Insert element for insertion into a manhole

Abstract

The application relates to an insert element (100) for insertion into a shaft (107), wherein the insert element (100) comprises a base body (101) and a seal (103), wherein the base body (101) is movable between a first position and a second position, wherein the base body (101) has a larger cross-section in the first position compared to the second position in order to press the seal (103) against the shaft (107) and to seal the shaft (107) watertight.

Description

[0001] The invention presented relates to an insert element for insertion into a shaft.

[0002] Underground shafts, such as maintenance shafts or access points to the sewer system, are closed using shaft covers to protect the shaft from environmental influences.

[0003] To prevent, for example, rainwater from entering a shaft, watertight shaft covers with insert elements are used, which usually include a seal that seals a gap between the insert element and a receptacle for the shaft cover or the insert element against surface water occurring without pressure.

[0004] One disadvantage of known watertight manhole covers is that they are rigid and wedged in a recess of a manhole, so that they cannot be removed from the manhole or only with great effort and time.

[0005] Against this background, one objective of the presented invention is to provide a manhole cover that is watertight and easy to open.

[0006] The main features of the invention are specified in claim 1.

[0007] Thus, an insert element for placement in a shaft is presented.

[0008] The presented insert element comprises a base body and a seal, wherein the base body is movable between a first position and a second position, wherein the base body has a larger cross-section in the first position compared to the second position in order to press the seal against the shaft and to seal the shaft against daywater.

[0009] In the context of the presented invention, a seal is understood to be a material configured to come into contact with a surface, in particular a shaft receptacle, in such a way as to prevent the passage of surface water through an area between the seal and the surface. A seal can, for example, be flexible. In particular, a seal can consist of or comprise an elastomer, such as rubber. A seal can also consist of metal and, for example, be formed by the base body itself.

[0010] The presented insert element is based on the principle that the presented manhole cover is variable in its cross-section, so that a clamping force between the seal of the insert element and a respective receptacle of a manhole can be minimized in order to insert the insert element into or remove it from the receptacle, or the clamping force between the seal of the insert element and the receptacle can be maximized in order to wedge the insert element in the manhole or to secure it in a watertight manner.

[0011] To change the cross-section of the base body of the presented manhole cover, it can, for example, be adjustable via a mechanism. This mechanism can, for example, include a user interface, in particular a handle, through which a user can apply a force that moves the base body between the first and second positions.

[0012] Accordingly, it can be provided that the base body in the second position has a smaller cross-section compared to the first position, so that the seal can be detached from the shaft and the insert element can be easily removed from the shaft.

[0013] Alternatively or additionally, the mechanism can include a lever connected to the base body, which moves the base body into its first position when the lever is subjected to a force, such as the weight acting on the lever when the insert element is placed into a shaft. Accordingly, the lever can be movable between a pushing position and an insertion position, whereby in the pushing position the lever pushes the base body into its first position or exerts a force on the base body, and in the insertion position the lever leaves the base body in its second position or exerts no force on the base body.

[0014] It may also be provided that the base body is arranged in the seal or that the seal is arranged on the base body.

[0015] A base element located within the seal causes the base element to be forced from its second position to its first position by the weight of the insert element when it is placed in a shaft. This causes the base element to expand the seal and press it against the shaft. For example, a lower section of the seal pushes the base element into its first position, which in turn expands a second, upper section of the seal and presses it against the shaft. This mechanism operates automatically when the insert element is placed in a shaft and can be reversed, for example, by a lever acting on the base element or the seal from the outside, in order to remove the insert element from the shaft.

[0016] In particular, the seal can comprise two rings arranged one above the other, between which the base body is arranged, so that a movement of a first, e.g. lower, ring moves the base body between the first position and the second position and, as a result, widens or narrows the second ring.

[0017] It may also be provided that the base body includes a mechanism configured to clamp the insert element onto a shaft in the first position of the base body or the mechanism and to release the insert element from the shaft in the second position of the base body or the mechanism.

[0018] For example, the mechanism can have inclined surfaces through which the insert element is gradually pulled onto a respective shaft when the mechanism or the base body is moved into the first position.

[0019] It may also be provided that the insert element is a watertight manhole cover.

[0020] The presented insert element can itself be a watertight manhole cover or be part of a watertight manhole cover. In particular, the insert element can be arranged on a manhole cover and, together with the manhole cover, form a manhole cover.

[0021] It may still be provided that the seal is circular.

[0022] In particular, the presented insert element is shaped as a negative of a respective shaft recess, so that the insert element can be placed in the recess and completely closes or covers it when the base body is in the first position.

[0023] For example, the seal can be an O-ring that surrounds the base body.

[0024] It may also be provided that the base body includes an expansion section which can be increased or decreased in length in order to move the insert element into the first position or the second position.

[0025] An expansion section, such as an extendable mechanism or a material section whose length can be changed, in particular a material section in which two material areas, such as sheets, are overlapping or superimposed, especially interlocking, allows a change in the cross-section of the presented insert element. The cross-section can be increased by increasing the length of the expansion section and decreased by decreasing the length of the expansion section.

[0026] It may be provided that the basic body is round and has two ends that are movable relative to each other.

[0027] Two ends that are movable relative to each other can, for example, be moved towards each other, past each other, and further away from each other to reduce the cross-section of the insert element. In particular, the first end can be guided along a predetermined trajectory in a guide formed on the base body, so that, for example, the first end moves along the base body in a circular path to reduce or increase the cross-section of the insert element. The second end can form a stop that prevents the first end from sliding out of the guide.

[0028] It may still be provided that the base body is a clamping ring.

[0029] A clamping ring is an element that, when subjected to a force, maximizes its cross-section, or, when the tension is released, minimizes its cross-section.

[0030] It may further be provided that the insert element includes a clamping element that is movable between a clamping position and a release position, wherein the clamping element is configured to pressurize the seal in the clamping position and to reduce the pressure relative to the clamping position in the release position, wherein the clamping element is in the clamping position when the base body is in the first position and wherein the clamping element is in the release position when the base body is in the second position.

[0031] To ensure a watertight installation of the insert element in a shaft, a clamping element can be used. This element applies pressure to the insert element's seal, pressing the seal against a surface and creating a watertight seal between the seal and the surface. For example, the clamping element can be used to increase the cross-section of the base body.

[0032] Accordingly, by reducing the size of the base body by moving the clamping element into its release position, the pressure acting on the seal can be reduced, so that the seal, for example, detaches from the surface and the insert element can be easily removed from its respective receptacle without great effort against a clamping force acting through the seal.

[0033] It may also be provided that the clamping element includes a quick-release fastener which is connected to the base body via at least one connection point.

[0034] A quick-release fastener, such as a lever, in particular a lever coupled with a spring element, which is connected to the base body via at least one connection point, transmits a movement of the quick-release fastener to the base body, so that the base body can be moved between the first position and the second position via the quick-release fastener.

[0035] It may also be provided that the quick-release fastener is connected to a connecting element that is attached to the base body at two points.

[0036] A connecting element, which is attached to the base body at two points, transfers the movement of the quick-release fastener to the second point on the base body, so that the base body narrows or expands uniformly.

[0037] It may also be provided that the connecting element is rigid and consists of at least two parts, with a fixed distance between the two parts being adjustable.

[0038] The connecting element is rigid and consists of at least two parts, where the distance between the two parts is fixedly adjustable, so that the connecting element can be adjusted or calibrated to a geometry of the base body, so that a movement of the quick-release fastener reliably leads to a movement of the base body or to a change in the cross-section of the base body.

[0039] It may also be provided that the connecting element comprises at least two threaded rods connected by a clamping nut.

[0040] Two threaded rods connected by a clamping nut can be quickly and forcefully adjusted, for example to press the seal of the insert element against a respective surface, and can be quickly and easily released to remove the insert element from the surface.

[0041] It may also be provided that the insert element includes a cover configured to cover an opening of a shaft.

[0042] The cover, together with the seal, can prevent rainwater from entering a space beneath the insert element. For this purpose, the cover can be made of metal, for example, and configured to engage with a recess in a shaft. The cover can be located in a space enclosed by the base unit or it can form the base unit itself.

[0043] It may be provided that the cover has a drain opening, and that a drain pipe is arranged at the drain opening, configured to be reversibly connected to a wastewater pipe.

[0044] A drainage opening in the cover prevents water from overflowing the area above the cover and thus prevents the insert element from being exposed to pressurized water. Instead, the drainage opening allows water flowing onto the insert element to drain continuously, so that the insert element is only exposed to surface water and effectively seals the respective shaft.

[0045] To drain water flowing into the drain opening and drain pipe, the drain pipe can be connected to a wastewater pipe. This can be done, for example, using a push-fit connection and / or a screw connection.

[0046] To prevent local water accumulation on the cover, the cover can form a basin that supplies the drain opening with water and is itself supplied with water, for example, by supply channels formed on the cover.

[0047] In particular, the drain pipe can be reversibly connected to the sewer line, allowing the insert element, along with the drain pipe, to be removed from and reinserted into a given shaft. The drain pipe can be aligned vertically, thus securing itself within the sewer line when the insert element is placed in the shaft.

[0048] It may also be provided that a backflow preventer is installed in the drainage pipe.

[0049] A backflow preventer prevents water from entering the cover due to rising water in a respective wastewater pipe.

[0050] It may also be provided that the drain line is connected to the base body via a reversibly detachable connection interface.

[0051] A drain pipe reversibly connected to the base or cover allows the base or cover to be lifted out of a shaft independently of the drain pipe. This eliminates the need to disconnect and reconnect the drain pipe to the wastewater line each time the cover is removed. For this purpose, the cover or base can be equipped with a reversibly lockable locking mechanism that, in the closed position, connects the drain pipe to the cover or base, and in the open position, disconnects the drain pipe from the cover or base.

[0052] The insert element may also include a ventilation element configured to direct airflow from an environment above the insert element to an environment below it. The ventilation element may, for example, be a mushroom-shaped vent that prevents or minimizes the entry of surface water into the environment below the insert element.

[0053] It may also be provided that the insert element includes a drainage connection to which a drainage system, such as a pump, can be connected in order to drain an environment under the insert element.

[0054] It may also be provided that the insert element includes a lock configured to reversibly block movement of the base body between the first and second positions. For example, the lock can engage with a mechanism for moving the base body between the first and second positions and reversibly block this movement.

[0055] The insert may also include a backflow preventer configured to prevent water from flowing back from an area below the insert. The backflow preventer may, for example, include a backflow flap that blocks water flow towards an area above the insert.

[0056] Furthermore, the insert element may be designed to be pressure-tight and / or gas-tight to prevent fluid from passing between an environment below the insert element and an environment above it. For this purpose, the insert element may, for example, comprise a gas-tight film.

[0057] It may also be provided that the insert element is thermally insulated to prevent the surrounding area beneath it from cooling down. For this purpose, the insert element may incorporate a thermal insulation element, such as an arrangement of... PU- Include foam.

[0058] The presented insert element is particularly suitable for retrofitting existing shaft systems or shaft covers to seal them watertight and make them easy to maintain.

[0059] Further features, details and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the wording of the claims and from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawings. The drawings show: Fig. 1 shows a possible embodiment of the presented insert element in a shaft, Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of the insert element according to Fig. 1 , Fig. 3 a top view of the insert element according to Fig. 1 Fig. 4 shows a cross-section through another possible embodiment of the presented insert element, Fig. 5 shows a detailed view of the insert element according to Fig. 4 .

[0060] In Fig. 1 An insert element 100 is shown. The insert element 100 comprises a base body 101 in the form of a ring, a seal 103 and a cover 105, which covers a base surface of the base body 101.

[0061] In Fig. 1 The insert element 100 is shown inserted into a shaft 107.

[0062] The base body 101 is designed here as an example of a clamping ring. This means that the base body 101 has open ends that are movably guided relative to each other, so that the base body 101 can be moved or changed between a first position and a second position by moving the ends further apart, for example to reduce the cross-section of the insert element, or closer together, for example to increase the cross-section of the insert element 100.

[0063] A larger cross-section of the insert element 100 results in greater pressure on the seal 103, as the base body 101 presses against the seal 103. Conversely, a smaller cross-section of the insert element 100 results in less pressure on the seal 103, as the base body 101 is moved away from the seal 103.

[0064] When the base body 101 is in its first position, a strong clamping force is exerted between the seal 103 and the shaft 107 due to its relatively large cross-section, making it difficult to lift the insert element 100 out of the shaft 107. Furthermore, the strong clamping force ensures a particularly tight fit of the seal 103 against the shaft 107, thus preventing the ingress of surface water into a gap between the seal 103 and the shaft 107 or into the shaft 107 itself.

[0065] When the base body 101 is in its second position, due to the relatively small or smaller cross-section, only a minimal clamping force is exerted between the seal 103 and the shaft 107, so that the insert element 100 can be easily lifted out of the shaft 107 with little effort.

[0066] Furthermore, the insert element 100 includes an optional drain opening 109 and an optional drain pipe 111 for draining surface water flowing onto the cover 105. Accordingly, the drain pipe 111 acts as a kind of rain gutter for draining rainwater in particular, thus preventing the shaft 107 from overflowing.

[0067] The insert element 100 can be lifted out of the shaft 107 using a lifting element 113.

[0068] The insert element 100 can be arranged under a manhole cover 201, so that the insert element 100 is not recognizable as such from the outside.

[0069] In Fig. 2 It is clearly visible that the drain pipe 111 extends vertically from the cover 105, so that the drain pipe 111 can easily engage in a wastewater pipe 115 when the insert element 100 is inserted into the shaft 107.

[0070] A backflow preventer 117 is arranged in the drain pipe 111, which prevents water rising from the wastewater pipe 115 from escaping through the drain opening 109.

[0071] In Fig. 3 A clamping element 300 is visible, which is used to move the base body 101 between the first position and the second position. For this purpose, the clamping element 300 includes a lever 301, which is connected to the base body 101 at two points via a threaded rod. The lever is connected to the cover 105 at a pivot point, so that during movement it moves the free ends of the base body relative to each other.

[0072] Furthermore, in Fig. 3 The drain opening 109 is clearly visible.

[0073] In Fig. 4A cross-section through a possible design of the insert element 100 is shown. It can be seen that a mechanism 400 is provided, by which a user can apply a force to move the base body 101 between the first position and the second position.

[0074] Optionally, the base body 101 includes an inclined clamping element 401 that interacts with the mechanism to pull the base body 101 against a rigid holder 501.

[0075] In Fig. 5 This is a detailed representation of the deployment element 100 according to Fig. 4 As shown, the base body 101 is movably mounted on the rigid holder 501, so that a movement of the base body 101 presses the seal 103 against the shaft or releases it from the shaft.

[0076] The holder 501 can, for example, be fitted with the mechanism 400 according to Fig. 4to intervene in order to displace the base body 101 relative to the holder 501. For this purpose, the mechanism can, for example, include an eccentric or a cam to allow a gradual increase of the force acting on the base body 101 or the holder 501.

[0077] Accordingly, the mechanism 400 can comprise a first mechanism to change the cross-section of the base body and a second mechanism to move the base body in its vertical position and clamp it onto the holder 501. The holder 501 can be part of the shaft or part of the insert element 100.

[0078] The invention is not limited to one of the embodiments described above, but can be modified in many ways.

[0079] All features and advantages arising from the claims, the description and the drawing, including design details, spatial arrangements and process steps, can be essential to the invention both individually and in various combinations. Reference symbol list

[0080] 100 Insert element 101 Base body 103 Seal 105 Cover 107 Shaft 109 Drain opening 111 Drain pipe 113 Lifting element 115 Wastewater pipe 117 Backflow preventer 300 Tensioning element 301 Lever 400 Mechanism 401 Clamping element 501 Holder

Claims

1. Insert element (100) for insertion into a shaft (107), wherein the insert element (100) comprises a base body (101) and a seal (103), wherein the base body (101) is movable between a first position and a second position, wherein the base body (101) has a larger cross-section in the first position compared to the second position in order to press the seal (103) against the shaft (107) and to seal the shaft (107) watertight, 2. Insert element (100) according to claim 1, wherein the base body (101) has a smaller cross-section in the second position compared to the first position, so that the seal (103) can be detached from the shaft (107) and the insert element (100) can be easily removed from the shaft (107).

3. Insert element (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the base body (101) is arranged in the seal (103) or the seal (103) is arranged on the base body (101).

4. Insert element (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the base body (101) includes an extension section which can be increased or decreased in length in order to move the insert element (100) into the first position or the second position.

5. Insert element according to (100) any of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the basic body (101) is a clamping ring.

6. Insert element (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact thatthe insert element (100) comprises a clamping element (300) which is movable between a clamping position and a release position, wherein the clamping element (300) is configured to pressurize the seal (103) in the clamping position and to reduce the pressure relative to the clamping position in the release position, wherein the clamping element (300) is in the clamping position when the base body (101) is in the first position and wherein the clamping element (300) is in the release position when the base body (101) is in the second position.

7. Insert element (100) according to claim 6, characterized by the fact that the clamping element (300) comprises a quick-release clamp which is connected to the base body (101) via at least one connection point.

8. Insert element (100) according to claim 7, characterized by, wherein the quick-release fastener is configured to pull at least one connection point closer to a center point of the insert element (100) in the release position than in the clamping position.

9. Insert element (100) according to claim 7 or 8, characterized by the fact that the quick-release fastener is connected to a connecting element which is connected to the base body (101) at two points.

10. Insert element (100) according to claim 9, characterized by the fact that The connecting element is rigid and consists of at least two parts, with a fixed distance between the two parts.

11. Insert element (100) according to claim 10, characterized by the fact that the connecting element comprises at least two threaded rods connected by a clamping nut.

12. Insert element (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that The insert element (100) includes a cover (105) configured to cover an opening of a shaft (107).

13. Insert element (100) according to claim 12, characterized by the fact that the cover (105) has a drain opening (109), and a drain pipe (111) is arranged at the drain opening (109) which is configured to be reversibly connected to a wastewater pipe (115).

14. Insert element (100) according to claim 13, characterized by the fact that A backflow preventer (117) is arranged in the drain pipe (111).

15. Insert element (100) according to claim 13 or 14, characterized by the fact that the drain line (111) is connected to the base body (101) via a reversibly detachable connection interface.

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