IE86759B1 - An integrated recessed drainage and manhole inspection cover - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an integrated drainage and manhole chamber cover. In particular the invention provides a drainage and manhole chamber cover comprising of downward sloping side walls joining one or a number of integrated planters of various sizes, depths and shapes supported by a rain water capture and retention gully to provide a self -watering process. The advantage of the invention is that it can be used to provide a more aesthetic appearance to drainage and manhole chambers while providing an integrated self-watering system for the plants and shrubs that may be used to decorate the container or to provide a water or lighting feature for lawns, flower beds, paving or decking areas of the property. <Figure 1>

Description

Title An Integrated Recessed Drainage and Manhole Inspection Cover Field of invention The present invention relates to a recessed multifunctional drainage inspection cover to be used in existing or new drainage & manhole inspection chambers and when filled with hard or soft material, plants or shrubs may disguise the appearance of the drainage inspection chamber usually situated in lawns, flower beds, paved or decked areas of the property. The apparatus may fit directly into existing support frames without the need for professional work or alternatively a support frame may be supplied if it is a new drainage or manhole inspection chamber.

Background of Invention Drainage and manhole inspection covers found in lawns and flower beds are generally considered unsightly by property owners, landscapers and architects. The galvanised steel or cast iron drainage and manhole covers tend to be located in highly visible areas. Various attempts are made by the property owner to disguise the location of the covers by placing plant pots or stones on top of the cover providing a temporary albeit poor solution to the problem.

The drainage and manhole inspection covers tend to be built at a raised level above the surrounding lawn or flower bed requiring the property owner to employ an expensive option of raising the surrounding lawn or flower bed to create a level area. If the cover is covered by deep soil and/or grass, access to the chamber during maintenance will prove difficult and time consuming.

Pot plants, although a common option to disguise the aesthetic appearance of the manhole cover, can pose a problem for the property owner. If the pot plant is quite small it will require regular watering and feeding. If it is too large it will appear out of position and character with the surrounding area and if not sufficiently weighted down will topple during periods of high winds.

As a result, an integrated recessed drainage and manhole inspection cover that solves the aforementioned problems is desired.

Statement of invention The present invention seeks to improve on current “configurations”, such as the use of pot plants and/or pebble stones to disguise the existing chamber cover, by providing a recessed container for hard or soft materials, plants and shrubs combined with an integrated water capture and retention system as well as providing a cover for the drainage inspection chambers, which will be flush with the existing structure.

The apparatus may fit into an existing drainage or manhole chamber frame structure. Consequently users can remove their existing manhole cover and replace it with the invention, allowing them to disguise a manhole.

In one embodiment the frame structure and recessed container may be constructed as a one complete cover and container. As a one piece complete apparatus it may be manufactured in any suitable shape and size.

The structural form of the apparatus may be constructed to be suitable for reinforced plastic or galvanised steel however various other suitable materials and structural forms may be used.

The preferred embodiment may be constructed of a sufficiently strong structure to meet relevant regulatory load weight requirements of European Standard EN124. In addition to the use of reinforced materials to strengthen the structural form, a rib or a series of ribs may be incorporated into the structural form of the apparatus to provide further strength.

The invention may be designed to accommodate the dimensions of the manhole section. Therefore no modifications or adjustments are required to a manhole.

In one embodiment the apparatus may not be limited to one recessed planter holder and the number may vary in addition to the size and shape.

To ensure the plants grow normally the invention may be filled with the required growing medium to suit the plant or shrub. The medium must have adequate drainage to prevent water logging and root rot, so to prevent this occurrence an elevated raised drainage hole, which may be located at the base of the planter or planters, is pierced.

The drainage hole may be covered by some large stones or broken crockery to prevent the growing medium from blocking the drainage hole.

The preferred embodiment may comprise of an integrated water retainer, wherein the wall sides may slope downwards at a steep angle to facilitate water capture and retention, which is retrieved by the plant or shrub via a capillary or a soak hose system. Small stones may be added to the base of the water capture and retention gully system to prevent water logging.

The integrated water retainers sloping side walls may comprise of four sections but not limited to four.

The bottom of the sloping side walls may comprise of a gully area system to allow water to flow into the recessed planter.

When it is required to gain access to the drainage or manhole inspection chamber a number of keys or suitable access areas may be supplied to facilitate the lifting of the apparatus.

In one embodiment a key port may be located on the internal side of the apparatus. A standard manhole or hydrant key may be inserted into the two key ports and turned 90 degrees, in a left or right direction, which will allow the apparatus to be lifted.

In another embodiment a key port may be located on the internal corner of the apparatus.

In a further embodiment a set of customised keys may be supplied to be used specifically with the invention.

In another embodiment there may be four key ports present on the cover which can also be used to support a plant obelisk structure to grow plant creepers from the apparatus.

A simple locking system located on top of the recessed planter may allow for additional functions and features to be added to the main body of the apparatus such as a water or and/or light feature.

Additional products may be manufactured to surround or compliment the apparatus as certain drainage and manhole chambers may contain a concrete surround.

Brief description of the drawings These and other characteristics of the invention will be clear from the following description of a preferential form of embodiment, given as a non-restrictive example, with reference to the attached drawing wherein: Fig. 1 shows an isometric view of the cover according to the present invention.

Fig. 2a & 2b shows the top and side elevation, respectively, of the cover according to the present invention Detailed description A detailed description of a preferential embodiment with reference to the attached drawing, Fig 1 shows an isometric view of the invention.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided an integrated recessed drainage and manhole inspection cover comprising of; a recessed apparatus with sloping wall sides (4), to form a water capture and retention gully area system (6) to support the self-watering of a recessed planter container (5), which may be filled with either hard or soft material, plants or shrubs.

In the preferred embodiment the slopping side walls (4) of the apparatus may slope steeply downward to form a deep gully (6) around the top of the recessed planter (10). The combination of the slopping side walls (4) and gully area system (6) operate in combination as a water capture and retention system.

Once fitted to the chamber the recessed planter(s) (5) and sloped side walls (4) may be filled with either hard or soft decorative material, a growing medium to support plants or shrubs or a combination of all.

The recessed planter (5) may be recessed below the level of the edge of the apparatus sufficiently enough to avoid the recessed planter (5) edges protruding through the soft or hard material used to fill the integrated recessed drainage and manhole inspection cover (1).

The depth of the recessed planter (5) may vary in depth to suit the requirements of accommodating different items.

In another embodiment of the present apparatus may comprise of a number of recessed planters (5) of varying sizes, shapes and depths incorporated into the integrated recessed drainage and manhole inspection cover (1).

In a further embodiment wherein the apparatus may comprise of more than one planter (5), the depth of the planters (5) may comprise of a series of different depths allowing for further options. For example one planter (5) may accommodate a light or water feature and the other planters may be used for plants, or mixed soft or hard material.

The sloping side walls (4) in the integrated recessed drainage and manhole inspection cover (1) may comprise of four separate sections but not limited to four. The separate sections may comprise of different sizes and depths depending on the apparatus requirements.

The integrated recessed drainage and manhole inspection cover (1) slopping side walls may be deliberately curved to ensure any imperfections in the drainage or manhole wall do not interfere with the flush and airtight fitting of the container (1).

If plants or shrubs are used to fill the container, the pre made drainage hole (8) Fig 2a is pierced to allow access water escape from the integrated recessed drainage and manhole inspection cover (1). If soft or hard decorative material such as bark or stone is placed into the slopping side walls (4) the pre- made perforated shapes may also be pierced in the gully area (6) to allow excess water rainwater drain away into the planter (5) and then through drainage hole (8) Fig 2a at the base (9) Fig 2a.

In one embodiment a drainage hole (8) Fig 2a, may be elevated sufficiently from the bottom of the container to facilitate a separate water capture and retention mechanism.

The base (9) Fig 2a of the recessed planter may also be filled with a sufficient amount of small stones above the drainage hole (8) Fig 2a to prevent the growing medium from blocking the drainage hole (8) Fig 2a.

The gully area (6) Fig 1 may be filled with small stones to protect the growing medium from water logging.

The slopping side walls (4) may be filled with decorative hard materials such as stones or rocks which may act as a water capture mechanism.

The drainage holes found within the gully area (6) can be pierced to allow water flow in to the recessed planter (5). In this situation the drainage hole (8) found at the base (9) illustrated in Fig 2a may not be pierced.

In another embodiment a water pump can be placed into the recessed planter (5) section.

The gully area (6) may further comprise of an array of different perforations and angled to assist the natural flow of water into the planter (5).

In one embodiment the apparatus may incorporate a capillary matting system or a soak hose system that water may flow from the slopping side walls (4) through the gully area (6) to the recessed planter (5) to facilitate a simple self-watering mechanism during periods of drought.

In a further embodiment the present apparatus may act as a support frame for a lighting feature to be placed in the drainage or manhole chamber or in the lawn, flower bed, paved or decked area of the patio.

A simple locking system (11) may allow an integrated lighting feature to be attached to the main body (1) of the apparatus. The gully area (6) and the recessed planter section (5) may be pierced at drainage holes (7) Fig 1 & (8) Fig 2a to ensure rainwater is allowed to drain away freely from the apparatus.

When the integrated recessed drainage and manhole inspection cover (1) is used in lawns, flower beds paved or decked patios the apparatus may not require a supporting frame. For the lawn and flower bed usage a hole may be dug to ensure the apparatus fits flush with the surrounding lawn or soil. For the paved or decked area usage the apparatus may sit on top of a recessed area with the edges (3) Fig 2b of the invention supporting the container.

Additional accessories may be used in addition to the integrated recessed drainage and manhole inspection cover (1) such as a planter that sits on the surrounding concrete of the drainage or manhole chamber.

The integrated recessed drainage and manhole inspection cover (1) may further comprise of a combination of ribs (12) that may provide additional structural strength and ensure the apparatus meets standards for drainage and manhole load requirements EN 124, Fig 1 illustrates four strengthen ribs in the slopped side wall area. The sloping side walls (4) may be supported by a various number of strengthening ribs (12). The strengthen ribs (12) may vary in number, size and depth.

The structural form of the invention may allow for simple stacking of the apparatus as each integrated recessed drainage and manhole inspection covers (1) fits neatly into another, allowing for ease of transportation, storage and display.

The integrated recessed drainage and manhole inspection cover (1) design and functionality may support ease of use as the edges of the container may be constructed in such a manner which allows the container (1) to fit into existing drainage and manhole chamber covers resulting in a flush and airtight fit.

The integrated recessed drainage and manhole inspection cover (1) Fig 1 may be fitted into the existing drainage or manhole chamber using a key device to fit into a number of integrated lifting ports (2).

The integrated lifting ports (2) may be situated either on the internal corners or on the internal sides of the apparatus, or a combination of both locations.

The preferred embodiment may have a minimum of two integrated lifting ports (2) but other embodiments of the apparatus may not be limited to this number.

In another embodiment an alternative use for the integrated lifting ports (2) may be to support a four post trellis for climbing plants.

In a further embodiment a set of customised keys will remain within the integrated lifting ports (2). This will prevent the growing medium or the hard or soft material used from blocking the key ports. It may also avoid the loss and misplacement of the keys.

Once the integrated recessed drainage and manhole inspection cover (1) is securely fitted to the drainage or manhole chamber, the container may be filled with hard or soft decorative material such as bark, compost, stones, pebble, or slate. Alternatively, by filling with a growing medium, plants or shrubs such as grass, bulbs, box hedging, camellias may be grown in the container. Water retaining gel pellets could be added to the growing medium to support additional water capture and retention.

In the preferred embodiment if plants or shrubs are used to fill the integrated recessed drainage and manhole inspection cover (1) rainwater may be captured by the steep sloping side walls (4) of the apparatus which can be topped up by adding water to both the sloping side walls (4) and the recessed planter (5) to ensure adequate distribution of moisture. The water capture and retention gully area system (6) may extend the time between usual watering routines by the user.

The apparatus may allow for an alternative use during its life span. The drainage hole (7) Fig 1 & (8) Fig 2a arrangement can be modified to suit an alternative use.

During periods of chamber maintenance the integrated recessed drainage and manhole inspection cover (1) may be simply removed using the integrated lifting ports (2) Fig 1.

The edges of the apparatus, more clearly illustrated in 3 Fig 2b may be designed to fit directly into the existing frame of the drainage or manhole cover ensuring a flush and level fit with the surrounding chamber concrete surround.

An integrated recessed drainage and manhole inspection cover frame may be provided for new builds which may also be constructed of reinforced plastic, galvanised steel, corrosion resistant and UV stabilised material or any suitable material and structural forms may be used.

In another embodiment a frame may be constructed with the apparatus as a one piece unit.

The top of the recessed planter (10) Fig 1 may incorporate a simple locking system as a number of alternative uses may be devised for the integrated recessed drainage and manhole inspection cover (1).

In one embodiment the invention may be used as a support frame for various water features to be placed in the drainage or manhole chamber or in the lawn, flower bed, paved or decked patio area. A simple locking system on the recessed planter (5) may allow a support base to be added to the integrated recessed drainage and manhole inspection cover (1).

A smooth finish on the surface of the apparatus may ensure it will be easy to clean.

The structural form of the integrated recessed drainage and manhole inspection cover (1) may be constructed to be suitable for reinforced plastic or galvanised steel however various other suitable materials and structural forms may be used.

The structural form may be water resistant and resistant to standard plant and shrub liquid and pellet feeds.

The preferred embodiment may be constructed to ensure a long life span and comprise of UV stabilised materia,.

In the foregoing description only certain embodiments of the invention have been described. The present invention however is not limited to the embodiments described or illustrated, as modifications, equivalents, alternative materials and additions that can be contemplated by those skilled in the art shall also be considered as falling within the scope of the present invention.

Claims (18)

Claims

1. An integrated recessed drainage and manhole inspection cover comprising of; a recessed apparatus with sloping wall sides (4), to form a water capture and retention gully area system (6) to support the self-watering of a recessed planter container (5), which may be filled with either hard or soft material, plants or shrubs.

2. An integrated recessed drainage and manhole inspection cover according to claim 1 wherein the said recessed planters (5) may be one or more and comprise of varying shapes, sizes and depths to suit the requirements of accommodating different items.

3. An integrated recessed drainage and manhole inspection cover according to claims 1 and 2 wherein the said recessed planter (5) may be recessed below the level of the edge of the apparatus sufficiently enough to prevent the planter from protruding through the hard or soft material used to fill the apparatus.

4. An integrated recessed drainage and manhole inspection cover according to claims 1-3 wherein the said recessed planter (5) may further comprise of an elevated drainage hole (8) to facilitate an additional water capture and retention process and prevent water logging within the planter.

5. An integrated recessed drainage and manhole inspection according to claims 1-4 wherein the water gully area (6) may comprise of different perforations and angles to assist the natural flow of water into the container.

6. An integrated recessed drainage and manhole inspection cover according to claims 1 - 5 further comprising of a capillary action or soak hose system connected to the said water gully area (6) to support the self- watering process.

7. An integrated recessed drainage and manhole inspection cover according to claims 1-6 wherein the said sloping side walls (4) may be deliberately curved to ensure that any imperfections in the drainage or manhole wall do not interfere with the flush and airtight fitting of the container.

8. An integrated recessed drainage and manhole inspection cover according to claims 1-7 wherein the said sloping wall sides may incorporate one or a number of strengthening ribs (12).

9. An integrated recessed drainage and manhole inspection cover according to claims 1- 8 wherein the said sloping side walls (4) may comprise of separate sections of different sizes and depths depending on the apparatus requirements.

10. An integrated recessed drainage and manhole inspection cover according to claims 1 - 9 further comprising of integrated lifting ports (2) for ease of fitting of apparatus.

11. An integrated recessed drainage and manhole inspection cover according to claim 10 wherein the said integrated lifting ports (2) may be used to support a four post trellis frame.

12. An integrated recessed drainage and manhole inspection cover according to claims 10 and 11 further comprising of a set of customised keys that may remain within the integrated lifting ports (2) to prevent the growing medium or the hard or soft material used from blocking the key ports and also avoid the loss and misplacement of the keys.

13. An integrated recessed drainage and manhole inspection cover according to claims 1-12 further comprising of a locking system at the top (10) of the recessed planter to support the alternative use of the apparatus other than as a plant or shrub holder.

14. An integrated recessed drainage and manhole inspection cover according to claims 1-13 further comprising of a support frame for a water or lighting feature to be placed in the drainage or manhole chamber or in the lawn, flower bed, paved or decked area of the patio.

15. An integrated recessed drainage and manhole inspection cover according to claims 1-14 may not require a supporting frame when used in lawns, flower beds paved or decked patios.

16. An integrated recessed drainage and manhole inspection cover according to claims 1-15 may be fitted into existing chamber frames or where the sides can act as flanges to rest on the top of the paving or decking area.

17. An integrated recessed drainage and manhole inspection cover according to claims 1-16 wherein the edges of the apparatus will be constructed to fit into existing drainage and manhole chambers resulting in a flush and airtight fit.

18. An integrated recessed drainage and manhole inspection cover 5 according to claims 1-17 may be comprise of any suitable size or shape, constructed of suitable structural forms and manufactured from various materials that will ensure the apparatus meets all functional and regulatory load requirements.