Reinforced manhole cover gasket

Abstract

A reinforced gasket for sealing a manhole, the gasket comprising a reinforcement ring having an upper surface and a generally planar lower surface; and a sealing assembly comprising a first ring and a second ring with an intermediate member extending between the first ring and the second ring, the intermediate member defining a contact surface; wherein the reinforcement ring is disposed between the first ring and the second ring of the sealing assembly such that the upper surface of the reinforcement ring is in contact with the contact surface of the seal ring.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A reinforced gasket for sealing a manhole comprising:
 an annular seal having a first ring and a second ring connected by an intermediate segment, wherein the first and second rings each have a height greater than a height of the intermediate segment; and   a reinforcement member having a height that is less than the height of the first and second rings, the reinforcement member coupled to the annular seal to increase a stiffness of the reinforced gasket.   
     
     
         2 . The reinforced gasket of  claim 1 , wherein the first ring has a circular cross section having a first diameter and the second ring has a circular cross section with a second diameter. 
     
     
         3 . The reinforced gasket of  claim 2 , wherein the first and second diameters are greater than a thickness of the intermediate segment. 
     
     
         4 . The reinforced gasket of  claim 1 , wherein the reinforcement member is coupled to an external surface of the annular seal. 
     
     
         5 . The reinforced gasket of  claim 1 , wherein the reinforcement member is embedded within the annular seal. 
     
     
         6 . The reinforced gasket of  claim 1 , wherein the reinforcement member is in at least one of the first ring or the second ring. 
     
     
         7 . The reinforced gasket of  claim 1 , wherein the reinforcement member is formed of metal. 
     
     
         8 . The reinforced gasket of  claim 1 , wherein the reinforcement member is formed of plastic. 
     
     
         9 . The reinforced gasket of  claim 1 , wherein the height of the second ring is greater than the height of the first ring. 
     
     
         10 . A method for sealing a manhole, the method comprising:
 providing a manhole sleeve forming an opening, the manhole sleeve including a shoulder radially extending inwardly;   providing a manhole cover for insertion within the manhole sleeve to enclose the opening;   providing a reinforced gasket with a gasket height, the reinforced gasket formed having a reinforcing member having a height that is less than the gasket height;   positioning the reinforced gasket on the shoulder; and   placing the manhole cover into the manhole sleeve.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein providing the reinforced gasket further comprises:
 forming a first ring and a second ring with an intermediate segment extending between the first ring and the second ring. 
 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising coupling the reinforcement member to at least one of the first ring, the second ring, or the intermediate segment. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the securing the reinforcement member further comprises securing the reinforcement member to a surface of the intermediate segment. 
     
     
         14 . A system for sealing a manhole comprising:
 a manhole sleeve having an inner wall defining an opening, the manhole sleeve having a shoulder extending into the opening from the inner wall of the manhole sleeve;   a gasket having a height and a reinforcement ring with a height that is less than the gasket height; and   a manhole cover disposed within the manhole sleeve and positioned to sandwich the gasket between the manhole cover and the shoulder.   
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14  wherein the gasket further comprises:
 a first ring and a second ring with an intermediate segment extending between the first ring and the second ring, the intermediate segment defining a contact surface; and 
 wherein the reinforcement ring is joined to the contact surface. 
 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 14  wherein the first ring has a circular cross section having a first diameter and the second ring has a circular cross section having a second diameter. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the reinforcement ring is disposed within the gasket. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the reinforcement ring is made of a metal material. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the reinforcement ring is made of a plastic material having a stiffness greater than a stiffness of the gasket. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the reinforcement ring is disposed within the at least one of the first ring or the second ring.