Patent Application
20180195316
The present invention generally relates to an improved restraint device for use in restraining and securing one or more liquid propane gas tanks of the kind that are mounted on motor vehicles and trailers and, more particularly, to a liquid propane gas tank restraining device having a lockable lock hasp adapted to engage a bracket to secure a locking nut.
Motor vehicles and trailers that might be towed by motor vehicles often employ the use of portable liquid propane gas tanks. For example, in the case of trailers, such portable liquid propane gas tanks may be mounted to a forward portion of the trailer above a trailer hitch structure, also referred to as the towing tongue or coupler, which is used to attach the trailer to the motor vehicle. Often, such an arrangement further includes gas distribution system access valve(s) by which the portable liquid propane gas tanks may be individually or in tandem attached to the gas distribution system of the trailer. For reasons of convenience and safety, these portable liquid propane gas tanks are often mounted outside of the trailer and exposed to the environment. As such, these portable liquid propane gas tanks are often placed in exposed locations where they may be stolen. A device for retaining and securing such portable liquid propane gas tanks is desired.
According to one aspect of the present invention, a restraint device for securing an object, the restraint device comprises a base upon which the object to disposed, a shaft having an upper first threaded exposed end and a second opposed lower end rigidly mounted relative to the base, a crossbar in juxtaposed relation with the object, the crossbar having an opening through which is received the upper first threaded exposed end of the shaft, a bracket in juxtaposed relation with the crossbar, the bracket having an opening through which is received the upper first threaded exposed end of the shaft, a threaded locking nut in juxtaposed relation with the bracket, the threaded locking nut having a threaded opening through which is received the upper first threaded exposed end of the shaft and which threadingly engages the upper first threaded exposed end of the shaft, and a lock hasp in juxtaposed relation with the threaded locking nut. The lock hasp has an opening through which is received the upper first threaded exposed end of the shaft and a restraining member, wherein the restraining member extends through an offset opening in the bracket and the restraining member has a shackle opening through which a shackle of a removable locking device may be inserted to secure the object within the restraint device.
According to another aspect of the present invention, a restraint device for restraining in securing a portable liquid propane gas tank comprises a base upon which the portable liquid propane gas tank is supported, a vertically extended shaft having an upper threaded exposed end extending up from the base on which the portable liquid propane gas tank is supported, a horizontal crossbar extending above and restraining the portable liquid propane gas tank, wherein the vertically extending shaft extends through the horizontal crossbar, a regulator bracket disposed above the crossbar, wherein the regulator bracket further comprises a regulator mount and the vertically extending shaft extends through the regulator bracket, a locking nut disposed above the bracket, wherein the locking nut threadingly engages the upper first threaded exposed threaded exposed end of the vertically extending shaft, and a lock hasp disposed above the locking nut, wherein the lock hasp comprises a central portion and a flange extending downwardly from a first side of the central portion of the lock hasp and through a slot in the regulator bracket, the flange having an opening at a distal portion thereof through which a shackle of a removable locking device may be inserted to secure the gas tank within the restraint device.
According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a locking device is disclosed for a restraint device for restraining and securing a portable liquid propane gas tank disposed upon a portable liquid propane gas tank support structure of a recreational vehicle comprising a base upon which the portable liquid propane gas tank is supported, a vertically extended shaft having a threaded exposed end extending up from the base on which the portable liquid propane gas tank is supported, and a horizontal crossbar extending above and restraining the portable liquid propane gas tank, wherein the threaded exposed end of the vertically extending shaft extends through the horizontal crossbar. The locking device comprises a regulator bracket disposed above the crossbar, wherein the threaded exposed end of the vertically extending shaft extends through the regulator bracket, a locking nut disposed above the regulator bracket, wherein the locking nut threadingly engages the threaded exposed end of the vertically extending shaft, and a lock hasp disposed above the locking nut, wherein the lock hasp comprises a central portion and a flange extending downwardly from a first side of the central portion of the lock hasp and through a slot in the regulator bracket. The flange has an opening at a distal portion thereof through which a shackle of a removable locking device may be inserted to secure the gas tank within the restraint device.
These and other aspects, objects, and features of the present invention will be understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art upon studying the following specification, claims, and appended drawings.
In the drawings:
For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,” “left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” “interior,” “exterior,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in
Referring to
Often, such trailers 10 are provided with one or more portable liquid propane gas tanks 30, often arranged in pairs, which are typically mounted to and above the tongue 22 proximate the forward portion 20 of the main enclosed structure 12. It should be appreciated that other towable recreational vehicles 8 having other configurations, such as so-called fifth wheel trailers, and recreational vehicles 8 that may be self-propelled, such as motor coaches, are often equipped with one or more such portable liquid propane gas tanks 30 that might advantageously employ the improvement of the present disclosure.
As best seen in
As shown in
As likewise shown in
The portable liquid propane gas tanks 30 are operationally coupled with a liquid propane gas delivery system (not shown) that delivers propane gas to the various devices within the trailer 10 that consume propane gas, such as the stove, refrigerator, furnace, and water heater. In order to deliver this propane gas at the proper pressures, one or more propane gas pressure regulator(s) 76 are typically employed and mounted to a regulator bracket 80 attached to or near the center of the crossbar 60 proximate the upper first threaded exposed end 54 of the vertically extending shaft 52. In practice, only one of the portable liquid propane gas tanks 30 is usually in fluid communication with the gas delivery system at a time, with the second of the portable liquid propane gas tanks 30 being held in reserve.
In most circumstances, recreational vehicles 8, such as trailer 10, are delivered to dealerships throughout the nation with the portable liquid propane gas tanks 30 installed at the factory. However, in order to prevent the theft of the portable liquid propane gas tanks 30 from the recreational vehicles 8 as they are stored at the dealership lot, it is often necessary for dealership personnel to remove the portable liquid propane gas tanks 30 from the recreational vehicle 8, store the portable liquid propane gas tanks 30 inside a secure location at the dealership, and then reinstall the portable liquid propane gas tanks 30 upon the sale of the recreational vehicle 8. Each of these steps represents an otherwise wasteful labor cost to the recreational vehicle dealership. In addition, after the recreational vehicle 8 is sold and put into service, owners are interested in making sure that the portable liquid propane gas tanks 30 cannot be stolen from the recreational vehicle 8 when the recreational vehicle 8 is left unattended.
Current portable liquid propane gas tank locking devices, however, tend to be difficult to use. For example, chains and steel cables are often used in combination with portable padlocks to couple the portable liquid propane gas tanks 30 to the base 50 of the portable liquid propane gas tank restraint device 28 or the tongue 22 of the recreational vehicle 8. However, such approaches tend to be cumbersome. Thus, dealers and owners are presented with the challenge of effectively and efficiently protecting the portable liquid propane gas tanks 30 mounted on recreational vehicles 8.
The improved locking device 90 disclosed herein allows one or more portable liquid propane gas tanks 30 to be readily restrained and preferably secured to the portable liquid propane gas tank restraint device 28 with a portable padlock 100, that can be readily installed and removed by either the dealership and the ultimate owner for the recreational vehicle 8. According to the improvement disclosed herein, an improved regulator bracket 80 is disposed above and in juxtaposed relation with the crossbar 60, where the regulator bracket 80 is likewise provided with an opening 82 in the regulator bracket 80 through which the upper first threaded exposed end 54 of the vertically extending shaft 52 extends through the regulator bracket 80. The regulator bracket 80 preferably further comprises a regulator mount 84 to which the gas pressure regulator(s) 76 is mounted. Preferably, the regulator bracket 80 generally includes an upper planar portion 86 disposed above and proximate the center of the crossbar 60. The opening 82 is provided through the upper planar portion 86 through which the upper first threaded exposed end 54 of the vertically extending shaft 52 is received. One or more offset openings 88, 88′, each preferably shaped as a slot, are disposed on either side of the central opening 82 of the upper planar portion 86 of the regulator bracket 80, as will be further discussed below. The regulator bracket 80 further includes a vertical portion 92 in orthogonal relation with the upper planar portion 86 on which is provided the mount 84 to which the gas pressure regulator(s) 76 is mounted.
The threaded locking nut 70 is disposed above and in juxtaposed relation with the upper planar portion 86 of the regulator bracket 80. The threaded locking nut 70 has a threaded opening 72 which receives and threadingly engages the upper first threaded exposed end 54 of the vertically extending shaft 52. The regulator bracket 80 is thus preferably disposed and sandwiched between the crossbar 60 and the threaded locking nut 70, as shown in
As noted above, the lock hasp 110 is disposed above and in juxtaposed relation with the threaded locking nut 70. Preferably, the lock hasp 110 comprises a central portion 112 disposed directly above and in juxtaposed relation with the threaded locking nut 70. The central portion 112 of the lock hasp 110 also has an opening 114 through which is received the upper first threaded exposed end 54 of the vertically extending shaft 52 that extends above the threaded locking nut 70 after the threaded locking nut 70 is installed. The lock hasp 110 also includes a restraining member 120 that engages the regulator bracket 80. Preferably, the restraining member 120 extends through and below one of the openings or slots 88, 88′ in the regulator bracket 80.
The restraining member 120 preferably comprises a first flange 122 in orthogonal relation with the central portion 112 of the lock hasp 110 and extends downwardly from a first side of the central portion 112 of the lock hasp 110. The first flange 122 is thus adapted to pass through a first slot 88 formed in the regulator bracket 80, wherein the first slot 88 is disposed alongside the opening 82 that receives the upper first threaded exposed end 54 of the vertically extending shaft 52 extending through the regulator bracket 80. In addition, the first flange 122 has an opening 124 at a distal portion 126 thereof through which a shackle 102 of a portable padlock 100 may be inserted. Preferably, the first flange 122 is disposed to extend through the regulator bracket 80 in a forward facing orientation relative the tongue 22 of the trailer 10, thus facilitating ready access to the portable padlock 100.
Further, the lock hasp 110 preferably includes a second flange 128 in orthogonal relation with the central portion 112 of the lock hasp 110 that extends downwardly from an opposed second side of the central portion 112 of the lock hasp 110 and through a second slot 88′ in the regulator bracket 80 disposed alongside the central opening 82 opposite the first slot 88. Preferably, the second flange 128 likewise has an opening 124′ at a distal portion 126′ thereof. As best shown in
Once the shackle 102 of the portable padlock 100 is in its locked position, the first flange 122 is thus restrained within the first slot 88, whereby the lock hasp 110 cannot be removed from the upper first threaded exposed end 54 of the vertically extending shaft 52. With the regulator bracket 80 and threaded locking nut 70 otherwise inaccessible and non-rotatable relative the crossbar 60, and the lock hasp 110 secured to the regulator bracket 80 via the first flange 122 on the lock hasp 110, the portable liquid propane gas tank 30 is secured within the portable liquid propane gas tank restraint device 28.
As may be appreciated from the foregoing description, the improved locking device 90 for a portable liquid propane gas tank restraint device 28 disclosed herein provides a lock hasp 110 having a pair of vertically depending flanges 122, 128 that straddle opposed sides of the crossbar 60 and extends through opposed slots 88, 88′ in the regulator bracket 80. When the first flange 122 is encumbered with the shackle 102 of the portable padlock 100, the lock hasp 110 is mechanically coupled with the regulator bracket 80, preventing access to the threaded locking nut 70, thereby preventing disassembly of the crossbar 60 from the vertically extending shaft 52 and release of the portable liquid propane gas tanks 30 from the portable liquid propane gas tank restraint device 28.
It should also be appreciated that the lock hasp 110 disclosed herein has a symmetrical configuration, where each of the flanges 122, 128 have an opening 124, 124′ through which the shackle 102 of the portable padlock 100 may be received, which greatly contributes to its ease of installation and assembly by both dealership personnel and recreational vehicle owners. Also, the fact that the improved locking device 90 allows ready access to the vertically depending first flange 122 having the opening 124 through which the shackle 102 of the portable padlock 100 is inserted further contributes to the ease and simplicity of the use of the improvement disclosed herein. In sum, the solution disclosed herein provides a simple, efficient, effective, and low-cost solution to restraining and securing portable liquid propane gas tanks 30 on recreational vehicles 8, both prior to and after sale of the recreational vehicle 8.
Finally, it should be appreciated that vehicles other than recreational vehicles 8 that carry metal tanks containing gases other than liquid propane gas might advantageously employ the improvement of the present disclosure. That is, vehicles engaged in the delivery of industrial gases, e.g., acetylene, that are transported in elongated metal tanks having a lower portion 34 and a top portion 38 provided with a upper steel collar 44 that might be restrained between a base 50 and a crossbar 60 may be modified to include and enjoy the features of the present disclosure.
It will be understood by one having ordinary skill in the art that construction of the present disclosure and other components is not limited to any specific material. Other exemplary embodiments of the disclosure disclosed herein may be formed from a wide variety of materials, unless described otherwise herein.
For purposes of this disclosure, the term “coupled” (in all of its forms, couple, coupling, coupled, etc.) generally means the joining of two components (electrical or mechanical) directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary in nature or movable in nature. Such joining may be achieved with the two components (electrical or mechanical) and any additional intermediate members being integrally formed as a single unitary body with one another or with the two components. Such joining may be permanent in nature or may be removable or releasable in nature unless otherwise stated.
For purposes of this disclosure, the term “operably connected” generally means that one component functions with respect to another component, even if there are other components located between the first and second component, and the term “operable” defines a functional relationship between components.
It is also important to note that the construction and arrangement of the elements of the present disclosure as shown in the exemplary embodiments is illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments of the present innovations have been described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that, unless otherwise described, many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter recited. For example, elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements shown as multiple parts may be integrally formed, the operation of the interfaces may be reversed or otherwise varied, the length or width of the structures and/or members or connector or other elements of the system may be varied, the nature or number of adjustment positions provided between the elements may be varied. It should be noted that the elements and/or assemblies of the system may be constructed from any of a wide variety of materials that provide sufficient strength or durability, in any of a wide variety of colors, textures, and combinations. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present innovations. Other substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions may be made in the design, operating positions, and arrangement of the desired and other exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present innovations.
It will be understood that any described processes or steps within described processes may be combined with other disclosed processes or steps to form structures within the scope of the present disclosure. The exemplary structures and processes disclosed herein are for illustrative purposes and are not to be construed as limiting.
It is also to be understood that variations and modifications can be made on the aforementioned structures and methods without departing from the concepts of the present invention, and further it is to be understood that such concepts are intended to be covered by the following claims unless these claims by their language expressly state otherwise.
