Other

Neenah Foundry Company

International Hardcoat, Inc.

Turbo Concepts, Inc.

Stadler, David M.

David M. Stadler

David M Stadler

Jeffrey R Pernick

A manhole assembly includes a manhole cover and a manhole frame. The manhole cover is received on the manhole frame. A latch bolt attached to the manhole cover is movable between a latched position and a removal position. The latch bolt is biased toward the latched position by a spring. A security bolt received in the manhole cover is movable between a locked position wherein the security bolt engages the latch bolt to lock the latch bolt in the latched position and a removal position wherein the security bolt is disengaged from the latch bolt. An extraction tool is inserted through the manhole cover to remove the manhole cover from the manhole frame. The extraction tool engages a driven cam surface on the latch bolt to drive the latch bolt against a biasing force of the spring to move the latch bolt to the removal position.

Manhole cover

A valve box lock for preventing unauthorized access to a shut off valve including a security bolt extending through a hole in a valve box cover and received into a threaded hole in a cam piece mounted to the undersurface of the cover, the cam piece is moved up and down by rotation of the security bolt in either direction. The cam piece engages a pair of locking plates which are moved radially out into engagement with an inner surface of the valve box to prevent removal of the cover when the security bolt is rotated in one direction, or are retracted radially to release the cover so as to be able to be removed. A automatic lubricating arrangement is associated with the security bolt to insure that it is able to be turned by excluding any.

Locking security cover for a valve box

Security cover for a valve box with a positively operated automatically lubricated locking mechanism

A manhole cover assembly includes a manhole cover and a latch assembly. The manhole cover is movable between a seated position in which the manhole cover is supported on a seat of a manhole frame, and an unseated position in which the manhole cover is displaced relative to the seat of the manhole frame. A shock absorber includes a housing fixedly coupled to the manhole cover. The housing defines a cylinder. A piston is slidably coupled to the cylinder. A rod is fixedly coupled to the piston. A spring is positioned within the cylinder adjacent the piston. A latch is fixedly coupled to the rod. In response to a pressure applied to the manhole cover, the latch assembly is configured to permit limited displacement of the manhole cover relative to the seat of the manhole frame, and to controllably dissipate energy relating to the pressure.

Controlled pressure release manhole cover assembly

A security cover assembly for limiting access to a utility shut off valve through an open topped curb box, including a security screw extending through a hole in a cover member, the cover member configured to cover the open top of the curb box to enabling moving of the clamping plate up and down in the curb box by rotation of the security screw in respective opposite directions. A cutout into the clamping plate perimeter allows the clamping plate to be lowered to a level in the curb box beneath a flange projecting radially inwardly from an outer wall of the curb box. In the lowered position, the clamping plate may be rotated with the cover assembly to position a portion of the clamping plate beneath an underside of the flange. The clamping plate is thereafter elevated to be engaged with the underside of the flange upon rotation of the security screw in a direction raising the clamping plate. Rotation of the cover assembly back in the opposite direction to align the cutout in the clamping plate with the flange can be done once the clamping plate is lowered out of engagement with the underside of the flange by rotation of the security screw in an opposite direction, allowing the cover assembly to be lifted out of the curb box and thereby permitting access to the shut off valve.

Locking cover assembly for preventing unauthorized access to a utility shut off valve

A manhole cover assembly is adapted to be received in an opening in a frame enclosing a vault chamber. A manhole cover is fit into the opening. A pair of lugs are mounted to an underside of said manhole cover on opposite sides thereof. Each lug has a portion projecting radially out in a first position so as to engage a fixed feature of said frame. At least one of said lugs is connected to a pivotable member having an upper end projecting up through said manhole cover so that said upper end is engageable to be able to be rotated and cause rotation of said lug therewith between the first position and a second position with said lug not projecting radially out such that the lug radially clears said fixed feature of said frame to allow said manhole cover to be moved up and out of said frame opening.

Pressure responsive locking latch arrangement for manhole covers

A telescoping bollard assembly is provided. The bollard assembly includes a threaded shaft and a shaft housing structure containing a lubricant source in fluid communication with the shaft threads. A lubricant is positioned in the lubricant source in contact with the threaded portion of the shaft. A funnel portion is in fluid communication with the lubricant source, and a shaft guide portion is in fluid communication with the funnel portion. A portion of the shaft projects to an exterior of the housing through a shaft exit portion. The shaft exit portion is in fluid communication with the shaft guide portion and defines a flow path for the lubricant to the lubricant source. Rotation of the shaft urges lubricant from the lubricant source sequentially into the funnel portion, the shaft guide portion, and the shaft exit portion, whereby the lubricant is returned to the lubricant source.

Bollard assembly

A stop mechanism advantageously combined with a manhole cover includes a holder body having a passage which slidably receives a stop member able to be cammed in and out upon advance or retraction of a threaded drive member having an enlarged tip engaged with a down sloping channel formed in the stop member. Upper sides of the channel engage the tip upon reversal of the drive member to cam the stop member back into the holder body. The stop member when extends prevents removal of the cover from being blown completely free of the manhole vault structure in the event of an explosion.

Manhole cover stop mechanism

A method for controllably releasing venting gases from a manhole space around the perimeter of a manhole cover by allowing the manhole cover to rise up in stages upon development of upward forces in an explosion to vent gases developed by the explosion while being restrained from being completely blown free except under extreme conditions. A lock body mounts a latch slide which has an outer end and which can be extended to prevent removal of the manhole cover. When a shear pin fails the lock body pivots down, to a limited extent, and a secondary shear pin can also be included allowing the cover to be blown completely free upon development of pressures of a great magnitude. A slotted skirt is used to direct venting gas flow so as to retard the inflow of free air and attenuate the explosion.

Method of controllably venting gases generated by explosions in a manhole space

A controllably releasable security locking arrangement for a manhole cover allows a manhole cover to be locked into position but allows the manhole cover to rise up in stages upon development of upward forces in an explosion to vent gases developed by the explosion. A lock body mounts a latch slide which has an outer end and which can be extended to prevent removal of the manhole cover. When a shear pin fails the lock body pivots down, to a limited extent, and a secondary shear pin can also be included allowing the cover to be blown completely free upon development of pressures of a great magnitude. A slotted skirt directs venting gas flow so as to retard the inflow of free air and attenuate the explosion.

Manhole cover security lock with controlled pressure release

The present invention includes a bollard assemblycontaining an an elongated housing. A bollardis spaced radially inward of the housingand is axially displaceable therein. A threaded drive shaft receiveris centrally fixed within the housingfor threaded reception of a threaded drive shaft. The threaded drive shaftis thereby suspended within the housingand threadedly received by the receiver. Upon activation of the drive shaftoperably connected to the bollard, rotation of the drive shaftestablishes simultaneous vertical displacement of the drive shaftand the bollard

Telescoping bollard with screw drive

A locking device and method for securing a cover as for a catch basin or manhole in position including two elongate members pivotally connected together end to end so as to be able to articulate. The members are held aligned while being inserted through a cover opening suspended in said opening on a flange on the upper member, the lower member then released to be angled by a spring force to wedge against sidewall and an edge of the cover opening. A bolt extending through the top threaded into a trunnion extending across an intermediate space of the lower member draws the lower member up to create a powerful wedging action to prevent cover removal. The bolt head is recessed into the flange and configured with a special shape engageable only with a special tool to be tamper resistant. A protective plastic cap covers the bolt head and has protrusions sheared off when the cap is removed to provide a tamper indication. A miniature radio transmitter can be installed beneath the cap to transmit an alarm signal when the cap is removed. The locking device is used with a modified manhole cover by installing an adaptor sleeve defining a rectangular opening through which the locking device is inserted, and by connecting an extension arm to the lower member bottom end by use of a shear pin and pivot bolt allowing release of the locking device and cover in the event of an explosion.

Locking device and method for catch basin and manhole covers, and the like

An apparatus for simultaneously anodizing the heads of several aluminum pistons includes a plating tank with an array of apertures extending through one side wall, one aperture for each piston; a fixture on the wall providing a cylindrical bore aligned with each aperture adapted to receive a piston; and a plurality of actuators which, when pivoted and locked into alignment with the fixture bores, operate to secure individual pistons in their respective apertures. A masking/sealing assembly within each fixture bore ensures that each aperture is sealed upon the securing of a piston therein, with only the piston's head and peripheral land being placed in fluid communication with the interior of the plating tank. A remote storage tank provides a supply of an electrolyte which is circulated by a fluid supply network between the storage tank and the thus-sealed plating tank during electrolysis. After the desired coating is achieved, the electrolyte is drained from the tank. A supply of rinse water is then directed through the plating tank to rinse any remaining electrolyte from the pistons, whereupon the actuators are retracted and pivoted free, and the coated pistons are removed from their respective fixtures and masking/sealing assemblies.

Apparatus for selectively coating metal parts

A motorized vehicle anti-theft system which is passive by being automatically armed (i.e., does not require a vehicle occupant to set the system). Once power has been turned on to the vehicle, detection of an attempt to start the vehicle motor or the opening of a vehicle door starts a predetermined time cycle. If a first reset signal is not received before the end of the time cycle, a vehicle disabling circuit is set. After that, a detection of actuation of the vehicle brake will trigger the disabling circuit to only permit the vehicle engine to operate properly near the engine idling speed, and set off an alarm. More specifically, the engine's operating speed is continually monitored, and after the disabling circuit is triggered, if the contemporaneous engine operating speed exceeds the normal idling speed, the vehicle fuel supply is intermittently interrupted to cause violent lunging of the vehicle. Only proper generation of the first and a second reset signal will allow the vehicle to be operated properly again.

Automatically armed vehicle anti-theft system

An apparatus and method for simultaneously anodizing the heads of several aluminum pistons includes a plating tank having an array of apertures extending through one of its side walls, one aperture for each piston; and means for securing the head of each piston in its respective aperture. A seal disposed in each aperture ensures that the aperture is sealed upon the securing of the piston therein, with only the piston's head being placed in fluid communication with the interior of the plating tank. An acid electrolyte is directed into the plating tank through electrically-conductive sparging nozzles positioned therein opposite the heads of the pistons, thereby forming an electrolytic cell with the pistons as anodes and the sparging nozzles as cathodes. A power supply simultaneously applies a current to the cell, i.e., across the electrolyte via the pistons and sparger nozzles, to effect electrolytic coating of each piston's head. After the desired coating is achieved, the current is removed and the electrolyte drained from the tank. Rinse water is then directed into the tank through the same sparging nozzles to rinse any remaining electrolyte from the pistons. After the rinse water is drained, hot water is directed into the tank through the sparging nozzles to seal the coating. After a final draining of the tank, the coated pistons are removed from the apertures.

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Lathrup Village, MI, United States of America

David M Stadler