IE20040070A1 - Lid opening tool - Google Patents

Abstract

A tool for disengaging a lid 6 closing a housing allowing access to an underground installation, the tool 17, 23, 33 comprising at least one elongate member 18, each member 18 having an end engagement portion 22 adapted to engage underneath a peripheral ledge 16 of the lid 6, the arrangement being such that with the lid 6 closing the housing, and the end engagement portion 22 engaged underneath the ledge 16, upward movement of the tool 17, 23, 33 disengages the lid 6 from the housing, The tool 23 may comprise two elongate members 24, 25 each having engagement portions 26, 27 adapted to co-operate with opposed portions of the peripheral ledge 16 of the lid 6. Further, the tool 33 may comprise two elongate members 41, 42 forming part of a gripping mechanism 36 that is attached to a lever mechanism 34, 37 for disengaging the lid 6.

Description

allowing access to underground installations such as utility company meters or service supply lines.

It is common for meter-reading employees of utility companies to be expected to read the meters of a substantial number of residences. When the meters are disposed underground, usually on the boundary of the property, they are located in a housing which is covered by a cover member having a removable lid. Thus, they are known in the art as boundary boxes.

Known boundary boxes comprise a‘ cover member, typically of metal, having an aperture for receiving a lid. The lid is also typically of metal ana may be hinged to the cover member. The lid has a partially covered recessed portion in its top surface to enable a user to remove the lid. The recessed portion is typically circular and is partially covered by a slotted portion. This arrangement allows for a lifting tool having a T-shaped end to be inserted through the slotted portion, rotated in the circular recess so that the T-shaped end is no longer aligned with the slot, and then lifted to remove the lid. It has been found that in use, the recessed portion can become filled with small stones and dirt and therefore prevent the insertion of the lifting tool. Workmen or meter readers may then have to use inappropriate tools, such as screwdrivers, in order to lever the lid open. Using inappropriate tools may increase the likelihood of injury. Further, employees are often required to remove the lids of a substantial number of ground level boundary boxes in order to take the necessary meter readings. It is a possibility that this repetitive procedure could lead to conditions such as repetitive strain injury.

RECEIVED TIME Z.EEB. 16=44 IBTCL 02/02 '04 16:36 FAX 0121 456 1368 BARKER A1RETTET.L ' @005 0121 456 1368 IE 0 4 0 0 7 0 According to a first aspect of the invention we provide a tool for disengaging a lid closing a housing allowing access to an underground installation, the tool comprising at least one elongate member, each member having an end engagement portion adapted to engage underneath a peripheral ledge of the lid, the arrangement being such that with the lid closing the housing, and the end engagement portion engaged underneath the ledge, upward movement of the tool disengages the lid from the housing.

Providing a tool that is specifically adapted to lift the lid by a peripheral ledge of the lid reduces the risk of strain or injury. Furthermore, the lid ledge is less likely to become filled with stones or dirt than known tool engagement portions.

The engagement portion may be hook shaped. Preferably, the engagement portion comprises a projecting ledge portion, complementary to the ledge of the lid. The presence of the engagement portion ensures the tool is engaged securely with the lid ledge when force is applied.

The tool may comprise one elongate member and include a handle. Preferably, the handle is located opposite the engagement portion.

Alternatively, the tool may comprise two elongate members each having engagement portions adapted to co-operate with opposed portions of the peripheral ledge of the lid.

Preferably, the elongate members are linked by a body portion that forms the handle of the tool.

RECEIVED TIME 2.FEB. 16=44 FAX 0121 456 1368 BARKER 11RETTELL 0006 0121 456 1368 One of the elongate members may be able to move so that the tool can be located over the lid and then moved into a gripping condition whereby the engagement portions engage with the ledge of the lid. Preferably, the tool includes an actuation lever for operating the moveable elongate member.

Alternative, the tool may comprise two elongate members forming part of a gripping mechanism which is attached to a lever mechanism for disengaging the lid.

Preferably the gripping mechanism is moveable between a locating condition in which the engagement portions are aligned with the peripheral ledge and a gripping condition in which the engagement portions engage underneath the peripheral ledge.

At least one of the elongate members may be moveable to effect the transition between the locating condition and gripping condition. Preferably, both elongate members are moveable to effect the transition between the locating condition and the gripping condition.

Preferably, each elongate member is moved into engagement with the peripheral ledge of the lid by rotation of a cam, Preferably the gripping mechanism further comprises a locking means to lock the gripping mechanism in the gripping condition.

Preferably, the lever mechanism comprises an elongate stem having the gripping mechanism attached to an end and may further include a handle at the end of the stem opposite the gripping mechanism.

I RECEIVED TIME 2.FEB. 16=44 02/02 '04 16:36 FAX 0121 456 1368___BARKER DRETTELL @007 0121 456 1368 IE 0 4 00 70 Preferably, the lever mechanism includes a fulcrum means that extends from the stem.

Most preferably the fulcrum means is located at a position along the stem 5 that is closer to the gripping mechanism than the mid-point of the stem.

Therefore, the lifting force applied to the gripping mechanism is greater in magnitude than the force applied to the other end of the stem.

Preferably the cover member of the housing has at least one groove adjacent the lid to allow the engagement portion of the tool to locate adjacent the peripheral ledge of the lid.

Preferably the cover member of the housing has two opposed grooves.

Preferably the lid and cover member are of plastics. When the boundary box and lid are substantially of plastics it is preferable that the lid or cover member have at least one metal component. This allows the boundary box to be located by metal detection.

According to a second aspect of the invention we provide a lid closing a housing to allow access to an underground installation in combination with a tool according to the first aspect of the invention.

Preferably the lid is a substantially circular disc.

Embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings, in which.

Figure 1 shows an exploded perspective view of a boundary box for a water supply line; RECEIVED TIME 2.FEB. 16=44 02/02 '04 16:36 FAX 0121 456 1368 BARKER AiRETTELL @008 0121 456 1368 IE 0 4 Oo γ q Figure 2 shows a tool for removing the boundary box lid according to the invention; Figure 3 shows another embodiment of the tool having two elongated members in a locating condition; Figure 4 shows the tool of Figure 3 in a gripping condition; Figure 5 shows a further embodiment of the tool including a levering mechanism; Figure 6 shows the tool of Figure 5 in cross-section in a gripping condition; and Figure 7 shows the tool of Figures 5 and 6 in which the lever mechanism is being employed to remove the boundary box lid.

Referring to Figure 1, a boundary box 1 for a water supply line comprises a housing having a tubular base portion 2, top tubular portion 3, and a surface box 4, together with a locating plate 5 and lid 6. The tubular base portion 2 has input and output holes 7 for receiving the service supply pipe 8. Base portion 2 and top tubular portion 3 are joined together by a manifold section (not shown) which is mounted co-axially within the tubular portions 2, 3. The manifold section (not shown) also provides a platform for mounting any pipe fittings, valves or meters that the utility company may require in the supply line 8. Surface box 4 comprises a square body portion 9 having a tubular aperture 10 therein. The aperture 10 has a tubular section of smaller diameter 11 depending from a ledge 12. The ledge 12 provides a seat for lid 6 so that, when assembled, the top surfaces of the lid 6 and surface box 4 are flush. The aperture 10 also has two diametrically opposed axial grooves 13, 13’ in its walls. The grooves 13, 13’ also extend through ledge 12 to provide a passage through the groove to the lower portions 2, 3 of the boundary box 1. Thus, any dirt that that may accumulate in grooves 13, 13’ can fall through or be easily pushed through upon insertion of the tool, thereby ensuring grooves 13, 13’ remain clear.

RECEIVED TIME 2.EEB. 16:44 02/02 '04 16:37 FAX 0121 4S6 1368 BARKER iiRETTELL @009 0121 456 1368 o a 0 Q 7 0 The locating plate 5 is secured to the lid 6 by an aperture 14 which is received upon a peg (not shown) that extends from the base of the lid 6. The locating plate 5 is of metal and thereby provides means for locating the boundary box 1 by metal detection in the event the box 1 becomes obscured by soil for example. The lid 6 is of plastics and has a textured cross-hatched top surface to reduce the risk of pedestrians slipping on it. The lid 6 also has a series of peripheral flanges 15 and a groove that defines a peripheral circumferential ledge 16. The groove has an upper edge parallel to and spaced from the surface of the lid 6, a base at rightangles to the upper edge, and an inclined lower edge. The ledge 16 is defined by the upper edge, and so is close to the top surface of the lid 6. Flanges 15 ensure a secure fitting of the lid 6 in the aperture 10 while ledge 16 provides means for application of a tool 17, as shown in Figure 2, for example.

The tool 17 comprises an elongate member 18 having first and second ends 19, 20. At the first end 19 the elongate member 18 has been formed into a loop in order to receive a handle 21. It will be appreciated that a handle could be affixed directly to the first end, by welding for example. At the second end 20 there is an engagement portion 22 that is formed by bending a small portion of the elongate member 18 into an U-shape. The tool 17 may alternatively have an L-shaped end forming the engagement portion 22. The tool 17 is typically of metal such as galvanised or painted steel.

In use, the elongate member 18 of the tool 17 is inserted along one of the grooves 13, 13’ of the boundary box 1 with the engagement portion 22 pointing radially inwards. The engagement portion 22 may then pass underneath, and engage with, the lid ledge 16 to allow a user to pull the handle 21, thereby lifting the lid out of its seated position within the RECEIVED TIME 2.FEB. 16=44 @010 1 i:--ti A · - r— 02/02 '04 16.37 FAX 0121 456 1368 BARKER AiRETTELL 0121 456 1368 aperture 10. It will be appreciated that the lid 6 may be levered from its seated position by locating engagement portion 22 beneath lid ledge 16 and using the surface box 4 adjacent the top of grooves 13, 13’ as a fulcrum. The lower edge of the groove allows this to occur.

A second embodiment of the lid removal tool designated at 23 is shown in Figures 3 and 4. Tool 23 comprises two elongate members 24, 25 each having an end engagement portion 26, 27. Elongate members 24, 25 are connected at their ends, opposite to the engagement portions 26, 27, by a body portion 28- The body portion 28 forms a handle to the tool and comprises a hollow tube of rectangular cross section having end caps 29 and a slot 30 in one of its sides. The slot 30 allows elongate members 24, 25 and an actuation lever 31 to project. Elongate member 25 is rigidly secured within body portion 28. Elongate member 24 and actuation lever 31 are joined and pivoted about pivot peg 32. Actuation lever 31 may be biased into the position shown in Figure 3 by a resilient portion (not shown) in the body portion 28. Thus, depression of actuation lever 31, as shown by the first arrow in Figure 4, causes elongate member 24 to pivot about point 32 and move inwards, towards elongate member 25.

In use, the tool 23 is presented to the lid in the locating condition shown in Figure 3. The resilient portion (not shown) in the body portion 28 acts on actuation lever 31 and therefore holds elongate member 24 in a locating condition. The distance between end engagement portions 26, 27 in the locating condition is arranged such that it is substantially equal to the distance between the grooves, 13, 13’ of the surface box 4. The end engagement portions 26, 27 can then easily be inserted into grooves 13, 13’. Depression of actuation lever 31 causes end engagement portions 26, 27 to engage with the lid ledge 16 thereby gripping the lid 6. Lifting of the tool 23 by handle body portion 28 retains the actuation level 31 in RECEIVED TIME 2.EEB. 16=44 02/02 '04 16.37 FAX 0121 456 1368 0121 456 1368 BARKER A1RETTELL @011 IE 0 4 0 0 7 0 a depressed position ensuring that the tool 23 continues to grip the lid 6. The lid 6 is thus removed from the boundary box 1. The lid 6 can then be released from the tool 23 by releasing the grip of the user on actuation lever 31.

A third embodiment is shown in Figures 5, 6 and 7 and is designated generally at 33. Tool 33 comprises a stem 34 having a handle 35 at one end, a gripping mechanism 36 at the other end and an intermediate leg 37 located on the stem 34 further towards the gripping mechanism 36 than handle 35. The intermediate leg 37 comprises two elongated slats 38 having a first end pivotally attached to the stem 34 at point 39 and a second end having outwardly pointing feet 40.

The gripping mechanism 36 is most clearly shown in Figure 6.

Mechanism 36 includes two elongate members 41, 42 each having an end engagement portion 43 at one end and a cam abutment portion 44 at the other end. Elongate members 41, 42 are attached to stem 34 via cross member 45. Each end of the cross member 45 is pivotally attached to a mid portion 46 of each elongate member 41, 42. The cross member 45 is attached at its mid-point to the end of the stem 34 by appropriate means. The gripping mechanism further comprises a cam 47 located within stem 32 between each of the cam abutment portions 44. The cam 47 comprises a circular disc having diametrically opposed flattened edges 48. The cam 47 can rotate within the stem 34 and is operated by a cam lever 49.

In use the tool 33 is positioned over the boundary box lid 6 with the cam lever 49 in the vertical position as shown in Figure 5. Having the cam lever 49 in the vertical position results in the cam 47 being in an orientation such that flattened cam edges 48 abut abutment portions 44.

The abutment portions 44 may be linked by a resilient portion (not shown) so that they always abut cam 47. The elongate members 41, 42 RECEIVED TIME 2.FEB. 16=44 @012 /02 16:37 FAX 0121 456 1368_^. BARKER DRETTELL 0121 456 1368 are pivoted about a mid-point, so that when the separation between the abutment portions 44 is increased the separation between the end engagement portions 43 decreases and vice-versa. Thus, as the diametric distance across the flattened edges 48 of the cam 47 is less than the diameter of the circular sections, when the cam lever 49 is vertical the end engagement portions 43 are at their widest separation. This widest separation is substantially equal to the distance between grooves 13, 13’ of the surface box 4.

Figure 6 shows the tool 33 with its end engagement portions 43 inserted in grooves 13, 13’. The cam lever 49 has been rotated through 90° causing the wider, rounded portion of cam 47 to abut abutment portions 44. Therefore, the end engagement portions are moved inwards into engagement with lid ledge 16. The stem 34 can then be raised a distance defined by channel 50 which forms part of a locking mechanism (not shown). The locking mechanism (not shown) prevents the stem 34 from rotating from its upright position relative to the gripping mechanism 36. With the stem 34 raised along channel 50 the locking mechanism (not shown) is deactivated and rotation relative to the gripping mechanism 36 is permitted.

From the raised stem position shown in Figure 6, the stem 34 is rotated through 90° about the channel 50 so that it is substantially parallel to the road or pavement, as shown in Figure 7. Intermediate leg 37 is also rotated about its pivot 39 so that feet 40 abut the road or pavement. A downward force is then applied to handle 35. As the intermediate leg 37 forms a fulcrum that is situated closer to the gripping mechanism 36 a lever is formed in which the lifting force applied to remove the lid 6 is greater than the downward force imparted by the user on the handle 35.

Thus, the boundary box lid 6 can be removed more easily.

RECEIVED TIME 2.EEB. 16=44 16:38 FAX 0121 456 1368 BARKER ilRETTELL @013 0121 456 1368 The lid 6 can be released from the grip of the tool 33 by returning stem 34 to an upright position, allowing the stem 34 to be lowered along channel 50 and moving cam lever 49 through 90° to its upright position.

RECEIVED TIME 2.FEB. 16=44 02/02 '04 16:38 FAX 0121 456 1368 BARKER MRETTELL @014 0121 456 1368

Claims (16)

1. A tool for disengaging a lid closing a housing allowing access to an underground installation, the tool comprising at least one elongate 5 member, each member having an end engagement portion adapted to engage underneath a peripheral ledge of the lid, the arrangement being such that with the lid closing the housing, and the end engagement portion engaged underneath the ledge, upward movement of the tool disengages the lid from the housing.

2. A tool according to claim 1, in which the engagement portion is hook shaped.

3. A tool according to claim 1, in which the engagement portion 15 comprises a projecting ledge portion, complementary to the ledge of the lid.

4. A tool according to any preceding claim, in which the tool comprises one elongate member and includes a handle.

5. A tool according to claim 4, in which the handle is located opposite the engagement portion.

6. A tool according to claim 1, in which the tool comprises two 25 elongate members each having engagement portions adapted to co-operate with opposed portions of the peripheral ledge of the lid.

7. A tool according to claim 6, in which the elongate members are linked by a body portion that forms a handle of the tool. RECEIVED TIME 2.FEB. 16=44 02/02 '04 16:38 FAX 0121 456 1368_BARKER AIRETTELL —--- 0121 456 1368 @015 IE 0 4 0 0 7 0

8. A tool according to claim 6 or claim 7, in which one of the elongate members is able to move so that the tool can be located over the lid and then moved into a gripping condition whereby the engagement portions engage with the ledge of the lid.

9. A tool according to claim 8, in which the tool includes an actuation lever for operating the moveable elongate member.

10. A tool according to claim 1, in which the tool comprises two 10 elongate members forming part of a gripping mechanism which is attached to a lever mechanism for disengaging the lid.

11. A tool according to claim 10, in which the gripping mechanism is moveable between a locating condition in which the engagement portions 15 are aligned with the peripheral ledge and a gripping condition in which the engagement portions engage underneath the peripheral ledge.

12. A tool according to claim 11, in which at least one of the elongate members is moveable to effect the transition between the locating 20 condition and gripping condition.

13. A tool according to claim 11, in which both elongate members are moveable to effect the transition between the locating condition and the gripping condition.

14. A tool according to any of claims 10 to 13, in which each elongate member is moved into engagement with the peripheral ledge of the lid by rotation of a cam. RECEIVED TIME 2.FEB. 16=44 tf @016 02/02 '04 16:38 FAX 0121 456 1368___BARKER URETTELL “ 0121 456 1368

15. A tool according to any of claims 10 to 14, in which the gripping mechanism further comprises a locking means to lock the gripping Λ mechanism in the gripping condition. 5 16. A tool according to any of claims 10 to 15, in which the lever mechanism comprises an elongate stem having the gripping mechanism attached to an end. 17. A tool according to claim 16, in which the lever mechanism 10 comprises a handle at the end of the stem opposite the gripping mechanism. 18- A tool according to claim 16 or claim 17, in which the lever mechanism includes a fulcrum means that extends from the stem. 19. A tool according to claim 18, in which the fulcrum means is located at a position along the stem that is closer to the gripping mechanism than the mid-point of the stem. 20 20. A tool according to any preceding claim, in which the housing comprises a cover member that has at least one groove adjacent the lid to allow the engagement portion of the tool to locate adjacent the peripheral ledge of the lid. 25 21. A tool according to claim 20, in which the cover member of the housing has two opposed grooves. 22. A tool according to claim 20 or claim 21, in which the lid and cover member are of plastics. received time 2.FEB. 16--44 02/02 '04 16:39 FAX 0121 456 1368 _BARKER URETTELL 0121 456 1368 @017 04 0070 23. A tool according to claim 22, in which the lid or cover member have at least one metal component. 24. A lid closing a housing to allow access to an underground 5 installation in combination with a tool according to the first aspect of the invention. 25. A lid according to claim 24, in which the lid is a substantially circular disc. 26. A tool of the kind set forth substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in 2 to 7 of the accompanying drawings. 27. A lid of the kind set forth substantially as described herein with 15 reference to and as illustrated in Figures 1, 5 and 7 of the accompanying drawings. RECEIVED TIME 2.FEB. 16=44 02/02 '04 16:39 FAX 0121 456 1368 BARKER AiRETTELL @019 0121 456 1368 A IE 04 00 7 0 RECEIVED TIME 2.FEB. 16=44 2. EEB.

16. -44 deceived tine @021 02/02 '04 16:39 FAX 0121 456 1368 BARKER AJRETTELL 0121 456 1368 RECEIVED TIME 2.EEB. 16=44 02/02 /04 16:39 FAX 0121 456 1368 BARKER iiRETTELL @022 0121 456 1368 IE 0 4 0 0 7 0 RECEIVED TIME 2.FEB. 16=44