Device for Locking a Cover of a Manhole Top, and Manhole Top

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for locking a cover ( 10 ) of a manhole top to the frame thereof, said device comprising at least one locking means ( 16′, 18′ ) which is provided on the cover ( 10 ) and comprises at least two interspaced, adjacent spring arms ( 18 ) that are respectively provided with an engaging section ( 18 a′ ). Said sections ( 18 a ) can be engaged with a part ( 6 ) of the frame and held on the spring arms ( 18 ) in an elastic manner in such a way that they can be displaced in relation to the adjacent section of the periphery of the cover ( 10 ) at an angle smaller than a right angle. The invention is characterised in that a blocking device ( 40 ) is used to block the displacement of the engaging sections ( 18 a ) as required.

1 . Device for locking a cover ( 10 ) of a manhole top to the frame ( 1 ) thereof, comprising at least one locking means ( 16 ,  18 ;  16 ′,  18 ′) provided on the cover ( 10 ) which has at least two interspaced, adjacent spring arms ( 18 ;  18 ′) that are each provided with an engaging section ( 18   a;    18   a′ ), whereby the engaging sections ( 18   al;    18   a′ ) can be engaged with a portion ( 6 ) of the frame ( 1 ) and held on the spring arms ( 18 ;  18 ′) in an elastic manner in such a way that the engaging sections are movable relative to the adjacent section of the circumference ( 10   a ) of the cover ( 10 ) at an angle that is smaller than a right angle,
 characterized by a blocking device ( 40 ;  40 ′) which blocks the movability of the engaging sections ( 18   a′ ) as needed.   
   
   
       2 . Device according to  claim 1 ,
 characterized in that the blocking device ( 40 ) is situated on the cover ( 10 ), preferably on the underside thereof.   
   
   
       3 . Device according to  claim 1 ,
 characterized in that the blocking device ( 40 ′) is situated on the frame ( 1 ).   
   
   
       4 . Device according to at least one of the according to  claim 1 ,
 characterized in that the blocking device ( 40 ) has a blocking element ( 44 ,  44   a ) which for blocking the movability of the engaging sections ( 18   a′ ) may be engaged with two adjacent spring arms ( 18 ′) and/or the engaging sections ( 18   a′ ) thereof.   
   
   
       5 . Device according to  claim 4 ,
 characterized in that for blocking the movability of the engaging sections ( 18   a′ ) the blocking element ( 44 ,  44   a ) may be inserted between two adjacent spring arms ( 18 ′) and/or the engaging sections ( 18   a′ ) thereof.   
   
   
       6 . Device according to  claim 4 ,
 characterized in that for blocking the movability of the engaging sections ( 18   a′ ) the blocking element ( 44 ,  44   a ) may be brought into contact with the spring arms ( 18 ′) and/or the engaging sections ( 18   a′ ) thereof.   
   
   
       7 . Device according to  claim 5 ,
 characterized in that the blocking element ( 44 ) is wedge-shaped.   
   
   
       8 . Device according to  claim 4 ,
 characterized in that the blocking element ( 44 ,  44   a ) is movably supported between a blocked position, in which it blocks the movability of the engaging sections ( 18   a′ ), and a rest position in which it enables the movability of the engaging sections ( 18   a′ ).   
   
   
       9 . Device according to  claim 8 ,
 characterized in that the blocking element ( 44 ,  44   a ) is designed in such a way that in its rest position the blocking element is located outside the spring arms ( 18 ′).   
   
   
       10 . Device according to  claim 8 ,
 characterized in that the blocking element ( 44 ,  44   a ) is pivotably supported between its blocked position and its rest position.   
   
   
       11 . Device according to  claim 10 ,
 characterized in that the blocking element ( 44 ,  44   a ) is pivotably supported about its swivel axis ( 46 ), which is essentially parallel to the cover ( 10 ).   
   
   
       12 . Device according to  claim 8 ,
 characterized by a drive device ( 46 ′) which moves the blocking element ( 44 ′).   
   
   
       13 . Device according to  claim 1 ,
 characterized by a remote control device ( 60 ), preferably coupled to the blocking device ( 40 ′) via cable or wireless link ( 62 ), for remote control of the blocking device ( 40 ′).   
   
   
       14 . Device according to  claim 12 ,
 characterized in that the remote control device ( 60 ) for remote control of the drive device ( 46 ′) is coupled to the drive device, preferably via cable or wireless link.   
   
   
       15 . Device according to  claim 1 ,
 characterized by a monitoring device ( 64 ) for monitoring the operating state of the locking means.   
   
   
       16 . Device according to  claim 15 ,
 characterized in that the monitoring device ( 64 ) is provided for monitoring the operating state of the blocking device ( 40 ′).   
   
   
       17 . Device according to  claim 4 ,
 characterized in that the monitoring device ( 64 ) is provided for monitoring the blocking element ( 44 ′).   
   
   
       18 . Device according to  claim 13 ,
 characterized in that the remote control device ( 60 ) contains the monitoring device ( 64 ).   
   
   
       19 . Device according to  claim 1 ,
 characterized in that the engaging section ( 18   a;    18   a′ ) of the spring arms ( 18 ;  18 ′) is movable approximately parallel to the adjacent section of the circumference ( 10   a ) of the cover ( 10 ).   
   
   
       20 . Device according to  claim 1 ,
 characterized in that the engaging section ( 18   a;    18   a′ ) of the spring arms ( 18 ;  18 ′) extends at an angle with respect to the adjacent section of the circumference ( 10   a ) of the cover ( 10 ).   
   
   
       21 . Device according to  claim 19 ,
 characterized in that the engaging section ( 18   a;    18   a′ ) of the spring arms ( 18 ;  18 ′) extends approximately at a right angle with respect to the adjacent section of the circumference ( 10   a ) of the cover ( 10 ).   
   
   
       22 . Device according to  claim 21 , the cover ( 10 ) being essentially circular,
 characterized in that the engaging section ( 18   a;    18   a′ ) of the spring arms ( 18 ;  18 ′) extends approximately radially.   
   
   
       23 . Device according to  claim 22 ,
 characterized in that the spring arms ( 18 ;  18 ′) are essentially radially positioned.   
   
   
       24 . Device according to  claim 1 ,
 characterized in that the spring arms ( 18 ′) have a curved section ( 18   d′ ).   
   
   
       25 . Device according to  claim 24 ,
 characterized in that the curved section ( 18   d′ ) is situated between the engaging section ( 18   a′ ) and a further section ( 18   e′ ) of the spring arm ( 18 ′), with the two sections ( 18   a′,    18   e′ ) approximately flush with one another.   
   
   
       26 . Device according to  claim 1 ,
 characterized in that the spring arms ( 18 ;  18 ′) extend in parallel, at least in parts.   
   
   
       27 . Device according to  claim 25 ,
 characterized in that the curved section ( 18   d′ ) is outwardly curved for both spring arms ( 18 ′).   
   
   
       28 . Device according to  claim 1 ,
 characterized in that the engaging section ( 18   a;    18   a′ ) has a wedge-shaped catch section.   
   
   
       29 . Device according to  claim 1 ,
 characterized in that the spring arms ( 18 ;  18 ′) are attached to the cover ( 10 ) at an end facing away from the engaging section ( 18   a;    18   a′ ).   
   
   
       30 . Device according to  claim 1 ,
 characterized in that the locking means ( 16 ,  18 ;  16 ′,  18 ′) is situated on the underside of the cover ( 10 ).   
   
   
       31 . Device according to  claim 1 , the cover ( 10 ) being provided with reinforcing ribs ( 14 ),
 characterized in that the locking means ( 16 ,  18 ;  16 ′,  18 ′) is situated on the cover ( 10 ) at a distance from the reinforcing ribs ( 14 ).   
   
   
       32 . Device according to  claim 1 , the cover ( 10 ) having an engaging means ( 30 ) for a tool ( 32 ),
 characterized in that said engaging means ( 30 ) is situated at a distance from the locking means ( 16 ,  18 ;  16 ′,  18 ′), and is designed in such a way that when the tool ( 32 ) engages with the engaging means ( 30 ) the tool may simultaneously be engaged with a portion of the frame ( 1 ) in order to apply leverage to the cover ( 10 ) and thus to release the cover ( 10 ) from the frame ( 1 ), against the elastic force of the spring arms ( 18 ;  18 ′).   
   
   
       33 . Device according to  claim 32 ,
 characterized in that said engaging means ( 30 ) has a recess.   
   
   
       34 . Manhole top comprising a cover ( 10 ), a frame ( 1 ) for accommodating the cover ( 10 ), and a device according to  claim 1 .