Lid stabilizing apparatus

Abstract

The lid stabilizing apparatus is principally directed to a structure which will resist a force on a lid which will tend to dislodge the lid from the structure which it covers. Of particular interest is the lid covering municipal water valve structures where such lids are repeatedly struck by vehicular traffic and are dislodged and thrown into the street. The downwardly extending rod with stabilizing and, where desired, n-stabilizing disks, will be in friction or near friction contact with the pipe which is upwardly directed from a valve accessed from the street surface. This friction or near friction contact will resist the dislodging of the valve lid.

1 . A lid stabilizing apparatus ( 1 ) comprising:
 a. at least one elongated rod ( 100 ) having a first end ( 110 ) and a second end ( 120 ); the at least one elongated rod ( 100 ) generally rigid and composed of metals, plastics, carbon fiber materials or other rigid materials;   b. a lid ( 200 ) having a top side ( 210 ) and a bottom side ( 220 ); a lid aperture ( 250 ), centrally positioned from the top side ( 210 ) to the bottom side ( 220 ); the at lest one elongated rod ( 100 ) received at the first end ( 110 ) by the lid aperture ( 250 ) at the top side ( 210 ) or the bottom side ( 220 ) and affixed to the lid ( 200 ) by lid-rod affixing means ( 230 ) to immovably interconnect the lid ( 200 ) and the rod ( 100 ); the lid ( 200 ) has a major diameter ( 240 ) and is generally circular; the lid ( 200 ) generally planar and formed of rigid materials including metals, plastics, carbon fiber materials or other rigid materials;   c. a lid sealing ring ( 290 ) having a lid sealing ring major diameter ( 295 ) is generally circular and downwardly extends from the lid bottom side ( 220 ); the lid sealing ring ( 290 ) is centrally positioned relative to the lid aperture ( 250 ); the lid sealing ring major diameter ( 295 ) is aligned with the lid major diameter ( 240 ) and has a lid sealing ring major diameter length D 6  ( 297 ) which is less than the lid major diameter length D 1  ( 247 );   d. a lid first sealing ring ( 260 ) having a first sealing ring major diameter ( 265 ) is generally circular and downwardly extends from the lid bottom side ( 220 ); the lid first sealing ring ( 260 ) centrally positioned relative to the lid aperture ( 250 ); the first sealing ring major diameter ( 265 ) aligned with the lid major diameter ( 240 ); the lid first sealing ring major diameter ( 260 ) has a first sealing ring major diameter length D 2  ( 267 ) which is less than the lid sealing ring major diameter length D 6  ( 297 );   e. a lid second sealing ring ( 280 ) having a second sealing ring major diameter ( 285 ) is generally circular and downwardly extends from the lid bottom side ( 220 ); the lid second sealing ring ( 280 ) centrally positioned relative to the lid aperture ( 250 ); the second sealing ring major diameter ( 285 ) aligned with the lid major diameter ( 240 ); the second sealing ring major diameter ( 285 ) has a second sealing ring major diameter length D 3  ( 287 ) which is less than the first sealing ring major diameter length D 2  ( 267 );   f. a lid first annulus ( 275 ) is formed between the lid sealing ring ( 290 ) and the lid first sealing ring ( 260 ); a lid annulus ( 270 ) is formed between the lid first sealing ring ( 260 ) and the lid second sealing ring ( 280 ); lid sealing ring ( 290 ), lid first sealing ring ( 260 ) and lid second sealing ring ( 280 ) are generally formed from a machining, molding or casting process from metals, plastics, carbon fiber materials or other rigid materials;   g. at least one stabilizing disk ( 300 ) having a stabilizing disk top side ( 310 ) and a stabilizing disk bottom side ( 320 ); a stabilizing disk aperture ( 350 ) centrally positioned from the stabilizing disk top side ( 310 ) to the stabilizing disk bottom side ( 320 ); the at lest one elongated rod ( 100 ) received at the second end ( 120 ) by the stabilizing disk aperture ( 350 ) at the top side ( 320 ) and immovably affixed to the at least one stabilizing disk ( 300 ) by stabilizing disk-rod affixing means ( 330 ); the at least one stabilizing disk ( 300 ), at the bottom side ( 320 ), is beveled, with a stabilizing disk-bevel ( 335 ) most distal from the stabilizing disk aperture ( 350 ); the at least one stabilizing disk ( 300 ) has a stabilizing disk major diameter ( 340 ) and is generally circular; the stabilizing disk major diameter ( 340 ) has a stabilizing disk major diameter length D 4  ( 347 ) which is less than the lid major diameter length D 1  ( 247 ) and generally less than the first sealing ring major diameter length D 2  ( 347 );   h. at least one n-stabilizing disk ( 400 ) having a n-stabilizing disk top side ( 410 ) and a n-stabilizing disk bottom side ( 420 ); the n-stabilizing disk ( 400 ) having a n-stabilizing disk major diameter( 440 ) which has a n-stabilizing disk major diameter length D 5  ( 447 ) which is generally equal to the length of the stabilizing disk major diameter length D 4  ( 347 ); a n-stabilizing disk aperture ( 450 ) from the n-stabilizing disk top side ( 410 ) to the n-stabilizing disk bottom side ( 420 ); n-stabilizing disk spacing ( 460 ) between the stabilizing disk bottom ( 320 ) and the n-stabilizing disk top ( 410 ); n-stabilizing disk-rod affixing means ( 430 ) immovably affixing the n-stabilizing disk ( 400 ) and the rod ( 100 ) may be by a nut ( 430 ) received by rod threads ( 130 ) at the n-stabilizing disk top side ( 410 ) and a nut ( 430 ) received by rod threads ( 130 ) at the n-stabilizing disk bottom side ( 420 ); the at least one stabilizing disk ( 300 ) and the at least one n-stabilizing disk ( 400 ) generally planar and formed from rigid materials including metals, plastics, carbon fiber materials and other rigid and semi-rigid materials including rubber impregnated cork and poly-foams such as polyurethane;   I. the at least one elongated rod ( 100 ) extending outwardly from the lid bottom side ( 220 ) and immovably affixed, by lid-rod affixing means, at or proximal to the second end ( 120 ) to the at least one stabilizing disk ( 300 ); the at least one elongated rod ( 100 ) generally orthogonal to the lid ( 200 ) and generally orthogonal to the at least one stabilizing disk ( 300 );   j. the lid ( 200 ) having a lid-rod affixing means ( 230 ) to immovably affix the lid ( 200 ) and the rod ( 100 ); the lid-rod affixing means ( 230 ) generally centrally positioned relative to the lid top side ( 210 ) and the lid bottom side ( 220 ); the lid-rod affixing means ( 230 ) including a centrally positioned lid aperture ( 250 ) from the top side ( 210 ) to the bottom side ( 220 ); the lid aperture ( 250 ) may be threaded to receive the rod ( 100 ) having threads ( 130 ); the rod ( 100 ) at the first end ( 110 ) sized to pass through the lid aperture ( 250 ) to be secured by a lid nut ( 230 ) at the lid top side ( 210 ) and a lid nut ( 230 ) at the lid bottom side ( 220 ); alternatively the elongated rod ( 100 ) may be welded, glued or other affixed by immovable affixing means to the lid ( 200 ) to prevent movement between the rod ( 100 ) and the lid ( 200 ),   k. the at least one stabilizing disk having a stabilizing disk bevel ( 335 ) at the stabilizing disk top ( 310 ) and or stabilizing disk bottom ( 320 ) distal from the stabilizing disk aperture ( 350 ); the at least one n-stabilizing disk having a stabilizing disk bevel ( 435 ) at the n-stabilizing disk top ( 410 ) and or n-stabilizing disk bottom ( 420 ) distal from the n-stabilizing disk aperture ( 450 );   l. the lid ( 200 ) at the lid bottom side ( 220 ) sized to cover a valve housing ( 500 ).   
   
   
       2 . A lid stabilizing apparatus ( 1 ) comprising:
 a. at least one elongated rod ( 100 ) having a first end ( 110 ) and a second end ( 120 );   b. a lid ( 200 ) having a top side ( 210 ), a bottom side ( 220 ); the at least one elongated rod ( 100 ) is immovably affixed centrally to the lid ( 200 ), by lid-rod affixing means ( 230 ), at the lid bottom ( 220 ); the lid ( 200 ) is generally circular and has a major diameter ( 240 ); the rod ( 100 ) extends outwardly from the bottom side ( 220 );   c. an at least one stabilizing disk ( 300 ) has a stabilizing disk top side ( 310 ) and a stabilizing disk bottom side ( 320 ); the at least one elongated rod ( 100 ) is immovably affixed at or proximal to the second end ( 120 ) to the stabilizing disk ( 300 ) at the top side ( 310 ) and or at the top side ( 310 ) and the bottom side ( 320 ) by stabilizing disk-rod affixing means ( 330 ); the at least one stabilizing disk ( 300 ) is distal to the lid ( 200 ); the at least one stabilizing disk ( 300 ) has a stabilizing disk major diameter ( 340 ) and is generally circular; the stabilizing disk major diameter ( 340 ) has a stabilizing disk major diameter length D 4  ( 347 ) which is less than the a lid major diameter length D 1  ( 247 ).   
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 2  further comprising:
 a. a lid aperture ( 250 ), centrally positioned from the top side ( 210 ) to the bottom side ( 220 ); the at lest one elongated rod ( 100 ) received at the first end ( 110 ) by the lid aperture ( 250 ) at the top side ( 210 ) or the bottom side ( 220 ) and affixed to the lid ( 200 ) by lid-rod affixing means ( 230 ) to immovably interconnect the lid ( 200 ) and the rod ( 100 ); the at least one elongated rod ( 100 ) is generally rigid and composed of metals, plastics, composites or other rigid materials;   b. the lid ( 200 ) is generally planar and formed of rigid materials including metals, plastics, carbon fiber materials or other rigid materials;   c. the stabilizing disk ( 300 ) has a stabilizing disk aperture ( 350 ) centrally positioned from the stabilizing disk top side ( 310 ) to the stabilizing disk bottom side ( 320 ); the rod ( 100 ) is received at the second end ( 120 ) by the stabilizing disk aperture ( 350 ) at the stabilizing disk top side ( 310 ) and or bottom side ( 320 );   d. at least one n-stabilizing disk ( 400 ) has a n-stabilizing disk top side ( 410 ) and a n-stabilizing disk bottom side ( 420 ); the at lest one elongated rod ( 100 ), extending outwardly from the at least one stabilizing disk bottom ( 320 ), is immovably affixed by n-stabilizing disk-rod affixing means ( 430 ) at or proximal to the second end ( 120 ) to the n-stabilizing disk ( 400 ) at the top side ( 420 );   e. the n-stabilizing disk ( 400 ) has a n-stabilizing disk major diameter( 440 ) which has a n-stabilizing disk major diameter length D 5  ( 447 ) which is generally equal to the length of the stabilizing disk major diameter length D 4  ( 347 ).   f. the lid ( 200 ) at the lid bottom side ( 220 ) and lid major diameter length D 1  ( 247 ) is sized to cover a valve box or housing ( 500 ); the stabilizing disk ( 300 ) and at least one n-stabilizing disk ( 400 ) are sized to be received into a valve box ( 500 ).   
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 3  further comprising:
 a. the at least one elongated rod ( 100 ) is generally orthogonal to the lid ( 200 ) and generally orthogonal to the at least one stabilizing disk ( 300 ) and to the at least one n-stabilizing disk ( 400 );   b. the lid aperture ( 250 ) may be threaded to receive the rod ( 100 ) having threads ( 130 ); the rod ( 100 ) at the first end ( 110 ) is sized to pass through the lid aperture ( 250 ) to be secured by lid-rod affixing means ( 230 ) including by a lid nut ( 230 ) at the lid top side ( 210 ) and a lid nut ( 230 ) at the lid bottom side ( 220 ); alternatively the elongated rod ( 100 ) may be welded, glued or other affixed by immovable affixing means to the lid ( 200 ) to prevent movement between the rod ( 100 ) and the lid ( 200 );   c. the at least one stabilizing disk ( 300 ), at the top side ( 310 ) and or the bottom side ( 320 ), is beveled with a stabilizing disk-bevel ( 335 ) most distal from the stabilizing disk aperture ( 350 ); the at least one stabilizing disk ( 300 ) has a stabilizing disk major diameter ( 340 ) and is generally circular; the stabilizing disk major diameter ( 340 ) has a stabilizing disk major diameter length D 4  ( 347 ) which is less than the lid major diameter length D 1  ( 247 ) and generally less than the first sealing ring major diameter length D 2  ( 347 );   d. the at lest one elongated rod ( 100 ), extending outwardly from the at least one stabilizing disk bottom ( 320 ), is received by an n-stabilizing disk aperture ( 450 ) and immovably affixed by n-stabilizing disk affixing means ( 430 ) at or proximal to the second end ( 120 ) at the n-stabilizing disk top side ( 420 ); a n-stabilizing disk spacing ( 460 ) between the stabilizing disk bottom ( 320 ) and the n-stabilizing disk top ( 410 );   e. the at least one stabilizing disk ( 300 ) and the at least one n-stabilizing disk ( 400 ) are generally planar and circular and formed from rigid materials including metals, plastics, carbon fiber materials and other rigid and alternatively formed from semi-rigid materials including rubber impregnated cork and poly-foams such as polyurethane;   f. at least one lid sealing ring ( 290 ) having a lid sealing ring major diameter ( 295 ) downwardly extends from the lid bottom side ( 220 ); the lid sealing ring ( 290 ) is centrally positioned relative to the lid aperture ( 250 ); the lid sealing ring major diameter ( 295 ) is aligned with the lid major diameter ( 240 ) and has a lid sealing ring major diameter length D 6  ( 297 ) which is less than the lid major diameter length D 1  ( 247 );   g. the at least one stabilizing disk ( 300 ) and the at least one n-stabilizing disk ( 400 ) sized to provide a friction or near friction engagement with a valve box ( 500 ).   
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 4  further comprising:
 a. the n-stabilizing disk-rod affixing means ( 430 ) immovably affixes the n-stabilizing disk ( 400 ) and the rod ( 100 ) which may be by a nut ( 430 ) received by rod threads ( 130 ) at the n-stabilizing disk top side ( 410 ) and a nut ( 430 ) received by rod threads ( 130 ) at the n-stabilizing disk bottom side ( 420 );   b. the at least one n-stabilizing disk may have a stabilizing disk bevel ( 435 ) at the n-stabilizing disk top ( 410 ) and or n-stabilizing disk bottom ( 420 ) distal from the n-stabilizing disk aperture ( 450 ); the n-stabilizing disk bevel ( 435 ) functions to lessen the difficulty in extracting the Lid Stabilizing Apparatus ( 1 ) from a valve box ( 500 ) in order to gain access to a valve or other structure;   c. the n-stabilizing disk spacing ( 460 ) between the stabilizing disk bottom ( 320 ) and the n-stabilizing disk top ( 410 ) is in the range of a distance equal to the major diameter of the valve box ( 567 ) to a distance of zero inches ( 0 . 0 ”);   d. a lid first sealing ring ( 260 ) having a first sealing ring major diameter ( 265 ) downwardly extends from the lid bottom side ( 220 ); the lid first sealing ring ( 260 ) is centrally positioned relative to the lid aperture ( 250 ); the first sealing ring major diameter ( 265 ) aligned with the lid major diameter ( 240 ) and the lid first sealing ring major diameter ( 260 ) has a first sealing ring major diameter length D 2  ( 267 ) which is less than the lid sealing ring major diameter length D 6  ( 297 );   e. a lid second sealing ring ( 280 ) has a second sealing ring major diameter and downwardly extends from the lid bottom side ( 220 ); the lid second sealing ring ( 280 ) centrally positioned relative to the lid aperture ( 250 ); the second sealing ring major diameter ( 285 ) aligned with the lid major diameter ( 240 ) and the second sealing ring major diameter ( 285 ) has a second sealing ring major diameter length D 3  ( 287 ) which is less than the first sealing ring major diameter length D 2  ( 267 ); a lid first annulus ( 275 ) is formed between the lid sealing ring ( 290 ) and the lid first sealing ring ( 260 ); a lid annulus ( 270 ) is formed between the lid first sealing ring ( 260 ) and the lid second sealing ring ( 280 ); the lid sealing ring ( 290 ), lid first sealing ring ( 260 ) and lid second sealing ring ( 280 ) are generally formed from a machining, molding or casting process from metals, plastics, carbon fiber materials or other rigid materials;   f. the lid sealing ring ( 290 ), the lid first sealing ring ( 260 ) and the lid second sealing ring ( 280 ) are generally circular.