The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
May. 11, 2010
Filed:
Apr. 10, 2006
Leon P. Sulak, Boyne City, MI (US);
Brian J. Rachwitz, East Jordan, MI (US);
Keith A. Gee, East Jordan, MI (US);
Paul F. Harm, East Jordan, MI (US);
Jeremy I. Johnson, East Jordan, MI (US);
Leon P. Sulak, Boyne City, MI (US);
Brian J. Rachwitz, East Jordan, MI (US);
Keith A. Gee, East Jordan, MI (US);
Paul F. Harm, East Jordan, MI (US);
Jeremy I. Johnson, East Jordan, MI (US);
East Jordan Iron Works, Inc., East Jordan, MI (US);
Abstract
A municipal casting frame is provided with cast nut retainers that allow the frame to be used with or without a bolt-down cover. The frame defines one or more bolt holes of sufficient dimension to allow free passage of the cover bolts. The undersurface of the frame defines a cast nut retainer adapted to securely receive a nut. In one embodiment, the nut retainer includes protrusions that permit the nut to be snap-fitted into the nut retainer. In another embodiment, the nut retainer is configured to frictionally receive the nut in a wedging interaction. The present invention also provides a method for manufacturing a frame with integral cast nut retainers. The method generally includes the steps of (a) providing a core corresponding in shape to the bolt hole and the cast nut retainer, the cast nut retainer being configured to receive and retain a nut, (b) casting a frame in a mold about the core, (c) removing the cast frame from the mold and (d) removing the core from the cast frame. The process may also include the step of inserting a nut into the cast nut retainer in a direction that is in substantial coaxial alignment with the bolt hole.