Patent Abstract:
A well casing security device and method. The security device includes a cover including a sidewall, a top, one or more stabilizers, and a means for attaching the cover to a well casing or to its concrete slab to render it vandal-resistant. A locking support ring is provided for attachment to either the well casing or to the concrete slab surrounding the casing. The locking support ring includes a ring body with a plurality of braces. Each of the braces includes an arm defining a slot between the arm and the ring body. The cover includes a plurality of brackets enabling rotational engagement cover with the locking support ring. Locking means are provided on the cover to lock the cover to the locking support ring. The locking means includes a key operated lock that is tamper resistant and insures that the well casing cannot be accessed easily by an intruder.

Full Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    This invention relates to security of wells, and specifically to a device and method for providing security to a well casing. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Many people rely on wells, both privately owned and publically owned and managed, for providing their water supply, including drinking water, water for washing, and other needs. Well sources for public water utilities are continually relied upon to provide millions of customers with safe potable drinking water. The water wells are characterized by well casings that extend from the earth, sometimes with a concrete well cover at the ground surface. The well casing typically is constructed of steel, extends from t deep in the well bore, and terminates above the ground surface. 
         [0003]    Unfortunately, conventional water wells are easily accessible and may be located in remote areas that are not routinely monitored. The wells and their precious water supply are thus easily susceptible to vandalism or terrorism. The vandalism may range from neighborhood children dropping rocks or other items into the well to dangerous and terroristic acts such as purposeful poisoning of the well with chemical or radioactive substances. Some well owners, especially public water utilities may go to the expense of erecting a fence around the well, but fences can be easily climbed, cut, or otherwise compromised. Although a padlock can be used to limit access to a well casing, it is simple for a person to remove the padlock by using bolt cutters, metal saws, or a hammer. In fact, most well casing caps are cast metal, held on by easily removing set screws. These caps are easily removed or shattered. 
         [0004]    Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a device and method to protect a well casing, in order to insure a safe and uncontaminated water supply to those millions of people depending on water from wells who unwittingly think their water supply is safe. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    The invention is a well casing security device and method. The security device includes a cover, and a locking support ring which provides a means for attaching the cover to a well casing or to its concrete slab to render it much more vandal-resistant. The top surface of the locking support ring includes a plurality of braces. Each of the braces includes an arm defining a slot between the arm and the support base. The cover includes a plurality of brackets for engaging the locking support ring. The brackets of the cover and braces of the locking support ring enable rotational engagement of the brackets with the locking support ring. A first embodiment of the well casing security device enables attachment of a secure cover to the well casing at a point above ground level. A second embodiment enables attachment of the well casing security device to the concrete base surrounding a well casing. Locking means are provided on the cover to lock the cover to the locking support ring that is attached to the well casing or its concrete slab. The locking means includes a key operated lock that is resistant to tampering and insures that the well casing cannot be accessed without substantial effort and reconcilable disruption by an intruder. Shielding means are provided on the cover to prevent easy removal of the lock. Stabilizers mounted on the cover or the locking ring stabilize the cover with respect to the well casing. The device provides a level of security for wells to protect the critically important safety and reliability of the water they supply. The device can be easily installed on existing wells where the well casing extends above grade and the well has a pitless adaptor. 
       OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES 
       [0006]    A first object of the invention is to provide a well casing security device to prevent unauthorized access to a well casing. 
         [0007]    A second object of the invention is to provide a well casing security device that can be easily adapted to cover a conventional well casing in order to provide security by limiting access to the well casing. 
         [0008]    A further object of the invention is to provide a lockable well casing security device that may be easily removed from a well casing by an authorized operator. 
         [0009]    Another object of the invention is to provide a secure cover for a well casing that is sturdy and not easily broken off its connection to the well casing or easily removed with ordinary hand tools. 
         [0010]    A further object of the invention is to provide a well casing security device enables authorized access via a lock and complimentary key. 
         [0011]    Another object of the invention is to provide a well casing security device that includes features for preventing easy removal of the device or its lock by an unauthorized individual. 
         [0012]    These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be better understood by reading the following description along with reference to the drawings. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]      FIG. 1  is a side view of a first embodiment of a well casing security device according to the present invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  is an isometric view the cover portion of the well casing security device of  FIG. 1 , with a portion of the cover cut away. 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  is a plan view of the top surface of a locking support ring that forms a portion of the well casing security device in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  is a plan view of the bottom surface of the locking support ring. 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  is a side view of the locking support ring depicting a brace. 
           [0018]      FIG. 6  is a side view of the locking support ring depicting a key guard. 
           [0019]      FIG. 7  is a sectional view of the well casing security device taken along line  7 - 7  of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0020]      FIG. 8  is a plan view of the top surface of a locking support ring for a second embodiment of the well casing security device. 
           [0021]      FIG. 9  is an isometric view the cover portion of the second embodiment of the well casing security device. 
           [0022]      FIG. 10  is a side view of the cover depicted in  FIG. 9 . 
           [0023]      FIG. 10A  is a sectional view taken along line  10 A- 10 A in  FIG. 10 . 
           [0024]      FIG. 11  is a side view of the cover rotated 90 degrees from the view shown in  FIG. 10 . 
           [0025]      FIG. 12  is an end view of a plug that forms a portion of the embodiment of the well casing security device depicted in  FIG. 9 . 
           [0026]      FIG. 13  is a side view of the plug. 
           [0027]      FIG. 14  is a side view of a plug removal tool according to the present invention. 
           [0028]      FIG. 15  is an end view of the plug removal tool as viewed from the bottom side of  FIG. 14 . 
           [0029]      FIG. 16  is a sectional view of the well casing security device taken along line  16 - 16  of  FIG. 11 . 
           [0030]      FIG. 17  is an isometric view of the second embodiment of the well casing security device with the cover secured to the locking support ring. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0031]    With reference to  FIG. 7  there is shown a well casing security device  20  including a locking support ring  22  and a cover  24  for guarding against unauthorized access to the well casing  26 . The locking support ring  22  includes a ring body  28  having a top surface  30 , a bottom surface  32 . The cover  24  includes a top  34  and a sidewall  36  with an inner surface  37 . 
         [0032]    Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the locking ring  22  further includes an opening  38  to accommodate the well casing  26  (see  FIG. 7 ), a plurality of braces  40  extending from the top surface  30  of the ring body  28 , and a plurality of positioning brackets  42  extending from the bottom surface  32  of the ring body  28 . The braces  40  include a leading end  44  having an arcuate shaped slot to the engage the brackets on the interior of the cover  24  (see  FIG. 2 ). The cover is of a radius to tightly slide over the outer radius of the ring body  28 . Each brace  40  further includes a casing engagement portion  46  and a stiffening portion  48 . The casing engagement portions  46  extend to the periphery  49  of the ring opening  38 . The opening  38  of the ring  22  is sized slightly larger than the outer diameter of the well casing which it will be used in conjunction with, thus the casing engagement portions  46  of the ring will be positioned substantially against the well casing when it is fitted thereto. Ring body  28  further includes a notch  47  therein in the inner periphery  49  of the ring. This notch is provided to accommodate the electrical conduit to supply power to the well pump. 
         [0033]    With reference to  FIG. 5 , a locking screw  50  is threaded within each brace  40  at the casing engagement portion  46 . Cover engagement portion  44  of brace  40  includes an undercut  52  that forms a slot  54  between cover engagement portion and ring body  20  at the leading end  43  of each brace  40 . Each positioning bracket  42  on the bottom surface  32  of the ring body  28  includes a set screw  56  threaded into an aperture  58  in the positioning bracket. The slot  54  forms a portion of a locking means  60  for securing the cover to the locking ring  22 . 
         [0034]    As shown in  FIG. 6 , the locking means  60  further comprises a key lock  62  including a key body  64  extending through the ring body  28  and a latch  66 . The key  62  includes a key axis  68  and the latch  66  is preferably perpendicular to the key axis and can be rotated 90 degrees with the key. A key slot  70  (see  FIG. 4 ) is located on the bottom surface  32  of the ring body  28 . A lock guard  72  is provided on the top surface  30  of the ring body  28 , the lock guard  72  including a base  74  and an arm  76  extending over the latch  66  of the key lock. Arm  76  of key guard  72  provides a recess  78  for protecting the latch  66  during assembly of the well casing security device as the cover  24  is fitted onto the locking support ring  22 . The arm  76  includes a top  78  and bottom  80  and includes an outer edge  82  that slopes outward from top to bottom to facilitate fitting of cover to locking support ring during assembly of the well casing security device. Bottom key guards  81  are further provided on the bottom surface  32  of the ring body  28  to inhibit easy chiseling off of key lock  62 . 
         [0035]    With reference to  FIG. 2 , the cover  24  includes a rim  84 , an inner surface  86 , and a plurality of brackets  88  extending from the inner surface and spaced around the inner periphery of the cover. The brackets  88  are substantially L-shaped and include an upper leg  90  and a lower leg  92 . As shown in  FIG. 7 , the cover  24  further includes a plurality of stabilizers  94  at the top end of the lid for stabilizing the lid with respect to the well casing, the stabilizers extending between the top  34  and the inner surface  37  of the sidewall  36  of the cover  24 . 
         [0036]    Referring to  FIG. 7 , the present invention includes a method of covering a well casing so that it is secured against unauthorized access. The method includes: (1) placing the cover  24  on the locking support ring  28  and rotating the cover until the brackets  88  of the cover  24  fully engage the slots  54  in the braces  40  of the locking support ring  28 , (2) turning the key lock  62  to lock the cover to the support ring, (3) tightening the set screws  56  against the well casing  26  to position the locking support ring  28  with respect to the well casing, (4) unlocking and removing the cover  24 , (5) drilling a hole through the well casing at the location of each of the apertures  50  in the braces  40  on the top side of the locking support ring  28 , (6) inserting a locking screw  50  through each of the braces  40  and into the newly created holes in the casing to secure the locking ring  28  to the well casing  26 , (7) placing the cover  24  on the locking support ring and well casing assembly, and (9) locking the key lock  62  to prevent rotation of the cover  24  with respect to the locking ring  28  and well casing  26  assembly. As an alternative installation method, steps (5) and (6) above can be replaced by welding the locking support ring  28  to the well casing  26 , thereby avoiding drilling holes in the well casing. 
         [0037]    Referring to  FIG. 8 , a second embodiment of the well casing security device includes a locking support ring  101  in which the ring body  103  includes braces  105  extending from the top surface  107  of the ring body  103 . A plurality of apertures  111  are provided in the ring body through which anchor bolts are placed to secure the locking support ring to the concrete slab around the well casing. A stabilizer  113 , integral with and substantially perpendicular to each brace  105 , extends from the top surface  107  of the locking support ring  101 . 
         [0038]    As shown in  FIG. 9 , the second embodiment of the well casing security device  100  (see  FIG. 16 ) includes a cover  115 . As in the first embodiment, the cover  115  of the second embodiment includes brackets  88  that are substantially L-shaped and include an upper leg  90  and a lower leg  92 . The cover  115  however includes a key lock  62  mounted directly in the sidewall  36  of the cover. As shown in  FIG. 16 , in the second embodiment the locking ring  101  is bolted directly to the concrete slab  117  surrounding the well casing by anchor bolts  119  through apertures  111  in the locking support ring. After securing the cover  115  to the locking support ring  101 , the key  62  is locked and latch  66  in the locked position disables rotation of the cover  115  with respect to the ring  101  thus preventing unauthorized removal of the security lid from the well casing. 
         [0039]    Referring to  FIGS. 10 and 11 , cover  115  preferably includes a coupler  119  extending from the sidewall  36 . Coupler  119  includes an internally threaded socket  121  that will surround the key lock  62 . Key lock  62  is mounted interior of the socket threads and is flush against the sidewall  36  of the cover  115 . This key lock  62  is recessed within the socket  121 . After the cover is secured to the locking ring and the key is locked, a plug  123  is threaded into the socket  121 . As shown in  FIGS. 12 and 13 , plug  123  includes a threaded shank  127  and the head  125  of the plug includes a triangular recess  126  therein. 
         [0040]    With reference to  FIGS. 14 and 15 , the well casing security device further includes a plug engagement tool  129  for inserting and removing the plug from the coupler. The plug engagement tool  129  includes a handle  131  and a projection  133  for engaging the recess  127  of the plug  123 . The embodiment depicted in  FIGS. 12-15  shows a triangular recess  127  in plug  123  that accepts triangular projection  133  on tool end  135  of plug engagement tool  129 . It is within the scope of the invention to make the recess in the plug and the projection of shapes other than triangular. Also, it is within the scope of the invention to provide the plug with a projection and the plug engagement tool with a recess to match the size and shape of the plug. It is preferred however that the shape and size of the recess and projection do not match any of the conventional tool ends that are commercially available, such as hex wrenches of standard sizes. 
         [0041]    With reference to  FIG. 16 , the second embodiment of the invention further includes a method of covering a well casing so that it is secured against unauthorized access. The method includes: (1) providing a locking support ring  101  including a ring body  103  having a plurality of holes  111  therein, a cover including a sidewall with an inner surface, a plurality of brackets on the inner surface, a threaded coupler extending from the sidewall, (2) providing a key lock extending through the sidewall at the coupler, (3) providing a threaded plug to close the threaded coupler, (4) drilling a plurality of holes in the concrete base  117  surrounding the well casing, each of the holes coaxial with a corresponding hole in the locking support ring body, (5) attaching the ring  101  to the concrete base  117  surrounding the well casing, (6) placing the cover  115  on the locking support ring  101  and rotating the cover until the brackets  88  of the cover fully engage the slots  54  in the braces  105  on the top side of the locking support ring  101 , (7) locking the key lock  62  to prevent rotation of the cover  115  with respect to the ring  101  and the well casing  26 , and (8) threading the plug into the coupler to restrict access to the key slot. 
         [0042]    Although the description above contains many specific descriptions, materials, and dimensions, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but as merely providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiments of this invention. Thus the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by the examples given.

Technology Classification (CPC): 4