Manhole cover extractor

Abstract

An extractor for removing a manhole cover including a central bar member. The central bar member includes first and second hooks that extend below the central bar member and first and second threaded fasteners that extend through the ends of the central bar member. The width of the central bar member may be adjusted to align the hooks with bars in the manhole cover. When the hooks are hooked onto the bars and the threaded fasteners are turned, the threaded fasteners exert downward pressure on the surface surrounding the manhole cover such that the central bar is raised and the hooks lift the manhole cover.

1 . A manhole cover extractor comprising:
 a central bar member;   first and second hooks that extend below the central bar member; and   first and second threaded fasteners that extend through the central bar member;   wherein:
 when the extractor is positioned over a manhole cover having at least two slots and corresponding bars; 
 when the first and second hooks are inserted in the slots and hooked onto the bars; and 
 when the first and second threaded fasteners are turned to exert downward pressure on the surface surrounding the manhole cover; 
 the central bar is raised and the hooks lift the manhole cover. 
   
   
   
       2 . The manhole cover extractor of  claim 1  wherein the central bar member is adjustable. 
   
   
       3 . The manhole cover extractor of  claim 2  wherein the central bar member comprises first and second extension members, the first extension member being disposed within the second extension member in a sliding engagement such that the width of the central bar member is adjusted by adjusting the position of the first extension member within the second extension member. 
   
   
       4 . The manhole cover extractor of  claim 3  wherein the first hook extends below the first extension member and the second hook extends below the second extension member. 
   
   
       5 . The manhole cover extractor of  claim 3  wherein the first threaded fastener extends through the first extension member and the second threaded fastener extends through the second extension member. 
   
   
       6 . The manhole cover extractor of  claim 1  wherein the central bar member comprises first and second mating helixes for receiving the first and second threaded fasteners, respectively. 
   
   
       7 . A method for operating an extractor to lift a manhole cover comprising the steps of:
 positioning the extractor over a manhole cover, the extractor comprising:
 a central bar member; 
 first and second hooks that extend below the central bar member; and 
 first and second threaded fasteners; 
   inserting the first and second hooks into slots in the manhole cover;   hooking the first and second hooks onto corresponding bars in the slots of the manhole cover; and   turning the first and second threaded fasteners to exert downward pressure on the surface surrounding the manhole cover such that the central bar is raised and the hooks lift the manhole cover.   
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 7  where in the central bar is adjustable. 
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the central bar member comprises first and second extension members, the first extension member being disposed within the second extension member in a sliding engagement such that the width of the central bar member is adjusted by adjusting the position of the first extension member within the second extension member. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the first hook extends below the first extension member and the second hook extends below the second extension member. 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the first threaded fastener extends through the first extension member and the second threaded fastener extends through the second extension member. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the central bar member comprises first and second mating helixes for receiving the first and second threaded fasteners, respectively. 
   
   
       13 . A manhole cover extractor comprising:
 a central bar member;   an interface mechanism that projects from said central bar member; and   a lifting mechanism to increase the distance between the central bar member and the surface surrounding the manhole cover, which increasing distance results in the separation of the manhole cover from the surface surrounding the manhole cover.   
   
   
       14 . The manhole cover extractor of  claim 13  wherein:
 when the manhole cover extractor is positioned in the vicinity of a manhole cover having receptors for interfacing with said interface mechanism;   when the interface mechanism is connected with receptors of the manhole cover; and   when the lifting mechanism is activated to axially increase the distance between the central bar member and the surface surrounding the manhole cover;   the interface mechanism connected with receptors of the manhole cover separates the manhole cover from the surface surrounding the manhole cover.