Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02955723 2017-01-23
PROPANE TANK SUPPORT APPARATUS EQUIPPED WITH TRUNK OPENING
DE VICE
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application claims priority to United Kingdom Patent
Application serial
number UK1601882.2, filed on February 2, 2016 entitled "A propane tank holder
equipped with
a device to hold the !id of a semi-open car trunk", the disclosure of which is
hereby incorporated
in its entirety of least by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates generally to holding devices but more
particularly to a
propane tank support apparatus equipped with trunk opening device
2. Description of Related Art
[0003] Propane tanks are used mostly in conjunction with barbeque (BBQ) grills
and are often
carried in the trulli( of a car when returning an old one, exchanging, or
getting a new one.
Propane tanks are also used when going camping and other similar activities
where carrying a
propane tank in a car taud( or pickup truck bed is required. Their shape and
configuration makes
them easy to tip over and roll when a vehicle is moving. Also, regulations
require for air
circulation should the tank have a leak, therefore, it is recommended that the
lid of a car trunk be
CA 02955723 2017-01-23
- 2 -
left partially open. Consequently, there is a need for a simple and practical
way of carrying a
propane tank in a vehicle.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] In one embodiment of the present invention a propane trunk support
apparatus for a car
trunk is provided, comprising: a base including a pair of pegs; a cylindrical
receptacle portion
having an outer surface, an inner surface, and an opening configured and sized
to receive a
propane tank, wherein the opening has an outer circumference and an inner
circumference; and a
trunk opening device removably attached to the pair of pegs, wherein the trunk
opening device is
configured to position a car trunk !id in a partially open position.
[0005] ln one embodiment, the base is comprised of a sustainably square shape
having a
perimeter with rounded corners. ln another embodiment, a plurality of support
webbings is
provided, wherein the support webbings are positioned from the perimeter of
the base to the
outer surface of the cylindrical receptacle portion and extending to the outer
circumference of the
opening. ln one embodiment, a resiliently deformable holding ring is provided
on the inner
circumference of the opening, wherein the holding ring includes a plurality of
tabs configured to
provide a firm grasp of the propane tank.
[0006] In one embodiment, a plurality of tapered fittings located opposite to
the plurality of
support webbings on the inner surface of the cylindrical receptacle portion is
provided, wherein
the plurality of tapered fittings provide a frictional hold onto the propane
tank. In another
CA 02955723 2017-01-23
- 3 -
embodiment, the plurality of tapered fittings extends the entire length of the
cylindrical
receptacle portion. In yet another embodiment, the plurality of support
webbings is four, and the
support webbings are aligned with the rounded corners.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become
apparent when the
following detailed description is read in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings, in which:
[0008] FIG. 1 illustrates an isometric view of a propane tank support
apparatus equipped with
trunk opening device in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0009] FIGS. 2A-B illustrate rear elevation views of the propane tank support
apparatus
equipped with trunk opening device in use accordance with an embodiment of
present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0010] The following description is provided to enable any person skilled in
the art to make and
use the invention and sets forth the best modes contemplated by the inventor
of carrying out their
invention. Various modifications, however, will remain readily apparent to
those skilled in the
CA 02955723 2017-01-23
-4 -
art, silice the general principles of the present invention have been defined
herein to specifically
provide a propane tank support apparatus equipped with trunk opening device.
[0011] FIG. 1 illustrates an isometric view of a propane tank support
apparatus 10 equipped
with trunk opening device 26 in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention.
Referring now to FIG. 1, the propane tank support apparatus comprises a square
base 12 having a
perimeter 13 with rounded corners 15 providing no sharp edges for case of
transport and safety.
The apparatus further comprises a cylindrical receptacle portion 16 having an
outer surface 21,
inner surface 23, and an opening 17 configured and sized to receive a propane
tank 14 (FIG. 2A).
In one embodiment, the opening has an outer circumference 25 and inner
circumference 27. The
apparatus further comprises a plurality of webbings 18 positioned from the
perimeter of the base
to the outer surface of the cylindrical receptacle portion and extending to
the outer circumference
of the opening. The plurality of webbings provide support to the cylindrical
receptacle portion,
while strengthen the connection between the base and the cylindrical
receptacle portion.
[0012] Still referring to FIG. 1, in one embodiment a resiliently deformable
holding ring 19 is
provided on the inner circumference of the opening. The holding ring includes
a plurality of tabs
20 configured to provide a firm grasp around the circumference of the propane
tank. In one
embodiment, a plurality of tapered fittings 22 located opposite to the
plurality of webbings on
the inner surface of the cylindrical receptacle portion provide an additional
frictional hold onto
the propane tank when stored. The plurality of tapered fittings extends the
entire length of the
cylindrical receptacle portion. In the preferred embodiment, the plurality of
webbings is four,
and webbings are aligned with the rounded corners.
CA 02955723 2017-01-23
- 5 -
[0013] Now referring to FIG. 1 and FIGS. 2A-B, in one embodiment, the base
comprises a pair
of pegs 24 configured to releasably attach a trunk opening device 26 during
storage. During use,
the trunk opening device may be removed from the pegs and positioned to hold a
car trunk lid 28
in a partially open position, allowing air circulation in the event that the
propane tank bas a leak
in a car trunk 30. If the car trunk lid is closed during a leak, the propane
gas can enter the cabin
of the car. Since, propane gas is odorless, a person would not be aware, and
in some situations
may lead to dangerous conditions, including fire or asphyxiation.
[0014] Although the invention has been described in considerable detail in
language specific to
structural features and or method acts, it is to be understood that the
invention defined in the
appended daims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts
described. Rather, the
specific features and acts are disclosed as exemplary preferred forms of
implementing the
claimed invention. Stated otherwise, it is to be understood that the
phraseology and terminology
employed herein, as well as the abstract, are for the purpose of description
and should not be
regarded as limiting. Therefore, while exemplary illustrative embodiments of
the invention have
been described, numerous variations and alternative embodiments will occur to
those skilled in
the art. Such variations and alternate embodiments are contemplated, and can
be made without
departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
[0015] It should further be noted that throughout the entire disclosure, the
labels such as left,
right, front, back, top, bottorn, forward, reverse, clockwise, counter
clockwise, up, clown, or other
similar terms such as upper, lower, aft, fore, vertical, horizontal, oblique,
proximal, distal,
parallel, perpendicular, transverse, longitudinal, etc. have been used for
convenience purposes
only and are not intended to imply any particular fixed direction or
orientation. Instead, they are
CA 02955723 2017-01-23
- 6 -
used to reflect relative locations and/or directions/orientations between
various portions of an
object.
[0016] In addition, reference to "first," "second," "third," and etc. members
throughout the
disclosure (and in particular, daims) are flot used to show a serial or
numerical limitation but
instead are used to distinguish or identify the various members of the group.
