US 7,028,967 B2 · Tank retaining system

Abstract

A retaining system in which straps are provided with hooks that remain engaged with retaining loops even when tension on the straps is released and in which the tightening mechanism includes rods which are located partially below a rib surface on which the straps are placed such that the ends of the rods are near the plane of the strap ends, thereby greatly reducing the bending moment applied to the strap ends and threaded rods. The hook preferably includes a cavity opposite the hook end that will engage the retaining loop when no tension is on the line. In some embodiments, the hook includes a spring-loaded retaining clip to further ensure that the hook does not become disengaged from the retaining loop. The tightening mechanism includes two rods, each of which is positioned to one side of a rib on which the straps rest.

Claims14

Dependent claims

A storage tank assembly comprising:

a storage tank, the tank including a rib, the rib having a top surface which is curved, the top surface having a width;
a first strap;
a second strap;
a first hook attached to a first end of the first strap;
a second hook attached to a first end of the second strap;
a first bracket attached to a second end of the first strap;
a second bracket attached to a second end of the second strap;
a pair of rods, at least a portion of each lying below the top surface of the rib, each of the rods having a first end and a second end;
the first end being attached to the first bracket and the second end being attached to the second bracket;
wherein each of the brackets has a first side and a second side, each of the sides having a passage formed therein, the passage on the first side of each bracket being separated from the passage on the second side of the bracket by a distance greater than the width of the top surface.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Tank retaining system

Life of this patent

Tank retaining system

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims14