Manhole insert and tether and method
 A watertight manhole insert and tether apparatus designed to prevent rainwater from entering sanitary sewer or other systems through a manhole closed by a manhole cover. The manhole insert is located beneath the manhole cover and is connected directly to the manhole by a tether mounted in the manhole, to plug the manhole and prevent theft of the manhole insert. The manhole insert is characterized by a pan-shaped insert body having a flat insert bottom and a pressure-relief valve, one or more lift straps optionally provided with a warning tag, and an upward-standing, sloping or perpendicular side wall fitted with an outwardly-extending top rim for engaging a shoulder shaped in the manhole to support the manhole insert. One end of the flexible stainless steel tether is connected to the manhole wall and the opposite end first extends through a grommet in the insert bottom and subsequently through a lever bar locking device. According to the method of this inventory when the manhole insert is placed in the manhole, the tether is pulled upwardly through the grommet and the lever bar locking device is slipped along the tether and locked at the insert body to seat the manhole insert on the manhole shoulder. The lever bar locking device operates to crimp the tether and the hasp of a padlock may be extended through registering lock openings provided in the lever bar locking device and locked, to prevent access to the manhole and theft of the manhole insert. 
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David L. Timothy B.
Neathery Ely