AU782690B2 - Manhole guard - Google Patents

Description

52084 JGC:MN P/00/011 Regulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT

ORIGINAL

Name of Applicant: DAGENHAM PTY LTD Actual Inventor: SROBERT HAYSOM Address for Service: COLLISON CO.,117 King William Street, Adelaide, S.A. 5000 Invention Title: MANHOLE GUARD Details of Associated Provisional Applications: PQ8635 Dated 7th July 2000 The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to melus: c Ig e VVJ I o. J rn' UL U 1 I 1 t W 2 MANHOLE GUARD Field of the Invention This invention relates to manhole guards.

For the purposes of explanation, reference will be made to use of the present invention as a manhole guard. It would be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art however that the invention is not limited to use as a manhole guard, and that it may be used to create an enclosing barrier around any hazard or object.

Object of the Invention 10 The problem addressed is to provide an improved manhole guard that can also be collapsed into a very compact package for efficient transport in smaller vehicles.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein, by way of illustration and example, an embodiment of the present invention is disclosed.

Brief Summary of the Invention In one form of this invention, there is provided a manhole guard including a set of frame structures, wherein at least a pair of the frame structures are grouped by means of being interconnected one to the next in an adjoining relationship by pivotal interconnection means, and each group of frame structures further includes releasable interconnection means to facilitate interconnection with other pivotally interconnected groups of frame structures, and where the assembled manhole guard has at least two of the frame structures defining each of at least four sides of an assembled construction.

21/06 2005 TUE 16:54 [TX/RX NO 6463] Z003 LI/VO .VVJ I0. J rFnA LL_ L VU 1 U VV YCj 3 Brief Summary of the Figures For a better understanding of this invention it now will be described with the assistance of drawings, where: Figure 1 is a perspective view of the various frame structures in an almost assembled position where the manhole guard is providing self supporting support and would either be used as shown or more particularly, with the two frame structures on the left hand side being straightened one with respect to the other, Figure.2 shows the arrangement as in Figure 1 when collapsed together 10 showing a very compact form of the guard; Figure 3 is a perspective view of the full assembly together with roof frame structures; .g Figure 4 is a detail of a portion of the roof frame structure joining to a horizontal element of one of the frame structures; 15 Figures 5 and 6 show perspective views of an helical spring which is arranged to provide outward pressure when in an assembled form as shown for instance in Figure 3; Figures 7, 8 and 9 show a pivotal interconnection between portions of frame structures where there is also an intercepting stop also secured to one of the frame structures; Figures 10 and 11 show a releasable interconnection between vertical side portions of frame structures; and Figures 12 and 13 show a bracing system where the brace is variously engaging or removable as shown respectively between Figures 12 and 13.

21/06 2005 TUE 16:54 [TX/RX NO 6483] I004 L. I/VO LVVJ IO.L .J r nA 4 Detailed Description of the Invention In one form of this invention, there is provided a manhole guard including a set of frame structures, wherein at least a pair of the frame structures are grouped by means of being interconnected one to the next in an adjoining relationship by pivotal interconnection means, and each group of frame structures further includes releasable interconnection means to facilitate interconnection with other pivotally interconnected groups of frame structures, and where the assembled manhole guard has at least two of the frame structures defining each of at least four sides of an assembled 10o construction.

Preferably, the assembled manhole guard is comprised of two groups of frame structures connected by the releasable interconnection means, each group containing four frame structures that are pivotally interconnected one to the next in an adjoining relationship.

15 In a further form, each of the four sides of the assembled manhole guard is comprised of at least a pair of pivotally interconnected frame structures.

15 In a further form, each of the four sides of the assembled manhole guard is Scomprised of at least a pair of pivotally interconnected frame structures.

Preferably, the manhole guard includes a roof support.

Preferably, the roof support is comprised of at least two further frame structures form, each of which has at a four sides ofst end, a arrangembled manhole guard is Scomptransverse portion of a frame structure eah from one of at least the manhole guard, and wherein at a further end each of the further frame structures has means totally interconnect the respective roo frame structures 2Preferably, the manhole guard includg engagement between one of the roofsupport.

frame structures and a transverse portion of at least two furthe frame structures structures each of which has at a first end, an arrangement to engage a transverse portion of a frame structure defining a side of the manhole guard, and wherein at a further end each of the further frame structures has means to interconnect the respective roof frame structures.

Preferably, the means for providing engagement between one of the roof frame structures and a transverse portion of one of the frame structures 21/06 2005 TUE 16:54 [TX/RX NO 6483] @005 L vU LVVJ U. LU In n defining a side of the manhole guard includes a substantially U-shaped portion which engages around the transverse portion of the frame structure and an interlocking pin which when in position will retain the two frame structures together.

Preferably, a hinge interconnects the pivotally interconnected frame structures one to the next, and the releasable interconnection means includes an interlocking pin arrangement wherein the position of the interlocking pin can be changed to effect release of the respective adjacent frame structures from being interconnected.

o 10 Preferably, selected pivotally interconnected pairs of frame structures have ,extending there between, a resilient spring which is such that when extended, there will be provided an outward pressure that such that when the frame structures are caused to rotate about the hinge, the spring will be diverted so as to no longer provide such a substantially outward pressure.

oo: 15 Preferably, the guard includes a releasable interconnecting brace that can fix two adjacent surround frame structures in a desired position relative to each other.

Referring in detail to the drawings, the manhole guard 1 is made up of a number of individual frame structures shown at typically 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9.

Each frame structure in this embodiment includes a fully surrounding tube in a frame shown in one instance at 10 and there are two transverse cross braces at 11 and 12 where the 11 brace is a middle brace and 12 is a bottom brace.

This arrangement is repeated and it is arranged such that the width between the respective legs of the outer perimeter frame 10 will allow each of these frame structures to fit within a conventional vehicle for transport 21/06 2005 TUE 16:54 [TX/RX NO 6463] Il006 SI/VO V VVJ IV .L rnA U l U 11 U VV 6 purposes. The vehicle being a station wagon or other relatively light mode of vehicle.

A group of frame structures are interconnected in an adjoining relationship, one to the next, by a series of pivotal interconnection means. Referring to Figure 1, the following frame structures have been pivotally interconnected in this fashion to create a first group: 2, 9, 8 and 7. A further group has been created in the exact same fashion from frame structures 3, 4, 5 and 6. Each of these groups further includes releasable interconnection means between frame elements 2 and 3 in one case, and 6 and 7 in the other, to 10 facilitate interconnection between the two groups, thereby completing the *manhole guard.

The arrangement is such that the respective groups of pivotally interconnected frame structures can be released from their interconnection with the other group of pivotally interconnected frame structures by reason 15 that they are held in interlocking arrangement with releasable interconnection means such as the pin arrangement shown in the details in Figures 10 and 11.

Each of these groups of pivotally interconnected frame structures then can then be folded into a very compact form as is shown in Figure 2, where each of the frame structures in a group will then fold one against the other to create a stack of frame members that will fit within the vehicle for transport.

Advantages of pivotally interconnecting pairs of frame structures in this fashion include: 1. Pivotally connected frame structures are fixed together, so they won't come apart when they are lifted; and 21/06 2005 TUE 16:54 [TX/RX NO 6463] I007 LI /VD VUv3 ID. o rtA U U 1_1_ U 7 2. A pair of frame members positioned end to end, adjoining relationship provide an ideal length for a side of a manhole guard surrounding a manhole.

A manhole guard such as that in Figure 1 can be made up such that each of the four sides of the assembled manhole guard is comprised of one frame structure each from one of two pairs of pivotally interconnected frame structures. That is, frame structure 2, may be part of a pivotally interconnected pair 2 and 9, and frame structure 3, may be a part of pivotally interconnected pair 3 and 4, and these two frame structures 2 and 10 3 are then releasably interconnected to form a side of the manhole guard.

A person skilled in the art however would understand that a manhole guard could be made up such that each of the four sides of the assembled manhole guard is comprised of a pair of pivotally interconnected frame structures. That is, each of a pivotally interconnected pair such as 2 and 9, 3 and 4, 5 and 6, and 7 and 8 for example, would comprise a side of the o: guard, and the pairs would be releasably interconnected at the comers of the guard.

There is a roof structure 15 which is made up of four roof frame structures, o which are shown at 16, 17, 18 and 19, which are joined together by releasable interconnections at 20 and 21 and also at 22 and 23.

Each of these roof frame structures has one leg shown typically at 24 that extends down to be secured in a releasable manner in the way as shown in Figure 4, wherein there is a U-shaped portion 25 into which a cross member 26 forming a top part of the respective frame structure, which in turn defines a part of a side of the manhole guard, is engaged and it is interlocked by reason of a pin 27 which can be pulled against resilient tension by use of the ring 28 to release the interconnection.

In this way there is an effective means of quickly capturing or releasing the roof structure with respect to the remaining frame structure systems.

21/06 2005 TUE 16:54 [TX/RX NO 6463] Z 008 -I V L 1 IU-A- I In terms of the pivotal interconnection that exists between the pairs of pivotally interconnected frame structures, this pivotal interconnection is not intended to be readily undone in the same sense as the releasable interconnection means, and it should certainly not be possible for this pivotal interconnection to disconnect unintentionally. An example of a pivotal interconnection of this type then is shown in Figures 7, 8 and 9 and includes an upstanding spigot such as at 30 which is held in an open ended housing 31 and there is a stop 32 which limits the amount of relative turning of one of the frame structure structures relative to the other. This is 9 1io more specifically shown in plan in one case typically at Figure 7 and in the other in Figure 8. A person skilled in the art would understand that numerous other techniques might be employed to provide a pivotal interconnection that is not readily undone.

In Figures 5 and 6, there is a helical spring 34 extending between respective intermediary transverse cross members shown in this case at 35 and 36, each of which form a part of a pair of pivotally interconnected frame structures. The way in which the helical spring at 34 is formed is such that it will tend to assume and maintain the shape shown in Figure 6 but it can S:l be caused to be bent in which case it simply forms a resilient member that 20 allows for the respective structures to fold together with the spring 34 folding further and simply pushing itself into convenient locations.

In Figures 10 and 11 the releasable interconnection means is illustrated, and this includes a pin 40 which is readily and variously positionable as is shown in Figure 10 to interlock with 42 or otherwise sliding through slides such as at 43 back to a open position as is shown in Figure 11.

There is a plate 44 which closure in such a case and helps locate the relative members for shifting of the pin Finally there is a brace shown in Figures 12 and 13 which is a further improvement and embodiment where there are two frame structures showing at 50 and 51 where the brace itself is a right angle member 52 21/06 2005 TUE 16:54 [TX/RX NO 6463] a009 I/VO eVVJ IV.C r n v w v v w 9 which is supported by bush 53 and this is aligned so as to be able to engage over male member 54 where it can be interlocked by reason of spring retained button 55 or it can be released as is shown in Figure 13 in which case an end 56 of a roof structure can then be located so as to interlock with the male member 54 which therefore engages with the boss 57 the top horizontal portion 58 of a frame structure 59. Atematively, the brace may be omitted or replaced with a spring such as that shown in figure Although the invention has been herein shown and described in what is 10 conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is recognised that departures can be made within the scope of the invention, which is not to be limited to the details described herein but is to be *o accorded the full scope of the appended claims so as to embrace any and all equivalent devices and apparatus.

o* *o *l~ o*o **o •o*o o 21/06 2005 TUE 16:54 [TX/RX NO 6483] l010

Claims (7)

1. A manhole guard including a set of frame structures, wherein at least a pair of the frame structures are grouped by means of being interconnected one to the next in an adjoining relationship by pivotal interconnection means, and each group of frame structures further includes releasable interconnection means to facilitate interconnection with other pivotally interconnected groups of frame structures, and where the assembled manhole guard has at least two of the frame structures defining each of at least four sides of an assembled construction. Slo: 10 2. The manhole guard as in the immediately preceding claim further characterized in that each of the four sides of the assembled manhole guard is comprised of at least a pair of pivotally interconnected frame structures.

3. The manhole guard as in Claim 1 further characterized in that each 15 of the four sides of the assembled manhole guard is comprised of one frame structure each from one of at least two pairs of pivotally interconnected frame structures. The manhole guard as in Claim 1, further characterized in that the assembled manhole guard is comprised of two groups of frame structures connected by the releasable interconnection means, each group containing four frame structures that are pivotally interconnected one to the next in an adjoining relationship. The manhole guard as in any one of the preceding claims further characterized in that the manhole guard includes a roof support.

6. The manhole guard as in the immediately preceding claim further characterized in that the roof support is comprised of at least two further frame structures each of which has at a first end, an arrangement to engage a transverse portion of a frame structure defining a side of the 21/06 2005 TUE 16:54 [TX/RX NO 6463] a2011 IJVo VVJ 10. el rn1 Lj LL IV I LJ 1 S VV- 11 manhole guard, and wherein at a further end each of the further frame structures has means to interconnect the respective roof frame structures.

7. The manhole guard as in the immediately preceding claim further characterized in that the means for providing engagement between one of the roof frame structures and a transverse portion of one of the frame structures defining a side of the manhole guard includes a substantially U- shaped portion which engages around the transverse portion of the frame structure and an interlocking pin which when in position will retain the two Sframe structures together. S *0. 10 8. The manhole guard as in any one of the preceding claims further characterized in that pivotally interconnected pairs of frame structures are 066* interconnected by a hinge, and the releasable interconnection means includes an interlocking pin arrangement wherein the position of the interlocking pin can be changed to effect release of the respective adjacent s* 15 frame structures from being interconnected. 0

9. The manhole guard as in any one of the preceding claims further 0 characterized in that selected pivotally interconnected pairs of frame Sstructures have extending there between, a resilient spring which is such 0: that when extended, there will be provided an outward pressure that such that when the frame structures are caused to rotate about the hinge, the spring will be diverted so as to no longer provide such a substantial outward pressure. The manhole guard as in any one of the preceding claims further characterized in that the guard includes a releasable interconnecting brace that can fix two adjacent surround frame structures in a desired position relative to each other.

11. A manhole guard substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to figures 1 and 2. 21/06 2005 TUE 16:54 [TX/RX NO 6463] I012 12

12. A manhole guard substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to figures 3 to 11. Dated this 21 st day of J une 2005 DAGEN HAM PTY LTD B3y their Patent Attorneys COLLISON CO es *so:: .s I s S 21/06 2005 TUE 16:54 [TX/RX NO 6463] 0~ 013