Patent ID: 9032989
Filing Date: 2015-05-19
Classification: E02D,E03B,G01F,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A pit liner comprising: a tubular structure having an upper tubular section and a lower tubular section, wherein the upper tubular section and the lower tubular section are slideably connected in a telescoping relationship, wherein when the tubular structure is installed within the earth, a top edge of the upper tubular section is configured near ground level and above a top edge of the lower tubular section, and wherein the lower tubular section defines one or more apertures extending through a wall of the lower tubular section; a platform disposed within the tubular structure to support a surface accessible device, wherein the lower tubular section defines a ledge extending radially inwardly to support the platform at a lower position; a latch slideably mounted on the platform, wherein the latch is configured to support the platform at an upper position at the top edge of the upper tubular section; a first section of flexible tubing connected at one end to an underground pipeline through the one or more apertures in the wall of the lower tubular section and connected at its other end to the surface accessible device; a second section of flexible tubing connected at one end to the underground pipeline through the one or more apertures in the wall of the lower tubular section and connected at its other end to the surface accessible device, wherein the first and second sections of flexible tubing allow movement of the platform and surface accessible device between the lower position within the tubular structure and the upper position; and a locking mechanism that, when in a locked configuration, selectively discourages relative axial movement in at least one direction between the upper tubular section and the lower tubular section and, when in an unlocked configuration, allows height adjustments of the tubular structure by selectively permitting the upper tubular section to slide relative to the lower tubular section such that the top edge of the upper tubular section can be positioned proximate the ground level; wherein a plurality of radial apertures are defined through the entire thickness of the wall of the lower tubular section and a wall of the upper tubular section such that a height of the pit liner is adjustable by relative reciprocation of the upper tubular section and the lower tubular section and such that the height of the pit liner is selectable by a pin extending through at least one radial aperture of the plurality of radial apertures defined in an axially spaced arrangement in each of the upper tubular section and the lower tubular section, wherein the pin is disconnected from the upper tubular section and the lower tubular section when selectable adjustments are made to the height of the pit liner.