Device for lifting and removing hermetically closed manhole covers

Abstract

 The present invention concerns a device (6) for lifting and removing hermetically closed manhole covers (1), said manhole being of the kind providing a cover (1) which rotates with respect to the roadway and provided with an opening (2) to grasp it and with a sliding and lifting tab (5), the lifting and removal device comprising a handgrip element (11); a frame element (9), coupled to said handgrip element (11), arranged substantially transversely with respect to the same, and provided with ledge means (13) for said sliding tab (5) of the cover; a shaped hooking element (7), shaped in such a way to be couplable with said tab (5) and to allow to lock the same between itself and said ledge means (13); and a transverse sliding element (8) for said hooking element (7), shaped with respect to said frame element (9) toward said ledge means (13).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for lifting and removing hermetically closed manhole covers.

[0002] More particularly, the invention concerns a device for lifting and removing manhole covers which are not provided with hooking point by which it is possible to easily lift the covers using the usual lifting and removal devices.

[0003] Particular systems or manhole covers are well known and commonly employed, said covers warranting a perfect closure of the manhole, at the same time avoiding the very troublesome movement that usually occurs in every manhole covers due to the passage of motor vehicles or similar.

[0004] This kind of cover, that is shown in the enclosed figures 1 and 2 and is indicated by the numerical reference 1, provides a tab, not visible in the figure, slidable within an opening 2, locking or releasing the cover 1. Two further ledge tabs (they too not shown) are provided for better positioning the cover 1.

[0005] The opening 2 of the cover 1 is closed by a cap 3, provided with a hooking tab 4.

[0006] At present, in order to lift the cover 1, it is employed a crowbar, or a similar device, and the cover 1 is rotated, after having removed the cap 3, acting on the projection 5, until the above mentioned tab is uncoupled.

[0007] After having lifted the cover by the crowbar, it is hand-lifted by the operator.

[0008] The lifting edge is really not easy to grasp, and therefore an easy lifting is not possible.

[0009] Furthermore, untill the cover and the manhole are new, the abovementioned operations can be carried out, but such a ease is greatly reduced when the manhole is no more new, and a layer of dirt is accumulated, or even worse, when a new layer of asphalt is laid down, till reaching a situation by which is no more possible to open the cover.

[0010] Such events make it practically impossible the use of this kind of manhole, that, on the other hand, would be really advantageous with respect to the other ones usually employed.

[0011] On the other hand, it seems to be completely justified to choose a different kind of manhole if one has the risk to be no more able to lift the cover.

[0012] In this context, the Applicant has studied and realized a technical solution by which all the mentioned drawbacks are solved, allowing an easy lifting and removal of this kind of manholes in any situation.

[0013] It is therefore a specific object of the present invention a device for lifting and removing hermetically closed manhole covers, said manhole being of the kind providing a cover which rotates with respect to the roadway and provided with an opening to grasp it and with a sliding and lifting tab, the lifting and removal device comprising a handgrip element; a frame element, coupled to said handgrip element, arranged substantially transversely with respect to the same, and provided with ledge means for said sliding tab of the cover; a shaped hooking element, shaped in such a way to be couplable with said tab and to allow to lock the same between itself and said ledge means; and a transverse sliding element for said hooking element, shaped with respect to said frame element toward said ledge means.

[0014] Preferably, according to the invention, said sliding element is made up of a threaded pin, provided transversely with respect to said frame element, coupled on one side with said shaped hooking element and, on the other side protruding from said frame element, and of tightening means, provided on said threaded pin, externally with respect to said frame element.

[0015] Again, according to the invention, said tightening means are made uf of a threaded nut coupled to said threaded pin.

[0016] Further, according to a preferred embodiment of the device of the invention, said threaded pin is coupled with said frame element by a rocking support which is coupled with a corresponding seat provided in said frame element.

[0017] Furthermore, a spanner can be provided in order to act on said sliding element and/or a chisel to clean the edge of the manhole.

[0018] The present invention will be described with illustrative, but not limitative purposes, according to its preferred embodiments, with particular reference to the figures of the enclosed drawings, wherein:

figure 3 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the device according to the invention;

figure 4 shows a particular of the device of figure 3; and

figure 5 shows a particular of a second embodiment of the device according to the invention.

[0019] Referring first to figures 3 and 4, and bearing in mind the already described figures 1 and 2, a device 6 according to the invention is shown, said device 6 providing a shaped hook 7 that is introduced into the opening 2, coupling with the above-mentioned projection 5 of the cover 1.

[0020] Said shaped hook 7 is laterally provided with a transversal threaded pin 8 protruding from a frame 9, inside which the shaped hook 7 is provided.

[0021] A nut 10 is provided externally to the frame 9, on the threaded pin 8, to adjust the position of the hook 7.

[0022] A handgrip 11 of the device according to the invention is coupled to the frame 9.

[0023] In order to lift and to remove the cover 1, it is sufficient to remove the cap 3, and to introduce the shaped hook 7 within the opening 2 so that it engages the tab 5.

[0024] Now, acting on the nut 10, e.g. by a spanner 12 that can be provided along with the device according to the invention, the hook 7 is displaced till a position where, after having engaged the tab 5, determines the rotation of the cover 1, releasing said tab (not shown).

[0025] The tab 5 is now tightened between the hook 7 and the crosspiece 13 provided on the frame 9, so that the cover 1 can be easily lifted by the handgrip 11.

[0026] Along with the lifting device according to the invention also a chisel 14 can be provided to remove part of dirt accumulated on its profile.

[0027] In figure 5 it is shown a second embodiment of the element according to the invention. The same parts of the two embodiments are indicated by the same numerical references, with an apex added.

[0028] The most sustantial difference with respect to the preceding embodiment consists in having provided, in the coupling between threaded pin 8' and frame 9', a concave support 15', coupled with a correspondig seat 16' realized on the frame 9'.

[0029] In this way, acting on the nut 10', not only the rotation of the cover 1 is obtained, but also a first lifting.

[0030] The present invention has been described according to its preferred embodiments, but it will be understood that variations and/or modification can be introduced by those skilled in the art without departing from the relevant scope.

Claims

1. Device (6) for lifting and removing hermetically closed manhole covers (1), said manhole being of the kind providing a cover (1) which rotates with respect to the roadway and provided with an opening (2) to grasp it and with a sliding and lifting tab, the lifting and removal device being characterized in that it comprises a handgrip element (11, 11'); a frame element (9, 9'), coupled to said handgrip element (11, 11'), arranged substantially transversely with respect to the same, and provided with ledge means for said sliding tab of the cover; a shaped hooking element (7, 7'), shaped in such a way to be couplable with said tab and to allow to lock the same between itself and said ledge means; and a transverse sliding element (8, 8') for said hooking element (7, 7'), shaped with respect to said frame element (9, 9') toward said ledge means.

2. Device for lifting and removing according to claim 1, characterized in that said sliding element is made up of a threaded pin (8, 8'), provided transversely with respect to said frame element (9, 9'), coupled on one side with said shaped hooking element (7, 7') and on the other side protruding from said frame element (9, 9'), and of tightening means (10, 10'), provided on said threaded pin (8, 8'), externally with respect to said frame element (9, 9').

3. Device for lifting and removing according to claim 2, characterized in that said tightening means (10, 10') are made uf of a threaded nut (10, 10') coupled to said threaded pin (8, 8').

4. Device for lifting and removing according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said threaded pin (8') is coupled with said frame element (9') by a rocking support (15') which is coupled with a corresponding seat (16') provided in said frame element (9').

5. Device for lifting and removing according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a spanner (17') is provided in order to act on said sliding element (8).

6. Device for lifting and removing according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a chisel is provided in order to clean the edge of the manhole.

7. Device for lifting and removing hermetically closed manhole covers, according to each one of the preceding claims, substantially as illustrated and described in figures 3-5.

Drawing