GB2352001A

GB2352001A - A remotely operated locking lid system

Info

Publication number: GB2352001A
Application number: GB0014004A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Andrew Quirk
Original assignee: CLAYTON COMMERCIALS Ltd
Current assignee: CLAYTON COMMERCIALS Ltd
Priority date: 1999-06-12
Filing date: 2000-06-09
Publication date: 2001-01-17
Also published as: GB0014004D0

Abstract

A remotely operated locking/unlocking lid system comprising a neck ring assembly 30 one end of which being attached to an aperture in a container and the other end being arranged to be covered by a lid 20. The lid system is provided with a mechanism for remotely locking/unlocking the lid 20 to/from the neck ring assembly 30. Preferably, the invention is enabled by a locking ring (45, fig 6) which extends circumferentially around the neck 30, the locking ring having locking members (48, fig 6) which cooperate with locking formations (23, fig 6) on the lid.

Description

1 2352001 LOCKING LID SYSTEM The invention relates to a locking lid

system, preferably a locking man lid system.

A man lid is an attachment for use with, for example, petrol, milk or oil tankers and other chemical tankers used in the road haulage industry. The man lid basically forms the means for filling the tanker using a large bore lo pipe and it is called a man lid because it is of sufficient size for a person to pass through for inspection or maintenance of the interior of the tanker.

Typical tankers use man lids which are attached to neck rings. The neck ring is permanently welded to the body of the tanker and provides locating points for the man lid which is hinged at one side and has a number of fixation points.

Referring now to Figure 1, there is shown an exploded view to illustrate the typical construction of a neck ring 1 and man lid 2 of the prior art. The neck ring 1 is, in use, welded to a top surface of a tanker around an aperture in the tanker body and allows access to the tanker. The neck ring includes a number of mounting points 3 each having a pair of opposed apertures 4 defining a path through which a hinge pin 5 may be passed and used to locate a swing bolt assembly 6. Each swing bolt assembly 6 comprises a bottom portion having an eye through which the hinge pin 5 may be passed, and a threaded upper portion which is arranged to cooperate with a wing nut 7.

2 The man lid 2 is hingedly connected to the neck ring 1 by means of a hinge lug and stop assembly 8 (arranged in use to be welded to the neck ring), a hinge pin 9 with washers 10 and nuts 11 which associate the lid 2 with the neck 1. There is further provided a compressible sealing ring 12.

Figures 2 and 3 show the lid and neck assembly of Figure 1 in an in use configuration. As can be seen, when moving from an open condition to a closed condition, the lid 2 is swung about it's hinge pin 9 by means of a handle 13 integral with the man lid 2 so as to seat upon the neck ring 1 and compress the seal ring 12 between the lid 2 and neck ring 1.

once in the closed position, the swing bolts which, at that time, will be loose and swung away from the lid 2, a-r-e, then swung about their hinge pins 5 towards the lid 2 and individually tightened by way of the wing nuts 7 so as to firmly seal the man lid in the closed position.

Whilst the above prior art arrangement is very secure in use, it is also quite a complex and involved operation to open and close it. In order to do the opening and closing operation, a man physically has to climb up the side of the tanker, onto a gantry at the top, undo all of the wing nuts, swing the lid open etc. The consequences of needing a human operative actually on the tanker are that additional safety paraphernalia are required on the tanker, such as proper ladders, hand rails, a flat working platform of a predetermined size adjacent the man lid etc.

3 It is an aim of embodiments of the present invention to provide a locking lid which may be locked and unlocked remotely.

It is a further aim of embodiments of the invention to provide a locking lid which, once unlocked, may be opened and closed remotely.

It is a further aim of embodiments of the invention to provide safety mechanisms for ensuring that once the lid is in a locked position, it will be maintained in the locked position even if a component used to bring about the locking of the lid should fail.

It is a further aim of preferred embodiments of the invention to provide a locking lid which is capable of being retrofitted to existing tankers, preferably using an existing neck ring.

According to a first aspect of the inventon, there is provided a locking lid system comprising a lid assembly, a neck ring assembly incorporating a neck ring, one end of which is adapted for attachment to an aperture formed in a container, and the other end of which is arranged, in a closed configuration of the lid assembly to be covered by the lid assembly, the lid system being particularly characterised in that the lid assembly is provided with a locking/unlocking mechanism for remotely locking/unlocking the lid to/from the neck ring assembly.

Preferably, the locking/unlocking mechanism comprises a locking ring, and locking ring support means, said locking ring being capable of rotation with respect to the 4 neck ring, rotation in a first direction being arranged to lock the lid assembly to the neck ring, and rotation in a second, opposite direction, being arranged to unlock the lid assembly from the neck ring.

Preferably, the locking ring is provided with locking members, which extend in a direction generally parallel to the locking ring and cooperate with locking formations of the lid assembly.

Preferably, the locking formations comprise adjustable members which are associated with the lid assembly and are arranged to compliment the locking members formed on the locking ring.

Preferably, the locking formations include rotatable load bearing members for cooperation with the locking members.

Alternatively, the locking formations may comprise brackets having elongated apertures formed therein, said brackets being adjustable during setting up operations so as to ensure even locking of the lid assembly with respect to the neck ring assembly.

The locking members preferably comprise projections which are arranged to cooperate with said elongated apertures. The projections are preferably tapered, such that during a locking operation, a narrow end of the projection is arranged to engage initially with the aperture of a corresponding locking formation and, during subsequent rotation of the locking ring in the locking direction, a relatively wider part of the projection is progressively introduced to its aperture so as to cause the formations to pull the lid assembly progressively tighter onto said other end of the neck ring.

Preferably, the locking ring support means defines a guide or channel within or on which at least part of said locking ring is arranged to fit and move.

Preferably, the locking ring support means comprise a plurality of rotatable load runners associated with the neck ring and distributed at spaced intervals circumferentially around the neck ring, a first number of said plurality of load runners being arranged to support the locking ring from beneath and a second number of said plurality of load runners being arranged to bear down on the locking ring from above.

The guide or channel may be f ormed on the neck ring and arranged to be discontinuous around the circumference of the neck ring.

Preferably, the locking ring is provided in a plurality of parts, said plurality of parts being joinable so as to form a complete ring extending fully around the circumference of the neck ring. Preferably, joints in the locking ring are arranged to be formed at points around the circumference of the neck ring in which the guide or channel is absent.

Preferably, the channel is formed by a plurality of channel bearing members, said channel bearing members being fixedly attached to the neck ring. Each channel bearing member preferably has a rear face welded or 6 otherwise fixed to the neck ring and the channel is preferably formed in a front face of said each channel bearing member.

Preferably, the channel is arranged to be concentric with the neck ring.

Preferably, the locking ring is arranged for rotation within the channel about the central axis of the neck ring.

Preferably, rotation of the lock ring is brought about by means of an actuating member of the locking/unlocking mechanism. The actuating member preferably comprises an is actuating rod connected to the locking ring and arranged to bring about rotation of the locking ring in said locking/unlocking direction.

Preferably, the actuating rod is arranged to extend/retract from the body portion of a locking actuating mechanism.

Preferably, the body portion of the locking actuating mechanism has a first end which is pivotally attached to a 2s hinge pin, said hinge pin having a central axis which is arranged to be static with respect to the neck ring, regardless of whether the lid is in a locked or unlocked position.

Preferably, the hinge pin of the locking/unlocking mechanism is connected to the neck ring assembly.

Alternatively, the hinge pin may be connected to the body portion of a tanker or similar.

7 The locking/unlocking mechanism may be electrically, hydraulically or pneumatically operated. Preferably, the locking/unlocking mechanism comprises a hydraulic or 5 pneumatic cylinder/piston arrangement.

Preferably, in the locked condition, the actuating rod of the locking mechanism is extended and, in an unlocked condition, the actuating rod of the locking mechanism is retracted with respect to the body portion.

The cylinder/piston arrangement may be located outside a spill box surrounding the lid. Locating the cylinder/piston arrangement outside of a spill box helps to protect the piston from fluid spillage which may occur when filling of the tanker or when disconnecting a filling pipe from the tanker.

Preferably, the locking lid system is provided with a safety mechanism for ensuring that, when the lid is in the locked condition, the lid cannot inadvertently be unlocked. The safety mechanism may comprise a bolt or rod for fixedly associating the lock ring with the neck ring (or with a container to which the system is attached) to maintain said lock ring in the locked position. The safety mechanism preferably comprises a remote actuator for extending or retracting the rod or bolt.

Preferably, the safety mechanism is provided with an actuator body portion fixedly connected to the neck ring, and the rod or bolt may be arranged to extend through an aperture or lug formed in the locking ring, when the locking ring is in the locked configuration.

8 The safety mechanism may alternatively be an integral part of the locking actuating mechanism, such that the mechanism is positively biased toward a normally locked condition. For instance, where the locking actuating mechanism comprises a cylinder/piston arrangement, spring biasing means may be provided to positively bias the arrangement toward the locked condition in the event of hydraulic/pneumatic pressure failure etc.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a locking lid system comprising a lid assembly, a neck ring assembly incorporating a cylindrical neck ring, one end of which is adapted for attachment to an aperture formed in a container, and the other end of which is arranged, in a closed configuration of the lid assembly, to be covered by the lid assembly, the lid system being particularly characterised in that the lid assembly is provided with an opening and closing assembly for lifting and lowering the list assembly to respectively expose or cover said other end of the neck ring from a remote position.

Opening/closing of the lid assembly may be achieved by providing an actuating mechanism for rotating the lid assembly about a hinge of the lid assembly. The lid assembly is preferably integral with or fixed to its hinge pin and the actuation mechanism may cause rotation of the hinge pin. The actuation mechanism may comprise an extension of the hinge pin which is rotatable by means of a gear assembly. An extension of the hinge pin may cooperate with a valve actuator. The valve actuator may be pneumatically operated. The valve actuator may be 9 located outside of the spill box, with the hinge pin extension extending from said valve actuator to the hinge pin within the spill box.

Alternatively, opening/closing of the lid assembly may be achieved by extending or retracting an actuating member, said actuating member having an actuating end which is attached to said lid assembly. The actuating member may comprise a rod, which may be extended from or retracted into a body portion of an actuating mechanism. The actuating mechanism may be electrically hydraulically or pneumatically operated. The actuating mechanism may comprise a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder/piston arrangement.

Preferably, the body portion of the actuating mechanism is attached to a bracket or plate which extends from the neck ring assembly or from a container to which the system is fitted. The actuating member may connect to a bracket of the lid assembly. Preferably the lid assembly is hingedly connected with respect to the neck ring assembly and actuation of the opening/closing mechanism is arranged to cause the lid assembly to rotate about said hinged connection.

It will be appreciated that the invention of the first aspect, may incorporate some or all of the features of the invention of the second aspect, in any combination and vice versa.

it will also be appreciated that it is within the competence of the man skilled in the art to provide a control system for sequentially operating a lid opening and closing assembly, a lid locking/unlocking mechanism etc. so as to provide timed actuation of the various components so that an operative need only flick a switch to bring the lid from a closed and locked configuration to an unlocked and open configuration in a series of controlled steps. It may however be desirable to ensure that a multistage operation needs to be carried out by an operator so as to provide an in-built safety factor. Alternatively/ additionally, such switch operation may be lo carried out by a key switch, code switch etc., so as to avoid inadvertent or mischievous operation.

The invention includes a kit of parts for converting a container, such as a tanker, having an existing neck ring, to conform with the system of the first or second aspects. The kit preferably comprises one or more members bearing a channel formation for fixing to the existing neck ring, a locking/unlocking mechanism for association with said members and/or an opening and closing assembly for remote open/closing and/or locking/unlocking of a lid.

Preferably, the lid is a man lid.

For a better understanding of the invention, and to show how embodiments of the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which:

Figure 4 is a side view (part sectional) of a locking man lid system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, showing the man lid in both open and closed configurations; 11 Figure 5 is a plan view of the assembly of Figure 4 in the closed configuration; Figure 6 shows detail of the locking mechanism of the apparatus of Figures 4 and 5; Figure 7 is a view along section AA of Figure 4; Figure 8 is a side view in the direction of arrow B of 10 Figure 5 showing detail of a ring joint of the assembly; Figure 9 is a schematic view showing a further arrangement in which a spill box is provided; Figure 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the arrangement of Figure 9; Fig-ure 11 shows detail of a locking ring support of a further embodiment; Figure 12 shows detail of a locking mechanism of the embodiment of Figure 11; Figure 13 shows detail of the clamp mechanism of the 2'5 embodiment of 'Figures 11 and 12; Figure 14 is a plan view of the man lid system of Figures 11 to 13; Figure 15 is a schematic sectional view showing in cut away some of the details of the locking mechanism and man lid system of the embodiment of Figures 11 to 14; and 12 Figure 16 shows detail of a ring joint of the locking ring of the embodiment of Figure 11 and 12.

Referring now to the Figures, there will be described an embodiment of a locking lid system in accordance with the present invention.

Considering initially Figures 4 and 5, there is shown a locking man lid system having a lid assembly designated generally by reference 20 (shown in thick lines in a closed configuration and in thinner lines in an open configuration), a neck ring assembly designated generally by reference 30, a piston and locking ring assembly 40 for locking and unlocking the lid in the closed position and a opening/closing mechanism 50 for opening and closing the lid assembly 20 when the piston and lock ring assembly are in the unlocked position.

in more detail, the lid assembly 20 comprises lid 21 having projecting shrouds 22 which carry adjustable locking formations 23 having adjusting and locking nuts 24, 25. The lid further features upstanding hinge plates 26 featuring a lower eye 27 through which a hinge pin 28 passes to hingedly associate the lid assembly 20 with the neck ring assembly 30 and an upper eye 29 through which a second hinge pin 51 of the opening and closing assembly is arranged to pass, this second hinge pin 51 provides a shaft which is the top connection for a piston rod of the opening and closing assembly which will be described in due course.

Turning now to the neck ring assembly 30, this assembly comprises a basic hollow cylinder which will be 13 referred to generally hereafter as the neck ring, which is welded to a tanker to which the man lid is to be fitted and a plate 32 joined to and extending from the neck ring 32 so as to project at right angles to the central axis of the neck ring 31 and sit on an outer surface of the tanker. The plate 32 provides mounting points for the opening and closing assembly 50.

The piston and locking ring assembly 40 comprises a lo body portion of a locking actuating mechanism in the form of a locking piston 41 having a first, static end 42 pivotally mounted to an extension bracket 43 welded to the neck ring 31 at a suitable point. The locking piston 41 includes an actuating member in the form of a rod 44, which is pivotally connected to a movable locking ring 45. The locking ring 45 extends circumferentially around the outside of the neck ring 31 and runs in a channel 46 formed by a channel bearing, C-shaped, member 47 welded to the neck ring 31. In fact, in the embodiment shown there are provided two C-shaped members 47 welded to the neck ring so as to opposed one another and mounted in the same horizontal plane. It is important to note that these Cshaped members do not meet with one another at their end portions and so do not completely circumferentially surround the neck ring 31. The channel 46 defined by the C-shaped members is therefore discontinuous. In this embodiment, the gap between ends of the C-shaped members is provided so as to allow the locking ring 45 to be associated with the channel 46 of the C-shaped members, by providing the locking ring 45 in two parts which are bolted to one another so as to form a completed locking ring. The locking ring 45 has a number of locking members in the form of projections, referred to hereinafter as 14 hockey stick attachments 48. Each hockey stick attachment 48 has a tapered end portion 48A which is arranged, in use, to locate within locking formations in the form of elongated apertures 23A formed in brackets 23B, with the brackets 23B each having a threaded end to adjust the positioning of the apertures 23A upwardly or downwardly with respect to the tapered ends 48A of the hockey stick attachments 48 by means of adjusting and locking nuts 24, 25.

Considering now the opening and closing assembly 50, a more detailed list of its components comprises a body portion in the form of a piston assembly 52 having a first end 53 pivotally attached to brackets 54 extending vertically from the plate 32 so that the opening/closing piston 52 may pivot about a horizontal axis. The open/close piston 52 further has an actuating member in the form of a rod 55 which is arranged to extend from and retract into the assembly 52. An actuating end 56 of the rod 55 is arranged to provide remote operation of the lid assembly 20 such that when the rod is extended, the lid 20 is closed and when the rod 54 is retracted, the lid assembly 20 is open.

mounting of the assembly to a typical tanker will now be described.

Firstly, the neck ring 31 is welded to the periphery of an aperture f ormed in the top of the tanker so as to extend upwardly therefrom. The neck ring 31 preferably is provided with the C-shaped members 47 already welded to it and is also preferably provided complete with the extension bracket 43 and the plate 32 having brackets 54.

In the alternative, when the system is to be retro-fitted to an existing tanker, an existing neck ring may be modified by welding channel bearing members, such as the C-shaped members referred to above, to it, to provide a channel and the tanker top/neck ring may be modified to provide plate 32.

The locking ring 45 complete with its associated hockey stick attachments 48 can next be mounted to the channel 46 formed in the C-shaped members 47. This is achieved by providing the locking ring in two identical half sections 45A, 45B and joining them together as shown in Figure 8. Joining of the two half rings 45A, 45B is achieved by providing end portions of those rings with up- standing lugs 451, 452 welded at right angles to ends of the C-shaped members, these lugs being joined to one another by simple nut and bolt arrangements 453, 454 extending through apertures formed in the lugs 451, 452 so as to bring their mating faces together.

From the above description, it will now be evident why the C-shaped members for the particular embodiment described are only provided around part of the circumference of the neck ring 31, as room must be allowed for the locking ring 45 to be brought into the channel 46 by introducing first one locking ring half 45A into a channel 4G of one of the C-shaped members and then introducing the second half of the locking ring 45B into a channel 46 of the other C-shaped member 47 and allowing the two half locking rings 45A, 45B to be locked to one another. Also, as will be appreciated from the operational description given later on, there must be sufficient distance between the end 47A of the first C-

16 shaped member and the end 47B of a second C-shaped member to allow the locking ring to move from an open position to a closed position by movement of the locking ring within the channel 46. It should be noted that alternative arrangements to the 2-part formation of channels and locking rings are mentioned in the closing passages of this description.

once the locking ring is in place, the locking piston 41 may be attached, with a static end 42 connected to the extension bracket 43 and with its actuating rod 44 having an end portion thereof located within an aperture 455 of the locking ring 45.

The lid assembly may then be placed over the neck ring 31 and hingedly attached to the neck ring 31 by means of the hinge plates 26 being joined to a hinge lug and stop assembly of the neck ring 31 by means of hinge pin 28.

Note that the hinge lug and stop assembly is not shown clearly in any of the Figures 4 to 9 as it is obscured by the lid and its opening mechanism - it will be appreciated however that the hinge lug and stop assembly is similar or identical to the assembly 8 of Figure 1.

The lid assembly 20 now rests over the neck ring 31 and with the adjsutable bolts completely slackened off such that as large a portion as possible of the aperture 23A is projecting downwardly and available for engagement with the hockey sticks 48. In this situation, the piston and locking ring assembly is actuated so as to bring the tapered ends 48A of each hockey stick 48 into engagement with the apertures 23A of each adjustable bolt 23. With the locking piston in a configuration such that the hockey 17 sticks 48 have been pushed home as far as possible into the apertures 23A, the adjusting and locking nuts 24, 25 are then adjusted such that the lid in its closed position is tightened down onto a seal (not shown) between the lid assembly 20 and the neck ring 31 as much as possible and evenly. This adjustment, once effected, need not be carried out again unless some wear of the seal takes place.

Having now established that the locking ring 45 is able to fully lock the lid into position, the locking piston 41 is actuated so as to unlock the assembly by retracting the actuating rod 44 as much as possible into the body portion of the piston 41. 15 Now that smooth locking and unlocking of the lid assembly has been verified, the opening and closing mechanism of the lid can be connected and tested. This is simply effected by mounting the open/close piston 52 with its first end pivotally attached to the brackets 54 and with the free end of the actuating rod 54 attached to second hinge pin 51 which connects through the upper eyes 29 of the opposed hinge plates 26.

With the man lid in the unlocked position, 'the opening/closing mechanism may be tested by operating the open/closed piston 52 to retract the actuating rod 54 and, so open the lid.

Although not shown in Figures 4 to 8, there is preferably also provided a safety mechanism for maintaining the man lid in the locked position, the reason for such a safety mechanism is to ensure that the lid remains locked even if hydraulic/pneumatic pressure of the locking piston 41 is lost.

Now that each of the elements of the man lid assembly have been described in detail, an example of how the system would operate in every day use, will now be given.

When it is desired to fill a tanker, the locking man lid system needs to be brought from the locked position, into the unlocked position and then opened. This is carried out as follows. Firstly, the safety mechanism (if fitted) is deactivated. With the locking ring 45 now being free to move the piston and lock ring assembly 40 is actuated so as to retract actuating rod 44 into the body of the locking piston 41 and, therefore, (when considered from the point of view of Figure 5) moving the locking ring 45 in an anti-clockwise direction to withdraw the tapered ends 48A of each hockey stick 48 from the elongated apertures 23A of the adjustable bolts 23.

Having rotated the locking ring 45 to unlock the man lid assembly 20, the man lid assembly may then pivoted away from the closed position, into the open position, by actuating the opening and closing assembly 50. Actuating the opening and closing assembly So involves retracting the actuating rod 54 into the body of open/close piston 52.

Now that the lid assembly 20 is in the open configuration, a large bore pipe may be swung into the aperture defined by the neck ring 31 and rapid filling of the tanker takes place.

19 once the tanker has been filled, liquid flow is cut off and the pipe withdrawn from the tanker and pulled away from the neck ring 31. The lid assembly 20 is now free to be closed by sequentially operating the open and close assembly 50, followed by the piston and lock ring assembly 40 and, finally, the safety assembly 60.

Referring to Figures 9 and 10, there is shown a variation on the system described in relation to the previous Figures, in which there is provided essentially the same man lid locking system, but with the locking piston 41 of the piston and locking ring assembly 40 being outside of a spill box arrangement 70 and with a different man lid opening system.

The spill box 70 comprises four upstanding walls 71, 72, 73 and 74 arranged around the man lid assembly so as to catch any spillage which may occur prior to or after filling of the tanker via the man lid neck. The spill box 70 includes a drain tube 75 which allows any spillage to be drained out of the spill box and channelled to a point approximately at ground level where it may be discretely discharged.

Because the area within the spill box is subject to contamination, and fluids carried in the tankers may have corrosive properties or attack delicate components, the system of Figures 10 and 11 has been devised to minimise any such problems effecting the opening/closing and locking mechanisms.

It will also be appreciated that Figures 9 and 10 show an alternative means by which the man lid 20 may be opened. In the drawings, a hinge pin 28 of the lid assembly 20 and integral with the lid assembly may be directly rotated by an extension rod 28a from an actuator 80 also located outside the spill box. The actuator 80 may include a gearing mechanism to cause rotation of the extension rod 28a and hence rotation of the hingepin 28 and opening of the lid assembly 20. Preferably, the actuator 80 comprises a valve actuator. It will be appreciated that this form of rotating the hinge assembly may of course be incorporated on the other embodiments mentioned previously and has the advantage that a smaller overall actuator mechanism may be required than is necessary to lift/lower a lid assembly 20 using a conventional piston/cylinder arrangement.

It will be appreciated that many variations to the system may be considered and are within the scope of this iTTvention. For instance, the locking ring need not necessarily move within a channel but could simply be guided and supported by support means provided on the neck ring so as to enable the locking ring to rotate with respect to the neck ring - Such an embodiment with the locking ring guided and supported by support means provided on the neck is shown and described hereinafter in Figures 10 to 15. In these Figures, equivalent elements to the elements shown in Figures 4 to 10 are designated by the same numeral as in those earlier Figures, but with the addition of a prime P).

Referring to Figure 11, there is shown a view of an embodiment of the invention, in which the man lid assembly 21 is removed for the sake of clarity. In the view of Figure 11, there is shown locking ring 45' with hockey 21 stick attachments 481 similar or identical to the ring 45 and hockey stick attachments 48 of the first embodiment.

In contrast to the first embodiments of the invention, the locking ring 45', rather than running in a channel, is supported by load runners 110 which are provided spaced apart circumferentially at intervals around the neck ring 31. The load runners 110 are essentially wheels having a central axle about which they may rotate as the locking ring 45' is moved back or forth. It will be appreciated lo that such a means of supporting the locking ring 451 may be used in conjunction with the man lid assembly 20 of the first embodiment. However, it is preferable that they are used in conjunction with the assembly described hereinafter in Figures 12 to 16. Also sho wn in Figure 11 is a spill box 70.

Referring now to Figures 12 and 13, there are shown details of a locking man lid assembly 20 for' use in conjunction with the locking ring 451 of Figure 11. The man lid assembly 201 is generally similar to that shown in relation to the first embodiment of the invention, but is provided with a different adjusting and locking formation.

On the projecting shrouds 22, of the lid assembly 201, there are provided locking formations 23' with adjusting 24' and locking nuts 251. The locking and adjusting nuts 241, 251 work in similar fashion to the locking and adjusting nuts 24, 25 of the first embodiment. In contrast to the first embodiment however the locking formations 231 include tapered load runners 231 having a central axle 232. As can perhaps be seen best from Figure 13, the hockey stick attachments 481 of the locking ring 45' cooperate with the tapered load runners 231 by, upon rotation of the locking ring 451 the hockey stick 22 attachments 481 coming into contact with the tapered load runners 231. As the locking ring 451 further rotates, the hockey stick attachments 481 bear down upon the tapered load runners 231 by increasing amounts so as to securely pull the man lid assembly 20' down onto the neck 311. it should be noted that in Figures 13 and 14, the load runners 110 supporting the locking ring 45' have been omitted for the sake of clarity.

Referring now to Figure 14, there is shown a top plan view of the locking man lid system of Figures 11 to 13.

Again in this view, the load runners 110 have been omitted for the sake of clarity.

In Figure 14, there is shown the spill box 70 and man lid assembly 20' in the closed and locked position such that the hockey stick attachments 48, of the locking ring 451 extend over the tapered load runners 231. Also shown in this view, is a spring brake chamber 411 having an actuator rod 441 with a linkage 4551 to the locking ring 451. Forward or backward movement of the rod 44, by means of the spring brake chamber 411 causing locking/unlocking to occur in similar fashion to the arrangements of the f irst embodiment. There is further shown an opening and closing assembly 50'. In more detail, the opening and closing assembly 50, comprises valve actuator 501 which is arranged to cause rotation of hinge pin 502 which is securely attached hinge plates 261 which, in turn, are securely fixed to the man lid assembly 201. The pin S02 is supported by brackets 301 to either side of the plates 261. The brackets 301 are best seen in the schematic sectional view of Figure 15.

23 Referring now to Figure 15, there is shown a part cutaway schematic view showing some of the details of the embodiments of Figure 11 to 14. In Figure 15 the load runners 110 are not shown, likewise, the valve actuator 501 is not shown. However, this Figure is useful in that it shows one supporting bracket 301 (there being a further supporting bracket 301 to the other side of hinge plate 26, and obscured from view) and it shows in more detail the formation of the plates 26'.

Referring now to Figure 16, there is shown detail of a joint formed in the locking ring 45'. In similar fashion to the first embodiment, it will be appreciated that the locking ring 45, is split into two pieces 45A' and 45B1.

The first half 45A, has flange plate 4511 and the second part of the locking ring 45B1 has flange plates 452'. The two halves of the locking ring 45A' and 45B', are joined together via their flanges 4511, 4521 by means of nut and bolt formations 4541, 4531.

Although not explicitly mentioned herein, it will be appreciated that the pistons/rods of the open/close, locking and safety mechanisms may be electrically, hydraulically, or preferably pneumatically operated. The beauty of the system is that operation may take place in a completely remote fashion, with no need for operatives to climb onto the body of the tanker itself. This means that the associated safety paraphernalia such as ladders, hand rails etc. is not required. It is also means that filling operations can take place much quicker as each of the adjustable bolts go from an unlocked to a locked configuration in a single operation.

24 Because of the utility of the system, it will be appreciated that there will be great incentive to retrofit the system to existing tankers and, as explained herein, the actual fitting and setting up operations are 5 relatively simple and need only be performed once.

Whilst in the above description man lids in particular are referred to, it will be appreciated that the teachings of the invention may extend to other lid systems.

The reader's attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extend to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so' disclosed.

26

Claims

4 1 A 'Locking Ld svs,.--em comprising a lid assemizly, a neck ring assembly incorporating a neck ring, one end of which is adapted for attachment to an aperture formed in a container, and the other end of which is arranged, in a closed configuration of the lid assembly to be covered by the lid assembly, the lid system being particularly characterised in that the lid assembly is provided with a lo locking/unlocking mechanism for remotely locking/unlocking the lid to/from the neck ring assembly.
2. A system according to claim 1, wherein the locking/unlocking mechanism comprises a locking ring, and locking ring support means, said locking ring being capable of rotation with respect to the neck ring, rotation in a first direction being arranged to lock the lid assembly to the neck ring, and rotation in a second, opposite direction, being arranged to unlock the lid assembly from the neck ring.
3. A system according to claim 2, wherein the locking ring is provided with locking members, which extend in a direction generally parallel to the locking ring and cooperate with locking formations of the lid assembly.
4. A system according to claim 3, wherein the locking formations comprise adjustable members which are associated with the lid assembly and are arranged to compliment the locking members formed on the locking ring.

27
5. A system according to claim 4, wherein the locking formations include rotatable load bearing members for cooperation with the locking members.
G. A system according to claim 4, wherein the locking formations comprise brackets having elongated apertures formed therein, said brackets being adjustable during setting up operations so as to ensure even locking of the lid assembly with respect to the neck ring assembly.
7. A system according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the locking members comprise--projecjions which are arranged to cooperate with said locking formations.
8. A system according to claim 7, wherein the projections are tapered, such that during a locking operation, a narrow end of the projection is arranged to engage initially with-- a corresponding locking formation and, during subsequent rotation of the locking ring in the locking direction, a relatively wider part of the projection is progressively introduced to its aperture so as to cause the formations to pull the lid assembly progressively tighter onto said other end of the neck ring.
9. A system according to any of claims 3 to 8 wherein, the locking ring support means defines a guide or channel within or on which at least part of said locking ring is arranged to fit and move.
10. A system according to any of claims 3 to 9, wherein the locking ring support means comprise a plurality of rotatable load runners associated with the neck ring and 28 distributed at spaced intervals circumferentially around the neck ring, a first number of said plurality of load runners being arranged to support the locking ring from beneath and a second number of said plurality of load runners being arranged to bear down on the locking ring from above.
11. A system according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the locking ring is arranged for rotation about the central 10 axis of the neck ring.
12. A system according to any of claims 2 to 11, wherein rotation of the locking ring is brought about by means of an actuating member of the locking/unlocking mechanism.
13. A system according to claim 12, wherein the actuating member comprises an actuating rod connected to the locking ring and arranged to bring about rotation of the locking ring in said locking/unlocking direction.
14. A system according to any of claims 2 to 13, wherein there is provided a safety mechanism for ensuring that, when the lid is in the locked condition, the lid cannot inadvertently be unlocked.
15. A system according to claim 14, wherein the safety mechanism is an integral part of the locking actuating mechanism, such that the mechanism is positively biased toward a normally locked condition.
16. A system according to any preceding claim, further comprising an opening and closing assembly for lifting and 29 lowering the lid assembly to respectively expose or cover said other end of the neck ring from a remote position.
17. A system according to claim 16, wherein opening/closing of the lid assembly is achieved by providing an actuating mechanism for rotating the lid assembly about a hinge of the lid assembly.
18. A system according to claim 17, wherein the lid assembly is integral with or fixed to its hinge pin and the actuation mechanism causes rotation of the hinge pin.
19. A system according to claim 18, wherein the actuation mechanism comprises an extension of the hinge pin which is rotatable by means of a gear assembly.
20. A system according to claim 16, wherein opening/closing of the lid assembly is achieved by extending or retracting an actuating member, said actuating member having an actuating end which is attached to said lid assembly.
21. A system according to claim 20, wherein the actuating member comprises a rod, which is extendible from or retractable into a body portion of an actuating mechanism.
22. A system according to claim 21, wherein the body portion of the actuating mechanism is attached to a bracket or plate which extends from the neck ring assembly or from a container to which the system is fitted.
23. A system according to claim 22, wherein the actuating member connects to a bracket of the lid assembly.
24. A system according to any preceding claim, wherein the lid system is a man lid system and the lid is a man lid.
25. A kit of parts for converting a container, such as a tanker, having an existing neck ring, to conform with the system of any of the preceding claims.
26. The kit of claim 25 comprising one or more members bearing a channel formation for fixing to the existing lo neck ring, a locking/unlocking mechanism for association with said members and/or an opening and closing assembly for remote open/closing and/or locking/unlocking of a man lid.
27. A container having a neck ring and further including a locking lid system in accordance with any of claims 1 to 23.
28. A locking lid system substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 4 to 16.