Abstract: This invention is a mechanism enabling rapid manual opening and closing of a pressure vessel lid without using tools. A pressure vessel bears two circular mating rings welded to the adjacent rims of the vessel lid and shell respectively with the latter ring grooved to house an O-ring. These mating rings are externally tapered to match the internal tapers of a pair of semi-circular external clamping elements. The mechanism applies tension at the vessel perimeter to draw the external clamping elements radially inward, engaging male and female tapers with sufficient force to compress the O-ring and maintain static clamping of the pressurized lid and shell. Tension is produced by levered rotation of two diametrically-opposed slotted plates where cylindrical pins mounted on the ends of the external clamping elements ride in the plate slots and cam action applies mechanical advantage causing the pins to converge.

Abstract: This invention is a mechanism enabling rapid manual opening and closing of a pressure vessel lid without using tools. A pressure vessel bears two circular mating rings welded to the adjacent rims of the vessel lid and shell respectively with the latter ring grooved to house an O-ring. These mating rings are externally tapered to match the internal tapers of a pair of semi-circular external clamping elements. The mechanism applies tension at the vessel perimeter to draw the external clamping elements radially inward, engaging male and female tapers with sufficient force to compress the O-ring and maintain static clamping of the pressurized lid and shell. Tension is produced by levered rotation of two diametrically-opposed slotted plates where cylindrical pins mounted on the ends of the external clamping elements ride in the plate slots and cam action applies mechanical advantage causing the pins to converge.