Patent Application
20050001440
Gas for various purposes is compressed and stored under high pressure in steel cylinders. The pressure in these tanks can often exceed 5000 p.s.i. as a result of this pressure the storage tanks utilized must be very strong in order to withstand the internal pressure. Making the compressed gas tanks strong entails making tanks with thick wall sections which in turn means the tanks are heavy. Because the tanks are heavy they are difficult to handle. This invention is particularly concerned with scuba tanks which must be handled under adverse conditions i.e. on a rocking small boat. This invention deals with a handle device whereby small compressed gas tanks can be easily handled. The handle of this invention is a closed loop device which is adapted to grip the valve assembly, through which the tank is charged and through which gas is removed from the tank.
The primary object of this invention is a simple device whereby a compressed gas tank and in particular a scuba tank may be carried.
Another object of this invention is a carrying handle which is adapted to engage the valve of a compressed gas tank whereby the carrying handle allows for the convenient carrying of the compressed gas tank.
Still another object of this invention is a simple inexpensive carrying handle for a compressed gas tank.
For a more complete understanding of the nature, objects and advantages of the present invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
Small compressed gas tanks are in widespread usage, for example in the medical field and in sport field. Sport diving is usually referred to as scuba diving and the tanks used therein are referred to as scuba tanks. To date there has been no convenient way to carry these compressed gas tanks other than man handling the tanks around the tank body or, gripping the valve assembly with two or more fingers. The latter mentioned method gripping the valve assembly is usually very uncomfortable as the total weight of the tank is supported on just two fingers.
This invention deals with a tank carrier which will grip the valve assembly of a compressed gas tank and distribute the load over the total human hand. The tank carrier of this invention comprises a closed loop unitary structure having a first primary section and a secondary section. The first primary section is of such a size that it can be conveniently gripped by a human hand. The secondary section is adapted to engage the compressed gas tank. More particularly the secondary section is adapted to engage a portion of the valve of the compressed gas tank which is at right angles to the axis of the tank. The inside of the primary section may incorporate a plurality of grooves which may engage one of more fingers of a users hand.
The portion of the primary section which is opposite the terminal end of the secondary section is essentially linear and has a width which approximates the width of an adult human hand.
As is briefly discussed above this invention relates to a closed loop structure which is particularly suited for carrying compressed gas tanks and in particular metal tanks which are used in scuba diving. These tanks are generally referred to as scuba tanks. While the carrier of this invention can be used with all types of compressed gas tanks, the following discussion will be directed primarily to a tank carrier which is suitable for carrying scuba tanks and the problems associated with the carrying of scuba tanks.
Referring to
Tank carrier 2 has a first end 8 and a second end 10 which are opposite each other. First end 8 is essentially linear and has a width which is slightly larger than the width of an adult hand. The inside of first end 8 may further incorporate a plurality of arcuate sections 12,14,16 and 18 which are adapted to engage four fingers of an adult human hand. The radius of arcuate sections 12,14,16 and 18 approximates the radius of four adult human fingers.
Second end 6 of tank carrier 2 is opposite first end 8. Second end 6 terminates in a half circle 20. The radius of half circle 20 is slightly larger than the radius of the horizontal portion of the scuba tank valve.
The structure of a scuba tank is best understood by referring to
As can be seen from
The portion of second end 6 where second end 6 and first end 8 join may be flared. This flaring permits the easy centering of carrier 2 onto horizontal segment 32 of valve section 26.
The positioning of tank carrier 2 on valve section 26 of tank 22 is further illustrated in
From
Because of the simple nature of tank carrier 2 and the fact that it can be formed from polymeric materials the tank carrier of this invention are relatively inexpensive to manufacture.
As a result of this fact it is feasible to provide each tank with its own tank carrier.
In order to aid in the engagement and positioning of tank carrier 2 with and on valve assembly 26 the portion of tank carrier 2 approximate the junction of first end 6 with second end 8 may be flared. This flaring is shown in
As is shown in
In the preferred embodiment tank carrier 2 is formed from a thermoplastic material such as polyethylene, polypropylene, a nylon etc. If extra strength is desired fiber filled thermoplastics may be used to form tank carrier 2.
In the preferred embodiment tank carrier 2 is formed from high density polyethylene by injection molding.
The above description and drawings are illustrative of modifications that can be made without departing from the present invention, the scope of which is to be limited only by the following claims.
