Subterranean conduit cover

Abstract

Provided are covers useful for covering the open end of an access conduit that may contain fluid control equipment. In one embodiment, a cover according to the invention comprises a disc-shaped base portion having a top surface and a bottom surface, with a plurality of groups of stability tangs attached to its bottom surface. A cover as provided herein is readily adaptable to fit a large number of conduit boxes, valve boxes and the like which are presently in common use.

1 ) A cover useful for covering an open end of a tubular access conduit, which comprises:
 a) a substantially-circular, disc-shaped base portion having a top surface, a bottom surface, and a circumferential edge;   b) a plurality of arcuate rib segments disposed on said bottom surface of said base portion, wherein said arcuate rib segments are each in a raised disposition with respect to said bottom surface;   c) a riser attached to and extending upwardly from each of said arcuate rib segments;   d) a plurality of contact shoes, each of which contact shoes are attached to one and only one of said risers;   e) a hub centrally disposed on said bottom surface of said base portion; and   f) a plurality of linear rib segments disposed on said bottom surface of said base portion and extending from each of said risers to said hub.   
   
   
       2 ) A cover according to  claim 1  wherein said risers are substantially rectangularly-shaped, as viewed from a side perspective. 
   
   
       3 ) A cover according to  claim 1  wherein the contact shoes are oriented so that their longest length dimensions are disposed to be substantially parallel to the bottom surface of said base portion. 
   
   
       4 ) A cover according to  claim 1  wherein said arcuate rib segments are disposed to be present on said bottom surface of said base portion at any location that is distanced between about one-twelfth of the radius of the base portion and three-fourths of the radius of the base portion, from said circumferential edge of said base portion. 
   
   
       5 ) A cover according to  claim 1  comprising four arcuate rib segments. 
   
   
       6 ) A cover according to  claim 1  comprising four linear rib segments. 
   
   
       7 ) A cover according to  claim 1  comprising four contact shoes. 
   
   
       8 ) A cover according to  claim 1  wherein the number of risers present is equal to the number of contact shoes present. 
   
   
       9 ) A cover according to  claim 8  wherein the number of riser and contact shoe combinations present is any number selected from the group consisting of: two, three, four, five, and six. 
   
   
       10 ) A cover according to  claim 1  wherein said combinations are spaced equidistantly from one another along a circular path on the bottom surface of said base portion. 
   
   
       11 ) A cover according to  claim 1  comprising four arcuate rib segments, four linear rib segments, four risers, and four contact shoes. 
   
   
       12 ) A cover according to  claim 1  wherein said contact shoes have a curvature which is different from the curvature of said arcuate rib segments when said cover is viewed from the bottom perspective. 
   
   
       13 ) A cover according to  claim 1 , further comprising a hole disposed through said base portion, said hole having a diameter sufficient to admit a human finger. 
   
   
       14 ) A cover according to  claim 1  wherein said contact shoes are substantially rectangular when viewed from the side perspective. 
   
   
       15 ) A cover according to  claim 11  wherein said arcuate rib segments are spaced equidistantly from one another along a circular path on the bottom surface of said base portion, wherein said arcuate rib segments are disposed to be present on said bottom surface of said base portion at any location that is distanced between about one-twelfth of the radius of the base portion and three-fourths of the radius of the base portion, from said circumferential edge of said base portion, and wherein said risers are rectangularly-shaped as viewed from a side perspective. 
   
   
       16 ) A cover according to  claim 15  wherein said contact shoes are substantially rectangular when viewed from a side perspective.