Vertical Tank Bracket With Cam Locking for Fast Emergency Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing brackets for securing cylindrical tanks in emergency vehicles fail to accommodate tanks of varying sizes and shapes, and do not facilitate quick and easy removal during emergencies, posing a risk to personnel and requiring complex mounting procedures.
Innovation Solution
A bracket with a vertically extending backing plate, lower and upper surrounding members, and pivotally movable cam mechanisms that securely retain the tank's neck and bottom, allowing for easy installation and removal, while minimizing lateral protrusions and accommodating different tank dimensions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If existing brackets are used to secure cylindrical tanks, then tanks can be held in place, but they cannot accommodate tanks of varying sizes and shapes
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket is designed with a universal cup-shaped body that can accommodate cylindrical tanks of various sizes and shapes. The cup-shaped structure with its open top and curved surfaces provides a versatile retaining environment that adapts to different tank dimensions without requiring multiple specialized brackets.
Solution Approach 2:
The bracket incorporates movable cam mechanisms that can be adjusted between different positions. The cams can be moved along the curved surfaces of the cup-shaped body, allowing the bracket to dynamically adapt its configuration to secure tanks of varying sizes and shapes, transforming a static structure into a dynamically adjustable one.
2Ease of operation
If existing brackets are used, then tanks are secured, but quick and easy removal is not possible
Solution Approach 1:
The cam mechanisms are designed to be movable along the curved surfaces of the cup-shaped body. By moving the cams to different positions, the bracket can quickly transition between a secure retaining state and a release state, enabling both firm securing and easy removal of the tank without complex procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The cam mechanisms are positioned and designed to be manually operable, allowing emergency personnel to quickly release the tank by simply moving the cams along their paths. The design enables self-service operation where the bracket's own movable components facilitate rapid tank removal without requiring additional tools or complex mechanisms.
3Reliability
If tanks are securely retained, then safety is improved, but removal time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The movable cam mechanisms allow the bracket to quickly transition from a secure retention state to a release state. The cams can be rapidly moved along the curved surfaces of the cup-shaped body, enabling fast tank removal while maintaining secure retention when the cams are in their retaining positions, thus reducing the time loss during emergency removal.
4Adaptability or versatility
If bracket accommodates various tank dimensions, then versatility is improved, but mounting complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cup-shaped body provides a universal mounting structure that can accommodate tanks with different neck sizes and shapes. The curved surfaces and open top design create a versatile retaining environment that adapts to various tank configurations, allowing a single bracket design to serve multiple tank types without complex mounting procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable cam mechanisms can be positioned at different locations along the curved surfaces of the cup-shaped body. This dynamic adjustability allows the bracket to adapt to different tank dimensions and neck configurations, providing versatility while keeping the mounting procedure simple - the cams are simply moved to appropriate positions to secure the specific tank being installed.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The bracket effectively secures cylindrical tanks of various sizes and shapes vertically upright, ensuring stability and quick removal, reducing maintenance and capital costs, and allowing mounting on any environmental structure, thus enhancing safety and operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a resilient biasing system that securely retains cylindrical tanks in an upright position
Implementation Method 2
resilient biasing system that securely retains
Implementation Method 3
pivotally movable cam mechanisms
Implementation Method 4
pivotally movable cam mechanisms
Data Source
AI summary
A bracket construction for fixedly securing a cylindrical tank such as the oxygen tank of an emergency vehicle in a vertically upright position wherein the tank is easily releasable which accommodates various sizes and configurations of upper neck sections having a backing plate with a lower surrounding member for receiving and retaining the tank bottom therewithin and an upper surrounding member including aU-shaped channel for receiving the tank neck therewithin. Two uniquely shaped bracket cams are pivotally mounted relative to the upper surrounding member and resiliently biased with respect thereto such that they can be manually manipulated or directly contacted by the arcuate neck of a tank to move to the opened position to allow exiting or entry of the tank. A lower auxiliary floor surface is pivotally secured relative to the lower surrounding member for varying the vertical dimension for accommodating tanks of various lengths and shapes.