Patent ID: 6568554
Filing Date: 2003-05-27
Classification: F16J

Abstract:
A pressure vessel, comprisinga cover movable between an open position and a closed position; clamping means for releasably clamping said cover in its said closed position, said clamping means including a handle adapted to permit the manual operation of said clamping means, said handle being movable between a first position, in which said cover is releasably retained in its said closed position by said clamping means, and a second position, in which said cover is free to be moved to its said open position; locking means for releasably locking said handle in its said first position upon actuation of said locking means, said locking means including a pin sized and shaped so as to be receivable in an opening provided in said handle, said pin being movable between an extended position, in which it engages said opening, and a retracted position, in which it disengages said opening; and actuating means, which is responsive to an increase in pressure within the pressure vessel, for actuating said locking means when the pressure within the vessel has reached a predetermined level, said actuating means including a flexible diaphragm which is movable between an activated position, in which it causes said pin to move to its said extended position, and a deactivated position, in which said pin is permitted to move to its said retracted position.