EP3204308A1 - Couvercle de sécurité - Google Patents

Couvercle de sécurité

Info

Publication number
EP3204308A1
EP3204308A1 EP14903509.9A EP14903509A EP3204308A1 EP 3204308 A1 EP3204308 A1 EP 3204308A1 EP 14903509 A EP14903509 A EP 14903509A EP 3204308 A1 EP3204308 A1 EP 3204308A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
access pipe
outside diameter
cylindrical housing
security lid
locking
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP14903509.9A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP3204308A4 (fr
Inventor
Robert C. BERLESE
Gregory J. MIZIOCH
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Publication of EP3204308A1 publication Critical patent/EP3204308A1/fr
Publication of EP3204308A4 publication Critical patent/EP3204308A4/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D55/00—Accessories for container closures not otherwise provided for
    • B65D55/02—Locking devices; Means for discouraging or indicating unauthorised opening or removal of closure
    • B65D55/14—Applications of locks, e.g. of permutation or key-controlled locks
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
    • E02D—FOUNDATIONS; EXCAVATIONS; EMBANKMENTS; UNDERGROUND OR UNDERWATER STRUCTURES
    • E02D29/00—Independent underground or underwater structures; Retaining walls
    • E02D29/12—Manhole shafts; Other inspection or access chambers; Accessories therefor
    • E02D29/14—Covers for manholes or the like; Frames for covers
    • E02D29/1427—Locking devices
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
    • E02D—FOUNDATIONS; EXCAVATIONS; EMBANKMENTS; UNDERGROUND OR UNDERWATER STRUCTURES
    • E02D29/00—Independent underground or underwater structures; Retaining walls
    • E02D29/12—Manhole shafts; Other inspection or access chambers; Accessories therefor
    • E02D29/14—Covers for manholes or the like; Frames for covers
    • E02D29/1481—Security devices, e.g. indicating unauthorised opening
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17D—PIPE-LINE SYSTEMS; PIPE-LINES
    • F17D1/00—Pipe-line systems
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17D—PIPE-LINE SYSTEMS; PIPE-LINES
    • F17D1/00—Pipe-line systems
    • F17D1/02—Pipe-line systems for gases or vapours
    • F17D1/04—Pipe-line systems for gases or vapours for distribution of gas
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17D—PIPE-LINE SYSTEMS; PIPE-LINES
    • F17D3/00—Arrangements for supervising or controlling working operations

Definitions

  • This invention is directed to lids utilized to close and secure an access pipe to prevent unauthorized access to an underground shutoff valve.
  • Underground utilities such as gas and water pipelines are dispersed in a variety of distribution patterns and grids with strategically located shutoff valves. These normally open valves can be closed to isolate designated sections of the pipe for repair, construction or testing.
  • an access pipe is provided rising vertically from the vicinity of the valve to the surface of the ground.
  • the access pipes are closed using a lockable lid that may be placed near the approximate ground surface level and locked in that position.
  • the security lids may also provide protection to prevent debris and foreign material from entering the access pipe.
  • the present invention is directed to an improved security lid having a unique gripping and locking mechanism that may be more securely affixed in a locked position while providing versatility in the application of a lockable lid to access pipes of a range of internal diameters.
  • Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a security lid constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.
  • Fig. 2 is a top cross-sectional view of Fig. 1 taken along lines 2-2.
  • Fig. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a portion of the security lid of the present invention installed in an access pipe.
  • Fig. 3 A is an enlarged view of a contact pad positioned against the interior surface of an access pipe.
  • Fig. 4 is an enlarged view of a portion of a contact pad incorporated in the security lid of the present invention.
  • Fig. 5 is a perspective view of an alternate construction of a contact pad constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.
  • Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the contact pad of Fig. 5 taken along lines
  • Fig. 7 is a partially exploded perspective view of a prior art locking device.
  • Fig. 8 is a partially sectioned perspective view of a locking bolt system incorporated in the security lid of the present invention. Detailed Description of the Invention
  • the lid 10 incorporates a cylindrical housing 12 that may be molded from a suitable rigid plastic material such as ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene).
  • the housing 12 may incorporate an integrally formed stanchion 15 extending upwardly from the upper surface 16 of the housing 12.
  • a handle 20 is mounted on the housing 12 for rotation to permit an operator to fix the housing in position within an access pipe.
  • the stanchion 15 provides a means for receiving a locking bolt 25 extending through an opening 26 provided in the handle 20 to lock the handle in position.
  • the stanchion 15 is fonned of similar ABS material and may be molded integrally with the cylindrical housing 12.
  • the stanchion 15 is provided with a threaded cylindrical passage positioned centrally of the stanchion 15 to receive the locking bolt 25.
  • the housing 12 is provided with an outwardly flared flexible skirt or collar 17 that forms a generally truncated conical shape to permit the outer edge 18 of the skirt 17 to contact the inner surface of an access pipe 50 (see Fig. 3) to temporarily seal the lid 10 in the access pipe 50 and prevent debris from passing the lid 10 downwardly into the access pipe 50.
  • the housing 12 is provided with a plurality of contact pads 26 that are positioned about the periphery of the housing and are mounted to be extended radially from the housing 12 into contact with the interior surface 51 of an access pipe 50. In the embodiment chosen for illustration, three contact pads 26 are provided positioned 120° apart about the central axis 30 of the cylindrical housing 12.
  • FIG. 2 a top cross-sectional view of Fig. 1 taken along lines 2-2, is shown.
  • Each of the contact pads 26 forms an end of a corresponding piston 31 that is journaled to a connecting rod 34 pivotally secured to a drive plate 36.
  • Each of the pistons 31 is movable radially within a cylinder 38 from a parked position to an extended position contacting the interior surface 51 of an access pipe 50.
  • each of the pistons 31 is urged to an extended position by a corresponding compression spring 40. It may be seen by reference to Fig.
  • corresponding contact pads 26 are positionable within wells or recesses 45 formed in the housing 12 to permit the retraction of the contact pads 26 entirely within the outside diameter of the housing 12.
  • the length of the corresponding piston stroke, or the length of the connecting rods 34, can be increased to accommodate a greater range of access pipe diameters when the lid 10 is provided with wells or recesses 45 to permit the complete retraction of the contact pads 26 within the outside diameter of the housing 12.
  • Prior art locking lids that incorporate contact pads, "park" their contact pads in a retracted position that is in contact with the outside diameter of the cylindrical housing. In this position, the locking lid may be inserted into an access pipe having a minimum diameter equal to the outside diameter of the cylindrical housing plus the additional diameter required to accommodate the contact pads parked against the outside diameter of the housing.
  • the locking lid of the prior art having contact pads cannot be used with access pipes having an internal diameter less than the diameter of a circle circumscribing the central axis of a cylindrical housing and having a radius equal to the length from that central axis to the outer surface of the corresponding contact pads. In practical terms, it thus requires additional series of sizes of locking lids to ensure that there is a locking lid corresponding to the range of access pipe internal diameters.
  • the present invention extends the applicability of a cylindrical housing to a greater range of access pipe diameters since the contact pads 26 are retracted to within the outside diameter of the cylindrical housing 12 to thus permit the locking lid to be utilized on an access pipe having an inside diameter only slightly larger than the outside diameter of the cylindrical housing 12.
  • FIG. 3 and 3 A a schematic cross-section of a portion of an access pipe 50 is shown. It may be seen that the interior surface 51 of the access pipe 50, which is typically made of rigid plastic material such as PVC, is contacted by the skirt 17 extending upwardly from the cylindrical housing 12 to catch any debris falling on the lid 10 and retaining such dirt or debris on the top of the housing 12 to be retrieved at a later time when the lid is to be removed (such as when access to a valve requires removal of the lid). In the position shown in Fig. 3, the contact pad 26 is contact with the interior surface 51 of the access pipe 50 such as shown in Fig. 3 A. In the embodiment shown in Figs.
  • the contact pad 26 is constructed of a material that is harder than the access pipe material. This harder material could be metal or a composition that is harder than typical PVC plastic of the access pipe.
  • the contact pad 26 includes a plurality of locking points 55 arranged in a predetermined pattern. These locking points, constructed of metal or composite that is harder than the plastic of the access pipe, may partially
  • the cylindrical housing 12 cannot be moved within the access pipe unless the corresponding contact pads 26 are withdrawn from contact with the interior surface 51 of the access pipe by rotation of the handle 20 and corresponding rotation of the drive plate 36 to withdraw the respective pistons 31 and contact pads 26 to their retracted position within the wells or recesses 45 and within the outside diameter of the cylindrical housing 12.
  • FIG. 4 Another alternative form of the contact pad is shown in Fig. 4 wherein the contact pad 26 is made of a resilient material, such as a rubber compound, having a non-skid pattern 57 formed in the surface thereof.
  • the non-skid pattern 57 resists sliding movement between the contact pad 26 and the interior surface 51 of the access pipe.
  • the action of the non-skid pattern is similar to that of an automotive tire resisting relative motion between a supporting surface and the tire tread.
  • the handle 20 When the cylindrical housing 12 is placed in position within an access pipe and is to be secured at that position, the handle 20 is rotated, thus rotating the drive plate 36, and extending the corresponding connecting rods 34 and pistons 31 radially outwardly until the contact pads 26 contact the inner surface of an access pipe. With the pistons 31 and contact pads 26 thus extended, the handle 20 may be locked in position by inserting a locking bolt 25 through the handle 20 into the central opening provided in the stanchion 15. As indicated previously, the stanchion 15 may be formed integrally with the cylindrical housing 12 and will receive the locking bolt 25 through the handle 20 to thus lock the handle in position with the contact pads in contact with the interior surface 51 of the access pipe.
  • the locking bolt 25 incorporates a keyed bolt head 60 having a unique slot pattern 61 that will accept the insertion of only an identical patterned socket wrench. Thus, unauthorized persons will not be able to remove the keyed locking bolt to dislodge the secured lid.
  • Prior art locking techniques included a hollow stanchion that would accept a device known in the art as a pin lock
  • a sample prior art pin lock 70 is shown in Fig. 7 wherein it may be seen that the pin lock 70 includes a steel barrel 71 positioned within a saddle 73 or frame that is inserted into a hollow stanchion.
  • a locidng screw 75 is inserted into the barrel (the locidng screw is passed through a handle opening similar to that described in connection with Fig.
  • the stanchion 15 of the present invention receives a locking bolt 25 having a keyed bolt head 60 that prevents unauthorized access to the subterranean valve and removal of the locking lid.
  • the keyed bolt head 60 is nearly immune to the collection of dirt and debris, and to the extent dirt may accumulate within the slot pattern, it is easily brushed or blown from the pattern.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
  • Paleontology (AREA)
  • Civil Engineering (AREA)
  • Structural Engineering (AREA)
  • Underground Structures, Protecting, Testing And Restoring Foundations (AREA)

Abstract

Un couvercle de sécurité verrouillable comprend un logement cylindrique comportant des pistons et des tampons de contact extensibles destinés à entrer en contact avec la surface intérieure d'une conduite d'accès, les tampons de contact pouvant être rétractés vers une position de retrait dans laquelle les tampons de contact se trouvent dans le diamètre extérieur du logement cylindrique. Le logement cylindrique est pourvu d'un boulon d'arrêt destiné à être fixé au logement cylindrique par l'intermédiaire d'un étai et comportant une tête de boulon clavetée permettant d'empêcher le retrait du boulon d'arrêt sans l'utilisation d'une clé à douille présentant un motif de fente correspondant. Les tampons de contact sont pourvus d'une surface d'interférence de verrouillage destinée à empêcher un mouvement relatif entre une conduite d'accès et le tampon de contact lorsque les tampons de contact sont déployés.
EP14903509.9A 2014-10-09 2014-10-09 Couvercle de sécurité Withdrawn EP3204308A4 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/US2014/059892 WO2016057039A1 (fr) 2014-10-09 2014-10-09 Couvercle de sécurité

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP3204308A1 true EP3204308A1 (fr) 2017-08-16
EP3204308A4 EP3204308A4 (fr) 2018-06-13

Family

ID=55653484

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP14903509.9A Withdrawn EP3204308A4 (fr) 2014-10-09 2014-10-09 Couvercle de sécurité

Country Status (3)

Country Link
EP (1) EP3204308A4 (fr)
CA (1) CA2963069A1 (fr)
WO (1) WO2016057039A1 (fr)

Families Citing this family (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN110706464A (zh) * 2019-10-18 2020-01-17 国网四川省电力公司南充供电公司 一种分布式组网的井盖防外破预警系统及方法
CN111043440B (zh) * 2019-11-29 2021-06-29 安徽金昊天塑胶科技发展有限公司 一种塑料管道封堵装置
CN110966480B (zh) * 2019-12-30 2021-08-17 武昌船舶重工集团有限公司 一种密封装置
CN114132649A (zh) * 2021-12-16 2022-03-04 安徽开乐专用车辆股份有限公司 一种人孔盖自动锁紧装置及智能化粉粒物料运输罐车

Family Cites Families (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5148938A (en) * 1987-03-04 1992-09-22 Morgan Jr Howard W Pressure vessel
US4921123A (en) * 1989-04-10 1990-05-01 Mizioch Gregory J Debris cap
US5778934A (en) * 1996-10-29 1998-07-14 S.W. Services Debris cap
US6073792A (en) * 1998-07-27 2000-06-13 Campbell; Lucky Access cap
US7798742B2 (en) * 2007-04-18 2010-09-21 Mcgard, Llc Security key tool for manhole access opening security device
US9127431B2 (en) * 2010-10-07 2015-09-08 Mcgard Llc Manhole security cover

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP3204308A4 (fr) 2018-06-13
WO2016057039A1 (fr) 2016-04-14
CA2963069A1 (fr) 2016-04-14

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