Abstract:
A portable securing apparatus which is readily secured to a manway of a vessel having a portal intended to enable entry of service personnel into the vessel is described. The securing apparatus affords an improved grip to assist service personnel to enter the vessel. The securing apparatus is for temporary mounting to the manway. The securing apparatus includes a mounting plate mountable to a flange conventionally provided as part of the manway, and a handle for accommodating manual grasp of the securing apparatus.

Description:
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/310,850, filed Mar. 21, 2016, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0002]    The present disclosure relates to securing apparatus, and more particularly to mountable securing devices for vessels. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Tanks, reaction chambers, large pipes, and other vessels may have manways to enable service personnel to enter the vessel. Typically, a manway comprises a short stubpipe projecting perpendicularly from a wall of the vessel, having a radiating flange. The flange contains studs or bolt holes for accommodating fasteners enabling secure mounting of a closure over the manway. In ordinary operation, the closure is securely bolted to the flange to contain pressure and contents of the vessel. 
         [0004]    From time to time, service personnel must enter the vessel when the latter is empty. This may be done for example, for inspections, repairs, cleaning, unclogging, installation of instrumentation, and for other purposes. It is often difficult for service personnel to enter a manway. For example, the nature of the chemicals used in the manway may make surfaces of the manway slippery, or otherwise hazardous to contact by hand, such as due to potential toxicity of residues of the substances contained in the vessel. 
         [0005]    There exists a need to facilitate entry of service personnel into vessels through manways. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    The disclosed concepts address the above stated situation by providing in exemplary embodiments a portable securing apparatus, such as a handhold, which is readily secured to a manway having a portal intended to enable entry of service personnel into a vessel. The securing apparatus may afford an improved grip to assist service personnel and any others to enter the vessel. The securing apparatus may be mounted on a temporary basis to the manway. The securing apparatus may include a mounting plate mountable to a flange customarily provided as part of the manway, and a handle for accommodating manual grasp of the securing apparatus. 
         [0007]    These general concepts and additional inventive concepts are implemented via a plurality of exemplary embodiments. In certain embodiments, a securing apparatus for temporary mounting to a flange of a manway includes a portal enabling entry therein by service personnel into a vessel. The securing apparatus may include a mounting plate temporarily mountable to the flange of the manway, and a handle for accommodating manual grasp of the securing apparatus by the service personnel. The flange of the manway may be secured to a closure over the manway by one or more fasteners, and the mounting plate of the securing apparatus may include a mounting structure cooperating with the fasteners. The fasteners may define threaded shafts thereon, and the mounting structure may define at least one orifice dimensioned and configured to pass the threaded shafts therethrough. The orifices may include at least one elongated hole. 
         [0008]    The mounting plate may further define a recess projecting therein, the recess being dimensioned and configured to prevent the mounting plate from obstructing the portal when the securing apparatus is installed on to the manway. A cross-section of the portal can be circular in shape, and the recess may be arcuate in shape and reflect a configuration of the portal of the manway. The handle maybe offset from the recess such that the handle avoids obstructing the portal when the securing apparatus is installed on the manway. The handle may include a grab bar respectively coupled to and spaced apart from the mounting plate. Also, two stanchions for supporting the grab bar may be provided, the grab bar being positioned between the two stanchions. Furthermore, the grab bar can be circular in cross-section thereof and the positioning thereof may be affixed along a longitudinal axis between the two stanchions. 
         [0009]    In certain embodiments, a vessel is provided, which includes a manway for enabling entry therein, and the vessel includes: an outer wall defining a chamber for enclosing contents of the vessel; the manway may define a portal to the chamber, the portal penetrating the outer wall; the manway may include a closure and one or more elongated fasteners operable to secure the closure over the portal. A removable securing apparatus may be provided, including a mounting structure cooperating with the fasteners, the removable securing apparatus being operable for installation thereof on the manway where the closure is disengaged from the manway, and the securing apparatus may further include a handle affixed to the mounting structure. The fasteners may include a shaft portion, and the removable securing apparatus can define at least one orifice dimensioned and configured for passage through it of the shaft portion. Additionally, the manway may include a flange portion encircling the portal and presenting a flat face facing away from the chamber; the fasteners may be operable to engage the flange when serving to secure the closure over the portal; and the mounting structure may include a mounting plate, a surface of it operable to seat flush against the flat face of the flange when the mounting plate is engaged with the manway. The fasteners may be operable to be reassembled to the flange to mount the mounting plate to the manway when the closure has been disengaged from the manway. The portal can be circular in cross-section, and the mounting plate can define a recess portion projecting into the mounting plate defined by the outer edge of the portal, whereby the portal of the manway remains unobstructed by the mounting plate when the securing apparatus is in a state of engagement on the manway. 
         [0010]    In additional embodiments, a method of facilitating entry of service personnel into a vessel through a manway of the vessel is provided, the method including: removing a closure from the manway by removing one or more fasteners coupling the closure to the manway; installing a securing apparatus in place of the closure, where the securing apparatus includes a mounting structure cooperating with the fasteners of the closure; and fastening the securing apparatus to the manway in place of the closure, using the fasteners coupling the closure to the manway. The method may further include stabilizing the securing apparatus on the manway by seating a surface of a mounting plate of the securing apparatus flush against a flange of the manway when the fasteners secure the mounting plate of the securing apparatus to the flange of the manway. 
         [0011]    The nature of the disclosed concepts will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]    Various objects, features, and attendant advantages of the disclosed concepts will become more fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein: 
           [0013]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the inventive vessel in its ordinary condition, with a manway sealed by a closure in accordance with certain embodiments; 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of the inventive vessel of  FIG. 1 , also showing an inventive securing apparatus for temporary mounting to the vessel, according to certain embodiments; 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  is a top plan view of the vessel of  FIG. 1  with the inventive securing apparatus shown in  FIG. 2  installed thereon, according to certain embodiments. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0016]    Referring first to  FIG. 1 , a vessel  100  having a manway  102  to enable entry of service personnel is shown in an exemplary ordinary service condition, with manway  102  sealed by a closure  104 . Vessel  100  may contain substances such as, for example, crude petroleum, partially refined petroleum products, fully refined petroleum products, and diverse fluid chemical products. Vessel  100  may also be a pressure vessel intended to contain the substances at pressures elevated from atmospheric pressure, may accommodate chemical reactions, or otherwise support processes using any types of substances. 
         [0017]    In certain embodiments, such as in an ordinary service condition, closure  104  is fastened to a flange  106  of manway  102 . A gasket (not shown) can also be used to effect leak-tight connection of closure  104  to flange  106 . Fasteners, such as threaded fasteners  108 , secure closure  104  tightly to flange  106 . Fasteners  108  may be threaded bolts  108  or alternatively may include threaded studs (not shown) permanently fixed to flange  106 . Either bolts  108  or studs receive nuts  110 . 
         [0018]      FIG. 2  shows closure  104  removed from vessel  100 , as would occur, for example, for service operations conducted inside vessel  100 . In certain embodiments, a securing device such as securing apparatus  112  is provided for mounting to flange  106  of manway  102  having a portal  114  enables entry of service personnel (not shown) into vessel  100 . Securing apparatus  112  provides for temporary or permanent mounting; in the present exemplary embodiment, it provides temporary mounting. In exemplary embodiments, securing apparatus may be held onto in any capacity, by for example, held by an individual&#39;s hands or other limbs, secured to the individual with the individual&#39;s clothing, or secured by additional apparatus. Securing apparatus  112  in this exemplary embodiment includes a mounting plate  116 , mountable for example to flange  106  of manway  102 , and a handle for accommodating manual grasp of securing apparatus  112 . 
         [0019]    In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, securing apparatus  112  includes a grab bar  118  coupled to and spaced apart from mounting plate  116 . Grab bar  118  is thereby operable to be readily grasped by service personnel entering vessel  100 . Securing apparatus  112  further includes two stanchions  120  for supporting grab bar  118 , wherein grab bar  118  is straight between the two stanchions  120 . A straight grab bar  118  can be intuitively located for grasping by service personnel who may be visually distracted from concentrating on grab bar  118 . In the exemplary embodiment, grab bar  118  is circular in a cross section and passes through a longitudinal axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of securing apparatus  112 . In an exemplary embodiment, the circular cross section avoids rough projections and edges to prevent the hands of the service personnel from rotating about grab bar  118 , as the service personnel might find convenient when lowering his or her body into vessel  100 . 
         [0020]    Flange  106  of manway  102  include fastening apparatus, e.g., bolts  108 , for securing closure  104  over manway  102 . Mounting plate  116  of securing apparatus  112  includes a mounting structure cooperating with the fasteners of flange  106 . In an exemplary embodiment, the mounting structure engages the fasteners of flange  106 , thereby avoiding requiring additional fasteners or mounting apparatus. More particularly, the fasteners may include threaded shafts (e.g., the shafts of threaded bolts  108 ), and the mounting structure of mounting plate  116  of securing apparatus  112  includes at least one orifice  122  ( FIG. 2 ) dimensioned and configured to pass the threaded shafts of the fasteners therethrough. Providing orifices  122  enables the fasteners including nuts  110  ( FIG. 3 ) being used to secure closure  104  in place, thereby avoiding the requirement for additional hardware or apparatus in this exemplary embodiment. In the exemplary embodiment, the at least one orifice  122  includes at least one elongated-shaped hole  122  as shown. This embodiment accommodates minor misalignments which may occur when positioning securing apparatus  112  relative to flange  106 . 
         [0021]    In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, mounting plate  116  includes a recess  124  projecting in a concave fashion into mounting plate  116 . Here, recess  124  is dimensioned and configured to avoid causing mounting plate  116  to obstruct portal  114  when securing apparatus  112  is installed onto manway  102 . The features of this embodiment are also illustrated in  FIG. 3  (described below). 
         [0022]    In certain vessels  100  which are temporarily modified in accordance with the embodiments to accommodate mounting of securing apparatus  112 , portal  114  is of a circular shape. Here, recess  124  is arcuate and reflects the configuration of portal  114  of manway  102 . In additional embodiments, however, where portal  114  is of another shape (e.g., rectangular), recess  124  is fashioned to snugly fit with respect to such other shapes. 
         [0023]    Referring particularly to  FIG. 3 , in securing apparatus  112 , the handle (e.g., grab bar  118 ) is offset from recess  124  so that the handle avoids obstructing portal  114  when securing apparatus  112  is installed on manway  102 . In the exemplary embodiments of  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the handle is located away from portal  114  relative to mounting plate  116  to provide ergonomic accommodation of an arm of the service personnel entering vessel  100 . 
         [0024]    With continued reference to  FIGS. 1-3 , and in accordance with certain exemplary embodiments, vessel  100  includes one or more manways  102  of one or more shapes, for enabling entry by service personnel. Vessel  100  includes associated securing apparatus  112  enabling entry of service personnel into vessel  100 . Vessel  100  includes an outer wall  126  defining a chamber  128  for enclosing contents of vessel  100 . Manway  102  penetrates outer wall  126  and enables entry of a person into chamber  128 . Manway  102  includes portal  114  to chamber  128 , closure  104 , and elongated fasteners (e.g., bolts  108 ) for securing closure  104  over portal  114 . Removable securing apparatus  112  includes mounting structure (e.g., mounting plate  116  and holes  122 ) cooperating with the fasteners, whereby removable securing apparatus  112  may be installed on manway  102  after closure  104  has been removed from manway  102 . 
         [0025]    In vessel  100 , the fasteners each include a shaft, and removable securing apparatus  112  includes holes  122  dimensioned and configured to pass the shafts of the fasteners therethrough. Manway  102  includes flange  106  encircling portal  114  and presenting a flat face  130  facing away from chamber  128 . The fasteners engage flange  106  when securing closure  104  over portal  114 . Securing apparatus  112  includes mounting plate  116  including a surface  132  ( FIG. 2 ) seating flush against flat face  130  of flange  106  when mounting plate  116  is installed on manway  102 . The fasteners are reassembled to flange  106  to mount mounting plate  116  to manway  102  when closure  104  has been removed to enable entry of service personnel into vessel  100 . In an exemplary embodiment, a soft material (e.g., rubber) is placed between surface  132  and flat face  130  to prevent damage to the gasket sealing surface of the flange  106 . 
         [0026]    In vessel  100 , portal  114  is circular, and mounting plate  116  includes recess  124  projecting into mounting plate  116 , whereby portal  114  of manway  102  remains unobstructed by mounting plate  116  when securing apparatus  112  is installed on manway  102 . 
         [0027]    Using the apparatus described herein, a method of facilitating entry of service personnel into vessel  100  through manway  102  of vessel  100  includes removing a closure  104  from manway  102  by removing fasteners coupling closure  104  to manway  102 ; installing securing apparatus  112  in place of closure  104 , where securing apparatus  112  has a mounting structure cooperating with the fasteners of closure  104 ; and fastening the securing apparatus  112  to manway  102  in place of closure  104 , using the fasteners coupling closure  104  to manway  102 . The method of facilitating entry may further include stabilizing securing apparatus  112  on manway  102  by seating a surface (e.g., surface  132 ) of mounting plate  116  of securing apparatus  112  flush against flange  106  of manway  102  when the fasteners secure mounting plate  116  of securing apparatus  112  to flange  106  of manway  102 . 
         [0028]    In various embodiments, differing materials (e.g., wood and/or steel) are used to manufacture securing apparatus  112 . In an exemplary such steel embodiment, securing apparatus  112  is cut out of ⅜ inch thick carbon steel plate; the frame is bent with a hydraulic bender on both ends to create the stanchions  120 ; a 1 inch round bar made of carbon steel is inserted through the round holes in the frame of the stanchions; the bar is welded, on the inside and/or outside at both ends to the stanchions. In the various embodiments, the size of securing apparatus  112  depends on the size of the manway  102 . For example, in an exemplary embodiment wherein flange  106  is 18 inches, a completed securing apparatus  112  of dimensions 24 inches width, 9 inches height, 6 inches depth can be used. 
         [0029]    It will be appreciated that although manway  102  has been depicted herein as opening vertically, above vessel  100 , other orientations of manway  102  are possible. For example, manway  102  may open vertically downwardly, horizontally at a side of vessel  100 , or alternatively, at any angle to a vertical direction. 
         [0030]    In the preceding description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide an understanding of the present invention. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. The specific details may be varied from and still be contemplated to be within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Many modifications of examples set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which the present disclosure pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. 
         [0031]    This written description uses examples of the subject matter disclosed to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the same, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the subject matter is defined by the claims, and can include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims. 
         [0032]    The above-described embodiments are intended to be illustrative in all respects, rather than restrictive, of the embodiments. Thus, the embodiments are capable of many variations in detailed implementation that can be derived from the description contained herein by a person skilled in the art. No element, act, or instruction used in the description of the present application should be construed as critical or essential to the embodiments unless explicitly described as such. Also, as used herein, the article “a” is intended to include one or more items. Therefore, it is to be understood that the present disclosure is not to be limited to the specific examples presented and that modifications and other examples are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, although the foregoing description and the associated drawings describe examples of the present disclosure in the context of certain illustrative combinations of elements and/or functions, it should be appreciated that different combinations of elements and/or functions may be provided by alternative implementations without departing from the scope of the appended claims.