TANK SUPPORT BASE

Abstract

A tank support base and skid apparatus provides a frame having upper and lower end portions, left and right side portions and front and rear portions. The upper end portion has a front row of tank receptive supports and a back row of tank receptive supports. A frame floor is spaced vertically below the tank receptive support. The frame has a peripheral fluid barrier that includes a front wall, a rear wall and side walls that form the fluid barrier around the floor, each side wall extending from the floor to a tank receptive support. First and second internal support members span from one side of the frame to the other side of the frame and each spaced between the front wall and the rear wall. Each tank receptive support includes horizontal beams that span from the front wall to the rear wall and supported by the internal support members vertical members that each connect with a horizontal beam. Inclined plates each connect to both a horizontal beam and a vertical member. Stops mounted on the beams separate a tank receptive support of the first row with a tank receptive support of the back row.

Claims

1-2. (canceled)

3. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein inclined plates form an obtuse angle with the horizontal beams.

4. The apparatus of claim 20 further comprising forklift tine sockets in between the upper and lower end portions of the frame and extending to the front wall.

5. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein the stops each include opposed inclined surfaces that meet an apex edge.

6. The apparatus of claim 20 further comprising tubes at spaced apart intervals each mounted in between two said internal support members.

7. (canceled)

8. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein said internal supports define a channel therebetween and the floor is inclined to direct fluid flow to said channel.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 further comprising a valve that valves fluid flow from the channel to the exterior of the frame.

10-13. (canceled)

14. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein both the stops and the inclined plates provide inclined, diagonally angled upper surfaces that each form an obtuse angle with a said horizontal beam.

15. (canceled)

16. The apparatus of claim 20 further comprising a plurality of fluid storage tanks on the frame, each tank on a tank receptive support.

17. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein each tank has a lower end portion with discharge piping.

18-19. (canceled)

20. A tank support base and skid apparatus comprising: a) a frame having upper and lower end portions, left and right side portions and front and rear portions; b) the upper end portion having a front row of tank receptive supports and a back row of tank receptive supports; c) a frame floor that is spaced vertically below said receptive support; d) the frame having a peripheral fluid barrier that includes a front wall, a rear wall and side walls that form the said fluid barrier around said floor, each said side wall extending from said floor to a said tank receptive support; e) first and second internal support members that span from one side of said frame to the other side of said frame and each spaced between the front wall and the rear wall; f) each tank receptive support including: horizontal beams that span from the front wall to the rear wall and supported by the internal support members; vertical members that each connect with a horizontal beam; inclined plates that each connect to both a said horizontal beam and a said vertical member; and g) stops on the frame that prevent lateral movement of the tanks relative to the frame.

21. (canceled)

22. The apparatus of claim 40 further comprising dividers positioned above said internal support members.

23. The apparatus of claim 22 wherein the dividers include inclined plates that each form an obtuse angle with the horizontal beams.

24. The apparatus of claim 40 further comprising forklift tine sockets in between the upper and lower end portions of the frame and extending to the front wall.

25. (canceled)

26. The apparatus of claim 40 further comprising tubes at spaced apart intervals each mounted in between two said internal support members.

27. (canceled)

28. The apparatus of claim 40 wherein said internal supports define a channel therebetween and the floor is inclined to direct fluid flow to said channel.

29. The apparatus of claim 28 further comprising a valve that valves fluid flow from the channel to the exterior of the frame.

30-33. (canceled)

34. The apparatus of claim 22 wherein both the dividers and the inclined plates provide inclined, diagonally angled upper surfaces that each form an obtuse angle with a said horizontal beam.

35. The apparatus of claim 40 wherein each vertical member has a cut out that is placed in between the front wall and an internal support.

36. The apparatus of claim 40 further comprising a plurality of fluid storage tanks on the frame, each tank on a tank receptive support.

37-39. (canceled)

40. A tank support base and skid apparatus comprising: a) a frame having upper and lower end portions, left and right side portions and front and rear portions; b) the upper end portion having at least one row of tank receptive supports; c) a frame floor that is spaced vertically below said receptive supports; d) the frame having a peripheral fluid barrier that includes a front wall, a rear wall and side walls that form the said fluid barrier around said floor, each said side wall extending from said floor to a said tank receptive support; e) first and second internal support members that span across at least half of said frame; f) a channel in between the internal support members; g) channel openings that transmit any spilled fluid from the floor to the channel; and h) each tank receptive support including: horizontal beams that span from the front wall to the rear wall and supported by the internal support members; vertical members that each connect with a horizontal beam; inclined plates that each connect to both a said horizontal beam and a said vertical member.

41. (canceled)

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0065] For a further understanding of the nature, objects, and advantages of the present invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description, read in conjunction with the following drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote like elements and wherein:

[0066] FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;

[0067] FIG. 2 is a front view of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;

[0068] FIG. 3 is an end view of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;

[0069] FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along lines 4-4 of FIG. 1;

[0070] FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along lines 5-5 of FIG. 1;

[0071] FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along lines 6-6 of FIG. 1;

[0072] FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along lines 7-7 of FIG. 1;

[0073] FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along lines 8-8 of FIG. 1;

[0074] FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along lines 9-9 of FIG. 1;

[0075] FIG. 10 is a partial perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;

[0076] FIG. 11 is an end perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;

[0077] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;

[0078] FIG. 13 is a partial perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;

[0079] FIG. 14 is partial perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;

[0080] FIG. 15 is perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;

[0081] FIG. 16 is partial perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;

[0082] FIG. 17 is partial perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;

[0083] FIG. 18 is perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;

[0084] FIG. 19 is partial perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;

[0085] FIG. 20 is partial perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;

[0086] FIG. 21 is partial perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;

[0087] FIG. 22 is partial perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;

[0088] FIG. 23 is partial perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;

[0089] FIG. 24 is partial perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;

[0090] FIG. 25 is partial bottom perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; and

[0091] FIG. 26 is partial perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0092] FIGS. 1-26 illustrate a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention generally designated by the numeral 10. In FIGS. 1-26, the tank support and transport skid apparatus 10 provides a frame 11 having a bottom 12 that preferably can be flat for resting upon a flat surface such as a concrete slab, earth surface, or offshore platform deck. Frame 11 provides upper area 13 that is preferably used to hold multiple (such as 8, for example) tanks 14. The tank support and transport skid apparatus 10 is preferably made out of channel iron, angle iron or other suitable material, and can have a length of about 16 feet (4.88 meters) and a width of about 8 feet 7.25 inches (2.62 meters).

[0093] A plurality of tank receptacles 15-22 are preferably provided. These receptacles can preferably include a plurality of front receptacles 15, 16, 17, 18 forming a front row and a plurality of rear receptacles 19, 20, 21 and 22 forming a rear row (see FIG. 1). In one embodiment, a selected tank 14 can preferably be placed on a tank receptacle or tank position 15, 16, 17, 18 on the front row and preferably slid to a tank position or tank receptacle on the back row. For example, a tank 14 placed on tank receptacle or tank position 15 in FIG. 1 could be moved (slid) to the tank position 19 in FIG. 1. In FIG. 10, the tanks 14 are on a front row. In FIG. 14, the tanks 14 are on a back or rear row. The dimensions of each receptacle 15-22 can vary so that they are sized to mimic the dimensions of a tank 14. Tank 14 is preferably a commercially available tote having a volume of about 165-550 gallons (606-2,082 liters), more preferably about 550 gallons (2,082 liters). Tank 14 preferably has a length of about 48 inches (122 centimeters) and preferably has a width of about 42 inches (107 centimeters). Tank 14 preferably has a height of about 36 inches to 77 inches (91-196 centimeters); more preferably about 53 inches to 77 inches (135-196 centimeters); and most preferably about 77 inches (196 centimeters). In a preferred embodiment, each receptacle 15-22 preferably has the same dimensions, which are dependent upon the dimensions of the tanks 14 that will be supported by the apparatus of the present invention.

[0094] In one embodiment, there is preferably stop(s) 48 which makes sliding the tanks 14 not possible (see FIGS. 6, 12).

[0095] In one embodiment, frame 11 can have forklift tine tubes or sockets 23, 24 so that a forklift can pick up and move the frame 11. In one embodiment, the forklift tine tubes or sockets 23, 24 preferably have a width that mimics the width of the tank support and transport skid apparatus 10. The forklift tine tubes or sockets 23, 24 can have a length of about 12 inches (30.48 centimeters) and a height of about 6 inches (15.24 centimeters). One tank 14 can preferably be placed on each receptacle 15-22. Each forklift tine tube 23, 24 preferably has a bore or opening 25 or 26 (see FIG. 2).

[0096] The frame 11 preferably provides a pair of floor sections 27, 28 that define an overall floor below receptacles 15-22. The dimensions of each floor section 27, 28 can vary so that they are sized to mimic the dimensions of a tank 14. In a preferred embodiment, each floor section 27, 28 can have the same dimensions, which are dependent upon the dimensions of the tanks 14 that will be supported by the apparatus of the present invention. The floor sections 27, 28 preferably each incline to direct fluid flow toward a pipe or channel 30 (see FIG. 3). In one embodiment, pipe 30 is preferably made out of channel iron or other suitable material. Each pipe or channel 30 can preferably be generally parallel to the front and rear of the frame 11. Pipe/channel 30 preferably runs the length of frame 11, as seen in FIG. 1. Frame 11 can preferably be generally rectangular, providing perimeter 29. The perimeter 29 can be defined by front beam or panel 31, rear beam or panel 32 and side beams or panels 33, 34. Each of the beams or panels 31, 32, 33, 34 can preferably be flanged beams, channel beams, I-beams, reinforced plate or other suitable beams. In one embodiment, each of the panels 31, 32 has a height of about 15 inches (38.1 centimeters). In one embodiment, each of the panels 33, 34 has a height of about 15 inches (38.1 centimeters).

[0097] Internal or interior supports or support beams or walls 35, 36 are placed internally such as preferably in between front and rear beams/panels 31, 32 or in between side beams or panels 33, 34. In one embodiment, internal wall 35 has a length that mimics the length of the apparatus 10 and can be located about 44.5 inches (113.03 centimeters) from front beam 31, and internal wall 36 has a length that mimics the length of the apparatus 10 and is located about 44.5 inches (113.03 centimeters) from rear beam 32, with a distance of about 8.5 inches (21.59 centimeters) between internal wall 35 and internal wall 36. Pipes or channels 30 each preferably span between internal or interior supports, beams, walls 35, 36 at a side portion such as next to side beams 33 or 34 (see FIGS. 11, 18, 21-26).

[0098] Openings or ports 39, preferably in beams or walls 35, 36, preferably enable fluid flow from floor sections 27, 28 to a pipe or channel 30 (sec FIG. 24). In one embodiment, port 39 preferably has a diameter of about 4 inches (10.16 centimeters).

[0099] At either or both ends of internal supports 35, 36 there preferably can be provided an opening 37 preferably having a valved outlet 38 that receives flow preferably from a port 39 that is preferably in fluid communication with pipe or channel 30 (see FIGS. 4, 11, 24 and 26). In one embodiment, opening 37 is about 11.25 inches by 5.25 inches (28.58 centimeters by 13.34 centimeters).

[0100] In one embodiment, passages 53 can be provided that enable fluid flow from preferably one floor section 27 to the other floor section 28 (see FIGS. 7, 12, 14, 16, 21, 23). In one embodiment, passages 53 are each preferably about 2 inches by 2 inches (5.08 centimeters by 5.08 centimeters). Passages 53 preferably flow into channel 30. Each floor section 27, 28 is preferably inclined to direct flow of fluid toward a pipe or channel 30 and its opening or port 39. Such a pipe or channel 30 can be provided preferably at each end of frame 11, one near each side beam 33, 34.

[0101] Vertically positioned tubes 40 can preferably be provided at spaced intervals as seen in FIGS. 1, 5. The tubes 40 are preferably made out of stainless steel or other suitable material. These tubes 40 can preferably be receptive of hand rails 41 (see FIGS. 11 and 13). Hand rails 41 preferably slide into tubes 40. Hand rails are preferably stored on floor sections 27, 28, as seen in FIG. 11.

[0102] Each tank receptacle 15-22 can preferably be supported by a left tank support beam or rail 42 and a right tank support beam or rail 43. Each support beam or rail 42, 43 preferably includes horizontal member or slide 44, inclined side member 45, inclined end members 46, 47 (see FIGS. 3, 8, 9, 10, 12). In one embodiment, inclined end members 46, 47 are preferably about 3 inches (7.62 centimeters) tall, about 6 feet (1.83 meters) long, and about 3 inches (7.62 centimeters) high.

[0103] In one embodiment, there is at least one stop or divider 48. Stop 48 can preferably have opposed inclined surfaces 49, 50. Stop 48 is preferably positioned above channel 30 (see FIGS. 6, 11-13). In one embodiment, each stop 48 preferably has dimensions of about 6 inches (15.24 centimeters) long, about 6 inches (15.24 centimeters) wide, and about 4 inches (10.16 centimeters) high.

[0104] Each inclined side member 45 can preferably have cut outs or recesses 51, 52 (see FIG. 3) enabling access to piping/valving or other fittings next to the bottom of a selected tank 14. In one embodiment, inclined side members 45 are preferably about 6 inches (15.24 centimeters) wide, about 8 feet 7 inches (2.61 meters) long, and about 3 inches (7.62 centimeters) high with recesses 51, 52 preferably with a length of about 12 inches (30.48 centimeters), and a height of preferably about 2 inches (5.08 centimeters).

[0105] In a preferred embodiment, there are no stops or dividers 48 so that a selected tank 14 can slide upon horizontal member/plate/slide 44 from a front row position next to front beam/panel 31 to a rear row position next to rear beam/panel 32.

[0106] The following is a list of parts and materials suitable for use in the present invention:

TABLE-US-00002 PARTS LIST: PART NUMBER DESCRIPTION 10 tank support and transport skid apparatus 11 frame 12 bottom 13 upper area 14 tank 15 tank receptacle/tank position 16 tank receptacle/tank position 17 tank receptacle/tank position 18 tank receptacle/tank position 19 tank receptacle/tank position 20 tank receptacle/tank position 21 tank receptacle/tank position 22 tank receptacle/tank position 23 forklift tine tube 24 forklift tine tube 25 bore/socket 26 bore/socket 27 first floor section 28 second floor section 29 perimeter 30 pipe/channel 31 front beam/panel 32 rear beam/panel 33 side beam/panel 34 side beam/panel 35 first interior support/wall/beam 36 second interior support/wall/beam 37 opening 38 valved outlet/valve 39 opening/port 40 tube 41 hand rail 42 left tank support beam/rail 43 right tank support beam/rail 44 horizontal member/plate/slide 45 inclined side member/plate 46 inclined end member/plate 47 inclined end member/plate 48 stop/divider 49 surface 50 surface 51 recess 52 recess 53 passage

[0107] All measurements disclosed herein are at standard temperature and pressure, at sea level on Earth, unless indicated otherwise. All materials used or intended to be used in a human being are biocompatible, unless indicated otherwise.

[0108] The foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only; the scope of the present invention is to be limited only by the following claims.