SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR RESTRICTING ACCESS TO INFRASTRUCTURE COMPONENTS

Abstract

Systems and methods for restricting access to infrastructure components are provided. In this regard, a representative system includes: a lock assembly having a receptacle, a sleeve, a fastener and a cap; the receptacle having a longitudinal bore; the sleeve defining an interior and having a first end, an opposing second end, and an interior flange positioned between the first end and the second end; the fastener having a shaft extending from a head, the shaft being sized and shaped to engage within the longitudinal bore of the receptacle, the head being sized and shaped to prevent passage of the fastener through the sleeve via interference with the first flange; the cap being operative to engage the second end of the sleeve such that, in an engaged position, the cap and the sleeve retain the head of the bolt within the interior of the sleeve; the lock assembly being operative to selectively secure the lid to the housing.

Description

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The disclosure generally relates to protection of infrastructure components.

2. Description of the Related Art

Infrastructure components of various types (e.g., fiber optics, telecommunications and electrical conduits) conventionally are protected by routing the conduits below ground. Access to these components often is facilitated by vaults or hand holes that are installed in a vicinity of the conduits and which provide securable panels or lids that can be opened to provide direct access to the conduits. Unfortunately, unauthorized access to conduits can oftentimes be accomplished by means of a conventional screw driver that can be used to open a lid of a vault.

SUMMARY

Systems and methods for restricting access to infrastructure components are provided. In this regard, an exemplary embodiment of a system for restricting access to infrastructure components, in which a housing with a lid defines an interior, the lid being movable to an open position in which access to an interior of the housing is provided, the housing being operative to provide access to a first infrastructure component via the interior of the housing, the system comprising: an internally threaded receptacle operative to mount to the housing; a sleeve defining a longitudinal bore and having a first end, an opposing second end, an interior flange positioned between the first end and the second end, an exterior flange positioned between the first end and the second end, and external threads oriented about the second end; a bolt having a shaft with external threads and a head, the shaft being sized and shaped to be insertable through the longitudinal bore and interior flange, the head being sized and shaped to be insertable into the longitudinal bore and to interfere with the interior flange such that the head of the bolt is retained within the longitudinal bore as the shaft at least partially extends outwardly from the longitudinal bore; and a cap operative to engage the external threads of the second end of the sleeve such that, in an engaged position, the cap and the sleeve capture the head of the bolt; the external threads of the bolt being operative to engage the internal threads of the receptacle such that a portion of the lid and corresponding portion of the housing are positioned between the sleeve and the receptacle to secure the lid in a closed position.

Another exemplary embodiment of a system comprises: a lock assembly having a receptacle, a sleeve, a fastener and a cap; the receptacle having a longitudinal bore; the sleeve defining an interior and having a first end, an opposing second end, and an interior flange positioned between the first end and the second end; the fastener having a shaft extending from a head, the shaft being sized and shaped to engage within the longitudinal bore of the receptacle, the head being sized and shaped to prevent passage of the fastener through the sleeve via interference with the first flange; the cap being operative to engage the second end of the sleeve such that, in an engaged position, the cap and the sleeve retain the head of the bolt within the interior of the sleeve; the lock assembly being operative to selectively secure the lid to the housing.

An exemplary embodiment of a method for restricting access to infrastructure components comprises: providing a housing and a movable lid, the lid being movable between an open position, in which access to an interior of the housing is provided, and a closed position, in which access to the interior is prevented, the lid having a first aperture, the housing being operative to provide access to a first infrastructure component via the interior of the housing; and securing the lid to the housing with a lock assembly, the lock assembly having a receptacle, a sleeve, a fastener and a cap; the receptacle having a longitudinal bore; the sleeve defining an interior and having a first end, an opposing second end, and an interior flange positioned between the first end and the second end; the fastener having a shaft extending from a head, the shaft being sized and shaped to engage within the longitudinal bore of the receptacle, the head being sized and shaped to prevent passage of the fastener through the sleeve via interference with the first flange; and the cap being operative to engage the second end of the sleeve such that, in an engaged position, the cap and the sleeve retain the head of the bolt within the interior of the sleeve.

Other systems, methods, features and/or advantages of this disclosure will be or may become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following drawings and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features and/or advantages be included within this description and be within the scope of the present disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Many aspects of the disclosure can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of an exemplary embodiment of a system for restricting access to infrastructure components.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a lock assembly.

FIG. 3 is a partially cut-away, sectional view of an embodiment of a system for restricting access to infrastructure components, with the lid in a closed position and secured by the lock assembly.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart depicting an exemplary embodiment of a method for restricting access to infrastructure components.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Systems and methods for restricting access to infrastructure components are provided, several exemplary embodiments of which will be described in detail. In this regard, reference is made to the schematic diagram of FIG. 1, which depicts an exemplary embodiment of a system for restricting access to infrastructure components.

As shown in FIG. 1, system 100 includes a housing 102, a lid 104 and two lock assemblies (105, 106). The housing incorporates generally rectangular sidewalls (e.g., sidewall 108) and defines an interior 110. The lid is movable between an open position (depicted in FIG. 1), in which access is provided to the interior of the housing, and a closed position (depicted in FIG. 3), in which access to the interior is restricted. By selectively moving the lid to the open position, access to an infrastructure component (e.g., component 120) is provided via the interior of the housing. By way of example, an infrastructure component can be various conduits, such as those used for routing optical and/or electrical signals, among others, that can be used for various purposes such as power, communications, etc.

The housing and lid can be formed of various materials (e.g., composite material with some type polymer reinforcing agent) and can be provided in various configurations and applications. For instance, the housing and lid can be configured as a utility vault or hand-hole for providing access to buried conduit. Additionally, the housing and the lid need not be formed of the same materials.

In the non-limiting example of FIG. 1, in which infrastructure component 120 is installed below grade, housing 102 is installed above the component 120 so that lid 104 is generally positioned at ground level. It should be noted that, in this embodiment, direct access to component 120 is provided via an access aperture 122 located at the bottom 124 of the housing. In other embodiments, the component could be at least partially housed within the housing, such as by passing through the interior.

Lid 104 is configured to seat within a recessed portion 126 positioned at the top of the housing. The recessed portion is defined by an edge 128 and a flange 130. Lock apertures (132, 133) are positioned at opposite corners of sidewall 108 to receive corresponding lock assemblies (105, 106). Similarly, the lid incorporates apertures (136, 137) that align with corresponding lock apertures (132, 133) when the lid is in the closed position.

In the embodiment of FIG. 1, lock assemblies (105, 106) are identical; therefore, only lock assembly 106 (also shown in FIGS. 2 and 3) will be described in detail. It should be noted that although two lock assemblies are depicted in FIG. 1, various other numbers and configurations of lock assemblies can be used in other embodiments.

As shown most clearly in FIG. 2, lock assembly 106 includes a sleeve 144, a fastener 146 and a cap 148. In this embodiment, fastener 146 is configured to engage a receptacle 142 (e.g., a nut) that includes a longitudinal bore 151 and internal threads 153. The receptacle is mounted to the housing, such as within the sidewall so that the bore of the receptacle aligns with the lock aperture. In some embodiments, the receptacle is mounted within a preformed cavity (e.g., cavity 109 of FIG. 3) and a biasing member such as a spring (e.g., spring 111 of FIG. 3) can be seated within the cavity to urge the receptacle outwardly toward the corresponding fastener.

Sleeve 144 defines a longitudinal bore 155 and includes a first end 156, an opposing second end 157, an interior flange 158 and an exterior flange 160. Both the interior flange and the exterior flange are positioned between the first and second ends, however, in this embodiment, the exterior flange is positioned closer to the second end. Additionally, external threads 162 are oriented about the second end.

Fastener 146 is configured as a bolt that includes a shaft 165 and a head 166. The shaft incorporates external threads and is sized and shaped to be insertable through the longitudinal bore and interior flange of the sleeve, while the head is large enough to interfere with the interior flange such that the head of the bolt is retained within the longitudinal bore as the shaft at least partially extends outwardly from the longitudinal bore of the sleeve.

Head 166 includes a locking recess 169 that is generally oriented within the dashed lines 167. Although capable of taking on various shapes (e.g., conventional slots for engaging with a screw driver), a preferred locking recess is sized and shaped to be engaged by a complementary-shaped working surface of a limited-production tool (e.g., tool A). Notably, a preferred locking recess is specifically designed to be inoperative with conventional tools. Non-limiting examples of such a design include those of the KEY-REX™, KEY-LOK™ and PENTA-PLUS™ security screws manufactured by BRYCE™ Fastener of Gilbert, Ariz. and the SNAKE-EYES® Spanner manufactured by the Tamperproof Screw Co., Inc. of Hicksville, N.Y. (and corresponding tools manufactured by the same).

Cap 148 includes a first side 171 for facing the sleeve, a second side 172 for facing away from the sleeve, and a locking recess 173 positioned at the second side and generally oriented within the dashed lines 174. The locking recess of the cap is sized and shaped to be engaged by a complementary-shaped working surface of a second tool (e.g., tool B, a limited-production tool). Notably, a preferred locking recess of the cap is specifically designed to be inoperative with conventional tools.

The cap is movable between an engaged position, in which external threads of the second end of the sleeve are engaged by corresponding internal threads 176 of the cap such that the cap and the sleeve capture the head of the fastener, and a disengaged position, in which access to the head of the fastener is provided.

As shown in FIG. 3, lock assembly 106 is able to secure the lid to the housing while requiring the use of two limited-production (or non-conventional) tools to facilitate removal of the lid (i.e., one tool to disengage the cap and another to remove the fastener for releasing the sleeve. Note that in FIG. 3, a waterproof sealant 179 (e.g., silicone caulk) is applied to the exterior of the cap and surrounding lid to reduce the opportunity for dirt and moisture to enter the housing.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart depicting an exemplary embodiment of a method for restricting access to infrastructure components. As shown in FIG. 4, the method generally involves providing a housing and a movable lid (block 180). In block 181, the housing is installed in a vicinity of an infrastructure component to which access is to be restricted. In block 182, corresponding lock apertures are formed in the housing and lid to receive lock assemblies. In some embodiments, the apertures are pre-cast; however, in others, the apertures can be formed (e.g., formed on site) such as by drilling.

In block 184, a lock assembly is provided, after which a receptacle of the lock assembly is mounted to the housing (block 186). The sleeve with fastener inserted therethrough is positioned within the aperture of the lid (block 188) and then the shaft of the fastener is engaged within the receptacle, thereby securing the lid to the housing. As mentioned above, in some embodiments, this can be accomplished using a specialized tool.

In block 190, added security is provided by engaging the sleeve with the cap, thereby restricting access to the head of the fastener. This also can be accomplished, in some embodiments, by using a specialized tool to tighten the cap. In block 192, waterproof sealant is applied to the cap and lid.

In order to move the lid to the open position, the above process can be reversed.

It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments are merely possible examples of implementations set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of this disclosure. Many variations and modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments without departing substantially from the spirit and principles of the disclosure. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of this disclosure and protected by the accompanying claims.

Claims

1. A system for restricting access to infrastructure components, in which a housing with a lid defines an interior, the lid being movable to an open position in which access to an interior of the housing is provided, the housing being operative to provide access to a first infrastructure component via the interior of the housing, the system comprising:

an internally threaded receptacle operative to mount to the housing;

a sleeve defining a longitudinal bore and having a first end, an opposing second end, an interior flange positioned between the first end and the second end, an exterior flange positioned between the first end and the second end, and external threads oriented about the second end;

a bolt having a shaft with external threads and a head, the shaft being sized and shaped to be insertable through the longitudinal bore and interior flange, the head being sized and shaped to be insertable into the longitudinal bore and to interfere with the interior flange such that the head of the bolt is retained within the longitudinal bore as the shaft at least partially extends outwardly from the longitudinal bore; and

a cap operative to engage the external threads of the second end of the sleeve such that, in an engaged position, the cap and the sleeve capture the head of the bolt;

the external threads of the bolt being operative to engage the internal threads of the receptacle such that a portion of the lid and corresponding portion of the housing are positioned between the sleeve and the receptacle to secure the lid in a closed position.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein:

the cap has a first side operative to face the sleeve, a second side operative to face away from the sleeve, and a first locking recess positioned at the second side;

the locking recess is sized and shaped to be engaged by a complementary-shaped working surface of a first tool.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein:

the bolt has a second locking recess positioned at the head thereof;

the second locking recess is sized and shaped to be engaged by a complementary-shaped working surface of a second tool; and

the first locking recess and the second locking recess exhibit different shapes.

4. The system of claim 1, further comprising the housing and the lid.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein:

the housing has a top, a bottom and a sidewall extending between the top and the bottom, the top having a first aperture;

the lid has a top and a bottom and is sized and shaped to be received by the top of the housing, the lid having a second aperture, the second aperture aligning with the first aperture of the housing when the lid is in a closed position;

the lid is selectively secured in the closed position with: the receptacle being aligned with the first aperture and the second aperture and positioned between the bottom of the housing and the bottom of the lid; the head of the bolt being retained within the longitudinal bore of the sleeve as the external threads of the bolt engage the internal threads of the receptacle; the bolt extending through the second aperture of the lid and the first aperture of the top of the housing; and the internal threads of the cap engaging the external threads of the sleeve.

6. The system of claim 4, wherein:

the housing has a first aperture operative to align with the bolt when the lid is in a closed position; and

the lid has a second aperture operative to align with the bolt when the lid is in the closed position.

7. The system of claim 4, wherein the housing and the lid are formed of cement.

8. The system of claim 1, further comprising waterproof sealant applied to the cap.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the housing has an access aperture communicating with the interior and operative to provide access to the first infrastructure component.

10. A system for restricting access to infrastructure components, in which a housing with a lid defines an interior, the lid being movable to an open position in which access to an interior of the housing is provided, the housing being operative to provide access to a first infrastructure component via the interior of the housing, the system comprising:

a lock assembly having a receptacle, a sleeve, a fastener and a cap;

the receptacle having a longitudinal bore;

the sleeve defining an interior and having a first end, an opposing second end, and an interior flange positioned between the first end and the second end;

the fastener having a shaft extending from a head, the shaft being sized and shaped to engage within the longitudinal bore of the receptacle, the head being sized and shaped to prevent passage of the fastener through the sleeve via interference with the first flange;

the cap being operative to engage the second end of the sleeve such that, in an engaged position, the cap and the sleeve retain the head of the bolt within the interior of the sleeve;

the lock assembly being operative to selectively secure the lid to the housing.

11. A method for restricting access to infrastructure components comprising:

providing a housing and a movable lid, the lid being movable between an open position, in which access to an interior of the housing is provided, and a closed position, in which access to the interior is prevented, the lid having a first aperture, the housing being operative to provide access to a first infrastructure component via the interior of the housing; and

securing the lid to the housing with a lock assembly, the lock assembly having a receptacle, a sleeve, a fastener and a cap; the receptacle having a longitudinal bore; the sleeve defining an interior and having a first end, an opposing second end, and an interior flange positioned between the first end and the second end; the fastener having a shaft extending from a head, the shaft being sized and shaped to engage within the longitudinal bore of the receptacle, the head being sized and shaped to prevent passage of the fastener through the sleeve via interference with the first flange; and the cap being operative to engage the second end of the sleeve such that, in an engaged position, the cap and the sleeve retain the head of the bolt within the interior of the sleeve.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein securing the lid to the housing comprises:

mounting the receptacle to the housing.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein securing the lid to the housing further comprises:

extending the shaft of the fastener through the sleeve such that the head is located within the interior of the sleeve; and

engaging the receptacle with the shaft such that at least a portion of the lid is positioned between the sleeve and the receptacle.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein engaging the receptacle with the shaft comprises:

engaging a first locking feature of the fastener with a first tool.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein securing the lid to the housing further comprises:

engaging the sleeve with the cap such that the cap and sleeve surround the head of the fastener.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein engaging the sleeve with the cap comprises:

engaging a second locking feature of the cap with a second tool, the second tool being different than the first tool.

17. The method of claim 11, wherein the first infrastructure component is a conduit.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the first infrastructure component is a communications transmission medium.

19. The method of claim 11, wherein:

the first infrastructure component is buried in the ground; and

the housing is installed in the ground such that the lid, in the closed position, is positioned over the first infrastructure component.