INSPECTION CHAMBER LID

COUVERCLE DE CHAMBRE D'INSPECTION

English Abstract

An inspection chamber lid including a groove ramp to receive a protrusion of
an
inspection chamber collar. The lid locks to the collar as the lid is twisted
and the protrusion
tightly engages the end portion of the groove ramp.

Claims

CLAIMS
What we claim is:
1. An inspection chamber lid including a groove ramp configured to receive
a protrusion of
an inspection chamber collar.
2. A method of securing the chamber lid and collar of claim 1 together
comprising twisting
the lid with groove ramp receiving the protrusion until the lid and collar are
securely locked
together.
3. The method of claim 2 further comprising twisting the lid with multiple
groove ramps of
the lid receiving multiple protrusions of the collar.
4. Any and all novel and non-obvious inventions disclosed herein.
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Description

CA 02907257 2015-10-05
INSPECTION CHAMBER LID
Background of the Invention
[0001] The present invention relates to covers or lids for inspection
chambers. Inspection
chambers typically provide access to sewer, storm and other fluid conveyance
lines, or to gas and
water meters. Such chambers typically require covers that lock or are
otherwise securely
coupled to the inspection chamber opening to prevent unauthorized access to
the chamber,
including deterring children, vandals or other unwanted tampering with the
chamber contents.
Summary of the Invention
[0002] The present invention provides a twist on and off lid that securely
couples to a
complementary collar at an access opening of an inspection chamber. The collar
includes
protrusions that couple into corresponding notches or similar grooves as a
clamp/ramp around
the lid side walls to securely "lock" as the lid is twisted into the collar
and the protrusions are
pressed into the end portions of the grooves.
Description of the Drawings & Invention
[0003] The included FIGURES (dimensions reflected in inches) show the
following:
[0004] FIG. 1 illustrates an inspection chamber lid with grooves and an
inspection chamber
collar with respective protrusions that couple into the grooves in one
embodiment of the present
invention.
[0005] FIG. 2 illustrates an inspection chamber lid and collar in one
embodiment of the present
invention.
[0006] FIG. 3 is a transparent view illustrating an inspection chamber lid
with a groove in which
a protrusion of an inspection chamber collar is coupled in one embodiment of
the present
invention.
[0007] FIGS. 4 and 5 are cross-sectional views illustrating an inspection
chamber lid and collar
in one embodiment of the present invention.

CA 02907257 2015-10-05
[0008] FIG. 6 includes drawings of an inspection chamber lid including various
views and
details in one embodiment of the present invention.
[0009] FIG. 7 includes drawings of an inspection chamber collar including
various views and
details in one embodiment of the present invention.
[0010] As shown in one embodiment in the FIGURES, an inspection chamber lid
preferably
includes a plurality of groove ramps that receive respective multiple
protrusions of a
corresponding inspection chamber collar. The lid "locks" or "clamps" to the
collar when the lid
is twisted with the protrusions in the groove ramps until the protrusions are
tightly twisted into
the end portions of the groove ramps. It will be appreciated that those
skilled in the art may
adjust the size of the lids and collars and the respective protrusions and
groove ramps for the
particular application without departing from the invention. It will also be
appreciated that a
variety of shapes may be utilized beyond the embodiments shown in the drawings
for the lid,
collar, protrusions and groove ramps without departing from invention.
Further, in alternative
embodiments the protrusions and groove ramps may be reversed such that the lid
includes the
protrusions and the collar includes with the groove ramps while still
permitting the lid to be
securely twisted and "locked" as the protrusions are tightly received into the
end portions of the
groove ramps.
[0011] Various embodiments of the invention have been described. It will,
however, be evident
that various modifications and changes may be made thereto, and additional
embodiments may
be implemented, without departing from the broader scope of the exemplary
embodiments as set
forth in the claims. This specification is to be regarded in an illustrative
rather than a restrictive
sense.
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Representative Drawing