# US 12,110,220 B2 · Tank inverter > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,110,220 B2 - Document ID: US12110220B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/733,209 - Filed: 2022-04-29 - Published: 2023-11-02 - Granted: 2024-10-08 - Earliest claimed: 2022-04-29 - Assignees: Benjamin Glade Casper - Applicants: Benjamin Glade Casper - Inventors: Benjamin Glade Casper - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12110220B2 ## CPC - B66F 9/02: Stationary loaders or unloaders, e.g. for sacks - B65G 7/08: for tilting the loads - B65G 65/23: Devices for tilting and emptying of containers - B65G 67/24: Unloading land vehicles - B66F: HOISTING, LIFTING, HAULING OR PUSHING, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, e.g. DEVICES WHICH APPLY A LIFTING OR PUSHING FORCE DIRECTLY TO THE SURFACE OF A LOAD ({invalid lifting devices A61G7/10; } mounting artificial islands on piles or like supports E02B17/00; scaffolding combined with lifting devices E04G1/22; lifting devices for sliding forms E04G11/24; lifting of buildings E04G23/06; shores or struts E04G25/00; lifts or other hoisting devices on ladders E06C7/12; props for mining E21D15/00) - B65G: TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS (packaging B65B; handling thin or filamentary materials, e.g. paper sheets or thread, B65H; cranes B66C; portable mobile or lifting or hauling appliances, e.g. hoists, B66D; devices for lifting or lowering goods for loading or unloading purposes, e.g. fork-lift trucks, B66F9/00; emptying bottles, jars, casks, barrels or similar containers, not otherwise provided for, B67C9/00; delivering or transferring liquids B67D; filling or discharging vessels for liquefied, solidified or compressed gases F17C; pipe-line systems for fluids F17D) ## Abstract In one embodiment, an apparatus comprises an inverter assembly comprising a base plate to interface with a bottom of an upright gas tank; a rotatable shaft; and at least one swing arm coupled to the base plate and the rotatable shaft; wherein the inverter assembly is to pivot about a horizontal axis to swing the base plate and a bottom side of an upright gas tank placed thereon in an upward arc responsive to rotation of the rotatable shaft. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An apparatus comprising: an inverter assembly comprising: a base plate to interface with a bottom of an upright gas tank; a rotatable shaft; at least one swing arm coupled to the base plate and the rotatable shaft; a base frame; a frame arm extending upwards from the base frame; and a first bearing within the frame arm; wherein the rotatable shaft is placed through and rotates within the first bearing within the frame arm, wherein the inverter assembly is to pivot about a horizontal axis to swing the base plate and a bottom side of an upright gas tank placed thereon in an upward arc responsive to rotation of the rotatable shaft; and wherein the inverter assembly is configured to invert the gas tank. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the base plate is elevated above the ground when the base plate is in its lowest position. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the swing arm extends generally vertically from a side of the base plate. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the base plate comprises an aperture at its center to interface with a base of the gas tank. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the base plate is coupled to a first swing arm on one side of the base plate and to a second swing arm on another side of the base plate, wherein the first swing arm and the second swing arm pivot about the horizontal axis to swing the base plate. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the rotatable shaft is rotated responsive to cranking of a handle. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the handle is coupled to a first sprocket via a drive shaft, the first sprocket is coupled via a chain to a second sprocket, and the second sprocket is coupled to and turns the rotatable shaft to pivot the inverter assembly about the axis. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a base frame and a pair of frame arms extending upwards from the base frame, each frame arm is coupled through a respective rotatable shaft to a respective swing arm of the at least one swing arm. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the inverter assembly is to pivot into and be locked in a fully inverted position. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the inverter assembly is to pivot from a partially inverted position in which the upright gas tank is in a horizontal position towards a fully inverted position in which the upright gas tank is in an upside down vertical position. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the upright gas tank is an upright propane tank. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the frame arm extends upward past the bushing. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, a frame pocket attached to a side of the base frame and extending orthogonally from the base frame, wherein the frame arm is inserted into the frame pocket. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the rotatable shaft extends from the bushing, past the frame arm, and through a sprocket and hub, wherein the rotatable shaft is secured to the hub. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a frame arm extension coupled to the frame arm, wherein a pair of bearings are mounted on the frame arm extension and secured to a drive shaft, wherein a crank handle is attached to an end of the drive shaft. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a pin with a handle to slide into a void between teeth of a sprocket, to lock the inverter assembly into an at least partially inverted position. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a pair of rounded fittings attached to opposite sides of the base plate to interface with a strap securing the upright gas tank. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an angle mount attached to a front of the base frame to provide a receiving area for a fulcrum of a tank cart transporting the upright gas tank.