Support for oil tanks

March 19, 1935.

E. J. FLEMING, JR

SUPPORT FOR OIL TANKS Filed Nov, 29, 1933

1,995,202

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Patented Mar. 19, 1935

1,995,202

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE

1,995,202 SUPPORT FOR OIL TANKS Edward J. Fleming, Jr., Springfield, Mass. Application November 29,1933, Serial No. 700,215 2 Claims. (Cl. 248—11)

Fig. 3 is a sectional, plan view on the line 3—3 of Fig. 2, showing the three strengthening rib members of the posts.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view, illustrating one pair, or two of the posts and connecting lock- 5 bar members, in assembled positions.

Fig. 5 is a detail, perspective view of the spacer and lock-bar, and .

Fig. 6 illustrates the invention, when placed on an uneven supporting surface, showing each post 10 tipped slightly.

Referring to the drawing in detail:— indicates a supporting post, four of which are employed that are all alike in structure. These posts are formed with a square base por- 15 tion 2, having the ribs 3, 4, and 5, the filler portion 5', and the inner flat surface 6, which surface is at right angles to the plane of the base portion 2. 7 indicates an integral lug that is formed on the inner surface 6 and near the foot- 20 tom of the post 1. This lug is formed with an opening 8, of any desired shape. 9 indicates a spacing lock-bar, that is formed with the upwardly extending projections 10, at its opposite ends, as shown, which enter the openings 8 and 25 the lugs 7, when assembled, as clearly shown in Fig. 4. The projections 10 in the openings 8 may be of any shape, as round, hexagonal, or rectangular; The upper ends of the posts 1 are each formed with a curved surface 11; the cur- 30 vature of which corresponds with the curvature of the oil tank, indicated at 12, whereby, when a tank is placed on these curved surfaces, it will automatically seat, or adjust itself in a vertical plane. . . ,, ³⁵

The device is assembled by placing two of the spacer lock-bars 9 on the surface, or ground, as indicated at 13, in Fig. 6, where the ground is shown as being irregular. One of the four posts are then placed at each end of one of the spacer 40 lock-bars 9, with the projections 10 entering the openings 8, as shown. The plan view in Fig. 1 illustrates two of the assembled spacer bars and four of the posts.

It will be seen that each of the posts 1 will 45 automatically assume a position, corresponding to the unevenness of the supporting surface. The assembled tank-supporting device shows one pair of the posts at each end of the tank.

It is to be observed, from Fig. 1, that, when the 50 device is assembled, the four posts will support the oil tank 1, which is substantially elliptical in cross section, as shown in Fig. 2, and the four posts, with the curved surfaces 11 will permit the tank 12 to automatically assume a vertical 55

This invention relates to improvements in supports for oil tanks, and commercially known as “obround” tanks. .,

An object of the invention is to provide a de5 mountable and self-adjusting support for oil tanks, or like articles, that will automatically conform to the shape of the surface, or floor, on which the support is placed.

At the present time, it is common to place oil 10 tanks, or bury them in the earth, outside of the house. This has been found to be objectionable, as the tanks often rust and cause the oil to escape, without detection. Also, it is expensive and often inconvenient to so locate them.

The present invention is designed for quickly and efficiently supporting a tank in the basement, or cellar portion of the house, and preferably, in the corner of the cellar, or against the wall. The support is designed for supporting an oil 20 tank that is substantially elliptical in cross section, and of a length to contain the maximum quantity of oil, permitted by the fire underwriters’ rules, or other authorities.

An object of my invention is to provide four 25 supporting posts, on which the lower, curved surface of the tank rests, and the shape of each one of the upper ends of these four supporting posts conforms to the curvature of the tank, whereby, when it is placed on these four supports, the 30 tank is automatically centered, or held in a vertical position.

A further object is to provide a demountable structure that can be quickly assembled and disassembled, as required.

The invention, broadly, comprises four supporting post members, two or a pair of which are located near each of the opposite ends of the tank. These two post members are loosely connected together and spaced from each other, by a base 40 plate which is formed with upwardly projecting lugs, near its opposite ends, which enter openings in lugs formed on the inner surface of the supporting post members. This construction permits each one of the posts to automatically ad45 just itself, relative to any uneven supporting surface of the floor, as will be fully described.

Referring to the drawing:—

Fig. 1 is a top, plan view of the assembled device, showing the four posts or the two pairs of 50 supports with the two connecting spacer lock bars and an oil tank, shown in place, in dotted lines. ·, .

Fig. 2 is an enlarged, elevational end view showing two of the posts and one of the con55 necting lock-bars for the two posts.

position, pie four ribs indicated at 3, 4, 5 and 5' i°o+ ^th®^{postsl serve} to strengthen the same, both laterally and vertically. The smooth, inner face °^f i^{he posts readUy} Permits them to move independently of each other and relative to the opposite ends of the lock-bars 9, as indicated by the space 13, together with the looseconnection between the projections 10 and the a perjured lugs 7, as shown in Fig. 6.

It will.be seen from this description, that I have provided an inexpensive and efficient support for oil tanks and one that does not require any machining, or finishing, after they leave the molds. . -------—o μωιπιι-