US4746098A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for removing and replacing manhole covers and gratings
Assignee: Design and Analysis of Mechanisms and Structures Inc
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Filing: 1987-08-26
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Granted: 1988-05-24
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Expires: 2007-08-26
Abstract
Abstract An improved lever and pivot device for lifting and moving a load is disclosed which is particularly suitable for removing and replacing manhole covers and gratings.
Inventors
- 👤 Eugene V. Abarotin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 22:38
CPC Classifications
B; B66; B66F; B66F19/00; B66F19/005; E; E01; E01F; E01F9/00; E01F9/60
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
151 words
Apparatus for removing and replacing manhole covers and gratings comprising: a base; a first member mounted on the base for rotation about an axis perpendicular to the base; a pivotable post mounted on the first member for rotation about an axis perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the first member and equipped at a plurality of elevationally different positions for the selective attachment of a lever; a lever detachably engaged at one end to the pivotable post at one of said elevationally different positions, said lever including two spaced parallel longitudinal structural channels connected to form a rigid beam, said beam having a stop that butts against said pivotable post; means attached to the lever at the end opposite said pivotable post to serve as a handle; and means for engaging a load located in the space between said structural channels and adjustable longitudinally of said lever within said space.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
151 words
Apparatus for removing and replacing manhole covers and gratings comprising: a base; a first member mounted on the base for rotation about an axis perpendicular to the base; a pivotable post mounted on the first member for rotation about an axis perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the first member and equipped at a plurality of elevationally different positions for the selective attachment of a lever; a lever detachably engaged at one end to the pivotable post at one of said elevationally different positions, said lever including two spaced parallel longitudinal structural channels connected to form a rigid beam, said beam having a stop that butts against said pivotable post; means attached to the lever at the end opposite said pivotable post to serve as a handle; and means for engaging a load located in the space between said structural channels and adjustable longitudinally of said lever within said space.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus as in claim 1, said lever comprising: two rigid beam members, one size to slide telescopically for a distance within the other.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 2 comprising locking means operable between said two beam members which automatically lock when said lever is adjusted to a predetermined length and prevent said telescoping members from sliding.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 3 comprising release means associated with said locking means that allows an operator to unlock and adjust the length of said lever.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
159 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein one of said rigid beam members is attached at one end to said pivotable post and contains in each end a catch, the second of said beam members being the beam member sized to slide telescopically for a distance within said one beam member, and being the beam member to which the handle is attached, and having mounted within it a latching-piece in the end opposite the end to which the handle is attached, said latching-piece being urged by a spring so that when the length of the lever is adjusted by moving said sliding member and the latching-piece engages either catch in said one beam member, said beam members are automatically locked together and prevented from sliding; and a cable connected to the latching-piece and extending through the sliding member to the vicinity of the handle to allow an operator to pull on and compress the spring to thereby release the latching-piece.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 in which said load-engaging means are attached at a plurality of points on said lever.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus as in claim 2 in which said load-engaging means are attached at a plurality of points on said lever.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus as in claim 6 in which a plurality of supplemental load-engaging means are attached to said load-engaging means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus as in claim 7 in which a plurality of supplemental load-engaging means are attached to said load-engaging means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
13 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 in which said load-engaging means is elevationally adjustable.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
13 words
Apparatus as in claim 2 in which said load-engaging means is elevationally adjustable.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 in which said spaced parallel longitudinal channels are connected at regular intervals by welded-on spacer-plates.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus as in claim 2 in which said spaced parallel longitudinal channels are connected at intervals by welded-on spacer-plates.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
39 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 in which said means attached to serve as a handle is a tubular member that allows the concentric insertion through it of a longer, smaller-diameter element to allow handling by a plurality of workers.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
39 words
Apparatus as in claim 2 in which said means attached to serve as a handle is a tubular member that allows the concentric insertion through it of a longer, smaller-diameter element to allow handling by a plurality of workers.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
44 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 in which said means for engaging a load is demountably attached to said beam with an eye bolt, the shank of the eye bolt passing between the structural channel members and through a mounting plate supported by the beam.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
44 words
Apparatus as in claim 2 in which said means for engaging a load is demountably attached to said beam with an eye bolt, the shank of the eye bolt passing between the structural channel members and through a mounting plate supported by the beam.
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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) | 1991-05-24 | 1991-11-23 | 1992-05-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-05-24 | 1995-11-23 | 1996-05-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-05-24 | 1999-11-23 | 2000-05-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |