Patent Publication Number: US-2023151932-A1

Title: Handle for a portable cylinder

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/986,353 filed Aug. 6, 2020, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     In general, the present invention relates to a portable cylinder, and in particular to a handle for a portable cylinder. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     A variety of pressurized gas cylinders have been used for storage and transportation of pressurized gas products for household and industrial. For example, the cylinders may be used for the storage of gas for cooking appliances such as stoves or grills, for the storage of refrigerant, for the storage of helium, etc. Many of these cylinders have traditionally been fabricated of steel with a steel cylindrical body having a valve at the top for controlling the flow of gas from the cylinder, a footing at the bottom to provide stability for the cylinder upon a supporting surface, and a handle at the top to assist in transporting the cylinder and for protecting the valve. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a handle for a cylinder is provided. The handle includes a shroud portion configured to attach to a collar of the cylinder, the shroud portion including a plurality of circumferentially spaced ledges for abutting an underside of a respective one of a plurality of circumferentially spaced tabs of the collar, and at least one tab for engaging the collar, and a handle portion extending from the shroud portion and having one or more areas for grasping the handle. 
     In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a portable cylinder is provided. The portable cylinder includes a tank having an upper portion having a valve port, a mounting collar coupled to the upper portion of the tank, the mounting collar having an upwardly extending portion surrounding the valve port and a plurality of circumferentially spaced tabs extending radially outwardly from the upwardly extending portion, wherein a respective gap is formed between adjacent ones of the plurality of circumferentially spaced tabs, and a handle attached to the mounting collar. The handle includes a shroud portion including a plurality of circumferentially spaced ledges for abutting an underside of a respective one of the plurality of circumferentially spaced tabs, and at least one tab for engaging the mounting collar in one of the gaps, and a handle portion extending from the shroud portion and having one or more areas for grasping the handle. 
     In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a method of assembling a portable cylinder is provided, the cylinder including a tank having an upper portion, a collar attached to the tank at the upper portion, and a handle. The method includes lowering the handle onto the collar to cause a plurality of circumferentially spaced ledges of the handle to be received in gaps between adjacent ones of a plurality of circumferentially spaced tabs on the collar and to cause a deflectable tab of the handle to contact one of the plurality of circumferentially spaced tabs and to deflect, and rotating the handle until each of the plurality of circumferentially spaced ledges are positioned below a respective one of the plurality of circumferentially spaced tabs and the deflectable tab engages the collar in one of the gaps. 
     These and other objects of this invention will be evident when viewed in light of the drawings, detailed description and appended claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention may take physical form in certain parts and arrangements of parts, a preferred embodiment of which will be described in detail in the specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and wherein: 
         FIG.  1    is a front perspective view of an exemplary cylinder. 
         FIG.  2    is a rear perspective view of the cylinder. 
         FIG.  3    is a left side view of the cylinder. 
         FIG.  4    is another front perspective view of the cylinder. 
         FIG.  5    is a top front perspective view of an exemplary handle. 
         FIG.  6    is a top rear perspective view of the handle. 
         FIG.  7    is a bottom front perspective view of the handle. 
         FIG.  8    is a bottom rear perspective view of the handle. 
         FIG.  9    is a front view of the handle. 
         FIG.  10    is a rear view of the handle. 
         FIG.  11    is a left side view of the handle. 
         FIG.  12    is a right side view of the handle. 
         FIG.  13    is a top view of the handle. 
         FIG.  14    is a bottom view of the handle. 
         FIG.  15    is a perspective view of the handle being attached to a tank. 
         FIG.  16    is another perspective view of the handle being attached to the tank. 
         FIG.  17    is still another perspective view of the handle being attached to the tank. 
         FIG.  18    is yet another perspective view of the handle being attached to the tank. 
         FIG.  19    is a further perspective view of the handle being attached to the tank. 
         FIG.  20    is another perspective view of the handle being attached to the tank. 
         FIG.  21    is still another perspective view of the handle being attached to the tank. 
         FIG.  22    is a top perspective view of the handle attached to the tank. 
         FIG.  23    is a perspective view of two cylinders attached to a carrying device. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Embodiments of the invention relate to methods and systems that relate to a portable cylinder. The cylinder has a tank having an upper portion having a valve port, a mounting collar coupled to the upper portion of the tank, and a handle attached to the mounting collar. The mounting collar has an upwardly extending portion surrounding the valve port and a plurality of circumferentially spaced tabs extending radially outwardly from the upwardly extending portion, wherein a respective gap is formed between adjacent ones of the plurality of circumferentially spaced tabs. The handle includes a shroud portion including a plurality of circumferentially spaced ledges for abutting an underside of a respective one of the plurality of circumferentially spaced tabs, and at least one tab for engaging the mounting collar in one of the gaps, and a handle portion extending from the shroud portion and having one or more areas for grasping the handle. 
     With reference to the drawings, like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding parts throughout the several views. However, the inclusion of like elements in different views does not mean a given embodiment necessarily includes such elements or that all embodiments of the invention include such elements. The examples and figures are illustrative only and not meant to limit the invention, which is measured by the scope and spirit of the claims. 
     Turning now to  FIGS.  1 - 4   , a portable cylinder is shown generally at reference numeral  10 . The cylinder  10  includes a tank  12  configured to store a suitable pressurized fluid, a handle  14  attached to a top of the tank  12 , and one or more feet  16  at a bottom of the tank  12 . In an embodiment, a suitable foot assembly may be attached to the bottom of the tank  12  in place of or in addition to the feet  16 . 
     The handle  14  and/or tank  12  can have a color that is chosen to reflect the different materials of the handle  14  and/or tank  12  and/or the different fluids stored in the tank  12 . For example, the tank  12  and/or handle  14  may be a first color to indicate that helium is stored in the tank  12 , a second color to indicate that a first type of refrigerant is stored in the tank  12 , a third color to indicate that a second type of refrigerant is stored in the tank  12 , etc. The tank  12  may be made of a suitable material, such as a suitable metal, such as steel, and in an embodiment the tank may be non-refillable and thus disposable. 
     The tank  12  includes an upper portion  18  having a valve port  20  for receiving a suitable valve  24 , and a mounting collar  22  is provided surrounding the valve port  20 . The mounting collar  22  may be secured to the upper portion  18  in any suitable manner, such as by a suitable welding process, such as spot welding, arc welding, etc., or may alternatively be integrally formed with the upper portion  18 . In an embodiment, the mounting collar  22  is positioned on the upper portion  18 , the valve  24  is positioned in the valve port  20 , and then the mounting collar  22  and the valve  24  are secured to the upper portion  18  at the same time in one welding process. In another embodiment, the mounting collar  22  is positioned on the upper portion  18  and secured thereto in a first welding process, and the valve  24  is positioned in the valve port  20  and secured thereto in a second welding process. The mounting collar  22  may be made of a suitable material, such as metal, such as a steel of a grade to allow for welding, corrosion resistance, and to absorb tension on the cylinder without significant deformation. 
     The mounting collar  22  has a base  26 , which is shown as substantially circular, attached to the upper portion  18  and including an opening  28  surrounding the valve port  20 , an upwardly extending portion  30  extending around a perimeter of the base  26 , and a plurality of circumferentially spaced tabs  32  extending radially outwardly from the upwardly extending portion  30 . A respective gap  34  is formed between adjacent ones of the plurality of circumferentially spaced tabs  32 . The upwardly extending portion  30  may include an outwardly extending lip  36  at the areas between adjacent tabs  32 . In the illustrated embodiment, the mounting collar  22  includes seven circumferentially spaced tabs  32  equally spaced from one another, although it we be appreciated that any suitable number of tabs may be provided. 
     Referring additionally to  FIGS.  5 - 14   , the handle  14  will be discussed in detail. The handle  14  includes a shroud portion  40  that attaches to the mounting collar  22  as will be described below in detail and a handle portion  42  projecting from the shroud portion  40 . The handle  14  has the rigidity to maintain ergonomic integrity while having the flexibility to absorb energy, and may be made of a suitable material, such as a polymeric material that is compressible to absorb shocks during drops or impacts. 
     The shroud portion  40  includes an inner body portion  50  with an opening  52  or through passage extending therethrough to surround the valve portion  20 , an outer body portion  54  radially outwardly spaced from the inner body portion  50 , and a base  56  extending therebetween. A channel  46  is defined between the inner and outer body portions  50  and  54  and the base  56  for receiving the mounting collar  22  such that a radially outer surface of the inner body portion  50  will abut or be in close proximity to the upwardly extending portion  30  and a radially inner surface of the outer body portion  54  will abut or be in close proximity to an outer edge of the circumferentially spaced tabs  32 . The inner and outer body portions  50  and  54  may be circular or substantially circular to correspond to the geometry of the mounting collar  22 . 
     The shroud portion  40  also includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced ledges  58  extending radially inwardly from the outer body portion  54  in the channel  46 . In the illustrated embodiment, the shroud portion  40  includes seven ledges  58  equally spaced from one another, one ledge  58  corresponding to each of the plurality of circumferentially spaced tabs  32 , although it will be appreciated that any suitable number of ledges  58  with suitable spacing may be provided. The ledges  58  are each spaced from the base  56  in a first direction to define areas for receiving a respective one of the plurality of circumferentially spaced tabs  32  of the mounting collar  22 , and each ledge  58  is spaced from the inner body portion  50  in a respective second direction orthogonal the first direction to define an area for receiving the upwardly extending portion  30  of the mounting collar  22 . Each ledge  58  can include a planar portion  60  and a plurality of circumferentially spaced ribs  62  below the planar portion  60  for providing support to the planar portion  60  while minimizing weight and material usage. A plurality of circumferentially spaced openings  64  are provided in the base  56  at a location where each opening  64  corresponds to one of the plurality of circumferentially spaced ledges  58 . As illustrated, each opening  64  is larger than the respective ledge  58 . 
     The shroud portion  40  also includes at least one deflectable tab  66  extending radially outwardly from the inner body portion  50  in the channel  46 . As shown, one deflectable tab  66  is provided between a pair of ledges  58  and corresponding openings  64  at a central portion of the handle  14 . The deflectable tab  66  is configured to be deflected by one of the circumferentially spaced tabs  32  of the mounting collar  22  during installation, and includes a catch  68  that abuts the upwardly extending portion  30  within one of the gaps  34  once installed. An opening  48  is provide in the base  56  corresponding to the location of the deflectable tab  66 . 
     Referring now to the handle portion  42  in detail, the handle portion  42  has a curved body  70  with first and second ends  72  and  74  circumferentially spaced from one another to define a gap through which a nozzle attached to the valve  24  extends. A support  76  is provided between the first and second ends  72  and  74  that has a substantially planar bottom and curved sides connecting to the first and second ends  72  and  74 . A top of the curved body  70  is flat or substantially flat to serve as a foot if the tank  12  is positioned upside down as shown in  FIGS.  7  and  8   , and to top of the curved body  70  has a circumference sized to keep the tank  12  stable when the tank is being supported on the curved body  70 . 
     The curved body  70  also includes a plurality of openings  78 ,  80 , and  82  extending therethrough for material and weight savings and one or more openings  84  on a side of the body  70  for receiving a carrying device for transporting cylinders as described below. The body  70  and openings  78  and  80  define grip areas  86  near the top of the handle member  42  for a user or machine to grasp the handle member  42  to transport the cylinder  10 . The opening  82  is sized to provide space for tools and/or filling devices that are accessing the valve  24 . The one or more openings  84 , and as shown an opening  84  at each side of the body  70  are formed through members  88  that are integral with one or more support ribs  90  or can be formed separate therefrom. 
     The body  70  has inner and outer surfaces  94  and  96  at the top thereof that define a channel  98  for material and weight savings, and one or more support ribs  100  can be provided between the inner and outer surfaces  94  and  96 . The inner surface  94  is shown with substantially straight portions to allow existing cartons to be utilized when transporting the handle  14 . The handle  14  can also include a plurality of the support ribs  90  extending around an interior between the body  70  and the shroud portion  40  and a plurality of support ribs  92  extending around an exterior of the body  70 . The support ribs  90  and  92  can be provided for structural integrity of the handle  14  while minimizing material usage. Any suitable number of support ribs may be provided along the interior and exterior of the body  70 . 
     Turning now to  FIGS.  15 - 22   , the attachment of the handle  14  to the tank  12  will be described in detail.  FIGS.  16 - 21    show the handle  14  with portions cutaway and/or portions enlarged to illustrate the attachment of the handle  14  to the tank  12 . The handle  14  may be attached to the tank  12  in any suitable manner, for example by a semi-autonomous process or by a fully autonomous process. The handle  14  and tank  12  are designed to be disposable, and as such the handle  14  is attached to the tank  12  in a substantially permanent manner and is removable upon destruction of one of the handle  14  or tank  12 . 
     Referring initially to  FIGS.  15 - 17   , to attach the shroud portion  40  to the mounting collar  22 , the handle  14  is lowered onto the mounting collar in a downward direction. If not already aligned, the handle  14  can be rotated to align the plurality of circumferentially spaced ledges  58  with the respective gaps  34 . As the handle  14  is further lowered, at least one deflectable tab  66  contacts a top of one of the plurality of circumferentially spaced tabs  32  and the plurality of circumferentially spaced ledges  58  are received in the gaps  34  as shown in  FIG.  17   . 
     Referring now to  FIG.  18   , as the handle  14  is further lowered, the outer surface of the inner body portion  50  and base  56  of the shroud portion  40  contact the top of the upwardly extending portion  30  at the lip  36  preventing further downward movement of the handle  14 . In this position, the plurality of circumferentially spaced ledges  58  pass through the respective gaps  34  and move below the plurality of circumferentially spaced tabs  32 . At the same time the at least one deflectable tab  66  is deflected upward by the one of the plurality of circumferentially spaced tabs  32  that the deflectable tab  66  contacted. 
     Referring now to  FIGS.  19 - 21   , the handle  14  is then rotated relative to the tank  12 , for example by about twenty-five degrees. As rotation begins in  FIG.  19   , the at least one deflectable tab  66  moves relative to the one of the plurality of circumferentially spaced tabs  32  and remains in the deflected position while the plurality of circumferentially spaced ledges  58  move under a respective one of the plurality of circumferentially spaced tabs  32 . The handle  14  is rotated until the at least one deflectable tab  66  has moved past the end of the one of the plurality of circumferentially spaced tabs  32  into the adjacent one of the gaps  34  and returns to its unbiased position as shown in  FIGS.  20  and  21   . In its unbiased position the catch  68  abuts or is in close proximity to the upwardly extending portion  30  of the mounting collar  22 . In this position each of the plurality of circumferentially spaced ledges  58  is positioned beneath a respective one of the plurality of circumferentially spaced tabs  32 , with the plurality of circumferentially spaced tabs  32  being visible through the plurality of openings  64  as shown in  FIG.  21   .  FIG.  21    also illustrates the interaction between the handle  14  and the mounting collar  22  at one of the areas without one of the circumferentially spaced ledges  58 , and  FIG.  22    illustrates the assembled cylinder. 
     The interaction between the circumferentially spaced ledges  58  and the plurality of circumferentially spaced tabs  32  prevents upward movement of the handle  14  relative to the mounting collar  22 , and the interaction between the base # of the shroud portion  40  and the upwardly extending portion  30  prevents further downward movement of the handle  14  relative to the mounting collar. The positioning of the at least one deflectable tab  66  in one of the gaps  34  between a pair of the plurality of circumferentially spaced tabs  32  prevents or substantially prevents rotation of the handle  14  relative to the mounting collar  22 . 
     Turning now to  FIG.  23   , a pair of cylinders  10  are illustrated, each cylinder having a tank  12 , a handle  14  attached to the tank, feet  16 , and a valve  24  attached to a valve port. Also provided is a carrying handle  110  coupled to each cylinder  10 . The carrying handle  110  may be made of a suitable material, such a metal, and may be formed by bending or otherwise altering a straight piece of metal. The carrying handle  110  include a grip portion  112  for a user or machine to grasp when transporting the cylinders  10 , a pair of extension  114  extending downward from the grip portion  112 , an attachment portion  116  extending outwardly from each of the extensions  114  substantially parallel thereto, and an upwardly angled portion  118  at the end of each attachment portion  116  to prevent the cylinders  10  from falling off the carrying handle  110  during transport. The extensions  114  space the attachment portions  116  from the grip portion  112  so the grip portion  112  can be grasped above the handles  14 . 
     To transport the cylinders  10 , each upwardly angled portion  118  and attachment portion  116  is received in one of the openings  84  in the handle  14  and advanced towards the respective valve  24  until the upwardly angled portion  118  passes through the respective opening  84  into an inner area of the respective handle  14 . The grip portion  112  is then positioned above the handles  14  so the user can grasp the grip portion  112 . 
     The aforementioned systems, components, (e.g., cylinders, tanks, handles, among others), and the like have been described with respect to interaction between several components and/or elements. It should be appreciated that such devices and elements can include those elements or sub-elements specified therein, some of the specified elements or sub-elements, and/or additional elements. Further yet, one or more elements and/or sub-elements may be combined into a single component to provide aggregate functionality. The elements may also interact with one or more other elements not specifically described herein. 
     While the embodiments discussed herein have been related to the apparatus, systems and methods discussed above, these embodiments are intended to be exemplary and are not intended to limit the applicability of these embodiments to only those discussions set forth herein. 
     The above examples are merely illustrative of several possible embodiments of various aspects of the present invention, wherein equivalent alterations and/or modifications will occur to others skilled in the art upon reading and understanding this specification and the annexed drawings. In particular regard to the various functions performed by the above described components (assemblies, devices, systems, circuits, and the like), the terms (including a reference to a “means”) used to describe such components are intended to correspond, unless otherwise indicated, to any component, such as hardware, software, or combinations thereof, which performs the specified function of the described component (e.g., that is functionally equivalent), even though not structurally equivalent to the disclosed structure which performs the function in the illustrated implementations of the invention. In addition although a particular feature of the invention may have been disclosed with respect to only one of several implementations, such feature may be combined with one or more other features of the other implementations as may be desired and advantageous for any given or particular application. Also, to the extent that the terms “including”, “includes”, “having”, “has”, “with”, or variants thereof are used in the detailed description and/or in the claims, such terms are intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising.” 
     This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that are not different from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal language of the claims. 
     In the specification and claims, reference will be made to a number of terms that have the following meanings. The singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Approximating language, as used herein throughout the specification and claims, may be applied to modify a quantitative representation that could permissibly vary without resulting in a change in the basic function to which it is related. Accordingly, a value modified by a term such as “about” is not to be limited to the precise value specified. In some instances, the approximating language may correspond to the precision of an instrument for measuring the value. Moreover, unless specifically stated otherwise, a use of the terms “first,” “second,” etc., do not denote an order or importance, but rather the terms “first,” “second,” etc., are used to distinguish one element from another. 
     As used herein, the terms “may” and “may be” indicate a possibility of an occurrence within a set of circumstances; a possession of a specified property, characteristic or function; and/or qualify another verb by expressing one or more of an ability, capability, or possibility associated with the qualified verb. Accordingly, usage of “may” and “may be” indicates that a modified term is apparently appropriate, capable, or suitable for an indicated capacity, function, or usage, while taking into account that in some circumstances the modified term may sometimes not be appropriate, capable, or suitable. For example, in some circumstances an event or capacity can be expected, while in other circumstances the event or capacity cannot occur — this distinction is captured by the terms “may” and “may be.” 
     The best mode for carrying out the invention has been described for purposes of illustrating the best mode known to the applicant at the time and enable one of ordinary skill in the art to practice the invention, including making and using devices or systems and performing incorporated methods. The examples are illustrative only and not meant to limit the invention, as measured by the scope and merit of the claims. The invention has been described with reference to preferred and alternate embodiments. Obviously, modifications and alterations will occur to others upon the reading and understanding of the specification. It is intended to include all such modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to one of ordinary skill in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differentiate from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal language of the claims.