Abstract:
A safety strap device for hazardous materials containers includes a hazardous materials container having an outer wall and a retractable safety strap device mounted within the hazardous materials container. The safety strap device includes an extendable and retractable securement strap having an outer end, the securement strap extending outwards from the safety strap device through the outer wall of the hazardous materials container, a biasing device operative to forcibly retract the securement strap into the safety strap device and a strap extension and retraction locking device operative to prevent extension and retraction of the securement strap when engaged. Finally, a latch device is mounted on the outer end of the securement strap for releasably connecting the securement strap to a selected securement point thereby releasably securing the hazardous materials container in an upright position.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PROVISIONAL PATENT 
   This application claims priority based on a provisional patent, specifically on the Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/721,815 filed Sep. 29, 2005. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
   1. Technical Field 
   The present invention is directed to safety devices for portable fuel containers and, more particularly, to a retractable safety strap device for a portable fuel container which includes a biased strap retracting mechanism mounted within the fuel container, an extendable and retractable securement strap having a latch mechanism mounted on the outer end thereof for releasably connecting the strap to a selected securement point and a locking mechanism operatively connected to the strap retracting mechanism which, when engaged, prevents extension or retraction of the safety strap thus releasably securing the fuel container in an upright position. 
   2. Description of the Prior Art 
   Portable fuel containers are used for a variety of purposes and come in a variety of sizes, from relatively small one gallon sizes up to and including five, ten and fifteen gallon sizes. In general, portable fuel containers include some type of handle and a top opening with a threadably mounted cap covering the top opening. Many of the fuel containers also include an extendable and bendable nozzle which can be connected to and extend outwards from the top opening to facilitate pouring of fuel from the fuel container. The problem universally encountered with fuel containers, however, is that the user of the fuel container must take the fuel container to a gas station or the like in order to fill the fuel container with fuel. For those fortunate few that live close enough to a gas station to walk to the gas station, transport of the fuel container is far safer, but for the vast majority of persons, it is necessary to transport the fuel container in a motor vehicle to the gas station in order to fill the fuel container. 
   Of course, transport of an empty fuel container presents some hazards, such as ignition of vapors housed within the fuel container, but once the fuel container is filled, particularly with fuel containers of larger sizes, the hazard level increases as it is highly likely that the fuel container will tip over in the vehicle as the vehicle turns unless the fuel container is propped up or wedged into an area of restricted movement. Of course, such a location is not available in all vehicles, and it may be difficult for the vehicle operator to properly wedge or support the fuel container to prevent spilling of the fuel from the fuel container. Moreover, with the majority of motor vehicles, transport of the fuel container must be done within the motor vehicle, and hence any fuel spillage from the fuel container will result in damage to the vehicle&#39;s interior. There is therefore a need for a device which will substantially prevent the tipping over of the fuel container while the fuel container is in a vehicle or in another potential tip over situation. 
   Various gasoline containers have been proposed in the prior art which incorporate various safety features designed to prevent accidental discharge of the gasoline stored within the container, including such devices as Cooper, U.S. Pat. No. 5,564,608, which discloses a transferable safety gasoline container to include an automatic venting pour spout, a protective skirt on top of the gasoline container to prevent damage to valves and fittings, and a pressure release cap which satisfies various regulations associated with gasoline containers, and Messmer, U.S. Pat. No. 4,834,270, which discloses a container for gasoline which includes a hollow body and a main valve which is in the form of a conical plug having a smooth surface whereby liquid poured from the spout pours out in a laminar, hollow cylindrical flow pattern, thus preventing splashing. However, nowhere in the prior art is it disclosed to solve the above-described problem, and therefore this need still exists. 
   Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a safety strap device integrally formed with a gasoline container which will act to substantially prevent accidental tipping of the gasoline container during transport or storage of the container. 
   Another object of the present invention is to provide a safety strap device for gasoline containers which includes a biased strap retracting mechanism mounted within the fuel container, and extendable and retractable securement strap having a latch mechanism mounted on the outer end thereof for releasably connecting the strap to a selected securement point, and a locking mechanism operatively connected to the strap or tracking mechanism which, when engaged, acts to prevent extension or retraction of the safety strap thus releasably securing the fuel container in its transport and/or storage position. 
   Another object of the present invention is to provide a safety strap device for gasoline containers which is integrally formed with the gasoline container so that a person using the gasoline container equipped with the safety strap need not carry additional equipment to perform the intended function of the present invention. 
   Another object of the present invention is to provide a safety strap device for gasoline containers which may be quickly and easily extended and retracted from the fuel container itself so that an individual using the present invention may quickly and easily use the safety strap and just as quickly and easily release and retract the safety strap to facilitate and encourage its use. 
   Finally, an object of the present invention is to provide a safety strap device for gasoline containers which is relatively simple and inexpensive to manufacture and distribute and which is safe, efficient and effective in use. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
   The present invention provides a safety strap device for hazardous materials containers which includes a hazardous materials container having an outer wall and a retractable safety strap device mounted within the hazardous materials container. The safety strap device includes an extendable and retractable securement strap having an outer end, the securement strap extending outwards from the safety strap device through the outer wall of the hazardous materials container, a biasing device operatively associated with the securement strap for forcibly retracting the securement strap into the safety strap device and a strap extension and retraction locking device operatively associated with the securement strap, the locking device operative to prevent extension and retraction of the securement strap when engaged. Finally, a latch device is mounted on the outer end of the securement strap for releasably connecting the securement strap to a selected securement point thereby releasably securing the hazardous materials container in an upright position. 
   The safety strap device for gasoline containers as thus described provides a substantial advantage over other safety devices for gasoline containers found in the prior art. Whereas the majority of gasoline container safety devices attempt to restrict accidental spillage from the interior of the gasoline container, the present invention is designed to prevent the accidental tipping of the gasoline container itself, which is akin to treating the problem, not the symptom. Furthermore, because the safety strap device of the present invention is integrally formed with the gasoline container, it may be quickly and easily used in virtually any situation where maintaining the upright position of the gasoline container is critical. Also, the safety strap device for gasoline containers of the present invention includes the locking device which not only acts to secure the gasoline container during a transport operation, but also permits the safety strap device to be used for storage purposes as the strap may be used to hang the gasoline container in an elevated position in a selected storage location. This feature gains significance when the present invention is being used in a residential location, as children are inevitably drawn to brightly colored objects such as the bright red of a gasoline container. By elevating the gasoline container of the present invention for storage, children will be prevented from accessing the gasoline container, thereby protecting them. This feature is not found in the prior art. It is therefore seen that the safety strap device for gasoline containers of the present invention provides a substantial improvement over those devices found in the prior art. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a fuel container equipped with the safety strap device of the present invention being secured within a motor vehicle in a safe and secure position; 
       FIG. 2  is a side elevational view of the safety strap device mounted within the fuel container; and 
       FIG. 3  is a detailed side elevational view of the safety strap device mounted within the fuel container showing how the safety strap extends outwards from the strap retracting mechanism. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   The safety strap device  10  of the present invention is shown best in  FIGS. 1-3  as including a safety strap  12  which extends outwards from a strap retracting device  20  mounted within the fuel container  50 . In the preferred embodiment, the safety strap  12  would preferably have a length of approximately 5 to 10 feet and would be constructed of either a treated fabric material or another flexible material which is generally non-elastic and also is resistant to corrosion caused by interaction with the fuel and/or fuel fumes found within the fuel container  50 . Of course, it should be noted that the precise construction materials and design of the safety strap  12  may be modified or changed so long as it remains generally non-elastic and is resistant to corrosion, and therefore the safety strap  12  may be constructed as a cord, cable or any other appropriate flexible tensioning member. 
   Mounted on the outer end of safety strap  12  is a connecting hook  14  which, in the preferred embodiment, would be of any appropriate design and shape so long as the intended function of permitting the safety strap  12  to be secured to an appropriate securement point is permitted. It has been found that use of a generally J-shaped securement hook, however, affords the greatest flexibility in releasably connecting the safety strap  12  to a selected securement location. 
   At the opposite end of safety strap  12  is a strap retracting device  20 , which, in the preferred embodiment, would be generally similar to retractable pet leashes of the kind currently being manufactured and sold for use in connection with the walking of pets. However, a brief description of the strap retracting device  20  will be beneficial to understand the functionality of the unit. Briefly, the safety strap  12  would be wound around a strap reel (not shown) mounted within the outer body  21  of the strap retracting device  20 , the strap reel being spring biased to provide a powered retraction of the safety strap  12  onto the strap reel when outward tension on the safety strap  12  is removed. The strap retracting device  20  would further include a strap reel locking mechanism  22  which, when engaged, is operative to prevent rotation of the strap reel and thus prevent extension or retraction of the safety strap  12  from and into the strap retracting device  20 . The strap reel locking mechanism  22  may be of any appropriate design so long as the intended function of preventing rotation of the strap reel within the strap retracting device  20  is maintained. One of the more common designs for such a locking mechanism would be to include a push button  24  on the external portion of the strap retracting device  20  which, when depressed, engages the strap reel locking mechanism  22  to prevent rotation of the strap reel and, when extended, disengages the strap reel locking mechanism  22 . 
   In the preferred embodiment, the strap retracting device  20  would be mounted within the fuel container  50  extending through the outer wall  52  of the fuel container  50  as shown best in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . Although the precise location of the strap retracting device  20  within the fuel container  50  is not particularly critical to the present invention, it is preferred that it be positioned adjacent the top portion of the fuel container  50  so that the strap retracting device  20  does not come into direct contact with fuel stored within the fuel container  50 . Furthermore, it may be advantageous to subdivide the interior volume of the fuel container  50  into a gasoline storage section and a strap device section separated from said gasoline storage section by a liquid-tight dividing wall in order to ensure that fuel will not come in contact with the strap retracting device  20 . 
   It has also been found that positioning the strap retracting device  20  adjacent the top portion of the fuel container  50  makes it easier to extend the safety strap  12  outwards therefrom through a strap exit hole  54  formed in the outer wall  52  of fuel container  50  so that the safety strap  12  may be extended outwards from the fuel container  50  for securement to an appropriate selected securement location. However, in the preferred embodiment of the safety strap device  10  of the present invention, the strap retracting device  20  and safety strap  12  would be integrated into the fuel container  50  in a manner such that no additional strap exit hole  54  need be included to permit the safety strap  12  to extend outwards from the fuel container  50 . 
   The operation of the safety strap device  10  of the present invention is best shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  in which the safety strap  12  would be extended from the strap retracting device  20  by unreeling the safety strap  12  from the strap reel through the strap exit hole  54  in outer wall  52  in fuel container  50 . Once the safety strap  12  has been extended the desired distance, the securement hook  14  would be releasably connected to the selected securement location  60 , as shown in  FIG. 1 , and the biasing of the strap reel retracts the safety strap  12  into the strap retracting device until safety strap  12  is tensioned between the securement location  60  and the strap exit hole  54  in outer wall  52  of fuel container  50 . At this point, the operator of the safety strap device  10  would engage the strap reel locking mechanism  22  by depressing push button  24  on strap retracting device  20  thus locking the strap reel and preventing extension or retraction of the safety strap  12  from the strap retraction device  20 . This prevention of extension or retraction of the safety strap  12 , combined with the generally non-elastic nature of the safety strap  12 , ensures that the length of the strap extending between the securement location  60  and strap exit hole  54  will not substantially change until the strap reel locking mechanism  22  is released. As can be seen in  FIG. 1 , this ensures that even if sideways forces are applied to the fuel container  50  which thus attempt to tip the fuel container  50  over on its side, as would occur during turning of the vehicle, this tipping motion is prevented due to the connection of the safety strap  12  to the securement location  60  within the vehicle  70 . Furthermore, the safety strap  12  also prevents substantial movement of the fuel container  50  relative to the resting location of the fuel container  50 , and thus tipping, tilting or other undesirable movement of the fuel container  50  is substantially prevented. 
   Once transport of the fuel container  50  is completed and the vehicle  70  has safely come to a stop, it is then time to release the strap reel locking mechanism  52  by releasing the push button  24  thus permitting extension or retraction of the safety strap  12  from the strap retracting device  20 . The securement hook  14  would then be removed from the securement location  60  within vehicle  70  and the biasing of the strap reel would retract the safety strap  12  into the strap retracting device  20  until securement hook  14  is positioned generally adjacent strap exit hole  54  in outer wall  52  of fuel container  50 . The fuel container  50  is then ready for use for dispensing of fuel therefrom and the safety device  10  of the present invention has thus performed its intended function. 
   It is to be understood that numerous additions, modifications and substitutions may be made to the safety strap device  10  of the present invention which fall within the intended broad scope of the above description. For example, the size, shape and construction materials used in connection with the various elements of the present invention may be modified or changed so long as the intended functional features of those elements are maintained. Furthermore, although the strap retracting device  20  of the present invention has been described as being positioned within the fuel container  50 , it may be advantageous to mount the strap retracting device  20  on the exterior of the fuel container  50 , preferably adjacent the top portion thereof, in order to provide substantially the same functionality as was described in connection with the preferred embodiment of the present invention. Such a modification may eventually prove to be more desirable due to the isolation of the strap retracting device  20  from the fuel stored within the fuel container  50 . Also, it should be noted that although the present invention has been described as being intended primarily for use in motor vehicles, it should be clear that the safety strap device  10  of the present invention can be used in many different situations where it is important to keep the fuel container  50  upright, such as in trucks, trailers, garages, basements and any other storage or transport location. Finally, the precise nature of the strap reel locking mechanism  22  may be modified or changed so long as the locking mechanism performs its intended function of preventing rotation of the strap reel when the strap reel locking mechanism  22  is engaged. 
   There has therefore been shown and described a safety strap device  10  for fuel containers which accomplishes at least all of its intended objectives.