Patent ID: 6123365
Filing Date: 2000-09-26
Classification: B67D,F16L

Abstract:
In combination with an at least partially underground container having a wall with an access opening, and an entry fitting disposed within the access opening for sealing the access opening and receiving a pipe passing through the wall, a structure for providing an access space external to the wall about a portion of the pipe and an end of the entry fitting, comprising:a) a shield, the shield having a first end and a second end spaced from the first end, the shield defining an internal access space intermediate the first and second ends, the access space being disposed about an axial portion of the pipe, and having a diametral dimension larger than a corresponding diametral dimension of the entry fitting and an axial dimension sufficient to allow displacement of a portion of the entry fitting into the access space;b) the first end of the shield circumscribing the access opening, and being in proximity to the wall so as to inhibit the flow of backfill material between the shield and the wall, and into the access space, the second end of the shield circumscribing the pipe so as to inhibit the flow of backfill between the shield and the pipe, and into the access space; andc) the shield being removably fixed with respect to the pipe so as to selectively prevent relative axial displacement between the pipe and the shield, and to secure the position of the shield relative to the wall.