Patent ID: 7370663

Claim:
A barrier device for a utility system cover having a tool access opening, comprising a cap structure configured to (a) be coupled to a utility system cover, (b) cover a tool access opening in the utility system cover in a manner that provides a barrier to materials and objects passing through the tool access opening in the utility system cover, and (c) provide structure for engagement by a tool, to enable a coupled barrier device and cover to be manipulated by the tool; wherein the cap structure comprises a hood and a stem extending away from the hood, the stem configured to be inserted into a tool access opening in a utility system cover and to couple the barrier device to the utility system cover, and the hood being configured to cover the tool access opening in the utility system cover when the cap structure is coupled to the utility system cover; wherein extender structure is configured to be integrally coupled to the stem, to provide an extended cap structure that can be coupled to a cover, the extender structure comprising an extender and a locking member that can be coupled to the extender to couple the extended cap structure to a cover; the stem having a recess with a closed end and the extender comprising a strap configured to (a) pierce the closed end of the recess (b) extend through the pierced end of the recess and (c) close off the pierced end of the recess, thereby to extend the stem of the cap structure, and the locking member configured to engage the strap in a manner such that the locking member can move along the stem in a first direction for coupling the extended cap structure with a cover, wherein the stem has a distal end with an opening and the extender comprising a strap configured to extend through the opening in the distal end of the recess and to close off the opening in the distal end of the recess, thereby to extend the stem of the cap structure, wherein the locking member comprises a relatively flat portion with a raised portion having a passageway configured to receive the strap and to move along the strap in the first direction, for coupling the extended cap structure with a cover, wherein the raised portion and strap have respective ratchet structure configured to enable the locking member to move in the first direction along the strap and resisting movement of the locking member in the opposite direction along the strap, and wherein the raised portion extends in one direction from the relatively flat portion, and wherein the relatively flat portion has a peripheral skirt that extends in the opposite direction from the relatively flat portion, the locking member configured such that the peripheral skirt will engage the underside of a fluid system cover when the locking member moves in the first direction along the strap.