Back to results
US 6,393,771 B1Granted
Cover for closing surface disposed utility access opening
OwnerMichael Alan Stetsoninventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Loading patent…
Loading patent…
OwnerMichael Alan Stetsoninventor
Estimating the term…
A cover for closing a utility access opening disposed in a fabricated surface having a defined external appearance. The cover includes a cap member engageable within the opening and having a substantially full cross sectional cavity for receiving a selected material. When the selected material is situated within the cavity, the cap member provides an exposed exterior having an appearance substantially identical with the defined external appearance of the fabricated surface. The cap member preferably includes a plurality of holes for draining moisture from its cavity site, a plurality of hand engageable grips for lifting the cover from the opening, and a plurality of support posts disposed within the cavity for weight stabilization. The present invention additionally includes methodology for constructing a fabricated surface having at least one opening therethrough that is closeable with a cover whose appearance replicates that of the surrounding surface. Such methodology includes providing a frame for defining an opening in the fabricated surface and providing a cap member engageable within the frame for covering the opening. The cap member has a substantially full cross-sectional cavity for placement of a selected material therein and is engaged within the frame for subsequent positioning within an intended plane of a fabricated surface. The fabricated surface is then constructed around the frame, and a selected material preferably being substantially identical in appearance to the fabricated surface is placed within the cavity of the cap member.
A cover for closing a utility access opening, said access opening extending through a fabricated surface having an exposed appearance, the cover comprising a cap member engageable within the opening, said cap member having a cross sectional cavity adapted to receive a selected material, said cap member further having at least one hand engageable grip for lifting the cap member and the material placed in the cavity of the cap member from the opening, wherein said cap member with said material disposed within the cavity thereof provides an exposed surface having an appearance substantially identical to the exposed appearance of the fabricated surface.
An access assembly for constructing a covered access opening, said access opening extending through a fabricated surface having an exposed appearance, the assembly comprising:
A method of constructing a fabricated surface with a closable opening therethrough, the method comprising the steps of:
A cover for closing a utility access opening, said access opening extending through a fabricated surface having an exposed appearance, the cover comprising a cap member engageable within the opening, said cap member having a cross sectional cavity adapted to receive a selected material, said cap member further having a bottom plate, a lateral wall, and a plurality of support posts disposed within the cavity of the cap member wherein each post is attached to both the bottom plate and the lateral wall, wherein said cap member with said material disposed within the cavity thereof provides an exposed surface having an appearance substantially identical to the exposed appearance of the fabricated surface.
An access assembly for constructing a covered access opening, said access opening extending through a fabricated surface having an exposed appearance, the assembly comprising:
A method of constructing a fabricated surface with a closable opening therethrough, the method comprising the steps of:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.