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.

Claims

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.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] Those of skill in the art will recognize that the following description is merely illustrative of the principles of the disclosure, which may be applied in various ways to provide many different alternative embodiments. This description is made for illustrating the general principles of the teachings of this disclosure invention and is not meant to limit the inventive concepts disclosed herein.

[0014] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the disclosure and together with the general description of the disclosure given above and the detailed description of the drawings given below, serve to explain the principles of the disclosure.

[0015] It should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scale. In certain instances, details that are not necessary for an understanding of the disclosure or that render other details difficult to perceive may have been omitted. It should be understood, of course, that the disclosure is not necessarily limited to the particular embodiments illustrated herein. In the drawings:

[0016] FIG. 1 is a side view of the valve box system with a first and second middle section;

[0017] FIG. 2A is a top view of the top section;

[0018] FIG. 2B is a side view of the top section;

[0019] FIG. 3 is a side view of the first middle section;

[0020] FIG. 4 is a side view of the connector section; and

[0021] FIG. 5 is a side view of the bottom section.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] The present invention provides its benefits across a broad spectrum of endeavors. It is 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 of the system is provided, which illustrates the nature of the invention, and, with the annexed drawings, form a part of the specification. The exemplary method of installing the valve box system 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 art, can be modified in numerous ways within the scope and spirit of the invention, the invention being measured by the appended claims and not by the details of the specification.

[0023] Although the following text sets forth a detailed description of numerous different embodiments, it should be understood that the legal scope of the description is defined by the words of the claims set forth at the end of this disclosure. 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.

[0024] It should also be understood that, unless a term is expressly defined in this patent using the sentence As used herein, the term ______ is hereby defined to mean . . . or a similar sentence, there is no intent to limit the meaning of that term, either expressly or by implication, beyond its plain or ordinary meaning, and such term should not be interpreted to be limited in scope based on any statement made in any section of this patent (other than the language 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. Finally, unless a claim element is defined by reciting the word means and a function without the recital of any structure, it is not intended that the scope of any claim element be interpreted based on the application of 35 U.S.C. 112, subparagraph (f).

[0025] FIG. 1 depicts an embodiment of the valve box system 100 that has at least a first middle section 140 and a second middle section 160. In a preferred embodiment, the second middle section 160 is identical in dimension and orientation to the first middle section 140, and are interchangeable. In this particular embodiment, the top section 120 threads into the first middle section 140. The first middle section 140 threads onto a connector section 160. The connector section 160 threads into the second middle section 180. Finally, the second middle section 180 threads onto the bottom section 200. The additional second middle section 180 allows the system to reach deeper utility lines than a simpler three section embodiment of the valve box system 100. Fewer or more sections may be provided, for example, for shallower installations or where the depth of the valve box does not require multiple sections. Furthermore, sections may be cut to length to accommodate a specific depth for a new installation or to meet a new depth or grade for an installation that is affected by a repaving of the road surface, for example.

[0026] FIG. 2B depicts one embodiment of a top section 120 of the present disclosure. The top section 120 has a top section thread 128 to screw into a first middle section 140. Further, the top section 120 has a top section seat 132 which allows the top section 120 to align against the first middle section 140. The top section 120 also has a top section notch 124 which allows adjustment of the top section's 120 height relative to ground level. In one embodiment depicted in FIG. 2A, the top section 120 has four top section notches 124. In this embodiment a four-sided valve tool can securely selectively interconnect with the four top section notches 124 for easy adjustment.

[0027] FIG. 3 depicts a first middle section 140. In this embodiment the first middle section 140 has a first middle section thread 144. This first middle section thread 144 allows the first middle section 140 to screw onto a top section 120. At the other end, the first middle section thread 144 may allow the first middle section 140 to screw onto a bottom section 200 or onto a connector section 160, depending on the particular embodiment of the valve box system 100. Although the second middle section is not shown in FIG. 3, it is expressly understood that the foregoing description applies equally to the second middle section, which in a preferred embodiment is identical in dimension and orientation to the first middle section.

[0028] FIG. 4 depicts a connector section 160. The connector section 160 has a connector section thread 164 which allows the operable interconnection of a first middle section 140 and a second middle section 180. Further, the connector section 160 has a connector section first seat 168 and a connector section second seat 172. These seats provide for the alignment of the first middle section 140, the connector section 160, and the second middle section 180.

[0029] FIG. 5 depicts a bottom section 200. The bottom section 200 has a bottom section thread 204 which allows the bottom section 200 to screw into a first middle section 140 or a second middle section 180. Further, the bottom section 200 has a bottom section seat 208 which aligns the bottom section 200 with a first middle section 140 or a second middle section 180.

[0030] The valve box system 100 and its components disclosed herein may be made of a variety of different materials. These materials may include, by way of example but not limitation, iron, cast iron, aluminum, steel, stainless steel, steel alloy, aluminum alloy, chromium alloy, and other metals or metal alloys. These materials may also include, for example, ABS plastic, polyurethane, polyethylene resins, particularly fiber-encased resinous materials rubber, latex, synthetic rubber, synthetic materials, polymers, and natural or environmentally beneficial materials.

[0031] The following is a listing of components described in connection with the specification and the annexed drawing figures, and is provided to assist in describing the preferred embodiments of the present disclosure:

TABLE-US-00001 Reference No. Component 100 System 120 Top Section 124 Top Section Notch 128 Top Section Thread 132 Top Section Seat 140 First Middle Section 144 First Middle Section Thread 160 Connector Section 164 Connector Section Thread 168 Connector Section First Seat 172 Connector Section Second Seat 180 Second Middle Section 200 Bottom Section 204 Bottom Section Thread 208 Bottom Section Seat

[0032] While various embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in detail, it is apparent that modifications and alterations of those embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art. However, it is to be expressly understood that such modifications and alterations are within the scope and spirit of the present disclosure, as set forth in the following claims.

[0033] The foregoing discussion of the disclosure has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. The foregoing is not intended to limit the disclosure to the form or forms disclosed herein. In the foregoing Detailed Description for example, various features of the disclosure are grouped together in one or more embodiments for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed disclosure requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into this Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate preferred embodiment of the disclosure.

[0034] Moreover, though the present disclosure has included description of one or more embodiments and certain variations and modifications, other variations and modifications are within the scope of the disclosure, e.g. the use of a certain component described above alone or in conjunction with other components may comprise a system, while in other aspects the system may be the combination of all of the components described herein, and in different order than that employed for the purpose of communicating the novel aspects of the present disclosure. Other variations and modifications may be within the skill and knowledge of those in the art, after understanding the present disclosure. This method of disclosure is intended to obtain rights which include alternative embodiments to the extent permitted, including alternate, interchangeable and/or equivalent structures, functions, ranges or steps to those claimed, whether or not such alternate, interchangeable and/or equivalent structures, functions, ranges or steps are disclosed herein, and without intending to publicly dedicate any patentable subject matter.