Patent Description:
Liquids and dry bulk goods are frequently stored in reservoirs which are provided with a cover plate with a manhole therein. A water well and a grain silo are known examples of such reservoirs.

It is often necessary to realize a leadthrough for one or more lines through the wall or the cover plate of the reservoir, for example in order for the reservoir to be replenished, pumped empty or aerated. In order for these lines to be positioned, one or more holes are drilled in the wall or the cover plate. Subsequently, brackets are mounted in the wall or the cover plate along the inner side of the reservoir. Finally, the lines are introduced along the drilled holes and secured in the mounted brackets. This traditional method has a number of disadvantages.

<CIT> discloses a cable guide device for a manhole that includes a wall supporting plate supported against a wall surface of an entrance part of the manhole, a cable guide body positioned at the bottom part of the wall supporting plate, a rotation shaft mounted vertically to the cable guide body and the wall supporting plate so that the cable guide body can be rotated from side to side with regard to the wall supporting plate, and at least one guide roller which rotates integrally with a roller shaft combined with the cable guide body so as to guide the cable into at least one underground pipe.

<CIT> relates to a copper cable collecting apparatus capable of efficiently collecting a copper cable with low manpower when the copper cable installed in an underground cable conduit is removed to exchange an optical cable. The copper cable collecting apparatus includes a first collection roller and a second collection roller. The copper cable collected in the second collection roller is wound around a bobbin which is rotationally mounted on a bobbin holder. The copper cable collecting apparatus continuously collects the copper cable without cutting the middle of the copper cable.

<CIT> discloses a steel valve chamber, comprising a valve chamber body arranged in a pit, a top portion of said chamber being configured as an opening. A chamber cover is welded to the top portion of the valve chamber body, and a plurality of support rods are welded to an inner wall of a bottom portion of the valve chamber, a same support plate being placed at the top ends of the plurality of support rods, and a plurality of water seepage holes being opened in a top portion of the support plate. A first gate valve is provided above the support plate, and a first double flange is screwed and fixed on a first end of the first gate valve, a Y-joint being communicated with and fixedly provided on the other side of the first gate valve.

<CIT> discloses a device for reducing an odor of a manhole. The device comprises: a filter unit installed on an upper side of a soil pipe inside a manhole to reduce harmful substances while harmful gas or an odor generated in the soil pipe passes; an exhaust unit connected to the ground from a side wall of the manhole to exhaust the gas filtered by the filter unit to the air; and a sensor unit installed inside the manhole to measure the harmful gas inside the manhole or concentration of the odor.

<CIT> discloses a connection structure between a manhole and a sewer pipe having a seismic resistant structure, and more particularly, to a sewer pipe which is fitted to both sides of a sewer pipe to prevent the sewerage from being damaged and the sewer pipe being destroyed The present invention relates to a connection structure between a manhole and a sewer pipe provided with an earthquake-resistant casting.

Firstly, the accuracy of the drilled holes is not guaranteed. It is thus possible that the drilled holes are not sufficiently accurately aligned with the external lines, as a result of which the lines have to be adapted or the holes have to be drilled again. It is also possible that the brackets, prior to the securing of the lines in the reservoir, are not sufficiently accurately aligned in relation to one another, in relation to the holes or in relation to the interior of the reservoir.

Secondly, it happens that the chosen material for the brackets is not suitable for use. Some materials will corrode very quickly in certain applications, as a result of which the lines come loose and a fault can occur during the normal operation of the reservoir.

Thirdly, it is not always straightforward to provide the holes, the brackets and the lines. In the case of large reservoirs, it is in some cases necessary for the holes to be provided at a considerable height above the ground, as a result of which a ladder, scaffolding or aerial work platform is necessary. Certainly on the inner side of the reservoir, this can present a great challenge and promote hazardous working conditions. In the case of small reservoirs, the size of the manhole or the capacity of the reservoir is not necessarily sufficiently large to provide access in a safe manner to a worker and their tools.

Finally, this traditional method requires a significant time investment of one or more skilled workers. It is thus expensive to implement.

There is thus a need for an alternative and improved manner for introducing lines into reservoirs.

An object of the present invention is to offer a solution to the aforementioned and other disadvantages.

According to a first aspect of the invention, a bracket for being positioned in a manhole of a cover plate of a reservoir is disclosed;.

The bracket comprises a U-shaped part with a first leg and a second leg which extend substantially parallel to one another. The connecting piece connecting the first part to the second part is positioned substantially perpendicularly to the first leg and the second leg. Preferably, the length of the connecting piece is substantially equal to or slightly greater than the thickness of the cover plate. This geometry allows the bracket to be pushed onto the cover plate via the manhole. In this case, the first leg rests on the top side of the cover plate and the connecting piece rests against a side of the manhole. The second leg rests or does not rest against the bottom side of the cover plate according to the length of the connecting piece.

The bracket can be produced from a number of materials, such as metals, plastics or composite materials. Preferably, the bracket is produced from a metal, such as for example stainless steel, galvanized steel or aluminium. An advantage of a metal bracket is that the bracket can be realized by folding a metal plate, which is an advantageous and easily adaptable production method. A disadvantage of a metal bracket is that it can corrode under certain circumstances. A person skilled in the art is aware of the materials which may or may not be suitable for use according to the circumstances.

A fastening means for a line is in this context a geometry which is adapted to limit one or more degrees of freedom of a line. A fastening means can thus limit translation of a line in one or more directions and/or rotation of a line about one or more axes. A person skilled in the art is aware that such fastening means can be realized in many ways. Often, but not always, a fastening means has a round inner diameter which is adapted to the outer diameter of the line which needs to be secured. Whenever throughout the present explanation mention is made of the diameter of a fastening means, the inner diameter of the fastening means is always meant.

An integrated fastening means is in this context a fastening means which forms an integral part of the bracket or which is connected in a non-releasable manner to the bracket. A separate fastening means is in this context a fastening means which is connected to the bracket by means of a releasable coupling. A mounting point is in this context a component of a mechanical coupling which forms an integral part of the bracket or which is connected in a non-releasable manner to the bracket and which is adapted to realize a detachable coupling to a separate fastening means. Specific examples of both integrated and separate fastening means and mounting points are disclosed throughout this explanation.

The plane of a component is in this context an imaginary plane which extends substantially parallel to the component and which intersects the component. If according to the present explanation two components lie in the same plane, then both components are substantially parallel to one another and the plane of one component also intersects the other component. A person skilled in the art is aware that real mechanical components are not geometrically perfect: parallel surfaces are not necessarily perfectly parallel, right angles are not necessarily perfectly right, and components have a finite, and in some cases non-constant, thickness. Moreover, different components can have different thicknesses. A person skilled in the art will therefore interpret the concept of the plane while keeping in mind the precision and tolerances that are common in construction.

In some embodiments of the bracket, the length of the second leg is such that the projection of the first integrated fastening means or the first separate fastening means onto the plane of the second leg does not fall within the surface of the second leg.

In some embodiments of the bracket, the length of the second leg is such that the projection of the first integrated fastening means or the first separate fastening means onto the plane of the second leg falls within the surface of the second leg,
wherein the second leg comprises a leadthrough opening which coincides with the projection of the first integrated fastening means or the first separate fastening means onto the plane of the second leg.

In some embodiments of the bracket, the angle between the plane of the first leg and the plane of the second integrated fastening means or the second separate fastening means is substantially equal to <NUM>°.

In some embodiments of the bracket, the first leg comprises a first integrated fastening means for a line, wherein the first integrated fastening means is a leadthrough opening.

In some embodiments of the bracket, in which the first fastening means comprises a leadthrough opening for a line, the first leg comprises a third mounting point for a third separate fastening means,.

In some embodiments of the bracket, in which the first leg comprises a third mounting point for a third separate fastening means, the third separate fastening means comprises a line clamp, wherein the line clamp is connected to the third mounting point by way of one of more bolts and/or screws.

In some embodiments of the bracket, the second leg comprises a second mounting point for a second separate fastening means,.

According to a second aspect of the invention, an assembly is disclosed, wherein the assembly comprises an embodiment of the bracket and a line;.

In some embodiments of the assembly, the assembly furthermore comprises a first separate fastening means and/or a second separate fastening means and/or a third separate fastening means, wherein the diameter of the first part of the line is at most equal to the diameter of the third separate fastening means.

According to a third aspect of the invention, a method for introducing a line into a reservoir provided with a cover plate with a manhole is disclosed, wherein the method comprises the following steps:.

Due to the specific geometry of the bracket, this can be pushed in a straightforward manner onto the cover plate via the manhole. In this case, the first leg rests on the top side of the cover plate and the connecting piece rests against a side of the manhole. The second leg rests or does not rest against the bottom side of the cover plate according to the length of the connecting piece. Preferably, the length of the connecting piece is approximately equal to the thickness of the cover plate, so that, after being positioned, the bracket can no longer move up and down in relation to the cover plate, and so that the friction between the cover plate and the legs of the bracket keeps the bracket in place in the other directions too.

The first integrated or separate fastening means is used as a template for applying a marking to the top side of the cover plate. Said marking indicates where a line opening needs to be drilled in the cover plate. Since the first fastening means lies in the plane of the first leg, the first fastening means rests against the top side of the cover plate and the marking is simple to apply. Preferably, the first fastening means has an inner diameter which corresponds to the outer diameter of the line to be positioned. In this situation, the periphery of the line opening to be drilled can be easily traced on the top side of the cover plate. Optionally, the bracket may be dimensioned or provided with spacers such that the marking for the line opening can be made only at a single predetermined position on the cover plate.

An advantage of this method is that the location of the line opening can be accurately determined without further auxiliary means. An additional advantage of this method is that the line opening is automatically correctly aligned in relation to the bracket. After the marking has been applied, the line opening can be drilled for example by means of a hole-saw drill.

The first part of the line is positioned vertically through the line opening and secured in the first fastening means. An advantage of this positioning method is that the line ensures that the bracket can no longer move in relation to the cover plate. It is thus not necessary for the bracket to be independently anchored on the cover plate.

The second part of the line is secured in the second fastening means. The fact that the first and second fastening means do not lie in the same plane means that this fastening removes all the degrees of freedom for movement of the line. An advantage of this positioning method is that the line need not be independently anchored on the reservoir.

In some embodiments of the method, this furthermore comprises the following steps:.

An advantage of the bracket being in a removed state during the drilling of the line opening is that neither the bracket nor the drill can be damaged.

The present invention will be described on the basis of specific embodiments, which are illustrative for the explanation but should not be regarded as limiting. A person skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention is not limited by the embodiments shown and/or described and that alternatives or modified embodiments may be developed in accordance with the general concept of this explanation. The figures shown are merely schematic and not limiting.

References throughout this explanation to "an embodiment" imply that one or more determined features, properties or structures which are described in connection with this embodiment may be incorporated in one or more embodiments of the present explanation. The use of phrases such as "in an embodiment" or "in some embodiments" throughout this text does not necessarily make reference, but rather possibly makes reference, to the same embodiment. In addition, the features, properties or structures which are described on the basis of a determined embodiment may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

Specific features, properties or structures are indicated in the figures by means of reference numbers. In order not to overload the figures, not every feature is indicated in each figure. Conversely, in order not to overload the text, not every feature indicated in a figure is also discussed in the context of this specific figure.

Lastly, the use of ordinal numbers such as "first", "second" and the like throughout this explanation does not in any way imply a hierarchical relationship - whether in terms of importance, position or time - between the features for which these are used, unless explicitly specified to the contrary. These ordinal numbers serve merely to distinguish between different but similar features, properties or structures.

<FIG> shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of a bracket according to the present invention in a perspective view. <FIG> show the same embodiment in a plan view and a side view, respectively.

The bracket <NUM> comprises a U-shaped part with a first leg <NUM>, a second leg <NUM> and a connecting piece <NUM> which connects the first leg <NUM> to the second leg <NUM>. The first leg <NUM> extends substantially parallel to the second leg <NUM>; the connecting piece <NUM> is positioned substantially perpendicularly to the first leg <NUM> and second leg <NUM>.

The first leg <NUM> comprises a first integrated fastening means <NUM>, which in the illustrated embodiment is designed as a leadthrough opening in the first leg <NUM>. Such a leadthrough opening is easy to realize during the manufacture of the bracket <NUM>. Preferably, the leadthrough opening is round in shape. The diameter of the leadthrough opening is equal to or greater than the outer diameter of the line whose positioning with the aid of the bracket is desired. If the diameter of the leadthrough opening is smaller than the outer diameter of the line, the line does not fit through the leadthrough opening. If the diameter of the leadthrough opening is substantially greater than the outer diameter of the line, the line, after being positioned, will not keep the bracket in place.

The first leg <NUM> also comprises a third mounting point <NUM>, which in the illustrated embodiment is designed as a raised lip with a hole therein. Said hole may be used for example to fasten a third separate fastening means to the raised lip by means of a nut and bolt. An example of a possible third separate fastening means is a line clamp. Preferably, the raised lip is substantially perpendicular to the first leg <NUM>, so that, after being fastened to the third mounting point <NUM>, a third separate fastening means extends parallel to the leadthrough opening. Preferably, the raised lip is positioned at such a distance from the leadthrough opening that, after being fastened to the third mounting point <NUM>, a third separate fastening means is aligned with the leadthrough opening.

In the illustrated embodiment, the third mounting point <NUM> is situated outside the volume enclosed by the U-shaped part of the bracket <NUM>, so that the third mounting point <NUM> is still accessible after the bracket has been positioned. Preferably, the raised lip of the illustrated embodiment is produced by a cut being made in the first leg <NUM> and the cut shape subsequently being folded over, which results in the formation of the cutout <NUM> in the first leg <NUM>. An advantage of this is that the bracket <NUM> can be produced from a plate material by means of purely cutting and folding techniques. This way of manufacturing has an additional advantage that the cutout <NUM> ensures that the mounting point <NUM> is more easily accessible with a tool, for example for tightening of a bolt or nut by means of a socket spanner or open-end spanner.

The second leg <NUM> comprises a second mounting point <NUM>, which in the illustrated embodiment is designed as a protruding lip with a hole therein. Said hole may be used for example to fasten a second separate fastening means to the raised lip by means of a nut and bolt. An example of a possible second separate fastening means is a line clamp. Preferably, the raised lip lies substantially in the plane of the second leg <NUM>, so that, after being fastened to the second mounting point <NUM>, a second separate fastening means lies in a plane which is substantially perpendicular to the plane of the first leg <NUM>.

In the illustrated embodiment, the second mounting point <NUM> is situated outside the volume enclosed by the U-shaped part of the bracket <NUM>, so that the second mounting point <NUM> is still accessible after the bracket has been positioned. Preferably, the protruding lip of the illustrated embodiment is produced by a cut being made in the connecting piece <NUM> and the cut shape subsequently being folded over, which results in the formation of the cutout <NUM> in the middle in the connecting piece <NUM>. An advantage of this is that the bracket <NUM> can be produced from a plate material by means of purely cutting and folding techniques. This way of manufacturing has an additional advantage that the cutout <NUM> ensures that the mounting point <NUM> is more easily accessible with a tool, for example for tightening of a bolt or nut by means of a socket spanner or open-end spanner.

In the illustrated embodiment, the second leg also comprises a fourth mounting point <NUM> and a fifth mounting point <NUM>. These additional mounting points may be used to fasten the second separate fastening means to multiple mounting points. They may also be used for example to fasten apparatuses, such as a pump, a float or a sensor, by means of a cable or chain. Preferably, the fourth mounting point <NUM> and the fifth mounting point <NUM> are designed in a similar way as for the second mounting point <NUM>.

<FIG> shows in a perspective view a schematic representation of a cross section of a reservoir in which a line has been introduced according to the method of the present invention. <FIG> shows a side view of the situation in <FIG>. <FIG> shows an enlarged representation of the marked region (A) in <FIG>.

In the embodiment illustrated in <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, the bracket <NUM> is fastened to the cover plate <NUM> of the reservoir <NUM>. This fastening is realized by the bracket being pushed onto the cover plate <NUM> via the manhole <NUM>. After the bracket <NUM> has been positioned, the first leg <NUM> rests on the top side of the cover plate and the connecting piece <NUM> bears against the side of the manhole <NUM>, whereby horizontal translation or rotation of the bracket <NUM> in relation to the reservoir <NUM> is limited.

Preferably, the length of the connecting piece <NUM> is equal to or slightly greater than the thickness of the cover plate <NUM>; in this case, the second leg <NUM> rests against the bottom side of the cover plate <NUM>, whereby vertical translation or rotation of the bracket <NUM> in relation to the reservoir <NUM> is limited.

The bracket <NUM> comprises a first integrated fastening means <NUM>, which is designed as a leadthrough opening (not illustrated in <FIG>, <FIG> or <FIG>). After the bracket <NUM> has been fastened to the cover plate <NUM>, this leadthrough opening is used as a template for drilling a line opening through the cover plate. Preferably, the diameter of the drilled line opening is equal to or slightly smaller than the diameter of the leadthrough opening in the first leg <NUM>.

The line <NUM> comprises a first part <NUM> and a second part <NUM>, wherein the first part <NUM> and the second part <NUM> are connected to one another in such a way that a fluid that flows through the first part <NUM> also flows through the second part <NUM> and vice versa. Both a releasable design and a non-releasable design are possible for the connection between both parts. The first part <NUM> and the second part <NUM> are connected to one another at an angle. Preferably, said angle is substantially equal to <NUM>°. Preferably, the length of the second part <NUM> is such that the line <NUM> can be brought into the reservoir <NUM> along the manhole <NUM>. The first part <NUM> of the line <NUM> is positioned vertically in the drilled line opening and leadthrough opening; the first part <NUM> thus connects the outer side of the reservoir <NUM> to the inner side of the reservoir. The second part <NUM> of the line is situated on the inner side of the reservoir.

Since the first part <NUM> of the line <NUM> extends through the leadthrough opening in the first leg <NUM> of the bracket <NUM>, the line, after being positioned, limits any horizontal translation of the bracket <NUM> in relation to the reservoir <NUM>. In this way, all six of the degrees of freedom for movement of the bracket <NUM> in relation to the reservoir <NUM> are limited without the bracket <NUM> being fastened by a mechanical coupling to the cover plate <NUM>.

In the embodiment of <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, a second separate fastening means <NUM> is fastened to the second mounting point <NUM> (not illustrated in <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>) of the bracket <NUM>. Here, said separate fastening means is designed as a line clamp. Such line clamps are available in a wide range of materials and inner diameters and can be fastened to the second mounting point for example by means of a bolt connection. The second part <NUM> of the line is clamped in the line clamp. In this way, all six of the degrees of freedom for movement of the line <NUM> in relation to the reservoir <NUM> are limited without the line <NUM> being fastened by a mechanical coupling to the cover plate <NUM>.

The embodiment of <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG> furthermore comprises a third separate fastening means <NUM>, which is fastened to the third mounting point <NUM>. Said third separate fastening means is designed as a line clamp which clamps around the first part <NUM> of the line. In principle, this line clamp does not limit any further degrees of freedom of the line. However, it is possible that the leadthrough openings in the first leg <NUM> and the cover plate <NUM> have a greater diameter than the outer diameter of the first part <NUM> of the line, which results in play between the line <NUM>, at one side, and the bracket <NUM> and the cover plate <NUM>, at the other side. In this case, the line can move to a limited extent in relation to the bracket and the cover plate, and the bracket can move to a limited extent in relation to the cover plate. The third separate fastening means <NUM> can be adapted in a simple manner to the outer diameter of the line so as to prevent these movements.

In the reservoir <NUM>, the second part <NUM> of the line is connected to the reservoir line <NUM> and the pump <NUM> by means of a coupling <NUM>.

<FIG> show a schematic representation of alternative embodiments of a bracket <NUM> according to the present invention.

In the embodiment illustrated in <FIG>, the first leg <NUM> comprises a first integrated fastening means <NUM> and the second leg <NUM> comprises a second integrated fastening means <NUM>. Both integrated fastening means are designed as a leadthrough opening.

An advantage of this embodiment is that a separate fastening means is not needed, and that consequently relatively few actions are required for the installation of the bracket. A disadvantage of this embodiment is that the line is relatively difficult to position. An additional disadvantage of this embodiment is that a leadthrough opening cannot be matched to the line diameter as well as a separate fastening means, such as for example a line clamp.

In the embodiment illustrated in <FIG>, the first leg <NUM> comprises a first integrated fastening means <NUM>, which is designed as a partial leadthrough opening. If the leadthrough opening describes more than half a circle, it is able to limit horizontal translation of the first part of the line (not shown in <FIG>) in relation to the bracket.

An advantage of this embodiment is that relatively little material is needed to produce the bracket.

In the embodiment illustrated in <FIG>, the first leg <NUM> comprises a first separate fastening means <NUM>, which is fastened to the first mounting point <NUM>, and the second leg <NUM> comprises a second separate fastening means <NUM>, which is fastened to the second mounting point <NUM>. Both separate fastening means are designed as a line clamp.

An advantage of this embodiment is that the bracket can be produced in a relatively simple manner and with relatively little material. An additional advantage of this embodiment is that the diameters of both line clamps can be matched to the outer diameter of the line such that no movement is possible between the line and the bracket. A disadvantage of this embodiment is that it is relatively cumbersome to apply a marking to the top side of the cover plate. An additional disadvantage of this embodiment is that the positioning of both line clamps requires relatively many actions.

In the embodiment illustrated in <FIG>, the second leg <NUM> comprises a second integrated fastening means, which is designed as a leadthrough opening. Said leadthrough opening is positioned at a horizontal angle in relation to the plane of the connecting piece <NUM>. This allows the second part <NUM> of the line to be positioned at an angle in a horizontal plane in relation to the bracket <NUM>. Such a solution may be used to prevent a situation in which the line, after being positioned, would limit access to the reservoir via the manhole, or to lead the line to a side of the reservoir. A person skilled in the art is aware that a similar result can be achieved by the second mounting point <NUM> being provided not in the middle of the second leg <NUM> but at a side of the second leg.

In the embodiment illustrated in <FIG>, the second mounting point <NUM> is positioned in such a way that the second separate fastening means <NUM> makes an angle in a vertical plane in relation to the connecting piece <NUM>. This allows the second part <NUM> of the line to be positioned at an angle of greater than <NUM>° in relation to the first part <NUM> of the line. Such a solution may be used if there is a significant risk of blockage of the line if bends of <NUM>° are used.

Claim 1:
Bracket (<NUM>) for being positioned in a manhole (<NUM>) of a cover plate (<NUM>) of a reservoir (<NUM>); characterized by
the bracket (<NUM>) comprises a U-shaped part with a first leg (<NUM>), a second leg (<NUM>) and a connecting piece (<NUM>) which connects the first and second legs (<NUM>, <NUM>) to one another;
wherein the distance between the first and second legs (<NUM>, <NUM>) is at least equal to the thickness of the cover plate (<NUM>);
wherein the first leg (<NUM>) comprises a first integrated fastening means (<NUM>) for a line (<NUM>) or a first mounting point (<NUM>) for a first separate fastening means (<NUM>) for a line (<NUM>);
wherein the first integrated fastening means (<NUM>) lies in the plane of the first leg (<NUM>), or wherein the first mounting point (<NUM>) is positioned in such a way that the first separate fastening means (<NUM>) lies in the plane of the first leg (<NUM>);
wherein the second leg (<NUM>) comprises a second integrated fastening means (<NUM>) for a line (<NUM>) or a second mounting point (<NUM>) for a second separate fastening means (<NUM>) for a line (<NUM>);
wherein the second integrated fastening means (<NUM>) lies in a plane which makes an angle in relation to the plane of the first leg (<NUM>), or wherein the second mounting point (<NUM>) is positioned in such a way that the second separate fastening means (<NUM>) lies in a plane which makes an angle in relation to the plane of the first leg (<NUM>).