Patent ID: 7878472
Filing Date: 2011-02-01
Classification: B60R

Abstract:
1. An auto-locking holder apparatus for releasably holding a tank in a vehicle, comprising: a frame configured to support the tank; a first arm pivotally coupled to the frame for movement about a first axis; a second arm pivotally coupled to the frame for movement about a second axis, wherein the first axis and the second axis are substantially parallel to one another, and further wherein the first axis and the second axis are positioned to be substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the tank; and a locking mechanism comprising an inertial locking device that automatically changes position to lock the locking mechanism in response to a change in a velocity of the vehicle; wherein the first arm and second arm are moveable between: wherein the first arm and the second arm are freely moveable between the open and closed positions when the locking mechanism is unlocked such that the tank may be freely removed by moving the tank away from the first and second arms without actively placing the first arm and the second arm in the open positions; and wherein the locking mechanism, when locked, prevents the first arm and the second arm from moving from the closed position to the open position.