US2008121644A1PendingUtilityA1

Tank Cover Hinge Assembly

14
Individually held — no corporate assignee on recordPriority: Nov 28, 2006Filed: Nov 28, 2006Published: May 29, 2008
Est. expiryNov 28, 2026(~0.3 yrs left)· nominal 20-yr term from priority
Inventors:Greg E. Mcrae
B60K 15/05B60K 2015/053
14
PatentIndex Score
0
Cited by
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References
0
Claims

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.

Claims

exact text as granted — not AI-modified
1 . An assembly, comprising:
 a hinge member having a first surface being configured to engage a collar of a tank and a second surface being configured to engage a lid; and   wherein the hinge member provides a coupling between the collar and the lid, the hinge member being configured to prevent movement of the lid beyond a predetermined angle of opening with respect to an imaginary longitudinal axis of the tank.   
     
     
         2 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the tank comprises a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) tank. 
     
     
         3 . The assembly of  claim 2 , wherein:
 the hinge member comprises an elongate body having a first surface being configured to engage the collar, and a protrusion extending away from the first surface; and   the protrusion having a generally flat second surface being configured to engage the lid when the hinge member is installed in a first position, and a generally concave third surface being configured to engage the lid when the hinge member is installed in a second position.   
     
     
         4 . The assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the second surface and third surface are on opposite sides of the protrusion. 
     
     
         5 . The assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the hinge member is selectively installable in either the first position or the second position. 
     
     
         6 . The assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the predetermined angle of opening is approximately equal to one hundred and eighty degrees. 
     
     
         7 . The assembly of  claim 6 , wherein engagement between the hinge member and the lid provides sufficient strength to allow a horizontal surface of the lid to support in excess of fifteen pounds without allowing the lid to deflect beyond approximately one hundred and eighty degrees. 
     
     
         8 . The assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the predetermined angle of opening is approximately equal to one hundred and twenty degrees. 
     
     
         9 . The assembly of  claim 2 , wherein:
 the lid is coupled to the hinge member adjacent to a first edge of the lid;   the lid includes a second edge that is opposite the first edge; and   the predetermined angle of opening is selected to prevent the second edge from extending outside of a circumference of the tank.   
     
     
         10 . The cover assembly of  claim 2 , wherein:
 the hinge member includes a first installation position and a second installation position;   when the hinge member is installed in the first installation position, the predetermined angle of opening is approximately equal to one hundred and eighty degrees; and   when the hinge member is installed in the second installation position, the predetermined angle of opening is approximately equal to or less than one hundred and thirty degrees.   
     
     
         11 . The assembly of  claim 10 , wherein:
 the lid is coupled to the hinge member adjacent to a first edge of the lid;   the lid includes a second edge that is opposite the first edge; and   when the hinge member is installed in the second installation position, the predetermined angle of opening is selected to prevent the second edge from extending outside of a circumference of the tank.   
     
     
         12 . The assembly of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 an elongate pin;   wherein the hinge member defines a first opening and a second opening that is spaced from the first opening;   the pin being configured to extend through the first opening or the second opening to provide the coupling between the collar and the lid;   when the pin extends through the first opening, the hinge member is in the first position; and   when the pin extends through the second opening, the hinge member is in the second position.   
     
     
         13 . The assembly of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a pin being configured to extend through the first opening or the second opening, to provide the coupling between the collar and the lid; and   wherein removal of the pin allows the hinge member, the lid, and the collar to separate with respect to each other.   
     
     
         14 . The assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the hinge member comprises plastic. 
     
     
         15 . The assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the hinge member comprises metal. 
     
     
         16 . An apparatus, comprising:
 a body having a first surface being configured to engage a component of a storage container, and a protrusion extending away from the first surface; and   the protrusion having a generally flat second surface being configured to engage a container lid when the apparatus is installed in a first position, and a generally concave third surface being configured to engage the container lid when the hinge member is installed in a second position.   
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , further comprising the component of the storage container and the lid, and wherein the lid is positioned to protect valves extending from an upper surface of the storage container. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 17  wherein:
 the body may be coupled with the component of the storage container and the lid in a first position;   the body may be decoupled from the component of the storage container and the lid and re-coupled to the lid and the component of the storage container, in a second position;   the first position defines a first predetermined angle of opening of approximately one hundred and twenty degrees; and   the second position defines a second predetermined angle of opening of approximately one hundred and eighty degrees.   
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , further comprising a pin operable to accommodate coupling among the body, the component of the storage container, and the lid. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein:
 the body has first and second apertures formed therein;   the first aperture being configured to accommodate the pin in the first position; and   the second hole aperture being configured to accommodate the pin in the second position.   
     
     
         21 . An assembly, comprising:
 an LPG storage tank;   a base being coupled to a lower portion of the LPG storage tank to support the LPG storage tank in an upright position;   a hinge member having a first surface being configured to engage a collar of the LPG storage tank and a second surface being configured to engage a lid;   the hinge member providing a coupling between the collar and the lid, the hinge member being configured to prevent movement of the lid beyond a predetermined angle of opening with respect to an imaginary longitudinal axis of the LPG storage tank;   the hinge member including a first installation position and a second installation position;   when the hinge member is installed in the first installation position, the predetermined angle of opening is approximately equal to one hundred and eighty degrees;   when the hinge member is installed in the second installation position, the predetermined angle of opening is approximately equal to or less than one hundred and thirty degrees;   the lid being coupled to the hinge member adjacent to a first edge of the lid;   the lid including a second edge that is opposite the first edge;   when the hinge member is installed in the second installation position, the predetermined angle of opening is selected to prevent the second edge from extending outside of a circumference of the tank;   an elongate pin;   wherein the hinge member defines a first opening and a second opening that is spaced from the first opening;   the pin being configured to extend through the first opening or the second opening to provide the coupling between the collar and the lid;   when the pin extends through the first opening, the hinge member is in the first position; and   when the pin extends through the second opening, the hinge member is in the second position.

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