Apparatus and method for securing and repositioning a door on a combustion device

Abstract

A method of securing a door on a combustion device, such as a boiler, using a bracket that may be removed from the combustion device without fully unfastening a fastener that fastens the bracket to the combustion device. Also, a method for repositioning a door on a combustion device, wherein the above-mentioned bracket is used. In addition, a combustion device for implementing either of the above-mentioned methods.

1 . A method of securing a door on a combustion device, the method comprising: 
 at least partially fastening a first fastener to a first surface of a combustion device;    positioning a bracket adjacent to the first surface of the combustion device such that a portion of the first fastener protrudes through a first portion of an opening in the bracket;    sliding the bracket parallel to the first surface of the combustion device, thereby causing the portion of the first fastener to protrude through a second portion of the opening in the bracket, wherein the second portion of the opening is smaller than the first portion of the opening;    fully fastening the first fastener to the first surface of the combustion device pursuant to sliding the bracket; and    attaching a door to the bracket, such that the bracket secures the door to the combustion device.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the at least partially fastening step comprises partially tightening the first fastener, wherein the first fastener comprises at least one of a bolt or a screw.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the positioning step comprises: 
 aligning a head portion of the first fastener with the first portion of the opening in the bracket; and    moving the bracket toward the first surface of the combustion device in a manner that allows the head portion to pass through the first portion of the opening in the bracket.    
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the sliding step further comprises: 
 preventing the portion of the partially fastened first fastener from being able to pass completely through the second portion of the opening by selecting an appropriately-sized second opening.    
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the fully fastening step comprises tightening the first fastener to prevent the bracket from being moved relative to the first surface of the combustion device.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the attaching step further comprises: 
 inserting a tab on the door into a slot on the bracket, thereby allowing the door to swing relative to the first surface of the combustion device.    
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 creating a substantial seal between the door and the first surface of the combustion device.    
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the creating step comprises compressing the door and the first surface of the combustion device using a second fastener that extends from the door to the first surface of the combustion device.  
   
   
       9 . A method of repositioning a door on a combustion device, the method comprising: 
 at least partially unfastening a first fastener that secures a bracket to a first region of a combustion device;    sliding the bracket in a direction parallel to a first surface of the combustion device to remove the bracket from the first fastener; and    securing the bracket to a second region of the combustion device by fully fastening a second fastener at the second region of the combustion device.    
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising: 
 at least partially unfastening the second fastener before securing the bracket.    
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising: 
 detaching a door from the bracket.    
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising: 
 reattaching the door to the bracket pursuant to securing the bracket to the second region of the combustion device.    
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising: 
 breaking a substantial seal between the bracket and a door by removing a third fastener that extends from the door to the first surface of the combustion device.    
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising: 
 re-creating the substantial seal by compressing the door and the first surface of the combustion device using the third fastener once the bracket is secured to the second region of the combustion device.    
   
   
       15 . A combustion device, comprising: 
 a bracket positioned adjacent to a surface of a combustion device and configured to support a door adjacent to the surface of the combustion device;    a first fastener configured to fasten the bracket to a first portion of the surface of the combustion device, wherein a portion of the first fastener protrudes through the bracket, and wherein the bracket may be removed from the combustion device when the first fastener is partially fastened; and    a second fastener configured to fasten the bracket to a second portion of the surface of the combustion device, wherein the second fastener protrudes through the bracket when the bracket is positioned at the second portion of the surface of the combustion device.    
   
   
       16 . The combustion device of  claim 15 , wherein the first fastener, at least in part, secures a jacket to the combustion device.  
   
   
       17 . The bracket of  claim 15 , further comprising: 
 a third fastener that extends at least from the door to the surface of the combustion device and that compresses the door and the first surface of the combustion device.    
   
   
       18 . A combustion device, comprising: 
 bracketing means for supporting a door, wherein the bracketing means is adjacent to a surface of a combustion device;    first fastening means for fastening the bracketing means to a first portion of the surface of the combustion device, wherein a portion of the first fastening means extends through the bracketing means and wherein the bracketing means may be removed from the combustion device when the first fastening means is partially fastened; and    second fastening means for fastening the bracketing means to a second portion of the surface of the combustion device, wherein the second fastening means protrudes through the bracketing means when the bracketing means is positioned at the second portion of the surface of the combustion device.    
   
   
       19 . The combustion device of  claim 18 , further comprising: 
 sealing means for creating a substantial seal between the door and the surface of the combustion device, wherein the sealing means extends between the door and the surface of the combustion device.    
   
   
       20 . The combustion device of  claim 19 , wherein the second fastening means is configured to be able to release the bracketing means when the second fastening means is partially fastened.