Liquid infiltration prevention structures for preventing liquid infiltration manhole assemblies gate value sealing structures for preventing settling or shifting of key box bonnets and method for using said structures

• US 6,226,929 B1
• Filed: 12/08/1999
• Issued: 05/08/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Adaptor Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Michael Gagas
• Inventors: Gagas, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Kent, Christopher T.
• Application Number:
  US09/456,611
• Time in Patent Office: 517 Days
• Field of Search: 52/20, 137/367, 251/292, 404/25
• US Class Current: 52/20
• CPC Class Codes: E02D 29/12 Manhole shafts; Other inspection or access chambers; Accessories therefor for underground tanks B65D90/10; for sewerage E03F5/02 ; climbing irons or ladders E06C9/00
• CPC Class Codes: E02D 29/1463 Hinged connection of cover to frame
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7006 Vertical casing aligned by valve casing

Abstract

A gate valve box adaptor structure, the present invention provides a permanent support for the key box bonnet that is unaffected by the surrounding environment. The adaptor is supported on the gate valve to a positive location for the key box bonnet at a level which prevents infiltration of soil and moisture into the bonnet. The adaptor is provided with a resilient gasket of a unique design to provide a cushion and to create a seal for the bonnet on the gate valve.

A plurality of liquid infiltration prevention structures for preventing liquid infiltration into manhole assemblies.

Claims

1. A liquid infiltration adapting structure for preventing liquid infiltration, the liquid infiltration adapting structure comprising:

a ring structure having at least one opening, a first side, a second side, an inner margin surface, and an outer margin surface;

at least one rectangular positioning structure coupled to said first side of said ring;

said outer margin surface includes a margin area and said at least one structure is positioned on said first side and is entirely upstanding relative to said first side and is spatially oriented so that a predetermined portion of at least one said structure extends past said margin area.

2. The liquid infiltration adapting structure of claim 1 wherein said at least one structure includes a step.

3. The liquid infiltration adapting structure of claim 1 further including a gasket structure positioned on said second side of said ring structure.

4. A liquid infiltration adapting structure for preventing liquid infiltration, the liquid infiltration adapting structure comprising:

a ring structure having at least one opening, a first side, a second side, an inner margin surface, and an outer margin surface;

at least one positioning structure coupled to said first side of said ring;

said outer margin surface includes a margin area and said at least one structure is positioned on said first side and is entirely upstanding relative to said first side and is spatially oriented so that a predetermined portion of said at least one structure extends past said margin area; and

wherein said positioning structure comprises an annular extension structure integrally connected to said inner margin surface.

5. The liquid infiltration adapting structure of claim 4 wherein said annular extension structure is stepped whereby additional surface area is provided.

6. The liquid infiltration adapting structure of claim 4 further including a margin area located on said inner margin surface;

said margin area having a flange extension structure integrally mounted thereto;

said flange extension structure extending away from said first side of said ring structure.

7. The liquid infiltration adapting structure of claim 6 further including a channel located between said flange extension structure and said annular extension structure.

8. The liquid infiltration adapting structure of claim 4 wherein said annular extension structure includes an inner surface and an outer surface, and wherein at least a predetermined portion of said outer surface includes a butyl rubber compound applied thereto.

9. The liquid infiltration adapting structure of claim 4 wherein said annular extension structure includes an inner surface and an outer surface, and wherein said inner surface comprises a stepped structure.

10. A liquid infiltration adapting structure for preventing liquid infiltration, the liquid infiltration adapting structure comprising:

a generally annular tube structure having an inside surface and an outside surface;

said inside surface including an internal flange structure coupled to said inside surface and extending away from said inside surface a predetermined distance.

11. The liquid infiltration adapting structure for preventing liquid infiltration of claim 10 wherein said inside surface has a midpoint area and said internal flange structure is positioned substantially at said midpoint area.