Access-Hole Cover for Support Structures

An access-hole cover for support structures, such as light poles, highway sign supports and other structures that have access holes providing access to the interior of the structure. The access-hole cover prevents or reduces water and other foreign objects from entering the interior of the structure, which can cause deterioration of the structure and components therein.

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Description
BACKGROUND OF THE TECHNOLOGY

Transportation systems, such as streets, highways, and railways use lights, signs and other structures near them to function and provide light and information to people using the transportation systems. Light poles, highway sign supports and other support structures are typically made of metal tubes. These support structures also typically act as conduits for such things as electrical wire used to provide electricity to lights or other electrical devices attached to the support structures. Typically, the support structures have access holes that provide access to the interior of the support structures.

The access holes in these support structures are typically cut into the support structures such that they are flush with the exterior of the support structure or they include a neck protruding from the surface of the structures such that the neck provides a planar edge surface on which to mount the cover. Thus, because some of the access holes are curved and some have necks with flat edges, different covers must be used to fit the specific type of access hole used on the structure.

Covers used today are typically metal plates that provide a metal on metal contact between the access hole and the cover. Moreover, existing covers are generally rigid and are either flat or curved to fit the specific type of access hole. As vehicles pass by they can cause vibrations in the structure which, over time, can cause the bolts holding the covers in place to loosen and the covers can become loose.

SUMMARY OF DISCLOSURE

This summary of the disclosure is not intended to limit the scope of the claims or require that any one claim contain all the features disclosed herein. This summary is simply provided to illustrate some example embodiments and some of the features the inventions of this disclosure might include.

One example embodiment disclosed herein provides for a cover that is curved and flexible such that as it is secured to the structure it fits the shape of the structure. Another example embodiment of the present disclosure provides for a cover that forms a better seal between the cover and the structure to make it more difficult for elements, such as water, rain, salt or road spray, to enter the interior of the structure through the access hole.

Another example embodiment of the present disclosure is a cover assembly for an access hole on a structure comprising a body having a resilient camber which allows the cover to fit curved and flat access-hole openings. The cover includes a resilient material on the back side of the body to form a seal between the support structure and the cover. The cover assembly also includes a fastening mechanism to secure the cover over the access hole.

Another example embodiment of the disclosure provides for a cover assembly to cover an aperture on a structure. The cover assembly has a body having a resilient camber which allows the cover to fit curved and flat openings such that when the cover is secured to the structure over the aperture it generally bends to the shape of the structure it is covering.

In another example embodiment, the body has at least two portions, the first portion made of resilient metal and providing the resilient camber to the cover, the second portion made of a rubber material to form a seal between the cover and a support structure. In this example embodiment the cover assembly also includes a fastening mechanism to secure the cover over the access hole. The fastening mechanism may include an insert that fits in the interior of the support structure. The insert could further include a threaded aperture to receive a bolt placed through the cover which secures the insert to the inner wall of the structure and the cover to the exterior of the structure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further features will be more apparent from the detailed description of preferred, but not exclusive, embodiments of an access-hole cover constructed in accordance with the present inventions. Such a description will be set forth hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, given only for illustrative and thus non-limiting purposes, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating one example embodiment of a structure having an access hole and an access-hole cover built according to the principles of this disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a side view illustrating one example embodiment of an insert according to the principles of this disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating one example embodiment of an access-hole cover built according to the principles of this disclosure.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged cut-out perspective view of a portion of the access-hole cover shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a side view illustrating one example embodiment of an access-hole cover fastened securely to a support structure built according to the principles of this disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a front view illustrating one example embodiment of an access-hole cover fastened securely to a support structure built according to the principles of this disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a front view illustrating one example embodiment of an access-hole cover on a support structure built according to the principles of this disclosure.

FIG. 8 is a top view of a cross section of the example embodiment shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 9 is a top view of a cross section of the example embodiment shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 10 is a top view of a cross section of the example embodiment shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 11 is a side view illustrating one example embodiment of an access-hole cover fastened securely to a support structure built according to the principles of this disclosure.

FIG. 12 is a top view of a cross section of the example embodiment shown in FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a top view of a cross section of the example embodiment shown in FIG. 11.

FIG. 14 is a top view of a cross section of the example embodiment shown in FIG. 11.

FIG. 15 is a front view of one example embodiment of an access-hole cover according to the principles of this disclosure.

FIG. 16 is a rear view of the access-hole cover in FIG. 15.

FIG. 17 is a side view of the access-hole cover in FIG. 15.

FIG. 18 is a side view of the access-hole cover in FIG. 15.

FIG. 19 is a top view of the access-hole cover in FIG. 15.

 DETAILED DESCRIPTIONS OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

With reference to the drawings, an access-hole cover example embodiment in accordance with the present disclosure has been generally identified by reference numeral 1.

As shown in FIG. 1, access-hole cover 1 fits over the access hole 3 in a support structure 2, such as for example a pole for a highway sign, a street sign, a camera pole or a light pole. The access-hole cover 1 fits over the access hole 3 in the support structure 2 such that it covers the access hole 3 opening to overlap a portion of the edge 300 of the access hole 3 to reduce or prevent the elements, such as rain or road spray, from entering the interior of the support structure 2.

The access-hole cover 1 is held in place by an insert 4 which is placed in the interior of the support structure 2. In this example embodiment, the access-hole cover 1 includes apertures 100 for fastening the access-hole cover to the insert 4 to hold the access-hole cover 1 in place. In this example embodiment, the insert 4 includes apertures 400 that align with the apertures 100 on the access-hole cover 1 for fastening the access-hole cover 1 to the insert 4. The apertures 400 can be threaded such that they receive bolts. Any other type of fastening system can be used.

FIG. 2 shows the insert 4 of FIG. 1 in greater detail. Insert 4 is shaped such that it can be placed inside the access hole 3 and can span across the access hole opening and overlap the edge 300. In this example embodiment, insert 4 has a length 401 that is at least longer than the narrowest portion of the access hole 3 opening. The length 401 has two end portions that overlap a portion of the edge 300 of the access hole. In this example embodiment, insert 4 also has two fastening portions 403. The fastening portions 403 contain two apertures 400 for connecting the insert 4 to the access-hole cover 1.

For example, the length 401 of the insert 4 could range from about a few inches to over six inches. Other sizes could be used depending on the size of the access hole. The insert 4 could have one, two or many apertures for securing the access-hole cover to the support structure. In the example embodiment shown, the fastening portions 403 include two apertures 400. The fastening portions 403 could be about a half inch long or much longer depending on the access hole.

In the example embodiment shown, the apertures 400 are spaced apart from the center of the insert 4. While not required, in the example embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the insert 4 has two spaced apart apertures 400 that help prevent the insert 4 from rotating when securing the access-hole cover to the insert over the access hole 3. Additionally, the end portions 402 of the length 401 of the insert 4 could include a soft rubber or sticky material on the side that contacts the interior surface of the support structure 2 to help prevent the insert 4 from moving or rotating while fastening the access-hole cover 1 to it.

The insert 4 could be any shape or structure that can hold the access-hole cover 1 securely to the support structure 2. The insert 4 could be made of any material that is strong enough to securely hold the access-hole cover 1 to the support structure 2. Insert 4 could be made of metal, plastic, fiberglass or any other suitable materials, which are well known to those skilled in the art. The example embodiment of insert 4 allows it to fit a number of different sized access holes.

Additionally, the access-hole cover 1 could use any number of different mechanisms to secure the access-hole cover 1 to the support structure 2. For example, rather than using an insert 4, the access-hole cover 1 could have an integral fastener to fasten it to the support structure 2. Alternatively, the access-hole cover 1 could be arranged to include apertures aligned to fit existing access-hole mounts or apertures on the support structure. There are many different ways that the access-hole cover 1 can be mounted or secured to the support structure 2.

FIGS. 3 and 4 provide more detail of an example embodiment of the access-hole cover 1 disclosed herein. In this example embodiment, the access-hole cover 1 has a first portion 100, a second portion 101, and a third portion 102.

In this example embodiment, the first portion 100 is made of pre-curved strips of flexible material. This first portion 100 creates a camber in the access-hole cover 1. The first portion 100 can be made of resilient metal such as spring metal or any other material that is flexible, but will still retain its shape when the force flexing it is removed. The first portion 100 can be a solid layer or include any number of strips as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. First portion 100 can be made of various materials, such as composite, plastic, or metal. In some examples, first portion 100 is made of a material that will not corrode when exposed to the elements.

In this example embodiment, the second portion 101 is a portion of flexible metal and defines the general shape of the access-hole cover 1. Second portion 101 will take the shape of the first portion 100 such that it has the same camber as provided by the first portion 100. Second portion 101 can be made of various materials, such as composite, plastic, metal. In this example, portion 101 is made of a material that will not corrode when exposed to the elements.

In this example embodiment, the third portion 102 is made of a resilient material. The third portion could cover the entire back of the second portion 101 or just a portion of it. For example, the third portion 102 could be positioned around the edge of the access-hole cover such that material is not wasted on areas that do not contact the exterior of the support structure 2.

In an embodiment where the third portion 102 does not cover almost all of the rear surface of the second portion 101, it could be beneficial to have the third portion 102 extend at least beyond the portion of the rear surface of the access-hole cover 1 that contacts the exterior of the support structure 2. In this alternative embodiment, when the access-hole cover is secured to the support structure 2, the third portion will bend around the edge 300 of the access hole 3. This could further help reduce or prevent elements from entering the interior of the support structure 2.

The third portion is designed to form a seal between the outer portion of the support structure 2 and the back of the access-hole cover 1. This seal is designed to reduce or prevent the elements from entering the interior of the support structure where it can damage the support structure 2 or components therein. The resilient material could be made of a rubber, a foam rubber or any other material that will help prevent the elements from entering the interior of the support structure 2.

An alternative embodiment may also include a gasket formed as the third portion 102 to form a seal between the support structure 2 and the access-hole cover 1. In yet another alternative, the back side of the access-hole cover 1 could include a groove that holds an o-ring or rubber ring that would form a seal between the exterior of the support structure 2 and the back of the access-hole cover 1.

An alternative embodiment of the access-hole cover 1 could have only two portions. For example, the first and second portions 101 and 102 could be combined into just one suitable portion. Alternatively, the first portions 100 and 101 could be combined into just one suitable portion. Those combined portions could be made of any suitable material that would be flexible and provide a flexible camber to the access-hole cover 1.

The configuration of the access-hole cover 1 could be any shape that covers the access hole 3. In one example embodiment shown in the figures, the access-hole cover 1 is shaped such that it has a point 104 at the top near the center of the access-hole cover 1 and from that top point 104 extends downwardly sloping edges 103 such that water runs down and off the access-hole cover 1. Alternatively, the access-hole cover 1 could take on many shapes, such as a circle, oval, rectangle or any other shape.

The example embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 through 7 show a general configuration or shape of one embodiment of the present disclosure. The example embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 through 7 could have various dimensions so long as the access-hole cover 1 covers the access hole 3. In one embodiment the access-hole cover 1 could range from about between a few inches wide to about a foot or more. The height of the access-hole cover 1 could likewise range from a few inches high to about a foot or more. However the access-hole cover could be any size depending on the opening it is covering.

FIGS. 6 and 7 also show that, in this example embodiment, there are two fastening apertures 105 for fastening the access-hole cover 1 to the insert 4 to secure it to the support structure 2. As previously noted, there are many ways in which the access-hole cover 1 could be fastened to the support structure as would be known to those skilled in the art. For example, the access-hole cover 1 could be fastened to the support structure using ring clamps that can be tightened with a screwdriver.

FIGS. 5 through 10 illustrate just one example embodiment of the access-hole cover 1 being mounted to a support structure 2 using an insert 4. FIG. 8 shows that the access-hole cover 1 has a camber or arc that is more severe than the arc of the support structure 2. The access-hole cover 1 and the insert 4 are connected by a bolt. The insert 4 is placed through the access hole 3 and into the interior of the support structure 2. As the bolt is tightened, the access-hole cover 1 bends to take on the shape of the exterior of the support structure 2 as shown in FIGS. 8 through 10. As the access-hole cover 1 is secured to the support structure 2, a seal is formed helping to prevent or preventing the elements from entering the interior of the support structure.

FIGS. 11 through 15 illustrate another example embodiment of the access-hole cover 1 made according to this disclosure. FIG. 11 shows a support structure 2 that has a neck 301 extending from the support structure 2 such that the access hole 3 has an edge 300 that is planar. In FIG. 11, the access-hole cover 1 is secured to the planar edge 300 of the neck 301 of the support structure.

FIGS. 12 through 14 also show the access-hole cover 1 being mounted to a support structure 2. As the access-hole cover 1 is secured to the support structure 2, a seal is formed helping to prevent or preventing the elements from entering the interior of the support structure. The access-hole cover 1, as it is secured to the access hole, flexes to conform to the shape of the support structure. For example if the support structure includes a neck with a flat edge that defines the access hole, the access-hole cover 1 could flex until it becomes substantially flat against the edge that defines the access hole.

FIGS. 15 through 19 show various views of an example embodiment of the access-hole cover 1. FIG. 15 shows the fastening apertures 105 in the access-hole cover 1, the first and second portions (100, 101), and its shape having a top point 104 and sloped edges 103. FIG. 16 shows the back side 106 of an example embodiment of the access-hole cover 1. In one embodiment, the back side 106 includes a block 107 through which, in one example embodiment, the bolts go through to fasten the access-hole cover 1 to the insert 4. The block 106 helps maintain a uniform shape as the access-hole cover 1 is secured to the support structure 2 via the insert 4.

The block 106 can take on any shape and be made of many different materials. For example block 106 can be rectangular or oval shaped. Block 106 can also be made of many different materials, such as metal, composite material, or hard plastic.

In one example embodiment, the access-hole cover 1 may include a sensor 109 to detect moisture or corrosion in the interior of the support structure 2. This sensor 109 could be connected wirelessly or via a wire to send an alert when a specific amount of moisture or corrosion is present on the interior of the support structure 2. In yet another alternative, the access-hole cover 1 could be provided with a sensor coupled to a display 108 that displays on the outside of the access-hole cover 1 whether there is moisture or corrosion inside the support structure 2. The display 108 could be a light or a material that changes color depending on the signal it receives from the sensor 109. This could substantially reduce or eliminate the need to remove the access-hole cover 1 to check if there is moisture or corrosion on the interior of the support structure 2. Given that there are thousands of these access holes that are covered and need to be monitored, this could save a substantial amount of time and money and also improve safety.

Additionally, the access-hole cover 1, as shown in FIG. 16, could optionally include a structure 110 having a desiccant material to adsorb moisture to help reduce moisture and corrosion in the interior of the support structure 2. This could extend the life of the support structure 2 thereby saving money on replacement costs.

While example embodiments of the disclosure have been described above, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the embodiments of the disclosure, as set forth above, are intended to be illustrative, and should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the claims. Various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, the scope of the present disclosure should be determined not by embodiments illustrated above, but by the claims appended hereto and their legal equivalents.

Claims

1. A cover assembly for an access hole on a support structure, the cover assembly comprising:

a. a body having a resilient camber which allows the cover to fit curved and flat access hole openings;
b. a resilient material on a back side of the body to form a seal between the support structure and the cover; and
c. a fastening mechanism to secure the cover over the access hole.

2. The cover assembly of claim 1, wherein the cover defines at least one aperture to receive a bolt to secure the cover to the support structure.

3. The cover assembly of claim 1, wherein the body has a top point and two sloped edges extending from the top point to facilitate water running down the sloped edges of the cover.

4. The cover assembly of claim 1, wherein the body has a first portion, a second portion and a third portion;

a. the first portion providing a resilient camber to the body;
b. the second portion being made of a flexible impervious material; and
c. the third portion being made of a material capable of providing a seal between the support structure and the cover.

5. The cover assembly of claim 4, wherein the first portion is made of a spring metal.

6. The cover assembly of claim 4, wherein the second portion is made of metal.

7. The cover assembly of claim 4, wherein the third portion is made of a rubber material.

8. The cover assembly of claim 1, wherein the cover includes an insert for securing the cover to the support structure over the access hole.

9. The cover assembly of claim 1, wherein the cover includes a sensor and a display to indicate the presence of moisture or corrosion on the inside of the support structure.

10. The cover assembly of claim 1, wherein the cover includes a desiccant to reduce moisture in an interior of the support structure.

11. A cover assembly to cover an aperture on a structure, the cover assembly comprising:

a. a body having a resilient camber configured such that, when the cover is secured to the structure over an access opening, the cover generally bends to a shape of the structure;
b. a resilient material on a back side of the body to form a seal between the structure and the cover; and
c. a fastening mechanism to secure the cover over the access opening.

12. The cover assembly of claim 11, wherein the camber is generally more severe than the shape of the structure to which it is secured.

13. The cover assembly of claim 11 wherein the body includes a first portion, a second portion and a third portion;

a. the first portion is made of at least one band that provides the body with a resilient camber;
b. the second portion is made of an impervious solid material;
c. the third portion is made of a resilient material that can form a seal between the cover and the support structure.

14. The cover assembly of claim 13 wherein the first portion is made of a spring metal.

15. The cover assembly of claim 13 wherein the second portion is made of metal.

16. The cover assembly of claim 13 wherein the third portion is made of a rubber material.

17. The cover assembly of claim 11 wherein the cover includes an insert for securing the cover to the support structure over the access hole.

18. The cover assembly of claim 11 wherein the cover includes a sensor and a device to indicate, without removing the cover, the presence of moisture or corrosion on the inside of the support structure.

19. The cover assembly of claim 11 wherein the cover includes a desiccant to reduce moisture in the interior of the support structure.

20. A cover assembly to cover an aperture on a structure comprising:

a. a body having a resilient camber which allows the cover to fit curved and flat openings such that when the cover is secured to the structure over the aperture it generally bends to the shape of the structure it is covering;
b. the body having at least two portions, the first portion made of resilient metal and providing the resilient camber to the cover, the second portion made of a rubber material to form a seal between the cover and a support structure;
c. a fastening mechanism to secure the cover over the access hole;
The fastening mechanism including an insert that fits in the interior of the support structure; the insert further including a threaded aperture to receive a bolt placed through the cover which secures the insert to the inner wall of the structure and the cover to the exterior of the structure.
Patent History
Publication number: 20110272404
Type: Application
Filed: May 4, 2010
Publication Date: Nov 10, 2011
Inventor: Eric Thomas Bert (Woodbury, MN)
Application Number: 12/773,412
Classifications
Current U.S. Class: Convex Or Concave Closure Conforms To Curvature Of Opening To Be Closed (220/213); Lateral Opening (138/92); Having Gasket Or Packing (220/378); External And Internal Bar Or Closure (220/243)
International Classification: B65D 43/02 (20060101); B65D 45/10 (20060101); B65D 53/00 (20060101);