Lockable utility box lid

A lockable utility box lid comprising:

• at least one utility box lid having at least one aperture defined therein;
• at least one clamping mechanism coupled to underside of the lid, the at least one clamping mechanism comprising:
• a bolt comprising a threaded first end and an opposing second end, the second end having an integral bolt head further including a cavity;
• a lock plate;
• a plurality of side plates coupled at right angles to said lock plate wherein said side plates are further coupled at right angles to the underside of the lid, whereby said lock plate is coupled to said side plates at a spaced location so as to allow a predetermined space between the opposing surfaces of said lock plate and said utility box lid;
• a back plate including a first bolt aperture pivotably coupled to said plurality of side plates;
• a pivot arm including a second bolt aperture pivotably coupled to said lock plate;
• a threaded plate having a threaded aperture pivotably coupled to said pivot arm;
• and
• means for urging said pivot arm of said clamping mechanism in an upwardly outward direction whereby said pivot arm is caused to forcefully engage one or more inward facing vertical, horizontal or angled interior walls said utility box enclosure.

A lockable utility box lid comprising:

• a utility box lid comprising an upper surface and a lower surface and a longitudinal axis extending from a first edge to an opposing second edge thereof;
• at least one clamping mechanism attached to the lower surface of the utility box lid, the clamping mechanism selectively adjustable between a first locked position and a second unlocked position;
• and
• an actuator engaging said at least one clamping mechanism for selectively adjusting the clamping mechanism between the first locked position and the second unlocked position,
• wherein when moving from an unlocked position to a locked position the clamping mechanism moves outwardly with respect to a center of the utility box lid, and along the longitudinal axis thereof, to engage one or more interior walls of a utility box enclosure
• and further wherein said actuator does not extend above the upper surface of the lid when the clamping mechanism is in the locked position or when the clamping mechanism is in the unlocked position.

A method of locking a utility box lid, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing a utility box lid having an upper surface, a lower surface, and a longitudinal axis extending from a first edge to an opposing second edge thereof, and having a security fastener and a locking mechanism associated therewith, the security fastener comprising a head sized and shaped in a non-standard manner;
• and
• providing a tool for manipulating the security fastener, the tool having a size and shape complementary to the security fastener,
• wherein rotating the security fastener in a first direction causes the locking mechanism to undergo movement along the longitudinal axis of the lid and assume a first, locked position, and further wherein rotating the security fastener in a second direction causes the locking mechanism to undergo movement along the longitudinal axis of the lid and assume a second, unlocked position, and further wherein said security fastener does not extend above the upper surface of the lid when the locking mechanism is in the locked position or when the locking mechanism is in the unlocked position.