Abstract:
A single-unit mount is provided for attaching a nitrous oxide bottle to a vehicle. The mount includes a bivalve clamp assembly mounted on legs to hold the bottle at an angle of declination approximating 23.5°.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    High performance automotive engines, such as those employed in race cars and the like, may be fitted with systems for dispensing nitrous oxide. These systems may be purchased on commercial order, for example, from DynoTune of Hudson, Massachusetts. The kits contain clamps for holding the nitrous oxide bottle, together with gauges, hoses and port adapters for fitting the kits to an engine. The use of nitrous oxide provides an increase in engine output. 
         [0002]    A problem arises when mounting the nitrous oxide bottles on a vehicle. Although the bottles are frequently changed, the mounting systems are cumbersome to use. Typically, a pair of brackets are required, and each bracket must be fastened to the bottle in a fitting arrangement that resembles a large radiator hose clamp. Thus, changing the bottle requires an untoward amount of time. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0003]    The presently disclosed instrumentalities overcome the problems outlined above and advance the art by providing a nitrous oxide bottle mount that facilitates rapid changing of the bottle while securely retaining the bottle in the intended environment of use. 
         [0004]    In one embodiment, a mount for retaining a nitrous oxide bottle on a vehicle includes a bivalve clamp assembly made of a bottom arcuate member presenting a terminal end, a top arcuate member presenting a first end, and a hinge pivotally coupling the bottom arcuate member with the top arcuate member. The bivalve clamp assembly is constructed and arranged such that the first end of the top arcuate member is movable on an arc extending from a closed position proximate the terminal end of the bottom arcuate member to an open position removed from the terminal end. A latch mechanism bridges the first end and the terminal end when the mount is in the closed position for selective locking of the bivalve clamp assembly. The bivalve clamp assembly is secured to an automobile to present a nitrous oxide bottle at an angle of declination relative to horizontal ranging from about 22° to 25°. The manner of securing the bivalve clamp assembly may be to provide legs, or a base pedestal. 
         [0005]    The mount forms an essentially rigid assembly that in a closed position does not deform under the weight of a nitrous oxide bottle. Thus, in one aspect, the bottle may be retained by a single clamp that is easily retained by the compressive forces imparted by a spring-latch mechanism. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]      FIG. 1  is a top plan view of a mount for attaching a nitrous oxide bottle to a vehicle; 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  is a front elevation view of the mount in a closed position; 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  is a front elevation view of the mount in an open position; 
           [0009]      FIG. 4  is a side elevation view showing a nitrous oxide bottle in the mount; and 
           [0010]      FIG. 5  is a side elevation view of an alternative embodiment that incorporates a heating element. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0011]      FIG. 1  is a plan view of a mount  100  that may be used to secure a nitrous oxide bottle to an automobile. The mount  100  includes a bivalve clamp assembly  102  formed of a bottom arcuate member  104 , a top arcuate member  106 , and a latch mechanism  108 . A pair of legs  110 ,  112  are attached to the bottom arcuate member by connectors, such as bolts  114 ,  116 . The legs  110 ,  112  may be replaced by other mounting structure, such as a unitary pedestal (not shown) or complementary mounting structure built into a vehicle. The top arcuate member and the bottom arcuate member preferably form a rigid body that is essentially free of deformation strain under the weight of a nitrous oxide bottle. This is especially facilitated by the length L being sufficiently great to form a rigid seal against the nitrous oxide bottle (not shown), such as a distance of ten centimeters or greater. 
         [0012]      FIG. 2  is a front elevation view of the mount  100 , which is constructed with a diameter D of a predetermined dimension to match the diameter of a nitrous oxide bottle (not shown). Pivoting of the latch along arc R selectively locks and unlocks the bivalve clamp assembly  102 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the bivalve clamp assembly  102  is in a closed position, such that downward rotation of the latch  108  places the latch mechanism  108  in compression to seal the top arcuate member  106  against a nitrous oxide bottle (not shown) that may be placed in the opening  200 . Face  202  compressively lodges against the nitrous oxide bottle in this closed position. 
         [0013]    As shown in  FIG. 3 , a hinge  300  pivotally couples the top arcuate member  106  with the bottom arcuate member  104 . This arrangement permits a first end  302  of the top arcuate member to travel along an arc A terminating in a closed position (see also  FIG. 2 ) proximate a terminal end  304  of the bottom arcuate member  104 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , the bivalve claim assembly  102  is in an open position with the first end  302  removed from the terminal end  304 . 
         [0014]      FIG. 4  is a side elevation view of the mount  100  retaining a nitrous oxide bottle  400 . The nitrous oxide bottle  400  has an upper end where resides a gas regulator assembly (not shown). As is the convention in the art, the nitrous oxide bottle  400  presents an elongate axis of symmetry  404 . The legs  110 ,  112  (or another type of mount) retain the bivalve clamp assembly at an angle of declination θ, which exists between the elongate axis of symmetry  404  and horizontal  406 . The angle of declination θ is provided to facilitate the selective discharge of nitrous oxide from bottle  400  in the form of a gas, as opposed to a liquid, since the contents of bottle  400  may be under some conditions of temperature and pressure of mixed quality gas and liquid. The angle θ is by custom in the art 23.5°; however, this may be suitably from 22° to 25° or even 20° to 27°. 
         [0015]      FIG. 5  shows an alternative mount  500 .  FIG. 5  retains like numbering of identical elements shown also in  FIG. 4 . The top arcuate member  106  is fitted with a resistive heating element  502  that receives electricity through power cord  504 . Top arcuate member  106  has an optional logo  506 . Staples  508 ,  510 ,  512 ,  514  retain the e resistive heating element  502  on top arcuate member  106 . s shown by way of example in the case of staple  512 , the top arcuate member  106  contains holes  516 ,  518  that are bored into the top arcuate member  106  at angles that splay the legs  520 ,  522  of staple  512  when legs  520 ,  522  are inserted into the holes  516 ,  518 . The resistive heating element is used in some environments, such as winter driving or snowmobiling applications, to prevent clogging of the assembly that discharges nitrous oxide to the engine. The resistive heating element is alternatively secured to; the top arcuate member using a high temperature adhesive, such as an epoxy resin, or other suitable manner of attachment. 
         [0016]    Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the foregoing discussion describes the invention; by way of example, and not by limitation. Insubstantial changes may be made to what has been shown and described without departing from the spirit of the invention. Accordingly, the inventor hereby states his intention to rely upon the Doctrine of Equivalents to protect the full scope of what is claimed.