Abstract: Disclosed is a valve arrangement for underground control of a fluid flow and an associated method, the arrangement including a valve having a valve housing containing fluid control means for controlling a flow of fluid through pipe means arranged below the surface of the ground, where the fluid control means is actuated by means of mechanical manipulation of an operating device of the valve and the operating device is coupled to the fluid control means, the valve having valve identification means including data regarding the specific valve type, where the valve arrangement further includes an extension device including an extension device housing surrounding an extension rod, where the extension rod is rotatably supported by the extension device housing, where the extension rod is mechanically coupled to the operating device to enable the mechanical manipulation being performed at the ground surface, and the extension device further includes dedicated connection means extending between a valve end and a groun

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention provide adjustable pit liners for use in conjunction with pipelines installed underground. The pit liners provide surface access to devices in fluid communication with the pipeline. The adjustability of the pit liners facilitates installation of the pit liners before the final grade surrounding the pit is known. In various embodiments, a tubular structure having an upper section and a lower section is provided, wherein the upper section and the lower section are slideably connected in a telescoping relationship. A locking mechanism is also provided to releaseably lock the overall height of the tubular structure as desired.

Abstract: An adjustable operating rod assembly is provided. In one embodiment a telescoping rod and tube are provided such that the length of the operating rod can be selectively adjusted in order to accommodate fluid inlet pipes of various lengths and regardless of manufacturer.

Abstract: A top operating telescoping adjustable valve box and valve stem assembly that incorporates a telescoping valve stem actuating system which, when coupled to a service valve, allows for the operation from ground level without the removal of a plug or lid. The system has a large range of vertical adjustability. The upper and lower sections of the assembly are in frictional connection with each other, which allows no transmittal of force to the lower section when any upward force to the upper section is applied, thus reducing damage to the buried valve and pipeline. The assembly provides a tracing block terminal, located on the top base, to allow for the connection of tracing wire from the valve top to the service pipe for service line location. The assembly also incorporates the placement of a tamper proof cap for the prevention of unauthorized operation of valve stem system.

Abstract: An improved liquid infiltration adapting structure for preventing liquid infiltration around a gate valve box. The structure has an annular tube structure that is tapered to more easily receive a mating pipe. The tube structure may also comprise at least one bead for further securing the mating pipe. The adapting structure is also improved by providing a stepped inner flange for ease of installing the structure around the gate valve box.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for the extension of access conduits to access underground valves and the like. A valve can extension comprising a tubular member having an extension riser portion at one end and an inwardly tapered portion at the other end. The extension riser portion has a substantially constant inner and outer diameter defining a substantially uniform wall thickness. The inwardly tapered portion is adapted to be inserted into and frictionally engage a valve can bell housing. The valve can extension and valve can bell housing assembly form a conduit from grade level to the bell portion having a substantially uniform inner and outer diameter. A simple friction fit joining method is provided to negate the need for complex mechanical coupling devices.

Abstract: A valve cover for enclosing an underground area surrounding the actuating mechanism of a flow control valve. The valve cover includes a body having a structure configured to position the valve cover in a desired orientation relative to the flow control valve. This positioning structure may be at least partially elastomeric, and configured to resiliently deform and urge against the flow control valve when the valve cover body is placed over the valve actuating mechanism. This maintains the valve cover body seated in a centered, leveled orientation relative to the valve actuating mechanism. The positioning structure may also be formed as a spacer configured to contact the valve actuating mechanism itself and space the actuating mechanism from the valve cover body. The valve cover body is configured so that, when it is installed, a valve tool may be freely inserted into the enclosed underground area and operatively engaged with the valve actuating mechanism.

Abstract: A roadway access device such as manhole cover, a storm drain, or a utility valve box which facilitates road paving and grinding operations. The access device includes a riser assembly having an inverted frustoconical top portion that minimizes frictional engagement between the riser and the paved surface and permits repositioning in an elevated plane with no excavation necessary. There is a tapered upper portion that engages with an internally threaded extension nut with tool-engaging receptors and when the nut extension is rotated, the upper conical portion does not rotate, but displaces vertically. There is a riser member that is externally threaded and fixed in position relative to the rest of the assembly around which the extension nut rotates in order to vertically displace the access device. Additionally, there are separate removable lids constructed of high strength material which can be put in place during paving and grinding operations and easily removed when operations are complete.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus for elevating a cover for a meter enclosure that may be buried in the ground. The apparatus includes first and second coaxial, right circular cylinders, the first cylinder including a protruding member extending from its outer surface, with the second cylinder having a diameter greater than or equal to the diameter of the first cylinder and including a pair of spaced apart notches formed in the inner sidewall thereof. The first cylinder may be attached to the meter box, with the protruding member generally securing the apparatus to the enclosure and the enclosure cover may then be attached to the top of the second cylinder.

Abstract: An adjustable anti-freeze water delivery assembly for connecting with a water main buried in the ground comprises a body section with an inner bore and a water outlet. A water supply section couples to a water main below the ground surface and has an inner bore wherein the body section and supply section are telescopically engaged for delivering water from the water main to the water outlet. A valve mechanism is movable between an open and a closed position to control water flow therethrough. A telescoping control stem extends between the body section and the valve mechanism for opening and closing the valve mechanism. The control stem is operable for telescoping in length when the assembly length is adjusted so that water is contained at a sufficient depth below the ground surface to reduce the possibility of freezing in the assembly.

Abstract: A vertically adjustable valve box for providing access to underground valves includes a first member having a tubular section with a bell and a peripheral flange disposed at a distal end. A second member has a tubular section with a bell and a flange disposed at a distal end. A second peripheral flange is disposed on the exterior surface of the second member approximately six inches below the face of first flange. The tubular section of the second member is telescoped over the tubular section of the first member, wherein the respective bells and flanges are disposed on opposite ends of the assembly and the central longitudinal axis of each is vertical and substantially in alignment. An O-ring gasket is positioned circumferentially around the exterior of the tubular section of the first member and prevents the second member from telescoping downward on first member past a desired insertion position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a basement sewer backflow control valve with adapter. A valve such as a ball valve is positioned a sewer line under the floor of a basement with an adapter extending vertically through the basement floor providing a means for opening and closing the valve as needed to ensure flood waters do not backflow into the basement during flooding. The valve and adapter may also be utilized in combination with an in-line check valve. The adapter provides a flush surface with the basement floor.

Abstract: A protective cover for sewer clean-out lines for protection of the termination end of the sewer clean-out line, but permitting access to the sewer clean-out line, the housing having a cast iron collar with removable cover made into an ABS plastic skirt by force fitting, the plastic skirt having a flared lower end to maintain the position of the housing with the upper surface and cover of the cast iron collar being flush with the level of the ground.

Abstract: An adjustable-height extension stem and valve box assembly is provided for use with buried valves that is lightweight, readily adjustable to a large range of heights, and is capable of absorbing loads and impacts such that the loads and impacts are substantially not transmitted to the buried valve or surrounding pipeline. The valve box is made up of a valve box base, a valve box lower section, a valve box upper section that telescopes within the lower section, and a valve box top. An upper section of the extension stem extends from the interior of the valve box top through a bottom opening, and an extension stem lower section extends downwardly from the upper section, with the two sections being made from square hollow metal tubing such that the upper section telescopes within the lower section. A grit washer having grooves cut in a bearing surface is attached to the extension stem upper section and supports the upper section in place within the valve box top.

Abstract: A vertically adjustable valve box for providing access to underground valves includes a first member having a tubular section with a bell and a peripheral flange disposed at a distal end, wherein the central longitudinal axis of the first member is oriented vertically. The invention further includes a second member having a tubular section with a bell and a flange disposed at a distal end. The tubular section of the second member is telescoped over the tubular section of the first member, wherein the respective bells and flanges are disposed on opposite ends of the assembly and the central longitudinal axis of each is vertical and substantially in alignment.An O-ring gasket is positioned circumferentially around the exterior of the tubular section of the first member. The lower end of the tubular section of the second member contacts the O-ring gasket. The O-ring is stretch-fit over the first member and prevents the second member from telescoping downward on first member past a desired insertion position.

Abstract: A modular valve service box having a modular element cooperative with variable sized valve housings in order to secure variable sized valve housings beneath the ground and provide a conduit for access to same.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a basement sewer backflow control valve with adapter. A valve such as a ball valve is positioned a sewer line under the floor of a basement with an adapter extending vertically through the basement floor providing a means for opening and closing the valve as needed to ensure flood waters do not backflow into the basement during flooding. The valve and adapter may also be utilized in combination with an in-line check valve. The adapter provides a flush surface with the basement floor.

Abstract: An overflow protector for a sump having a wall defining an open top reservoir includes a stop member forming an abutment along the wall of the reservoir, a floating sleeve member movable between a non-operable position contained within the reservoir and an operable position projecting from the reservoir for increasing the storage capacity of the reservoir, and a sealing arrangement for sealing the sleeve member against the abutment when the sleeve member moves to its operable position.

Abstract: An indicator post for indicating an open or closed condition of a valve in a piping system has a post which has a rotatable operating nut at the top of a post head. The post head is attached on its lower end to an upper barrel having a telescoping lower barrel within it. The operating nut is also attached to a solid upper stem. A hollow lower stem surrounds the lower end of the solid stem and has a lower end attached to a valve assembly socket for mating with a valve stem. The hollow stem is freely slidable along a large portion of the solid stem so that the assembly may accommodate a large range of valve stem-to-operating nut distances. The operating nut carries a threaded sleeve which is preferably constructed of molded, engineering-grade plastic.

Abstract: An underground access box and valve operating and protecting means are disclosed. The access box comprises a pair of valve enclosing members adapted to be fitted together to enclose a valve and present an upward extension through which the valve can be reached. The valve enclosing members have a generally planar bottom, an open side, and an upwardly extending side portion. The bottom projects beyond a side portion and a flange extends upwardly from the bottom portion along a side portion. The valve operating means comprises a high-head comprising an elongated central portion, an upper operating nut portion, and a lower valve nut socket portion, at least one of which is melt fused to the central portion so as to be severed from the central portion if the high-head is exposed to torque which would damage the valve or the line to which the valve is connected. Further, an adapter is provided which enables one to use a square head valve operating socket on a flat head valve nut.

Abstract: A valve box for use with a water valve from an aqueduct branch pipe. The valve box comprises a pair of endwisely connected elongated coaxial cylinders, a cover removably mounted to the top of the upper cylinder and having a downturned cylindrical flange depending therefrom within the main cylinders, and a floor wall having an upturned cylindrical flange exteriorly of the main cylinders. Cross-sectionally V-shape, elastomeric, annular, self-tightening gaskets ensure liquid-tight interconnection of the two main cylinders, of the upper cylinder with the upper flange and of the lower cylinder with the lower flange. The rotatable shaft of the valve extends through the floor wall, wherein the cross-sectionally square head thereof can be accessed from ground level by removing the cover. The two flanges are moreover releasably locked to the cylinders by bayonet joints.

Abstract: A surface box for covering over and guarding the operating rod of a gate or other valve in underground piping has a tube-like supporting frame and a rod guard sleeve mounted therein so that it may be moved upwards and downwards in translation for adjustment, for which purpose it is supported by a thrust screw on the supporting frame. To keep the sleeve from being tilted sideways and the operating rod of the valve damaged, the rod guard sleeve is keyed in the supporting frame and is guided by at least one guide ridge in the frame.

Abstract: An extension is secured to a valve box in a roadway to be repaved by coating the valve box shoulder and the bottom of the extension with a thin layer of epoxy adhesive, placing a heated neoprene gasket on the shoulder, and setting the extension in place on the gasket. Heating makes the gasket pliable, and heat from the gasket assists in curing the adhesive. A curing-type liquid sealant is introduced into the space around the periphery of the extension to prevent the entry of water, salt and other corrodents.

Abstract: A support for a utility box such as a valve box or the like which includes an annular member having a central opening with an upstanding flange on the upper surface of the annular member adjacent the central opening. The annular member is buried in the ground in underlying supporting engagement with a box so as to prevent sinking of the box into the ground under heavy traffic load, said box provides access to the buried utility the upper end of the box opening into the street.

Abstract: Valve box assembly having a valve box, having a riser threadingly mounted in the valve box for fine height adjustment, and having a cover for the riser.

Abstract: A curb box for underground gas and water services formed of a synthetic plastic material wherein the lower portion of the curb box is formed with a bell housing for receiving a service or distribution line valve. The bell housing includes valve engaging surfaces frictionally contacting the valve wherein such frictional engagement initially positions the valve upon the curb box and resists inadvertent displacement between the valve and curb box during installation, back filling and settling.

Abstract: A valve or curb service box having different sized pairs of opposed openings shaped to conform to the cross section of a valve body thereby securing the valve against substantial rotation from a desired vertical orientation, each opening being provided with a detachable cover which may be removed from any pair of opposed openings to accommodate a valve of complimentary shape and dimension and which when unremoved on adjacent openings provides bearing surfaces for back-fill thereby providing both structural strength for the valve housing against distortion and a barrier against intrusion of fill around the valve housed therewithin.

Abstract: A curb box having a cast base housing slidably receiving a threaded pipe which is distorted to oval shape above the threaded end and a riser having a threaded upper end and outwardly-extending ears in the lower end non-rotatably received in the oval part of the threaded upper part of the threaded pipe whereby the riser pipe can be telescopically moved vertically and have a threaded cap supported on the upper end thereof.Curb boxes of the type of the present invention have notably been made with base housing and the pipe extending upwardly therefrom cast in one piece and a riser pipe slidably received in the one-piece base. Applicant has discovered that by threading the base housing and connecting a threaded pipe to it and distorting the threaded pipe to oval shape so that a vertically-extending pipe can be slidably but non-rotatably received therein, the said curb box can be made much simpler and at lower cost.