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US 9,435,099 B2Granted
Locking subgrade vault
AssigneeOldcastle Precast, Inc.
InventorNguyen Thai Dang
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A subgrade vault system with a locking lid assembly is provided. Specifically, a subgrade vault suitable for housing utility and similar equipment is provided, the vault comprising a main body portion, a cap, and a lid that may be selectively secured with one or more rotatable locking mechanisms to prevent or deter unauthorized access to vault contents.
Claims20
A subgrade vault with a lid, comprising:
- a body portion comprising four side walls which define an enclosure, an upper end, and a lower end;
- at least one of the four sidewalls comprising an inward taper such that the vault comprises a first internal perimeter proximal the upper end and a second internal perimeter proximal the lower end, the first internal perimeter being less than the second internal perimeter;
- the lid for closing the upper end, the lid comprising a top surface and a bottom surface and the bottom surface comprising at least one substantially rigid locking arm rotatable between a first position and a second position, the first position comprising an unlocked position and the second position comprising a locked position wherein the locking arm is provided in contact with the at least one sidewall comprising an inward taper;
- a vertically disposed control member extending through at least a portion of the lid and provided in force-transmitting communication with the least one substantially rigid locking arm;
- the substantially rigid locking arm comprising an elongate ovoid slot, and wherein the vertically disposed control member extends through the elongate ovoid slot and the elongate ovoid slot enables movement of the locking arm relative to the vertically disposed control member;
- and
- a biasing member in the form of a coil spring that biases the substantially rigid locking arm toward an open position such that rotation of the substantially rigid locking arm is facilitated when the vertically disposed control member is rotated, wherein the biasing member is provided around the vertically disposed control member and operable to lower the substantially rigid locking arm.
4 more elements
A lid adapted for locking engagement with a subgrade vault to secure utility connections, said lid comprising:
- an upper surface oriented in a substantially horizontal plane, a lower surface, a predetermined length, a width, and a height;
- a locking member for releasably securing said lid to said subgrade vault, said locking member being rotatable with respect to said lid and provided on the lower surface of the lid;
- said locking member having a predetermined length and being rotatable between at least a first unlocked position and a second locked position, said second locked position characterized by a distal end of the locking member being in force transmitting communication with an interior surface of said vault;
- and
- a control member comprising a proximal end and a distal end, said proximal end being accessible from the upper surface of said lid and the control member is adapted for rotating said locking member between said first position and said second position;
- the control member provided substantially perpendicular to the upper surface of the lid;
- the locking member comprising a planar portion with an elongate slot provided therein, and wherein the control member extends through the elongate slot;
- and
- a coil spring provided substantially coaxial with the control member and substantially perpendicular to said lower surface of said lid, the coil spring providing a downward force to the locking member to allow the locking member to be transitioned into an unlocked state.
6 more elements
A subgrade vault assembly for providing an enclosed region to secure utility connections, said assembly comprising:
- a lid comprising an upper surface oriented in a substantially horizontal plane, a lower surface, a length, a width, and a height;
- a rotatable locking member positioned proximate to said lower surface of the lid and having a predetermined length and rotatable between at least a first unlocked position and a second locked position;
- said rotatable locking member comprising a plate interconnected to a bracket, said bracket secured to said lower surface of said lid, and said plate comprising an elongate slot;
- a rotatable bolt extending through at least a portion of the lid and through the elongate slot, the rotatable bolt comprising a nut adapted for contacting the rotatable locking member and effecting a movement of the rotatable locking member;
- a coil spring provided substantially coaxially with the rotatable bolt and providing a force on the rotatable locking member, the force comprising a downward force to allow the rotatable locking member to transition to an unlocked state, and wherein the coil spring is provided in a compressed state when the rotatable locking element is provided in a locked position;
- a vault having a body portion comprising four side walls which define an enclosure, an upper end, and lower end, and at least one of the four sidewalls comprising an inward taper such that the vault comprises a first internal perimeter proximal the upper end and a second internal perimeter proximal the lower end, the first internal perimeter being less than the second internal perimeter;
- said rotatable locking member being rotatable between the first unlocked position and the second locked position, said second locked position characterized by a distal end of the rotatable locking member being in force transmitting communication with an interior surface of a sidewall of said vault such that said lid and said vault are securely interconnected when said rotatable locking member is provided in said second position.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.