SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR FACILITATING ACCESS TO UTILITY BOXES
First Claim
1. A method for facilitating access to a utility box, comprising:
- locating an underground utility box from above-ground, the utility box having a cover;
core-drilling a hole in the ground above the utility box to gain access to the utility box, the core drill having an inside diameter greater than a largest diameter across the cover; and
positioning a utility box top generally level with a level of the ground surrounding the drilled hole by performing one of the following;
raising the utility box such that a top of the utility box is generally level with a level of the ground surrounding the drilled hole,inserting an extension into the utility box such that the utility box top is a top of the extension, orreplacing the utility box with a replacement utility box such that the utility box top is a top of the replacement utility box.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method for raising utility boxes includes locating a hidden utility box that is paved over or otherwise covered and not visible from above the ground. A rough locating technique may be used to get within the general vicinity of the box, followed by a more finely tuned locating technique to pinpoint the exact location of the box. With the location accurately known, a system including a core drill is used to cut through the material covering the box, without the need to excavate large areas of roadway or other ground cover. Once having access the utility box, it is extended, raised or replaced such that it is visible and accessible from the then current ground level.
8 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for facilitating access to a utility box, comprising:
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locating an underground utility box from above-ground, the utility box having a cover; core-drilling a hole in the ground above the utility box to gain access to the utility box, the core drill having an inside diameter greater than a largest diameter across the cover; and positioning a utility box top generally level with a level of the ground surrounding the drilled hole by performing one of the following; raising the utility box such that a top of the utility box is generally level with a level of the ground surrounding the drilled hole, inserting an extension into the utility box such that the utility box top is a top of the extension, or replacing the utility box with a replacement utility box such that the utility box top is a top of the replacement utility box. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method for facilitating access to a utility box, comprising:
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locating an underground utility box from above-ground; drilling a hole in the ground above the utility box to gain access to the utility box; and positioning a utility box top generally level with a level of the ground surrounding the drilled hole. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A system for facilitating access to a utility box, comprising:
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a locating system operable to locate an underground utility box from above-ground, including at least one of a ferrous metal locating device and a ground penetrating radar; and a drill operable to drill a hole in the ground above the utility box to gain access to the utility box, the drill having an inside diameter at least as large as a largest dimension across a cover of the utility box. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification