Handling: hand and hoist-line implements – Article carrier gripped and carried by hand – Convertible to – or useable as – different device or different...
Reexamination Certificate
1999-10-18
2001-04-10
Cherry, Johnny D. (Department: 3652)
Handling: hand and hoist-line implements
Article carrier gripped and carried by hand
Convertible to, or useable as, different device or different...
C206S427000, C294S146000, C294S159000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06213529
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention is related to a carrier for storing and carrying cylindrically shaped canisters, sometimes known as tanks, for containing compressed oxygen, MAPP gas, propane, acetylene or other portable soldering and heating torch fuels.
To our knowledge, carriers for a pair of propane bottles or canisters, commonly used as torches and normally having a diameter of about 2.875 inches and a height of about 10.25 inches, are not commercially available. Typically, the user will attach a nozzle on top of one canister and use it for heating or other purposes. When the canister is empty, he connects the nozzle on the back-up canister. The problem is that there is no convenient means for carrying the canisters. They will typically roll around in a vehicle, and are difficult to maintain in a stable position when one canister is being used and the other is in a stand-by condition.
When the canisters are carried loosely in a basket, the torch head or canister may be damaged.
The prior art does show some propane tank carriers, see for example: U.S. Design Pat. Nos. 367,960 issued Mar. 19, 1996 for “Safety Propane Tank Carrier”; and No. 402,466 issued Dec. 15, 1998 both to George Werbesky, Jr.; U.S. Design Pat. No. 280,258 issued Aug. 27, 1985, for “Carrier for Gas Torch and Fuel Tank” to Benson L. Miller; U.S. Pat. No. 5,335,954 issued Aug. 9, 1994 for “Propane Bottle Carrier” to Timothy M. Holub, et al. None of these is designed to support a pair of small gas canisters in both a self-supporting upright position, and to be carried by hand.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The broad purpose of the present invention is to provide an improved carrier for a pair of cylindrical gas canisters having a diameter of about 2.875 inches. In one embodiment of the invention, the carrier is formed from an injection molding process, and in another embodiment, the carrier is formed from a blow-molding process.
Typically, when a canister is being used, a torch head, which may include a self-igniter, is threaded onto the top of the canister and remains in place until the canister is empty. The torch head is then reattached to a full canister.
Our novel design incorporates features permitting sufficient room to carry or secure the canister with or without the torch head. The preferred embodiment includes a pair of pockets for carrying accessories such as spare torch heads, igniter components, solder, flux and related items. The design includes a dual purpose molded in, ergonomically-designed carrying handle which may be used to suspend the carrier for storage, attachment points for securing the carrier to either vertical or horizontal surfaces, and a flat bottom surface for stable upright seating on a horizontal surface.
The one-piece injection molded design uses an extensive grid configuration on the backside to assure carrier strength. The ribs may be formed with either low pressure or high-pressure molding or a gas-assisted molding process. Gas assisted, low pressure molding technology may offer advantages in assuring strength and stiffness, and will also minimize the appearance of knit lines and ribbed read-through on the front surface. The front wall folds, by means of a living hinge design, toward the back wall. In its open position, the carrier can be transported in bulk. When it is to be used, the two halves are folded and snapped together.
A one-piece blow molded embodiment of the invention utilizes a dual wall, single part construction to retain the high rigidity and strength required for use. A dual wall on the lower half of the front of the design becomes the outer wall, which secures the tanks in a position within the carrier. The same wall also forms two pockets, one on each side of the carrier for containing accessories. Blow molding stiffening features known as tack-offs, add strength to the back wall, around the carrying handle and the hanger opening for mounting the carrier. The carrying handle is molded with additional tack-offs incorporated at the top area for rigidity. The handle opening and accessory pockets are achieved through trimming the material in the center section. The carrier base is molded as a flat section to assure stability when the carrier is resting on or attached to a horizontal surface.
Still further objects and advantages of the invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains upon reference to the following detailed description.
REFERENCES:
patent: D. 280258 (1985-08-01), Miller
patent: D. 367960 (1996-03-01), Werbesky, Jr.
patent: D. 402466 (1998-12-01), Werbesky, Jr.
patent: 1260528 (1918-03-01), Evans
patent: 2645392 (1953-07-01), Gottsegen et al.
patent: 2896814 (1959-07-01), Altenburg
patent: 3025998 (1962-03-01), Petersen
patent: 3565323 (1971-02-01), Kotzenmeyer
patent: 4475660 (1984-10-01), Cain
patent: 4735313 (1988-04-01), Schoenberg
patent: 5335954 (1994-08-01), Holub et al.
patent: 5702022 (1997-12-01), Umiker
Anderson Chris L.
Kurcz Marcia L.
Chandler Charles W.
Cherry Johnny D.
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