A tool for operating pivotal levers includes a lever member having an attachment and a handle. The attachment defines proximal-lower and distal-upper bearing surfaces for contacting the pivotal lever to transmit a pivotal opening force, and the proximal-upper and distal-lower bearing surfaces for contacting the pivotal lever to transmit a pivotal closing force. Typically, the tool includes hook retainers extending from the lever member that define the lower bearing surfaces. Also, the lower bearing surfaces and the handle define a clearance angle to avoid interference with an opposite lever. Typically, the lever member includes an angle between its attachment section and its handle section to define the clearance angle. Methods of installation and use of such a tool are also disclosed.

The tool for handling a cover, in particular covers for sewers or vents, or for manholes, relates to the covers of sewers or vents or manholes, having a substantially planar top surface. The tool includes a holder defining a surface for engaging with the top surface of a cover, a lifting fulcrum, and a handle. The handle has one end spaced apart from the lifting fulcrum. The holder, fulcrum and handle are arranged such that a force exerted by an operator on the one end is transmitted as a force on the holder by the lifting fulcrum. The holder includes a leg connected to the handle and is rigidly configured such that, in the position for lifting a cover, the assembly formed of the cover- and the holder with the leg is rigid. The invention further relates to a method for removing or re-placing such a cover.

A method including providing a device including a first member having a first section, a second section and a first attachment member to form an attachment with one of two slots of a manhole cover on a distal end of the second section and a handle at a proximal end of the first section, and a second member rotatably attached to the first member and including a second attachment member to form an attachment with the other slot on a distal end thereof; placing the first attachment member in attachment with one slot and the second attachment member in attachment with the other slot; applying upward force to handle to lift the manhole cover out of a manhole in which the manhole cover is in place; and applying rearward force to the handle to drag the manhole cover away from the manhole.

A tool for operating pivotal levers includes a lever member having an attachment and a handle. The attachment defines proximal-lower and distal-upper bearing surfaces for contacting the pivotal lever to transmit a pivotal opening force, and the proximal-upper and distal-lower bearing surfaces for contacting the pivotal lever to transmit a pivotal closing force. Typically, the tool includes hook retainers extending from the lever member that define the lower bearing surfaces. Also, the lower bearing surfaces and the handle define a clearance angle to avoid interference with an opposite lever. Typically, the lever member includes an angle between its attachment section and its handle section to define the clearance angle. Methods of installation and use of such a tool are also disclosed.

An apparatus for lifting and lowering manhole covers is shown and described. The apparatus for lifting and lowering manhole covers includes a main beam secured to a vehicle connection support. A winch is secured along the main beam. The winch is configured to secure to a manhole cover. A support leg secured to the main beam such that the winch is positioned between the vehicle connection support and the support leg.

A pry bar includes a member having a first end, a second end, and an intermediate portion, a prying member arranged at the second end; and a retractable end guard moveably mounted at the second end. The retractable end guard is selectively configurable between a first position in which the retractable end guard covers the prying member and a second position in which the prying member is exposed.

An apparatus for lifting and lowering manhole covers is shown and described. The apparatus for lifting and lowering manhole covers includes a main beam secured to a vehicle connection support. A winch is secured along the main beam. The winch is configured to secure to a manhole cover. A support leg secured to the main beam such that the winch is positioned between the vehicle connection support and the support leg.

A fulcrum prybar includes a shaft portion extending along a first axis, a curved prying portion affixed to a first end of the shaft portion, and a fulcrum portion affixed to the curved prying portion. The fulcrum portion includes two rectangular portions fused together to form an obtuse angle or a right angle cross section. One of the two rectangular portions is oriented such that it is flush with a horizontal surface while the prybar has partially raised an object from the same or another horizontal surface.

A method to move a manhole cover relative to a manhole. The method includes providing a tool having a body having a front end with a toe, a back end with a heal pad, and a middle area located between the toe and the heal pad. The middle area includes a fulcrum joined to the middle area and an elongated handle joined to the middle area and extending away from the body to a distal end of the handle. Another step is inserting the toe of the tool into a receiving side-hole of the manhole cover. And, there is positioning the fulcrum of the tool on a surface surrounding the manhole cover. Further, there is pulling on the distal end of the handle while simultaneously stepping on the heal pad to pivotally lift the manhole cover via the fulcrum and unseating the manhole cover from the manhole.

A lifting device, a method, and a system for lifting for utility cover is provided. The lifting device includes a body having a curved portion, the curved portion defining an interior area. A flange extends about the periphery of the body, the flange made from a compliant material that forms a seal with a top surface of an irregular or smooth surface utility cover. A lifting element is coupled and centrally positioned to the body.