Christian T Nelson

US Patent:

6354325, Mar 12, 2002

Filed:

Jan 31, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/773395

Inventors:

Kenneth F. Warnes - Vancouver WA
Christian O. Nelson - Hillsboro OR
Frank M. McElheran - Portland OR
Lance S. Landis - West Linn OR
Thane J. Landis - Portland OR
William R. Huseby - Vancouver WA
John Barker - Vancouver WA
Matthew S. Cameron - Portland OR

Assignee:

3 Dimensional Contracting, Inc. - Portland OR

International Classification:

F16L 500

US Classification:

137367, 137369, 137370

Abstract:

A valve cover for enclosing an underground area surrounding the actuating mechanism of a flow control valve. The valve cover includes a body having a structure configured to position the valve cover in a desired orientation relative to the flow control valve. This positioning structure may be at least partially elastomeric, and configured to resiliently deform and urge against the flow control valve when the valve cover body is placed over the valve actuating mechanism. This maintains the valve cover body seated in a centered, leveled orientation relative to the valve actuating mechanism. The positioning structure may also be formed as a spacer configured to contact the valve actuating mechanism itself and space the actuating mechanism from the valve cover body. The valve cover body is configured so that, when it is installed, a valve tool may be freely inserted into the enclosed underground area and operatively engaged with the valve actuating mechanism.