Compressed Gas Tank or Cylinder Rotating Clean-Out Apparatuses and Methods of Using the Same

A compressed gas tank or cylinder rotating clean-out apparatus comprises a rotating apparatus for clamping and rotating a compressed gas tank or cylinder for aiding in clean-out of the same. More specifically, the apparatus comprises a platform and strap for holding a compressed gas tank or cylinder, such as a SCUBA tank, and providing for the rotating of the same to dispose in various rotated positions so that the same may be more easily cleaned. Systems and methods for using the same are further provided.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a compressed gas tank or cylinder rotating clean-out apparatus. Specifically, the apparatus comprises a rotating apparatus for clamping and rotating a compressed gas tank or cylinder for aiding in clean-out of the same. More specifically, the apparatus comprises a platform and strap for holding a compressed gas tank or cylinder, such as a SCUBA tank, and providing for the rotating of the same to dispose in various rotated positions so that the same may be more easily cleaned. Systems and methods for using the same are further provided.

BACKGROUND

Compressed gas tanks or cylinders must be opened, emptied, and cleaned periodically. For example, SCUBA tanks containing compressed breathable air are required to be opened, emptied, and cleaned on a regular basis to ensure that the compressed air is breathable without contaminants or other like materials that may be dangerous to users thereof, especially under water during use.

Compressed gas tanks or cylinders are often difficult to open, empty, and clean as the tanks tend to be heavy and cumbersome. Past solutions typically involve simply removing the valve at the tank opening and manually holding the tank upside-down to empty the same. The tanks are then cleaned out using mild detergents or other like cleaning solutions and then rinsed using water. A need, therefore, exists for an improved compressed gas tank or cylinder apparatus that aids in emptying and cleaning the same. Specifically, a need exists for an improved compressed gas tank or cylinder apparatus that rotates to invert the compressed gas tank or cylinder.

Other solutions utilize apparatuses that aid in inverting gas cylinders to allow for emptying of contents but these apparatuses tend to be large and have space constraints. In addition, often the prior solutions do not allow for control of the rotation of the compressed gas tank or cylinder, providing stops for inversions of the same in different positions. Therefore, a need exists for an improved compressed gas tank or cylinder apparatus that has a relatively small footprint and can be incorporated into relatively small spaces. Moreover, a need exists for an improved gas tank or cylinder apparatus that provides discrete stopping positions for the inversion of the compressed gas tank or cylinder thereby aiding a user in emptying and cleaning the same.

In addition, because compressed gas tanks or cylinders are typically large, heavy, and often cumbersome, rotation of the same about an axis may be difficult to control. As the compressed gas tank or cylinder rotates, the weight of the same may cause an increase in angular velocity as it spins, making it difficult to stop and control by a user thereof. A need, therefore, exists for an improved compressed gas tank or cylinder apparatus that is easy to control the rotation thereof. More specifically, a need exists for an improved gas tank or cylinder apparatus that incorporates a rotational dampener to control the rotation thereof when in use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a compressed gas tank or cylinder rotating clean-out apparatus. Specifically, the apparatus comprises a rotating apparatus for clamping and rotating a compressed gas tank or cylinder for aiding in clean-out of the same. More specifically, the apparatus comprises a platform and strap for holding a compressed gas tank or cylinder, such as a SCUBA tank, and providing for the rotating of the same to dispose in various rotated positions so that the same may be more easily cleaned. Systems and methods for using the same are further provided.

To this end, in an embodiment of the present invention, a compressed gas tank rotating apparatus is provided. The compressed gas tank rotating apparatus comprises a base; a rotating plate attached to an axle extending through the base; and a holding bracket and a securing strap on the rotating plate configured to securely hold a compressed gas tank on the holding bracket, wherein when a gas tank is disposed on the holding bracket and secured via the securing strap it is configured to be disposed between an upside-down configuration and a right-side-up configuration via rotation of the rotating plate, wherein the axle is attached to a rotating arm that is further connected to a rod extending from a cylinder tube of a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder, wherein rotation of the rotating plate causes the rotating arm to rotate and the rod to extend from or retract into the cylinder tube of the hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder, wherein when the compressed gas tank is rotated from the upside-down configuration to the right-side up configuration, the rod retracts into the cylinder tube of the hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder thereby dampening the speed of rotation of the rotating plate and the compressed gas tank.

In an embodiment, the base is configured to be securely held to a floor.

In an embodiment, the pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder is fixed to the base on an end of the cylinder tube opposite an end where the rod extends from or retracts into the cylinder tube.

In an embodiment, the pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder is rotatably fixed to a point on the base at the end of the cylinder tube opposite the end where the rod extends from or retracts into the cylinder tube such that when the rotating arm rotates, the pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder swivels about the point on the base.

In an embodiment, the holding bracket comprises a V-shaped body that is configured to hold a compressed gas tank adjacent the V-shaped body.

In an embodiment, the holding bracket comprises an elastomeric material on a surface that is configured to contact the compressed gas tank.

In an embodiment, the securing strap is a ratcheting strap.

In an embodiment, the compressed gas tank rotating apparatus further comprises a shelf disposed adjacent the rotating plate, the shelf configured to hold a bottom of the compressed gas tank or cylinder.

In an embodiment, at least one leg extends from the rotating plate wherein the shelf is attached to the at least one leg wherein a vertical position of the shelf is adjustable along the at least one leg.

In an embodiment, a locking pin is configured to engage the rotating plate or the axle for locking the position of the rotating pin or axle in at least one rotational position.

In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, a method of using a compressed gas tank rotating apparatus is provided. The method comprises the steps of: providing a compressed gas tank rotating apparatus comprising a base, a rotating plate attached to an axle extending through the base, a holding bracket and a securing strap on the rotating plate configured to securely hold a compressed gas tank on the holding bracket wherein when a gas tank is disposed on the holding bracket and secured via the securing strap it is configured to be disposed between an upside-down configuration and a right-side-up configuration via rotation of the rotating plate, wherein the axle is attached to a rotating arm that is further connected to a rod extending from a cylinder tube of a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder, wherein rotation of the rotating plate causes the rotating arm to rotate and the rod to extend from or retract into the cylinder tube of the hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder; securely holding the compressed gas tank on the holding bracket with the securing strap so that the compressed gas tank is in a vertical position; rotating the compressed gas tank to a position other than the vertical position; and rotating the compressed gas tank back to the vertical position and causing the rod to retract into the cylinder tube of the pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder thereby dampening the speed of rotation of the rotating plate and the compressed gas tank.

In an embodiment, the method further comprises the step of securely fastening the based to a floor.

In an embodiment, the pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder is fixed to the base on an end of the cylinder tube opposite an end where the rod extends from or retracts into the cylinder tube.

In an embodiment, the pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder is rotatably fixed to a point on the base at the end of the cylinder tube opposite the end where the rod extends from or retracts into the cylinder tube such that when the rotating arm rotates, the hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder swivels about the point on the base.

In an embodiment, the holding bracket comprises a V-shaped body and the method further comprises the step of holding the compressed gas tank adjacent the V-shaped body.

In an embodiment, the holding bracket comprises an elastomeric material on a surface that is configured to contact the compressed gas tank, the method further comprising the step of contacting the compressed gas tank to the elastomeric material.

In an embodiment, the securing strap is a ratcheting strap and the method further comprises the step of securely holding the compressed gas tank on the holding bracket via the ratcheting strap.

In an embodiment, the compressed gas tank rotating apparatus further comprises a shelf disposed adjacent the rotating plate and the method further comprising the step of holding a bottom of the compressed gas tank or cylinder on the shelf.

In an embodiment, compressed gas tank rotating apparatus further comprises at least one leg extending from the rotating plate wherein the shelf is attached to the at least one leg wherein a position of the shelf is adjustable along a length of the at least one leg wherein adjusting the shelf along the length of the at least one leg causes the shelf to move toward or away from the rotating plate, and further comprises the step of: adjusting the shelf along the length of the at least one leg to move the shelf toward or away from the rotating plate.

In an embodiment, the method further comprises the steps of: providing a locking pin configured to engage the rotating plate or the axle for locking the position of the rotating pin or axle in at least one rotational position; rotating the rotating plate to a rotational position; and locking the rotating plate to the rotational position.

It is, therefore, an advantage and objective of the present invention to provide an improved compressed gas tank or cylinder apparatus that aids in emptying and cleaning the same.

Specifically, it is an advantage and objective of the present invention to provide an improved compressed gas tank or cylinder apparatus that rotates to invert the compressed gas tank or cylinder.

In addition, it is an advantage and objective of the present invention to provide an improved compressed gas tank or cylinder apparatus that has a relatively small footprint and can be incorporated into relatively small spaces.

Moreover, it is an advantage and objective of the present invention to provide an improved gas tank or cylinder apparatus that provides discrete stopping positions for the inversion of the compressed gas tank or cylinder thereby aiding a user in emptying and cleaning the same.

Further, it is an advantage and objective of the present invention to provide an improved compressed gas tank or cylinder apparatus that is easy to control the rotation thereof.

Still further, it is an advantage and objective of the present invention to provide an improved gas tank or cylinder apparatus that incorporates a rotational dampener to control the rotation thereof when in use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention relates to a compressed gas tank or cylinder rotating clean-out apparatus. Specifically, the apparatus comprises a rotating apparatus for clamping and rotating a compressed gas tank or cylinder for aiding in clean-out of the same. More specifically, the apparatus comprises a platform and strap for holding a compressed gas tank or cylinder, such as a SCUBA tank, and providing for the rotating of the same to dispose in various rotated positions so that the same may be more easily cleaned. Systems and methods for using the same are further provided.

Now referring to the drawings,FIG.1illustrates a compressed gas tank or cylinder rotating apparatus10in an embodiment of the present invention. The apparatus10may comprise a base plate12and one or a plurality of legs14a,14b,14c, which may be, in the embodiment shown inFIG.1, arranged in a triangular configuration, when viewed from above as illustrated inFIG.2, and securing straps16a,16b,16cthat rigidly hold the legs14a,14b, and14cin position. The legs are formed from steel bars or tubes and provide enough strength and rigidity to hold a compressed gas tank or cylinder on the apparatus, as described in more detail below. It should be noted that the base plate and one or more legs may be arranged in any configuration to provide rigidity and strength for holding a gas tank or gas cylinder thereon, as described in more detail below.

A rotating plate20may be attached to an axle22that may extend through the back leg14cand the front securing strap16b, which may hold the axle22in place. The rotating plate20may be attached to a front terminal end of the axle22and may freely rotate via the axle22.

Disposed on a bottom of the rotating plate20may be a platform30that may preferably be adjustable vertically, thereby allowing for the use of the same with different sized compressed gas tanks or cylinders. It should be noted, however, that the platform30may be rigidly and permanently held to the rotating plate20, such as via welding or other like adhesion.

As noted, preferably, the platform30may be adjusted vertically. Specifically, the platform30may comprise a vertical plate32or vertical legs extending downwardly on a back edge of the platform30and, optionally, one or more angled support struts34may be connected between the platform30and the vertical plate32providing support, especially to hold the weight of a compressed gas tank or cylinder on the platform30. One or more of pegs or bolts36may extend through the vertical plate32and engage respective vertical holes or slots38within the rotating platform20or, alternately, within the vertical plate32or legs, allowing the platform to adjust upwardly or downwardly as needed. Tighteners on the pegs or bolts36may tighten down on the vertical plate32holding the vertical plate32and therefore the platform30in its desired position. Alternatively, the pegs or bolts36may be spring-loaded and easily removed and engaged, as needed.

Attached to the rotating plate20may be a V-shaped holding bracket40that may hold a compressed gas tank or cylinder80, as illustrated inFIGS.4A-4H. The V-shaped holding bracket40may have an elastomeric coating or one or more pads42on an inside surface thereof which may gently cradle the compressed gas tank or cylinder80thereon and prevent scratching of the same.

A strap44may extend from one side of the rotating plate20to the opposite side thereof and may be held in a notch48within a strap holding plate50for holding the compressed gas tank or cylinder onto the V-shaped holding bracket40. The strap44may have a ratchet element46allowing the strap44to securely fasten and hold the compressed gas tank or cylinder in place when the opposite end of the strap44is secured to the notch48.

A spring-loaded pin60may be disposed through the plate20and may engage one of several apertures62within the legs14a,14bor other elements that may be disposed thereon. Therefore, the rotating plate20may be held in various rotated positions as the spring-loaded pin60engages the apertures that are in different positions. Alternatively, the spring-loaded pin may be in other locations, such as disposed in engagement with the axle22, so as to provide the same or similar functionality. Thus, the rotating plate20and, therefore, the compressed gas tank or cylinder, may be securely held at the various rotated positions. For example, the compressed gas tank or cylinder may be held in a horizontal position, or nearly horizontal position. Alternatively, the compressed gas tank or cylinder may be held vertically or nearly vertically upside down. This may be useful for cleaning material from the compressed gas tank or cylinder during a cleaning process.

The axle22may extend through the back leg14cand may be attached to a rotating arm70which may, in turn, be connected to one end of a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder72. The opposite end of the cylinder72(specifically, a rod74within the cylinder) may be attached to the back leg14c, as illustrated inFIGS.3A,3B.FIG.3Aillustrates the axle22, rotating arm70, and cylinder72in a resting or initial position, which is preferably when the rotating plate30is configured to hold a compressed gas tank or cylinder vertically right side up (not shown). As the plate30rotates, in turn rotating the axle22and, therefore, the rotating arm70, the rod74within the cylinder may extend.

As the rotating plate20rotates to 180 degrees, which may occur when the compressed gas tank or cylinder is upside down, the rod may be at its fullest extension from within the cylinder72. As the rotating plate20rotates past 180 degrees towards 360 degrees, the rod74may contract within the cylinder72, which may dampen the rotation of the plate20due to the presence of water (in the case of a hydraulic cylinder) or air (in the case of a pneumatic cylinder). Therefore, the rotation of the plate20and, thus, the compressed gas tank or cylinder may be controlled and slowed until the rotating plate20is back in its initial position, thereby providing safety for users thereof.

A method of using the compressed gas tank or cylinder rotation apparatus10is illustrated inFIGS.4A-4Hin an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Specifically, inFIG.4A, a compressed gas tank or cylinder, such as, for example, a SCUBA tank80, may be positioned on the platform30and held on the V-shaped bracket40. The strap44may extend from the one side of the plate30and held in the notch48. As illustrated inFIG.4B, the ratchet46may be tightened, thereby rigidly holding the tank80on the platform30.

Once secured, the spring-loaded pin60may disengage the rotating plate20and allow the rotating plate20to rotate, as shown inFIG.4D. Thus, the compressed gas tank or cylinder80may be rotated to any position between 0 degrees (its initial position) to 360 degrees (fully rotated). The spring-loaded pin60may engage various apertures thereby holding the rotating plate20in various positions as desired.

As the rotating plate20and, therefore, the compressed gas tank or cylinder80, rotates, the rod74of the hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder72may extend, as shown inFIG.4Euntil the compressed gas tank or cylinder80is completely upside down (i.e., rotated 180 degrees), as illustrated inFIG.4F, and the rod74is fully extended. As the rotating plate20continues its rotation past 180 degrees (or even if rotated from 180 degrees back to 0 degrees in the opposite direction), the rod74may close or contract within the cylinder72thereby dampening and slowing the rotation of the rotating plate20and, therefore, the compressed gas tank or cylinder80, until the rotating plate20is back in its initial position (at 0 degrees or 360 degrees, as the case may be), as shown inFIG.4H. The spring-loaded pin60may engage an aperture and further maintain the rotating plate20in its initial position.

It should be noted that various changes and modifications to the presently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention and without diminishing its attendant advantages. Further, references throughout the specification to “the invention” are nonlimiting, and it should be noted that claim limitations presented herein are not meant to describe the invention as a whole. Moreover, the invention illustratively disclosed herein suitably may be practiced in the absence of any element which is not specifically disclosed herein.