US3984023A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Underground valve box
Assignee: Whole Earth Holding Co
•
Filing: 1975-10-28
•
Granted: 1976-10-05
•
Expires: 1995-10-28
Abstract
Abstract A rectangular underground valve box is made from separate side and end walls of plastic that may be packaged for shipping and storage in a compact manner. The walls include interlocking portions adjacent their edges that secure them to each other during assembly of the box. The bottom side of the box is open to permit positioning of the box over one or more underground valves. A plastic cover is pivoted to the box so as to control access to the valve or valves within the box. The box may be divided into one or more compartments that each receive an associated valve.
Inventors
- 👤 Ernest Hodas
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 05:15
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D11/00; B65D11/18; B65D11/1866; B65D11/1873
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
194 words
A generally rectangular underground valve box comprising: rectangular side and end walls of plastic that have generally planar configurations; said walls being separate from each other so as to be capable of being packaged for shipping and storage in a compact manner; said walls including interlocking portions adjacent edges thereof that are interengaged in a locking relationship to secure the walls to each other; the bottom side of the assembled box being open to permit positioning thereof over an underground valve; one of said plastic walls including an upper edge having attachment portions; a plastic cover for selectively opening and closing the top side of the box so as to thereby control access to a valve received within the box; said cover having a rectangular shape and including an edge having an attachment flange and an integral hinge pivotally connecting the attachment flange to the rest of the cover; the attachment flange including attachment portions that snap into a locking relationship with the attachment portions on the upper edge of the one wall to mount the cover for pivotal movement between open and closed positions with respect to the top side of the box.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
194 words
A generally rectangular underground valve box comprising: rectangular side and end walls of plastic that have generally planar configurations; said walls being separate from each other so as to be capable of being packaged for shipping and storage in a compact manner; said walls including interlocking portions adjacent edges thereof that are interengaged in a locking relationship to secure the walls to each other; the bottom side of the assembled box being open to permit positioning thereof over an underground valve; one of said plastic walls including an upper edge having attachment portions; a plastic cover for selectively opening and closing the top side of the box so as to thereby control access to a valve received within the box; said cover having a rectangular shape and including an edge having an attachment flange and an integral hinge pivotally connecting the attachment flange to the rest of the cover; the attachment flange including attachment portions that snap into a locking relationship with the attachment portions on the upper edge of the one wall to mount the cover for pivotal movement between open and closed positions with respect to the top side of the box.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
A valve box according to claim 1 wherein the interlocking portions include projections on certain of the walls and openings on the other walls which receive the projections in the locking relationship.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
A valve box according to claim 2 wherein the openings are of an elongated rectangular configuration and the projections have ramp surfaces and tabs extending in alignment with the elongated direction of the openings.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
45 words
A valve box according to claim 2 wherein the walls having the openings also include spaced lugs for receiving the edges of the walls having the projections so as to cooperate with the projections and openings in securing the walls with respect to each other.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
46 words
A valve box according to claim 1 wherein the attachment portions of the one wall include openings in the upper edge thereof and wherein the attachment portions of the attachment flange snap into the openings in the one wall of the box to secure the cover.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
A valve box according to claim 5 wherein the attachment portions of the attachment flange project downwardly and have lower ends that snap into the openings in the one wall to provide the securement thereto.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
A valve box according to claim 1 wherein the box includes an intermediate wall dividing the interior thereof into a pair of valve compartments.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
A valve box according to claim 7 wherein the side walls and cover of the box may be divided to construct separate boxes.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
70 words
A valve according to claim 1 wherein the attachment portions of the one wall include openings in the upper edge thereof, the attachment flange of the cover being positioned on the outer side of the one wall and the attachment portions of the flange being positioned on the inner side of the wall and including lower ends that snap into the openings in the upper edge of the one wall.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-10-05 | 1980-04-05 | 1980-10-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-10-05 | 1984-04-05 | 1984-10-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-10-05 | 1988-04-05 | 1988-10-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |