Abstract:
A method including providing a device including a first member having a first section, a second section and a first attachment member to form an attachment with one of two slots of a manhole cover on a distal end of the second section and a handle at a proximal end of the first section, and a second member rotatably attached to the first member and including a second attachment member to form an attachment with the other slot on a distal end thereof; placing the first attachment member in attachment with one slot and the second attachment member in attachment with the other slot; applying upward force to handle to lift the manhole cover out of a manhole in which the manhole cover is in place; and applying rearward force to the handle to drag the manhole cover away from the manhole.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/495,241, filed Jun. 13, 2012, which claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/496,534, filed Jun. 13, 2011, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The following information is provided to assist the reader to understand the invention disclosed below and the environment in which it will typically be used. The terms used herein are not intended to be limited to any particular narrow interpretation unless clearly stated otherwise in this document. References set forth herein may facilitate understanding of the present invention or the background of the present invention. The disclosure of all references cited herein are incorporated by reference. 
         [0003]    In a number of embodiments, devices or tools hereof are designed for use in removal various object including, for example, manhole covers. Recently, a newer style manhole covers have been replacing the older style of manhole covers at a fairly rapid pace. Unlike older manhole covers, which include “pick” holes inward from the perimeter thereof and passing therethrough in which a pick or hook can be inserted for removal, the newer manhole covers  10  (see  FIGS. 1A and 1B ) include a pair of opposing depressions or slots  12  about the perimeter or edge thereof. Each slot  12  defines an inner edge or flange  14 . Slots  12  are built into cover  10 , and not through it. Slots  12  are intended to minimize water infiltration through cover  10 . As illustrated in  FIG. 1B , manhole cover  10  rests upon a flange  16  which defines an opening  18 . Opening  18  had a diameter less than that of manhole cover  10 , an prevents manhole cover  10  from falling though opening  18  during lifting and/or removal. 
         [0004]    Traditional manhole cover removal methods do not work with manhole covers  10 . Workers often find manhole covers  10  difficult to remove. Moreover, removal often requires two workers. A number of devices have been designed to facilitate the removal of various manhole covers, including manhole covers  10 . However, many such devices are difficult to use, do not operate well, are overly complex and/or suffer from other deficiencies. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    In one aspect, a device for use in connection with a manhole covers having two generally opposing slots, includes a first member including a first section, a second section and a first attachment member on a distal end of the second section. The first attachment member is adapted to form an attachment with one of the two slots. The device further includes a second member including a second attachment member on a distal end thereof. The second attachment member of the second member is adapted to form an attachment with the other of the two slots. The first member and the second member are rotatably connected so that a distance between the first attachment member of the first member and the second attachment member of the second member can be adjusted. The device may further include a handle attached to a proximal end of the first section of the first member. 
         [0006]    In a number of embodiments, the first section of the first member extends from the second section so that a proximal end of the first section is at a height above the surface of the manhole cover of no greater than 3 feet, no greater than 2.5 feet, no greater than 2 feet, no greater than 18 inches, or even no greater than 12 inches when the first attachment member is in attachment with one of the two slots and the second attachment member is in attachment with the other of the two slots. 
         [0007]    In a number of embodiments, the device further includes a biasing member to bias rotation of the first member relative to the second member in a manner to draw the first attachment member of the first member and the second attachment member of the second member toward each other. The biasing member may, for example, include a spring attached at a first end thereof to the first member and attached at a second end thereof to the second member. 
         [0008]    In a number of embodiments, the second member includes a first section and a second section. The second attachment member is attached to a distal end of the second section of the second member. The first section of the second member extends from the second section of the second member so that a proximal end of the first section of the second member is at a height above the surface of the manhole cover of no greater than 3 feet, no greater than 2.5 feet, no greater than 2 feet, no greater than 18 inches, or even no greater than 12 inches when the first attachment member is in attachment with one of the two slots and the second attachment member is in attachment with the other of the two slots. The device may further include a handle attached to a proximal end of the first section of the first member and a handle attached to a proximal end of the first section of the second member. 
         [0009]    In another aspect, a method of removing a manhole covers includes using a device hereof to remove the manhole cover. 
         [0010]    In a further aspect, a device for use in connection with an object, includes a first member which includes a first section, a second section and a first attachment member on a distal end of the second section. The first attachment member is adapted to form an attachment with one side of the object. The device further includes a second member including a second attachment member on a distal end thereof. The second attachment member of the second member being adapted to form an attachment with another side of the object. The first member and the second member are rotatably connected so that a distance between the first attachment member of the first member and the second attachment member of the second member can be adjusted. 
         [0011]    The first section of the first member extends from the second section so that a proximal end of the first section is at a height above the surface of the object of no greater than 3 feet, no greater than 2.5 feet, no greater than 2 feet, not greater than 18 inches, or even no greater than 12 inches when the first attachment member is in attachment with the object and the second attachment member is in attachment with the object. 
         [0012]    The present invention, along with the attributes and attendant advantages thereof, will best be appreciated and understood in view of the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]      FIG. 1A  illustrates a top plan view of a manhole cover in place within its seating. 
           [0014]      FIG. 1B  illustrates a side cross-sectional view of the manhole cover in place within its seating. 
           [0015]      FIG. 2A  illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of a device hereof including two handles for use by one or two people. 
           [0016]      FIG. 2B  illustrates a perspective view of one member of the device of  FIG. 2A  wherein the change in the height of the handle for the case that the member was formed in a straight line is illustrated in broken lines. 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  illustrates a perspective view of another embodiment of a device hereof including a single handle. 
           [0018]      FIG. 4A  illustrates a perspective view of a manhole cover in place within its seating. 
           [0019]      FIG. 4B  illustrates a perspective view of the device of  FIG. 2  in partial connection with the manhole cover. 
           [0020]      FIG. 4C  illustrates a perspective view of the device of  FIG. 2  fully connected to the manhole cover. 
           [0021]      FIG. 4D  illustrates a perspective view of the use of the device of  FIG. 2  to remove the manhole cover from its seating. 
           [0022]      FIG. 5A  illustrates a perspective view of the device of  FIG. 3  in partial connection with the manhole cover. 
           [0023]      FIG. 5B  illustrates a perspective view of the device of  FIG. 3  fully connected to the manhole cover. 
           [0024]      FIG. 5C  illustrates a perspective view of the use of the device of  FIG. 3  to remove the manhole cover from its seating. 
           [0025]      FIG. 5C  illustrates another perspective view of the use of the device of  FIG. 3  to remove the manhole cover from its seating. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0026]    As used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an”, and “the” include plural references unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “an attachment mechanism” includes a plurality of such attachment mechanisms and equivalents thereof known to those skilled in the art, and so forth, and reference to “the attachment mechanism” is a reference to one or more such attachment mechanisms and equivalents thereof known to those skilled in the art, and so forth. 
         [0027]      FIG. 2A  illustrates an embodiment of a device  100  to address lifting, removal and/or replacement problems associated with a number of objects, including manhole covers  10  as illustrated, for example, in  FIGS. 1A and 1B . Device  100  includes a first member  110  and a second member  130  which is pivotably or rotatably attached to first member  110  via, for example, a connector  150  such as a bolt. In the illustrated representative embodiment, first member  110  is formed as a frame including a first extending side member  112   a  and a second extending side member  112   b  spaced from the first side member  112   a  to define a space  114  therebetween. Second member  130  extends through space  114 . Connector  150  passes through aligned passages (not shown) formed in each of second member  130  and side members  112   a  and  112   b  of first member  110  to pivotably connect second member  130  to first member  110 . 
         [0028]    In a number of embodiments, a first, upper or proximal section  110   a  of first member  110  includes a handle  116  attached to a proximal end thereof. In the illustrated embodiment, handle  116  extends laterally from side members  112   a  and  112   b  to, for example, be grasped by each hand of a user on each side thereof. In a number of embodiments, side members  112   a  and  112   b  extend from handle  116  and angle, curve or bend downward, for example, in the vicinity of connector  150  to form a second, lower or distal section  110   b . An attachment mechanism  120  is attached to the distal end of second section  110   b  (that is, to side members  112   a  and  112   b  of second section  110   b ) of first member  110 . In the illustrated embodiment, attachment mechanism  120  includes a generally downward extending portion  122  and a generally horizontally extending portion  124  which together form a “hook” which is adapted to enter one of slots  12  and cooperate with edge  14  to connect manhole cover  10  to device  100 . As clear to one skilled in the art, other configurations of attachment mechanism  120  can be used to cooperate with various types of slots or other connection mechanisms on manhole covers and other items. Sections  110   a  and  110   b  of first member  110  can, for example, be formed from different sections of material (for example, a metal) which are rigidly attached (for example, welded). Alternatively, can sections  110   a  and  110   b  of first member  110  can be formed from monolithic lengths of a material. 
         [0029]    A first, upper or proximal section  130   a  of second member  130  includes a handle  136  on an end thereof. In the illustrated embodiment, handle  136  extends laterally from second member on each side thereof to, for example, be grasped by each hand of a user on each side thereof. Each of both of handle  116  or handle  136  can alternatively be grasped by one or more hands of multiple users. Handle  136  (and or handle  116 ) can, for example, be hollow and include one or more caps  138  to allow access to an inner volume thereof to enable storage of tools (for example, manhole a manhole cover cleaning tool etc.) and/or other items. An attachment mechanism  140  is attached to a second, lower or distal section  130   b  of second member  130 . In the illustrated embodiment, a first extending member  132   a  of second member  130  extends from handle  136  and angles, curves or bends downward, for example, in the vicinity of connector  150 . An attachment mechanism  140  is attached to a second, lower or distal end of first member  132   a  of second member  130 . Similar to attachment mechanism  120 , attachment mechanism  140  includes a downward extending portion  142  and a horizontally extending portion  144  which together form a “hook” which is adapted to enter the other of slots  12  and cooperate with edge  14  thereof to connect manhole cover  10  to device  100 . As clear to one skilled in the art, other configurations of attachment mechanism  140  can be used to cooperate with various types of slots or other connection mechanisms on manhole covers and other items. Sections  130   a  and  130   b  of second member  130  can, for example, be formed from different sections of material (for example, a metal) which are rigidly attached (for example, welded). Alternatively, sections  130   a  and  130   b  of second member  130  may be formed from monolithic lengths of a material. 
         [0030]    In the illustrated embodiment, second member  130  also includes an extending member  132   b  which extends from a first point on extending member  132   a  on the handle side of connector  150  to a second point on extending member  132   a  on the attachment mechanism side of connector  150 , thereby forming a triangular configuration. Extending member  132   b  can, for example, assist in increasing the strength of second member  130 . 
         [0031]    First member  110  and second member  130  can, for example, be biased relative to each other so that attachment members  120  and  140  are biased to be drawn toward each other or radially inward with respect to manhole cover  10  (that is, biased such that the distance between attachment members  120  and  140  is biased to decrease). In the illustrated embodiment, a biasing member such as a coil tension spring  160  is connected at one end thereof to first member  110  at a point below connector  150  (that is to section  110   b ) and is connected at a second end thereof to second member  130  at a point below connector  130  (that is, to section  130   b ). The tension applied by spring  160  biases first member  120  and second member  140  to rotate relative to each other about connector  150  so that attachment members  120  and  140  are drawn toward each other or the distance between attachment members  120  and  140  is decreased. 
         [0032]    Device  100  facilitates attaching to or locking onto, for example, manhole covers of the type of manhole cover  10 , and allows one or two people to safely and easily lift, remove (transport) and then replace cover  10 . To attach device  100  to manhole cover  10 , one should first ensure that both slots  12  are free of debris. One then places device  100  on top of cover  10  with one of attachment mechanisms or hooks  120  and  140  securely in one slot  12  and the other of attachment mechanisms or hooks  120  and  140  oriented toward opposite slot  12 . Next, gentle downward pressure is applied to one or both of handles  116  and  136 . The applied pressure causes attachment mechanisms or hooks  120  and  140  to spread or move radially apart until the second attachment mechanisms or hooks  120  and  140  seats securely in opposite slot  12 . Device  10  is now attached to manhole cover  10  and is locked into position. Device  10  will not release until a reverse procedure is carried. Spring  160  adjusts readily to different diameter covers and automatically holds device  10  securely in position during the procedures of removal and replacement. Providing two handles on device  100  allows these procedures to be accomplished by one or two people depending on the situation. As long as tension is maintained by spring  160 , or by lifting upward on either (or both) handles, tool  10  will not release manhole cover  10  (thereby facilitating transport of manhole cover  10 ). As, for example, illustrated in  FIGS. 4C and 4D , device  100  remains in operative connection with manhole cover  10 . 
         [0033]    In a representative embodiment, device  100  was approximately 31 inches long and approximately 10 inches tall when attachment mechanisms  120  and  140  were in a fully extended (widest) position. In that embodiment, device  100  weighed approximately 13 lbs. Such a height and length provide a person of average size sufficient leverage, while maintaining a desirable lifting position, when device  100  is attached to a manhole cover  10  at ground level. In that representative embodiment, 1¼″× ¼″ steel flat bar, welded together, was used throughout device  100 . 
         [0034]    Angling (or curving) of section  110   a  with respect to section  110   b , and angling (or curving) section  130   a  with respect to section  130   b  (for example, forming an obtuse angle therebetween) results in handles  116  and  136 , respectively, being lower than if first member  110  and second member  130  extended in a generally straight line or generally linearly (that is, forming an angle of approximately 180°). For example,  FIG. 2B  illustrates an embodiment, in dashed lines, of first member  110  wherein section  110   a  and section  110   b  extend in a generally straight line. As illustrated in  FIG. 2B , the height of handle  116 , when first section  110   a  and second section  110   b  of first member  110  extend in a generally straight line, is higher than if first section  110   a  and second section  110   b  form an angle. Downward force on one or both of handles  116  and  136  tends to cause spreading of the distance between attachment mechanisms  120  and  140  and removal of attachment of device  100  from connection with manhole cover  10 . To prevent attachment mechanisms  120  from separating and disconnecting from manhole cover  10 , it is desirable that an upward force be maintained on handle  116  and/or handle  136  as manhole cover  10  is being removed from it seating/opening  18 . If handle  116  and/or handle  136  extend to a certain height (for example, above the waist of a user), the likelihood that a downward force will be exerted on the handle by the user during removal of manhole cover  10  greatly increases. In a number of embodiments, the proximal ends of first member  110  and second member  130  (and handles  116  and  136 , respectively) extend to a height no greater than 3 feet, no greater than 2.5 feet, no greater than 2 feet, no greater than 18 inches. or even no greater than 12 inches when device  100  is connected to manhole cover  10 . In general, handle  116  and/or handle  136  may be maintained, for example, below the waist of a user even in the case that first member  110  and second member  130  extend in a generally straight line (as, for example, illustrated in dashed lines for first member  110  in  FIG. 2B ). In one such embodiment, the proximal ends of first member  110  and second member  130  (and handles  116  and  136 , respectively) extend to a height no greater than 2.5 feet or 30 inches. 
         [0035]    An alternative, single-handled, embodiment of a device  100 ′ hereof is illustrated in  FIG. 3 . In general, device  100 ′ operates in a similar manner to device  100  and like components of device  100 ′ are numbered similarly to corresponding components of device  100  with the addition of the designation “′” thereto. Device  100 ′ differs from device  100  in that second member  130 ′ is shortened and does not include an upper or proximal section or a handle. Further, the upper or proximal sections of extending side members  112   a ′ and  112   b ′ (above or on the handle side of connector  150 ′) are extended to a length D (the distance from connector  150 ′ to handle  116 ′) provide increased leverage for a single user. Increasing the distance D in a two-handled embodiment such as device  100  will also increase leverage for each user or for a single user of such an embodiment. Providing for greater leverage by increasing distance D also assists in maintaining the height of the proximal ends of first member  110 ′ at a relatively low height as described above in connection with first member  110 . 
         [0036]    As with first member  110  of device  100 , first member  110 ′ includes a first or upper section  110   a ′ which extends at an angle (or a curve) to a second or lower section  110   b ′. In a number of embodiments, first section  110   a ′ is angled or bent with respect to second section  110   b ′ so that a proximal end of first section  110   a ′ (and thus handle  116 ′) is lower than would be the case if second section  110   a ′ extended in line with second section  110   b ′ to the same distance. However, first section  110   a ′ and second section  110   b ′ (or first member  110 ′) may extend in a generally straight line. In a number of embodiments, the proximal end of first member  110 ′ and handles  116 ′ attached thereto extend to a height no greater than 3 feet, no greater than 2.5 feet, no greater than 2 feet, no greater than 18 inches. or even no greater than 12 inches when device  100 ′ is connected to manhole cover  10 . Such positioning of the proximal end of first section  110   a ′ as described above, enables a user to lift upward on handle  116 ′ to lift manhole cover  10  out of its seating and then to pull rearward (with respect to the direction the user is facing) to remove manhole cover  10  from opening  18  without exerting a downward force on handle  116 ′ and first member  110 ′. As discussed above, such a downward force causes spreading of the distance between attachment mechanisms or hooks  120 ′ and  140 ′ and removal of device  100 ′ from connection with manhole cover  10 . 
         [0037]    The use of device  100  to remove a manhole cover  10  is illustrated in  FIGS. 4B through 4D . The use of device  100 ′ to remove a manhole cover  10  is illustrated in  FIGS. 5A through 5D . 
         [0038]    Mechanisms other biasing spring  160  can used to maintain device  100 ′ and other devices hereof in operative connection with manhole cover  10 . For example, the angle of second member  130 ′ relative to first member  110 ′ can be manually adjustable and a locking mechanism (not shown) can included to maintain the selected angle. Alternatively or additionally, the position of one or both of attachment mechanisms or hooks  120 ′ and  140 ′ on first member  110 ′ and second member  130 ′ can be made to be adjustable. In a number of embodiments of devices hereof, a distance D 1  between attachment mechanisms or hooks hereof was adjustable between, for example, 24 inches and 28 inches to readily accommodate common manhole cover sizes. However, distance D 1  is readily altered to accommodate many differently sized objects. The distance D in a number of embodiments was at least equal to one-half of D 1 , at least equal to D 1 , at least equal to 1.5 D 1  or even at least equal to 2.0 D 1 . The height to which handle  116 ′ extends may, for example, be adjusted for a particular distance D 1  via, for example, the length of first member  110 ′ (the lengths of first section  110   a ′ and second section  110   b ′), the position of connector  150 ′ along first member  110 ′, and the length and/or angle of second member  130 ′. 
         [0039]    The foregoing description and accompanying drawings set forth the preferred embodiments of the invention at the present time. Various modifications, additions and alternative designs will, of course, become apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing teachings without departing from the scope of the invention. The scope of the invention is indicated by the following claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes and variations that fall within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.