TANK STAND

Abstract

A tank base for supporting a conforming tank. A pair of base elements each includes mating edges which conform to one another. A connection joins the base elements, the connection having a connection channel along the mating edge of one of the base elements and a connection union along the mating edge of the other of the elements, with the connection channel and the connection union interengaging to form the connection. The base elements, when joined, form a support platform. In one form of the invention, the support platform supports a tank. In another form of the invention, a base cover, comprising a pair of cover elements, adjoins the support platform and has a planar surface for supporting a tank thereon. In yet another form, there are a plurality of base elements which interlock in a dovetail fashion.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation-in-part of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/771,421, filed Feb. 20, 2013.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to maintaining tanks, such as oil tanks, in an upright orientation, and in particular to a tank base for supporting a conforming tank.

In oil fields where a temporary storage tank is situated in the vicinity of an oil well or series of oil wells, it is common for the tank to be maintained in an upright orientation by simply forming the earth underneath the tank to support the tank, or firming the earth in some manner to appropriately support the tank and the weight of oil that is pumped into the tank. However, since earth, no matter how tightly it may be compacted, can be unstable, that leads to instability of a tank, whether due to the sheer weight of the tank and its contents, or due to varying weather conditions, which can alter the support beneath the tank.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is directed to a tank base for supporting a conforming tank. The tank base comprises a pair of base elements, each base element including a mating edge, with the mating edges conforming to one another. A connection joins the base elements. The connection comprises a connection channel extending from and along the mating edge of one of the base elements, and a connection union extending from and along the mating edge of the other of the base elements. The connection channel and the connection union interengage to form the connection. The base elements, when joined, form a support platform.

In accordance with a preferred form of the invention, the base element includes alternating support sections. For a cylindrical tank, the tank base is cylindrical, and the support sections are wedge-shaped. Each support section is composed of a plurality of spaced ribs extending between opposite wedge sides, and a wedge cap on one side of each wedge-shaped section. Preferably the wedge caps for adjoining wedge-shaped sections alternate between the support platform and an underside of the tank base.

Preferably the support platform is concave. Depending on the type of tank supported, the support platform includes a central aperture therethrough.

In another form of the invention, a base cover is provided adjoining the support platform. The base cover has one side conforming to the support platform, and a generally planar opposite side. The base cover comprises a pair of cover elements, each cover element including a mating side, with the mating sides conforming to one another.

Preferably the base cover also includes a coupler for joining the cover elements. The coupler comprises a coupler channel extending from and along the mating side of one of the cover elements and a coupler union extending from and along the mating side of the other of the cover elements. The coupler channel and the coupler union interengage to form the coupler. In this form of the invention, with the generally planar support side of the base cover, a flat-bottom tank is accommodated.

In a further form of the invention, the tank base comprises a plurality of base elements, each base element having a top and bottom, and including a pair of mating edges. A connection is provided for joining the base elements at adjacent mating edges, the connection comprising interlocking dovetail elements. The base elements, when joined, form a support platform.

The support platform typically is concave, but also can be flat. Preferably, the support platform also includes a central aperture therethrough.

In the preferred form, the tank base includes four of the base elements. The base elements are identical to one another, with each base element thus comprising one quarter of a tank base.

Each base element includes a plurality of drain holes therethrough. The drain holes are aligned in groups extending radially from a center of the support platform. Each group is connected to a drain channel in the bottom of the tank base, with the drain channels extending to side edges of the tank base.

The dovetail elements comprise at least one tongue extending from one of the mating edges and at least one conforming socket in the other of the mating edges.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is described in greater detail in the following description of examples embodying the best mode of the invention, taken in conjunction with the drawing figures, in which

FIG. 1 illustrates a first form of the invention with a tank supported on a tank base according to the invention,

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of what is shown in FIG. 1, with the tank base in cross section,

FIG. 3A is an isometric view, from above, of a tank base according to the invention,

FIG. 3B is an isometric view thereof, from below,

FIG. 4A is a top plan view of the first form of the tank base,

FIG. 4B is a bottom plan view thereof,

FIG. 5A is an isometric view, from above, of one of the base elements of the tank base,

FIG. 5B is an isometric view thereof, from below,

FIG. 6A is an isometric view, from above, of the other of the base elements of the tank base,

FIG. 6B is an isometric view thereof, from below,

FIG. 7A is a view similar to FIG. 4A, illustrating assembly of the tank base and showing where a sectional view is taken,

FIG. 7B is an enlarged cross sectional view taken along lines B-B of FIG. 7A,

FIG. 8A is an isometric view showing assembly of the base elements of tank base,

FIG. 8B is an enlarged sectional view of section B of FIG. 8A,

FIG. 9A is an isometric view similar to FIG. 8A, but showing where a different sectional view is taken,

FIG. 9B is an enlarged sectional of section B of FIG. 9A,

FIG. 10 is an elevational view of a second form of the invention, supporting a conforming tank,

FIG. 11 is an exploded view of what is shown in FIG. 10, with the base cover shown in cross section,

FIG. 12 is an enlarged isometric view of the base cover, taken from above,

FIG. 13 is a perspective assembly view, from above, showing the base cover in relation to the tank base,

FIG. 14 is an isometric view of the assembled base cover and tank base,

FIG. 15A is a top plan view of one of the cover elements of the base cover,

FIG. 15B is a bottom plan view thereof,

FIG. 16A is a top plan view of the other of the cover elements of the base cover,

FIG. 16B is a bottom plan view thereof,

FIG. 17 is an isometric view showing assembly of the cover elements of the base cover,

FIG. 18A is an isometric view showing assembly of the cover elements of the base cover,

FIG. 18B is an enlarged sectional view taken along line B of FIG. 18A,

FIG. 19A is an isometric view of the base cover similar to FIG. 18A, but with the cover elements farther engaged,

FIG. 19B is an enlarged sectional view of section B of FIG. 19A,

FIG. 20 is an isometric view, from above, of a further form of tank base according to the invention,

FIG. 21 is an isometric view, from below, of the tank base of FIG. 20,

FIG. 22 is a top plan view of the tank base of FIG. 20,

FIG. 23 is a bottom plan view of the tank base of FIG. 21,

FIG. 24 is an enlarged isometric view of one of the base elements of the tank base,

FIG. 25 is a bottom isometric view of the base element shown in FIG. 24,

FIG. 26 is a top plan view of the base element of FIG. 24,

FIG. 27 is a bottom plan view of the base element of FIG. 25,

FIG. 28 is a side elevational illustration of the tank base of FIG. 24, taken from the lower left elevation thereof,

FIG. 29A is a smaller version of what is shown in FIG. 26, for the purposes of showing where a cross section is to be taken, and

FIG. 29B is a cross sectional illustration taken along lines 29B of FIG. 29A.

DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLES EMBODYING THE BEST MODE OF THE INVENTION

One form of a tank base according to the invention is shown generally at 10 in FIGS. 1-9. The tank base 10 is composed of a pair of base elements 12 and 14, and when assembled, supports a conforming tank 16 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

The first form of the invention is for supporting the tank 16 in an upright orientation. As illustrated, the tank 16 typically has a convex bottom 18 and a central sump 20. The tank base 10 is formed to conform to the bottom of the tank 16. The sump 20 is typically the location where the tank base is connected to a line (not illustrated) for withdrawing the contents of the tank 16.

The base elements 12 and 14 include respective mating edges 22 and 24. The mating edges 22 and 24 conform to one another so that when the tank base 10 is assembled, it appears generally unitary as illustrated in the drawing figures.

A connection is employed for joining the base elements 12 and 14. The components of the connection, as described below, can be formed on either of the base elements 12 and 14, and therefore, although the description below describes certain portions on the base element 12 and certain portions on the base element 14, it will be evident to one skilled in the art that the portions can be reversed.

The connection includes a connection channel 26 extending from and along the mating edge 22 of the base element 12. The connection channel 26 is actually two portions, as shown in the drawing figures, to accommodate a semicircular aperture 28, although if the aperture 28 is absent, the connection channel 26 can be a unitary element extending along most or all of the entirety of the mating edge 22. Alternatively, the connection channel 26 can be a series of spaced channel elements extending from the mating edge 22. Other forms of connection channel 26 will be evident to those skilled in the art.

The connection channel 26 extends outwardly from the mating edge 22 to accommodate a connection union 30 forming part of the mating edge 24 of the base element 14. The connection union 30 is actually formed in the mating edge 24, and is configured so that the connection union 30 is engaged in the connection channel 26 when the tank base 10 is assembled.

In a fashion similar to the connection channel 26, the connection union 30 is actually composed of two portions, separated by a semicircular aperture 32. If the semicircular aperture 32 is absent, the connection union 30 may extend along most, if not all, of the mating edge 24. It may also be composed of a series of spaced union elements. The connection union 30 is formed to conform to and be engaged in the connection channel 26.

Preferably each of the base elements 12 and 14 of the tank base 10 is formed of alternating support sections as illustrated in the drawing figures. Due to the circular nature of the tank base 10, the support sections are wedge-shaped. Thus, the base element 12 includes five adjoining and integral wedge-shaped sections, each of which is composed of a plurality of radial ribs 34 and a plurality of spaced circumferential ribs 36. For the ease of illustration, only one of the five sections of the base element 12 has reference numerals applied, it being evident that the remaining sections are essentially identical.

Each of the wedge-shaped sections includes a wedge cap 38 on one side of each of the wedge-shaped sections. The wedge caps 38 for each section preferably alternate between a top portion of the tank base 10, comprising a support platform as shown in FIGS. 3A, 4A, 7A, 8A and 9A, and an underside of the tank base 10 shown in FIGS. 3B and 4B.

The base element 14 is preferably formed in the same manner as the base element 12. The base element 14 includes five wedge-shaped support sections each formed of a series of radial ribs 40, spaced circumferential ribs 42, and wedge caps 44. Thus, the nature of the formation of the base element 14 is not described further.

Preferably each of the base elements 12 and 14 is an integral structure, molded from plastic. It will be evident, however, that the base elements can be made of metal or other materials which provide sufficient stability for supporting the tank 16.

The base element 12 includes an outer, continuous circumferential rib 46. Similarly, the base element 14 includes an outer, continuous circumferential rib 48.

The connection channel 26 and the connection union 30 are configured to accommodate the various ribs 36, 42, 46 and 48. Furthermore, the connection channel 26 includes a series of spaced struts 50 for strengthening purposes. Thus, the connection channel 26 includes a series of spaced notches 52 formed to accommodate engaged ribs. Similarly, the connection union 30 includes a series of notches 54 formed to accommodate the struts 50. It will be evident that rather than notches 52 being formed in the connection channel 26, similar notches can, instead, be formed in the circumferential ribs 42, and the notches 52 can be eliminated, or partial notches can be formed in each. Obviously, notches must be included or some other means of accommodating interfering elements in order for the base elements 12 and 14 to be fully assembled as the tank base 10.

The form of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 10-19 is in relation to supporting a flat-bottom tank 16′. Thus, this form of the invention includes the tank base 10 of the first form of the invention, and also a base cover 60 described below.

The base cover 60 adjoins the upper support platform side of the tank base 10, thus conforming on its underside to the support platform, and with a generally planar upper side which, as best shown in FIG. 11, which conforms to the flat bottom of the tank 16′. The base cover 60 also is formed in a fashion generally similar to the tank base 10, and thus includes a pair of cover elements 62 and 64, each of the cover elements including a mating side, with the mating sides conforming to one another where joined. Just as the tank base 10, each of the cover elements 62 and 64 of the base cover 60 is formed of alternating support sections as illustrated in the drawing figures. Due to the circular nature of the base cover 60, the support sections are generally wedge-shaped. Thus, the cover element 62 includes five adjoining and integral wedge-shaped sections, each of which is composed of a plurality of radial ribs 66 and a plurality of spaced circumferential ribs 68. Each of the wedge-shaped sections also includes a wedge cap 70, with the wedge caps 70 preferably alternating between a top support surface of the base cover 60 upon which the tank 16′ is supported and an underside of the base cover 60 which adjoins and conforms to the top of the tank base 10.

The cover element 64 is formed similarly with five wedge-shaped support sections each formed of a series of radial ribs 72, spaced circumferential ribs 74 and wedge caps 76. The cover element 64 is configured in the same nature as the cover element 62.

Just as the tank base 10, preferably each of the cover elements 62 and 64 is an integral structure, molded from plastic. It will be evident, however, that the cover elements can be made of other materials, such as metal, which provides sufficient stability for supporting the tank 16′ thereon.

The cover element 62 includes an outer, continuous circumferential rib 78. In the same fashion, the cover element 64 includes an outer, continuous circumferential rib 80.

A coupler is employed for joining the cover elements 62 and 64, in the same fashion that the base elements 12 and 14 of the tank base 10 are joined. Just as in the tank base 10, the components of the coupler, as described below, can be formed on either of the cover elements 62 and 64, even though certain portions are described as being on the cover element 62 and other portions are described as being on the cover element 64.

The coupler includes a coupler channel 82 extending from and along the mating side of the cover element 64. A coupler union 84 extends from and along the mating side of the cover element 62, with the coupler channel 82 and the coupler union 84 intergaging to form the coupler, in the same fashion as the elements of the tank base 10 are joined to one another. Thus, the elements of the coupler are not described in further detail, it being evident to one skilled in the art and from what is illustrated in the drawings as to how the coupler channel 82 and the coupler union 84 are formed.

As shown in the drawing figures, the base cover 60 is formed to conform to the shape of the tank base 10 in order to support a flat-bottom tank 16′ thereon. Obviously, the configuration of the bottom of the base cover 60 will vary depending on the configuration of the top or support platform of the tank base 10. Given the weight of the tank 16′ when filled, it is important that the combination of the base cover 60 and the tank base 10 be robust and solid.

Another form of the invention for supporting the tanks 16 or 16′ in an upright orientation is shown generally at 100 in FIGS. 20 through 29. The tank base 100 is composed of a plurality of base elements 102. While four of the base elements 102 are illustrated, any number of base elements, greater than one, can be employed. It is preferred that the base elements 102 are identical to one another for being fit together in an interlocking arrangement, as described further below. Also, given that the base elements 102 are identical to one another, reference numerals will be applied to only one of the base elements 102 shown as forming part of the tank base 100, it being evident that the other base elements are similar.

Each base element 102 includes a top 104 and a bottom 106. As illustrated in the drawing figures, the base elements 102 have connections for being joined to one another and adjacent mating edges 108 and 110. The connection of the base elements to one another comprises interlocking dovetail elements, as described in greater detail below. The base elements 102, when joined, form a support platform for either the tank 16, when the support platform is concave, or the tank 16′, when the support platform is essentially planar.

The tank base 100 includes a central aperture 112 therethrough. While the aperture 112 is preferred, in some instances, it may be unnecessary, and can be omitted.

Each of the base elements 102 includes a plurality of drain holes 114 therethrough. The drain holes are aligned in groups as illustrated in the drawing figures, extending radially from the central aperture 112. The holes 114 lead from the top support platform, and each group of holes is connected to a drain channel 116 in the bottom 106. As shown, each of the drain channels 116 extends to a side edge 118 of the tank base 100.

In the preferred form, the tank base 100 is cylindrical in order to support a cylindrical tank. Thus, each of the base elements 102 is wedge-shaped. The mating edges 108 and 110 thus comprise opposite sides of each wedge.

The dovetail elements of the mating edges 108 and 110 comprise tongues 120 which flare at their edges, the tongues 120 being engaged in conforming sockets 122, would converge at their edges. Thus, the tongues 120 and sockets 122 interlock in a dovetailed fashion.

The invention provides a stable base for supporting the tanks 16 and 16′. Various changes can be made to the invention without departing from the spirit thereof or scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. A tank base for supporting a conforming tank, comprising

a. a plurality of base elements, each base element having a top and bottom and including a pair of mating edges.

b. a connection for joining said base elements at adjacent mating edges, said connection comprising interlocking dovetail elements, and

c. said base elements, when joined, forming a support platform.

2. The tank base according to claim 1, in which said support platform is concave.

3. The tank base according to claim 1, in which said support platform includes a central aperture therethrough.

4. The tank base according to claim 1, including four of said base elements.

5. The tank base according to claim 4, in which said base elements are identical to one another.

6. The tank base according to claim 1, in which each base element includes a plurality of drain holes therethrough.

7. The tank base according to claim 6, in which said drain holes are aligned in groups extending radially from a center of said tank base.

8. The tank base according to claim 7, in which each group is connected to a drain channel in said bottom.

9. The tank base according to claim 8, in which said drain channels extend to side edges of said tank base.

10. The tank base according to claim 1, in which said dovetail elements comprise at least one tongue extending from one of said mating edges and at least one conforming socket in the other of said mating edges.

11. The tank base according to claim 1, in which said base elements are wedge-shaped.

12. The tank base according to claim 11, in which said mating edges comprise opposite sides of each wedge.