Toby box

Abstract

A toby box for use in housing a toby (a stopcock), other type of valve, a meter or other object in the ground has an annular housing having an opening defined by a peripheral rim at its upper end. A hinge pivotally connects a lid to an inside part of the rim so that the lid can be opened and closed. A drainage passage is provided below the hinge whereby liquid and detritis entering about the hinge can drain or be washed away from the hinge to the interior of the housing. This helps prevent a build up of detritis about the hinge interfering with its operation.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by United States Letters Patent is:  
     
         1 . A toby box comprising: 
 an annular housing having an opening at its upper end, which upper end is defined by a peripheral rim;    a lid;    a hinge pivotally connecting the lid to an inside part of the rim whereby the lid can be swung between a closed position across the opening and an open position raised substantially clear of the opening; and    a drainage passage below the hinge whereby liquid and detritus entering about the hinge can drain or be washed away from the hinge to the interior of the housing.    
     
     
         2 . A toby box according to    claim 1    wherein the hinge comprises at least one hinge knuckle projecting from an edge of the lid into a recess in the inside part of the rim, the at least one knuckle in said recess being pivotally connected to the rim.  
     
     
         3 . A toby box according to    claim 2    wherein the at least one knuckle is pivotally connected to the rim by a hinge pin.  
     
     
         4 . A toby box according to    claim 3    wherein the at least one knuckle has a hole through it through which the hinge pin passes.  
     
     
         5 . A toby box according to    claim 4    wherein the at least one knuckle has a tapered opening to the hole though it enabling the at least one knuckle to be snap-fitted to the hinge pin by the hinge pin being forced through the tapered opening to the hole.  
     
     
         6 . A toby box according to    claim 5    wherein the tapered opening in the at least one hinge knuckle is substantially opposite the lid so that the lid can be fitted onto and removed from the hinge pin when in its closed position but not when in any substantially open position.  
     
     
         7 . A toby box according to    claim 2    wherein the recess has a bottom area open to the interior of the housing to provide said drainage passage.  
     
     
         8 . A toby box according to    claim 7    wherein the bottom area of the recess has a floor which slopes downwardly to the interior of the housing.  
     
     
         9 . A toby box according to    claim 2    wherein there is a clear gap between the at least one knuckle and the recess to facilitate passage of liquid and detritus past the hinge.  
     
     
         10 . A toby box according to    claim 1    wherein the housing has an opening at its lower end.  
     
     
         11 . A toby box according to    claim 10    wherein the housing is fitted onto a housing extension which extends from the lower end of the housing.  
     
     
         12 . A toby box according to    claim 11    wherein the housing extension is fitted to the interior of the housing.  
     
     
         13 . A toby box according to    claim 11    wherein the housing extension is fitted to the exterior of the housing.  
     
     
         14 . A toby box according to    claim 1    wherein the housing has an outer flange to facilitate securing the housing in the ground in use, the outer flange comprising an outwardly extending peripheral flange located below the upper end of the housing.  
     
     
         15 . A toby box according to    claim 1    wherein the housing has an inner flange on which the lid sits when in its closed position, the inner flange comprising an inwardly extending substantially peripheral flange located below the upper end of the housing.  
     
     
         16 . A toby box according to    claim 1    wherein the housing has an outer flange to facilitate securing the housing in the ground in use, the outer flange comprising an outwardly extending peripheral flange located below the upper end of the housing, an opening at the lower end of the housing, and a housing extension, the housing extension being fitted to the exterior of the housing to butt against the outer flange and extending from the lower end of the housing.  
     
     
         17 . A toby box according to    claim 1    wherein the housing has an inner flange on which the lid sits when in its closed position, the inner flange comprising an inwardly extending substantially peripheral flange located below the upper end of the housing, an opening at the lower end of the housing, and a housing extension, the housing extension being fitted to the interior of the housing to butt against the inner flange and extending from the lower end of the housing.  
     
     
         18 . A toby box according to    claim 1    wherein the lid has an upper surface which lies in substantially the same plane as the upper end of the housing when the lid is closed.  
     
     
         19 . A toby box according to    claim 18    wherein the lid is entirely located within the rim of the housing and has a finger recess opposite the hinge to facilitate opening of the lid.  
     
     
         20 . A toby box according to    claim 1    wherein the housing has a substantially circular shape in plan view.