PROTECTIVE JACKET FOR A WATER TANK.

Abstract

A protective jacket for a water tank comprising a bottom wall defining a bottom wall peripheral edge and a peripheral wall, at least part of the peripheral wall extending upwardly from the bottom wall and defining opposed peripheral wall bottom and top edges, the peripheral wall bottom edge being adjacent the bottom wall. The bottom and peripheral walls are substantially flexible and together define a waterproof cavity for receiving at least part of the water tank. The peripheral wall extends along only part of the bottom wall peripheral edge so as to define a gap.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the general field of plumbing, and is more specifically concerned with a protective jacket for a water tank.

BACKGROUND

When moving used water tanks, such as conventional cylindrical combination water heater/tanks, there is a risk that water leaks from the tank, for example through drainage outlets or through a damaged tank outer wall. Such leakage often includes dirty water, which can stain carpets, for example, over which the tank needs to be moved. While devices suitable for that purpose exist, they are typically relatively large and expensive.

Against this background, there exists a need in the industry to provide an improved device for reducing or eliminating the risk of water leaking from water tanks to reach the floor. An object of the present invention is therefore to provide such a device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a broad aspect, the invention provides a protective jacket for a water tank, the protective jacket comprising: a bottom wall defining a bottom wall peripheral edge; and a peripheral wall, at least part of the peripheral wall extending substantially upwardly from the bottom wall, the peripheral wall defining substantially opposed peripheral wall bottom and top edges, the peripheral wall bottom edge being substantially adjacent the bottom wall; the bottom and peripheral walls being substantially flexible and together defining a waterproof cavity for receiving at least part of the water tank; the peripheral wall extending along only part of the bottom wall peripheral edge so as to define a gap for allowing insertion of the water tank through the gap and slidable movement of the protective jacket along the water tank so that the water tank is at least partially received in the waterproof cavity. When the water tank is at least partially received in the waterproof cavity in an operative position and inclined for transportation so that the waterproof cavity becomes a lowermost portion of the protective jacket, the waterproof cavity is able to contain water leaking from the water tank.

In some embodiments of the invention, the peripheral wall top edge is shorter than the peripheral wall bottom edge.

In a variant, the bottom wall peripheral edge defines an arc segment shaped portion having a radius of curvature and defining arc segment first and second ends, the peripheral wall extending from the arc segment shaped portion.

In some embodiments of the invention, the bottom wall peripheral edge defines a rectilinear portion extending between the arc segment first and second ends.

In some embodiments of the invention, a height of the peripheral wall between the peripheral wall bottom and top edges is less than about twice the radius of curvature.

In some embodiments of the invention, the peripheral wall bottom edge extends along a portion of the arc segment shaped portion covering an angle of more than about 180 degrees. In a specific embodiment of the invention, the peripheral wall bottom edge extends along a portion of the arc segment shaped portion covering an angle of between about 180 and 210 degrees.

In some embodiments of the invention, the bottom and peripheral walls are substantially resiliently deformable so that the water tank having a tank radius substantially equal to the radius of curvature can be slid through the gap while being substantially tightly fitted with the protective jacket when at least partially received in the waterproof cavity.

In some embodiments of the invention, the peripheral wall bottom edge is integrally formed with the bottom wall along the arc segment shaped portion from the arc segment first end to the arc segment second end.

In a variant, the peripheral wall includes a central portion extending integrally from the bottom wall and a pair of lateral flaps extending from the central portion, the lateral flaps being freely movable relative to the bottom wall.

In some embodiments of the invention, at least one carrying strap extends substantially longitudinally along at least part of the central portion and protrudes longitudinally therefrom.

In some embodiments of the invention, a pair of carrying straps are mounted to the peripheral wall and extend substantially longitudinally therealong in a substantially parallel relationship relative to each other, the carrying straps protruding from the peripheral wall bottom and top edges.

In some embodiments of the invention, a reinforcing strap extends between the carrying straps substantially perpendicular thereto.

In some embodiments of the invention, the peripheral wall defines a pair of peripheral wall side edges extending between the peripheral wall top and bottom edges, the peripheral wall side edges each defining a side edge first section extending from the peripheral wall bottom edge and a side edge second section extending from the side edge first section at an angle relative thereto.

For example, the side edge first and second sections are substantially rectilinear. Also for example, the side edge first and second sections are angled with a relative angle of between about 10 and about 25 degrees therebetween.

In some embodiments of the invention, the side edge second section reaches the peripheral wall top edge.

In some embodiments of the invention, the peripheral wall side edges each further define a side edge third section extending from the side edge second section, the side edge first and third sections being substantially parallel to each other.

In some embodiments of the invention, the side edge third section reaches the peripheral wall top edge.

In some embodiments of the invention, the side edge first section is substantially perpendicular to the bottom wall.

In some embodiments of the invention, the protective jacket includes a pair of securing straps reversibly attachable to each other and extending substantially laterally outwardly from the peripheral wall substantially opposed to each other. The securing straps are wrappable around the water tank when the protective jacket is operatively mounted to the water tank and attachable to each other to secure the protective jacket to the water tank.

Advantageously, the proposed protective jacket is relatively inexpensive to manufacture using known materials and is usable to insert at the base of a water tank, such as a domestic cylindrical water heater, to prevent water leaking from the water tank to fall on the floor when the water tank is moved.

Other objects, advantages and features of the present invention will become more apparent upon reading of the following non-restrictive description of preferred embodiments thereof, given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the appended drawing:

FIG. 1, in a perspective view, illustrates a protective jacket in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2, in a top plan view, illustrates the protective jacket shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3, in a front elevation view, illustrates the protective jacket shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4, in a side elevation view, illustrates the protective jacket shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 and part of a water tank shown in stippled lines and received in a waterproof cavity formed by the protective jacket;

FIG. 5, in a perspective view, illustrates a protective jacket in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6, in a top plan view, illustrates the protective jacket shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7, in a front elevation view, illustrates the protective jacket shown in FIGS. 5 and 6; and

FIG. 8, in a side elevation view, illustrates the protective jacket shown in FIGS. 5 to 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, there is shown a protective jacket 10 fittable to a water tank 11 (shown only and partially in FIG. 4). Referring to FIG. 1 for example, the protective jacket 10 includes a bottom wall 12 defining a bottom wall peripheral edge 13 and a peripheral wall 14. At least part of the peripheral wall 14 extends substantially upwardly from the bottom wall 12. The peripheral wall 14 defines substantially opposed peripheral wall bottom and top edges 17 and 16. The peripheral wall bottom edge 17 is substantially adjacent the bottom wall 12. Typically, the peripheral wall top edge 16 is shorter than the peripheral wall bottom edge 17. Also, the protective jacket 10 is typically made of a flexible and water-proof material, such as a flexible and resiliently deformable polymer, that is molded as a single unit.

For the purpose of this document, the directional terminology such as top and bottom refers to orientations in typical use with a conventional water tank 11 in an upstanding orientation. This terminology is used to facilitate the description of the present invention and should not be used to restrict the scope of the present invention. Also, the terminology “substantially” is used to denote variations in the thus qualified terms that have no significant effect on the principle of operation of the protective jackets 10 and 100, the latter being further described hereinbelow in relation with FIGS. 5 to 8. These variations may be minor variations in design or variations due to mechanical tolerances in manufacturing and use of the protective jackets 10 and 100. These variations are to be seen with the eye of the reader skilled in the art.

The bottom and peripheral walls 12 and 14 are substantially flexible and together define a waterproof cavity 19 for receiving at least part of the water tank 11. The peripheral wall 14 extends along only part of the bottom wall peripheral edge 13 so as to define a gap 21 for allowing insertion of the water tank 11 through the gap 21 and slidable movement of the protective jacket 10 along the water tank 11 so that the water tank 11 is at least partially received in the waterproof cavity 21, as seen in FIG. 4. When the water tank 11 is at least partially received in the waterproof cavity 19 in an operative position and inclined for transportation so that the waterproof cavity 19 becomes a lowermost portion of the protective jacket 10, the waterproof cavity 19 is able to contain water leaking from the water tank 11.

Typically, the water tank 11 is generally cylindrical. In this case, having the bottom wall 12 with the shape of a portion of a disc has been found to be highly advantageous. Referring to FIG. 4, in these embodiments, the bottom wall peripheral edge 13 defines an arc segment shaped portion 24 having a radius of curvature and defining arc segment first and second ends 26 and 28, as better seen in FIG. 1. The peripheral wall 14 extends from the arc segment shaped portion 24. In some embodiments, the bottom wall peripheral edge 13 further defines a rectilinear portion 30 extending between the arc segment first and second ends 26 and 28.

It has been found that a bottom wall 12 that covers more than a half-disc is in this case advantageous. It is also advantageous to have the peripheral wall bottom edge 17 extending from and along a portion of the arc segment shaped portion 24 covering an angle of more than about 180 degrees, for example covering an angle of between about 180 and 210 degrees. In some embodiments, the peripheral wall bottom edge 17 is integrally formed with the bottom wall 12 along the arc segment shaped portion 24 from the arc segment first end 26 to the arc segment second end 26. This configuration of the protective jacket 10 allows fitting relatively tightly the protective jacket 10 to the water tank 11 while allowing relatively easy attachment of the protective jacket 10 to the water tank 11 and removal therefrom.

To further enhance this ease of use and suitability of the protective jacket 10, in some embodiments of the invention, the bottom and peripheral walls 12 and 14 are substantially resiliently deformable so that the water tank 11 having a tank radius substantially equal to the radius of curvature can be slid through the gap 21 while being substantially tightly fitted with the protective jacket 10 when at least partially received in the waterproof cavity 21. In some specific embodiments of the invention, a height of the peripheral wall 14 between the peripheral wall bottom and top edges 17 and 16 is less than about twice the radius of curvature to further enhance these effects. For example, the radius of curvature is about 12 inches and the height is about 15 inches. However, other configurations of the bottom wall 12 are within the scope of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 4, the peripheral wall 14 defines a pair of peripheral wall side edges 18 extending between the peripheral wall top and bottom edges 16 and 17. The peripheral wall side edges 18 each define a side edge first section 20 extending from the peripheral wall bottom edge 17 and a side edge second section 22 extending from the side edge first section 20 at an angle relative thereto. This angle facilitates insertion of the protective jacket 10 around the water tank 11 while preserving a secure fit thereto in use. For example, the side edge first and second sections 20 and 22 are angled with a relative angle of between about 10 and about 25 degrees therebetween and the side edge first section 20 is substantially perpendicular to the bottom wall 12.

In a specific embodiment of the invention, the side edge first and second sections 20 and 22 are substantially rectilinear and the side edge second section 22 reaches the peripheral wall top edge 16. Typically, the side edge first section 20 is shorter than the side edge second section 22, for example between ⅕^th and 1/10^th thereof. In an example, the side edge first section measures 2 inches while the height of the peripheral wall 14 is 15 inches.

All the characteristics of the shape of the protective jacket 10 together produce a synergistic effect that allows easily tightly fitting the protective jacket 10 to the water tank 11 while preventing the protective jacket 10 from being easily accidentally removed therefrom.

In use, when there is a need to move the water tank 11, the protective jacket 10 is inserted such that the bottom wall 12 is slid along the bottom wall of the water tank 11 and the peripheral wall 14 abuts against the peripheral wall of the water tank 11. Then, the water tank 11 can be moved in an inclined position on a conventional dolly with the protective jacket 10 located on the lower portion of the water tank 11. Therefore, any water leaking from the water tank 11 can be collected by the protective jacket 10.

FIGS. 5 to 8 illustrate a protective jacket 100 in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the invention. The protective jacket 100 is similar to the protective jacket 10 except that the peripheral wall 114 extends over a greater extent away from the bottom wall 12, for example substantially along the entire length of the peripheral wall of the water tank 11 to move. Also, a side edge third section 124 extends between the side edge second section 22 and the peripheral wall top edge 16, and typically reaches the peripheral wall top edge 16. The side edge third section 124 is also typically substantially perpendicular to the bottom wall 12 and substantially parallel to the side edge first section 20. The side edge second section 22 is also typically angled to a greater angle relative to the side edge first section 20 than in the protective jacket 10. However, in yet other embodiments of the invention, the peripheral wall side edges 18 are substantially rectilinear.

In addition, in some embodiments of the invention, the peripheral wall 114 is disjoint from the bottom wall 12 along a portion thereof. More specifically, referring for example to FIG. 5, the peripheral wall 114 includes a central portion 132 extending integrally from the bottom wall 12 and a pair of lateral flaps 134 extending from the central portion 132. The lateral flaps 134 are freely movable relative to the bottom wall 12. However, in alternative embodiments of the invention, the peripheral wall 114 only includes the central portion 132, which then typically extends integrally from a larger portion of the bottom wall 12.

The protective jacket 100 further includes at least one carrying strap 128 extending longitudinally along at least part of the central portion 132 and protruding longitudinally therefrom. Typically, a pair of carrying straps 128 are mounted to the peripheral wall 114 and extend substantially longitudinally therealong in a substantially parallel relationship relative to each other, substantially perpendicular to the bottom wall 12. The carrying straps 128 protrude from the peripheral wall bottom and top edges 17 and 16. In addition, a reinforcing strap 130 extends along the peripheral wall 114, between the carrying straps 128 and substantially perpendicular thereto. Also, in some embodiments, alternative carrying straps 132 extend from the reinforcing strap 130 substantially perpendicularly thereto. In some embodiments, the carrying straps 128 are folded at their ends to form loops that serve as handles.

In some embodiments of the invention, the protective jacket 100 includes a pair of securing straps 138 reversibly attachable to each other and extending substantially laterally outwardly from the peripheral wall 114 substantially opposed to each other. The securing straps 138 are wrappable around the water tank 11 when the protective jacket 100 is operatively mounted to the water tank 11 and attachable to each other to secure the protective jacket 100 to the water tank 11. For example, the securing straps are provided with complementary patches of miniature hook and loop materials, press buttons, or any other means for securing the two securing straps 138 to each other (all not shown in the drawings). Also, in some embodiments of the invention, more than one pair of securing straps are provided, all longitudinally spaced apart from each other.

In use, when there is a need to move the water tank 11, the protective jacket 100 is inserted such that the bottom wall 12 is slid along the bottom wall of the water tank 11 and the peripheral wall 114 is folded around the peripheral wall of the water tank 11 and affixed thereto using for example an adhesive tape. Then, the carrying straps 128 and/or the alternative carrying straps 132 are used to carry the water tank 11. Therefore, once again, any water leaking from the water tank can be collected by the protective jacket 100.

Although the present invention has been described hereinabove by way of preferred embodiments thereof, it can be modified, without departing from the spirit and nature of the subject invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A protective jacket for a water tank, said protective jacket comprising: a bottom wall defining a bottom wall peripheral edge; anda peripheral wall, at least part of said peripheral wall extending substantially upwardly from said bottom wall, said peripheral wall defining substantially opposed peripheral wall bottom and top edges, said peripheral wall bottom edge being substantially adjacent said bottom wall;said bottom and peripheral walls being substantially flexible and together defining a waterproof cavity for receiving at least part of said water tank;said peripheral wall extending along only part of said bottom wall peripheral edge so as to define a gap for allowing insertion of said water tank through said gap and slidable movement of said protective jacket along said water tank so that said water tank is at least partially received in said waterproof cavity;whereby, when said water tank is at least partially received in said waterproof cavity in an operative position and inclined for transportation so that said waterproof cavity becomes a lowermost portion of said protective jacket, said waterproof cavity is able to contain water leaking from said water tank.

2. A protective jacket as defined in claim 1, wherein said peripheral wall top edge is shorter than said peripheral wall bottom edge

3. A protective jacket as defined in claim 2, wherein said bottom wall peripheral edge defines an arc segment shaped portion having a radius of curvature and defining arc segment first and second ends, said peripheral wall extending from said arc segment shaped portion.

4. A protective jacket as defined in claim 3, wherein said bottom wall peripheral edge defines a rectilinear portion extending between said arc segment first and second ends.

5. A protective jacket as defined in claim 3, wherein a height of said peripheral wall between said peripheral wall bottom and top edges is less than about twice said radius of curvature.

6. A protective jacket as defined in claim 3, wherein said peripheral wall bottom edge extends along a portion of said arc segment shaped portion covering an angle of more than about 180 degrees.

7. A protective jacket as defined in claim 3, wherein said peripheral wall bottom edge extends along a portion of said arc segment shaped portion covering an angle of between about 180 and 210 degrees.

8. A protective jacket as defined in claim 3, wherein said bottom and peripheral walls are substantially resiliently deformable so that said water tank having a tank radius substantially equal to said radius of curvature can be slid through said gap while being substantially tightly fitted with said protective jacket when at least partially received in said waterproof cavity.

9. A protective jacket as defined in claim 4, wherein said peripheral wall bottom edge is integrally formed with said bottom wall along said arc segment shaped portion from said arc segment first end to said arc segment second end.

10. A protective jacket as defined in claim 1, wherein said peripheral wall includes a central portion extending integrally from said bottom wall and a pair of lateral flaps extending from said central portion, said lateral flaps being freely movable relative to said bottom wall.

11. A protective jacket as defined in claim 10, further comprising at least one carrying strap extending substantially longitudinally along at least part of said central portion and protruding longitudinally therefrom.

12. A protective jacket as defined in claim 10, further comprising a pair of carrying straps mounted to said peripheral wall and extending substantially longitudinally therealong in a substantially parallel relationship relative to each other, said carrying straps protruding from said peripheral wall bottom and top edges.

13. A protective jacket as defined in claim 12, further comprising a reinforcing strap extending between said carrying straps substantially perpendicular thereto.

14. A protective jacket as defined in claim 1, wherein said peripheral wall defines a pair of peripheral wall side edges extending between said peripheral wall top and bottom edges, said peripheral wall side edges each defining a side edge first section extending from said peripheral wall bottom edge and a side edge second section extending from said side edge first section at an angle relative thereto.

15. A protective jacket as defined in claim 14, wherein said side edge first and second sections are substantially rectilinear.

16. A protective jacket as defined in claim 15, wherein said side edge first and second sections are angled with a relative angle of between about 10 and about 25 degrees therebetween.

17. A protective jacket as defined in claim 14, wherein said side edge second section reaches said peripheral wall top edge.

18. A protective jacket as defined in claim 14, wherein said peripheral wall side edges each further define a side edge third section extending from said side edge second section, said side edge first and third sections being substantially parallel to each other, said side edge third section reaching said peripheral wall top edge.

19. A protective jacket as defined in claim 14, wherein said side edge first section is substantially perpendicular to said bottom wall.

20. A protective jacket as defined in claim 1, further comprising a pair of securing straps reversibly attachable to each other and extending substantially laterally outwardly from said peripheral wall substantially opposed to each other, said securing straps being wrappable around said water tank when said protective jacket is operatively mounted to said water tank and attachable to each other to secure said protective jacket to said water tank.