BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating use of the hole cover of the present invention within a construction job site;
FIG. 2 is top perspective view of a hole cover of the present invention;
FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view of the hole cover shown in FIG. 3;
FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of a second embodiment of the hole cover of the present invention;
FIG. 5 is a top perspective view illustrating a third embodiment of a hole cover of the present invention;
FIG. 6 is a side cut-way view of the hole cover shown in FIG. 2;
FIG. 7 is a side cut-away view of the hole cover shown in FIG. 4;
FIG. 8 is a side cut-way view of the hole cover shown in FIG. 2 including a projection in the form of a anchor bolt;
FIG. 9 is a side cut-way view of the hole cover shown in FIG. 2 including a projection in the form of a flag-like construction; and
FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the hole cover shown in FIG. 9 including a projection in the form of a flag-like construction.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
While the present invention is susceptible of embodiment in various forms, as shown in the drawings, hereinafter will be described the presently preferred embodiments of the invention with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the invention and it is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated.
With reference to FIGS. 1-7, the hole cover 1 of the present invention includes a cap 3 and a plurality of projections 25. The cap 3 includes a top surface 5, a bottom surface 7 and an edge 9. The cap may take various forms. For example, as shown in FIGS. 2-4, the cap may be round to provide a circular edge 9 where the intended hole to be covered is a round hole. Where the hole intended to be covered is rectangular, including square holes, the cap may take a rectangular shape as shown in FIG. 5. In addition, the bottom surface 7 is preferably flat to engage a substantially flat walking surface. Conversely, the top surface may be spherical, as shown in FIG. 2. Alternatively, the top surface may take a truncated form as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. Where the cap has a truncated form, the cap's top surface 5 will have a planer horizontal surface. In addition, the cap will include an angled periphery portion 15 which extends inwardly and upwardly from the cap's edge 9 to the cap's top surface 5. To comply with OSHA requirements, this periphery portion must extend at an angle of 30 degrees or less from the horizontal plane.
The cap 3 further includes a plurality of vertical bores 19 which have a recess 21 formed at the bore's upper extremity. The cap's bores are arranged in geometric patterns about the cap which are preferably spaced equal distance from the cap's central vertical axis. For example, FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate a circular cap and a rectangular cap, respectively, both of which include a first set 23 of bore's 19 which are spaced 1″ from the cap's center. As shown in FIG. 4, preferably a circular cap includes three bores for each set 23, while a rectangular cap includes a set of four bores. Preferably, the cap includes a plurality of sets of bores. For example, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, each cap includes a second set 24 of bore's 9 in which each bore is spaced 2″ from the cap's central vertical axis as well as additional sets of bores spaced even further from the cap's center.
Preferably, the hole cover's projections 25 have an elongate shaft 29 and a head 27 to form a construction very similar to that of a flat headed nail. As shown in FIGS. 4, 7-10, the projections' shaft is sized to telescopically slide within the bores 19 until the heads 27 rest within the bore's recess 21 so that the heads 27 are flush with the cap's top surface 5. In the most simplified form, the projections is constructed in similar manner as a nail, including only a shaft and head. However, the projections 25 may be constructed in various forms. For example, the projections may be constructed as traditional toggle bolts including arms that are biased outwardly by springs. Though not shown in the Figs., once projected through a bore, the toggle bolt construction limits movement of the hole cover because, once inserted through the hole cover bores, the arms are biased outwardly to engage a hole's sidewalls. In an alternative embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, the projection may be constructed in the form of an anchor bolt which includes a bolt arms 28 which expand after entry through the hole cover bores upon rotation of the bolt. In still an additional embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the projections 25 may include side-extensions, thereby providing an inverted flag-like appearance. A preferred flag-like projection is shown in FIG. 10 having a bolt 32, a threaded casing, and a side extension 30. Advantageously, once inserted through the hole cover bores, the projections can be rotated so that the side-extensions engage the hole's sidewalls, or as shown in FIG. 9 project under the hole's lip, if it exists.
As would be understood by construction site workers, the hole cover of the present invention can be utilized to cover a variety of different sized holes. For example, with reference to FIGS. 1-4, a construction site having a circular hole having a 6″ diameter formed in the construction site's walking surface 33 can be covered utilizing a circular hole cover 1. Three projections 25 are placed within the bores 19 which are spaced 3″ from the cap's center vertical axis. As shown in FIG. 1, the hole cover 1 is then positioned so that the projections 25 project into the hole so as to be positioned adjacent to the hole's sidewalls 37. Alternatively, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the projections are flag-like structures wherein the projection is rotated until the side-extension engages the side of the hole or slides under the lip of the hole, as shown in FIG. 9. The hole cover is thereby prevented from moving horizontally by the projections.
Meanwhile, where a smaller walking surface hole 35 is found, the same hole cover 1 can be utilized by moving the projections 25 inward to reside in bores located closer to the cap's center. For example, covering a circular hole having a 2″ diameter can be accomplished by utilizing the hole covers shown in FIGS. 1-4 by placing projections 25 into the bores 19 which are positioned closest to the cap's central vertical axis. Thereafter, the hole cover is positioned to cover the hole, with the projections 25 once again projecting into the hole to prevent horizontal movement of the hole cover.
While several particular forms of the invention have been illustrated and described, it will be apparent that various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, the hole cover can be made by any number of materials, though various plastics are preferred. In addition, the cap can be constructed to be substantially solid. Alternatively, to save weight, it can be constructed to be substantially hollow including a plurality of ribs 17 for structural rigidity (see FIG. 3).
Patent Application
20080075532
