Patent · US Active

Utility vault support bar snap feature

US10132052B2 · kind B2 · utility

8Cited by
16References
12Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMar 13, 2017
Grant dateNov 20, 2018
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 21, 2037

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
  • CPC primaryE02D29/12
  • WIPO fieldHandling
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A vault system is provided that secures a brace to the underside of a vault lid to improve the performance of the lid when the lid is subject to external loads. The vault has guiding features to receive a brace and place the brace in a particular position. Then, a vault lid is pressed into the vault, and tabs on the vault lid deflect into receiving portions on the ends of the brace to secure the brace to the vault lid. The resulting vault lid is reinforced with a brace. In some embodiments, the guiding feature comprises a rib in a recess in the brace, and in various embodiments, the tabs have an arm and a hook disposed on a distal end of the arm. The tab arms deflect to fit around the end of the brace, then an undercut on the hook secures the brace to the lid.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.