Underground storage vault

Claim 1

An under ground storage vault comprising: a box-like storage container having opposite sides, opposite ends and top and bottom panels carried thereon so as to define a storage compartment between the opposing interior surfaces thereof: a central column extending along a vertical axis through said storage compartment substantially at center thereof having its opposite ends integrally joined with said top and bottom panels respectively; a continuous rib carried on the exterior surfaces of said sides and ends midway between said top and bottom panels for conducting lateral loads applied by surrounding earth; said continuous rib includes an elongated metal channel secured to a central length or portion of said rib associated with each of said sides and ends; said vertical column is a pair of frustroconical section integrally joined at their adjacent ends and terminating at their opposite ends in a flared junction with said respective top and bottom panels; removable fastener means joining each of said side and said end channels to its respective rib portion; said fastener means includes a plurality of metal sleeves molded in place on said rib portion and a plurality of holes carried in said channel in registry with said sleeves; bolts insertably received through said holes and sleeves for retaining said channel onto said rib portion; said bottom panel slopes at an angle from one end of said box-like container to its opposite end; said top and said bottom panels include integrally formed stiffeners; said edge marginal regions of said top and bottom panels as well as said opposite sides and ends are provided with integral indentations providing increased rigidity; said fastener means constitute shear pins arranged to support and carry lateral loads applied to said rib; said container includes access ports and openings for the passage of solid and liquid waste products.