Improvements in Manhole and other Covers.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 3rd Nov. 1894
Complete Specification Left, 3rd Aug., 1895-Accepted, 26th Oct.. 1895
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Manhole and other Covers.
FREDERIC GEORGE SISON HAM of 68 Merton Road Wimbledon in the
County of Surrey, Engineer do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be
as follows:-
My improvements relate in chief to the manner of opening covers usually fitted
to allow of communication with sewers and other underground works and also to
the detail of construction by which the covers are made more durable and also to
facilitate the removal and replacing the covers in position after use.
I form the cast iron cover with two or more slots or keyholes at or near to the
edge or surface which slots are carried downwards to a point about half the entire
thickness of the cover and I then branch out right and left with the openings
forming a chamber so that when a key is inserted in the slot from the top of the
cover and pushed into the chamber it may be turned right and left-one end of the
chamber is produced to the outer edge or side of the cover thus leaving a clear
opening into the said chamber and this enables me to clear out any sand that may
be left in the slot or chambers from the core used in casting the same as well as to
cut away any irregularities in the casting and also to clear out any dirt that may
be carried into this chamber through the keyhole after it is placed in position
for use.
To make my manhole and other covers more durable I may fit in the framework
of the cover wood blocks of Jarrah Karri Jarrahdale or Burma hardwood and to
prevent slipping and to form a surface that horses may get a firm footing on
I bevel or chamfer the edges of each of the wood blocks. I may fit in each cell of
the framework of the cover one two or four wood blocks each having bevelled
edges. I may form each cell with an opening in the otherwise solid bottom to
enable me to fix wood blocks, and to ascertain by sight that the blocks are well and
properly bedded on the base of the sand cell and also to allow me to drive the
blocks out when it is necessary to renew them.
I may also form the divisions or sides of the cells of less height than the total
height of the cover so that when the wood blocks are fitted none of the framework
of the cells appears on the surface except at the points where the keyhole slots are
placed for the purpose of lifting the cover off and on.
The covers may be round square oval or other shape as desired.
Dated 00-11.
AT
L
1004
FREDERIC GEORGE SISON HAM of 68 Merton Road Wimbledon in the
County of Surrey, Engineer do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in
what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
0 ascertained in and by the following statement :-
My improvements relate in chief to the manner of opening covers used in

page_text: connection with sewers and other underground works and also to the detail of
construction by which covers are made more durable and readily opened or closed.
I form the iron covers with two or more slots or keyholes near to the edge
which slots are carried downwards to a. point about half the entire thickness of the
cover and then branch out right and left forming a chamber, so that when a key
is inserted it may turn freely in the chamber. One branch of this chamber is
extended to the outer edge or side of the cover so that the chamber may readily
be cleaned out.
To make my manhole and other covers more durable I may fit in the framework
of the cover wood blocks of Jarrah Karri Jarrahdale or Burma hardwood and to
form a surface that horses will not slip on I may bevel or chamfer the edges of
each block. I may fit in each cell of the framework of the cover one two or four
wood blocks each having bevelled edges.
I may form the divisions or sides of the cells of less height than the total height
of the cover so that when the wood blocks are fitted none of the framework of the
cells is visible on the surface except at the points where the keyhole slots are placed
for the purpose of lifting the covers on or off.
Figure 1 of accompanying drawing is a plan of the surface of cover fitted with
four wood blocks in each cell & showing at K plan of keyhole slot.
Figure 2 is a vertical section through the line A. B. showing the method of
fixing wood blocks so that the iron framework does not appear at the surface of
cover except on the outer edges, and also showing keyhole at K.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is
The construction of manhole and other covers substantially as described and
shown.
Dated this 3rd day of August 1895.