Tank Cover Hinge Assembly
A tank cover hinge assembly for use with storage tanks is disclosed. The assembly may include a hinge member having a first surface that is configured to engage a collar of a tank, and a second surface that is configured to engage a lid. The hinge member may provide a coupling between the collar and the lid, and may be configured to prevent movement of the lid beyond a predetermined angle of opening with respect to an imaginary longitudinal axis of the tank.
1 . An assembly, comprising:
a hinge member having a first surface being configured to engage a collar of a tank and a second surface being configured to engage a lid; and
wherein the hinge member provides a coupling between the collar and the lid, the hinge member being configured to prevent movement of the lid beyond a predetermined angle of opening with respect to an imaginary longitudinal axis of the tank.
2 . The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the tank comprises a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) tank.
3 . The assembly of claim 2 , wherein:
the hinge member comprises an elongate body having a first surface being configured to engage the collar, and a protrusion extending away from the first surface; and
the protrusion having a generally flat second surface being configured to engage the lid when the hinge member is installed in a first position, and a generally concave third surface being configured to engage the lid when the hinge member is installed in a second position.
4 . The assembly of claim 3 , wherein the second surface and third surface are on opposite sides of the protrusion.
5 . The assembly of claim 4 , wherein the hinge member is selectively installable in either the first position or the second position.
6 . The assembly of claim 2 , wherein the predetermined angle of opening is approximately equal to one hundred and eighty degrees.
7 . The assembly of claim 6 , wherein engagement between the hinge member and the lid provides sufficient strength to allow a horizontal surface of the lid to support in excess of fifteen pounds without allowing the lid to deflect beyond approximately one hundred and eighty degrees.
8 . The assembly of claim 2 , wherein the predetermined angle of opening is approximately equal to one hundred and twenty degrees.
9 . The assembly of claim 2 , wherein:
the lid is coupled to the hinge member adjacent to a first edge of the lid;
the lid includes a second edge that is opposite the first edge; and
the predetermined angle of opening is selected to prevent the second edge from extending outside of a circumference of the tank.
10 . The cover assembly of claim 2 , wherein:
the hinge member includes a first installation position and a second installation position;
when the hinge member is installed in the first installation position, the predetermined angle of opening is approximately equal to one hundred and eighty degrees; and
when the hinge member is installed in the second installation position, the predetermined angle of opening is approximately equal to or less than one hundred and thirty degrees.
11 . The assembly of claim 10 , wherein:
the lid is coupled to the hinge member adjacent to a first edge of the lid;
the lid includes a second edge that is opposite the first edge; and
when the hinge member is installed in the second installation position, the predetermined angle of opening is selected to prevent the second edge from extending outside of a circumference of the tank.
12 . The assembly of claim 10 , further comprising:
an elongate pin;
wherein the hinge member defines a first opening and a second opening that is spaced from the first opening;
the pin being configured to extend through the first opening or the second opening to provide the coupling between the collar and the lid;
when the pin extends through the first opening, the hinge member is in the first position; and
when the pin extends through the second opening, the hinge member is in the second position.
13 . The assembly of claim 2 , further comprising:
a pin being configured to extend through the first opening or the second opening, to provide the coupling between the collar and the lid; and
wherein removal of the pin allows the hinge member, the lid, and the collar to separate with respect to each other.
14 . The assembly of claim 2 , wherein the hinge member comprises plastic.
15 . The assembly of claim 2 , wherein the hinge member comprises metal.
16 . An apparatus, comprising:
a body having a first surface being configured to engage a component of a storage container, and a protrusion extending away from the first surface; and
the protrusion having a generally flat second surface being configured to engage a container lid when the apparatus is installed in a first position, and a generally concave third surface being configured to engage the container lid when the hinge member is installed in a second position.
17 . The apparatus of claim 16 , further comprising the component of the storage container and the lid, and wherein the lid is positioned to protect valves extending from an upper surface of the storage container.
18 . The apparatus of claim 17 wherein:
the body may be coupled with the component of the storage container and the lid in a first position;
the body may be decoupled from the component of the storage container and the lid and re-coupled to the lid and the component of the storage container, in a second position;
the first position defines a first predetermined angle of opening of approximately one hundred and twenty degrees; and
the second position defines a second predetermined angle of opening of approximately one hundred and eighty degrees.
19 . The apparatus of claim 18 , further comprising a pin operable to accommodate coupling among the body, the component of the storage container, and the lid.
20 . The apparatus of claim 18 , wherein:
the body has first and second apertures formed therein;
the first aperture being configured to accommodate the pin in the first position; and
the second hole aperture being configured to accommodate the pin in the second position.
21 . An assembly, comprising:
an LPG storage tank;
a base being coupled to a lower portion of the LPG storage tank to support the LPG storage tank in an upright position;
a hinge member having a first surface being configured to engage a collar of the LPG storage tank and a second surface being configured to engage a lid;
the hinge member providing a coupling between the collar and the lid, the hinge member being configured to prevent movement of the lid beyond a predetermined angle of opening with respect to an imaginary longitudinal axis of the LPG storage tank;
the hinge member including a first installation position and a second installation position;
when the hinge member is installed in the first installation position, the predetermined angle of opening is approximately equal to one hundred and eighty degrees;
when the hinge member is installed in the second installation position, the predetermined angle of opening is approximately equal to or less than one hundred and thirty degrees;
the lid being coupled to the hinge member adjacent to a first edge of the lid;
the lid including a second edge that is opposite the first edge;
when the hinge member is installed in the second installation position, the predetermined angle of opening is selected to prevent the second edge from extending outside of a circumference of the tank;
an elongate pin;
wherein the hinge member defines a first opening and a second opening that is spaced from the first opening;
the pin being configured to extend through the first opening or the second opening to provide the coupling between the collar and the lid;
when the pin extends through the first opening, the hinge member is in the first position; and
when the pin extends through the second opening, the hinge member is in the second position.