Frame positioning device for positioning a frame over an inlet of a catch basin or manhole and method for positioning the same

Abstract

A device for positioning a frame over a head of a catch basin or manhole, comprising: an elongated body extending between a first end and a second end, the elongated body having an adjustable length, the first end second ends of the elongated body being adapted to abut opposite sections of a top face of the head; and a first leveling member and a second leveling member each secured to the elongated member such that a distance between the first and second leveling members varies when the length of the elongated body varies, the first and second leveling members each comprising: a guide member extending from the elongated member; and a frame receiving member slidably and rotatably secured to the elongated member, the frame receiving member being configured for receiving and supporting a lower end of the frame in order to position and orient the frame relative to the head.

1 . A device for positioning a frame over a head of one of a catch basin and a manhole, the device comprising:
 an elongated body extending between a first end and a second end, the elongated body having an adjustable length, the first end second ends of the elongated body being adapted to abut opposite sections of a top face of the head; and   a first leveling member and a second leveling member each secured to the elongated member such that a distance between the first and second leveling members varies when the length of the elongated body varies, the first and second leveling members each comprising:
 a guide member extending from the elongated member; and 
 a frame receiving member slidably and rotatably secured to the elongated member, the frame receiving member being configured for receiving and supporting a lower end of the frame in order to position and orient the frame relative to the head. 
   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the elongated body comprises a tubular section and a male section slidably inserted into the tubular section, the first leveling member being secured to the tubular section and the second leveling member being secured to the male section. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2 , further comprising a securing mechanism for securing the tubular section and the male section together. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the guide member of the first and second leveling members is removably secured to the elongated body. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the frame receiving member comprises a first plate provided with an aperture for receiving the guide member therein, and a second plate and a third plate each extending form the first plate to form a U-shaped space for receiving the lower end of the frame therein. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the first leveling member and the second leveling member each further comprise a locking mechanism for securing the frame receiving member to the guide member. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the first end and the second end of the elongated body each comprise a cantilevered section for abutting the opposite sections of the top face of the head. 
     
     
         8 . A frame positioning device for positioning a frame in a desired position over an inlet of one of a catch basin and a manhole, the inlet including an opening and a rim surrounding the opening, the positioning device comprising:
 an elongated body having a first end portion adapted to be supported on the rim and a second end portion adapted to be supported on the rim opposite the first portion such that the body extends across the opening; and   first and second leveling members extending upwardly from the body, the first leveling assembly being located towards the first end portion and the second leveling assembly being located towards the second end portion, each leveling assembly including a guide member attached to the body and a receiving member movably connected to the guide member for receiving a lower end portion of the frame, the receiving member being movable generally vertically towards and away from the body to allow the frame to be positioned and angled in a desired position relative to the inlet.   
     
     
         9 . The frame positioning device of  claim 8 , wherein each one of the first and second abutment portions includes a cantilevered section which extends away from the other one of the first and second abutment portions. 
     
     
         10 . The frame positioning device of  claim 8 , wherein each receiving member includes a pair of vertical walls for receiving the lower edge of the frame therebetween. 
     
     
         11 . The frame positioning device of  claim 8 , wherein the body includes a first tube and a second tube telescopically mounted within the first tube, the first end portion being defined on the first tube and the second end portion being defined on the second tube, the first and second tube being movable relative to each other between a closed position in which the first end portion and the second end portion are spaced by a first distance and a deployed position in which the first end portion and the second end portion are spaced by a second distance greater than the first distance. 
     
     
         12 . The frame positioning device of  claim 8 , further comprising a locking handle for locking the first and second tubes together in the deployed position. 
     
     
         13 . A method for positioning a frame over an inlet of a catch basin or manhole, the method comprising:
 providing the frame positioning device of  claim 8 ;   positioning the first end portion of the at least one frame positioning device on a rim of a concrete head and the second end portion of the at least one frame positioning device on the rim opposite the first end portion such that the body extends across the opening;   moving a lower edge of the frame and a corresponding receiving member towards each other until the lower edge is received in the receiving member; and   vertically moving the at least one supporting member along a displacement member to a desired vertical location.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said positioning the lower edge of the frame onto the supporting members comprises aligning each recess of the lower edge of the frame with each supporting members. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising positioning a covering layer around the frame and a guide. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the covering layer is a geotextile membrane. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising installing a cover or grate on the frame. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein said installing a cover or grate on the frame comprises deforming the cover or grate by elastic deformation to fit the cover or grate on a cover receiving shoulder of the frame. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising locking the cover or grate on the frame. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein said locking the cover or grate on the frame comprises inserting a locking member in an opening for pressure fitting the cover or grate against the cover receiving contour of the frame.