Abstract: A manhole cover assembly includes a frame that includes a central opening and a safety stop portion, and a cover hingedly attached to the frame such that the cover is pivotable between a closed position covering the central opening and an open position providing access to the central opening. A safety device is connected to the frame and the cover for locking the cover in the open position. Movement of the cover to the open position automatically moves the safety device to a locked position in which said safety device engages the safety stop portion and prevents movement of the cover to the closed position. When the cover is open, the safety device is manually movable between the locked position and an unlocked position in which the safety device is disengaged from the safety stop and permits movement of the cover to the closed position.

Abstract: A manhole cover assembly includes a frame that includes a central opening and a safety stop portion, and a cover hingedly attached to the frame such that the cover is pivotable between a closed position covering the central opening and an open position providing access to the central opening. A safety device is connected to the frame and the cover for locking the cover in the open position. Movement of the cover to the open position automatically moves the safety device to a locked position in which said safety device engages the safety stop portion and prevents movement of the cover to the closed position. When the cover is open, the safety device is manually movable between the locked position and an unlocked position in which the safety device is disengaged from the safety stop and permits movement of the cover to the closed position.

Abstract: A manhole cover assembly includes a frame defining an access opening, first and second mounting posts extending from the frame, and a cover for covering the access opening. The cover includes first and second mounting recesses that pivotally receive the first and second mounting posts respectively, such that said cover is movable between an open position and a closed position by rotating the recesses about the posts. At least one of the recesses includes a locking groove that aligns with the post when the cover is moved to an open position to lock the cover in the open position.

Abstract: A one-piece, unitary manhole cover has dual lifting ports that drain through the outer circumferential edge of the cover. A lifting channel runs from the interior of the upper face out to the outer circumferential edge. A lifting bar spans the lifting channel and defines an ergo lifting port and a pry bar lifting port. Both the ergo lifting port and the pry bar lifting port drain through the outer circumference of the manhole cover.

Abstract: A swing-out manhole cover assembly having at least one ramp to facilitate opening and closing the cover. The manhole cover assembly includes a frame, a cover, a swing assembly and at least one ramp. As the cover swings open away from the frame about the swing assembly, the ramp imparts linear translation to the cover separating the cover from the frame slightly. As the cover swings back to close the manhole cover, the ramp reverses the linear translation and the cover returns back to the frame. A spring may be included to bias the cover in the closed position.

Abstract: A manhole system that includes a manhole cover and a frame with at least one locking device for maintaining the manhole cover in place on the frame. The locking device is selectively movable between locked and unlocked positions to selectively engage the cover to hold the cover in place on the frame. The locking device may be rotatable between “locked” and “unlocked” positions about an axis perpendicular to the plane of the cover. The locking device may includes a plurality of cam locks that engage the outer circumferential edge of the cover and are configured to increasingly clamp down the cover against the frame with increasing rotation from “unlocked” position to “locked” position. A plurality of locks can be arranged around frame to engage the cover at different locations.

Abstract: A municipal casting frame is provided with cast nut retainers that allow the frame to be used with or without a bolt-down cover. The frame defines one or more bolt holes of sufficient dimension to allow free passage of the cover bolts. The undersurface of the frame defines a cast nut retainer adapted to securely receive a nut. In one embodiment, the nut retainer includes protrusions that permit the nut to be snap-fitted into the nut retainer. In another embodiment, the nut retainer is configured to frictionally receive the nut in a wedging interaction. The present invention also provides a method for manufacturing a frame with integral cast nut retainers. The method generally includes the steps of (a) providing a core corresponding in shape to the bolt hole and the cast nut retainer, the cast nut retainer being configured to receive and retain a nut, (b) casting a frame in a mold about the core, (c) removing the cast frame from the mold and (d) removing the core from the cast frame.

Abstract: A manhole cover assembly includes a frame defining an access opening, first and second mounting posts extending from the frame, and a cover for covering the access opening. The cover includes first and second mounting recesses that pivotally receive the first and second mounting posts respectively, such that said cover is movable between an open position and a closed position by rotating the recesses about the posts. At least one of the recesses includes a locking groove that aligns with the post when the cover is moved to an open position to lock the cover in the open position.

Abstract: A manhole system that includes a manhole cover and a frame with at least one locking device for maintaining the manhole cover in place on the frame. The locking device is selectively movable between locked and unlocked positions to selectively engage the cover to hold the cover in place on the frame. The locking device may be rotatable between “locked” and “unlocked” positions about an axis perpendicular to the plane of the cover. The locking device may includes a plurality of cam locks that engage the outer circumferential edge of the cover and are configured to increasingly clamp down the cover against the frame with increasing rotation from “unlocked” position to “locked” position. A plurality of locks can be arranged around frame to engage the cover at different locations.

Abstract: A one-piece, unitary manhole cover has dual lifting ports that drain through the outer circumferential edge of the cover. A lifting channel runs from the interior of the upper face out to the outer circumferential edge. A lifting bar spans the lifting channel and defines an ergo lifting port and a pry bar lifting port. Both the ergo lifting port and the pry bar lifting port drain through the outer circumference of the manhole cover.

Abstract: A lift-assisted manhole cover assembly with a flush surface and external pivot shaft. The cover includes a mounting tab that extends beyond the general periphery of the cover. The mounting tab may be connected to a shaft that is threadedly engaged with the frame. A spring may be mounted between the frame and the mounting tab, for example, in a sleeve, to provide a mechanical assist in lifting the cover. The sleeve may be disposed outside the manhole opening where it does not block access to the manhole opening.

Abstract: A swing-out manhole cover assembly having at least one ramp to facilitate opening and closing the cover. The manhole cover assembly includes a frame, a cover, a swing assembly and at least one ramp. As the cover swings open away from the frame about the swing assembly, the ramp imparts linear translation to the cover separating the cover from the frame slightly. As the cover swings back to close the manhole cover, the ramp reverses the linear translation and the cover returns back to the frame. A spring may be included to bias the cover in the closed position.

Abstract: A lift-assisted manhole cover assembly with a flush surface and external pivot shaft. The cover includes a mounting tab that extends beyond the general periphery of the cover. The mounting tab may be connected to a shaft that is threadedly engaged with the frame. A spring may be mounted between the frame and the mounting tab, for example, in a sleeve, to provide a mechanical assist in lifting the cover. The sleeve may be disposed outside the manhole opening where it does not block access to the manhole opening.

Abstract: A lift-assisted manhole cover assembly with a flush surface and external pivot shaft. The cover includes a mounting tab that extends beyond the general periphery of the cover. The mounting tab may be connected to a shaft that is threadedly engaged with the frame. A spring may be mounted between the frame and the mounting tab, for example, in a sleeve, to provide a mechanical assist in lifting the cover. The sleeve may be disposed outside the manhole opening where it does not block access to the manhole opening.

Abstract: A fire hydrant having a valve seat flange with an integral liner. In one embodiment, the fire hydrant includes a valve seat flange disposed between a standpipe and a hydrant shoe. The valve seat flange includes a standpipe neck defining internal threads to directly connect to the standpipe and a base flange to directly connect to the hydrant shoe. The liner includes an outer peripheral edge that is entrapped within the valve seat flange and an inner circumferential surface defining threads for receiving the valve seat of a valve assembly. The present invention also discloses a process of manufacturing a valve seat flange, including the steps of: (a) manufacturing the liner, (b) incorporating the liner into a core with the outer peripheral region of the liner exposed, (c) placing the integral core/liner into the valve seat flange mold and (d) forming the valve seat flange around the liner with the valve seat flange entrapping the outer peripheral region of the liner.