Valve box locking lid and method therefor
OwnerL. Rodger Calderinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A locking lid and method for a valve box. The locking lid has a closure and surrounding external seal, which fit into the valve box opening and close/seal it. The locking mechanism of the locking lid preferably consists of an actuator spindle that extends through the closure, and that is received in an actuator follower positioned therebelow. The actual follower is in pivotal engagement with a plurality of locking pawls, such that turning of the actuator spindle causes movement of the actuator follower and thus pivoting of the locking pawls—moving the locking pawls into a locked or unlocked position relative to a lid seat within the valve box.
Claims10
A locking lid apparatus comprising, in combination:
- a closure;
- an annular external seal positioned about an exterior portion of said closure and projecting upwardly and outwardly;
- a threaded actuator spindle positioned through an opening in said closure;
- an actuator follower having a plurality of arms positioned below an underside of said closure;
- wherein said actual follower includes a threaded opening therein adapted to receive said threaded actuator spindle;
- a locking pawl pivotally coupled at a first end thereof to one said arm;
- wherein a second end of said locking pawl is adapted to engage an underside of a valve box lid seat;
- a locking pawl retainer and pivot adapted to pivotally retain said locking pawl proximate said second end thereof;
- wherein, when said closure is in position on a valve box, downward movement of said actuator follower causes said second end to move into engagement with said underside of said valve box lid seat.
A method for positioning a locking lid within a valve box in a secure and debris resistant manner comprising the steps of:
- providing a closure;
- providing an annular external seal positioned about an exterior portion of said closure and projecting upwardly and outwardly;
- providing a threaded actuator spindle positioned through an opening in said closure;
- providing an actuator follower having a plurality of arms positioned below an underside of said closure;
- wherein said actual follower includes a threaded opening therein adapted to receive said threaded actuator spindle;
- providing a locking pawl pivotally coupled at a first end thereof to one said arm;
- wherein a second end of said locking pawl is adapted to engage an underside of a valve box lid seat;
- providing a locking pawl retainer and pivot adapted to pivotally retain said locking pawl proximate said second end thereof;
- wherein, when said closure is in position on a valve box, downward movement of said actuator follower causes said second end to move into engagement with said underside of said valve box lid seat.
- positioning said locking lid in a valve box;
- turning said threaded actuator spindle so as to cause downward movement of said actuator follower, until said notched area moves into engagement with said underside of said valve box lid seat.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.