Patent Abstract:
A gate valve box adaptor structure, the present invention provides a permanent support for the key box bonnet that is unaffected by the surrounding environment. The adaptor is supported on the gate valve to a positive location for the key box bonnet at a level which prevents infiltration of soil and moisture into the bonnet. The adaptor is provided with a resilient gasket of a unique design to provide a cushion and to create a seal for the bonnet on the gate valve. 
     A plurality of liquid infiltration prevention structures for preventing liquid infiltration into manhole assemblies.

Full Description:
This application is a divisional application of application Ser. No. 08/743,465, filed Oct. 30, 1996, for Liquid Infiltration Prevention Structures for Preventing Liquid Infiltration Manhole Assembles, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,044,590. 
     Priority and benefit of earlier filing date of provisional application Ser. No. 60/008,155 filed Oct. 31, 1995 is claimed. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to the field of manhole and gate valve construction and specifically to structures that effectively prevent or substantially limit infiltration of liquid, water, into the manhole or gate valve area. In particular, the structures of the present invention relate to sealing against the surfaces of a manhole or gate valve through which water infiltration between the manhole casting or portions thereof or portions of the gate valve structure may occur. Additionally, the present invention relates to structures which prevent water seepage through the supporting structure of a manhole or gate valve structure and problems related to ground settling or filling in around the gate valve structure. 
     In conventional manhole assembly or gate valve assembly a manhole casting, which is the uppermost portion of the assembly and serves as the seat of the manhole cover, rests or is fastened to a supporting structure. The supporting structure may be a manhole cone or there may be one or more adjusting rings between the cone and casting. Sometimes the combination of the cone and castings are referred to as the cone. This is just a shorthand for referring to the supporting structure. When the adjusting rings are used the portion of the structure intermediate the casting and the cone is typically called a manhole chimney. The interface between the casting and cone or adjusting ring on which it rests consists generally of two opposing flat surfaces. 
     Manhole chimneys have normally been constructed with pre-cast rings or with brick or block and have been used on manhole cones constructed from pre-cast sections or of brick or block or cast in place of concrete. Existing manhole assemblies may also have had castings shimed with wood or bricks and mortar placed in the gaps between the shims. 
     Unfortunately, conventional manhole assemblies can allow for infiltration of surface water into the manhole at the interfaces or locations where the casting and the cone meet or between the casting and the adjusting rings, or between the adjusting rings. 
     Consequently, as the manhole assembly ages the problem of water infiltration becomes more severe due to the deterioration of the supporting structure. 
     This deterioration is due in part, to the movement and setting of the earth and also due to the freeze/thaw cycle common to much of the United States during the winter and spring. This causes a breakdown in the interfaces in the manhole assembly. The expansion/contraction causes cracking and gaps form. Surface water easily infiltrates between the gaps resulting from the deteriorated interfaces. 
     Additionally, the vibration of passing traffic striking the manhole can also lead to deterioration. Manhole assemblies are commonly located beneath the surface of a road, with the manhole cover and top portion of the casting being flush with the road surface. The weight of vehicles passing over the assembly commonly causes interfaces to deteriorate and also creates cracks in the road surface surrounding the manhole assembly. This can allow surface water to run through these cracks and infiltrate the deteriorated structure. 
     These factors can also cause a vertical or horizontal displacement of the casting relative to the supporting structure which further increases the probability of water infiltration. Water or liquid infiltration into the sewer collection system represents a major problem in sewage treatment. The capacity of a sewage treatment system in large part is a measure of the volume of the effluent it can treat. Water infiltration during rain storms or during periods of extended rainfall activity adds to the total volume of effluent treated. This increased volume of flow may overload new or old sewage treatment systems. In most cases, the excess volume of the effluent overload is dumped untreated in rivers and lakes. 
     This is not acceptable. It is believe that water infiltration through manhole assemblies is one of the primary contributions to the overloading of sewage treatment systems. 
     Another problem which results from surface water infiltration of manhole assemblies is the broad dissemination of contaminated surface water, especially when the contaminate is a petrochemical or dangerous pollutant. Contaminated surface water which infiltrates the sewage system through a manhole will be distributed to other cites by the sewage lines or water runoff lines to which the manhole assemblies are connected. Thus, a contaminate that should be contained and disposed of safely away from population centers is instead widely dispersed in an uncontrolled fashion. 
     Accordingly, it is desired to prevent not only liquid infiltration into a sewer system but the infiltration of liquids which have been properly been deposited into the sewer system from leaving the sewer system or leaching into the surrounding ground. Consequently, there is a continuing need in the field of the present invention for an apparatus to seal the assembly against surface water infiltration. There is also a need for a seal to be effective against infiltration occurring in the area between the casting and the supporting structure and through the supporting structure. There is also a need for a seal that can accommodate vertical and horizontal displacement of the casting relative to the supporting structure during prolonged use. There is also a need for the seal to be economically manufactured and simply constructed so that it may easily be applied in the field. This also a need for a seal that does not interfere with normal use of the manhole. 
     Additionally, there is a need for seals for use in conjunction with gate valve adapters. Gate valves are used to control the flow of water and other fluids through underground piping. These valves are buried in the ground. In order to operate the valves, a key is used to turn the operating nut of the valve. The valve is mounted on the end of a long rod in order to reach the operating nut on the valve. Access to the operating nut is generally provided through a key box having a bonnet that is placed over the gate valve to prevent the operating nut from being buried in the ground. The bonnet is generally supported on wood blocks located on each side of the gate valve. As a result of settling of the ground or deterioration of the block the key box bonnet often shifts with respect to the gate valve allowing the ground to enter the bonnet and make it difficult to operate the operating nut. Accordingly, the key box may not operate or may not allow proper setting of the gate valve. This creates problems associated with backfilling, settling, shifting, or an improper setting of the key box over the valve. The present seal structure of the present invention disclosed herein is design to prevent liquid infiltration and inadvertent settling or shifting of a gate valve box. Accordingly the present invention eliminates the usual problems associated with backfilling, settling, shifting or improper setting of the key box over the valve and ensures a perfect setting of the key box on the gate valve. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A gate valve box adaptor structure, the present invention provides a permanent support for the key box bonnet that is unaffected by the surrounding environment. The adaptor is supported on the gate valve to a positive location for the key box bonnet at a level which prevents infiltration of soil and moisture into the bonnet. The adaptor is provided with a resilient gasket of a unique design to provide a cushion and to create a seal for the bonnet on the gate valve. 
     A plurality of liquid infiltration prevention structures for preventing liquid infiltration into manhole assemblies. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1A is a perspective view of an embodiment of the gate valve seal structure of the present invention. 
     FIG. 1B is a top plan view of the gate valve seal structure of FIG.  1 A. 
     FIG. 1C is a perspective view showing the relationship between a standard gate valve and a key box bonnet. 
     FIG. 2 is a top plan view of an alternative embodiment of the gate valve seal structure. 
     FIG. 3 is an alternative embodiment of the gate valve seal structure. 
     FIG. 4 is cross sectional view of a portion of the gate valve seal structure showing the form of the leg of the gate valve seal structure. 
     FIG. 5 is an alternative cross sectional perspective view of an alternative leg design. 
     FIG. 6 is a cross sectional perspective view of another alternative leg design. 
     FIG. 7 is a cross sectional perspective view of another alternative leg design. 
     FIG. 8 is a cross sectional perspective view of another alternative leg design. 
     FIG. 9 is a cross sectional perspective view of another alternative leg design. 
     FIG. 10 is a cross sectional perspective view of another alternative leg design. 
     FIG. 11 is a cross sectional perspective view of another alternative leg design. 
     FIG. 12 is a cross sectional perspective view of another alternative leg design. 
     FIG. 13 is yet another alternative embodiment of the proposed gate valve design showing a cross sectional view of the gate valve seal and the leg structure. 
     FIG. 14 is another cross sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention showing an alterative gate valve seal structure. 
     FIG. 15 discloses a cross sectional view of an internal manhole sealing structure for internally sealing a manhole casting. 
     FIG. 15A discloses a cross sectional view of an alternative structure to the internal manhole sealing structure for internally sealing a manhole casting disclosed in FIG.  15 . 
     FIG. 16 shows a cross sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the internal manhole sealing structure of the present invention. 
     FIG. 17 discloses a cross sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the internal manhole sealing structure of the present invention. 
     FIG. 18 discloses a cross sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the internal manhole sealing structure of the present invention showing both internal and external sealing structures. 
     FIG. 19 discloses a cross sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the internal manhole sealing structure. 
     FIG. 20 discloses a cross sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the internal manhole sealing structure. 
     FIG. 21 closes a cross sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the internal manhole sealing structure of the present invention. 
     FIG. 22 shows a top plan view of an internal manhole sealing structure having a securing band structure. 
     FIG. 23 discloses a top plan view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention disclosed in FIG.  22 . 
     FIG. 24 is top plan view disclosing an alternative embodiment of the present invention disclosed in FIGS. 22 and 23. 
     FIG. 24A is a top plan view disclosing an additional alternative embodiment of the present invention disclosed in FIGS. 22-24 showing the internal seal to comprise a ring and have an internal securing band which may be adjusted by means of the bolt mechanism shown. 
     FIG. 25 discloses a side cross sectional view of an internal adaptor seal having an internal securing band. 
     FIG. 27 discloses a cross sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the internal manhole seal disclosed in FIG.  25 . 
     FIG. 28 discloses a cross sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the internal manhole seal disclosed in FIGS. 25 and 27. 
     FIG. 29 discloses a cross sectional view of an external sealing structure for externally sealing a manhole casting. 
     FIG. 30 discloses a cross sectional view of an alternative external manhole casting sealing structure from that disclosed in FIG.  29 . 
     FIG. 31 discloses a cross sectional view of an external manhole casting sealing structure alternative to ones disclosed in FIGS. 29 and 30. 
     FIG. 32 discloses a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the internal gate valve seal. 
     FIG. 33 shows a cross sectional view of the internal gate valve seal disclosed in FIG.  32 . 
     FIG. 34 discloses a cross sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the internal gate valve seal disclosed in FIG.  32 . 
     FIG. 35 discloses a cross sectional view of the internal gate valve seal used in conjunction with a gate bonnet. 
     FIG. 36 discloses a cross sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the internal gate valve seal used in conjunction with the bonnet. 
     FIG. 37 discloses a cross sectional view of another alternative embodiment of the valve seal in conjunction with the bonnet. 
     FIG. 38 discloses a cross sectional view of another alternative embodiment of the gate valve seal used in conjunction with the bonnet. 
     FIG. 39 discloses a cross sectional view of an internal gate valve seal alternative to those previously disclosed in conjunction with an alternative bonnet structure. 
     FIG. 40 discloses a cross sectional view of an external sealing structure for use in conjunction with a manhole casting for externally sealing the manhole assembly. 
     FIG. 41 discloses an internal seal for use with butterfly valves. 
     FIG. 42 discloses a cross sectional view of an alternative embodiment showing an external valve box seal. 
     FIG. 43 shows a bottom plan view of the external valve box seal disclosed in FIG.  42 . 
     FIG. 44 discloses a top plan view of the external valve box adaptor seal disclosed in FIG.  42 . 
     FIG. 45 discloses a sectional view of an external sealing structure for use in conjunction with a manhole assembly showing a portion of the manhole frame and the external sealing structure and the concrete rings. 
     FIG. 46 discloses a sectional view, like the one shown in FIG. 45, of an alternate external sealing structure for use in conjunction with a manhole assembly. 
     FIG. 47 discloses a sectional view, like the one shown in FIG. 45, of an alternative embodiment of the manhole sealing structure of the present invention. 
     FIG. 47 a  discloses a sectional view, like the one shown in FIG. 45, of another alternative embodiment of the manhole sealing structure of the present invention. 
     FIG. 48 discloses a side cross sectional view an internal manhole sealing structure which is yet another alternative embodiment of the sealing structures disclosed in the present invention. 
     FIG. 48 discloses an internal sealing structure which is yet another alternative embodiment of the sealing structure disclosed in the present invention. 
     FIG. 50 discloses a sectional view, like the one shown in FIG. 45, of an internal manhole sealing structure in conjunction with a manhole assembly using the device disclosed in FIG.  49 . 
     FIG. 51 discloses a sectional view, like the one shown in FIG. 45, of an alternative manhole assembly sealing structure. 
     FIG. 51A discloses a sectional view, like the one shown in FIG. 45, of an alternative manhole assembly sealing structure. 
     FIG. 52 discloses cross sectional view of an external manhole sealing structure. 
     FIG. 53 discloses a sectional view, like the one shown in FIG. 45, of the external manhole structure being used in conjunction with the manhole assembly. 
     FIG. 54 shows a sectional view, like the one shown in FIG. 45, of an alternate embodiment to the structure disclosed in FIG.  50 . 
     FIG. 55 discloses a sectional view, like the one shown in FIG. 45, of an alternative embodiment of the internal adaptor sealing structure of the present invention. 
     FIG. 56 discloses a sectional view, like the one shown in FIG. 45 of the manhole assembly, of another alternative embodiment of the internal sealing structure of the present invention. 
     FIG. 57 discloses a sectional view of the manhole assembly, like the one shown in FIG. 45, in conjunction with a cross sectional view of an alternative external sealing structure. 
     FIG. 58 discloses a side elevational cross sectional view of another embodiment of the gate valve adaptor. 
     FIG. 58A discloses a side elevational cross sectional view of the gate vale adaptor disclosed in FIG. 58 in working conjunction with a gate valve assembly unit. 
     FIG. 59 discloses a cross sectional view of a portion of the manhole assembly in association with another alternative external sealing structure. 
     FIG. 59A is a side elevational plan view of the external sealing structure disclosed in FIG. 59 showing the tube shaped sealing structure tapering from bottom to top. 
     FIG. 59B is a side elevational view of the external sealing structure disclosed in FIG. 59 mounted or placed upon a manhole assembly. 
     FIG. 60 a cross sectional view of a portion of the manhole assembly in association with the alternative external sealing structure of FIG.  59  and an alternative internal sealing structure. 
     FIG. 60A is a side plan view of the external sealing structure disclosed in FIG.  60 . 
     FIG. 61 is a cross sectional view showing another alternative embodiment of the external sealing structure in direct association with the manhole assembly. 
     FIG. 61A is a cross sectional view showing an external sealing structure for a manhole which is an alternative to the structure disclosed in FIG.  61 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Although the disclosure hereof is detailed and exact to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, the physical embodiments herein disclosed merely exemplify the invention which may be embodied in other specific structure. While the preferred embodiment has been described, the details may be changed without departing from the invention, which is defined by the claims. 
     Referring to the Figures it should be noted that FIGS. 1-14,  32 - 39 , and  41 - 44 ,  58 ,  58 A disclose various gate valve adapting structures while FIGS. 15-31 and  48 - 57 A,  59 - 61 A disclose various liquid infiltration prevention structures for preventing liquid infiltration into manhole assemblies. Accordingly, each group of Figures will be discussed in turn. Further, all structures disclosed herein are typically made from an elastomeric material such as rubber or plastic but any suitable elastomeric material may be used. Additionally, nonelastomeric materials such as rigid plastic, steel, wood, or concrete may be used but it is considered best if such materials are coated with an elastomeric material or used in conjunction with an elastomeric material in order to achieve maximum resistance to water and dirt infiltration. 
     Referring to FIGS. 1-14,  35 - 39 , and  41 - 44  various embodiments of the gate vale adapting structures  10  may be seen. With particular reference to FIG.  1 C and FIGS. 1-14 the gate valve box adapting structures  10  may be seen to be used in conjunction with a gate valve  12 . The gate valve box adapting structures  10  are used to support a key box  14  on the valve  12 . The gate valve  12  is a standard type gate valve which is used to control the flow of water through a water main  13 . The gate valve  12  includes a bonnet  18  having a flange  20  secured to the valve  12  by a number of bolts  22 . The gate valve  12  is controlled by means of an operating nut  24  mounted on the upper end of a stem  26 . Gate valves  12  of this type are buried beneath the normal frost line for the part of the country or world in which the gate valve is located. 
     Access to the operating nut  24  is provided through a key box  14  which includes a box bonnet  30 , a threaded tubular head, and a cap or cover  34  provided at the top of the head. The bonnet  30  is designed to enclose the top of the gate valve bonnet in order to protect the operating nut. The heads can be raised or lowered to ground level to provide access to the operating nut. The gate valve can then be turned on or off by inserting a key (not shown) through the key box to engage the operating nut  24 . 
     When the bonnet  30  is allowed to rest only on ground surrounding the gate valve  12  it can settle down onto the nut and thereby make it impossible to open the gate valve  12  without major effort. Additionally, infiltration of dirt into the bonnet  30  may cover up the nut and thus again make it impossible to manipulate without additional effort. 
     Referring to FIGS. 1-14, excluding FIG. 1C, various effective gate valve box adapting structures  10  and their components may be seen. In particular, looking at FIGS. 1A,  1 B,  2 , and  3 , the general structure of the gate vale box adaptor  10  may be seen to be a ring  36  having a substantially central opening  15 , a top side  36   a , a bottom side  36   b , an inner margin surface  39 , and an outer margin surface  39   a . The ring  36  further includes bonnet positioning structures or legs  38  positioned roughly equidistant from each other on the top surface  36   a  of the ring  36 . The ring  36  may be of any shape such that it provides a surface, e.g., like top surface  36   a , with which the bottom  31  of the bonnet  30  may engage or to which legs  38  may be mounted. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 1-14 it may be seen that legs  38  may be positioned in various ways upon the ring  36 . For example, legs  38  may be positioned upon the ring  36  so that a portion of each leg  38  extends out past margin  39   a  so that margin surface  39  of top surface  36   a  is capable of engaging the bottom  31  of the bonnet  30 . Alternatively, the legs  38  may be positioned so that both margin surfaces  39  and  39   a  of top surface  36   a  are capable of engagement with the bottom rim  31  of the bonnet  30  as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. 
     Additionally, the legs  38  may be modified to include a step  37  that could act to engage the bottom rim  31  of the bonnet  30 . See for example FIGS. 4-6. Further, the legs  38  could be of substantially any design depending upon the characteristics of the gate valve  12 . Referring to FIGS. 7-12 a variety of alternative leg structures may be viewed. FIG. 7 shows a leg  38  having an extension  35  including a top surface  35   a . A portion  38   a  of the leg  38  extending above top surface  35   a  and away from top surface  35   a  such that an obtuse angle between top surface  35   a  and portion  38   a  of leg  38  is formed. FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate that the legs may be arranged in any manner suitable for the type of bonnet  30  that is to be engaged. The extensions  35  may extend either toward or away from the opening  15  of the ring  36 . FIG. 10 illustrates a compound leg  38  extending from the top surface  36   a  of the ring  36 . The compound leg  38  again includes the extension  35  but the top surface of the extension  35  is divided by an extension  38   a  so that the top surface of the extension  35  is divided into sections  35   a  and  35   b . Consequently the bottom  31  of the bonnet  30  could engage surfaces  36   a ,  35   b , or  35   a . FIG. 11 illustrates another alternative compound leg  38 . In this embodiment top surface  35   a  of extension  35  has an alternative L-shaped extension  38   c  mounted to it. L-shaped extension  38   c  has a surface section  35   b . Consequently, the bottom  31  of the bonnet  30  can engage surfaces  35   b ,  35   a , or  36   a  in this embodiment. FIG. 12 illustrates the legs  38  extending from the top surface  36   a  without any compound features. FIGS. 13 and 14 show alternative designs of leg  38  positioned on ring  36 . In fact, the designs shown in FIGS. 13 and 14 of leg  38  are presently considered to be the commercially preferred designs because of ease of installation of the bonnet  30  onto the gate valve  12 . Additionally and preferably a gasket flange  32 , which may be positioned on the underside of the ring  36 , may be included as part of the ring  36 . The gasket flange  32  extending down and away from the underside of the ring  36 . 
     Referring now to FIGS. 32-39 another series of alternative structures for the gate valve seal  10  may be seen. Referring to FIG. 32 the alternative gate valve seal  10  may be seen to include the ring  36  but the extension  38  is now a continuous donut shaped ring integrally connected to the ring  36  at the inter margin  39 . Again it should be noted that while a ring structure is specifically disclosed that other ring shapes including rectangles and triangles could be used depending upon the structure of the bonnet  30  that is to be engaged or the requirements of the particular job. 
     Referring to FIG. 33 a cross-sectional side view of the gate valve seal  10  may be seen. As illustrated, extension  38  has a continuous outer surface  41  and a continuous inner surface  40 . Extension  38  and ring  36  are integral to each other at margin  39 . Alternatively, referring to FIG. 34, the inner surface  40  of extension  38  may be stepped to provide additional surface area for contacting the structure of the gate valve  12 . 
     Referring to FIG. 35 another alternative to the gate valve seal  10  disclosed in FIGS. 32 and 33 is disclosed. Inner surface  40  of the extension  38  is provided with a slope. Again this is to facilitate engagement of inner surface  40  with portions of the gate valve  12  to add in prevention of liquid or dirt infiltration as well as to provide added stability so that the bonnet  30  is not easily displaced from proper position on the gate valve  12 . 
     Referring to FIG. 36 another alternative embodiment of the gate valve seal  10  may be seen. In this embodiment a flange extension  42  integral to margin  39   a  is provided. As may be seen in FIG. 36 flange extension  42  extends upward away from top surface  36   a . Consequently a channel  42   a  is formed between flange extension  42  and extension  38 . Channel  42   a  is capable of receiving bottom  31  of the bonnet  30 . Channel  42   a  provides yet another way to positively engage bottom  31  and properly secure bonnet  30  to prevent undesirable movement of the bonnet  30 . Additionally, as shown in FIG. 37 extension  38  need not be longer than extension  42 . Further, as shown in FIG. 38, extension  38  may be entirely eliminated so that only extension  42  is used to hold the bottom  31  of the bonnet  30  in its desired position. 
     Referring now to FIG. 39 another possible alternative of the present invention may by seen. In this embodiment of the gate valve seal  10  the extension  38  is orientated to that its inner and outer surfaces  40  and  41  are sloped to accommodate a bonnet having a sloped wall  30   a  and to enhance positive engagement and sealing between surface  41  and wall  30   a . Additionally, to further enhance the engagement between surface  41  and wall  30   a  a butyl rubber compound  44   a  is applied to surface  41  prior to placement of the bonnet  30  on the gate valve seal  12 . 
     It should be noted that to enhance any point of engagement between any sealing structure disclosed herein and any gate valve or man hole structure that butyl rubber or an equivalent material capable of performing in a similar manner may be used. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 41-44 another set of alternative embodiments of the valve box adaptor  10  may be seen. Referring to FIG. 41 a stepped version of the valve box adaptor  10  may be seen wherein the inner surface  40  of the valve box adapter is stepped. This structure is preferable where a butterfly type valve must be accommodated. 
     Referring to FIGS. 42-44 the valve box adaptor  10  may be seen to be provided with an opening  15  sufficient in size to accommodate the bonnet  18  of the valve  12 . This type of structure is preferred where it is necessary to accommodate a large bonnet  30  onto a smaller valve structure  12  so that no gap is presented through which dirt or liquid may easily infiltrate and dislodge the bonnet  30  to a disadvantageous position. 
     Additionally, referring to FIGS. 58 and 58A another alternative gate valve structure  10  may be seen. The device disclosed in FIGS. 58 and 58A is for use where a bonnet  30  is not desired and only a bonnet pipe or conduit  30 A is used. The alternative gate valve sealing structure  10  is provided with a shoulder or internal flange  130 . The internal flange  130  extends toward the center line  30 B of pipe  30 A. The bottom edge  30 C of the bonnet pipe  30 A being supported by internal flange  130 . 
     FIGS. 15-31 and  48 - 55  disclose various liquid infiltration prevention structures  100  for preventing liquid infiltration into manhole assemblies  101 . The manhole assemblies include a manhole frame or casting  113 , which receives a manhole cover  114 , and (typically) rests upon a series of concrete adjusting rings  116  which in turn may rest upon a manhole cone (not shown) to form a manhole chimney  115 . The liquid infiltration prevention structures  100  are seals which function to eliminate or substantially reduce the surface water infiltration over the area that they span, whether the component parts are made of concrete, block, or brick. 
     The primary function of the invention is to seal between the casting  113  and the nearest section of the chimney  115  that is sound and impermeable to water or other liquid. This may involve spanning only a short distance below the casting  113  or it may require a span of part or all of the chimney  115 . 
     Referring to FIG. 15 an internal seal  100 A may be seen to include a ring  108  and an upward extension  106 . Ring  108  includes a top surface  108   a  and a bottom surface  108   b . Bottom surface  108   b  engages concrete rings  116  and top surface  108  engages bottom surface  113   a  of the manhole frame  113  such that extension  106  is located in the chimney  115  and outside surface  103  of extension  106  is in contact with inside surface  113   b  of the manhole frame  113 . 
     Referring to FIG. 15A the internal seal  100 A disclosed in FIG. 15 may be seen to be further modified by the including of a downwardly extending flange  101  integral to the edge  101 A of the internal seal  100 A. The downwardly extending flange  101  sealing either all or a predetermined portion of the external surface of the concrete rings  116 . The downwardly extending flange  101  need not be integral to the internal seal  100 A nor does it need to be made from the same material as the seal  100 A. 
     Referring now to FIG. 16 an alternative embodiment of the internal seal  100 A may be seen to include a flange  107  extending from end  104  of extension  106 . Flange  107  has an end  107   a  and is positioned such that end  107   a  engages a portions of the inside surface  113   b  of the manhole frame  113 . 
     Referring now to FIG. 17 another alternative embodiment of the internal seal  100 A may bee seen. In this embodiment extension  106  includes an integral portion  106   a  which extends down the manhole chimney  115  in contact with the surfaces of the concrete rings  116 . 
     Referring now to FIG. 18 another alternative embodiment of the internal seal  100 A may be seen. In this embodiment the internal seal  100 A includes an edge flange  109  having an upper extension  109   a  and a lower extension  109   b . Extension  109   b  forms a seal against the concrete rings  116  and extensions  109   a  and  106  along with ring  108  form a channel  110  into which bottom  113   a  of the manhole frame  113  is seated. This provides additional stability to the manhole frame  113 , dampens shock transference from passing traffic (as do all the seals  100 A), and provides sealing internal to the manhole frame  113  and external to the concrete rings  116 . 
     Referring now to FIG. 19 another alternative embodiment to the seal  100 A may be seen. In this embodiment the manhole frame  113  sets on ring  108  and there is no upward extension  106 . Only a downward extension  106   a  is provided. Additionally, an upwardly turned flange  111  is provided to aid in seating the manhole frame  113  on the seal  100 A. Accordingly, there is an internal seal against the concrete rings  116  that are in contact with extension  106   a.    
     Referring now to FIG. 20 another embodiment of the present invention may be seen. In this embodiment seal  100 A has no extension along the inside surfaces of the manhole chimney  115 . Instead an external flange  112 , similar to external flange  111  in FIG. 19, is provided. External flange  112  has an upward extension  112   a  and a downward extension  112   b . Accordingly, a seal is formed between the bottom  133   a  of the manhole frame  113  and the outside surface of the concrete rings  116 . 
     Referring now to FIG. 21 another alternative embodiment of the present invention may be seen. In this version of the present invention the seal  100 A includes extension  106  and flange  111 . No downward extensions are included. Accordingly, channel  110  is formed between extension  106  and flange  111 . Bottom  113   a  of manhole frame  113  rests in channel  110 . Butyl rubber may be placed between the bottom  108   b  of the ring  108  and the concrete rings  116  to enhance the seal formed and to help reduce any lateral movement of the seal  100 A. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 22-23 it may be seen that the seal  100 A need not be one continuous ring or donut but may be made of a plurality of sections held together by expansion bolts  118 . Additionally, the use of a structure composed of a plurality of sections may be desirable where adjustment of fit of the seal is an issue. Further, as illustrated in FIGS. 24 and 24A an adjustable seal having an expansion bolt may be made of only one section also. The seal  100 A may be one continuous ring as shown FIG. 24A or it may have a space as shown in FIG.  24 . 
     Referring now to FIGS. 25-28 an alternative internal adjustable seal  100 A may be seen. As illustrated in FIG. 25 the internal seal  100 A may include at least one securing band  120  which can be adjusted by use of expansion/securing bolt  118  to hold the base portion  112  in tight or tighter sealing contact with the inside surface of the manhole chimney  115 . The internal seal may also be made so that it includes an external shoulder  150  for receiving or supporting conduit structures or mechanisms which may be placed on top of the seal  100 A. Further, as FIG. 27 illustrates the securing band  120  may be located so that it is internal to the base portion  112  of the seal  100 A and thus more protected from the internal conditions found in the manhole chimney  115 . Additionally, the internal seal  100 A may be provided with an internal shoulder  151  for receiving or supporting conduit structures or mechanisms that may be extended into the internal seal  100 A. Also, as illustrated in FIG. 28, the internal seal  100 A may have butyl rubber or similar material  144  applied to a predetermined portion of its outer surface  103 . This will also aid in holding the seal  100 A in the desired position in contact with the desired internal surfaces of the manhole chimney  115 . Accordingly, it will be apparent to a person reading this disclosure, at least a person or ordinary skill in the art, that the above noted features disclosed in FIGS. 25-28 may be interchanged between the embodiments specifically disclosed to produce other equally effective or equivalent structures. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 29-31,  40 ,  45 - 57 , and  59 - 60 A a variety of external seal structures  100 B may be seen. 
     Referring to FIG. 29 the external seal  100 B may be seen to be a sheath which extends from surface  113 A of the manhole frame  113  and down the external sides of the concrete adjusting rings  116 . In FIG. 30 the external seal  100 B disclosed in FIG. 29 may be seen to be held in place with an alternative securing band  120 . 
     Referring now to FIG. 31 the external seal  100 B may be shown to be used in conjunction with an internal seal  100 A. The external seal  100 B extends from the top surface  113 A of the manhole frame  113  to the external side surface of the internal seal  100 A. The external seal  100 B is held in place by butyl rubber  144  as shown in FIG.  31 . The external seal  100 B may also be held in place mechanically. 
     Referring now to FIG. 40 another alternative embodiment of the external seal  100 B may be seen. In this embodiment a flange  160  may be seen to extend over the surface  113 A of the manhole frame  113 . The flange  160  is held in place by butyl rubber  144 . The remainder of the external seal  100 B extends downward from the flange  160  covering a predetermined portion of the outside surface of the adjustment rings  116 . The portion of the external seal  100 B covering a predetermined portion of the adjustment rings  116  may also be held in place with the addition of a securing mechanism like butyl rubber  144  or alternatively, as illustrated in FIG. 45 a securing band  120 . Additionally, it may be seen from this drawing that the lower portion  160 A may be covered with an additional sealing mechanism like a rubber sleeve or sheath. 
     Referring to FIG. 46 specifically and FIG. 31 generally the external seal  100 B may also be constructed integral to the internal seal  100 A. In this embodiment butyl rubber  144  may be used to hold a portion of the external seal  100 B on the surface  113 A of the manhole frame  113 . The remainder of the external seal  100 B being integral to the flange  111  of the internal seal  100 A. 
     Referring to FIG. 47 another way of combining the external seal  100 B with the internal seal  100 A may be seen. In this embodiment the internal seal  100 A and the external seal  100 B may be seen to be integral to each other at section  170 . The internal seal  100 A being held in place by the weight of the manhole frame  113  and, optionally, also by the use butyl rubber applied to the top surface of the top adjustment ring  116 . The external seal  100 B having a portion  168  extending down over a predetermined portion of the adjustment rings  116  and being secured in place with butyl rubber  144  or some other securing mechanism or means for securing. Referring to FIG. 47A the structure of FIG. 47 may alternatively be performed by extending portion  168  upward so that instead of extending down over the external surfaces of the adjustment rings it is secured to surface  113 A of manhole frame  113  and end  169  is secured to the internal seal  100 A. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 48-50 an alternative internal seal  100 A may be seen in which the internal seal  100 A comprises a rubber sleeve having ends C and D. 
     End C being secured to the internal surface  113 B of the manhole frame  113  and the seal  100 A extending from End C to End D which is secured to the internal surface  116 B of the adjusting rings  116 . Accordingly, the seal  100 A covers and seals a predetermined portion of the inside surface  113 B of the manhole frame  113  and a predetermined portion of the inside surface  116 B of the adjusting rings  116 . 
     Referring now to FIGS. 51 and 51A another alternative embodiment to the sealing structures disclosed in FIGS. 46 and 47 may be seen. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 51 the external seal  100 B may extend from the top surface  113 A of the manhole frame  113  down over a predetermined portion of the external surfaces of the adjusting rings  116 . The ends of the external seal  100 B may be held in place by the use of butyl rubber  144 . In FIG. 51A the seal  100 B expressed in FIG. 51 may be alternatively expressed as the combination of a primary rubber sleeve  164  overlapped by a secondary rubber sleeve  165  as illustrated in FIG.  51 A. The structure disclosed in FIG. 51A is considered at this time to be the best sealing structure for the particular purpose of the present invention. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 52 and 53 another embodiment of the external seal may be seen. In this embodiment the seal  100 B may be seen to be comprised of a layer of plastic or rubber  102  coupled to a layer of butyl rubber  144  which is in turn coupled to a smaller layer of rubber or plastic  101 . This seal  100 B may be mounted to the manhole frame surface  113 A and the adjusting rings  116  as shown in FIG.  53 . As FIG. 53 illustrates a bent portion  172  is produced that may flex as the manhole frame or sting rings move over time do to expansion and contraction or any other force which may act upon these structures. Additionally, the seal  100 B may be used internally as illustrated by FIG.  54 . 
     Referring now to FIG. 55 another alternative internal seal  100 A may be seen. In this embodiment a rubber sleeve  105  is attached to the main portion  175  of the seal  100 A. The sleeve  105  extends into the manhole chimney  115  and is mounted to the internal surface  113 B of the manhole frame  113 . 
     Referring now to FIG. 56 another sealing structure combining features of the internal seal  100 A and the external seal  100 B may be seen. In this embodiment the internal seal  100 A is provided with a downwardly extending flange  180  which may optionally be secured in place with either or neither a securing band  120  or butyl rubber  144 . The external seal  100 B is integral to the outer edge of the seal  100 A and extends up onto surface  113 A of the manhole frame  113  where it is held in place with butyl rubber  144 . 
     Referring now to FIGS. 57 and 59 through  60 A another alternative external seal structure and alternatives to that structure may be seen. Referring first to FIGS. 59A and 59B the general structure of the external seal may be seen to be a tapered rubber sleeve. As illustrated by FIG. 59A the taper starts at the bottom of the sleeve and extends to the top so that the sleeve is widest at its bottom and narrowest at the top. This results in the top  185  of the sleeve folding over the surface  113 A of the manhole frame when it is placed over the manhole frame  113  and adjusting rings  116 . As illustrated in FIG. 57 the sleeve may be placed over the manhole frame  113  and the adjusting rings  116  to that its top extends over ribs  113 C of the manhole frame  13 . The top  185  and the bottom  184  may optionally be secured in place with the use a securing device like band  120  or butyl rubber  144  however the weight of the earth filled in around the manhole assembly may in and of itself be sufficient to hold the seal  100 B disclosed in FIGS. 57 and 59 through  60 A in place. It should be understood that the seal  100 B disclosed in FIGS. 57 and 59 through  60 A may be used in conjunction with any internal seal  100 A disclosed herein as illustrated by the structure disclosed in FIG.  60 . 
     Referring now to FIGS. 61 and 61A two additional external sealing structures  100 B may be seen. As illustrated in FIG. 61 the external sealing structure  100 B may comprise an external rubber sheath  100 D encircling the outside diameter of the manhole chimney  115 . The upper end of the sheath  100 D is mechanically coupled by securing band  120  (although it could be coupled by other means such as chemical bonding like epoxy bonding or through the use of butyl rubber or by any other means apparent from this disclosure to a person familiar with the present art) to a sealing ring  100 C having an internal channel  100 E which receives end  113 D of the manhole frame  113 . The lower end of the sheath  100 D, as is apparent from FIG. 61 extends down over a predetermined portion of the external surface of the manhole chimney  115 . In this particular embodiment this results in the external surfaces of a predetermined number concrete rings  116  being covered. A spacer  190  is used to provide additional support for the manhole frame  113  and to provide an additional seal between the manhole frame  113  and the concrete rings  116 . The spacer  190  and the sealing ring  100 C also help to absorb and dampen vibrations imparted to the manhole frame  113  from traffic and other sources and thereby limit the vibrations imparted to the concrete rings  116  and other structures connected to those rings  116 . The lower portion of the sheath  100 D is held in place mechanically by another securing band  120  although, as noted above, this is not the only means contemplated by which this may be accomplished. 
     Referring to FIG. 61A it may be seen that one way to vary or present an alternative to the structure disclosed in FIG. 61 is to feed the upper portion  100 F of the sheath  100 D through the internal channel  100 E of the sealing ring  100 C so that end  113 D of the manhole frame  113  holds the rubber sheath end  100 F in place. This makes securing band  120  for holding the upper portion  100 F in place optional since the weight of the manhole frame  113  will effectively hold the end portion  100 F in place. 
     The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Furthermore, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described. While the preferred embodiment has been described, the details may be changed without departing from the invention, which is defined by the claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 4