Static structures (e.g. – buildings) – With entrance for persons or objects in horizontal or... – With additional enclosure structure; e.g. – manhole
Reexamination Certificate
2000-09-05
2001-11-06
Horton, Yvonne M. (Department: 3635)
Static structures (e.g., buildings)
With entrance for persons or objects in horizontal or...
With additional enclosure structure; e.g., manhole
C052S019000, C404S026000, C405S052000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06311433
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to manhole accesses and more specifically to an adjustable manhole/catch basin structure which may be adjusted vertically to accommodate a change in road surface height.
2. Discussion of the Prior Art
An ever present problem is reconstruction of road surfaces. Typically, an added layer of asphalt is applied to a cement road which is chipped, cracked, and damaged. The result of the new layer of asphalt is that the manholes and catch basins are too low and will damage the wheels and suspensions of motor vehicles. New manhole and/or catch basins need to be installed to compensate for the increased road height. There are several patents which address adjusting the height of a manhole/catch basin for increased road height. U.S. Pat. No. 3,533,199 to Pickett, U.S. Pat. No. 3,629,981 to McCaffery, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,075,796 to Cuozzo address the issue of adjustable manholes.
However, Pickett requires that a large truck with an elaborate tool to adjust the height of the adjustable portion; the threads of the adjustable structure may become damaged when pavement is removed from around the adjustable portion; and the second frame member must be heated to rotate thereof. MaCaffery requires a gasket to seal the manhole cover. The threads on Cuozzo may become damaged when pavement is removed from around the adjustable portion.
Accordingly, there is a clearly felt need in the art for an adjustable manhole/catch basin structure which may be vertically adjusted when a road surface needs to be resurfaced.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides an adjustable manhole/catch basin structure which may be easily adjusted vertically. The adjustable manhole/catch basin structure includes a mounting base, adjustable tube, protection sleeve, and cover. The mounting base includes a mounting flange and an externally threaded tube which extends upward from the mounting flange. A plurality of mortar openings are formed through the mounting flange. The protection sleeve is mounted concentric with the externally threaded tube. The adjustable tube is internally threaded such that it may be threaded on to the externally threaded tube. The inner diameter of the protection sleeve is large enough to provide clearance for the outer diameter of the adjustment tube. Three notches are preferably formed in a top of the adjustment tube to allow an adjustment tool to rotate thereof to the desired height. The adjustment tool includes a body, three arms and a torque lever.
The adjustable manhole/catch basin structure is placed on top of a concrete lateral. The mounting flange is mortared to the top of the concrete lateral. The adjustment tool is used rotate the adjustable tube to a height of one inch below the road grade. After the grade is set, the adjustable tube is rotated to the proper height and the pavement is filled around the adjustment tube. A manhole or catch basin cover is then placed in the adjustable tube.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an adjustable manhole/catch basin structure which does not have exposed threads that may be damaged during adjustment thereof.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide an adjustable manhole/catch basin structure which does not require an elaborate tool to adjust the height thereof.
Finally, it is another object of the present invention to provide an adjustable manhole/catch basin structure which does not require sealing gaskets for use with a manhole cover.
These and additional objects, advantages, features and benefits of the present invention will become apparent from the following specification.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1408982 (1922-03-01), Calhoun
patent: 3533199 (1970-10-01), Pickett
patent: 3629981 (1971-12-01), McCaffery
patent: 4075796 (1978-02-01), Cuozzo
patent: 4255909 (1981-03-01), Soderstrom
patent: 4325405 (1982-04-01), Christo
patent: 4614065 (1986-09-01), Papp
patent: 4883590 (1989-11-01), Papp
patent: 5095667 (1992-03-01), Ryan et al.
patent: 5299884 (1994-04-01), Westhoff et al.
patent: 5944442 (1999-08-01), Roush et al.
patent: 6036401 (2001-03-01), Morina
patent: 6179518 (2000-01-01), Suatac
patent: 6266928 (2001-07-01), Argandona
Ersler Donald J.
Horton Yvonne M.
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