UTILITY VAULT SUPPORT BAR SNAP FEATURE

Abstract

A vault system is provided that secures a brace to the underside of a vault lid to improve the performance of the lid when the lid is subject to external loads. The vault has guiding features to receive a brace and place the brace in a particular position. Then, a vault lid is pressed into the vault, and tabs on the vault lid deflect into receiving portions on the ends of the brace to secure the brace to the vault lid. The resulting vault lid is reinforced with a brace. In some embodiments, the guiding feature comprises a rib in a recess in the brace, and in various embodiments, the tabs have an arm and a hook disposed on a distal end of the arm. The tab arms deflect to fit around the end of the brace, then an undercut on the hook secures the brace to the lid.

Claims

1. A subgrade structure for providing an enclosure for storing utilities, comprising: a vault having at least a first wall and an opposing second wall that at least partially define an enclosure, said vault having a first guide feature positioned on said first wall and a second guide feature positioned on said second wall; a brace with a first end having a first receiving portion and a second end having a second receiving portion, said first and second guide features configured to align said first and second ends of said brace between said first wall and said second wall; and a lid having a first tab and a second tab, said first tab operable for interconnection to said first receiving portion of said brace, and said second tab operable for interconnection to said second receiving portion of said brace, wherein said lid is configured to cover an opening of said vault to form said enclosure.

2. The subgrade structure of claim 1, wherein said first tab of said lid comprises a hook disposed on a distal end of an arm.

3. The subgrade structure of claim 1, wherein an aperture extends from said first end to said second end of said brace to define said first receiving portion and said second receiving portion of said brace.

4. The subgrade structure of claim 1, wherein said first and second receiving portions are depressions in said brace.

5. The subgrade structure of claim 1, further comprising: a first rib on said first guide feature; and a second rib on said second guide feature, wherein said first and second ribs are configured to align said brace relative to said first and second walls in a longitudinal direction of said brace.

6. The subgrade structure of claim 5, wherein said first rib has a downward slope toward a center of said vault, and said second rib has a downward slope toward said center of said vault.

7. The subgrade structure of claim 1, further comprising: a first recess on said first guide feature, said first recess having a geometric profile adapted to receive an outer cross section of said brace; and a second recess on said second guide feature, said second recess having a geometric profile adapted to receive said outer cross section of said brace, wherein said first and second recesses are configured to align said brace relative to said first and second walls in a lateral direction of said brace.

8. The subgrade structure of claim 1, further comprising: a first side tab and a second side tab on said lid, wherein said first side tab and said second side tab are positioned on either side of said first tab, wherein said side tabs are configured to align said lid relative to said brace in a lateral direction of said brace.

9. The subgrade structure of claim 1, wherein said first rib and said second rib each have an upper surface configured to engage said brace, wherein said upper surfaces are substantially linear.

10. The subgrade structure of claim 1, further comprising: a first space between a first end of said brace and said first wall, wherein said first tab deflects beyond said first end of said first brace by a predetermined distance, and said first space is larger than said predetermined distance.

11. A method for installing a brace on a utility vault lid, comprising: providing a vault with a first wall and an opposing second wall, said vault having a first guide feature positioned on said first wall and a second guide feature positioned on said second wall; positioning a brace within said first and second guide features of said vault, wherein a first end of said brace has a first guide feature, and a second end of said brace has a second guide feature; and inserting a utility vault lid within said vault and onto said brace, said utility vault lid having a first tab and a second tab, wherein said first tab interconnects to said first guide feature of said first end of said brace and said second tab interconnects to said second guide feature of said second end of said brace to secure said brace to said utility vault lid.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein said first tab of said utility vault lid comprises a hook disposed on a distal end of an arm.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein an aperture extends from said first end to said second end of said brace to define said first guide feature and said second guide feature.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein said first tab of said utility vault lid comprises at least one of a hook, a stud, and a bead.

15. The method of claim 11, further comprising: providing a first rib on said first guide feature, said first rib having a downward slope toward a center of said utility vault; providing a second rib on said second guide feature, said second rib having a downward slope toward said center of said utility vault; and aligning, by said first and second ribs, said brace relative to said first and second walls in a longitudinal direction of said brace.

16. The method of claim 11, further comprising: providing a first recess on said first guide feature, said first recess having an internal cross section substantially similar to an outer cross section of said brace; providing a second recess on said second guide feature, said second recess having an internal cross section substantially similar to said outer cross section of said brace; and aligning, by said first and second recesses, said brace relative to said first and second walls in a lateral direction of said brace.

17. The method of claim 11, further comprising: providing a first side tab and a second side tab on said lid, wherein said side tabs are positioned on either side of said first tab; and aligning, by said side tabs, said lid relative to said brace in a lateral direction of said brace.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein said slope of said first rib is linear, and said slope of said second rib is linear.

19. A utility vault defining an enclosed volume, comprising: at least one sidewall having a first guide feature and a second guide feature, wherein said guide features each comprise a recessed area having a rib; a brace having a first end and a second end with an aperture extending through said brace between said first end and said second end, wherein said ribs of said first and second guide features are configured to orient said brace into a predetermined position in a longitudinal direction of said brace, and said recessed areas of said first and second guide features are configured to orient said brace into a predetermined position in a lateral direction of said brace; and a lid having a first tab and a second tab, each tab having an arm and a hook, wherein said hook of said first tab is configured to deflect into said aperture of said brace, and said hook of said second tab is configured to deflect into said aperture of said brace to secure said brace to said lid.

20. The utility vault of claim 19, wherein said first and second ends of said brace are mitered at a non-perpendicular angle relative to said longitudinal direction of said brace.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the Summary of the Invention given above and the Detailed Description of the drawings given below, serve to explain the principles of these embodiments. In certain instances, details that are not necessary for an understanding of the invention or that render other details difficult to perceive may have been omitted. It should be understood, of course, that the invention is not necessarily limited to the particular embodiments illustrated herein. Additionally, it should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scale.

[0030] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a utility vault lid with first and second tabs in accordance with various embodiments of the invention;

[0031] FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a utility vault lid with a brace interconnected to both of the first and second tabs of the lid in accordance with various embodiments of the invention;

[0032] FIG. 2B is a detailed perspective view of an interconnection between a tab and one end of a brace in accordance with various embodiments of the invention;

[0033] FIG. 3A is a perspective, cross-sectional view of a utility vault having a guide feature positioned on the sidewall in accordance with various embodiments of the invention;

[0034] FIG. 3B is a detailed perspective view of a guide feature of a utility vault having a recess and a rib in accordance with various embodiments of the invention;

[0035] FIG. 3C is a detailed perspective view of a guide feature of a utility vault having a recess in accordance with various embodiments of the invention;

[0036] FIG. 4 is a perspective, cross-sectional view of a utility vault with a brace positioned on a guide feature in accordance with various embodiments of the invention;

[0037] FIG. 5 is a perspective, cross-sectional view of a utility vault with a lid positioned on a top surface of the vault where a tab on the lid is interconnected to a brace in accordance with various embodiments of the invention;

[0038] FIG. 6A is a perspective, cross-sectional view of a tab of a utility vault lid interconnected to an aperture in a brace in accordance with various embodiments of the invention;

[0039] FIG. 6B is a perspective, cross-sectional view of a tab of a utility vault lid interconnected to an aperture in a brace in accordance with various embodiments of the invention;

[0040] FIG. 6C is a cross-sectional view of a tab of a utility vault lid interconnected to an aperture in a brace in accordance with various embodiments of the invention;

[0041] FIG. 6D is a perspective, cross-sectional view of a tab of a utility vault lid interconnected to an aperture in a brace in accordance with various embodiments of the invention;

[0042] FIG. 7A is a perspective, cross-sectional view of a tab of a utility vault lid interconnected to an aperture in a mitered brace in accordance with various embodiments of the invention;

[0043] FIG. 7B is an elevation, cross-sectional view of a tab of a utility vault lid interconnected to an aperture in a mitered brace in accordance with various embodiments of the invention;

[0044] FIG. 7C is an elevation, cross-sectional view of a tab of a utility vault lid interconnected to an aperture in a mitered brace in accordance with various embodiments of the invention; and

[0045] FIG. 7D is a perspective, cross-sectional view of a tab of a utility vault lid interconnected to an aperture in a mitered brace in accordance with various embodiments of the invention.

[0046] Similar components and/or features may have the same reference label. Further, various components of the same type may be distinguished by following the reference label by a letter that distinguishes among the similar components. If only the first reference label is used, the description is applicable to any one of the similar components having the same first reference label irrespective of the second reference label.

[0047] A list of the various components shown in the drawings and associated numbering is provided herein:

TABLE-US-00001 Number Component 2 Lid 4 Lip 6 Lattice 8 First Tab 10 Second Tab 12 Brace 14 Side Tab 16 Vault 18 First Wall 20 Second Wall 22 Shoulder 24 Guide Feature 26 Recess 28 Rib 30 Receiving Portion 32 Arm 34 Hook 36 Undercut 38 Gap

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0048] The present invention has significant benefits across a broad spectrum of endeavors. It is the Applicant's intent that this specification and the claims appended hereto be accorded a breadth in keeping with the scope and spirit of the invention being disclosed despite what might appear to be limiting language imposed by the requirements of referring to the specific examples disclosed. To acquaint persons skilled in the pertinent arts most closely related to the present invention, a preferred embodiment that illustrates the best mode now contemplated for putting the invention into practice is described herein by, and with reference to, the annexed drawings that form a part of the specification. The exemplary embodiment is described in detail without attempting to describe all of the various forms and modifications in which the invention might be embodied. As such, the embodiments described herein are illustrative, and as will become apparent to those skilled in the arts, may be modified in numerous ways within the scope and spirit of the invention.

[0049] Although the following text sets forth a detailed description of numerous different embodiments, it should be understood that the detailed description is to be construed as exemplary only and does not describe every possible embodiment since describing every possible embodiment would be impractical, if not impossible. Numerous alternative embodiments could be implemented, using either current technology or technology developed after the filing date of this patent, which would still fall within the scope of the claims. To the extent that any term recited in the claims at the end of this patent is referred to in this patent in a manner consistent with a single meaning, that is done for sake of clarity only so as to not confuse the reader, and it is not intended that such claim term by limited, by implication or otherwise, to that single meaning.

[0050] Various embodiments of the present invention are described herein and as depicted in the drawings. It is expressly understood that although the figures depict vaults, lids, and braces, and methods and systems for using the same, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. Further, some terms may be used interchangeably, for example, “subgrade utility vault,” “utility vault,” and “vault” may be used interchangeably.

[0051] Referring to FIG. 1, a perspective view of the underside of a utility vault lid 2 is provided. The lid 2 encloses a subgrade utility vault and protects the contents of the vault such as electrical and fiber optic cables. A lip 4 extends around a perimeter of the lid 2, and the lip 4 rests on a top surface of the vault. A lattice structure 6 extends from the lip 4 of the vault lid 2 and provides rigidity to the lid 2. First and second tabs 8, 10 are positioned on either side of the lattice structure 6. These tabs 8, 10 are the locations where a brace interconnects to the lid 2 to reinforce the lid 2.

[0052] In an alternative embodiment, the brace can be a permanent part of the lid structure, i.e., it does not need to be snapped into place within the lid. It will be appreciated that the brace can be formed along with the lid, and thus, for example, both the lid and the brace may be plastic or any other material. Further, the lid and the brace are permanently joined with an adhesive or welding.

[0053] Now referring to FIG. 2A, a perspective view of a utility vault lid 2 is provided where the lid 2 has a brace 12 that allows the lid 2 to handle, for example, Tier 15 and Tier 22 applications as specified in the ANSI/SCTE 77 2013 standard. The ends of the brace 12 are positioned in the tabs 8, 10 so that the brace 12 is interconnected, selectively or permanently, to the lid 2. When the lid 2 covers the subgrade utility vault, the lid 2 is subject to external loads, which can be large. For example, pedestrians may walk on the lid 2 when the lid 2 is on a sidewalk, or the vault and lid 2 may be in a street and routine vehicular traffic is expected to travel over the lid 2. Added reinforcement from the brace 12 improves the load capacity of the utility vault and lid 2.

[0054] FIG. 2B shows a detailed view of the interconnection between the end of the brace 12 and the tab 8 of the lid 2. The particular interconnection in this embodiment is a snap-fit joint where the tab 8 deflects away from the center of the lid 2 as the end of the brace 12 passes along the tab 8. Once the end of the brace 12 travels a sufficient distance, the tab 8 deflects inward and a hook on the end of the tab 8 is at least partially disposed within the receiving portion. An undercut on the tab 8 holds the brace 12 in place. While a snap-fit joint is described herein, it will be appreciated that other selective and permanent interconnections may be utilized in embodiments of the invention. For example, a two part adhesive may be used where one part of the adhesive is on the lid and the second part of the adhesive is on the brace. Once pressed together, the two-part adhesive binds the brace to the lid. In another embodiment, screws or bolts are used to selectively interconnect the brace to the lid.

[0055] Also shown in FIG. 2B are side tabs 14a, 14b positioned on either side of the first tab 8 to align and secure the brace 12. As the lid 2 moves into position on the brace 12, the side tabs 14a, 14b align the lid 2 in a lateral direction relative to the brace 12 to ensure a secure interconnection between the brace 12 and the lid 2. In addition, distal ends of the side tabs 14a, 14b may comprise recesses configured to receive bolts, screws, or other fasteners. A latch or member may be secured in place over the brace 12 once the brace is interconnected to the lid 2, further reinforcing the interconnection between the brace 12 and the lid 2.

[0056] Now referring to FIGS. 3A-3C, perspective, cross-sectional views of a utility vault 16 are provided. The vault 16 in this embodiment has four sidewalls with a first wall 18 and a second wall 20 positioned opposite each other. It will be appreciated that embodiments of the vault 16 can have more or fewer walls, including at least one wall, which encompasses a cylindrical-walled vault 16. When a lid is placed on the vault, a lip of the lid contacts a top surface of the utility vault 16, and a distal end of the lattice structure on the lid contacts a shoulder 22 of the utility vault. This stepped contact between the lid and vault prevents lateral movement between the two components and allows only vertical movement between the lid and the vault.

[0057] A guide feature 24 is provided in the first wall 18 to properly align the brace before the lid is placed on the vault and the brace is interconnected to the lid. The guide feature 24 on the first wall 18 and a guide feature on the second wall 20 align the brace relative to the walls in longitudinal and lateral directions of the brace. The guide feature 24 generally comprises a recess 26 and a rib 28. The recess 26 substantially has the same dimensions as an outer surface of the brace. In other words, the outer dimension of the brace is within 5% of the dimension defined by the recess 26. Thus, when the brace is positioned in the two guide features, the brace is securely aligned in a lateral direction.

[0058] Next, the rib 28 of the guide feature 24 on the first wall and the rib of the guide feature on the second wall align the brace relative to the walls in a longitudinal direction. The rib 28 comprises a slope down toward the center of the vault. Similarly, the rib on the second wall also has a slope down toward the center of the vault. Therefore, if the brace is being lowered into the vault 16 and the brace is not longitudinally aligned, then the ribs 28 will channel the brace in the proper direction so that the brace rests in the vault in a predetermined location and orientation. It will be appreciated that embodiments of the present invention may not have a rib 28 with a slope, or even a rib 28 at all as shown in FIG. 3C. For example, in some embodiments, the rib 28 may be stepped where a lower step provides the longitudinal alignment function of the guide feature 24, and an upper, wider step provides a space or gap for a tab to deflect outward and around an edge of the brace. In a further example, the rib 28 has a concave or convex slope to longitudinally align the brace.

[0059] Now referring to FIG. 4, a perspective, cross-sectional view of a utility vault 16 is provided where a brace 12 has been lowered into the vault 16. The recesses of the guide features align the brace 12 in a lateral direction, and the ribs of the guide features align the brace 12 in a longitudinal direction. The brace 12 rests in this predetermined position and orientation before a vault lid is lowered into place to selectively interconnect the brace 12 to the lid.

[0060] Now referring to FIG. 5, a perspective, cross-sectional view of a utility vault 16 is provided where a lid 2 is lowered into place, causing the brace 12 to interconnect with the lid 2. The brace 12 in this embodiment runs between the two long sides of the lid 2 to reinforce the entire utility vault system. However, it will be appreciated that there may be other configurations of a brace 12 and lid 2 in various embodiments of the present invention. For instance, the brace 12 may be a cross shape with guide features 24 on each of the four walls. In another embodiment, the brace 12 is substantially ring shaped and arms extend from the ring to respective guide features.

[0061] Now referring to FIG. 6A, a perspective, cross-sectional view of the first tab 8 securing the brace 12 to the lid 2 is provided. A rib 28 with a slope is shown where the rib 28 has aligned the brace 12 in a longitudinal direction. The end of the brace 12 has a receiving portion 30, which in this embodiment is an aperture that extends through the entire longitudinal length of the brace 12. The tab 8 comprises an arm 32 with a hook 34 on a distal end of the arm 32. The arm 32 and hook 34 form an undercut 36. As the lid 2 is lowered into place, the hook 34 contacts the brace 12 and deflects the arm 32 of the tab 8 outward. Eventually, the hook 34 moves past an edge of the brace 12 and is positioned in the receiving portion 30 of the brace 12. This allows the arm 32 of the tab 8 to deflect inward, and the undercut 36 secures the tab 8 against the end of the brace 12.

[0062] Now referring to FIGS. 6B-6D, various cross-sectional views of the brace 12 interconnected with the lid 2 are provided. Specifically referring to FIG. 6C, an elevation, cross-sectional view of the tab 8 is provided. Here, the tab 8 is interconnected to the brace 12, but a gap 38 is shown where the arm of the tab 8 may deflect outward to fit around an edge of the brace, then deflect back inward over a receiving portion or aperture in the brace 12.

[0063] Now referring to FIGS. 7A-7D, various cross-sectional views of a mitered brace 12 interconnected with the lid 2 are provided. The ends of the brace 12 may be mitered to provide a greater area of contact between the brace 12 and a recess of the utility vault. The greater area of contact reduces the stress and strain on the brace 12 when the utility vault is subjected to an external force or load.

[0064] The description of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or limiting of the invention to the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. The embodiments described and shown in the figures were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention, the practical application, and to enable those of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention.

[0065] While various embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail, it is apparent that modifications and alterations of those embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art. Moreover, references made herein to “the present invention” or aspects thereof should be understood to mean certain embodiments of the present invention and should not necessarily be construed as limiting all embodiments to a particular description. It is to be expressly understood that such modifications and alterations are within the scope and spirit of the present invention, as set forth in the following claims.