A vault system is provided that defines an enclosed volume to protect various electrical, water, communications and other components. The system comprises a lid to allow selective access to the contents in the enclosed volume of the vault. Over time, continued wear and tear on the lid of the vault c
A vault system is provided that defines an enclosed volume to protect various electrical, water, communications and other components. The system comprises a lid to allow selective access to the contents in the enclosed volume of the vault. Over time, continued wear and tear on the lid of the vault can cause the lid to deflect inward and/or cause the body of the vault to deflect outward, which compromises the integrity of the vault. Interlock features, methods, and systems are provided transfer stress and strain between the lid and the vault, which maintain the integrity of the selective interconnection between the lid and the vault.
대표청구항▼
1. A utility vault with an interlocking vault and lid, comprising: a vault having a plurality of side walls with an upper end that defines an opening, said vault having a seat positioned proximate to said upper end;a first interlock feature positioned within said seat of said vault, said first inter
1. A utility vault with an interlocking vault and lid, comprising: a vault having a plurality of side walls with an upper end that defines an opening, said vault having a seat positioned proximate to said upper end;a first interlock feature positioned within said seat of said vault, said first interlock feature having a fastener channel and an orientation channel that intersects said fastener channel;a lid configured to selectively interconnect to said seat of said vault to close said opening defined by said upper end of said plurality of side walls; anda second interlock feature positioned on said lid, wherein said second interlock feature operably engages said first interlock feature when said lid is selectively interconnected to said seat of said vault, wherein said engaged interlock features maintain a relative position between said vault and lid. 2. The utility vault of claim 1, wherein said seat of said vault is positioned a predetermined distance from said upper end of said plurality of side walls to promote a ledge for supporting a lower portion of said lid. 3. The utility vault of claim 1, wherein a fastener axis is oriented between a center of said vault and a center of said fastener channel, and a longitudinal axis of said fastener channel forms a fastener angle with said fastener axis, said fastener angle is between approximately 60 degrees and 120 degrees. 4. The utility vault of claim 1, wherein said second interlock feature comprises a protrusion that extends into said fastener channel of said first interlock feature to operably engage said interlock features. 5. The utility vault of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of said orientation channel extends from said fastener channel to an inner surface of said vault. 6. The utility vault of claim 5, wherein a longitudinal axis of said orientation channel intersects a center of said vault. 7. The utility vault of claim 1, wherein said first interlock feature comprises a circular recess, and said second interlock feature comprises a protrusion that extends into said circular recess in said first interlock feature to operably engage said interlock features and to maintain the relative position between said lid and said vault. 8. The utility vault of claim 1, further comprising: a third interlock feature positioned within said seat of said vault; anda fourth interlock feature positioned on said lid, wherein said fourth interlock feature operably engages with said third interlock feature when said lid is selectively interconnected to said seat of said vault. 9. The utility vault of claim 8, wherein a longitudinal axis of said fastener channel does not intersect a center of said vault. 10. The utility vault of claim 1, further comprising: an aperture positioned in said lid; anda locking element for selectively interconnecting said lid to said seat of said vault, said locking element sized for positioning within said aperture in said lid. 11. The utility vault of claim 1, further comprising: a plurality of first interlock features positioned within said seat of said vault; anda plurality of second interlock features positioned on said lid, wherein said plurality of second interlock features operably engages said plurality of first interlock features when said lid is selectively interconnected to said seat of said vault. 12. The utility vault of claim 1, wherein a longitudinal dimension of said fastener channel is larger than a lateral dimension of said fastener channel. 13. The utility vault of claim 1, wherein a longitudinal dimension of said orientation channel is larger than a lateral dimension of said orientation channel. 14. The utility vault of claim 1, wherein a longitudinal dimension of said fastener channel is orientated substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal dimension of said orientation channel. 15. A subgrade utility vault defining an enclosed volume, comprising: a plurality of side walls having an upper end that defines an opening;a shoulder positioned on an inner surface of said plurality of side walls, wherein an area defined by an inner perimeter of said shoulder is less than an area defined by said opening;a plurality of first interlock features positioned within said shoulder, each first interlock feature comprises a fastener channel and an orientation channel that are oriented substantially perpendicular to each other;wherein a fastener axis is oriented between a center of said vault and a center of said fastener channel, and a longitudinal axis of said fastener channel forms a fastener angle with said fastener axis, said fastener angle is between approximately 60 degrees and 120 degrees;wherein an orientation axis is oriented between said center of said vault and a center of said orientation channel, and a longitudinal axis of said orientation channel forms an orientation angle with said orientation axis, said orientation angle is between approximately −30 degrees and 30 degrees; andwherein said fastener channel and said orientation channel of each first interlock feature are configured to receive a protrusion from a second interlock feature of a lid. 16. The subgrade utility vault of claim 15, wherein at least one of said first interlock features and comprises an aperture than is configured to receive a locking mechanism that passes through an aperture of said corresponding second interlock feature of said lid. 17. The subgrade utility vault of claim 15, further comprising: a third interlock feature positioned within said shoulder, said third interlock feature having a fastener channel, wherein a third axis is oriented between said center of said vault and a center of said fastener channel of said third interlock feature, and a longitudinal axis of said fastener channel of said third interlock feature forms a third angle with said third axis, said third angle is between approximately 60 degrees and 120 degrees, wherein said third angle of said third interlock feature is distinct from said fastener angle of said first interlock features. 18. A utility vault with an interlocking vault and lid, comprising: a vault having a plurality of side walls with an upper end that defines an opening, said vault having a seat positioned proximate to said upper end;a first interlock feature positioned within said seat of said vault, said first interlock feature having a fastener channel, wherein a fastener axis is oriented between a center of said vault and a center of said fastener channel, and a longitudinal axis of said fastener channel forms a fastener angle with said fastener axis, said fastener angle is between approximately 60 degrees and 120 degrees;a lid configured to selectively interconnect to said seat of said vault to close said opening defined by said upper end of said plurality of side walls; anda second interlock feature positioned on said lid, wherein said second interlock feature operably engages said first interlock feature when said lid is selectively interconnected to said seat of said vault, wherein said engaged interlock features maintain a relative position between said vault and lid. 19. The utility vault of claim 18, wherein said second interlock feature comprises a protrusion that extends into said fastener channel of said first interlock feature to operably engage said interlock features. 20. The utility vault of claim 18, wherein said first interlock feature comprises an orientation channel that extends to an inner surface of said vault, and wherein said orientation channel is oriented substantially perpendicular to said fastener channel.
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이 특허에 인용된 특허 (11)
Machledt, Charles G.; Machledt, Fredric P., Below grade utilities vault.
Lecuyer,Maurice; Dupont,Eric; Leblanc,Raymond; Robichaud,Mario; Lupien,Jean Fran��cois; Tallard,Robert, Prefabricated structure made of reinforced concrete with an integrated removable handling system.
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