Patent ID: 8353142

Claim:
A method of sealing the interface between: (1) a sump used in connection with an underground storage tank, the sump having an outer surface defining an exterior, an inner surface defining an interior, the outer surface defining an opening into the interior of the sump; and (2) a cover adapted to cover the opening, the method comprising: providing a system comprising: the sump and the cover; an expanding ring assembly; the cover adapted to be attached with the expanding ring assembly by fasteners, the cover further adapted to be urged toward the interface between the opening and the cover and the fasteners are adapted to urge the cover toward the expanding ring; and at least one seal adapted to seal the interface between the opening and the cover when the expanding ring assembly is affixed to the interior of the sump and the cover is attached with the expanding ring assembly and urged toward the interface between the opening and the cover by the fasteners; affixing the expanding ring assembly to the interior of the sump by expanding the expanding ring assembly against the inner surface of the sump; placing the cover proximate the opening and the seal proximate the cover and the opening: and attaching the cover to the expansion ring assembly with the fasteners, thereby urging the cover toward the interface between the opening and the cover and causing the seal to seal the interface between the opening and the cover; whereby the expanding ring assembly is adapted to affix to the interior of the sump by expanding radially outward against the interior of the sump, the expanding ring assembly further adapted to be attached with the cover by the fasteners that urge the cover toward the expanding ring.