Patent ID: 6386559
Filing Date: 2002-05-14
Classification: B60R,B62B

Abstract:
An apparatus for securing and transporting a tank, the tank being of the type having a body portion with a bottom and a top, and a valve protective wall secured to the tank adjacent to the top of the body portion, the apparatus comprising:a carrier for supporting the tank, the carrier comprising: a base member for resting the tank thereon, the base member having an upper surface, the base member having a forward portion and a rearward portion; a back member mounted on the base member, the back member having a mounting end mounted to the base member and a handle end opposite the mounting end, the back member being pivotally coupled to the base member such that the base member is pivotable between a stored position with the base member located adjacent to the back member and a deployed position with the base member located substantially perpendicular to the back member; a securing band for securing the tank to the carrier, the securing band extending between the base member and the back member; and a saddle member for saddling the tank when resting on the base member, the securing band being adapted to hold the saddle member against a tank resting on the base member, the saddle member including an engagement portion and a main portion connected together; wherein the engagement portion of the saddle member forms a band for surrounding the valve protective wall of the tank, the band defining a hole for receiving a portion of the valve of the valve protective wall of the tank for securing the saddle member to the tank, the band defining a continuous loop such that the saddle member must be shifted upwardly on the tank to remove the valve protective wall of the tank from the hole of the loop of the engagement portion; and wherein the main portion of the saddle member has end edges and a pair of securing slots are formed at spaced locations on the main portion of the saddle member in a manner such that insertion of a portion of a seat belt of a vehicle through the securing slots resists upward movement of the saddle member with respect to the tank when the saddle member is held against the tank by the securing band.