Connection device for use with a blast-resistant container

Abstract

A connection device for use with a blast-resistant container comprises a frame with a recess, and a connecting member. An arcuate surface is formed on the outside of the opening of the recess. The connecting member is connected to the frame at one end with a head engaged in the recess and connected to a side panel at the other end. Thus, this connection device can transmit strong membrane force between each two panels of a container and meet the connection requirement of a blast-resistant container. When there is a blast, the connection device is able to confine the blast within the container in that the maximum strain of the plastic hinge in the connecting member can be controlled by the curvature of that arcuate surface formed on the frame.

1 . A connection device for use with a blast-resistant container comprises: 
 a first panel having an edge;    a connecting member which can be plastically bent and securely connects to said panel edge at one edge of itself, a head being formed at the other edge of this connecting member;    a frame having a recess which is formed with an extended segment on its opening and can hold said head of said connecting member such that the connecting member can be securely connected to the frame in all directions except the longitudinal direction of the frame, the outside opening of said recess being shaped as an arcuate surface such that the connecting member can be bent according to said arcuate surface when said first panel is pushed outwardly; and    a second panel having an edge which securely connects to said frame,    thereby when the blast is happened inside a container, said first panel and the connecting member will be rapidly pushed outwardly by the blast pressure and the connecting member will be stamped on and deformed according to said arcuate surface such that a plastic hinge is thus formed on a controlled position and the maximum strain is controlled by the curvature of said arcuate surface to prevent the destruction of overly bending near the edge of a container panel.    
   
   
       2 . The connection device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said frame uses reinforced ribs in its excavated cross section to reduce the weight with its main stiffness being kept.  
   
   
       3 . The connection device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said connecting member is L shaped and has a head and a lip extending from an elbow of this connecting member.  
   
   
       4 . The connection device as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein said lip of said L shaped connecting member is extended outwardly from the elbow of said connecting member and its thickness is nearly the same as other portion of L shaped connecting member without a strengthened design.  
   
   
       5 . The connection device as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein said lip of said L shaped connecting member is extended inwardly from the elbow of said connecting member and its thickness is much greater than other portion of L shaped connecting member with a strengthened design.  
   
   
       6 . The connection device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein additional roller assemblies are installed to the bottom of said recess of said frame such that the first panel can slide on said frame in its longitudinal direction smoothly and can be used as a door.  
   
   
       7 . The connection device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the connecting member is made of stainless steel for using associated with the case that the curvature of said arcuate surface of said frame is great.  
   
   
       8 . The connection device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the connecting member is made of aluminum alloy with high toughness for using associated with the case that the curvature of said arcuate surface of said frame is moderate.