TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to tank base covers, and more particularly to tank base covers for large outdoor pressurized tanks.
BACKGROUND
Many homes and businesses have an outdoor tank, such as a propane tank, used to supply fuel to the home or business. These tanks can be large, standing as high as about four and a half feet (4.5 ft) or more, and around three feet (3 ft) in diameter, or more. Unfortunately, these tanks are often eye-sores and adversely affect the aesthetics of the home or business.
Therefore an apparatus that overcomes the problem associated with the aesthetics of outdoor tanks is needed.
SUMMARY
The disclosed invention relates to a tank cover comprising: a tank head cover, the tank head cover comprising: a generally cylindrical shaped material with a closed top, and an open bottom; a tank base cover, the tank base cover comprising: a generally rectangular shaped piece of material with a top edge, a bottom edge, a first vertical edge, and a second vertical edge; a first attaching means in communication with the first vertical edge; a second attaching means in communication with the second vertical edge; a first pocket located along the top edge; a second pocket located along the bottom edge; a first draw string in operable communication with the first pocket; and a second draw string in operable communication with the second pocket.
The disclosed invention also relates to an aesthetically pleasing outdoor tank apparatus comprising: an outdoor tank, the outdoor tank comprising: a tank head; a tank base; a tank head cover in communication with the tank head, the tank head cover comprising: a closed top; an open bottom; a tank base cover in communication with the tank base, the tank base cover comprising: a generally rectangular shaped piece of material with a top edge, a bottom edge, a first vertical edge, and a second vertical edge; a first attaching means in communication with the first vertical edge; a second attaching means in communication with the second vertical edge; a first pocket located along the top edge; a second pocket located along the bottom edge; a first draw string in operable communication with the first pocket; and a second draw string in operable communication with the second pocket.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The present disclosure will be better understood by those skilled in the pertinent art by referencing the accompanying drawings, where like elements are numbered alike in the several figures, in which:
FIG. 1 is front view of the disclosed tank base cover and a perspective view of the disclosed tank head cover;
FIG. 2 is a front view of the tank cover about to be installed on a tank;
FIG. 3 is a front view of the tank cover installed on a tank;
FIG. 4 is a front view of another embodiment of the disclosed tank base cover, with slots;
FIG. 5 is a front view of the tank base cover, from FIG. 4, and tank head cover installed on a tank;
FIG. 6 is a front view of another embodiment of the disclosed tank base cover, with pockets; and
FIG. 7 is a front view of the tank base cover, from FIG. 6, and tank head cover installed on a tank.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
FIG. 1 is a front view of the disclosed tank cover 5. The tank cover 5 comprises a tank base cover 10 and a tank head cover 14. The tank base cover 10 is a generally rectangular shaped material. The tank base cover 10 has a top edge 18 and a bottom edge 22. The tank base cover also has a first vertical edge 26 and a second vertical edge 30. The vertical edges 26, 30 are configured to attach to each other via an attaching means 34 and 38 located on or near the first vertical edge 26 and the second vertical edge 30, respectively. The attaching means 34, 38 may comprise hook and loop fasteners, such as Velcro; buttons and button holes; or snaps. A first draw string 42 may be located in a pocket 46 located along the top edge 18. A second draw string 50 may be located in a pocket 54 located along the bottom edge 22. Each of the draw strings 42, 50 may have a cord stopper 58 attached to one or both ends of each of the draw strings (a cord stopper 58 is shown attached only to one end of the draw strings 42, 50). In other embodiments, encompassed by this patent application, the cord stoppers 58 may be replaced by buckles, rings or cord adjustors. Also shown in FIG. 1 is a tank head cover 14. The tank head cover 14 has a generally cylindrical or barrel shape. the tank head cover has a closed top 62, and open bottom 66. The tank head cover 14 may be made out of generally the same material as the tank base cover 10. An elastic band 70 may be located on the tank head cover 14 adjacent to the open bottom. Alternatively, or in addition to the elastic band 70, the tank head cover 14 may also have a pocket 74 configured for a draw string 78. The draw string 78 may have a cord stopper 82 attached at one or both ends of the draw string 78. The outer surface 82 of the tank base cover 10 and the outer surface 86 of the tank head cover 14 may have various designs, colors, or camouflage to make the tank base cover 10 and tank head cover 14 more aesthetically pleasing when in use on an outdoor tank. The outer surfaces 82, 86 may be the same color as a residential home, the grass, trees, and many other colors and or designs. The outer surfaces 82, 86 may be in a color that generally matches or goes well with the flora in the region the tank cover will be used. In addition, the outer surfaces 82 and/or 86 may have an image printed on them, the image may be of a child, parent, outdoor scene, pet, or any other photographic image. The tank base cover 10 has a height H that may be about 12 inches to about 96 inches, and preferably about 48 inches. The tank base cover 10 has a width W that may be about 25 inches to about 200 inches, and preferably about 100 inches. The tank head cover 14 has a height HT that may be about 2 inches to about 16 inches, and preferably about 8 inches. The tank head cover 14 has a width diameter D that may be about 5 inches to about 40 inches, and preferably about 20 inches. The tank cover 5 may be made generally out of a variety of suitable materials, including but not limited to: a woven nylon with a vinyl coating, a heavy plastic with a vinyl coating, a woven polyester with a vinyl coating, and a felt with a vinyl coating. These tank cover 5 may also have a UV coating.
FIG. 2 shows the tank base cover 10 and tank head cover 14 about to be placed on a large tank 90, such as a 100 gal, 200 gal, or 420 gal L.P.G. tank. The height H and width W of the tank base cover 10 will be configured to fit the various sized tanks that the tank base cover 10 will be used on. The diameter D and height HT of the tank head cover 14 will also be configured to fit the various sized tanks 90 that the tank head cover 14 will be used on. The tank 90 may have a tank head 94, a tank base 95, a tank bottom 98, and one or more tank lifting means 102. The tank base 95 is generally the entire tank 90 excluding the tank head 94.
FIG. 3 shows the tank base cover 10 and tank head cover 14 installed on the tank 90 (which is not visible in this view due to the tank base cover 10 and tank head cover 14). In this configuration, the tank base cover 10 is large enough to fit over the tank lifting means 102. In other embodiments, the tank cover 5 may be configured to fit on tanks 90 without tank lifting means 102. The first vertical edge 26 is placed over and attached to the second vertical edge 30 via the attaching means 34, 38 (the second vertical edge and attaching means 38 are not visible in this view). The draw strings 42, 50 are tightened around the tank 90 to provide a firm attachment to the tank 90. The cord stoppers 58 are both used to keep the draw strings 42, 50 cinched up about the tank 90.
FIG. 4 shows another embodiment of a disclosed tank base cover 10. In this embodiment, the tank base cover has a plurality of slots 106 located near the top of the cover 10. These slots are configured to allow the tank lifting means 102 to pass through the slots 106 and out of the tank base cover 10. FIG. 5 shows this embodiment of the tank base cover 10 installed over a tank 90. Thus, it can be seen that the tank lifting means 102 stick out of the tank base cover 10.
FIG. 6 shows another embodiment of the tank base cover 10. In this embodiment, rather than slots 106, the tank base cover 10 may have pockets 110 which are configured to fit over the tank lifting means 102. FIG. 7 shows the tank base cover with the pockets 110 located over the tank lifting means 102 (not visible due to the tank base cover 10 and pockets 110).
Advantages of the tank cover are that it protects and covers tanks that are located outside of homes, and businesses. Further, the tank cover makes the outdoor tanks more aesthetically pleasing due to the color and/or patterns on the outer surfaces of the tank cover. The disclosed tank base cover also securely fits to a tank due to the attaching means and draw strings. The disclosed tank head cover securely fits to a tank head due to the elastic located on the tank head cover. Additionally, the tank head cover may have a draw string to provide a more secure fit. Due to the secure fit of the tank cover to a tank, severe weather will not cause the tank cover to come off the tank.
It should be noted that the terms “first”, “second”, and “third”, and the like may be used herein to modify elements performing similar and/or analogous functions. These modifiers do not imply a spatial, sequential, or hierarchical order to the modified elements unless specifically stated.
While the disclosure has been described with reference to several embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the disclosure. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the disclosure without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the disclosure not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this disclosure, but that the disclosure will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.
Patent Application
20070261771
