Protection for utility mains services

Abstract

An apparatus 10 for maintaining an access space 5 above a utility main 31a, 31b, 31c, the apparatus being configured to be placed in a utility service pit 30, having a frame 12 with sidewalls 14a, 14b

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present Invention relates to an apparatus for use in a utility service pit with one or more utility mains installed therein. More particularly, the present invention relates to an apparatus for maintaining an access space above the utility mains, BACKGROUND Before commencement of a construction project (for example, building houses, schools, offices) groundworks are typically carried out including the laying of utility mains such as water, gas, and electrical supplies. Current methods for installing the utility mains involve digging a trench into which the utility mains are installed. In some cases the trench is stepped and the mains are installed - one on each step. The trench is then filled (or backfilled), to protect the utility mains during subsequent building works. Once building work is completed, the utility mains are once again exposed by re-excavating a trench above them to provide an access space - so that the utility mains can be connected to the buildings. Re-excavating the trench is expensive and time consuming, and risks damage to the utility mains. Additionally, there are safety risks associated with digging close to live utility mains, for example, near a live electricity mains cable. An object of the present invention is therefore to overcome at least some of the limitations discussed above. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to an aspect of the invention there is provided an apparatus for maintaining an access space above a utility main, wherein the apparatus is configured to be placed in a utility service pit having a utility main installed therein. The apparatus comprises a frame comprising one or more sidewalls, wherein a first sidewall of the one or more sidewalls comprises a cut-out for receiving a portion of the utility main when the apparatus is placed in the utility service pit in use, wherein the frame is configured to maintain an access space located above the utility main. When placed in the utility service pit, the apparatus maintains an access space above the utility main (the utility main being installed in the utility service pit). The apparatus is advantageous as it functions to keep the access space above the utility main open and protected so that backfilling and re-excavating are not required. One or more of the sidewalls may comprise a shaped profile configured to conform to at least part of the shape of a floor of the utility service pit. This helps to facilitate stability of the apparatus within the utility service pit. The first sidewall may comprise a second cut-out for receiving a portion of a second utility main installed in the utility service pit. The first sidewall may comprise a stepped profile, wherein the first cut-out is located in a first step of the stepped profile and the second-cut-out is located in a second step of the stepped profile. The first sidewall may comprise a third cut out for receiving a portion of a third utility main installed in the utility service pit. In this case, the first cut-out is located in the first step of the stepped profile, the second cut-out is located in the second step of the stepped profile, and the third cutout is located in a third step of the stepped profile. The first sidewall may comprise any suitable number of cut-outs as required to receive the number of utility mains located in the utility service pit. Each cut-out may be located in a step of a stepped profile such that there is only one cut-out per step. Alternatively, one of more steps may comprise one or more cut-outs. One or more of the cut-outs may be configured to receive a portion of more than one utility main. The apparatus can be placed into a utility service pit with a plurality of utility mains installed (for example, water, gas, and electricity). The stepped profile Is beneficial for arrangements In which the utility mains being are installed at different depths in a utility service pit having a stepped profile. The apparatus may comprise a second sidewall located opposite the first sidewall, wherein the second sidewall comprises one or more cut-outs, each cut-out configured to receive a portion of a utility main installed in the utility service pit. Cut-outs on opposing sides are able to accommodate utility mains that extend from one side of the utility service pit to the other. The number of cut-outs in the second sidewall may match the number of cut-outs in the first sidewall. Furthermore, the size and location of the cut-outs in the second sidewall may mirror the size and location of the cut-outs in the first sidewall. The frame may comprise a lower portion, the lower portion comprising the one or more cut-outs, and an upper portion, wherein the upper portion is configured to be supported by the lower portion in use. The upper portion may be releasably coupled to the lower portion to prevent relative movement between the upper portion and the lower portion. The frame being in two portions facilitates transportation and storage of the frame. The upper portion may be configured to be retrievable from the utility service pit. The lower portion may be configured to be retrievable or to remain in the utility service pit. Being able to retrieve the upper and or lower portion from the utility service pit means that the upper and or lower portion may be reused thereby saving on cost and materials. The lower portion may beneficially remain in the service pit to protect the utility mains installed therein. The upper portion may be collapsable for ease of transport and storage. The apparatus may comprise a cover portion having one or more channels defined therein, wherein each channel is configured to receive a utility main when the apparatus is placed in the utility service pit in use. The cover portion beneficially protects the utility mains from failing dirt and debris which may enter the utility service pit during building construction. The cover portion may be removeable to provide access to the utility mains to allow connection, or the cover portion may comprise openabie hatches to provide access to the utility mains for connection. One or more of the sidewalls may comprise an opening for providing access to the one or more utility mains. Access may be required for maintenance purposes, or to connect / disconnect the utility mains. The apparatus may comprise a lid, wherein the lid is configured to at least partially cover the access space when the lid is placed on the frame, or on ground surrounding the frame, in use. More than one lid may be provided to cover the access space. The one or more lids help to prevent dirt and debris from entering the utility service pit. The apparatus may comprise a beam configured to be supported by the frame and to span a gap located between opposite sides of the frame, wherein the beam is configured to support the one or more lids in use. This beneficially strengthens the apparatus. According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a kit of parts. The kit of parts comprises a frame comprising one or more sidewalls, wherein a first sidewall of the one or more sidewalls comprises a cut-out for receiving a portion of a utility main when the apparatus is placed in a utility service pit in use, wherein the frame is configured to maintain an access space located above the utility main. The kit of parts also comprises one or more lids configured to cover the access space when the one or more lids are placed on the frame, or on ground surrounding the frame, in use. According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method for maintaining an access space above a utility main located in a utility service pit. The method comprises placing, into the utility service pit, a frame comprising one or more sidewalls, wherein a first sidewall of the one or more sidewalls comprises a cut-out, wherein the frame is configured to maintain an access space located above the utility main, and receiving, in the cut-out, a portion of the utility main. The method may comprise placing one or more lids over at least a part of the frame. The method may comprise removing an upper portion of the frame from the utility service pit. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1A is a schematic diagram of an apparatus for maintaining an opening above a utility main in accordance with embodiments of the present invention; Figure 1B is a schematic diagram showing a detail of a part of flange as part of the apparatus of Figure 1A; Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing a side view of the apparatus of Figure 1 A; Figure 3 is a schematic diagram showing the apparatus of Figures 1A and 2 instated in a utility service pit, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention; Figure 4 is a schematic diagram showing a top view of the apparatus of Figures 1A and 2 installed in a utility service pit, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention; Figure 5 is a schematic diagram showing an apparatus according to embodiments of the present invention, where the frame comprises a iower portion and an upper portion; Figure 6 is a schematic diagram showing the lower portion of Figure 5 in greater detail; Figure 7A is a schematic diagram showing a side view of the upper portion of Figure 5 in greater detail; Figure 7B is a schematic diagram showing side view perpendicular to the side view shown in Figure 7A; Figure 7C is a schematic diagram showing a top view of the upper portion of Figure 5 in greater detail; Figure 8 is a schematic diagram showing the assembly of components into an apparatus in accordance with embodiments of the present invention, in a utility service pit; Figure 9 shows a schematic view of an optional cover which may form part of the apparatus; and Figure 10 is a flowchart showing a method for maintaining an opening above a utility main located in a utility service pit, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an apparatus 10 for maintaining an access space 5 above a utility main (or utility mains) in a mains service pit 30 (see Figure 3). The apparatus 10 comprises a frame 12 having side walls 14a, 14b, 14c, 14d. In this example, the frame 12 is rectangular. The sidewall 14a and the opposite sidewall 14c comprise a shaped profile 15 configured to conform to the shape of a floor 33 of a utility service pit 30, into which the apparatus 10 is placed in use (as described in greater detail below). In other words, the lower edges 17a, 17c of the sidewalls 14a, 14c are shaped to conform to the shape of the floor 33 of the utility service pit 30. In the illustrated embodiment, the shaped profile 15 is a stepped profile comprising three steps 19a, 19b, 19c. The sidewall 14a comprises three cut-outs 16a, 16b, 16c. Each cut-out is configured to receive a portion of a utility main 31a, 31b, 31c when the apparatus 10 is placed into the utility service pit 30. As illustrated, the first cut-out 16a is located in a first step 19a of the stepped profile 15, the second-cut-out 16b is located in a second step 19b of the stepped profile 15, and the third cutout 16c is located in a third step 19c of the stepped profile 15. Sidewall 14c is located opposite sidewall 14a and comprises equivalent cut-outs 16a, 16b, 16c located in steps 19a, 19b, 19c such that sidewall 14c is a mirror image of sidewall 14a. In the illustrated embodiment, the frame 12 comprises a pair of flanges 20 located one at either lower edge of sidewalls 14b, 14d. One of the flanges 20 is illustrated in detail in Figure 1B. The flanges 20 are configured to stabilise the apparatus 10 within the utility service pit 30 by providing a wider footing area. However, the flanges 20 are not essential, and the size and arrangement of the frame 12 relative to the utility service pit may provide the required stability in some embodiments. Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing a side view of the apparatus 10 of Figure 1. A second sidewall 14b comprises a pair of openings 18 for providing access to the utility mains 31a, 31b, 31c when the apparatus 10 is placed in the utility service pit 30. Access to the utility mains 31a, 31b, 31c may be required, for example, to connect or disconnect the utility mains 31a, 31b, 31c, or to carry out maintenance works. In the illustrated embodiment, the sidewall 14b comprises two openings 18, however any number of openings may be provided. In other examples, one or more openings 18 may additionally or alternatively be located in any of the sidewalls 14a, 14b, 14c, 14d of the frame 12. Figure 3 shows the apparatus 10 installed in a utility service pit 30. The utility service pit 30 comprises a trench in which utility mains 31a, 31b, 31c are installed. The utility service pit 30 comprises a floor 33 and sides 34a, 34b. In the illustrated embodiment, the floor 33 of the utility service pit 30 has a stepped profile. Three utility mains, a water main 31a, a gas main 31b, and an electrical main 31c, are installed in the utility service pit 30 at different depths within the service pit 30. One utility main is installed on each step 35a, 35b, 35c of the stepped profile of the floor 33 of the utility service pit 30. When the apparatus 10 is placed in the utility service pit 30 in use, the shaped profile 15 of the lower edges 17a, 17c of the sidewalls 14a, 14c conform to the shape of the stepped floor 33 of the utility service pit 30. Each of the cut-outs 16a, 16b, 16c in the sidewalls 14a, 14b receive a portion of a respective utility main: the first cut-out 16a receives a portion of the water main 31a, the second cut-out 16b receives a portion of the gas main 31b, and the third cut-out 16c receives a portion of the electrical main 31c. In this way, the frame 12 does not interact with the utility mains 31a, 31b, 31c which run through the utility service pit 30. A top view of the apparatus 10 located in the utility service pit 30 is shown in Figure 4. As discussed above, the frame 12 comprises a sidewall 14a located opposite the sidewall 14c, and a sidewall 14b located opposite a sidewall 14d. When placed in the utility service pit 30, the apparatus 10 maintains the access space 5 above the utility mains 31a, 31b, 31c. In more detail, the sidewalls 14a, 14b, 14c, 14d of the frame 12 prevent material from entering the utility service pit 30, i.e., prevent the sides 34a, 34b of the utility service pit 30 from collapsing into the access space 5 located above the utility mains 31a, 31b, 31c. Accordingly, the sidewalls 14a, 14b, 14c, 14d are made from a material with enough strength to stop material from the sides 34a, 34b of the utility service pit 30 from falling into the access space 5. The frame12 may suitably comprise a plastics material which is both strong and lightweight. However, any material with suitable strength and weight properties may be used. Turning to Figure 5, an alternative embodiment of the apparatus 10 is illustrated. In this example embodiment the apparatus 10 comprises a frame 12 having a lower portion 22 and an upper portion 24. The lower portion 22 comprises the cut-outs 16a, 16b, 16c. The upper portion 24 is configured to be supported by the lower portion 22 in use. In one example, the upper portion 24 may simply sit on top of the lower portion 22. Alternatively, the upper portion 24 may be releasably coupled to the lower portion 22. Together, the lower portion 22 and the upper portion 24 form the frame 12. The example apparatus 10 shown in Figure 5 also comprises lids 26a, 26b which are configured to cover the access space 5. The lower portion 22, the upper portion 24, and the lids 26a, 26b are described in greater detail below, with reference to Figures 6 to 8. Figure 6 is a schematic diagram showing a top view of the lower portion 22 of the frame 12, and Figures 7A and 7B are mutually orthogonal side views of the upper portion 24 of the frame 12. The tower portion 22 of the frame 12 is configured to support the upper portion 24. in the illustrated embodiment, the upper portion 24 is reieasably coupled to the lower portion 22 by means of a peripheral flange 25 located along, and protruding from, the lowermost edges of the wall portions 116a, 116b, 116c, 116d which form the upper portion 24. The peripheral flange 25 is sized to fit within the uppermost edges of the wall portions 114a, 114b, 114c, 114d which form the tower portion 22 to limit lateral movement of the upper portion 24 with respect to the lower portion 22. The lowermost surfaces 117a, 117b ,117c, 117d of the wall portions 116a, 116b, 116c, 116d of the upper portion 24 abut the uppermost surfaces 115a, 115b, 115c, 115d of the wall portions 114a 114b, 114c, 114d of the lower portion 22 when the upper portion 24 is in position supported on the lower portion 22. in an alternative embodiment the peripheral flange 25 bay be omitted such that the upper portion 24 simply sits on the lower portion 22. Any other suitable releasable connection may be used. When the upper 24 and tower 22 portions of the frame 12 are assembled, sidewalls 116a, 116b, 116c, 116d of the upper portion 24, and sidewalls 114a, 114b, 114c, 114d of the lower portion 22, together form the complete sidewalls 14a, 14b, 14c, 14d of the frame 12.Figure 7C shows a top view of the upper portion 24 of the frame 12. The upper portion 24 comprises recesses 32 located in the top surfaces 118b, 118d of the sidewall portions 116b, 116d of the upper portion 24. A beam 40 is provided which is supported by the frame 12 within the recesses 32. The beam 40 spans the gap between the opposite sides 116b, 116d of the upper portion 24 of the frame 12. The beam 40 may comprise a plastics material or any other suitable material for supporting the lids 26a, 26b (discussed I further detail below). Figure 8 shows an exploded view of the apparatus 10 comprising the lower portion 22, the upper portion 24 (which together form the frame 12), the beam 40 and the lids 26a, 26b.In use, the beam 40 supports the central portion of the lids 26a, 26b which extend across the upper portion 24 of the frame 12 from sidewall portion 116a to sidewall portion 116c. In the example discussed above, the lids 26a, 26b are supported by the upper portion 24 of the frame 12. However, in an alternative example, the lids 26a, 26b may be supported on ground surrounding the utility service pit 30. in another example, the pair of lids 26a, 26b may be replaced by a single lid. Any suitable number of lids may be used. The beam 40 is not essential, and in an alternative embodiment no beam 40 is provided. Any suitable number of beams - or no beam - may be used. Figure 9 shows a schematic view of an optional cover 50 which may be used to further protect the utility mains 31a, 31b, 31c. The cover 50 comprises three channels 51a, 51b, 51c which are configured to receive the utility mains 31a, 31b, 31c respectively in use. The cover 50 comprises a plastics material, or any other suitable material, capable of retaining the shape of the channels 51a, 51b, 51c. The cover 50 is shaped to conform to the floor 33 of the utility service pit so that a first section 52a of the cover 50 is in contact with the first step 35a of the floor 33 in use, a second section 52b of the cover 50 is in contact with the second step 35b of the floor 33 in use, and a third section 52c of the cover 50 is in contact with the third step 35c of the floor 33 in use. The channels may comprise an openable hatch to facilitate access to the utility mains to allow for connection or maintenance. If used, the cover 50 is placed over the utility mains 31a, 31b, 31c either before or after the frame 12 is installed in the utility service pit 30. The skilled person will appreciate that other embodiments to those described above are possible. For example, while the embodiments described have a rectangular frame 12 comprising four sidewalls 14, in another embodiment, the frame 12 may comprise any suitable number of sidewalls forming any suitable overall shape. For example, the frame may have three sidewalls and have a generally triangular shape, or may comprise only one sidewall such that the frame describes a circular or oval shape. The frame 12 may comprise any suitable number of portions. The shaped profile 15 of the bottom of the sidewalls may comprise any suitable shape in dependence on the shape of the floor 33 of the utility service pit 30. Any suitable number of cut-outs may be provided in the sidewalls as suits the number and placement of utility mains within the utility service pit. In some embodiments, one or more of the cut-outs may be configured to receive a plurality of utility mains. In one example, only one cut-out may be provided, configured to receive all of the utility mains in the utility service pit. In some embodiments, one or more cut-outs are provided in one sidewall only. For example, in cases where a utility service main terminates within the utility service pit, cut-outs are only required in one sidewall to receive the utility service main(s). No cut-out(s) are required to allow the utility main(s) to exit the area within the utility service pit protected by the apparatus 10. however, the cut-outs on opposing sidewalls do not mirror each other. The number of cut-outs is opposite sidewalls of the apparatus need not mirror one another For example, in cases where fewer utility mains exit the area within the utility service pit protected by the apparatus 10 than enter it. Cut-outs may be provided in any sidewall of the apparatus as suited to the number and arrangement of utility mains within the utility service pit. In embodiments employing a cover 50, the cover 50 may comprise a plurality of channels, each configured to receive a utility main, or one or more channels configured to receive a receive a plurality of utility mains. Embodiments of the present invention also provide a method 60 for maintaining an access space 5 above one or more utility mains 31a, 31b, 31c located in a utility service pit 30. The method 60 may be used with any configuration of the apparatus 10 described above. The method is illustrated by the flowchart in Figure 10 and comprises placing, at Step 62, a frame 12 into the utility service pit 30, the frame 12. The method further comprises receiving, at Step 64, a portion of at least one the utility main in a cut-out located in a wall of the frame. In some embodiments, the method 60 comprises placing one or more lids over at least part of the frame 12. The lids may be, for example, the lids 26a, 26b described above with reference to Figure 8. The method 60 may further comprise retrieving (removing) an upper portion 24 of the frame 12 from the utility service pit. As described above, the upper portion 24 and the lower portion 22 are removably coupled. Thus, the upper portion 24 can be decoupled from the lower portion 22 by lifting the upper portion 24 away from the lower portion 22The upper portion 24 may be configured to facilitate its removal from the utility service pit 30. For example, a groove, hole or handle for engaging with lifting machinery may be provided. The skilled person will appreciate that other suitable configurations may be employed to facilitate removal of the upper portion 24 from the utility service pit. The lower portion 22 may be configured to remain in the utility service pit after the utility mains are connected. In other words, the lower portion 22 may be sacrificial. Alternatively, the lower portion 22 may be configured to be retrievable. If used, the cover 50 may be configured to be sacrificial or retrievable.

Claims

1. An apparatus for maintaining an access space above a utility main, wherein the apparatus is configured to be placed in a utility service pit having a utility main installed therein, the apparatus comprising:a frame comprising one or more sidewalls, wherein a first sidewall of the one or more sidewalls comprises a cut-out for receiving a portion of the utility main when the apparatus is placed in the utility service pit in use, wherein the frame is configured to maintain an access space located above the utility main.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein one or more of the sidewalls comprises a shaped profile configured to conform to the shape of at least part of a floor of the utility service pit.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 or 2, wherein the first sidewall comprises a second cut-out for receiving a portion of a second utility main installed in the utility service pit.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the first sidewall comprises a stepped profile, wherein the first cut-out is located in a first step of the stepped profile and the second-cut-out is located in a second step of the stepped profile.

5. The apparatus of any preceding claim, comprising a second sidewall located opposite the first sidewall, wherein the second sidewall comprises one or more cut-outs, each cut-out configured to receive a portion of a utility main installed in the utility service pit.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the number of cut-outs in the second sidewall matches the number of cut-outs in the first sidewall.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the size and location of the cut-outs in the second sidewall mirrors the size and location of the cut-outs in the first sidewall.

8. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the frame comprises:a lower portion, the lower portion comprising the one or more cut-outs; andan upper portion, wherein the upper portion is configured to be supported by the lower portion in use.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the upper portion is configured to be retrievable from the utility service pit.

10. The apparatus of claim 8 or 9, wherein the upper portion is collapsable.

11. The apparatus of any preceding claim, comprising a cover portion having one or more channels defined therein, wherein each channel is configured to receive a utility main when the apparatus is placed in the utility service pit in use.

12. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein one or more of the sidewalls comprises an opening for providing access to the one or more utility mains.

13. The apparatus of any preceding claim, comprising a lid, wherein the lid is configured to at least partially cover the access space when the lid is placed on the frame, or on ground surrounding the frame, in use.

14. The apparatus of claim 12, comprising a beam configured to be supported by the frame and to span a gap located between opposite sides of the frame, wherein the beam is configured to support the lid in use.

15. A kit of parts comprising:a frame comprising one or more sidewalls, wherein a first sidewall of the one or more sidewalls comprises a cut-out for receiving a portion of a utility main when the apparatus is placed in a utility service pit in use, wherein the frame is configured to maintain an access space located above the utility main; anda lid configured to cover the access space when the lid is placed on the frame, or on ground surrounding the frame, in use.

16. A method for maintaining an access space above a utility main located in a utility service pit, the method comprising:placing, into the utility service pit, a frame comprising one or more sidewalls, wherein a first sidewall of the one or more sidewalls comprises a cut-out, wherein the frame is configured to maintain an access space located above the utility main; andreceiving, in the cut-out, a portion of the utility main.

17. The method of claim 15, comprising placing a lid over at least a part of the frame.

18. The method of claim 15 or 16, comprising:removing an upper portion of the frame from the utility service pitApplication No: GB2415626.7Examiner: Thomas LocksClaims searched: 1-18Date of search: 12 March 2025Patents Act 1977: Search Report under Section 17Documents considered to be relevant:Category Relevant to claims Identity of document and passage or figure of particular relevance X X X X X 1-3, 5-7, 11-17 1-3, 5-18 1-3, 5-9, 11-18 1-3, 5, 8-9, 11-18 1-3, 5-8, 10-17 GB 2520784 A (LIDDLE HUGH) See whole document, in particular Figures la-g, 2a-g, and 4 and the associated description and Page 44, Line 20, to Page 45, Line 30. WO 2006 / 026824 Al (MAGOULIAS FRANCISCA) See whole document, in particular Figures 1-4 and the associated description. WO 2012 / 042478 Al (SIKA TECHNOLOGY LTD) See whole document, in particular Figures 11, 15, 17, 19-20, and 22-24 and the associated description. US 2013 / 0055650 Al (HARTMANN) See whole document, in particular Figures 1-2, 7, and 28 and the associated description. WO 2013 / 172720 Al (SIKA TECHNOLOGY LTD 2) See whole document, in particular Figures 1 and 5-7 and the associated description.Categories: X Document indicating lack of novelty or inventive step A Document indicating technological background and / or state of the art. Y Document indicating lack of inventive step if combined with one or more other documents of same category. P Document published on or after the declared priority date but before the filing date of this invention. & Member of the same patent family E Patent document published on or after, but with priority date earlier than, the filing date of this application.Field of Search:Search of GB, EP, WO &US patent documents classified in the following areas of the UKCX :Worldwide search of patent documents classified in the following areas of the IPC_____________E02D; E04G; H02G____________________________________________The following online and other databases have been used in the preparation of this search report SEARCH-PATENT, INTERNET15International Classification:Subclass Subgroup Valid From H02G 0009 / 10 01 / 01 / 2006 E02D 0029 / 12 01 / 01 / 2006 H02G 0001 / 00 01 / 01 / 2006

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