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Bottom Door Utility Van Patent pending The Bottom Door Utility Truck enhances worker comfort and safety by allowing workers access to manholes from inside of the utility van while maintaining a comfortable work environment.  Download PDF information sheet

The Bottom Door Utility Truck enhances worker comfort and safety by allowing workers access to manholes from inside of the utility van while maintaining a comfortable work environment. When public and private utility workers are working on wires, and pipes that are buried under roads, sidewalks, parking lots or open fields, it is common practice for the utility workers to set up safety cones around the work site and divert traffic around the work site. This procedure requires one or more workers, in the capacity of flagmen, to assist in diverting traffic around the work site so that the other road vehicles or pedestrians are alerted to the existence of the temporary work site and that they drive or walk clear of the area and it takes up a certain amount of time to establish and maintain the work perimeter. This can be a risky and dangerous proposition since it is possible that a vehicle operator may not see the flagman and work site, an accident may happen, that may well result in severe injury or even death to the workmen, opening the road and doing the necessary repairs. Further, opening a road in the heat of summer or the cold of winter is a very unpleasant job and the elements slows down the work speed as well as poses a health issue for the workers.   In operation, the Bottom Door Utility Worker Safety Vehicle will drive up to the work area and position the door on the vehicle, on top of the area that needs to be serviced. For this example, we shall say that work must be conducted inside of a manhole containing electrical cables. To enhance the drivers ability to position the vehicle, exactly over the work area, a television camera can be installed on the bottom of the vehicle and a television monitor, viewing what the camera sees, can be in mounted in the dashboard of the vehicle, so that the driver knows exactly where the vehicle is and the best location to stop the vehicle. Upon positioning the opening on top of the manhole, the electric powered bottom door is opened and at the same time, a curtain or element proof barrier surrounding the perimeter of the bottom door is lowered and touches the street. The perimeter barrier, which has been lowered and it touching the street, protects the workers from outside dust, heat or cold, since the environment within the vehicle is now extended to the work area. To enhance the workers ability to repair the road, the bottom exterior of the vehicle can be equipped with water proof flood lights, and electrical outlets. At this point, the workers now have clear access to the manhole, while at the same time, are protected from other vehicles, driving on the road, since the workers are within their heavy vehicle. Pedestrians will not accidently fall into the dug hole but rather go around the parked Bottom Door Utility Worker Safety Vehicle, while the workers are doing the necessary repairs.   The Bottom Door Utility Worker Safety Vehicle is a must have vehicle for all utility companies and road repair companies. We are currently licensing the patent technoloty. Please call for further information. Download PDF information sheet Fig. 1 illustrates the floor opening (A), which illustrates a two panel door in the closed position. The bottom opening can be closed with any type of water proof door or covering such as a waterproof cloth covering, a hinged or unhinged door or multiple doors or roll up door and similar.   Fig. 2 illustrates the floor opening (A), which illustrates a two panel door in a partially position. This floor opening allows workers to access the street, with the safety and comfort of the vehicle protecting them. In the summer, the vehicles air conditioning will keep the workers cool, as they work on the street, while in the winter, the vehicles heating system can keep the workers warm, as they work on the street or infrastructure below the street.   Fig. 3 shows a drop down barrier so that the area between the vehicles floor and the street are sealed off from the elements, such as rain, cold, heat and snow. This barrier can be made of a flexible material, such as rubber, plastic or cloth or the barrier can be made with any appropriate hard material, such as hard plastic, steel sheeting, wood or similar.   Fig. 4 shows the interior of the work vehicle. In this case, the floor is covered by a roll up, waterproof, door. Such a door can be manually or automatically opened or closed, using electric motors, compressed gas or similar.   Fig. 5 illustrates the configuration of the invention on a front engined, front wheel drive vehicle.   Fig. 6 illustrates the configuration of the invention on a rear engined, real wheel drive vehicle.     Fig. 7 illustrates the configuration of the invention on a front engined, rear wheel drive vehicle. In order to have proper clearance for the bottom door, the drive shaft coming from the engine to the rear wheels, must be re-routed around the bottom door through a series of differentials.   Fig. 8 Fig 8, illustrates how work on the infrastructure beneath the street is presently conducted. As shown, the work area is blocked off using reflective plastic cones and a temporary warning barrier or fence. The cones are used to alert motor vehicles that work is being performed on the street and the temporary barrier is to warn and prevent pedestrians from falling into the open manhole or work pit. The Bottom Door Utility Worker Safety Vehicle invention is a clear advancement in street work and manhole work safety. The invention and method makes it safer for the workers, for other vehicle drivers and for pedestrians crossing the street. By having the work truck parked over the work area and by accessing the work area from the vehicle, the workers are in a much safer situation, than being protected only by reflective cones and or flashing lights. Further, it is impossible for pedestrians to fall into the manhole, with a vehicle parked over the work site. Other cars are also protected since it is much easier to see the Bottom Door Utility Worker Safety Vehicle invention parked over the work area, then to see low positioned, reflective cones. Fig. 9 Fig. 9 illustrates that without the Bottom Door Utility Worker Safety Vehicle invention, it is particularly dangerous for workmen to be working on busy streets, especially at night. Download PDF information sheet