U.S. patent application number 12/788726 was filed with the patent office on 2011-12-01 for systems and methods for restricting access to infrastructure components.
This patent application is currently assigned to LOCKDOWN, INC.. Invention is credited to Donald L. Burros.
Application Number | 20110290802 12/788726 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 45021232 |
Filed Date | 2011-12-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110290802 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Burros; Donald L. |
December 1, 2011 |
SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR RESTRICTING ACCESS TO INFRASTRUCTURE
COMPONENTS
Abstract
Systems and methods for restricting access to infrastructure
components are provided. In this regard, a representative system
includes: a lock assembly having a receptacle, a sleeve, a fastener
and a cap; the receptacle having a longitudinal bore; the sleeve
defining an interior and having a first end, an opposing second
end, and an interior flange positioned between the first end and
the second end; the fastener having a shaft extending from a head,
the shaft being sized and shaped to engage within the longitudinal
bore of the receptacle, the head being sized and shaped to prevent
passage of the fastener through the sleeve via interference with
the first flange; the cap being operative to engage the second end
of the sleeve such that, in an engaged position, the cap and the
sleeve retain the head of the bolt within the interior of the
sleeve; the lock assembly being operative to selectively secure the
lid to the housing.
Inventors: |
Burros; Donald L.; (Cumming,
GA) |
Assignee: |
LOCKDOWN, INC.
Conyers
GA
|
Family ID: |
45021232 |
Appl. No.: |
12/788726 |
Filed: |
May 27, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/327 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H02G 9/10 20130101; H02G
3/081 20130101; H02G 2200/10 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/327 |
International
Class: |
B65D 45/00 20060101
B65D045/00 |
Claims
1. A system for restricting access to infrastructure components, in
which a housing with a lid defines an interior, the lid being
movable to an open position in which access to an interior of the
housing is provided, the housing being operative to provide access
to a first infrastructure component via the interior of the
housing, the system comprising: an internally threaded receptacle
operative to mount to the housing; a sleeve defining a longitudinal
bore and having a first end, an opposing second end, an interior
flange positioned between the first end and the second end, an
exterior flange positioned between the first end and the second
end, and external threads oriented about the second end; a bolt
having a shaft with external threads and a head, the shaft being
sized and shaped to be insertable through the longitudinal bore and
interior flange, the head being sized and shaped to be insertable
into the longitudinal bore and to interfere with the interior
flange such that the head of the bolt is retained within the
longitudinal bore as the shaft at least partially extends outwardly
from the longitudinal bore; and a cap operative to engage the
external threads of the second end of the sleeve such that, in an
engaged position, the cap and the sleeve capture the head of the
bolt; the external threads of the bolt being operative to engage
the internal threads of the receptacle such that a portion of the
lid and corresponding portion of the housing are positioned between
the sleeve and the receptacle to secure the lid in a closed
position.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein: the cap has a first side
operative to face the sleeve, a second side operative to face away
from the sleeve, and a first locking recess positioned at the
second side; the locking recess is sized and shaped to be engaged
by a complementary-shaped working surface of a first tool.
3. The system of claim 2, wherein: the bolt has a second locking
recess positioned at the head thereof; the second locking recess is
sized and shaped to be engaged by a complementary-shaped working
surface of a second tool; and the first locking recess and the
second locking recess exhibit different shapes.
4. The system of claim 1, further comprising the housing and the
lid.
5. The system of claim 4, wherein: the housing has a top, a bottom
and a sidewall extending between the top and the bottom, the top
having a first aperture; the lid has a top and a bottom and is
sized and shaped to be received by the top of the housing, the lid
having a second aperture, the second aperture aligning with the
first aperture of the housing when the lid is in a closed position;
the lid is selectively secured in the closed position with: the
receptacle being aligned with the first aperture and the second
aperture and positioned between the bottom of the housing and the
bottom of the lid; the head of the bolt being retained within the
longitudinal bore of the sleeve as the external threads of the bolt
engage the internal threads of the receptacle; the bolt extending
through the second aperture of the lid and the first aperture of
the top of the housing; and the internal threads of the cap
engaging the external threads of the sleeve.
6. The system of claim 4, wherein: the housing has a first aperture
operative to align with the bolt when the lid is in a closed
position; and the lid has a second aperture operative to align with
the bolt when the lid is in the closed position.
7. The system of claim 4, wherein the housing and the lid are
formed of cement.
8. The system of claim 1, further comprising waterproof sealant
applied to the cap.
9. The system of claim 1, wherein the housing has an access
aperture communicating with the interior and operative to provide
access to the first infrastructure component.
10. A system for restricting access to infrastructure components,
in which a housing with a lid defines an interior, the lid being
movable to an open position in which access to an interior of the
housing is provided, the housing being operative to provide access
to a first infrastructure component via the interior of the
housing, the system comprising: a lock assembly having a
receptacle, a sleeve, a fastener and a cap; the receptacle having a
longitudinal bore; the sleeve defining an interior and having a
first end, an opposing second end, and an interior flange
positioned between the first end and the second end; the fastener
having a shaft extending from a head, the shaft being sized and
shaped to engage within the longitudinal bore of the receptacle,
the head being sized and shaped to prevent passage of the fastener
through the sleeve via interference with the first flange; the cap
being operative to engage the second end of the sleeve such that,
in an engaged position, the cap and the sleeve retain the head of
the bolt within the interior of the sleeve; the lock assembly being
operative to selectively secure the lid to the housing.
11. A method for restricting access to infrastructure components
comprising: providing a housing and a movable lid, the lid being
movable between an open position, in which access to an interior of
the housing is provided, and a closed position, in which access to
the interior is prevented, the lid having a first aperture, the
housing being operative to provide access to a first infrastructure
component via the interior of the housing; and securing the lid to
the housing with a lock assembly, the lock assembly having a
receptacle, a sleeve, a fastener and a cap; the receptacle having a
longitudinal bore; the sleeve defining an interior and having a
first end, an opposing second end, and an interior flange
positioned between the first end and the second end; the fastener
having a shaft extending from a head, the shaft being sized and
shaped to engage within the longitudinal bore of the receptacle,
the head being sized and shaped to prevent passage of the fastener
through the sleeve via interference with the first flange; and the
cap being operative to engage the second end of the sleeve such
that, in an engaged position, the cap and the sleeve retain the
head of the bolt within the interior of the sleeve.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein securing the lid to the housing
comprises: mounting the receptacle to the housing.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein securing the lid to the housing
further comprises: extending the shaft of the fastener through the
sleeve such that the head is located within the interior of the
sleeve; and engaging the receptacle with the shaft such that at
least a portion of the lid is positioned between the sleeve and the
receptacle.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein engaging the receptacle with
the shaft comprises: engaging a first locking feature of the
fastener with a first tool.
15. The method of claim 14, wherein securing the lid to the housing
further comprises: engaging the sleeve with the cap such that the
cap and sleeve surround the head of the fastener.
16. The method of claim 15, wherein engaging the sleeve with the
cap comprises: engaging a second locking feature of the cap with a
second tool, the second tool being different than the first
tool.
17. The method of claim 11, wherein the first infrastructure
component is a conduit.
18. The method of claim 17, wherein the first infrastructure
component is a communications transmission medium.
19. The method of claim 11, wherein: the first infrastructure
component is buried in the ground; and the housing is installed in
the ground such that the lid, in the closed position, is positioned
over the first infrastructure component.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] 1. Technical Field
[0002] The disclosure generally relates to protection of
infrastructure components.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] Infrastructure components of various types (e.g., fiber
optics, telecommunications and electrical conduits) conventionally
are protected by routing the conduits below ground. Access to these
components often is facilitated by vaults or hand holes that are
installed in a vicinity of the conduits and which provide securable
panels or lids that can be opened to provide direct access to the
conduits. Unfortunately, unauthorized access to conduits can
oftentimes be accomplished by means of a conventional screw driver
that can be used to open a lid of a vault.
SUMMARY
[0005] Systems and methods for restricting access to infrastructure
components are provided. In this regard, an exemplary embodiment of
a system for restricting access to infrastructure components, in
which a housing with a lid defines an interior, the lid being
movable to an open position in which access to an interior of the
housing is provided, the housing being operative to provide access
to a first infrastructure component via the interior of the
housing, the system comprising: an internally threaded receptacle
operative to mount to the housing; a sleeve defining a longitudinal
bore and having a first end, an opposing second end, an interior
flange positioned between the first end and the second end, an
exterior flange positioned between the first end and the second
end, and external threads oriented about the second end; a bolt
having a shaft with external threads and a head, the shaft being
sized and shaped to be insertable through the longitudinal bore and
interior flange, the head being sized and shaped to be insertable
into the longitudinal bore and to interfere with the interior
flange such that the head of the bolt is retained within the
longitudinal bore as the shaft at least partially extends outwardly
from the longitudinal bore; and a cap operative to engage the
external threads of the second end of the sleeve such that, in an
engaged position, the cap and the sleeve capture the head of the
bolt; the external threads of the bolt being operative to engage
the internal threads of the receptacle such that a portion of the
lid and corresponding portion of the housing are positioned between
the sleeve and the receptacle to secure the lid in a closed
position.
[0006] Another exemplary embodiment of a system comprises: a lock
assembly having a receptacle, a sleeve, a fastener and a cap; the
receptacle having a longitudinal bore; the sleeve defining an
interior and having a first end, an opposing second end, and an
interior flange positioned between the first end and the second
end; the fastener having a shaft extending from a head, the shaft
being sized and shaped to engage within the longitudinal bore of
the receptacle, the head being sized and shaped to prevent passage
of the fastener through the sleeve via interference with the first
flange; the cap being operative to engage the second end of the
sleeve such that, in an engaged position, the cap and the sleeve
retain the head of the bolt within the interior of the sleeve; the
lock assembly being operative to selectively secure the lid to the
housing.
[0007] An exemplary embodiment of a method for restricting access
to infrastructure components comprises: providing a housing and a
movable lid, the lid being movable between an open position, in
which access to an interior of the housing is provided, and a
closed position, in which access to the interior is prevented, the
lid having a first aperture, the housing being operative to provide
access to a first infrastructure component via the interior of the
housing; and securing the lid to the housing with a lock assembly,
the lock assembly having a receptacle, a sleeve, a fastener and a
cap; the receptacle having a longitudinal bore; the sleeve defining
an interior and having a first end, an opposing second end, and an
interior flange positioned between the first end and the second
end; the fastener having a shaft extending from a head, the shaft
being sized and shaped to engage within the longitudinal bore of
the receptacle, the head being sized and shaped to prevent passage
of the fastener through the sleeve via interference with the first
flange; and the cap being operative to engage the second end of the
sleeve such that, in an engaged position, the cap and the sleeve
retain the head of the bolt within the interior of the sleeve.
[0008] Other systems, methods, features and/or advantages of this
disclosure will be or may become apparent to one with skill in the
art upon examination of the following drawings and detailed
description. It is intended that all such additional systems,
methods, features and/or advantages be included within this
description and be within the scope of the present disclosure.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] Many aspects of the disclosure can be better understood with
reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings
are not necessarily to scale. Moreover, in the drawings, like
reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the
several views.
[0010] FIG. 1 is an exploded view of an exemplary embodiment of a
system for restricting access to infrastructure components.
[0011] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of
a lock assembly.
[0012] FIG. 3 is a partially cut-away, sectional view of an
embodiment of a system for restricting access to infrastructure
components, with the lid in a closed position and secured by the
lock assembly.
[0013] FIG. 4 is a flowchart depicting an exemplary embodiment of a
method for restricting access to infrastructure components.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0014] Systems and methods for restricting access to infrastructure
components are provided, several exemplary embodiments of which
will be described in detail. In this regard, reference is made to
the schematic diagram of FIG. 1, which depicts an exemplary
embodiment of a system for restricting access to infrastructure
components.
[0015] As shown in FIG. 1, system 100 includes a housing 102, a lid
104 and two lock assemblies (105, 106). The housing incorporates
generally rectangular sidewalls (e.g., sidewall 108) and defines an
interior 110. The lid is movable between an open position (depicted
in FIG. 1), in which access is provided to the interior of the
housing, and a closed position (depicted in FIG. 3), in which
access to the interior is restricted. By selectively moving the lid
to the open position, access to an infrastructure component (e.g.,
component 120) is provided via the interior of the housing. By way
of example, an infrastructure component can be various conduits,
such as those used for routing optical and/or electrical signals,
among others, that can be used for various purposes such as power,
communications, etc.
[0016] The housing and lid can be formed of various materials
(e.g., composite material with some type polymer reinforcing agent)
and can be provided in various configurations and applications. For
instance, the housing and lid can be configured as a utility vault
or hand-hole for providing access to buried conduit. Additionally,
the housing and the lid need not be formed of the same
materials.
[0017] In the non-limiting example of FIG. 1, in which
infrastructure component 120 is installed below grade, housing 102
is installed above the component 120 so that lid 104 is generally
positioned at ground level. It should be noted that, in this
embodiment, direct access to component 120 is provided via an
access aperture 122 located at the bottom 124 of the housing. In
other embodiments, the component could be at least partially housed
within the housing, such as by passing through the interior.
[0018] Lid 104 is configured to seat within a recessed portion 126
positioned at the top of the housing. The recessed portion is
defined by an edge 128 and a flange 130. Lock apertures (132, 133)
are positioned at opposite corners of sidewall 108 to receive
corresponding lock assemblies (105, 106). Similarly, the lid
incorporates apertures (136, 137) that align with corresponding
lock apertures (132, 133) when the lid is in the closed
position.
[0019] In the embodiment of FIG. 1, lock assemblies (105, 106) are
identical; therefore, only lock assembly 106 (also shown in FIGS. 2
and 3) will be described in detail. It should be noted that
although two lock assemblies are depicted in FIG. 1, various other
numbers and configurations of lock assemblies can be used in other
embodiments.
[0020] As shown most clearly in FIG. 2, lock assembly 106 includes
a sleeve 144, a fastener 146 and a cap 148. In this embodiment,
fastener 146 is configured to engage a receptacle 142 (e.g., a nut)
that includes a longitudinal bore 151 and internal threads 153. The
receptacle is mounted to the housing, such as within the sidewall
so that the bore of the receptacle aligns with the lock aperture.
In some embodiments, the receptacle is mounted within a preformed
cavity (e.g., cavity 109 of FIG. 3) and a biasing member such as a
spring (e.g., spring 111 of FIG. 3) can be seated within the cavity
to urge the receptacle outwardly toward the corresponding
fastener.
[0021] Sleeve 144 defines a longitudinal bore 155 and includes a
first end 156, an opposing second end 157, an interior flange 158
and an exterior flange 160. Both the interior flange and the
exterior flange are positioned between the first and second ends,
however, in this embodiment, the exterior flange is positioned
closer to the second end. Additionally, external threads 162 are
oriented about the second end.
[0022] Fastener 146 is configured as a bolt that includes a shaft
165 and a head 166. The shaft incorporates external threads and is
sized and shaped to be insertable through the longitudinal bore and
interior flange of the sleeve, while the head is large enough to
interfere with the interior flange such that the head of the bolt
is retained within the longitudinal bore as the shaft at least
partially extends outwardly from the longitudinal bore of the
sleeve.
[0023] Head 166 includes a locking recess 169 that is generally
oriented within the dashed lines 167. Although capable of taking on
various shapes (e.g., conventional slots for engaging with a screw
driver), a preferred locking recess is sized and shaped to be
engaged by a complementary-shaped working surface of a
limited-production tool (e.g., tool A). Notably, a preferred
locking recess is specifically designed to be inoperative with
conventional tools. Non-limiting examples of such a design include
those of the KEY-REX.TM., KEY-LOK.TM. and PENTA-PLUS.TM. security
screws manufactured by BRYCE.TM. Fastener of Gilbert, Ariz. and the
SNAKE-EYES.RTM. Spanner manufactured by the Tamperproof Screw Co.,
Inc. of Hicksville, N.Y. (and corresponding tools manufactured by
the same).
[0024] Cap 148 includes a first side 171 for facing the sleeve, a
second side 172 for facing away from the sleeve, and a locking
recess 173 positioned at the second side and generally oriented
within the dashed lines 174. The locking recess of the cap is sized
and shaped to be engaged by a complementary-shaped working surface
of a second tool (e.g., tool B, a limited-production tool).
Notably, a preferred locking recess of the cap is specifically
designed to be inoperative with conventional tools.
[0025] The cap is movable between an engaged position, in which
external threads of the second end of the sleeve are engaged by
corresponding internal threads 176 of the cap such that the cap and
the sleeve capture the head of the fastener, and a disengaged
position, in which access to the head of the fastener is
provided.
[0026] As shown in FIG. 3, lock assembly 106 is able to secure the
lid to the housing while requiring the use of two
limited-production (or non-conventional) tools to facilitate
removal of the lid (i.e., one tool to disengage the cap and another
to remove the fastener for releasing the sleeve. Note that in FIG.
3, a waterproof sealant 179 (e.g., silicone caulk) is applied to
the exterior of the cap and surrounding lid to reduce the
opportunity for dirt and moisture to enter the housing.
[0027] FIG. 4 is a flowchart depicting an exemplary embodiment of a
method for restricting access to infrastructure components. As
shown in FIG. 4, the method generally involves providing a housing
and a movable lid (block 180). In block 181, the housing is
installed in a vicinity of an infrastructure component to which
access is to be restricted. In block 182, corresponding lock
apertures are formed in the housing and lid to receive lock
assemblies. In some embodiments, the apertures are pre-cast;
however, in others, the apertures can be formed (e.g., formed on
site) such as by drilling.
[0028] In block 184, a lock assembly is provided, after which a
receptacle of the lock assembly is mounted to the housing (block
186). The sleeve with fastener inserted therethrough is positioned
within the aperture of the lid (block 188) and then the shaft of
the fastener is engaged within the receptacle, thereby securing the
lid to the housing. As mentioned above, in some embodiments, this
can be accomplished using a specialized tool.
[0029] In block 190, added security is provided by engaging the
sleeve with the cap, thereby restricting access to the head of the
fastener. This also can be accomplished, in some embodiments, by
using a specialized tool to tighten the cap. In block 192,
waterproof sealant is applied to the cap and lid.
[0030] In order to move the lid to the open position, the above
process can be reversed.
[0031] It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments
are merely possible examples of implementations set forth for a
clear understanding of the principles of this disclosure. Many
variations and modifications may be made to the above-described
embodiments without departing substantially from the spirit and
principles of the disclosure. All such modifications and variations
are intended to be included herein within the scope of this
disclosure and protected by the accompanying claims.
* * * * *