Abstract:
A tank apparatus for use with transporting cylindrical shaped containers comprising a main body sheet like material configured to attach to at least a portion of a tank&#39;s outer diameter and a pair of stops incorporated with the main body to prevent movement of the tank or container like object. Many features and variations of the apparatus are disclosed to provide added convenience and adapt to various fields of interest.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/825,473, filed Oct. 18, 2006, entitled Fuel Tank Apparatus. 
     
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates in general to an apparatus to prevent a cylindrical storage container from moving while transported inside a vehicle. More particularly, the present invention relates to an apparatus that can be positioned around at least a portion of a cylindrical container to prevent undesired movement of the container or like objects. 
         [0004]    2. Discussion of Related Art 
         [0005]    Tanks and containers are commonly found in today&#39;s market having a variety of uses in both industrial and consumer applications. Often, storage tanks are transported inside a vehicle from one place to another. Most tanks by design are round, cylindrically shaped and often become unstable during transportation. Commercial vehicles are sometimes custom fitted with hardware or fasteners to securely mount tanks from moving while transported. Private vehicles, on the other hand, do not include any mechanisms for mounting tanks or preventing uncontrolled movements within the vehicle. Although most storage containers and tanks are designed with features to prevent the container from leaking, tanks rolling around in a moving vehicle creates a risk of impacting the inside fender, causing damage to the automobile body panel. 
         [0006]    Many tanks, commonly filled with fuel, water, or other liquids, solids or gas materials and are refilled and reused frequently. There are millions of tanks sold and refilled each year in the United States alone. There are large numbers of vehicles unsafely transporting tanks with limited ability to prevent tanks from moving while transported. Storage containers and tanks often become dirty and can contaminate the interior of a vehicle and other areas they may contact during handling or transport. For example, gas-grill type propane tanks are frequently used for cooking food and may become greasy or dirty and contaminate surfaces they are in contact with during transport. 
         [0007]    There are various types of hardware available that may be adapted to secure a tank to the inside of a vehicle. However, such hardware requires altering the vehicle body or drilling then fastening hardware to adapt to a vehicle. Many fasteners commonly found on the market can be customized to barricade a tank to a specific area within a vehicle during transport to prevent tanks from moving. Fasteners, straps and like members found on the market today are not readily available, adaptable or easy to assemble to prevent tanks from moving. Products such as tank stands, configured with hardware and other related components can be found fixed to a gas grill to securely fasten the tank to the frame. Some devices found on the market to are bulky and not easy to store taking up valuable space inside a vehicle in some cases require additional components that may not readily available for use when needed space. Limitations of space within the vehicle and permanent alteration of the vehicle body prove to be a disadvantage of current devices on the market today. They do not offer a method to prevent the tank from tipping, rolling nor an economical compact design to limit movement during transportation. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    It has been noted an advantage of the proposed invention provides a solution to effectively store, wrap and immobilize cylindrical containers during transport. According to one aspect of the invention, an apparatus includes a pair of stops which can be positioned on the outside diameter of the tank or cylindrical container to prevent movement. The stops are of sufficient size and positioned to contact the sides of the tank in order to prevent rolling. The mechanisms for creating, positioning and retaining the stops relate to various aspects of the invention. 
         [0009]    In one aspect of the invention, the stops are formed on a substantially planar sheet of material. The sheet can be placed within the vehicle. The tank is positioned between the stops. According to another aspect of the invention, the stops are jointly formed with the sheet. According to another aspect of the invention, the stops are attachable to the sheet. According to another aspect of the invention, the positions of the stops are adjustable to accommodate different diameter tanks or containers or like objects. According to another aspect of the invention, the stops are configured with a fastener (i.e. hook like material) to further prevent unwanted movement. 
         [0010]    According to another aspect of the invention, the stops are formed on a flexible sheet of material. The flexible sheet can be securely wrapped around the cylindrical tank. According to one aspect of the invention, the flexible sheet is secured around the tank by a fastening member. According to another aspect of the invention, the flexible sheet includes handles for carrying the tank. According to another aspect of the invention, the flexible sheet includes a frame for creating a U-shaped enclosure to hold the tank. 
         [0011]    According to another aspect of the invention, the stops are jointly formed as part of the flexible sheet. According to another aspect of the invention, the stops are attached to the flexible sheet. According to another aspect of the invention, the stops are at least one pair, but can be a multiple plurality of stops configured to the flexible sheet of material. 
         [0012]    According to another aspect of the invention, the flexible sheet has a width that substantially covers the outer diameter if the cylindrical tank. According to another aspect of the present invention, the stops are configured as a long narrow flexible strip of material that can be attached to the diameter of a cylindrical tank According to another aspect of the present invention, the stops may further be configured with a hook like material to grip a loop like material inside the vehicle and prevent movement of the tank. The outer surface of the tank is covered when the flexible sheet is positioned around the tank. According to another aspect of the invention, a protective sheet is positioned on the inner surface of the flexible sheet of material. The protective sheet contacts the outer surface of the tank. According to one aspect of the invention, the protective sheet may be waterproof. According to one aspect of the invention, the protective sheet may be washable. According to one aspect of the invention, the protective sheet may be disposable. 
         [0013]    According to another aspect of the invention, the flexible sheet may be configured with a water resistant material. According to one aspect of the present invention the flexible sheet of material may be configured of a biodegradable material. These and other advantages of the invention, along with the invention itself will be more fully understood after review of the following figures, detailed description and claims. 
     
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]      FIG. 1  is a perspective, top view of a tank apparatus according to a first embodiment of the invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is a side view of the tank apparatus of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is a perspective, bottom view of a tank apparatus according to a second embodiment of the invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is a side view of the tank apparatus of  FIG. 3  attached to a tank. 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a tank apparatus according to a third embodiment of the invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 6  is a partial view of a handle for a tank apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 7  is a top view of a tank apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 8  is a bottom view of a tank apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the invention. 
           [0022]      FIGS. 9A and 9B  are side views of the tank apparatus of  FIG. 7  attached to a tank. 
           [0023]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a tank apparatus according to a fifth embodiment of the invention. 
           [0024]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of a tank apparatus according to a sixth embodiment of the invention. 
           [0025]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view of a tank apparatus according to a seventh embodiment of the invention. 
           [0026]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view of the tank apparatus of  FIG. 12  attached to the tank. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0027]    The present invention operates to prevent movement of a cylindrical tank or like containers during transport. The apparatus includes a pair of stops which are configured to form a wedge like object on both sides of the tank to prevent tank movement. The stops are of substantial size, shape and positioned to prevent the tank from rolling and or moving. Various shaped stops are disclosed in various embodiments of the invention (i.e. round, triangular, hollow, collapsible). Also, different structures are used to position the stops in various embodiments of the invention. 
         [0028]      FIGS. 1 and 2  disclose a first embodiment of the invention. The structure of the tank apparatus  10  is shown in perspective view in  FIG. 1 . The tank apparatus of this embodiment includes a sheet  11  and at least two anti-roll stops  12 ,  13 . The stops are of triangular shape and extend away from the sheet  11  to form a wedge preventing movement of the tank or like container. Although the stops are shown in triangular geometry, other stop geometric configurations can be utilized to prevent movement.  FIG. 1  illustrates the sheet  11  extending beyond the stops  12 ,  13 . However, the sheet  11  may be sized to end at the outer edges of the stops  12 ,  13 .  FIG. 2  illustrates the tank apparatus with a tank  1  positioned thereon. The stops  12 ,  13  are positioned on either side of the tank  1  in contact with the outer sides. The stops  12 ,  13  are preferably of triangular shape. Of course, other shapes, sizes and configurations could be used. The configuration of the stops may be adapted with various diameter tanks. The stops  12 ,  13  should be of sufficient size so that the tank  1  cannot roll over them during normal transport within the vehicle. For a standard 12″ diameter tank, a stop height of 1½-3″ is sufficient. Preferably, the stops  12 ,  13  are substantially the same length as the length of the tanks outer most diameter, or somewhat equivalent in size to prevent movement. However, they may be of any length sufficient to hold the tank  1 . A larger or longer tank  1  may require larger and/or longer stops  12 ,  13 . While the stops are shown as having planar sides as with a triangle, they may also be arced to mate with the surface of the tank  1 . The stops may be fixedly attached, detachable, welded or fastened by other methods. The stops may be configured of plastic, foam, and board or other like materials. The stops may be hollow or solid for design or cost reasons. 
         [0029]    The sheet  11  and stops  12 ,  13  may be of various materials and constructed using various techniques. They may be of the same material or of different materials. In one embodiment, the sheet  11  and stops  12 ,  13  are formed as a single unit of plastic material. According to another embodiment, the sheet  11  is formed separately from the stops. The sheet  11  may be of fabric, plastic, metal, polyester, non-woven polypropylene, PVC, rubber or other like materials. The sheet can also be formed of multiple materials joined together. Preferably, the back side of the sheet  11  is of a material which does not easily slide when placed on a substantially flat surface inside a vehicle. A high coefficient of friction material may be used for this purpose to prevent movement (i.e. rubber, elastomer, PVC, or like materials). Additionally, since many vehicles have carpeting (i.e. loop material) within the trunk or other areas inside the interior of the vehicle, a hook like material or hook fastener, can be attached to or part of the sheet  11 . The hook like material or hook fastener can attach to the carpet of the transport vehicle to prevent movement of the sheet  11  within the vehicle. Magnetic materials or components may also be used in a similar method or construction within the sheet, having the ability to attach to various body panels of the vehicle. 
         [0030]    The stops  12 ,  13  may be formed of paper, plastic, polyethylene foam, wood, metal, cardboard, etc. They may be formed as a single solid part, a hollow part or configured to form a shape to prevent movement (i.e. triangle, circle, wedge, or other anti-roll shape). They may be a single material or created from multiple materials, and may be weather resistant or biodegradable, recyclable, or environmentally friendly materials. All of the sides of the triangle need not be part of the stops  12 ,  13 . In one embodiment, the stops  12 ,  13  may include one side facing the tank and triangular or other shaped supports to properly position the side configured to be in a close proximity of the tanks outer diameter. A cylinder of material may be formed with the sheet  11  to hold the stops  12 ,  13  in position. Alternatively, the stops  12 ,  13  may be attached to the sheet  11  with adhesives, welded, fasteners, permanent or temporary fastening methods. Additionally, the stops  12 ,  13  may be removably attached to the sheet  11 . For example, hook and loop fasteners may be used on the stops  12 ,  13  and sheet  11 . This would allow the distance between the stops  12 ,  13  to be adjusted to accommodate different sized tanks. 
         [0031]    Another embodiment of a tank apparatus  100  of the present invention is illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . This embodiment also includes a thin sheet of flexible material  111  and two stops  112 ,  113 . In the first embodiment discussed above, the sheet  111  is planar, configured as a mat to be placed in the trunk or floor of a vehicle for transport. In the second embodiment, the sheet  111  is sized to adapt to the diameter of tank  1 . The outer surface of the apparatus device  10  of  FIG. 1  is placed towards the tank  1  in one configuration. On the other hand, the upper surface of the apparatus device  100  of  FIG. 4  is place away from the tank  1  in yet another configuration where the stops are positioned to prevent the tank from moving and the apparatus is attached to the tank. The apparatus is configured with at least one fastening device. For illustration, a pair of fasteners  114 ,  115  extends from one end of the sheet  111 . A second mating pair of fasteners  116 ,  117  is positioned on the other end of the sheet  111 . The first pair of fasteners  114 ,  115  and the second pair of fasteners  116 ,  117  are configured to hold the sheet  111  in place around the tank  1 . They may include hook and loop fasteners, elastic, snaps, magnetic closures, ties, or other fastening devices. The fastener may further be configured to adjust and adapt to various diameter tanks. While the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 4  show the fasteners  114 ,  115  extending from the sheet  111 , they may be formed as part of the edge of the sheet. Alternatively, the entire edge of the sheet  111  may be used as a fastener or further configured to be made of a loop material, and have at least one hook fastener securely fastened to one end to secure the tank or like container within the apparatus. The hook material can be configured to a portion of the apparatus, or selectively attached to prevent movement of the tank or container. 
         [0032]    In use, the apparatus  100  of this embodiment is wrapped around a tank  1  and secured using the fasteners  114 ,  115 ,  116 ,  117 . Preferably, the sheet  111  has a length which corresponds with the circumference of the tank  1  or at least a portion of the tanks circumference that may come in contact with the vehicles interior. The stops  112 ,  113  are attached to the outer surface of the sheet  111 . They are positioned such that they contact a point on the vehicles interior&#39;s surface one side of the tank  1  to prevent rolling. In addition, the stops are located opposite of one a point of the tanks&#39; diameter point of contact on the vehicle&#39;s interior surface. The stops  112 , 113  in one embodiment can be constructed of a hook material on at least one side to further prevent two or three dimensional movement of the apparatus and tank within the vehicles. 
         [0033]    As with the first embodiment, the sheet  111  and stops  112 ,  113  may be formed of various materials and construction methods. The stops  112 ,  113  may be fixed in position or adjustable to accommodate different diameter tanks. The outer surface of the sheet  111  and/or stops  112  may include a material or structure, such as fabric, rubber, or plastic magnetic or hook fasteners, which operates to prevent movement of the tank apparatus  100  within the vehicle. When not in use, the anti-roll apparatus  100  can be easily rolled or folded to minimize the space required for storage. 
         [0034]      FIG. 5  illustrates another embodiment of the tank apparatus  210  of the present invention. As in the prior embodiments, this embodiment includes a resilient body  211  and stops  212 ,  213 . In the prior embodiment, the sheet  111  was flexible and wrapped around the tank. In this embodiment, the resilient body  211  includes a spring-like material  218 ,  219  at least along the edges. The spring-like material forms a “C” shape of a size similar to the periphery of a tank. The edges of the resilient body  211  are moved apart to insert the tank within the tank apparatus  210 . When released, the spring-like material forces the resilient body  211  around the tank to hold it in place. As in the prior embodiments, the stops  212 ,  213  are attached to the resilient body  211  at positions to prevent rolling of the tank. The stops  212 ,  213  may be permanent, adjustable or removably attached. As with the second embodiment, a fastener (not shown) may be used at the edges of the resilient body  211  to securely fasten the tank apparatus to the tank. The edges may be configured with a high coefficient of frictional material to prevent movement from the tank to the apparatus and from the apparatus to the vehicle interior. Handles  220 ,  221  may also be formed in the resilient body  211  to make carrying the tank easier, although handles are shown, one handle may be configured to the apparatus. Depending upon the materials used for the resilient body  211 , the handles  220 ,  221  may be merely holes formed in the resilient body. Alternatively, as illustrated in  FIG. 6 , a separate handle  222  may be formed along the edge of the resilient body  211 . The handle  222  has a separate handhold  223  to allow for easy gripping. The handles on each side of the resilient body  211  may be positioned to allow them to be held with one hand or two hands for carrying the tank. Further illustrated in  FIG. 13 , handles may be formed in the material to provide consumers a place to grasp the apparatus. 
         [0035]    Tanks can become extremely dirty. Propane tanks used with barbeque grills often are greasy. The tank apparatus of the present invention provides a cover for the tank of like containers to prevent the dirt or grease from soiling the interior of the vehicle. Preferably, the tank apparatus is of a material which is easily cleaned. Additionally, as illustrated in  FIG. 7 , inserts  125  may be used on an interior surface of the sheet  111  of any embodiment of the invention. The inserts  125  may be held in place by various fasteners or mechanisms (i.e. hook and loop, adhesives, clips) with the sheet  111 . The inserts  125  may be of a material which is disposable or environmentally friendly such as non-woven PP, hydrosun fibers, recycled paper or other like materials. The inserts can further be configured as removable to allow the apparatus and/or the inserts to be washable. Alternatively, the inserts  125  may be of paper, resin, plastic film or other material which is printed with advertisements or other like media. In one embodiment, the insert  125  may include a multiple layer of disposable liners to keep the tank clean between refueling, or have the ability to be removable to clean other related objects to the articles. The liners may also be sealed inside a container or plastic like bag with a liquid cleaner to allow cleaning of the tank, vehicle or other items with the liners. The liners may be a linear low density olefin polyethylene or disposable liners of EPM, UPM, or a combination of paper and other man made materials. The liners may further include printed matter such as instructions for use. 
         [0036]      FIG. 8  illustrates another embodiment of the tank apparatus  310  of the present invention. This embodiment includes a sheet  311  of a stiffer material than the prior embodiments. As in the prior embodiments, it includes a fastener  314 ,  316  to hold the sheet  311  around a tank. It does not include separate stops attached to the sheet  311 . Instead, the stops  312 ,  313  are formed as part of the sheet  311 . Geometrically shaped slits of “C” shaped in this configuration  331 ,  333  are formed at locations on the sheet  311 . When the sheet  311  is wrapped around a tank, as illustrated in  FIGS. 9A and 9B , the stops  312 ,  313  within the slits  331 ,  333  are forced outward along lines  332 ,  334 . The edges of the stops  312 ,  313  contact the surface  350  of the vehicle at an angle to prevent movement or rolling of the tank or like container. The apparatus can also be secured by a strap, cord or other fastener through the openings or body of the apparatus to secure the tank during transport. 
         [0037]    In order to enable the stops  312 ,  313  to open properly, a spring-like stiffener material is configured along the edges  335 ,  336  of the sheet  311 . The spring-like stiffener material is configured to hold the shape when the sheet  311  is wrapped around the tank as illustrated in  FIG. 9A . When the tank is placed on the surface  350 , the stiffener material enables stops  312 , 313  to move outwardly, and the stops  312 ,  313  when opened in position and prevents the tank from moving. The stops  312 ,  313  can fit into a channel or mating component to securely hold the tank, apparatus in place during transport. 
         [0038]    In the prior embodiments, the tank apparatus substantially covers the tank. This helps to keep the vehicle clean. However, other sizes of devices may be used which are more easily stored and may be more economical to produce.  FIG. 10  illustrates a tank apparatus  410  formed for a C-shaped resilient, spring like material. Preferably, it is molded or formed of a plastic or metal and generally retains its shape. Other embodiments may include other materials or a combination of two or more materials. The stops  412 ,  413  are formed as extensions from the main body  411 . They can be formed in a single molding process, or separate components attached to the main body, movable to adjust to various sizes and positions of the device or tank held by the apparatus. As illustrated in  FIG. 10 , in one configuration the stop or preferably a protrusion stops  412 ,  413 . In configuration stop  413  may be formed as opening  422  within the main body of the apparatus. When the tank apparatus is formed, the stops  412 ,  413  are configured at angles to keep a tank from moving. The stops  412 ,  413  may further be configured with a through hole  429  to use as a receptacle for fastening to a rigid body or structure. The tank apparatus  410  of this embodiment may be narrow and only cover a portion of the tank. As with other embodiments, various materials, such as rubber or hook fasteners, can be attached to the tank apparatus  410  to prevent movement within the vehicle. The tank apparatus  410  may be configured to hold a tank or cylinder inside the “C” shape and also be configured as an option to include a fastener or clip (i.e. hook material, spring, clip or like fastener)  428  configured to within the body of the apparatus to attach an object on the outer diameter, or attach the apparatus to a vehicle&#39;s body. The geometry can be configured to stop a tank from moving, or hold an accessory, or mount vertically to a vehicle with a mounting loop components cord or strap during transport. 
         [0039]      FIG. 11  illustrates another embodiment of the tank apparatus  510  of present invention. A strap like material  511  takes the place of the sheet. A tab  514  and connector  516  are positioned at the ends of the strap like material  511  to securely fasten the apparatus around the tank. Two stops  512 ,  513  are attached to the strap like material  511 . The strap like material  511  is wrapped around the tank. The stops  512 ,  513  are then positioned to prevent the tank from rolling. As with the other embodiments, the stops  512 ,  513  may be fixed to the strap like material  511  or may be adjustably positioned to accommodate different sized tanks. The tab  514  and connectors  516  can be configured to adjust to various size tanks. 
         [0040]    Another embodiment  610  of the invention is illustrated in  FIGS. 12-13 . This embodiment includes three panels  621 ,  622 ,  623  of a board like material. Paper, plastic or like materials may be used. More specifically, fluted cardboard or plastic may be used and folded along the fluted direction. The center panel  621  is a solid flat plane. The panels  622 ,  623  on either side have a cutout  630 ,  631 . A handle panel  624 ,  625  extend from each of the end panels. A hole  626 ,  627  is formed in each handle panel  624 ,  625 . The panels are configured to be formed, cut and folded to a compact shape. Hinges may be used, or the sheet  611  may be formed to allow bending between panels. The handle formed by holes  626 ,  627  are temporarily locked together to secure the tank in place on the apparatus. The flat surface  621  is configured to contact a flat surface inside a vehicle to further prevent movement of the tanks. The panels  621 ,  622 ,  623  can be printed with instructions or other media as desired by the manufacturers. 
         [0041]    Use of this embodiment is illustrated in  FIG. 13 . The tank  1  is placed on the center panel  621 . The two end panels are then bent towards the tank. The sides of tank extend through the rectangular cutouts  630 ,  631 . The two handle panels  624 ,  625  are brought together. Preferably, the handle panels  624 ,  625  are connected together to hold the device in place. The handle panels  624 ,  625  allow for easy carrying of the tank. The center panel  621  provides a flat surface for the tank  1 . The end panels  622 ,  623  hold the tank in place and prevent rolling. An optional hook material may be configured to the bottom side of the center panel to prevent movement. 
         [0042]    Having disclosed at least one embodiment of the present invention, various adaptations, modifications, additions, and improvements will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. Such adaptations, modifications, additions and improvements are considered part of the invention which is only limited by the several claims attached hereto.