Patent Publication Number: US-9423077-B2

Title: Cylinder safety system

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Portable cylinders are commonly used to supply a variety of pure and mixed gas standards for use in industrial, medical, commercial, or residential applications. The portable cylinders may contain reactive, non-reactive, as well as flammable gas mixtures in pure form or mixed concentrations. These cylinders are used in many applications including but not limited to welding and cutting, the calibration of medical devices, as well as fixed and portable confined space and breath alcohol testing monitors. 
     Most portable cylinders have a relatively high ratio of length (or height) to diameter. They usually have a flat bottom and a rounded top. As these cylinders typically have service pressures of 155 psi to over 2200 psi, they are constructed with very thick walls. They are often made of steel or aluminum. These cylinders tend to be unstable whether they are standing vertically or lying horizontally. When standing vertically, especially if they have a relatively heavy regulator attached, they are prone to tipping over. When lying horizontally, they tend to roll, especially during transport. 
     The consequences of a pressurized cylinder accidentally discharging its contents due to tipping over or rolling can be disastrous. The accidental release of the potential energy within the cylinder can cause immediate danger to both life and property. Although the cylinders may look small, the contents can be under significant pressure, and when released uncontrollably they can displace air, creating an asphyxiation hazard. In some cases the cylinders may contain flammable or even poisonous gas. 
     Hence, a need exists in the industry, for a simple, safe, and effective means to transport and provide a stable working platform for portable, high pressure cylinders. 
     SUMMARY 
     A cylinder caddy, adapted to a bottle with a neck, a bottom, and a center of gravity is provided. The caddy has a strap configured to affix circumferentially to the cylinder at a location higher than the center of gravity, and at least one axial strap configured to connect the strap. The caddy includes a handle with a first end pivotally attached to the upper strap, and a second end configured to detachably connect to the neck. In a first position, the handle is pivoted to allow the second end to be attached to the neck, thereby requiring the removal of a regulator, protecting the neck from dust and other particulates and allowing a user to safely carry the cylinder. In a second position, the handle is pivoted to allow the second end form a strut, thereby providing the user a more stable operating position. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a typical portable cylinder, in accordance with existing art. 
         FIG. 2A  illustrates another embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2B  illustrates another embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3A  illustrates another embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3B  illustrates another embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4A  illustrates another embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4B  illustrates another embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4C  illustrates another embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5A  illustrates another embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5B  illustrates another embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6A  illustrates another embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6B  illustrates another embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7A  illustrates another embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7B  illustrates another embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Illustrative embodiments of the invention are described below. While the invention 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 forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. 
     It will of course be appreciated that in the development of any such actual embodiment, numerous implementation-specific decisions must 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. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , a typical portable cylinder will have a bottom  101 , sides  102 , a rounded top  103 , and a neck  104 . A flow or pressure regulator  105  will be attached to neck  104  during normal operation. Regardless of the material of construction, but especially if the cylinder is made of aluminum, the center of gravity  106  will be relatively high in the cylinder when regulator  105  is attached. This will tend to make the cylinder assembly top heavy and prone to tipping during use. 
     Therefore, during the usage of the cylinder assembly, safety and stability are concerns. If the cylinder is simply laid on its side, rolling instability is now a potential problem. There is also a concern about contamination, should the cylinder assembly simply be laid down on its side. The regulator and any attached hoses might inadvertently come into contact with surfaces that could taint the gas. So, laying the cylinder on the side is not an ideal solution due to this inherent instability. 
     Turning to  FIGS. 2A and 2B , a cylinder caddy is provided. The caddy includes a strap  201  that may be configured to affix circumferentially to the cylinder at a location which may be higher than the center of gravity  106  (shown). Strap  201  may be located at a position that is approximately equal to the center of gravity  105  (not shown). Strap  201  may be located at a position that is lower than the center of gravity  106  (not shown). In one embodiment, strap  201  is adjustable, and may have a buckle, hook and loop, clip, or any other means known in the art to secure it to the cylinder. In another embodiment, strap  201  may be made of an elastic polymer. At least one axial strap  204  may be attached to strap  201 . 
     A handle  203 A/ 203 B is pivotally attached to strap  201 . In a first position, handle  203 A is pivoted to allow the second end to attach to the neck or valve  104  of the cylinder. In this first position, it will be required that the regulator  105  be removed from the cylinder, thereby encouraging the industry recognized best practice of removing the flow regulator  105  when the cylinder is not in use, or in transit. If flow regulator  105  is left attached to the cylinder when not in use, the regulator may be damaged, or the entire contents of the cylinder my vent if there is a regulator leak. 
     In a second position, handle  203 B may be pivoted to allow the second end to form a brace, strut, or stand, thereby providing the user a more stable mode of operation (such as calibration). 
     As indicated in  FIGS. 2A and 2B , in a second position, handle  203 B may be pivoted to allow handle  203  to attach to strap  204  or the cylinder body itself. As indicated in  FIGS. 2A and 2B , with handle  203 B in the second position, it may still form a brace or may simply provide a means for keeping the cylinder from rolling while in a horizontal position. 
     Thus the handle mount serves multiple functions. In the first position, the second end fits snugly inside or around the cylinder valve or neck  104 . This provides a secure connection between handle  203 A and the cylinder. This also helps to protect the valve  104  from damage or contamination during storage. 
     A bottom cup  205  may be configured to affix circumferentially to the cylinder at the bottom. At least one axial strap  204  may be connected to the strap  201  and the bottom cup  205 . Handle  203 A/ 203 B may be attached to strap  201  or axial strap  204 . Bottom cup  205  may be constructed of a soft polymer, thus adding to the stability of the cylinder. Bottom cup  205  may be constructed of a hard, inelastic material, which may enhance cylinder stability by adding weight to the bottom of the cylinder. Bottom cup  205  may include additional stabilizing devices such as suction cups, friction patches, etc. Stabilizing buttons or nubs  207  may be located along the perimeter of bottom cup  205 , thus enhancing stability while the cylinder is in the second position, standing, or laying on its side. 
     The cylinder may be rotated in strap  201  and/or bottom cup  205  as necessary to position the cylinder as needed during use. 
     As indicated in  FIGS. 3A, 3B, 4A, 4B, and 4C , handle  203 A/ 203 B may be designed to pivot in two frames of reference. In one frame of reference, as indicated in  FIGS. 3A and 3B , the handle pivots in a radial direction, forming an arc along the length of the cylinder. 
     In another frame of reference, as indicated in  FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C , the handle rotates in a direction normal to the length of the cylinder. This allows the angle of the handle to attach to the neck of the cylinder ( 203 A) in the first position, and attach to the bottom of the cylinder ( 203 B) in the second position. Attachment  208  may be designed to allow handle  203 A to attach to the cylinder neck or valve in a first position. Then attachment  208  may pivot as in the above figures, but also pivot as indicated in View AA, thereby allowing the handle to attach to the bottom of the cylinder in a second position  203 B. 
     As indicated in  FIGS. 5A, 5B, 6A, and 6B , handle  203 F/ 203 G may have alternative configurations such as a pivoting scissor orientation, wherein in a first position ( FIG. 5 a   ) the “blades”  203 F and  203 G are closed and form a carrying handle. Then in a second position ( FIG. 5 b   ) the “blades”  203 F and  203 G are open and form a support means for the cylinder. The handle may open at a first pivot point A and simultaneously open in a complementary way at a second pivot point B, thereby creating a stable orientation. 
     Likewise, a pivoting orientation such as indicated in  FIGS. 7A and 7B  may be utilized. In a first position ( FIG. 7 a   ) arms  203 H and  203 I form a handle. In a second position ( FIG. 7 b   ) arms  203 H and  203 I open to form a support means. Other configurations known to the art may also be employed.