Abstract: A method of forming an upwardly facing surface around a conduit that is embedded in ground material and defines a passageway. The conduit has an open upper end, through which access can be gained to the passageway, and an outer perimeter. The method includes the steps of: obtaining a riser assembly; placing the riser assembly in operative relationship with the open upper end of the conduit wherein the riser assembly is supported at least partially by the ground material around the outer perimeter of the conduit and defines an entry opening to the passageway; and with the riser assembly in the operative relationship with the open upper end of the conduit, forming at least one material around the conduit to a desired vertical thickness on which the upwardly facing surface is defined.

Abstract: The combination of: an underground valve for a supply line and having an underground actuator through which a state of the valve can be changed to control flow within the supply line; and a conduit assembly embedded in ground material and defining an access passage through which above ground access can be obtained to the valve actuator. The conduit assembly has a housing defining a cavity in which at least a portion of the valve resides. The conduit assembly further has a valve base assembly configured to interact with: a) the housing; and b) at least one of: i) the valve; and ii) the supply line to maintain a desired relationship between the housing and the at least one of: i) the valve; and ii) the supply line.

Abstract: The combination of: an underground valve for a supply line and having an underground actuator through which a state of the valve can be changed to control flow within the supply line; and a conduit assembly embedded in ground material and defining an access passage through which above ground access can be obtained to the valve actuator. The conduit assembly has an adaptor assembly with a body made from a non-metal material and having at least a first connector. The valve has at least a second connector. The first and second connectors cooperate to maintain the body operatively connected to the valve. A first conduit part is configured to connect to the body and bound a portion of the access passage accessible through an entry opening remote from the valve.

Abstract: The combination of an underground valve, for a supply line and having an underground actuator through which a state of the valve can be changed to control flow within the supply line, and a conduit assembly defining an access passage through which above ground access can be gained to the valve actuator. The conduit assembly further has a cap that can be selectively changed between: a) a first state wherein the cap blocks an entry opening; and b) a second state wherein above ground access can be gained to the valve actuator through the entry opening and access passage. A part of the cap and another part of the conduit assembly interact and are relatively moved as the cap is changed between the first and second states. At least one of: a) the part of the cap; and b) the another part of the conduit assembly is made from a non-metal material.

Abstract: The combination of: a) an underground valve for a supply line and having an underground actuator through which the state of the valve can be changed to control flow within the supply line; and b) a conduit assembly embedded in ground material and defining an access passage through which above ground access can be obtained to the valve actuator. The conduit assembly has a cap that can be selectively changed between: a) a first state wherein the cap blocks the entry opening; and b) a second state wherein above ground access can be gained to the valve actuator. The conduit assembly has an upper conduit part and a lower conduit part. The upper and lower conduit parts are interconnected and configured so that they move axially guidingly against and relative to each other so as to vary an effective combined axial length of the upper and lower conduit parts in response to forces generated by the ground material.

Abstract: A method of repairing an existing conduit assembly embedded in ground material. The conduit assembly has an axial length and defines an access passage through which above ground access can be obtained to an underground valve actuator. The method includes the steps of: removing a portion of the length of the conduit assembly to expose an upper edge defined by a remaining portion of the conduit assembly; providing a repair assembly with a conduit piece having an entry opening; engaging the conduit piece and the remaining portion of the conduit assembly; moving the conduit piece guidingly in an axial direction against the remaining portion of the conduit assembly to thereby situate the entry opening at a desired axial location; and placing a cap on the conduit piece to thereby block the entry opening.

Abstract: A method of forming an upwardly facing surface around a conduit that is embedded in ground material and defines a passageway. The conduit has an open upper end, through which access can be gained to the passageway, and an outer perimeter. The method includes the steps of: obtaining a riser assembly; placing the riser assembly in operative relationship with the open upper end of the conduit wherein the riser assembly is supported at least partially by the ground material around the outer perimeter of the conduit and defines an entry opening to the passageway; and with the riser assembly in the operative relationship with the open upper end of the conduit, forming at least one material around the conduit to a desired vertical thickness on which the upwardly facing surface is defined.

Abstract: The combination of: an underground valve for a supply line and having an underground actuator through which a state of the valve can be changed to control flow within the supply line; and a conduit assembly embedded in ground material and defining an access passage through which above ground access can be obtained to the valve actuator. The conduit assembly has an adaptor assembly with a body made from a non-metal material and having at least a first connector. The valve has at least a second connector. The first and second connectors cooperate to maintain the body operatively connected to the valve. A first conduit part is configured to connect to the body and bound a portion of the access passage accessible through an entry opening remote from the valve.

Abstract: The combination of: an underground valve for a supply line and having an underground actuator through which a state of the valve can be changed to control flow within the supply line; and a conduit assembly embedded in ground material and defining an access passage through which above ground access can be obtained to the valve actuator. The conduit assembly has a housing defining a cavity in which at least a portion of the valve resides. The conduit assembly further has a valve base assembly configured to interact with: a) the housing; and b) at least one of: i) the valve; and ii) the supply line to maintain a desired relationship between the housing and the at least one of: i) the valve; and ii) the supply line.

Abstract: A method of repairing an existing conduit assembly embedded in ground material. The conduit assembly has an axial length and defines an access passage through which above ground access can be obtained to an underground valve actuator. The method includes the steps of: removing a portion of the length of the conduit assembly to expose an upper edge defined by a remaining portion of the conduit assembly; providing a repair assembly with a conduit piece having an entry opening; engaging the conduit piece and the remaining portion of the conduit assembly; moving the conduit piece guidingly in an axial direction against the remaining portion of the conduit assembly to thereby situate the entry opening at a desired axial location; and placing a cap on the conduit piece to thereby block the entry opening.

Abstract: The combination of: a) an underground valve for a supply line and having an underground actuator through which the state of the valve can be changed to control flow within the supply line; and b) a conduit assembly embedded in ground material and defining an access passage through which above ground access can be obtained to the valve actuator. The conduit assembly has a cap that can be selectively changed between: a) a first state wherein the cap blocks the entry opening; and b) a second state wherein above ground access can be gained to the valve actuator. The conduit assembly has an upper conduit part and a lower conduit part. The upper and lower conduit parts are interconnected and configured so that they move axially guidingly against and relative to each other so as to vary an effective combined axial length of the upper and lower conduit parts in response to forces generated by the ground material.

Abstract: The combination of an underground valve, for a supply line and having an underground actuator through which a state of the valve can be changed to control flow within the supply line, and a conduit assembly defining an access passage through which above ground access can be gained to the valve actuator. The conduit assembly further has a cap that can be selectively changed between: a) a first state wherein the cap blocks an entry opening; and b) a second state wherein above ground access can be gained to the valve actuator through the entry opening and access passage. A part of the cap and another part of the conduit assembly interact and are relatively moved as the cap is changed between the first and second states. At least one of: a) the part of the cap; and b) the another part of the conduit assembly is made from a non-metal material.