Vessel

Abstract

A fuel storage vessel is disclosed. The fuel storage vessel includes a top surface, a bottom surface, a front surface, a back surface and two or more side surfaces; one or more functional attachments connected to the shell of the fuel storage vessel; a recessed area; and a handle wherein the handle is recessed into the recessed area such that the handle does not extend past the front surface of fuel storage vessel. The functional attachments are connected to the shell of the fuel storage vessel in the recessed area such that the functional attachments do not extend above the top surface of the fuel storage vessel.

Description

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/598,513 filed on Aug. 3, 2004, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to fuel storage vessels or other vessels designed to be gas or liquid-tight. This invention relates particularly to portable fuel storage vessels, and more particularly to fuel storage vessels or tanks used in marine fuel systems.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A typical marine fuel storage tank is designed to be portable, versatile and adaptable. The tank should be capable of easy use in a multitude of watercraft and with a multitude of engines. It should be able to maintain its functionality in a broad range of temperature, weather and storage conditions. The tank should also be able to survive the hazards of transport, either as cargo or in operation on a watercraft. As different watercraft have different physical configurations, a marine fuel tank must be compact in design to fit into small spaces. Moreover, the ability to use the fuel tank in different orientations increases the range of spaces in which the fuel tank can be used and stored.

Marine fuel tanks carry flammable and environmentally hazardous materials. For reasons of safety, ecology and economy, it is important that these tanks be durable and not subject to breakage. Known fuel tanks generally consist of a tank shell with one or more various functional attachments connected to the shell to allow fuel to be added and removed from the tank. These functional attachments usually include a fuel gauge, a fuel cap, and a fuel withdrawal assembly. However, as these functional attachments are connected to the exterior of the tank shell, they are subject to damage due to impact on a flat surface or from the side.

Accordingly, there exists a need for a portable marine fuel tank with one or more of the following features: a handle that is recessed into the tank and has a place to wrap the fuel hose for storage, a recessed area allowing all of the functional attachments to the tank to be attached below the outside surface of the tank, a fuel withdrawal attachment area that can accommodate various manufacturers' connector fittings without disassembly or reassembly of the tank components, and a suitcase style that can be positioned flat or on end without fear of tipping.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A fuel storage vessel is disclosed. The fuel storage vessel includes a top surface, a bottom surface, a front surface, a back surface and two or more side surfaces; one or more functional attachments connected to the shell of the fuel storage vessel; a recessed area; and a handle wherein the handle is recessed or nested into the recessed area such that the handle does not extend past the front surface of fuel storage vessel. The functional attachments are connected to the shell of the fuel storage vessel in the recessed area such that the functional attachments do not extend above the top surface of the fuel storage vessel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a fuel storage vessel.

FIG. 2 is a top view of fuel storage vessel of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is the front view of the fuel storage vessel of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the fuel storage vessel of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the vessel shell of the fuel storage vessel of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a top view of a second embodiment of a fuel storage vessel.

FIG. 7 is the front view of the fuel storage vessel of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of a fuel storage vessel.

FIG. 9 is a side view of the fuel storage vessel of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the vessel shell of the fuel storage vessel of FIG. 8.

FIG. 11 is a top view of a fourth embodiment of a fuel storage vessel.

FIG. 12 is the front view of the fuel storage vessel of FIG. 11.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

While the described embodiments herein are presented in the context of portable marine fuel storage tanks, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the present invention may be used to store fuel in a number of different applications. The examples presented in this disclosure are intended to illustrate the broad application of the invention for fuel storage. The specific design and operation of the portable marine fuel tanks selected provide no limitation on the present invention.

An embodiment of a fuel storage vessel 10 is shown in FIGS. 1 through 5. The fuel storage vessel 10 is designed to store and hold gasoline, fuel or other liquids. Fuel storage vessels 10 generally take the form of a rectangular or square shape.

Referring to FIG. 1, the fuel storage vessel 10 has a top surface 12, a bottom surface 14, a front surface 16, a back surface 18, two side surfaces 20. The fuel storage vessel 10 has one of more functional attachments that allow fuel to be added and removed from the fuel storage vessel 10 and allow the user to determine the level of fuel remaining in the fuel storage vessel 10. Preferably, the fuel storage vessel has three functional attachments: a fuel gauge 22, a fuel cap 24, and a fuel withdrawal assembly 26. Suitable functional attachments components are more fully disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/758,026, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. These functional attachments are connected to the fuel storage vessel 10 in a recessed area 28 below the top surface 12 of the fuel storage vessel 10. The fuel storage vessel 10 has a handle 30 which is recessed into a second recessed area 29 that forms a pocket around the handle 30. This second recessed area 29 creates a pocket for the handle 30 inside the profile of the fuel storage vessel 10. The fuel storage vessel 10 can be placed on its bottom surface 14 or its back surface 18 when it is in operation in a fuel delivery system. This versatility allows the fuel storage vessel 10 to fit into different sized storage areas that one may find on a boat deck. Indeed, when the vessel is on its back surface, it takes less space on a boat deck which is advantageous in the marine boating industry. The suitcase style-shape of the fuel storage vessel 10 is also optimal for transport and handling because it can be positioned on its bottom surface or its back surface without fear of tipping. When the fuel storage vessel 10 is carried by the handle 30, the length of the vessel is greater than the width of the vessel similar to the configuration of a suitcase or briefcase which makes the vessel easier to lift and carry.

In the recessed area 28 of the fuel storage vessel 10, there is a planar surface 32 which extends out from side walls 34 of the recessed area 28. The fuel gauge 22, fuel cap 24, and fuel withdrawal assembly 26 are connected to the fuel storage vessel shell 48 on this planar surface 32. The side walls 34 of the recessed area 28 and the top surface 12 of the fuel storage vessel 10 protect the fuel gauge 22, the fuel cap 24, and the fuel withdrawal assembly 26 from damage due to impact on a flat surface or from the side. This increases the durability of the fuel storage vessel 10. Preferably, the planar surface 32 of the recessed area 28 has an indentation 36 in front of the fuel withdrawal assembly 26. This indentation 36 is designed to accommodate different manufacturer's connector fittings for fuel lines or hoses to be connected to the fuel withdrawal assembly 26 without disassembling or reassembling the fuel withdrawal assembly 26. The handle 30 extends out from the planar surface 32 into a second recessed area 29 of the fuel vessel 10. The handle 30 is T-shaped wherein the top 38 of the handle 30 is longer than the base 40 of the handle 30. The top 38 of the handle 30 can be an elongated tubular or rod-like member with rounded distal ends 42. In this embodiment of the fuel storage vessel 10, the handle 30 is protected from damage from impact by the side walls 35 of the recessed area 29. A fuel hose or line can be wrapped around the base 40 of the handle 30 for storage. In this embodiment of the invention, when the fuel hose or line is wrapped around the base 40 of the handle 30, the top 38 of the handle 30 and the side walls 35 and base of the recessed area 29 protect the fuel hose or line from damage.

As shown in FIG. 2, in this embodiment of the fuel storage vessel 10, the handle 30 does not extend past front surface 16 of the fuel storage vessel 10. Additionally, in this embodiment of the fuel storage vessel 10, the top surface 12 extends out to the front surface 16.

Referring to FIG. 3, in this embodiment of the invention, the recessed area 29 does not extend all the way out to the side surfaces 20.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, in this embodiment of the fuel storage vessel 10 a inverted u-shaped indentation 42 extends across the length of the bottom surface 14 of the fuel storage vessel 10. This indentation creates a reserve fuel reservoir 44 in the bottom of the fuel storage vessel 10 behind the indentation such that when the fuel gauge registers empty, a user can tilt the vessel in order to use the reserve fuel supply captured in the reserve fuel reservoir 44. This provides a safety function to the user of the fuel storage vessel 10.

As further shown in FIG. 4, in this embodiment of the fuel storage vessel 10 there is a means for increasing the stability of the fuel storage vessel 10 when it is placed on its back surface 18. One such means is to have a smaller radius 46 on one or more of the corners of the edges of the back surface 18. The smaller radius creates a more angular corner which prevents the fuel storage vessel from tipping or rolling when it is placed on its back surface. Another means for increasing stability is a molded “Foot” in the bottom corner of the fuel storage vessel 10 (not shown), as wells as a metal corner piece or wire support.

As best shown in FIG. 5, the fuel gauge 22, fuel cap 24, and fuel withdrawal assembly 26 are preferably mechanically fastened directly to bosses 46 which are formed as an integral part of the vessel shell 48. However, these functional attachments can also be attached to bosses which are embedded into the tank shell or by any other suitable connection means. The handle 30 is preferably an integral part of the vessel shell 48. The vessel shell 48 is preferably comprised of high-density polyethylene and created through a blow molding manufacturing process.

Another embodiment of a fuel storage vessel 50 is shown in FIG. 6. In this embodiment of the fuel storage vessel 50 there is a means for increasing the strength of the top surface 54 of the fuel storage vessel 50. One means is to have an indented channel 52 on the top surface 54 of the fuel storage vessel 50 which extends into the recessed area 60. Similar to the other embodiment of the invention, the handle 56 does not extend past front surface 58 of the fuel storage vessel 50. The indented channel 52, extends across the top surface from the back surface of the fuel storage vessel into the recessed area. This improves the strength of the top surface of the fuel vessel because additional material is deposited in the indented channel during the blow molding process which further adds to the durability of the fuel vessel and improves compliance with certification testing required for marine fuel vessels. The top surface 54 extends out to the front surface 58. As shown in FIG. 7, support ribs 64 extend up to the base 62 of the handle 56. The ribs improve the strength of the vessel because additional material is added in the form of these ribs during the blow molding process.

Another embodiment of a fuel storage vessel 66 is shown in FIG. 8. Referring to FIG. 8, the fuel storage vessel 66 has a top surface 68, a bottom surface 70, a front surface 72, a back surface 74, two side surfaces 76. The fuel storage vessel 66 has a number of functional attachments that allow fuel to be added and removed from the fuel storage vessel 66 and allow the user to determine the level of fuel remaining in the fuel storage vessel 66. Preferably, the fuel storage vessel has three functional attachments: a fuel gauge 78, a fuel cap 80, and a fuel withdrawal assembly 82. These functional attachments are connected to the fuel storage vessel shell 86 in a recessed area 84 below the top surface 68 of the fuel storage vessel 66. The fuel storage vessel 66 has a handle 88 which protrudes from the recessed area 84 into a second recessed area 85 at the same level of recessed area 84 as compared to the top surface 68. This second recessed area 85 creates a pocket for the handle 88 inside the profile of the fuel storage vessel 66. The fuel storage vessel 66 can be placed on its bottom surface 70 or its back surface 74 when it is in operation in a fuel delivery system. In this embodiment of the fuel storage vessel, in contrast with the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the top surface 68 does not extend out to the front surface 72 on either side of the handle 88.

In the recessed area 84 of the fuel storage vessel 66, there is a planar surface 90 which extends out from the side walls 92 of the recessed area 84. The fuel gauge 78, fuel cap 80, and fuel withdrawal assembly 82 are connected to the fuel storage vessel 66 on this planar surface 90. The side walls 92 of the recessed area 84 and the top surface 68 of the fuel storage vessel 66 protect the a fuel gauge 78, a fuel cap 80, and a fuel withdrawal assembly 82 from damage due to impact on a flat surface or from the side. This increases the durability of the fuel storage vessel 66. Preferably, the planar surface 90 of the recessed area 84 has an indentation 94 in front of the fuel withdrawal assembly 82. This indentation 94 is designed to accommodate different manufacturer's connector fittings for fuel lines or hoses to be connected to the fuel withdrawal assembly 82 without disassembling or reassembling the fuel withdrawal assembly 82. The handle 88 extends out from the planar surface 90 into a second recessed area 85 of the fuel vessel 66. The handle 88 is T-shaped wherein the top 96 of the handle 88 is longer than the base 98 of the handle 88. The top 96 of the handle 88 can be an elongated tubular or rod-like member with rounded distal ends 100. In this embodiment of the fuel storage vessel 66, a fuel hose or line can be wrapped around the base 98 of the handle 88 for storage.

As illustrated in FIG. 9, in this embodiment of the fuel storage vessel 66 a inverted U-shaped indentation 102 extends across the length of the bottom surface 70 of the fuel storage vessel 66, similar to the previous embodiment of the invention. Like the embodiment previously discussed, this indentation creates a reserve fuel reservoir 104 in the bottom of the fuel storage vessel 66 behind the indentation such that when the fuel gauge registers empty, a user can tilt the vessel in order to use the reserve fuel supply captured in the reserve fuel reservoir 104.

As further shown in FIG. 9, in this embodiment of the fuel storage vessel 66 there is also a means for increasing the stability of the fuel storage vessel 66 when it is placed on its back surface 74. As previously discussed, one means is to have a smaller radius 106 on one or more of the corners of the edges of the back surface. The smaller radius creates a more angular corner which prevents the fuel storage vessel from tipping or rolling when it is placed on its back surface.

As best shown in FIG. 10, the fuel gauge 78, fuel cap 80, and fuel withdrawal assembly 82 are preferably mechanically fastened directly to bosses 108 which are formed as an integral part of the vessel shell 86. However, these functional attachments can also be attached to bosses which are embedded into the tank shell or by any other suitable connection means. The handle 88 is preferably an integral part of the vessel shell 86. The vessel shell 86 is preferably comprised of high-density polyethylene and created through a blow molding manufacturing process.

Another embodiment of a fuel storage vessel 110 is shown in FIG. 11. In this embodiment of the fuel storage vessel 110 there is a means for increasing the strength of the top surface 114 of the fuel storage vessel 110. One means is to have an indented channel 112 on the top surface 114 of the fuel storage vessel 110 which extends into the recessed area 116. The handle 118 does not extend past front surface 120 of the fuel storage vessel 110. The top surface 114 does not extend out to the front surface 120 on either side of the handle. The indented channel 112, extends across the top surface from the back surface of the fuel storage vessel into the recessed area. This improves the strength of the top surface of the fuel vessel because additional material is deposited in the indented channel during the blow molding process which further adds to the durability of the fuel vessel and improves compliance with certification testing required for marine fuel vessels. As shown in FIG. 12, support ribs 122 extend up to the base 124 of the handle 118. The ribs improve the strength of the vessel because additional material is added in the form of these ribs during the blow molding process.

The invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments. Clearly, modifications and alterations will occur to others upon a reading and understanding of this specification. It is intended to include all such modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof. The scope of the invention and claims are not limited in any way by the description of the preferred embodiments, which are provided only to illustrate various examples of the invention.

Claims

1. A fuel storage vessel comprising:

a top surface, a bottom surface, a front surface, a back surface and two or more side surfaces;

one or more functional attachments connected to the shell of the fuel storage vessel;

a recessed area;

and a handle that extends towards the front surface of the fuel storage vessel in the recessed area but does not extend past the front surface of fuel storage vessel.

2. The fuel storage vessel of claim 1, wherein the functional attachments are connected to the shell of the fuel storage vessel in a second recessed area such that the functional attachments do not extend above the top surface of the fuel storage vessel.

3. The fuel storage vessel of claim 2, wherein the top surface of the fuel storage vessel extends out to the front surface of the fuel storage vessel.

4. The fuel storage vessel of claim 3, wherein the function attachments are connected to the shell of the fuel storage vessel on a planar surface which extends out from sidewalls of the second recessed area.

5. The fuel storage vessel of claim 4, wherein one of the functional attachments is a fuel withdrawal assembly.

6. The fuel storage vessel of claim 5, wherein the planar surface which extends out from sidewalls of the second recessed area contains an indentation in front of the fuel withdrawal assembly.

7. The fuel storage vessel of claim 2, wherein the top surface of the fuel storage vessel does not extend out to the front surface of the fuel storage vessel.

8. The fuel storage vessel of claim 7, wherein the functional attachments are connected to the shell of the fuel storage vessel on a planar surface which extends out from sidewalls of the second recessed area.

9. The fuel storage vessel of claim 8, wherein one of the functional attachments is a fuel withdrawal assembly.

10. The fuel storage vessel of claim 9, wherein the planar surface which extends out from sidewalls of the second recessed area contains an indentation in front of the fuel withdrawal assembly.

11. The fuel storage vessel of claim 1, wherein the handle is T-shaped such that the top of the handle is longer than the base of the handle.

12. The fuel storage vessel of claim 11, wherein the base of the handle is supported by ribs.

13. The fuel storage vessel of claim 1, wherein a u-shaped indentation extends across the length of the bottom surface of the fuel storage vessel.

14. The fuel storage vessel of claim 13, further comprising a fuel reservoir.

15. The fuel storage vessel of claim 1, wherein the first recessed area creates a pocket for the handle inside the profile of the fuel storage vessel.

16. The fuel storage vessel of claim 1, wherein the vessel can be operable if rested on its back or bottom surface.

17. The fuel storage vessel of claim 1, further comprising a means for increasing stability when the fuel storage vessel is placed on its back surface.

18. The fuel storage vessel of claim 2, further comprising a means for increasing the strength of the top surface of the storage vessel.

19. A fuel storage vessel comprising:

a top surface, a bottom surface, a front surface, a back surface and two or more side surfaces;

a recessed area;

a handle that extends towards the front surface of the fuel storage vessel in the recessed area but does not extend past the front surface of fuel storage vessel;

one or more functional attachments connected to the shell of the fuel storage vessel wherein the functional attachments are connected to the shell of the fuel storage vessel in a second recessed area such that the functional attachments do not extend above the top surface of the fuel storage vessel; and

an indented channel in the top surface of the fuel storage vessel which extends from the back surface of the fuel storage vessel into the recessed area.

20. The fuel storage vessel of claim 19, wherein the top surface of the fuel storage vessel extends out to the front surface of the fuel storage vessel.

21. fuel storage vessel of claim 20, wherein the function attachments are connected to the shell of the fuel storage vessel on a planar surface which extends out from sidewalls of the second recessed area.

22. The fuel storage vessel of claim 21, wherein one of the functional attachments is a fuel withdrawal assembly.

23. The fuel storage vessel of claim 22, wherein the planar surface which extends out from sidewalls of the second recessed area contains an indentation in front of the fuel withdrawal assembly.

24. The fuel storage vessel of claim 19, wherein the top surface of the fuel storage vessel does not extend out to the front surface of the fuel storage vessel.

25. The fuel storage vessel of claim 24, wherein the function attachments are connected to the shell of the fuel storage vessel on a planar surface which extends out from sidewalls of the second recessed area.

26. The fuel storage vessel of claim 25, wherein one of the functional attachments is a fuel withdrawal assembly.

27. The fuel storage vessel of claim 26, the planar surface which extends out from sidewalls of the second recessed area contains an indentation in front of the fuel withdrawal assembly.

28. The fuel storage vessel of claim 19, wherein the handle is T-shaped such that the top of the handle is longer than the base of the handle.

29. The fuel storage vessel of claim 28, wherein the base of the handle is supported by ribs.

30. The fuel storage vessel of claim 19, wherein a u-shaped indentation extends across the length of the bottom surface of the fuel storage vessel.

31. The fuel storage vessel of claim 30, further comprising a fuel reservoir.

32. The fuel storage vessel of claim 19, wherein the first recessed area creates a pocket for the handle inside the profile of the fuel storage vessel.

33. The fuel storage vessel of claim 19, wherein the vessel can be operable if rested on its back or bottom surface.

34. The fuel storage vessel of claim 19, further comprising a means for increasing stability when the fuel storage vessel is placed on its back surface.