Riser extension and cover

Abstract

An access device for a tank or other similar device or area to be accessed that is underground, includes a riser extension and an access cover. The riser extension is preferably slightly larger in diameter then the underground area to be accessed. The access cover fits around or in the riser extension and is recessed slightly below the ground level, allowing loam, grass and other ground material to be placed inside and on top of the access cover in the recessed area. When it is necessary to access the tank cover or other area to be accessed, lifting devices such as hooks or loops are utilized to remove the access cover, including any grass, loam, etc. located in the cover. When access to the desired area is complete, the access cover, including the grass and loam, is placed back over the riser extension.

1 . A riser for facilitating access to an object having an access region positioned underground, said riser comprising: 
 a riser extension adapted to fit proximate said access region of said object, said riser extension comprising a top portion and a bottom portion proximate at least said access region of said object; and    a protective cover adapted to fit proximate said top portion of said riser extension, said protective cover comprising: 
 a base portion having a perimeter and a top surface recessed below a top surface of said ground, said top surface of said base portion of said protective cover for receiving ground material such that a portion of said ground material which is disposed in said recessed top surface of said protective cover is removed with said protective cover when said protective cover is removed; and  
 a wall portion positioned substantially along said perimeter of said base portion of said protective cover, and attending upwardly toward said top surface of said ground.  
   
   
   
       2 . The riser as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said protective cover further includes at least one lifting support.  
   
   
       3 . The riser as claimed in  claim 2  wherein said lifting support includes at least one hook.  
   
   
       4 . The riser as claimed in  claim 1  wherein a cross-sectional area of said base portion of said protective cover is greater than a cross-sectional area of a top end of said top portion of said riser extension, and wherein said wall portion of said protective cover is positioned along said perimeter of said base of said protective cover.  
   
   
       5 . The riser as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said protective cover includes a mounting device to aid in positioning said protective cover relative to said riser extension.  
   
   
       6 . The riser as claimed in  claim 5  wherein said mounting device includes at least one channel.  
   
   
       7 . The riser as claimed in  claim 5  wherein said mounting device includes at least one protrusion.  
   
   
       8 . The riser as claimed in  claim 5  wherein said mounting device includes at least one rib.  
   
   
       9 . The riser as claimed in  claim 1  wherein a cross-sectional area of said bottom portion of said riser extension is larger than a cross-sectional area of said top portion of said riser extension.  
   
   
       10 . A riser for facilitating access to an object having an access portion positioned underground, said riser comprising: 
 a riser extension adapted to fit proximate said access portion of said object, said riser extension comprising a top portion and a bottom portion proximate at least said access portion of said object; and    a protective cover adapted to fit proximate said top portion of said riser extension, said protective cover comprising: 
 a base portion having a perimeter and a top surface recessed below a top surface of said ground, said top surface of said base portion of said protective cover for receiving ground material such that a portion of said ground material which is disposed in said recessed top surface of said protective cover is removed with said protective cover when said protective cover is removed, wherein a cross-sectional area of said base portion of said protective cover is greater than a cross-sectional area of a top end of said top portion of said riser extension; and  
 a wall portion positioned substantially along said perimeter of said base portion of said protective cover, and attending upwardly toward said top surface of said ground.  
   
   
   
       11 . The riser as claimed in  claim 10  wherein said protective cover further includes at least one lifting support.  
   
   
       12 . The riser as claimed in  claim 10  wherein said protective cover includes a mounting device to aid in positioning said protective cover relative to said riser extension.  
   
   
       13 . The riser as claimed in  claim 12  wherein said mounting device includes at least one channel.  
   
   
       14 . The riser as claimed in  claim 12  wherein said mounting device includes at least one protrusion.  
   
   
       15 . The riser as claimed in  claim 12  wherein said mounting device includes at least one rib.  
   
   
       16 . The riser as claimed in  claim 10  wherein a cross-sectional area of said bottom portion of said riser extension is larger than a cross-sectional area of said top portion of said riser extension.  
   
   
       17 . A riser for facilitating access to an object having an access portion positioned underground, said riser comprising: 
 a riser extension adapted to fit proximate said access portion of said object, said riser extension comprising a top portion and a bottom portion proximate at least said access portion of said object, wherein a cross-sectional area of said bottom portion is larger than a cross-sectional area of said top portion; and    a protective cover adapted to fit proximate said top portion of said riser extension, said protective cover comprising: 
 a base portion having a perimeter and a top surface recessed below a top surface of said ground, said top surface of said base portion of said protective cover for receiving ground material such that a portion of said ground material which is disposed in said recessed top surface of said protective cover is removed with said protective cover when said protective cover is removed, wherein a cross-sectional area of said base portion of said protective cover is greater than a cross-sectional area of a top end of said top portion of said riser extension; and  
 a wall portion positioned substantially along said perimeter of said base portion of said protective cover, and attending upwardly toward said top surface of said ground.  
   
   
   
       18 . The riser as claimed in  claim 17  wherein said protective cover further includes at least one lifting support.  
   
   
       19 . The riser as claimed in  claim 17  wherein said protective cover includes a mounting device to aid in positioning said protective cover relative to said riser extension.  
   
   
       20 . The riser as claimed in  claim 19  wherein said mounting device includes at least one channel.  
   
   
       21 . The riser as claimed in  claim 19  wherein said mounting device includes at least one protrusion.  
   
   
       22 . The riser as claimed in  claim 19  wherein said mounting device includes at least one rib.  
   
   
       23 . An access cover for facilitating access to an object having an access region positioned underground, said access cover comprising: 
 a base portion having a perimeter, a sidewall and a top surface recessed below a top surface of said ground, said sidewall positioned substantially along said perimeter of said base portion of said access cover, and extending upwardly, said top surface of said base portion of said protective cover adapted for receiving ground material such that said ground material which is disposed in said recessed top surface of said access cover is removed with said access cover when said access cover is removed.