Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
154 words
A manhole assembly, comprising an annular frame defining a manhole and having an upwardly facing ledge and having an annular surface bordering the outer extremity of said ledge, a lid to enclose the manhole and having a lower surface to seat directly on said ledge and having an outer peripheral surface abutting said annular surface, said lid also having an angular surface connecting said lower surface and said outer peripheral surface and disposed at an acute angle with respect to the horizontal, and an annular gasket for sealing the lid to said frame, said gasket being generally triangular in cross section and including a first surface resting on said ledge, a second surface disposed in contact with said annular surface of said frame and a third diagonal surface connecting said first and second surfaces, said third surface disposed at an angle with respect to the horizontal 5° to 15° greater than said acute angle.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
154 words
A manhole assembly, comprising an annular frame defining a manhole and having an upwardly facing ledge and having an annular surface bordering the outer extremity of said ledge, a lid to enclose the manhole and having a lower surface to seat directly on said ledge and having an outer peripheral surface abutting said annular surface, said lid also having an angular surface connecting said lower surface and said outer peripheral surface and disposed at an acute angle with respect to the horizontal, and an annular gasket for sealing the lid to said frame, said gasket being generally triangular in cross section and including a first surface resting on said ledge, a second surface disposed in contact with said annular surface of said frame and a third diagonal surface connecting said first and second surfaces, said third surface disposed at an angle with respect to the horizontal 5° to 15° greater than said acute angle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The manhole assembly of claim 1, wherein said third surface is disposed at an angle with respect to the horizontal 10° greater than said acute angle.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
The manhole assembly of claim 1, wherein said third surface is disposed at an angle of about 45° with respect to the horizontal and said angular surface is disposed at an angle of 35° with respect to said horizontal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The manhole assembly of claim 1, wherein the radial dimension of said first surface is less than one half the radial dimension of said ledge.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
162 words
A manhole assembly, comprising an annular frame defining a manhole and having an upwardly facing ledge and having an annular surface bordering the outer extremity of said ledge, a lid to enclose the manhole and having a lower surface to seat directly on said ledge and having an outer peripheral surface abutting said annular surface, said lid also including an angular surface interconnecting said lower surface and said outer peripheral surface and disposed at an acute angle to the horizontal, and a resilient annular sealing member for sealing the lid to said frame, said sealing member having a generally triangular cross section and including a first surface resting on said ledge, a second surface disposed in engagement with said annular surface and a third diagonal surface connecting said first and second surfaces, said third surface being engaged with said angular surface, said third surface being disposed at an angle with respect to the horizontal 5° to 15° greater than said acute angle.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
162 words
A manhole assembly, comprising an annular frame defining a manhole and having an upwardly facing ledge and having an annular surface bordering the outer extremity of said ledge, a lid to enclose the manhole and having a lower surface to seat directly on said ledge and having an outer peripheral surface abutting said annular surface, said lid also including an angular surface interconnecting said lower surface and said outer peripheral surface and disposed at an acute angle to the horizontal, and a resilient annular sealing member for sealing the lid to said frame, said sealing member having a generally triangular cross section and including a first surface resting on said ledge, a second surface disposed in engagement with said annular surface and a third diagonal surface connecting said first and second surfaces, said third surface being engaged with said angular surface, said third surface being disposed at an angle with respect to the horizontal 5° to 15° greater than said acute angle.