Lid for utilities enclosure having internal reinforcement matrix and method for making lid
AssigneeChannell Commercial Corporation
InventorsEdward J. Burke, Thomas Edward Burke
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A lid for a utilities vault having a moldable core and a reinforcement matrix positioned within the core, the reinforcement matrix including longitudinally and laterally extending intersecting members and a plurality of lid feature housings positioned on and attached to the intersecting members, the lid feature housings extending through the core and protruding to the upper and lower surfaces of the lid, and the plurality of longitudinally and laterally extending intersecting members have a height sufficient to provide reinforcement without a perimeter member for the reinforcement matrix.
Claims14
A lid for a utilities vault comprising:
- a moldable core;
- and
- a reinforcement matrix positioned within the core;
- wherein the reinforcement matrix includes a plurality of longitudinally and laterally extending intersecting members and a plurality of lid feature housings positioned on and attached to the intersecting members, the lid feature housings extending through the core and protruding to the upper and lower surfaces of the lid;
- wherein the plurality of longitudinally and laterally extending intersecting members have a height sufficient to provide reinforcement without a perimeter member for the reinforcement matrix;
- wherein the reinforcement matrix further includes a plurality of reinforcement members extending through the matrix;
- wherein the reinforcement members are rods extending through the reinforcement matrix;
- and
- wherein the rods extend through channels positioned in the plurality of longitudinally and laterally extending intersecting members of the reinforcement matrix.
A method of molding a lid comprising:
- forming a reinforcement matrix having a plurality of intersecting members;
- positioning and attaching lid feature housings to the reinforcement matrix;
- placing the reinforcement matrix and lid feature housings in a mold;
- and
- casting a core material into the mold;
- wherein the reinforcement matrix further includes a plurality of reinforcement members extending through the matrix;
- wherein the reinforcement members are rods extending through the reinforcement matrix;
- and
- wherein the rods extend through channels positioned in the plurality of intersecting members of the reinforcement matrix.
A lid for a utilities vault comprising:
- a molded concrete core;
- and
- a plastic reinforcement grid positioned within the core;
- wherein the reinforcement grid includes a plurality of longitudinally and laterally extending intersecting members and a plurality of lid feature housings positioned on and attached to the intersecting members, the lid feature housings extending through the core and protruding to the upper and lower surfaces of the lid;
- wherein the plurality of longitudinally and laterally extending intersecting members have a height sufficient to provide reinforcement for the lid without being connected at an end of each intersecting member of the reinforcement grid;
- wherein the reinforcement matrix further includes a plurality of reinforcement members extending through the matrix;
- wherein the reinforcement members are rods extending through the reinforcement matrix;
- and
- wherein the rods extend through channels positioned in the plurality of longitudinally and laterally extending intersecting members of the reinforcement matrix.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.