MODULAR MOUNTING SYSTEM AND ASSEMBLY

Abstract

A modular mounting assembly and system is disclosed that permits a wide variety of accessory items to be easily coupled and uncoupled to a vertical surface. In certain embodiments, the vertical surface may be a surface of an above ground storage tank. A saddle is fixedly coupled to the vertical surface and slidably mates with a shelf mount that is fixedly coupled to an upper portion of an accessory item support. To maintain the accessory item support in place, relative to the vertical surface, a side mount is fixedly mounted on the vertical surface. It is disposed below the saddle, and removably couples with a lower portion of the accessory item support.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to mounting of accessories and, more particularly, to an improved system and method for mounting accessories to a surface.

Above ground storage tanks are used to house a variety of liquids including, but not limited to, wastewater and petrochemicals. These tanks 11 are usually placed by tank/fuel delivery companies at no charge on farms, job sites, or business locations. When the delivery company picks up a tank or it is returned, it must be dressed out with accessories needed for the next customer.

For above ground storage tanks, there is not a good way to attach accessories to the front (or rear) of the tank. In particular, once mounted, there is not a simple to use system that allows accessories to be interchanged, as needed. In general, accessories must be permanently attached (such as via welding) to the tank, making them difficult to swap out. Since accessory applications change for each user of the tank, permanently welding the accessories thereto is a sub-optimal solution.

As can be seen, there is a need for an improved mounting that allows for a sturdy way to secure accessories to a surface. The present invention provides for an easy way to install various attachments or accessories to the front (or rear) of the tank.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a mounting assembly comprises: a substantially vertically oriented surface; an accessory item support; a saddle fixedly coupled to the substantially vertically oriented surface, the saddle and the substantially vertically oriented surface defining a pocket therebetween that is proximal an upper portion of the saddle; a shelf mount fixedly coupled to an upper portion of the accessory item support and comprising a downwardly extending leg that is slidably received in the pocket; and a first side mount fixedly coupled to the substantially vertically oriented surface and removably coupled to a lower portion of the accessory item support.

In another aspect of the present invention, a mounting system comprises: a saddle configured to fixedly couple to a substantially vertically oriented surface, the saddle and the substantially vertically oriented surface being configured to define a pocket therebetween that is proximal an upper portion of the saddle; a shelf mount configured to fixedly couple to an upper portion of an accessory item support and comprising a downwardly extending leg that is configured to be slidably received in the pocket; and a first side mount configured to fixedly couple to the substantially vertically oriented surface and configured to removably couple to a lower portion of the accessory item support.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description, and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following figures are included to illustrate certain aspects of the present disclosure and should not be viewed as exclusive embodiments. The subject matter disclosed is capable of considerable modifications, alterations, combinations, and equivalents in form and function, without departing from the scope of this disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of two exemplary structures in use with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top exploded perspective view showing the relationship of the two exemplary structures and the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a bottom exploded perspective view showing the relationship of the two exemplary structures;

FIG. 4 is a front elevation view of the two exemplary structures of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is an exploded side elevation view of the embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 6 is a front perspective view, similar to FIG. 1, showing the embodiment of the present invention in use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The subject disclosure is described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present disclosure such that one skilled in the art will be enabled to make and use the present invention. It may be evident, however, that the present disclosure may be practiced without some of these specific details.

Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides a saddle and mount that allows various accessories to be installed and removed from the front or rear of an above ground storage tank by inserting a shelf in a pocket and attaching it to a side mount. The present invention allows a very secure, easy, fast way to add or replace various tank accessories.

The present invention allows an individual to install various types of objects and accessories to a vertical flat surface (with it being understood that “vertical” also includes substantially vertically surfaces, i.e., ones that may be slightly inclined), while leaving the option of easily changing or removing the object or accessory. An object of the present invention is to provide a quick and easy way to install and remove the accessories to a vertical surface with few or no tools required, and in a short amount of time. Embodiments of the present invention include a mounting system that does not protrude too far away from a vertical surface (such as a vertical surface of a tank) and allows for accessories and attachments to be interchangeable with little time and effort. It will be appreciated that, while most of the disclosure discusses the present invention in the context of above ground storage tanks, other applications are appropriate and within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-6, an overall universal and efficient accessory mounting system for above-ground storage tanks 11 (and the like) includes, in certain embodiments, a first platform mounting bracket unit 12, a second platform mounting bracket unit 14, a vertical bracket assembly 16, a shelf mount 16e, saddle 16f, and a plurality of side mounts 18.

As shown in FIG. 3, the first platform mounting bracket 12 includes a top plate 12a, gussets 12b, mounting holes 12c defined in the gussets 12b (the function of which is described in greater detail below), and, in certain embodiments, a nozzle holder 12c for holding a nozzle of a gas pump 12e (shown in phantom lines in FIG. 6). A shelf mount 16e is coupled to a rear side of the top plate 12a, the function of which is described in greater detail below. The second platform mounting bracket 14 may include similar structure as the first platform mounting bracket 12, e.g., a top plate 14a, gussets 14b, and mounting holes 14c defined in the gussets 14b (the function of which is described in greater detail below). A shelf mount 16e may also couple to a rear side of the top plate 14a, the function of which is described in greater detail below.

Referring to FIG. 3, the vertical bracket assembly 16 includes a post 16a, mounting holes 16b defined in the post 16a (the function of which is described in greater detail below), and, in certain embodiments, a nozzle holder 16c and a vertical plate 16d for holding a card reader 16g (shown in phantom lines in FIG. 6). A shelf mount 16e couples to a rear side of the post 16a, the function of which is described in greater detail below.

In accordance with certain aspects of the present invention, and as shown, for example, in FIG. 5, each saddle 16f (which may be composed of two plates permanently connected to one another) defines a pocket between an upper plate thereof and a flat vertical surface it is mounted to (e.g., a storage tank 11). The shelf mount 16e is configured as an attachment which may be coupled to various accessory item supports 12, 14, 16 (e.g., the first platform mounting bracket unit 12, the second platform mounting bracket unit 14 and the vertical bracket assembly 16) to be hung on the saddle 16f by a downwardly extending member/leg of the shelf mount 16e being received in the pocket.

The accessory item supports 12, 14, 16 have portions (e.g., gussets 12b, 14b or a post 16a) which have one or more mounting holes 12d, 14c, 16b defined therein that are designed to attach to one or more side mounts 18 (which have complementary holes 18a formed therein) using fasteners. As shown in FIG. 4, the side mounts 18 lay substantially flush with a vertical surface of the accessory item support 12, 14, 16. For greater stability, the mounting holes 12d, 14c, 16b are disposed a predetermined distance below the shelf mount 16e (and consequently, also the saddle 16f). In preferred embodiments, the predetermined distance is approximately 8 inches between the mounting holes 12d, 14c, 16b and the shelf mount 16e. Together, the saddle 16f, shelf mount 16e, and side mounts 18 form a saddle mounting system.

As discussed above, the saddle 16f defines a pocket for the shelf mount 16e to hang in after it has been coupled to an accessory item support 12, 14, 16. As illustrated in FIG. 6, various accessories may be installed on top of top plates 12a, 14a and vertical plates 16d, such as a gas pump 12e and card reader 16g, both of which being illustrated in phantom lines. Other accessories may include, but are not limited to, a shelf to install a hose reel, a mount for installing a fire extinguisher, a step or ladder to access the top of a 2000-gallon tank to reach the dial to clear the meter, etc. Prior to the present invention, there was no modular way of adding and removing these types of items. While the accessories may be determined by the particular application and need of the user, the saddle 16f, shelf mount 16e, and side mounts 18 are needed to allow for this customizability.

Methods of making the present invention would be readily apparent to those with skill in the art from the foregoing, and may include the following. The saddle 16f may be formed by welding two sides and bottom of two 2-inch× 3/16-inch plates together splitting them lengthwise in half, creating a 1-inch-deep× 3/16-inch pocket when welded against a flat vertical surface like a above ground fuel storage tank. The shelf mount 16e may be formed as a 1-inch×1-inch×⅛-inch angle which is attached (such as by welding or other appropriate processes) to the various aforementioned accessory item supports 12, 1416 to be hung on the saddle 16f. The gussets 12b, 14b may be, in certain embodiments, 11-gauge gussets. The fasteners used to connect the mounting holes 12d, 14c, 16b with the side mount mounting holes 18a may be, for example, ⅜-inch bolts and washer. The post 16a, in certain embodiments, may be 2-inches×2-inches in cross-section. However, it will be appreciated by those with skill in the art that other dimensions and methods for making these components may be employed such that the same functionality is achieved

As discussed above, prior to the present invention, there was not a good way of dressing a tank 11 without permanently welding items to the tank 11. Since accessory applications change for each customer, the present invention will allow a saddle mount system to be installed which will allow a way of mixing/interchanging accessories 12e, 16g using a single mounting system so the customer can just install one, two and/or three of the mounting systems. Furthermore, all the tanks 11 may be built with a mounting system on one or both sides of the front or rear side of the tank, allowing for very versatile arrangements.

All accessories 12e, 16g for the tank 11 may be built to match the saddle mounting system, allowing a secure and quick way of adding and removing accessories 12e, 16g to the tank 11. As described in the background, these tanks 11 are usually placed by tank/fuel delivery companies at no charge on farms, job sites, or business locations. Unlike conventional systems, which require permanent mounting, when the delivery company picks up a tank 11 (that makes use of the present invention) or it is returned, a user simply removes two bolts/fasteners from the side mounts 18 and lifts the shelf mount 16e from the saddle 16f and that tank 11 is ready to be dressed out with the needed accessories and configuration for the next customer.

As will be appreciated by those with skill in the art, embodiments of the present invention can be used for various purposes. For example, this can be used in agriculture to attach pumps, hoses, and the like to a tank and sprayer or to install garden hoses, etc., to a house or deck at a house or garden. In general, disclosed herein is a mounting system that can be used to create a solid, secure, and nearly tool free vertical surface mount to hold any item created to match the mounting systems, saddle, and mount. While numerous accessory items have been listed in the present disclosure, the accessories and combinations thereof that may be built to work with the mounting system of the present invention are nearly limitless. Further, these teachings may be applied across industries and applications, such as agriculture, above-ground storage, fuel tanks, and both private and commercial industries.

While one or more preferred embodiments are disclosed, many other implementations will occur to one of ordinary skill in the art and are all within the scope of the invention. Each of the various embodiments described above may be combined with other described embodiments in order to provide multiple features. Furthermore, while the foregoing describes a number of separate embodiments of the apparatus and method of the present invention, what has been described herein is merely illustrative of the application of the principles of the present invention. Other arrangements, methods, modifications, and substitutions by one of ordinary skill in the art are therefore also considered to be within the scope of the present invention, which is not to be limited except by the claims that follow.

While apparatuses and methods are described in terms of “comprising,” “containing,” or “including” various components or steps, the apparatuses and methods can also “consist essentially of” or “consist of” the various components and steps. All numbers and ranges disclosed above may vary by some amount. Also, the terms in the claims have their plain, ordinary meaning unless otherwise explicitly and clearly defined by the patentee. Moreover, the indefinite articles “a” or “an,” as used in the claims, are defined herein to mean one or more than one of the elements that it introduces. If there is any conflict in the usages of a word or term in this specification and one or more patent or other documents that may be incorporated herein by reference, the definitions that are consistent with this specification should be adopted. Moreover, the use of directional terms such as above, below, upper, lower, upward, downward, left, right, and the like are used in relation to the illustrative embodiments as they are depicted in the figures, the upward or upper direction being toward the top of the corresponding figure and the downward or lower direction being toward the bottom of the corresponding figure.

As used herein, the phrase “at least one of” preceding a series of items, with the terms “and” or “or” to separate any of the items, modifies the list as a whole, rather than each member of the list (i.e., each item). The phrase “at least one of” allows a meaning that includes at least one of any one of the items, and/or at least one of any combination of the items, and/or at least one of each of the items. By way of example, the phrases “at least one of A, B, and C” or “at least one of A, B, or C” each refer to only A, only B, or only C; any combination of A, B, and C; and/or at least one of each of A, B, and C.

Claims

1. A mounting assembly comprising: a substantially vertically oriented surface;an accessory item support;a saddle fixedly coupled to the substantially vertically oriented surface, the saddle and the substantially vertically oriented surface defining a pocket therebetween that is proximal an upper portion of the saddle;a shelf mount fixedly coupled to an upper portion of the accessory item support and comprising a downwardly extending leg that is slidably received in the pocket; anda first side mount fixedly coupled to the substantially vertically oriented surface and removably coupled to a lower portion of the accessory item support.

2. The mounting assembly of claim 1, wherein the first side mount defines one or more openings therein, and the lower portion of the accessory item support defines one or more openings therein, with the one or more openings of the first side mount aligning with the one or more openings of the lower portion of the accessory item.

3. The mounting assembly of claim 2, further comprising one or more fasteners that extend through the one or more openings of the first side mount and the one or more openings of the lower portion of the accessory item to removably couple the first side mount to the accessory item support.

4. The mounting assembly of claim 1, wherein the saddle comprises a first plate and a second plate that are fixedly coupled to one another.

5. The mounting assembly of claim 1, wherein the first side mount lays substantially flush with the lower portion of the accessory item support.

6. The mounting assembly of claim 1, further comprising a second side mount fixedly coupled to the substantially vertically oriented surface and configured to removably couple to a lower portion of the accessory item support.

7. The mounting assembly of claim 1, wherein the accessory item support comprises a top plate, with the saddle being fixedly coupled thereto, and a gusset, with the side mount being removably coupled thereto.

8. The mounting assembly of claim 1, wherein the substantially vertically oriented surface is a portion of an above ground storage tank.

9. The mounting assembly of claim 1, wherein the accessory item support is configured to support a gas pump, a card reader, a shelf for holding a hose reel, a mount for holding a fire extinguisher, a step, or a ladder.

10. A mounting system comprising: a saddle configured to fixedly couple to a substantially vertically oriented surface, the saddle and the substantially vertically oriented surface being configured to define a pocket therebetween that is proximal an upper portion of the saddle;a shelf mount configured to fixedly couple to an upper portion of an accessory item support and comprising a downwardly extending leg that is configured to be slidably received in the pocket; anda first side mount configured to fixedly couple to the substantially vertically oriented surface and configured to removably couple to a lower portion of the accessory item support.