Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02529621 2005-12-09
APPARATUS FOR SUPPORTING AND PROTECTING A VESSEL DURING TRANSPORT
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates generally to an apparatus for supporting and
protecting a
vessel during transport, and more specifically, to an apparatus for supporting
and protecting
propane and water tanks..
BACKGROUND
[0002] Pressurized liquid propane (LP) tanks are widely used to provide a fuel
supply to
gas grills, campers, propane heaters, and the like. A generally standard
design for these tanks
includes an outlet and valve at the top of the tank. A base is generally
provided on the bottom of
the tank to support the tank.
[0003] Typically the tanks have a circular cross section. Transporting the
tanks can be
cumbersome. If laid on their side, the tanks are predisposed to rolling
because of the round
perimeter. When set upright on their base, they are prone to tipping,
especially during starting,
stopping, and going around corners. The tanks can also be easily tipped over
during storage if
they are bumped. Also, if the tanks are used in remote areas, such as for
tailgaters and the like,
they can be prone to being bumped or jostled during use, which can be
dangerous.
[0004] Similarly, many people transport drinking water in larger tanks or
bottles.
Typically, these water containers will have an upper neck portion with a cap
and a relatively
larger bottom portion for supporting the water container when not in use. In
use, the containers
are typically inverted and the cap is either removed or pierced to provide
water to a dispenser.
When the water is used, the container is removed from the dispenser, and may
be returned for
refilling and reuse. Therefore these tanks must be transported back and forth.
Like the LP tanks
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described above, these water containers can be prone to tipping and rolling,
especially during
transport.
[0005] What is needed is a simple, affordable apparatus for stabilizing
vessels, such as
LP tanks and water containers during transportation and storage.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] A support for stabilizing a vessel includes a generally flat body that
extends
outward beyond the outside perimeter of a vessel. An aperture is provided in
the body for
mating engagement with a base of the vessel. Preferably the stabilizer is
formed from a single
piece of injection molded rubberized plastic.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a support according to
the
present invention in use supporting a tank;
[0008] Fig. 2 is an isometric view of an embodiment of a support according to
the present
invention;
[0009] Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the support of Fig. 1;
[0010] Fig. 4 is a partial cut-away elevation view of a support and
pressurized tank
according to the present invention; and
[0011] Fig. 5 is an elevation view of an embodiment of a tank according to the
present
invention with a pressurized tank in place and supported by the web, with a
portion of the web
cut-away for illustration purposes;
[0012] Fig. 6 is a top plan view of an alternative embodiment of a support
according to
the present invention that includes a square aperture; and
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[0013] Fig. 7 is a top plan view of another alternative embodiment of a
support according
to the present invention that has a circular perimeter.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0014] Shown generally in the drawings is a support 10 for use in supporting a
vessel 12,
such as a storage tank, or especially an LP tank. The support 10 is useful for
supporting and
stabilizing the storage tank 12 in an upright position. The support 10 is
especially useful for
supporting the tank 12 during transportation of the tank 12, or when the tank
12 is stored in a
location where it might get bumped or jostled.
[0015] Fig. 1 shows a support 10 according to the present invention supporting
an LP
storage tank 12 on a generally flat upward facing surface 16. The flat surface
16 could be the
bottom of a cargo area or trunk of a sport utility vehicle, car, van, or the
like if the tank is loaded
for transport. The flat surface 16 could be a floor, pavement, ground, or
other stationary surface
if the tank 12 is being stored or used. The flat surface acts as a resting
surface 16 on which the
support 10 and tank 12 set. There is sufficient friction between the bottom
surface 18 (not shown
in Fig. 1) of the support 10 and the resting surface 16 to significantly
resist sliding of the tank 12
and support 10 across the cargo area during typical starting, stopping, and
turning maneuvers.
The support 10 also provides a sufficiently wide base to significantly resist
tipping of the tank 12
and support 10 during typical starting, stopping, and turning maneuvers, or if
jostled or bumped.
[0016] Fig. 2 shows a preferred embodiment of a support 10 according to the
present
invention. The support 10 includes a generally flat extended body 20. As shown
in Fig. 2, the
preferred shape of the body 20 is an octagon. An opening 22 is provided in the
center of the
body 20. In the embodiment of Fig. 2, the opening 22 passes completely through
the body 20
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from a top surface 24 to the bottom surface 18; however, it is not necessary
for the opening 22 to
extend all the way to the bottom surface 18.
[0017] Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the support 10 of Fig. 2. The opening 22
preferably is
slightly smaller in diameter than the base portion 26 of the tank 12 it will
support, in order to
create a friction fit between the base portion 26 and the sides of the opening
22. The preferred
dimension for the opening 22 is approximately eight inches in diameter in
order to accommodate
the base portion 26 of a standard LP storage tank 12. The overall width "w" of
the support 10 of
this preferred embodiment is approximately twice the diameter of the opening
22.
[0018] Fig. 4 illustrates a storage tank 12 above a support 10, which is shown
in a cut-
away view. The storage tank 12 includes a base portion 26 that is used to
support the tank 12.
Most commonly, this base portion forms a circular cylinder on the bottom of
the tank 12. In
order to attach the tank 12 to the support 10, the base portion 26 is inserted
into the opening 22,
as shown in Fig. 5. Though not shown in Fig. 4, the top edge 28 of the opening
22 may be
beveled to help guide the bottom edge of the base portion 26 into the opening
22.
[0019] Fig. 5 illustrates the storage tank 12 and support 10, after the tank
12 has been
attached to the support 10. The sides of the opening 22 snuggly engage the
base portion 26 of
the tank 12 to retain the support 10 in place on the tank 12. In this
arrangement, the extended
body 20 provides lateral stability to the tank 12 that resists tipping by
providing a wider base to
support the tank 12. Preferably, the bottom surface 18 of the support 10 has a
relatively high
coefficient of friction, so that it will resist sliding on whatever resting
surface 16 is placed. This
increased friction can be achieved through a combination of choice of
materials and texture.
[0020] Figs. 6 and 7 show alternative embodiments of the support 10 shaped
differently
than the previously discussed embodiments. The support of Fig. 6 shows a
generally square-
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shaped opening 22, but retains the overall octagon shape for the exterior of
the support body 20.
This would be well-suited for supporting a tank 12 that had a square-shaped
base portion 26.
Fig. 7 shows a support that has a circular opening 22 and a circular support
body 20.
[0021] Figs. 8-11 disclose a support 110 according to another embodiment of
the present
invention. The support 110 is well-suited for supporting either a water
container 111 (Fig. 10) or
an LP tank 112 (Fig. 11) at a user's discretion. As seen in Fig. 8, the
support 110 has a body 120
with an outside perimeter in the shape of an octagon. An opening 122 is
provided generally
centrally within the body 120. The opening 122 need not extend completely
through the body
120. The opening 122 should be sized and shaped such that the sidewalls 162 of
the opening 122
provide a snug fit with the base portion 126 of an LP tank 112. The sidewalls
162 may be
tapered at the bottom. It should be appreciated that the opening 122 need not
be continuous as
shown, could be formed by inward projections.
[0022] A flange 150 is provided radially outwardly from the opening 122. The
flange 150
extends above the perimeter of the opening 120. As shown, the flange 150 is a
continuous ridge
completely enclosing the opening 120; however, the flange 150 could comprise a
series of
upward protections. Support webs 152 act as braces to provide strength to the
flange 150. The
support webs 152 may be triangular in cross-section as shown in Fig. 9. The
support webs 152
span between the flange 150 and the top surface of the body 120. The flange
150 may be
provided with a beveled or contoured upper surface 158 that matches the
contour of an LP tank
112. A ledge 160 is provided between the opening 120 and the flange 150 as
part of the body
120.
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[0023] The body 120 may include recessed portions 154 formed in the top
surface of the
body 120 in order to reduce weight and save material. Similar recessed
portions 156 may be
formed on the bottom.
[0024] Fig. 10 shows the support 110 with the position of a portion of a
supported water
container 111 indicated in phantom lines. The water container 111 will rest on
ledge 160 and be
snuggly retained by flange 160 pressing against the sides of the water
container 111. The weight
of the water container 111 may be helpful in forcing the water container 111
into the portion
surrounded by the flange 160. Once snuggly retained within the flange 160, the
water container
111 will be supported against tipping by the relatively wide base of the body
of the support 110.
Additionally, the friction of the bottom surface of the support 110 will help
resist slipping when
the support 110 is placed on a flat upward facing surface.
[0025] Fig. 11 shows the support 110 with the position of a portion of a
supported LP
tank 112 shown in phantom lines. The base portion 126 of the LP tank 112 is
inserted into the
opening 120 and is retained snuggly in place by the sidewalls 162 of the
opening 120. The
curved bottom portion of the LP tank 112 is further supported and retained in
place by the top
beveled surface 158 of the flange 150.
[0026] The preferred material for forming the supports 10 and 110 is a
material with
some resiliency and tackiness. These properties allow for a snug fit between
the sides of the
opening 22 and the base portion 26 of the tank 12. They also provide the
relatively high
coefficient of friction for the bottom surface 18 of the support 10 to help
prevent sliding of the
support 10 and tank 12 under lateral forces that can occur during starting,
stopping, and turning.
The resiliency is also thought to absorb and dampen some of the lateral and
tipping forces better
than a rigid material.
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[0027] In a preferred embodiment the chosen material is a thermoplastic
elastomer that
has been injection molded into the shape of the support 10. The elastomer is
made from a blend
of recycled rubber and plastic articles, such as automobile tires and milk
jugs. One embodiment
of the preferred material is sold under the trade name "eLastoprene" and is
available from Atlas
Polytech Inc. of Boucherville, Quebec, Canada. The products are formed by
injecting the
elastomer into a mold of the desired shape in a flowable form, allowing the
product to cure into a
solid product, and then removing the support 10 from the mold.
[0028] The disclosed support will keep vessels safe and secure during
transport and
storage. When placed on the carpeted surface of a trunk or cargo area of a
vehicle, it will stay
put. It will resist tipping and sliding during turns, stops, or starts, while
vessel is empty or full.
[0029] Although various representative embodiments of this invention have been
described above with a certain degree of particularity, those skilled in the
art could make
numerous alterations to the disclosed embodiments without departing from the
spirit or scope of
the inventive subject matter set forth in the specification and claims. All
directional references
(e.g., upper, lower, upward, downward, left, right, leftward, rightward, top,
bottom, above,
below, vertical, horizontal, clockwise, and counterclockwise) are only used
for identification
purposes to aid the reader's understanding of the embodiments of the present
invention, and do
not create limitations, particularly as to the position, orientation, or use
of the invention unless
specifically set forth in the claims. Joinder references (e.g., attached,
coupled, connected, and
the like) are to be construed broadly and may include intermediate members
between a
connection of elements and relative movement between elements. As such,
joinder references do
not necessarily infer that two elements are directly connected and in fixed
relation to each other.
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In some instances, components are described with reference to "ends" having a
particular
characteristic and/or being connected with another part. However, those
skilled in the art will
recognize that the present invention is not limited to components which
terminate immediately
beyond their points of connection with other parts. Thus, the term "end"
should be interpreted
broadly, in a manner that includes areas adjacent, rearward, forward of, or
otherwise near the
terminus of a particular element, link, component, part, member or the like.
In methodologies
directly or indirectly set forth herein, various steps and operations are
described in one possible
order of operation, but those skilled in the art will recognize that steps and
operations may be
rearranged, replaced, or eliminated without necessarily departing from the
spirit and scope of the
present invention. It is intended that all matter contained in the above
description or shown in
the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not
limiting. Changes in
detail or structure may be made without departing from the spirit of the
invention as defined in
the appended claims.
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