Patent ID: 8919261

Claim:
A transport tanker comprising a tank body; a coupling structure proximate a first end of the tank body for transferring a towing load to the tank body, the coupling structure including a web protruding from the tank body, and affixed to the tank body; and a load spreading structure affixed to the tank body and configured to spread at least a portion of a load experienced by the tank body in a region proximate a terminal end of the web across an enhanced longitudinal expanse of the tank body, the load spreading structure including a reinforcing member including an elongated U-shaped member including two legs joined at a first end by an arcuate section and open at a second end opposite the first end, wherein a first one of the two legs is at least partially disposed on a first side of the web and a second one of the two legs is at least partially disposed on a second side of the web, and wherein the terminal end of the web opposite from the coupling structure is at least partially received within the open second end of the U-shaped member.