US3866382A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for supporting workmen within an open-ended vessel and carrying materials into and out of the vessel, and method of installing such apparatus in a vessel
Assignee: United States Steel Corp
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Filing: 1974-02-20
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Granted: 1975-02-18
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Expires: 1994-02-20
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus which can be inserted into an open-ended vessel, such as a Q-BOP furnace, to support workmen within the vessel and carry materials into and out of the vessel, and a method of installing such apparatus in a vessel. The apparatus comprises a collar ring for attachment to the vessel surrounding an opening in the bottom, a tower supported from the collar ring for vertical movement, a turntable at the upper end of the tower, a collapsible platform carried by the turntable, an elevator cage movable vertically within the tower, a pair of upstanding guiderail support posts, and rails attached to the posts for guiding the cage and safely stopping it in all emergencies. A single hoist, which is located above an opening in the top of the vessel, raises and lowers both the tower and the cage, eliminating need for multiple hoists. The apparatus breaks down into three relatively compact handling and storage sections, each only about twenty feet in height, which during installation are positioned sequentially under the opening in the bottom of the vessel and connected as they are installed.
Inventors
- 👤 Tassel Robert M Van
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 01:18
CPC Classifications
B; B66; B66F; B66F11/00; B66F11/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
131 words
In an apparatus for supporting workmen within an open-ended vessel and carrying materials into and out of the vessel, which apparatus comprises: a vertically movable tower adapted to extend through the open bottom of the vessel; supporting means for workmen carried by said tower adjacent its upper end; tower-supporting means for attachment to the vessel adjacent its open bottom; an elevator cage vertically movable within said tower; and means on said cage for engagement by a hoist above the open top of the vessel for raising and lowering the cage; the improvement comprising: ratchet means on said tower-supporting means engageable with said tower to prevent downward movement thereof but permitting upward movement; and interengageable means on said tower and said cage for raising said tower with respect to said tower-supporting means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
131 words
In an apparatus for supporting workmen within an open-ended vessel and carrying materials into and out of the vessel, which apparatus comprises: a vertically movable tower adapted to extend through the open bottom of the vessel; supporting means for workmen carried by said tower adjacent its upper end; tower-supporting means for attachment to the vessel adjacent its open bottom; an elevator cage vertically movable within said tower; and means on said cage for engagement by a hoist above the open top of the vessel for raising and lowering the cage; the improvement comprising: ratchet means on said tower-supporting means engageable with said tower to prevent downward movement thereof but permitting upward movement; and interengageable means on said tower and said cage for raising said tower with respect to said tower-supporting means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
43 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1 in which said tower-supporting means includes a collar ring, and said ratchet means includes a plurality of latches pivoted to said collar ring, saId tower having a corresponding plurality of rows of vertically spaced latch-receiving openings.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 2 comprising in addition means carried by said collar ring and cooperating with said latches for adjusting the position of said tower so that its axis is vertical.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1 in which said interengageable means includes stops on said tower adjacent its upper end and cooperating outwardly projecting feet carried by said cage.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1 in which said improvement further comprises means positively guiding said cage as it moves vertically.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
61 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 5 in which the means positively guiding said cage includes a base adapted to be positioned under the open bottom of the vessel, opposed posts carried by said base, guide brackets carried by said tower and receiving said posts, guide rails carried by said posts, and guideways carried by said cage and receiving said rails.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 6 in which said tower, said posts, and said rails are formed in a plurality of sections to facilitate installation of the apparatus in a vessel and removal therefrom.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 5 in which said improvement further comprises means for breaking down the apparatus into first, second and third relatively compact handling and storage sections.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
80 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 8 in which the first handling and storage section includes an upper section of said tower, said tower-supporting means, upper sections of guiding means, and said cage, in which the second handling and storage section includes a lower section of said tower and middle sections of said guiding means, and in which the third handling and storage section includes a base plate and lower sections of said guiding means upstanding from said base plate.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
40 words
The combination, with an apparatus constructed as defined in claim 1, of a transport car movable to a position under the open bottom of the vessel and adapted to carry the apparatus to a position for installation in the vessel.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
62 words
The combination, with an apparatus constructed as defined in claim 1, of a transport car movable to a position under the open bottom of the vessel and adapted to carry the apparatus to a position for installation in the vessel, and a scaffold carried by said car and surrounding the apparatus, said scaffold affording a support for workmen immediately below the vessel.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
96 words
In an apparatus for supporting workmen within an open-ended vessel and carrying material into and out of the vessel, which apparatus includes a vertically movable tower adapted to extend through the open bottom of the vessel, tower-supporting means for attachment to the vessel adjacent its open bottom, an elevator cage vertically movable in said tower, and guide means for said cage, the improvement in which said tower, said tower-supporting means, said cage, and said guide means break down into first, second and third relatively compact handling and storage sections capable of installation sequentially in the vessel.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
96 words
In an apparatus for supporting workmen within an open-ended vessel and carrying material into and out of the vessel, which apparatus includes a vertically movable tower adapted to extend through the open bottom of the vessel, tower-supporting means for attachment to the vessel adjacent its open bottom, an elevator cage vertically movable in said tower, and guide means for said cage, the improvement in which said tower, said tower-supporting means, said cage, and said guide means break down into first, second and third relatively compact handling and storage sections capable of installation sequentially in the vessel.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
51 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 12 in which said first handling and storage section includes an upper section of said tower, said tower-supporting means temporarily attached to the upper section of said tower, upper sections of said guide means, and said cage nested in the upper section of said tower.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
52 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 13 in which said second handling and storage section includes a lower section of said tower adapted to be attached to the upper section of said tower, and middle sections of said guide means adapted to be attached to the upper sections of said guide means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
38 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 14 in which said third handling and storage section includes a base plate and lower sections of said guide means adapted to be attached to the middle sections of said guide means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
35 words
The combination, with an apparatus as defined in claim 13, of a transport car and a scaffold mounted on said car, said handling and storage sections being individually supportable on said car within said scaffold.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
205 words
A method of installing an apparatus in an openended vessel, which apparatus provides support for workmen within the vessel and means for carrying materials into and out of the vessel, said method comprising: positioning under the open bottom of the vessel a first handling and storage section which includes an upper tower section, tower-supporting means temporarily attached to said upper tower section, upper sections of guide means, and an elevator cage; hoisting said first handling and storage section through the open bottom to a position in which tower-supporting means is at a level to be attached to the vessel adjacent the open bottom; attaching said tower-supporting means to the vessel, whereafter said tower-supporting means engages and supports said upper tower section; positioning under said first handling and storage section a second handling and storage section which includes a lower tower section, and middle sections of guide means; joining said upper and lower tower sections; joining the upper and middle sections of said guide means; positioning under said second handling and storage section a third handling and storage section which includes a base plate and lower sections of guide means upstanding from said base plate; and joining the middle and lower sections of said guide means.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
205 words
A method of installing an apparatus in an openended vessel, which apparatus provides support for workmen within the vessel and means for carrying materials into and out of the vessel, said method comprising: positioning under the open bottom of the vessel a first handling and storage section which includes an upper tower section, tower-supporting means temporarily attached to said upper tower section, upper sections of guide means, and an elevator cage; hoisting said first handling and storage section through the open bottom to a position in which tower-supporting means is at a level to be attached to the vessel adjacent the open bottom; attaching said tower-supporting means to the vessel, whereafter said tower-supporting means engages and supports said upper tower section; positioning under said first handling and storage section a second handling and storage section which includes a lower tower section, and middle sections of guide means; joining said upper and lower tower sections; joining the upper and middle sections of said guide means; positioning under said second handling and storage section a third handling and storage section which includes a base plate and lower sections of guide means upstanding from said base plate; and joining the middle and lower sections of said guide means.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method as defined in claim 17 in which means on said cage abuts means on said upper tower section to hoist said upper tower section as said cage is hoisted.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method as defined in claim 17 in which said handling and storage sections are loaded in sequence on a transport car which carries them under the vessel.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method as defined in claim 17 including the further step of adjusting said tower sections to a position in which their axis is vertical even though the vessel may be tilted.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-02-17 | 1978-08-19 | 1979-02-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-02-17 | 1982-08-19 | 1983-02-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-02-17 | 1986-08-19 | 1987-02-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |