TANK TOTE
Embodiments provide a tank tote including a base, a tank floor defined by the base, the tank floor being suitable to support a plurality of tanks, and a frame joined to the base, the frame including a plurality of sides extending up from the base, the plurality of sides including a first side spaced from a second side, the frame including a front divider, cooperation of the front divider with the first side defining a first front tank compartment suitable to receive a first tank, cooperation of the front divider with the second side defining a second front tank compartment suitable to receive a second tank, the first front tank compartment being accessible through a first front access portal, the second front tank compartment being accessible through a second front access portal, the frame including a front gate selectively movable relative to a closed position, the front gate in the closed position preventing passage of the first tank through the first front access portal and preventing passage of the second tank through the second front access portal.
The disclosure relates to tank totes.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTIONA tank tote is used to transport a plurality of tanks containing fluid material. The tanks can be of any suitable shape. In one configuration, each tank has a generally square cross-sectional profile when viewed from above. A tank tote can also be used to transport a plurality of suitable cargo loads other than tanks. For example, a tank tote can be used to transport a plurality of suitable palletized cargo loads. In the specific context of offshore petroleum exploration, for example, the cargo loads can be suitable palletized containers of drilling mud transported by a supply boat to an offshore rig, and transferred from the supply boat to the offshore rig in a tank tote raised by a suitable hoist. Tanks or other suitable cargo loads can be loaded into the tank tote while in port, or while at sea. In one arrangement, at a port facility, the tanks or cargo loads are transferred to the tank tote from a fixed storage rack or the facility floor, and the loaded tank tote is transferred to the supply boat at the port using a suitable forklift or hoist.
For reasons stated above, and for other reasons stated below which will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading and understanding the present specification, there is a need in the art for improved tank totes.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF INVENTIONThe disclosure provides improved tank totes. Various shortcomings, disadvantages and problems of tank totes are addressed herein, which will be understood by reading and studying the following specification.
In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments which can be practiced. The embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the embodiments, and it is to be understood that other embodiments can be utilized and that logical, mechanical and other changes can be made without departing from the scope of the embodiments. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense.
Returning to
As shown in
Each side member 156 has therein a respective pair 168 of spaced fork slots 172. The fork slots 172 are dimensioned to receive a respective tine (not shown) of a forklift (not shown) for lifting base 116. Each fork slot 172 is aligned along a common axis 173 (see
Base members 120 of base 116 include intermediate base members 204. In the specific embodiment illustrated in
In the specific embodiment illustrated in
Base 116 includes a plurality of brace members 248. Base 116 can include any suitable number of brace members 248. In the specific embodiment illustrated, base 116 includes sixteen (16) brace members 248. Each brace member 248 extends in a horizontal direction between a respective pair of intersecting base members 120. Each brace member 248 intersects a respective pair of intersecting base members 120 to define a hypotenuse of a right triangle formed between the intersecting base members 120. Each of the brace members 248 thus provides structural bracing at respective intersections or joints formed between base members 120. More particularly, in the embodiment illustrated in
Base 116 has a bottom surface 268 suitable to rest on an external support 272. External support 272 can include, for example, a suitable floor, deck or rack. In the specific embodiment illustrated in
Frame 112 includes tank floor 276 suitable to support the plurality of tanks 108. In the specific embodiment illustrated in
Frame 112 includes a plurality of sides 300. The plurality of sides 300 cooperates with base 116 to define an open frame enclosure 304 about tank floor 276 and about the plurality of tanks 108 resting on tank floor 276. The plurality of sides 300 are supported in relation to base 116 in a suitable manner. In one configuration, the sides 300 extend up in a vertical direction from the periphery 162 of base 116. In the specific embodiment illustrated in
Returning to
The plurality of sides 300 of frame 112 includes a plurality of horizontal members 320. In the illustrated embodiment, frame 112 includes eight (8) horizontal members 320. Each horizontal member 320 is an elongate member extending in a horizontal direction between a respective corner post 312 and an adjacent intermediate side post 316. Each horizontal member 320 is spaced above a respective one of the end members 160 of base 116 in parallel relation thereto. More particularly, an upper one 328 of the horizontal members 320 is spaced above a lower one 332 of the horizontal members 320 in spaced relation to a respective end member 160. The upper one 328 of the horizontal members 320 and the lower one 332 of the horizontal members 320 cooperate with a respective corner post 312 and a respective intermediate side post 316 to define an open frame section 336. Two adjacent open frame sections 336 are joined in fixed integral relationship and cooperate to define a respective side 300. Horizontal members 320 are joined in integral fixed relationship to respective of the side posts 308 in a suitable manner, such as by welds (not shown).
Frame 112 includes a vertical center post 340. Center post 340 extends up from base 116 in a vertical direction along a respective central axis 344. Central axis 344 extends up from base 116 in a vertical direction at a center 348 of base 116. In the specific embodiment illustrated, center 348 coincides with midpoints of first intermediate base member 208 and second intermediate base member 228. Center post 340 is integrally joined to base 116 at central joint 351 in a suitable manner, such as by weld seams. Center post 340 defines a right angle with respect to base 116 at central joint 351. Lower vertical corner braces 352 are joined in fixed integral relationship between center post 340 and base 116. More particularly, in the illustrated embodiment, four (4) lower vertical corner braces 352 are joined between center post 340 and base 116. Two (2) of the lower vertical corner braces 352 are joined between center post 340 and first intermediate base member 208. Two (2) of the lower vertical corner braces 352 are joined between center post 340 and second intermediate base member 228.
Frame 112 includes dividers 356 suitable to subdivide the enclosure 304 into tank compartments 360. Each tank compartment 360 is sized to accommodate a single tank 108 in a desired orientation such as, for example, an upright orientation. In the embodiment illustrated in
Frame 112 includes hoist engagement structure 400. One skilled in the art will appreciate that, in embodiments, hoist engagement structure 400 can include any structure suitable to be engaged by a hoist 404 for hoisting tank tote 100. In the specific embodiment illustrated in
Frame 112 includes rigging protective structure 500. One skilled in the art will appreciate that, in embodiments, rigging protective structure 500 can include any structure suitable to prevent undesired contact between hoist rigging 416, tanks 108 and external structural features (not shown). In the specific embodiment illustrated in
Frame 112 includes a pair of adjacent front access portals 520. More particularly, the pair of front access portals 520 includes a first front access portal 524 permitting access to a respective first front tank compartment 526. First front access portal 524 is an opening defined between a front intermediate side post 528 and an adjacent first front corner post 532. The pair of front access portals 520 includes a second front access portal 536 permitting access to a respective second front tank compartment 540. Second front access portal 536 is an opening defined between the front intermediate side post 528 and an adjacent second front corner post 544. The pair of front access portals 520 thus includes first front access portal 524 and second front access portal 536 adjacent thereto. The pair of front access portals 520 are commonly located above a respective front one 548 of the side members 156. It will be understood that first front tank compartment 526 and second front tank compartment 540 abut and are defined on opposite sides of a common front divider 552 respectively associated with front intermediate side post 528 and center post 340. Likewise, it will be understood that the pair of front access portals 520, including the first front access portal 524 and adjacent second front access portal 536, commonly adjoin front intermediate side post 528.
Frame 112 includes front gate 560. Front gate 560 is adapted to permit selective access to first front tank compartment 526 and adjacent second front tank compartment 540. Although one skilled in the art will appreciate that front gate 560 can be of any suitable construction, in the specific embodiment illustrated in
As best shown in
Frame 112 includes rear gate 660. Rear gate 660 is identical to front gate 560 except as otherwise described herein. Rear gate 660 is adapted to permit selective access to first rear tank compartment 626 and adjacent second rear tank compartment 640. Although one skilled in the art will appreciate that rear gate 660 can be of any suitable construction, in the specific embodiment illustrated in
In view of the foregoing, embodiments provide tank totes including a front gate 560 which is adapted to permit selective access to the first front tank compartment 526 and adjacent second front tank compartment 540. Embodiments provide a front gate 560 including a front gate panel 564 adapted to simultaneously close both first front tank compartment 526 and adjacent second front tank compartment 540. Embodiments provide front gate 560 including a front gate panel 564 which is adapted to simultaneously close both a first front access portal 524 and an adjacent second front access portal 536. Embodiment provide tank totes including a rear gate 660 which is adapted to permit selective access to the first rear tank compartment 626 and adjacent second rear tank compartment 640. Embodiments provide a rear gate 660 including a rear gate panel 664 adapted to simultaneously close both first rear tank compartment 626 and adjacent second rear tank compartment 640. Embodiments provide rear gate 660 including a rear gate panel 664 which is adapted to simultaneously close both a first rear access portal 624 and an adjacent second rear access portal 536.
Embodiments provide rigging protective structure 500 adapted to prevent or impede undesired contact between hoist rigging 416, tanks 108 and external structural features (not shown). Embodiments provide rigging protective structure 500 adapted to prevent or impede contact between external structural features and hoist engagement structure 400. Embodiments provide rigging protective structure 500 adapted to prevent or impede contact between external structural features and hoist rigging 420, including wire rope slings 412 of hoist rigging 416. Embodiments provide frame 112 including enclosure 304 which is adapted to prevent or impede undesired contact between external structural features and tanks 108. It will be understood that embodiments provide tank totes having construction, elements and improvements which are well-suited for transport, transfer and storage of fluid materials in rugged, off-shore marine environments, such as off-shore oil platforms. More particularly, it will be understood that embodiments provide tank totes which can be transported and transferred via suitable hoist equipment from supply vessels to off-shore oil platforms, and vice-versa, which are adapted to prevent or impede undesired contact between external structural features and tanks 108 and wire rope slings 412 of hoist rigging 416. Examples of external structural agents can include, for example in an off-shore oil platform environment, protruding structures such as beams and cables, and other cargo being transferred, when a tank container according to embodiment is being transferred via hoist equipment. One of skill in the art will appreciate that embodiments thus provide improved tank totes, and particularly improved tank totes adapted for storage, transport and transfer of a plurality of tanks in off-shore marine environments such as oil platforms.
Although specific embodiments are illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that any arrangement which is calculated to achieve the same purpose can be substituted for the specific embodiments shown. This application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations. For example, although described in terms of the specific embodiments, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that implementations can be made in different embodiments to provide the required function. In particular, one of skill in the art will appreciate that the names and terminology of the apparatus are not intended to limit embodiments. Furthermore, additional apparatus can be added to the components, functions can be rearranged among the components, and new components to correspond to future enhancements and physical devices used in embodiments can be introduced without departing from the scope of embodiments. The terminology used in this application is intended to include all environments and alternatives which provide the same functionality as described herein.
Claims
1. A tank tote adapted to rest on an external support, the tank tote comprising:
- a base adapted to rest on the external support;
- a tank floor defined by the base, the tank floor being suitable to support a plurality of tanks; and
- a frame joined to the base, the frame including a plurality of sides extending up from the base in a vertical direction, the plurality of sides defining an enclosure above the tank floor, the plurality of sides including a first side spaced from a second side, the frame including a front divider, the front divider being spaced from the first side, cooperation of the front divider with the first side defining a first front tank compartment suitable to receive a first tank, the front divider being spaced from the second side, cooperation of the front divider with the second side defining a second front tank compartment suitable to receive a second tank, the front divider separating the first front tank compartment from the second front tank compartment, the first front tank compartment being accessible through a first front access portal, the second front tank compartment being accessible through a second front access portal, the front divider separating the first front access portal from the second front access portal, the frame including a front gate selectively movable relative to a closed position, the front gate in the closed position preventing passage of the first tank through the first front access portal, the front gate in the closed position preventing passage of the second tank through the second front access portal.
2. A tank tote according to claim 1 and further comprising:
- the front gate in the closed position cooperating with the front divider, the front gate in the closed position cooperating with the first side, the front gate in the closed position cooperating with the second side, cooperation of the front gate in the closed position with the front divider and with the first side preventing movement of the first tank through the first front access portal, cooperation of the front gate in the closed position with the front divider and with the second side preventing movement of the second tank through the second front access portal.
3. A tank tote according to claim 2 and further comprising:
- the base having a generally rectangular periphery when viewed from above, the periphery including a spaced pair of ends extending in parallel relationship, the periphery including a front edge extending between the ends in perpendicular relationship thereto, the periphery including a rear edge extending between the ends in spaced parallel relationship to the front edge, the base having a center, the center being equidistant from the pair of ends, the center being equidistant from the front edge and the rear edge;
- the first side being spaced from the second side in parallel relation thereto, the first side extending in the vertical direction above a first one of the end members, the second side extending in the vertical direction above a second one of the end members, the front divider being intermediate the first side and the second side, the front divider extending from the front edge toward the center in parallel relationship to the first side and the second side, the first front access portal being adjacent and the second front access portal above the front edge;
- the front gate in the closed position being above the front edge, cooperation of the front gate in the closed position with the front divider and with the first side preventing movement of the first tank across the front edge through the first front access portal, cooperation of the front gate in the closed position with the front divider and with the second side preventing movement of the second tank across the front edge through the second front access portal.
4. A tank tote according to claim 3 and further comprising:
- the frame including a rear divider, the rear divider being spaced from the first side, cooperation of the rear divider with the first side defining a first rear tank compartment suitable to receive a third tank, the rear divider being spaced from the second side, cooperation of the rear divider with the second side defining a second rear tank compartment suitable to receive a fourth tank, the rear divider separating the first rear tank compartment from the second rear tank compartment, the first rear tank compartment being accessible through a first rear access portal, the second rear tank compartment being accessible through a second rear access portal, the rear divider separating the first rear access portal from the second rear access portal, the frame including a rear gate selectively movable relative to a closed position, the rear gate in the closed position preventing passage of the third tank through the first rear access portal, the rear gate in the closed position preventing passage of the fourth tank through the second rear access portal.
5. A tank tote according to claim 4 and further comprising:
- the rear gate in the closed position cooperating with the rear divider, the rear gate in the closed position cooperating with the first side, the rear gate in the closed position cooperating with the second side, cooperation of the rear gate in the closed position with the rear divider and with the first side preventing movement of the third tank through the first rear access portal, cooperation of the rear gate in the closed position with the rear divider and with the second side preventing movement of the fourth tank through the second rear access portal.
6. A tank tote according to claim 5 and further comprising:
- the rear divider being intermediate the first side and the second side, the rear divider extending from the rear edge toward the center in parallel relationship to the first side and the second side, the first rear access portal being adjacent and the second rear access portal above the rear edge;
- the rear gate in the closed position being above the rear edge, cooperation of the rear gate in the closed position with the rear divider and with the first side preventing movement of the third tank across the rear edge through the first rear access portal, cooperation of the rear gate in the closed position with the rear divider and with the second side preventing movement of the fourth tank across the rear edge through the second rear access portal.
7. A tank tote according to claim 6 and further comprising:
- a first front-rear divider extending from the first end toward the center in perpendicular relation to the front divider and the rear divider, the first front-rear divider separating the first front tank compartment from the first rear tank compartment;
- a second front-rear divider extending from the second end toward the center in perpendicular relation to the front divider and the rear divider, the second front-rear divider separating the second front tank compartment from the second rear tank compartment.
8. A tank tote according to claim 1 and further comprising:
- the tank floor including a plurality of discrete floor sections, each floor section being defined by a respective upper surface of the base.
9. A tank tote according to claim 2 and further comprising:
- the front gate including a front gate panel supported for pivotal movement about a front gate pivot axis, the front gate panel being selectively pivotably movable about the front gate pivot axis relative to the closed position, in the closed position cooperation of the front gate panel with the front divider and with the first side preventing movement of the first tank through the first front access portal, in the closed position cooperation of the front gate panel with the front divider and with the second side preventing movement of the second tank through the second front access portal, the front gate panel being selectively pivotably movable about the front gate pivot axis between the closed position and an open position, in the open position the front gate panel being spaced apart from the front divider to permit movement of the first tank through the first front access portal and to permit movement of the second tank through the second front access portal.
10. A tank tote according to claim 9 and further comprising:
- the front gate including at least one hinge supporting the front gate panel for pivotal movement about the front gate pivot axis, the at least one hinge defining the front gate pivot axis, the at least one hinge being supported by one of the first side and the second side, the front gate including a latch suitable to retain the front gate panel in the closed position.
11. A tank tote according to claim 2 and further comprising:
- the front gate including front gate support apparatus suitable to retain a front gate panel in the closed position, the front gate support apparatus being suitable to support the front gate panel to be removed from the closed position, the front gate panel when removed from the closed position being in a removed condition, in the removed condition the front gate panel being separated from the front divider, the first side and the second side to permit movement of the first tank through the first front access portal and to permit movement of the second tank through the second front access portal.
12. A tank tote according to claim 11 and further comprising:
- the front gate support apparatus including at least one retaining member affixed to one of the front gate panel, the base, the front divider, the first side and the second side, the at least one retaining member being suitable to retain the front gate panel in the closed position, the at least one retaining member being suitable to selectively release the front gate panel from the closed position.
13. A tank tote according to claim 5 and further comprising:
- the rear gate including a rear gate panel supported for pivotal movement about a rear gate pivot axis, the rear gate panel being selectively pivotably movable about the rear gate pivot axis relative to the closed position, in the closed position cooperation of the rear gate panel with the rear divider and with the first side preventing movement of the third tank through the first rear access portal, in the closed position cooperation of the rear gate panel with the rear divider and with the second side preventing movement of the fourth tank through the second rear access portal, the rear gate panel being selectively pivotably movable about the rear gate pivot axis between the closed position and an open position, in the open position the rear gate panel being spaced apart from the rear divider to permit movement of the third tank through the first rear access portal and to permit movement of the fourth tank through the second rear access portal.
14. A tank tote according to claim 13 and further comprising:
- the rear gate including at least one hinge supporting the rear gate panel for pivotal movement about the rear gate pivot axis, the at least one hinge defining the rear gate pivot axis, the at least one hinge being supported by one of the first side and the second side, the rear gate including a latch suitable to retain the rear gate panel in the closed position.
15. A tank tote according to claim 5 and further comprising:
- the rear gate including rear gate support apparatus suitable to retain a rear gate panel in the closed position, the rear gate support apparatus being suitable to support the rear gate panel to be removed from the closed position, the rear gate panel when removed from the closed position being in a removed condition, in the removed condition the rear gate panel being separated from the rear divider, the first side and the second side to permit movement of the third tank through the first rear access portal and to permit movement of the fourth tank through the second rear access portal.
16. A tank tote according to claim 15 and further comprising:
- the rear gate support apparatus including at least one retaining member affixed to one of the rear gate panel, the base, the rear divider, the first side and the second side, the at least one retaining member being suitable to retain the rear gate panel in the closed position, the at least one retaining member being suitable to selectively release the rear gate panel from the closed position.
17. A tank tote adapted to rest on an external support, the tank tote comprising:
- a base adapted to rest on the external support, the base having a generally rectangular periphery when viewed from above, the periphery including a spaced pair of ends extending in parallel relationship, the periphery including a front edge extending between the ends in perpendicular relationship thereto, the periphery including a rear edge extending between the ends in spaced parallel relationship to the front edge, the base having a center, the center being equidistant from the pair of ends, the center being equidistant from the front edge and the rear edge;
- a tank floor defined by the base, the tank floor being suitable to support a plurality of tanks; and
- a frame joined to the base, the frame including a plurality of sides extending up from the base in a vertical direction, the plurality of sides defining an enclosure above the tank floor, the plurality of sides including a first side spaced from a second side, the first side being spaced from the second side in parallel relation thereto, the first side extending in the vertical direction above a first one of the end members, the second side extending in the vertical direction above a second one of the end members, the frame including a front divider, the front divider being spaced from the first side, the front divider being intermediate the first side and the second side, the front divider extending from the front edge toward the center in parallel relationship to the first side and the second side, the first front access portal being adjacent the second front access portal above the front edge, cooperation of the front divider with the first side defining a first front tank compartment suitable to receive a first tank, the front divider being spaced from the second side, cooperation of the front divider with the second side defining a second front tank compartment suitable to receive a second tank, the front divider separating the first front tank compartment from the second front tank compartment, the first front tank compartment being accessible through a first front access portal, the second front tank compartment being accessible through a second front access portal, the front divider separating the first front access portal from the second front access portal, the frame including a front gate selectively movable relative to a closed position, the front gate in the closed position being above the front edge, the front gate in the closed position cooperating with the front divider, the front gate in the closed position cooperating with the first side, the front gate in the closed position cooperating with the second side, cooperation of the front gate in the closed position with the front divider and with the first side preventing movement of the first tank across the front edge through the first front access portal, cooperation of the front gate in the closed position with the front divider and with the second side preventing movement of the second tank across the front edge through the second front access portal.
18. A tank tote according to claim 17 and further comprising:
- the frame including a rear divider, the rear divider being intermediate the first side and the second side, the rear divider being spaced from the first side, the rear divider extending from the rear edge toward the center in parallel relationship to the first side and the second side, cooperation of the rear divider with the first side defining a first rear tank compartment suitable to receive a third tank, the frame including a first front-rear divider extending from the first end toward the center in perpendicular relation to the front divider and the rear divider, the first front-rear divider separating the first front tank compartment from the first rear tank compartment, the rear divider being spaced from the second side, cooperation of the rear divider with the second side defining a second rear tank compartment suitable to receive a fourth tank, a second front-rear divider extending from the second end toward the center in perpendicular relation to the front divider and the rear divider, the second front-rear divider separating the second front tank compartment from the second rear tank compartment the rear divider separating the first rear tank compartment from the second rear tank compartment, the first rear tank compartment being accessible through a first rear access portal, the second rear tank compartment being accessible through a second rear access portal, the rear divider separating the first rear access portal from the second rear access portal, the first rear access portal being adjacent the second rear access portal above the rear edge, the frame including a rear gate selectively movable relative to a closed position, the rear gate in the closed position being above the rear edge, the rear gate in the closed position cooperating with the rear divider, the rear gate in the closed position cooperating with the first side, the rear gate in the closed position cooperating with the second side, cooperation of the rear gate in the closed position with the rear divider and with the first side preventing movement of the third tank across the rear edge through the first rear access portal, cooperation of the rear gate in the closed position with the rear divider and with the second side preventing movement of the fourth tank across the rear edge through the second rear access portal.
19. A tank tote according to claim 17 and further comprising:
- the tank floor including a plurality of discrete floor sections, each floor section being defined by a respective upper surface of the base.
20. A tank tote according to claim 17 and further comprising:
- the front gate including a front gate panel supported for pivotal movement about a front gate pivot axis, the front gate panel being selectively pivotably movable about the front gate pivot axis relative to the closed position, in the closed position cooperation of the front gate panel with the front divider and with the first side preventing movement of the first tank through the first front access portal, in the closed position cooperation of the front gate panel with the front divider and with the second side preventing movement of the second tank through the second front access portal, the front gate panel being selectively pivotably movable about the front gate pivot axis between the closed position and an open position, in the open position the front gate panel being spaced apart from the front divider to permit movement of the first tank through the first front access portal and to permit movement of the second tank through the second front access portal.
21. A tank tote according to claim 20 and further comprising:
- the front gate including at least one hinge supporting the front gate panel for pivotal movement about the front gate pivot axis, the at least one hinge defining the front gate pivot axis, the at least one hinge being supported by one of the first side and the second side, the front gate including a latch suitable to retain the front gate panel in the closed position.
22. A tank tote according to claim 17 and further comprising:
- the front gate including front gate support apparatus suitable to retain a front gate panel in the closed position, the front gate support apparatus being suitable to support the front gate panel to be removed from the closed position, the front gate panel when removed from the closed position being in a removed condition, in the removed condition the front gate panel being separated from the front divider, the first side and the second side to permit movement of the first tank through the first front access portal and to permit movement of the second tank through the second front access portal.
23. A tank tote according to claim 22 and further comprising:
- the front gate support apparatus including at least one retaining member affixed to one of the front gate panel, the base, the front divider, the first side and the second side, the at least one retaining member being suitable to retain the front gate panel in the closed position, the at least one retaining member being suitable to selectively release the front gate panel from the closed position.
24. A tank tote adapted to rest on an external support, the tank tote comprising:
- a base adapted to rest on the external support, the base having a generally rectangular periphery when viewed from above, the periphery including a spaced pair of ends extending in parallel relationship, the periphery including a front edge extending between the ends in perpendicular relationship thereto, the periphery including a rear edge extending between the ends in spaced parallel relationship to the front edge, the base having a center, the center being equidistant from the pair of ends, the center being equidistant from the front edge and the rear edge;
- a tank floor defined by the base, the tank floor being suitable to support a plurality of tanks; and
- a frame joined to the base, the frame including a vertical center post extending from the center of the base, the vertical center post being joined in integral fixed relationship with the base, the frame defining an enclosure above the tank floor, the enclosure defining four tank compartments arranged in two back-to-back pairs, the pairs including a front pair adjacent the front edge and a rear pair adjacent the rear edge, the front pair including a first front tank compartment suitable to receive a first tank moved across the front edge through a first front access portal, the front pair including a second front tank compartment suitable to receive a second tank moved across the front edge through a second front access portal, the second front tank compartment being adjacent the first front tank compartment, the rear pair including a first rear tank compartment suitable to receive a third tank moved across the rear edge through a first rear access portal, the rear pair including a second rear tank compartment suitable to receive a fourth tank moved across the rear edge through a second rear access portal, the second rear tank compartment being adjacent the first rear tank compartment, the frame including a front divider intermediate the first front tank compartment and the second front tank compartment, the front divider extending from a midpoint of the front edge to the vertical center post in perpendicular relationship to the front edge, the front divider separating the first front access portal from the second front access portal, the frame including a rear divider intermediate the first rear tank compartment and the second rear tank compartment, the rear divider extending from a midpoint of the rear edge to the vertical center post in perpendicular relationship to the rear edge, the rear divider separating the first rear access portal from the second rear access portal, the frame including a first front-rear divider extending from the vertical center post between the first front tank compartment and the first rear tank compartment in perpendicular relation to the front divider and the rear divider, the first front-rear divider separating the first front tank compartment from the first rear tank compartment, the frame including a second front-rear divider extending from the vertical center post between the second front tank compartment and the second rear tank compartment in perpendicular relation to the front divider and the rear divider, the second front-rear divider separating the second front tank compartment from the second rear tank compartment, the frame including a front gate selectively movable relative to a closed position, the front gate in the closed position being above the front edge, the front gate in the closed position cooperating with the front divider, cooperation of the front gate in the closed position with the front divider preventing movement of the first tank across the front edge through the first front access portal, cooperation of the front gate in the closed position with the front divider preventing movement of the second tank across the front edge through the second front access portal, the frame including a rear gate selectively movable relative to a closed position, the rear gate in the closed position being above the rear edge, the rear gate in the closed position cooperating with the rear divider, cooperation of the rear gate in the closed position with the rear divider preventing movement of the third tank across the rear edge through the first rear access portal, cooperation of the rear gate in the closed position with the rear divider preventing movement of the fourth tank across the rear edge through the second rear access portal.
Type: Application
Filed: May 2, 2008
Publication Date: Nov 5, 2009
Inventor: ERIC P. MARCEL (Mamou, LA)
Application Number: 12/114,116
International Classification: B65D 19/06 (20060101);