초록 ▼

An apparatus for holding a gas tank includes a bottom element which is mounted to a supporting surface and a cover element pivotally mounted to the cradle. The cover element has at least one device for holding a gas tank. The apparatus further includes a system for rotating the cover element relativ

An apparatus for holding a gas tank includes a bottom element which is mounted to a supporting surface and a cover element pivotally mounted to the cradle. The cover element has at least one device for holding a gas tank. The apparatus further includes a system for rotating the cover element relative to the bottom element so as to raise the gas tank from a storage position to a substantially vertical operational position so that an individual can don the gas tank. In a preferred embodiment, the rotating system includes an L-shaped track attached to the bottom element, a raised portion with an aperture attached to the cover element, and a guide rod which has a first end in the aperture and a second end which engages with and slides in the L-shaped track.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A gas tank holding apparatus comprising: a bottom element which is adapted to be mounted to a supporting surface;said bottom element having a central web and two side rails and a substantially U-shaped cross sectional shape;said bottom element further having a structure extending upwards from sai

1. A gas tank holding apparatus comprising: a bottom element which is adapted to be mounted to a supporting surface;said bottom element having a central web and two side rails and a substantially U-shaped cross sectional shape;said bottom element further having a structure extending upwards from said central web;a cover element pivotally mounted to said bottom element;said cover element having at least one means for holding a gas tank; andmeans for rotating said cover element relative to said bottom element so as to raise said gas tank from a storage position to a substantially vertical operational position,wherein said rotating means comprises an L-shaped track incorporated within said structure extending upwardsfrom said central web, a raised portion incorporated into said cover element, and a guide rod having a first end which fits into an aperture in said raised portion and a second end which cooperates with a slide surface of said track. 2. The gas tank holding apparatus of claim 1, wherein said supporting surface comprises a surface of a vehicle and said apparatus further comprises means for mounting said bottom element to said surface of said vehicle. 3. The gas tank holding apparatus of claim 2, wherein said surface is a floor of a storage compartment in said vehicle. 4. The gas tank holding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said cover element has a central web and said raised portion is perpendicular to said central web. 5. The gas tank holding apparatus of claim 1, wherein said cover element has a central web and two side rails and a substantially U-shaped cross sectional shape. 6. The gas tank holding apparatus according to claim 5, wherein each side rail of said bottom element has an aperture and each side rail of said cover element has an aperture which aligns with a respective aperture in a respective one of said bottom element side rails. 7. The gas tank holding apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising at least one pin connection for connecting said bottom element to said cover element so that said cover element can rotate relative to said bottom element. 8. The gas tank holding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said at least one means for holding a gas tank comprises a substantially C-shaped clip located in the middle of said cover element. 9. The gas tank holding apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said at least one means for holding a gas tank further comprises a clamp having a central portion and outwardly extending side arms and wherein said clamp is located intermediate said substantially C-shaped clip and an end of said cover element. 10. The gas tank holding apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a seat element attached to a first end of said cover element and an L-shaped footing attached to a second end of said cover element opposed to said first end. 11. The gas tank holding apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said seat element has a back portion and a base portion with a flat section and an angled section and said back portion has a plurality of slots for allowing the seat element to be adjustable relative to the cover element. 12. The gas tank holding apparatus of claim 1, wherein said cover element is movable between a retracted position where said cover element overlaps said bottom element and an operational position where said cover element is at an angle with respect to said bottom element. 13. The gas tank holding apparatus of claim 12, wherein said cover element has a pair of clips for contacting said bottom element when said cover element is in said retracted position. 14. A gas tank holding apparatus comprising: a bottom element which is adapted to be mounted to a supporting surface;a cover element pivotally mounted to said bottom element;said cover element having at least one means for holding a gas tank;means for rotating said cover element relative to said bottom element so as to raise sad gas tank from a storage position to a substantially vertical operational position;said rotating means comprising an L-shaped tack incorporated into said bottom element, a raised portion incorporated into said cover element, and a guide rod having a first end which fits into an aperture in said raised portion and a second end which cooperates with a slide surface of said track,wherein said guide rod has a C-shape. 15. The gas tank holding apparatus according to claim 14, wherein said bottom element has a central web and a vertical structure extending from said central web and said L-shaped track is located in said vertical structure. 16. The gas tank holding apparatus of claim 14, wherein said bottom element has a central web and two side rails and a substantially U-shaped cross sectional shape.