Patent Publication Number: US-2023157448-A1

Title: Tank rack

Description:
FIELD 
     A tank rack for selectively retaining tanks, such as tanks adapted to retain a liquid therein, is provided. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Tanks are well-known devices used to transport materials, such as liquids and gas, which can sometime be under pressure in the tanks. In some instances, the liquids and gases may be flammable and explosive. Thus, care is often required when transporting the tanks to ensure they remain safe and secure. The tanks are often transported in vehicles, and shelving or racks have been developed to hold the tanks in vehicles. 
     The tanks may be constructed of robust materials to ensure their integrity, particularly where they may be used for the purposes mentioned above. The materials, as well as the size of the tanks, often contributes to their weight, which can be in excess of 30 pounds and can easily exceed 50 pounds. For those handling such heavy objects, injuries are common. 
     The prior designs for transportation of the tanks in vehicles has lead to several disadvantages. In some cases, the tanks are just sat upright in the vehicle, which can lead to damage to the transportation vehicle. In other cases, tanks are simply put on flat shelves and secured to the shelves with cords or the like. This is problematic for a number of reasons. First, it does not result in an optimally secured tank as the cords may not be adequate to secure the tanks. Second, it can be difficult and time consuming to load and/or unload the tanks from the shelves. This includes requiring the worker to climb into the vehicle to locate a tank on the shelf or pull a tank from a shelf. 
     In view of the disadvantages associated with the prior art designs, it would be advantageous to have a robust system for securing tanks in a vehicle. It would also be advantageous for the system to provide access to the tanks in a location that was ergonomically ideal for accessing the system both from within the vehicle and outside the vehicle. 
     SUMMARY 
     In one aspect, a tank rack may have a back frame member. The tank rack may also have a top frame member extending transverse the back frame member. The tank rack may also have an upper frame member extending transverse the top frame member and parallel the back frame member. The upper frame member may have first and second arms. First and second side frame members may be connected to the first and second arms, respectively. A first tank support member may have forward portions connected to both the first and second side frame members. The first tank support member may also have a rear portion connected to the back frame member, where the forward portions are not coplanar with the rear portion. 
     In another aspect a tank rack may have a back frame member and a plurality of tank support members spaced apart from one another along the back frame member. The tank rack may also have two inner sections, two outer sections and a rear portion. The inner and outer sections and the rear portion may form a U-shape. The rear portion may be connected to the back frame member. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         FIG.  1    is a front perspective view of one embodiment of a tank rack; 
         FIG.  2    is a rear perspective view of the tank rack from  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  3    is a bottom view of the tank rack with one embodiment of at least one tank located thereon; 
         FIG.  4    is a top view of the tank rank with one embodiment of at least one tank located thereon; 
         FIG.  5    is a front view of the tank rack with one embodiment of tanks located thereon; 
         FIG.  6    is an upper, front perspective view of the tank rack with one embodiment of tanks located thereon; 
         FIG.  7    is a front, lower perspective view of the tank rack with one embodiment of tanks located thereon; and 
         FIG.  8    is one embodiment of the tank rack located in a vehicle. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
     It is to be understood that the device may assume various alternative orientations and step sequences, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification are simply exemplary embodiments. Hence, specific dimensions, directions or other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed are not to be considered as limiting. 
     Turning now to the figures, one embodiment of a tank rack  10  is schematically depicted. The rack  10  may be adapted for use in a variety of environments including stationary and mobile applications. Stationary applications may be such as buildings while mobile applications may be such as vehicles. The vehicles may be land vehicles but others are permissible. The rack may be particularly adapted for cargo vans and related service vehicles  12 , as shown in  FIG.  8   . The rack  10  may be used to store one or more tanks  14  thereon, which are schematically shown in  FIGS.  3 - 8   . The tanks  14  may be adapted for any substance, and the tanks  14  may be of many different sizes and shapes. In one embodiment, one or more propane tanks may be selectively stored on the rack  10 . In such a case, the tanks  14  may be such as 3-10 gallon propane tanks. In some embodiments, the rack  10  may have a back frame member  16  as best seen in  FIGS.  1  and  2   . The back frame member  16  may be a single piece, but it may be possible for the back frame member  16  to be comprised of two or more pieces that have been secured together such as through mechanical fasteners and/or welding. 
     The back frame member  16  may have a back panel  18  with substantially planar front and back surfaces  20 ,  22  along the height of the back panel  18 , which between them define a substantially constant thickness. The back panel  18  may have a generally rectangular shape and the longest dimension of the back panel  18  may extend along a y-axis of an x-y-z coordinate system. The coordinate system is depicted on selected figures. 
     The back frame member  16  is depicted as solid. In other embodiments, however, the back frame member  16  may have openings or the back frame member  16  may simply be two rods, posts or angle irons that are spaced from one another by a gap. 
     In some embodiments, side flanges  24  may extend along either side of the back panel  18 . Preferably, the side flanges  24  are on both sides of the back panel  18 . The side flanges  24  may extend for all, some or none of the height of the back panel  18 . It may be preferred that the side flanges  24  extend substantially along both sides of the back panel  18  from a base portion  26  of the back frame member  16  to an upper portion  28  of the back frame member  16 . 
     The side flanges  24  may extend in a substantially transverse direction from the primary direction of the back frame member  16 . In some embodiments, this has the side flanges  24  extending in the z-direction, away from the front surface  20  of the panel  18 . The side flanges  24  may extend substantially parallel one another and sandwich the back panel  18  between them. 
     In some embodiments, slots  30  may be located at predetermined distances along the side flanges  24 . Preferably, individual slots of pairs of slots  30  in the side flanges  24  are vertically aligned so as to be coplanar with one another. The slots  30  may extend from forward edges  32  of the side flanges  24  toward the back panel  18 . In some cases, it may be that the slots  30  reach the back panel  18 . 
     A top frame member  34  may be connected to the upper portion  28  of the back frame member  16 . In some cases, a back portion  36  of the top frame member  34  may be connected to the back frame member  16 . The connection maybe such as through mechanical fasteners, but adhesives and/or welding may also be used. 
     The top frame member  34  may extend substantially transverse the primary direction of the back frame member  16 . Thus, the top frame member  34  may extend primarily in he z-direction. The top frame member  34  may have a top panel  38  with substantially planar upper and lower surfaces  40 ,  42 , which between them may define a substantially constant thickness. 
     The top frame member  34  may have flanges  44  that extend generally transverse from the top panel  38 . The flanges  44  may be located along at least along both sides  46 , a front portion  48  and the back portion  36  of the top frame member  34 . The flanges  44  along the sides  46  may be parallel one another with the flanges  44  along the front end base portions  48 ,  36  being orienteered transverse the side flanges  44 . The flanges  44  may all extend substantially downward away from the upper surface  40 , such as in the y-direction. 
     The front portion  48  of the top frame member  34  may be connected to an upper frame member  50 . The connection may be such as through mechanical fasteners, but adhesives and/or welding may also be used. 
     In some embodiments (not shown), the upper frame member  50  may have a connection flange  52  that at least partially overlaps the upper surface  40  of the top panel  38 . Mechanical fasteners may be located through the connection flange  52  and into the top panel  38  to secure them together. In other embodiments the connection flange  52  is not designed to overlap with the upper surface  40  of the top panel  38  but instead it extends transverse the top panel  38 . The connection flange  52  may be parallel one of the flanges  44  of the top panel  38  and mechanical fasteners may connect them. 
     The upper frame member  50  may form a general U-shape, but other shapes may be used. An upper base  54  of the upper frame member  50  may be connected to the connection flange  52 . Two arms  50  of the upper frame member  50  may extend in an arcuate fashion downwardly from the connection flange  52 . The arms  50  may be substantially symmetrical about a longitudinal axis  58  of the rack  10  that extends parallel the y-axis. The back panel  18  of the back frame member  16  also extends along the y-axis and so the arms  50  may be parallel but not coplanar with the panel  18 . The arms  50  may also be substantially planar in the z-plane with their thickness dimension being in the z-plane. In some embodiments, the rack  10  may be substantially symmetrical about the axis  58 . 
     End portions  60  of the arms  56  may terminate at substantially the same vertical plane along the axis  58 . Each end portion  60  may be connected to respective first and second side frame members  62 ,  64 . The connection of the arm end portion  60  to the first and second side frame members  62 ,  64  may be such as through mechanical fasteners, but welding and/or adhesives may also be used. In other embodiments, the arms  56  may be unitary, one piece and integrally formed with the first and second side frame members  62 ,  64 . 
     The first and second side frame members  62 ,  64  may extend substantially continuously the height of the rack  10  from the upper frame member  50  to the base potion  26  of the rack  10 . The side frame members  62 ,  64  may each be constructed of a single piece but in some embodiments the side frame members may be constructed of multiple pieces. 
     The first and second side frame members  62 ,  64  may be substantially the same in terms of shape and size. For example, in one embodiment, the side frame members  62 ,  64  may be comprised of forward and rear facing flanges  66 ,  68 . In such a case, the flanges  66 ,  68  may be oriented at an angle to one another such as at approximately  90  degrees to give them an L-shaped cross-section. In a preferred embodiment, the forward facing flanges  66 , which may be substantially planar in the z-plane, may be substantially coplanar with the upper frame member arms  56 . 
     The first and/or second side frame members  62 ,  64  may be connected to a bottom frame member  70 . In some cases, the bottom frame member  70  may extend between the two side frame members  62 ,  64  to connect them. The bottom frame member  70  may extend primarily in the x-direction. The bottom frame member  70  may have a general L-shape with one leg  72  of the L connected to the forward facing flanges  66  of the side frame members  62 ,  64 . The other leg  74  may extend toward the back frame member  16 . 
     The rear facing flanges  68  may extend toward the back frame member  16 , such as in the z-direction. The rear facing flanges  68  may provide a connection support for at least one tank support member  76  associated with the rack  10 . In some embodiments, forward end portions  78  of a tank support member  76  are connected to the rear facing flanges  68 . The connection may be through mechanical fasteners, but welding and/or adhesives may also be used. In another embodiment, the tank support member  76  may be connected to the forward facing flanges  66 . 
     The tank support member  76  may also be comprised of a rear portion  80 . The rear portion  80  may be connected to the back frame member  16 . The connection may be through mechanical fasteners but welding and/or adhesives may also be used. 
     The rear portion  80  of the tank support member  76  may be located on a different y-plane than a y-plane for the forward end portions  78  of the tank support member  76 . In some embodiments, forward end portions  78 , which may be coplanar with one another, may be located above the rear portion  80  on the y-axis. The difference in vertical height of the forward end portions  78  compared with the rear portion  80  may result in the tank support member  76  being located in the rack  10  at an angle. The angle may assist in selectively maintaining tanks  14  on the rack  10  by using gravity to slide and retain tanks toward and/or against the back frame member  16 . 
     The angle may be such as an acute angle measured from a plane extending transverse the longitudinal axis  58 . The angle may increase from the rear portion  80  to the forward end portions  78 . 
     The tank support member  76  may have a general U-shape. The shape may be formed from two arm portions  82  extending outward, such as along the z-axis, substantially symmetrically from the rear portion  80 . The arm portions  82  may be connected to the first and second side frame members  62 ,  64  via the forward end portions  78 . The connection may be through mechanical fasteners but welding and/or adhesives may be used as well. The arm portions  82 , being a part of the forward end portions  78 , are also angled and may provide a tank support surface generally from the forward end portions  78  to the rear portion  80 . The tank support surface may be continuous or non-continuous. The tank support member  76  may be integrally formed, one piece and unitary or it may be comprised of a plurality of pieces. 
     In some embodiments, the arm portions  82  and/or the rear portion  80  of the tank support member  76  may have support portions  84  and attachment portions  86 . Certain parts of the attachment portions  86  may be substantially coplanar (except for the thickness of the attachment portions) with the back panel  18  of the back frame member  16  and the rear facing flanges  68 . For example, the attachment portion  86  at the rear portion  80  of the tank support member  76  may be substantially coplanar with, and directly attached to, the back panel  18  of the back frame member  16 . The attachment portion  86  at the rear portion  80  of the tank support member  76  may be plate-like in its construction and thus, when attached to the back panel  18  of the back frame member  16 , besides the thickness of the attachment portion  86 , it is substantially coplanar with the back panel  18 . 
     The attachment portions  86  at the forward end portions  78  of the arm portions  82  may also be plate-like in their construction which enables them to lay flat against the rear facing flanges  68  for connection therewith. This also positions the attachment portions  86  at this location substantially coplanar with the rear facing flanges  68 , respectively. 
     The attachment portions  86  of the tank support member  76  may extend about the tank support member  76 . In some embodiments, the attachment portions  86  may extend substantially continuously about the tank support member  76 . In other embodiments, there may be gaps in the attachment portions  86 . 
     In some cases, at least portions of the attachment portions  86  may be located at least partially below the support portions  84 . In some cases, at least portions of the support portions  84  of the tank support member  76  may be generally located transverse the attachment portions  86 . These support portions  84  may extend inwardly and away from the back frame member  16  and the first and second side frame members  62 ,  64 . In some embodiments, an outer portion  88  of the support portion  84  may be substantially transverse the attachment portions  86 . The outer portion  88  may extend substantially continuously about the support portion  84 . 
     It may be that in some embodiments at least a portion of the support portion  84  may be located in the slots  30  of the side flanges  24  to provide strength, support and rigidity to the tank support member  76 . In such cases, it may be that a planar, rear portion  90  of the support portion  84  may be located a pair of coplanar slots  30 . Attachment portions  86 , which may extend transversely with respect to the planar support portion  84 , may be located on either side, and between, the slot  30  pair. When located in the slots  30 , the side flanges  24  bound the upper and lower surfaces  92 ,  94  of the support portion  84 . 
     In some cases, support tabs  96  may extend from the support portions  84 . The support tabs  96  may comprise an inner portion  98  of the support portion  84 . The support tabs  96  may extend entirely about the support portions  84  or only selected portions thereof. In the depicted embodiment, the support tabs  98  may extend just from the arm portions  82  of the tank support member  76 . In some cases, the support tabs  98  may only extend from just portions of the arm portions  82 . The support tabs  98  may extend inwardly from the support portions  84 , such as somewhat towards one another, which may be along the x-axis, but they may also extend downwardly, such as along the y-direction. In such an embodiment, where the support tabs  98  extend downwardly, they may do so between an angle of approximately 30-70 degrees from the support portions  84 . In a preferred embodiment, the angle may be such as approximately 45 degrees as measured from a plane transverse from the longitudinal axis  58 . The support tabs  98 , together with the support portions  84 , may provide the arms  56  with a multi-faceted, multi-dimensional support surface  100  to engage a tank  14 . The angled nature of the support surface  100  assists in supporting tanks  14  of various sizes and shaped thereon. 
     In some embodiments, each arm  56  may be comprised of a first inner section  102  and a second outer section  104 . The first inner section  102  may be located between the second outer section  104  and the rear portion  80  of the tank support member  76 . In certain embodiments, the tabs  96  may extend from the second outer section  104 . The sections  102 ,  104  may be connected to one another by a transition portion  106 . The transition portion  106  may be such as a radiused elbow. 
     The first two inner sections  102 , the two second outer sections  104  and the rear portion  80  may bound a central open portion of each tank support member  76 . The central open portion may have the same size and shape as one another among the tank support members  76  in the rack  10 . In some embodiments, each central open portion may have aligned with one another along the longitudinal axis  58  of the rack. 
     Each second outer section  104  may extend from the side frame members  62 ,  64  generally transversely and toward the back frame member  16 . The two outer sections terminate at first and second side frame members to provide an unobstructed front portion of the tank rank. 
     To create the U-shape for the tank support member  76 , each first inner section  102  may have an angle  107  with respect to both the second outer section  104  and the back frame member  16 . In some embodiments, the first inner section  102  may be angled at approximately 30-70 degrees to both the second outer section  104  and the back frame member  16 . In what may be a preferred embodiment, the first inner section  102  may be angled at approximately 45 degrees with respect to the second outer section  104  and the back frame member  16 , respectively. Each second outer section  104  may extend in a substantially transverse direction from the back panel  18 . In some embodiments, each second outer section  104  may extend about 45 degrees from each respective first inner section  102 . It has been found that providing an angle to the tank support member  76  advantageously reduces the space the rack  10  takes up on a floor  108  or other substrate. It has also been found that the angle of the tank support member  76  permits the rack  10  to be located at an advantageous angle for loading and unloading the rack  10 . For example, as shown in  FIG.  8   , if the rack  10  is located near a rear pillar  110  of the vehicle  12 , the rack  10  can be positioned such that the first inner section  102  is located against a side wall  112  of the vehicle  12 . This positions the rack  10 , due to the angle of the first inner section  102 , at a set angle  113  with respect to the side wall  112 . The angle  113  may be as approximately 45 degrees. The advantage associated with this angle is that the contents of the rack  10  are readily accessible from the rear of the vehicle  12 . More particularly, this may mean that a user does not have to strain to reach the rack  10  contents if the rack  10  is located at the traditional 90 degree orientation with respect to the vehicle side wall  112 . Instead, the tanks  14  are angled so that they can be added to, or removed from, the rack  10  at approximately 45 degrees with respect to a rear plane of the vehicle  12 . Of course, the 45 degree angle also facilitates access to the rack from within the vehicle  12  as well. As shown in the various figures, it may be possible for the rack  10  to have more than one tank support member  76 . In such a case, the tank support members  76  may be equally spaced along the y-axis of the rack  10 , but other spacing is permissible. Further, each tank support member  76  may be positioned within the rack  10  such that the rear portions  80  are located below the respective arm portions  82  to the same degree, but it may also be possible for the angle to differ among the members  76 . 
     The rack  10  is preferably constructed of a robust material capable of supporting one or more full tanks  14  thereon. Such a material may be metal, including steel and/or aluminum alloys, but composite materials, plastics, polymers, wood and/or fiberglass may be used for some or all of the components. 
     In some embodiments, a retention device  114  may be used to further secure the tanks  14  in the rack  10 . The retention device  114  may be such as a strap  116  that can be threaded through tank apertures  118 , or otherwise secured to the tank  14 , and the ends of the strap  116  can be secured to the rack. In some cases, the ends of the strap  116  may be fitted with releasable devices  120 , such as hooks or links, to connect with the rack  10 . A tensioning device  122 , such as buckle and/or ratchet, may be used to selectively tighten and/or loosen the strap. 
     In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, the present device has been described in what is considered to represent its preferred embodiments. However, it should be noted that the device can be practiced otherwise than as specifically illustrated and described without departing from its spirit or scope.