Liquid reservoir

Abstract

A tank, particularly for liquids, is described, comprising a main tank body with a base and several walls rising from said base, and a tank fastening system for connecting said main body to a tank support surface with which the tank base engages. The fastening system comprises at least one seat disposed on said several walls and configured to engage with a first part of a fastening bracket. Said fastening bracket has a second part provided with connecting means for connecting the bracket to said support surface, so that the tank is kept connected to the support surface following the connection of the bracket with the support surface. Said at least one seat has a predominant longitudinal extension that is greater than the corresponding extension of said first part of the bracket intended to engage with said at least one seat.so that said bracket can be applied to the tank in a plurality of positions relative to the tank. Figure 1,

Description

Title of the invention: Reservoir for liquids

[0001] The present invention relates to a reservoir for liquids, in particular a reservoir for storing water.

[0002] The invention finds a preferred, although not exclusive, application in the field of water tanks designed for the motorhome or boating sector in general, as well as for special vehicles.

[0003] A preferred example of the invention is that of fresh water tanks intended for use on boats or recreational vehicles, such as motorhomes or caravans, i.e. tanks intended to constitute the water reserve for the uses intended inside the living and / or functional rooms created on these vehicles, including special vehicles.

[0004] In these applications, it is well known that the tank must be anchored either to the ground or to the wall or to another suitable support surface of the tank, generally by means of fixing brackets or by means of bands or straps capable of stably locking the tank.

[0005] Normally, however, the spaces devoted to accommodating tanks of this type are rather limited, due to the small space of the rooms where they are intended to be placed; consequently, locking or unlocking the tank may not prove particularly practical and easy both during installation and subsequent maintenance.

[0006] Furthermore, in the case where the tank provides for predefined anchoring points or zones, for example, at the level of specific profiles provided in the tank to cooperate with corresponding stirrups or fastening straps, the anchoring of the tank may be prevented, or in any case made more inconvenient, due to interference with other structural parts present in the normally very small spaces for receiving the tank.

[0007] A main objective of the invention is to provide a tank comprising a fastening system structurally and functionally designed to overcome the limitations highlighted with reference to the known technique mentioned, in particular configured to make locking and unlocking the tank easier and more convenient, while ensuring a tank fastening stability equal to or greater than that of known fastening systems.

[0008] This objective and others which will become clear later are achieved by the invention by means of a reservoir made in accordance with what is specified below.

[0009] According to one aspect, the invention relates to a reservoir, in particular for liquids.

[0010] Preferably, the tank comprises a main tank body with a base and several walls rising from said base and a tank fastening system for linking said main body to a tank support surface with which the tank base is capable of being in contact.

[0011] Preferably, said fastening system includes at least one seat disposed on said several walls and configured to engage with a first part of a fastening bracket.

[0012] Preferably, said fixing bracket includes a second part provided with connection means for connecting the bracket with said support surface, so that the tank is kept connected to the support surface following the connection of the bracket with the support surface.

[0013] Preferably, said at least one seat has a predominant longitudinal extension which is greater than the corresponding extension of said first part of stirrup intended to engage with said at least one seat, so that said stirrup can be applied to the tank in a plurality of positions relative to the tank.

[0014] Preferably, said at least one seat comprises a channel-shaped groove that extends continuously along the corresponding wall of the tank.

[0015] Preferably, said channel-shaped groove extends with a uniform cross-section.

[0016] Preferably, said cross-section is in the shape of a “C”.

[0017] Preferably, said at least one seat extends inside the volume of the tank delimited by its walls, without protruding externally from the surface of the wall on which the said seat is placed.

[0018] Preferably, the main body of said reservoir has a parallelepiped shape and the length of said at least one seat extends parallel to a horizontal longitudinal edge defined between the base and the vertical wall carrying said seat.

[0019] Preferably, at least two contiguous vertical walls of the tank are each provided with a respective seat, each seat being configured to engage with one or more fixing brackets.

[0020] Preferably, all the vertical walls of the tank are each provided with a respective seat, each seat being configured to engage with one or more fixing brackets.

[0021] Preferably, the fixing bracket that can be applied to the tank has a "Z" shape.

[0022] Preferably, said at least one seat is configured to allow the application of one or more of said fixing brackets, which can be applied at any point of the seat along its longitudinal extension.

[0023] Preferably, said first part and second part of the fixing bracket are connected to a web of said bracket and extend from the respective ends of said web in opposite directions.

[0024] Preferably, said first stirrup portion extends from said web in an undercut, the angle between said first portion and said web being less than 90°

[0025] Preferably, said fixing bracket has an elastomer coating disposed at least on a surface of the first part of the bracket intended to be in contact with said at least one seat, when the fixing bracket is applied to the tank.

[0026] Preferably, said elastomer coating is further disposed on a respective surface of the second part of the stirrup intended to be in contact with the support surface of the tank.

[0027] Preferably, said elastomer coating is applied to the fixing bracket by overmolding.

[0028] Preferably, said fixing bracket is made of plastic material.

[0029] Preferably, said at least one seat is obtained in the tank by means of rotational molding technology.

[0030] Preferably, the reservoir is made of plastic material.

[0031] Preferably, the connection means provided on the second part of the stirrup The fixing components include one or more through openings configured for the entry of the respective screw fixing components. Brief description of the figures

[0032] Other features and advantages of the invention will be better highlighted by the following detailed description of its preferred embodiment, illustrated, by way of example and not limitation, with reference to the accompanying drawings, among which:

[0033] [Fig. 1] is a perspective view of an example of a tank made according to the invention,

[0034] [Fig.2] is a perspective view, on a larger scale and in partial section, of the reservoir of [Fig.1],

[0035] Figures [Fig.3], [Fig.4] and [Fig.5] are perspective views of a detail of the tank fixing system of the preceding figures,

[0036] [Fig. 6] is a lateral elevation view of the detail in Figures 3 to 5,

[0037] [Fig.7] and [Fig.8] are respectively front and rear elevation views of the detail of Figures 3 to 5,

[0038] [Fig.9] is a plan view of the detail of Figures 3 to 5.

[0039] With reference to the figures cited, 1 generally designates an example of liquid reservoir, made in accordance with the present invention.

[0040] The tank described in this example is particularly intended for the loading of clear water when used on recreational vehicles, such as motorhomes or caravans, but it is equally suitable for use in other fields, for example in the nautical field or in fields not purely for vehicles.

[0041] The reservoir 1 comprises a main body 2 of parallelepiped shape with a base 3 from which rise a first pair of opposing lateral walls 4 and a second pair of lateral walls 5.

[0042] On the side opposite vertically to the base 3, the reservoir 1 includes a top wall 6 in which is disposed a filling neck 7 which can be closed by means of a plug 8.

[0043] The longitudinal horizontal edges defined between each lateral wall 5 and the base 3 are designated by 9, which have a longitudinal extension greater than that of the corresponding edges of the walls 4.

[0044] In the present context, the term "horizontal" means an orientation directed perpendicularly to the vertical direction of the force of gravity.

[0045] The reservoir 1 is shaped so that the base 3 is intended for contact with a support surface 10, which is only partially represented on [Fig.1], and the reservoir 1 includes a fastening system with which the reservoir is locked onto the support surface 10.

[0046] The surface 10 can be constituted by the floor of a room in which the tank is placed or by a support frame on which the tank is placed or by any other suitable structure to support the tank.

[0047] The fastening system includes a first seat 12 disposed on one of the walls 5 and a second seat, also designated by 12, disposed on one of the walls 3.

[0048] Only one of the seats 12, the one arranged in the wall 5, will be described in detail below, because of their substantial resemblance, the only perceptible difference being their different longitudinal extension.

[0049] Each seat 12 is made in the form of a channel-shaped groove which extends in the direction of the longitudinal extension with a constant cross-section and preferably configured in a “C”.

[0050] The seat 12 extends into the corresponding wall 5 over a major part of the longitudinal extent of the wall and runs parallel to the defined edge 9 between the base 3 and the wall 5. At its opposite longitudinal ends, the seat 12 is closed laterally.

[0051] The seat 12 further extends into the interior of the volume of the tank, this volume being delimited by the base and the walls of the tank, without, however, protruding externally from the flushness of the wall 5 on which said seat is placed.

[0052] Each seat 12 is configured to engage with a first plate-shaped part 15 of a mounting bracket 16.

[0053] Said stirrup 16 is also provided with a second plate-shaped part 17 having connection means for linking the support to the surface 10, said connection means comprising a pair of slot-shaped through openings 18 configured to engage with respective screw-fastening members (not shown).

[0054] The stirrup 16 preferably has a "Z" shape and comprises a central core 19 to the opposite axial ends of which are connected the respective first and second parts 15, 17. Said parts 15, 17 extend from the respective and opposite ends of the core 19 in opposite directions, so as to give the fixing stirrup 16 the "Z" shape recalled above.

[0055] The seat 12 extends longitudinally in the corresponding side wall of the tank continuously and has a longitudinal extension much greater than the corresponding extension of the first part 15 of the stirrup intended to engage with the cavity of the seat, so that the stirrup can be applied to the tank in a plurality of positions relative to the tank.

[0056] As clearly shown in [Fig.1], one or more fixing brackets can be applied in the seat 12 and each bracket can be positioned at will at any point in the longitudinal development of the seat.

[0057] Thanks to this feature of the invention, the number of anchors can therefore vary, for example according to specific installation requirements, such as obstacles, the dimensions of the tank and / or various needs.

[0058] The positioning of the anchors can also be carried out at any point of the attachment seat, always in order to facilitate fixing in the presence of possible obstacles, obstructions or interferences, the dimensions of the tank and / or on the basis of various needs, for example relating to the installations.

[0059] The flexibility and versatility of this fastening system also facilitate the dismantling of the tank during ordinary and extraordinary maintenance operations, namely on the occasion of modifications to the hydraulic connections or for the possible total replacement of the tank and / or maintenance.

[0060] The presence of seats 12 arranged on adjacent side walls of the tank can further facilitate anchoring the tank against the support surface, making it possible to obtain blocking the tank and counteracting its movements in different directions.

[0061] To improve the locking action, in each stirrup 12 the first part 15 extends from the web 19 with an undercut, for example by making an angle between the first part 15 of stirrup and the web 19 of a value slightly less than 90°, as is clearly shown in [Fig.6].

[0062] To further improve the locking action, an elastomer coating 20 is applied to the mounting bracket 16. This coating is applied to the surfaces of the first bracket portion 15, the core 19, and the second bracket portion 17, which are intended to come into contact, respectively, with the seat cavity, the side wall of the tank, and the bearing surface when the bracket is applied to the tank. The use of an elastomer, or at least a softer rubber coating, makes it possible to improve the damping and gripping function more reliably and effectively in the areas of relative contact, thereby enhancing the tank's fastening action on the bearing surface.

[0063] In a preferred embodiment, the elastomer coating 20 is applied to the fixing bracket 16 by overmolding.

[0064] In one embodiment, the fixing bracket 12 is made of plastic material and the elastomer or rubber coating is overmolded onto said plastic material.

[0065] In one embodiment, the seats 12 are obtained in one piece with the main body 2 of the tank, for example by means of rotational molding technology.

[0066] The reservoir 1 is also preferably made of a plastic material and, in the case where it is intended, as in the example described here, to contain clear water, said plastic material is chosen from among plastic materials intended for food-type uses, a preferred choice being, for example, food-grade polyethylene.

[0067] It is advantageous that both the tank and the fixing brackets be made from recyclable materials.

[0068] The invention thus achieves the predetermined objectives by obtaining the stated advantages compared to known solutions.

Claims

Demands

1. A tank (1), in particular for liquids, comprising a main body (2) of the tank (1) with a base (3) and several walls rising from said base (3) and a tank fastening system (1) for connecting said main body (2) to a support surface (10) of the tank (1) with which the base (3) of the tank (1) is capable of being in contact, said fastening system comprising at least one seat (12) disposed on said several walls and configured to engage with a first portion (15) of a fastening bracket (16), said fastening bracket (16) comprising a second portion (17) provided with connecting means for connecting the bracket (16) with said support surface (10), so that the tank (1) is kept connected to the support surface (10) following the connection of the bracket (16) with the support surface (10),said at least one seat (12) having a predominant longitudinal extension which is greater than the corresponding extension of said first part (15) of stirrup (16) intended to engage with said at least one seat (12), so that said stirrup (16) can be applied to the tank (1) in a plurality of positions relative to the tank (1).

2. Reservoir (1) according to claim 1, wherein said at least one seat (12) comprises a channel-shaped groove which extends continuously along the corresponding wall of the reservoir (1).

3. Reservoir (1) according to claim 2, in which said channel-shaped groove extends with a uniform cross-section.

4. Tank (1) according to claim 3, wherein said cross-section is in the shape of “C”.

5. Tank (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said at least one seat (12) extends within the volume of the tank (1) delimited by the walls thereof, without protruding externally from the flushness of the wall on which said seat (12) is disposed.

6. Tank (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the main body (2) of said tank (1) has a parallelepiped shape and the length of said at least one seat (12) extends parallel to a horizontal longitudinal edge defined between the base (3) and the vertical wall carrying said seat (12).

7. Tank (1) according to claim 6, in which at least two contiguous vertical walls of the tank (1) are each provided with a respective seat (12), each seat (12) being configured to engage with one or more fastening brackets (16).

8. Tank (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fixing bracket (16) that can be applied to the tank (1) has a "Z" shape.

9. Reservoir (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said at least one seat (12) is configured to permit the application of one or more of said fixing brackets (16), which can be applied at any point of the seat (12) along its longitudinal extension.

10. Reservoir (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said first part (15) and second part (17) of the fixing bracket (16) are connected to a web (19) of said bracket (16) and extend from the respective ends of said web (19) in opposite directions.

11. Reservoir (1) according to claim 10, wherein said first part (15) of stirrup (16) extends from said web (19) in undercut, the angle between said first part (15) and said web (19) being less than 90°.

12. Tank (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said fixing bracket (16) has an elastomer coating (20) disposed at least at a surface of the first part (15) of the bracket (16) intended to be in contact with said at least one seat (12), when the fixing bracket (16) is applied to the tank (1).

13. Reservoir (1) according to claim 12, in which said elastomer coating (20) is further disposed on a respective surface of the second part (17) of the stirrup (16) intended to be in contact with the support surface (10) of the reservoir (1).

14. Reservoir (1) according to claim 12 or 13, wherein said elastomer coating (20) is applied to the fixing bracket (16) by overmolding.

15. Reservoir (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said fixing bracket (16) is made of plastic material.

16. Tank (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said at least one seat (12) is obtained as a single piece with the tank (1) by means of rotational molding technology.

17. Reservoir (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, made of plastic material.

18. Reservoir (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said connection means provided on the second part (17) of the mounting bracket (16) comprise one or more through openings (18) configured for the engagement of respective screw-fastening components.

Images