Floating manhole frame assembly

Abstract

A manhole frame assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention generally includes an upper frame and a lower frame, and is adapted to support a manhole cover. The upper frame may be allowed to float with respect to the lower frame, enabling the upper frame to move during installation, or as the surrounding structure moves, or both. By being capable of movement, the upper frame may potentially prevent uneven transitions between the manhole frame assembly and the surface of the surrounding structure.

1 . A manhole frame assembly adapted to seat over an opening of an underground area, the opening providing a passageway for access to the underground area, said manhole frame assembly adapted to be installed adjacent a structure, said manhole frame assembly comprising:
 a lower frame having a lower peripheral wall and a base, said base adapted to be fastened in place over the opening, said lower peripheral wall extending from said base and having a first inside surface and a first outside surface;   an upper frame adapted to move with respect to said lower frame, said upper frame having an upper peripheral wall with a second inside surface and a second outside surface;   wherein said upper and lower peripheral walls define an access opening to the passageway;   wherein said upper frame is adapted to slide over said lower frame such that a portion of said second inside surface of said upper frame overlaps a portion of said first outside surface of said lower frame;   a sleeve encircling at least part of said first outside surface of said lower peripheral wall, wherein a gap is formed between said sleeve and said at least part of said first outside surface of said lower peripheral wall;   wherein said sleeve is adapted to encircle at least part of said second outside surface of said upper peripheral wall, wherein said at least part of said second outside wall is disposed within said gap formed between said sleeve and said at least part of said outside surface of said lower peripheral wall, wherein said sleeve is detached from said upper frame, wherein said upper frame is capable of moving with respect to said sleeve, wherein said gap provides clearance between said sleeve and said at least part of said first outside surface to allow said upper frame to tilt with respect to said lower frame and said sleeve; and   wherein said upper frame includes one or more flange projections extending from said second outside surface, wherein said one or more flange projections are configured to link with the structure such that movement of the structure results in corresponding movement of said upper frame.   
     
     
         2 . The manhole frame assembly as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said upper frame is capable of moving in response to movements in the structure, and wherein said sleeve prevents the structure from binding said portions of said second inside surface and said first outside surface that overlap. 
     
     
         3 . The manhole frame assembly as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said upper frame is capable of moving with respect to said sleeve and said lower frame during installation of the upper frame. 
     
     
         4 . The manhole frame assembly as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said sleeve is rigid. 
     
     
         5 . The manhole frame assembly as claimed in  claim 1  wherein a perimeter of said sleeve defines said gap between said sleeve and said first outside surface of said lower frame, and wherein said upper peripheral wall is capable of fitting within said gap. 
     
     
         6 . The manhole frame assembly as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said sleeve and said lower frame are configured to enable said upper frame to extend and contract and to tilt with respect to the lower frame. 
     
     
         7 . The manhole frame assembly as claimed in  claim 6  wherein in a fully contracted position, said upper frame contacts said base of said lower frame preventing further contraction. 
     
     
         8 . The manhole frame assembly as claimed in  claim 6  wherein said lower frame, said upper frame, and said sleeve are configured to allow the upper frame to tilt between 0° and 5° with respect to said lower frame. 
     
     
         9 . The manhole frame assembly as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said lower frame includes an upper surface of the lower peripheral wall, and further comprising a gasket disposed in proximity to said upper surface and adapted to provide a seal between the upper peripheral wall and the lower peripheral wall, said seal substantially preventing the structure from entering the access opening. 
     
     
         10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . The manhole frame assembly as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said one or more flange projections include an opening such that a portion of each of said one or more flange projections is capable of being enclosed by the structure. 
     
     
         12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . A manhole frame assembly adapted to seat over an opening of an underground area, the opening providing a passageway for access to the underground area, said manhole frame assembly adapted to be installed adjacent a structure, said manhole frame assembly comprising:
 a lower frame having a lower peripheral wall and a base, said base adapted to be fastened in place over the opening, said lower peripheral wall extending from said base and having a first inside surface and a first outside surface;   an upper frame adapted to move with respect to said lower frame in response to movements in the structure, said upper frame having an upper peripheral wall, said upper peripheral wall having a second inside surface and a second outside surface;   wherein said upper and lower peripheral walls define an access opening to the passageway;   a sleeve encircling at least part of said first outside surface of said lower peripheral wall, a perimeter of said sleeve defining a gap between said sleeve and said first outside surface, wherein said upper peripheral wall is capable of fitting within said gap, wherein said sleeve is detached from said upper frame, wherein said gap provides clearance between said sleeve and said at least part of said first outside surface to allow said upper frame to tilt with respect to said lower frame and said sleeve;   wherein said sleeve maintains said gap to enable said upper frame to move with respect to the lower frame and to prevent the structure from binding the upper frame; and   wherein said upper frame includes one or more flange projections extending from said second outside surface, wherein said one or more flange projections are configured to link with the structure such that movement of the structure results in corresponding movement of said upper frame.   
     
     
         14 . The manhole frame assembly as claimed in  claim 13  wherein said sleeve is adapted to encircle at least part of said second outside surface of said upper peripheral wall, wherein said upper frame moves with respect to said sleeve in response to the movements in the structure, and wherein said sleeve prevents the structure from binding a portion of said second inside surface of said upper peripheral wall that overlaps a portion of said first outside surface of said lower peripheral wall. 
     
     
         15 . The manhole frame assembly as claimed in  claim 13  wherein said upper frame is adapted to slide over said lower frame such that a portion of said second inside surface of said upper frame overlaps a portion of said first outside surface of said lower frame. 
     
     
         16 . The manhole frame assembly as claimed in  claim 13  wherein said sleeve is rigid. 
     
     
         17 . The manhole frame assembly as claimed in  claim 13  wherein said sleeve and said lower frame are configured to enable said upper frame to extend and contract and to tilt with respect to the lower frame. 
     
     
         18 . The manhole frame assembly as claimed in  claim 17  wherein in a fully contracted position, said upper frame contacts said base of said lower frame preventing further contraction. 
     
     
         19 . The manhole frame assembly as claimed in  claim 13  wherein said lower frame includes an upper surface of the lower peripheral wall, and further comprising a gasket disposed in proximity to said upper surface and adapted to provide a seal between said upper peripheral wall and said lower peripheral wall, said seal substantially preventing the structure from entering the access opening. 
     
     
         20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . The manhole frame assembly as claimed in  claim 13  wherein said one or more flange projections include an opening such that a portion of each of said one or more flange projections is capable of being encapsulated by the structure. 
     
     
         22 . (canceled)