Valve box system

Abstract

A valve box system is disclosed for providing operators with access to utility lines such as municipal water and gas systems. This valve box system provides alignment between its multiple sections and a four-notched upper section for a better interface with an adjustment tool. The result is an efficient system which may serve as a stand-alone product or may serve to retrofit existing valve box systems.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A valve box system, comprising:
 a top section having a threaded outer surface and a top section seat;   a first middle section having a threaded inner surface, wherein the first middle section selectively interconnects to the top seat against the top section seat, aligning the top section and the first middle section;   a connector section having a thread outer surface, a connector section first seat, and a connector section second seat, wherein the first middle section selectively interconnects to the connector section against the connector section first seat, aligning the first middle section and the connector section;   a second middle section having a threaded inner surface, wherein the second middle section selectively interconnects to the connector section against the connector section second seat, aligning the second middle section and the connector section; and   a bottom section having a threaded outer surface and a bottom section seat, wherein the second middle section selectively interconnects to the bottom section against the bottom section seat, aligning the second middle section and the bottom section.   
     
     
         2 . The valve box assembly of  claim 1  wherein the selective interconnections between the sections of the valve box system is a threaded connection. 
     
     
         3 . The valve box system of  claim 1 , wherein the selective interconnections permit the sections of the valve box system to be aligned substantially vertically once assembled. 
     
     
         4 . The valve box system of  claim 1 , wherein the material of the valve box system is selected from the group consisting of an iron, a cast iron, an aluminum, a steel, a stainless steel, a steel alloy, an aluminum alloy, a chromium alloy, and a metal alloy material. 
     
     
         5 . The valve box system of  claim 1 , wherein the material of the valve box system is selected from the group consisting of an ABS plastic, a polyurethane, a polyethylene resin, a fiber-encased resin, a rubber, a latex, a synthetic rubber, a synthetic material, and a polymer material. 
     
     
         6 . The valve box system of  claim 1 , wherein the material of the valve box system comprises a natural or environmental material. 
     
     
         7 . A valve box system, comprising:
 a first riser section comprising a threaded outer surface;   at least a first interior section comprising a threaded inner surface;   a first coupling comprising a thread outer surface, at least a first seating section and a second seating section, wherein the at least a first interior section is selectively interconnected to the first coupling adjacent the first seating section; and   a base section having a threaded outer surface and a seat at one distal end, wherein the at least a first interior section may be selectively interconnected to the base section.   
     
     
         8 . The valve box system of  claim 7  further comprising at least a second interior section comprising a threaded inner surface, wherein the at least a second interior section may be selectively interconnected to the first coupling adjacent the second seating section of the first coupling 
     
     
         9 . The valve box system of  claim 8 , wherein the selective interconnection of the at least a first interior section and the at least a second interior section to the first coupling provides a substantially vertical alignment of the at least a first interior section, the at least a second interior section and the first coupling. 
     
     
         10 . The valve box assembly of  claim 7  further comprising an upper surface on the first riser section comprising at least four notches to provide selective engagement by an adjustment tool having at least four prongs, wherein the selective engagement between the adjustment tool and the upper surface permits the first riser section to be raised or lowered relative to the at least a first interior section. 
     
     
         11 . The valve box assembly of  claim 7  wherein the selective interconnections between the sections of the valve box assembly is a threaded connection.