Patent ID: 8814110

Claim:
A modular tank stand assembled from a plurality of connectable tank stand sections, the modular tank stand comprising: a first tank stand section comprising: a first lower surface abutting a tank stand support surface; a first container support surface spaced vertically from said first surface; a first wall monolithically formed with at least a portion of said first lower surface and said first container support surface, said first wall extending from said first lower surface to said first container support surface, said first wall extending substantially entirely around a periphery of at least one of said first lower surface and said first container support surface; at least one lobe formed as part of said first wall; and a second tank stand section comprising: a second lower surface abutting the tank stand support surface; a second container support surface spaced vertically from said second lower surface; and a second wall monolithically formed with at least a portion of said second lower surface and said second container support surface, said second wall extending from said second lower surface to said second container support surface, said second wall extending substantially entirely around a periphery of at least one of said second lower surface and said second container support surface; and at least one cavity formed protruding into said second wall, said cavity sized to receive said lobe along a vertical direction of insertion, said lobe and said cavity cooperating to restrain lateral movement of said first tank stand section with respect to said second tank stand section, while allowing vertical movement of said first tank stand section with respect to said second tank stand section, said first and second walls each comprising: a center wall; a perimeter wall opposite said center wall; a first side wall extending between said center wall and said perimeter wall; and a second side wall extending between said center wall and said perimeter wall and defining an acute angle with said first side wall, such that said first side wall and said second side wall converge toward said center wall and diverge toward said perimeter wall, and wherein said first and second tank stand sections are each generally wedge-shaped; the modular tank stand in combination with a bulk storage container disposed on said first container support surface and said second container support surface such that said bulk storage container is supported by each of said first and second container support surfaces and is supported directly through said first and second walls and said first and second lower surfaces of said tank stand sections.