Patent ID: 7429022

Claim:
A manhole collar for mounting in a manhole, defined by a generally circular rim surrounding a hole with a peripheral support surface surrounding the rim, and for providing support to an element located at the manhole comprising: a hollow cylindrical tube dimensioned so as to be inserted into the hole of the manhole co-axially therewith and with an outer surface of the cylindrical member closely adjacent the rim of the manhole and with a hollow interior through which material can pass into and out of the manhole; the tube having an upper circular edge arranged to be located adjacent the rim of the manhole and a lower circular edge arranged such that the outer surface projects into the hole of the manhole to locate the lower circular edge below the rim of the manhole; the tube having peripheral support surface engaging components thereon attached thereto and extending outwardly from the outer surface thereof at a position thereon adjacent the upper edge and spaced from the lower edge for engaging the peripheral support surface around the manhole; and a support sleeve mounted on the tube at an angular location thereon defining a cylindrical receptacle coaxial with the axis of the tube for a port to hold the post standing up from the manhole; wherein the peripheral support surface engaging components comprise a plurality of separate components each attached separately to the outer surface of the tube at angularly spaced positions around the periphery; wherein each separate component comprises a rigid strip attached at each end to the outer surface and shaped to divert away from the outer surface between the ends such that one side edge of the strip faces downwardly and acts to engage the support surface; wherein the strips are attached and shaped so that they include adjacent each end a portion which is generally tangential to the outer surface and a curved section coupling the end portions to form a lobe shape; and wherein the end of each strip is arranged adjacent the end of the next adjacent strip.