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US 6,616,371 B2Granted
Cover for in-ground meter enclosures used in traffic loading conditions, and method for making
AssigneeOkie Doakie Sales, Inc.
InventorRichard Pate
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A cover for in-ground meter enclosures used in traffic loading conditions employs a relatively thin plate member formed of a ductile iron alloy and is dimensioned to extend laterally across a top opening of an in-ground meter enclosure. A plurality of relatively thick rib members of the ductile iron alloy are formed with and extend generally normal from the bottom side of the plate member. The plate member and the rib members together have sufficient strength and ductility to withstand total loads on the order of at least about 20,000 pounds on the top side of the plate member.
Claims30
In combination:
- a meter enclosure dimensioned to be inserted into a ground area, the meter enclosure having a top opening;
- a relatively thin plate member formed of a ductile iron alloy, the plate member having a length and width dimensioned to extend generally laterally across the top opening of the meter enclosure, the cover further comprising a meter access opening extending through the plate member between the top and bottom sides;
- a relatively thick rib member of the ductile iron alloy formed with and extending generally normal from a bottom side of the plate member, the rib member comprising a peripheral rib surrounding the periphery of the bottom side of the plate member and at least two longitudinal ribs and at least three lateral ribs extending generally normal to, and intersecting with, the longitudinal ribs at spaced unitary joints;
- and wherein
- the plate member and the rib member together have sufficient strength and ductility to withstand total loads on the order of at least 20,000 pounds on a top side of the plate member opposing the bottom side.
2 more elements
In combination:
- a hollow meter enclosure dimensioned to be inserted into a ground area, the meter enclosure having a top opening and a retention shelf along an inside wall of the enclosure;
- a relatively thin plate member formed of a ductile metal, the plate member having a length and width dimensioned to extend generally laterally across a top opening of an in-ground meter enclosure, the plate member further comprising means extending therethrough for permitting a meter-reading access;
- a plurality of relatively thick rib members of the ductile metal formed with and extending generally normal to a bottom side of the plate member, the rib members comprising a peripheral rib substantially surrounding the periphery of the bottom side of the plate member and a pattern of ribs across the bottom side of the plate member interiorly of the peripheral rib with the plate member and the rib members cast together as a unitary ductile metal cover having sufficient strength and ductility to withstand vehicle loads from automobiles and trucks on a top side of the plate member opposing the bottom side, and wherein
- the retention shelf is dimensioned along the inside wall of the meter enclosure to receive the peripheral rib of the plate member while maintaining the top side of the plate member generally flush in the top opening.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.