US 12,146,286 B1
Selectively frictionally engaged hole cover
Mike Reardon, Yorba Linda, CA (US); and Kevin Reardon, Anaheim Hills, CA (US)
Assigned to Clover Equipment, LLC, Anaheim, CA (US)
Filed by Clover Equipment, LLC, Anaheim, CA (US)
Filed on Jan. 24, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/421,384.
Application 18/421,384 is a continuation of application No. 18/487,680, filed on Oct. 16, 2023.
Int. Cl. E02D 29/14 (2006.01)
CPC E02D 29/1427 (2013.01) 23 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A selectively frictionally engaged hole cover for covering a bore hole formed through a paved surface, the selectively frictionally engaged hole cover comprising:
a cover plate having a top surface and a bottom surface opposite the top surface, the top surface being configured to support safe passage of pedestrians and vehicular traffic across the selectively frictionally engaged hole cover; wherein a cover plate skirt is formed extending downwardly from the bottom surface of the cover plate, and
an engagement mechanism coupled with the cover plate and extending from the bottom surface of the cover plate, the engagement mechanism having an engagement plate selectively shiftable relative to the cover plate and configured to thereby shift an engagement member along a sloped wall and thus radially outwardly or inwardly, the sloped wall being configured at an angle spanning between the cover plate and the cover plate skirt;
wherein, during an insertion procedure, the engagement mechanism is configured to be positioned within the bore hole and supported at least initially therein by the cover plate that is configured to rest upon the paved surface and substantially cover the bore hole;
and wherein, during an engagement procedure, the engagement mechanism is configured to be actuated to cause a first movement of the engagement plate so as to shift the engagement member along the sloped wall radially outwardly to move the engagement member into frictional contact with the bore hole to substantially prevent extraction of the engagement mechanism from the bore hole and to substantially prevent lifting of the cover plate due to forces exerted by vehicular traffic thereupon.