US20140023434A1 - Tank connector - Google Patents
Tank connector Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20140023434A1 US20140023434A1 US13/911,165 US201313911165A US2014023434A1 US 20140023434 A1 US20140023434 A1 US 20140023434A1 US 201313911165 A US201313911165 A US 201313911165A US 2014023434 A1 US2014023434 A1 US 2014023434A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- mating connector
- panel
- connector portion
- gap
- pair
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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Images
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D7/00—Containers having bodies formed by interconnecting or uniting two or more rigid, or substantially rigid, components made wholly or mainly of metal
- B65D7/12—Containers having bodies formed by interconnecting or uniting two or more rigid, or substantially rigid, components made wholly or mainly of metal characterised by wall construction or by connections between walls
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T29/00—Metal working
- Y10T29/49—Method of mechanical manufacture
- Y10T29/49826—Assembling or joining
- Y10T29/49947—Assembling or joining by applying separate fastener
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T29/00—Metal working
- Y10T29/49—Method of mechanical manufacture
- Y10T29/49826—Assembling or joining
- Y10T29/49947—Assembling or joining by applying separate fastener
- Y10T29/49948—Multipart cooperating fastener [e.g., bolt and nut]
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T403/00—Joints and connections
- Y10T403/75—Joints and connections having a joining piece extending through aligned openings in plural members
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Connection Of Plates (AREA)
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.
Description
- This Application is a Non-Provisional of U.S. Application Ser. No. 61/656,374, titled “TANK CONNECTOR,” filed Jun. 6, 2012, (Pending) which is commonly assigned and incorporated herein by reference.
- The present disclosure relates generally to panelized tanks and in particular the present disclosure relates to connectors for panels of large tanks.
- Large panelized tanks can have large stresses applied thereto when assembled, Assembly of tanks requires in many instances specialized equipment simply to lift the large, heavy panels. Typical connectors for panels of panelized tanks use a loose connection system in which bosses are attached to and extend from panels, and a separate releasable plate that has openings fitting over the bosses. A hole in each boss allows a pin to be placed therethrough to loosely connect the panels using the bosses, separate plate, and pins.
- For the reasons stated above, and for other reasons stated below which will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading and understanding the present specification, there is a need in the art for an improved tank connector and transport/stacking efficiency.
-
FIG. 1 is an elevation view of panels connected with a connector according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; -
FIG. 2 is a detailed elevation view of one half of a connector such as that shown inFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 3 is a top view of the connector half ofFIG. 2 ; -
FIG. 4 is a detailed elevation view of an other half of a connector such as that shown inFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 5 is a top view of the connector half ofFIG. 4 ; -
FIG. 6 is an elevation view of a pair of connector halves joined to form a connector; -
FIG. 7 is a top view of the pair of joined connector halves ofFIG. 6 - In the following detailed description of the embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof. In the drawings, like numerals describe substantially similar components throughout the several views. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. Other embodiments may be utilized and structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.
- The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present disclosure is defined only by the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.
-
FIG. 1 is an elevation view of apanel 100 of a tank according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.Panel 100 comprises awall portion 102, the wall portion having afirst end 104 with a plurality of firstmating connector portions 106 at thefirst end 104 of thewall portion 102, andsecond end 108 with a plurality of secondmating connector portions 110 at thesecond end 108. The firstmating connector portions 106 of thepanel 100 may be used to join thepanel 100 to an adjacent panel's (such as another panel 100) plurality of secondmating connector portions 110. - A first
mating connector portion 106 is shown in greater detail inFIGS. 2 and 3 . Firstmating connector portion 106 comprises a pair ofplates gap 206. Theplates openings plates plates end 104 of a panel such aspanel 102, at various positions from the bottom of the panel to the top of the panel. Attachment may be made by any number of ways, including but not limited to welding, bolting, or the like. - A second
mating connector portion 110 is shown in greater detail inFIGS. 4 and 5 . Secondmating connector portion 110 comprises asingle plate 402. The plate is sized in thickness so as to fit into a gap, such asgap 206, of a first mating connector portion such asportion 106. Theplate 402 hasopenings openings plates plate 402 is inserted into thegap 206 betweenplates plates 402 are attached to theend 108 of a panel such aspanel 102, at various positions from the bottom of the panel to the top of the panel. Attachment may be made by any number of ways, including but not limited to welding, bolting, or the like. The connectors may also be referred to as halves, with one half being the first mating connector portion and the second half being the second mating connector portion. - In one embodiment, the
plates - Joining of the first
mating connector portion 106 and the secondmating connector portion 110 is shown in greater detail inFIGS. 6 and 7 .FIG. 6 shows an elevation view of the secondmating connector portion 110 having itsplate 402 inserted between theplates 402 and 404 of firstmating connector portion 106. Theopenings openings mating connector portion 106 to secondmating connector portion 110. This secures adjacent panels such aspanels 100 together. In one embodiment, the thickness of the single plate of each second mating connector portion is greater than the thickness of the plates of the first mating connector portion. - In operation, panels such as
panel 102 are aligned end to end, so that an end having a first mating connector portion aligns with an end of an adjacent panel having a second mating connector portion. The holes in the plates of the connector portions are aligned, with the single plate connector portion having its plate between the plates of the double plate connector portion. When the holes are aligned, a bolt or the like is inserted to secure the panels together. - In another embodiment, a panel such as
panel 102 may have a plurality of carry/hoist/stack/transport lugs affixed thereto, to aid in transport, stacking and the like of one or more panels. The lugs are used in one embodiment to assist in stacking or transport to reduce the potential for damage during those actions. Each panel has a plurality of lugs affixed or attached thereto at various points on the panel. The lugs serve multiple purposes, including as lifting points and as spacers for stacking and/or transport. Referring back toFIG. 1 , a plurality oflugs 150 are shown. In one embodiment, there are sixlugs 150 spaced on the panel. Referring toFIG. 1 ,lugs 150 can be seen at thetop 152 andbottom 154 of thepanel 102. It should be understood that thelugs 150 may be positioned on apanel 102 so as to allow for lifting and/or stacking, and that therefore, the positions shown in the figure may be different without departing from the scope of the disclosure. In one embodiment, thelugs 150 are rectangular and thick enough to support a lifting of an entire panel by a single plate. Thelugs 150 may have, in one embodiment, an opening or a through-hole for a lifting hook or other shackle. - Claim 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 one opening therein, the at least one opening of the first half pair of plates matching the at least one opening in the second half plate. Claim 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. The connector of claim 2, wherein the connector rod comprises a bolt.
- Claim 5. 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. Claim 6. The tank panel of claim 5, 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.
- Claim 7. 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. Claim 8. The method of claim 7, 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. The method of claim 8, wherein inserting a locking rod comprises inserting a bolt. The method of claim 8, wherein inserting a locking rod comprises inserting a bolt and locking it in place with a cotter pin.
- Claim 11. A tank, comprising a plurality of tank panels connected together, each 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.
- A tank connector, tank panels, and stacking/transport aids have been described that include a panel with a first connector portion with two plates, a second connector portion with one plate fitting between a gap in the two plates of the first connector portion, and openings in the plates for securing the plates together with a bolt or rod. Lugs for lifting and/or staking/transport are positioned on the panel so as to aid in lifting panels, and to aid in load spreading for stacking and/or transport of panels.
- Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that any arrangement, which is calculated to achieve the same purpose, may be substituted for the specific embodiment shown. This application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the present invention. Therefore, it is manifestly intended that this invention be limited only by the claims and the equivalents thereof.
Claims (10)
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.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US13/911,165 US20140023434A1 (en) | 2012-06-06 | 2013-06-06 | Tank connector |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US201261656374P | 2012-06-06 | 2012-06-06 | |
US13/911,165 US20140023434A1 (en) | 2012-06-06 | 2013-06-06 | Tank connector |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20140023434A1 true US20140023434A1 (en) | 2014-01-23 |
Family
ID=49946671
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US13/911,165 Abandoned US20140023434A1 (en) | 2012-06-06 | 2013-06-06 | Tank connector |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
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US (1) | US20140023434A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2022098449A3 (en) * | 2020-08-16 | 2022-08-11 | Wheel Pros, Llc | Novel construction and sealing method for modular pressure reservoir. |
Citations (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US7392624B2 (en) * | 2003-02-05 | 2008-07-01 | Dwight Eric Kinzer | Modular load-bearing structural column |
US20130098906A1 (en) * | 2011-10-21 | 2013-04-25 | Sean Michael Lovelace | Portable Reservoir Frame |
US20130098910A1 (en) * | 2011-10-25 | 2013-04-25 | Cliff Edward Simpson | Portable storage reservoir and connector |
US20130098929A1 (en) * | 2011-10-21 | 2013-04-25 | Sean Michael Lovelace | Portable Reservoir Frame |
US20130129409A1 (en) * | 2011-11-23 | 2013-05-23 | Hyundai Motor Company | Device and method for joining a composite and metallic material |
US20130213968A1 (en) * | 2012-02-16 | 2013-08-22 | Big Frackin Tanks, Llc | Processes and assemblies for connecting modular tank systems |
US8739492B2 (en) * | 2008-07-09 | 2014-06-03 | Skyfuel, Inc. | Space frame connector |
-
2013
- 2013-06-06 US US13/911,165 patent/US20140023434A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US7392624B2 (en) * | 2003-02-05 | 2008-07-01 | Dwight Eric Kinzer | Modular load-bearing structural column |
US8739492B2 (en) * | 2008-07-09 | 2014-06-03 | Skyfuel, Inc. | Space frame connector |
US20130098906A1 (en) * | 2011-10-21 | 2013-04-25 | Sean Michael Lovelace | Portable Reservoir Frame |
US20130098929A1 (en) * | 2011-10-21 | 2013-04-25 | Sean Michael Lovelace | Portable Reservoir Frame |
US20130098910A1 (en) * | 2011-10-25 | 2013-04-25 | Cliff Edward Simpson | Portable storage reservoir and connector |
US20130129409A1 (en) * | 2011-11-23 | 2013-05-23 | Hyundai Motor Company | Device and method for joining a composite and metallic material |
US20130213968A1 (en) * | 2012-02-16 | 2013-08-22 | Big Frackin Tanks, Llc | Processes and assemblies for connecting modular tank systems |
Non-Patent Citations (1)
Title |
---|
"Pins." Fastener Corporation of America. 07-01-2009, [online], [retrieved on 04-08-2014]. Retrieved from the Internet . * |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2022098449A3 (en) * | 2020-08-16 | 2022-08-11 | Wheel Pros, Llc | Novel construction and sealing method for modular pressure reservoir. |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: TRUENORTH STEEL, INC., NORTH DAKOTA Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:GWOST, GERARD;REEL/FRAME:031339/0492 Effective date: 20130927 |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |