Hinge assembly for connecting barrels
AssigneeMichael Evan Falvey
InventorsEvan Michael Falvey, Jeffrey J. Grant, Jeremy M. Gettler, Seth L. Wilson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A hinge assembly is mountable on first and second large drums or barrels so that the first drum or barrel can be lifted or raised to drain liquid from the first drum or barrel into the second drum or barrel. The hinge assembly includes inner and outer plates which clamp to the rim of each drum to secure the hinge assembly to the drums. The plates may be adjustable to fit different rim dimensions. The hinge assembly does not penetrate, damage or alter the drums. An optional handle can be mounted to the hinge assembly to facilitate lifting of the first drum.
Claims18
A hinge assembly for consolidating fluid from a first barrel to a second barrel, comprising:
- opposite first and second sides pivotally connected to one another and attachable to an upper rim of each of the first and second barrels, respectively, to define a horizontal pivot axis;
- whereby the first barrel can be pivoted upwardly about the pivot axis to drain fluid from the first barrel into the second barrel;
- wherein each side of the hinge includes a curved member to substantially match the curved upper rims of the barrels;
- wherein each curved member includes an inner plate and an outer plate which are adapted to clamp the rims of each one of the barrels between the inner and outer plates, so as to mount the hinge assembly to the first and second barrels.
A method of draining fluid from a first drum to a second drum, comprising:
- providing a hinge, wherein each side of the hinge includes a curved member to substantially match curved upper rims of the drums;
- wherein each curved member includes an inner plate and an outer plate which are adapted to clamp the rims of each one of the drums between the inner and outer plates so as to mount the hinge assembly to the first and second drums;
- securing opposite sides of the hinge to an upper rim of each drum;
- tipping the first drum upwardly about a horizontal axis of the hinge so that fluid from the first drum pours into the second drum.
A hinge assembly for use with drums having a sidewall and an upper rim, comprising:
- a first clamp mountable to the upper rim of a first drum;
- a second clamp mountable to the upper rim of a second drum;
- the first and second clamps being pivotally connected to one another with a horizontal pivot axis, such that the first drum can be raised upwardly about the pivot axis to drain liquid in the first drum into the second drum while the second drum remains stationary;
- wherein each side of the clamp includes a curved member to substantially match curved upper rims of the drums;
- wherein each curved member includes an inner plate and an outer plate which are adapted to clamp the rims of each one of the drums between the inner and outer plates so as to mount the clamp assembly to the first and second drums.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.