Adjustable tamper-resistant locking mechanism for manhole cover
AssigneeBetts Industries, Inc.
InventorsDavid Adams, Michael Gustafson, Craig Culbertson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
This disclosure includes a manhole cover locking device, system, and kit, each configured for locking a manhole cover in a closed position overtop an access opening of a container, the access opening being arranged at one end of a collar extending outwardly from the container, each comprising: a body; a mechanism for connecting the body to a pre-existing portion of the manhole collar or the container; and, a mechanism for securing the body to the manhole cover to prevent the opening of the manhole cover using a pre-existing portion of the manhole cover. Each mechanism may be tamper resistant. The disclosure also includes methods of installing and using the device, system, and kit.
Claims21
A manhole cover locking system comprising:
- a manhole with a cover pivotable about a hinge between open and closed positions and having at least one latch operable to secure the cover after the cover is placed in the closed position,
- a locking assembly having a body that is provided at a predetermined position in relation to the manhole cover,
- the locking assembly including a locking mechanism associated with the body operable between locked and unlocked conditions, such that the locking mechanism in the locked condition prevents movement of the cover from a closed position irrespective of the operation of the at least one latch, wherein the cover can only be opened upon actuation of the locking mechanism to the unlocked condition separately from the operation of the at least one latch.
A manhole cover locking system kit comprising:
- a secondary locking system including a body and attachment system for attaching the body to a manhole in a predetermined position in relation to a manhole cover that is movable between open and closed positions and securable in the closed position by a latching system,
- the secondary locking system having a locking mechanism operable between locked and unlocked conditions where in the locked condition, the locking mechanism prevents movement of the cover from a closed position after the cover is placed in the closed position, and
- the secondary locking system having an actuator to operate the locking mechanism between the locked and unlocked conditions.
A method of operating and locking a manhole cover to prevent tampering comprising:
- in association with a manhole with a pivotable cover positionable between open and closed positions, moving the cover to the closed position,
- operating a first locking mechanism to secure the cover after the cover is placed in the closed position,
- operating a second locking mechanism operable between locked and unlocked conditions to the locked condition after the cover is secured in the closed position by the first locking mechanism, where the second locking mechanism prevents opening of the closed cover to maintain the cover in the closed position independently from the first locking system, and to open the cover, operating the second locking mechanism to the unlocked condition, and operating the first locking mechanism to unsecure the cover and allow the cover to be opened.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.