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US 2026/0309245 A1Published application
Protective enclosure for securing valves
AssigneeBlack Gold Vault Co.
InventorsBenjamin K. Kimbrough, Layton Gill
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A protective enclosure for a valve includes a first open box structure having a first semicircular opening at an end, and a second open box structure having a second semicircular opening and an aperture. The second semicircular opening is disposed at an end of the second open box structure, and the aperture is disposed on a top surface of the second open box structure. A lock guard is provided on the top surface of the second open box structure, disposed over the aperture. An external lip is positioned to cover a seam between the first open box structure and the second open box structure when joined together.
Claims28
A protective enclosure comprising:
- a first open box structure having a first semicircular opening at an end of the first open box structure;
- a second open box structure having a second semicircular opening and an aperture, the second semicircular opening disposed at an end of the second open box structure, the aperture disposed on a top surface of the second open box structure;
- a lock guard on the top surface of the second open box structure, the lock guard disposed over the aperture;
- an external lip positioned to cover a seam between the first open box structure and the second open box structure when the first open box structure and the second open box structure are joined together;
- and
- a clamping assembly comprising a first clamp and a second clamp, the first clamp welded to an inside of the end of the first open box structure and extending around the first semicircular opening, the second clamp comprising a curve and a locking tab that is integral with the curve, wherein the curve of the second clamp extends around the second semicircular opening when the first clamp and the second clamp are fastened together, wherein the locking tab has a lock opening, wherein the locking tab extends through the aperture such that the lock opening is positioned above the top surface of the second open box structure when the first open box structure and the second open box structure are joined together.
3 more elements
(canceled)
A method comprising:
- fabricating a first open box structure from a first metal sheet, the first open box structure having a first semicircular opening at an end of the first open box structure;
- fabricating a second open box structure from a second metal sheet, the second open box structure having a second semicircular opening at an end of the second open box structure, the second open box structure also having an aperture in a top surface of the second open box structure;
- fabricating an external lip from a third metal sheet;
- welding the external lip to a sidewall of the second open box structure, the external lip positioned to cover a seam between the first open box structure and the second open box structure when the first open box structure and the second open box structure are joined together;
- fabricating a clamping assembly comprising a first clamp and a second clamp, the second clamp comprising a curve and a locking tab that is integral with the curve, the locking tab having a lock opening;
- and
- welding the first clamp to an inside of the end of the first open box structure, the first clamp extending around the first semicircular opening, wherein the locking tab extends through the aperture such that the lock opening is positioned above the top surface of the second open box structure when the first open box structure and the second open box structure are joined together.
4 more elements
(canceled)
A method comprising:
- positioning a first open box structure beneath a pipe and a valve, the first open box structure having a first semicircular opening at an end of the first open box structure, the first semicircular opening being aligned with the pipe;
- securing the first open box structure to the pipe by fastening a clamping assembly to the pipe, wherein the clamping assembly comprises a first clamp and a second clamp, the second clamp comprising a curve and a locking tab that is integral with the curve, the locking tab having a lock opening, wherein the first clamp is welded to an inside of the end of the first open box structure and extends around the first semicircular opening, wherein the second clamp is fastened to the first clamp, wherein the first clamp and the second clamp encircle the pipe when fastened together;
- positioning a second open box structure over the first open box structure, the second open box structure having a second semicircular opening at an end of the second open box structure, the second semicircular opening being aligned with the pipe, the curve of the second clamp extending around the second semicircular opening;
- engaging an external lip over a seam between the first open box structure and the second open box structure;
- inserting the locking tab of the clamping assembly through an aperture in the second open box structure, the lock opening being positioned above the second open box structure when the locking tab extends through the aperture;
- and
- installing a locking mechanism through the lock opening in the locking tab.
4 more elements
(canceled)
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.