Improvements in Stop-tap Boxes and in and relating to Manhole and Interceptor Covers and Frames and the like.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 9th Mar., 1899-Accepted, 6th May, 1899
Improvements in Stop-tap Boxes and in and relating to Manhole and
Interceptor Covers and Frames and the like.
We, HENRY MALCOLM BIGWOOD, of 131, Penn Road, Wolverhampton, in the
County of Stafford, Engineer, and GEORGE ALFRED HANCHER, of 70, Merridale
Road, Wolverhampton aforesaid, Pattern Maker, do hereby declare the nature of
this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement:—
This invention has for its object, firstly, improved means of a simple and reli-
able character, for use in fastening round lids of stop-tap boxes and round manhole
and interceptor covers, and the like, tightly within their boxes or frames; secondly,
means for ensuring that such lids and covers will automatically centre themselves
within the openings into which they are passed in their boxes or frames, whereby
the clearance space all round between a lid or cover and its box or frame will be
of a constant width and the inconvenience avoided of any considerable. accumu-
lation of dirt between one side of a lid or cover and the corresponding side of the
opening within which it is placed, which is incidental to the lids and covers as
ordinarily used thirdly, means whereby a clear key opening may be formed
through a round lid of a stop-tap box, so as to avoid the same being choked with
dirt, in combination with means whereby dirt falling through such hole will be
prevented from falling upon the tap; fourthly, improvements in means used for
preventing round lids of stop-tap boxes and round manhole and interceptor covers,
and the like, from being carried away when they have been withdrawn from their
boxes or frames; and fifthly, an improved form of key-hole to reduce the liability of
round lids of stop-tap boxes, and round manhole and interceptor covers, and the
like, from being tampered with.
In order that the invention may be clearly understood, we will describe the same
with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate a practical form of
the invention, and a modification of certain features thereof, as applied, by way of
example, to a stop-tap box.
Figure 1 is a vertical section through the middle of the stop-tap box, shewing
the lid fixed in place therein. Figure 2 is a plan of the box with the lid removed.
Figure 3 is a section, taken on linear of Figure 1, as seen looking in an upward
direction. Figure 4 is a section corresponding to Figure 1, but shewing the upper
portion only of the box, this view illustrating a modification of the means by which
the lid is fixed in place within the box. Figure 5 is a section, taken on line y y
of Figure 4, as seen looking in an upward direction and Figure 6 is an edge cr
side view of the upper portion of the lid shewn by Figures 4 and 5.
Referring first to Figures 1, 2 and 3, A is the box, and B the lid thereof. The
box is formed with an inward flange or ledge a, and the lid with lugs b. Gaps c
are formed through the flange or ledge a, which are spaced apart therearound to
correspond with the spacing of the lugs of the lid, and are of a size to allow of

page_text: the passage of the lugs therethrough. Each portion of the flange or ledge a which
is between two gaps is formed inclined at its underside, and the upper faces of
the lugs are correspondingly inclined, and when the lid has been placed down
within the box, by passing the lugs down through the gaps c, the lid is turned
to bring the lugs underneath the segments of the flange or ledge and is con- 5
tinued to be turned until the inclined upper faces of the lugs b, sliding along the
inclined under faces of the segments of the flange a, securely tighten the lid down
in place. The upper portion of the lid rests upon the top of the flange a, which is
bevelled, as shewn, as is also the bearing face of the lid, and thus the lid centres
itself within the bevel of the flange a, and ensures that the clearance space i 1
between the edge of the lid and the box will be of the same width all round.
The lid B has cast therewith a receptacle 13 at its under side, and the key hole,
for the key by which the lid is turned to fasten and unfasten it, is formed clear
through the top plate of the lid, and cannot therefore be choked with dirt. Any
dirt falling through the key hole d will be caught within the receptacle B and
thus prevented from falling upon the tap below. The receptacle B is formed with
large holes c through its side, the bottoms of which are some distance up from the
bottom of the receptacle so as to prevent any dirt falling into the receptacle from
falling through the holes when the lid is in position in the box, but the dirt may
readily be shaken or taken out through these holes, when the lid has been removed
from the box.
A chain C, for preventing the lid being carried away when removed from the
box, is fastened at one end to the inside of the box A, and its other end is swivelled
to the lid at the central axis thereof, by means of a pin k, which is fixed to the
lid and which passes through the end link, or through a ring at the end of the chain.
In the illustrations, this chain is shewn as fixed to the bottom of the receptacle B',
as is necessary when a receptacle is carried by the lid. The swivelling of the chain
to the lid at the central axis thereof enables the lid to be turned to any extent,
notwithstanding its connection with the chain. The chain might, of course, be
used without being swivelled to the lid, as the flexibility of the chain would allow
the lid to be turned as much as might be required for fastening and unfastening
it within the box, but some care would have to be taken in such case that the
chain was not too greatly twisted, before the lid was lowered down within the
box, to allow of the further turning required in fixing it.
The key-hole d is formed of three slots which join into one another anglewise
so that no two of them are in line with one another, being, preferably, at
equal angles with one another. The reason for this shape of hole is to avoid the
use of a flat-shaped instrument of sufficient width to give the desired purchase, such
as can be used with a four-way hole, in place of the ordinary key.
Referring now to Figures 4, 5 and 6, which illustrate a modification of the means
by which the lid is tightened up within the box, the box A is formed in the manner
previously described, to receive the lid, but in lieu of rigid lugs projecting side-
ways from the lid, short springs bare fixed to the lid, conveniently by means of
studs and nuts g. These springs are conveniently made each from a piece of
short flat steel the hinder end of which fits between a pair of fillets h formed with
the lid, and the forward end of which is formed to a rounded shape, in section, as
clearly shewn by Figure 6, so that the convex surface thereof may bear against
the inclined underface of the corresponding segment of the flange or ledge a. The
use of these springs as the lugs for the lid, enables the lid to be very securely fas-
tened in place, with less force than is required when the lugs are of a non-elastic
character.
The application of the invention to the other appliances above mentioned besides
stop-tap boxes, will now be readily understood without need for special description,
except that it may be explained that the receptacles cast with the lids are not
claimed except in the case of the stop-tap boxes, as such a combination of recep-
tacle and cover in case of the other appliances named would make the covers in-
conveniently heavy for handling.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is:-
1. The improved means for fastening a round lid of a stop-tap box or round
manhole or interceptor cover, or the like, within its box or frame, which comprise
segments projecting inwardly from the box or frame and having inclined under
faces, and projections from the lid or cover which may be passed down between
the segments of the box or frame and tightened thereunder by turning the lid or
cover, substantially as described.
2. The improved means for fastening a round lid of a stop-tap box or round
manhole or interceptor cover, or the like, within its box or frame, which comprise
segments projecting inwardly from the box or frame and having inclined under
faces, and springs projecting from the lid which may be passed down between the
segments of the box or frame and tightened thereunder by turning the lid, sub-
stantially as described.
3. The improved means for use in securely fastening round lids of stop-tap boxes
and round manhole and interceptor covers, and the like, within their boxes or frames
substantially as described and shewn (by way of example as applied to stop-tap
boxes) by the drawings herewith.
4. The means by which round lids of stop-tap boxes and round manhole and in-
terceptor covers, and the like, are caused to centre themselves within their boxes
or frames, which comprise bevelled bearing surfaces between the lids or covers
and their boxes or frames, substantially as described.
5. A round lid of a stop-tap box formed with a clear key-hole therethrough and
having cast therewith a receptacle to catch any dirt falling through the key-hole,
substantially as described.
6. The means for preventing a round lid of a stop-tap box or round manhole or
interceptor cover, or the like, from being carried away when removed from its box
or frame, which comprise a chain fastened at one end to the inside of the box or
frame and swivelled at its other end at the central axis of the lid or cover, sub-
stantially as described.
7. A key-hole for a round lid of a stop-tap box or round manhole or interceptor
cover, or the like, formed with three slots joining at angles with one another in
such manner that no two are in line with one another, substantially as described,
for the purpose set forth.
Dated this Eighth day of M 1800
STEPHEN WATKINS & GROVES,
Wolverhampton, Agents for the Applicants.