Elastic casing for a manhole cover of a sewerage or stormwater network and related system

Abstract

The invention relates to an elastic casing (1) for a manhole cover of a sewerage or stormwater network and a related system comprising the elastic casing (1) for enclosing a manhole cover (10), which rests on a base frame (15). The elastic casing (1) features a surface made of a material with properties compatible with tire rubber, increasing the tire's grip on the manhole cover. The elastic casing (1) is made of a resilient material, which contributes to the absorption of impacts resulting from the collision of vehicle tires with the manhole cover, reducing noise due to shocks.

Description

TECHNICAL DOMAIN

[0001] The present invention relates to a casing for a manhole cover of a sewerage or stormwater network and a related system, which is installed on land vehicle traffic routes, so that access to these networks is obtained.PRIOR ART

[0002] Sewerage or stormwater networks that are laid out below land vehicle traffic routes, e.g. streets, avenues, and roads, are accessed through manhole covers.

[0003] The manhole cover comprises a metal cover, for example of cast iron, which is designed to close the access point to the sewer or stormwater system, providing durability, stability, and safety for vehicle and pedestrian traffic.

[0004] The manhole cover features a reinforced structure to support heavy loads and prevent unauthorized access, while making it easy to open for maintenance and inspection purposes. In addition, the manhole cover incorporates features to improve drainage and prevent water accumulation on traffic road surfaces.

[0005] Manhole covers routinely used nowadays to cover access entrances to sewerage and / or stormwater networks are made of cast iron, prefabricated concrete or a combination of both. These construction materials allow the lids to be produced from economical processes and be resistant, however they also have high masses, typically weighing more than 50kg per unit. The raised mass of a manhole cover helps to keep it in the proper place while cars and other heavy vehicles pass over said cover. Additionally, manhole covers include construction elements that are designed to prevent unauthorized access to sewerage or stormwater networks, whereby specific tools are required to remove or open the manhole covers.

[0006] Most manhole covers are located in the middle of a traffic lane for cars or other vehicles, such as trucks or buses, and it is very common for the vehicle's wheels to pass over the manhole cover, causing an impact between the vehicle's wheel and the manhole cover, with the impact typically causing noise.

[0007] Chinese utility model application CN219045172U of Liu Yongning et al, published on May 19, 2023, reveals a manhole cover, which aims to reduce the undesirable effects of the impact between the tire and the cover, namely shock and its resulting noise. The product disclosed includes a damping ring, made of rubber, which is applied between the manhole cover and the metal support thereof on the manhole. The damping ring has the same diameter as the bottom part of the manhole cover.LIMITATIONS OF THE PRIOR ART

[0008] However, the solution described in Chinese utility model application CN219045172U ends by solving only one of the many problems that manhole covers cause for the stability and safety of road traffic and for the proper maintenance of vehicles traveling on them. Although the mentioned technical solution reduces the impact of the vehicle's wheel with the metal material of the cover and, therefore, of the metal component of the cover with the metal component of its base frame, thus reducing sonorous noise, this solution does not eliminate the contact of the tire with the metal cover. Such sudden contact between two materials with mechanical properties, such as hardness, and such different structural characteristics (the rubber of the tire abruptly contacting the metal of the cover), deteriorates the tires themselves and can cause damage or wear to other components of the vehicle, such as shock absorbers.

[0009] Furthermore, the safety of the vehicle itself and its occupants can be compromised as a manhole cover can often act as an accumulation zone for debris, such as oils, sands, which can compromise the stability of the vehicle when passing over the cover. A heightened risk occurs when the cover accumulates oil on the upper surface thereof, which can cause the vehicle's tires to lose the desired grip and the vehicle to slip, causing the driver to lose control, consequently resulting in accidents.

[0010] In this way, there is a need to develop a technical solution that reduces or eliminates the problems arising from the abrasion of a vehicle's tires when it passes over a manhole cover, in addition to avoiding shock and noise due to the contact of different metal components comprised in the manhole cover system. The technical solution should also contribute to providing greater stability and grip to a vehicle's tire when it passes over a manhole cover, avoiding skidding.SOLUTION TO THE PRIOR ART LIMITATIONS

[0011] The present invention, as illustrated in Figure 1, solves the limitations of the state of the art by means of the development of an elastic casing (1) for a manhole cover of a sewerage or stormwater network that is configured to wrap around a manhole cover (10), with the wrapped cover resting on a base frame (15). The elastic casing (1) features a surface made of a material with properties compatible with the rubber of a tire, promoting increased grip of the tire on the manhole cover. Additionally, the top surface of the elastic casing (1) includes a plurality of drainage channels (6), which promote proper rainwater drainage, especially in adverse weather conditions.

[0012] The fact that the elastic casing (1) is made of a resilient material also helps it to absorb impacts resulting from the shock of vehicle tires with the manhole cover, reducing noise due to the shocks.ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0013] This invention contributes to the technical effect of reducing impact between a vehicle's tires and the metal material of the manhole cover and subsequent reduction of noise resulting from such impact. In more critical situations, it also reduces the impact between metals in cases where there is a collision between a vehicle's wheel hubcap and the manhole cover, namely when the tire has reduced pressures or when the manhole cover is arranged in depressions in the road.

[0014] Additionally, the present invention further allows creating a protective barrier between the tire and the cover, in order to reduce abrasion and tire wear. Reducing wear allows for greater tire durability, also indirectly reducing the environmental impact, since tire manufacturing materials are very difficult to eliminate from the environment. In this sense, there are estimates that report that rubber products can take about 600 years to disappear from the environment and can be very harmful to soils and, consequently, to the health of living beings.

[0015] In addition to reducing tire wear, this invention also allows for increased safety on land vehicle traffic routes. The elastic casing (1) is made of an elastomeric material, for example rubber, whereby the coefficient of friction of this type of material is suitable for preventing sliding, as well as being able to absorb residues such as oils and similar substances, avoiding potential accidents.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0016] With the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles according to the embodiments of the present invention, reference will be made to the embodiments illustrated in the figures and the language used to describe them. In any case, it must be understood that there is no intention to limit the scope of the present invention to the content of the figures. Any subsequent changes or modifications to the inventive features illustrated herein, as well as any further applications of the principles and ways of making the invention illustrated, which would normally occur to a person skilled in the art in possession of this description, are considered to be within the scope of the invention claimed. Figure 1 - illustrates a perspective view of a system for a manhole cover of a sewerage or stormwater network according to the invention; Figure 2 - illustrates a view of the top face of a cover casing; Figure 3 - illustrates a side view and a cross-sectional side view of a cover casing; Figure 4 - illustrates a view of the top face and a view of the bottom face of a manhole cover; Figure 5 - illustrates a side view and a cross-sectional side few of a manhole cover; Figure 6 - illustrates a view of the top face of a base frame for a manhole cover; Figure 7 - illustrates a side view of a cross-sectional side view of the connection between a lid cover and a manhole cover. DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0017] The present invention relates, in a first aspect, to an elastic casing (1) for a manhole cover of a sewerage or stormwater network comprising: a cover casing (2); and a peripheral edge (3), which is connected to the periphery of the lower surface of the cover casing (2); and wherein the cover casing (2) comprises at least one casing hole (5) and a plurality of drainage channels (6), which are arranged along the upper surface of the cover casing (2); and wherein the peripheral edge (3) comprises an element for resilient peripheral fitting (4) arranged along the terminal portion thereof.

[0018] In the preferred embodiments of the present invention, as illustrated in Figure 2, the cover casing (2) comprises a plurality of recesses (7) and protrusions (8), which are arranged on the upper surface of the cover casing (2). This plurality of recesses (7) and protrusions (8) contributes to increase the friction factor of the upper surface of the cover casing (2) and increases the grip of the vehicle tire when it passes over the manhole cover casing (2). The plurality of recesses (7) and protrusions (8) can be arranged sequentially, forming roughness patterns on at least one upper portion of the cover casing (2). As illustrated in Figure 2, several distinct areas including recesses (7) and protrusions (8) can be arranged along the cover casing (2). Preferably, when the cover casing has a circular shape, the areas comprising recesses (7) and protrusions (8) are arranged radially on the upper surface of the cover casing (2).

[0019] In other particularly preferred embodiments, as illustrated in Figure 2, at least one of the drainage channels (6) is arranged along a central point of said elastic casing (1) and towards at least one of the ends of the elastic casing (1). This arrangement contributes to the proper drainage of rainwater, preventing it from accumulating on the cover casing (2) and causing vehicles to hydroplane. Preferably, when the cover casing (2) has a circular shape, the drainage channels (6) are arranged radially on the upper surface of the cover casing (2). Even more preferably, for a circular cover casing (2), a plurality of second drainage channels (6) is also arranged concentrically in relation to the top of the cover casing (2), forming a network of channels with the first drainage channels (6), which are arranged radially.

[0020] Preferably, the elastic casing (1) is made of a selected elastomeric material from the group consisting of natural rubber, styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene rubber, polyurethane, polyester, polyolefins, styrene-butadiene rubber, ethylene-vinyl acetate rubber, nitrile rubber, silicone rubber, chloroprene rubber, butadiene rubber, isoprene rubber, butyl rubber, epoxy rubber, fluorinated rubber, chlorinated rubber, acrylonitrile rubber, fluorosilicone rubber, polyethylene chlorosulfonate rubber (CSM), perfluoroelastomer rubber (FFKM), epichlorohydrin rubber (ECO), chlorinated polyethylene rubber (CPE), propylene diene rubber (EPDM), polychloroprene rubber (CR), polyacrylate rubber (ACM), polysulfide rubber (PSR), urethane rubber, thermoplastic rubber (TPR), vulcanized thermoplastic rubber (TPV), fluoroelastomer rubber (FKM), chloroprene rubber (Neoprene), chloroprene rubber (CR), polybutadiene rubber (BR), isobutylene-isoprene rubber (IIR), hydrogenated nitrile rubber (HNBR), mixtures thereof, copolymers thereof, wherein the elastomeric material is optionally mixed with a recycled material.

[0021] The elastomeric material may also include the incorporation of a recycled material or a mixture of several recycled materials. Recycled materials can account for up to 90% by mass in relation to the total mass of the elastomeric material. Examples of recycled materials include recycled materials from tires, used shoes, plastic and fibrous waste taken from seas and waterways, recycled fibers, textile materials, used sealants from motor vehicles, and used household items (e.g. used toys). Generally, recycled materials include thermoplastic and / or elastomeric materials. Additionally, elastomeric materials may also include fillers, such as recycled materials of vegetable origin, for example olive pits, vegetable pomace, rice husks, coffee grounds, fruit and / or vegetable waste, banana fibers, coconut shells, and / or cork. For the production of the rubber compound to be used for producing the elastic casing (1), domestic oils and / or burnt oils, gypsum and / or products derived from silicone rubber may be added to the elastomeric materials and recycled materials mentioned above.

[0022] The incorporation of recycled materials is a relevant option for the circular economy and the reduction of environmental impact, allowing elastomeric waste to be given a new life instead of being destined for landfill.

[0023] In other preferred embodiments according to the present invention, the elastic casing (1) has a horizontal straight section in a circular or polygonal shape. In the particularly preferred embodiments, the top surface of the cover casing (2) has a circular shape. When the top surface of the cover casing (2) is in the shape of a polygon, this is selected from the group consisting of a quadrilateral, a pentagon, a hexagon, a heptagon or an octagon.

[0024] As illustrated in Figure 2, the cover casing (2) comprises at least one casing hole (5), which must be aligned with the element for removal of a manhole cover (10) when the elastic casing (1) is connected to the manhole cover (10). Depending on the number of elements for removing a manhole cover (10), the cover casing (2) may comprise a plurality of casing holes (5).

[0025] Preferably, as illustrated in Figure 2, when the cover casing (2) has a circular shape, a casing hole (5) is arranged on the top surface of the cover casing (2). In other embodiments, two casing holes (5) are arranged along the diameter of the cover casing (2) and equidistantly from its periphery.

[0026] As illustrated in Figure 3, the peripheral edge (3) comprises an element for resilient peripheral fitting (4) arranged along the terminal portion thereof. In particularly preferred embodiments, the casing of the cover casing (2) and the peripheral edge (3) form a monobloc body, which constitutes a covering layer for the manhole cover (10). As illustrated in Figure 3, the element for resilient peripheral fitting (4) may include a first portion arranged orthogonally to the peripheral edge (3) and a second portion, which is arranged orthogonally to said first portion of the element for resilient peripheral fitting (4), whereby the second portion is positioned inward relative to the peripheral edge (3). In this way, as illustrated in Figure 7, the second portion of the element for resilient peripheral fitting (4) projects towards the lower surface of the cover casing (2), without this projection contacting said lower surface. Thus, the element for resilient peripheral fitting (4) of the elastic casing (1) is configured to connect with a lower annular projection (11) of the manhole cover (10).

[0027] The present invention relates, in a second aspect, to a system for a manhole cover of a sewerage or stormwater network comprising an elastic casing (1), as defined in the first aspect, and further comprising: a manhole cover (10); and a base frame (15); and wherein the manhole cover (10) comprises a lower annular projection (11), which is arranged along the periphery of the lower surface of the manhole cover (10); and wherein the manhole cover (10) comprises at least one element for removal, which is selected from at least one element of the group consisting of a removal handle (12) and a removal hole (13); and wherein the base frame (15) comprises a peripheral rim (16), which has a recess (17) arranged along the inner periphery of said peripheral rim (16); and wherein the cover casing (2) of the elastic casing (1) wraps around the top surface of the manhole cover (10) and the element for resilient peripheral fitting (4) of the elastic casing (1) connects with the lower annular projection (11) of the manhole cover (10); and wherein the hole of the casing (5) aligns with the element for removing the manhole cover (10); and in which the element for resilient peripheral fitting (4) of the elastic casing (1), connected to the lower annular projection (11) of the manhole cover (10), sits on the peripheral rim (16) of the base frame (15).

[0028] Preferably, the manhole cover (10) is made of a material selected from the group consisting of a metal, a metal alloy, concrete or the composites thereof. Even more preferably, the manhole cover (10) is made of cast iron. Cast iron is a material with high mechanical strength, corrosion resistance, and suitability for heavy-duty applications.

[0029] Preferably, the base frame (15) is made of a material selected from the group consisting of a metal, a metal alloy, concrete or the composites thereof. Even more preferably, the base frame (15) is made of cast iron.

[0030] In other preferred embodiments according to the present invention, the manhole cover (10) features a horizontal straight section in a circular or polygonal shape. In the particularly preferred embodiments, the manhole cover (10) has a circular shape. When the top surface of the manhole cover (10) is in the shape of a polygon, it is selected from the group consisting of a quadrilateral, pentagon, hexagon, heptagon, or octagon.

[0031] As illustrated in Figure 4 a), the manhole cover (10) comprises at least one handle for removing (12), which must be aligned with the casing hole (5) when the elastic casing (1) is connected to the manhole cover (10). In other embodiments, the manhole cover (10) may include a plurality of elements for removal, for example, two holes for removal (13) arranged along the diameter of the manhole cover (10) and equidistant from its periphery.

[0032] The elements for lifting are configured for the opening and closing of the manhole cover (10). Elements for removal include lifting handles, recessed areas for lever tools, or hinge mechanisms that allow the lid to open without requiring it to be completely removed.

[0033] Preferably, as illustrated in Figure 5, the manhole cover (10) comprises a plurality of reinforcement bars (14), which are arranged along the outer surface of said cover and reinforce the structural integrity of the manhole cover (10). The reinforcement bars (14) distribute weight evenly over the cover minimizing the risk of deformation or failure under heavy loads, such as vehicle traffic or external impacts.

[0034] Preferably, as illustrated in Figure 4 b), when the manhole cover (10) has a circular shape, the reinforcement bars (14) are arranged radially on the bottom surface of the manhole cover (10).

[0035] Preferably, as illustrated in Figure 6, when the manhole cover (10) has a circular shape, the base frame (15) also has a circular shape and includes an annular peripheral rim (16), which has an annular recess (17) arranged along the inner periphery of said annular peripheral rim (16).

[0036] For safety purposes, the manhole cover (10) may include locking mechanisms or screws to prevent unauthorized access to the sewerage or stormwater well, ensuring that only authorized personnel can access the sewer system.

[0037] The elastic casing (1) is designed for a secure and stable connection to the manhole cover (10), ensuring it stays in place without compromising the area used for opening / removal thereof, considering the existing tools for this purpose, making it difficult for unauthorized individuals to use it.

[0038] The elastic casing (1) can be produced directly on the manhole cover itself (10), by means of an overmolding process (from the English overmolding), in which the elastomeric material is injected directly over the top of the cover, causing it to fully adhere to the cover material and thus be very difficult to move out of place.

[0039] Alternatively, the elastic casing (1) can be produced independently by an injection molding process and subsequently applied to another manhole cover (10), which is to be used.

[0040] As used in this description, the expressions "about" and "approximately" refer to a range of values of plus or minus 10% of the specified number.

[0041] As used throughout this patent application, the term "or" is used in the inclusive sense rather than the exclusive sense, unless the exclusive sense is clearly defined in a specific situation. In this context, a sentence like "X uses A or B" should be interpreted as including all relevant inclusive combinations, for example "X uses A", "X uses B" and "X uses A and B".

[0042] As used throughout this patent application, the indefinite article "a or an" should be generally interpreted as "one or more" unless the sense of a single modality is clearly defined in a specific situation.

[0043] As presented in this description, terms related to examples should be interpreted with the purpose of illustrating an example of something and not indicating a preference.

[0044] As used in this description, the term "substantially" means that the actual value is within the range of about 10% of the desired value, variable, or related limit, particularly within about 5% of the desired value, variable, or related limit, or especially within about 1% of the desired value, variable, or related limit.

[0045] The subject matter described above is provided as an illustration of the present invention and should not be interpreted so as to limit it. The terminology used to describe specific embodiments, according to the present invention, should not be interpreted as limiting the invention. As used in the description, definite and indefinite articles, in their singular form, are intended to be interpreted to include plural forms as well, unless the context of the description explicitly indicates otherwise. It will be understood that the terms "comprising" and "including", when used in this description, specify the presence of the characteristics, elements, components, stages, and related operations but do not exclude the possibility of other characteristics, elements, components, stages, and operations also being contemplated.

[0046] All amendments, provided that they do not modify the essential characteristics of the following claims, must be considered within the scope of protection of the present invention.LIST OF REFERENCE INDICATIONS

[0047] 1.An elastic casing for a manhole cover 2.A cover casing 3.A peripheral edge 4.An element for resilient peripheral fitting 5.A hole in the casing 6.A drainage channel 7.A recess 8.A protrusion 9.A roughness 10.A manhole cover 11.A lower annular projection 12.A handle for removal 13.A hole for removal 14.A reinforcement bar 15.A base frame 16.A peripheral rim (hoop) 17.A recess 18.An elastic ring List of cited documentsPatent Documents

[0048] Chinese utility model application CN219045172U by Liu Yongning et al, published on May 19, 2023.

Claims

1. An elastic casing (1) for a manhole cover of a sewerage or stormwater network characterized by comprising: a manhole cover casing (2); and a peripheral edge (3), which is connected to the periphery of the lower surface of the cover casing (2); and wherein the manhole cover casing (2) comprises at least one casing hole (5) and a plurality of drainage channels (6), which are arranged along the upper surface of the cover casing (2); and wherein the peripheral edge (3) comprises an element for resilient peripheral fitting (4) arranged along the terminal portion thereof.

2. The elastic casing (1), according to the preceding claim, characterized by the cover casing (2) comprising a plurality of recesses (7) and protrusions (8), which are arranged on the upper surface of the cover casing (2).

3. The elastic casing (1), according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by at least one of said drainage channels (6) being arranged along a central point of said elastic casing (1) and towards at least one of the ends of the elastic casing (1).

4. The elastic casing (1), according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by being made of a selected elastomeric material from the group consisting of natural rubber, styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene rubber, polyurethane, polyester, polyolefins, styrene-butadiene rubber, ethylene-vinyl acetate rubber, nitrile rubber, silicone rubber, chloroprene rubber, butadiene rubber, isoprene rubber, butyl rubber, epoxy rubber, fluorinated rubber, chlorinated rubber, acrylonitrile rubber, fluorosilicone rubber, polyethylene chlorosulfonate rubber, perfluoroelastomer rubber, epichlorohydrin rubber, chlorinated polyethylene rubber, propylene diene rubber, polychloroprene rubber, polyacrylate rubber, polysulfide rubber, urethane rubber, thermoplastic rubber, vulcanized thermoplastic rubber, fluoroelastomer rubber, chloroprene rubber, chloroprene rubber, polybutadiene rubber, isobutylene-isoprene rubber, nitrile-hydrogenated rubber, their mixtures and their copolymers, in which the elastomeric material is optionally mixed with a recycled material.

5. The elastic casing (1), according to any of the preceding claims characterized by the casing of the cover casing (2) being circular-shaped.

6. A system for a manhole cover of a sewerage or stormwater network characterized by comprising an elastic casing (1), as defined in any of the preceding claims, and additionally comprising: a manhole cover (10); and a base frame (15); and wherein the manhole cover (10) comprises a lower annular projection (11), which is arranged along the periphery of the lower surface of the manhole cover (10); and wherein the manhole cover (10) comprises at least one element for removal, which is selected from at least one element of the group consisting of a removal handle (12) and a removal hole (13); and wherein the base frame (15) comprises a peripheral rim (16), which has a recess (17) arranged along the inner periphery of said peripheral rim (16); and wherein the cover casing (2) of the elastic casing (1) wraps around the top surface of the manhole cover (10) and the element for resilient peripheral fitting (4) of the elastic casing (1) connects with the lower annular projection (11) of the manhole cover (10); and wherein the hole of the casing (5) aligns with the element for removing the manhole cover (10); and in which The element for resilient peripheral fitting (4) of the elastic casing (1), connected to the lower annular projection (11) of the manhole cover (10), sits on the peripheral rim (16) of the base frame (15).

7. The system, according to the preceding claim, characterized by the manhole cover (10) being made of a material selected from the group consisting of a metal, a metal alloy, concrete, or the composites thereof.

8. The system, according to any of claims 6 and 7, characterized by the base frame (15) being made of a material selected from the group consisting of a metal, a metal alloy, a concrete or a composite thereof.

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