Patent ID: 7726902

Claim:
A locking cover that connects to a generally vertical pipe of a ground opening, comprising: a) a vertical pipe mounted in the earth and having an upper end portion with a pipe diameter; b) a shroud that is configured to be anchored to the earth at the ground opening, the shroud having an outer wall with an inner surface that has a shroud diameter greater than the pipe diameter, a central opening, and an annular ring having an annular shoulder that extends inwardly from the outer wall; c) a lid that is movably attached to the annular ring of the shroud, the lid having a center and a peripheral portion that is sized and shaped to fit the annular ring, the lid having upper and lower surfaces, wherein the peripheral portion of the lid registers with and rests upon the annular shoulder of the annular ring when the lid is in a closed position; d) a lock that extends through the lid at a position that is offset from the lid center, the lock communicating with the upper and lower surfaces of the lid at said peripheral portion, the lock including a key slot positioned next to the upper surface and a locking member that is movable between a first locking position that places the locking member under the annular ring and a second, unlocked position that removes the locking member from a position under the annular ring; and e) a key that is keyed to fit the lock and operate the lock, the key accessing the lock via the lid upper surface and lock opening, wherein operation of the key enables a user to place the locking member in the locking position that engages the shroud and enables a user to place the locking member in the unlocked position that disengages the locking member from the shroud.