Abstract:
A system for supporting a cylindrical object such as a storage tank using a plurality of supports. Each support may be a foot, having a curved portion adjacent to the cylindrical object and a base section. The feet may be mounted with their curved portions adjacent to the sides of the tank and the base section may be attached to a flexible base, which may be rolled or folded for easy storage when not in use. Furthermore, the support may be a portion of the base itself, folded toward the cylindrical object or folded as a flap from the center region toward the outer edge. The independent nature of the supports and their adjustability with respect to the base makes them suitable for use with tanks of various sizes. The independent nature of the supports also makes them suitable for use on uneven ground.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Technical Field  
         [0002]     The present invention relates generally to supports for cylindrical objects and more particularly to structures for supporting cylindrical objects with their axes oriented in a roughly horizontal aspect.  
         [0003]     2. Related Art  
         [0004]     Cylindrical objects are frequently used to store and transport materials. These objects, which include storage tanks, barrels, casks, drums, etc., are particularly suited for storing liquids and pressurized gases. Scuba tanks and propane tanks are examples of storage tanks used to store compressed gas and transport it to where it is needed.  
         [0005]     One of the challenges inherent in the use of a cylindrical object lies in the difficulty in securing it during storage or transportation. It is often advantageous to store or transport a cylindrical object on its side, i.e., with its axis in a roughly horizontal direction. However, due to its cylindrical nature the object may tend to roll in this configuration if not properly secured. The movement of the tank may cause it to collide with other objects, causing damage to the tank itself or to the object that it hits. This is especially true when a cylindrical object is transported by motor vehicle because frequent changes in speed and direction may precipitate or intensify rolling. Additionally, the contents of the cylindrical object are often pressurized and sometimes combustible and damage to the tank due to collision may cause an explosion or other potentially dangerous situations. For the above reasons, it is necessary that cylindrical objects be secured during transport and storage.  
         [0006]     A number of systems for securing a cylindrical object have been developed in the past, but none adequately addresses the problem. Each of the following patents are hereby incorporated by reference. One example is found in U.S. Pat. No. 4,555,083 issued on Nov. 26, 1985 to Carter for an invention entitled “Scuba Tank Positioner,” which describes a ring-shaped band attached to a flat plate that is fixedly mounted to a fixed structure. While this positioner will secure a cylindrical object, it has several disadvantages. First, although the positioner is adjustable, the adjustment is described as “slight,” meaning that the positioner will only hold containers of a limited range of sizes. Second, the base member must be fixedly mounted, meaning that if the tank is moved from place to place, a base member must be mounted in each place. This permanently mounted base member takes up space even when the tank positioner is not being used in that location. Additionally, there are places where one may not want or be able to permanently mount the base member, and thus the positioner could not be used in these locations. Third, because the base member is in one piece it may not serve to secure the tank on uneven ground. Thus the “Scuba Tank Positioner” is limited in its usefulness.  
         [0007]     U.S. Pat. No. 4,382,733 issued on May 10, 1983 to Rodgers for “Freight Cradle with Replaceable Deformable Cushioning Insert” describes another apparatus for securing an object during transport. This cradle includes two or more parallel bearers each having two upright arms defining a U-shaped groove to receive a cushioning pad and longitudinal members connecting the parallel bearers. Although this cradle can carry an object, it also has several drawbacks. Even though the cradle may be disassembled, the parallel bearers and the longitudinal members are large and difficult to store. Additionally, the parallel bearers are not adjustable, limiting the size of objects that may be held. Furthermore, although the cradle does not have to be permanently mounted, its one-piece design may limit its use on uneven surfaces. These drawbacks limit the usefulness of the “Freight Cradle with Replaceable Deformable Cushioning Insert.” 
         [0008]     U.S. Pat. No. 4,442,991 issued on Apr. 17, 1984 to Levens for “Cradle for Stowing Cylindrical Tank” describes another apparatus for use with a cylindrical object. The cradle comprises a pair of upstanding yokes connected by a central I-beam for holding a cylindrical tank. However, this cradle also has its limitations. First, the cradle has limited adjustment capability, making it useless for cylindrical objects outside a narrow range of size. Second, the cradle is relatively large and may be difficult to store. Finally, the cradle apparatus is in one piece, making it unusable on uneven surfaces.  
         [0009]     These prior devices suffer from a number of drawbacks, namely they are not portable, are not adjustable, are difficult to store, or will not function correctly on uneven ground. In view of the foregoing, a new support system is needed in the art that addresses the problems of the related art.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0010]     What is proposed is a system for supporting a cylindrical object such as a storage tank using a plurality of supports. Each support may be a foot, having a curved portion adjacent to the cylindrical object and a base section. The feet may be mounted with their curved portions adjacent to the sides of the tank and the base section may be attached to a flexible base, which may be rolled or folded for easy storage when not in use. On the other hand, the support may be a portion of the base itself, folded toward the cylindrical object or folded as a flap from the center region toward the outer edge. The independent nature of the supports and their adjustability with respect to the base makes them suitable for use with tanks of various sizes. The independent nature of the supports also makes them suitable for use on uneven ground.  
         [0011]     In a first aspect, the invention is provided a support system for supporting a cylindrical object defined about a longitudinal axis, the support system comprising: at least one pair of unconnected opposed feet, each foot having: a first side curved to conform to a curved exterior of the cylindrical object; a foot base; and an adhesive for coupling the first side of the foot to the cylindrical object, wherein the feet of each foot pair are rotationally spaced from each other about the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical object.  
         [0012]     In a second aspect of the invention is provided a support system for supporting a cylindrical object with its longitudinal axis extending in a generally horizontal direction, the support system comprising: a flexible base member; and a plurality of opposed feet, each foot having: a first side curved to conform to a curved exterior of the cylindrical object; and a foot base coupled to the base member; wherein the first side of at least one foot abuts each side of a vertical plane containing the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical object.  
         [0013]     In a third aspect of the invention is provided a support system for supporting a cylindrical object with its longitudinal axis extending in a generally horizontal direction, the support system comprising: a flexible base member having: a first and second surface; a first edge; and a second edge opposing the first edge; and at least one coupling member, wherein a section of the base member near the first edge may be folded in such a way as to couple the first surface of the flexible base member to the second surface of the base member using the at least one coupling member to form a support.  
         [0014]     In a fourth aspect of the invention is provided a support system for supporting a cylindrical object with its longitudinal axis extending in a generally horizontal direction, the support system comprising: a flexible base member having: a first flap; and a second flap opposing the first flap, wherein each flap can be folded from a central region of the base member toward an outside edge to create opposing supports. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0015]     The embodiments of this invention will be described in detail, with reference to the following figures, wherein like designations denote like elements, and wherein:  
         [0016]      FIG. 1  shows a partial cross sectional view of several feet coupled to a cylindrical object.  
         [0017]      FIG. 2  shows a perspective view of feet coupled to a cylindrical object using a spacing system.  
         [0018]      FIG. 3  shows a perspective view of one embodiment of a foot.  
         [0019]      FIG. 4  shows a perspective view of one embodiment of a foot.  
         [0020]      FIG. 5  shows an isometric view of a several feet and a base used in conjunction with a cylindrical object.  
         [0021]      FIG. 6  shows a perspective view of a base coupled to itself to form supports for a cylindrical object.  
         [0022]      FIG. 7  shows a perspective view of a base for supporting a cylindrical object using flaps.  
         [0023]      FIG. 8  shows a top-down view of the base of  FIG. 7 .  
         [0024]      FIG. 9  shows a perspective view of a base coupled to itself to form supports for a cylindrical object. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0025]     With reference to the accompanying drawings,  FIG. 1  is a partial cross sectional view of a support system  2  including a plurality of feet  4  coupled to a cylindrical object  6 . Cylindrical object  6  may comprise a scuba tank, propane tank, pressurized gas tank, or any other right cylindrical, oblique cylindrical or roughly cylindrical object now known or later developed in the art. Feet  4  may be coupled to cylindrical object  6  with an adhesive  8 . Adhesive  8  may comprise glue, tape, weld, magnet, VELCRO™, or any other adhesive now known or later developed in the art. Support system  2  supports cylindrical object  6  in a generally horizontal orientation relative to axis  10 . Feet  4  are separate and unconnected from each other with at least one foot  4  being positioned on first and second opposing sides  16 ,  18  of a vertical plane  12  passing through axis  10  of cylindrical object  6 . Feet  4  may be arranged as opposing pairs  14 , as illustrated, with feet  4  of each foot pair  14  being rotationally spaced from each other about axis  10  of cylindrical object  6 . Alternatively, feet  4  may be arranged such that a greater number of feet  4  are located on first side  16  of cylindrical object  6  than second side  18 . Although a total of four feet  4  are illustrated, those skilled in the art should recognize that the actual number of feet  4  may be greater or fewer. Feet  4  may also be staggered such that a foot on first side  16  of cylindrical object  6  may not be directly opposed to a foot on second side  18 .  
         [0026]     As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , support system  2  may also include a spacing system  40  for correctly spacing feet  4  with respect to cylindrical object  6  so that feet  4  contact both cylindrical object  6  and surface  30 . Spacing system  40  is temporary and may be removed after feet  4  are coupled with cylindrical object  6  with adhesive  8 . Spacing system  40  may comprise, for example, a spacer for separating each foot  4  in foot pair  14 , a template, which may be temporarily or permanently affixed to cylindrical object  6  or placed under feet  4 , or any other system for spacing now known or later developed in the art.  
         [0027]      FIGS. 3-4  illustrate perspective views of different embodiments of a foot  5 . Foot  5  has a curved side  24 , which is curved to conform to a curved exterior  20  of cylindrical object  6 ,  FIG. 1 . As stated above, foot  5  may also have adhesive  8  for coupling curved side  24  of foot  5  to curved exterior  20  of cylindrical object  6 . Foot  5  also has a base  28 , which in one embodiment contacts a surface  30 , as shown in  FIG. 1 , below cylindrical object  6  to prevent cylindrical object  6  from rotating. Base  28  may be planar as illustrated or may be have curves, grooves, indentations, protrusions, juts, or any other surface feature now known or later developed by those in the art. Foot  5  may also have coupled to base  28  of foot  5  a foot base pad  32 , a portion of which may be made of a high friction substance to prevent foot  5  from slipping with respect to surface  30 . A height  50  of foot  4  may be greater than a length  52  as shown in  FIG. 3  or length  52  may be greater than height  50  as shown in  FIG. 4 . Furthermore, foot  5  may be greater or lesser in length  52  at base  28  than a length  54  at a top  34 . Additionally, foot  5  may have a surface  40  adjacent to curved surface  24  and base  28 , which may have three sides as shown in  FIG. 1 , four sides as shown in  FIG. 3 , or a greater number of sides as shown in  FIG. 2 . Furthermore, an edge  44  of surface  40  opposing curved surface  24  and base  28  may be curved or straight and may be roughly concave, as shown in  FIG. 2 , or convex so that surface  40  may have a surface area that is relatively large or small.  
         [0028]      FIG. 5  shows an isometric view of a further embodiment of a support system  102 . In this embodiment, support system  102  has a plurality of feet  104 ,  105  for supporting a cylindrical object (not shown). Each foot  104 ,  105  has a curved side  124  adjacent to the cylindrical object and a base  128  as described above. In this embodiment, base  128  of each foot  104 ,  105  is coupled to a flexible base member  110  upon which the cylindrical object rests so that curved side  124  of at least one foot  104  abuts the portion of the cylindrical object on each of the first and second sides the of vertical plane that contains the axis of the cylindrical object (See  FIG. 1 ). Flexible base member  110  is illustrated as being rectangular in shape but may also be circular, ovoid, polygonal, asymmetrical, or any other shape. Flexible base member  110  may be flexible, allowing it to be folded or rolled for easy storage. Flexible base member  110  may also be elastic, letting it conform in size to cylindrical object  6  and allowing support system  102  to support the cylindrical object more securely. Flexible base member  110  may be made of rubber, cloth, animal skin, plastic, ceramic, metal, graphite, polymer, or any other material now known or later developed. Feet  104 ,  105  may be permanently mounted to flexible base member  110 . Conversely, one or more foot adjusters  113  may be used to adjust at least one foot  104  with respect to flexible base member  110  to allow cylindrical objects of different sizes to be supported using support system  102 . Foot adjuster  113  may comprise a slider latch, cam lock, strap, belt, screw, VELCRO™, grip or any other adjustable fastener now known or later developed. Flexible base member  110  may have a high friction component to all or a portion of one or all of its surfaces  115 ,  117  to prevent the cylindrical object from sliding with respect to support system  102  or to prevent support system  102  from sliding with respect to a surface  130  adjacent to surface  117  of flexible base member  110  opposite the cylindrical object. Additionally, all or a portion of curved side  124  of at least one foot  104 ,  105  may have a high friction component to prevent the cylindrical object from sliding with respect to foot  104 ,  105 .  
         [0029]      FIG. 6  shows a perspective view of another embodiment of a support system  202 . In this embodiment, support system  202  has a flexible base member  210  and at least one coupling member  240 . Flexible base member  210  has a first surface  215 , a second surface  217 , a first edge  242 , and a second edge  244  that opposes first edge  242 . Flexible base member  210  may be rectangular, circular, ovoid, polygonal, asymmetrical, or any other shape. Flexible base member  210  may be made of rubber, cloth, animal skin, plastic, ceramic, metal, graphite, polymer, or any other material now known or later developed. Flexible base member  210  may also be elastic. Flexible base member  210  may have a high friction component on at least a portion of at least one of first surface  215  or second surface  217  to prevent cylindrical object  6  from sliding with respect to support system  202  or to prevent support system  202  from sliding with respect to a surface  230  adjacent to surface  217  of flexible base member  210  opposite cylindrical object  6 . In order to support cylindrical object  6 , portions of base member  210  near at least one of first edge  242  and second edge  244  may be folded (or rolled) in such a way as to couple first surface  217  of flexible base member to second surface  215  of flexible base member  210  using coupling member  240  to form a support  246 . Support  246  may be roughly circular as illustrated in  FIG. 6  or may be roughly triangular, rectangular, ovoid, or any other shape suitable for forming a support. At least one living hinge (not shown) may be used to fold flexible base member  210 . Coupling member  240  may initially be coupled to second surface  215  or first surface  217  of flexible base member  210  or both and may cover all or any portion of second surface  215  or first surface  217  of flexible base member  210 . Conversely, coupling member  240  may be able to be separated entirely from flexible base member  210  and be coupled to second surface  215  or first surface  217  of flexible base member  210  or both only when needed. Coupling member  240  may comprise glue, tape, weld, magnet, snap, buckle, hook and loop, VELCRO™, or any other coupling mechanism now known or later developed in the art. This embodiment may be used to form supports for cylindrical object  6  of varying sizes by folding flexible base member  210  near at least one of first edge  242  and second edge  244  to vary the size of support  246  in such a way as to tailor an area  248  between supports  246  to match the size of cylindrical object  6 .  
         [0030]      FIG. 7  shows a perspective view of another embodiment of a support system  302 . In this embodiment, support system  302  has a flexible base member  310 . Flexible base member  310  has a first flap  325  and a second flap  327 . Flexible base member  310  may be rectangular, circular, ovoid, polygonal, asymmetrical, or any other shape. Flexible base member  310  may be made of rubber, cloth, animal skin, plastic, ceramic, metal, graphite, polymer, or any other material now known or later developed. Flexible base member  310  may also be elastic. Flexible base member  310  may have a high friction component to at least a portion of at least one of a first surface  315  adjacent to cylindrical object  6 , a second surface  317  opposing cylindrical object  6 , and a flap surface  319  to prevent cylindrical object  6  from sliding with respect to support system  302  or to prevent support system  302  from sliding with respect to a surface  330  adjacent to surface  317  of flexible base member  310  opposite cylindrical object  6 . In order to support cylindrical object  6 , at least one of first flap  325  and second flap  327  folds from a central region toward an outside edge  342  to create a support. At least one living hinge  345  may be used to fold at least one of first flap  325  and second flap  327  with respect to flexible base member  310  from a central portion of flexible base member  310  toward outside edge  342 . A living hinge such as living hinge  345  is well known in the art as a thin section of a material, usually plastic, that connects two segments of a part to keep them together and allow the part to be opened and closed. In this illustrative embodiment, the living hinge may be integrated into the material that forms base  310 . First flap  325  and second flap  327  can also be closed to form a flat surface.  
         [0031]      FIG. 8  shows a top-down view of the base of  FIG. 7 .  
         [0032]      FIG. 9  shows a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a support system  402 . In this embodiment, support system  402  has a flexible base member  410 . Flexible base member  410  has a first flap  425  and a second flap  427  that fold from a central portion of flexible base member  410  toward an outside edge  442  using a living hinge  445 . Flexible base member  410  may be rectangular, circular, ovoid, polygonal, asymmetrical, or any other shape. Flexible base member  410  may be made of rubber, cloth, animal skin, plastic, ceramic, metal, graphite, polymer, or any other material now known or later developed. Flexible base member  410  may also be elastic. Flexible base member  410  may have a high friction component to at least a portion of at least one of a first surface  415  adjacent to cylindrical object  6 , a second surface  417  opposing cylindrical object  6 , and a flap surface  419  to prevent cylindrical object  6  from sliding with respect to support system  402  or to prevent support system  402  from sliding with respect to a surface  430  adjacent to surface  417  of flexible base member  410  opposite cylindrical object  6 .  
         [0033]     Either or both of first flap  425  and second flap  427  may have an outer portion  429  that pivots at a second living hinge  450 . In order to support cylindrical object  6 , at least one of first flap  425  and second flap  427  folds from a central region toward an outside edge  442  and secondary flap  429  folds to abut flexible base member  410  to create a support  446 . Support  446  may be roughly triangular as illustrated in  FIG. 9  or may be roughly circular, rectangular, ovoid, or any other shape suitable for forming a support. A coupling member  440  may be used to couple outer portion  429  of the flap and flexible base member  410 . Coupling member  440  may initially be coupled to outer portion  429  or flexible base member  410  or both and may cover all or any portion of outer portion  429  or flexible base member  410 . Conversely, coupling member  440  may be able to be separated entirely from outer portion  429  and flexible base member  410  and be coupled to outer portion  429 , flexible base member  410 , or both only when needed. Coupling member  440  may comprise glue, tape, weld, magnet, snap, buckle, hook and loop, VELCRO™, or any other coupling mechanism now known or later developed in the art. This embodiment may be adapted to cylindrical object  6  of varying sizes by folding at least one of first flap  425  and second flap  427  to vary the size of support  446  in such a way as to tailor an area  448  between supports  446  to match the size of cylindrical object  6 .  
         [0034]     Another embodiment of the invention comprises the combination of support system  2 ,  102 , or  202  as shown in  FIGS. 1-9  and cylindrical object  6  as described above.  
         [0035]     While this invention has been described in conjunction with the specific embodiments outlined above, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the embodiments of the invention as set forth above are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.