Abstract:
A tank cover hinge assembly for use with storage tanks is disclosed. The assembly may include a hinge member having a first surface that is configured to engage a collar of a tank, and a second surface that is configured to engage a lid. The hinge member may provide a coupling between the collar and the lid, and may be configured to prevent movement of the lid beyond a predetermined angle of opening with respect to an imaginary longitudinal axis of the tank.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present disclosure is related to storage tank components and more particularly, to a tank cover hinge assembly. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Storage tanks that are used to store volatile liquids and gases often include fragile valves for loading and unloading of tank contents. For example, LPG tanks are used to contain liquefied petroleum gas such as propane. LPG tanks come in a variety of sizes and are used in both commercial and residential applications. The quantities of gas an LPG tank is required to hold in certain applications can vary. Often larger LPG tanks have a cylindrical collar and a lid that protects the valves, fittings, and other components located at the top of the tank. 
         [0003]    LPG tanks may also be installed in widely different locations and environments. An LPG tank may be installed in a location with limited open space surrounding the top of the tank. In other installations, there may be plenty of space in the area surrounding the tank. In order to access the valves, fittings, and other components that control the filing and discharging of the contents of the tank, the lid must be opened. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    The teachings of the present invention include a tank cover hinge assembly for use with storage tanks. In accordance with a particular embodiment of the present invention, the assembly includes a hinge member having a first surface that is configured to engage a collar of a tank and a second surface that is configured to engage a lid. The hinge member provides the coupling between the collar and the lid, and is configured to prevent movement of the lid beyond a predetermined angle of opening with respect to an imaginary longitudinal axis of the tank. 
         [0005]    In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, the hinge member may include an elongate body having a first surface that is configured to engage the collar, and a protrusion that extends away from the first surface. The protrusion may include a generally flat second surface that is configured to engage the lid when the hinge member is installed in a first position, and a generally concave third surface that is configured to engage the lid when the hinge member is installed in a second position. 
         [0006]    In accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention, the hinge member may be selectively installed in either the first position or the second position. In the first position, the hinge member may prevent the lid from being opened beyond a first predetermined angle (e.g., 180 degrees) and in the second position the hinge member may prevent the lid from being opened beyond a second predetermined angle (e.g., 120 degrees). 
         [0007]    Technical advantages of particular embodiments of the present invention include a hinge member that prevents a lid from being opened beyond a predetermined angle of opening. Thus, a user can selectively control the angle of opening of the lid in its maximum open position. 
         [0008]    Further technical advantages of particular embodiments of the present invention include a hinge member that can selectively be installed in one of two positions, the first and second positions being operable to prevent the opening of the lid beyond first and second predetermined angles of opening, respectively. 
         [0009]    Still further technical advantages of the present invention include a hinge member that can be easily changed from a first installation position to a second installation position, the first and second positions being operable to prevent the opening of the lid beyond first and second predetermined angles of opening, respectively. 
         [0010]    Other technical advantages will be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from the following figures, descriptions and claims. Moreover, while specific advantages have been enumerated above, various embodiments may include all, some, or none of the enumerated advantages. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]    A more complete understanding of the present embodiments and advantages thereof may be acquired by referring to the following description, taken in conjunction with accompanying drawings, in which like reference numbers indicate like features, and wherein: 
           [0012]      FIG. 1  is a schematic drawing of an embodiment of the present invention showing the cover assembly with a lid in a closed position; 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is a schematic drawing illustrating an alternative embodiment of the present invention showing the hinge member installed in a second position wherein the angle of opening of the lid is approximately equal to 120 degrees; 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  illustrates yet another embodiment of the present invention in which the hinge member is installed in a third position, wherein the predetermined angle of opening of the lid is approximately equal to 180 degrees; 
           [0015]      FIG. 4A  illustrates a hinge member in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0016]      FIG. 4B  illustrates an end view of the hinge member of  FIG. 4A . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0017]    The present disclosure is directed to a hinge member for use with a cover assembly of a tank, for example a liquefied petroleum gas (“LPG”) tank. The cover assembly is positioned at the top of the LPG tank. In the illustrated embodiment of the present invention, the cover assembly includes a cylindrical collar and a lid that protects the valves and fittings located at the top of the tank. The valves and fittings are typically surrounded by a cylindrical collar and are covered by a lid when the lid is in a closed position. In certain applications, it is advantageous to be able to control the angle of opening of the lid. A hinge member of the present invention stops a lid of an LPG tank from being opened beyond a predetermined angle of opening. For example, the predetermined angle of opening may be approximately 120 or approximately 180 degrees. The predetermined angle of opening may be selected by attaching the hinge member to the cylindrical collar and the lid in one of two different configurations. The hinge member may be made of plastic, polyethylene (e.g., UL QMFZ2.E205741, minimum temperature −40° F., pliability 280° F.), metal, metal alloys, composites, or any other suitable material. 
         [0018]    LPG tanks are sometimes installed where there is plenty of open space surrounding the cover assembly of a tank. In such installations there are no obstructions that would prevent a tank lid from opening to an angle of opening of 180 degrees. The present invention allows the hinge member to be attached to the cylindrical collar and the lid in a first configuration where the hinge member will stop and support the lid when it reaches an angle of opening of approximately 180 degrees. By stopping and maintaining the lid at an angle of opening of approximately 180 degrees, the lid is capable of functioning as a work surface that is located adjacent to the valves and fittings at the top of the LPG tank. For the purposes of this specification, the angle of opening refers to a measurement of the angle formed between a surface  19  of the lid, and the surface of the cylindrical collar. 
         [0019]    In other LPG tank installations, there may not be sufficient open space surrounding the top of the tank to allow the tank lid to be opened to an angle of opening of approximately 180 degrees. In these installations there may be obstructions that a tank lid would encounter if it is opened to an angle of opening of 180 degrees. In these LPG tank installations, it is advantageous to be able to open the tank lid to a predetermined angle that will not allow the lid to contact any nearby obstructions. The present invention allows the hinge member to be attached to the cylindrical collar and the lid in a second configuration where the hinge member will stop and support the lid when it reaches an angle of opening of approximately 120 degrees. For example, when the lid is opened to an approximately 120 degree angle of opening, the lid may be in a position in which no part of the lid will exceed the circumference of the tank. 
         [0020]    Control of the opening angle of an LPG tank&#39;s lid may be accomplished by attaching the hinge member of the present invention to an existing cylindrical collar and lid. Moreover, a single hinge member can control the angle of opening of the lid for the 120 degree angle of opening and the 180 degree angle of opening. When the hinge member is attached to a lid and a cylindrical collar in a first configuration, the angle of opening is stopped at approximately 180 degrees. When the hinge member is attached to a cylindrical collar and a lid in a second configuration, the angle of opening of the lid is stopped at approximately 120 degrees. Predetermined angles of opening of 120 degrees and 180 degrees are illustrated herein by way of example only. It will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in this art that various other predetermined angles of opening may be used in addition to, or in lieu of 120 degrees and 180 degrees, within the teaching of the present invention. 
         [0021]      FIG. 1  illustrates an LPG tank assembly  20  in accordance with a particular embodiment of the present invention. Tank assembly  20  includes a base  22 , tank  32 , lifting lug  26  and a cover assembly  30 . A cylindrical collar  34  is fixed to the top of tank  32  and includes two visible handles  35 . The cylindrical collar  34  surrounds valves and fittings located at the top of the tank  32 . Coupled to the cylindrical collar  34  is a hinge member  38  that provides the coupling of the lid  36  to the cylindrical collar  34 . The hinge member  38 , the cylindrical collar  34 , and the lid  36  are all joined by a pin  39 . The pin may be inserted through either one of two apertures of the hinge member  38 . Removal of the pin  39  allows the hinge member  38 , the cylindrical collar  34 , and the lid  36  to separate with respect to each other. The cover assembly  30  is shown with the lid  36  in its closed position. 
         [0022]      FIG. 2  illustrates another embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 2  illustrates a cover assembly  40  which includes a cylindrical collar  44  to surround valves and fittings positioned on the top of the tank. The cover assembly  40  also includes a hinge member  48  that couples the lid  46  to the cylindrical collar  44 . The hinge member  48 , the cylindrical collar  44 , and the lid  46  are all joined by a pin  49 . The pin may be inserted through an aperture of the hinge member  48  adjacent an edge of the lid that forms surface  47 . Removal of the pin  49  allows the hinge member  48 , the cylindrical collar  44 , and the lid  46  to separate with respect to each other. In this embodiment, the hinge member  48  is attached to the cylindrical collar  44  and the lid  46  in a configuration that prevents the lid  46  from opening beyond an approximately 120 degree angle of opening. The lid  46  is able to open until a surface  47  of the lid  46  contacts a corresponding recessed portion  45  of the hinge member  48 . The concave surface of the recessed portion  45  of the hinge member  48  is located such that the lid  46  contacts the hinge member  48  when the lid  46  is opened to a predetermined angle (approximately 120 degrees in the illustrated embodiment). Depending on the size of the tank to which the cover assembly  40  is attached, the hinge member  48  may prevent the lid  46  from opening beyond an angle of opening that would cause an edge of the lid  46  to extend outside of the circumference (see  FIG. 1 ) of the tank  42 . For example, with reference to  FIG. 1 , the edge  21  of lid  36  would be prevented from extending outside of the dotted lines marked C, when the lid is in the fully open position (approximately 120 degrees with respect to the surface of the cylindrical collar. 
         [0023]      FIG. 3  illustrates yet another embodiment of the present invention. The cover assembly  50  of  FIG. 3  includes a hinge member  58  that couples the lid  56  and the cylindrical collar  54 . The hinge member  58 , the cylindrical collar  54 , and the lid  56  are all joined by a pin  59 . The pin may be inserted through an aperture of the hinge member  58 . Removal of the pin  59  allows the hinge member  58 , the cylindrical collar  54 , and the lid  56  to separate with respect to each other. In this embodiment, the hinge member  58  is attached to the cylindrical collar  54  and the lid  56  in a configuration that prevents the lid  56  from opening beyond an angle (approximately 180 degrees in the illustrated embodiment). The lid  56  is able to open until a convex surface  55  of the lid  56  contacts a corresponding concave surface  57  of the hinge member  58 . The concave surface of the hinge member  58  is located such that the lid  56  contacts the hinge member  58  when the lid is opened to approximately a 180 degree angle of opening. 
         [0024]    When the lid  56  is positioned at an approximately 180 degree angle of opening, the lid  56  may function as a work surface adjacent the valves and fittings located at the top of the tank. The work surface provides an area for workmen to use during service, maintenance and/or repair. For example, the workman could place tools, parts or components on the work surface. In accordance with a particular embodiment of the present invention, the hinge member and lid may be configured in a manner that allows the work surface to support fifteen pounds or more without deflecting. 
         [0025]      FIGS. 4A and 4B  illustrate side and end views (respectively) of a hinge member suitable for use within the teachings of the present invention. Hinge member  60  includes two apertures  62  and  63 , each of which are suitable to receive a pin in order to couple the hinge member  60  with a lid and collar. In a first configuration, the pin can be inserted through aperture  62  (see  FIG. 2 ) which allows concave surface  64  to engage an edge of the lid to prevent the lid from being opened beyond a predetermined angle (e.g., 120 degrees). The hinge member and pin can be disassembled and re-assembled in a second configuration in which the hinge member is rotated 180 degrees and the pin is inserted through aperture  63  (see  FIG. 3 ). This allows concave surface  66  to engage an edge of the lid to prevent the lid from being opened beyond a predetermined angle (e.g., 180 degrees). 
         [0026]    Several dimensions and radius measurements are illustrated in  FIGS. 4A and 4B . These measurements are provided as an example only, and are subject to substantial modification within the teachings of the present invention. In accordance with a particular embodiment of the present invention, these dimensions may be as follows (in inches): A=2.3328, B=0.1250, C=0.4815, D=0.250, E=0.375, F=0.375, G=2.430, H=1.680, I=0.375, J=0.6775, K=0.375, L=0.2188, M=0.4815, N=1.294, 0=0.1250, P=1.4484, Q=0.375, and R=0.750 (e.g., tolerance+/−0.005). 
         [0027]    As illustrated in  FIG. 4A , the hinge member generally includes an elongate body having a first surface  67  that is configured to engage a component of a storage tank (e.g., the collar of an LPG tank). The body also includes a protrusion  68  that extends away from the first surface  67 . The protrusion forms a second surface  70  that is generally flat and is configured to engage the lid when the hinge member is installed in the first position. The body includes a generally concave third surface  64  that is configured to engage the lid when the hinge member is installed in the second position. As illustrated in  FIG. 4A , the second and third surfaces are on opposite sides of the protrusion. Thus, the hinge member may be rotated by one hundred and eighty degrees when being reconfigured from the first position to the second position. 
         [0028]    In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 , a pin  49  is inserted through a first aperture of the hinge member  48  in order to attach the hinge member  48  to the lid  46  and the cylindrical collar  44 . The cover assembly  40  illustrated in  FIG. 2 , where the lid stops at an angle of opening of approximately 120 degrees, is easily switched to the embodiment of the cover assembly  58  illustrated in  FIG. 3 , where the lid stops at an angle of opening of approximately 180 degrees. This switch is accomplished by merely flipping the hinge member so that a second aperture is on top of the first aperture. The hinge member is then attached to the lid and the cylindrical collar with a pin through the second aperture of the hinge member. Thus, the attachment of the hinge member, in one of two configurations allows either the embodiment of the present invention shown in  FIG. 2  or the embodiment shown in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0029]    Although the present invention has been described in several embodiments, a myriad of changes and modifications may be suggested to one skilled in the art, and it is intended that the present invention encompass such changes and modifications as fall within the scope of the present appended claims.