United States Patent ’ [:91
`
`[11]
`
`3,938,545
`
`145] Feb. 17, 1976
`Nagy et al.
`
`4/1969 Hoseason et a1 ........... .: ....... .. 52/221
`7/1970 Hilden ........... ..
`. 417/360 X
`7/1971
`Conery
`...... .. 417/360
`7/1973
`Lynch......
`417/360
`11/1973
`Crespo .............................. 1. 417/360
`
`
`
`3,435,568
`3,519,072
`3,592,564
`3,743,447
`3,771,914
`
`Primary Exzum'ner—-Henry T. Klinksiek
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm-—John T. 0’Ha1loran;
`Menotti .1. Lombardi, Jr.; Peter Van Der Sluys
`
`[57]
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`An underground station is provided with an access
`cover assembly including a frame extending about an
`access opening and a cover hingedly attached to said
`frame. A support member is attached to said frame
`and extends about the periphery of the access open-
`ing. Attaching members are slidably mounted to said
`support member so that they may be positioned to any
`desired location about
`the periphery of the access
`opening. Fastening means are provided for fixing said
`attaching members at desired locations about the sup-
`port member and for fastening station accessories to
`the attaching member so that the accessories may be
`mounted in preferred locations in a particular station.
`16 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures
`
`1541 ACCESS COVER WITH MOVEABLE
`ATTACHING DEVICES FOR
`
`UNDERGROUND PUMPING STATIONS AND
`OTHER INSTALLATIONS
`
`[75]
`
`Inventors: Nicholas Nagy, Westport; Clinton F.
`Egerton, Stamford, both of Conn.
`
`[73] Assignee:
`
`International Telephone and
`Telegraph Corporation, Nutley, NJ.
`
`[22]
`
`Filed:
`
`Nov. 15, 1974
`
`[21] Appl. No.: 524,098
`
`[52] U.S. Cl. .................. .. 137/363; 417/360; 52/21;
`52/710
`Int. CL2 ........................................ .. E02D 29/14
`Field of Search ........ .. 137/363; 52/19, 21, 221,
`52/710; 415/126, 119; 417/360; 222/180,
`255, 333
`
`[51]
`[58]
`
`[56]
`
`References Cited
`UNITED STATES PATENTS
`
`2,380,379
`3.018.925
`3,173,227
`
`7/1945
`1/1962
`3/1965
`
`Attwood ......................... .. 52/710 X
`
`Englesson
`417/360 UX
`Clark .............................. .. 52/221 X
`
`,
`
`‘I
`
`‘i4’f§:‘/i’/??
`
`Franklin Electric Co., Inc.
`Exhibit 1003
`
`Franklin Electric Co., Inc.
`Exhibit 1003
`
`

`
`US. Patent
`
`Feb 17, 1976
`
`Sheet 1 of 2
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`3,938,545
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`S.
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`' Io
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`U.S. Patent
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`Feb 17, 1976
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`Sheet 2 of2
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`3,938,545
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`1
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`3,938,545
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`2
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`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`ACCESS COVER WITH MOVEABLE ATTACHING
`DEVICES FOR UNDERGROUND PUMPING
`STATIONS AND OTHER INSTALLATIONS
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`1. Field of the Invention
`
`The present invention relates to underground sta-
`tions and more particularly to an underground station
`having an access cover with a versatile attaching frame.
`2. Description of the Prior Art
`‘
`Underground stations such as pumping stations re-
`quire access openings which are usually closed by ac-
`cess covers formed from a strong rigid material such as
`steel. The more sophisticated covers are mounted in a
`welded frame which is cast into a concrete slab formed
`about the access opening. The access covers are mass
`produced and mounted in the frame without regard to
`the specific requirements of a particular pumping sta-
`tion. Various accessories such as guide holders, cable
`holders, chain hooks, ladders, fluid level sensors and
`power outlets are commonly mounted to the access
`cover frame. The frame is provided with predrilled
`mounting holes disposed in predetermined locations
`for
`the purpose of mounting these
`accessories.
`Threaded‘ nuts are usually welded on the rear side of
`the frame in alignment with predrilled holes for receiv-
`ing accessory mounting bolts.
`Experience has shown that in many instances the nuts
`are misaligned and do not coincide with the predrilled
`holes so that the accessory mounting bolts cannnot be
`threaded into the nuts. Unfortunately, this condition is
`usually discovered after the frame is cast into the con-
`,crete slab and the problem may not be corrected with-
`out breaking the concrete away to gain access to the
`‘rear side of the mounting frame. This has proven to be
`an expensive and time consuming operation in addition
`to substantially degrading the overall appearance of the
`pumping station after the concrete is repaired.
`The frames are mass produced with a number of
`mounting holes disposed in predetermined locations
`without regard to the preferred requirements of a par-
`ticular pumping station. The prior art access covers
`lacked the versatility that is desired for simplifying
`installation and obtaining the most efficient station
`installation. The hinges were attached to the frame on
`a predetermined side without regard to the pumping
`station location which resulted in problems if an ob-
`struction happened to be located in the access area.
`To provide the most efficient pumping station, the
`previously mentioned accessories should be mounted
`in locations that can be determined only after the
`pumping station locations are completely surveyed.
`The preferred locations for the junction boxes for
`power cables and sensor cables will be dictated by the
`location of the power source at the station. The pumps
`used in the station usually require level sensors that are
`preferably mounted in an area remote from the fluid
`inlet where turbulence is usually experienced. Thus, it
`is important to have the flexibility to be able to locate
`the sensors in the area of least turbulence. The pumps
`themselves should be mounted in a location convenient
`to the discharge outlet.
`Thus, the prior art access covers not only resulted in
`problems with misaligned mounting holes, they also
`lacked the necessary flexibility for proper installation
`of an efficient pumping station.
`A
`
`The present invention contemplates an underground
`station such as a pumping station including an access
`cover that is inexpensive and has the necessary versatil-
`ity to provide an efficient and well designed station.
`The access cover includes a cover frame having a sup-
`port member formed about the periphery of the access
`hole. Threaded attaching members are slideably
`mounted to the support means and may be positioned
`to any desired location for receiving accessory fasten-
`ing bolts.
`_
`The versatility provided by the invention allows for
`the rapid installation of an efficient pumping station
`wherein the level sensors may be positioned in an area
`of least turbulence and the junction boxes for the sen-
`sor cables and power cables may be positioned near the
`power source.
`In one embodiment of the invention, an adaptor is
`utilized for mounting a hinge so that the cover may be
`mounted to open in the preferred direction most suited
`to the area surrounding the pumping station.
`Thus, each accessory may be located in its preferred
`position which can be selected during installation of the
`pumping station.
`The difficulties experienced with misaligned mount-
`ing holes are obviously eliminated by the use of the
`present invention. The frame can be cast in concrete
`without fear of misaligned holes or concern over the
`best orientation of the frame.
`
`In a preferred embodiment, the frame is manufac-
`tured from commercially available components which
`are merely welded together to form standard sized
`covers.
`
`Thus, the present invention provides an inexpensive
`access cover manufactured from standard commer-
`cially available components. The invention provides
`the flexibility required for well designed pumping sta-
`tions since it may be adapted to any particular local
`condition. The need for substantial inventories of vari-
`ous types and shap_es»of special access covers may be
`eliminated since the present invention is adaptable to a
`variety of needs. The difficulties experienced with pre-
`drilled mounting holes are entirely eliminated thereby
`saving installation time and expense.
`_
`The primary objective of the present invention is to
`provide an efficient-underground pumping station at
`the lowest possible cost.
`Another objective of the present invention is to pro-
`vide an inexpensive access cover.
`Another objective of the present invention is to pro-
`vide an access cover including a cover frame adapted
`to mount a plurality of pumping station accessories.
`Another objective of the present invention is to pro-
`vide an access cover having a cover frame wherein
`accessories may be mounted in any desired position
`without the need for predrilled mounting holes.
`. The foregoing and other objectives and advantages of
`the present invention will become more apparent from
`the following description and the accompanying draw-
`ings wherein one embodiment of the present invention
`is described.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`FIG. 1,
`is a perspective view of an underground
`pumping station shown partially in section.
`FIG. 2,
`is a vertical section showing the frame and
`cover of the present invention.
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`3
`FIG. 3, is a vertical section of the present invention.
`FIG. 4, is a vertical section showing the present in-
`vention including a hinge mounting bracket.
`FIG. 5, is a vertical section showing another embodi-
`ment of the present invention.
`’
`FIG. 6, is a vertical section of another embodiment of
`the present invention.
`DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENT
`
`Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a typical under-
`ground pumping station having a sump basin including
`a concrete floor 10, side walls 12 and a concrete cap
`14. A liquid inlet opening 16 is provided at a predeter-
`mined position within the basin wall and a pair of liquid
`discharge outlets 18 are also provided in the wall at
`predetermined locations. An accesss cover assembly 20
`having a cover plate 22 and a frame 24 is cast in con-
`crete cap 14. During installation, the concrete cap is
`formed within an enlarged opening into which the
`cover assembly 20 is positioned and thereafter grouted
`in place.
`Discharge pipes 26 are permanentlymounted in the
`sump basin and each have one end attached to a liquid
`discharge outlet 18 and another end attached to an
`automatic discharge connection adaptor 28 which is
`fixedly mounted to the sump floor 10. Extending from
`each of the automatic discharge connection adaptors
`28 are a pair of vertically disposed guide bars 30 which
`are supported on their upper ends by upper guide bar
`brackets 32 mounted to frame 24. A pair of electrical
`submersible pumps 34 are slideably disposed on guide
`bars 30 and have discharge outlets adapted for auto-
`matic connection to the discharge connection adaptors
`28 when lowered into the sump basin. Lifting chains 36
`are provided for lifting the pumps out of the sump
`basin. When not in use, the chains 36 are connected to
`chain hooks 38 attached to frame 24. Power cables 40
`connect pumps 34 to a junction box 42 mounted to
`frame 24 for providing power to the pumps. The power
`cables are preferably suspended from a cable hanger 44
`also connected to the frame 24. A plurality of float type
`level sensors 46 are suspended from a sensor control
`box 48 also mounted to the frame 24.
`A review of FIG. 1 will clearly indicate that it is desir-
`able to -mount the sensor control box 48 at a position
`remote from the liquid inlet opening 16 so that the float
`type sensors 46 are not adversely effected by the turbu-
`lence created by incoming liquid. The automatic dis-
`charge connection adaptors -28 must be positioned
`adjacent the liquid discharge outlets 18. Thus, the par-
`ticular position of the upper guide bar brackets 32
`depend upon the location of the liquid discharge out-
`lets 18. The preferred position for mounting junction
`box 42 and cable hanger 44 will be dictated by the
`location of the power source for the pumping station.
`Thus, it is desirable to provide a frame 24 wherein the
`accessories may be mounted at any location depending
`upon the configuration of and local conditions sur-
`rounding a particular pumping station.
`Referring to FIG. 2, there is shown a vertical section
`of a portion of a cover assembly 20 mounted in a con-
`cretecap. In a preferred embodiment, a cover 22 is
`formed of 1/8 inch checkered steel plate having steel
`re-enforcing braces 50 welded to the underside thereof
`for providing additional strength and rigidity. Hinges
`52 are provided having one leaf attached to the cover
`22 and a second leaf attached to the frame 24.
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`3,938,545
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`4
`Frame 24 comprises an angle iron member 54 having
`oneleg thereof welded to an upper side of a channeled
`support member 56 having a channel 58.and a slot 64
`formed on an exposed side therreof. The slotted chan-
`neled support member may be a commercially avail-
`able product such as a P1000 channel manufactured by
`Unistrut Corporation or a VA-1 channel manufactured
`by Versabar Corporation. These channels may be made
`of steel, stainless steel or aluminum depending upon
`design requirements. Disposed within the channel 58 is
`a sliding attachment memberin the form of a threaded
`nut 60 adapted to receive a fastening blot 62 through
`slot 64. An accessory 61 is mounted between bolt 62
`and channeled support member 56. It is desirable to
`provide a resilient member such as spring 66 between
`nut 60 and the rear wall of the channel to facilitate
`‘positioning of the nut in the channel. The resilient
`member is preferably attached to the sliding nut.
`Frame 24 may be formed in a rectangle by welding
`straight frame sections together at right angles as
`shown in FIG. 3 or if desired could be formed of curved
`materials to provide a circular or oval shaped access
`cover.
`
`Referring to FIG. 3, a straight frame section 24a is
`welded to another frame section 2412 at weld points 25
`for forming a rectangularly shaped frame. Referring to
`FIG. 4, a hinge mounting bracket 68 is shown for pro-
`viding flexibility in the positioning of the hinges to the
`desired location in the pumping station.
`In a simplified embodiment of the present invention
`shown in FIG. 5, the frame 24 is formed of two angle
`iron members 70 and 72 welded together to provide a
`frame member 70 and a support member’ 72 having a
`depending flange 74 extending about the periphery of
`the frame. A mounting clamp 76 is slideably disposed
`about the frame 24 and may be fixed in any desired
`location by tightening bolt 78. Clamp 76 has a threaded
`opening for receiving accessory mounting bolt 80. The
`embodiment of FIG. 5 is shown by way of example as
`having a depending flange. It is to be understood that
`said flange could be horizontally disposed or could be
`extending upwardly depending upon design preference.
`Referring to FIG. 6 there is another embodiment of
`the present invention wherein angle iron support mem-
`ber 72 has a leg 82 disposed upwardly and an attaching
`member 84 is disposed in a channel formed between
`leg 82 and one leg of angle iron 70. Attaching member
`84 has a shoulder 86 adapted to ride on leg 82. Resil-
`ient material 88 is disposed between angle iron support
`member 72 and leg 82 for holding member 84 in place.
`Fastening bolt 90 engages an accessory 92 and is
`threaded into member 84 thereby securing member 84
`in place on leg 82 and attaching accessory 92 to the
`frame.
`.
`.
`.~
`The invention should not be construed to be limited
`to any particular configuration of mounting frame but
`rather towards the broader concept of providing an
`underground pumping station having an access cover
`assembly wherein the desired accessories may be posi-
`tioned at any desired location.
`Thus, the present invention allows for the ‘construc-
`tion of an efficient underground pumping station
`‘wherein the components and accessories may be posi-
`tioned in the most desirable locations. The efficient
`operation of the pumping station is a direct result of the
`versatile access cover assembly which allows proper
`positioning of components. The cover assembly is man-
`ufactured from inexpensive commercially available
`
`

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`components and eliminates.the problems encountered
`with the prior art access covers relating to misalign-
`ment-of components while being less expensive._ Instal-
`lation time is considerably. reduced since the installer
`neednot be concerned with the exact alignment of 5
`components. Thus, the present invention provides a
`more efficientlpumping station at a lower. cost than
`thoseheretofore available. 7
`‘
`.
`g
`What is claimed is:
`H
`1. An underground pump'ing stationl, comprising:
`a sump basin including a liquid inlet, a liquid outlet
`and a top having an access opening;
`’
`l _ ,
`_
`a pump disposed in said basin’ and havinga discharge
`outlet connected to the liquid outlet of the basin;
`a cover frame fixedly mounted in the top of the basin
`and extending about the peripheryixof the access
`opening;
`. q
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`a support member attached to said cover frame and
`extending about the periphery of the access open-
`mg;
`a cover hingedly attached to one of said cover frame
`and support member for closing said access open-
`in ;
`attaghing members slidably mounted to said support
`member whereby the attaching members may be
`positioned to any desired location on the support
`member; and
`fastening means for engaging said attaching members
`and accessories to be mounted in the pumping
`station whereby said attaching members are fixed
`at a desired location on the support member and
`the accessories are attached thereto in the pre-
`ferred location for a particular pumping station.
`2. A pumping station as described in claim 1, wherein‘
`the support member comprises a flange extending from
`}said frame, said flange being engaged by the attaching
`membersin cooperation with the fastening means.
`3. A pumping station as described in claim 2, wherein
`the attaching members comprise clamp members slide-
`ably disposed on said flange and said fastening means
`includes means for fixing said clamp at a desired loca-
`tion on said flange and means for attaching accessories
`to said clamp member.
`4. A pumping station as described in claim 1, addi-V.
`tionally comprising resilient means associated with said
`attaching members for slideably securing said attaching
`members to said support member.
`5. A pumping station as described in claim 1, wherein p
`said support member comprises a channeled member
`having a longitudinal slot formed along an exposed side
`thereof and extending about the periphery of the access
`opening, said attaching members being slideably dis-
`posed in said channel and adapted to engage an inner
`surface of said channeled member,
`said fastening
`means extending into said slot for engaging the attach-
`ing members, whereby an accessory may be disposed
`between the fastening means and the channeled mem-
`ber and secured thereto by said fastening means.
`6. A pumping station as described in claim 5, addi-
`tionally comprising resilient means disposed between
`said attaching members‘ and a rear wall of said chan-
`neled member so that the attaching members are slide-
`ably held against
`the slotted side of the channeled
`member.
`‘
`7. A pumping station as described in claim 1, addi-
`tionally comprising hinge mounting brackets attached
`to said support member by said attaching members and
`
`.
`
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`.6 ..
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`fastening m"eans,"said cover being‘ hin'g'edly'att'ached to
`said-ib'racke’ts.» ‘-
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`8. An access cover assembly, comprising:
`‘a t/frame"me_mber defining:an~,access_ opening in the
`= access »cove;r,.assemb1y;A i
`,.
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`a support member attached to said frame member
`and.-extending about the access .9pen.ins;i., ..
`:_ a_coyer_ hingedly attached to one_bf said frame mem-
`ber’ and stippo'rt1”member’ forlclosing "said ‘access
`9
`,7
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`"attaching members slidab'1y~mo’unted to saidsupport
`member to be located at any desired position on
`* theisuppjort member; and:
`3.
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`.
`1
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`.. fasteningmeans‘fonengaging said attaching members
`and fixing said attaching members at a desired
`location _on the suppont‘member,_whereby_ an ac-
`. cessory used with _’the cover assembly may be at-
`tached todthe support member in a preferred loca-
`tion by said fastening means.
`.
`‘
`9. An access cover assembly as described in claim 8,
`wherein the support member comprises a flange ex-
`tending from said frame, said flange being engaged by
`the attaching members in cooperation with the fasten-
`ing means.
`10. An access cover assembly as described in claim 9,
`wherein the attaching members comprise clamp mem-
`bers slideably disposed on said flange and said fastening
`means includes means for fixing said clamp at a desired
`location on said flange and means for attaching acces-
`sories to said clamp member.
`11. An access cover assembly as described in claim 8,
`additionally comprising resilient means associated with
`said attaching members for slideably securing said at-
`taching members to said support member.
`12. An access cover assembly as described in claim 8,
`wherein said support member comprises a channeled
`member having a longitudinal slot formed along an
`exposed side thereof and extending about the access
`opening in the frame, said attaching members being
`slideably disposed in said channel to engage an ‘inner
`surface of said channeled member, said fastening
`means extended into said slot for engaging the attach-
`ing members, wherein an accessory may be disposed
`between the fastening means and the channeled mem-
`ber and secured thereto by said fastening means.
`13. An access cover assembly as described in claim
`12, additionally comprising resilient means disposed
`between said attaching members and a rear wall of said
`channeled member so that the attaching members are
`slideably held against the slotted side of the channeled
`member.
`14. An access coverassembly as described in claim 8,
`additionally comprising hinge mounting brackets at-
`tached to said support member by said attaching mem- '
`bers and fastening means, said cover being hingedly
`attached to said brackets.
`15. An access cover assembly for an underground
`pumping station of the type in which a number of sta-
`tion accessories are suspendedfrom the access cover
`assembly, comprising:
`i
`a frame member defining an access "opening the ac-
`cess cover assembly;
`a cover hingedly attached to said frame member;
`a track member formed on said frame member and
`extending about the access opening;
`a cover hingedly attached to one of said frame mem-
`bers and track member for closing said access
`opening;
`
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`a cover hingedly attached to one of said cover frame‘
`and Support member for closing said access open-
`in ;
`attaghing members slidably mounted to said support
`member whereby the attaching members may be
`positioned to any desired location on the support
`member;
`'
`fastening means for engaging said attaching members
`and for mounting accessories in the pumping sta-
`tion, whereby said attaching members are fixed at a
`desired location on the support member and the
`accessories are attached thereto in the desired
`location for a particular pumping station; and
`means for supporting said pump in said basin, said
`supporting means being connected to the support
`member at a selected position by said slidably
`mounted attaching members and fastening means
`so that the pump discharge outlet is aligned with
`the sump basin liquid outlet.
`*
`*
`*
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`*
`
`7
`attaching members slideably mounted to said track
`member for positioning at any desired location
`about the access opening; and
`fastening means for fixing the attaching members at a
`desired location and for attaching accessories to‘
`the access cover assembly.
`16. An underground pumping station, comprising:
`a sump basin including a liquid inlet, a liquid outlet
`and a top having an access opening;
`a pump disposed in said basin and having a discharge
`outlet;
`21 cover frame fixedly mounted in the top of said basin
`and extending about the periphery of the access
`opening;
`a support member attached to said cover frame and
`extending about the periphery of the access open~
`ing;
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