Abstract:
The apparatus of the present invention is designed to provide a means for placement and removal of conventional gas containing tanks such as oxygen tanks in various locations for usage or transport. The apparatus includes a transport carriage assembly with a plurality of wheels for moving thereof and a generally vertical beam with an angularly positioned reinforcing member for strengthening thereof. A parallel swing brace is pivotally connected to the vertical beam and extends outwardly therefrom. A tank retaining bracket assembly is secured to the outermost end of the parallel swing brace. Holding brackets and a foot plate are secured to the parallel swing braces and define a tank holding zone immediately thereadjacent. A strap secures the tank to the retaining bracket. A drive means is connected to the parallel swing brace to power movement thereof in a vertical direction either upwardly or downwardly as needed.

Description:
[0001]    The present utility application hereby formally claims priority of currently pending U.S. Provisional Patent application No. 61/214,147 filed Apr. 20, 2009 on “PORTABLE TANK LIFTING AND HANDLING APPARATUS” filed by the same inventors listed herein, namely, Cielito B. Agoncillo, W. Brian McGinty and Michael P. Ziaylek, and said referenced provisional application is hereby formally incorporated by reference as an integral part of the present application. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention deals with the field of utilized to facilitate lifting and handling of gas tanks such as oxygen tanks especially when placement and movement thereof from one position to a position of a different elevation as required. Such devices often include a manual manipulating mechanism or a powered actuator for facilitating this movement. 
         [0004]    These devices are commonly utilized for transporting oxygen cylinders into emergency vehicles and for removal therefrom. The present invention includes a unique construction for assuring that the tank and the tank base are firmly secured on the substrate upon which they are desired to be placed. 
         [0005]    2. Description of the Prior Art 
         [0006]    Other patents have been designed for facilitating the handling and transporting of utility tanks such as U.S. Pat. No. 1,827,209 patented Oct. 13, 1931 to C. W. Robbins on an “Industrial Truck”; and U.S. Pat. No. 1,896,249 patented Feb. 7, 1933 to F. B. Russell on a “Carrier”; and U.S. Pat. No. 2,463,967 patented Mar. 8, 1949 to E. C. Hefelfinger on a “Cylinder Carriage”; and U.S. Pat. No. 2,500,055 patented Mar. 7, 1950 to R. W. Baker on a “Combined Truck And Hoist Device”; and U.S. Pat. No. 2,624,483 patented Jan. 6, 1953 to E. E. Ketzel on a “Carrier For Welding Outfits”; and U.S. Pat. No. 2,730,257 patented Jan. 10, 1956 to R. H. F. Stresau, Jr. on a “Chassis Truck”; and U.S. Pat. No. 2,738,086 patented Mar. 13, 1956 to W. A. Reich on a “Hand Truck For Handling Banana Bunches”; and U.S. Pat. No. 2,2903,147 patented Sep. 8, 1959 to G. E. Davis, Jr. on a “Lifting And Mounting Device For Outboard Motors”; and U.S. Pat. No. 2,2905,347 patented Sep. 22, 1959 to F. P. Hopfeld on a “Drum Handling Lift Truck”; and U.S. Pat. No. 3,471,046 patented Oct. 7, 1969 to G. H. Hess on a “Cart For Gas Cylinders”; and U.S. Pat. No. 3,637,097 patented Jan. 25, 1972 to R. R. Horowitz and assigned to S&amp;H Industries, Inc. on a “Power-Operated Tailgate With Maximum Rearward Displacement Between Fully Elevated And Fully Lowered Positions”; and U.S. Pat. No. 3,682,342 patented Aug. 8, 1972 to D. L. Evans on “Lifting Devices”; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,021,070 patented May 3, 1977 to F. J. Shea on a “Mechanical Lift”; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,059,281 patented Nov. 22, 1977 to D. W. Evans and assigned to Towmotor Corporation on a “Mounting Assembly For A Controllably Movable Fluid Tank”; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,205,937 patented Jun. 3, 1980 to N. C. Fawley on a “Carrier For Compressed Gas Cylinders”; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,221,529 patented Sep. 9, 1980 to A. DeShano on a “Delivery Trailer”; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,318,661 patented Mar. 9, 1982 to J. T. Helm and assigned to Dozier Equipment International Company on a “Drum Handling Device For Forklift”; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,536,123 patented Aug. 20, 1985 to W. E. Snyder on a “Hand Truck Apparatus For Elevating And Transporting An Object”; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,615,656 patented Oct. 7, 1986 to J. T. Geraghty, Jr. on a “Cylinder Gripping Attachment For A Fork Lift Truck”; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,738,582 patented Apr. 19, 1988 to J. E. Roberts and assigned to E Manufacturing Company Inc. on a “Tank Carrier And Manipulator”; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,808,056 patented Feb. 28, 1989 to S. Oshima on an “Elevator Device Transportable In A Motor Vehicle”; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,940,381 patented Jul. 10, 1990 to A. L. Rysewyk and assigned to American Telephone and Telegraph Company on a “Mobile Hoist”; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,104,280 patented Apr. 14, 1992 to M. P. Ziaylek et al and assigned to Michael P. Ziaylek on an “Apparatus For Use With An Emergency Vehicle For Storage And Retrieval Of Remotely Located Emergency Devices”; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,145,311 patented Sep. 8, 1992 to F. S. Salvucci and assigned to Anthony Welded Products, Inc. on a “Cylindrical Tank Lift With Four Wheels For Mobility And Stability”; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,207,550 patented May 4, 1993 to M. S. Lehman and assigned to Valley Craft on a “Drum Handler”; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,209,628 patented May 11, 1993 to C. C. Hassell on a “Self-Loading Dolly Mount Apparatus”; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,307,839 patented May 3, 1994 to K. L. Loebker et al on a “Bottled Gas Cart”; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,340,136 patented Aug. 23, 1994 to R. M. MacNeil et al and assigned to Canadian Liquid Air Ltd. on a “Cylinder Cart With Magnetics”; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,344,278 patented Sep. 6, 1994 to H. Emig, Jr. on an “Apparatus For Raising And Moving An Open Ended Container”; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,346,357 patented Sep. 13, 1994 to C. C. Hassell on a “Self-Locking Parallel-Motion Dolly Mount”; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,366,338 patented Nov. 22, 1994 to E. P. Mortensen on a “Lift And Tow Motorcycle Transporter”; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,440,098 patented Aug. 8, 1995 to T. A. Matus and assigned to Miller Electric Manufacturing Co. on a “Gas Cylinder Lifting System”; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,518,357 patented May 21, 1996 to T. Ziaylek, Jr. et al and assigned to Theodore Ziaylek, Jr. and Michael P. Ziaylek on a “Retaining And Retrieval Apparatus For Storage Of A Ladder Upon A Vehicle Shelf Area”; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,618,154 patented Apr. 8, 1997 to A. J. Irons, Jr. et al and assigned to Easy Lift Equipment Co., Inc. on a “Drum Transporter”; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,658,118 patented Aug. 19, 1997 to B. Luca on a “Cylinder Transporter”; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,791,857 patented Aug. 11, 1998 to T. Ziaylek, Jr. et al and assigned to Theodore Ziaylek, Jr. and Michael Paul Ziaylek on an “Automatic Ladder Lowering And Storage Device For Use With An Emergency Vehicle”; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,984,612 patented Nov. 16, 1999 to M. D. Tatro on a “Tank Lifting Device”; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,944,474 patented Aug. 31, 1999 to M. M. Cummins et al and assigned to Drum Runner Material Handling Co. on a “Support For A Cylindrical Container”; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,086,312 patented Jul. 11, 2000 to M. P. Ziaylek et al on a “Tank Handling Apparatus”; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,171,048 patented Jan. 9, 2001 to C. J. Grimes on a “Fire Suppression Agent Storage Container Lifting And Transportation Device”; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,368,048 patented Apr. 9, 2002 to E. A. Womble et al on a “Transport Cart For Elongated Objects”; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,406,248 patented Jun. 18, 2002 to D. E. McGill et al on an “Apparatus For Lifting And Moving An Upright Cylindrical Container”; and U.S. Pat. No. 7,357,398 patented Apr. 15, 2008 to J. J. O&#39;Connor and assigned to Lincoln Global, Inc. on a “Cart For Welding Operations”; and U.S. Pat. No. 7,360,543 patented Apr. 22, 2008 to G. Coleman et al and assigned to Itec Manufacturing Ltd. on a “Patient Assist Lift”; and U.S. Publication No. 2002/0076313 published Jun. 20, 2002 to R. Vartanian Sr. on a “Platform Lift”; and U.S. Publication No. 2007/0292249 published Dec. 20, 2007 to M. Wilson and assigned to Itec Manufacturing, Ltd. on a “Compact System For Lifting And Moving Pressurized Tank”; and United States Publication No. 2008/0000486 published Jan. 3, 2008 to M. Wilson and assigned to Itec Manufacturing, Ltd. on “Straps For Restraining A Patient&#39;s Arms”. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    The present invention provides a tank lifting and handling apparatus including a transport carriage assembly having a main transport frame which is generally U-shaped and a vertical beam secured to the main transport frame and extending upwardly therefrom. The transport carriage assembly also includes a reinforcement cross member secured to the vertical beam and also secured to the main transport frame and extending therebetween which effectively increases the overall structural strength of the total configuration of the transport carriage assembly. 
         [0008]    The apparatus further includes a parallel swing assembly pivotally mounted with respect to the main transport frame and extending outwardly therefrom. The parallel swing assembly defines a slot configuration extending therethrough which is elongated generally in a vertical direction. The parallel swing assembly includes a support end pivotally attached with respect to the transport carriage assembly as well as a bracket end spatially disposed from the support end. 
         [0009]    The apparatus further includes a drive which includes a portion thereof which is longitudinally extendable and retractable and is attached to the transport carriage assembly and the parallel swing assembly such that it extends therebetween. The parallel swing assembly is movable to a tank lifted position responsive to movement of the drive means in an extending direction. The parallel swing assembly is also movable to a tank lowered position responsive to retracting movement of the drive means. 
         [0010]    The apparatus further includes a tank retaining bracket pivotally attached with respect to the bracket end of the parallel swing assembly. The tank retaining bracket defines a tank receiving zone thereadjacent extending therealong which is adapted to receive a tank for selectively retaining thereof within the zone adjacent to the tank retaining bracket. 
         [0011]    This tank retaining bracket further includes an upper securement mechanism attached with respect to the parallel swing assembly and a lower securement mechanism which is movably attached with respect to the parallel swing assembly at a location below the upper securement mechanism. The lower securement mechanism includes a lower securement foot positioned below the tank receiving zone to facilitate supporting of the tank thereabove which is selectively retained within the tank receiving zone. The lower securement mechanism is vertically slidably movable with respect to the parallel swing assembly to facilitate supporting of the tank positioned within the tank receiving zone. 
         [0012]    Furthermore the apparatus of the present invention includes a tank securement apparatus attached to the tank retaining bracket adjacent the tank receiving zone defined therewithin and selectively engageable with respect to the tank for retaining thereof in position adjacent the tank retaining bracket within the tank receiving zone thereadjacent. 
         [0013]    Furthermore the apparatus of the present invention includes a sliding engagement mechanism operative to slidably engage the lower securement mechanism of the tank retaining bracket with respect to a slot defined in the parallel swing assembly. This sliding engagement mechanism preferably includes a stud extending through the tank retaining bracket and through the slot as well as a nut such as a lock nut which is securable to the stud to maintain the slidably movable engagement between the tank retaining bracket and the parallel swing assembly. The slidable engagement mechanism further includes an inner collar positioned extending around the stud at a location within the slot. This inner collar has an outside diameter which is a dimension less than the interior width of the slot to facilitate slidable movement therebetween while facilitating engagement between the tank retaining bracket and the parallel swing assembly. An outer collar may be included positioned extending around the stud at a location laterally adjacent the slot between the parallel swing assembly and the stud to maintain a minimum lateral spacing therebetween to facilitate vertical relative movement relative to one another. 
         [0014]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a portable tank lifting and handling apparatus which has minimal maintenance requirements. 
         [0015]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a portable tank lifting and handling apparatus which includes a minimum number of moving parts. 
         [0016]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a portable tank lifting and handling apparatus which is easily maintained as well as easily assembled and disassembled. 
         [0017]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a portable tank lifting and handling apparatus which is stable in design and strength. 
         [0018]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a portable tank lifting and handling apparatus which can transport tanks of various configurations. 
         [0019]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a portable tank lifting and handling apparatus which can lift tanks upwardly and move deep inwardly toward a position of placement due to the fact that the tank is gripped by parallel linkage created by two parallel extending swing braces. 
         [0020]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a portable tank lifting and handling apparatus which is completely portable due to a plurality of wheels some of which include locking plates thereon to facilitate stability of the carriage assembly during placement and removal of tanks from a desired location. 
         [0021]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a portable tank lifting and handling apparatus which can be utilized by a single person to facilitate placement or removal of the tank from any position including those positions having a moderately different elevation from the current position of the tank. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0022]    While the invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly described herein, a preferred embodiment is set forth in the following detailed description which may be best understood when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0023]      FIG. 1  is a front three-quarter perspective taken from the left of an embodiment of the tank lifting and handling apparatus of the present invention shown with the tank in the tank lowered position; 
           [0024]      FIG. 2  is a front perspective view taken from the left of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0025]      FIG. 3  is a top perspective view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0026]      FIG. 4  is a side perspective view of an illustration of an example of usage of an embodiment of the present invention showing a tank in the tank lifted position ready for placement or removal of a tank with respect to an emergency vehicle; 
           [0027]      FIG. 5  is a top plan view showing an exploded view of the lower securement member of the present invention clearly showing the lower securement base or foot taken from the front; 
           [0028]      FIG. 6  is a side plan view of the exploded portion of the present invention as shown in  FIG. 1  taken from the left wherein the vertically slidable lower securement member is positioned in the lowermost position thereof; 
           [0029]      FIG. 7  is a three-quarter perspective of the illustration shown in  FIG. 1  wherein the lower securement member is shown in the uppermost position thereof; 
           [0030]      FIG. 8  is a close-up illustration of the upper portion of the angular reinforcement member showing the pivotal connection of the linear drive actuator means thereto; 
           [0031]      FIG. 9  is a closer up illustration showing the engagement between the sewn loop of the belt and the detachable belt hook securable with respect to a belt eyelet which itself is mounted with respect to the second vertical strut of the tank retaining bracket; 
           [0032]      FIG. 10  is a close-up illustration of the continuously adjustable engaging belt buckle detachably securable with respect to the belt and mounted on the tank retaining bracket shown in the closed position; 
           [0033]      FIG. 11  is an illustration of an embodiment shown in  FIG. 10  while in the opened position; 
           [0034]      FIG. 12  is a close-up of the end portion of the belt of an embodiment of the present invention shown the belt retained within the belt end retaining clip; and 
           [0035]      FIG. 13  is a close-up illustration of the attachment hardware which secures the lower securement member movably with respect to the first and second vertical struts of the tank retaining bracket to facilitate positioning of a tank by the present invention gently and firmly in contact with the substrate on which it is desired to be placed. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0036]    The present invention provides a tank lifting and handling apparatus which includes a transport carriage assembly  10  including a main transport frame  19  with a plurality of rollers or wheels  12  positioned extending therebelow greatly facilitates portability thereof. One or more of the rollers or wheels  12  can include locking plates  13  for selectively locking thereof to facilitate stability of the transport carriage assembly  10  whenever a tank is being lifted and/or handled in some manner or otherwise moved. 
         [0037]    The main transport frame  19  of the transport carriage assembly  10  includes a first frame side member  16  and a second frame side member  17  extending approximately parallel with respect to one another with a frame cross member  18  extending therebetween. The individual rollers or wheels  12  are preferably mounted with respect to the lower portion of the first frame side member  16  and the second frame side member  17  to facilitate portability thereof. 
         [0038]    The transport carriage assembly further includes a vertical beam member  20  which extends approximately vertically upwardly from approximately the central location of the frame cross member  18 . This vertical beam member provides an upwardly extending surface to which the tank retaining bracket  21  can be attached through a parallel swing assembly which includes a first parallel swing brace  26  and a second parallel swing brace  29  each of which is movably secured with respect to the vertical beam member  20 . Preferably the first parallel swing brace  26  is secured near the uppermost portion of vertical beam member  20  and the second parallel swing brace  29  is movably secured with respect to the vertical beam member  20  at a location therebelow. The first parallel swing brace  26  and the second parallel swing brace  29  preferably extend outwardly from the movable connections thereof with respect to the vertical beam member  20  in a direction such that the they are approximately parallel with respect to one another. 
         [0039]    Reinforcement of the perpendicular orientation and mounting of the vertical beam member  20  with respect to the frame cross member  18  of the transport carriage assembly  10  can be facilitated by the inclusion of an angular reinforcement member  22  as shown best in  FIG. 1 . Angular reinforcement member  22  preferably includes two separate downwardly extending members along with reinforcement cross members  23  extending therebetween. 
         [0040]    To facilitate handling of the apparatus of the present invention the vertical beam member  20  can include a handle means  24  extending outwardly therefrom to facilitate movement of the carriage assembly  10  when the wheels  12  are unlocked. 
         [0041]    The parallel swing brace assembly  31  will define a first support end  27  and first bracket end  28 . The first support end  27  is pivotally secured with respect to a portion of the transport carriage assembly such as with respect to the vertical beam member  20  and the first bracket end  28  is pivotally secured with respect to the tank retaining bracket  38 . In a similar manner the second parallel swing brace  29  will include preferably a second support end  30  and a second bracket end  32 . The second support end  30  is pivotally secured to, preferably, the vertical beam member  20  at a position below the point of securement of the first support end  27  of the first parallel swing brace  26  thereto. The second bracket end  32  of the second parallel swing brace  29  is preferably secured with respect to the tank retaining bracket  21  at a position below the point of securement of the first bracket end  28  thereto. Preferably the points of connection of the first support end  27  and the second support end  30  with respect to the vertical beam member  20  are spaced apart at an equal distance between the points of connection of the first bracket end  28  and the second bracket end  32  with respect to the tank retaining bracket  38 . In this manner the parallel orientation between the first parallel swing brace  26  and the second parallel swing brace  29  will be maintained as the tank retaining bracket  38  is moved thereby maintaining any tank retained thereadjacent in vertical orientation at all times during movement. However, due to the movement of this parallel swing assembly  31  as the tank  11  is moved upwardly toward a position of placement or as it is moved downwardly, the distance between the tank  11  and the vertical beam member  20  will vary. That is, as the tank is moved upwardly this distance will increase and as the tank is moved downwardly this distance will decrease. This is an important characteristic of the present invention because it allows placement of a tank  11  within rather deep locations thereby minimizing danger to workers. 
         [0042]    The parallel swing assembly further includes a mounting frame  82  which includes the first vertical strut  40  and the second vertical strut  42  as portions thereof extending generally vertically. A tank receiving zone  80  will preferably be defined adjacent to the tank retaining bracket means  38  which is positioned extending generally longitudinally vertically therealong. To facilitate securement of a tank  11  within zone  80 , the tank retaining bracket means  38  will preferably include an upper securement member  34  attached to mounting frame  82 . The upper portion of a tank  11  will be positionable in engageable with respect to the upper securement member  34 . A lower securement member  36  will be attached to mounting frame  82  at a positioned below the upper securement member  36  and will be adapted to receive the lower portion of the tank  11  in engagement therewith responsive to the tank  11  being in the tank receiving zone  80  thereadjacent. The lower securement member  36  will preferably include a lower securement base or foot  37  will be included in the configuration of the lower securement member  36  or preferably will be an integral part thereof such that it will provide a base or foot beneath the zone  80  to support the bottom of the tank to facilitate secure retaining thereof. 
         [0043]    The detailed construction of the mounting frame  82  includes a first vertical strut  40  and a second vertical strut  42  extending approximately parallel with respect to one another and including one or more retaining bracket cross-members  44  extending therebetween for structural strength and integrity. 
         [0044]    The first vertical strut  40  will preferably define a first slot means  46  extending therethrough which preferably runs longitudinally in a vertical direction. In a similar manner the second vertical strut  42  will preferably define a second slot means  48  extending therethrough also running approximately longitudinally vertically therewithin. These two slots will be located in the vertical struts  40  and  42  a position immediately adjacent to the location of mounting of the lower securement member  36 . It should be appreciated that the first slot means  46  and the second slot means  48  can comprise a single vertically extending slot or multiple vertically extending slots. In the apparatus shown in the present invention, as particularly shown in  FIG. 7 , the first slot means  46  defined in the first vertical strut  40  defines two vertically extending slots and the second slot means  48  defined in the second vertical strut  42  defines particularly two individual slots running vertically longitudinally therealong. 
         [0045]    One of the important characteristics of the present invention is in the automated powering of movement of the apparatus. For this purpose a drive means  62  which can comprise any type of a linear actuator is provided. This linear drive actuator means will include a drive output shaft  64  longitudinally movable with respect to the drive responsive to actuation or powering thereof. Drive means  62  powers movement of the tank  11  between the tank lowered position  86  shown in  FIG. 1  and the tank lifted position  84  shown in  FIG. 4 . 
         [0046]    In the apparatus of the present invention the drive output shaft  64  will define a drive output shaft aperture  66 . This construction is particular to this embodiment although other constructions can be utilized to achieve a similar purpose. The drive output shaft aperture  66  is defined in this embodiment to receive one of the cross members of the second parallel swing brace  29  as shown best in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . The base of the linear actuator  62  is pivotally secured to one of the reinforcement cross members  23  of the angular reinforcement member  22 . Thus, the drive means  62  is pivotally secured with respect to both of these members and can move slightly with respect to one another which is an important characteristic to facilitate control of movement thereof. That is, as the drive means  62  is powered, the drive output shaft  64  will extend longitudinally outwardly therefrom urging movement of the second parallel swing brace  29  as well as the first parallel swing brace  26  and the tank retaining bracket  38  vertically to lift a tank if positioned in securement with respect to the tank retaining bracket  38 . Similarly linear actuator  62  can be powered to retract the drive output shaft  64  thereof causing the first parallel swing brace  26  and the second parallel swing brace  29  to move downwardly as shown in  FIG. 1  and move the tank  11  toward a resting position upon the substrate therebelow. 
         [0047]    Retaining of a tank  11  in position adjacent to the tank retaining bracket  38  can be facilitated by the inclusion of tank securement apparatus  71  which preferably includes a belt means  68 . Preferably the belt means  68  includes a loop formed by a sewn section  70  and a detachable belt hooking means  72  such as a clasp or the like mounted with respect to the sewn loop  70  which is detachably securable with respect to a belt eyelet  74  mounted on one side of the tank retaining bracket  38 . The other side of the tank retaining bracket  38  may include a belt buckle  76  which may preferably be continuously adjustable for being in engagement with respect to the buckle at a continuum of possible locations therealong. A belt retaining clip  78  as best shown in  FIG. 12  can be mounted with respect to the vertical beam member  20  or any other convenient location to retain excessive lengths of the belt such that a significantly long belt can be utilized which will be capable of usage with tanks of various different sizes and configurations. Each of these constructions defined above define a quickly releasably and yet very secure tank securement apparatus  71  for selectively retaining of a tank  11  within the tank receiving zone  80 . 
         [0048]    One of the most important aspects of the present invention is in the ability to gently position a tank solidly upon the ground or other substrate surface. That is, the drive means  62  of the present invention is powered both for lifting of the tank and for lowering of the tank and to coordinate the lowering of the tank such that the lowermost portion of the tank rests comfortably and without exerting force downwardly upon the ground or floor substrate is a difficult task and requires very accurate timing and spacing between the tank and the floor while the operator runs the linear actuator. The present invention provides a means for facilitating gently placing of the tank retaining bracket means  38  on the ground while a tank is secured thereto in order to minimize damage to the tank  11  itself and yet reach the fully down position of the tank retaining bracket  21  such that all the weight of the tank is fully supported by the ground therebeneath. This purpose is achieved by providing a sliding engagement apparatus  88  operative with slots defined in each of the struts  40  and  42  and, thus, providing a vertically movable engagement between the lower securement member  36  (and base  37 ) and the first and second vertical struts  40  and  42  with the lower securement member  36  extending downwardly beyond the lowermost portions of the struts  40  and  42 . This sliding engagement apparatus  88  between the lower securement member  36  and the two struts  40  and  42  is achieved by a unique combination of attaching hardware shown in  FIG. 13 .  FIG. 13  shows a first stud means  50  with a first inner collar means  51  and a first outer collar means  52  and a first nut  53  as well as a first washer  54  positioned between the first nut  53  and the first inner collar means  51 . Similarly this figure shows a second stud means  55  including a second outer collar means  56  and second inner collar means  57  as well as a second washer means  60  and a second nut means  58 . The hardware shown individually in  FIG. 13  is also shown in engagement with slots  46  and  48  in  FIG. 7 . When the lower securement foot  37  is not in engagement with the substrate therebelow and when a tank  11  is positioned in zone  80  on this base  37 , the weight of the tank will urge the lower securement member  36  to move to the lowermost position as shown best in  FIG. 6 . As the tank retaining bracket  38  is moved downwardly by retraction of the longitudinally extending drive output shaft  64  of the linear actuator  62  the undersurface of the lower securement foot  37  will contact the substrate therebelow which can be of ground, cement, asphalt or any other surface upon which the apparatus of the present invention is designed to be rested. In most constructions merely the weight of the lower securement member will be sufficient to cause it to move to the lowermost position relative to the struts  40  and  42  even when a tank is not positioned within the zone  80 . When using a positively driven drive means  62  the length of the slots  46  and  48  will greatly aid an operator in being sure that when a tank is positioned in the zone  80  supported on lower securement foot base  37  that the weight of the tank will be resting upon the substrate therebeneath. This is an important consideration since it is not desirable that the tank be perilously supported only by the tank lifting and handling apparatus of the prevent invention when an operator is not present without being in direct contact with the ground to support the weight of the tank. 
         [0049]    In order words, it is a difficult task to operate the linear actuator such that it is turned off instantly as soon as the undersurface of the lower securement member  36  or foot  37  contacts the substrate. As such, the slotted movement capability of the apparatus of the present invention provides some variation in this precise positioning while still allowing the tank to be firmly positioned upon the ground. This capability is due to the vertical slideable movement capability of the tank retaining bracket  38  with respect to the struts  40  and  42  due to the unique hardware configuration which attaches them with respect to one another in a slidably movable manner. 
         [0050]    Once the undersurface of the lower contacts the ground the user can maintain downward movement of the linear actuator for another one quarter of an inch, or a half inch or three-quarters of an inch or even greater inch during which time the lower securement member  36  will be held firmly in position by the substrate therebelow without moving and the two struts will continue to move downwardly thereby moving the first stud means  50  and the second stud means  55  to an intermediate position within the slots  46  and  48 , respectively, at a position between the lowermost position shown in  FIG. 6  and the uppermost position shown in  FIG. 7 . Prior to contact between the lower securement foot  37  and the ground the weight of the foot  37  as well as the weight of the tank will cause the lower securement member  36  to move toward the lower position as shown in  FIG. 6 . After contact with the ground then the foot will remain stationary and the struts  40  and  42  will continue to move downwardly until the relative positioning between the foot and the struts will cause them to move toward the position shown in  FIG. 7 . This construction will provide a tolerance or acceptable inaccuracy in the timing of terminating operation of the linear actuator. In other words it will increase the tolerance of the timing to place the tank in contact such that it will be in firm contact with the substrate therebelow due to this slotted interconnection so that the ground will support the weight of the tank rather than the apparatus of the present invention. 
         [0051]    This slotted interconnection is provided by the hardware shown in  FIG. 13 . The first inner collar means  51  and the second inner collar means  57  are positioned within the slot and the apparatus includes nuts  53  and  58  which are preferably lock nuts which are capable of locking to the stud while maintaining a loose connection laterally between the lower securement member  36  and the struts  40  and  42  such that it is vertically movable to a length equal to the length of the slots. Therefore the diameter of the inner collars  51  and  57  must be slightly less than the inside diameter of the slots  46  and  48 . The washers  54  and  60  will facilitate engagement of the struts  40  and  42  relative to the respective inner and outer collars responsive to tightening of the nuts  53  and  58  thereagainst. The outer collars  52  and  56  will maintain a lateral spacing outwardly between the outer surfaces of the first vertical strut  40  and the second vertical strut  42  and the holes in the lower securement member  36  through which the studs  50  and  55  protrude. Thus, the increased tolerance in vertical placement of the tank upon the ground becomes very important when considering the significant weight of tanks being manipulated in this manner because it is very important that the weight of the tank in fully supported the ground before they are disengaged from the portable tank lifting and placement apparatus or after they are initially placed into zone  80  for handling and manipulating thereof. The wider tolerance in the vertical positioning of the tank support apparatus is provided by this slidable engagement between the lower securement member  36  and the vertical struts  40  and  42  and this added tolerance is an important safety consideration which greatly increases the utility of the present invention. 
         [0052]    While particular embodiments of this invention have been shown in the drawings and described above, it will be apparent that many changes may be made in the form, arrangement and positioning of the various elements of the combination. In consideration thereof, it should be understood that preferred embodiments of this invention disclosed herein are intended to be illustrative only and not intended to limit the scope of the invention.