# US 2014/0150347 A1 · Confined Space Control Cover > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0150347 A1 - Document ID: US20140150347A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/176,530 - Filed: 2014-02-10 - Published: 2014-06-05 - Earliest claimed: 2011-07-25 - Inventors: Thomas Jefferson Porter, IV - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140150347A1 ## CPC - E06B 9/02: Shutters, movable grilles, or other safety closing devices, e.g. against burglary (louvre windows or grilles E06B7/08; lamellar blinds E06B9/26) - E02D 29/14: Covers for manholes or the like; Frames for covers {(gully gratings E03F5/06)} - E02D 29/1436: {with overflow or explosion control means, e.g. check or relief valves} - E06B: FIXED OR MOVABLE CLOSURES FOR OPENINGS IN BUILDINGS, VEHICLES, FENCES OR LIKE ENCLOSURES IN GENERAL, e.g. DOORS, WINDOWS, BLINDS, GATES (shades or blinds for greenhouses A01G9/22; curtains A47H; lids for car boots or bonnets B62D25/10; skylights E04B7/18; sunshades, awnings E04F10/00) - E02D: FOUNDATIONS; EXCAVATIONS; EMBANKMENTS (specially adapted for hydraulic engineering E02B); UNDERGROUND OR UNDERWATER STRUCTURES {(tunnels, tunnelling, mining E21)} ## Abstract A confined space control cover that covers a man-way to a confined space area and prevents a person from breaking the plane of the confined space. The cover includes a base cover, an inwardly projecting lip and a radially extending channel along the lip. The cover is secured by an elastic band or a heavy nylon strapping received in the channel. The strapping has two ends extending from the cover, each end having at least one steel eyelet. A lock is placed through the eyelets on both ends to secure the control cover to the man-way. The control cover may also includes a warning sign disposed on the front of the base cover to prevent persons from entering the confined space area and/or a maintenance tag that is attached to the strapping to indicate maintenance activity performed near or within the confined space area or man-way. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A cover for restricting access to a man-way to a confined space area, said cover comprising: a one-piece generally circular cover, said cover having a front face, an exterior surface, an interior surface, and an annular, radially inwardly projecting lip; a radially extending channel proximal the innermost periphery of said lip; an elastic band received in said channel; said lip being movable from a first, relaxed position having a first diameter to a second, expanded position having a second diameter; said front face being substantially planar when said lip is in said second, expanded position. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The cover according to claim 1, wherein said cover is made of waterproof chemical resistant fabric or chemical resistant breathable fabric. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The cover according to claim 1, further comprising: a warning sign disposed on said exterior surface of said cover. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The cover according to claim 3, wherein said warning sign is an OSHA sign. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The cover according to claim 3, wherein said warning sign says danger confined space area. ### Claim 6 A cover for restricting access to a man-way to a confined space area, said cover comprising: a layer of flexible material having a first front side and a second back side, said layer of material being substantially circular when disposed on a planar surface to form a first peripheral edge having a first diameter, said layer of material including an annular, radially inwardly projecting lip portion, said lip portion having a second peripheral edge having a second diameter, said second diameter being less than said first diameter; and a peripherally extending channel in said lip portion, said channel being adjacent said second peripheral edge of said lip portion; an elastic band received in said channel, said elastic band having a diameter substantially equal to said second diameter of said lip portion when said flexible material is laying on said planar surface, said lip portion being elastically expandable to said first diameter of said first peripheral edge and elastically retractable to said second diameter of said lip portion. ### Claim 7 A cover for restricting access to a man-way to a confined space area, said cover comprising: a generally circular cover having a front face, an exterior surface, and an interior surface, said cover including an innermost portion having a first diameter and a peripheral outermost portion having a second diameter, said peripheral outermost portion having formed therein a peripherally extending channel, said peripherally extending channel having a channel opening; a strap received in said channel, said strap having a first end and a second end, said first and second ends extending out of said channel opening, whereby when said first end of said strap and said second end of said strap are pulled out of said channel opening of said channel, the second diameter of said peripheral outermost portion of said cover becomes smaller than the first diameter of the innermost portion of said cover; at least one eyelet in said first end of said strap and at least one eyelet in said second end of said strap. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The cover according to claim 7, wherein said base cover is made of waterproof chemical resistant fabric or chemical resistant breathable fabric. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The cover according to claim 7, wherein said strap is made of heavy nylon material. ### Claim 10 (depends on 7) The cover according to claim 7, wherein said eyelets accommodate a lock that is utilized to secure said both ends of said strap around and over said man-way. ### Claim 11 (depends on 7) The cover according to claim 7, further comprising: a warning sign disposed on said front face of said cover. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The cover according to claim 11, wherein said warning sign is an OSHA sign. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The cover according to claim 11, wherein said warning sign says danger confined space area. ### Claim 14 (depends on 7) The cover according to claim 7, further comprising: a maintenance tag that is attached to said strap to indicate maintenance activity performed near or within said confined space area or said man-way. ### Claim 15 (depends on 7) The cover according to claim 7, wherein said channel opening is on said interior surface of said cover.