Propane Tank Transport Housing Using LATCH and Headrest Restraint
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Solution Overview
Problem
Propane tank cylinders are difficult to secure in vehicles due to their weight and raised center of gravity, posing risks of tipping over, rolling, and becoming dangerous projectiles in the event of an accident.
Innovation Solution
A cube-shaped housing with an open top, an elongated strap member, and lower clips that can be attached to a vehicle's LATCH system or headrest, effectively immobilizing the housing and its contents during transport.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If propane tank cylinders are transported in vehicles, then the cylinders can be moved from location to location, but the cylinders are prone to tip over and roll about during transport
Solution Approach 1:
The securing system is divided into multiple independent components: a housing that contains the cylinder, lower clips that attach to vehicle anchors, and a strap member that attaches to the headrest. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function in securing the cylinder during transport.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing acts as an intermediary structure between the cylinder and the vehicle securing system. It provides a stable enclosure for the cylinder and interfaces with both the lower clips (connecting to vehicle anchors) and the strap member (connecting to headrest), thereby stabilizing the cylinder during transport.
2Reliability
If propane tank cylinders are secured using conventional methods, then some restraint is provided, but the cylinders remain difficult to secure due to their weight and raised center of gravity
Solution Approach 1:
The securing apparatus is designed to interface with universal vehicle features - the lower clips attach to standard vehicle anchor points (similar to child safety seat anchors) and the strap member attaches to the headrest. This multi-functionality allows the same device to securely restrain heavy cylinders with raised centers of gravity without requiring complex custom mounting systems.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of relying solely on horizontal restraint, the system adds vertical dimension to the securing mechanism by using the strap member that extends upward to the headrest. This vertical anchoring point provides additional stability against the cylinder's raised center of gravity, complementing the lower horizontal anchors.
3Ease of operation
If propane tank cylinders are left unsecured in vehicles, then loading and unloading is simple, but the cylinders can become dangerous heavy projectiles in case of traffic accident
Solution Approach 1:
The housing and securing apparatus are pre-assembled before the cylinder is loaded. The lower clips and strap member are already attached to the housing, so when the cylinder is placed in the housing, it is immediately restrained. This preliminary preparation maintains ease of loading while ensuring safety from the start.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing provides a protective enclosure around the cylinder before any accident occurs. This pre-existing containment structure prevents the cylinder from becoming a projectile by restraining it within the housing, which itself is secured to the vehicle, thereby cushioning against potential harm.
Data Source
AI summary
The apparatus for securely transporting an item in a vehicle, as disclosed herein, comprises a substantially cube-shaped housing, the housing adapted to receive the item therein, in various aspects. An elongated flexible strap is secured to a housing first side and at least one lower clip is tethered to the housing bottom, in various aspects. The lower clip is adapted to releasably attach to the vehicle, such as to a lower anchor of a vehicle LATCH system, to secure the housing bottom to the vehicle. The strap is adapted to pass through an opening through a housing second side and then be attached to a vehicle headrest to secure the item within the housing and the housing to the vehicle, in various aspects. The housing having the item therein is substantially immobilized when the lower clip and the strap are attached to the vehicle. Related methods are disclosed.