Receptacles – Sectional – Barrel-shaped container
Reexamination Certificate
2000-07-13
2002-06-11
Young, Lee (Department: 3727)
Receptacles
Sectional
Barrel-shaped container
C052S005000, C217S01200A, C220S004110, C220S023910, C220S567200, C220S913000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06401951
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention pertains to enclosures providing a visual barrier for fuel and other tanks, and for other objects which are unsightly or otherwise need to be visually screened.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Tanks are often positioned outside residential and commercial structures for storing fuel, water and other liquids and gases. For example, propane used for cooking, heating and other purposes is often stored in a tank positioned next to an exterior wall of a structure.
While necessary to the operation and activity within the structure, such tanks are often relatively unsightly. As a result, vegetation is often planted to provide a visual barrier with respect to the tank. However, vegetation often does not provide a suitable visual barrier, and can impede access to the tank for delivery and maintenance. Sometimes, home and business owners erect a stockade or other fence around the tank to provide a visual barrier. The cost and time associated with installing such a fence, and the restriction to tank access the fence imposes, makes this approach to tank screening less than optimal. In some cases, the appearance of a tank near a structure may be a sufficiently negative proposition that individuals will refuse to install a tank even when needed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a device for providing visual screening of a storage tank positioned relative to an adjacent surface. The storage tank includes a vertical sidewall having a cylindrical outer surface and an upper end. The storage tank further includes an upper end wall attached to the vertical sidewall at the upper end thereof and located radially inward from the outer surface of the sidewall.
The device comprises a screening structure for surrounding the storage tank. The screening structure has an upper end, a lower end, an inner surface extending between the upper and lower ends and at least one opening extending through the screening structure. At least a portion of the inner surface is for confronting the vertical sidewall of the storage tank when the screening structure surrounds the storage tank. The at least one opening is located entirely between a horizontal plane defined by the upper end of the vertical sidewall of the storage tank and the upper end of the screening structure when the screening structure surrounds the storage tank. The device further comprises a support that engages the screening structure and the upper end wall of the storage tank when the screening structure surrounds the storage tank. The support prevents the screening structure from moving vertically downward relative to the storage tank such that the lower end of the screening structure is maintained in vertical spaced-apart relationship to the adjacent surface.
In another aspect, the present invention is directed to a system comprising a storage tank including a vertical sidewall having a cylindrical outer surface and an upper end. The storage tank further includes an upper end wall attached to the vertical sidewall at the upper end thereof and located radially inward from the outer surface of said sidewall. A screening structure surrounds the storage tank. The screening structure has an upper end located upward of the upper end of the vertical sidewall, a lower end, an inner surface extending between the upper and lower ends and at least one opening extending through the screening structure. At least a portion of the inner surface confronts the outer surface of the vertical sidewall. The at least one opening is located entirely between a horizontal plane defined by the upper end of the vertical sidewall and the upper end of the screening structure. A support engages the screening structure and the upper end of said storage tank. The support preventing the screening structure from moving vertically downward relative to the storage tank such that the lower end of the screening structure is maintained in spaced-apart relationship to a surface located below the lower end.
In yet another aspect, the present invention is directed to a device for providing visual screening of a storage tank positioned relative to an adjacent surface. The storage tank includes a vertical sidewall having a cylindrical outer surface and an upper end. The storage tank further includes an upper end wall attached to the vertical sidewall at the upper end of the sidewall.
The device comprises a screening structure for surrounding the storage tank. The screening structure has an upper end, a lower end, a first edge and a second edge. The screening structure is flexible so as to be movable between (i) a first position where the screening structure is positioned around the tank and the first and second edges are located proximate one another and (ii) a second position wherein the first and second vertical ends are spaced apart from one another. A clamp is provided for holding the first and second edges in the first position. A support engages the screening structure and the upper end wall of the storage tank when the first and second edges are in the first and said second positions. The support prevents the screening structure from moving vertically downward relative to the storage tank when the first and second edges are in the first and the second positions such that the lower end of the screening structure is maintained in vertical spaced-apart relationship to the adjacent surface.
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Downs Rachlin & Martin PLLC
Merek Joseph C.
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