Unlock instant, AI-driven research and patent intelligence for your innovation.

Latch Mechanism For Manhole Cover with Captured Operator

a technology of latch mechanism and operator, which is applied in the field of latch mechanism, can solve the problem that the mechanism does not positively prevent the bolt from being removed from the latch mechanism

Inactive Publication Date: 2013-08-29
STADLER DAVID M
View PDF4 Cites 18 Cited by
  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention is an improvement of a latch mechanism used to secure manhole covers in place. The mechanism uses a special bolt to prevent the bolt from being separated from the mechanism and being lost or dropped into the manhole vault. The invention aims to prevent the bolt from being removed by tampering with the cover. The latch mechanism includes a housing and a cylindrical body portion of the latch member that slidably receives the housing. The invention provides a more secure and reliable latch mechanism for securing manhole covers.

Problems solved by technology

While a mechanism for reducing the frequency of separating the bolt is described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,891,904, that mechanism does not positively prevent removal of the bolt from the latch mechanism.

Method used

the structure of the environmentally friendly knitted fabric provided by the present invention; figure 2 Flow chart of the yarn wrapping machine for environmentally friendly knitted fabrics and storage devices; image 3 Is the parameter map of the yarn covering machine
View more

Image

Smart Image Click on the blue labels to locate them in the text.
Viewing Examples
Smart Image
  • Latch Mechanism For Manhole Cover with Captured Operator
  • Latch Mechanism For Manhole Cover with Captured Operator
  • Latch Mechanism For Manhole Cover with Captured Operator

Examples

Experimental program
Comparison scheme
Effect test

Embodiment Construction

[0014]In the following detailed description, certain specific terminology will be employed for the sake of clarity and a particular embodiment described in accordance with the requirements of 35 USC 112, but it is to be understood that the same is not intended to be limiting and should not be so construed inasmuch as the invention is capable of taking many forms and variations within the scope of the appended claims.

[0015]Referring to FIG. 1, a portion of a manhole cover 10 is shown, seated over a manhole vault 12. As described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,891,904, the manhole cover 10 normally rests on a radially inward extending rim 14 projecting in a liner 16 forming the vault 12.

[0016]In an explosion, the manhole cover 10 is designed to rise up but only to a limited extent to create a space to controllably vent gases generated by the explosion. A latch mechanism 18 is mounted between a pair of downwardly extending, spaced apart ribs 20 fixed to the underside of the cover 10. A latch membe...

the structure of the environmentally friendly knitted fabric provided by the present invention; figure 2 Flow chart of the yarn wrapping machine for environmentally friendly knitted fabrics and storage devices; image 3 Is the parameter map of the yarn covering machine
Login to View More

PUM

No PUM Login to View More

Abstract

A latch mechanism for a manhole cover in which a rotatable operator member has a threaded portion engaged with a threaded bore in a cam pin which rides in a pair of cam slots in a latching member to cause the latching member to be extended or retracted upon rotation of the operator member in either direction. The threads disengage when the latch member reaches a fully retracted position so that the operating member can freely spin thereafter in the same direction, while the threads reengage when the operator member is rotated in the opposite direction to begin movement of the latch member out of the housing.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application No. 61 / 527,776 filed on Aug. 26, 2011.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]This invention concerns latch mechanisms and more particular lock or latch mechanisms particularly adapted for use in securing manhole covers in place, as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,484,908 and 7,891,904 issued to the present inventor, both incorporated by reference herein.[0003]The mechanisms described therein use an operating member comprised of a threaded bolt.[0004]As described in those patents, it is advantageous that the bolt not be allowed to be separated from the mechanism where it could be lost or be dropped into the manhole vault. Also, removal of the bolt by someone tampering with the cover should be prevented.[0005]While a mechanism for reducing the frequency of separating the bolt is described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,891,904, that mechanism does not positively prevent removal of the bolt fro...

Claims

the structure of the environmentally friendly knitted fabric provided by the present invention; figure 2 Flow chart of the yarn wrapping machine for environmentally friendly knitted fabrics and storage devices; image 3 Is the parameter map of the yarn covering machine
Login to View More

Application Information

Patent Timeline
no application Login to View More
Patent Type & Authority Applications(United States)
IPC IPC(8): E02D29/14
CPCE02D29/1427Y10T292/1033
Inventor STADLER
Owner STADLER DAVID M