Access-Hole Cover for Support Structures

Abstract

An access-hole cover for support structures, such as light poles, highway sign supports and other structures that have access holes providing access to the interior of the structure. The access-hole cover prevents or reduces water and other foreign objects from entering the interior of the structure, which can cause deterioration of the structure and components therein.

1 . A cover assembly for an access hole on a support structure, the cover assembly comprising:
 a. a body having a resilient camber which allows the cover to fit curved and flat access hole openings;   b. a resilient material on a back side of the body to form a seal between the support structure and the cover; and   c. a fastening mechanism to secure the cover over the access hole.   
     
     
         2 . The cover assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the cover defines at least one aperture to receive a bolt to secure the cover to the support structure. 
     
     
         3 . The cover assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the body has a top point and two sloped edges extending from the top point to facilitate water running down the sloped edges of the cover. 
     
     
         4 . The cover assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the body has a first portion, a second portion and a third portion;
 a. the first portion providing a resilient camber to the body;   b. the second portion being made of a flexible impervious material; and   c. the third portion being made of a material capable of providing a seal between the support structure and the cover.   
     
     
         5 . The cover assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the first portion is made of a spring metal. 
     
     
         6 . The cover assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the second portion is made of metal. 
     
     
         7 . The cover assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the third portion is made of a rubber material. 
     
     
         8 . The cover assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the cover includes an insert for securing the cover to the support structure over the access hole. 
     
     
         9 . The cover assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the cover includes a sensor and a display to indicate the presence of moisture or corrosion on the inside of the support structure. 
     
     
         10 . The cover assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the cover includes a desiccant to reduce moisture in an interior of the support structure. 
     
     
         11 . A cover assembly to cover an aperture on a structure, the cover assembly comprising:
 a. a body having a resilient camber configured such that, when the cover is secured to the structure over an access opening, the cover generally bends to a shape of the structure;   b. a resilient material on a back side of the body to form a seal between the structure and the cover; and   c. a fastening mechanism to secure the cover over the access opening.   
     
     
         12 . The cover assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the camber is generally more severe than the shape of the structure to which it is secured. 
     
     
         13 . The cover assembly of  claim 11  wherein the body includes a first portion, a second portion and a third portion;
 a. the first portion is made of at least one band that provides the body with a resilient camber; 
 b. the second portion is made of an impervious solid material; 
 c. the third portion is made of a resilient material that can form a seal between the cover and the support structure. 
 
     
     
         14 . The cover assembly of  claim 13  wherein the first portion is made of a spring metal. 
     
     
         15 . The cover assembly of  claim 13  wherein the second portion is made of metal. 
     
     
         16 . The cover assembly of  claim 13  wherein the third portion is made of a rubber material. 
     
     
         17 . The cover assembly of  claim 11  wherein the cover includes an insert for securing the cover to the support structure over the access hole. 
     
     
         18 . The cover assembly of  claim 11  wherein the cover includes a sensor and a device to indicate, without removing the cover, the presence of moisture or corrosion on the inside of the support structure. 
     
     
         19 . The cover assembly of  claim 11  wherein the cover includes a desiccant to reduce moisture in the interior of the support structure. 
     
     
         20 . A cover assembly to cover an aperture on a structure comprising:
 a. a body having a resilient camber which allows the cover to fit curved and flat openings such that when the cover is secured to the structure over the aperture it generally bends to the shape of the structure it is covering;   b. the body having at least two portions, the first portion made of resilient metal and providing the resilient camber to the cover, the second portion made of a rubber material to form a seal between the cover and a support structure;   c. a fastening mechanism to secure the cover over the access hole;   The fastening mechanism including an insert that fits in the interior of the support structure; the insert further including a threaded aperture to receive a bolt placed through the cover which secures the insert to the inner wall of the structure and the cover to the exterior of the structure.