US 5,490,603 A · Fluid tank apparatus

Abstract

A tank apparatus includes a tank, a base for supporting the tank, and a top protector supported on the base and extending above the tank for permitting a plurality of apparatuses to be stacked on top of one another without transmitting compressive loads on the tanks of underlying apparatuses. The base includes a bottom wall, an understructure depending from the bottom wall for bearing the weight of the base and tank, and a plurality of upstanding hollow columns within which reinforcing members may be provided. The top protector is supported on the columns so that compressive loads exerted on the top protector are transmitted to the base without being transmitted through the tank. Thus, the load bearing capacity of the apparatus is determined by the strength and rigidity of the base and reinforcing members independent of the tank construction.

Claims10

Dependent claims

A tank apparatus comprising:

a tank including top and bottom ends and a side wall extending between the ends, the side wall defining a tank diameter;
a hollow unitary base for supporting the tank, the base including a bottom wall on which the tank is supported, a plurality of hollow columns extending upward from the bottom wall, and plurality of hollow feet aligned vertically with the columns and depending from the bottom wall, the columns being spaced from one another to define a tank receiving area having a diameter slightly larger than the tank diameter;
and
a top protector extending above the tank for protecting the tank from exposure to loads exerted on the apparatus from above, the top protector being supported on the columns for transmitting loads exerted on the top protector to the base without transmitting the load through the tank.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Fluid tank apparatus

Life of this patent

Fluid tank apparatus

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims10