초록 ▼

A subgrade vault system and method of forming the same is provided. Specifically, a subgrade vault suitable for housing utility and similar equipment is provided, the vault comprising a main body portion, a cap, and a lid that may be selectively secured to prevent or deter unauthorized access to vau

A subgrade vault system and method of forming the same is provided. Specifically, a subgrade vault suitable for housing utility and similar equipment is provided, the vault comprising a main body portion, a cap, and a lid that may be selectively secured to prevent or deter unauthorized access to vault contents.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A subgrade vault for providing an enclosed region to house utility connections, the vault comprising: a body portion having four side walls which define an enclosure, each of the four side walls having a predetermined thickness, an upper end, and a lower end;a substantially rectangular shaped cap

1. A subgrade vault for providing an enclosed region to house utility connections, the vault comprising: a body portion having four side walls which define an enclosure, each of the four side walls having a predetermined thickness, an upper end, and a lower end;a substantially rectangular shaped cap member having first and second length members provided substantially parallel to one another and third and fourth width members provided substantially parallel to one another and oriented substantially perpendicular to said first and second length members, said length members being longer than said width members;a substantially rigid fillet interconnecting at least one of said length members and at least one of said width members;a locking assembly comprising a central aperture and at least one extension, the extension in operable engagement with the substantially rigid fillet and providing force-transmitting communication between said locking assembly and said fillet;said substantially rigid fillet comprising a first aperture for alignment with said central aperture of said locking assembly, and a second aperture for receiving said at least one extension;a lid for selectively securing the subgrade vault to prevent entry, the lid comprising an aperture for receiving an elongated fastener adapted to secure the lid to the subgrade vault. 2. The subgrade vault of claim 1, wherein the locking assembly comprises a threaded aperture. 3. The subgrade vault of claim 1, wherein the substantially rectangular shaped cap comprises a moldable plastic material which is interconnected to an upper portion of said body portion. 4. The subgrade vault of claim 1, wherein the body portion comprises concrete. 5. The subgrade vault of claim 1, further comprising an elongated fastener, and wherein at least a portion of the elongated fastener extends through the locking assembly. 6. A vault for providing an enclosed region to house utility connections, said vault comprising: a concrete main body portion having a peripheral wall with an upper end and a lower end to define the enclosed region;a cap portion integrally interconnected to said upper end of said concrete main body portion, said cap portion comprising an inwardly extending shoulder;a lid for selectively securing said enclosed region, said lid comprising an upper surface and a lower surface, and a predetermined length, a width, and a height;said lid at least partially engaging said cap portion, wherein said lower surface is in contact with said shoulder and said upper surface is substantially flush with an upper surface of said cap portion;a substantially rigid member positioned in a corner of said cap portion and comprising a central aperture, and wherein said substantially rigid member comprises an inwardly projecting extension of said cap member, said inwardly projecting extension comprising at least one aperture;a locking assembly comprising a central aperture, the locking assembly in operable engagement with the substantially rigid member;an elongated fastener with a head and a shank, said shank being passed through an opening in said lid and extending at least partially through said locking assembly. 7. The subgrade vault of claim 6, wherein said substantially rigid member further comprises at least one of a clip nut, a cage nut, a threaded hole, a weld nut, a base weld nut, a projection weld nut, and a bridge weld nut. 8. The subgrade vault of claim 6, wherein said substantially rigid member comprises an inwardly projecting extension of said cap portion, said and comprising at least one female threaded portion for receiving a-said elongated fastener. 9. A subgrade vault for providing an enclosed region to house utility connections, the vault comprising: a precast concrete body portion having four side walls which define an enclosure, each of the four side walls having a predetermined thickness, an upper end, and lower end;a substantially rectangular cap member having a perimeter and predetermined space defined within said perimeter and integrally interconnected to an upper surface of said body portion;a locking member positioned proximate to a corner of said substantially rectangular cap member, said locking member extending into said predetermined space and comprising an upper surface, a lower surface, and a first aperture extending between said upper surface and said lower surface;a fastener provided on said locking member, said fastener comprising a central aperture and at least one extension, the extension extending into the locking member and providing force-transmitting communication between said fastener and said locking member;said locking member comprising a second aperture for receiving said extension;a lid for selectively securing the enclosed region, the lid comprising an aperture for receiving an elongate fastener, and said elongate fastener adapted to secure the lid to the locking member. 10. The subgrade vault of claim 9, wherein said second aperture has a geometric shape of at least one of a rectangle and a square. 11. The subgrade vault of claim 9, wherein the locking member comprises a through hole, a second aperture, and a third aperture. 12. The subgrade vault of claim 9, wherein the locking member and the cap member comprise a single piece of molded plastic. 13. The subgrade vault of claim 9, wherein the locking assembly is comprised of a plastic material and the fastener is comprised of a metal material. 14. The subgrade vault of claim 1, wherein the locking element and the cap member comprise a single piece of molded plastic. 15. The subgrade vault of claim 1, wherein the locking element is comprised of a plastic material and the fastener is comprised of a metal material. 16. The subgrade vault of claim 1, wherein the locking element further comprises a third aperture for receiving a second extension provided on said fastener. 17. The subgrade vault of claim 1, wherein the locking element comprises a first aperture for receiving a fastener and two secondary apertures to receive said at least one extension. 18. The subgrade precast concrete vault of claim 6, wherein said substantially rigid member comprises a second aperture for receiving a portion of a locking assembly.