Abstract:
A system to transport a cylindrical tank via a seat of a vehicle includes a body forming a hollow cavity configured to receive the cylindrical tank therein and a fastening device on the body and configured to secure the body to a seatbelt of the seat. The body has an elongated length configured to completely enclose the length of the cylindrical tank.

Description:
1. FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to transportation systems for portable tanks of compressed gas and specifically to portable propane tanks. 
     2. DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART 
     Securing portable tanks of compressed gas is well known in the art. However, the transportation systems are generally used with commercial vehicles and not for residential vehicles.  FIG. 1  depicts a front view of a conventional portable tank transportation system  101  having a container  105  configured to fit around the periphery of the tank  103 . For example, container  105  could include a foam material configured to fit around the periphery of the outer surface of the tank  103 . It should be understood that container  105  is configured to prevent the tank  103  from sliding or rolling during transportation but does not cover the entire tank  103 . 
     A common disadvantage associated with system  101  is that the portion of the tank  103  is not covered by the container  105 , which in turn can soil or tear the interior of a residential vehicle. Also, any exposed portion of the tank is susceptible to impact damage during transportation. Further, there exist no means to secure the container  105  to the seat of the vehicle. 
     Although great strides have been made in the area of portable tank transportation systems, many shortcomings remain. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The novel features believed characteristic of the embodiments of the present application are set forth in the appended claims. However, the embodiments themselves, as well as a preferred mode of use, and further objectives and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a front view of a conventional tank transportation system; 
         FIG. 2  is a conventional tank used to transport compressed gas; 
         FIG. 3  is an oblique view of a tank transportation system in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present application; 
         FIG. 4  is an oblique view of the system of  FIG. 3  secured to the interior of a transportation vehicle; 
         FIG. 5  is a top view of the system of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a bottom view of the system of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIGS. 7A and 7B  are respectively exploded and assembled front views of an alternative embodiment of the system of  FIG. 3 ; and 
         FIG. 8  is an oblique view of a tank transportation system in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present application. 
     
    
    
     While the system and method of use of the present application is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the description herein of specific embodiments is not intended to limit the invention to the particular embodiment disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present application as defined by the appended claims. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Illustrative embodiments of the system and method of use of the present application are provided below. It will of course be appreciated that in the development of any actual embodiment, numerous implementation-specific decisions will be made to achieve the developer&#39;s specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, which will vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it will be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time-consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking for those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure. 
     The system and method of use in accordance with the present application overcomes one or more of the above-discussed problems commonly associated with conventional transportation systems for portable tanks of compressed gas. Specifically, the system of the present application is configured to provide secure transportation for portable tanks of compressed gas without damaging the interior of the transportation vehicle. These and other unique features of the system and method of use are discussed below and illustrated in the accompanying drawings. 
     The system and method of use will be understood, both as to its structure and operation, from the accompanying drawings, taken in conjunction with the accompanying description. Several embodiments of the system are presented herein. It should be understood that various components, parts, and features of the different embodiments may be combined together and/or interchanged with one another, all of which are within the scope of the present application, even though not all variations and particular embodiments are shown in the drawings. It should also be understood that the mixing and matching of features, elements, and/or functions between various embodiments is expressly contemplated herein so that one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate from this disclosure that the features, elements, and/or functions of one embodiment may be incorporated into another embodiment as appropriate, unless described otherwise. 
     Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference characters identify corresponding or similar elements throughout the several views,  FIGS. 2-4  depict various views of a tank transportation system  301  configured to safely transport tank  103 . It will be appreciated that the system  301  overcomes one or more of the above-listed problems commonly associated with conventional systems for transporting portable tanks of compressed gas. 
     Although discussed as transporting gas, it will be appreciate that the features of the systems discussed herein could be used to transport other types of containers in lieu of the exemplary gas tank. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , in the contemplated embodiment, system  301  includes one or more of a container  305  configured to carry tank  101  therein. In the preferred embodiment, container  305  is composed of a shock absorbent material to reduce impact on the tank during transport. 
     Container  305  includes a body  300  that forms an opening  307  for receiving the tank  301 . As shown, the body  300  is configured to peripherally surround the tank  103 . One of the unique features believed characteristic of the present system  301  is the ability to completely surround the sides of the tank during transport, which in turn prevents unwanted tearing against, for example, the seats of the vehicle. 
     One additional feature unique to the present application is the use of a retaining device  309  for securing the tank  103  within the opening  307 . In the preferred embodiment, the retaining device  309  is a strap that include one or more quick-release devices, e.g., hook-loop, clip, snap, and the like that is easily and rapidly removed from the sides of the body. The retaining device  309  is thus used to secure the tank during transport. It should be understood that the container  305  is tall enough to encompass the handles  315  of the tank  103 . System  301  is further provided with one or more handles  311  positioned on the sides of the body for carrying the system  301  during transport to and from the vehicle. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates system  301  secured in position to a seat  401  of a vehicle during transportation. As shown, system  301  is further provided with a fastening device  405  configured to engage with a seat belt  403  of the vehicle. Thus, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present application, the fastening device  405  is an effective means to secure the tank  301  in a fixed position against the seat  401  via seatbelt  403 . 
     Accordingly, one of the unique features believed characteristic of the present application is the use of a container tall enough to encompass the handles of the tank. It is appreciated that this feature eliminates the risk that the handles will damage the interior of a vehicle during transportation and reduces the risk of impact damage to the tank. 
     Another unique feature believed characteristic of the present application is the ability to secure the system with either or both of the lap and shoulder straps of a standard vehicular restraining belt. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , respective top and bottom views of system  301  are shown. As depicted body  300  includes four flat sides  501 ,  503 ,  505 , and  507  with integral corners. During transport, the sides of the container are placed against the seat and the seatbelt is configured to engage with one or more fastening device secured the corners of the body. In  FIG. 6 , a bottom view of system  301  is shown. It will be appreciated that system  301  is further provided with a plurality of vents  603  in gas communication with the opening  307 . It should be understood that the process of removing the tank from the opening can become burdensome due to the vacuum pressure created during the removal process. Accordingly, vents  603  are used to reduce, if not eliminate the vacuum pressure. In the contemplated embodiment, the vents travel from a bottom surface  601  of the body, through the thickness of the body and to the opening  307 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 7A and 7B , a front view of an alternative embodiment of the system of  FIG. 3  is shown. In this embodiment a system  701  comprises a container  705  that composed of various elements and is manufactured with shock absorbent material. Container  705  includes a top component  707  and a bottom component  709  connected by a plurality of posts  711  that form a cavity around the tank  103 . It is appreciated that this alternative embodiment overcomes one or more of the above-discussed problems commonly associated with conventional transportation systems for portable tanks of compressed gas while conserving material and manufacture costs. As shown in  FIG. 7B , the posts  711  are configured to engage with the top and bottom components and provide rapid disassembly and assembly means to secure the tank. 
     In  FIG. 8 , an alternative embodiment of system  301  and  701  is shown. System  801  is substantially similar in form and function to the system discussed above and incorporates one or more of the features discussed above, although not shown. 
     System  801  includes a body  803  that forms a rectangular shape with four sides and four corners. The body  803  forms a hollow cavity  805  configured to receive tank  103  therein. Disposed on the corners of body  803  are a plurality of notches  807 ,  809  configure to engage with the seatbelt of the vehicle. Accordingly, during transport, the notches  807 ,  809  secure the tank  103  to the seat via the seatbelt. 
     In one contemplated embodiment, body  803  is hollow, thus having an interior wall configured to snugly engage with tank  103  and a spaced apart exterior wall that engages with the seat and the seatbelt via notches  807 ,  809 . 
     The particular embodiments disclosed above are illustrative only, as the embodiments may be modified and practiced in different but equivalent manners apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings herein. It is therefore evident that the particular embodiments disclosed above may be altered or modified, and all such variations are considered within the scope and spirit of the application. Accordingly, the protection sought herein is as set forth in the description. Although the present embodiments are shown above, they are not limited to just these embodiments, but are amenable to various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit thereof.