MANHOLE AND SEWER BASIN COVER

A cover prevents asphalt, gravel and other debris from falling into the basin during construction or paving by covering the manhole cover or basin with a thin metal plate. The cover can be made in a size to match the size of the top of a basin frame and can include a central hole into which a metal shaft can be inserted to secure the cover into a center hole of a manhole cover, for example, to prevent the cover from moving. The cover can help environmentally during construction and paving by ensuring construction debris does not enter the sewer. Moreover, the cover helps makes paving around manholes easier.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides a cover that prevents asphalt, gravel and other debris from falling into the basin during construction or paving by covering the manhole cover or basin with a thin metal plate. The cover can be made in a size to match the size of the top of a basin frame and can include a central hole into which a metal shaft can be inserted to secure the cover into a center hole of a manhole cover, for example, to prevent the cover from moving. The cover can help environmentally during construction and paving by ensuring construction debris does not enter the sewer. Moreover, the cover helps makes paving around manholes easier.

Referring toFIGS. 1 through 4, a manhole cover10may conventionally be disposed over a manhole24. A manhole cover plate12can be secured to the manhole cover10to prevent debris from falling into the manhole24. The manhole cover plate12allows for construction to be done on and around the basin/sewer without worry of damage or debris filling the drainage system.

The manhole cover plate12may be sized to cover the manhole cover10. The cover plate12may be made of various materials, typically of a galvanized metal having a thickness of about ⅛ inch.

The manhole cover plate12can include a plate pin hole14in a central region thereof. A pin18may fit into the plate pin hole14and may pass through a central hole of the manhole cover10. The pin18prevents the cover plate12from sliding relative to the manhole cover10. In some embodiments, a cotter pin22, or some other connector, can hold the pin18in place under the manhole cover10. A pin handle20can be provided on the pin18to assist in the removal of the pin or to help lift the manhole cover plate12and the manhole cover10.

In some embodiments, as described above, the pin18may fit directly into the central hole14. In other embodiments, as shown inFIGS. 7 through 9, a sleeve may be disposed in the plate pin hole prior to insertion of the pin18. The sleeve may be formed in various configurations. In some embodiments, the sleeve can depend from an underside of the manhole cover plate12. In some embodiments, the sleeve can be formed integrally with the manhole cover plate12. In other embodiments, the sleeve can be formed in multiple parts. For example, a male threaded tubular member26may extend through the top of the manhole cover plate12. A washer28may be disposed between a hex-shaped nut end of the male threaded tubular member26. The threads of the male threaded tubular member may then extend below the manhole cover plate12. A female threaded tubular member30may then be threaded on to the male threaded tubular member28, securing the manhole cover plate12therebetween. The female threaded tubular member30may extend below the manhole cover plate12, providing a means to align the manhole cover plate12with the manhole cover10before placing the pin18through the sleeve.

Referring toFIGS. 5 and 6, a handle16may be formed on a top side of the manhole cover plate12. The handle16may pivot from a position nearly flat with the manhole cover plate12to a use position, allowing a user to pick up and move the manhole cover plate12.

Referring toFIGS. 10 and 11, the pin18described above can be a straight pin18-1. Other pin shapes and styles are also contemplated within the scope of the present invention.