CZ2002920A3 - Cover element for excavations - Google Patents

Description

Technical field

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a cover element for temporarily overlapping excavations formed in a pedestrian path or in a roadway.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Digging trenches for laying cables, pipelines, etc. is very labor intensive. Because digging, plowing into the ground and backfilling in the shortest possible time is needed, effective digging possibilities are severely limited. Major difficulties arise in situations where the road or road must remain open for traffic. If the excavation is to be loaded, even though the excavation of the excavation will continue, it requires a considerable amount of work. Regularly a large part of usable working time is devoted to loading and re-establishing the temporary excavation so that construction work can continue. This represents a significant cost since re-charging is not only highly laborious, but is also usually a loss product since it is not a final backfill.

Various attempts have been made to create an excavation cover to temporarily cover the excavation. However, these excavation covers have a number of drawbacks and are consequently used only occasionally, and backfilling is still the preferred option.

US-A-4,801,483 discloses a cover of a ground-formed pit with mounting holes for securing the cover in place. Temporary covering of the trench with such plates is not practical, as each plate must be fixed separately and each of these anchors must be released to remove the cover.

GB-A-2 305 954 discloses a temporary trench cover comprising a top plate with attached walls for insertion into a trench. A clamping portion having an upwardly open mouth is connected to one connecting wall to form recess-like connecting means, to which an opposite connecting wall of an adjacent plate is connected. While such an arrangement prevents longitudinal movement between adjacent cover plates, the plates are easily removable by pulling the plate up using the finger holes. Thus, the plates are not secured against removal by an unauthorized person. In addition, the assembly does not allow easy covering of the excavation, which is not straight.

EP-A-0 431 777 discloses a cover for temporarily covering a trench which is detachably connected to an adjacent cover. The cover is slid onto the trench and the assembly does not allow easy relative movement between adjacent cover elements. In addition, removal by an unauthorized person is not prevented since the covers can be removed relatively easily by moving the cover in the main direction of the assembly.

GB-A-2 321 486 discloses a temporary excavation cover comprising a hollow sheath of plastic material with a downwardly protruding portion for forming side abutment surfaces which are spaced apart at a distance corresponding to the trench width so as to slide into the side walls of the trench. The housing may have at one end a semicircular pin for engagement with a corresponding semicircular recess formed by an open sleeve on an adjacent member to allow articulation of adjacent cover members. Such an assembly is difficult to manufacture and the covers can be relatively easily removed by unauthorized persons by sliding the cover away from the main direction of the assembly. In addition, although the system exhibits relative movement between adjacent covers, the gaps between adjacent covers present a risk since, for example, the bicycle wheel may wedge into the gap and this may pose safety problems for the cyclist.

The present invention is therefore directed to providing an improved excavation cover that overcomes at least some of these problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the invention, a temporary excavation cover element is provided comprising a cover member disposed above the excavation, wherein the cover member comprises a pair of ground-mounted parts.

the interlocking central portion covering the trench, the ground-based portions are limited by a pair of opposing edges for positioning off the trench, and the cover member has a pair of transverse sides extending transversely between the opposite sides and limiting means extending downwardly from the middle portion of the cover member coupling means comprising first coupling means on one transverse side and complementary second coupling means on the opposite transverse side, wherein the first or second coupling means fits into another of the first and second coupling means of the same same cover member in the assembly, the cover members being relatively movable relative to an adjacent cover member to copy the excavation profile.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, one of the fasteners is larger than the other of the fasteners to allow limited relative movement between the fasteners so that the cover members follow the ground profile.

It is preferred that the connecting means of adjacent cover members are relatively movable in the vertical direction and / or horizontal direction to follow the vertical trench profile.

In one embodiment of the invention, the first coupling means comprises a head portion projecting from a transverse side of the cover member, and the second coupling means comprises a cavity adjacent the transverse side of the cover member to receive the head portion of the first coupling means of adjacent cover members in the assembly.

Preferably, in one embodiment, the second coupling means comprises a cavity formed at the bottom of the cover member.

In a preferred embodiment, the cavity is a downwardly open cavity and the head portion fits into the cavity from below.

Preferably, the cavity is larger than the head portion to allow limited relative movement between the head portion and the cavity so that the cover member can move relative to the adjacent cover member to follow the trench profile.

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In another embodiment, the cavity is formed on the underside of the middle portion of the cover member.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the coupling means comprise at least one wing that extends from a transverse side of the cover member.

Most preferably, the at least one wing extends at a distance such that it covers at least a portion of the gap between adjacent cover members in the assembly.

Advantageously, the cover member has a recess receiving wing for receiving a portion of the end wing of the adjacent cover member in the assembly.

The end wing is located on one side of one or both of the connecting means.

Preferably, the cover member comprises two transversely spaced apart end wings.

In another embodiment, the first coupling means is formed by a cavity in a first transverse side of the housing and one or each wing extends from the first transverse side.

Most preferably, one or each end wing extends from one cover member under an adjacent cover member in the assembly.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the at least one transverse side has a shape allowing limited relative movement between the end edge edges of adjacent cover elements.

Preferably, the at least one end edge is at least partially curved, preferably arcuate, ideally substantially convex in shape.

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In a further embodiment of the invention, the first coupling means comprises a male component projecting from one transverse side and the second coupling means comprises a cutout provided on the opposite transverse side to receive a head portion of an adjacent cover member in the assembly; a first direction of the cover member and preventing removal of the head portion from the slot in the further direction of the assembly.

In this case, the male component has a protruding head region and a tapered region with reduced width relative to the head region.

Preferably, the cutout has an upper inlet opening allowing insertion of the head region in the first direction and preventing removal of the head portion in the assembly direction.

Preferably, the cutout includes a side mounting opening through which the tapered area of the male component extends in the assembly direction.

In another embodiment of the invention, the cover element comprises service lifting means. Ideally, the cover member has an anti-skid surface.

In another embodiment, the cover element comprises tracking code means.

Preferably, the code means is stored inside the cover member.

In another embodiment, the cover member comprises anchoring means for fastening the cover member.

The anchoring means may comprise an anchoring structure, such as a cut-out or opening in or on the cover member.

The anchor formation may be an opening adapted to receive the anchorage.

Preferably, for ease of operation and use, the cover member is in the range of 200 to 500 mm, preferably 200 to 300 mm or 300 to 400 mm.

The invention also includes a cover assembly comprising a plurality of cover elements according to the invention.

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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will become more apparent from the following description, in which it is described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Giant. 1 is a perspective view showing the top of the excavation plate according to the invention; Giant. 2 is a perspective view showing the bottom of the cover member;

Giant. 3 is a top view of the cover element;

Giant. 4 is a bottom view of the cover element;

Giant. 5 is a side view of the cover member;

Giant. 6 is a cross-section along the line X-X in FIG. 3;

Giant. 7 is a cross-section along the Y-Y line of FIG. 3;

Giant. 8 is a cross-section along line Z-Z of FIG. 5;

Giant. 9 is a side view of the cover member;

Giant. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing an assembly of a plurality of cover members;

Giant. 11 is a perspective view of a plurality of cover trench elements disposed on a trench;

Giant. 12 is a cross-sectional view of one excavation cover element disposed on the excavation.

Giant . 13 is a plan view of a plurality of excavation cover elements covering a excavation with a curved plan view.

Giant. 14 is a perspective view from one side of another excavation cover element;

Giant. 15 is a perspective view from the opposite side of the cover member of FIG. 14;

Giant. 16 is a bottom perspective view of the cover member of FIG. 14;

Giant. 17 is a plan view of the cover member of FIG. 14;

Giant. 18 is a cross-sectional view along the line A-A of FIG. 17 with a cover member positioned on the trench;

Giant. 19 is a cross-section along line B-B of FIG. 17;

Giant. 20 and 21 are cross-sections showing the assembly of the two cover elements of FIG. 14 together;

Giant . 22 is a fragmentary plan view of two adjacent cover members of the excavation cover assembly of FIG. 14.

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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

1 to 9 and 12 show a temporary excavation cover element 1. Each cover element 1 covers part of the excavation 4 in the ground 3 (Figs. 11, 12) and a series of cover elements 1 are connected to follow the contour of the ground. 3, in which the excavation is dug. In Fig. 11, the cover elements 7 are shown in a relatively straight line, while Fig. 13 shows the elements 1 arranged in a curved line.

In this case, the cover element 1 is a cast-iron structure and comprises a cover member for covering the trench 4, especially in the roadway. The cover member comprises a pair of side base connecting portions 10, 11 interconnected by a middle portion 12 of the excavation cover. The cover member typically has a convex cross-sectional shape and side portions 10, 11, decreasing in cross-section towards opposite edge edges 14, 15 of the cover member to create a slight slope that facilitates vehicle wheels to pass over the cover member 1. Exposed top surface The cover member has anti-skid formations, which in this case are formed by generally rectangular shaped raised portions 16. If desired, anchoring openings 19 are provided in the side portions W, H for easy attachment to the ground 3. strip of reflective material or the like. The cover member has a mounting hole 21 for easy placement of the flag, pillar and the like.

A further recess 22 is provided to receive coding means such as an identification coupon or a transponder unit for unambiguously identifying the cover element 1 during its search and the like.

The cover member has a pair of transverse sides 25, 26 extending transversely between opposing edge edges 14, 15. The limiting means in the form of side walls 27, 28 extend downwardly from the center portion 12 of the cover member to limit movement of the cover relative to the gap formed by the excavation 4. the walls 27, 28 in this case are joined by transverse walls 29 to increase the mechanical strength.

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The coupling means are formed by the first male coupling means 30 and the second female coupling means 31 and the coupling means 30, 31 of adjacent identical cover elements are interconnected to each other in a set of cover elements I. In this case the male coupling means comprise a head portion 35 projecting from the transverse side 26 cover member. The head portion 35 has a reduced cross-sectional area that forms a groove 36 and is located at the center of the transverse side 26.

The female coupling means comprise a downwardly open cavity 40 on the transverse side

The cavity 40 is defined on the underside of the cover member by projecting walls 41 and a portion of the transverse wall 29. The width d1 of the cavity 40 is significantly greater than the width d2 of the head portion 35 of the male coupling means. assembly so that the cover elements 1 can follow the height profile of the ground. Similarly, the length of the head portion 35 is less than the length of the cavity 40. It should be noted that the upper ends of the head portion 35 are tapered to facilitate insertion of the head portion 35 into the cavity 40.

The coupling means in this case also comprise a pair of end wings 50, 51 extending from the transverse side 25. The end wings 50, 51 are disposed on the sides of the cavity 40 and extend substantially from the base connecting portions 10, 11 of the cover member. In the assembly, the end wings 50, 51 are positioned below the adjacent cover member. In this case, the end wings 50, 51 are mounted in the recessed areas 52, 53 separately surrounding the head portion 35.

The end wings 50, 51 engage under an adjacent cover member and, in combination with the engagement of the head portion 35 in the cavity 40, secure the adjacent cover members in such a way as to allow relative movement between adjacent cover members so as to follow the horizontal trench profile. In the assembly, the end caps are anchored to the ground and therefore, due to the connection on both transverse sides of the caps, none of them can be removed from the assembly by an unauthorized person. This prevents theft while improving the assembly in terms of safety. In addition, the end wings 50, 51 provide a significant advantage in that they at least partially cover a possible gap between adjacent

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4 «4 · 4 cover elements in the assembly. This is also an important safety feature of the invention since the non-existent gap cannot cause damage to the bicycle wheel or the like.

The at least one transverse side, in this case the side 25, is shaped to allow limited relative movement between the sides 25, 26 of the adjacent cover elements 1. In this case, the transverse sides have a substantially convex curve shape.

14 to 22 show a prefabricated excavation cover element 110, which in this case is a metal, in particular a steel structure. The cover member 110 is in some aspects similar to the cover member of Figs. 1 to 13 and is formed by a top 111 with ramp portions 112 obliquely extending therefrom 111. The top 111 extends above the excavation pit 104 and is supported on the ground 103 on each side of the excavation. The cover member 110 is generally rectangular in plan view with a pair of side edge edges 113, 114 extending along the excavation pit 104 and a pair of end edge edges 115, 116 extending across the excavation pit 104. Limiting means for securing the cover element 10 on the excavation pit 104 are in this case formed by downwardly and inwardly curved projections 118, 119. The connecting means for interconnecting the cover elements 110 into the assembly are formed by a male joint 120 at one edge 115 and a female joint 121 at the opposite edge 116. a protruding head portion 122 with protrusions 123 and a tapered portion 124 connecting the male joint to the main body of the cover member 110. The female joint 121 is formed by a cutout having a main receiving opening 125 and a secondary connecting hole 126. In the assembly, the male joint 120 of one cover member 110 is inserted into the female cutout 121 of the adjacent cover member. The joints 120 and 121 are formed such that the cover members can be positioned to the first cover member 110 seated in a horizontal position to bridge the excavation pit. By rotating the cover member to a substantially vertical position, the male head portion 122 can be inserted into the main receiving opening 125 of the cutout 121, and then the cover member is rotated to a horizontal position in which the protrusions 123 of the male connecting portion 120 engage the wall of the cutout 121 formed. The arrangement will be particularly apparent from FIG.

and 21. In this assembled position, the tapered portion 124 of the male connection 120 passes through the secondary opening 126.

The cutout 121 is significantly larger than the male joint 120 and thus allows limited controlled movement between adjacent cover members 110 in the assembly, in order to copy the profile of the ground in which the excavation is dug. Also, the minor opening 126 of the cutout 121 is longer than the tapered portion 124 of the male connection 120, allowing limited relative movement between adjacent cover members in a horizontal plane. In this way, the cover elements can follow the horizontal profile of the trench and can, for example, allow a 90 ° turn over 5 meters of length. Similarly, the minor opening 126 is sized to control the relative movement of the male connector in the vertical direction to allow copying of the vertical trench contour.

To facilitate relative motion in the horizontal plane, the end edges 115, 116 are preferably profiled and are preferably slightly arcuate.

As described above, the cover elements are easily assembled in the form of a rigid temporary excavation cover that can be easily disassembled. Most importantly, the controlled relative movement is allowed so that the cover follows the ground profile, preferably in both vertical and horizontal planes. This will ensure a particularly safe and flat temporary area above the excavated pit.

The cover member may comprise coded tracking means, such as a transponder, which may be housed within the cover, allowing the location of the cover members to be determined from a remote position. In this way, the hiring and use of the cover elements can be controlled.

The present invention provides a simple yet very effective temporary cover for excavation. In practical use, adjacent covers are easily interconnected as described above. The connecting elements allow the cover to easily copy both the profile of the ground in which the excavation is dug and the excavation route. Handles may be provided to facilitate the transport.

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The excavation cover can be anchored in the appropriate position. Typically, the cover will be anchored at one end, for example, by an anchor bolt that may subsequently be temporarily covered. However, it can also be anchored to the excavation at any suitable point, for example every 5 m of length. Anchoring can also be achieved by a detachable hook coupling between the cover and the strut in the trench.

The excavation assembly according to the invention is easy to operate and can therefore be used as a replacement for loading the excavation.

As a result, workers can concentrate on their own excavation work, which can be optimized.

Many variations of particular embodiments of the invention are easy to create and are not limited to the described embodiments, which may be varied both in their construction and in detail.

Claims (37)

PATENT CLAIMS Temporary trench cover element, comprising a trench cover member, wherein the trench member comprises a pair of ground-mounted parts interconnected by a central trench covering part, the ground-mounted parts being a pair of opposing edges for positioning outside the trench and a cover the member having a pair of transverse sides extending transversely between opposing sides and a limiting means extending downwardly from the central portion of the cover member to receive the cover on the excavation pit, and coupling means comprising first coupling means on one transverse side and additional second coupling means on the opposite transverse side the first or second engaging means engaging another of the first and second engaging means following the same cover member in the assembly, the cover members being relatively movable relative to the adjacent cover member u to copy the excavation profile. Covering element according to claim 1, characterized in that one of the connecting means is larger than the other of the connecting means in order to allow limited relative movement between the connecting means so that the covering elements follow the ground profile. Covering element according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the connecting means of adjacent covering elements are movable relative to each other in the vertical direction to follow the vertical contour of the trench. Covering element according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connecting means of adjacent covering elements are movable relative to each other in the horizontal direction to copy the horizontal excavation profile. A cover member according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first coupling means comprises a head portion projecting from a transverse side of the cover member and the second coupling means comprises a cavity adjacent the transverse side of the cover member for receiving the head portion of the first coupling means of adjacent cover members. report. 00 00 • 0 · 0 0 0 0 00 0000 • 0 00 00 • 0 0 · 0 0 · 0 0 0 0 0 0 00 0000 Covering element according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the second coupling means comprise a cavity formed at the bottom of the covering member. The cover member of claim 5, wherein the second coupling means comprises a cavity formed at the bottom of the cover member. The cover element of claim 7, wherein the cavity is a downwardly open cavity and the head portion fits into the cavity from below. The cover member of claim 8, wherein the cavity is larger than the head portion to allow limited relative movement between the head portion and the cavity so that the cover member can move relative to the adjacent cover member to follow the trench profile. Covering element according to any one of claims 6 to 9, characterized in that the cavity is formed on the underside of the middle part of the covering member. Covering element according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connecting means comprise at least one wing which extends from a transverse side of the covering member. The cover member of claim 11, wherein the at least one wing extends at a distance such that it covers at least a portion of the gap between adjacent cover members in the assembly. The cover member of claim 11 or 12, wherein the cover member has a recessed-accepting wing for receiving a portion of the end wing of the adjacent cover member in the assembly. Covering element according to either of Claims 11 or 13, characterized in that the end wing is located on one side of one or both of the connecting means. ·· Covering element according to one of Claims 11 to 14, characterized in that it comprises two transversely spaced end wings. Covering element according to one of Claims 11 to 15, characterized in that the first connecting means are formed by a cavity in the first transverse side of the housing and one or each wing extends from the first transverse side. Covering element according to any one of claims 11 to 16, characterized in that one or each end wing extends from one covering element under an adjacent covering element in the assembly. A cover element according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one transverse side has a shape allowing limited relative movement between the end edge edges of adjacent cover elements. Covering element according to claim 18, characterized in that at least one end edge edge is in the form of a curve. Covering element according to claim 18 or 19, characterized in that the at least one end edge has an arc shape. A cover element according to claim 20, characterized in that one or each end edge edge has a convex shape. A cover member according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the first coupling means comprises a male component projecting from one transverse side and the second coupling means comprises a cut-out provided on the opposite transverse side for receiving a head portion of an adjacent cover member in the assembly. the portion and the cut-out are shaped to easily insert the head portion into the cut-out in the first direction of the cover member and prevent removal of the head portion from the cut-out in the further direction of the assembly. this this to it to it to 99 to this 23. The cover element of claim 22, wherein the male component has a protruding head region and a tapered region of reduced width relative to the head region. 24. The cover element of claim 23, wherein the cutout has an upper inlet opening allowing insertion of the head region in the first direction and preventing removal of the head portion in the assembly direction. 25. The cover element of claim 24, wherein the cutout includes a side mounting opening through which the tapered area of the male component extends in the assembly direction. A cover element according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises service lifting means. A cover element according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cover member has an anti-skid surface. A cover element according to any preceding claim, comprising tracking code means. 29. The cover element of claim 28, wherein the code means is housed within the cover member. A cover member according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises anchoring means for fastening the cover member. Covering element according to claim 30, characterized in that the anchoring means comprise an anchor formation formed in or on the covering element. 32. The cover element of claim 31, wherein the anchor formation is an aperture adapted to receive the anchorage. 00 00 9 · · · 0 * · «0 0 0 · ► · · ► · * I 0 · • 0 ·········· 00 · «· A cover element according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cover element is from 200 mm to 500 mm long. The cover element of claim 33, wherein the cover member is 200 to 300 mm long. Covering element according to claim 33, characterized in that the covering element is from 300 to 400 mm long. 36. A cover element, characterized in that it is substantially as described above with reference to the accompanying drawings. A cover assembly comprising a plurality of cover members according to any one of the preceding claims.