Manhole Cover Cushion

Abstract

Provided is a coiled manhole cover cushion having at least one flat edge on a first side of the manhole cover cushion. Also provided is a system for sealing a manhole. The system includes a manhole having an access hole; a seating receptacle positioned adjacent to the access hole of the manhole. The seating receptacle includes an outer flange, a vertical wall extending downward at a substantially right angle from the outer flange, and a seat positioned at a substantially right angle adjacent to the vertical wall. The system also includes a coiled manhole cover cushion comprising at least one flat edge on a first side of the manhole cover cushion which may be positioned at the edge of the substantially right angle between the vertical wall and the seat of the seating receptacle. A method of installing a coiled manhole cover cushion is also provided herein.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A manhole cover cushion comprising at least one flat edge on a first side of the manhole cover cushion, wherein the manhole cover cushion has one of a coiled configuration and a foamed configuration. 
     
     
         2 . The manhole cover cushion of  claim 1 , wherein the manhole cover cushion has at least two flat edges on a respective first side and a second side and wherein the manhole cover cushion has a coiled configuration. 
     
     
         3 . The coiled manhole cover cushion of  claim 2 , wherein the coiled manhole cover cushion has a polygonal shape. 
     
     
         4 . The coiled manhole cover cushion of  claim 3 , having a first flat edge, a second flat edge, a third flat edge and a fourth flat edge respectively positioned on a first side, a second side, a third side and a fourth side of the coiled manhole cover cushion. 
     
     
         5 . The coiled manhole cover cushion of  claim 4 , wherein the flat edges of the coiled manhole cover cushion are of a suitable size to fit within an edge of a substantially right angle formed between a vertical wall and a seat of a seating receptacle of a manhole. 
     
     
         6 . The coiled manhole cover cushion of  claim 5 , wherein the first flat edge and the second flat edge positioned respectively at opposing first and second sides of the coiled manhole cover cushion are longer than the third flat edge and the fourth flat edge positioned respectively at opposing third and fourth sides of the coiled manhole cover cushion. 
     
     
         7 . The coiled manhole cover cushion of  claim 5 , wherein the first flat edge, second flat edge, third flat edge and fourth flat edge of the coiled manhole cover cushion are all of the same length. 
     
     
         8 . The coiled manhole cover cushion of  claim 5 , wherein the coiled manhole cover cushion is formed from weaved cord into a rope-like structure. 
     
     
         9 . The coiled manhole cover cushion of  claim 8 , wherein the coiled manhole cover cushion is manufactured from braided cotton and impregnated with graphite oil. 
     
     
         10 . The coiled manhole cover cushion of  claim 9 , wherein the coiled manhole cover cushion forms a gasket between the seating receptacle of the manhole and a manhole cover when applied to the seating receptacle of a manhole. 
     
     
         11 . A system for sealing a manhole comprising:
 a manhole having an access hole;   a seating receptacle positioned adjacent to the access hole of the manhole wherein the seating receptacle includes an outer flange, a vertical wall extending downward at a substantially right angle from the outer flange, and a seat positioned at a substantially right angle adjacent to the vertical wall; and   a coiled manhole cover cushion comprising at least one flat edge on a first side of the coiled manhole cover cushion which is positioned at the edge of the substantially right angle between the vertical wall and the seat of the seating receptacle.   
     
     
         12 . The system for sealing a manhole of  claim 11 , wherein the coiled manhole cover cushion has a polygonal shape. 
     
     
         13 . The system for sealing a manhole of  claim 12 , wherein the coiled manhole cover cushion includes a first flat edge, a second flat edge, a third flat edge and a fourth flat edge respectively positioned on a first side, a second side, a third side and a fourth side of the coiled manhole cover cushion. 
     
     
         14 . The system for sealing a manhole of  claim 13 , wherein the flat edges of the coiled manhole cover cushion are of a suitable size to fit within the edge of the substantially right angle formed between the vertical wall and the seat of the seating receptacle of the manhole. 
     
     
         15 . The system for sealing a manhole of  claim 14 , wherein the first flat edge and the second flat edge positioned respectively at opposing first and second sides of the coiled manhole cover cushion are longer than the third flat edge and the fourth flat edge positioned respectively at opposing third and fourth sides of the coiled manhole cover cushion. 
     
     
         16 . The system for sealing a manhole of  claim 14 , wherein the first flat edge, second flat edge, third flat edge and fourth flat edge of the coiled manhole cover cushion are all of the same length. 
     
     
         17 . The system for sealing a manhole of  claim 14 , wherein the coiled manhole cover cushion is formed from weaved cord into a rope-like structure. 
     
     
         18 . The system for sealing a manhole of  claim 17 , wherein the coiled manhole cover cushion is manufactured from braided cotton and impregnated with graphite oil. 
     
     
         19 . The system for sealing a manhole of  claim 18 , wherein the coiled manhole cover cushion forms a gasket between the seating receptacle of the manhole and a manhole cover when applied to the seating receptacle of a manhole. 
     
     
         20 . A method for sealing a manhole comprising:
 cleaning dirt and debris from a seating receptacle positioned adjacent to an access hole of the manhole wherein the seating receptacle includes an outer flange, a vertical wall extending downward at a substantially right angle from the outer flange, and a seat positioned at a substantially right angle adjacent to the vertical wall;   placing a coiled manhole cover cushion comprising at least one flat edge on a first side of the manhole cover cushion at the edge of the substantially right angle formed between the vertical wall and the seat of the seating receptacle; and,   placing a manhole cover over the manhole.