U.S. patent application number 13/090484 was filed with the patent office on 2012-07-05 for tank holder.
This patent application is currently assigned to FINISHING TOUCH COMPANY. Invention is credited to Brian Lawrence Dorr, David Roberson.
Application Number | 20120168394 13/090484 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46379819 |
Filed Date | 2012-07-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120168394 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Dorr; Brian Lawrence ; et
al. |
July 5, 2012 |
Tank Holder
Abstract
An apparatus includes a base member, a first leg member
pivotably engaged to the base member, a second leg member pivotably
engaged to the base member, a third leg member pivotably engaged to
the base member, the third leg member including a linkage portion,
and a retaining member engaged to the linkage portion.
Inventors: |
Dorr; Brian Lawrence;
(Alpharetta, GA) ; Roberson; David; (Woodbury,
GA) |
Assignee: |
FINISHING TOUCH COMPANY
Alpharetta
GA
|
Family ID: |
46379819 |
Appl. No.: |
13/090484 |
Filed: |
April 20, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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61326070 |
Apr 20, 2010 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
211/71.01 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F17C 2201/032 20130101;
F17C 2205/018 20130101; F17C 2201/0119 20130101; F17C 13/084
20130101; F17C 2221/035 20130101; F17C 2270/0745 20130101; F17C
2201/058 20130101; F17C 2223/0153 20130101; F17C 2201/0109
20130101; F17C 2223/033 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
211/71.01 |
International
Class: |
A47B 81/00 20060101
A47B081/00 |
Claims
1. An apparatus including: a base member; a first leg member
pivotably engaged to the base member; a second leg member pivotably
engaged to the base member; a third leg member pivotably engaged to
the base member, the third leg member including a linkage portion;
and a retaining member engaged to the linkage portion.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus further includes
a fourth leg member pivotably engaged to the base member.
3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the base member includes a
support portion including a base retainer portion.
4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the base member defines an
outer ring having arcuate segments and linear segments.
5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the arcuate segments define a
first plane and the linear segments define a second plane, the
first plane substantially parallel to the second plane.
6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first leg member is
pivotably engaged to a first linear segment of the base member, the
second leg member is pivotably engaged to a second linear segment
of the base member, and the third leg member is pivotably engaged
to a third linear segment of the base member.
7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the retaining member forms a
ring that is linked to the linkage portion.
8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the base member includes a
base retainer portion arranged within a ring formed by the base
member.
9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first leg member includes
an impinging portion arranged on a distal end of the first leg
member and the second leg member includes an impinging portion
arranged on a distal end of the second leg member.
10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the linkage portion includes
a looped portion arranged at a distal end of the third leg
member.
11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the retaining member slidably
engages the linkage portion.
12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the retaining member includes
an impeding portion arranged between portions of the linkage
portion.
13. An apparatus including: a base member; a first leg member
pivotably engaged to the base member; a second leg member pivotably
engaged to the base member; a third leg member pivotably engaged to
the base member; a fourth leg member pivotably engaged to the base
member, the fourth leg member including a linkage portion; and a
retaining member engaged to the linkage portion.
14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the retaining member is
slidably engaged to the linkage portion.
15. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the first leg member, the
second leg member, the third leg member, and the fourth leg member
are sized such that when inwardly rotated, distal ends of the leg
members overlap in a region defined by the base member.
16. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the retaining member defines
a ring.
17. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the base member defines a
ring.
18. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the retaining member defines
a ring defining a first plane and the base member defines a ring
defining a second plane, the first plane substantially parallel to
the second plane.
19. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the retaining member is
arranged such that a first portion of the retaining member contacts
a distal portion of the first leg member, a second portion of the
retaining member contacts a distal portion of the second leg
member, a third portion of the retaining member contacts a distal
portion of the third leg member, and a fourth portion of the
retaining member contacts a distal portion of the fourth leg
member.
20. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the base member defines a
ring and includes at least a first transverse segment connected to
a first portion of the ring and a second portion of the ring.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 61/326,070, filed Apr. 20, 2010.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The present invention relates to tank holders. Tanks such
as, propane tanks and water tanks are often transported in a
vehicle. The tanks are heavy, and are prone to undesirably tip when
subjected to forces.
SUMMARY
[0003] According to one embodiment of the present invention, an
apparatus includes a base member, a first leg member pivotably
engaged to the base member, a second leg member pivotably engaged
to the base member, a third leg member pivotably engaged to the
base member, the third leg member including a linkage portion, and
a retaining member engaged to the linkage portion.
[0004] According to another embodiment of the present invention, An
apparatus includes a base member, a first leg member pivotably
engaged to the base member, a second leg member pivotably engaged
to the base member, a third leg member pivotably engaged to the
base member, a fourth leg member pivotably engaged to the base
member, the fourth leg member including a linkage portion, and a
retaining member engaged to the linkage portion.
[0005] Additional features and advantages are realized through the
techniques of the present invention. Other embodiments and aspects
of the invention are described in detail herein and are considered
a part of the claimed invention. For a better understanding of the
invention with the advantages and the features, refer to the
description and to the drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] The subject matter which is regarded as the invention is
particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at
the conclusion of the specification. The forgoing and other
features, and advantages of the invention are apparent from the
following detailed description taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings in which:
[0007] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary
embodiment assembled holding apparatus.
[0008] FIG. 2 illustrates another perspective view of an exemplary
embodiment of the holding apparatus of FIG. 1.
[0009] FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of a portion of the
linkage portion and the retaining member of the holding apparatus
of FIG. 1.
[0010] FIG. 4 illustrates a top view of the retaining member of
FIG. 1.
[0011] FIG. 5 illustrates a top view of the holder 100 when
disassembled.
[0012] FIG. 6 illustrates a top view of the holder 100 when
disassembled and folded.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0013] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary
embodiment assembled holding apparatus (holder) 100 and tank 101.
The holder 100 includes a base portion 102, leg members 104, and a
retaining member 106 that are operative to increase the stability
of the tank 101 in an upright position. In the illustrated
embodiment, the holder 100 is formed from metallic wire material
such as, for example, steel wire. Alternate embodiments may be made
from any suitable material or combination of materials such as for
example, a plastic or resin material.
[0014] FIG. 2 illustrates another perspective view of an exemplary
embodiment of the holder 100. The base portion 102 includes a ring
portion 202 that defines a plane and a support portion 204 that
includes transverse members 206 and a base retainer portion 208. In
operation, a tank 101 (of FIG. 1) or a similarly shaped object is
placed on the base retainer portion 208. In the illustrated
embodiment the tank 101 includes a circular base. The base retainer
portion 208 defines a plane is shaped to engage the circular base
of the tank 101. The plane defined by the ring portion 202 is
aligned substantially parallel to the plane defined by the base
retainer portion 208. Alternate embodiments may include a base
portion 102 having any shape such that the base may engage tanks
having different shaped bases. Cross members 210 may be included
that increase the rigidity of the base portion 102. In the
illustrated embodiment, the ring portion 202 includes arcuate
segments 203 and linear segments 205. The leg members 104 hingably
(pivotably) engage the linear segments 205 of the ring portion 202
with looped portions 218 arranged about the linear segments 205. In
the illustrated embodiment, the linear segments 205 are connected
to the arucate segments 203 with curved segments 216 that provide
clearance for the rotation of the leg members 104 about the linear
segments 205 when the base portion 102 rests on a surface. The
linear segments 205 define a plane substantially parallel to the
plane defined by the base retainer portion 208. Though the
illustrated embodiment includes the linear segments 205 that are
connected to the arcuate segments 203 with the curved segments 216,
alternate embodiments may include the linear segments 205 connected
to the arcuate segments 203 without the curved segments 206 such
that the linear segments 205 are arranged coplanar with the arcuate
segments 203. Though the illustrated embodiments include the
arcuate segments 203, one of ordinary skill in the art would
understand that the ring portion 203 may be formed from segments
that are similar to the arcuate segments 203, but are linear or
straight shaped, or arranged in an alternate configuration such
that the ring portion 203 is not limited to include arcuate shaped
segments but may include segments having any suitable shape.
[0015] A leg member 201 is similar to the leg members 104, and
similarly hingably engages a linear segment 205. The leg member 201
includes a linkage portion 207 that slidably and pivotably links
the retaining member 106 to the leg member 201. the linkage portion
207 is formed by loops 220 that are arranged about the retaining
member 106. The loops 220 may link the linkage portion 207 to the
retaining member 106. The retaining member 106 includes arcuate
segments 209 and linear segments 211. In the illustrated
embodiment, the linkage portion 207 is linked to one of the linear
segments 211 of the retaining member 106. Though the illustrated
embodiment includes the linkage portion 207, alternate embodiments
may include a linkage portion 207 that may be formed in a similar
shape to the loops 218 such that the retaining member 106 may pivot
about the distal end of the leg member 201, but may not necessarily
slidably engage the leg member 201.
[0016] When arranged for use, the base portion 102 may be placed on
a surface, and the leg members 104 and 201 are pivoted into a
substantially upright position. In the illustrated embodiment the
leg members 104 are angled inwardly towards the center of the
holder 100. The linear segments 211 of the retaining member 106 are
aligned with impingement portions 213a and 213b at distal ends of
the leg members 104. The aligned linear segments 211 engage the
impingement portions 213a of the leg members 104 that are adjacent
to the leg member 201, exerting forces in the direction of the
arrows 210. The impingement portion 213b of the leg member 104 that
opposes the leg member 201, engages the aligned linear segment 211,
exerting an opposing force in the direction of the arrow 212. The
linkage portion 207 defines looped distal ends 222 that exert a
force in the direction of the arrow 214. The resiliency of the
retaining member 106 results in a spring like bias that slightly
deforms the retaining member 106 when the retaining member engages
the impingement portions 213a, 213b, and the linkage portion
207.
[0017] FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of a portion of the
linkage portion 207, and the retaining member 106. The retaining
member 106 includes an impeding member 302 that is arranged with
the linear segment 211 and disposed between portions of the linkage
portion 207. The impeding member 302 is arranged such that the
impeding member 302 impedes the movement of the retaining member
106 in the direction of the arrows 301 about the linkage portion
207. The impeding member 302 acts to align the linear segments 211
with the impingement portions 213a and 213b (of FIG. 2).
[0018] FIG. 4 illustrates a top view of the retaining member 106
including linear segments 211a and 211b that correspond to the
impingement portions 213a and 213b (of FIG. 2) respectively.
[0019] FIG. 5 illustrates a top view of the holder 100 when
unfolded. Unfolding the holder 100 and placing the holder 100 may
ease the user in placing the tank 101 (of FIG. 1) into the holder
100. Once a user places the tank 101 into the base portion 102, the
leg members 104 and the retaining member 106 may be pivoted and
secured as described above to secure the tank 101 in the holder
100.
[0020] FIG. 6 illustrates a top view of the holder 100 arranged for
storage or packaging. When rotated, the distal ends of the leg
members 104 rotate towards the center of the base portion 102. The
linkage portion 207 allows the retaining member to slidably travel
and be aligned with the center of the base portion 102 resulting in
a compact profile suitable for storage and packaging. The compact
profile is substantially defined by the outer dimensions of the
base portion 102.
[0021] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing
particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of
the invention. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and
"the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood
that the terms "comprises" and/or "comprising," when used in this
specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers,
steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude
the presence or addition of one ore more other features, integers,
steps, operations, element components, and/or groups thereof.
[0022] The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and
equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in the
claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or
act for performing the function in combination with other claimed
elements as specifically claimed. The description of the present
invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and
description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the
invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations
will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without
departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. The
embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the
principles of the invention and the practical application, and to
enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the
invention for various embodiments with various modifications as are
suited to the particular use contemplated
[0023] There may be many variations to this diagram or the steps
(or operations) described therein without departing from the spirit
of the invention. For instance, the steps may be performed in a
differing order or steps may be added, deleted or modified. All of
these variations are considered a part of the claimed
invention.
[0024] While the preferred embodiment to the invention had been
described, it will be understood that those skilled in the art,
both now and in the future, may make various improvements and
enhancements which fall within the scope of the claims which
follow. These claims should be construed to maintain the proper
protection for the invention first described.
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