, either one-piece or height-adjustable, and in two parts, in such a way that the aforementioned problems are eliminated or at least significantly reduced. In particular, the invention seeks to prevent the formation of a gap between the road cover and the road surface into which water can penetrate. The connection between the road cover, typically made of plastic, and the road surface should be largely seamless when the road cover is installed. Furthermore, the invention aims to effectively prevent the formation of gaps after installation, due to repeated driving over them or after winter exposure, which would then lead to the same problems.

[0007] The aforementioned problem is solved by a road cap with the features of claim 1. In the simplest case, this is a one-piece road cap consisting essentially of a mounting body with a frame at its upper end for receiving a cover. The cover is usually a metal cover, typically made of cast iron.

[0008] According to the invention, an upper edge region of the installation body, preferably the frame, is equipped with a joint ring that closes flush with the edge region or the frame. This joint ring is to be understood as a tool. It serves as a placeholder for a seal to be subsequently applied.

[0009] After the road cap has been installed in a road surface, preferably made of asphalt or the like, the joint ring is removed, leaving a joint defined by the joint ring between the upper edge of the installation body or frame and the road surface for subsequent filling or grouting with a sealant.

[0010] According to the invention, it has been recognized that the capillary joint typically remaining after asphalt paving, or appearing after a certain period of time, is insufficient to introduce an effective jointing compound into the area between the frame of the road cap and the asphalt surface. This is because the joint that typically forms is too small to allow for subsequent jointing. The invention takes a completely different approach, namely, the road cap is equipped with a jointing ring that is removed after installation in the road surface. After removal of the jointing ring, a joint remains, corresponding to the width and depth of the jointing ring, which has been intentionally created in this way. This joint, for example, 1 cm wide and 1.5 to 2 cm deep, can ideally be subsequently filled with a grout, for example, a hot-melt grout.It is also conceivable that a conventional bitumen joint tape is inserted into the joint and, with sufficient overhang, pressed into place in its original state. Suitable jointing compounds can also be applied in a cold state. According to the invention, the essential feature is that the joint ring deliberately creates a joint in the edge area of ​​the road cap, more precisely in the edge area of ​​the road cap's frame, which is suitable for subsequent, proper jointing.

[0011] As previously explained, the invention relates not only to a one-piece road cap with an integrated body, but also to a height-adjustable version of a road cap, in which the previously defined integrated body is designed as the upper part. The upper part is supported by a lower part. For height adjustment, the upper part projects into the lower part with a preferably cylindrical tube section, or is inserted into the lower part. Preferably, the upper part or the tube section of the upper part can be moved telescopically within the lower part by overcoming a clamping force, namely by being pushed into or pulled out of the lower part. Reference is made, by way of example only, to DE 10 2004 010 556 B4, DE 10 2010 055 036 A1, and DE 10 2011 008 189 B4.

[0012] The upper edge of the installation body or the upper part (in the case of a two-part design of the road cap), in particular the frame, is round, oval, or square to accommodate a correspondingly shaped cover. The joint ring is adapted to the design of the frame, more precisely to its outer shape, and extends closely around it.

[0013] In principle, it is conceivable that the joint ring is pressed or crimped onto the outer edge area with at least slight clamping force, just enough so that it can be removed again after the road cap has been installed in a road surface.

[0014] For ease of handling, it is advantageous if the joint ring sits on a shoulder or in a recess, step, or similar feature of the upper part of the installation body or frame, so that its position at the edge of the frame is defined. The joint ring can have a rectangular or square cross-section, and its removal after installation of the road cap in the road surface is facilitated by the fact that the joint ring's outer surface preferably widens conically towards the top and tapers accordingly towards the bottom.

[0015] The removal of the joint ring can be further facilitated by providing recesses, indentations, etc. in the upper surface of the joint ring, preferably diametrically opposed to each other, so that the joint ring can be loosened from its position and removed using a tool, for example a pin, a screwdriver, etc.

[0016] The joint ring is advantageously equipped with a thin-walled top cover surface. This cover surface protects the already installed cover and its supporting frame during installation in the traffic area. The cover surface can extend completely over the joint ring or be partially formed to allow for easy removal of the joint ring via corresponding recesses, cutouts, etc. The cover surface can be an integral part of the joint ring and should be designed with the thinnest possible walls.

[0017] As described above, the joint ring, with its cover surface acting as a cap, lid, or similar, can be fitted over the frame, thus providing maximum protection for both the frame and the cover. After removing the joint ring and its cover surface, the road cap is positioned below the level of the road surface, corresponding to the thickness of the cover surface. With a cover surface thickness of 1 mm, this is barely noticeable. After removing the joint ring, with or without its cover surface, a circumferential groove remains, corresponding to the design of the joint ring, which can then be filled with grout.

[0018] It should be noted that the design of the joint ring with an integral cover surface has the advantage that the joint ring does not require a support for positioning, since in this design it is fitted over the frame like a cap, thus clearly defining its position. With this design, measures to receive or position the joint ring are unnecessary.

[0019] As mentioned previously, the cover surface can be formed entirely or partially within the area of ​​the joint ring, either as an integral component or glued, welded, etc. on. For ease of handling, the cover surface should have a passage or recess so that the joint ring can be easily removed.

[0020] In principle, it is conceivable to manufacture the joint ring from metal, especially stainless steel. With such a – complex – design, the joint ring is reusable and can therefore be considered a tool.

[0021] It is also conceivable that the joint ring is made of plastic, preferably injection-molded. The joint ring can be made of the same plastic material as the road cap. In such a design, the joint ring can be a disposable part that can be recycled after use.

[0022] Any suitable material can be used for subsequently sealing the space between the road cap's frame and the asphalt surface, provided that a secure bond is established between the road surface material and the road cap. The outer surface of the road cap, which forms the joint, can be designed with mechanical features that promote adhesion, such as a rough surface created by rough machining, resulting in turning grooves. Any other measures that promote adhesion are also conceivable, including adhesion between the road cap's surface and the sealant used. In any case, the sealant should remain permanently elastic even after curing.

[0023] There are now various ways to advantageously elaborate and further develop the teaching of the present invention. For this purpose, reference should be made, on the one hand, to the claims subordinate to claim 1 and, on the other hand, to the following explanation of preferred embodiments of the invention with reference to the drawing. In conjunction with the explanation of the preferred embodiments of the invention with reference to the drawing, generally preferred embodiments and further developments of the teaching are also explained. The drawing shows

[0024] Fig. 1 in a schematic view an embodiment of a conventional height-adjustable road cap with a square frame for receiving a corresponding cover, without the inventive provision of a joint ring,

[0025] Fig. 2 in a schematic detail view, partially cut away, an embodiment of a road cap according to the invention with a joint ring arranged around the frame and flush with it, already installed in the road surface,

[0026] Fig. 3 the object from Fig. 2 in identical representation as in Fig. 2, however with the joint ring removed, leaving a circumferential joint around the frame,

[0027] Fig. 4 in a schematic view, the Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 accordingly, the situation of the installed road cap after filling the joint according to Fig. 3 with a suitable joint compound,

[0028] Fig. Figure 5 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of a joint ring for use with a round frame, as shown in Figure 5. Fig. 2 is inserted around the frame,

[0029] Fig. 6 in a schematic view another embodiment of a road cap according to the invention with a joint ring arranged above it, partially broken off, which is equipped with a thin cover surface to protect the cap,

[0030] Fig. 7 in a schematic view, opposite Fig. 6 magnified, the object from Fig. 6 with attached joint ring and cover surface,

[0031] Fig. 8 in a schematic view, according to Fig. 7, the object from Fig. 7 with the joint ring removed,

[0032] Fig. 9 in a schematic view the situation of the installed road cap after filling the joint with a suitable jointing compound and

[0033] Fig. 10 in a schematic view the joint ring from the Fig. 6 and Fig. 7, partially broken off.

[0034] Fig. Figure 1 shows a conventional road cap with a built-in body in the upper area. 1 includes a frame at the top. 2 to accommodate a figure shown in Fig. 1 features a lid not shown.

[0035] Specifically, it shows Fig. 1 a height-adjustable road cap, wherein the installation body 1 as a top 3 is executed, which is made up of a lower part 4 is worn. The upper part is for height adjustment. 3 with a cylindrical pipe section 5 equipped and with this into the lower part 4 inserted. By overcoming a clamping force exerted by inwardly projecting clamping elements. 6 is caused by the upper part 3 opposite the lower part 4Telescopically adjustable. The problems mentioned in the introductory description arise after installation in a road surface, namely due to the lack of a sufficient sealing option for the frame. 2 opposite the road surface.

[0036] Fig. Figure 2 shows a partial embodiment of a road cap according to the invention, already installed in the road surface. 7 a road surface. Fig. Figure 2 clearly shows that an upper edge area of ​​the installation body 1 or the upper part 3 a joint ring 8 The road cap according to the invention is therefore combined with the joint ring. 8 built into the road surface, namely after the installation of the road surface 7 surrounded.

[0037] Fig. 2 further shows that the joint ring 8 with the help of a frame 2trained circumferential collar 9 is positioned, namely on the collar 9 It sits flush across the entire surface. Secure positioning of the joint ring. 8 This ensures that.

[0038] Fig. 3 shows the object from Fig. 1, where the joint ring 8 is removed. In its function as a placeholder, the joint ring leaves behind 8 one of the framework 2 circumferential joint 10 , according to the dimensions of the joint ring 8 The joint 10 is designed in the sense of a groove.

[0039] Fig. 4 shows the object from the Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, where the joint 10 or the groove with a jointing material 11 is filled. This could be, for example, a hot-melt casting compound. A capillary gap between the frame 2 of the installation body 1 or the upper part 3and the road surface 7 is effectively avoided.

[0040] Fig. Figure 5 shows a schematic view of the joint ring. 8 In its simplest form, namely with a defined width and height. The inner diameter of the joint ring is... 8 to the outer diameter of the frame 2 Adapted to a specific street cap, it can be fitted around the frame with minimal play. 2 arrange around (cf. Fig. 2).

[0041] Fig. Figure 6 shows a further embodiment of a road cap according to the invention, wherein a lid is located there. 12 within the framework 2 is used. In contrast to the representation from the Fig. 2 to Fig. 5 requires the joint ring provided there 8 no abutment or no support for the joint ring 8 service collar 9 according to the Fig. 2 to Fig. 4, namely the joint ring 8 with a cover surface 13 is provided with the joint ring 8 can cover the entire surface. The one with the cover surface 13 provided joint ring 8 It can be placed on the frame like a cap. 2 place the street cap over it, covering it together with the lid. 12 , namely to protect the frame 2 and the lid 12 . Support surfaces for positioning the joint ring 8 are within the framework 2 Such a design is not necessary.

[0042] Fig. 7 shows the object from Fig. 6 in the installed state of the joint ring 8 with cover surface 13 , wherein the joint ring 8 including the top surface 13 shown in a cutaway view.

[0043] Fig. 8 shows the object from the Fig. 6 and Fig. 7 in the installed state in the road surface, wherein the joint ring 8 including the top surface 13 is taken from it. Fig. Figure 8 shows that above the frame 2 and the lid 12 one of the top surface 13 of the joint ring 8 appropriate free space 10 consists of, for example, one millimeter.

[0044] Fig. 9 shows the object from Fig. 8, namely the installed road cap in the grouted state, according to which the joint ring removed 8 created free space 10 , namely the joint now formed there, with a jointing material 11 It is grouted.

[0045] Fig. Figure 10 shows the embodiment of the Fig. 6 to Fig. 9 used joint ring 8 with cover surface 13 in a partially broken state.

[0046] Regarding further advantageous embodiments of the road cap according to the invention, reference is made to the general part of the description and to the patent claims in order to avoid repetition.

[0047] Finally, it should be expressly pointed out that the exemplary embodiments of the road cap according to the invention described above serve only to discuss the claimed teaching, but do not limit it to the exemplary embodiments. Reference symbol list 1 installation body 2 frames 3 Top part (installation body) 4 lower part 5 cylindrical pipe section (of the upper part) 6 Clamping element (of the lower part) 7 Road surface, asphalt surface, road surface 8 joint ring 9 collars, support for the joint ring 10 Joint, groove, free space 11 Jointing material 12 lids 13 Cover surface (of the joint ring 8 ) QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0048] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0049] DE 102011008189 B4 [0003, 0011] DE 102010055036 A1 [0003, 0011] DE 102004010556 B4 [0003, 0011] DE 202008012318 U1

[0003]

Claims

[1] Street cap with a built-in body ( 1 ), which has a frame at the top ( 2 ) to accommodate a lid ( 12 ) has, characterized by that an upper edge area of ​​the installation body ( 1 ), preferably the frame, a joint ring flush with it ( 8 ) which serves as a placeholder for a seal and is removable after installation in a road surface, preferably made of asphalt or the like, so that between the upper edge of the installation body ( 1 ) and the road surface ( 7 ) one through the joint ring ( 8 ) defined joint ( 10 ) for subsequent filling or pouring with a sealant ( 11 ) remains. [2] Street cap according to claim 1, characterized by a height-adjustable design, wherein the installation body ( 1 ) as a top ( 3 ) is executed, which is made up of a lower part ( 4) is worn and the top ( 3 ) for height adjustment with a preferably cylindrical pipe section ( 5 ) into the lower part ( 4 ) inserted and telescopically displaceable within it, preferably by overcoming a clamping force. [3] Street cap according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the upper edge area of ​​the installation body ( 1 ) or the upper part ( 3 ), in particular the frame, round, oval or square, for receiving a corresponding lid ( 12 ) is formed and that the joint ring ( 8 ) is adapted to the design of the frame and extends around it. [4] Street cap according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by that the joint ring ( 8 ) on a shoulder or in a recess, step or the like of the upper area of ​​the installation body ( 1 ) or of the frame. [5] Street cap according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by that the joint ring ( 8 ) has a rectangular or square cross-section. [6] Street cap according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by that the joint ring ( 8 ) with its outer surface preferably widening conically towards the top in cross-section. [7] Street cap according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by that the joint ring has a top cover surface which, during installation, protects the lid and the frame at least partially. [8] Street cap according to claim 7, characterized by that the joint ring ( 8 ) with its top surface ( 13 ) is placed over the frame in the sense of a cap, a lid or the like. [9] Street cap according to claim 7 or 8, characterized by that the top surface ( 13 ) has a passage or recess for handling purposes. [10] Road cap according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized by that the joint ring ( 8 ) is made of metal, especially stainless steel. [11] Street cap according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized by that the joint ring ( 8 ) is made of plastic, preferably by injection molding.

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