Enclosure system

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 6401951
  • Patent Number
    6,401,951
  • Date Filed
    Thursday, July 13, 2000
    24 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, June 11, 2002
    22 years ago
  • Inventors
  • Examiners
    • Young; Lee
    • Merek; Joseph C.
    Agents
    • Downs Rachlin Martin PLLC
Abstract
An enclosure system for providing a visual barrier with respect to various objects, including a tank of the type used to store fuel, water and other liquid and gaseous materials. The enclosure system includes an enclosure and a lid covering the enclosure. The enclosure is attached to the tank and is made from opaque materials such as wood or dyed plastic. Vent openings are provided to prevent the accumulation of undesirable vapors, e.g., fuel vapors, that may escape from the tank and accumulate between the enclosure and the tank. An attachment mechanism is provided for supporting the enclosure in a predetermined position relative to the tank, e.g., so that the bottom of the enclosure is positioned a few inches above the surface on which the tank rests. An optional second attachment mechanism is provided for ensuring the enclosure remains so positioned relative to the tank.
Description




FIELD OF THE INVENTION




The present invention pertains to enclosures providing a visual barrier for fuel and other tanks, and for other objects which are unsightly or otherwise need to be visually screened.




BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION




Tanks are often positioned outside residential and commercial structures for storing fuel, water and other liquids and gases. For example, propane used for cooking, heating and other purposes is often stored in a tank positioned next to an exterior wall of a structure.




While necessary to the operation and activity within the structure, such tanks are often relatively unsightly. As a result, vegetation is often planted to provide a visual barrier with respect to the tank. However, vegetation often does not provide a suitable visual barrier, and can impede access to the tank for delivery and maintenance. Sometimes, home and business owners erect a stockade or other fence around the tank to provide a visual barrier. The cost and time associated with installing such a fence, and the restriction to tank access the fence imposes, makes this approach to tank screening less than optimal. In some cases, the appearance of a tank near a structure may be a sufficiently negative proposition that individuals will refuse to install a tank even when needed.




SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION




The present invention is directed to a device for providing visual screening of a storage tank positioned relative to an adjacent surface. The storage tank includes a vertical sidewall having a cylindrical outer surface and an upper end. The storage tank further includes an upper end wall attached to the vertical sidewall at the upper end thereof and located radially inward from the outer surface of the sidewall.




The device comprises a screening structure for surrounding the storage tank. The screening structure has an upper end, a lower end, an inner surface extending between the upper and lower ends and at least one opening extending through the screening structure. At least a portion of the inner surface is for confronting the vertical sidewall of the storage tank when the screening structure surrounds the storage tank. The at least one opening is located entirely between a horizontal plane defined by the upper end of the vertical sidewall of the storage tank and the upper end of the screening structure when the screening structure surrounds the storage tank. The device further comprises a support that engages the screening structure and the upper end wall of the storage tank when the screening structure surrounds the storage tank. The support prevents the screening structure from moving vertically downward relative to the storage tank such that the lower end of the screening structure is maintained in vertical spaced-apart relationship to the adjacent surface.




In another aspect, the present invention is directed to a system comprising a storage tank including a vertical sidewall having a cylindrical outer surface and an upper end. The storage tank further includes an upper end wall attached to the vertical sidewall at the upper end thereof and located radially inward from the outer surface of said sidewall. A screening structure surrounds the storage tank. The screening structure has an upper end located upward of the upper end of the vertical sidewall, a lower end, an inner surface extending between the upper and lower ends and at least one opening extending through the screening structure. At least a portion of the inner surface confronts the outer surface of the vertical sidewall. The at least one opening is located entirely between a horizontal plane defined by the upper end of the vertical sidewall and the upper end of the screening structure. A support engages the screening structure and the upper end of said storage tank. The support preventing the screening structure from moving vertically downward relative to the storage tank such that the lower end of the screening structure is maintained in spaced-apart relationship to a surface located below the lower end.




In yet another aspect, the present invention is directed to a device for providing visual screening of a storage tank positioned relative to an adjacent surface. The storage tank includes a vertical sidewall having a cylindrical outer surface and an upper end. The storage tank further includes an upper end wall attached to the vertical sidewall at the upper end of the sidewall.




The device comprises a screening structure for surrounding the storage tank. The screening structure has an upper end, a lower end, a first edge and a second edge. The screening structure is flexible so as to be movable between (i) a first position where the screening structure is positioned around the tank and the first and second edges are located proximate one another and (ii) a second position wherein the first and second vertical ends are spaced apart from one another. A clamp is provided for holding the first and second edges in the first position. A support engages the screening structure and the upper end wall of the storage tank when the first and second edges are in the first and said second positions. The support prevents the screening structure from moving vertically downward relative to the storage tank when the first and second edges are in the first and the second positions such that the lower end of the screening structure is maintained in vertical spaced-apart relationship to the adjacent surface.











BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS





FIG. 1

is a side elevation view of the enclosure system of the present invention and the bottom portion of the tank the enclosure system surrounds, with remaining portions of the tank being shown in phantom view;





FIG. 2

is a side elevation view of a vertical cross section of the enclosure system of

FIG. 1

taken along line


2





2


in

FIG. 6

, with the tank surrounded by the enclosure being shown in solid view;





FIG. 3

is top view of the inner surface of the enclosure, spread out flat on a surface, with an intermediate portion of the enclosure being removed to facilitate illustration;





FIG. 4

is a side elevation view of one stave of the enclosure illustrating spacers used to space the enclosure from the tank;





FIG. 5

is a partial cross section of the enclosure taken at line


5





5


in

FIG. 1

, illustrating details of the clamp used to secure together confronting edges of the enclosure, with adjacent portions of the tank being shown in a partial top view;





FIG. 6

is top view of the enclosure system of

FIG. 1

, with the lid removed to reveal the tank;





FIG. 7

is a partial side elevation view of the tank enclosure illustrating details of the strap and hook to secure the enclosure to the tank;





FIG. 8

is an exploded perspective view of the enclosure and lid; and





FIG. 9

is a cross-sectional side elevation view of another embodiment of the lid.











DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION




Referring to

FIGS. 1 and 2

, the present invention is an enclosure system


20


for providing a visual barrier relative to a tank or other object.




In a preferred embodiment of the invention, as described below, system


20


is designed to provide a visual barrier relative to a conventional liquid propane gas (“LPG”) or propane tank


30


of the type sized to hold about 420 pounds of LPG or propane, and identified by the label DOT 4BW240. As is known, tank


30


includes a central cylindrical section


32


having an outer surface


33


, a top portion


34


and a curved shoulder


36


connecting the top and cylindrical sections. Tank


30


also includes hollow cylindrical housing


38


attached to and extending upwardly from top portion


34


, and cap


40


hinged to the housing. By opening cap


40


, access may be obtained to the fill and pressure relief valves (not shown), gauges (not shown) and other components of tank


30


enclosed by housing


38


and cap


40


. Typically, four openings


42


are provided in housing


38


immediately above the intersection of the housing with top portion


34


, each spaced 90° from adjacent openings. Tank


30


is positioned on surface


50


.




Enclosure system


20


may also be used to enclose other tanks, and more generally almost any elongate structure of cylindrical or other configuration. For example, enclosure system


20


may be used to enclose a tank for storing water, a well head or a concrete pylon.




Enclosure system


20


comprises enclosure


100


and lid


200


. Enclosure


100


is designed to surround tank


30


and lid


200


is positioned on top of the enclosure. While the use of lid


200


is preferred, it is not an essential element of enclosure system


20


.




In a preferred embodiment, enclosure


100


has a plurality of staves


102


which are preferably made from an opaque or translucent material that is weather resistant, has sufficient mechanical strength, and has a pleasing visual appearance. Suitable materials for staves


102


include rot-resistant woods (as depicted by stave


102


′ in

FIG. 5

) such as cedar and redwood, plastics (as depicted by stave


102


″ in

FIG. 5

) such as polyethylene, polyurethane and ABS, and wood-polymer composites of the type sold under the trademark TREX by Trex Co. LLC of Winchester, Va. Staves


102


are positioned relative to one another so that little, if any, gap exists between adjacent staves. In one embodiment of the invention staves


102


are white cedar, are about 4 feet long, and have a nominal cross section of 1 inch by 4 inch.




Referring to

FIGS. 1

,


2


and


5


, the number of staves


102


used is selected so that the circumference of enclosure


100


is preferably slightly less, i.e., about the width of one stave, than the circumference of tank


300


. As a result of sizing enclosure


100


in this manner, a vertical opening


124


(see

FIG. 5

) exists between confronting staves


102


′ and


102


″ for the purpose of accommodating slight variations in the nominally standard circumference of tank


30


.




Alternatively, enclosure


100


may be made from a single sheet of material that is opaque or translucent, e.g., polypropylene, polyurethane, polyethylene or ABS. When made from such material, enclosure


100


may be made from a flexible material that can be wrapped around tank


30


, or may be made molded in a cylindrical configuration corresponding to that of the tank. In the latter case, enclosure


100


is positioned over tank


30


, rather than being wrapped around the tank. Several pieces of material may also be used to make enclosure


100


. The specific size and configuration of enclosure


100


is dictated by the size and configuration of the object to be enclosed.




When enclosure


100


is used to enclose a tank


30


containing LPG or propane, a number of vents


110


are provided extending through staves


102


. Vents


110


are provided to prevent the accumulation of gases that may escape from tank


30


in the region enclosed by system


20


. The size, number and placement of vents


110


are selected so as to prevent such accumulation of gases in such region and to comply with any relevant LPG, propane or other industry standards. For example, the International Approval Services is adopting a standard for tank enclosures identified by “IAS U.S. 3-96 LP Tank Enclosure,” that specifies the area of vents that must be provided in tank enclosures.




In a preferred embodiment of the invention, vents


110


are provided in staves


102




a


, which are separated from one another by ventless staves


102




b


. Thus, in the preferred embodiment every other stave


102


includes a vent


110


. It is believed to be advantageous to position vents


110


so as to be substantially vertically aligned just above the bottom portion of shoulder


36


of tank


30


when enclosure


100


is positioned relative to the tank in the manner illustrated in

FIGS. 1 and 2

, as described in more detail below. However, other placement of vents


110


will also provide satisfactory results. In this regard, vents


110


need not be horizontally aligned in the manner shown in FIG.


1


. In any event, if tank


30


contains explosive gases, it is recommended that vents


110


be positioned so as to be vertically aligned with that portion of tank


30


between the bottom of shoulder


36


and the top of housing


38


. If enclosure


100


is used in connection with tanks not containing explosive gases, vents


110


may be placed at almost any location on enclosure


100


.




Also in the preferred embodiment, vents


110


are sized so that the total area of (a) vents


110


and (b) the open circumferential space between the bottom of enclosure


100


and surface


50


, is equal to or greater than about 1 square inch for each pound of gas that can be stored in tank


30


. Preferably, at least 50% of this total area is provided below the bottom of enclosure


100


. For example, if tank


30


can hold 420 pounds of LPG or propane, the total area of vents


110


and the open circumferential space between the bottom of enclosure


100


and surface


50


should be at least 420 square inches with at least 210 square inches of this area provided below the bottom of enclosure


100


. Thus, the total area of vents


110


is preferably about 0.1 to 0.5 square inches times the magnitude of the weight in pounds of propane or liquid natural gas that can be accommodated in tank


30


when full. For example, if tank


100


can hold 420 pounds of propane, the total area of vents


110


is preferably 42 to 210 square inches (0.1-0.5×420). More information concerning the placement and size of vents


110


is provided below, following the description of installation of the invention.




Turning now to

FIGS. 1

,


3


and


4


, in the preferred embodiment adjacent staves


102


touch one another or are separated by a minimal amount, e.g., {fraction (1/32)} to ½ inch. Staves


102


may be secured together using a variety of techniques so that enclosure


100


has a cylindrical configuration corresponding to that of tank


30


or so that, as illustrated in

FIG. 3

, the enclosure is substantially planar and maybe wrapped around the tank. These techniques include securing staves


102


together with rigid or flexible fasteners, bands or brackets, gluing the staves together, or keying the staves together with dovetail joints or other interlocking structure.




Preferably, as illustrated in

FIG. 3

, staves


102


are secured together with flexible bands


112


extending roughly perpendicular to the long dimension of the staves. Bands


112


are preferably made from rot and stretch-resistant materials such as nylon, polypropylene or polyethylene. Bands


112


are attached to staves


102


using fasteners such as nails, screws or staples


113


(only several of which are shown in

FIG. 3

for clarity of illustration) the latter being preferred at the rate of two staples per stave. The number of bands


112


used depends on the width of the bands, the height of enclosure


100


and the desired structural integrity of the enclosure. In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in

FIG. 3

, six bands


112


are used, each about ¾ inch wide. Bands


112


should be fairly evenly distributed over the length of enclosure


100


, although it is preferred that a band be positioned about 4-6 inches from top end


114


and bottom end


116


of the enclosure, and two bands be positioned in the region between vents


110


and top end


114


of enclosure


100


.




Referring next to

FIGS. 1-5

, under certain atmospheric conditions, moisture may condense on the outer surface of tank


30


. This moisture, if held against tank


30


by enclosure


100


, may cause the tank to corrode and could degrade the enclosure. To prevent this problem, a plurality of spacers


120


(

FIGS. 2-5

) are preferably attached to inner surface


122


of staves


102


. Spacers


120


hold inner surface


122


away from outer surface


33


of cylindrical section


32


of tank


30


so as to create a space between surfaces


122


and


33


. The height H (

FIG. 4

) of spacers


120


may range from {fraction (1/16)} to 2 inches, preferably ¼ to ¾ inch. However, if spacers


120


are made from a compressible material, then height H will need to be somewhat greater than these dimensions so that when enclosure


100


is wrapped around tank


30


as illustrated in FIG.


1


and described below, spacers


120


have a height in the {fraction (1/16)} to 2 inch range. Plastic, rubber and other non-absorbent, moisture-resistant materials may be used for spacers


120


. Spacers


120


may be made from strips of material extending substantially perpendicular to the long dimension of staves


102


, from “buttons” of material attached to inner surface


122


of staves


120


so as to collectively extend in such perpendicular direction, or from material of other configuration.




Referring now to

FIGS. 1

,


3


and


5


, when enclosure


100


is designed as a flexible structure that can be wrapped around tank


30


, as illustrated in these figures, at least one clamp


130


is provided for securing together outermost staves


102


′ and


102


″ (see

FIGS. 3 and 5

) in confronting relation. Clamp


130


may have a variety of designs, although it is preferred the clamp be capable of pulling together and holding together staves


102


′ and


102


″ in the confronting relation illustrated in

FIGS. 1

,


5


,


6


and


8


. In a preferred embodiment, bracket


130


is a modified worm gear clamp having rack portion


132


and a pinion portion


134


. Rack portion


132


has a flat portion


136


with a plurality of slots


138


formed therein. Pinion portion


134


includes a housing


140


having a pinion gear (not shown) to which screw head


142


is attached. The teeth (not shown) of pinion gear are designed to engage slots


138


in flat portion


136


so that when screw head


142


is turned, flat portion


136


is drawn into and through housing


140


.




Rack portion


132


includes a U-shaped portion


144


(see

FIG. 5

) and rack portion


134


includes a U-shaped portion


146


(see FIG.


5


). U-shaped portions


144


and


146


are configured to wrap around, respectively, edge


150


(see

FIG. 5

) of stave


102


′ and edge


152


(see

FIG. 5

) of stave


102


″. Preferably, but not necessarily, U-shaped portions


144


and


146


are secured to staves


102


′ and


102


″ (see FIG.


3


), respectively. In a preferred embodiment, two clamps


130


are provided, one positioned near the middle of enclosure


100


, as measured between upper end


114


and lower end


116


, and the other positioned about 6-12 inches above bottom end


116


. In this embodiment, spacers


120


are substantially vertically aligned with clamps


130


.




Enclosure system


20


may optionally include a support system for supporting bottom end


116


of enclosure


100


at a predetermined distance, e.g., 4-6 inches above surface


50


, as illustrated in FIG.


2


and described in more detail below. This support system may consist of one of a number of different devices. For example, the system may include (a) one or more blocks (not shown) positioned on surface


50


, with bottom edge


116


of enclosure


100


resting on such blocks, (b) magnets (not shown) secured to staves


102


so as to support enclosure


100


by magnetic engagement with tank


30


when the latter is made from steel, and (c) a hook, strap and buckle support system, the latter being preferred.




Referring now to

FIGS. 2

,


6


and


7


, support system


160


is provided for securing enclosure


100


in selected vertical relationship with tank


30


, such as that illustrated in FIG.


2


. Support system


160


includes straps


162


and


164


which are secured together by buckle


166


. Preferably, buckle


166


both permits straps


162


and


164


to be drawn toward one another and secures the straps relative to one another in selected relation. Alternatively, a single strap (not shown) having a length equal to that of straps


162


and


164


may be used in place of the two straps. In such case, buckle


166


is not required. Also, straps


162


and


164


may be individually secured to tank housing


38


with a hook and buckle or similar cinching mechanism. When enclosure system


20


will be used in an environment where a substantial load, i.e., from snow, will be applied to lid


200


, it may be desirable to use two support systems


160


, positioned in mutually perpendicular relation.




Support system


160


also includes hooks


170


and


172


which are secured, respectively, to the ends of straps


162


and


164


. Hooks


170


and


172


have a U-shaped configuration sized so as to receive portions of staves


102




b


(see

FIG. 7

) adjacent bottom edge


116


. As described in more detail below, straps


162


and


164


are sized so that when secured together by buckle


166


they extend from a first location on bottom edge


116


, up over the top of tank


30


and down to a second location on bottom edge


116


that is positioned approximately opposite, i.e., 180° away from, the first location.




Turning now to

FIGS. 1

,


2


and


8


, enclosure system


20


preferably, but not necessarily, includes lid


200


. The latter is sized to sit on top of enclosure


100


, engaging top surface


114


. If desired, lid


200


may include a flexible flange


202


at the periphery of the lid for compressively engaging portions of staves


102


adjacent top edge


114


of enclosure


100


. Lid


200


may be made from a variety of materials including wood, metal, plastic and composites.




Referring to

FIG. 9

, in some circumstances, e.g., when enclosure system


20


is used in a hot climate, it may be desirable to provide ventilation in the lid of the system. To this end, an alternative embodiment of the lid, identified by reference numeral


300


in

FIG. 9

, is provided. Lid


300


is identical to lid


200


, except that it has a central opening


302


which is covered by cap


304


supported above opening


302


by legs


306


. Preferably, legs


306


are sized so that the peripheral edge of cap


304


is spaced about 1″ above adjacent portions of lid


300


. Also, cap


304


is preferably sized to overhang opening


302


by about 1″.




Installation of the preferred embodiment of enclosure system


20


, illustrated in

FIGS. 1-9

, proceeds as follows. This description assumes enclosure


100


is assembled to the degree illustrated in

FIG. 3

, and is in the substantially planar position illustrated in FIG.


3


. Enclosure


100


is moved adjacent tank


30


so that staves


102


are in a substantially vertical position and top end


114


is positioned on top. Next, enclosure


100


is wrapped around tank


30


. The flexible nature of bands


112


permits the discrete staves


102


to move relative to one another sufficiently to permit such wrapping. In some cases, it may be necessary to remove the top portion of one or more staves


102




a


to accommodate a gas supply line (not shown) leading away from tank


30


.




Flat portion


136


of rack portion


132


of clamp


130


is then inserted into housing


140


of pinion portion


134


of clamp


130


so that the teeth (not shown) in the housing engage slots


138


, and screw head


142


is turned so as to draw the flat portion into the housing. As this turning action continues, staves


102


′ and


102


″ are drawn toward one another, causing enclosure


100


to compressively engage tank


30


. Spacers


120


provide the point of contact between enclosure


100


and tank


30


. Before clamps


130


are tightened sufficiently to prevent enclosure


100


from moving vertically relative to tank


30


, the enclosure is vertically positioned as desired, preferably so that bottom end


116


of the enclosure is positioned about 4-6 inches above surface


50


. In this position, vents


110


are positioned in substantial vertical alignment just above the bottom of shoulder


36


of tank


30


. Finally, lid


200


or


300


is positioned on top end


114


of enclosure


100


.




Under some circumstances the compressive engagement of enclosure


100


with tank


30


created by clamps


130


is sufficient to retain the enclosure in the above-described position relative to the tank. However, to ensure enclosure


100


remains in this position, one of the above-described support systems, such as support system


160


, may be employed. Support system


160


is partially installed before enclosure


100


is secured to tank


30


. In this regard, what will become the buckled end of strap


164


is inserted through diametrically opposed openings


42


at the base of housing


38


, avoiding all valves and gauges as necessary (see FIG.


6


), and the remainder of strap


164


, with hook


172


secured to its lower end, is draped over the outer surface


33


of tank


30


and adjusted until hook


172


is just resting on surface


50


. Strap


164


is then temporarily secured in this position to the outer surface


33


of tank


30


using tape or other suitable materials. Next, strap


162


, with hook


170


secured to its lower end, is draped over outer surface


33


of tank


30


in substantially diametrically opposed relation to strap


164


and is adjusted until hook


170


is just resting on surface


50


. Strap


162


is also temporarily secured in this position with tape or other suitable materials.




Following installation of enclosure


100


on tank


30


as described above, hooks


170


and


172


are positioned to engage bottom end


116


of the enclosure, preferably on diametrically opposed ventless staves


102




b


and to one side of each of the staves (see

FIG. 7

) to allow attached straps


162


and


164


to avoid spacers


120


attached to said staves. Straps


162


and


164


are then adjusted relative to one another so that hooks


170


and


172


pull upwardly against bottom edge


116


with moderate force. This adjustment is achieved via buckle


166


or similar cinching mechanism. Tape or other materials for temporarily securing straps


162


and


164


to tank


30


may be removed if desired. Following this procedure, enclosure


100


is then installed around tank


30


in the manner described above.




As noted above, when lid


200


or


300


will be subjected to a heavy load, two support systems


160


may be needed. Each of the support systems


160


is installed in the manner described above, with the systems being positioned in mutually perpendicular relation.




The total area of vents


110


and the circumferential opening between bottom end


116


of enclosure


100


and surface


50


, described above, i.e., about 1 square inch for each pound of gas stored in tank


30


, is selected based on the assumption bottom end


116


of enclosure


100


will be positioned about 4-6 inches above surface


50


. With such positioning, about 0.1 to 0.5 of the total desired vent area for enclosure


100


is provided via vents


110


. As illustrated in

FIGS. 1-3

and


8


, only about 0.1 of the total desired vent area is provided by vents


110


. The circumferential opening below enclosure


100


is designed to prevent gases that escape from tank


30


and enclosure


100


from accumulating at the base of the enclosure.




When enclosure system


20


is used to enclose tanks or other objects that do not potentially emit gases requiring ventilation, vents


110


are not required and it is not necessary from a ventilation standpoint that enclosure


100


be positioned above surface


50


. However, if the tank or other object is subject to rot or corrosion as a result of the presence of moisture within enclosure system


20


, it may still be desirable to use vents


110


and/or position enclosure


100


above surface


50


.




An important advantage of enclosure system


20


when installed relative to tank


30


in the manner described above is that the enclosure system substantially visually blocks the tank. This permits a tank


30


to be installed in certain environments where it could not otherwise be used due to the relatively unattractive nature of such tanks. Even where aesthetic concerns would not block installation of tank


30


, enclosure system


20


provides a more visually satisfying appearance for the tank. The small portions of tank


30


that may be visible through enclosure


100


, e.g., via vents


110


or opening


124


, do not detract to any meaningful extent from the overall aesthetic benefit provided by the present invention.




Since certain changes may be made in the enclosure system described above without departing from the present invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings be interpreted in an illustrative and not in a limiting sense.



Claims
  • 1. A device for providing visual screening of a storage tank including a vertical sidewall having a cylindrical outer surface and an upper end, tile storage tank further including an upper end wall attached to the vertical sidewall at said upper end thereof and located radially inward from the outer surface of the sidewall, the device comprising:a. a screening structure for surrounding the storage tank, said screening structure having an upper end, a lower end, an inner surface extending between said upper and lower ends and having a first free end extending from said upper end to said lower end and a second free end extending from said upper end to said lower end, said upper end defining a first plane and said lower end defining a second plane substantially parallel to said first plane when said screening structure surrounds the storage tank said screening structure substantially conforming to said cylindrical outer surface such that said first free end and said second free end are proximate one another when said screening structure surrounds the storage tank said upper and lower ends being open when said screening structure surrounds the storage tank; and b. an elongate flexible member engaging said screening structure, at least a portion of said elongate flexible member extending across and engaging at least a portion of the upper end wall of the storage tank when said screening structure surrounds the storage tank to prevent said screening structure from moving vertically downward relative to the storage tank.
  • 2. A device according to claim 1, wherein said screening structure comprises a plurality of staves extending vertically when said screening structure surrounds the storage tank.
  • 3. A device according to claim 1, where said elongate flexible member is a strap.
  • 4. A device according to claim 1, wherein said elongate flexible member has a first end an a second end, said first and second ends each having a fastener for attaching said elongate flexible member to said screening structure.
  • 5. A device according to claim 4, wherein said fasteners are located substantially diametrically opposite one another when said screening structure surrounds the storage tank.
  • 6. A device according to claim 4, wherein each of said fasteners engages said screening structure adjacent said lower end.
  • 7. A device according to claim 6, wherein each of said fasteners comprises a hook.
  • 8. A device according to claim 3, wherein said elongate flexible member has a length and includes a mechanism for adjusting said length.
  • 9. A device according to claim 8, wherein said mechanism comprises a buckle.
  • 10. A device according to claim 1, further comprising a lid engagable with said screening structure for covering said upper end of said screening structure when said screening structure surrounds the storage tank.
  • 11. A system comprising:a a storage tank including a vertical sidewall having a cylindrical outer surface and an upper end, said storage tank further including an upper end wall attached to said vertical sidewall at said upper end thereof and located radially inward from said outer surface of said sidewall; b. a screening structure surrounding said storage tank, said screen structure having an upper end located upward of said upper end of said vertical sidewall, a lower end, an inner surface extending between said upper and lower ends, a first free end extending from said upper end to said lower end and a second free end extending from said upper end to said lower end, said screening structure substantially conforming to said cylindrical outer surface such that said first free end and said second free end am located proximate one another, said upper and lower ends being open when said screening structure surrounds the storage tank; and c. an elongate flexible member engaging said screening structure, at least a portion of said elongate flexible member extending across and engaging at least a portion of said upper end wall to prevent said screening structure from moving vertically downward relative to said storage tank.
  • 12. A system according to claim 11, wherein said upper end wall of said storage tank includes an upwardly facing surface and a curved surface, said upwardly facing surface located radially inward from said outer surface of said vertical sidewall of said storage tank and vertically upward from said upper end of said vertical sidewall, said curved surface defining a shoulder between said outer surface and said upwardly facing surface, said elongate flexible member engaging the shoulder and the upwardly facing surface.
  • 13. A system according to claim 11, wherein said elongate flexible member engages said lower end of said screening structure.
  • 14. A device for providing visual screening of a storage tank including a vertical sidewall having a cylindrical outer surface and an upper end, the storage tank further including an upper end wall attached to the vertical sidewall at the upper end of the sidewall, the device comprising:a. a screening structure for surrounding the storage tank, said screening structure having an upper end, a lower end, a first free end extending between said upper end and said lower end and a second free end extending between an upper end and said lower end, wherein said screening structure is flexible so as to be movable between (i) a first position where said screening structure is positioned around the tank and said first and second free ends are located proximate one another and (ii) a second position wherein said first and second free ends are located distal from one another, said upper end defining a first plane and said lower end defining a second plane parallel to said first plane when sad screening structure is in said first position, said upper and lower ends being open; b. a clamp for holding said first and second free ends in said first position; and c. an elongate flexible member engaging said screening structure, at least a portion of said elongate flexible member engaging the upper end wall of the storage when said first and second free ends are alternately in said first and said second positions, said elongate flexible member preventing said screening structure from moving vertically downward relative to the storage tank when said first and second free ends are alternately in said first and said second positions.
  • 15. A device accord to claim 14, wherein said elongate flexible member is a strap.
  • 16. A device according to claim 14, wherein said screening structure has an inner surface and said device further comprises a plurality of spacers for holding said screening structure in spaced-apart relationship to the tank when said vertical ends are in said first position.
  • 17. A device according to claim 14, wherein said clamp comprises a worm-gear rack portion secured to said screening structure adjacent said first edge and a pinion portion secured to said screening structure adjacent said second edge.
  • 18. a device according to claim 14, further comprising a lid, said lid engagable with said screening structure at said upper end of said vertical sidewall when said first and second vertical walls are in said first position.
  • 19. A device according to claim 1, wherein said screening structure contains at least one opening positioned substantially between the upper end of the vertical sidewall and said upper end of said screening structure when said screening structure surrounds the storage tank.
  • 20. A device according to claim 19, wherein said screening structure further comprises a plurality of spacers attached thereto, said plurality of spacers for contacting the outer surface of the storage tank and defining an air space between the outer surface of the storage tank and said screening structure when said screening structure surrounds the storage tank.
  • 21. A device according to claim 19, wherein said screening structure contains at least one opening positioned substantially between the upper end of the vertical sidewall and said upper end of said screening structure.
  • 22. A device according to claim 21, wherein said screening structure further comprises a plurality of spacers attached thereto, said plurality of spacers for contacting the outer surface of the storage tank and defining an air space between the outer surface of the storage tank and said screening structure when said screening structure surrounds the storage tank.
RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 08/939,433, filed Sep. 26, 1997, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,102,230.

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Continuations (1)
Number Date Country
Parent 08/939433 Sep 1997 US
Child 09/615094 US