Frame and cover for inground utility enclosures
AssigneeOmega Metalworks LLC
InventorsJohn Mason Cathey, Joseph Charles Niemi
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Described are hatch assemblies comprising a frame having sidewalls, a pivotally connected cover, and a number of easily repairable and replaceable torsion-spring-assisted hinge assemblies. Hinge assemblies may comprise a torsion spring having a coiled body along the center axis of which a carriage bolt is inserted. Once one end of the torsion spring that extends vertically from the center axis is engaged by a support member, such as a semi-open enclosure that is mounted on a hinge plate, the spring is rotated and supports the torque generated by the weight of the cover when operated by a user. Advantageously, this provides for a controlled and almost effortless opening and closing of a heavy door or covers of hatch assemblies.
Claims12
A hatch assembly for an inground utility enclosure, the hatch assembly comprising:
- a frame comprising two pairs of opposing sidewalls, each sidewall comprising a bottom portion, the combination of the bottom portions defining an opening in the frame;
- a cover assembly pivotally connected to the frame, the cover assembly comprising a cover having a bottom surface and flatbars that extend perpendicular to the bottom surface;
- and
- a hinge assembly mounted to one of the sidewalls, the hinge assembly comprising:
- a torsion spring comprising a coiled body that is coiled along a center axis and having first and second ends, wherein the first end extends away from the coiled body;
- a shaft extending through the center axis of the torsion spring;
- and
- a hinge bracket coupled to the cover assembly and including a torsion spring engagement member that faces the torsion spring, the torsion spring engagement member, in response to the hinge bracket being rotated, engages the first end of the torsion spring and causes the torsion spring to rotate, wherein
- at least one of the sidewalls form sides of the frame and include a front end and a rear end, and comprise, along a periphery of the frame and between the front end and the rear end, a plurality of linear anchors in the form of studs extending outwardly at a non-perpendicular angle from the frame, between the front end and the rear end.
A hatch assembly for an inground utility enclosure, the hatch assembly comprising:
- a frame comprising two pairs of opposing sidewalls, each sidewall comprising a bottom portion, the combination of the bottom portions defining an opening in the frame:
- a cover assembly pivotally connected to the frame, the cover assembly comprising a cover having a bottom surface and flatbars that extend perpendicular to the bottom surface;
- and
- a hinge assembly mounted to one of the sidewalls, the hinge assembly comprising:
- a torsion spring comprising a coiled body that is coiled along a center axis and having first and second ends, wherein the first end extends away from the coiled body:
- a shaft extending through the center axis of the torsion spring;
- and
- a hinge bracket coupled to the cover assembly and including a torsion spring engagement member that faces the torsion spring, the torsion spring engagement member, in response to the hinge bracket being rotated, engages the first end of the torsion spring and causes the torsion spring to rotate, wherein
- an alignment spacer is disposed between and in contact with one of the flatbars and the hinge bracket.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.