# US 2014/0190087 A1 · Duct Access Door > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0190087 A1 - Document ID: US20140190087A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/209,022 - Filed: 2014-03-13 - Published: 2014-07-10 - Earliest claimed: 2012-11-07 - Assignees: Omni Containment Systems, LLC - Applicants: Omni Containment Systems, LLC - Inventors: Kevin R. Chwala - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140190087A1 ## CPC - F24F 13/029: {Duct comprising an opening for inspection, e.g. manhole} - E05B 35/008: {for simple tool-like keys} - E05B 63/143: {Arrangement of several locks, e.g. in parallel or series, on one or more wings} - E05B 65/006: {for covers or panels (for manholes E02D29/1427; for holes enabling access to installations in buildings E04F19/08; for pressure vessels F16J13/00)} - E05C 3/042: {the handle being at one side, the bolt at the other side or inside the wing} - E05C 21/00: Arrangements or combinations of wing fastening, securing, or holding devices, not covered by a single preceding main group; {Locking kits} - E06B 3/04: Wing frames not characterised by the manner of movement (features relating to the manner of movement E06B3/32) - E06B 5/00: Doors, windows, or like closures for special purposes {(insulated compound frames specially adapted for sliding doors or windows E06B3/26347)}; Border constructions therefor - F16B 31/00: Screwed connections specially modified in view of tensile load; Break-bolts (shape of thread {F16B33/02; in couplings F16D9/00}) - F16L 45/00: Pipe units with cleaning aperture and closure therefor - F23J 13/08: Doors or covers specially adapted for smoke-boxes, flues, or chimneys - F24F 13/0254: {characterised by their mounting means, e.g. supports} - F24F 13/0263: {Insulation for air ducts} - F24F 13/20: Casings or covers - E05B 17/06: Templates for marking the position of apertures in fittings of wings {or frames; Apparatus for installation of a lockset (drill jigs B23B47/28; mortised work B27F5/12; templates for hinges E05D11/0009)} - F24F: AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING (removing dirt or fumes from areas where they are produced B08B15/00; vertical ducts for carrying away waste gases from buildings E04F17/02; tops for chimneys or ventilating shafts, terminals for flues F23L17/02) - E05B: LOCKS; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR; HANDCUFFS - E05C: BOLTS OR FASTENING DEVICES FOR WINGS, SPECIALLY FOR DOORS OR WINDOWS (latching means for sideboard or tailgate structures for vehicles B62D, {B62D33/02}; fastening devices for constructional or engineering elements E04, F16B; locks, fastening devices structurally or operatively combined or having significant cooperation with locks E05B; means for operating or controlling wing fasteners in conjunction with mechanisms for moving the wing E05F) - E06B: FIXED OR MOVABLE CLOSURES FOR OPENINGS IN BUILDINGS, VEHICLES, FENCES OR LIKE ENCLOSURES IN GENERAL, e.g. DOORS, WINDOWS, BLINDS, GATES (shades or blinds for greenhouses A01G9/22; curtains A47H; lids for car boots or bonnets B62D25/10; skylights E04B7/18; sunshades, awnings E04F10/00) - F16B: DEVICES FOR FASTENING OR SECURING CONSTRUCTIONAL ELEMENTS OR MACHINE PARTS TOGETHER, e.g. NAILS, BOLTS, CIRCLIPS, CLAMPS, CLIPS OR WEDGES; JOINTS OR JOINTING (couplings for transmitting rotation F16D) - F16L: PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL - F23J: REMOVAL OR TREATMENT OF COMBUSTION PRODUCTS OR COMBUSTION RESIDUES; FLUES (combustion apparatus for consuming smoke or fumes, e.g. exhaust gases, F23G7/06) ## Abstract An access panel for an opening in a duct is provided. The access panel includes an exterior and an interior. The access panel further includes a section positioned on the interior and having a profile substantially corresponding to the opening in the duct. A plurality of fasteners is positioned about the section. Each fastener has a clip configured to move to a position defined to extend away from the profile of the section on the interior. When the access panel is positioned with the section on the interior against the opening in the duct and the fasteners are moved to the locking position the clips rotate to extend over the profile and secure a portion of the duct adjacent to the opening against the interior of the access panel. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An access panel for an opening in a duct system, the access panel comprising: a base plate having an exterior surface side and an interior surface side, wherein the base plate is positioned against the opening of the duct system such that the interior surface side faces towards the duct system and the exterior surface side faces away from the duct system; wherein the interior surface side of the base plate has defined a first interior surface section having a profile corresponding substantially to the opening in the duct system, and a second interior surface section defined between the first interior surface section and an outside edge of the base plate, such that when the base plate is positioned against the opening of the duct system the first interior surface section resides about the opening of the duct system and the second interior surface section overlaps a duct edge defined about a periphery of the opening in the duct system; and a plurality of rotatable fasteners separately positioned through openings in the base plate about the profile of the first interior surface section, each fastener having a locking clip extending from the fastener about the interior surface side of the first interior surface section and said locking clip being configured to move into a locking position, said locking position defined when the locking clip is rotated to extend over and engage the duct edge, and each fastener having a top portion accessible from the exterior surface side of the base plate such that when the top portion is rotated the locking clip rotates therewith, and each fastener further includes an internally threaded bore positioned through the top portion towards the base plate, and each fastener further includes a screw with a corresponding threaded to allow the screw to fasten into the internally threaded bore, the screw further includes a head; whereby when the access panel is positioned with the first interior surface section on the interior surface against the opening in the duct system and one or more of the plurality of rotatable fasteners are moved to said locking position, one or more of the locking clips rotate to extend over and engage the duct edge to secure the duct system to the base plate. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The access panel of claim 1 further comprising a handle secured to the exterior side. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The access panel of claim 1 further comprising a gasket positioned on the interior surface side of the base plate, the gasket being further positioned between a terminus end of the interior surface side and a periphery of the first interior surface section on the interior surface side. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The access panel of claim 3, wherein the gasket is made from a neoprene material. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The access panel of claim 1 further comprising: a rope seal positioned along a terminus end of the interior surface side of the access panel; and a gasket positioned against the rope seal and extending towards the periphery of the first interior surface section on the interior surface side. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The access panel of claim 5, wherein the rope seal is made from a fiberglass rope material and configured to withstand a predetermined temperature. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The access panel of claim 1, wherein the base plate has an outside profile configured as an octagonal profile. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The access panel of claim 1, wherein each fastener is further configured to include: a bottom plate secured to the interior surface side of the access panel; a rotatable cylinder having one end configured to the top portion; an o-ring positioned between the top portion and the bottom plate for sealing the openings in the base plate; a support flange extending from an edge of the bottom plate to a rear face portion defined on the cylinder; and the locking clip secured to the cylinder and rotatable therewith, the locking clip having a portion that is configured to move into engagement over a portion of the duct edge when the cylinder rotates, such that when the access panel is positioned with the first interior surface section on the interior surface against the opening in the duct system and one or more of the plurality of rotatable fasteners are moved to said locking position, one or more of the locking clips rotate to extend over and engage the duct edge to secure the base plate to access panel. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The access panel of claim 8, wherein an end of the cylinder adjacent the top portion includes a knurl head positioned between the top portion and the bottom plate. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The access panel of claim 1, wherein the screw further includes a washer. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The access panel of claim 10, wherein the washer includes an annular downwardly extended end. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The access panel of claim 10, wherein the screw further includes a spring positioned between the washer and the head of the screw. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The access panel of claim 1 further comprising at least one stud bolt connector secured to the base plate facing the exterior surface side such that the stud bolt extends away from the exterior surface side of the base plate. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The access panel of claim 1, wherein the base plate has a curved profile configured to accommodate a curved duct system. ### Claim 15 An access panel for an opening in a duct system, the access panel comprising: a base plate having an exterior surface side and an interior surface side, wherein the base plate is positioned against the opening of the duct system such that the interior surface side faces towards the duct system and the exterior surface side faces away from the duct system; wherein the interior surface side of the base plate has defined a first interior surface section having a profile corresponding substantially to the opening in the duct system, and a second interior surface section defined between the first interior surface section and an outside edge of the base plate, such that when the base plate is positioned against the opening of the duct system the first interior surface section resides about the opening of the duct system and the second interior surface section overlaps a duct edge defined about a periphery of the opening in the duct system; and a plurality of rotatable fasteners separately positioned through openings in the base plate about the profile of the first interior surface section, each fastener having a locking clip extending from the fastener about the interior surface side of the first interior surface section and said locking clip being configured to move into a locking position, said locking position defined when the locking clip is rotated to extend over and engage the duct edge, and each fastener having a top portion accessible from the exterior surface side of the base plate such that when the top portion is rotated the locking clip rotates therewith and wherein each fastener is further configured to include: a bottom plate secured to the interior surface side of the access panel, a rotatable cylinder having one end configured to the top portion, an o-ring positioned between the top portion and the bottom plate for sealing the openings in the base plate, a support flange extending from an edge of the bottom plate to a rear face portion defined on the cylinder, and the locking clip secured to the cylinder and rotatable therewith, the locking clip having a portion that is configured to move into engagement over a portion of the duct edge when the cylinder rotates, such that when the access panel is positioned with the first interior surface section on the interior surface against the opening in the duct system and one or more of the plurality of rotatable fasteners are moved to said locking position, one or more of the locking clips rotate to extend over and engage the duct edge to secure the base plate to access panel, each fastener further includes a threaded bore section through the top portion towards the bottom plate and a screw having corresponding thread to secure to the top portion, and a washer positioned between the top portion and a head of the screw; whereby when the access panel is positioned with the first interior surface section on the interior surface against the opening in the duct system and one or more of the plurality of rotatable fasteners are moved to said locking position, one or more of the locking clips rotate to extend over and engage the duct edge to secure the duct system to the base plate. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The access panel of claim 15, wherein an end of the cylinder adjacent the top portion includes a knurl head positioned between the top portion and the bottom plate. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The access panel of claim 15, wherein the screw further includes a washer. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The access panel of claim 17, wherein the washer includes an annular downwardly extended end. ### Claim 19 (depends on 15) The access panel of claim 15, wherein the screw further includes a spring positioned between the washer and the head of the screw. ### Claim 20 A fastener comprising: a bottom plate; a rotatable cylinder having one end configured to a top portion; an o-ring positioned between the top portion and the bottom plate; a support flange extending from an edge of the bottom plate to a rear face portion defined on the cylinder; a locking clip secured to the cylinder and rotatable therewith, the locking clip having a portion that is configured to move when the cylinder rotates; an internally threaded bore positioned through the rotatable cylinder towards the bottom plate; and a screw with a threaded corresponding to the bore to allow the screw to fasten into the internally threaded bore, the screw further includes a head and a washer positioned between the head and the bottom plate. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) The access panel of claim 20, wherein the washer includes an annular downwardly extended end. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The access panel of claim 21, wherein the screw further includes a spring positioned between the washer and the head of the screw.