Reserve flammable gas container apparatus

An apparatus including a primary and secondary flammable gas container, wherein the flammable gas container is arranged for use during depletion of flammable gas within the primary container. The apparatus further includes a coupling member mounted to the secondary gas container cooperative to direct flammable gas to a desired appliance.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
The field of invention relates to flammable gas delivery apparatus, and 
more particularly pertains to a new and improved reserve flammable gas 
container apparatus wherein the same arranges a reserve flammable gas tank 
for use upon depletion of a primary gas container or reservoir. 
2. Description of the Prior Art 
Various appliances such as gas grills, torches, and the like utilize a 
portable flammable gas supply, such as propane, to effect a desired 
purpose, such as heating and the like. Upon depletion of a gas supply from 
a container, an associated gas appliance is rendered inoperative and the 
bulky and awkward construction of such primary gas containers frequently 
discourages the use and availability of reserve supplies. The instant 
invention attempts to overcome deficiencies of the prior art by utilizing 
a secondary gas container of a lesser dimensional configuration than a 
primary gas container and permit association therewith to provide a backup 
supply of such flammable gas as is typically utilized. 
Examples of the prior art include U.S. Pat. No. 4,779,608 to Smith 
illustrating the use of a flammable gas container directing an associated 
gas charge into a "T" shaped manifold structure to underlie an associated 
fireplace to assist in ignition of the fireplace components. 
U.S. Pat. No. 4,759,339 to Hefling provides a single-burner stove wherein 
the stove is securable in a coaxially aligned relationship relative to an 
underlying propane bottle. 
U.S. Pat. No. 4,738,242 to Hart provides for a door lock defroster wherein 
a propane bottle cooperative through a flexible hose directs a heating 
flame into the lock structure between an automotive door and associated 
framework. 
U.S. Pat. No. 4,804,324 to Yoshinaga utilizes an organization wherein the 
burner device accommodates liquefied gas cylinders or fuel tanks of 
different mounting cap configurations. 
U.S. Pat. No. 4,791,538 to Prest utilizes a single coupler, wherein three 
rigid fuel tanks are mounted and provide a tripod support for a coaxially 
aligned and overlying lantern. 
As such, it may be appreciated that there continues to be a need for a new 
and improved reserve flammable gas container apparatus wherein the same 
addresses both the problems of ease of use, as well as effectiveness in 
providing immediate application of reserve fuel to a gas appliance from a 
reserve fuel tank supply and in this respect, the present invention 
substantially fulfills this need. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of fuel 
tank supply apparatus now present in the prior art, the present invention 
provides a reserve flammable gas container apparatus wherein the same 
permits fluid communication on a selective basis from a reserve gas 
container to an associated gas appliance. As such, the general purpose of 
the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater 
detail, is to provide a new and improved reserve flammable gas container 
apparatus which has all the advantages of the prior art flammable gas 
delivery apparatus and none of the disadvantages. 
To attain this, the present invention provides an apparatus including a 
primary and secondary flammable gas container, wherein the flammable gas 
container is arranged for use during depletion of flammable gas within the 
primary container. The apparatus further includes a coupling member 
mounted to the secondary gas container cooperative to direct flammable gas 
to a desired appliance. 
My invention resides not in any one of these features per se, but rather in 
the particular combination of all of them herein disclosed and claimed and 
it is distinguished from the prior art in this particular combination of 
all of its structures for the functions specified. 
There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features 
of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that 
follows may be better understood, and in order that the present 
contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, 
additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter 
and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. 
Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which 
this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the 
designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the 
several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, 
that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions 
insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present 
invention. 
Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent 
and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the 
scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar 
with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a 
cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of 
the application. The abstract is neither intended to define the invention 
of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to 
be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way. 
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and 
improved reserve flammable gas container apparatus which has all the 
advantages of the prior art flammable gas delivery apparatus and none of 
the disadvantages. 
It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved 
reserve flammable gas container apparatus which may be easily and 
efficiently manufactured and marketed. 
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new and 
improved reserve flammable gas container apparatus which is of a durable 
and reliable construction. 
An even further object of the present invention is to provide a new and 
improved reserve flammable gas container apparatus which is susceptible of 
a low cost of manufacture with regard to both materials and labor, and 
which accordingly is then susceptible of low prices of sale to the 
consuming public, thereby making such reserve flammable gas container 
apparatus economically available to the buying public. 
Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new and 
improved reserve flammable gas container apparatus which provides in the 
apparatuses and methods of the prior art some of the advantages thereof, 
while simultaneously overcoming some of the disadvantages normally 
associated therewith. 
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a new and 
improved reserve flammable gas container apparatus wherein the same 
permits selective directing of a reserve flammable gas fuel supply from a 
reserve container and provides effective and safe association of a primary 
and secondary flammable gas supply. 
These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various 
features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with 
particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this 
disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating 
advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should 
be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there 
is illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 to 8 
thereof, a new and improved reserve flammable gas container apparatus 
embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention and 
generally designated by the reference numeral 10 will be described. 
FIG. 1 illustrates a prior art flammable gas delivery apparatus 1, wherein 
a container 2 directs gas through a valving 3 to an associated "T" shaped 
manifold 4. FIG. 2 illustrates a further prior art gas delivery apparatus 
wherein a lantern 5 is coaxially mounted to an underlying coupling 6 which 
receives a trio of gas cylinders 7 that perform a dual function as a 
tripod support during use of the apparatus. 
More specifically, the reserve flammable gas container apparatus 10 of the 
instant invention essentially comprises a first pressurized flammable gas 
container 11 defined by a first diameter, with a coupling head 12 
threadedly mounted onto an upper terminal end of the first gas container 
11. The coupling head 12 includes a first threaded socket 13 threadedly 
receiving the upper terminal end of the container 11, with a coupling head 
supply conduit 14 orthogonally oriented relative to the coupling head 12, 
and directing and fluidly mounted to an associated second internally 
threaded socket 16. The conduit 14 positions the socket 16 in a spaced 
relationship to the container 11, wherein potential rupturing of an 
associated first appliance conduit 18 mounted to the second socket 16 by a 
coupling member 17 positions any potential flame in a spaced relationship 
relative to the container 11. A valve handle 15 selectively directs the 
pressurized fluid from the container 11 through the coupling head supply 
conduit 14 into the second socket 16. FIG. 4 illustrates the invention 
utilizing a resilient cylindrical sleeve 19 defined by an internal 
diameter equal to the first diameter defined by the first pressurized gas 
container to frictionally and securably receive the gas container 11 
therewithin. The sleeve 19 is orthogonally oriented relative to a 
resilient pedestal base 20, wherein the pedestal base 20 is defined by a 
pedestal diameter substantially greater than that defined by the sleeve 19 
to provide stability in positioning the first container 11 relative to a 
gas appliance through the first appliance conduit 18. 
FIG. 6 illustrates the coupling head 12 and associated first container 11 
cooperative with a second pressurized flammable gas container 21. The 
second container 21 is defined by a second diameter substantially greater 
than that defined by the first diameter of the first container. A coupling 
member 17 operatively associates a second appliance conduit 18a to the 
second container 21. The second appliance conduit 18a and the first 
appliance conduit 18 are each mounted integrally and in fluid 
communication with a "T" shaped junction 22. The "T" shaped junction 22 
includes a first junction conduit 23 to receive the second appliance 
conduit 18a and a second junction conduit 24 to receive the first 
appliance conduit 18. A main appliance supply conduit 25 is mounted to a 
remaining leg of the "T" shaped junction 22 to direct gas supply 
selectively from either the first or second cylinders 11 or 21 to an 
associated gas appliance. 
FIG. 7 illustrates the use of a junction strap 26 to mount the first gas 
container 11 to the second gas container 21. The junction strap includes a 
first flexible belt 27 defined by a first length integrally mounted to a 
second flexible belt 28 defined by a second length, wherein the second 
length is essentially greater than that of the first length. The first 
flexible belt 27 is integrally joined to the second flexible belt 28 at a 
connector line 29 positioned medially of each rear surface of each 
flexible belt to ensure the belt back-to-back relationship relative to one 
another, as illustrated in FIG. 8. The first flexible belt 27 is securable 
about the first container 11, while the second belt 28 is securable about 
the second container 21 to secure the containers in a side-by-side 
relationship for convenience of storage and portability in use. The first 
belt 27 includes a respective first and second belt terminal end 30 and 
31. A first hook and loop fastener patch is mounted to an interior surface 
of the first belt adjacent the first terminal end 30, while a second first 
belt hook and loop fastener patch 31a is mounted on an exterior surface of 
a the first belt adjacent the second terminal end 31. Similarly, the 
second belt includes a second belt first and second terminal end 32 and 33 
respectively, with a first hook and loop fastener patch 32a mounted to an 
interior surface of the second belt adjacent the first terminal end, 
wherein a second hook and loop fastener patch 33a is mounted to an 
exterior surface of the second belt adjacent the second terminal end 33 of 
the second belt. 
As to the manner of usage and operation of the instant invention, the same 
should be apparent from the above disclosure, and accordingly no further 
discussion relative to the manner of usage and operation of the instant 
invention shall be provided. 
With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the 
optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to 
include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of 
operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to 
one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those 
illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are 
intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 
It is further contemplated that the scope of the instant invention includes 
a unitary L.P. (liquid petroleum) tank adapted for securement to the 
regulator of air associated barbeque grill and the like in a manner as 
noted above. 
Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the 
principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and 
changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired 
to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and 
described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may 
be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.