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US 7,731,451 B2Granted
Magnetic cover remover
AssigneeRock Mills Enterprises, Inc.
InventorDave Roberts
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A cover removal apparatus includes a frame, an electromagnet and a power source, which is electrically coupled to the electromagnet for selectively energizing the electromagnet. The removal apparatus may further include means for positioning the electromagnet relative to a cover and/or means for loosening the cover.
Claims11
A cover removal apparatus, comprising:
- a frame attachable to a vehicle;
- a first electromagnet coupled to a ram assembly, the ram assembly being supported by and moveable within the frame, so as to lower and raise the first electromagnet;
- a power source electrically coupled to the first electromagnet for selectively energizing the first electromagnet in order to electromagnetically couple with a cover;
- and
- a spring hammer apparatus attached to the frame via a mounting bracket, the apparatus comprising:
- a spring extending from a first end to a second end thereof;
- a first plate coupled to the first end of the spring;
- a second plate coupled to the second end of the spring, below the first plate;
- a rod coupled to the first plate and extending downward therefrom, the rod being slidingly received through an aperture formed in the second plate;
- and
- a second electromagnet positioned for electromagnetically coupling with the first plate and being electrically coupled to the power source;
- wherein the second plate is coupled to the first electromagnet so that, when the frame is attached to the vehicle, when the ram assembly lowers the first electromagnet over the cover, and when the second electromagnet is energized by the power source to couple with the first plate, the second plate is pulled away from the first plate, thereby stretching the spring;
- and
- when the second magnet is deenergized to release the first plate from the electromagnetic coupling, the spring contracts to send the rod into forceful engagement with the cover.
11 more elements
A cover removal apparatus, comprising:
- a frame attachable to a vehicle
- an electromagnet coupled to a ram assembly, the ram assembly being supported by, and moveable within, the frame so as to lower and raise the first electromagnet;
- a power source electrically coupled to the electromagnet for selectively energizing the electromagnet in order to electromagnetically couple with a cover;
- a support assembly comprising:
- a sleeve coupled to the frame via a pin, the pin extending laterally from the frame;
- a ratcheted support stem slideably received within the sleeve;
- and
- a ground support coupled to an end of the support stem, below the sleeve;
- wherein the sleeve includes a tab for selectively engaging any of a plurality of notches of the ratcheted support stem, the notches being spaced apart along a length of the support stem;
- and
- the tab selectively engages any of the notches so that the ground support is held by the sleeve either in a raised position, above a ground surface, or in a lowered position, contacting the ground surface, when the frame is attached to the vehicle.
8 more elements
A method for removing a manhole cover, comprising:
- positioning a first electromagnet over of a manhole cover;
- lowering the first electromagnet onto the cover;
- stretching a spring between a first plate and a second plate by moving the second plate downward, away from the first plate, the first plate being electromagnetically coupled to a second electromagnet, a first end of the spring being coupled to the first plate and a second end of the spring being coupled to the second plate;
- energizing the first electromagnet with a power source;
- deenergizing the second electromagnet to release the first plate from the electromagnetic coupling so that the spring contracts to send a rod into forceful engagement with the cover, thereby loosening the cover, the rod being coupled to the first plate and extending downward therefrom;
- and
- lifting the first electromagnet with the cover electromagnetically coupled thereto.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.