US20190063032A1 - Meter cover - Google Patents
Meter cover Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20190063032A1 US20190063032A1 US16/111,867 US201816111867A US2019063032A1 US 20190063032 A1 US20190063032 A1 US 20190063032A1 US 201816111867 A US201816111867 A US 201816111867A US 2019063032 A1 US2019063032 A1 US 2019063032A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- protrusion
- cover
- cutout
- locking
- receptacle
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
- E02D—FOUNDATIONS; EXCAVATIONS; EMBANKMENTS; UNDERGROUND OR UNDERWATER STRUCTURES
- E02D29/00—Independent underground or underwater structures; Retaining walls
- E02D29/12—Manhole shafts; Other inspection or access chambers; Accessories therefor
- E02D29/14—Covers for manholes or the like; Frames for covers
- E02D29/1427—Locking devices
Definitions
- FIG. 1 is a top view of an exemplary conventional Clark frame.
- FIG. 2 is a bottom view of an exemplary cover.
- FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-section view of the protrusion receptacle of an exemplary cover, taken along line A-A.
- the locking protrusion cutout 34 is a recess located on the underside of the meter box cover 30 , proximate to the perimeter of the meter box cover 30 , and approximately one hundred eighty degrees from the protrusion receptacle 32 .
- the locking protrusion cutout 34 includes a toothed portion cutout 42 shaped to receive the toothed portion 24 of the locking protrusion 20 , and a protrusion portion cutout 44 shaped to receive the protrusion portion 26 of the locking protrusion 20 .
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
- Paleontology (AREA)
- Civil Engineering (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Structural Engineering (AREA)
- Measuring Volume Flow (AREA)
Abstract
Description
- This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/550,141 filed Aug. 25, 2017, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.
- The present invention relates generally to a cover, and more particularly to a meter box cover.
- Removable covers are used to cover a meter box to keep unauthorized persons and materials out of a public utility access, such as for water, gas, and electric industries. Certain meter box covers are attached to a conventional frame assembly known as a Clark frame. Various removable covers that are designed for Clark frames attach and secure to the Clark frame by using a hook that is locked into the Clark frame by a minor movement such as a quarter turn of the hook. Such removable covers utilizing a hook have a tendency to dislodge easily due to the small movement required to disengage the hook from the frame.
- The present application provides a removable cover that is easily placed and secured onto a corresponding frame. The cover includes a protrusion receptacle and a protrusion cutout each located at different positions on the circumference of the cover. The cover further includes a locking assembly, such as a worm gear assembly, that extends through the protrusion cutout to lock the cover to the frame. The cover also has a plurality of alignment indicators that are aligned with the protrusion receptacle and the protrusion cutout to assist an operator in securing the cover to the frame.
- The foregoing and other features of the application are described below with reference to the drawings.
-
FIG. 1 is a top view of an exemplary conventional Clark frame. -
FIG. 2 is a bottom view of an exemplary cover. -
FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-section view of the protrusion receptacle of an exemplary cover, taken along line A-A. -
FIG. 4 is a bottom view of an exemplary cover including a worm gear assembly. -
FIG. 5 is a side view of an exemplary cover. -
FIG. 6 is a top view of an exemplary cover. -
FIG. 7 is an underside view of a worm gear assembly of an exemplary cover secured to the Clark frame. - The principles of the present application relate to a cover for engaging with a frame to cover an opening, such as a meter box cover for covering a meter box, for example of a water, gas, or electrical utility system and thus will be described below in this context. It will be appreciated that the principles of the application may be applicable to other covers, such as manhole covers, electrical box covers, gas covers, television covers, steam covers, etc.
- Referring initially to
FIG. 1 , a conventional Clark frame is illustrated. The Clark frame includes abody 16 defining anopening 18. Protruding into the opening is aprotrusion 22, and approximately one hundred eighty degrees from theprotrusion 22 is alocking protrusion 20. Thelocking protrusion 20 includes atoothed portion 24 and aprotrusion portion 26 adjacent thetoothed portion 24. Thetoothed portion 24 is configured to receive a hook belonging to a conventional Clark cover. - Turning now to
FIGS. 2-6 , an exemplarymeter box cover 30, such as a water meter box cover is illustrated. Thecover 30 can be made of any suitable material, such as a corrosion resistant polymer that allows for the transmission of wireless signals to pass through the cover. As shown inFIG. 2 , the bottom surface of themeter box cover 30 includes aprotrusion receptacle 32 for receiving theprotrusion 22, alocking protrusion cutout 34 sized to surround thelocking protrusion 20, and alocking assembly aperture 36. The bottom surface of themeter box cover 30 can also include one or more retainer brackets for installation of other technology such as an antenna and/or one or more posts to allow for attachment of the retainer bracket. - The
protrusion receptacle 32 is located proximate to the perimeter of themeter box cover 30 and is sized appropriately to receive theprotrusion 22 on the frame. In certain embodiments, the protrusion receptacle can have side ends that are bent upwards to maintain theprotrusion 22 inside of theprotrusion receptacle 32 and prevent rotation of themeter box cover 30 when theprotrusion 22 is inserted into theprotrusion receptacle 32. As shown in the cross-sectional view taken along line A-A of theprotrusion receptacle 32 illustrated inFIG. 3 , theprotrusion receptacle 32 includes ahooked end 38 that creates apocket 40 with a size and shape for receiving theprotrusion 22. - The
locking protrusion cutout 34 is a recess located on the underside of themeter box cover 30, proximate to the perimeter of themeter box cover 30, and approximately one hundred eighty degrees from theprotrusion receptacle 32. Thelocking protrusion cutout 34 includes atoothed portion cutout 42 shaped to receive thetoothed portion 24 of thelocking protrusion 20, and aprotrusion portion cutout 44 shaped to receive theprotrusion portion 26 of thelocking protrusion 20. - The
locking assembly aperture 36 is located adjacent to thelocking protrusion cutout 34, and within a locking assembly recess 46. The locking assembly recess 46 can be recessed less than thelocking protrusion cutout 34 such that thelocking protrusion cutout 34 is deeper than the locking assembly recess 46, forming a ledge at the intersection of the locking assembly recess 46 and thelocking protrusion cutout 34. Thelocking assembly aperture 36 extends through the underside of themeter box cover 30 and through the topside of themeter box cover 30. - Turning now to
FIGS. 4-6 , themeter box cover 30 can also include alocking assembly 48 such as the illustrated worm gear assembly that is rotatable to engage theprotrusion portion 26 of thelocking protrusion 20 to provide a secure connection between themeter cover 30 and the frame. Thelocking assembly 48 can extend through thelocking assembly aperture 36. Thelocking assembly 48 can include a threadedportion 50, otherwise referred to as a worm gear, that extends downward from the bottom surface of thecover 30 and aturning portion 52 accessible from the top surface of thecover 30. In order for the threadedportion 50 of thelocking assembly 48 to align with theprotrusion portion 26 while avoiding engagement with thetoothed portion 24, thelocking assembly aperture 36 and thelocking assembly 48 can be offset by anoffset angle 54 from the one hundred eighty degree location across from the protrusion receptacle. In certain embodiments, theoffset angle 54 can be between fifteen and twenty degrees, for example, seventeen degrees. - The
cover 30 further includes atop surface 56. Thetop surface 56 of thecover 30 may have any suitable finish, such as a textured finish over some or all of the surface to provide for increased traction, and may additionally include areas for indicia, for example anarea 58 identifying the usage of thecover 30, such as water meter. Thetop surface 56 of the meter box cover includes a plurality of alignment markers, such as a first set ofalignment markers 60 indicating the position of theprotrusion receptacle 32 and a second set ofalignment markers 62 indicating the position of thelocking protrusion cutout 34. Thealignment markers alignment markers top surface 56 of thecover 30, although it should be appreciated that thealignment markers - Referring again to
FIGS. 1-6 , to install thecover 30 over a meter box frame, thecover 30 is positioned such that theprotrusion receptacle 32 is aligned with theprotrusion 22. The first set ofalignment markers 60 can assist an installer in aligning theprotrusion receptacle 32 with theprotrusion 22. The protrusion receptacle end of thecover 30 can then be pushed into the frame such that theprotrusion 22 is inserted into theprotrusion receptacle 32. After theprotrusion 22 is inserted into theprotrusion receptacle 32, thelid 30 may be lowered into place, assisted by thealignment markers 62, on top of the rest of theframe body 16 such that thelocking protrusion 20 nests inside of thelocking protrusion cutout 34. To secure thecover 30 to the frame,locking assembly 48 can be tightened so that the threadedportion 50 engages with theprotrusion portion 26 of thelocking protrusion 20 as illustrated inFIG. 7 . When the threadedportion 50 engages with theprotrusion portion 26 of thelocking protrusion 20, thelocking assembly 48 provides a clamping force between the threadedportion 50 and theprotrusion portion 26, which secures thecover 30 in place on theframe body 16.Locking assembly 48 can be tightened by using the turningportion 52. Turningportion 52 can be any type of screw head such as a pentagon head, a Phillips head, a flathead, a star-shaped slot, among others. Thelocking assembly 48 includes enough threads on the threadedportion 50 that small turns of thelocking assembly 48 do not disengage the threadedportion 50 from the protrusion portion. - To remove the
cover 30 from theframe body 16, thelocking assembly 48 can be loosened using theturning portion 52. Thelocking assembly 48 can include enough threads that a one-quarter turn does not completely loosen thelocking assembly 48 from the frame. Once thelocking assembly 48 is loosened, the locking protrusion cutout end of thecover 30 can be lifted from theframe body 16 and thecover 30 can be pulled away from theframe body 16 in a direction away from theprotrusion 22 so that theprotrusion 22 slides out of theprotrusion receptacle 32. - Although certain embodiments have been shown and described, it is understood that equivalents and modifications falling within the scope of the appended claims will occur to others who are skilled in the art upon the reading and understanding of this specification.
Claims (20)
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US16/111,867 US20190063032A1 (en) | 2017-08-25 | 2018-08-24 | Meter cover |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US201762550141P | 2017-08-25 | 2017-08-25 | |
US16/111,867 US20190063032A1 (en) | 2017-08-25 | 2018-08-24 | Meter cover |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20190063032A1 true US20190063032A1 (en) | 2019-02-28 |
Family
ID=65434897
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US16/111,867 Abandoned US20190063032A1 (en) | 2017-08-25 | 2018-08-24 | Meter cover |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
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US (1) | US20190063032A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB2584601A (en) * | 2019-04-08 | 2020-12-16 | Dudley Thomas Ltd | Access cover |
Citations (26)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US1684983A (en) * | 1927-11-26 | 1928-09-18 | Horace W Clark | Box or casing cover with fastener |
US3973856A (en) * | 1975-06-17 | 1976-08-10 | Joseph Gaglioti | Manhole closure assembly |
US3977124A (en) * | 1974-04-19 | 1976-08-31 | Pont-A-Mousson S.A. | Man-hole assembly |
US4048766A (en) * | 1975-09-04 | 1977-09-20 | Intercontinental Plastics Mfg. Co. | Closure lid assembly for protective housings |
US4523407A (en) * | 1983-09-23 | 1985-06-18 | Dorothy W. Miller | Hatch cover |
US4723866A (en) * | 1985-06-19 | 1988-02-09 | Mcgard, Inc. | Manhole cover locking bolt construction |
US4763449A (en) * | 1985-04-29 | 1988-08-16 | Pont-A-Mousson S.A. | Manhole cover sealing and locking arrangement |
US5230542A (en) * | 1992-03-11 | 1993-07-27 | Custom Metalcraft Inc. | Latch dog assembly |
US5312202A (en) * | 1992-09-25 | 1994-05-17 | 3-D Composits Ltd | Access cover assembly |
US5697729A (en) * | 1993-07-02 | 1997-12-16 | Bowman; Harold M. | Anchor for utility access hole support insert |
US6035581A (en) * | 1998-09-09 | 2000-03-14 | Archie Mccoy (Hamilton) Ltd. | Road surface aperture frames and covers |
US7144189B1 (en) * | 2002-09-06 | 2006-12-05 | Brad Bongiovanni | Locking cover for wells and underground tanks |
US20070227077A1 (en) * | 2006-02-28 | 2007-10-04 | Saint-Gobain Pam | Frame and corresponding roadway device |
US20070286677A1 (en) * | 2006-06-12 | 2007-12-13 | David Stadler | Manhole Cover Security Lock with Controlled Pressure Release |
US20090154993A1 (en) * | 2006-06-12 | 2009-06-18 | David Stadler | Method of Controllably Venting Gases Generated by Explosions in a Manhole Space |
US20090180832A1 (en) * | 2008-01-10 | 2009-07-16 | East Jordan Iron Works, Inc. | Manhole system |
US20090211170A1 (en) * | 2008-02-26 | 2009-08-27 | Burlando Albert A | Inground marker for a subterranean object, such as a septic tank |
US20090241435A1 (en) * | 2006-05-30 | 2009-10-01 | Ismail Cemil Suatac | Adjustable manhole cover assembly |
US7619878B1 (en) * | 2007-07-16 | 2009-11-17 | Nicor, Inc. | Meter cover for automated meter reading |
US20110072629A1 (en) * | 2009-09-29 | 2011-03-31 | Flood Jr Robert | Method for covering an above ground access opening to a conduit assembly |
US20140144086A1 (en) * | 2011-07-04 | 2014-05-29 | Aco Severin Ahlmann Gmbh & Co., Kg | Manhole cover |
US20150020458A1 (en) * | 2011-12-15 | 2015-01-22 | David Brent Sinclair | Manhole cover assembly with cams |
US20160053458A1 (en) * | 2014-08-22 | 2016-02-25 | Neenah Foundry Company | Pressure Responsive Locking Latch Arrangement For Manhole Covers |
US9663973B2 (en) * | 2010-06-10 | 2017-05-30 | Rehrig Pacific Company | Water meter pit cover latch |
US20180100285A1 (en) * | 2016-10-10 | 2018-04-12 | Trumbull Manufacturing, Inc. | Cover assembly |
USD858797S1 (en) * | 2017-10-17 | 2019-09-03 | Trumbull Manufacturing, Inc. | Cover |
-
2018
- 2018-08-24 US US16/111,867 patent/US20190063032A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (26)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US1684983A (en) * | 1927-11-26 | 1928-09-18 | Horace W Clark | Box or casing cover with fastener |
US3977124A (en) * | 1974-04-19 | 1976-08-31 | Pont-A-Mousson S.A. | Man-hole assembly |
US3973856A (en) * | 1975-06-17 | 1976-08-10 | Joseph Gaglioti | Manhole closure assembly |
US4048766A (en) * | 1975-09-04 | 1977-09-20 | Intercontinental Plastics Mfg. Co. | Closure lid assembly for protective housings |
US4523407A (en) * | 1983-09-23 | 1985-06-18 | Dorothy W. Miller | Hatch cover |
US4763449A (en) * | 1985-04-29 | 1988-08-16 | Pont-A-Mousson S.A. | Manhole cover sealing and locking arrangement |
US4723866A (en) * | 1985-06-19 | 1988-02-09 | Mcgard, Inc. | Manhole cover locking bolt construction |
US5230542A (en) * | 1992-03-11 | 1993-07-27 | Custom Metalcraft Inc. | Latch dog assembly |
US5312202A (en) * | 1992-09-25 | 1994-05-17 | 3-D Composits Ltd | Access cover assembly |
US5697729A (en) * | 1993-07-02 | 1997-12-16 | Bowman; Harold M. | Anchor for utility access hole support insert |
US6035581A (en) * | 1998-09-09 | 2000-03-14 | Archie Mccoy (Hamilton) Ltd. | Road surface aperture frames and covers |
US7144189B1 (en) * | 2002-09-06 | 2006-12-05 | Brad Bongiovanni | Locking cover for wells and underground tanks |
US20070227077A1 (en) * | 2006-02-28 | 2007-10-04 | Saint-Gobain Pam | Frame and corresponding roadway device |
US20090241435A1 (en) * | 2006-05-30 | 2009-10-01 | Ismail Cemil Suatac | Adjustable manhole cover assembly |
US20070286677A1 (en) * | 2006-06-12 | 2007-12-13 | David Stadler | Manhole Cover Security Lock with Controlled Pressure Release |
US20090154993A1 (en) * | 2006-06-12 | 2009-06-18 | David Stadler | Method of Controllably Venting Gases Generated by Explosions in a Manhole Space |
US7619878B1 (en) * | 2007-07-16 | 2009-11-17 | Nicor, Inc. | Meter cover for automated meter reading |
US20090180832A1 (en) * | 2008-01-10 | 2009-07-16 | East Jordan Iron Works, Inc. | Manhole system |
US20090211170A1 (en) * | 2008-02-26 | 2009-08-27 | Burlando Albert A | Inground marker for a subterranean object, such as a septic tank |
US20110072629A1 (en) * | 2009-09-29 | 2011-03-31 | Flood Jr Robert | Method for covering an above ground access opening to a conduit assembly |
US9663973B2 (en) * | 2010-06-10 | 2017-05-30 | Rehrig Pacific Company | Water meter pit cover latch |
US20140144086A1 (en) * | 2011-07-04 | 2014-05-29 | Aco Severin Ahlmann Gmbh & Co., Kg | Manhole cover |
US20150020458A1 (en) * | 2011-12-15 | 2015-01-22 | David Brent Sinclair | Manhole cover assembly with cams |
US20160053458A1 (en) * | 2014-08-22 | 2016-02-25 | Neenah Foundry Company | Pressure Responsive Locking Latch Arrangement For Manhole Covers |
US20180100285A1 (en) * | 2016-10-10 | 2018-04-12 | Trumbull Manufacturing, Inc. | Cover assembly |
USD858797S1 (en) * | 2017-10-17 | 2019-09-03 | Trumbull Manufacturing, Inc. | Cover |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB2584601A (en) * | 2019-04-08 | 2020-12-16 | Dudley Thomas Ltd | Access cover |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
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AS | Assignment |
Owner name: TRUMBULL MANUFACTURING, INC., OHIO Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:HESTON, ADRIAN;EMANUEL, BLAKE;REEL/FRAME:046698/0700 Effective date: 20180823 |
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STPP | Information on status: patent application and granting procedure in general |
Free format text: APPLICATION DISPATCHED FROM PREEXAM, NOT YET DOCKETED |
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STPP | Information on status: patent application and granting procedure in general |
Free format text: DOCKETED NEW CASE - READY FOR EXAMINATION |
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STPP | Information on status: patent application and granting procedure in general |
Free format text: NON FINAL ACTION MAILED |
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STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |
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AS | Assignment |
Owner name: CORE & MAIN LP, MISSOURI Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:TRUMBULL MANUFACTURING, INC.;REEL/FRAME:062211/0149 Effective date: 20221003 |