Tank Holder
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.
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This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/326,070, filed Apr. 20, 2010.
BACKGROUNDThe 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.
SUMMARYAccording 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.
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.
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.
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:
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
Type: Application
Filed: Apr 20, 2011
Publication Date: Jul 5, 2012
Applicant: FINISHING TOUCH COMPANY (Alpharetta, GA)
Inventors: Brian Lawrence Dorr (Alpharetta, GA), David Roberson (Woodbury, GA)
Application Number: 13/090,484
International Classification: A47B 81/00 (20060101);