LP gas tank with a spark preventer

Abstract

An LP gas tank is adapted to permit it to be safely moved across concrete floors and rocky ground that may contain flint or other hard siliceous material that can generate sparks if struck with a metal, such as steel. The tank is capable of storing the gas under pressure. In addition to a pressure regulator and valve for filling and emptying, the tank also includes a base support. The base support usually is a steel or aluminum base ring. If the tank is dropped on or slid along the floor, it may cause a spark that can trigger a fire or explosion in the presence of gaseous vapors. This problem is solved by either replacing the metal base support with a non-metallic or a non-spark producing metal support, or covering the bottom edge with a suitable non-metallic material, such as an elastomer or a polymer, which will prevent sparking.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A pressure tank adapted to hold LP gas, the tank having a top including at least one valve for filling or emptying the tank, and a bottom, said bottom including a base on which the tank is supported, the improvement comprising a spark arrester included in the base.  
     
     
         2 . The tank according to  claim 1  wherein the base comprises a base ring.  
     
     
         3 . The tank according to  claim 2  wherein the base ring normally comprises a material capable of producing a spark upon striking a hard surface, and is the least partially covered with the spark arresting composition.  
     
     
         4 . The tank according to  claim 3  wherein the spark-arresting composition is an elastomer, a polymer, or a combination of the two.  
     
     
         5 . The tank according to  claim 4  wherein the spark-arresting composition is attached to the base ring by adhesive bonding or by mechanical means.  
     
     
         6 . The tank according to  claim 4  wherein the spark-arresting composition is an elastomer selected from the group consisting of natural rubber and synthetic rubber.  
     
     
         7 . The tank according to  claim 1  wherein the base is composed of a spark-arresting material.  
     
     
         8 . The tank according to  claim 1  wherein the base comprises at least three legs, each of which includes a spark arrester.  
     
     
         9 . A base support for a tank for LP gas, the base support having at least one edge adapted to contact a surface on which the tank rests, said edge composed, at least in part, of a composition that serves as a spark arrester.  
     
     
         10 . The base support according to  claim 9 , said support having the shape of a base ring having a surface contact edge.  
     
     
         11 . The base support according  claim 10  wherein the surface contact edge is covered by the spark arrester composition.  
     
     
         12 . The base support according to  claim 10  wherein the base ring is composed of a spark-arresting composition.  
     
     
         13 . The base support according to  claim 9  wherein the spark arrester composition is selected from the group consisting of the polymers, elastomers, and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         14 . The process for preventing sparking between the bottom edge of a support for an LP gas tank and a hard surface, comprising the use of a spark-arresting composition along the bottom edge of the support.  
     
     
         15 . The process according to  claim 14  wherein the spark-arresting composition is selected from the group consisting of polymers, elastomers, and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         16 . The process according to  claim 14  wherein the composition comprises a non-spark producing metal.  
     
     
         17 . The process according to  claim 14  wherein the support is a base ring.  
     
     
         18 . The process according to  claim 14  wherein the support comprises at least three legs on which the tank rests.