Automated inspection pit cover system

• US 5,189,836 A
• Filed: 10/18/1991
• Issued: 03/02/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 11/07/1990
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Matt L. Alder, Payzant L. Cliff
• Original Assignee: Matt L. Alder, Payzant L. Cliff
• Inventors: Alder, Matt L., Payzant, L. Cliff
• Primary Examiner(s): Luebke, Renee S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): REDMAN, JERRY E
• Application Number:
  US07/780,411
• Time in Patent Office: 501 Days
• Field of Search: 52/169.6
• US Class Current: 49/33
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 5/06 Pits or building structures for inspection or services
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/44 responsive to changes in electrical conductivity
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/132 Doors
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/3802 With vehicle guide or support, e.g., service station

Abstract

A system for automatically opening and closing horizontal covers over standard inspection pit. The system comprises two grates mounted on wheels, the wheels engaging two parallel tracks attached to opposite sides of the pit. An electric motor powers the grates upon command to either move away from each other to an open position to expose the pit, or to move toward each other to a closed position to cover the pit. The system is equipped with both audible and visual warning devices which automatically activate upon movement of the grates. Also, the leading edges of the grates have sensors which cause the grates to stop and retract upon detection of a foreign object caught therebetween.

Claims

1. A movable inspection pit cover adapted for use with an inspection pit having an elongated inspection opening over which a vehicle can be driven so that the vehicle straddles the inspection pit opening so that the underside of said vehicle can be inspected or serviced, the inspection pit cover comprising:

a first rigid, substantially planar cover positioned over at least a portion of the inspection pit, the first cover having dimensions such that the vehicle can straddle the first cover as the first rigid, substantially planar cover is moved over the inspection pit, the first rigid, substantially planar cover being configured such that a worker above or in the pit cannot lift the cover out of its horizontal orientation over the inspection pit;

a second rigid, substantially planar cover positioned over at least a portion of the inspection pit, the second cover having dimensions such that the vehicle can straddle the second cover as the second rigid, substantially planar cover is moved over the inspection pit, the second rigid, substantially planar cover being configured such that a worker above or in the pit cannot lift the cover out of its horizontal orientation over the inspection pit;

a first base support element disposed along a first elongated side of the inspection pit and not substantially extending beyond the side of the inspection pit;

a second base support element disposed along a second elongated side of the inspection pit and not substantially extending beyond the side of the inspection pit;

a plurality of rollers disposed on the first cover and on the second cover such that the rollers engage the first and the second base support elements allowing the first and the second covers to move along the length of the inspection pit such that the neither the first cover nor the second cover extend substantially beyond the width of the inspection pit and such that the first cover and the second cover simultaneously move apart during opening of the covers to expose at least a portion of the inspection pit and simultaneously move together during closing of the covers to substantially cover the inspection pit, the plurality of rollers comprising means for guiding the first and the second covers linearly along the first and second base support elements;

driving means for selectively applying force to both the first cover and the second cover in opposing directions in order to simultaneously move the first and the second covers apart from each other to expose at least a portion of the inspection pit such that the driving means engages the first and second covers so that the motion of the first and covers apart from each other can be stopped at any time and such that the first and second covers do not move in an opening direction unless the driving means is engaged and for applying force to both the first cover and the second cover in converging directions in order to simultaneously move the first and second covers toward each other when closing the covers such that the driving means engages the first and second covers so that motion of the first and second covers toward each other can be stopped at any time and such that the first and second covers do not move in a closing direction unless the driving means is engaged; and

a control box connected to the driving means and including means for manually directing the driving means and causing the opening, the closing, and the stopping at any time of the first and the second covers, the control box located outside of the inspection pit and being operable by a person positioned outside of the inspection pit such that when the vehicle is driven over the elongated inspection pit to straddle the same the first and the second covers can be opened to allow access to the underside of the vehicle and the first and second covers can be substantially closed any time regardless of whether a vehicle is straddling the inspection pit.

2. A movable inspection pit cover as defined in claim 1 wherein the driving means comprises:

a bidirectional motor;

a chain fixed to the cover; and

gear means for transmitting the motion of the motor to the chain such that as the motor operates in a first direction the covers move apart and as the motor operates in a second direction the covers move together.

3. A movable inspection pit cover as defined in claim 2 wherein the control box includes an open switch, a close switch, and a stop switch.