Temporary manhole cover and method
AssigneesAlfred T. Francis, Thomas V. Walsh
InventorThomas V. Walsh
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A temporary manhole cover constructed of glass fiber reinforced resin grate fits into the standard manhole opening is strong enough to support a motor vehicle and light enough to be lifted out from below or above and also includes a cut out to the edge for pipes, tubing, and wires to be trained through the opening down the manhole.
Claims15
A method of protecting a manhole opening through a ground surface, the opening covered by a permanent cover that interfits into the opening and rests on a ledge extending inwardly from an outer edge of the opening, the method comprising:
- (a) removing the permanent cover from the manhole opening and setting it to a side,
- (b) providing a temporary manhole cover comprising an integral body comprising:
- (i) a circular disc shape of a size to interfit into the opening,
- (ii) an outer circular edge having a thickness,
- (iii) a multiplicity of first openings through a thickness of the disc shape spaced apart across the entire shape, and
- (iv) second opening through the outer circular edge of the disc shape of the temporary manhole cover, the second opening having a width in a range of about four inches to about eight inches,
- wherein the thickness of said outer circular edge is sufficient to position a top surface of the body proximate the ground surface, and
- wherein the body is of a composition of a weight to allow it to be lifted upwardly by a person in the manhole below the temporary manhole cover, and of a strength to support a motor vehicle driving on the top surface of the temporary manhole cover,
- (c) descending into the manhole, and
- (d) placing the temporary manhole cover into the manhole resting outer circular edge of the body on the ledge extending inwardly from the outer edge of the manhole opening.
A manhole cover device for temporarily covering a manhole opening through a road surface, the opening being normally covered by a permanent cover that interfits into the opening and rests on a ledge extending inwardly from an outer edge of the opening, wherein the permanent cover has been temporarily removed, the device comprising an integral unit comprising:
- (a) a circular disc shape of a size to interfit into the opening,
- (b) an outer circular edge having a thickness,
- (c) a multiplicity of openings through a thickness of the disc shape spaced apart across the entire shape, and
- (d) a second opening through the thickness of the disc shape, the second opening having a width of at least about four inches and opens through the outer circular edge of the disc,
- wherein the thickness of outer circular edge is sufficient to position a top surface of the disc proximate the ground surface, and
- wherein the integral unit is of a composition of a weight to allow it to be lifted upwardly by a person in the manhole below the temporary manhole cover, and of a strength to support a motor vehicle driving on the top surface of the temporary manhole cover.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.