Height and angle adjustable utility access device and method

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device and method for adjusting a height and an angle of a cover for a utility access, such as a manhole, to allow a top of the cover to sit flush with the surrounding surface, such as a road. The device has a cover which covers access to the utility; a frame coupled over the utility; an adjuster, coupled between the cover and the frame, for adjusting the height and angular orientation of the cover relative to the frame. The adjuster can include an adaptor ring on the frame, and an extension ring on the adaptor ring. The extension ring can have tabs which selectively engage a plurality of steps on the adaptor ring. The adaptor ring and frame can have mating, angled edges with rotatably engage to adjust the angular orientation as the adaptor ring is rotated with respect to the frame. The angular orientation of the cover can be adjusted by rotating the angled edges, or the adaptor ring and frame, with respect to one another. In addition, the height or elevation of the cover can be adjusted by rotating the tab with respect to the steps, or the extension ring with respect to the adaptor ring.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.