The invention relates to a cask lid apparatus and a cask assembly system and more particularly, to a firmly sealable reversible cask lid and a pivotable cask assembly system.
Over the years, the technology of cask lids has evolved. Reversible cask lids in the industry have grown and variations have arisen. However, the design of the cask lid has required the lid to be sealed whether by a fastener or a cask band. Therefore, there is a need for a cask lid that requires the user minimal effort to reverse the lid and allow for stack-ability of multiple casks. Moreover, the technology of cask assembly systems has evolved. The cask assembly systems of today are mainly composed of large machinery which are bulky and difficult to transport. Therefore, there is a need for a cask assembly system that can be transported easily and require minimal parts.
Accordingly, a cask lid and cask assembly system are provided. The reversible cask lid as provided includes a first cast lid plate and a second cask lid plate to allow for stack-ability of multiple casks. The cask assembly system includes a mount base, a pivot device, and an insertion board to allow for efficient production of multiple casks. A bottom disk, a center ring and a top ring of a cask are inserted into the cask assembly system where a plurality of staves are fixed. A pivot device of the cask assembly system enables a user to rotate the cask while fixing the staves to the bottom disk, the center ring and the top ring. The lid is placed over the opening of the cask and the lid may be reversed to enable stacking of multiple casks.
The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying Figures of which:
In an embodiment, the teachings herein described a cask lid 10 and a cask assembly system 30 that allows for the construction of a cask 1.
In the exemplary embodiment, the lid 10 generally includes the following major components: a first cask lid plate 12 and a second cask lid plate 14. One of ordinary skill in the art would understand the applicant's design is not the exclusive embodiment. In the exemplary embodiment, the first cask lid plate 12 is a circular member. One of ordinary skill in the art would understand the applicant's design is not the exclusive embodiment. In the exemplary embodiment, the first cask lid plate 12 may include measurements of 12.5 inches sq.×0.5 inches thick. One of ordinary skill in the art would understand the applicant's design is not the exclusive embodiment. In the exemplary embodiment, the first cask lid plate 12 further includes a first face A and a second face B as shown in
In the exemplary embodiment, the second cask lid plate 14 is a circular member. One of ordinary skill in the art would understand the applicant's design is not the exclusive embodiment. In the exemplary embodiment, the second cask lid plate 14 may include measurements of 9.5 inches×0.5 inches thick. One of ordinary skill in the art would understand the applicant's design is not the exclusive embodiment. In the exemplary embodiment, the second cask lid plate 14 further includes a first face C and second face D as shown in
In the exemplary embodiment, the cask assembly system 30 is generally constructed with the following major components: a mount base 32, a pivot device 34, and an insertion board 36 as shown in
In the exemplary the mount base 32 is an elongated L-shaped member. One of ordinary skill in the art would understand the applicant's design is not the exclusive embodiment. In the exemplary embodiment, the mount base 32 is positioned on a level surface. One of ordinary skill in the art would understand the applicant's design is not the exclusive embodiment.
In the exemplary embodiment, the pivot device 34 is a hinge member. One of ordinary skill in the art would understand the applicant's design is not the exclusive embodiment. In the exemplary embodiment, the pivot device 34 further includes a set of plate members 38. In the exemplary embodiment, the set of plate members 38 are triangular-shaped as shown in
In the exemplary embodiment, the insertion board 36 is an elongated rectangular member. One of ordinary skill in the art would understand the applicant's design is not the exclusive embodiment. In the exemplary embodiment, the insertion board 36 is generally constructed with the following components: a base insertion piece 42, a middle hoop insertion piece 44, an upper hoop insertion piece 46 and a linking member 47.
In the exemplary embodiment, the base insertion piece 42 generally includes the following components: a base securing block 48, and a back fastener block 50.
In the exemplary embodiment, the base securing block 48 includes the following components: a holding member 56, a base insert 58 and a base board 60 as shown in
In the exemplary embodiment, the base board 60 is a bulb shaped member. One of ordinary skill in the art would understand the applicant's design is not the exclusive embodiment. In the exemplary embodiment, the base board 60 further includes an elongated fastener receiver 66 located in the central region of the base board 60 as shown in
In the exemplary embodiment, the back fastener block 50 and the base board 60 share the elongated fastener receiver 66 which runs therethrough. One of ordinary skill in the art would understand the applicant's design is not the exclusive embodiment. In the exemplary embodiment, the base board 60 further includes an elongated fastener 54. The elongated fastener 54 is a standard fastener. One of ordinary skill in the art would understand the concept of a fastener. In the exemplary embodiment, the base board 60 further includes an outer fastener 55 as shown in
In the exemplary embodiment, the middle hoop insertion piece 44 generally includes the following major components a middle insertion base 68 and a set of side members 70 as shown in
In the exemplary embodiment, the middle insertion base 68 and the set of side members 70 form a middle insert 72 as shown in
In the exemplary embodiment, the upper hoop insertion piece 46, is generally constructed with the following components: an upper securing block 74, a top support block 76, an inner top board 80 and an inner fastener receiver block 100. One of ordinary skill in the art would understand the applicant's design is not the exclusive embodiment.
In the exemplary embodiment, the upper securing block 74 is generally constructed with the following components: an upper holding support member 84, and an outer top board 86 as shown in
In the exemplary embodiment, the top support block 76 is square block member. One of ordinary skill in the art would understand the applicant's design is not the exclusive embodiment. In the exemplary embodiment, the top support block 76 further includes the top fastener receiver 92, which is shared with the outer top board 86. One of ordinary skill in the art would understand the applicant's design is not the exclusive embodiment.
In the exemplary embodiment, the inner top board 80 is a circular member with curvature cut-out. One of ordinary skill in the art would understand the applicant design is not the exclusive embodiment. In the exemplary embodiment, the inner top board 80 further includes a first layer 94 and a second layer 96 as shown in
In the exemplary embodiment, the first layer 94 is plate like member that includes a greater circumference than the second layer 96. One of ordinary skill in the art would understand the applicant's design is not the exclusive embodiment. Similarly, in the exemplary embodiment, the second layer 96 is a plate like member and includes a smaller circumference than the first layer 94. One of ordinary skill in the art would understand the applicant's design is not the exclusive embodiment. In the exemplary embodiment, the inner top board 80 further includes the top fastener receiver 92 which is shared with the top support block 76, and the outer top board 86. One of ordinary skill in the art would understand the applicant's deign is not the exclusive embodiment.
In the exemplary embodiment, the inner fastener receiver block 100 is generally constructed with the following components: a dual set of stabilizer blocks 102, a fastener stabilizer 104, a washer 106 and a securing top fastener 108. One of ordinary skill in the art would understand the applicant's design is not the exclusive embodiment. In the exemplary embodiment, the dual set of stabilizer blocks 102 are plate like elongated rectangular members located in the central region of the first layer 94. One of ordinary skill in the art would understand the applicant's design is not the exclusive embodiment. Further, the fastener stabilizer 104 is a receiver located between the dual set of stabilizer blocks 102 as shown in
In the exemplary embodiment, the linking member 47 is a two-piece elongated rectangular member which connects the base insertion piece 42, the middle hoop insertion piece 44, and the upper hoop insertion piece 46. One of ordinary skill in the art would understand the applicant's design is not the exclusive embodiment.
In the exemplary embodiment, the cask assembly system 30 is generally constructed with the following major components: a mount base 32, a pivot device 34, and an insertion board 36.
In the exemplary embodiment, the mount base 32 is placed on the edge of a shelf or a level surface as shown through a plurality of the Figures. One of ordinary skill in the art would understand the applicant's design is not the exclusive embodiment. In the exemplary embodiment, the insertion board 36 is fastened to one of the plate members 38 of the pivot device 34 as shown in
In the exemplary embodiment, the holding member 56 and the base board 60 of the base securing block 48 are attached to the lower region of the insertion board 36. One of ordinary skill in the art would understand the applicant's design is not the exclusive embodiment. In the exemplary embodiment, the middle insertion base 68 and the set of side members 70 of the middle hoop insertion piece 44 are attached to the central region of insertion board 36 as shown in
In the exemplary embodiment, a bottom disk 130 of the cask 1 is inserted into the base insert 58 of the base securing block 48. One of ordinary skill in the art would understand the applicant's design is not the exclusive embodiment. The bottom disk 130 of the cask 1 may include a measurement of 11.5 inches sq.×⅝ inches thick. One of ordinary skill in the art would understand the applicant's design is not the exclusive embodiment. In the exemplary embodiment, the elongated fastener 54 is inserted through the elongated fastener receiver 66 of the base board 60 as an incision is made in the bottom disk 130 of the cask 1 as shown in
In the exemplary embodiment, a center ring 140 of the cask 1 is inserted into the middle insert 72 of the middle hoop insertion piece 44. One of ordinary skill in the art would understand the applicant's design is not the exclusive embodiment. In the exemplary embodiment, the center ring 140 may include a measurement of 13.25 inches sq.×⅝ inches thick. One of ordinary skill in the art would understand the applicant's design is not the exclusive embodiment. In the exemplary embodiment, a top ring 150 of the cask 1 is inserted into the top insert 90 located between the inner top board 80 and outer top board 86 of the upper hoop insertion piece 46. One of ordinary skill in the art would understand the applicant's design is not the exclusive embodiment. In the exemplary embodiment, the top ring 150 may include a measurement of 11.5 inches sq.×⅝ inches thick. One of ordinary skill in the art would understand the applicant's design is not the exclusive embodiment. In the exemplary embodiment, the inner top board 80 is fitted to a rear of the top ring 150 in which the first layer 96 is flush against the top ring 150. The top support block 76 is placed over the top fastener receiver 92. The top fastener 108 is threaded through the top fastener receiver 92, the washer 106 and the fastener stabilizer 104 of the inner fastener receiver block 100. One of ordinary skill in the art would understand the applicant's design is not the exclusive embodiment.
As shown in
The user then exerts force onto the inner top board 80 and removes the inner top board 80 by pulling the inner top board 80 through the remaining opening in a central region of the cask 1 where the last few staves 170 will be fixed prior to completion as shown in
The lid 10 is then placed on an open end of the cask 1. If there is a handle 18, or a protruding object on the first cask lid plate 12, the user is able to flip the lid 10 to the second cask lid plate 14 in order for multiple casks 1 to be stacked on top of each other by placing the bottom disk 130 of the first cask 1 on top of the second cask lid plate 14 of the lid 10 of the second cask as shown in
The foregoing illustrates some of the possibilities for practicing the invention. Many other embodiments are possible within the scope and spirit of the invention. It is, therefore, intended that the foregoing description be regarded as illustrative rather than limiting, and that the scope of invention is given by the appended claims together with their full range of equivalents.