# US 2014/0151379 A1 · Cover system with tethering

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- Number: US 2014/0151379 A1
- Document ID: US20140151379A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 14/091,899
- Filed: 2013-11-27
- Published: 2014-06-05
- Earliest claimed: 2012-11-30
- Assignees: Colorado Lining International, Inc.
- Applicants: Colorado Lining International, Inc.
- Inventors: Andre Alan Harvey
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140151379A1

## CPC

- B65D 88/34: having floating covers, e.g. floating roofs or blankets
- B65D: CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES

## Abstract

In accordance with one implementation, a floating cover system includes a plurality of cover-tethering mounts mounted along the periphery of a holding tank. Each of the cover-tethering mounts includes a guide portion insertable through a cover-holding element that it attached along a periphery of a holding tank cover. When secured to the plurality of cover-tethering mounts, the holding tank cover can rise and fall within the holding tank responsive to volumetric changes in the liquid and/or gas contained in the holding tank.

## Claims

### Claim 1

Apparatus comprising:
a mounting piece that secures to a sidewall of a holding tank;
a mast element extending above an interior of a holding tank and having a first end attached to the mounting piece;
a guide element attached to a second opposite end of the mast element, the guide element separated from the sidewall and extending into the interior of the holding tank.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a longitudinal axis of the guide element is substantially parallel to a direction of gravity.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the mounting piece has an adjustable offset mechanism that controls a distance between the guide element and the edge of the holding tank.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the guide element slideably couples to an aperture of a floating cover.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:
a ballast secured to a lower end of the guide element and separated from a base of the holding tank.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the mounting piece further comprises at least two legs configured to rest adjacent to opposite surfaces of the sidewall.

### Claim 7

A system comprising:
a mounting piece that mounts to a sidewall of a holding tank; and
a guide element with a first end securable to the mounting piece and a second opposite end that extends into the holding tank; and
a reinforced holding element attached to a tank cover and slideably coupled to the guide element between the first end and the second opposite end.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The system of claim 7, wherein a longitudinal axis of the guide element is substantially parallel to a direction of gravity.

### Claim 9 (depends on 7)

The system of claim 7, wherein the mounting piece has an adjustable offset mechanism that controls a distance between the guide element and the edge of the holding tank.

### Claim 10 (depends on 7)

The system of claim 7, wherein the reinforced cover-holding element is offset from the sidewall.

### Claim 11 (depends on 7)

The system of claim 7, further comprising:
a ballast secured to the second opposite end of the guide element and separated from a base of the holding tank.

### Claim 12 (depends on 7)

The system of claim 7, wherein the mounting piece further comprises at least two legs configured to rest adjacent to opposite surfaces of the sidewall.

### Claim 13 (depends on 7)

The system of claim 7, wherein the reinforced cover-holding element is positioned proximal to an outer perimeter of the holding tank cover.

### Claim 14

A method comprising:
securing a cover-tether mount to a sidewall of a holding tank, the cover-tether mount including a guide element separated from the sidewall and extending into an interior of the holding tank;
coupling a cover-holding element of a holding tank cover to the guide element, the cover-holding element proximal to an outer perimeter of the holding tank cover and configured to freely slide along a longitudinal axis of the guide element responsive to changes to a volume stored within the holding tank.

### Claim 15 (depends on 15)

The method of claim 15, wherein the ballast prevents the cover-holding element from sliding off of the guide element.

### Claim 16 (depends on 15)

The method of claim 15, wherein the ballast, cover-holding element, and guide element are each separated from the sidewall and a base of the holding tank.

### Claim 17 (depends on 14)

The method of claim 14, further comprising:
attaching a ballast to a lower end of the guide element.

### Claim 18 (depends on 14)

The method of claim 14, wherein the cover-tether mount has adjustable offset mechanism that controls a separation distance between the guide element and the sidewall of the holding tank.

### Claim 19 (depends on 14)

The method of claim 14, wherein the cover-tether mount further comprises at least two legs configured to rest adjacent to opposite surfaces of the sidewall.

### Claim 20 (depends on 14)

The method of claim 14, wherein a longitudinal axis of the guide element is substantially parallel to a direction of gravity.