초록 ▼

A locking lid for a ground vault, generally containing high voltage cable junctions or communication lines, provides a secure lid locking to the ground vault which prevents removal of the lid from the vault by an unauthorized person, preventing theft of the contents of the vault including high volta

A locking lid for a ground vault, generally containing high voltage cable junctions or communication lines, provides a secure lid locking to the ground vault which prevents removal of the lid from the vault by an unauthorized person, preventing theft of the contents of the vault including high voltage electrical lines, communication lines or other buried equipment which might be stolen for salvage or subject to vandalism.

대표청구항 ▼

1. An improved locking lid engaging a modified in-ground utility junction box to provide protection against damage or theft to the contents of the in-ground utility junction box, said in-ground utility junction box, defining an upper opening with an upper rim collar receiving said improved locking l

1. An improved locking lid engaging a modified in-ground utility junction box to provide protection against damage or theft to the contents of the in-ground utility junction box, said in-ground utility junction box, defining an upper opening with an upper rim collar receiving said improved locking lid, said in-ground utility junction box further defining a lower opening, two ends and two sides, modified to include locking apertures bored through said ends of said in-ground utility j unction box, said improved locking lid comprising: an upper plate defining an upper and lower surface, two ends and two sides, said sides and ends defining depending edges, said upper plate forming a secure fit within said upper rim collar of said in-ground utility junction box, said upper plate further defining a central opening;a C-shaped support bar defining a central bore, a lower surface and an upward facing channel opening, said C-shaped support bar welded to said lower surface of said upper plate further extending a lock extension flange defining a transverse bore, exposed through said central opening of said upper plate;a pair of radially aligned pin sleeves, each said pin sleeve attached to said lower surface of said support bar having an outer end directed horizontally towards each respective end of said upper plate and an inner end directed towards said central bore of said support bar;at least two radially aligned locking pins, each said locking pin defining a cam end directed towards said central bore of said support bar and a lock end, extending through each said respective pin sleeve, said lock end defining a central tapered point and said cam end defining a pin collar;a torsion spring engaging each said respective locking pin between said pin collar and said pin sleeve urging each said locking pin inwards in a disengaged position unless forced outward;a cam bolt support plate defining an upper surface attached to said lower surface of said support bar, said cam bolt support plate defining a central aperture aligned centrally with said central bore of said support bar and a lower surface, said central aperture smaller that said central bore;a cam bolt defining an upper tool head and a lower threaded shaft placed within said central aperture of said cam bolt support plate with said tool head above said upper surface of said cam bolt support plate and accessible through said central opening of said upper plate and said central bore of said support bar;a cam plate defining a central cam opening engaging said lower threaded shaft of said cam bolt below said lower surface of said cam bolt support plate by a washer above an upper surface of said cam plate and lock nut securing said cam plate to said cam bolt below said cam plate, said cam plate further defining an outer perimeter edge forming two convex curves on opposing sides with an S-curve defined on said outer perimeter edge between said convex curves, said cam plate being bilaterally symmetrical in shape, each said S-curve further defining an elongated first end with a stop tip, and a shortened second end with a stop tip, said first end extending radially at a further distance from said central cam opening than said second end, each said S-curve in constant contact with each said respective cam end of said respective locking pin, with said torsion spring urging said cam end into said S-shaped curve of said outer perimeter margin, wherein said cam plate is rotated by forced rotation os said tool head of said cam bolt through said central opening of said upper plate, each said stop tip of said first end and stop tip of said second end limiting rotation of said cam plate to a quarter turn while allowing said cam plate clockwise or counter clockwise rotation causing each said cam end of each said locking pin to move along said S-curve of said outer perimeter edge of said cam plate, with each said locking pin being respectively but equally extended outward forcing said respective locks end of each respective locking pin beyond said edges of said upper plate into respective said locking apertures of said utility junction box when said cam end is forced outward when in contact with said first end of said S-curve of said outer margin into a locked position, said locking pins allowed to retract inward withdrawing said lock ends of each said locking pin from said locking apertures of said utility junction box behind said edges of said upper plate into an unlocked position when in contact with said second end of said S-curve of said outer perimeter edge, thus providing said locking lid with a locked and unlocked engagement within said utility junction box. 2. The improved locking lid of claim 1, further comprising: a hidden shackle circular lock defining a hidden shackle with a circular shape and a flat side profile and a lower opening within a lower surface receiving said lock extension flange, said hidden shackle circular lock being applied and removed through said central opening of said upper plate, said hidden shackle circular lock providing an internal hidden shackle which is passed through said transverse lock bore of said lock extension flange by the rotation of a lock key which secures said circular lock to said lock extension flange, wherein said hidden shackle lock cannot be removed from said lock extension flange until unlocked by a lock key with said hidden shackle lock eliminating any visible or physical access to said tool head of said cam bolt and preventing rotation of said cam plate through said cam bolt to retract said locking pins while said locking lid is locked with said utility junction box. 3. The improved locking lid of claim 1, further comprising: a weather plate attaching above said central opening of said upper plate, said weather plate larger than said central opening and attaching to said upper plate by at least two screws, two nuts and bolts or two rivets through at least two holes defined through said upper plate, said weather plate preventing water and moisture from entry into said improved locking lid. 4. The improved locking lid of claim 1, wherein said central opening of said upper plate provides restricted vertical access to said tool head of said cam bolt and restricted vertical access for application of a circular lock to said lock extension flange to said lock extension flange extending upward from said support bar. 5. The improved locking lid of claim 1 further comprising: said locking lid is constructed of a strong, weather resistant metal, selected from a group comprised of stainless steel, coated steel, high carbon steel or a cast metal;said locking pins are made of a dense rolled steel cylindrical pin milled to define said central tapered point of said lock end with said pin collar being removable for replacement of said torsion spring if needed; andsaid attachment of said support bar to said upper plate, said lock extension flange to said support bar, and said pin collar to said lower surface of said support bar is conducted by welding;said construction and formation of said upper plate to form said ends, sides and depending edges is by welding or break press formation.