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(11) | EP 3 093 394 A1 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
| published in accordance with Art. 153(4) EPC |
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| (54) | MANHOLE WITH ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM |
| (57) The invention relates to a manhole with an anti-theft system, formed by a cover that
can be coupled to a ring-shaped base on which it rests, said ring including a semi-circumferential
slot to which a first tube (2) is coupled, said first tube in turn being secured to
the walls of the structure of the manhole by means of clamps (3). A second tube (7)
is secured to the lower part of the cover, close to the periphery in a perpendicular
manner, and is more than double the length of the first tube (2) that is inserted
therein. The free end of the second tube (7) is equipped with a through-hole (8),
transverse to the second tube (7), where a bolt (9) is coupled. Said bolt (9) is protected
by a sheath (4). The cover is also equipped with a groove (6) for the introduction
of a security key (10) for opening or closing internal locks (11) located in a compartment
(28) in the lower part of the cover. The aforementioned internal locks are formed
by one tube inserted inside another and driven by a spring, also comprising a flange
transverse to the tube and in which the key is inserted.
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OBJECT OF THE PATENT
[0001] The following utility model is an invention that proposes a solution to the theft of manhole covers, thereby preventing accidents and additional expenses in replacing them.
[0002] The technical field of the invention is the field of mechanical engineering, applied to anti-theft systems for manhole covers.
[0003] It is common knowledge that manhole covers are not completely protected. The latest technology uses non-recyclable means, yet they are susceptible to being removed by strong water currents (overflow). Other possibilities are based on the use of concrete with steel cable, but it is known these materials are also vulnerable because the cable can be cut.
[0004] The solution proposed in this patent, in addition to an internal lock (11) which provides internal security, includes a rotating second tube (7), so that when one wants to enter the manhole, the cover allows access but cannot be removed.
STRUCTURE TO WHICH A ROTATABLE ANTI-THEFT MANHOLE COVER IS ANCHORED
[0005] In the opening (22) of the structure of the manhole (1) there is a ring-shaped base to which a cover (5) is secured. From this base, in the wall of the structure, there is a first tube (2) that is vertically affixed, the size of which is slightly less that half the first tube, or which may be equal to the thickness of the assembly of the cover (5) and the compartment (28), and which is secured by clamps (3). On the lower part of the tube a protective element (4) is placed, which protects the pin (9) of the second tube (7) and is embedded into the wall of the manhole by means of clamps attached with concrete (Fig. 15).
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A ROTATABLE ANTI-THEFT MANHOLE COVER
[0006] A rotatable manhole cover is designed as shown in figures (5-A -5-B), made up of a compartment (28), one or more internal locks (11) that only function with a special key (10). Inserting the key in a groove (6) and rotating it to the maximum (90 degrees) pulls back the bolt of the internal lock (11), which is embedded in the wall of the manhole (1). This method frees the cover (5) and with the same key it can be raised to the surface and be rotated to access the opening of the manhole. A pin (9) prevents the cover (5) from being removed from its place. The cover (5) should be lifted by two people, and if that proves to be difficult, two hydraulic jacks used for cars may be used.
[0007] This system works for any manhole cover, whether they are square, rectangular, triangular, rhomboid, etc.
[0008] In (Fig. 8) we see how this security system can be used for home public service meters. (26) is the cover for the window that rotates and is opened to read the meter, (12345 or 56789) being the numbers on the display of the meter (28) is the compartment of the internal lock (Fig. 8, 9, 10).
Manhole parts
[0009]
Ring-shaped base
First tube (2)
Clamps (3)
Protective element or sheath (4) for the pin of the second tube
Structure of a manhole (1)
Opening of a manhole (22)
Opening of the tube (21)
Opening in the wall of the manhole (20)
Parts that make up a cover (5)
Parts of a compartment (28)
Parts of the internal lock
[0012]
Bolt or rod (14)
Support element (48)
Tube or sheath (12)
Opening of internal lock (23)
Spring (15)
Pin for the lock (13)
Description of the drawings
[0013]
Main figure 1 is an isometric projection showing a wireframe drawing of the parts that make up the cover (5), the key (10), the lifting bar (19), the internal lock (11) and the structure of a manhole (1) that contains the first tube (2) and the protective element or sheath (4) and its clamps (3).
Main figure 2 is an isometric projection showing a solid structure of the key (10) with a lifting bar (19) inserted into the upper part of it, and the lower part is inserted into the cover (5) that goes on the structure of the manhole.
Figure 1, 1-A is an isometric projection of a solid structure that shows the tube with its clamps (3) attached to the wall inside the opening (22) of a manhole (1).
Figure 1-B is an isometric projection of a solid structure that shows the first tube (2) which has an opening or mouth (21), and on its lower part a protective element (4). Clamps (3) are attached to both, which secure them to the wall of a manhole.
Figure 1-C is a solid isometric projection of the first tube (2) with its opening or mouth (21).
Figure 2-A is a solid isometric projection of a protective element or sheath (4) with clamps (3) (cropped) that secure it to the wall of a manhole.
Figure 2-B is a solid isometric projection of the first tube (2) and the protective element or sheath (4) with its clamps (3) attached to the wall of a manhole.
Figure 15 is a solid isometric projection of a cover (5) secured to a ring-shaped base, the second tube (7) embedded in the first tube (2).
Figure 15-A is a top view of a ring-shaped base.
Figure 3 is a top view the different geometric forms that can be adapted to the opening of the manhole according to its structure.
Figure 3-A is a solid isometric projection showing a cover (5) in different geometric forms with respect to their rotational shafts (7) and the groove (6) into which the key (10) is inserted.
Figure 3-B is a solid isometric projection showing the second tube (7) with the pin (9) that is inserted into the opening (8).
Figure 3-C is a solid isometric projection showing the cover (5) embedded in a manhole (1) and showing that it is turned.
Figure 4 is a solid isometric projection showing a key (10).
Figure 4-A is a solid isometric projection showing a key (10) and the way it is inserted in the cover (5).
Figure 5 is a solid isometric projection showing the system of the internal locks (11).
Figure 5-A is a solid isometric projection showing an internal lock inside a compartment (28), operated by a key (10).
Figure 5-B is a top view of the internal lock (11) operated by a key (10) which pulls back the rod or bolt (14).
Figure 6 is a top view of a cover that seals the lower part of a compartment (28).
Figure 7 is a solid isometric projection showing a key (10) inserted in a cover (5), and inserted in the upper part of the key (10) is a lifting bar (19).
Figure 8 is a top view showing models of covers for home energy meters.
Figure 9 is a solid isometric projection showing the cover (5) adapted to home energy meters.
Figure 10 is a solid isometric projection showing covers for home energy meters with the same system for the cover (5).
Description of the parts that constitute a manhole
[0014] Ring-shaped base: Located on top of the opening (22) of the structure of a manhole and is the part to which the cover is secured (5) (Fig. 15, 15A).
Parts of a ring-shaped base:
(All of the parts that make up a unit)
[0015] Platform (30): The part that attaches to the upper base of a structure of a manhole and is joined to the cylinder or hub (31).
[0016] Hub or cylinder (31): The part that covers the perimeter (24) of the cover (5). Flange (32): The internal part of the platform (30) inside the hub (31) on which the cover rests (5).
[0017] Platform slot (29): Slot through which the second tube (7) slides and rotates (Fig. 1S-15∼A). First tube (2): Tube that is secured to the wall inside the manhole (1) from the ring-shaped base, in front of the entrance or slot (29), secured by clamps (3) and where the second tube (7) is embedded. In its opening or mouth (21) the second tube slides and rotates (Fig. 1-A, 1-B).
[0018] Protective element or sheath (4): Element that is placed on the lower end of the first tube (2) to protect the pin (9) that is inserted in one end of the second tube (7); this is the central part of the external security of a cover (5); it prevents the pin (9) from being damaged or removed from the second tube (7) and has clamps (3) that are inserted into the wall of the manhole (1) covering the pin, so that to remove it one must use a drill or a sledge hammer and chisel. This procedure would take a long time and would be very burdensome (Fig. 1-B- 2-A).
Description of the anti-theft rotatable manhole cover
[0019] The anti-theft rotatable manhole cover consists of two main parts:
A first part: made up of a ring-shaped base, formed by a circular plate or layer, or, according to the geometric form of a structure, of a manhole with an opening in the centre, connected at the mouth of the manhole forming a platform (30) from which a cylinder or hub (31) emerges, the base of which is slightly larger than the opening of the platform, forming a flange (32) which is where the lower perimeter of the rim of the cover (5) rests. Inside the internal opening of the ring-shaped base there is an entrance (20) through which the second tube (7) slides. From the ring-shaped base and below its entrance (29) is a first tube (2) vertically attached to the wall of the manhole with clamps (3). On the lower end of the first tube (2) is a protective element or sheath (4) secured by clamps that protect the pin (9).
[0020] A ring-shaped base that is tiered and has a step that is the same thickness as the cover (5).
[0021] First tube (2): is secured to the wall of a manhole at lower part of a ring-shaped base in front of the entrance (29). In its opening or mouth (21) the second tube is embedded (7).
[0022] Mouth or opening of a manhole (22): in the upper part where it is secured to a ring-shaped base.
[0024] Clamps (3): the elements that connect the first tube (2) to the protective element or sheath (4), securing them to a wall of the manhole.
[0025] A second part: an anti-theft rotatable manhole cover made up of a cover(5) that consists of a second tube (7), an opening (8) at one end of the second tube, a pin (9), a groove in the middle of the cover (5) that goes through it, a compartment (28), one or more internal locks (11), a cover for the compartment (28) where the locks (11) and a special key (10) go.
[0026] A second tube (7): a device in a long cylindrical shape, its length is a bit more than twice the length of the first tube (2), which at one of its ends is vertically attached to the perimeter of a cover (5) if it is circular, and if it is a figure with angles, it would be preferable that the tube be attached to one of its angles. At the other end, the second tube has an opening (8) where the pin (9) is inserted, which limits its movement. The second tube (7) enters into a ring-shaped base, sliding through an entrance (29) to later be embedded in a tube (2) in its opening (21), which is secured to the wall of the manhole.
[0027] A pin (9): a device inserted in an opening (8) of the second tube (7) which has the function of limiting the movement of the second tube (7), not allowing it to exit the first tube (2). It is protected by a protective element or sheath (4).
[0028] A groove (6): an opening or hole that goes through the width of a cover (5) and is located in the central part, or can be at one side of the centre of the cover, allowing a security key or special key to be inserted (10) with precision.
[0029] A compartment (28): attached to the lower part of the cover (5). Its size is smaller than the cover and it is where one or more internal locks (11) are stored. It is there that the procedure of activating the internal lock takes place.
[0030] An internal lock: a structure that contains tubes or a sheath (12), inside of which there are one or more bolts (14) that are driven by a spring (15) and properly fastened with a pin (13). Inserted in an opening (23), they are embedded in the wall of a manhole, providing internal security for the cover (5) by preventing it from being removed. It can only be moved with a key (10).
[0031] A the bolt or rod (14): is soldered to a support element (48), while the end or tip (25) of the rod or bolt is inserted into the wall of the manhole, protecting it so that it is not lifted by even by water pressure, while the key (10) moves it back in contact with the support element (48). (Fig. 5-A, 5-B).
[0032] A spring (15): It is located inside the tube (12) in the back part of the internal lock, which drives the bolt (14) and prevents the pin (13) from falling out.
[0034] A pin (13): of the lock (11) embedded in the opening (23), it does not allow the spring (15) to move out of the tube or sheath (12)
[0035] A tip of the bolt (25): The upper tip (25) of the rod or bolt (14) enters and exits the hole (20) of a wall in the manhole, securing it or releasing it.
[0036] An edge or rim (24): The side of a cover (5) or a compartment (28) that contains the filling or concrete.
[0037] A cover for the internal lock (17): seals the lower base of the compartment (28) that stores the internal lock.
[0038] An opening (18): opening where the screws or rivets go which provide the finish and security for the compartment (28).
[0039] A lifting bar (18): the bar that is embedded in the key (10) and is used by two people to lift the cover.
Individual parts of the cover (5)
[0040] Groove (6): opening that goes through the cover (5) where a special key (10) is inserted (Fig. 3,3-A ,4-A, 10).
[0041] A security key (10): Inserted into the groove (6) until it reaches the compartment (28), it makes contact with the support element (48) of the rod or bolt (14), moves the bolt back freeing the cover (5) from the wall, and with the same key the entire cover is lifted to the surface. This key can support the total weight of the entire cover. The security system can be varied, using locksmith'smethods and, therefore, the key can also vary (10) (Fig. 4, 4-A, 5).
[0042] A second tube (7): One end is attached to the peripheral edge of a circular cover (5). If it is an angular shape, it is preferable that it be vertically attached to one of the angles. The other end has an opening (8) where a pin (9) is located. This tube is embedded in a first tube (2) and the pin prevents the second tube from completely exiting the first tube (2), limiting its movement (Fig. 3-3, 3-C).
[0043] An internal lock (11): Composed of a rod or bolt driven by a spring. It can have one or more outlets and complies with the function of securing the cover (5) to the wall of a manhole (1). As the cover (5) is lowered, it is possible to manoeuvre it without a key, but when lifting it a key must be used (10). This lock can be varied to give it another direction (Fig. 5-5-A).
[0044] A compartment (28): It stores the internal lock or locks (11) and it is where the lower part of the key pulls back the bolt of the lock. In this compartment it is also possible to provide space for an electronic aid (Fig. 4-A,5*A).
Parts of the internal lock
[0045] A bolt or rod (14): A bolt is soldered to the support element (48) at a distance according to the contact with the key (10), which can pull it back. It is driven by a spring (16), which is embedded in a hole (20) (Main Fig. 1). (Fig. 5).
[0046] A spring (15): It is located inside the tube (12) in the back part of the internal lock, which drives the bolt (14) (Fig. 5).
[0048] A pin (13): Pin of the lock (11) embedded in the opening (23), it does not allow the spring (15) to move out of the tube or sheath (12). (Fig. 5).
[0049] A tip of the bolt (25): The tip (25) of the rod or bolt that enters and exits the hole located in a wall in the manhole (Fig. 5-A).
[0050] An edge or rim (24): The side of a cover (5) or the compartment (28) that contains the filling or concrete (Fig. 5-A).
[0051] A cover for the internal lock (17): Cover which seals the lower base of the compartment (28) that stores the internal lock (Fig. 6).
[0052] An opening (18): Opening where the screws or rivets go, which provide the finish and security for the compartment (28) (Fig. 6).
A first part: made up of a ring-shaped base, formed by a circular plate or layer, or according to the geometric form of a structure of a manhole with an opening in the centre, connected at the mouth of the manhole, forming a platform (30) from which a cylinder or hub (31) emerges, the base of which is slightly larger than the opening of the platform, forming a flange (32) which is where the lower perimeter of the rim of the cover (5) rests, wherein inside the internal opening of the ring-shaped base there is an entrance (29) through which the second tube (7) slides, followed by the ring-shaped base, and below its entrance (29) is a first tube (2), the size of which is the thickness of the assembly of the cover (5) and the compartment (28), and which is vertically attached to the wall of the manhole with clamps (3), there being superimposed on the lower end of the first tube (2) a protective element or sheath (4), secured by clamps that protect a pin (9); a ring-shaped base that is tiered and has a step that is the same thickness as the cover (5); a first tube (2) which is secured to the wall of the manhole at the lower part of a ring-shaped base in front of the entrance (29), the second tube (7) being embedded its mouth or opening (21); a mouth or hole (22) of a manhole in the upper part where a ring-shaped base is attached; a protective element or sheath (4) that protects a pin (9) embedded in an opening (8) of the rotating second tube and clamps (3), which are elements that connect the first tube (2) and the protective element or sheath (4), securing them to a wall in the manhole, and, a second part made up of: an anti-theft rotatable manhole cover comprising a cover (5) that is made up of a rotating second tube (7), an opening (8), at one end of the tube there being a pin (9), a groove in the middle of the cover (5) that goes through it, a compartment (28), one or more internal locks (11), a cover for the compartment (28), where the locks (11) and a special key go (10); a rotating second tube (7), which is a long and cylindrical-shaped device, its length being a bit more than twice the length of the first tube (2), which at one of its ends is vertically affixed to the perimeter of a cover (5) if it is circular; if it is an angular shape, it would be preferable that the tube be attached to one of its angles. At the other end, the second tube has an opening (8) where the pin (9) is inserted, which limits its movement. The second tube (7) enters into a ring-shaped base, sliding through an entrance (29) to later be embedded in a tube (2) in its opening (21), which is secured to the wall of the manhole. A pin (9): a device inserted in an opening (8) of the second tube (7) and which has the function of limiting the movement of the second tube (7), not allowing it to exit the first tube (2). It is protected by a protective element or sheath (4). A groove: an opening or hole that goes through the width of a cover (5) and is located in the central part, or can be at one side of the centre of the cover, allowing a security key or special key to be inserted (10) with precision, a compartment (28), attached to the lower part of the cover (5), its size being smaller than the cover and located where one or more internal locks (11) are stored, it being there that the procedure of activating the internal lock takes place, internal locks, being a structure that contains tubes or a sheath (12), inside of which there are one or more bolts (14) that are driven by a spring (15), properly fastened with a pin (13), inserted in an opening (23) that is embedded in the wall of a manhole, providing internal security for the cover (5) by preventing it from being removed, where it can only be moved with a key (10), a bolt or rod (14) being soldered to a support element (48), while the end or tip (25) of the rod or bolt is inserted into a hole (20) in the wall of the manhole, protecting it so that it is not lifted even by water pressure, while the key (10) moves it back in contact with the support element (48) (Fig. 5-A, 5-8); a spring (15), that is located inside the tube (12) in the back part of the internal lock, which drives the bolt (14) and prevents the pin (13) from moving out; an opening (23) in which the pin (13) is inserted; a pin (13) for the internal lock (11) embedded in the opening (23) that prevents the spring (15) from exiting the tube or sheath (12); a tip of the bolt (25), where the upper tip of the bolt or rod that enters and leaves the hole (20) of a wall of a manhole, securing or releasing the cover (5); an edge or rim (24), which is the side of the cover (5) or a compartment (28) that contains the filling or concrete; a cover for the internal lock (17) that seals the lower base of the compartment (28) which stores the internal lock; an opening (18), where opening where the screws or rivets go which provide the finish or security for the compartment (28) and a lifting bar, which is a bar used by two people to lift the cover.
Amended claims under Art. 19.1 PCT