Patent Document

[0001]    The present utility application hereby formally claims priority of currently pending U.S. Provisional Patent application No. 61/852,374 filed Mar. 15, 2013 on a “Gas Tank Retaining Means” which identifies the same inventors as listed herein, namely, Michael P Ziaylek and W Brian McGinty, and assigned to the same assignee as listing herein, namely, Michael P Ziaylek: said referenced provisional application being hereby formally incorporated by reference as an integral part of the present application. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to the field of brackets specifically designed to be utilized for holding canisters or tanks usually containing gas, particularly used mounted with respect to an emergency mobile transporting device, such as a stretcher or gurney. Often such canisters are needed to continuously make available a supply of oxygen to patients when being transported on a stretcher or gurney. The mechanism of the present invention is designed specifically for facilitating holding of such generally cylindrical tanks in a horizontal orientation or vertical orientation by defining a partially closed housing into which the canister can conveniently be slid easily and conveniently. Such devices are commonly retained in a horizontal orientation. A uniquely configured locking mechanism is included for use therewith which retains such a canister securely and conveniently within the bracket configuration. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Prior Art 
         [0005]    Many devices have been patented for the purposes of retaining oxygen tanks especially with respect to health transport equipment such as gurneys and/or wheelchairs such as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 1,546,576 patented Jul. 21, 1925 to O. R. Erwin et al and assigned to O. R. Erwin, John J. Hannan, Herman L. Ekren and Thomas F. Frawley on a “Fire Extinguishing Device; and U.S. Pat. No. 3,304,116 patented Feb. 14, 1967 to H. H. Stryker and assigned to Stryker Corporation on a “Mechanical Device”; and U.S. Pat. No. 3,761,968 patented Oct. 2, 1973 to Herbert C. Besler on an “Oxygen Bottle Carrier Particularly For Stretchers”; and U.S. Pat. No. 3,817,435 patented Jun. 18, 1974 to Anthony F. De Luca et al on a “Tank Holder And Transporter”; and U.S. Pat. No. 3,857,598 patented Dec. 31, 1974 to George W. Jelich on a “Hot Tube Handling Device”; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,045,044 patented Aug. 30, 1977 to William F. Bierer on a “Patient Transport With Oxygen Supply”; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,073,317 patented Feb. 14, 1978 to James B. Ellis and assigned to Fibreboard Corporation on an “Adjustable Clamping Device”; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,213,648 patented Jul. 22, 1080 to Clemons P. Steichen on an “Oxygen Tank Holding Device For Wheelchairs”; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,383,528 patented May 17, 1983 to Salvatore Eppolito on an “Oxygen Caddy” and U.S. Pat. No. 4,606,521 patented Aug. 19, 1986 to Gary R. Williams on a “Cylinder Holder”; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,768,241 patented Sep. 6, 1988 to Daniel R. Beney on a “Self Contained, Mobile Intensive Care Bed Structure”; and U.S. Design Pat. No. 319,778 patented Sep. 10, 1991 to Theodore Ziaylek, Jr. on a “Vertical Support Brace Bracket Panel For Holding Tubular Objects”; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,259,372 patented Nov. 9, 1993 to Betty J. Gross et al on an “Oxygen Cylinder Carrier Apparatus Particularly For Stretchers”; and U.S. Design Pat. No. 357,217 patented Apr. 11, 1995 to Terry L. Shirley on an “Oxygen Cylinder Bracket”; and U.S. Design Pat. No. 393,795 patented Apr. 28, 1998 to Patrik L. T. Bernstein and assigned to Spotlight Enterprises Incorporated on a “Fastening and Hanging Bracket”; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,220,557 patented Apr. 24, 2001 to Michael P. Ziaylek et al and assigned to Michael P. Ziaylek, Theodore Ziaylek, Jr. and Theodore P. Ziaylek on a “Mounting Bracket Means For Detachably Supporting A Generally Cylindrically-Shaped Member Upon A Wall Surface”; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,543,736 patented Apr. 8, 2003 to Bradley J. Field and assigned to Pacific Safety Products Inc. on a “Quick Release Supporting Apparatus For A Canister”; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,830,226 patented Dec. 14, 2004 to Bradley J. Field et al and assigned to Pacific Safety Products, Inc. on a “Quick Release Supporting Apparatus For A Canister”; and U.S. Design Pat. No. D528,904 patented Sep. 26, 2006 to Anthony C. Reding on a “Oxygen Tank Holder”; and U.S. Pat. No. 7,188,855 patented Mar. 13, 2007 to E. Trevor Thomas on an “Articulating Oxygen Tank Holder”; and U.S. Pat. No. 7,370,660 patented May 13, 2008 to Roger H. Hamilton et al on an “Oxygen Bottle Carrier Appliance”; and U.S. Pat. No. 7,373,947 patented May 20, 2008 to David J. Trettin et al and assigned to Irwin Industrial Tool Company on a “Storage System And Protective Device For Tanks”; and U.S. Pat. No. 7,448,586 patented Nov. 11, 2008 to Michael P. Ziaylek et al on a “Positively Engaging Apparatus For Releasably Retaining Of A Cylindrical Tank In An Inverted Vertical Position”; and U.S. Design Pat. No. D618,356 patented Jun. 22, 2010 to Christopher G. Ross and assigned to Nellcor Puritan Bennett LLC on a “Tank Holder”; and U.S. Design Pat. No. D620,783 patented Aug. 3, 2010 to Michael P. Ziaylek on an “Externally Activated Mounting Bracket”; and U.S. Pat. No. 7,865,984 patented Jan. 11, 2011 to Justen Harlow Merritt and assigned to Pedigo Products, Inc. on a “Safe Store Oxygen Bottle Holder”; and U.S. Pat. No. 8,100,307 patented Jan. 24, 2012 to Bob Chinn et al and assigned to Ferno-Washington, Inc. on an “Oxygen Bottle Carrier For Use With X-Frame Ambulance Cots”; and U.S. Pat. No. 8,220,764 patented Jul. 17, 2012 to Michael P. Ziaylek on an “Externally Activated Locking Mounting Bracket Apparatus For Holding A Tank In A Verticle Seatback”; and United States Patent Application Publication No. 2008/0190947 published Aug. 14, 2008 to Elroy E. Bourgraf on a “Portable Oxygen Bottle Holder”. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The present invention provides a tank retaining bracket usable to receive and retain a cylindrical tank or other shaped tank therewithin which includes a housing having a plurality of housing walls defining an interior chamber therebetween within the housing to selectively receive and retain a cylindrical tank therewithin. A first housing end is defined in the housing which has an access opening therein in full fluid flow communication with respect to the interior chamber and which is adapted to allow a cylindrical tank to pass therethrough to facilitate entry and exit thereof with respect to the interior chamber. The housing walls will define a locking opening therein to facilitate locking of a cylindrical tank when retained within the interior chamber means. A second housing end is defined spatially disposed from the first housing end. An end wall is positioned extending over the housing end to facilitate abutment thereof with respect to a cylindrical tank when positioned retained within the interior chamber means. A locking mechanism is included having a unique configuration. Such locking mechanism is attached to the housing walls of the housing at a position immediately adjacent and extending through the locking opening defined in the housing walls. The locking mechanism includes a locking frame secured to the housing walls of the housing at a position adjacent to and extending around the locking opening defined in the housing walls. The housing frame defines a locking frame aperture positioned in registration with the locking opening and in full fluid flow communication with respect thereto and with respect to the interior chamber means. A first locking ear is included extending outwardly from the locking frame at a position immediately adjacent to the locking frame aperture defined therein. The first locking ear will define a first locking ear aperture extending therethrough. A second locking ear is included extending outwardly from the locking frame at a position immediately adjacent the locking frame aperture defined therein. This second locking ear is spatially disposed from the position of the first locking ear. The second locking ear will define a second locking ear aperture extending therethrough which is in registration with respect to the first locking ear aperture but is spatially disposed therefrom. 
         [0007]    A pivotal axle is included pivotally extending through the first locking ear aperture and a second locking ear aperture which extends over the locking frame aperture. A pivot member is included defining a pivot channel means extending therethrough which is in aligning registration with respect to the first locking ear aperture and the second locking ear aperture to be adapted to receive the pivotal axle positioned extending therethrough responsive to positioning simultaneously through the first locking ear aperture and the second locking ear aperture. The pivot member also will define a pivot member slot defined therein in full fluid flow communication with respect to the pivot channel means. The pivot member is preferably pivotally movable about the pivot axle between a locked position extending into the interior chamber means and an unlocked position removed therefrom. This pivot member will preferably include a pivot member protruding section which is movable through the locking frame aperture extending into the interior chamber means for locking a tank in the interior chamber means responsive to movement of the pivot member to the locked position. It is also pivotally movable to a position removed from the interior chamber means responsive to movement of the pivotal member to the unlocked position to facilitate movement of the tank through the access opening for placement and removal with respect to the interior chamber means. 
         [0008]    A resilient biasing means such a coil spring or the like may be positioned within the pivot member slot at a position extending around the pivot axle to exert force between the housing and the pivot member for continuously urging the pivot member to move toward the locked position thereof. A handle is also included preferably in the form of a lanyard which is attached to the pivot member to facilitate manual movement thereof toward the unlocked position by overcoming the force exerted by the resilient biasing means urging the pivot member toward the locked position. 
         [0009]    It is an object of the present invention to provide tank retaining bracket usable with a stretcher or gurney for providing vital gases to patients transported therein such as to supply oxygen, etc. 
         [0010]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a tank retaining bracket usable with a stretcher or gurney to provide a secure mounting means for selectively retaining a generally cylindrically shaped gas cylinder in a horizontal orientation. 
         [0011]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a tank retaining bracket usable with a stretcher or gurney to provide a locking mechanism which is biased in a steady state thereof into an engaged or locking position for retaining a tank or canister within the interior chamber of a housing selectively. 
         [0012]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a tank retaining bracket usable, particularly with gas tanks and also usable with a stretcher or gurney to provide a locking mechanism which can be easily moved from the steady state locking position to a retracted or position for removable of the tank from the housing by quick and convenient mechanical manipulation thereof. 
         [0013]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a tank retaining bracket usable with a stretcher or gurney to provide a means for holding various different configurations and types of tanks which can also hold various different kinds of gas. 
         [0014]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a tank retaining bracket usable with a stretcher or gurney which can be attached to various structural components of emergency equipment such a stretcher or gurney for secure mounting thereof. 
         [0015]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a tank retaining bracket usable with a stretcher or gurney to provide a means for holding of tanks with respect to stretchers or gurneys while such emergency equipment is being transported within vehicles from one location to another. 
         [0016]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a tank retaining bracket usable with a stretcher or gurney to provide a construction which has a minimum number of moving parts in a device which is operative to meet all healthcare safety and security requirements. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0017]    While the invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly described herein, a preferred embodiment is set forth in the following detailed description which may be best understood when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0018]      FIG. 1  is a three-quarter front perspective of an embodiment of a tank retaining bracket shown with the tank positioned partially loaded therein; 
           [0019]      FIG. 2  is a top plan view of the embodiment for a tank retaining bracket shown in  FIG. 1  with the tank locked in place within the housing; 
           [0020]      FIG. 3  is a side perspective view of an embodiment of the housing of a tank retaining bracket of the present invention showing the first, second, third and fourth housing wall along with the end panel and the access opening clearly shown; 
           [0021]      FIG. 4  is a bottom plan view of an embodiment of the tank retaining bracket of the present invention shown with the mounting brackets thereof engaged with respect to a portion of the structure of a stretcher or gurney; 
           [0022]      FIG. 5  is a rear three-quarter perspective view showing an embodiment of the tank retaining bracket of the present invention with the tank partially inserted within the interior chamber means of the housing while attached to a portion of the support construction for a stretcher; 
           [0023]      FIG. 6  is a lower three-quarter perspective view of an embodiment of the tank retaining bracket of the present invention shown with the locking mechanism in the steady state locked position; 
           [0024]      FIG. 7  is a front plan view of an embodiment of the locking mechanism of an embodiment of the gas tank bracket of the present invention; 
           [0025]      FIG. 8  is a bottom plan view of the embodiment of the tank retaining bracket as shown in  FIG. 7 ; 
           [0026]      FIG. 9  is a lower three-quarter perspective view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 7 ; 
           [0027]      FIG. 10  is a top plan view of an embodiment of the locking mechanism of the tank retaining bracket of the present invention; 
           [0028]      FIG. 11  is an upper perspective view of the embodiment for the locking mechanism shown in  FIG. 10 ; 
           [0029]      FIG. 12  is a side plan view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 10 ; 
           [0030]      FIG. 13  is a three-quarter perspective view of an embodiment of the tank retaining bracket of the present invention with a tank shown retained therewithin showing adapters positioned in the mounting bracket for facilitating securement with respect to the support construction of a stretcher which has a round cross-sectional profile; 
           [0031]      FIG. 14  is a front plan view of the embodiment of the tank retaining means of the present invention shown in  FIG. 13 ; 
           [0032]      FIG. 15  is a perspective illustration from above of an embodiment of a pivot member for use in the tank retaining bracket of the present invention clearly showing the pivot member slot and the pivot channel means; and 
           [0033]      FIG. 16  is a perspective illustration on an embodiment of a pivot member for use in the tank retaining bracket of the present invention clearly showing the pivot member protruding section and the pivot member tank abutment surface. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0034]    The present invention provides a tank retaining bracket which includes a housing  10  which is generally at least partially cylindrical in overall shape and which defines an access opening  12  defined in one end thereof. The opposite end of housing  10  is usually at least partially closed by an end panel  14 . Four individual housing walls are preferably includes in the overall configuration of housing  10 . 
         [0035]    The housing walls specifically include, preferably, a first housing wall  16 , the second housing wall  18 , the third housing wall  20  and the fourth housing wall  22 . Housing  10  preferably includes these four walls  16 ,  18 ,  20  and  22  oriented extending parallel with respect to each other. Housing  10  also defines an interior chamber means  24  which is in fluid flow communication with respect to the access opening  12 . Access opening  12  provides access to this interior chamber means  24  defined within the housing  10  to facilitate positioning of a tank  94  therewithin. 
         [0036]    Preferably the housing defines a plurality of housing aperture means therein. These housing aperture means can preferably or alternatively include an end hole  30  positioned within the generally central portion of the end panel  14  as well as a plurality of longitudinal slot means  28  defined at various locations by the housing walls. These longitudinal slot means  28  can provide a means for facilitating securement of the housing  10  of the gas retaining means of the present invention with respect to environment structure in various positions and orientations. In this manner a gas tank or canister  94  can be secured conveniently in a readily accessible position with respect to a gurney or stretcher. Housing  10  also preferably defines a locking opening  32  in at least one of the walls  16 ,  18 ,  20  or  22  thereof into which a locking mechanism  52  may be positioned to facilitate locking of a gas canister or tank  94  within the interior chamber  24  of housing  10  thereof as desired. Preferably locking hole  32  will be defined in the first housing wall  16  adjacent said access opening  12 . A mounting means  34  is also preferably included for facilitating mounting of the housing  10  of the gas tank retaining means with respect to environmental structure. One form of mounting means could be a strap extending through one or more of the longitudinal slots  28  defined in the housing  10 . Such a strap can also be positioned extending around any conveniently available environmental structure to facilitate mounting of the mounting means  34  of the present invention as desired. Housing aperture means  26  such as end holes  30  or longitudinal slot means  28  can also be included in order to provide ventilation and/or cooling if needed in a particular application. 
         [0037]    The preferred configuration the present invention includes a mounting means  34  which is designed to be securable with respect to various available portions of emergency transport equipment such as a stretcher or gurney  98 . The mounting means  34  preferably includes a first mounting bracket  36  and a second mounting bracket  38  which can be secured to the stretcher  98  at two different positions for maintaining of the housing  10  securely with respect thereto such as to provide a rigidly retained means for holding a tank  94  securely with respect thereto preferably while in any position or, particularly, while extending in a generally horizontal direction as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0038]    The first mounting bracket  36  will preferably include a first mounting bracket aperture  40  which is generally square or rectangular in cross-section and which can be clamped about a portion of the structure of a stretcher  98 . Similarly, the second mounting bracket  38  will define a second mounting bracket aperture  42  which is generally square or rectangular which aperture is defined to grasp around a portion of the structure of the stretcher  98 . Alternatively, whenever the portion of the stretcher  98  which needs to be secured with respect thereto is of round cross section, a first mounting bracket insert can be positioned within the first mounting bracket aperture  40  and a second mounting bracket insert  46  can be positioned within the second mounting bracket aperture  42  to thereby be securable with respect to a generally round portion of the structure or gurney  98  and, in this manner, provide more universal capabilities for mounting of the gas tank retaining means of the present invention. In this manner securement with respect to a generally arcuate or rounded portion of the structure of a stretcher  98  is made possible along with the capability for securement to a square-shaped section of a stretcher  98 . 
         [0039]    One of the most important aspects of the present invention is the unique construction of the locking mechanism  52 . The locking mechanism  52  will include a locking frame  54  which defines a locking frame aperture  56  extending therethrough. The locking frame aperture  56  is surrounded by a frame mounting rim  58 . This mounting rim  58  will include a plurality of frame mounting rim apertures  60  positioned therewithin to secure the frame mounting rim  58  of the locking mechanism  52  with respect to the housing  10 . A plurality of frame mounting screws  62  will be included which are mated with frame mounting nuts  64 . As such, positioning of the frame mounting screws  62  through a portion of the housing  10  will facilitate securement with respect thereto. In detail, the individual frame mounting screws  62  will extend through the frame mounting rim aperture  60  and through a mated opening in the housing  10 . Thereafter each of the frame mounting screws  62  so positioned will include a frame mounting nut  64  attached to the inner end thereof thereby fixedly securing of the locking frame  54  of the locking mechanism  52  with respect to the housing  10  at a position with the locking mechanism  52  extending through the locking opening  32  defined in housing  10 . 
         [0040]    The frame of the locking mechanism  52  will include a first locking ear  66  and a second locking ear  68  spatially disposed apart from one another on opposite sides of the locking frame aperture  56  as best shown in FIGS.  1 , 5 , 10 , 11  and  12 . The first locking ear  66  will include a first locking ear aperture  70  defined therein and second locking ear  68  will define a second locking ear aperture  72  extending therethrough. The first locking ear aperture  66  and the second locking ear aperture  68  will be axially aligned or registered with respect to one another and be adapted to receive a pivot axle  82  extending therethrough to provide an axis about which a pivot member  74  can rotate. 
         [0041]    Pivot member  74  will be positioned within the locking frame aperture  56  of the locking frame  54  and will be pivotally movable between a locked position  100  and an unlocked position  102 . Pivot member  74  preferably defines a pivot member slot  76  extending therethrough to receive a resilient biasing means  80  such as a locking spring. Pivot member  74  also defines a pivot channel means  78  extending completely therethrough which is adapted to receive said pivot axle  82  extending therethrough to facilitate pivotal movement of said pivot member  74  between the unlocked position  100  and the locked position  102 . The pivot axle  82  will preferably be positioned extending through the pivot channel means  78  and also through the first locking ear aperture  70  and the second locking ear aperture  72  in order to provide an axis about which the pivot member  74  is capable of pivoting between the locked position  100  and the unlocked position  102 , respectively. 
         [0042]    Preferably a pivot channel means  78  will be defined in the pivot member  74  with the pivot axle  82  extending therethrough to facilitate pivotal movement thereof. A resilient biasing means  80  such as a lock or coil spring or the like will be preferably positioned within the pivot member slot  76 . By positioning of the lock spring  80  within the pivot member slot in position extending around the pivot axle  82 , the resilient biasing means  80  will adapted to continuously urge the pivot member  74  toward the locked position. In the locked position a pivot member protruding section  75  defined on pivotal member  74  will protrude inwardly into the interior chamber means  24  to cause the pivot member  74  to extend inwardly to lock the gas canister  94  in place therewithin. The pivot member protruding section  75  of pivot member  74  will also define a pivot member tank abutment surface  79  thereon which is generally planar and is adapted to abut a tank as it passes into or out of said interior chamber means  24 . Pivot member abutment surface  75  is adapted abut a tank  94  as it moves through access opening  12  for placement thereof within said interior chamber means  24 . As the tank  94  moves into the bracket it will contact pivot member abutment surface causing the pivot member  74  to move and pivot toward the locked position  100 . 
         [0043]    The construction of the pivot axle  82  will preferably include a pivot axle head  84  at one end thereof and a hole through the opposite end such that a pivot axle cotter pin or other similar clamping device can extend therethrough for maintaining the pivot axle  82  in position. When positioned properly pivot axle  82  will be extending through the first locking ear aperture  70  and through the pivot channel means  78  and through the pivot slot  76  in the pivot member  74  into the pivot member slot  76  and finally through the second locking ear aperture  72  and outwardly therefrom after which point the cotter pin is attached. The resilient biasing means  80  will be positioned preferably around pivot axle  80  as it extends through pivot member slot  76  to continuously urge movement of pivot member toward the locking position. In this manner firm mounting of the pivot member  74  is achieved while pivotal movement thereof between the locked position  100  and the unlocked position  102  is achievable. It must be understood, however, that the resilient biasing means  80  will establish the steady state position of the pivot member  74  to be continuously forcibly urged toward the locked positioned  100 . 
         [0044]    To facilitate movement of the pivot member  74  to the unlocked position manually, a handle  88  such as a releasing lanyard will be movably attached with respect to the pivot member  74 . Preferably a lanyard pin  92  will extend through the pivot member slot with the handle  88  movably and securely attached to the lanyard pin  92 . In this manner the exertion of force manually on the handle or releasing lanyard  88  will exert sufficient power to overcome the force of the locking spring  80  and, thus, will cause the pivot member  74  to pivot to the unlocked position  102 . 
         [0045]    It is important that the extent of movement of the pivot member  74  toward the unlock position  100  be specifically defined and be limited which is achieved by the defining of a pivot member locking abutment section  96  thereon which will abut the rear section frame mounting rim  58  to limit the extent of movement responsive to the steady state locking force. 
         [0046]    In the preferred configuration of the pivot member  74  will be configured such that it allows the gas canister to be automatically locked in place merely by the insertion of the canister completely inwardly within the chamber  24 . As the canister is urged inwardly initially through the access opening  12  the outside surface of the canister will contact the outwardly facing inclined surface of the pivot member  74 . In this manner pivot member  74  will be urged by the force exerted thereon by the exterior wall of the canister  94  to move toward the unlocked position and allow insertion of the canister completely to a position for retaining thereof defined within the interior chamber  24 . Once the canister  94  moves to a position beyond the location of the locking mechanism  52  the pivot member  74  will move inwardly to return to the locking position  100  extending into the interior chamber means  24 . 
         [0047]    Additionally, most of the gas canisters  94  used with the present invention will include a reduced diameter neck portion  95 . This reduced diameter neck portion will be movable along with the tank  94  to a position adjacent and perhaps beyond the location of the locking mechanism  52  responsive to positioning of the canister to the completely inserted position within the interior chamber  24 . The reduced diameter neck portion  95  will then allow the pivot member  74  to initiate pivoting toward the locked position  100  and in this manner provide a means for automatically retaining of the canister  94  within the housing  10  without requiring the user to pull on the releasing lanyard  88 . Thereafter, if it is desired to remove the canister  94  from the housing  10 , manual force needs to be exerted upon the releasing lanyard  88  to overcome the continuous bias exerted by resilient biasing means  80  which tends to urge movement of pivot member  74  toward the locked position  100  in order to allow tank  94  to exit from the interior chamber  24  past the position of locking mechanism  52 . 
         [0048]    In the preferred configuration of the present invention the housing  10  will define a housing axis  118  extending longitudinally therethrough from access opening  12  axially through said interior chamber means  24  adjacent said first housing end  114  toward the second housing end  116  and terminating at the end panel  14  thereadjacent. In this manner the housing axis  118  will extend generally down the axial middle of the interior chamber means  24  in a longitudinal direction. 
         [0049]    An important characteristic of the present invention is in the configuration of the pivot member  74 . Pivot member  74  will define a pivot channel means  78  extending therethrough which is in aligning registration with respect to the first locking ear aperture  70  and the second locking ear aperture  72  in such a manner as to be adapted to receive the pivot axle  82  positioned extending therethrough responsive to positioning simultaneously through the first locking ear aperture  70  and the second locking ear aperture  72 . 
         [0050]    Pivot member  74  is also configured in such a manner as to define a pivot member slot  76  therein in full fluid flow communication with respect to the pivot channel means  78 . 
         [0051]    The pivot member  74  will also preferably be pivotally movable about the pivot axle  82  between a locked position  100  and an unlocked position  102 . In the locked position  100  the pivot member  74  will be adapted to extend into the interior chamber means  24  and in the unlocked position  102  pivot member  74  will be removed therefrom. Preferably pivot member  74  will include a pivot member protruding second  75  which is movable through the locking frame aperture  56  in order to extend into the interior chamber means  24  for locking a tank  94  in the interior chamber means  24  responsive to movement of the pivot member  74  to locked position  100 . The pivot member protruding section  75  also is movable to a position removed from and exterior with respect to the interior chamber means  24  responsive to movement of the pivot member  74  to the unlocked position  102  to facilitate movement of a tank  94  through the access opening  12  for placement and removal with respect to the interior chamber means  24 . 
         [0052]    In the preferred configuration of the present invention the resilient biasing means  80  will comprise a coil spring which is positioned extending around the pivot axle  82  within the pivot chamber means  78  and within the pivot member slot  76 . 
         [0053]    The configuration of the pivot member  74  will be such that the pivot member protruding section  75  defines the pivot abutment surface  79  which is adapted to abut a tank  94  passing through the access opening  12  during movement of the tank  94  into the interior chamber means  24 . Preferably the pivot member abutment surface  79  will be generally planar. 
         [0054]    The configuration of the frame mounting rim  58  is important because of the interaction thereof with respect to the pivot member  74  of locking mechanism  52 . In particular, the frame mounting rim  58  will preferably define a front section  112  thereof and a rear section  110  thereof. Frame mounting rim  58  will also define a first side section  120  of rim  58  and a second side section  122  of rim  58 . First side section  120  will extend between the rear section  110  and the front section  112  of frame mounting rim  58  and the second side section  122  will also extend between the rear section  110  and the front section  112  but at a position spatially disposed from the location of the first side section  120 . In this manner the rear section  110 , front section  112 , first side section  120  and second side section  122  of the frame mounting rim  58  will define the locking frame aperture  56  extending therethrough. 
         [0055]    The interaction between the pivot member  74  and the frame mounting rim  58  is an important characteristic of the present invention. In particular, the pivot member  74  includes a pivot member protruding section  75  which includes a pivot member locking abutment section  97  which is movable into abutment with respect to the front section  112  of frame mounting rim  58  responsive to movement of pivot member  74  to the locked position  100  in order to prevent pivoting of the pivot member  74  beyond the proper position for locking responsive to force exerted by the resilient biasing means  80  on the pivot member. 
         [0056]    Furthermore the pivot member protruding section  75  will include a pivot member unlocking abutment section  96  which is movable into abutment with respect to the rear section  110  of the frame mounting rim  58  responsive to movement of the pivot member  74  to the unlocked position  110  in order to prevent pivoting of the pivot member  74  beyond this unlocked position responsive to force exerted by manual force being exerted on the handle to overcome the force exerted by the resilient biasing means  80  on the pivot member  74 . Furthermore, it is preferable that the pivot member locking abutment section  97  be positioned adjacent to the pivot member tank abutment surface  79  extending outwardly therefrom. It is further important that the pivot member unlocking abutment section  96  be positioned adjacent to the pivot member tank abutment surface  79  and extending outwardly therefrom at a position spatially disposed from the pivot member locking abutment section  97 . It is further preferable that the pivot member tank abutment surface  79  be positioned between the pivot member unlocking abutment section  96  and the pivot member locking abutment section  97 . 
         [0057]    Furthermore the present invention should preferably include a lanyard pin  92  mounted in the pivot member  74  at a position extending through the pivot member slot  76  wherein the handle  88  such as a lanyard can be movably attached to the lanyard pin  92  by extending therearound preferably to facilitate manually powering movement of the pivot member  74  toward the unlocked position  102 . 
         [0058]    In the preferred configuration of the present invention the pivot member  74  will preferably define the pivot member slot  76  oriented extending therethrough in a direction extending approximately parallel with respect to the housing axis  118  to facilitate pivotal movement of the pivot member  74  between the locked position  100  and the unlocked position  102 . Furthermore the pivot member  74  is preferably configured such that the pivot channel means  78  is oriented extending therethrough in a direction extending perpendicularly with respect to the housing axis  118  and perpendicularly with respect to the pivot member slot  76  to further facilitate pivotal movement of pivot member  74  between the locked position  100  and the unlocked position  102 . 
         [0059]    The configuration of the frame mounting rim  58  can also be critical to certain preferred aspects of the present invention. In particular, the first side section  120  and the second side section  122  should extending approximately parallel with respect to one another and be spatially disposed from one another with the locking frame aperture  56  positioned therebetween and with said rear section  110  and said front section  112  extending therebetween at spatially distant locations from one another. With this configuration the first locking ear  66  will be fixedly secured to and possibly integral with respect to the first side section  120  and extending outwardly therefrom. Furthermore the second locking ear  68  will preferably be fixedly secured to and possibly integral with respect to the second side section  122  and extending outwardly therefrom in order to facilitate pivotal movement of the pivot member  74  about the pivot axle  82 . There are certain preferred structural characteristics for the housing of the present invention and preferably the housing  10  will include a first housing wall  16 , a second housing wall  18 , a third housing wall  20  and a fourth housing wall  22 . First housing wall  16  will preferably be generally planar and second housing wall  18  will preferably attach to the first housing wall  16  and extending outwardly therefrom. Preferably the second housing  18  will preferably be arcuate. The third housing wall  20  will preferably be attached to the first housing wall  16  at a position spatially disposed from the second housing wall  18  and extending outwardly therefrom. Third housing wall  20  will also preferably be arcuate in shape. A fourth housing wall  22  will also preferably be included which is generally planar and it will be positioned such that it generally extends between the second housing wall  18  and the third housing wall  20  and is attached thereto at positions spatially disposed from the position on attachment of the first housing wall  16  thereto. With this configuration it is preferable that the second housing wall  18  and the third housing wall  20  will be concave facing inwardly toward the housing axis  118  to facilitate retaining of a cylindrical tank  94  within the interior chamber means  24 . 
         [0060]    The housing  10  of the present invention also further preferably includes a plurality of housing apertures  26  therein which primarily will include longitudinal slots  28  but also can include end holes  30  defined in the end panel  14 . These holes are for ventilation to allow moisture to exit from the interior chamber  24  during usage. 
         [0061]    While particular embodiments of this invention have been shown in the drawings and described above, it will be apparent that many changes may be made in the form, arrangement and positioning of the various elements of the combination. In consideration thereof, it should be understood that preferred embodiments of this invention disclosed herein are intended to be illustrative only and not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

Technology Category: 1