Patents by Inventor Francois Galvanetto

Francois Galvanetto has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 5340232
    Abstract: The invention concerns a manhole cover with a frame (1) and a grating (3) or cover fitting flush with the frame (1). In order to secure the cover (3) in such a way that it can be easily removed and put back in place, a one-piece securing element (4a) is attached to the frame (1), the securing element (4a) having a locking element (7) at the end of a tab-like retaining element (6) extending obliquely upwards. The locking element (7) engages against a locking surface (9) at the bottom of a recess (8) in the surface of the grating (3) or cover. To unlock the manhole cover, the locking element (7) can be pulled away from the locking surface (9) with a special tool, e.g. a pair of pliers, the retaining element (6) being bent elastically. The securing element (4a) is mounted on the frame (1), embracing shoulders (5a, 5b) so that it is secured by a snap-in connection. The securing element can also be attached to the cover or grating and engage against a locking surface on the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1994
    Assignee: Von Roll AG
    Inventors: Hansruedi Spiess, Francois Galvanetto
  • Patent number: 5160213
    Abstract: A covering for a ground opening includes a frame in which a cover can be inserted. The frame has a recess for receiving a retaining web shaped onto the edge of the cover. A niche with a sloping bearing surface is formed in the frame at a distance from the recess. The cover has a cam. When the cover is in the closed position, a supporting wall provided on the cam formed on the cover edge rests on a bearing surface of the frame, so that, on closing the cover, the later is moved in the direction of the recess and assumes a locked position. Thus, the cover is held in a clearance-free manner in the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1992
    Assignee: Von Roll AG
    Inventors: Hansruedi Spiess, Francois Galvanetto
  • Patent number: 5071177
    Abstract: In a cover-frame assembly for a manhole or the like a locking device is provided, which comprises a closing member having at least two horizontal arms and a mounting rod provided with a bearing and actuating device. The mounting rod and the bearing and actuating device are located in a bore having a widened bore portion, whereby a shoulder is formed, on which is supported a bearing surface of the bearing and actuating device. The ends of the arms each project into a guide link, which is shaped on the inner flange of the frame. The guide link has an inclined flank, by means of which the arms are increasingly elastically deformed. In the closed position of the locking device, the arms engage in locking recesses provided on the end of each inclined flank. This leads to a self-closure with pre-tension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1988
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1991
    Assignee: Von Roll AG
    Inventors: Hansruedi Spiess, Francois Galvanetto
  • Patent number: 5056955
    Abstract: A locking device for a covering comprised of a frame and a cover includes arms, which are inserted in depressions or bores formed in the frame and/or cover, whereby they undergo elastic deformation and consequently form a frictional engagement with the cover. The free end each of the arms project beyond an inner flange of the frame and form there a positive connection between the arms and the inner flange. This results in a simple, but effective connection between the cover and the frame, without requiring machining of the arms or depressions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1991
    Assignee: Von Roll AG
    Inventors: Hansruedi Spiess, Francois Galvanetto
  • Patent number: 5017039
    Abstract: A covering for a ground opening includes a frame in which a cover can be inserted. The frame has a recess for receiving a retaining web shaped onto the edge of the cover. A niche with a sloping bearing surface is formed in the frame at a distance from the recess. The cover has a cam. When the cover is in the closed position, a supporting wall provided on the cam formed on the cover edge rests on a bearing surface of the frame, so that, on closing the cover, the later is moved in the direction of the recess and assumes a locked position. Thus, the cover is held in a clearance-free manner in the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1991
    Inventors: Hansruedi Spiess, Francois Galvanetto
  • Patent number: 4952094
    Abstract: The ground water drain comprises a frame and a grating inserted in the frame. The grating has a central bar and a plurality of crossbars arranged normal to the central bar. Holding portions are provided in the frame over its support for the grating. Projecting portions formed on some crossbars project into the holding portions when grating is inserted into the frame. For the insertion of the grating, at least one projecting portion on one side of the grating is inserted into the corresponding holding portion and subsequently the opposite side of the grating is pressed down. The projecting portions have sloping faces which snap into the holding portions of the frame while the central bar is simultaneously elastic bent. Therefore the grating is positively secured in the frame and even when using an elastic material for the grating the latter cannot be moved to such an extent by the traffic travelling over it that it could jump out of the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 28, 1990
    Assignee: Von Roll AG
    Inventors: Hansruedi Spiess, Francois Galvanetto
  • Patent number: 4925337
    Abstract: The manhole covering comprises a casing, a base frame and an adjusting device. A two-part base frame has a plurality of bores, which are aligned with pockets located in the base part of the casing. In each pocket is inserted a screw nut, into which is screwed and secured the lower end of a threaded bolt extended through the assigned bore of the base frame. The base frame is adjusted in height and slope by a pair of nuts. The adjustment of a particular slope is made possible due to the shape of the bores, which widen to either end and by convexly curved washers cooperating with the bores at their ends. The screw connection of the base frame constitutes a positive connection, which prevents breaking out of the base frame even in the case of a high, eccentric force application to the manhole covering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 15, 1990
    Assignee: Von Roll, AG
    Inventors: Hansruedi Spiess, Francois Galvanetto
  • Patent number: 4909664
    Abstract: In constructions with a relatively limited ground height, e.g., bridges, flat roofs, etc. the foundation or earthwork is covered with a sealing sheet, which extends up to a drain casing or frame. To avoid a return flow of liquid below the sealing sheet and into the foundation, in the arrangement according to the invention, the edge portion of the sealing sheet is laid downward over the wall of the frame or the casing. A locking frame is placed on the edge portion of the sealing element. The locking frame can additionally be secured in position by vertical threaded bolts and is used for pressing the edge portion of the sealing sheet onto the frame or onto the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 20, 1990
    Assignee: Von Roll, AG.
    Inventors: Hansruedi Spiess, Francois Galvanetto
  • Patent number: 4904120
    Abstract: A frame for forming coverings for ground openings and method of assembling such frame are disclosed. Frame parts for assembling the frame are provided at their ends with connecting lugs, which are arranged at different levels. On fitting the frame, the two frame parts are juxtaposed, their connecting lugs are arranged in spaced superimposed manner and are interconnected by screw couplings. For positively interconnecting the frame parts, the frame is turned upside down, and a liquid, pasty or granular filling material is filled into a bore on the underside of the upper connecting lug. The filling material also flows into the bore of the screw coupling, which is covered by a washer. Following the solidification of the filling material, the frame can either be transported in this state or in a disassembled state and can be then reassembled in the same way.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 27, 1990
    Assignee: Von Roll AG
    Inventors: Hansruedi Spiess, Francois Galvanetto
  • Patent number: 4873795
    Abstract: A covering includes a cover and a frame into which the cover is inserted. A supporting surface of the cover and a cooperating bearing surface of the frame each have a surface inclined with respect to the cover plane. These surfaces are partial peripheral surfaces of a sloping cylinder and/or a sloping cone bounded by sections. As a result the partial surfaces have along their circumferences a different inclination with respect to the cover plane. Therefore the cover can only be inserted in the frame in a specific position. Since as a result of this the same surface positions of the cover and the frame always rest on one another, in the case of such coverings a tight closure can be achieved with a circular or oval opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 17, 1989
    Assignee: Von Roll, AG.
    Inventors: Hansruedi Spiess, Francois Galvanetto