US3746034A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Installation of curb boxes
Assignee: Ametek Inc
•
Filing: 1971-06-09
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Granted: 1973-07-17
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Expires: 1991-06-09
Abstract
Abstract A non-metallic curb box is formed to provide detectable metallic means distributed longitudinally along at least a major part of the upper portion thereof. The metallic means may be either magnetic or non-magnetic, depending upon the type of detector to be used. It may also be continuous or discontinuous. The box is then installed in the ground in valve protecting position, and is positioned vertically so that if an upper portion of the box is sheared off or otherwise accidentally removed, the remaining box portion will be detectable because of the presence of a portion of the detectable metallic means thereon.
Inventors
- 👤 H Cosson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 09:02
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16L; F16L1/00; F16L1/024; F16L1/06; F16L1/11; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/6851; Y10T137/6966; Y10T137/6991; Y10T137/6995
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
145 words
In an installation for protecting and providing access to an underground service valve: a. a vertically disposed non-metallic curb box buried in the ground and comprising: 1. a bell covering the said valve, 2. an elongated intermediate tube extending upwardly from said bell, 3. and an elongated upper tube telescopingly mounted at its lower end to the upper end of said intermediate tube, said upper tube extending upwardly to adjacent the ground surface, b. means to close the upper end of said upper tube, c. and detectable metallic means on the tubular portion of said curb box and extending downwardly from near the upper end thereof at least to adjacent the lower end of said upper tube to provide for detection of said curb box in the event an upper portion thereof including a portion of said detectable means becomes accidentally sheared off and removed.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
145 words
In an installation for protecting and providing access to an underground service valve: a. a vertically disposed non-metallic curb box buried in the ground and comprising: 1. a bell covering the said valve, 2. an elongated intermediate tube extending upwardly from said bell, 3. and an elongated upper tube telescopingly mounted at its lower end to the upper end of said intermediate tube, said upper tube extending upwardly to adjacent the ground surface, b. means to close the upper end of said upper tube, c. and detectable metallic means on the tubular portion of said curb box and extending downwardly from near the upper end thereof at least to adjacent the lower end of said upper tube to provide for detection of said curb box in the event an upper portion thereof including a portion of said detectable means becomes accidentally sheared off and removed.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
9 words
an elongated intermediate tube extending upwardly from said bell,
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
9 words
an elongated intermediate tube extending upwardly from said bell,
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The installation of claim 1 in which said detectable metallic means is continuous.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
9 words
an elongated intermediate tube extending upwardly from said bell,
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
9 words
an elongated intermediate tube extending upwardly from said bell,
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
61 words
and an elongated upper tube telescopingly mounted at its lower end to the upper end of said intermediate tube, said upper tube adapted to extend upwardly to adjacent the ground surface, c. and detectable metallic means on both of said tubes to provide for detection of said curb box in the event the upper tube becomes accidentally sheared off and removed.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
61 words
and an elongated upper tube telescopingly mounted at its lower end to the upper end of said intermediate tube, said upper tube adapted to extend upwardly to adjacent the ground surface, c. and detectable metallic means on both of said tubes to provide for detection of said curb box in the event the upper tube becomes accidentally sheared off and removed.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
The installation of claim 2 wherein said continuous detectable metallic means comprises metallic particles distributed throughout the wall of at least said upper tube.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
101 words
and an elongated upper tube telescopingly mounted at its lower end to the upper end of said intermediate tube, said upper tube extending upwardly to adjacent the ground surface, b. means to close the upper end of said upper tube, c. and detectable metallic means on the tubular portion of said curb box and extending downwardly from near the upper end thereof at least to adjacent the lower end of said upper tube to provide for detection of said curb box in the event an upper portion thereof including a portion of said detectable means becomes accidentally sheared off and removed.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
101 words
and an elongated upper tube telescopingly mounted at its lower end to the upper end of said intermediate tube, said upper tube extending upwardly to adjacent the ground surface, b. means to close the upper end of said upper tube, c. and detectable metallic means on the tubular portion of said curb box and extending downwardly from near the upper end thereof at least to adjacent the lower end of said upper tube to provide for detection of said curb box in the event an upper portion thereof including a portion of said detectable means becomes accidentally sheared off and removed.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
The installation of claim 2 wherein said continuous detectable metallic means comprises an elongated metallic strip extending longitudinally along at least said upper tube.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
13 words
The installation of claim 1 in which said detectable metallic means is discontinuous.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
The installation of claim 5 wherein said discontinuous detectable metallic means comprises a plurality of metallic blocks spaced longitudinally along at least said upper tube.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
27 words
The installation of claim 5 wherein said discontinuous detectable metallic means comprises a plurality of metallic rings encircling at least said upper tube and spaced longitudinally therealong.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
34 words
For use in an underground installation for protecting and providing access to a buried service valve, the combination comprising: a. a non-metallic curb box adapted to be buried vertically in the ground and comprising:
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
34 words
For use in an underground installation for protecting and providing access to a buried service valve, the combination comprising: a. a non-metallic curb box adapted to be buried vertically in the ground and comprising:
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
13 words
The combination of claim 8 in which said detectable metallic means is continuous.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
13 words
The combination of claim 8 in which said -etectable metallic means is discontinuous.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
104 words
The method of installing a curb box assembly which is detectable when disposed in the ground, comprising the steps of: a. forming a tubular non-metallic cuRb box having detectable metallic means disposed at progressively different levels from adjacent the upper end thereof to adjacent the valve housing therefor, b. applying a cover to said box, c. and burying said curb box with said detectable metallic means extending progressively downwardly in the ground a substantial distance from the surface thereof so that at least a portion of said detectable means will remain with the installed curb box if an upper section thereof is sheared off.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
104 words
The method of installing a curb box assembly which is detectable when disposed in the ground, comprising the steps of: a. forming a tubular non-metallic cuRb box having detectable metallic means disposed at progressively different levels from adjacent the upper end thereof to adjacent the valve housing therefor, b. applying a cover to said box, c. and burying said curb box with said detectable metallic means extending progressively downwardly in the ground a substantial distance from the surface thereof so that at least a portion of said detectable means will remain with the installed curb box if an upper section thereof is sheared off.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 11 wherein said curb box is formed with a continuously extending detectable metallic means.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 11 wherein said curb box is formed with a discontinuously extending detectable metallic means.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-07-16 | 1977-01-15 | 1977-07-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-07-16 | 1981-01-15 | 1981-07-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-07-16 | 1985-01-15 | 1985-07-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |