Apparatus for lifting and lowering manhole covers

Abstract

An apparatus for lifting and lowering manhole covers is shown and described. The apparatus for lifting and lowering manhole covers includes a main beam secured to a vehicle connection support. A winch is secured along the main beam. The winch is configured to secure to a manhole cover. A support leg secured to the main beam such that the winch is positioned between the vehicle connection support and the support leg.

Claims

1. An apparatus for lifting and lowering manhole covers, the apparatus comprising: a main support beam secured to a vehicle connection support; a winch secured along the main support beam; wherein the winch is configured to secure to a manhole cover, the main support beam is rotatably secured to the vehicle connection support, and the main support beam includes a stop plate connected to a stop plate on the vehicle connection support.

2. The apparatus for lifting and lowering manhole covers of claim 1, further comprising a magnet secured to the winch, wherein the magnet is configured to secure to a manhole cover.

3. The apparatus for lifting and lowering manhole covers of claim 2, wherein the main support beam includes a plurality of apertures there along.

4. The apparatus for lifting and lowering manhole covers of claim 1, further comprising at least one hook secured to the winch, wherein the at least one hook is configured to secure to a manhole cover.

5. The apparatus for lifting and lowering manhole covers of claim 1, wherein each stop plate has at least one aperture therethrough which is configured to align; a pin is removably placed through the at least one aperture locking the apparatus for lifting and lowering manhole covers in place.

6. An apparatus for lifting and lowering manhole covers, the apparatus comprising: a main support beam secured to a vehicle connection support; a winch secured along the main support beam; a support leg secured to the main support beam, wherein, the winch is configured to secured to a manhole cover; the winch is positioned between the vehicle connection support and the support leg, the main support beam is rotatably secured to the vehicle connection support, and the main support beam includes a stop plate connected to a stop plate on the vehicle connection support.

7. The apparatus for lifting and lowering manhole covers of claim 6, further comprising a magnet secured to the winch, wherein the magnet is configured to secure to a manhole cover.

8. The apparatus for lifting and lowering manhole covers of claim 6, wherein the support leg has an adjustable height.

9. The apparatus for lifting and lowering manhole covers of claim 6, wherein each stop plate has at least one aperture therethrough which is configured to align; a pin is removably placed through the at least one aperture locking the apparatus for lifting and lowering manhole covers in place.

10. The apparatus for lifting and lowering manhole covers of claim 6, further comprising at least one hook secured to the winch, wherein the at least one hook is configured to secure to a manhole cover.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout.

(2) FIG. 1 shows an exploded view of an embodiment of the apparatus for lifting and lowering manhole covers.

(3) FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the apparatus for lifting and lowering manhole covers.

(4) FIG. 3 shows a perspective in use view of an embodiment of the apparatus for lifting and lowering manhole covers.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

(5) With regard to the reference numerals used, the following numbering is used throughout the drawings.

(6) TABLE-US-00001 101 Main support beam 101a First bar 101b Second bar 101c Extra support 101d Apertures 101e Locking Pin 102 Vehicle connection support 102a Square tube 102b Vertical connection 103 Stop plates 104 Winch 104a Crank 104b Strap or cable 104c Hook 105 Winch connector 105a Connection plate 105b Tube 105c Locking pin 106 Hooks 107 Support leg 107a First section 107b Second section 107c Wheel 107d Apertures 107e Locking pin 201 Magnet 301 Vehicle 302 Manhole cover 303 Manhole 304 Apertures 305 Pin

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(7) Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the apparatus for lifting and lowering manhole covers. For the purposes of presenting a brief and clear description of the present invention, a preferred embodiment will be discussed as used for the apparatus for lifting and lowering manhole covers. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect.

(8) Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown an exploded view of an embodiment of the apparatus for lifting and lowering manhole covers. The apparatus for lifting and lowering manhole covers is comprised of several main features and several optional features. However, several of these optional features will significantly improve the functionality. The apparatus for lifting and lowering manhole covers is comprised of a main support beam 101. The main support beam 101 is made up of a first bar 101a and a second bar 101b. In one embodiment the first bar 101a has a plurality of apertures 101d there along.

(9) The first bar 101a and the second bar 101b are connected together at one end of each bar. In one embodiment the connection is perpendicular. In another embodiment the connection is at a suitable angle that will allow for full functionality of the apparatus for lifting and lowering manhole covers.

(10) In some embodiments an extra support 101c is included within the main support beam 101. This extra support 101c will better ensure that the connection between the first bar 101a and the second bar 101b stays intact and does not bend. Further, the second bar 101b has an opening at one end. The opening is configured to accept the vehicle connection support 102.

(11) In the shown embodiment the vehicle connection support 102 is comprised of a square tube 102a which is configured to be received by a vehicle hitch connection. At the end of the square tube 102a opposite the vehicle hitch mount there is a substantially vertical connection 102b. In the shown embodiment the vertical connection 102b is round. This will allow for the apparatus for lifting and lowering manhole covers to swivel. In another embodiment the vertical connection 102b is a square bar. This will prevent any movement in the apparatus for lifting and lowering manhole covers. In some embodiments the second bar 101b and the vertical connection support 102b each include a stop plate 103. The stop plate 103 will act as supports and washers to allow for swiveling.

(12) In one embodiment a winch 104 is secured directly to the first bar 101a. In the shown embodiment the winch 104 includes a crank 104a, which is configured to wind a strap or cable 104b around the winch 104. In another embodiment the winch 104 is an electric winch or other winch that does not require manual force be applied. In one embodiment the winch 104 is configured to include a stop such that the winch strap or cable 104b is held in place. The winch strap or cable 104b has a hook 104c secured to one end.

(13) In one embodiment the winch 104 is secured to a winch connector 105. The winch connector 105 is then secured to the first bar 101a. The winch connector 105 includes a connection plate 105a which is secured to a tube 105b having a cross section which is similar to and slightly larger than the first bar 101a. This will allow for the winch connector 105 to slide along the first bar 101a.

(14) In one embodiment, while not shown in this FIG. the first bar 101a includes a plurality of holes which run along the top surface and the bottom surface of the first bar 101a. This allows for a winch connector 105 to be movably secured thereto. In one embodiment at least one locking pin 105c is used to secure the winch connector 105 in place along the first bar 101a.

(15) In one embodiment the hook 104c of the winch 104 is secured to at least one hook 106. This will allow for the winch 104 to be secured to a manhole cover for removal. In the shown embodiment the winch 104 is secured to three hooks 106. In different embodiments the hooks 106 may be of various shapes and configurations as required by specific manholes. It is contemplated as part of this disclosure that hooks 106 represents any type of connection device required to connect to a manhole cover. Each hook 106 is secured to a chain such that the hooks 106 may be easily manipulated and secured to a manhole cover. Once the hooks 106 are secured the winch can be used to remove the manhole cover.

(16) The apparatus for lifting and lowering manhole covers further includes a support leg 107. In the shown embodiment the support leg 107 includes a first section 107a, a second section 107b and a wheel 107c. The first section 107a includes a tube having a cross section which is similar to and slightly larger than the first bar 101a. This will allow for the support leg 107 to slide along the first bar 101a. In one embodiment the support leg 107 is secured to the first bar 101a using at least one locking pin 107e. The first section 107a includes a substantially vertical part. This vertical part is configured to secure to the second section 107b.

(17) In one embodiment the second section 107b is configured to fit within the first section 107a. In another embodiment there are a plurality of apertures 107d which run the length of the first section 107a and the second section 107b. This will allow for at least one locking pin 107e to be used to secure the first section 107a and the second section 107b together. This will also allow for the height of the support leg 107 to be adjustable.

(18) In the shown embodiment a wheel 107c is secured to the base of the second section 107b. This will allow for the apparatus for lifting and lowering manhole covers to swivel in use. In one embodiment the wheel 107c is a castor wheel. This will allow for full functionality and little maintenance.

(19) Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown a perspective view of an embodiment of the apparatus for lifting and lowering manhole covers. In one embodiment the apparatus for lifting and lowering manhole covers includes a main support beam 101 which is fixed to the vehicle connection support 102. In this embodiment there are two extra supports 101c, one for the main support beam 101 and one which helps to secure the main support beam 101 to the vehicle connection support 102.

(20) In the shown embodiment there are a fixed set of apertures 101d along the main beam 101. This will allow for the winch connector 105 to be secured at any of the fixed points. In this embodiment there is a set of apertures 101d located at either end of the main support beam 101 and another set roughly in the middle of the main support beam 101. This allows for three different securement locations of the winch connector 105 along the main support beam 101.

(21) The apparatus for lifting and lowering manhole covers includes a winch 104 including a steel cable. In this embodiment the winch is connected to a magnet 201. The magnet 201 will allow for an easy connection to be made to any manhole cover. In the shown embodiment the magnet 201 has the ability to be engaged and disengaged.

(22) In this embodiment a manhole cover can be lifted as desired via the magnetic connection. The vehicle which the apparatus for lifting and lowering manhole covers is secured to will then be able to move away from the manhole leaving the manhole exposed and the cover removed.

(23) Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown a perspective in use view of an embodiment of the apparatus for lifting and lowering manhole covers. In this embodiment the apparatus for lifting and lowering manhole covers is shown in use. The apparatus for lifting and lowering manhole covers is secured to a vehicle 301. The manhole cover 302 has been removed leaving the manhole 303 exposed. In this embodiment the vehicle 301 did not have to move in order for the manhole cover 302 to be removed.

(24) In this embodiment one can see that the main support beam 101 is approximately half as long as the width of the vehicle 301. This will allow for the apparatus for lifting and lowering manhole covers to stay secured to the vehicle 301 for transport. In one embodiment the apparatus for lifting and lowering manhole covers may have the support leg 107 removed. The apparatus for lifting and lowering manhole covers may then be turned and secured to the vehicle 301.

(25) In one embodiment the apparatus for lifting and lowering manhole covers includes a plurality of apertures 304 located within the stop plates 103. These apertures 304 are configured to accept a pin 305 there through. In various embodiments the apertures 304 can be in different locations. However, the aperture 304 shall align at different angles as compared to the vehicle 301. When the pin 305 is secured the apparatus for lifting and lowering manhole covers will be locked into place.

(26) This allows, for example, the apparatus for lifting and lowering manhole covers to be locked at approximately a 90-degree angle for securing and lifting the manhole cover 302. In this example once the manhole cover 302 is lifted and the pin 305 is removed and the apparatus for lifting and lowering manhole covers can be rotated to approximately parallel with the vehicle 301 (as shown). The pin 305 can then be reinserted through the apertures 304. This will lock the apparatus for lifting and lowering manhole covers in place ensuring the manhole cover 302 stays away from the manhole 303. The degrees in the preceding description are merely examples and the ability to lock the apparatus for lifting and lowering manhole covers at various different degrees shall not be considered a departure from the present invention.

(27) It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown and described in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

(28) Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, 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, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.