Utility line coupling protector

• US 6,252,164 B1
• Filed: 09/07/1999
• Issued: 06/26/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 09/07/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Eric P. Wise
• Original Assignee: Eric P. Wise
• Inventors: Wise, Eric P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Reichard, Dean A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Estrada, Angel R.
• Application Number:
  US09/390,437
• Time in Patent Office: 658 Days
• Field of Search: 174/48, 174/52.1, 174/66, 174/68.1, 174/68.3, 174/70.C, 174/70.R, 174/72.C, 174/97, 174/50, 174/65.R, 220/241, 220/3.8, 248/49, 104/275, 439/369
• US Class Current: 174/50
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/516 Means for holding or embracing insulating body, e.g. casing , hoods
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/533 Bases, cases made for use in extreme conditions, e.g. high temperature, radiation, vibration, corrosive environment, pressure H01R13/52 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/085 including knock-out or tear-out sections

Abstract

The present invention provides a rigid and partially hollow dome-shaped utility line coupling protector having first and second apertures for the insertion and removal of the male and female ends of a utility line. An optionally recessed bottom cover is provided as a seal against fluids and debris. An adjustable aperture adapter cap having a plurality of perforated, nested sections is carried within each aperture in order to accommodate various sized utility lines and, further, to provide a fluid and debris-resistant barrier. In order to prevent horizontal movement of the coupling and its accidental disconnection, a first and second coupling stop, and a plurality of ways dimensioned for receiving generally inverted U-shaped washers are provided. Downwardly extending projections formed on the bottom of the device engage the ground to prevent movement of the device during use. Through-holes for receiving nails, stakes, or the like are formed on the device for further securing said device to the ground. Because the device is intended to be driven over without causing ensuing damage to the coupling contained therein, a plurality of radial grooves are formed on the exterior of the device to prevent slippage of a vehicle'"'"'s tire.

Claims

1. An apparatus for protecting a utility line coupling from a load exerted by a moving vehicle, wherein the utility line is placed on top of the ground or other underlying surface, and wherein the coupling comprises at least one male connector and one female connector, comprising:

an enclosure having a dome-shaped top surface and a flat bottom surface;

said enclosure having a first aperture, a second aperture, an internal coupling channel, and an opening for access to said internal coupling channel;

said first and second apertures being dimensioned for receiving at least one of the female and male connectors; and

,

said internal coupling channel dimensioned for receiving the coupling;

wherein the female connector end of a utility line is inserted through said first aperture and into said internal coupling channel of said enclosure, and the male connector end of a utility line is inserted through said second aperture and into said internal coupling channel of said enclosure, and wherein the male connector is engaged with the female connector for subsequent positioning within said coupling channel in said enclosure, such that when said enclosure is subjected to the load of the moving vehicle, said enclosure protects the coupling from damage.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a base having a top surface and a bottom surface, said bottom surface of said base for resting on top of the ground or other underlying surface, and said top surface for engaging the flat bottom surface of the enclosure.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said base is circular shaped.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the diameter of said base is greater than the diameter of said flat bottom surface of said enclosure thereby forming a flange area around the perimeter of said flat bottom surface of said enclosure.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, further comprising at least one through-hole on said flange area of said base for securing said apparatus to the ground or other underlying surface.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising at least one radial groove formed on said enclosure, wherein when the vehicle travels across said enclosure, said groove assists in gripping said vehicle to prevent slippage.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of projections extending downwardly from said enclosure.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of ways formed in said enclosure proximate to said internal coupling channel, and at least one washer dimensioned for slidably engaging at least one of said plurality of ways proximate to the coupling, said washer having an opening therethrough, wherein said opening of said washer is large enough for receiving a utility line, yet is smaller than the size of the coupling;

thus, limiting movement of the coupling within said enclosure.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising at least one aperture adapter cap carried within either of said first aperture or said second aperture, said aperture adapter cap comprising means for reducing the size of said first aperture or said second aperture in order to accommodate a utility line and to further deter entry of fluid and debris into the enclosure.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said means for reducing the size of said first or second aperture comprise at least one frangible region dividing at least a first portion and a second portion of said adapter cap, wherein at least said first portion may be separated from said second portion to create a second sized opening to accommodate variously sized utility lines and to further deter entry of fluid and debris into the enclosure.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a bottom cover.

12. An apparatus for protecting a utility line coupling from a load exerted by a moving vehicle, wherein the utility line is placed on top of the ground or other underlying surface, and wherein the coupling comprises at least one male connector and one female connector, comprising:

a base having a top surface and a bottom surface, said bottom surface of said base for resting on top of the ground or other underlying surface; and

,

a dome-shaped enclosure having a top surface and a bottom surface, said bottom surface of said dome-shaped enclosure carried by said top surface of said base, said dome-shaped enclosure having a first aperture, a second aperture, an internal coupling channel comprising an internal cavity, and an opening for access to said internal coupling channel, said first and second apertures dimensioned for receiving at least one of the female and male connectors, said internal cavity dimensioned for receiving the coupling;

wherein the female connector end of a utility line is inserted through said first aperture and into said internal coupling channel of said dome-shaped enclosure and the male connector end of a utility line is inserted through said second aperture and into said internal coupling channel of said dome-shaped enclosure, and wherein the male connector is engaged with the female connector for subsequent positioning within said coupling channel in said dome-shaped enclosure, such that when said dome-shaped enclosure is subjected to the load of the moving vehicle, said dome-shaped enclosure protects the coupling from damage.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the base is circular.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the diameter of said circular-shaped base is greater than the diameter of said bottom surface of said dome-shaped enclosure;

thereby, forming a flange area around the perimeter of said bottom surface of said dome-shaped enclosure.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising at least one through-hole on said flange area of said circular-shaped base for securing said apparatus to the ground or other underlying surface.

16. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising at least one radial groove formed on said dome-shaped enclosure, wherein when the vehicle travels across said dome-shaped enclosure, said groove assists in gripping said vehicle to prevent slippage.

17. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising a plurality of projections extending downwardly from said bottom surface of said base.

18. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising a plurality of ways formed in said dome-shaped enclosure proximate to said internal coupling channel, and at least one washer dimensioned for slidably engaging at least one of said plurality of ways proximate to the coupling, said washer having an opening therethrough, wherein said opening of said washer is large enough for receiving a utility line, yet is smaller than the size of the coupling;

thus, limiting movement of the coupling within said enclosure.

19. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising at least one aperture adapter cap carried within either of said first aperture or said second aperture, said aperture adapter cap comprising means for reducing the size of said first aperture or said second aperture in order to accommodate a utility line and to further deter entry of fluid and debris into the enclosure.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein said means for reducing the size of said first or second apertures comprise at least one frangible region dividing at least a first portion and a second portion of said adapter cap, wherein at least said first portion may be separated from said second portion to create a second sized opening to accommodate variously sized utility lines and to further deter entry of fluid and debris into the enclosure.

21. The apparatus of claim 12 further comprising a bottom cover.

22. An apparatus for protecting a utility line coupling from a load exerted by a moving vehicle, wherein the utility line is placed on top of the ground or other underlying surface, and wherein the coupling comprises at least one male connector and one female connector, comprising:

a circular-shaped base having a top surface and a bottom surface, said bottom surface of said circular-shaped base for resting on top of the ground or other underlying surface;

a dome-shaped enclosure having a top surface and a bottom surface, said bottom surface of said dome-shaped enclosure carried by said top surface of said circular-shaped base, said dome-shaped enclosure having a first aperture, a second aperture, an internal coupling channel comprising an internal cavity, and an opening for access to said internal coupling channel, said first aperture and said second aperture dimensioned for receiving at least one of the female and male connectors, said internal coupling channel dimensioned for receiving the coupling;

means carried within said coupling channel for limiting horizontal movement of a coupling;

a first aperture adapter cap carried within said first aperture, said first aperture adapter cap having at least one frangible region dividing at least a first portion and a second portion thereof, said first portion and said second portion reducing the size of said first aperture, wherein at least said first portion may be separated from said second portion to create a second sized opening to accommodate various sized utility lines and to further deter entry of fluid and debris into the enclosure; and

,

a second aperture adapter cap carried within said second aperture, said second aperture adapter cap having at least one frangible region dividing at least a first portion and a second portion thereof, said first portion and said second portion reducing the size of said second aperture, wherein at least said first portion may be separated from said second portion to create a second sized opening to accommodate various sized utility lines and to further deter entry of fluid and debris into the enclosure;

wherein the female connector end of the utility line is inserted through said first aperture adapter cap and into said internal cavity of said dome-shaped enclosure and the male connector end of the utility line is inserted through said second aperture adapter cap and into said internal cavity of said dome-shaped enclosure, and wherein the male connector is engaged with the female connector for subsequent positioning within said coupling channel in said dome-shaped enclosure, such that when said dome-shaped enclosure is subjected to the load of the moving vehicle, said dome-shaped enclosure protects the coupling from damage.

23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the diameter of said circular-shaped base is greater than the diameter of said bottom surface of said dome-shaped enclosure thereby forming a flange area around the perimeter of said bottom surface of said dome-shaped enclosure.

24. The apparatus of claim 23, further comprising at least one through-hole on said flange area of said circular-shaped base for securing said apparatus to the ground or other underlying surface.

25. The apparatus of claim 22, further comprising at least one radial groove formed on said dome-shaped enclosure, wherein when the vehicle travels across said dome-shaped enclosure, said groove assists in gripping said vehicle to prevent slippage. forming a flange area around the perimeter of said bottom surface of said dome-shaped enclosure.

26. The apparatus of claim 22, further comprising a plurality of projections extending downwardly from said bottom surface of said circular-shaped base.

27. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein said means carried within said coupling channel for limiting horizontal movement of a coupling further comprises a plurality of ways formed in said dome-shaped enclosure proximate to said internal coupling channel, and at least one washer dimensioned for slidably engaging at least one of said plurality of ways proximate to the coupling, said washer having an opening therethrough, wherein said opening of said washer is large enough for receiving a utility line, yet is smaller than the size of the coupling;

thus, limiting movement of the coupling.

28. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein said means carried within said coupling channel for limiting horizontal movement of a coupling further comprises at least one coupling stop.

29. The apparatus of claim 22 further comprising a bottom cover.