A ground surface access assembly cover

Abstract

A Ground surface access assembly cover (10), leakage reduction system; said assembly cover (10) comprising a pair of triangular-shaped cover members (12), defined by an upper surface (16) a lower surface (18) and three side surfaces / walls (20); in use, each cover member (12) is supported within a surrounding rectangular frame (F) comprising frame side walls (W); said cover member (12) resting upon three individual / separate support points / shelves (S) that extend inwardly from said frame side walls (W) and wherein: one or more resilient sealing elements (22) are attached to at least one peripheral side surface / wall (20); to provide at least a partial, or complete, seal against the ingress of storm / rain water through any gap between said cover member side walls (20) and the surrounding / supporting frame (F).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a Ground Surface Access Assembly (GSAA) cover, preferably comprising a pair of generally triangular cover portions / members that in use are seated on discreet support elements; typically located proximal the corners of a surrounding GSAA support / mounting frame.Background Art

[0002] Ground Surface Access Assemblies (GSAAs) typically comprise a support / mounting frame that defines an aperture sized to accommodate an assembly cover. GSAA covers are normally circular or rectangular, when viewed from above (plan-view). GSAAs typically comprise cast-iron components, especially when they have to withstand high transient loads; for example, when situated in roadways. Generally, it is desirable to reduce or eliminate rain-water leakage through inevitable gaps between the periphery of GSAA covers and the surrounding support frame.

[0003] Circular GSAA covers are known that achieve this aim by locating a sealing gasket between the underside of the cover and a support rim that forms an internally extending part of the GSAA support frame. Such gaskets, made of a resilient material, will in such circumstances be somewhat compressed, owing to the downward force that results from supporting a heavy cover. This, advantageously, helps to maintain a good seal. However, GSAA covers are prone to rock / vibrate, within their support / mounting frame, as vehicles pass thereover. This is undesirable, and can lead to premature failure of the frame or frame bonding to the ground.

[0004] In the UK, rectangular GSAA covers are known that comprise a pair of generally triangular cover members, that in use are seated on discreet support elements / zones typically located proximal the corners of a surrounding rectangular GSAA support / mounting frame. Typically, each cover member is supported within a GSAA frame at three points by discrete support elements; thus advantageously, (as with an item supported by tripod legs), preventing rocking / vibration of the cover member, within the support frame, as it is impacted by transient heavy loads. Discrete support elements are used, rather than a continuous internal support rim / shelf, as the latter can trap unwanted stones and the like, which result in the cover vibrating, as it / they are no longer being stably supported (at just three points / zones). Thus, "Tripod-mode" supported covers generally suffer appreciable rain-water leakage, as they are unsuitable for sealing with gaskets owing to the lack of a continuous internal support rim / shelf within the frame (F).Summary of Invention

[0005] An aim of the present invention is to provide a GSAA cover system comprising a pair of (nominally) triangular cover members; that in use are seated on discreet support elements typically, located proximal the corners of a surrounding GSAA support / mounting frame; that largely or completely prevents rain-water ingress. Gaskets / seals, located beneath or on the underside of the cover, are not compatible with a GSAA cover according to the present invention.

[0006] In a first aspect the invention comprises a ground surface access assembly cover (10) leakage reduction system, comprising: at least one nominally polygonal-shaped cover member (12), defined by an upper surface (16) a lower surface (18) and peripheral (outward-facing) side wall surfaces (20), wherein; said cover member / portion (12) is, supported within a surrounding frame (F) at three points by / upon three individual / separate shelves (S) that extend inwardly from said surrounding frame (F) side walls: characterised in that, one or more resilient sealing elements (22) are removably attached to at least one of said cover member (12) peripheral side wall surfaces (20); thereby, in use, substantially reducing, or eliminating ingress of storm water said through an otherwise peripheral gap situated between the side-periphery of said cover member (12), and an inner wall surface of the supporting frame (F).

[0007] Preferably, the invention comprises a ground surface access assembly cover (10) leakage reduction system, comprising: at least one nominally triangular-shaped cover member (12), defined by an upper surface (16) a lower surface (18) and peripheral (outward-facing) side wall surfaces (20), wherein; said cover member / portion (12) is, supported within a surrounding frame (F) at three points by / upon three individual / separate shelves (S) that extend inwardly from said surrounding frame (F) side walls: characterised in that, one or more resilient sealing elements (22) are removably attached to at least one of said cover member (12) peripheral side wall surfaces (20); thereby, in use, substantially reducing, or eliminating ingress of storm water said through an otherwise peripheral gap situated between the side-periphery of said cover member (12), and an inner wall surface of the supporting frame (F).

[0008] Preferably, the resilient sealing element(s) (22a) are configured to engage a recess or slot (24) provided in said cover peripheral side surface / walls (20).

[0009] Preferably, the resilient sealing element(s) (22b) are configured to engage one or more protrusions (26) that extend outwardly from said cover peripheral side surfaces / walls (20).

[0010] Preferably, the resilient sealing elements (22b) have a U-shaped profile.

[0011] Preferably, the resilient sealing element (22a) and recess or slot (24) are configured such that the upper surface of said sealing elements (22a) are level with or lower than the upper surface of said cover (16).

[0012] Preferably, the sealing element(s) (22b) are configured to engage one or more protrusions (26) that extend outwardly from said cover side surfaces / walls (20). Preferably, said protrusions (26) and sealing element(s) (22b) are configured such that the upper surface of said sealing elements (22b) are level with or lower than the upper surface of said cover (16).

[0013] In a second aspect the invention comprises a ground surface access assembly cover (10), leakage reduction system, comprising: at least one nominally polygonal-shaped cover member (12), each having an upper surface (16) a lower surface (18) and side surfaces / walls (20); in use said cover member (12) is supported within a surrounding frame (F) by three individual / separate shelves (S) that extend inwardly from said frame (F) side walls (20), and wherein: one or more sealing elements (22) are attached to one or more cover side surfaces / walls (20) to substantially reduce the ingress of storm water through gaps between said cover side walls (20), defining the periphery of said cover member (12), and the surrounding / supporting frame (F).

[0014] Preferably, the ground surface access assembly cover (10), leakage reduction system, comprises: at least one generally / nominally quadrilateral-shaped cover member (12), each having an upper surface (16) a lower surface (18) and side surfaces / walls (20); in use said cover member (12) is supported within a surrounding frame (F) by three individual / separate shelves (S) that extend inwardly from said frame (F) side walls (20), and wherein: one or more sealing elements (22) are attached to one or more cover side surfaces / walls (20) to substantially reduce the ingress of storm water through gaps between said cover side walls (20), defining the periphery of said cover member (12), and the surrounding / supporting frame (F).

[0015] Preferably, the invention comprises a ground surface access assembly cover (10), leakage reduction system; said cover (12) comprises a pair of generally / nominally triangular-shaped cover members (12), each having an upper surface (16) a lower surface (18) and three side surfaces / walls (20); in use, said pair of triangular cover members (12) are supported within a surrounding rectangular frame (F) comprising frame side walls (W); said cover (12) resting upon three individual / separate support shelves (S) that extend inwardly from said frame side walls (W); and wherein: one or more sealing elements (22) are attached to at least one cover side surface / wall (20); to substantially reduce the ingress of storm water through gaps between said cover side walls (20), defining the periphery of said cover member (12), and the surrounding / supporting frame (F).

[0016] In a third aspect the invention comprises a method of installing a ground surface access assembly cover (10); comprising a pair of generally polygonal-shaped or triangular-shaped members (12); further comprising, an upper surface (16) a lower surface (18) and peripheral (outward-facing) side wall surfaces (20); wherein in use, said cover member (12) is, supported within a surrounding frame (F) at three points by three individual / separate shelves (S) that extend inwardly from said frame (F) side walls and define a peripheral gap, characterised in that: one or more resilient sealing elements (22) are removably attached to at least one of said cover peripheral side wall surfaces (20); thereby, in use, substantially reducing, or eliminating ingress of storm water said through said peripheral gap(s) situated between the periphery of said cover member (12), and an inner wall surface of the supporting frame (F); comprising the following step: (a) Fixing a resilient sealing element (22) to at least one of said cover peripheral side surface / wall (20); to provide, at least, a partial seal against the ingress of storm water through any gap between said cover side walls (20) defining the periphery of said cover member (12) and the surrounding / supporting frame (F).

[0017] In a fourth aspect the invention comprises a method of installing a ground surface access assembly cover (10); comprising a pair of generally polygonal-shaped or triangular-shaped members (12); each having an upper surface (16) a lower surface (18) and three side surfaces / walls (20); and supported within a surrounding rectangular frame (F) comprising frame side walls (W); each cover member (12) resting upon three individual / separate support shelves (S) that extend inwardly from said frame side walls (W); comprising the following step: (a) Fixing a sealing element (22) to at least one side surface / wall (20); to provide, at least, a partial seal against the ingress of storm water through any gap between said cover side walls (20) defining the periphery of said cover member (12) and the surrounding / supporting frame (F).

[0018] In both of the above two aspects: Preferably, the sealing element(s) (22a) are located within a slot or slots (24) provided in said cover side surface / walls (20).

[0019] Preferably, the sealing element(s) (22b) engage one or more protrusions (26) that extend outwardly from said cover side surfaces / walls (20). Preferably, the sealing element(s) (22b) have a U-shaped profile.

[0020] The present invention, advantageously, provides means of, at least, largely sealing a GSAA cover against rainwater ingress in situations where a gasket seal (under compression) cannot be used owing to a lack of a continuous internally extending cover support rim / shelf. The location of the sealing element in the present invention differs from resilient seals, such as gaskets, that are subject to the compressive force / pressure; used in known GSAA cover sealing systems (as described above).

[0021] Often, users only decide it is necessary to install rainwater leakage protection sometime after initial installation of a GSAA. The present invention only requires simple modification of the cover member peripheral rims, that is: the addition of a recess or protrusion (24,26) to, advantageously, allow subsequent protection by addition of a resilient sealing member. The skilled person will recognise that shapes other than rectangular recesses and protrusions will also allow satisfactory connection / attachment of said resilient sealing member.Brief Description of Drawings

[0022] The present invention is illustrated by the following diagrammatic figures in which: Figure 1 shows a plan view of just one (of two) triangular shaped GSAA covers, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, mounted within a support frame; Figure 2a shows a side elevation of the support frame of Figure 1, cross-sectioned along the line X-X', with a first type sealing element; Figure 2b shows an enlarged version of part of Figure 2a, and in particular how the first type of sealing element is attached to the cover peripheral sidewall / side-surface; Figure 3a shows a side elevation of the support frame of Figure 1, cross-sectioned along the line X-X', with a second type of sealing element; Figure 3b shows an enlarged version of part of Figure 3a, and in particular how the sealing element is attached to the cover peripheral sidewall / side-surface; and Figures 4a and 4b show embodiments of the present invention utilising a pair of quadrilateral shaped cover members. Detailed Description

[0023] Three embodiments of the invention are described below. These embodiments may provide complete or partial seal against the ingress of rain-water. Gasket-type seals, known to be used, for example, with circular GSAA covers, are made more effective by the considerable downward compressive force / pressure acting upon the gasket; that results from the normally heavy covers. As explained above, gasket seals are unsuitable for covers supported (in a "Tripod-mode") by three discrete support elements.

[0024] Figures 1, 2a and 2b illustrate a ground surface access assembly support frame, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 1 illustrates a GSAA cover system (10) comprising a pair of triangular cover members (12) (only one cover member is shown for clarity) that in use, together, form a complete rectangular cover (10). This rectangular cover is located in an opening defined by the sidewalls (W) of a rectangular shaped support frame (F); which has cover support shelves (S), located and connected to each internal and lower corner portion of the rectangular frame (F).

[0026] The two embodiments described below are characterised by the use of resilient sealing elements, attached to, at least some, of the peripheral sidewalls (20) of each cover member (12). Figures 2b and 3b (see below) both show side cross-sectioned elevations along the line X-X' shown in Figure 1.

[0027] Figure 2a shows a side elevation of the support frame (F) and a cover member (12) illustrated in Figure 1, cross-sectioned along the line X-X'. Figure 2b shows an enlarged version of the Figure 2a; and in particular how the resilient sealing element is attached to the cover peripheral sidewall / side-surface. The peripheral sidewalls of at least one cover member (12), that in use are located proximal the frame walls (W), have resilient sealing element 22a that in cross-section is preferably "T-Shaped", and can, because of its resilience, be firmly attached within one of more sidewall grooves / slots (24), that extend at least along those cover sidewalls (20), and in use are located proximal the frame walls (W). The attached resilient sealing elements 22a, which are waterproof, substantially or completely fill any gap between the outwardly-extending periphery of the two cover members (12) and the surrounding frame inner wall surfaces (W), thereby providing at least a partial seal against the ingress of storm rain-water.

[0028] Figure 3a shows a side elevation of the support frame (F) and a cover member (12) illustrated in Figure 1, cross-sectioned along the line X-X'. Figure 3b shows an enlarged version of the Figure 3a; and in particular how the resilient sealing element is attached to the cover peripheral sidewall / side-surface. The peripheral sidewalls of at least one cover member (12), that in use are located proximal the frame walls (W), have resilient sealing element 22a that in cross-section is preferably "U-Shaped", and can, because of its resilience, be firmly attached around one of more sidewall protrusions (26), that extend at least along those cover sidewalls (20), and in use are located proximal the frame walls (W). The attached resilient sealing elements 22a, which are waterproof, substantially or completely fill any gap between the outwardly-extending periphery of the two cover members (12), and the surrounding frame inner wall surfaces (W), thereby providing at least a partial seal against the ingress of storm rain-water.

[0029] Figures 4a and 4b illustrate two further embodiments of the invention.

[0030] Figure 4a shows just one (for clarity) of a pair of quadrilateral shaped cover members (12), each mounted / supported-by three (out a total of four) support shelves (S), again in Tripod-mode, within a rectangular support frame (F) with cover four support shelves (S). However, the cover members are not triangular in shape, but may be polygonal in shape.

[0031] Figure 4b again shows just one (for clarity) of a pair of quadrilateral shaped cover members (12), each mounted / supported-by three (out a total of four) support shelves (S), again in Tripod-mode, within a hexagonal support frame (F) with cover four support shelves (S). However, each cover member (12) is quadrilateral in shape, forming a complete cover (10) that is hexagonal.

[0032] In all of the embodiments described above, each cover member (12) is stably supported in "Tripod-mode" - that is at three small points / areas upon located on the upper surface of each support shelf (S).

[0033] In this specification the term "nominally polygonal" includes covers members that may have one or more rounded corners in addition to three or more straight edges.

[0034] The skilled person will recognise that shapes other than rectangular recesses and protrusions within the side wall (outwardly-extending) periphery of the cover member (12) may also allow satisfactory connection / attachment of said resilient sealing member.

Claims

1. A ground surface access assembly cover (10) leakage reduction system, comprising: at least one nominally polygonal-shaped cover member (12), defined by an upper surface (16) a lower surface (18) and peripheral (outward-facing) side wall surfaces (20), wherein; said cover member / portion (12) is, supported within a surrounding frame (F) at three points by / upon three individual / separate shelves (S) that extend inwardly from said surrounding frame (F) side walls: characterised in that, one or more resilient sealing elements (22) are removably attached to at least one of said cover member (12) peripheral side wall surfaces (20); thereby, in use, substantially reducing, or eliminating ingress of storm water said through an otherwise peripheral gap situated between the side-periphery of said cover member (12), and an inner wall surface of the supporting frame (F).

2. A Ground surface access assembly cover, leakage reduction system, according to Claim 1 wherein said at least one polygonal-shaped cover member (12) comprises at least one quadrilateral-shaped cover member (12).

3. A ground surface access assembly cover (10) leakage reduction system, comprising: at least one nominally triangular-shaped cover member (12), defined by an upper surface (16) a lower surface (18) and peripheral (outward-facing) side wall surfaces (20), wherein; said cover member / portion (12) is, supported within a surrounding frame (F) at three points by / upon three individual / separate shelves (S) that extend inwardly from said surrounding frame (F) side walls: characterised in that, one or more resilient sealing elements (22) are removably attached to at least one of said cover member (12) peripheral side wall surfaces (20); thereby, in use, substantially reducing, or eliminating ingress of storm water said through an otherwise peripheral gap situated between the side-periphery of said cover member (12), and an inner wall surface of the supporting frame (F).

4. A system according to any preceding claim wherein the resilient sealing element(s) (22a) are configured to engage at least one recess or slot (24) around at least one of said cover member (12) peripheral side wall surfaces (20)5. A system according to any of Claims 1 to 3 wherein the resilient sealing element(s) (22b) are configured to engage around one or more outwardly extending protrusion(s) (26) located around at least one of said cover member (12) peripheral side wall surfaces (20).

6. A system according to Claim 5 wherein the resilient sealing elements (22b) have a U-shaped profile.

7. A system according to Claim 4 wherein said recess or slots (24) and resilient sealing element(s) (22a) are configured such that the upper surface of said sealing elements (22a) are level with or lower than the upper surface of said cover (16).

8. A system according to Claim 5 wherein said one or more outwardly extending protrusions (26) and resilient sealing element(s) (22b) are configured such that the upper surface of said sealing elements (22b) are level with or lower than the upper surface of said cover (16).

9. A system according to any preceding claim wherein the resilient sealing element is formed from a waterproof and / or non-metallic material.

10. A method of installing a ground surface access assembly cover (10) leakage reduction system, comprising: at least one nominally polygonal-shaped cover member (12), defined by an upper surface (16) a lower surface (18) and peripheral (outward-facing) side wall surfaces (20), wherein; said cover member / portion (12) is, supported within a surrounding frame (F) at three points by / upon three individual / separate shelves (S) that extend inwardly from said surrounding frame (F) side walls W): comprising the following step: (a) Attaching one or more resilient sealing elements (22) to at least one of said cover member (12) peripheral side wall surfaces (20); thereby, in use, substantially reducing, or eliminating ingress of storm water said through an otherwise peripheral gap situated between the side-periphery of said cover member (12), and an inner wall surface of the supporting frame (F).

11. A method according to Claim 10 wherein the resilient sealing element(s) (22a) are located within a slot or recess (24) provided in said cover peripheral side wall surface(s) (20).

12. A method according to Claim 10 wherein the resilient sealing element(s) (22b) engage around one or more protrusions (26) that extend outwardly from said cover side surfaces / walls (20).

13. A method using the system of any of Claims 1 to 9.

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