US3629981A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Adjustable height structure cover for manholes and the like
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1969-10-06
•
Granted: 1971-12-28
•
Expires: 1989-10-06
Abstract
Abstract An adjustable height assembly for supporting a cover over a subterranean access opening wherein a cylindrical frame structure having interior coaxial acme threads is adapted to be permanently located in nonrotatable submerged position. An inner sleeve, having a conformingly shaped acme thread about the outer surface thereof, is provided to be received in threaded engagement with the cylindrical frame structure, the inner sleeve being adjustable in height by rotation and designed to support a loadbearing disc-shaped cover flush with the surface surrounding the access opening. The threaded portions of the frame structure and inner sleeve are effectively sealed from the surrounding earth and pavement so that height adjustment may be relatively easily accomplished even after a prolonged period of installation and use.
Inventors
- 👤 Joseph S Mccaffery
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 10:59
CPC Classifications
E; E02; E02D; E02D29/00; E02D29/12; E02D29/14; E02D29/1409
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
163 words
An adjustable level assembly for supporting a subterranean access opening cover flush with the surrounding surface of the terrain in which said assembly is installed, the combination comprising: a casing having interior and exterior surfaces, said interior surface defining an annular aperture having an integral helical rib coaxial therewith and said casing adapted to be received in the terrain in rigid nonrotatable submerged relationship therewith; and an annular sleeve having an integral annular flange circumferentially disposed about and radially extending from one end of said sleeve and an external integral helical rib coaxial therewith, said sleeve helical rib being formed at the lower portion of said sleeve freely rotatably engaged to said casing helical rib to provide an adjustable level, load-beaRing support for said cover; and sealing means between the underside of said flange and the end of said casing proximate thereto to prevent the entry of foreign material and interference with the free rotatable engagement of said sleeve and casing helical rib.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
163 words
An adjustable level assembly for supporting a subterranean access opening cover flush with the surrounding surface of the terrain in which said assembly is installed, the combination comprising: a casing having interior and exterior surfaces, said interior surface defining an annular aperture having an integral helical rib coaxial therewith and said casing adapted to be received in the terrain in rigid nonrotatable submerged relationship therewith; and an annular sleeve having an integral annular flange circumferentially disposed about and radially extending from one end of said sleeve and an external integral helical rib coaxial therewith, said sleeve helical rib being formed at the lower portion of said sleeve freely rotatably engaged to said casing helical rib to provide an adjustable level, load-beaRing support for said cover; and sealing means between the underside of said flange and the end of said casing proximate thereto to prevent the entry of foreign material and interference with the free rotatable engagement of said sleeve and casing helical rib.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus defined in claim 1, wherein said sleeve includes a means for receiving a rotating force.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
57 words
The apparatus recited in claim 1 further including a removable clamping means secured to a portion of said casing helical rib and in contact with a portion of the lower edge of said annular sleeve when the latter is in position in said casing, said clamping means to prevent spurious rotation between said casing and annular sleeve.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
58 words
The device in accordance with claim 1 and wherein further said sealing means comprises at least one resilient gasket having an annular shape with the inside diameter at least as great as the outside diameter of said annular sleeve away from said flange and an outside diameter at least as great as the outside diameter of said flange.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
57 words
The article of manufacture recited in claim 3, wherein said removable clamping means comprises at least one compressible member having a recess in one portion thereof generally conforming to an arcuate segment of said casing helical rib; said member shaped for wedging between said casing helical rib and the end of said sleeve distal said surrounding surface.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
80 words
The article of manufacture recited in claim 3 wherein said removable clamping means comprises a bolt having a threaded portion; thread means formed in said sleeve to cooperatively receive said threaded portion of the bolt for advancement therethrough and position the bolt to abut one end with a portion of said casing between adjacent segments of said helical rib when the sleeve and casing are cooperatively engaged in final operative position and said bolt is threadedly advanced through said means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The article of claim 1 wherein said helical rib of said casing and sleeve is an acme thread.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-12-27 | 1975-06-28 | 1975-12-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-12-27 | 1979-06-28 | 1979-12-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-12-27 | 1983-06-28 | 1983-12-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |