Method for allowing selective access to the interior of fluid containment structures
AssigneeClarus Technologies Corp.
InventorsJoseph A. Koreis, Monte M. Koreis
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system for mounting access plates for covering an access opening onto storage tanks and the like. A backing plate assembly comprising two semi-circular, rigid backing plates is provided. The backing plates are passed individually into the interior of the tank where the backing plate assembly is reconfigured. The backing plate assembly located within the interior of the tank provides a solid structure that can be used to anchor the access plate onto the tank wall over the opening. Interior and exterior gaskets are used to create a fluidtight seal around the opening and to facilitate assembly of the mounting assembly.
Claims7
A method of providing selective access to an interior of a fluid containment member, comprising the steps of:
- a. forming an opening in the fluid containment member;
- b. providing first and second rigid backing plates, each having inner perimeter edges;
- c. providing first and second flexible gasket means;
- d. providing an access member;
- e. assembling the first and second rigid backing plates and the first flexible gasket means together into an interior assembly;
- f. then contorting the interior assembly from an original configuration into a contorted configuration;
- g. passing the interior assembly in its contorted configuration through the opening in the fluid containment member;
- h. returning the interior assembly to its original configuration;
- i. assembling the interior assembly and second gasket means onto the fluid containment member such that
- i. the first gasket means is arranged between the first and second backing plates and an interior surface of the fluid containment member,
- ii. the second gasket means is arranged adjacent to an exterior surface of the fluid containment member, and
- iii. inner perimeter edges of the backing plates and gasket means are arranged relative to the opening in the fluid containment member such that the backing plates and gasket means do not prevent access to the interior of the fluid containment member;
- j. when access to the interior of the fluid containment member is not desired, fastening the access member onto the fluid containment member such that
- i. the first gasket means is securely held between the first and second backing plates and the interior surface of the fluid containment member to seal a first gap therebetween,
- ii. the second gasket means is securely held between the exterior surface of the fluid containment member and the access member to seal a second gap therebetween, and
- iii. the access member covers the opening;
- and
- k. when access to the interior of the fluid containment member is desired, removing the access member from the fluid containment member.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.