GB2452069A - Mounting apparatus for changing the height of an article such as a manhole cover - Google Patents

Abstract

The mounting apparatus 10, for mounting an article 82 to a surface 80 such as a manhole cover to a road surface, includes a base member 14 positionable on the surface and a spacer member 16 for location between the article and the base member. The spacer member can be placed on the base member in a plurality of positions, each of which provides a different spacing between the article and the surface. It is preferable that the positions are at discrete locations around an axis that extends normally to the surface. The base member and spacer member may include a plurality of sets of respective base/spacer surfaces, where the height of the article can depend on the sets of base/spacer surfaces used. The spacer member preferably rotates ninety degrees to move from one height, or set of surfaces, to another. A method of mounting an article to a surface has also been claimed.

Description

Mounting Apparatus The present invention relates to mounting apparatus, particularly but not exclusively mounting apparatus for mounting an article to a surface.

Ground surface access assemblies provide mounting apparatus in the form of a frame defining an opening. An article in the form of an access cover is mountable to the frame. The frame is' positioned on a surface such as a ground surface, and the cover is removable from the frame or openable within the frame to permit access to underground services.

In construction projects, such as the construction of a housing estate, road construction is commonly carried out in a number of phases. During the main part of the construction activity, only a lower or base course of the road may be constructed and an upper or wearing course may be laid at or towards the end of the construction project. Commonly, access covers are installed within the roadway at the finished height of the roadway, so that the access covers protrude above the base course surface and are vulnerable to **::* damage. Also, this practice is increasingly seen as unacceptable by Health 2O and Safety authorities.

* * One solution to this problem has been to provide frame assemblies including a base frame and a plurality of spacer frames. The spacer frames are of different sizes, and space the cover at differing heights from the surface **..

*:,.25 on which the base frame is installed. Thus, a smaller height frame can be positioned on the base frame to support the cover at the height of the base course, and when the wearing course is laid the lower height spacer frame can be replaced by an increased height spacer frame to position the cover at the correct height relative to the wearing course of the finished road.

However, the use of a plurality of spacer frames means extra spacer frames have to be supplied and stored with a risk of loss or damage, and must then be returned or disposed of.

I

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided mounting apparatus for mounting an article to a surface, the mounting apparatus including a base member positionable on the surface, a spacer member for location between the article and the base member, the spacer member being positionable on the base member in a plurality of positions, each of which provides a different spacing between the article and the surface.

Possibly, the positions are discrete positions, and may be discrete positions around an axis, which may extend substantially normally to the surface Possibly the base member includes a plurality of sets of base surfaces, each of which may define a different base thickness. Possibly the spacer member includes a plurality of sets of spacer surfaces, each of which may define a different spacer thickness.

Possibly in use, the mounting apparatus is arranged to permit a user to * ** *.. select a plurality of combinations of base thickness and spacer thickness to ***.

2o provide a corresponding plurality of spacings between the article and the * surface.

*.S*.. * * *

***.*.

* Possibly, in moving between one spacing and another spacing, the *.:r orientation of the spacer member relative to the base member varies by *J25 substantially 900, or an integer multiple of substantially 900.

Possibly the mounting apparatus is a frame for a ground surface access assembly. Possibly the article is a cover. Possibly the surface is a ground surface or associated with a ground surface.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of mounting an article to a surface, a method including I $ providing mounting apparatus, the mounting apparatus including a base member positionable on the surface and a spacer member for location between the article and the base member, the spacer member being positionable on the base member in a plurality of positions, each of which provides a different spacing between the article and the surface.

Possibly the mounting apparatus includes any of the features

described in the preceding statements.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a first mounting apparatus; Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a second mounting apparatus; Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a third mounting apparatus; * S. *S*.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the third mounting apparatus in a first * assembled condition; **S... * *

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***.** * Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the third mounting apparatus in a second *. assembled condition; *S * * S S * S. Fig. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a fourth mounting apparatus; Fig 7 is a perspective view of the fourth mounting apparatus in a first assembled condition; Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the fourth mounting apparatus in a second assembled condition; a Fig. 9 is an exploded perspective view of a fifth mounting apparatus; Fig. 10 is an exploded perspective view of a sixth mounting apparatus from one side; Fig. 11 is an exploded perspective view of the sixth mounting apparatus from an opposite side; Fig. 12 is a schematic plan view of the sixth mounting apparatus; Fig. 13 is a schematic plan view of the sixth mounting apparatus in a first condition; Fig. 14 is a schematic plan view of the sixth mounting apparatus in a second condition; Fig 15 is the schematic plan view of the sixth mounting apparatus in a *:*::* third condition; *.S. * zO

Fig 16 is a perspective view of the sixth mounting apparatus in the first condition, *I*... * S

Fig 17 is a perspective view of the sixth mounting apparatus in the ** .25 second condition; and * ** Fig 18 is a perspective view of the sixth mounting apparatus in the third condition.

Referring to Fig. 1, mounting apparatus in the form of a ground surface access assembly frame 10 defines an opening 12. The frame 10 includes a base member 14, which in use is positionabte on a bedding surface 80 associated with a ground surface, and a spacer member 16 which in use is positionable between an article in the form for example of a cover 82 and the base member 14. The spacer member 16 includes a cover mounting surface 18 on which the cover 82 is mountable.

The base member 14 is in the form of a frame which is square in plan view and includes a pair of spaced deeper base side walls 60 and a pair of spaced shallower base side walls 62 which extend between the ends of the deeper base side walls 60. The uppermost surfaces of the shallower base f( side walls 62 from a first set of base surfaces 20, the shallower base side walls 62 having a first base thickness 22. The uppermost surfaces of the deeper base side walls 60 form a second set of base surfaces 24, the deeper base side walls having a second base thickness 26.

The spacer member 16 is in the form of a square frame in plan view and includes a pair of spaced deeper spacer side walls 64 and a pair of spaced shallower spacer side walls 66. The lowermost surfaces of the shallower spacer side walls 66 form a first set of spacer surfaces 40, the shallower spacer side walls 66 having a first spacer thickness 42. The 0 lowermost surfaces of the deeper spacer side walls 64 form a second set of spacer surfaces 44, the deeper spacer side walls 64 having a second spacer thickness 46. * *

** In use, the base member 14 is positioned on the bedding surface 80.

*..E25 The spacer member 16 is positioned on top of the base member 14. In a first position, the deeper spacer side walls 64 are located over the shallower base side walls 62 and the shallower spacer side walls 66 located over the deeper base side walls 60. Depending on the relative thicknesses of the first and second spacer thicknesses 42, 46 and the first and second base thicknesses 22, 26, the second set of spacer surfaces 44 may contact the first set of base surfaces 20, and/or the first set of spacer surfaces 40 may contact the second set of base surfaces 24. The cover 82 can then be mounted on the cover mounting surface 18 of the spacer member 16.

With the spacer member 16 in the first position, the cover 82, mounted on the cover mounting surface 18 will be spaced from the bedding surface 80 by a dimension which is equal to the greater of the sum of the first base thickness 22 plus the second spacer thickness 44, or the second base thickness 26 plus the first spacer thickness 42. This dimension is the minimum dimension permitted by the orientation of the spacer member 16 to the base member 14. Thus, for example, the cover 82, mounted on the frame with the spacer member 16 in the first position could be arranged to be flush with the base course of a roadway during a construction period.

When it is desired to raise the height of the roadway by installing a wearing course, the cover 82 can be removed from the spacer member 16, and the spacer member 16 uplifted from the base member 14, rotated through substantially 90° around axis 68, which is normal to the bedding surface 80 * and repositioned in a second discrete position so that the deeper spacer side walls 64 are located on the deeper base side walls 60 and the second set of *.S.

spacer surfaces 44 are positioned on the second set of base surfaces 24.

The cover 82 can then be remounted to the cover mounting surface 18.

* The cover 82 is now spaced from the bedding surface 80 by a : dimension which is the sum of the second base thickness 26 and the second **.E25 spacer thickness 46. Thus the cover 82 is now at a greater spacing above the bedding surface 80, and can be arranged to be substantially flush with the wearing surface of the roadway Figs. 2 -18 show further embodiments of the invention, many features of which are similar to those described in relation to the embodiment shown in Fig. 1. Where features are similar, or have a similar function, the same reference numerals have been used, and the features will not be described in detail again for the sake of brevity.

Fig. 2 shows a second mounting apparatus in the form of a ground surface access assembly frame 100, the frame 100 including a base member 14 and a spacer member 16.

The base member 14 is in the form of a frame which could be square or rectangular in plan having four base side walls 70. The uppermost surfaces of the base side walls 70 form a first set of base surfaces 20, the base side walls 70 having the first base thickness 22. A plurality of base projections 72 project upwardly from the side walls 70, the uppermost surfaces of the base projections 72 forming a second set of base surfaces 24, the projections 72 and the side walls 70 together having a second base thickness 26.

In this example, the spacer member 16 is somewhat similar to the base member 14, being correspondingly in the form of a frame which is square or rectangular in plan view, having four spacer side walls 74, the lowermost ***.

...0 surfaces of which form a first set of spacer surfaces 74, the spacer side walls 74 having a first spacer thickness 42. A plurality of spacer projections 76 * extend downwardly from the spacer side walls 74. The lowermost surfaces of * the spacer projections 76 form a second set of spacer surfaces 44, the spacer projections 76 and the spacer side walls 74 together having a second spacer *. 5 thickness 46. * .*

In a first condition, the spacer member 16 is positioned in a first position on the base member 14 so that the spacer projections 76 locate over the base side walls 70, and the spacer side walls 74 locate over the base projections 72. Depending on the relative thicknesses of the first and second spacer thicknesses 42, 46 and the first and second base thicknesses 22, 26, the second set of spacer surfaces 44 may contact the first set of base surfaces 20, and/or the first set of spacer surfaces 40 may contact the second set of base surfaces 24. Thus in the first position, as was the case with the example shown in Fig. 1, the spacing of the cover 82 mounted on the cover mounting surface 18 from the bedding surface 80 is the greater of either the sum of the first base thickness 22 and the second spacer thickness 46 or the sum of the first spacer thickness 42 and the second base thickness 26.

To position the cover 82 at a greater spacing from the bedding surface in a second condition, the spacer member 16 is uplifted from the base member 14 and rotated through substantially 180° around the axis 68 and positioned on the base member 14 in a second position in which the spacer projections 76 locate on the base projections 72, the second set of spacer surfaces 44 contacting the second set of base surfaces 24. The spacing of the cover 82 mounted on the cover mounting surface 18 from the bedding surface 80 is now the sum of the second base thickness 26 and the second spacer thickness 46.

The arrangement of the example shown in Fig. 2 in which the spacer member 16 is rotatable through 180° permits the plan shape of the base S...

....20 member 14 and the spacer member 16 to be rectangular rather than square as required by the arrangement of the example shown in Fig. 1.

S. S.5* * Various modifications could be made without departing from the scope *. of the invention as shown in the examples described. For example, the first *.*25 and second sets of base and spacer surfaces could be of any suitable size and shape. The sets could include any suitable number of surfaces.

Fig. 3 shows a third mounting apparatus in the form of a ground surface access assembly frame 200 which is somewhat similar to the example shown in Fig. 2. The frame 200 includes a base member 14 and a spacer member 16. The base member 14 is in the form of a frame which is rectangular in plan view, and includes four side walls 70. In this example, a plurality of base projections 72 extend inwardly from the side walls 70. The base projections 70 include a pair of spaced base projections 72A extending from one of the side walls. Each of the base projections 72A includes two upper surfaces, the lower of which form a first set of base surfaces 20 and the upper of which form a third set of base surfaces 30. The base projections 70 include a pair of spaced base projections 72B projecting from an opposite wall 70B, each base projection 728 having an upper surface, which form a second set of base surfaces 24. The first set of base surfaces 20 define a first base thickness 22, the second set of base surfaces 24 define a second base thickness 26, and the third set of base surfaces 30 define a third base thickness 32 as shown in Fig.4.

The spacer member 16 is correspondingly in the form of a frame which is rectangular in plan view and includes a plurality of side walls 74. One side wall 74A has a lowermost surface which forms a first set of spacer surfaces which define a first spacer thickness 42. A plurality of projections 76 extend downwardly from an opposite side wall 74B, the lowermost edges of which form a second set of spacer surfaces 44 and define a second spacer *.*:* thickness 46. The opposite side wall 74B defines a plurality of recesses 78 *S..

and includes surfaces which form a third set of base surfaces 50 which define a third spacer thickness 52.

* S S... * S

S S...

* In a first condition as shown in Fig. 4, the spacer member 16 is positioned in a first position on the base member 14 within the side walls 70 so that the first set of spacer surfaces 40 locates on the second set of base surfaces 24, the second set of spacer surfaces 44 locate on the first set of base surfaces 20 and the third set of spacer surfaces 50 locate on the third set of base surfaces 30. In this condition, the cover mounting surface 18 is spaced from the bedding surface 80 on which the frame 10 is supported by a dimension which is the sum of the first base thickness 22 and the second spacer thickness 46, which is the same as or similar to the sum of the second base thickness 26 and the first spacer thickness 42, which is the same as or similar to the sum of the third base thickness 32 and the third spacer thickness 52.

As with the previous embodiments, the cover mounting surface 18 can be repositioned at a greater spacing relative to the bedding surface 80 by uplifting the spacer member 16 from the base member 14, and in this example rotating the spacer member 16 through substantially 1800 to a second condition as shown in Fig. 5 in which the second set of spacer surfaces 44 locates on the second set of base surfaces 24, and the first set of spacer surfaces 40 locates on the third set of base surfaces 30. The spacing of the cover mounting surface 18 from the surface 80 is a dimension which is the sum of the second spacer thickness 46 and the second base thickness 26, which is the same as or similar to the sum of the first spacer thickness 42 and the third base thickness 32.

Figs. 6, 7 and 8 show a fourth mounting apparatus in the form of a ground surface access assembly frame 300 including a base member 14 and a spacer member 16, the spacer member 16 hingedly mounting a cover 82.

S..... Although somewhat difference in appearance, the fourth mounting apparatus I...

300 is similar in features and use to the third mounting apparatus 200 * previously described, and will not therefore be described further.

S..... * .

S S...

* Fig. 9 shows a fifth mounting apparatus in the form of a ground surface access assembly frame 400, the frame 400 being circular in plan view. The frame 400 includes a base member 14 including side walls 70, a plurality of projections 72 extending upwardly from the side walls 70. The uppermost surfaces of the side walls 70 form a first set of base surfaces 20. Each of the projections 72 are stepped, having an intermediate surface which form a second set of base surfaces 24 and an uppermost surface which form a third set of base surfaces 30, the base member 14 thus providing first, second and third base thicknesses 22, 26 and 32 respectively.

The spacer member 16 similarly includes side walls 74, a plurality of spacer projections 76 extending downwardly from the side walls 74. The side walls 74 have lowermost surfaces which form a first set of spacer surfaces 40.

Each of the spacer projections 76 are stepped, having an intermediate surface which form a second set of spacer surfaces 44 and a lowermost surface which form a third set of spacer surfaces 50, the spacer member 16 thus providing first, second and third spacer thicknesses 42, 46 and 52.

By selecting an appropriate relative rotational orientation of the spacer member 60 around the axis 68 relative to the base member 14, three different spacings of the cover mounting surface 18 relative to a bedding surface 80 are permitted. It would be possible to increase the number of user selectable spacings by increasing the number of steps of the projections 72, 76.

Referring to Figs. 10 -18, a mounting apparatus in the form of a ground surface access assembly frame 500 includes a base member 14 and a spacer member 16. The frame 500 is square in plan and is arrangable in three conditions) the spacer member 16 being positionable on the base member 14 in three positions, each of which provide a different spacing *...

between an article such as a cover member 82 which is positioned on a cover * mounting surface 18 of the spacer member 16 and a bedding surface 80 on ****.. * S

* which the base member 14 is positioned.

S. S... * * S...

: The base member 14 includes a first set of base surfaces 20, a second *. :25 set of base surfaces 24 and a third set of base surfaces 30 each of which * define different base thicknesses. Similarly, the spacer member 16 includes first, second and third sets of spacer surfaces 40, 44 and 50 each defining different spacer thicknesses Thus for example, for the base surfaces, the first set of base surfaces 20 defines the shallowest or lowest base thickness, the second set of base surfaces 24 defines an intermediate base thickness, and the third set of base surfaces 30 defines the thickest base thickness.

Similarly, the first set of spacer surfaces 40 define the thickest spacer thickness, the second set of spacer surfaces 44 define an intermediate spacer thickness and the third set of spacer surfaces 50 define the lowest or shallowest spacer thickness.

The base member 14 and spacer member 16 both include other sets of surfaces as can be seen in Figs. 10 and 11. However, these surfaces are not for the purposes of contact or support, but rather for the purposes of accommodation and sealing. Each of the surfaces could be provided on projections, side walls, or within recesses.

Figs. 12 -15 show the location of the sets of base and spacer surfaces in a schematic form, to permit better visualisation of the mapping of the spacer surfaces onto the base surfaces in the different positions.

Referring to Fig. 12, for the purposes of mapping and ease of description, each corner of the base member 14 and spacer member 16 has been designated a letter A, B, C or D as indicated. Each base or spacer surface is suffixed with a corner letter, and may also be suffixed with a further numeral to indicate a part of the surface. A listing of the surfaces and the spacer surfaces is given below in Table 1.

*..S..

* Table 1 Base and spacer surfaces in Figs 12-1 5 ** *.** * . Surface set Reference numerals Base/spacer thickness

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***I ___________________________ ___________________________________________ * first set of base surfaces 20C, 20D shallowest base thickness * * S * *. second set of base surfaces 24A, 24B intermediate base thickness third set of base surfaces 30A, 30B, 30C, 30D thickest base thickness first set of spacer surfaces 40A, 40B thickest spacer thickness second set of spacer surfaces 44A, 44B, 44C1, intermediate spacer thickness 44C2, 44C3, 44D1, _________________________ 44D2, 44D3 _____________________________ third set of spacer surfaces 50A1, 50A2, 50B1, shallowest spacer thickness __________________________ 50B2, 50C, 50D ______________________________ In Figs. 12 -15, indicator markers 84, 86 for the base and frame members 84, 86 respectively are provided to indicate the orientations of the base member 14 and spacer member 16.

Fig 13 shows the mapping of the base and spacer surfaces in a first position, in which the spacing provided by the frame 500 is the lowest.

Although Figs. 13, 14 and 15 show the base member 14 and spacer member 16 in separate positions, this is for the purposes of illustration only, and the spacer member 16 is in fact positioned on top of and within the base member 14 in each case. Table 2 shows the base and spacer surfaces which are in contact in the first position as shown in Fig. 13. As shown in Table 2, in the first, lowest position a subset of the third set of spacer surfaces 50 are positioned on the third set of base surfaces 30. In this position, the top of the spacer member 16 is substantially flush with the top of the base member 14 as shown in Fig. 16.

Table 2 Base and spacer surfaces in contact in the first position as shown in Fig 13 * .* __________________ __________________ ___________________ __________________ Spacer Spacer Base surfaces Base thickness surfaces thickness * *** 50A1 shallowest 30A thickest IS....

* . 5OBl shallowest 30B thickest *....: SOC shallowest 30C thickest * S 50D shallowest 30D thickest SI..

S 5S5e S. *

* 5: To move to a second, intermediate position as shown in Fig. 14, the spacer member 16 is uplifted and rotated by 180° from the first position, as shown by the position of the spacer indicator marker 86 in Fig. 14. Table 3 shows the base and spacer surfaces in contact in the second position as shown in Fig. 14. In the second position, a subset of the set of second spacer surfaces 44 locates on a subset of the second set of base surfaces 24, and a subset of the first set of spacer surfaces 40 locates on a subset of the first set of base surfaces 20. It will be noted by comparison between Tables 2 and 3 that the combination of shallowest spacer thickness and thickest base thickness in Table 2 provides a different overall spacing to the combination of thickest spacer thickness and shallowest base thickness in Table 4.

Fig. 17 shows the frame 500 in the second condition, in which the cover mounting surface 18 is raised above the level of the base member 14.

Table 3 Base and spacer surFaces in contact in the second position as shown in Fig 14 Spacer Spacer Base surfaces Base thickness surfaces thickness 44C3 intermediate 24A intermediate 44D3 intermediate 24B intermediate 40A thickest 20C shallowest 40B thickest 20D shal lowest To move to a third, greatest height position as shown in Fig. 14, the spacer member 16 is uplifted and rotated by 90° from the first position. Table 4 shows the base and spacer surfaces in contact in the third position as * .* shown in Fig. 15. The spacer marker indicator 86 in Fig. 14 has now moved IS..

by 90° relative to the first position shown in Fig. 13. In the third position a subset of the second set of spacer surfaces 44 locates on the third set of base S.....

* surfaces 30 as set out in Table 4, raisIng the cover mounting surface 18 of the **....

* spacer member 16 above the level of the base member 14 as shown in Fig. * *..* * . * I I * I. Table 4 Base and spacer surfaces in contact in the third position as shown in Fig 15 Spacer Spacer Base surfaces Base thickness surfaces thickness 44D1 intermediate 30A thickest 44A intermediate 3013 thickest 44B intermediate 30C thickest 44C1 intermediate 30D thickest In one example, in the second position the spacer member 16 could be raised by 30mm relative to the first position, and in the third position could be raised by 40mm relative to the first position. The different raising heights permits the accommodation of differing wearing course heights.

Various other modifications could be made without departing from the scope of the invention. The base and spacer surfaces could be of any suitable size or shape, and could provide any suitable raising height The ground surface access frame could be of any suitable size and shape, and could be formed of any suitable material. The frame could be of any suitable plan shape. For example, the frame could be pentagonal, hexagonal, or octagonal. In one example, the base member could be formed by moulding, and could be formed of a plastics material. The spacer member could be formed by moulding, and could be formed of a cast iron material, such as ductile iron. The spacer member could be fixed in position to the base member by any suitable means. For example fastening means such as bolts * and screws could be located through the spacer member into the base * ** *.20 member. Such fastening means has the advantage of being removable when * *** a height change is required or for maintenance purposes.

*... ** * * The invention provides any suitable combination of any of the features of the embodiments described. **** *25

* There is thus provided mounting apparatus for mounting an article such as the cover of a ground surface access assembly in a plurality of positions relative to a surface such as a bedding surface on which the assembly is positioned. Each of the positions provides a different spacing between the cover and the bedding surface, which spacings can be selected by a user by varying the position of the spacer member relative to the base member. A plurality of spacer members is not required, red ucting cost, removing the need for the manufacture, storage, installation and return or disposal of extra spacer members. The change in heights or levels can be undertaken by relatively unskilled users without disturbing bedding or foundatio n materials.

Thus, advantageously for the manufacturer or supplier, the ground surface access frame can be suppfled to a user and the supplier is not required to attend to site to effect the height change or provide different height spacer members. Advantageously for the user, the height change can be effected with materials which are known to be on site by relatively unskilled operators and can therefore be planned better into the construction scheme.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon. * .* * S * * S. * S *S,.

* *5SS. * S

S * S S...

I *.S.

I S * I S **

Claims (16)

1. Mounting apparatus for mounting an article to a surface, the mounting apparatus including a base member positionable on the surface, a spacer member for location between the article and the base member, the spacer member being positionable on the base member in a plurality of positions, each of which provides a different spacing between the article and the surface.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, in which the positions are discrete positions.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2, in which the discrete positions are around an axis

4. Apparatus according to claim 3, in which the axis extends substantially normally to the surface.

Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, in which the base member includes a plurality of sets of base surfaces.

6. Apparatus according to claim 5, in which each set of base surfaces defines a different base thickness.

7. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, in which the spacer member includes a plurality of sets of spacer surfaces.

8. Apparatus according to claim 7, in which each set of spacer surfaces defines a different spacer thickness.

9. Apparatus according to claim 8 when dependent on claim 6, in which in use, the apparatus is arranged to permit a user to select a plurality of combinations of base thickness and spacer thickness to provide a corresponding plurality of spacings between the article and the surface.

10. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, in which in moving between one spacing and another spacing, the orientation of the spacer member relative to the base member varies by substantially 900, or an integer multiple of substantially 900.

11. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, in which the apparatus is a frame for a ground surface access assembly, the article is a cover, and the surface is a ground surface or associated with a ground surface.

12. A method of mounting an article to a surface, the method including providing apparatus, the apparatus including a base member positionable on the surface and a spacer member for location between the article and the base member, the spacer member being positionable on the base member in a plurality of positions, each of which provides a different spacing between the article and the surface.

13. A method according to claim 12, in which the apparatus is as defined in any of claims 1 to 11.

14. An apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

15. A method of mounting an article to a surface substantially as hereinbefore described and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

16. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter disclosed herein, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding claims.