Fluid tank drain pipe support/guide member

Abstract

A drain pipe support advantageously acts as a guide for insertion of a drain pipe and secures the drain pipe in a desired position for draining of a fluid filled tank. Additionally the drain pipe support also advantageously guides fluid into the drain pipe so that efficient draining may be accomplished. The drain pipe support is comprised of an interior hollow portion which includes a tapered central portion 34 at a lower end thereof in order to guide the drain pipe and form a seal between the drain pipe and the drain pipe support. The drain pipe support advantageously has a hollow body which includes a support member that extends from the upper sides of an outer wall of the body. The support member is desirably formed in a substantially uniform circumference around the body of the drain pipe support. This support maintains the desired stability for the drain pipe and a top portion of the support member advantageously provides a large footprint which prevents the insertion of the drainpipe into the tank from engaging a protective interior liner. The support member includes an outer lip that has one or more fluid channels which allow fluid communication between the interior of the tank and the side walls of the body. The body further includes an orifice in the lower portion thereof to allow fluid in the tank to transfer through the drainpipe away from the tank.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.