U.S. patent application number 13/245492 was filed with the patent office on 2013-04-25 for portable reservoir frame.
The applicant listed for this patent is Sean Michael Lovelace, Christopher Jason Songe. Invention is credited to Sean Michael Lovelace, Christopher Jason Songe.
Application Number | 20130098929 13/245492 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46752665 |
Filed Date | 2013-04-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130098929 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lovelace; Sean Michael ; et
al. |
April 25, 2013 |
Portable Reservoir Frame
Abstract
A portable reservoir frame composed of interlocking panels
secured by a series of flanges having holes and pegs. An inner
liner to hold liquid inside the reservoir frame is presented.
Inventors: |
Lovelace; Sean Michael;
(Casper, WY) ; Songe; Christopher Jason; (Casper,
WY) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Lovelace; Sean Michael
Songe; Christopher Jason |
Casper
Casper |
WY
WY |
US
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
46752665 |
Appl. No.: |
13/245492 |
Filed: |
October 21, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/682 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10T 29/49947 20150115;
B65D 90/205 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/682 |
International
Class: |
B65D 8/04 20060101
B65D008/04 |
Claims
1. A portable reservoir frame comprising two or more interlocking
panels for deployment on a ground surface, each of said panels
comprising: a plate having an outer surface, an inner surface, a
top edge, a bottom edge for resting on the ground surface, a first
edge and an opposing second edge, said first and said second edges
being disposed in-between said top edge and said bottom edge; a
first flange having an inner face, an outer face, and at least one
hole having a chosen diameter and perforating said first flange,
said first flange attached to said plate and extending beyond the
first edge; a second flange having an inner face and an outer face,
said second flange attached to said plate and extending beyond the
opposing second edge; and at least one peg attached to said second
flange and extending in a direction perpendicular to the outer face
thereof, each of said at least one peg adapted for insertion into
one of said at least one holes.
2. The portable reservoir frame of claim 1, wherein each of said at
least one peg has a hole there in.
3. The portable reservoir frame of claim 2, further comprising at
least one pin adapted for insertion into the hole in said at least
one peg.
4. The portable reservoir frame of claim 1, wherein said plates
have convex curvature of the outer surface and concave curvature of
the inner surface.
5. The portable reservoir frame of claim 4, wherein one of said
interlocking panels connects to another of said interlocking
panels, wherein at least one of said at least one peg of one panel
is inserted into at least one of said at least one hole of said
other plate.
6. The portable reservoir of claim 5, wherein at least 2
interlocking panels are connected to form a generally circular
reservoir.
7. The portable reservoir of claim 5, wherein said at least one pin
is inserted to lock the interlocking panels together.
8. The portable reservoir frame of claim 5, further comprising a
liner adapted for covering the inside of the generally circular
reservoir frame.
9. The portable reservoir frame of claim 1, further comprising at
least one crossbar attached to said outer surface of the plate.
10. The portable reservoir frame of claim 1, further comprising at
least one horizontal support beam attached to the plate and
disposed between the first and second edge and said support beam
disposed generally parallel to the top edge and bottom edge of the
plate.
11. The portable reservoir frame of claim 10, further comprising at
least one crossbar attached to said at least one support beam of
the plate.
12. The portable reservoir frame of claim 1, wherein the first
flange is integrally formed with said plate.
13. The portable reservoir frame of claim 1, wherein the second
flange is integrally formed with said plate.
14. The portable reservoir frame of claim 1, wherein said at least
one peg is integrally formed with said second flange.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates generally to a reservoir frame
capable of being transported to various geographical areas, placed
on or in the ground and able to provide containment for various
liquids.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Often in various industries is necessary to hold and contain
various industrial liquids from process activity. In the oil and
gas industry, for example, it is often necessary to contain
fracturing fluid, which is a byproduct of drilling activity.
Currently, trailers are used to hold and contain this liquid.
[0003] To accommodate oil and gas production in the field, a
trailer is transported to the site where the liquid is produced.
The trailers often have a 500 barrel capacity, so multiple trailers
are needed in situations where much liquid is stored.
[0004] The cost of trucking trailers to various oil and gas
drilling locations is significant. Additionally, transporting said
liquid from the production site adds to the already high cost of
oil and gas drilling operations. Furthermore, environmental
concerns associated with numerous containment trailers for the
liquid has generated governmental regulations, including rules
regarding environmental quality, transportation, safety and health,
etc.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] Accordingly, it is an object of embodiments of the present
invention to provide a portable reservoir frame to aid in the
storage of liquid materials.
[0006] Additional objects, advantages and novel features of the
invention will be set forth in part in the description which
follows, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the
art upon examination of the following or may be learned by practice
of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may
be realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and
combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.
[0007] To achieve the foregoing and other objects, and in
accordance with the purposes of the present invention, as embodied
and broadly described herein, the invention comprises a portable
reservoir frame comprising two or more interlocking panels for
deployment on a ground surface, each of said panels having the
following: a plate having an outer surface, an inner surface, a top
edge, a bottom edge for resting on the ground surface, a first edge
and an opposing second edge, said first and said second edges being
disposed between said top edge and said bottom edge; a first flange
having an inner face, an outer face, and at least one hole having a
chosen diameter and perforating said first flange, said first
flange attached to said plate and extending beyond the first edge;
a second flange having an inner face and an outer face, said second
flange attached to said plate and extending beyond the opposing
second edge; and at least one peg attached to said second flange
and extending in a direction perpendicular to the outer face
thereof, each of said at least one peg adapted for insertion into
one of said at least one hole.
[0008] Benefits and advantages of the present invention include,
but are not limited to, providing a reservoir frame, which is
portable and can function in a variety of terrains, and accommodate
a wide variety of ground surfaces.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] The invention can be best understood by those having
ordinary skill in the art by reference to the following detailed
description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings in which:
[0010] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of
the present invention showing a panel having an outer surface,
first and second flanges and top edge.
[0011] FIG. 2 illustrates a front view of the top of the embodiment
of the present invention shown in FIG. 1 hereof.
[0012] FIG. 3 illustrates another perspective view of the
embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2
hereof, further showing the inner surface, first and second flanges
and top edge.
[0013] FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of yet another
embodiment of the present invention as seen from the outer surface,
further showing two panels prior to connection of the two
panels.
[0014] FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of yet another
embodiment of the present invention as shown in FIG. 4, further
showing two panels connected.
[0015] FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of yet another
embodiment of the present invention as seen from the inner surface,
further showing two panels prior to connection of two panels.
[0016] FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of yet another
embodiment of the present invention as shown in FIG. 6, further
showing two panels connected.
[0017] FIG. 8A and FIG. 8B illustrate a perspective view of one
embodiment the pin connection mechanism which secures connection of
the panel flanges.
[0018] FIG. 9 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of
the present invention showing panels fully connected and creating a
circular reservoir of interlocking panels.
[0019] FIG. 10 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of
the present invention further showing a liner covering the inner
surface of the reservoir frame and the bottom of the reservoir as
shown in FIG. 9.
[0020] FIG. 11 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of
the present invention showing panels having additional support
beams.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0021] Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the
invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying
drawings. Throughout the following detailed description, the same
reference characters refer to the same or similar elements in all
FIG.s.
[0022] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of
the present invention showing a panel 1 having plate 5. As depicted
in FIG. 1, the plate 5 of the panel 1 has an outer surface 10, a
top edge 20, and a bottom edge 25. The bottom edge 25 is adapted to
be disposed upon a ground surface. The plate 5 is attached to a
first flange 40 at the first edge 30 of the plate 5. The plate 5 is
attached to the second flange 60 at the opposing second edge 35 of
the plate 5. FIG. 1 depicts the outer face 50 of the first flange
40 and the outer face 70 of the second flange 60.
[0023] FIG. 1 illustrates the first flange 40 having holes 55. In
one embodiment of the present invention, the holes 55 are unevenly
spaced, having a higher density of holes 55 toward the bottom of
the first flange 40. The second flange 60 has pegs 75. In one
embodiment, the pegs 75 extend in direction normal to the outer
face 70 of the second flange 60 and are adapted for penetration of
the holes 55. Similar to the holes 55 and in one embodiment of the
present invention, the pegs 75 are unevenly spaced with a higher
density of pegs disposed at the bottom of the second flange 60. The
higher density of holes 55 and corresponding pegs 75 disposed
toward the bottom of the first and second flanges provides for and
accommodates more water to be placed in the reservoir. The
additional water places more pressure toward the bottom of the
flanges and a higher density of holes and pegs stabilize the bottom
portion of the structure and further secures the connection between
interconnected panels. In many embodiments of the present
invention, the pegs 75 are integrally formed with the second flange
60.
[0024] FIG. 1 illustrates crossbars 90 that are used to attach
temporarily a panel connector piece of a front end loader or
tele-handler for transportation. Thus, a front end loader or
tele-handler can easily manipulate and transport a panel during
reservoir frame construction. In one embodiment, the crossbars 90
may be attached to the outer surface 10 of the panel 1.
Additionally, FIG. 1 depicts horizontal support beams 95 to further
secure and strengthen the panel 1 and plate 5. The horizontal
support beams 95 are generally parallel to the top edge 20 and the
bottom edge 25, and the horizontal support beams are disposed
between the first edge 30 and opposing second edge 35. In another
embodiment the crossbars 90 may be attached to the horizontal
support beams 95.
[0025] In one embodiment of the present invention the panels have a
curvature such that when numerous panels are interconnected via the
pegs 75 and holes 55, a generally circular reservoir frame system
is constructed. The curvature is generally convex relative to the
outer surface and concave relative to the inner surface.
[0026] In various embodiments of the present invention, the first
flange 40 is integrally formed with the plate 5. Likewise, the
second flange 60 is integrally formed with the plate 5, in many
embodiments of the present invention.
[0027] FIG. 2 illustrates a front view of the top of the embodiment
of the present invention as depicted in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 further
depicts the pegs 75 and holes 55 having a higher density of both at
the bottom portion of the flange. FIG. 2 shows one embodiment of
the present invention wherein the pegs 75 and corresponding holes
55 have a larger diameter toward the bottom portion of the first
flange 40 and the second flange 60. This further secures connection
between panels because the lower, larger diameter pegs 75 have
additional sheer strength and are able to accommodate greater
pressures against the inner surface of the panel 1.
[0028] FIG. 3 depicts the inner surface 15 of the plate 5 of the
panel 1 having a top edge 20 and a bottom edge 25. The plate 5 is
attached to the first flange 40 at the first edge 30. The plate 5
is attached to the second flange 60 at the opposing second edge 35.
FIG. 3 depicts the first flange inner face 45 and the second flange
inner face 65. FIG. 3 illustrates the first flange 40 having holes
55. The second flange 60 has pegs 75.
[0029] FIG. 4 depicts a perspective view of the outer surface of
two panels prior to connection of the two panels. The pegs 75 of
the second flange 60 of one panel will penetrate the holes 55 of
the first flange 40 of another panel. In this representation of the
present invention the second flange outer face 70 is aligned
opposite the first flange inner face 45 (not depicted).
[0030] FIG. 5 depicts a perspective view of the outer surface after
the connection of two panels. In this representation, the outer
face 75 of the second flange 60 contacts the inner face (not
depicted) of the first flange 40. The pegs 75 penetrate the holes
55. Furthermore, FIG. 5 depicts pins 85 penetrating the pegs 75 in
order to further secure the interlocking panels.
[0031] FIG. 6 depicts a perspective view of the inner surface of
two panels prior to the interlocking connection. FIG. 6 is the
inside view of the invention shown in FIG. 4, i.e., prior to
connection of panels.
[0032] FIG. 7 depicts a perspective view of the inner surface after
the connection of two panels. FIG. 7 depicts the inside view of the
invention shown in FIG. 5, i.e., when connection of the panels
occurs.
[0033] FIG. 8A depicts the pin 85 and the peg 75 with a cut out
representation of the eyelet 80 to accommodate penetration of the
pin 85. FIG. 8B more depicts the pin 85 penetrating the peg 75
through the eyelet as show previously in FIG. 8A. The pin 85 goes
through the peg 75 via the eyelet 80 (not depicted). In one
embodiment of the present invention, the eyelet 80 is at an angle
of roughly 45.degree. relative to the bottom edge 25.
[0034] FIG. 9 depicts a top perspective side view of panels fully
connected and creating a circular reservoir frame of interlocking
panels. The interlocking panels form a variety of shapes in various
embodiments, including oval and circles.
[0035] FIG. 10 shows a liner 105 covering the inner surface of the
reservoir frame and the bottom of the reservoir.
[0036] FIG. 11 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of
the present invention showing panels having vertical support beams
150. Such vertical support beams further secure and support the
reservoir panel 1 and plate 5 in order to hold and contain large
amounts of liquid in the reservoir frame.
[0037] It is believed that the apparatus of the present invention
and many of its attendant advantages will be understood from the
foregoing description. It is also believed that it will be apparent
that various changes may be made in the form, construction, and
arrangement of the components without departing from the scope and
spirit of the invention and without sacrificing its material
advantages. The forms described are merely exemplary and
explanatory embodiments thereof. It is the intention of the
following claims to encompass and include such changes.
* * * * *