SAFETY MANHOLE ARRANGEMENT AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The invention relates to a manhole arrangement for fluid tanks, for example, drinking water tanks or oil tanks. The manhole arrangement comprises a fixed part and lid that is pivotally attached to the fixed part by means of hinges, wherein the fixed part includes or is connected to an inner rim presenting an opening, which inner rim is arranged to sealingly interact with the lid and a lock arranged to enable locking of the lid in sealing contact with the inner rim. In a preferred embodiment the manhole arrangement includes an alarm device that emits an alarm signal when forcing or opening of the lid. Further the invention relates to methods for providing of an alarm and mounting a manhole arrangement respectively.

PRIOR ART

[0002] Many types of liquid storage tanks, such as drinking water cisterns are, except in urban areas, often located in more remote locations without continuous surveillance. The tanks must be fitted with a manhole which allow maintenance such as inspection and cleaning of the tank which generally from a safety view is the weakest point in the cistern. A forcing or opening of the manhole provides access to the tank content, which then can be contaminated with foreign substances, such as poisons of various kinds, which can lead to catastrophic consequences for users, for example if drinking water. If the cistern contains dangerous and theft-prone liquids, such as crude oil, an unauthorized intrusion is of both safety and economic concern. Many tanks equipped with known types of locked manhole covers may be forced relatively fast, to thereby get access to the tank's contents. To increase safety it is known to apply safety measures, e.g. some kind of alarm device that may transmit a signal triggered by unauthorized activities in conjunction with manipulation of a manhole cover.

[0003] A manhole shall preferably also fit tightly against the manhole rim to prevent air flow when pressure changes inside the tank, not to cause pollution to reach the interior of the tank. There are a number of embodiments of manhole covers with more or less easily accessible and forcible covers and/or locking devices, with and without signal sensors that are activated when the cover is manipulated. However, known systems either provide insufficient safety and/or are too complex and/or too expensive.

[0004] From AT 349 340 there is known a safety manhole closure that comprises a frame and of a lockable lid which is pivotally connected to the frame via a hinge designed like a four-bar mechanism. The manhole closure can be locked by means of a lock on the side opposite the hinge. In order to prevent unauthorized forcing of the lid or to indicate such forcing an alarm device, in the form of a plate is suspended underneath the outer lid cover, and an alarm device responding to the displacement of this plate relative to the outer lid cover is arranged. This alarm device has a permanent magnet fastened to the plate and a reed contact fastened to the top wall. Accordingly it presents a relatively complex and therefore costly solution.

[0005] Other safety manhole solutions are known, e.g. US 20090303043, KR 101045024 and GB 2163467, none of which that in an optimal manner can solve the above problem.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] It is an object of the present invention to solve or at least minimize at least one of the problems of the prior art, which is achieved by means of a manhole arrangement according to the in the appended dependent claims.

[0007] Thanks to the invention there is provided a manhole arrangement that in a cost efficient manner may provide a reliably sealed manhole for maintenance that is especially suitable for tanks including liquid or material that should not be contaminated, since the solution according to the invention may provide safe and reliable sealing of the opening of the manhole arrangement.

[0008] Moreover the manhole arrangement according to the invention in a flexible manner may facilitate application of an alarm system, either preinstalled or after installed that efficiently may prevent intruders from forcing a manhole arrangement according to the invention.

[0009] Further the preferred embodiment according to the invention provides a manhole arrangement that is difficult to force thanks to a design where critical parts may be covered and/or protected to make intrusions more difficult.

[0010] Further a design according to a preferred embodiment of the invention may be combined with the use of various locking devices in a flexible manner, i.e. enabling a user to choose freely from a variety of existing locking devices.

[0011] Furthermore the invention may provide a beneficial method of mounting a manhole arrangement in situ around an existing manhole arrangement in a flexible and cost sufficient manner.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

[0012] In the following the invention will be described in more detail with reference to the appended figures, wherein:

Figure 1

shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a manhole according to the invention in unlocked and raised position,

Figure 2

shows a cross section of a closed manhole according to the invention and also disclosing a contact arrangement for achieving alarm signal,

Figure 3

shows a perspective view of one side of a first part of a preferred locking mechanism according to a further aspect of the invention, in the locked position, and

Figure 4

shows a perspective view of the second side of the first part of the locking mechanism.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] As shown in Fig. 1 the manhole arrangement 1 of the invention comprises a fixed part 4 and pivotal lid 2, which is pivotally arranged by means of hinges 5. The manhole arrangement 1 is intended for mounting on to the upper structure on the upper side of a large liquid container, such as a drinking water tank. It may either be applied directly to a tank or applied around an existing manhole, by removing the existing lid and providing the manhole arrangement 1 with a dimension enabling it to be fitted around the existing structure.

[0014] The lid 2 is made of metal (preferably stainless steel) and comprises an outer cover plate 20 with downward (preferably folded) cover sides 21. The fixed part 4 comprises a flat attachment part 40, which at its inner edge is arranged with an inner, upward rim 41. As shown in Fig. 1 the fixed part may be arranged with an outer rim 42, which when the lid 2 is closed, may enclose the cover sides 21 of the lid 2.

[0015] As shown in Fig. 2, in the closed state, the cover sides 21 of the lid 2 will enclose the inner rim 41 of the fixed part 4. On the inside of the lid 2 there is movably arranged an inner plate 7 that is smaller than the outer cover plate 20 but larger than size of the opening 6 presented by the inner rim 41. Accordingly the plate 7 is dimensioned to cover the opening 6 and protrude past the periphery of the inner rim 41, but leave a gap G between its edges 70 and the inner sides of the cover sides 21. The plate 7 is movably mounted to the outer cover plate 20 by means of a plurality of brackets 9 (e.g. U-shaped) presenting a mid-portion 90 and lower leg portion 91, whereby the plate 7 is movable in the direction of its normal N along the mid-portion 90 within a zone Z defined by the end stop obtained by the leg portions 91 at one end. Further, in each of the four corners of the plate 7 insulators 8 are attached, comprising an insulator body 80 attached to the plate 7 by attachment devices 81, e.g.by screws. The height H of the body 80 is less then width W of the mid-portion 90 to obtain the zone Z of movement. As shown in Fig. 2 the insulator body 80 together with the springs 10 hold the inner plate at a distance from the inner sides of the mid portions 90, to avoid conductive contact between the edges of the inner plate 7 and the mid portions 90. Alternatively the inner surfaces of the mid portions 90 may either be produced in a non-conductive material or may be applied with a non-conductive surface layer to conductively isolate between the edges of the inner plate 7 and the mid portions 90.

[0016] Accordingly the second end of the zone Z is defined by the upper end 82 of the body 80. The upper end of the body 80, of the insulators 8, is inserted into a helical spring 10, which is in contact with the inner side of the outer cover plate 20 to thereby urge the plate 7 in a direction against the leg portions 91. At least one of the brackets 9 is of a conducting material (preferably metal brackets) or include conducting material or has conducting material applied thereto to enable a conducting bridge between the plate 7 and the outer cover 2 when the plate 7 is in contact with a leg portion 91. Thereby conducting contact may be achieved when the lid 2 is opened. A conducting circuit is achieved also when the lid 2 is closed if the outer cover plate 20 is forced with a conducting tool (e.g. drill). An in situ part 3 of an alarm arrangement (e.g. battery powered) may be arranged at an appropriate protected position that may sense when the circuit is closed (open lid 2 and/or forced lid 2) and also emit an alarm signal (as is known per se), preferably transmit a signal to a remote, manned monitoring center. When the lid 2 is closed, the circuit is open by means of having the plate 7 pushed away from contact with the leg portions 91 by the inner rim 41, thereby compressing the springs 10. Thanks to the invention an intruder may not get direct access the interior of the tank if the outer cover plate 20 is forced, but will thereafter also need to force the inner plate 7, providing extra time to hinder an attempt of intrusion, thanks to having the alarm signal triggered already when forcing the outer cover.

[0017] Thanks to the use of resilient devices 10 to urge the plate 7 there will be achieved a circumferentially evenly distributed pressure against the inner rim 41, which in cooperation with an appropriate sealing 12 safeguards a desired sealed opening 6 when the lid 2 is closed. Further this sealing 12 may provide an electrically insulating part sealing strip 12, eliminating any risk that a false alarm signal is given due to contact between the plate 7 and the rim 41.

[0018] In Fig. 1 it is shown that the sealing strip 12 may be applied directly on the plate 7.

[0019] In Fig. 2 it is shown that the sealing strip 12 may be applied onto the upper edge of the inner rim 41. Further Fig. 2 shows an embodiment without an outer rim, but merely a flat attachment part 40. Further Fig. 2 indicates that the novel lid arrangement 1 has been applied around an existing rim 60 of a tank T, wherein the old lid has been removed. Preferably the novel lid arrangement 1 is provided with an inner rim 41 having a substantially larger cross sectional with than the existing rim 60 to form a channel C them between that may be filled with a reinforcing and/or sealing material, e.g. concrete, which also provides the advantage of eliminating open spaces around the opening that otherwise can collect undesired matter.

[0020] Inside the lid 2, as shown in Figs 3 and 4, at a side opposite in relation to the hinges 5 there is arranged a locking device 11 according to a further aspect of the invention. The locking device 11 comprises a lock 13, preferably in the form of a pad lock, having a lock body 131 and a shackle 130, which are movable in relation to each other (as is well known per se). The lock body 131 is movably arranged within an opening 27 in one of the cover sides 21 and connected to sliding bolts 17, 18 by means of an attachment member 28. Further the locking device 11 comprises a support bracket 16 attached to the outer cover plate 20. The movable shackle 130 is fitted through a hole 160 in the fixed support bracket 16, and thereby fixed in relation to the bracket 16. The two sliding bolts 17, 18 interact with each one of locking eyelets 25, 26 attached to outer side of the inner rim 41, a first one 25 positioned further away from the lock body 131 at a higher level and the second one 26 positioned closer to the lock body 131 at a lower level. The first sliding bolt 17 interacts with the fist eyelet 25 and is therefore longer than the second sliding bolt 18. The second sliding bolt 18 interacts with the second eyelet 26 and may therefore be relatively short. Preferably merely one of the sliding bolts 17, 18, here 17, is fixed to the lock body 131, e.g. by means of the attachment member 28, to follow the movement of the lock body 131. The two sliding bolts 17, 18, are parallel fixed to each other by means of fixation bodies 23, 24, to enable synchronized movement in parallel. Further two pairs of sliding members, 161; 162, 163, 164 are fixedly arranged onto the support bracket 16, to safely hold and control the movement of the ends of the sliding bolts 17, 18, for safe fit into the holes of the locking eyelets 25, 26.

[0021] When the lid 2 is open the lock body 131 will be in a protruding position B (see Fig 4) and the sliding bolts 17, 18 pulled out outside of the each pair of sliding members, 161; 162, 163, 164. When closing the lid the sliding members 164, 161; 162, 163 will enclose one each of the locking eyelets 25, 26, Then the lock body 131 may be pushed in (position A in Fig. 3) to force the locking bolts 17, 18 to pass through the locking eyelets 25, 26. The lock body 131 will then be fully inserted in the opening 27 and the locking mechanism is activated. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 1 the lower edge of the cover sides 21of the outer cover 2 will then be positioned inside and the below the outer rim 6 and therefore make it more or less inaccessible for picking attempt. When unlocking the lock 13 the lock body 131 is pulled outward (to the dotted position B in Fig. 3) with the lock key, whereby the sliding bolts 17, 18 are pulled out from the locking eyelets 25, 26, whereby the lid 2 is released and can be swung up.

[0022] The invention is not limited by the examples described above but may be varied within the scope of the appended claims. For instance it is evident for the skilled person that a manhole arrangement according to the invention must not be fitted with an alarm system, because its design provides better safety than most traditional manhole arrangements also without an alarm, due to the fact that the arrangement according to the invention may drastically prolong the time that is required for an intruder to force the manhole arrangement. Hence, an arrangement according to the invention drastically improves the chances of detecting any attempt of intrusion visually and/or audibly than traditional manhole arrangements. Further it is evident cover 20 and the inner plate 7, many varieties of the resilient devices may be used, e.g. rubber members, etc., and also that in principle it may sufficient to merely use one resilient member, preferably centrally positioned to achieve the desired function. Furthermore it is evident for the skilled person that the brackets that arranged with the outer stop members 91 may be designed in various manners, e.g. as Z-shaped brackets, U-shaped brackets, L-shaped brackets, etc. and may be attached to outer cover 20 in various ways, e.g. welding, riveting, gluing, etc. Moreover it is evident that the functionality of the brackets may be achieved by the use of a variety of materials and especially that the desired feature of having a conducting material at the outer stop member 912 may be achieved by applying a separate conductive member or by having it integral in a metal body bracket or composite bracket member. Further it is evident for the skilled person that the alarm device may be applied in different forms and including different features. Moreover, it is evident that a big variety of locking devices may be used in connection with the invention and also that other locking means and sliding bolts may be used to achieve a locking function.

Claims

1. A manhole arrangement, for mounting on a tank or other enclosed storage space, comprising a fixed part (4) and lid (2) that is pivotally attached to the fixed part (4) by means of hinges (5), wherein the fixed part (4) includes or is connected to an inner rim (41) presenting an opening (6), which inner rim (41) is arranged to sealingly interact with the lid (2) and a lock (11) arranged to enable locking of the lid (2) in sealing contact with the inner rim (41), wherein the lid (2) comprises an outer cover (20, 21), including an outer cover plate (20), and an inner plate (7) that is movably attached to the cover plate (20), such that the inner plate (7) is movable within a zone (Z) in relation to the cover plate (20) in a direction substantially along the normal (N) of the inner plate (7), characterized in that the inner rim (41) is arranged to sealingly interact with the inner plate (7).

2. Manhole arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that the inner plate (7) is movably attached to the outer cover plate (20) by means of insulators (8), wherein at least one insulator (8) comprises an insulator body (80) together with a resilient device, preferably a spring (10), arranged to urge the inner plate (7) away from the cover plate (20) and having the insulator body (80) forming an inner stop of the zone (Z) and wherein an outer stop member (91) forms an outer stop of the zone (Z).

3. Manhole arrangement according to claim 2, characterized in that the inner plate (7) is movably attached to the cover plate (20) by means of brackets (9), wherein the brackets (9) have a mid-portion (90) with a height (W) that is larger than the height (H) of the insulator body (80) and that inwardly directed parts at the outer end of the brackets (9) are used to form the outer stop member (91).

4. Manhole arrangement according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that a sealing (12) is arranged between the inner rim (41) and the inner plate (7), wherein preferably the sealing (12) is also providing electrical insulation between the inner plate (7) and the inner rim (41).

5. Manhole arrangement according to any preceding claim, characterized in that the outer cover (20, 21) includes cover sides (21) enclosing the inner plate (7), at least a substantial portion of the inner rim (41) and also the hinges (5).

6. Manhole arrangement according to any preceding claim, characterized in that a locking device (11) is arranged within the lid (2), wherein the locking device (11) comprises a lock (13), having a movable lock body (131) which is movably arranged within an opening (27) in a cover side (21) and connected to at least one sliding bolt (17, 18) by means of an attachment member (28), wherein said at least one sliding bolt (17, 18) is fixedly attached to the outer cover plate (20, 21) by means of a support bracket (16) and wherein at least one locking eyelet (25, 26) is attached onto the inner rim (41) for interaction with the at least one sliding bolt (17, 18).

7. Manhole arrangement according to claim 6, characterized in that the movable lock body (131) is arranged to have the whole movable lock body (131) introduced into the opening (27) when in its locked state, thereby merely presenting that side of the lock body (131) having a key hole.

8. Manhole arrangement according to claim 6 or claim 7, characterized in that the locking device (11) comprises a lock (13) in the form of a pad lock, having a shackle (130) that is fixedly connected to the support bracket (16), preferably in a hole (160) arranged in the support bracket (16).

9. Manhole arrangement according to any of claims 6, 7 or 8, characterized in that two sliding bolts (17, 18) are arranged to interact with one locking eyelet (25, 26) each.

10. Manhole arrangement according to claim 9, characterized in that two pairs of sliding members (161, 162, 163,164) are fixedly arranged onto the support bracket (16), to safely hold and control the movement of the ends of the sliding bolts (17, 18), for safe fit into the holes of the locking eyelets (25, 26).

11. Manhole arrangement according to any of the previous claims, characterized in that an alarm device (3) is attached to the lid (2) and arranged to provide an alarm signal when the inner plate (7) is in electric contact with the outer cover (20, 21).

12. Manhole arrangement according to claim 11, characterized in that the upper level of the inner rim (41) is positioned at a higher level than the outer stop member (91) when the lid (2) is closed, to move the inner plate (7) away from contact with the outer stop member (91) in a closed state.

13. Method of controlling the status of a manhole arrangement according to any of claims 1 to 10, characterized by providing an alarm device (3) arranged to provide an alarm signal when the inner plate (7) is in electric contact with the outer cover (20, 21).

14. Method according to claim 13, characterized by positioning the upper level of the inner rim (41) at a higher level than the outer stop member (91) when the lid (2) is closed, in order to move the inner plate (7) away from contact with the outer stop member (91) in a closed state.

15. Method according to claim 13 or claim 14, characterized by initiating an alarm signal when an electric current is established between the inner plate (7) and the outer cover (20, 21).

16. Method of mounting a manhole arrangement according to any of claims 1 to 12, characterized by removing the lid of an existing manhole and mounting a new manhole arrangement (1) around the existing inner rim (60), wherein the dimension of the inner rim (41) of the new manhole arrangement (1) is wider and higher than that of the existing inner rim (60), and preferably thereafter fill up the channel (C) between the rims (41, 60) with a reinforcing and/or sealing substance.

Ansprüche

1. Schachtanordnung zum Montieren auf einem Behälter oder einem anderen geschlossenen Lagerraum, umfassend ein feststehendes Teil (4) und einen Deckel (2), der schwenkbar an dem feststehenden Teil (4) mithilfe von Scharnieren (5) befestigt ist, wobei das feststehende Teil (4) einen inneren Rand (41), der eine Öffnung (6) darstellt, beinhaltet oder damit verbunden ist, wobei der Innenrand (41) angeordnet ist, um dichtend mit dem Deckel (2) und einem Schloss (11) zusammenzuwirken, das angeordnet ist, um das Verschließen des Deckels (2) in Dichtkontakt mit dem Innenrand (41) zu ermöglichen, wobei der Deckel (2) eine äußere Abdeckung (20, 21) umfasst, die eine äußere Abdeckplatte (20) und eine Innenplatte (7), die beweglich an der Abdeckplatte (20) befestigt ist, beinhaltet, sodass die Innenplatte (7) innerhalb einer Zone (Z) in Bezug auf die Abdeckplatte (20) in eine Richtung im Wesentlichen entlang der Normalen (N) der Innenplatte (7) beweglich ist, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Innenrand (41) angeordnet ist, um dichtend mit der Innenplatte (7) zusammenzuwirken.

2. Schachtanordnung nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Innenplatte (7) mithilfe von Isolatoren (8) beweglich an der äußeren Abdeckplatte (20) befestigt ist, wobei mindestens ein Isolator (8) einen Isolatorkörper (80) zusammen mit einer federnden Vorrichtung, vorzugsweise einer Feder (10), umfasst, die angeordnet ist, um die Innenplatte (7) von der Abdeckplatte (20) weg zu führen, und die einen Isolatorkörper (80) aufweist, der einen inneren Anschlag der Zone (Z) bildet, und wobei ein äußeres Anschlagelement (91) einen äußeren Anschlag der Zone (Z) bildet.

3. Schachtanordnung nach Anspruch 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Innenplatte (7) mithilfe von Klammern (9) beweglich an der Abdeckplatte (20) befestigt ist, wobei die Klammern (9) einen Mittelabschnitt (90) mit einer Höhe (W) aufweisen, die größer ist als die Höhe (H) des Isolatorkörpers (80), und das nach innen gerichtete Teile des äußeren Endes der Klammern (9) verwendet werden, um das äußere Anschlagelement (91) zu bilden.

4. Schachtanordnung nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 3, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass eine Dichtung (12) zwischen dem Innenrand (41) und der Innenplatte (7) angeordnet ist, wobei die Dichtung (12) vorzugsweise ebenfalls eine elektrische Isolierung zwischen der Innenplatte (7) und dem Innenrand (41) bereitstellt.

5. Schachtanordnung nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die äußere Abdeckung (20, 21) Abdeckseiten (21) beinhaltet, welche die Innenplatte (7), mindestens einen wesentlichen Abschnitt des Innenrandes (41) und ebenfalls die Scharniere (5) umschließen.

6. Schachtanordnung nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass eine Schließvorrichtung (11) innerhalb des Deckels (2) angeordnet ist, wobei die Schließvorrichtung (11) ein Schloss (13) umfasst, das einen beweglichen Schlosskörper (131) aufweist, der beweglich innerhalb einer Öffnung (27) in einer Abdeckseite (21) angeordnet ist und der mithilfe eines Befestigungselements (28) mit mindestens einem Gleitbolzen (17, 18) verbunden ist, wobei der mindestens eine Gleitbolzen (17, 18) mithilfe eines Stützträgers (16) fest an der äußeren Abdeckplatte (20, 21) befestigt ist und wobei mindestens eine Verschlussöse (25, 26) auf dem Innenrand (41) zum Zusammenwirken mit dem mindestens einen Gleitbolzen (17, 18) befestigt ist.

7. Schachtanordnung nach Anspruch 6, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der bewegliche Schlosskörper (131) derart angeordnet ist, dass der gesamte bewegliche Schlosskörper (131) in die Öffnung (27) eingeführt wird, wenn er sich in seinem verriegelten Zustand befindet, sodass nur diese Seite des Schlosskörpers (131) als ein Schlüsselloch aufweisend dargestellt ist.

8. Schachtanordnung nach Anspruch 6 oder Anspruch 7, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Schließvorrichtung (11) ein Schloss (13) in Form eines Vorhängeschlosses umfasst, das einen Bügel (130) aufweist, der fest mit dem Stützträger (16) verbunden ist, vorzugsweise in einem Loch (160), das in dem Stützträger (16) angeordnet ist.

9. Schachtanordnung nach einem der Ansprüche 6, 7 oder 8, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass zwei Gleitbolzen (17, 18) angeordnet sind, um jeweils mit einer Verschlussöse (25, 26) zusammenzuwirken.

10. Schachtanordnung nach Anspruch 9, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass zwei Paar Gleitelemente (161, 162, 163, 164) feststehend auf dem Stützträger (16) angeordnet sind, um die Bewegung der Enden der Gleitbolzen (17, 18) für eine sichere Einpassung in die Löcher der Verschlussösen (25, 26) sicher zu halten und zu steuern.

11. Schachtanordnung nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass eine Alarmvorrichtung (3) an dem Deckel (2) befestigt ist und angeordnet ist, um ein Alarmsignal bereitzustellen, wenn die Innenplatte (7) sich in elektrischen Kontakt mit der äußeren Abdeckung (20, 21) befindet.

12. Schachtanordnung nach Anspruch 11, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die obere Ebene des Innenrandes (41) auf einer höheren Ebene positioniert ist als das äußere Anschlagelement (91), wenn der Deckel (2) geschlossen ist, um in einem geschlossenen Zustand die Innenplatte (7) von dem Kontakt mit dem äußeren Anschlagelement (91) weg zu bewegen.

13. Verfahren zu kontrollieren des Status einer Schachtanordnung nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 10, gekennzeichnet durch das Bereitstellen einer Alarmvorrichtung (3), die angeordnet ist, um ein Alarmsignal bereitzustellen, wenn die Innenplatte (7) sich in elektrischen Kontakt mit der äußeren Abdeckung (20, 21) befindet.

14. Verfahren nach Anspruch 13, gekennzeichnet durch das Positionieren der oberen Ebene des Innenrandes (41) auf einer höheren Ebene als das äußere Anschlagelement (91), wenn der Deckel (2) geschlossen ist, um in einem geschlossenen Zustand die Innenplatte (7) von dem Kontakt mit dem äußeren Anschlagelement (91) weg zu bewegen.

15. Verfahren nach Anspruch 13 oder 14, gekennzeichnet durch das Auslösen eines Alarmsignals, wenn sich ein elektrischer Strom zwischen der Innenplatte (7) und der äußeren Abdeckung (20, 21) aufbaut.

16. Verfahren zum Montieren einer Schachtanordnung nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 12, gekennzeichnet durch das Entfernen des Deckels eines bestehenden Schachts und das Montieren einer neuen Schachtanordnung (1) um den bestehenden Innenrand (60) herum, wobei die Abmessung des Innenrandes (41) der neuen Schachtanordnung (1) breiter und höher ist als diejenige des bestehenden Innenrandes (60), und vorzugsweise danach Auffüllen des Kanals (C) zwischen den Rändern (41, 60) mit einer verstärkenden und/oder abdichteten Substanz.

Revendications

1. Un agencement formant regard de visite, destiné à être monté sur un réservoir ou un autre espace de stockage fermé, comprenant une partie fixe (4) et un couvercle (2) qui est fixé de manière pivotante à la partie fixe (4) au moyen de charnières (5), la partie fixe (4) comprenant ou étant reliée à une bordure intérieure (41) présentant une ouverture (6), laquelle bordure intérieure (41) est agencée pour coopérer de manière étanche avec le couvercle (2) et un verrou (11) étant agencé pour permettre le verrouillage du couvercle (2) en contact étanche avec la bordure intérieure (41), le couvercle (2) comprenant une pièce de recouvrement extérieure (20, 21), comprenant une plaque de recouvrement extérieure (20), et une plaque intérieure (7) qui est fixée de manière mobile à la plaque de recouvrement (20), de telle sorte que la plaque intérieure (7) est mobile dans une zone (Z) par rapport à la plaque de recouvrement (20) dans une direction s'étendant sensiblement selon la normale (N) de la plaque intérieure (7), caractérisé en ce que la bordure intérieure (41) est agencée pour interagir de manière étanche avec la plaque intérieure (7).

2. Agencement formant regard de visite selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que la plaque intérieure (7) est fixée de manière mobile à la plaque de recouvrement extérieure (20) au moyen d'isolateurs (8), au moins un isolateur (8) comprenant un corps d'isolateur (80) et un dispositif élastique, de préférence un ressort (10), agencé pour solliciter la plaque intérieure (7) en éloignement de la plaque de recouvrement (20), le corps d'isolateur (80) formant une butée interne de la zone (Z) et un organe extérieur d'arrêt (91) formant une butée externe d'arrêt de la zone (Z).

3. Agencement formant regard de visite selon la revendication 2, caractérisé en ce que la plaque intérieure (7) est fixée de manière mobile à la plaque de recouvrement (20) au moyen de supports (9), les supports (9) présentant une partie centrale (90) ayant une hauteur (W) supérieure à la hauteur (H) du corps d'isolateur (80), et des parties dirigées vers l'intérieur à l'extrémité extérieure des supports (9) sont utilisées pour former l'organe extérieur d'arrêt (91).

4. Agencement formant regard de visite selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 3, caractérisé en ce qu'un joint (12) est disposé entre la bordure intérieure (41) et la plaque intérieure (7), le joint (12) assurant de préférence également une isolation électrique entre la plaque intérieure (7) et la bordure intérieure (41).

5. Agencement formant regard de visite selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que la pièce de recouvrement extérieure (20, 21) comprend des côtés de couvercle (21) entourant la plaque intérieure (7), au moins une partie substantielle de la bordure intérieure (41) ainsi que les charnières (5).

6. Agencement formant regard de visite selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce qu'un dispositif de verrouillage (11) est agencé à l'intérieur du couvercle (2), le dispositif de verrouillage (11) comprenant un verrou (13) ayant un corps de verrou mobile (131) qui est agencé de manière mobile dans une ouverture (27) d'un côté du couvercle (21) et qui est relié à au moins une pièce coulissante (17, 18) au moyen d'un élément de fixation (28), ladite au moins une pièce coulissante (17, 18) étant reliée de manière fixe à la plaque de recouvrement extérieure (20, 21) au moyen d'un support (16) et au moins un oeillet de verrouillage (25, 26) étant fixé à la bordure intérieure (41) pour interaction avec ladite au moins une pièce coulissante (17, 18).

7. Agencement formant regard de visite selon la revendication 6, caractérisé en ce que le corps de verrou mobile (131) est agencé de telle sorte que tout le corps de verrou mobile (131) soit introduit dans l'ouverture (27) lorsqu'il est à l'état verrouillé, présentant ainsi simplement le côté du corps de verrou (131) ayant un trou pour une clé.

8. Agencement formant regard de visite selon la revendication 6 ou la revendication 7, caractérisé en ce que le dispositif de verrouillage (11) comprend un verrou (13) sous la forme d'un cadenas, comportant une boucle (130) qui est reliée de manière fixe au support (16), de préférence dans un trou (160) agencé dans le support (16).

9. Agencement formant regard de visite selon l'une quelconque des revendications 6, 7 ou 8, caractérisé en ce que deux pièces coulissantes (17, 18) sont agencées pour interagir chacune avec un oeillet de verrouillage (25, 26).

10. Agencement formant regard de visite selon la revendication 9, caractérisé en ce que deux paires d'éléments coulissants (161, 162, 163, 164) sont agencées de manière fixe sur le support (16), pour maintenir et commander de façon sûre le mouvement des extrémités des pièces coulissantes (17, 18), pour s'adapter de manière sûre dans les trous des oeillets de verrouillage (25, 26).

11. Agencement formant regard de visite selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce qu'un dispositif d'alarme (3) est fixé au couvercle (2) et agencé pour fournir un signal d'alarme lorsque la plaque intérieure (7) est en contact électrique avec la pièce de recouvrement extérieure (20, 21).

12. Agencement formant regard de visite selon la revendication 11, caractérisé en ce que le niveau supérieur de la bordure intérieure (41) est positionné à un niveau plus élevé que l'organe d'arrêt extérieur (91) lorsque le couvercle (2) est fermé, pour éloigner la plaque intérieure (7) du contact avec l'organe d'arrêt extérieur (91) dans un état fermé.

13. Procédé pour vérifier l'état d'un dispositif de regard de visite selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 10, caractérisé par le fait de prévoir un dispositif d'alarme (3) agencé pour fournir un signal d'alarme lorsque la plaque intérieure (7) est en contact électrique avec la pièce de recouvrement extérieure (20, 21).

14. Procédé selon la revendication 13, caractérisé par le fait de positionner le niveau supérieur de la bordure intérieure (41) à un niveau plus élevé que l'organe d'arrêt extérieur (91) lorsque le couvercle (2) est fermé, afin d'éloigner la plaque intérieure (7) d'un contact avec l'organe d'arrêt extérieur (91) dans un état fermé.

15. Procédé selon la revendication 13 ou la revendication 14, caractérisé par le fait de déclencher un signal d'alarme lorsqu'un courant électrique est établi entre la plaque intérieure (7) et la pièce de recouvrement extérieure (20, 21).

16. Procédé de montage d'un agencement formant regard de visite selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 12, caractérisé par le fait d'enlever le couvercle d'un regard de visite existant et de monter un nouvel agencement formant regard de visite (1) autour de la bordure intérieure (60) existante, la dimension de la bordure intérieure (41) du nouvel agencement formant regard de visite (1) étant plus large et plus haute que celle de la bordure intérieure (60) existante, puis de préférence remplir le canal (C) entre les bordures (41, 60) avec une substance de renforcement et/ou d'étanchéité.

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