Molded storage receptable

• US 4,226,062 A
• Filed: 07/17/1978
• Issued: 10/07/1980
• Est. Priority Date: 07/17/1978
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Elbert E. Doane
• Original Assignee: Elbert E. Doane
• Inventors: Doane, Elbert E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Pate, III, William F.
• Application Number:
  US05/925,000
• Time in Patent Office: 813 Days
• Field of Search: 52/169.6, 52/107, 52/182, 52/186
• US Class Current: 52/169.6
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 1/0015 Cellars constructed from prefabricated units
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 6/06 with means for shifting or lifting vehicles

Abstract

A molded storage receptable that is disposed in the ground having a sealed, removeable cover that provides for a variety of uses including subterranean water or article storage or a mechanic'"'"'s working pit. The device includes a molded fiberglass shell having a plurality of integrally molded, lateral reinforcing ribs disposed along the vertical sides and bottom of the fiberglass shell, and at least one molded stairwell disposed at one end of said shell which includes a plurality of molded stairs to allow ingress or egress into or out of the storage receptacle. The shell is premolded and shipped to a site in which the earth is removed and the shell disposed within the hole in the earth. Integrally molded upper laterial flanges can be used to tie down the receptacle to prevent pop up in the event of total water levels. The cover may include rollers for opening or closing movement relative to the receptacle or hinges at one end used in conjunction with a hydraulic piston to raise or lower the cover.

Claims

1. A prefabricated fiberglass receptacle which is mounted in the earth for use as a subterranean storage area or vehicle mechanical pit, comprising:

a molded, substantially rectangular shell, said shell having molded integrally a plurality of vertical sides, an end wall, and a bottom surface, said shell including a premolded stairway access at one end extending from the bottom surface to the top edge, the shell being open across the top;

a plurality of U-shaped ribs, each of said ribs being disposed vertically on the side walls and spaced apart and continuing across the bottom surface on the exterior, said ribs being used for increasing the structural rigidity of the shell;

a plurality of laterally, outwardly extending flanges disposed around the top of the shell opening but below said shell opening for engagement with the earth, said laterally disposed flanges being formed with said ribs, said shell being mountable within a cavity in the earth such that the upper open portion is substantially ground level while the laterally disposed flanges are within the earth'"'"'s surface; and

an elongated, substantially flat fiberglass prefabricated molded cover mountable on the top of said storage shell to provide a sealed relationship covering said shell, said cover being disposed at ground level.

2. A device as in claim 1, including:

said lateral width being sized to be smaller than the distance between the wheels of a conventional vehicle for utilizing as a mechanic'"'"'s pit, the height of the receptacle being such as to accommodate an average sized person to allow standing within the receptacle to work on a vehicle disposed above the device.