Threaded Rod Installation Means for Inspection Manhole Covers

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing solutions for adjusting and maintaining the height and inclination of carriageway covers on inspection manholes are inefficient, often requiring laborious processes, leading to subsidence under varying loads and disrupting traffic for extended periods.

Innovation Solution

The use of at least three threaded rods, adjustable in height and inclination, with nuts, slide-blocking elements, and rotation-blocking elements, allows the cover holder to rest on the rods without narrowing the passage opening, enabling accurate and repeated adjustments while withstanding loads up to 40 tonnes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If concrete collars and supporting materials are used to adjust height and inclination, then the cover holder can be positioned, but the adjustment precision is limited and the structure gives way under varying loads up to 40 tonnes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadjustment precisionVSAvoidstructural stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical system of concrete collars and supporting materials with a threaded rod adjustment mechanism. The threaded rods provide precise height and inclination adjustment through threading, eliminating the imprecision of concrete-based methods while maintaining structural stability under loads up to 40 tonnes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the adjustable parameters from fixed concrete collars to variable threaded rod positions. The threaded rods can be adjusted to different heights and angles, providing continuous parameter variation rather than discrete concrete collar sizes, thereby achieving both precision and reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If concrete is used to fill and cure around the inspection shaft, then the cover holder is stabilized, but traffic is disrupted for three weeks due to curing time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecover holder stabilityVSAvoidtraffic disruption time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the chemical curing process of concrete with a mechanical threading system. The threaded rods provide immediate structural stability without requiring concrete curing time, reducing traffic disruption from three weeks to a fraction of that time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The threaded rods are pre-installed and adjusted to the required height and inclination before the final asphalt laying. This preliminary positioning eliminates the need for post-curing adjustments and reduces overall project time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If the cover holder position needs to be readjusted after asphalt is laid, then a large hole must be hacked out and refilled, which is time-consuming and damages infrastructure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverepositioning capabilityVSAvoidinstallation ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the cover holder position dynamic rather than fixed. The threaded rods can be easily adjusted to different positions even after asphalt is laid, allowing the cover holder to adapt to changing requirements without damaging the surrounding infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The adjustment mechanism (threaded rods) is extracted as a separate, accessible component that can be modified independently of the surrounding asphalt and concrete structures, enabling easy repositioning without hacking out large holes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Ease of operation

If threaded rods are arranged on the inside of the mounting ring and cover holder, then adjustment is enabled, but the passage opening is greatly constricted

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveadjustabilityVSAvoidpassage opening area
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSArea of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent moves the threaded rods from an internal arrangement (constraining the passage opening) to an external arrangement on the mounting ring. This dimensional change allows the rods to function for adjustment while not interfering with the passage opening area.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The mounting ring serves as an intermediary structure that carries the threaded rods externally. This mediator allows the adjustment mechanism to be separated from the passage opening, enabling both adjustability and adequate passage area.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This solution ensures stable and secure adjustment of carriageway covers, reducing maintenance time and minimizing traffic disruptions, as the height and inclination can be accurately set and readjusted multiple times without damaging existing infrastructure.

Implementation Method 1

comprising at least three threaded rods for adjusting the height and the inclination of the cover holder with respect to the inspection shaft

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThreading: Screw

Implementation Method 2

comprise at least one slide-blocking element for each threaded rod in order to prevent the nut from sliding with respect to the threaded rod

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP3047072B1Installation means and method for installing and adjusting a cover of an inspection manhole
Publication Date: 2017.07.19 BNK INGENUITY
  • EP3047072B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3047072B1 patent drawingFigure 3~6
  • EP3047072B1 patent drawingFigure 7~8

AI summary

The present invention relates to installation means for installing a cover holder (5) so as to be adjustable in height and in inclination in order to keep a carriageway cover (3) on top of an inspection shaft (2) of an inspection manhole (1), comprising at least three threaded rods (4) for adjusting the height and the inclination, which are fittable so as to be adjustable in height with respect to the inspection shaft (2) and fixed under the cover holder (5), in order to make it possible for the cover holder (5) to rest on top of a first end (14) of the threaded rods (4). This invention also relates to a method for installing a cover holder (5) and a method for adjusting an inspection manhole (1) by means of such installation means.