Transportable gas cylinder base assembly and transportable gas cylinder system incorporating same

Abstract

A transportable gas cylinder base assembly may comprise a base support frame. An upper portion of the base support frame may have a gas cylinder affixed thereto. A lower portion of the base support frame may be placed in a resting position and a raised position with respect to a local horizontal surface. Frame wing portions may extend from a frame central portion of the base support frame. Fork receiving apertures may extend through the frame wing portions for receiving forks of a forklift. A wheel subassembly may be placed in and out of mounted engagement with a plurality of wheel mounting portions of the base support frame. The assembly may be reconfigurable between a transport configuration and a static support configuration. In the static support configuration, the lower portion may be in the resting position. In the transport configuration, the lower portion may be in the raised position.

Description

728395.00278TRANSPORTABLE GAS CYLINDER BASE ASSEMBLY AND TRANSPORTABLE GAS CYLINDER SYSTEM INCORPORATING SAMERELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 777,695 filed March 26, 2025, the content of which is incorporated by this reference in its entirety for all purposes as if fully set forth herein.TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The disclosure herein relates generally to gas cylinders and the transportation thereof, including large vertical propane tanks.BACKGROUND

[0003] Conventional 420 lb (120 gallon) vertical gas cylinders, such as those used to store and dispense propane for home use over extended periods of time, can be challenging and costly to transport from the vendor’ s facility to a customer’s site. For example, these relatively heavy gas cylinders may require two people to lift and move safely, in order to provide adequate control and stability, and to reduce risk of injury and damage. Alternatively, or in addition, the delivery vehicles used to move these large gas cylinders to the customer’s site may require a vehiclemounted crane to safely and accurately place the gas cylinder (e.g., via a sling) onto the delivery vehicle bed, and to move the gas cylinder from the vehicle bed and onto a stable, level block pad at the customer’s site. These vehicles are commonly referred to as boom trucks or LP crane trucks. The crane system adds significant cost to the delivery vehicles, and typically requires the incorporation of outrigger systems to help laterally stabilize the delivery vehicle during loading and unloading. The block pads themselves may be comprised of a heavy material, such as concrete, and as a result may also be difficult to move to a desired location at the customer’s site. Moreover, the delivery truck typically needs to be capable of driving close to the block pad at the customer’s site, in order for the crane on the delivery vehicle to place the gas cylinder onto the block pad. This728395.00278can be problematic if the gas cylinder needs to be placed at a location not accessible by the delivery truck. The aforementioned challenges can result in high transportation costs and require complicated logistical planning. Accordingly they may represent some of the more significant deficiencies in the conventional art for which technical innovations are needed.SUMMARY

[0004] Exemplary implementations of the transportable gas cylinder base assembly and transportable gas cylinder system in accordance with the present disclosure address deficiencies of the conventional art.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] Further advantages of the present invention may become apparent to those skilled in the art with the benefit of the following detailed description of the preferred implementations and upon reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0006] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example transportable gas cylinder system incorporating an example transportable gas cylinder base assembly, showing the assembly in an example transport configuration;

[0007] FIG. 2 is a side view of the configuration of FIG. 1;

[0008] FIG. 3 is a further perspective view of the configuration of FIG. 1;

[0009] FIG. 4 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 1 but wherein the assembly is shown in an example static support configuration;

[0010] FIG. 5 is a side view of the configuration of FIG. 4;728395.00278

[0011] FIG. 6 is a further perspective view of the configuration of FIG. 4;

[0012] FIG. 7 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 4, but wherein a pair of example forks of a forklift are shown in a precursor configuration prior to extending through the respective fork receiving apertures;

[0013] FIG. 8 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 4, but wherein the transport hardware storage element is shown separated from the gas cylinder;

[0014] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 9-9 in FIG. 5, showing the foot ring of the gas cylinder fastened to the base support frame in the static support configuration;

[0015] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the configuration of FIG. 9 ;

[0016] FIG. 11 is a front view of the configuration of FIG. 9, showing the lower portion of the base support frame in a resting position with respect to a local horizontal surface;

[0017] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view similar to that of FIG. 9, but wherein a pair of example main wheel subassemblies and a pair of corresponding mount securement elements are shown in a precursor configuration prior to the main wheel subassemblies being placed in mounted engagement with respective wheel mounting portions of the base support frame and secured therein by way of the mount securement elements;

[0018] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the precursor configuration of FIG. 12;

[0019] FIG. 14 is a front view of the precursor configuration of FIG. 12;

[0020] FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 12, but wherein the main wheel subassemblies are each in the mounted engagement;

[0021] FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the configuration of FIG. 15;728395.00278

[0022] FIG. 17 is a front view of the configuration of FIG. 15;

[0023] FIG. 18 is a cross-section view similar to FIG. 15, but wherein the mount securement elements are shown securing the main wheel subassemblies in mounted engagement;

[0024] FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the configuration of FIG. 18, illustrating, for each main wheel subassembly, with arcuate directional arrows how the main wheel and the lever move, with respect to the base support frame, from the retracted position to the extended position;

[0025] FIG. 20 is a front view of the configuration of FIG. 18, illustrating, for each main wheel subassembly, with vertical directional arrows how the main wheel and the lever move from the retracted position to the extended position;

[0026] FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 18, but wherein the main wheel subassemblies are each in the extended position, and one implementation of an auxiliary wheel subassembly and a mount securement element are shown in a precursor configuration prior to being placed in mounted engagement with one of the wheel mounting portions;

[0027] FIG. 22 is a perspective view of the configuration of FIG. 21;

[0028] FIG. 23 is a front view of the configuration of FIG. 21, showing the lower portion of the base support frame in a raised position with respect to the local horizontal surface;

[0029] FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 21, but wherein the auxiliary wheel subassembly is shown secured in the mounted engagement by way of the mount securement element, and an example pull handle is shown in a precursor configuration prior to being detachably mounted to the auxiliary wheel subassembly;

[0030] FIG. 25 is a perspective view of the configuration of FIG. 24;728395.00278

[0031] FIG. 26 is a side view of the configuration of FIG. 24;

[0032] FIG. 27 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 24, but wherein the pull handle is detachably engaged with the auxiliary wheel subassembly in mounted engagement with the base support frame, and a second auxiliary wheel subassembly and corresponding mount securement element are shown in a precursor configuration prior to being placed in mounted engagement;

[0033] FIG. 28 is a perspective view of the configuration of FIG. 27;

[0034] FIG. 29 is a side view of the configuration of FIG. 27;

[0035] FIG. 30 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 27, but wherein the second auxiliary wheel subassembly is shown secured in the mounted engagement by way of the corresponding mount securement element;

[0036] FIG. 31 is a side view of the configuration of FIG. 30;

[0037] FIG. 32 is a magnified view of detail 32 in FIG. 30, showing one of the main wheel subassemblies in mounted engagement with a wheel mounting portion of the base support frame;

[0038] FIG. 33 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 33-33 in FIG. 32, showing an example wheel position lock pin in a locking position with respect to the lever, the wheel position lock pin extending through an example extension lock aperture and thereby locking the main wheel subassembly in the extended position;

[0039] FIG. 34 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 33, but wherein the wheel position lock pin is shown in an unlocking position with respect to the lever, the wheel position lock pin being removed from the extension lock aperture and thereby unlocking the main wheel subassembly from the extended position;

[0040] FIG. 35 is a magnified view of detail 35 in FIG. 31, illustrating with a pair of arcuate directional arrows the way in which the main wheel and the lever of a main wheel subassembly728395.00278move when the main wheel subassembly is moved from the extended position to the retracted position;

[0041] FIG. 36isadetail view similar to FIG. 35, but wherein the main wheel subassembly is shown in the retracted position, and the arcuate directional arrows illustrate the way in which the main wheel and the lever move when the main wheel subassembly is moved from the retracted position to the extended position;

[0042] FIG. 37 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 37-37 in FIG. 32, showing the main wheel subassembly secured in the mounted engagement by way of an annular securement groove of the mounting pin;

[0043] FIG. 38 is cross-sectional view taken along lines 38-38 in FIG. 32, showing a main wheel rotatably affixed to the wheel attachment portion of the lever, the main wheel being rotatable about a main wheel roll axis;

[0044] FIG. 39 is a perspective view of one example main wheel subassembly;

[0045] FIG. 40 is a side view of the main wheel subassembly of FIG. 39;

[0046] FIG. 41 is a rearview of the main wheel subassembly of FIG. 39;

[0047] FIG. 42 is an exploded view of the main wheel subassembly of FIG. 39;

[0048] FIG. 43 is a cross-sectional view of taken along lines 43-43 in FIG. 41, showing the cross-section of the main wheel axle in the main wheel subassembly;

[0049] FIG. 44 is cross-sectional view of taken along lines 44-44 in FIG. 41, showing the cross-section of the mounting pin in the main wheel subassembly;

[0050] FIG. 45 is cross-sectional view of taken along lines 45-45 in FIG. 41, showing the728395.00278cross-section of the wheel position lock pin in the main wheel subassembly;

[0051] FIG. 46 is a perspective view of a mounting pin and an example mount securement element, showing the mounting pin removed from the pin receiving portion of the mount securement element;

[0052] FIG. 47 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 46, but wherein the mounting pin is shown inserted in the pin receiving portion;

[0053] FIG. 48 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 46, but wherein the annular securement groove is shown in slidable engagement with the groove engagement portion of the mounting pin engagement channel;

[0054] FIG. 49 is perspective view of an example base support frame with a plurality of cylinder mounting brackets mounted to the upper portion of the base support frame;

[0055] FIG. 50 is a further perspective view of the base support frame of FIG. 49;

[0056] FIG. 51 is a top view of the configuration of FIG. 49;

[0057] FIG. 52 is a front view of the configuration of FIG. 49;

[0058] FIG. 53 is an exploded view of the configuration of FIG. 49, showing the frame central portion, the frame wing portions, and the cylinder mounting brackets each separated from one another;

[0059] FIG. 54 is a perspective view of a further implementation of a transportable gas cylinder system, showing the system in a transport configuration with only a portion of the gas cylinder, including the foot ring, shown;

[0060] FIG. 55 is a further perspective view of the configuration of FIG. 54;728395.00278

[0061] FIG. 56 is a side view of the configuration of FIG. 54;

[0062] FIG. 57 is a side view similar to FIG. 56, but wherein the pull handle is removed;

[0063] FIG. 58 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 58-58 in FIG. 57, showing a mounting pin securing the main wheel subassembly in the mounted engagement;

[0064] FIG. 59 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 59-59 in FIG. 57, showing a wheel position lock pin locking the main wheel subassembly in the extended position with respect to the base support frame;

[0065] FIG. 60 is a broken front view of the system of FIG. 54, showing the main wheel subassembly secured in the mounted engagement by way of a further implementation of a mount securement element, and showing the main wheel subassembly in the extended position;

[0066] FIG. 61 is broken front view similar to FIG. 60, but wherein the main wheel subassembly is shown in the retracted position and illustrating with a vertical directional arrow, the example compression direction of a spring biased element of the mount securement element;

[0067] FIG. 62 is broken front view similar to FIG. 61, but wherein the spring biased element is shown compressed, thereby allowing the main wheel subassembly to be rotatably released;

[0068] FIG. 63 is a broken view similar to FIG. 62, but wherein the main wheel subassembly has been placed out of mounted engagement with the wheel mounting portion;

[0069] FIG. 64 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 64-64 in FIG. 61, showing the cross-section of the spring biased element decompressed with vertical directional arrows showing the compression direction;728395.00278

[0070] FIG. 65 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 65-65 in FIG. 62, showing the cross-section of the spring biased element compressed and the mounting pin shifted downwardly relative to the mounting aperture;

[0071] FIG. 66 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 54, but wherein the pull handle is shown separated from the auxiliary wheel subassembly;

[0072] FIG. 67 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 66, but wherein the elongated torque crank is shown separated from the pull handle;

[0073] FIG. 68 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 67, but wherein the elongated torque crank of FIG. 67 is shown mounted to the lever of one of the main wheel subassemblies 104 and the lock disengagement trigger is shown in unlocking communication with the respective wheel position lock pin;

[0074] FIG. 69 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 55, but wherein the pull handle is removed and the auxiliary wheel subassembly is in the mounted engagement, the auxiliary wheel being shown detached;

[0075] FIG. 70 is a side view of the configuration of FIG. 69; and

[0076] FIG. 71 is an exploded view of the main wheel subassembly of the system shown in FIGS. 54-70.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0077] Referring now to the drawings, like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding features throughout the several views.

[0078] With reference to the several drawings, implementations of a transportable gas cylinder base assembly are shown at 100. The transportable gas cylinder base assembly 100 may also be referred to as the assembly 100. Implementations of the assembly 100 may also be728395.00278incorporated in implementations of a transportable gas cylinder system shown at 101 , also referred to as the system 101.

[0079] Referring to FIG. 49, certain implementations of a transportable gas cylinder base assembly 100 may comprise a base support frame 102. The base support frame may include an upper portion 250. The upper portion 250 may be configured to have a gas cylinder 110 affixed thereto (see, for example, FIG. 1). The base support frame 102 may include a lower portion 252. The base support frame 102 may have a plurality of wheel mounting portions 200. The wheel mounting portions 200 may each be configured to have a wheel subassembly (104, 106) placed into and out of mounted engagement therewith (see, for example, FIGS. 12-14). The base support frame 102 may include a plurality of fork receiving apertures 202. The fork receiving apertures 202 may each be configured to receive a fork 122 of a forklift (see, for example, FIG. 7). A vertical axis 508 may be defined as extending from the lower portion 252 through the upper portion 250. A first lateral axis 510 and a second lateral axis 512 may be defined orthogonally to one another and to the vertical axis 508.

[0080] The assembly 100 may be reconfigurable between a transport configuration and a static support configuration. When the assembly 100 is in the static support configuration, the lower portion 252 may be placeable in a resting position with respect to a local horizontal surface 506 (see, for example, FIG. 11). When the assembly is in the transport configuration, the lower portion 252 may be placeable in a raised position with respect to a local horizontal surface 506 (see, for example, FIG. 23).

[0081] In particular implementations of the assembly 100, the fork receiving apertures 202 may include a first pair of fork receiving apertures 202. The first pair of fork receiving apertures 202 may each extend in parallel to the first lateral axis 510. The fork receiving apertures 202 may also include a second pair of fork receiving apertures 202. The second pair of fork receiving apertures 202 may each extend in parallel to the second lateral axis 512.

[0082] Referring to FIG. 51-52, in some implementations of the assembly 100, the base support frame 102 may comprise a plurality of frame wing portions 118. The base support frame728395.00278102 may comprise a frame central portion 120. The frame wing portions 118 may extend from the frame central portion 120 in a direction radially outward of the vertical axis 508. The fork receiving apertures 202 may each extend through a frame wing portion 118. Referring to FIG. 53, the frame wing portions 118 and the frame central portion 120 may be separate pieces. In such implementations, the frame wing portions 118 and the frame central portion 120 may be welded together to form the base support frame 102.

[0083] Referring to FIG. 49, the frame wing portions 118 may each have a wing vertical wall 256. The wheel mounting portion 200 may be disposed at the wing vertical wall 256. The frame central portion 120 may have a plurality of central vertical walls 254. The central vertical walls 254 may provide structural rigidity to the base support frame, for example, when the base support frame 102 is under heavy load of a gas cylinder 110. The wing vertical walls 256 may each be radially offset from a central vertical wall 254, forming lateral boundaries of the fork receiving apertures 202.

[0084] Particular implementations of the assembly 100 may comprise a plurality of cylinder mounting brackets 234. The cylinder mounting brackets 234 may be fastened to the upper portion 250, by way of, for example, being welded thereto. The upper portion 250 may be configured to have the gas cylinder 110 affixed thereto by way of the cylinder mounting brackets 234 being mounted to the gas cylinder 110, by way of, for example, being bolted thereto.

[0085] In certain implementations of the assembly 100, the base support frame 102 may be galvanized. In some such implementations, the cylinder mounting brackets 234 may first be welded to the base support frame 102, then the base support frame 102 and the welded on cylinder mounting brackets 234 may be galvanized together. In other such implementations, the base support frame 102 may first be galvanized, then the cylinder mounting brackets 234 may be bolted onto the base support frame 102.

[0086] Referring to FIGS. 12-14, in certain implementations of the assembly 100, the wheel mounting portions 200 may each include a mounting aperture 404 extending therethrough. The wheel subassemblies (104, 106) may each include a mounting pin 214. A mounting pin 214728395.00278may extend through a mounting aperture 404 in the mounted engagement (see, for example, FIG.37).

[0087] Particular implementations of the assembly 100 may include the wheel subassemblies (104, 106).

[0088] Referring to FIG. 44, in some implementations of the assembly 100, for each of the wheel subassemblies (104, 106), a mounting pin axis 514 may be defined along the mounting pin 214. The mounting pin 214 may have an annular securement groove 416. The annular securement groove 416 may facilitate the wheel subassembly (104, 106) being securable in the mounted engagement.

[0089] Referring to FIGS. 46-48 and FIG. 71, in certain implementations of the assembly 100, for each of the wheel subassemblies (104, 106), the assembly 100 may comprise a mount securement element 116. The mount securement element 116 may have a mounting pin engagement channel 420.

[0090] Referring to FIGS. 46-48, in some implementations of the assembly 100, the mounting pin engagement channel 420 may include a pin receiving portion 422 and a groove engagement portion 424. The mounting pin 214 may be axially insertable into the pin receiving portion 422 and axially removable from the pin receiving portion 422. The securability of the mounted engagement may be by way of slidable engagement between the groove engagement portion 424 and the annular securement groove 416. The slidable engagement may be in a direction lateral of the mounting pin axis 514. In such implementations, the mount securement element 116 may also be denoted as a clevis slider.

[0091] Referring to FIGS. 62-65, in particular implementations of the assembly 100, the mount securement element 116 may include one or more spring biased elements 222. The base support frame 102 may have a plurality of mount securement element spring engagement apertures 460 extending therethrough (see, for example, FIG. 49). The spring biased elements 222 may extend through the mount securement element spring engagement apertures 460 when the main728395.00278wheel subassembly 104 is in the mounted engagement. To take the main wheel subassembly out of being secured in the mounted engagement, the spring biased elements 222 may need to be compressed, causing the mounting pin 214 to lower inside the respective mounting aperture 404. When the mounting pin 214 is lowered inside the mounting aperture 404, the main wheel subassembly 104 may be taken out of mounted engagement by way of, for example, rotating main wheel subassembly 104, with respect to the base support frame 102, in an upward direction 516 and a lateral direction 520 away from the base support frame 102 (see, for example, FIG. 62).

[0092] Referring to FIG. 16, in particular implementations of the assembly 100, for each of the wheel subassemblies (104, 106), the mount securement element 116 may be adjacent an inboard face 410 of the respective wheel mounting portion 200 when the groove engagement portion 424 is in the slidable engagement with the annular securement groove 416.

[0093] Referring to FIGS. 37-38, the mount securement element 116 may be received by a respective said fork receiving aperture 202 when the groove engagement portion 424 is in the slidable engagement with the annular securement groove 416.

[0094] The mount securement element 116 may include a handle portion 434 configured to extend outward of the respective fork receiving aperture 202 when the groove engagement portion 424 is in the slidable engagement with the annular securement groove 416 (see, for example, FIG. 32). In particular implementations of the assembly 100, the handle portion 434 may have a handle aperture 454 extending therethrough (see, for example, FIGS. 46-48).

[0095] Referring to FIGS. 3-4, in some implementations of the assembly 100, the wheel subassemblies (104, 106) may include a pair of main wheel subassemblies 104. When the assembly 100 is in the transport configuration, each of the main wheel subassemblies 104 may be in the mounted engagement with one of the wheel mounting portions 200. When the assembly 100 is in the static support configuration, each of the main wheel subassemblies 104 may be out of the mounted engagement with each of the wheel mounting portions 200.728395.00278

[0096] Referring to FIGS. 39-40, in certain implementations of the assembly 100, each of the main wheel subassemblies 104 may comprise a lever 206. The lever 206 may have a wheel attachment portion 208, a crank portion 210, and a pivot portion 212 disposed therebetween. Each of the main wheel subassemblies 104 may have a main wheel 204. The main wheel 204 may be rotatably affixed to the wheel attachment portion 208. The main wheel 204 may be rotatable with respect to the lever 206 about a main wheel roll axis 500. For each main wheel subassembly 104 in the mounted engagement, the mounting pin 214 may extend through the pivot portion 212.

[0097] In some implementations of the apparatus, the main wheel subassemblies may each have two main wheels 204 (see, for example FIG. 55).

[0098] Referring to FIGS. 35-36, in particular implementations of the assembly 100, each of the main wheel subassemblies 104 may be moveable with respect to the base support frame 102 between an extended position and a retracted position. When the assembly 100 is in the transport configuration, each of the main wheel subassemblies 104 may be in the extended position.

[0099] Referring to FIGS. 18-20, particular implementations of the assembly 100 may be reconfigurable to include an intermediate configuration. In the intermediate configuration, each of the main wheel subassemblies 104 may be in the mounted engagement and the retracted position, and the lower portion 252 may be placeable in the resting position on a local horizontal surface 506.

[0100] Referring to FIGS. 33-34, in particular implementations of the assembly 100, each of the wheel mounting portions 200 may include an extension lock aperture 400. Each of the main wheel subassemblies 104 may include a wheel position lock pin 216. For each of the main wheel subassemblies 104, the wheel position lock pin 216 may be moveable with respect to the lever 206 between a locking position and an unlocking position. In the extended position, moving the wheel position lock pin 216 to the locking position may lock the main wheel subassembly 104 in the extended position by way of the wheel position lock pin 216 extending through the respective extension lock aperture 400. In the extended position, moving the wheel position lock pin 216 to the unlocking position may unlock the main wheel subassembly 104 from the extended position728395.00278by way of the wheel position lock pin 216 being removed from the respective extension lock aperture 400.

[0101] Referring to FIGS. 35-36, in particular implementations of the assembly 100, each of the wheel mounting portions 200 may include a retraction lock aperture 401. For each of the main wheel subassemblies 104, in the retracted position, moving the wheel position lock pin 216 to the locking position may lock the main wheel subassembly 104 in the retracted position by way of the wheel position lock pin 216 extending through the respective retraction lock aperture 401. In the retracted position, moving the wheel position lock pin 216 to the unlocking position may unlock the main wheel subassembly 104 from the retracted position by way of the wheel position lock pin 216 being removed from the respective retraction lock aperture 401.

[0102] In particular implementations of the assembly 100, each of the wheel position lock pins 216 may be biased towards the locking position (see, for example, FIG. 71).

[0103] Referring to FIGS 3-4, in particular implementations of the assembly 100, the wheel subassemblies (104, 106) may include one or more auxiliary wheel subassemblies 106. When the assembly 100 is in the transport configuration, each of the auxiliary wheel subassemblies may be in the mounted engagement with one of the wheel mounting portions 200. When the assembly 100 is in the static support configuration, each of the auxiliary wheel subassemblies 106 may be out of the mounted engagement with the wheel mounting portions 200.

[0104] The auxiliary wheel subassembly 106 may include an auxiliary wheel 224. In particular implementations of the assembly 100, the auxiliary wheel 224 may be a swivel caster wheel (see, for example, FIG. 23). Referring to FIGS. 69-70, in certain implementations of the assembly 100, the auxiliary wheel 260 may be a roller. The auxiliary wheel 260 may be detachable from the rest of the auxiliary wheel subassembly 106.

[0105] Referring to FIGS. 21-23, in particular implementations of the assembly 100, each of the wheel mounting portions 200 may include one or more alignment apertures 402 extending therethrough. Each of the auxiliary wheel subassemblies 106 may include one or more alignment728395.00278pins 456. When the one or more auxiliary wheel subassemblies 106 are in the mounted engagement, the respective one or more alignment pins 456 may extend through the respective one or more alignment apertures 402.

[0106] In particular implementations of the assembly 100, the wheel subassemblies (104, 106) may each be configured to be placed in the mounted engagement with any one of the wheel mounting portions 200. In such implementations, each of the wheel mounting portions 200 may each be the same.

[0107] Referring to FIGS. 24-26 and 66-68, particular implementations of the assembly 100 may comprise a pull handle 108 detachably mountable to an auxiliary wheel subassembly 106.

[0108] Referring to FIGS. 66-68, in some implementations of the assembly 100, the pull handle 108 may include an elongated torque crank 218. The elongated torque crank 218 may be disassembled from the pull handle 108 and temporarily mounted to one of the main wheel subassemblies 104 in the mounted engagement. The elongated torque crank 218 may have a lock pin disengagement trigger 220 that may be in unlocking communication with the wheel position lock pin 216. When the lock pin disengagement trigger 220 is pulled, the wheel position lock pin 216 may be moved to its unlocking position (see, for example, FIGS. 33-34 and FIG. 59). Once the wheel position lock pin 216 is in the unlocking position, the elongated torque crank 218 may facilitate the main wheel subassembly 104 being moved between the extended position and the retracted position, by way of, for example, increasing the moment arm distance from the mounting pin axis 514. This may facilitate, for example, the movement of the main wheel subassembly 104 between the extended position and the retracted position when a heavy gas cylinder 110 is affixed to the base support frame 102.

[0109] Referring to FIGS. 1-6, some implementations of a transportable gas cylinder system 101 may comprise a gas cylinder 110. The gas cylinder 110 may have a foot ring 228 and a collar 226 with a cylinder body 232 disposed therebetween (see, for example, FIG. 5). The system 101 may comprise the assembly 100. The foot ring 228 may be affixed to the upper portion 250 of the base support frame 102.728395.00278

[0110] In certain implementations of the system 101, a transport hardware element 112 may be defined as a wheel subassembly (104, 106), a mount securement element 116, or a pull handle 108. The system 101 may include a plurality of transport hardware elements 112 (see, for example, FIG. 4).

[0111] Referring to FIG. 8, particular implementations of the system 101 may comprise a transport hardware packaging element 114. The transport hardware packaging element 114 may be removably affixed to the gas cylinder 110. The transport hardware packaging element 114 may store the transport hardware elements 112 when, for example, the assembly 100 is in the static support configuration.

[0112] Referring to FIG. 6, in some implementations of the system 101, a plurality of packaging attachment loops 258 may be affixed to the cylinder body 232. The transport hardware packaging element 114 may be removably affixed to the gas cylinder 110 by way of being fastened to the packaging attachment loops 258.

[0113] In certain implementations of the system 101, the transport hardware packaging element 114 includes a plurality of transport hardware packaging apertures 458 extending therethrough. The transport hardware elements 112 may be configured to be stored on the transport hardware packaging element 114 by way of portions of the transport hardware elements 112 extending through the transport hardware packaging apertures 458.

[0114] Exemplary implementations of the transportable gas cylinder base assembly and transportable gas cylinder system in accordance with the present disclosure may allow for greater ease and lower cost of transporting the gas cylinder to the customer’s site for installation thereat. Moreover, the assembly and system may allow for ergonomical packaging of a variety of transportation hardware elements which may be detachably mounted onto a base support frame to, in some implementations, allow the gas cylinder to be rolled out to the site from the lift gate of a truck, by a single person. Once the gas cylinder is delivered, the transportation hardware may be removed (e.g., dismounted) from the base support frame, leaving the assembly in its static support728395.00278configuration. Galvanization of the base support frame helps prevent corrosion (e.g., rusting) of the base support frame over time, thereby allowing the base support frame to serve as a reliable, stable and transportable block pad for the gas cylinder it supports.

[0115] The following listing matches certain terminology used within this disclosure with corresponding reference numbers used in the non-limiting implementations illustrated in the several figures.100 transportable gas cylinder base assembly101 transportable gas cylinder system102 base support frame104 main wheel subassembly (e.g., wheel subassembly)106 auxiliary wheel subassembly (e.g., wheel subassembly)108 pull handle110 gas cylinder (e.g., a 420 lb vertical propane cylinder)112 transport hardware element (e.g., main wheel subassembly, auxiliary subassembly, pull handle)114 transport hardware packaging element116 mount securement element (e.g., clevis slider, spring biased vertical slider)118 frame wing portion (of base support frame)120 frame central portion (of base support frame)122 fork (of a forklift)200 wheel mounting portion (of base support frame, e.g., of frame wing portion)202 fork receiving aperture (of base support frame)204 main wheel (of main wheel subassembly)206 lever (of main wheel subassembly)208 wheel attachment portion (of lever)210 crank portion (of lever)212 pivot portion (of lever)214 mounting pin (of wheel subassembly)216 wheel position lock pin (of main wheel subassembly)218 elongated torque crank (of main wheel subassembly)728395.00278220 lock pin disengagement trigger (of elongated torque crank)222 spring biased element (of mount securement element)224 auxiliary wheel (of auxiliary wheel subassembly)226 collar (of gas cylinder)228 foot ring (of gas cylinder)230 collar handle (of collar)232 cylinder body (of gas cylinder)234 cylinder mounting bracket236 mounting bracket bolt240 pull ring (of wheel position lock pin)242 lock bushing (e.g., for wheel position lock pin)244 washer (e.g., for lever and wheel subassembly mounting pin)246 main wheel axle248 external retaining ring (e.g., of main wheel axle)250 upper portion (of base support frame)252 lower portion (of base support frame)254 central vertical wall (of frame central portion)256 wing vertical wall (of frame wing portion)258 packaging attachment loop262 lock pin housing element (of main wheel subassembly, e.g., wheel position lock pin stopper)264 lock pin spring268 mounting interface plate (of main wheel subassembly)400 extension lock aperture (of wheel mounting portion)401 retraction lock aperture (of wheel mounting portion)402 alignment aperture (of wheel mounting portion)404 mounting aperture (of wheel mounting portion)410 inboard face (of wheel mounting portion)412 outboard face (of wheel mounting portion)414 central aperture (of frame central portion)416 annular securement groove (of mounting pin)728395.00278418 bracket fastener420 mounting pin engagement channel (of mount securement element)422 pin receiving portion (of mounting pin engagement channel)424 groove engagement portion (of mounting pin engagement channel)426 lever axle aperture (of lever)428 lever mounting aperture (of lever)430 lever locking aperture (of lever)432 auxiliary wheel pin434 handle portion (of mount securement element)436 friction cap438 o-ring440 push cap (of spring biased locking element)442 compression spring (of spring biased locking element)444 guiding rod (of spring biased locking element)446 push pin (of spring biased locking element)448 compression spring cup (of spring biased locking element)450 interface plate retraction lock aperture (of mounting interface plate)452 interface plate extension lock aperture (of mounting interface plate)454 handle aperture (of handle portion)456 alignment pin (of auxiliary wheel subassembly)458 transport hardware packaging aperture (of transport hardware packaging element) 460 mount securement element spring engagement apertures (of base support frame) 500 main wheel roll axis (of main wheel)506 local horizontal surface508 vertical axis (of base support frame)510 first lateral axis (of base support frame)512 second lateral axis (of base support frame)514 mounting pin axis (of mounting pin)516 upward direction518 downward direction520 lateral direction (e.g., first lateral direction, second lateral direction)728395.00278

[0116] While implementations of the invention have been illustrated and described, it is not intended that these embodiments illustrate and describe all possible forms of the invention. Rather, the words used in the specification are words of description rather than limitation, and it is understood that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

728395.00278What is claimed is:

1. A transportable gas cylinder base assembly comprising:a base support frame including(i) an upper portion configured to have a gas cylinder affixed thereto;(ii) a lower portion configured to be placed in a resting position and a raised position with respect to a local horizontal surface;(iii) a plurality of wheel mounting portions each configured to have a wheel subassembly placed into and out of mounted engagement therewith;(iv) a plurality of fork receiving apertures each configured to receive a fork of a forklift;(v) a vertical axis defined as extending from the lower portion through the upper portion; and(vi) a first lateral axis and a second lateral axis defined orthogonally to one another and to the vertical axis;whereinthe assembly is reconfigurable between a transport configuration and a static support configuration;when the assembly is in the static support configuration, the lower portion is configured to be placed in the resting position; andwhen the assembly is in the transport configuration, the lower portion is configured to be placed in the raised position.

2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the fork receiving apertures includea first pair of fork receiving apertures each extending in parallel to the first lateral axis;anda second pair of fork receiving apertures each extending in parallel to the second lateral axis.728395.002783. The assembly of claim 2, whereinthe base support frame comprises a plurality of frame wing portions and a frame central portion;the frame wing portions extend from the frame central portion in a direction radially outward of the vertical axis; andthe fork receiving apertures each extend through a said frame wing portion.

4. The assembly of claim 1, comprising a plurality of cylinder mounting brackets, wherein the cylinder mounting brackets are fastened to the upper portion; andthe upper portion is configured to have the gas cylinder affixed thereto by way of the cylinder mounting brackets being mounted to the gas cylinder.

5. The assembly of claim 1, whereinthe wheel mounting portions each include a mounting aperture extending therethrough;andthe wheel subassemblies each include a mounting pin configured to extend through a said mounting aperture in the mounted engagement.

6. The assembly of claim 5, wherein the assembly includes the wheel subassemblies.

7. The assembly of claim 6, wherein, for each of the wheel subassembliesa mounting pin axis is defined along the mounting pin; andthe mounting pin has an annular securement groove by which the wheel subassembly is securable in the mounted engagement.

8. The assembly of claim 7, wherein, for each of the wheel subassemblies,the assembly comprises a mount securement element having a mounting pin engagement channel;the mounting pin engagement channel includes a pin receiving portion and a groove engagement portion;728395.00278the mounting pin is axially insertable into the pin receiving portion and axially removable from the pin receiving portion; andthe securability is by way of slidable engagement between the groove engagement portion and the annular securement groove, the slidable engagement being in a direction lateral of the mounting pin axis.

9. The assembly of claim 8, wherein, for each of the wheel subassembliesthe mount securement element is configured to be adjacent an inboard face of the respective wheel mounting portion when the groove engagement portion is in the slidable engagement with the annular securement groove.

10. The assembly of claim 8, wherein, for each of the wheel subassembliesthe mount securement element is configured to be received by a respective said fork receiving aperture when the groove engagement portion is in the slidable engagement with the annular securement groove.

11. The assembly of claim 10, wherein, for each of the wheel subassemblies,the mount securement element includes a handle portion configured to extend outward of the respective said fork receiving aperture when the groove engagement portion is in the slidable engagement with the annular securement groove.

12. The assembly of claim 11, wherein the handle portion has a handle aperture extending therethrough.

13. The assembly of claim 6, whereinthe wheel subassemblies include a pair of main wheel subassemblies;when the assembly is in the transport configuration, each of the main wheel subassemblies are in the mounted engagement with one of the wheel mounting portions; and728395.00278when the assembly is in the static support configuration, each of the main wheel subassemblies are out of the mounted engagement with each of the wheel mounting portions.

14. The assembly of claim 13, wherein each of the main wheel subassemblies comprise (a) a lever havinga wheel attachment portion, a crank portion, and a pivot portion disposed therebetween; and(b) a main wheel rotatably affixed to the wheel attachment portion, the main wheel being rotatable with respect to the lever about a main wheel roll axis;wherein, for each main wheel subassembly in the mounted engagement, the mounting pin extends through the pivot portion.

15. The assembly of claim 14, whereineach of the main wheel subassemblies is moveable with respect to the base support frame between an extended position and a retracted position; andwhen the assembly is in the transport configuration, each of the main wheel subassemblies are in the extended position.

16. The assembly of claim 15, wherein the assembly has an intermediate configuration in whicheach of the main wheel subassemblies are in the mounted engagement and are in the retracted position; andthe lower portion is configured to be placed in the resting position.

17. The assembly of claim 16, wherein(a) each of the wheel mounting portions include an extension lock aperture;(b) each of the main wheel subassemblies include a wheel position lock pin;(c) for each of the main wheel subassemblies(i) the wheel position lock pin is moveable with respect to the lever between a locking position and an unlocking position; and728395.00278(ii) in the extended position, moving the wheel position lock pin to the locking position locks the main wheel subassembly in the extended position by way of the wheel position lock pin extending through the respective extension lock aperture; and(iii) in the extended position, moving the wheel position lock pin to the unlocking position unlocks the main wheel subassembly from the extended position by way of the wheel position lock pin being removed from the respective extension lock aperture.

18. The assembly of claim 17, whereineach of the wheel mounting portions include a retraction lock aperture; andfor each of the main wheel subassemblies,(i) in the retracted position, moving the wheel position lock pin to the locking position locks the main wheel subassembly in the retracted position by way of the wheel position lock pin extending through the respective retraction lock aperture; and(ii) in the retracted position, moving the wheel position lock pin to the unlocking position unlocks the main wheel subassembly from the retracted position by way of the wheel position lock pin being removed from the respective retraction lock aperture.

19. The assembly of claim 18, wherein each of the wheel position lock pins are biased towards the locking position.

20. The assembly of claim 13, whereinthe wheel subassemblies include one or more auxiliary wheel subassemblies; and when the assembly is in the transport configuration, each of the auxiliary wheel subassemblies are in the mounted engagement with one of the wheel mounting portions; andwhen the assembly is in the static support configuration, each of the auxiliary wheel subassemblies are out of the mounted engagement with the wheel mounting portions.728395.0027821. The assembly of claim 20, whereineach of the wheel mounting portions include one or more alignment apertures extending therethrough;each of the auxiliary wheel subassemblies include one or more alignment pins; and when the one or more auxiliary wheel subassemblies are in the mounted engagement, the respective one or more alignment pins extend through the respective one or more alignment apertures.

22. The assembly of claim 20, wherein the wheel subassemblies are each configured to be placed in the mounted engagement with any one of the wheel mounting portions.

23. The assembly of claim 20, comprising a pull handle configured to be detachably mounted to a said auxiliary wheel subassembly.

24. The assembly of any one of claims 1-23, wherein the gas cylinder is affixed to the upper portion.

25. A transportable gas cylinder system, comprising(a) a gas cylinder having a foot ring and a collar with a cylinder body disposed therebetween; and(b) the transportable gas cylinder base assembly of any one of claims 1-23; wherein the foot ring is affixed to the upper portion of the base support frame.

26. The system of claim 25, whereina transport hardware element is defined as being a wheel subassembly, a mount securement element, or a pull handle; andthe system includes a plurality of transport hardware elements.728395.0027827. The system of claim 26, comprisinga transport hardware packaging element configured to be removably affixed to the gas cylinder;wherein the transport hardware packaging element is configured to store the transport hardware elements when the assembly is in the static support configuration.

28. The system of claim 27, whereina plurality of packaging attachment loops are affixed to the cylinder body; and the transport hardware packaging element is removably affixed to the gas cylinder by way of being fastened to the packaging attachment loops.

29. The system of claim 27, whereinthe transport hardware packaging element includes a plurality of transport hardware packaging apertures extending therethrough; andthe transport hardware elements are configured to be stored on the transport hardware packaging element by way of portions of the transport hardware elements extending through the transport hardware packaging apertures.

30. The system of claim 25, wherein the base support frame is galvanized.

31. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the base support frame is galvanized.

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