Cover system for controlled entry of access holes formed in overpasses, freeways, bridges, or roads and method of installation

Abstract

A cover system including a hidden locking system for providing controlled entry into access holes provided in overpasses, bridges, roads, or freeways. The cover system includes a cover removably attached to a cover frame installed about an access hole. The cover includes locking elements to prevent tampering with the cover by unauthorized individuals. The locking elements include the coordinated function of cover brackets aligned with guide tubes that are used for inserting a tool for fastening or unfastening the cover, a tool post having windows that align with each guide tube for insertion of the tool, and an inner and outer plug to provide controlled access to the hidden locking system. The cover frame includes a frame plate having a frame opening to receive the cover plate therein, frame brackets, frame bracers, support rods, and frame supports for affixing the cover frame securely in position about an access hole.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A cover system comprising:
 a cover comprising:   a cover plate having an inner plate surface opposite an outer plate surface, and a bore opening formed within a central region of said cover plate,   a plurality of guide tubes each affixed to said inner plate surface, each guide tube having a tube opening that extends completely through said guide tube;   a plurality of cover brackets, each including a bracket aperture, and each affixed to said inner plate surface adjacent one end of each of said plurality of guide tubes so that each bracket aperture aligns with each tube opening of each guide tube; and   an outer plug removably attachable to said bore opening; and   a cover frame comprising:   a frame plate having an inner surface opposite an outer surface, and including a frame opening formed completely through said frame plate for receiving said cover plate;   a plurality of frame bracers affixed to said inner surface of said frame plate about said frame opening;   a plurality of rod holders, each interposed between said plurality of frame bracers; and   a plurality of frame brackets each affixed to said inner surface of said frame plate adjacent said frame opening, each frame bracket including another bracket aperture; and   wherein said outer plate surface of said cover plate is coplanar with said outer surface of said frame plate when said cover is attached to said cover frame.   
     
     
         2 . The cover system of  claim 1 , wherein said cover further includes a tool post mounted to the inner plate surface, said tool post including a top member, a bottom member mounted about said bore opening, and post legs extending between said top and bottom members forming a passage, a first window, a second window, a third window, and a fourth window, each window aligning with another end of each tube opening of each of said plurality of guide tubes. 
     
     
         3 . The cover system of  claim 2 , wherein said tool post further includes a plug holder attached to said top member of said tool post, and an inner plug, said inner plug slidable within said passage of said tool post, and removably engaging said plug holder. 
     
     
         4 . The cover system of  claim 3 , wherein said bore opening includes bore threads, and each of said plugs includes plug threads formed on an outer surface of each plug to removably engage with said bore threads of said bore opening, said inner plug removably threaded within said bore opening to restrict viewable access to said windows. 
     
     
         5 . The cover system of  claim 4 , wherein each of said plurality of guide tubes is affixed at equal distances apart from each other to said inner plate surface of said cover plate. 
     
     
         6 . The cover system of  claim 5 , wherein each of said plurality of cover brackets are affixed at equal distances apart from each other to said inner plate surface, and each of said plurality of frame brackets are affixed at equal distances apart from each other to said inner surface of said frame plate so that each bracket aperture of each cover bracket and each another bracket aperture of each frame bracket align with each other, with one end of each respective tube opening of each guide tube, and with each window of said tool post. 
     
     
         7 . The cover system of  claim 6 , wherein each of said plurality of frame brackets includes a threaded nut affixed thereto in alignment with each of said another bracket apertures, and each of said rod holders includes a threaded nut affixed thereto to receive each of said plurality of support rods. 
     
     
         8 . The cover system of  claim 3 , wherein said plug holder includes one or more magnets. 
     
     
         9 . The cover system of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of support rods each removably attached to each of said plurality of rod holders, and a pair of frame supports each having rod holes for receiving each of said plurality of support rods therethrough to secure said pair of frame supports a parallel distance from said frame plate. 
     
     
         10 . The cover system of  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of frame bracers are arranged in a square or rectangular configuration about said frame opening. 
     
     
         11 . The cover system of  claim 1 , wherein said cover further includes aligners affixed to said inner plate surface, and to said inner surface of said frame plate, said aligners engaging to align said plurality of cover brackets with said plurality of frame brackets. 
     
     
         12 . The cover system of  claim 1 , wherein each of said plurality of rod holders includes a first end affixed to a first end of one of said plurality of frame bracers, and a second end affixed to a first end of another of said plurality of frame bracers. 
     
     
         13 . The cover system of  claim 12 , wherein each of said plurality of rod holders is situated adjacent each of said plurality of frame brackets when each of said plurality of rod holders are interposed between each of said plurality of frame bracers. 
     
     
         14 . An industrial cover comprising:
 a cover including a bore opening;   a plurality of guide tubes affixed to one surface of said cover, each guide tube having a tube opening extending completely therethrough defining a first open end, and a second open end;   a plurality of cover brackets, each cover bracket affixed to the one surface of said cover adjacent a first open end of each of said plurality of guide tubes, each cover bracket including a bracket aperture that aligns with each first open end of each guide tube;   a tool post mounted to the one surface of the cover about said bore opening, said tool post including, a first window, a second window, a third window, and a fourth window, each window aligning with said second open end of each of said plurality of guide tubes;   an outer plug removably attachable to said bore opening; and   a cover frame comprising:   a frame plate including a frame opening formed therethrough for receiving said cover;   a plurality of frame bracers, each frame bracer affixed to one surface of said frame plate in a square or rectangular configuration about said frame opening;   a plurality of frame brackets each affixed to said one surface of said frame plate adjacent said frame opening, each frame bracket including another bracket aperture;   a plurality of rod holders, each interposed between, and attached to, said plurality of frame bracers, each rod holder situated adjacent each of said plurality of frame brackets;   a plurality of threaded support rods each removably threaded to each rod holder; and   a pair of frame supports receiving said plurality of support rods to secure said pair of frame supports a parallel distance from said frame plate with fasteners; and   wherein another surface of said cover is coplanar with another surface of said frame plate when said cover is completely attached to said cover frame.   
     
     
         15 . The industrial cover of  claim 14 , wherein said tool post further includes a plug holder having one or more magnets, and an inner plug, said inner plug slidable within said tool post, and removably engaging said one or more magnets when said inner plugs is uplifted within said tool post. 
     
     
         16 . The industrial cover of  claim 15 , wherein said bore opening includes bore threads, and each of said plugs includes plug threads formed on an outer surface of each plug to removably engage with said bore threads of said bore opening, said inner plug threaded within said bore opening to restrict viewable access to said windows. 
     
     
         17 . The industrial cover of  claim 16 , wherein each of said plurality of cover brackets are affixed at equal distances apart from each other to said one surface of said cover, and each of said plurality of frame brackets are affixed at equal distances apart from each other to said one surface of said frame cover so that each bracket aperture of each cover bracket and each another bracket aperture of each frame bracket align with each other, with said first open end of tube opening of each of said plurality of guide tubes, and with each window of said tool post. 
     
     
         18 . A method of installing a cover system comprising:
 providing a cover system comprising:   a cover comprising:   a cover plate having an inner plate surface opposite an outer plate surface, and a bore opening formed within a central region of said cover plate,   a plurality of guide tubes each affixed to said inner plate surface, each guide tube having a tube opening that extends completely through said guide tube;   a plurality of cover brackets, each including a bracket aperture, and each affixed to said inner plate surface adjacent one end of each of said plurality of guide tubes so that each bracket aperture aligns with each tube opening of each guide tube; and   an outer plug removably attachable to said bore opening; and   a cover frame comprising:   a frame plate having an inner surface opposite an outer surface, and including a frame opening formed completely through said frame plate for receiving said cover plate;   a plurality of frame bracers affixed to said inner surface of said frame plate about said frame opening;   a plurality of rod holders, each interposed between said plurality of frame bracers;   a plurality of frame brackets each affixed to said inner surface of said frame plate adjacent said frame opening, each frame bracket including another bracket aperture;   a plurality of support rods each removably attached to each rod holder; and   a pair of frame supports each having rod holes to receive said plurality of support rods therethrough to secure said pair of frame supports a parallel distance from said frame plate;   installing said cover frame about an access hole formed within material structure where said material structure abuts against each of said plurality of frame bracers, each of said plurality of support rods attached to each rod holder, and extending within said access hole;   attaching said pair of frame supports to each of said plurality of support rods such that said material structure is interposed between said pair of frame supports, and said frame plate; and   attaching each frame support to each of said plurality of support rods with fasteners to firmly compress said material structure between said frame supports and said frame plate, said frame opening aligned with said access hole.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , further including:
 inserting and temporarily holding said cover plate within said frame opening;   aligning each of said plurality of cover brackets on said cover plate with each of said plurality of frame brackets on said cover frame so that said bracket apertures align with each other;   sequentially extending an installment tool through each window of said tool post, and through each tube opening of each of said plurality of guide tubes to secure fasteners through each of said bracket apertures attaching said cover plate to said cover frame;   removing said installment tool from said tool post, and attaching said inner plug, and said outer plug to said bore opening; and   wherein said outer plate surface of said cover plate is coplanar with said outer surface of said frame plate when said cover is completely attached to said cover frame.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein aligning each of said plurality of cover brackets with each of said plurality of frame brackets comprises engaging aligners that are provided on both said inner plate surface of said cover plate, and said inner surface of said frame plate while temporarily holding said cover plate within said frame opening.