Kit of Parts and Apparatus for Covering a Manhole

Abstract

A kit of parts and apparatus for covering a manhole having a manhole cover defining one or more apertures therethrough, a ring defining, on the bottom thereof, one or more chambers, the ring further defining one or more apertures therethrough wherein the ring defines each of the one or more apertures therethrough within each of one or more chambers and one or more tabs such that each of the one or more tabs is housed within each of the one or more chambers defined by the ring, each of the one or more tabs slidably engages with the ring, each of the one or more tabs defining, on an end thereof, a threaded aperture therethrough for engaging a threaded device and, on an end thereof, an indention for engaging a flat-headed tool.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/414,953, filed Oct. 11, 2022, all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the top of a manhole cover of the kit of parts and apparatus for covering a manhole, comprising an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the bottom of the manhole cover of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the top of a ring of the kit of parts and apparatus for covering a manhole, comprising an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the bottom of the ring of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an enhancement of the perspective view of the bottom of the ring of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the manhole cover of FIG. 1 attaching to the ring of FIG. 3;

FIG. 7A is a perspective view of a tab of the kit of parts and apparatus for covering a manhole, comprising an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7B is a perspective view of a tab having expansion material attached thereto, comprising an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is an exploded view of the manhole cover of FIG. 1 attaching to the ring of FIG. 3 using the tab of FIG. 7B;

FIG. 9 is a cross-section of the kit of parts and apparatus for covering a manhole taken along section line 9 in FIG. 11;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a ring of the kit of parts and apparatus for covering a manhole, showing a tab slidably disengaging from the defined chamber of the ring;

FIG. 11 is a top view of a manhole cover of the kit of parts and apparatus for covering a manhole attached to a ring of the kit of parts and apparatus for covering a manhole; and

FIG. 12 is a bottom view of FIG. 11.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Through the centuries, societies have endeavored to transport various materials below the surface of the earth. Systems have been built underground to transport materials such as sewer, natural gas, water, electrical lines or telephone lines from one place to another. Transporting such materials underground requires constructing pathways or tunnels underground so that the materials can be transported therethrough.

Typically, along the tunnel(s) are one or more access points to the tunnel(s), which allow for inspection and maintenance of the tunnel(s) and/or of the material passing through the tunnel(s). An access point can be of any size and length, including a size and length large enough for one or more individuals to move about within the access point. An access point, which typically allows one or more individuals to move therethrough and which typically extends to the surface of the ground, is generally called a manhole.

A manhole—sometimes also called a utility hole or maintenance hole—is an opening to a confined space such as a shaft that interfaces with an access point. Manholes are often used as an access point for an underground public utility, allowing for inspections, maintenance and system upgrades. The majority of governmental and nongovernmental services that transport materials underground, such as water, sewer and electricity, utilize manholes in connection with their systems. As such, manholes are typically found in urban areas, such as under streets and sidewalks. A street or sidewalk may be constructed over a manhole, such that access to the manhole is through an opening in the street or sidewalk. The opening of a manhole in a street or sidewalk can be any shape but is usually round. Further, the opening can be of any size but is usually large enough to permit an individual to fit through it.

A manhole cover is used to close the opening of a manhole. The covering is designed to prevent accidental or unauthorized access to the manhole. The cover can be made of metal but can also be made of precast concrete, glass reinforced plastic or other composite materials. Composite manhole covers, such as, for example, those comprised of fibers, have certain benefits that their traditional metal counterparts do not have, namely, they weigh less and resist corrosion that results from the presence of hydrogen sulfide. Hydrogen sulfide is a gas that can be found near sewer systems. Further, composite manhole covers typically resist ultraviolet light, which help to reduce damage from the sun and other environmental elements. As a result, composite manhole covers offer benefits in the industry that traditional metal manhole covers do not have.

Typically, as is currently the state of the art, to close an exterior opening of a manhole, a manhole cover and a ring are utilized. The ring is permanently affixed to the surrounding area around the exterior opening of a manhole, and the manhole cover is secured to the ring. The ring can be permanently affixed to the surrounding area in varies ways. One way is via threaded devices such as bolts, screws, or the like, such that the ring is bolted to the surrounding concrete or to the surrounding asphalt of the street or sidewalk. Another way is via concrete or asphalt such that the ring is set in place around the exterior opening of a manhole, and the concrete or asphalt is poured around and/or upon a portion of the ring, thereby permanently affixing the ring to the concrete or asphalt once the concrete or asphalt hardens.

Because a ring is affixed to the surrounding area in a permanent manner, when the ring must be removed and/or replaced, damage to the surrounding area usually results. For example, to remove and/or replace a ring that is secured to the surrounding area by concrete, portions of the concrete will likely have to be removed, destroying the affected area. Then, new concrete will have to be poured to install a new ring. Even if a ring is permanently affixed to the surrounding area via threaded devices such as via screws or bolts, removing the threaded devices to remove the ring can damage the surrounding area, especially when the surrounding area is concrete, asphalt or the like.

Once a ring is permanently affixed around the exterior opening of a manhole, a manhole cover is then secured to the ring. A manhole cover is typically secured to the ring via threaded devices such as through the use of screws, bolts or the like. A traditional manhole cover and/or ring may have threaded nuts embedded into its frame. The threaded devices interact with threading on the manhole cover and/or ring, thereby securing the manhole cover to the ring.

When the removal of a manhole cover is required to allow access to the interior of a manhole, the threaded devices attaching the manhole cover to the ring are removed. Then, the manhole cover is removed, leaving only the ring that is fastened to the surrounding area. Access is then permitted into the manhole.

This presents a problem because oftentimes one or more threaded devices become stripped and/or seizes or the threading on the manhole cover and/or ring become stripped. As a result, detachment of the manhole from the ring is prevented. When this occurs, the only way to remove the manhole cover is to remove the manhole cover and ring together simultaneously, thereby not only damaging the manhole cover and the ring but also the surrounding area such as the concrete or asphalt. Then, when it is time to close the opening of the manhole, a new ring and a new manhole cover must be installed along with repairs to the surrounding area.

Consequently, as is presently in the art, a problem exists in connection with the detachment of a manhole cover to a ring. Because a manhole cover is typically attached to a ring using threaded devices, when threaded devices become stripped of their threads and/or seizes within the manhole cover and ring and/or when the threading within the manhole cover and/or ring that interacts with the threaded device becomes stripped of their threads, the manhole cover cannot be detached from the ring unless the manhole cover, the ring and/or the surrounding area is damaged. Damage occurs because external forces must be applied to manhole cover and ring to detach the manhole cover from the ring. Depending upon the extent of the damage, the manhole cover and/or ring may have to be replaced. If the ring is replaced, then as discussed above, the surrounding area close to the ring will likely be damaged in the process.

The current art is inefficient and costly. For example, when a manhole cover cannot be properly detached from a ring, additional work must be performed. This entails using various instruments to forcibly remove the manhole cover, and if that doesn't suffice, forcibly removing the ring with external forces. Forcibly removing the ring could entail the breaking of the surrounding concrete, etc., which require certain instruments. Thus, additional time and resources must be used to open the manhole when it will not properly detach. Then, when the manhole must be closed, a new manhole cover and/or ring must be installed along with any repairs to the surrounding areas. This increases costs and requires additional resources, including the installation of a new manhole cover and ring.

What is needed is a kit of parts and apparatus for covering and uncovering a manhole that prevents destruction to a manhole cover, a ring and/or the surrounding area. More specifically, what is needed is a kit of parts and apparatus that aids in attaching a manhole cover to, and in detaching a manhole cover from, a ring that reduces the stripping and/or seizing of threated devices that fasten the manhole cover to the ring and that eliminates the stripping of threads on the manhole cover and/or ring, thereby preventing destruction to the manhole cover, ring and/or surrounding area that results when external forces have to be applied to remove the manhole cover and/or ring.

A kit of parts and apparatus for covering a manhole disclosed herein, having a plurality of embodiments, is a novel and non-obvious invention that meets the needs that are described above, while providing many substantial advantages such as, but not limited to, reducing destruction to objects such as to the manhole cover, ring and surrounding areas, reducing the time and resources that are required to properly open and close a manhole and reducing the cost associated with maintaining a manhole and a manhole cover.

An embodiment of the present invention comprises, in part, a kit of parts and/or an apparatus for covering a manhole having, in part or in full, a manhole cover, a ring, one or more threaded devices or the like, such as, but not limited to, a threaded bolt or screw, and one or more threaded tabs. The manhole cover and ring are attached together through the use of one or more threaded devices and one or more threaded tabs. When either a threaded device or a threaded tab becomes stripped and/or seizes, the threaded device or threaded tab can be removed and/or replaced without having to replace the manhole cover and/or ring and without having to apply external forces to the manhole cover and ring to forcibly detach the manhole cover. Thus, embodiments of the present invention permit a manhole cover to be easily detached from a ring even if a threaded device or threaded tab attaching them becomes stripped and/or seizes—doing so without damaging the manhole cover or ring. The present invention eliminates problems that occur in the present art when the threaded device that attaches the manhole cover to the ring is stripped or when the threads embedded in the manhole cover and/or ring (as is currently done in the art) that engage with the threaded device is stripped. It should be appreciated by a person of ordinary skill in this art that the manhole cover and ring of the present invention do not comprise embedded threads that engage with a threaded device to secure the manhole cover to the ring as is currently done in the art.

Specifically, an embodiment of the present invention can comprise a cover, such as, but not limited to, a manhole cover, that defines one or more apertures thereon. Each of the one or more apertures formed by the cover can be spaced apart from each other, and each of the one or more apertures receives a threaded device therethrough.

The embodiment can further comprise a ring that, on the bottom thereof, defines one or more chambers. Each of the one or more chambers formed by the ring can be spaced apart from each other. The defined chamber can form an indention in both the bottom of the ring and the inner side of the ring, or the defined chamber can form an indention in only the inner side of the ring. The ring can further define a shoulder around each of the one or more defined chambers. Within each of the one or more defined chambers, the ring can further define an aperture for receiving a threaded device or the like from the cover. The cover and ring are comprised so that an aperture defined by the ring within a defined chamber thereof aligns with an aperture defined by the cover when the cover attaches to the ring. On each of the defined shoulders, the ring can further define one or more threaded apertures for receiving a threaded device, such as, but not limited to, a screw, bolt or the like.

The embodiment can further comprise one or more tabs. Each tab can define a threaded aperture on one end thereof and an indention on the other end thereof. A tab slidably engages with a chamber defined by the ring so that, when positioned appropriately, the threaded aperture defined by the tab aligns with the aperture defined by the ring that is located within the chamber defined by the ring so that a threaded device or the like can be positioned through an aperture defined by the cover and through an aperture within a chamber defined by the ring and received by the threaded aperture defined by the tab, thereby engaging the threaded device to the tab and, thus, attaching the cover to the ring. The defined indention of the tab can be engaged with, for example, the assistance of a flat-headed tool such as a screwdriver or pocket knife, to forcibly slide the tab from the chamber defined by the ring should the threaded device connecting the cover to the ring becomes stripped of its threads and/or seizes or should the threaded aperture defined by the tab becomes stripped (i.e., loses its threading) and/or seizes. The tab can be slidably removed from the chamber defined by the ring and replaced with another tab, thereby preventing any damage to the ring and/or the cover.

Notably, the tab assists in future fastening of the cover to the ring if a threaded device becomes stripped or otherwise damaged. With a cover and/or ring that has threading embedded within it as is the current art in the industry, once the threading is stripped and or otherwise damaged, the cover and/or ring can no longer be used. As discussed herein, the present invention solves this problem as the cover and ring of the present invention do not have embedded threading within them for purposes of securing the two together. The tab defines a threaded aperture. Thus, if the threaded aperture of the tab becomes stripped or otherwise damaged, then the tab can easily be removed and replaced without having to remove the cover and ring. This prevents the need to have the entire unit—the cover and ring—removed from concrete/asphalt and replaced.

The embodiment of the present invention can further comprise expansion material, such as, but not limited to, foam or rubber, that attaches to the side portion of the tab. For example, in an embodiment, the expansion material can be ethylene vinyl acetate, which is a rubber foam material. The expansion material expands or contracts with the thermal response of the metal to which it is bonded.

The embodiment of the present invention can further comprise one or more plates. Each plate defines one or more apertures thereon for receiving threaded devices or the like therethrough. Each plate engages with a shoulder defined by the ring. Each plate can be secured to the shoulder of the ring via a threaded device or the like. The ring can further define one or more threaded apertures about the defined shoulder for receiving and securing the plate thereto.

Prior to the present invention, when a bolt or screw that secure a manhole cover to a ring or when the threading embedded within a manhole cover either seized, stripped or otherwise became damaged, the manhole cover and/or ring would have to be forcibly removed, thereby damaging the manhole cover and/or ring, likely including the surrounding area. With an embodiment of the present invention, the manhole cover and ring are secured to each other through the use of a tab with which a threaded device engages from the top of the manhole cover, through the ring, to the threaded aperture defined by a tab. If/when the threading of the threaded device or the threading defined by the threaded aperture formed by the tab becomes damaged, functionless and/or unusable, then the threaded device and/or tab is removed and replaced with another threaded device and/or tab—this is done without having to damage, remove or replace either the manhole cover or the ring, only the damaged threaded device and/or the damaged tab.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While embodiments of the present application are susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the description herein of specific embodiments is not intended to limit the present invention to the particular embodiment disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present application.

Illustrative embodiments of the present invention are provided below. It will, of course, be appreciated that in the development of any actual embodiment, numerous implementation-specific decisions will be made to achieve the developer's specific goals, such as compliance with assembly-related and business-related constraints, which will vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it will be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time-consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking for those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.

Turning now to FIG. 1, an illustration is shown that depicts a top perspective view of a composite manhole cover 100. While the present invention contemplates any type, make or shape of a manhole cover, a circular composite manhole cover 100 is shown herein in this embodiment. Further, in this embodiment, the composite manhole cover 100 defines four (4) apertures 110 that are spaced apart equally about the outer edge of the circumference of the circular composite manhole cover 100. In this particular embodiment, the manhole cover 100 defines an aperture 110 every ninety degrees along the outer edge of the circumference of the composite manhole cover 100. However, it should be noted, as discussed above, the present invention contemplates that the manhole cover 100 can define one or more apertures at any location therein. Each aperture 110 shown in FIG. 1 allows a threaded device to be received therethrough.

FIG. 1 also depicts grooves 120 that are defined by the composite manhole cover 100 along the top portion thereof. The defined grooves 120 assist in reducing the weight of the composite manhole cover 100 without sacrificing its requisite strength. This is a benefit found in manhole covers comprised of composite materials.

FIG. 2 shows a bottom perspective view of the composite manhole cover 100 of FIG. 1. Illustrated are the four (4) apertures 110 defined by the composite manhole cover 100 for receiving threaded devices therethrough.

Turning to FIG. 3, a top perspective view of a ring 130 is shown. While the present invention contemplates any type, make or shape of a ring 130, a ring 130 that is circular is shown herein in this embodiment. Further, in this embodiment, the ring 130 defines four (4) apertures 140 that are spaced apart equally about the inner edge of the circumference of the ring 130. In this particular embodiment, the ring 130 defines an aperture 140 every ninety degrees along the inner edge of the circumference of the ring 130. However, it should be noted, as discussed above, the present invention contemplates that the ring 130 can define one or more aperture(s) at any location therein. Each aperture 140 allows a threaded device to be received therethrough. Each aperture 140 defined by the ring 130 must be defined in a position on the ring 130 so that a threaded device that passes through it can also pass through an aperture 110 of the manhole cover 100.

The ring 130 defines one or more apertures 150 such that each aperture 150 is spaced apart equally about the outer edge of the circumference of the ring 130. Each defined aperture 150 permits a threaded device or like device to pass therethrough to secure the ring 130 to the surrounding area or structure, such as to concrete. In this particular embodiment, the ring 130 is secured to the surrounding area through the use of bolts and screws. However, it should be noted that the present invention contemplates that the ring 130 may be secured to the surrounding area through other means such as through fixation by concrete, etc.

FIG. 4 depicts a bottom perspective view of the ring 130. As shown, the ring 130 defines four (4) chambers 160 on the bottom of the ring 130 for housing a tab within each chamber 160. At each chamber 160, the ring 130 defines the aperture 140 for receiving a threaded device therethrough. The present invention contemplates that the ring 130 can define one or more chambers 160 on the bottom thereof. In the embodiment shown, the ring 130 defines four (4) chambers 160. For each defined chamber 160, the ring 130 defines the aperture 140. Thus, if the embodiment of the invention comprises three (3) chambers 160 on the bottom of the ring 130, then the ring 130 will defined three (3) apertures 140 at the chambers 160. Further, in this embodiment, in part, to house each tab, the ring 130 further defines a shoulder 170 around each chamber 160. Additionally, as shown, the ring 130 defines multiple apertures 150 about the outer edge of the circumference of the ring 130 to permit threaded devices or the like to pass therethrough to secure the ring to the surrounding area such as concrete.

FIG. 5 illustrates an enhanced view of a portion of the ring 130, specifically of a chamber 160 and aperture 140 that are defined by the ring 130. The chamber 160 can house a tab. The tab can be secured in the chamber 160 using a variety of ways. One way is through the use of a plate that attaches to the ring 130. As such, the ring 130, as shown in this particular embodiment, also defines a shoulder 170 around the defined chamber 160 for attaching a plate thereto. The ring 130 can further define one or more threaded apertures 180 along the defined shoulder 170, thereby permitting a threaded device to pass therethrough to secure a plate to the ring 130. As shown in the embodiment of FIG. 5, the ring 130 defines four (4) threaded apertures 180 along the defined shoulder 170.

An exploded view of a portion of the manhole cover 100, the ring 130 and a threaded device 190 is shown in FIG. 6. The threaded device 190 or the like is received into and through the defined aperture 110 of the manhole cover 100 and into and through the defined aperture 140 of the ring 130 until it reaches the defined chamber 160 of the ring 130. The threaded device 190 or the like aids in attaching and securing the manhole cover 100 to the ring 130.

Turning to FIG. 7A, a tab 200 is shown. The tab 200 defines, at an end thereof, a threaded aperture 210 for receiving a threaded device and, at another end thereof, an indention 220 for receiving a flat-headed tool such as a screw driver or pocket knife. The defined threaded aperture 210 of the tab 200 receives the threaded device 190 protruding from the manhole cover 100 and ring 130. The indention 220 receives a flat-headed tool, which is used to force the tab 200 out of the defined chamber 160 should the tab 200 or threaded device 190 become stripped or otherwise damaged, and a replacement tab becomes necessary. The tab 200 can be comprised of metal, an alloy, a polymer and/or a substance having adequate strength to secure the manhole cover 100 to the ring 130. The present invention contemplates the inclusion of a tab 200 for every defined chamber 160 of the ring 130. Thus, the present invention can comprise one or more tabs 200. Each tab 200 slidably engages with the defined chamber 160 of the ring 130.

The tab 200 can further comprise expansion material 230 attached thereto such as, but not limited to, ethylene vinyl acetate or the like as shown in FIG. 7B. The expansion material 230 expands or contracts, within a defined chamber 160 of the ring 130, due to the changes in the temperature of the environment around the tab 200. As shown in this particular embodiment, the expansion material 230 is attached to a side portion of the tab 200.

FIG. 8 depicts an exploded view of a bottom portion of the manhole cover 100, a defined aperture 110 of the manhole cover 100, a bottom portion of the ring 130, a defined aperture 140 of the ring 130, a defined chamber 160 of the ring 130, a defined shoulder 170 of the ring 130, four (4) defined threaded apertures 180 of the ring 130 positioned about the defined shoulder 170 of the ring 130, a tab 200, the defined threaded aperture 210 of the tab 200, the defined indention 220 of the tab 200, the expansion material 230 attached to the tab 200, a plate 240 and four (4) screws 250. In this particular embodiment, the plate 240 defines four (4) apertures 260 on each corner thereof for receiving a screw 250 therethrough. The edges of the plate 240 fit within the defined shoulder 170 of the ring 130. The screws 250 attach the plate 240 to the ring 130. As noted above, in this particular embodiment, the defined shoulder 170 of the ring, the plate 240 and the screws 250 provide a housing for the tab 200. However, the present invention includes and envisions other ways and methods of housing the tab 200 in the ring 130.

FIG. 9 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the attachment of the manhole cover 100 to the ring 130 via a threaded device 190 and a tab 200. The threaded device 190 is passed through a defined aperture 110 of the manhole cover 100, through a defined aperture 140 of the ring 130, into the defined chamber 160 of the ring 130 and into the defined threaded aperture 210 of the tab 200. The threaded device 190 engages with the tab 200, securing itself to the tab 200, and, as a result, securing the manhole cover 100 to the ring 130. When the manhole cover 100 needs to be removed so that, for example, access to the manhole can be had, the threaded device 190 can be disengaged from the tab 200, thereby detaching the manhole cover 100 from the ring 130.

As shown in FIG. 10, if/when the threads on the threaded device 190 and/or the threads on the defined threaded aperture 210 of the tab 200 become stripped or otherwise become damaged, thereby preventing the proper removal of the threaded device 190 and, thus, the detachment of the manhole cover 100 from the ring 130, the threaded device 190 can be forcibly removed, and the tab 200 can be easily removed from the defined chamber 160 of the ring 130. Currently in the art, a threaded device engages with threads of a cover and/or ring, thereby securing the manhole cover to the ring. In such a scenario, if the threads on the ring become stripped or otherwise damaged, then the ring may need to be replaced and likely the manhole cover as well. Also, the surrounding area may become damages in the process. The present invention does not secure the manhole cover 100 to the ring 130 using threads on either the manhole cover 100 or ring 130 but, instead, using the threads on the tab 200. Thus, if the threading on the defined aperture 210 becomes damaged, only the tab 200 and/or threaded device 190 requires removal and replacement, thereby greatly decreasing costs and resources.

FIG. 11 shows a top view of the manhole cover 100 attached to the ring 130 using, in this particular embodiment, four (4) threaded devices 190 and four (4) tabs 200. FIG. 12 shows a bottom view of FIG. 11. In FIG. 12, four (4) plates 240 are shown attached to the ring 130 via screws 250. In this particular embodiment, each plate 240 house a tab 200 within each defined chambers 160 of the ring 130.

The particular embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative only, as the embodiments may be modified and practiced in different but equivalent manners apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings herein. It is, therefore, evident that the particular embodiments disclosed herein may be altered or modified, and all such variations are considered within the scope and spirit of the present invention.

Although many embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated in the accompanying Drawings and described in the foregoing Detailed Description, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed, but is capable of numerous rearrangements, modifications, and substitutions of parts and elements without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Claims

1. A kit of parts for covering a manhole, the kit of parts comprising:

a manhole cover defining one or more apertures therethrough;

a ring defining, on the bottom thereof, one or more chambers, the ring further defining one or more apertures therethrough wherein the ring defines each of the one or more apertures therethrough within each of one or more chambers; and

one or more tabs such that each of the one or more tabs is housed within each of the one or more chambers defined by the ring, each of the one or more tabs slidably engages with the ring, each of the one or more tabs defining, on an end thereof, a threaded aperture therethrough for engaging a threaded device and, on an end thereof, an indention for engaging a flat-headed tool.

2. The kit of parts of claim 1 further comprising one or more threaded devices for passing through the one or more apertures defined by the manhole cover and through the one or more apertures defined by the ring and into the threaded aperture defined by the one or more tabs, thereby securing the manhole cover to the ring.

3. The kit of parts of claim 1 wherein the manhole cover is comprised of composite material.

4. The kit of parts of claim 1 wherein the ring is comprised of composite material.

5. The kit of parts of claim 1 further comprising expansion material attached to the one or more tabs that substantially expands or contracts in size based upon the temperature surrounding the expansion material.

6. The kit of parts of claim 5 wherein the expansion material is ethylene vinyl acetate.

7. The kit of parts of claim 1 wherein the ring further defines one or more shoulders such that the ring defines each of the one or more shoulders about each of the one or more chambers, the ring further defines one or more threaded apertures about the one or more shoulders.

8. The kit of parts of claim 7 further comprising a plate, the plate defines one or more apertures therethrough.

9. The kit of parts of claim 8 further comprising one or more threaded devices such that each of the one or more threaded devices passes through the one or more apertures defined by the plate and is received into the one or more threaded apertures about the one or more shoulders defined by the ring, thereby securing the one or more plates to the ring so that the ring can house the one or more tabs.

10. An apparatus for covering a manhole, the apparatus comprising:

a manhole cover defining one or more apertures therethrough;

a ring defining, on the bottom thereof, one or more chambers, the ring further defining one or more apertures therethrough wherein the ring defines each of the one or more apertures therethrough within each of one or more chambers; and

one or more tabs such that each of the one or more tabs is housed within each of the one or more chambers defined by the ring, each of the one or more tabs slidably engages with the ring, each of the one or more tabs defining, on an end thereof, a threaded aperture therethrough for engaging a threaded device and, on an end thereof, an indention for engaging a flat-headed tool.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 further comprising one or more threaded devices for passing through the one or more apertures defined by the manhole cover and through the one or more apertures defined by the ring and into the threaded aperture defined by the one or more tabs, thereby securing the manhole cover to the ring.

12. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the manhole cover is comprised of composite material.

13. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the ring is comprised of composite material.

14. The apparatus of claim 10 further comprising expansion material attached to the one or more tabs that substantially expands or contracts in size based upon the temperature surrounding the expansion material.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the expansion material is ethylene vinyl acetate.

16. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the ring further defines one or more shoulders such that the ring defines each of the one or more shoulders about each of the one or more chambers, the ring further defines one or more threaded apertures about the one or more shoulders.

17. The apparatus of claim 16 further comprising a plate, the plate defines one or more apertures therethrough.

18. The apparatus of claim 17 further comprising one or more threaded devices such that each of the one or more threaded devices passes through the one or more apertures defined by the plate and is received into the one or more threaded apertures about the one or more shoulders defined by the ring, thereby securing the one or more plates to the ring so that the ring can house the one or more tabs.