Self-sealing internal manhole chimney seal

Abstract

An assembly internally seals a manhole against infiltration of water. A pleated sleeve, made of an resilient material, includes a first and second sealing sections at opposite ends. The first sealing section has a lip that forms a recess for receiving an inwardly projecting flange on a frame of the manhole to attach the sleeve in a watertight manner. A fastening device engages the second sealing section and presses an outer surface of the sleeve against a different portion of the manhole to form another watertight seal.

1 . An assembly for internally sealing a manhole against infiltration of water, wherein the manhole includes an inwardly projecting flange, the assembly comprising: 
 a sleeve made of an resilient material and having a first sealing section and a second sealing section, the first sealing section having a recess for receiving the flange to attach the sleeve to the manhole, and the second sealing section having an outer surface; and    a fastening device engaging the second sealing section and pressing the outer surface against a surface of the manhole.    
   
   
       2 . The assembly as recited in  claim 1  wherein the first sealing section comprises an annular lip which forms the recess.  
   
   
       3 . The assembly as recited in  claim 2  wherein the annular lip provides a seal between a manhole cover and the flange.  
   
   
       4 . The assembly as recited in  claim 1  wherein the first sealing section comprises a hook-like lip which extends around the sleeve and forms the recess.  
   
   
       5 . The assembly as recited in  claim 1  wherein the flange is received in the recess of the first sealing section in a manner that provides a watertight seal.  
   
   
       6 . The assembly as recited in  claim 1  wherein the sleeve further comprises a plurality of pleats between the first sealing section and the second sealing section.  
   
   
       7 . The assembly as recited in  claim 1  wherein the outer surface of the second sealing section comprises a plurality of annular fins extending outwardly around the sleeve.  
   
   
       8 . The assembly as recited in  claim 7  wherein each of the plurality of fins has an edge for contacting the surface of the manhole and has a section spaced from the edge and adapted to deform as the fin is pressed against the surface of the manhole enabling the fin to conform to irregularities in the manhole.  
   
   
       9 . The assembly as recited in  claim 7  wherein the section of each of the plurality of fins is hollow.  
   
   
       10 . The assembly as recited in  claim 1  wherein fastening device comprises a fastening band engaging the second sealing section.  
   
   
       11 . The assembly as recited in  claim 10  wherein the fastening band has a first end portion and second end portion which overlap, and has a mechanism that adjustably secures the first and second end portions together to form a loop.  
   
   
       12 . The assembly as recited in  claim 10  wherein the fastening band has a first end portion with a tab projecting therefrom, and second end portion with a plurality of slots that cooperate with the tab to connect the first and second end portions together to form a loop.  
   
   
       13 . An assembly for internally sealing a manhole against infiltration of water, wherein the manhole includes a frame with an opening for access to inside the manhole and an annular flange projecting inwardly around the opening, the assembly comprising: 
 a sleeve made of an resilient material and including a first sealing section and a second sealing section, the first sealing section having a lip that forms a recess for receiving the flange to attach the sleeve to the frame of the manhole, and the second sealing section having an inner surface and an outer surface; and    a single fastening band, wherein the single fastening band engages the inner surface of the second sealing section and presses the outer surface against a surface of the manhole.    
   
   
       14 . The assembly as recited in  claim 13  wherein first sealing section provides a watertight seal with respect to the frame when the flange is received in the recess.  
   
   
       15 . The assembly as recited in  claim 13  wherein the lip provides a seal between a manhole cover and the flange.  
   
   
       16 . The assembly as recited in  claim 13  wherein the sleeve further comprises a plurality of pleats between the first sealing section and the second sealing section.  
   
   
       17 . The assembly as recited in  claim 13  wherein the outer surface of the second sealing section comprises a plurality of annular fins extending outwardly around the sleeve.  
   
   
       18 . The assembly as recited in  claim 17  wherein each of the plurality of fins has an edge for contacting the surface of the manhole and has a section spaced from the edge and adapted to deform as the fin is pressed against the surface of the manhole enabling the fin to conform to irregularities in the manhole.  
   
   
       19 . The assembly as recited in  claim 17  wherein the section of each of the plurality of fins is hollow.  
   
   
       20 . The assembly as recited in  claim 13  wherein the fastening band has a first end portion and second end portion which overlap and further including a mechanism that adjustably secures the first and second end portions together to form a loop.  
   
   
       21 . The assembly as recited in  claim 13  wherein the fastening band has a first end portion with a tab projecting therefrom, and second end portion with a plurality of slots that cooperate with the tab to connect the first and second end portions together to form a loop.  
   
   
       22 . The assembly as recited in  claim 1  wherein the fastening device is the only fastening device that engages the sleeve.