A liner

Abstract: A liner for a manhole, inspection chamber or the like comprises one or more sections moulded from synthetic plastics material. The or each section comprises inner and outer skins (2,3) joined together by two series of webs (4,7) extending between and at right angles to the skins (2,3). The webs (4) are disposed at the upper edges (5,6,) of the section and the webs (7) extend between a position below those upper edges (5,6) and a position at its lower end. The upper edges (5,6) and lower periphery (9) of each section are formed so that superposed sections interlock. The arrangement provides an easily installable corrosion resistant load bearing yet light, rigid and deformation resisting structure.

Description: The present invention relates to a liner. The liner is particularly, but not exclusively intended for use in manhole inspection chambers and the like. Liners of this general type are already known. One such is described in U.S. Patent Specification No. 4,751,799. It comprises a plurality of superposed sections. The liner is formed with integral T-shaped sections extending externally thereof and enabling the liner to be keyed to a surrounding mass of cast material. The liner prevents toxic materials from reaching the cast material. This arrangement is unnecessarily complex and adds to on site work. According to the present invention there is provided a liner for a manhole, inspection chamber or the like comprising one or more sections moulded from a synthetic plastics material, characterised in that the or each section comprises inner and outer skins joined by two series of webs, the webs of the first series being located adjacent one end of the section and those of the second series extending between a position displaced from that end and the opposite end of the section and webs of the first series alternating with those of the second series, in order to provide a substantially rigid deformation resistant structure and the opposite ends of which are formed to interlock with any adjacent section. In a preferred embodiment of the invention the webs of both series extend at right angles to and between the inner and outer skins. One end of the section is rebated to form a projection which extends all the way around the periphery of the section and the other end of the section is formed in complementary manner. In this way superposed sections can be interlocked, the projection of one section interlocking with the complementary formation of the section directly adjacent it. In an installation of the liner, the lowermost section would sit on a prepared base usually of concrete and a lid would be placed over the uppermost section. The undersurface of the lid would advantageously be provided with a complementary formation to that of the upper surface of the uppermost section: In order that the invention may be more clearly understood one embodiment thereof will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which:- Figure 1 is a plan view of a liner according to the invention, Figure 2 is a side elevational view in partial cross-section of the upper section of the liner of Figure 1, and Figures 3 to 6 are detail views in cross-section of parts of the upper section of Figure 2. Referring to the drawings the liner may comprise one or more sections. In the latter case, sections are superposed and fit together in a manner to be described later. The depth of the or each section 1 which is moulded from a suitable synthetic plastics material such as high density polythene is chosen to give a reasonably flexible arrangement consistent with current economic moulding practice. The number of sections is chosen having regard to the depth of the hole/chamber which is to be lined. Each section has a hollow open ended form. Its' external shape in end, side elevational or plan view may be chosen as desired. Each section 1 comprises inner and outer skins 2 and 3 joined together by a system of reinforcing webs. This system comprises two series. The first series comprises individual webs 4 which extend between and at right angles to the inner and outer skins 2 and 3 at their upper edges 5 and 6. The second series of webs comprises individual webs 7 which also extend between and at right angles to the inner and outer skins 2 and 3. Each web 7 extends between a position at its upper end slightly below the upper most surface of the section and a position at its lower end at the lowermost surface of the section. Apart from the webs at the four comers of the section the webs 4 and 7 of both series are equidistantly spaced and the webs 4 of the first series alternate with the webs 7 of the second series. The thickness of each web 7 progressively reduces from top to bottom of the section. The upper edges 5 and 6 of each section are rebated to produce an interlocking projection 8 which extends wholly around the upper periphery of the section. The lower periphery 9 of the section is formed in complementary manner so that when one section is placed in superposed section on another the interlocking projection 8 of the lower section is received within the complementary periphery 9 of the section immediately about. In this manner two or more sections can be interlocked together to form a rigid liner of the required height. Detail cross-sectional view to a larger scale of a web 4/upper projection 8, and complementary formation 9 are shown in figures 3 and 4 respectively. An end cross-sectional elevation of a web 4 to a larger scale is shown in Figure 5 and a cross-section to a larger scale along the section line X-X of Figure 1 is shown in Figure 6. In use after digging a hole in the ground and preparing the (usually concrete) base, section as described above are introduced to build up a liner to the desired height. The manhole/ inspection chamber so lined may then be closed off by means of a (usually concrete) lid which may be formed on its undersurface with a formation similar to formation 9 to interlock with projection 8 of the uppermost section. Any peripheral unfilling may then be attended to complete the installation. If desired, the liner may be installed into preexisting manholes/inspection chambers. The above described arrangement provides an easily installable corrosion resistant, load bearing yet light, rigid and deformation resisting structure. It will be appreciated that the above embodiment has been described by way of example only and that many variations are possible without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims: A liner for a manhole, inspection chamber or the like comprising one or more sections moulded from a synthetic plastics material, characterised in that the or each section comprises inner and outer skins (2,3) joined by two series of webs, the webs (4) of the first series being located adjacent one end of the section and those (7) of the second series extending between a position displaced from that end and the opposite end (9) of the section and webs (4) of the first series alternating with those (7) of the second series, in order to provide a substantially rigid deformation resistant structure and the opposite ends (5,6,9) of which are formed to interlock with any adjacent section. A liner as claimed in claim 1, in which the webs (7) of a second series reduce in thickness from one end to the other. A liner as claimed in claim 1 or 2, in which the webs (4,7) extend substantially at right angles to and between the inner and outer skins (2,3). A liner as claimed in any preceding claim, in which one end (5,6) of the or each section is rebated to form a projection (8) which extends around the periphery of the section and the other end (9) of the section is formed in complementary manner. A liner as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the lowermost section sits on a prepared base. A liner as claimed in claim 5, in which the base is concrete. A liner as claimed in any preceding claim, in which a lid is placed over the uppermost section. A liner as claimed in claim 7, in which the undersurface of the lid has a complementary formation to that of the upper surface of the uppermost section.

Inventors: GOLDTHORPE PAUL, GOLDTHORPE, PAUL
Applicants: STAKKA HOLDINGS LTD, STAKKA HOLDINGS LIMITED
Application year: 1997
Main classification: E02D29
IPC codes: E02D29