Tank connector

Abstract

A panelized tank, and connectors and transport/stacking lugs therefor include a pair of mating connector halves, a first half with a pair of plates separated by a gap, a second half with a single plate fitting into the gap. Each connector half has openings that align with openings of the other connector half for use of a bolt or rod to further secure the panels together. Lugs are placed on the panels to assist in lifting and/or storage/transport/stacking of the panels.

1 . A connector for a tank, comprising:
 a pair of mating connector halves, a first half having a pair of plates separated by a gap, and a second half having a single plate sized so as to fit the gap;   each half having at least two openings therein, the at least two openings of the first half pair of plates matching the at least two openings in the second half plate.   
     
     
         2 . The connector of  claim 1 , and further comprising a connector rod that extends through the matched openings. 
     
     
         3 . The connector of  claim 2 , wherein the connector rod comprises a bolt. 
     
     
         4 . (canceled) 
     
     
         4 . A tank panel, comprising:
 a wall portion;   a first mating connector portion at a first end of the wall portion, the first mating connector portion comprising a pair of mating connector halves, a first half having a pair of plates separated by a gap; and   a second mating connector portion at a second end of the wall portion, the second half having a single plate sized so as to fit the gap.   
     
     
         5 . The tank panel of  claim 4 , wherein adjacent tank panels are connected when the first mating connector portion of a first panel is connected to a second mating connector portion of a second panel. 
     
     
         6 . A method of connecting panels of a tank together, comprising:
 joining a first mating connector portion of a first panel with a second mating connector portion of a second panel, wherein the first mating connector portion comprises a pair of places separated by a gap, and wherein the second mating connector portion comprises a single plate sized to fit the gap.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , and further comprising:
 connecting the first panel and the second panel by inserting a locking rod into aligned holes of the first mating connector portion and the second mating connector portion when the first mating connector portion and the second mating connector portion are aligned.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein inserting a locking rod comprises inserting a bolt. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein inserting a locking rod comprises inserting a bolt and locking it in place with a cotter pin.