Patent Abstract:
A locking conduit lid and method of use that can lock or secure wires inside a conduit such that is would be almost impossible for a would be thief to pull the wires out of the conduit. The locking conduit lid contains a conduit sleeve that is designed to be fixedly attached to the inside of a polyvinylchloride (PVC) pipe, rigid metal pipe, or any other existing pipe or conduit that contains electrical wires. The electrical wires are secured to the conduit sleeve such that they cannot be pulled out of the conduit sleeve. A locking conduit lid prevents access to the wires inside the conduit sleeve thereby preventing theft of the wires.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Technical Field 
     This invention relates to electrical conduits, and more particularly, to a lock for an electrical conduit. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Most if not all of the municipalities in the continental United States have conduits than contain electrical wires. The electrical wires supply power to streetlights, recreational areas, and other areas or devices that require electricity. The conduits can run for miles underground and have above ground access points at places like light poles and ground boxes. 
     Unfortunately, thieves have discovered that the above ground access points have very little protection and that it is relatively easy to use the above ground access points to steal the electrical wire contained in the conduit. Typically, to gain access to the conduit, thieves first break the ground box lid found on most above ground access points. This allows the thief to gain access to and steal thousands of feet of wire contained within the conduit. Once removed, the wire can be sold as scrap copper to metal recyclers. 
     What is needed is a device or method that will lock or secure existing wires inside an existing conduit and pinch the wires in such a way that is would be impossible or nearly impossible for a would be thief to pull the wires out of the conduit. 
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     The present invention solves the above-described problem by providing a locking conduit lid and method of use that can lock or secure existing wires inside a conduit. The wires are secured in such a way that it would be almost impossible for a would be thief to pull the wires out of the conduit. The locking conduit lid contains a conduit sleeve that securely holds the wires extending from the conduit and prevents them from being pulled from the conduit. The conduit sleeve is designed to slip inside an existing polyvinylchloride (PVC) pipe, rigid metal pipe, or any other pipe or conduit that contains electrical wires. In addition, the conduit sleeve is equipped with a means for securing the conduit sleeve to the existing conduit to prevent the locking conduit lid from being pulled out of the conduit. 
     The locking conduit lid contains a conduit sleeve, locking lid, and locking nut. The conduit sleeve can fit inside an existing conduit and is made of a relatively hard material such as ceramic or metal wherein the material is relatively difficult to saw, cut, drill through, or otherwise compromise the structure such that access can be gained to the interior of the conduit sleeve and the wires within the conduit. 
     The conduit sleeve comprises a first sleeve and a second sleeve wherein the first sleeve and second sleeve can be mated or secured together. Once mated together, they form a conduit sleeve such that the existing wires from the conduit are at least partially contained within the conduit sleeve. In one embodiment, when the conduit sleeve is going to be installed in a new conduit instead of an existing conduit, the conduit sleeve may be a single unit instead of a first and second sleeve that are mated together. 
     The conduit sleeve contains a securing means that secures the conduit sleeve in the conduit and helps prevent the locking conduit lid from being pulled out of the conduit by would be thieves. The conduit sleeve securing means may be tines or spring loaded sharp tines that extent up and away from the conduit sleeve, glue or adhesive that is strong enough to secure the conduit sleeve to the conduit, threads such that the conduit sleeve may be threaded into/onto or screwed into/onto the conduit, or other means to secure the conduit sleeve into the conduit and prevent the locking conduit lid from being pulled out of the conduit by would be thieves. 
     The conduit sleeve contains a means for securing the wires from the conduit inside the conduit sleeve such that the wires cannot be pulled or it is relatively difficult to pull the wires out of the conduit. The means for securing the wires include, but is not limited to tying the wires in a knot, screwing the wires securely to the conduit sleeve or the locking conduit lid, clamping the wires to the conduit sleeve or locking conduit lid, inserting the wires in a recess and securing the wires into the recess with a wire bar, or almost any other means that pinches, restricts or secures the wires to the conduit sleeve and prevents them from being pulled out of the conduit yet still allows electricity to flow through the wires. In addition to the conduit sleeve, the locking conduit lid also contains a locking lid, and a lock nut. The locking lid and lock nut prevent would be thieves from tampering with the conduit sleeve and locking conduit lid. 
     To use the locking conduit lid, the first step is to locate an existing conduit with wires extending from the conduit. Next, the diameter and length of the conduit and conduit access point is determined and the desired diameter and length of the conduit sleeve is calculated based on the diameter and length of the conduit and conduit access point. For example, if the conduit access point has about three feet of exposed conduit, then the length of the conduit sleeve would be at least about three feet. Once the proper diameter and length has been determined, a properly sized first sleeve and second sleeve are joined together to form the conduit sleeve such that the existing wires from the conduit are contained in the middle portion of the conduit sleeve. If the locking conduit lid is being installed on a new conduit, the conduit sleeve may not require the mating of the first and second sleeve. 
     After the conduit sleeve is inserted into the existing conduit and secured in place, the wires from the conduit are secured to the conduit sleeve such that it would be relatively difficult for a would be thief to pull the wires from the conduit sleeve. Once the wires are secured to the conduit sleeve, the locking lid is placed on the conduit sleeve and secured to the conduit sleeve with the lock nut. 
     Because the locking conduit lid is secured relatively deep into the conduit and the wires from the conduit are secured to the locking conduit lid, the wires cannot be pulled or otherwise extracted from or it is relatively difficult to pull or otherwise extract the wires from the conduit, thus preventing wire theft. In addition, the locking conduit lid helps prevent wire theft by preventing or deterring attempts to cut, saw, puncture, or otherwise destroy the conduit because the rigid locking conduit lid extends relatively deep into the conduit and thus deters destruction of the conduit. In addition if the conduit is used to supply electricity to a pole, the locking conduit lid prevents the wire from being pulled out of the conduit if an accident forces the pole away from the conduit. Also, the locking conduit lid provides sealing and containment of the wires extending from the conduit, and provides a limited prevention seal from rodents who might chew or otherwise destroy the wire in the conduit. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an isometric view of a rigid member of a locking conduit lid in use in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded diametric view of a conduit sleeve in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is an isometric view of the conduit sleeve in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a flow diagram depicting the steps used in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration, specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized. It is also to be understood that structural, procedural and system changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents. For clarity of exposition, like features shown in the accompanying drawings are indicated with like reference numerals and similar features as shown in alternate embodiments in the drawings are indicated with similar reference numerals. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , shown is locking conduit lid  102 . Locking conduit lid  102  contains conduit sleeve  104 , first wire  112 , second wire  114 , ground wire  116 , locking lid  118 , and locking nut  120 . Conduit sleeve  104  can fit inside conduit  106 . Conduit  106  may be a newly installed conduit or an existing conduit and is a typical conduit as is known in the art. Conduit sleeve  104  is made of a relatively hard material such as ceramic or metal wherein the metal is relatively difficult to saw or drill through, cut, or otherwise compromise the structure such that access can be gained to the interior of conduit sleeve  104 . 
     The length of conduit sleeve  104  depends on the length of conduit  106  that is exposed and is accessible to a would be thief. Conduit sleeve  104  extends a sufficient length inside the exposed portion of conduit  106  such that sawing, drilling, cutting, or otherwise compromising the structure of existing conduit sleeve  104  is relatively difficult and after conduit sleeve  104  has been inserted into conduit  106 , the exposed or vulnerable portion of conduit  106  is protected by conduit sleeve  104 . In one embodiment, the length of conduit sleeve  104  is such that conduit sleeve  104  can be inserted at least about 4 inches into conduit  106 . Conduit sleeve  104  contains first sleeve  108 , and second sleeve  110 . First sleeve  108  and second sleeve  110  can be mated or secured together to form conduit sleeve  104  and are shown in more detail in  FIG. 2 . 
       FIG. 2  is an exploded view of conduit sleeve  104 . Conduit sleeve  104  contains first sleeve  108 , first mating member  202 , second sleeve  110 , second mating member  204 , first wire recess  206   a , second wire recess  206   b , ground wire recess  206   c , secure mounting  208  for ground wire  116 , wire bar  210 , upper secure rest  212  for locking lid  118 , lower secure rest  214  for locking lid  118 , attachment means  216  for locking nut  120 , and conduit sleeve securing means  218 . 
     Prior to conduit sleeve  104  being inserted into conduit  106 , first sleeve  108  and second sleeve  110  can be mated or joined together and then taken apart relatively easily. Once first sleeve  108  and second sleeve  110  are joined together to form conduit sleeve  104  and conduit sleeve  104  is inserted into conduit  106 , it is relatively difficult to separate first sleeve  108  and second sleeve  110 . During installation, first sleeve  108  and second sleeve  110  are mated together with the existing wire in the middle of the mated pair and once mated together, first sleeve  108  and second sleeve  110  form a hollow cylinder such that the existing wire contained in conduit  106  can pass through the center of the of conduit sleeve  104 . The existing wire is show in  FIGS. 1 and 3  as first wire  112 , second wire  114 , and ground wire  116 . The existing wire runs through conduit  106  and conduit sleeve  104 . 
     First sleeve  108  contains extension  220 . Extension  220  is higher than the top of second sleeve  110  and extension  220  contains first wire recess  206   a , second wire recess  206   b , ground wire recess  206   c , secure mounting  208  for ground wire  116 , wire bar  210 , upper secure rest  212  for locking lid  118 , and attachment means  216  for locking nut  120 . First wire recess  206   a  is able to contain at least a portion of first wire  112 . Second wire recess  206   b  is able to contain at least a portion of second wire  114 . Ground wire recess  206   c  is able to contain at least a portion of ground wire  116 . Wire bar  224  extends over each wire recess  206   a ,  206   b , and  206   c  and secures the respective wire in each recess. This prevents first wire  112 , second wire  114 , and ground wire  116  from being pulled out of locking conduit lid  102  and if first wire  112 , second wire  114 , and ground wire  116  are pulled with enough force, they will break off at wire holder  206 . It should be obvious to those skilled in the art that other means may be used to prevent first wire  112 , second wire  114 , and ground wire  116  from being pulled out of locking conduit lid  102 . For example, other means for securing first wire  112 , second wire  114 , and ground wire  116  include, but are not limited to tying the wires in a knot, screwing the wires securely to locking conduit lid  102 , clamping the wires, or almost anything other means that pinches, restricts or secures the wires and prevents them from being pulled out of locking conduit lid  102 . 
     Second sleeve  110  contains second mating member  204  and lower secure rest  214 . Second mating member  204  mates with first mating member  202  such that a hollow cylinder is formed wherein the hollow cylinder can surround and contain first wire  112 , second wire  114 , and ground wire  116  from conduit  106 . First mating member  202  and second mating member  204  may have a mating profile such as that shown in  FIG. 2 , or any other profile that would allow first sleeve  108  and second sleeve  110  to form a hollow cylinder wherein the hollow cylinder can surround and contain the existing wire from conduit  106 .  FIG. 3  shows first sleeve  108  joined to second sleeve  110  forming conduit sleeve  104  and first wire  112 , second wire  114 , and ground wire  116  secured to conduit sleeve  104 . In one embodiment, first sleeve  108  and second sleeve  110  do not have a mating profile but are glued or clamped together. In another embodiment, a slit in conduit sleeve  104  or small slit in sleeve conduit sleeve  104  is used to assist the insertion of the wires and contain the existing wires in conduit  106 . The slit may be used when there is an existing conduit in place. 
     The above described invention is designed to fit inside an existing conduit. If the present invention is to be installed in a new conduit, then there may not be a first sleeve  108  and second sleeve  110  or first sleeve  108  and second sleeve  110  may be pre-joined. Then, if the conduit is new, locking conduit lid  102  is inserted into conduit  106  before first wire  112 , second wire  114 , and ground wire  116  are ran through conduit  106 . After the wires are run through conduit  106 , they are secured to locking conduit lid  102  as described above. 
     After first sleeve  108  and second sleeve  110  are mated together, upper secure rest  212  and lower secure rest  214  support locking lid  118 .  FIG. 1  shows first sleeve  108  mated to second sleeve  110  and upper secure rest  212  and lower secure rest  214  supporting locking lid  118 . After supporting locking lid  118  is supported on upper secure rest  212  and lower secure rest  214 , locking nut  120  is inserted through locking lid  118  and into attachment means  216 . 
     Attachment means  216  may be threaded such that locking nut  120  is threaded into attachment means  216  for a secure attachment. Locking nut  120  may be a one way nut such that once locking nut  120  is secured to attachment means  216  it is relatively difficult to remove thus securing locking lid  118  to conduit sleeve  104  and preventing would be thieves from tampering with pinch wire holder  206 . In another embodiment, instead of locking nut  120 , a locking means is used such that only an authorized user can access and use the locking means. For example, the locking means may include but is not limited to a mechanical lock, electro-mechanical lock, combination lock, or some other type of locking means that would prevent access to the means for securing the wires to locking conduit lid  102 . 
     When locking conduit lid  102  is inserted into conduit  106 , conduit sleeve securing means  218  prevents locking conduit lid  102  from being pulled out of conduit  106  by would be thieves. Conduit sleeve securing means  218  may be tines, spring loaded sharp tines that extent up and away from conduit sleeve  104 . In another embodiment, conduit sleeve securing means  218  may be glue or adhesive that is strong enough to secure locking conduit lid  102  to conduit  106 . In yet another embodiment, securing means  218  may be threads such that locking conduit lid  102  may be threaded into/onto or screwed into/onto conduit  106 . 
     If locking conduit lid  102  is to provide an extension of conduit  106 , then locking conduit lid  102  may be threaded or screwed onto the outside of conduit  106 . The extension created by locking conduit lid  102  is from a non-vulnerable location into a vulnerable location and would be used to facilitate easier access to the wire inside conduit  106  for maintenance purposed. By using locking conduit lid  102  as an extension, conduit  106  can remain in the relatively safe non-vulnerable location while locking conduit lid  102  extends into the vulnerable location and provides the necessary protection for the wire inside conduit  106 . It should be obvious to those skilled in the art that other means exist to secure locking conduit lid  102  in conduit  106  and prevent locking conduit lid  102  from being pulled out of conduit  106  by would be thieves. 
     To use locking conduit lid  102 , the first step, as shown in  FIG. 4 , is to locate conduit  106 , Step  402 . Conduit  106  may be an existing conduit or a new conduit. Next, the diameter and exposed length of conduit  106  is determined, Step  404  and the desired diameter and length of locking conduit lid  102  is calculated based on the desired level of protection, Step  406 . The desired diameter of locking conduit lid  102  is such that locking conduit lid  102  can be relatively easily secured inside conduit  106 . The desired length of locking conduit lid  102  is such that once locking conduit lid  102  is inserted into conduit  106 , it is relatively difficult to saw, drill, cut, or otherwise compromising the structure of conduit  106  and/or locking conduit lid  102  and access the wires in conduit  106 . 
     Once the proper diameter and length has been determined, a properly sized first sleeve  108  and second sleeve  110  are joined together to form conduit sleeve  104  such that the existing wires from conduit  106  are contained in the middle portion of conduit sleeve  104 , Step  408 . Next, conduit sleeve  104  is inserted into conduit  106  and secured in place, Step  410 . Then, the wires from conduit  106  are secured to conduit sleeve  104  such that it would be relatively difficult for a would be thief to pull the wires from conduit sleeve  104 , Step  412 . Once conduit sleeve  104  is secured into conduit  106  and the wires are secured to conduit sleeve  104 , locking lid is placed on conduit sleeve  104  and secured to conduit sleeve  104  with locking nut  120 , Step  414 . 
     Because locking conduit lid  102  is secured relatively deep into conduit  106  and the wires from conduit  106  are secured to locking conduit lid  102  such that they cannot be pulled from conduit  106 , locking conduit lid  102  helps prevent wire theft by preventing or deterring cutting of conduit. In addition if the conduit is used to supply electricity to a pole, the locking conduit lid prevents the wire from being pulled out of the conduit if an accident forces the pole away from the conduit. Also, the locking conduit lid provides sealing and containment of the wires extending from conduit  106 , and provides a limited prevention seal from rodents who might chew or otherwise destroy the wire in the conduit. 
     It should be understood that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 8