Modular rack for transporting and horizontally storing gas cylinders

Abstract

A modular rack for storing gas cylinders includes a plurality of vertical posts spaced from one another. A plurality of sleeves are removably sleeved onto the posts. At least one tray is removably attached to this post and sleeves. The tray includes a plurality of cradles, or spaced apart beams, adapted to at least partially retain a horizontally positioned gas cylinder therein.

1 . A modular rack for storing gas cylinders, comprising: 
 a plurality of vertical posts spaced apart from one another;    at least one tray having a plurality of positioning tubes for receiving the vertical posts therethrough, the at least one tray further including a plurality of cradles each adapted to at least partially retain a horizontally positioned gas cylinder therein; and    a plurality of sleeves removably sleeved on the posts and configured to engage the positioning tubes of the at least one tray.    
     
     
         2 . The modular rack of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of vertical posts comprise four posts in spaced apart relation.  
     
     
         3 . The modular rack of  claim 1 , wherein the vertical posts include a plurality of spaced apart annular retaining grooves formed on an outer surface thereof.  
     
     
         4 . The modular rack of  claim 3 , wherein the sleeves include radially inward protrusions adapted to be received within the annular retaining grooves of the posts.  
     
     
         5 . The modular rack of  claim 1 , wherein the sleeves comprise first and second portions snap-fit to one another surrounding the post.  
     
     
         6 . The modular rack of  claim 1 , wherein the sleeves are configured to be matingly received within the positioning tubes.  
     
     
         7 . The modular rack of  claim 6 , wherein lower portions of the sleeves are of a wider diameter than upper portions of the sleeves, and wherein the positioning tubes define correspondingly tapered inner surfaces.  
     
     
         8 . The modular rack of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one tray comprises a plurality of trays removably attached to the posts and sleeves in spaced apart relation.  
     
     
         9 . The modular rack of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one tray comprises generally parallel outer frame members having a plurality of elongated cross-beams extending therebetween.  
     
     
         10 . The modular rack of  claim 9 , wherein a pair of the cross-beams are spaced apart from one another less than an outer diameter of the gas cylinder so as to form a gas cylinder retaining cradle.  
     
     
         11 . The modular rack of  claim 1 , including wheels operably associated with each post.  
     
     
         12 . The modular rack of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of posts comprise first and second sets of posts connected end to end with a post connector disposed between each connected set of posts.  
     
     
         13 . The modular rack of  claim 12 , wherein the post connector has a generally cylindrical configuration with a ledge extending radially outward intermediate ends thereof, the ends of the post connector configured to be removably inserted into open ends of the posts.  
     
     
         14 . A modular rack for storing gas cylinders, comprising: 
 four vertical posts spaced apart from one another in a generally rectangular configuration;    a plurality of sleeves removably sleeved on the posts, each sleeve comprising first and second portions snap-fit to one another surrounding the post;    a plurality of trays having a plurality of positioning tubes for receiving the vertical posts therethrough and configured to removably engage the sleeves such that the trays are disposed in vertical spaced relation on the posts, the trays including generally parallel outer frame members having a plurality of cross-beams extending therebetween, adjacent cross beams spaced apart from one another sufficiently so as to cradle and retain a horizontally positioned gas cylinder therebetween.    
     
     
         15 . The modular rack of  claim 14 , wherein the vertical posts include a plurality of spaced apart annular retaining grooves formed on an outer surface thereof, and wherein the sleeves include radially inward protrusions adapted to be received within the annular retaining grooves of the posts.  
     
     
         16 . The modular rack of  claim 14 , wherein lower portions of the sleeves are of a wider diameter than upper portions of the sleeves, and wherein the positioning tubes define correspondingly tapered inner surfaces.  
     
     
         17 . The modular rack of  claim 14 , including wheels operably associated with each post.  
     
     
         18 . The modular rack of  claim 14 , wherein the plurality of posts comprise first and second sets of posts connected end to end with a post connector disposed between each connected set of posts.  
     
     
         19 . The modular rack of  claim 18 , wherein the post connector has a generally cylindrical configuration with a ledge extending radially outward intermediate ends thereof, the ends of the post connector configured to be removably inserted into open ends of the posts.