MANHOLE GRADE RING
Several improved manhole grade rings and methods for providing improved manhole grade rings. In one embodiment, a plurality of concentric annular rings are connected by radial ribs. Certain radial ribs can be broken to provide a manhole grade ring of the desired diameter. In several other embodiments, concentric annular ribs and interconnecting radial ribs provide lightweight stackable manhole grade rings. In another embodiment, a manhole grade ring defines an annular cavity that can be filled to reinforce the manhole grade ring. Two embodiments provide improved forms for pouring manhole grade rings in place. One form provides a plurality of forms of different diameters that can be filled to any height, while another form provides adjustable height of the manhole grade ring.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. Nos. 60/909,749, 60/909,752, and 60/909,754, all filed Apr. 3, 2007.
BACKGROUNDThe present invention relates to manhole grade rings, which are used in the construction and rehabilitation of manhole access points.
A manhole chimney is the vertical extension off of the horizontal sewer pipe. The manhole chimney may include a base, a manhole cone, a grade ring and a manhole frame with a cover. The manhole chimney may also include risers, transition sections, etc. All products mentioned except for the manhole frame and cover are buried under the surface grade.
The grade rings are installed on top of a manhole cone in order to raise the manhole chimney level with the surface grade. The top installed ring will need to support a steel manhole frame, which the manhole cover sits within. The manhole grade ring when stacked needs to be water and gas tight and sealed to the cone and the frame to prevent water and gas leakage and infiltration. When properly installed, the manhole grade rings have to be able to withstand travel of vehicles weighing 40,000 lbs/axle.
The grade rings are typically pre-formed concrete rings. The concrete grade rings are heavy and cumbersome, and various sizes need to be stored and brought to the work site, so that the proper diameter and height will be available.
SUMMARYThe present invention provides several improved manhole grade rings and methods for providing improved manhole grade rings.
In one embodiment, a plurality of concentric annular rings are connected by radial ribs. Certain radial ribs can be broken to provide a manhole grade ring of the desired diameter. In several other embodiments, concentric annular ribs and interconnecting radial ribs provide lightweight stackable manhole grade rings. In another embodiment, a manhole grade ring defines an annular cavity that can be filled to reinforce the manhole grade ring.
Two embodiments provide improved forms for pouring manhole grade rings in place. One form provides a plurality of forms of different diameters, while the other form provides adjustable height of the manhole grade ring.
These and other features of the application can be best understood from the following specification and drawings, the following of which is a brief description.
A plastic manhole grade ring 18a shown in
Depending on which size the user needs, he can pop out the interior rings by cutting or breaking the appropriate radial ribs at the work site to accommodate the accurate diameter. If the diameter is small, the user has the option to pop off the exterior ring and use it on other applications where a larger diameter is needed. Multiple rings can stack to achieve the appropriate height. In use, dirt, sand and rocks will fill the gaps between the vertical ribs 12, 14, 16, 18, etc. and below the horizontal rings 30, 32, 33, 35. The selected ring(s) would then be used as a manhole grade ring 18 in a manhole chimney 5, such as shown in
A rotationally molded or blow molded grade ring 18b is shown in
A cast in place, concrete form 50 is shown in
Referring to
A concrete frame 130 for providing a manhole grade ring according to a seventh embodiment is shown in
In use, referring to
In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes and jurisprudence, exemplary configurations described above are considered to represent a preferred embodiment of the invention. However, it should be noted that the invention can be practiced otherwise than as specifically illustrated and described without departing from its spirit or scope.
Claims
1) An adjustable plastic manhole grade ring comprising:
- a plurality of concentric annular vertical ribs including a first pair of annular vertical ribs and a second pair of annular vertical ribs;
- a first horizontal annular wall connecting the first pair of annular vertical ribs to one another; and
- a plurality of radial ribs connecting the first pair of annular vertical ribs to the second pair of annular vertical ribs.
2) The adjustable plastic manhole grade ring of claim 1 further including a second horizontal annular wall connecting the second pair of annular vertical ribs to one another.
3) The adjustable plastic manhole grade ring of claim 1 further including first cylindrical ribs reinforcing the first horizontal wall.
4) A plastic manhole grade ring comprising:
- a plurality of concentric annular vertical ribs including a first annular vertical wall and a second annular vertical wall;
- a first horizontal annular wall connecting the first annular vertical wall to the second annular vertical wall;
- a seal secured to an upper surface of one of the annular vertical walls or the first horizontal annular wall; and
- a plurality of radial ribs extending radially outward from the second annular vertical wall.
5) The adjustable plastic manhole grade ring of claim 4 further including a third annular vertical wall connected to the plurality of radial ribs.
6) The adjustable plastic manhole grade ring of claim 5 further including a second horizontal annular wall connecting the second annular vertical wall to the third annular vertical wall.
7) The adjustable manhole grade ring of claim 5 wherein the first horizontal annular wall is a lower wall and the second horizontal annular wall is an upper wall.
8) The adjustable plastic manhole grade ring of claim 4 further including openings through the second annular horizontal wall.
9) The adjustable manhole grade ring of claim 8 wherein the openings also extend through the third annular vertical wall.
10) The adjustable plastic manhole grade ring of claim 4 further including an annular channel for receiving the seal of a similar manhole grade ring stacked therebelow.
11) The adjustable plastic manhole grade ring of claim 10 further including a lip protruding downward from the third annular vertical rib adjacent the channel.
12) A plastic manhole grade ring comprising:
- a first annular vertical wall and a second annular vertical wall;
- a first horizontal annular wall connecting the first annular vertical wall to the second annular vertical wall; and
- a plurality of openings through the first annular vertical wall.
13) The adjustable plastic manhole grade ring of claim 12 further including a plurality of radially extending ribs extending inwardly from the second annular vertical wall and third annular vertical wall connected to the plurality of radial ribs.
14) The adjustable plastic manhole grade ring of claim 13 further including a second horizontal annular wall connecting the second annular vertical wall to the third annular vertical wall.
15) The adjustable manhole grade ring of claim 14 wherein the first horizontal annular wall is an upper wall and the second horizontal annular wall is a lower wall.
16) The adjustable plastic manhole grade ring of claim 12 wherein each opening also extends through the first horizontal annular wall.
17) A plastic manhole grade ring comprising:
- a first annular vertical wall and a second annular vertical wall;
- an upper horizontal annular wall extending radially outwardly from the second annular vertical wall;
- a lower horizontal annular wall extending radially outwardly from the second annular vertical wall, spaced below the upper horizontal annular wall; and
- a plurality of ribs extending between the second annular vertical wall, the upper horizontal annular wall and the lower horizontal annular wall.
18) The adjustable plastic manhole grade ring of claim 17 further including a third horizontal annular wall connecting the first annular vertical wall to the second annular vertical wall.
19) The adjustable manhole grade ring of claim 17 further including a seal on a first surface of the manhole grade ring for sealing to a similar manhole grade ring stacked therewith.
20) The adjustable manhole grade ring of claim 19 further including a channel formed on a second surface for receiving the seal of the similar manhole grade ring stacked therewith.
21) A form set for a manhole grade ring comprising:
- a plurality of annular inner forms pivotably mounted to one another about an axis generally transverse to a center axis of each of the inner forms; and
- an annular outer form, the inner forms also pivotable about the axis relative to the outer form.
22) The form set of claim 21 further including a pair of laterally protruding sections extending outwardly from the outer form.
23) The form set of claim 22 further including a hinge pin connected to the laterally protruding sections and about which the inner forms are pivotably mounted.
24) A form for a manhole grade ring comprising:
- a base; and
- an adjustable portion have an adjustable height relative to the base, the adjustable portion having an upper annular wall and an inner annular wall.
25) The form of claim 24 wherein the base includes a generally planar annular inner portion and an annular outer portion having alternating peaks and valleys.
26) The form of claim 25 further including threaded members for adjusting a relative height between the adjustable portion and the base.
27) The form of claim 24 further including a plurality of tapered radial ribs connecting the annular inner portion to the peaks of the annular outer portion.
28) A plastic manhole grade ring comprising:
- an enclosed body defining an annular cavity; and
- an opening into the cavity for filling the manhole grade ring with supporting material.
29) The manhole grade ring of claim 28 wherein the manhole grade ring is blow molded or rotationally molded.
Type: Application
Filed: Apr 3, 2008
Publication Date: Oct 9, 2008
Inventors: Cynthia R. Meissen (Atlanta, GA), Kyle L. Baltz (Redondo Beach, CA)
Application Number: 12/062,379
International Classification: E02D 29/14 (20060101);