Self-gripping rack for cantilevered tanks

Abstract

A flexible system for holding articles such as propane tanks. Straps are arranged around and over three tanks in order to support the outer tanks in a cantilevered fashion over another row of tanks which only has two tanks. Spacers may be inserted between the three tanks to adjust the necessary dimensions for truck. The straps may take a number of configurations and may be held by different locking devices for holding the straps. The straps may also include hooks for attachment to eyes on the tanks.

1 . A system for holding a stacked array of articles, comprising:
 at least one flexible strap;   said strap extending around a first of said articles and extending at least over a second of said articles;   the strap intercepting itself at least one point and said strap being secured to itself;   said first article being held in a cantilevered fashion from said second article by said strap.   
   
   
       2 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein said strap extends around a third article, said first through third articles forming a horizontal layer in the array. 
   
   
       3 . The system according to  claim 2 , wherein said strap extends around said first through third articles. 
   
   
       4 . The system according to  claim 1 , further comprising a spacer between said first article and said second article around which said strap extends. 
   
   
       5 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein said strap is secured to itself using a holder. 
   
   
       6 . The system according to  claim 5 , wherein the holder is a flat plate having a slot, said slot holding the strap by friction. 
   
   
       7 . The system according to  claim 6 , wherein a shim is placed behind said plate to prevent the strap from being pulled through the slot. 
   
   
       8 . The system according to  claim 7 , wherein the shim is in the shape of a second plate. 
   
   
       9 . The system according to  claim 7 , wherein the shim is in the shape of a round pin. 
   
   
       10 . The system according to  claim 7 , wherein the shim is elongated in the direction perpendicular to the plate to form a spacer between articles. 
   
   
       11 . The system according to  claim 7 , wherein the holder is a tube with an opening on one side through which the strap is inserted, with a rod being inserted in a loop of the strap within the tube. 
   
   
       12 . The system according to  claim 7 , wherein the holder is a chain link through which a loop of the strap is extended, with the loop being held in place by an elongated member. 
   
   
       13 . The system according to  claim 12 , wherein the elongated member is a second chain link perpendicular to the first chain link. 
   
   
       14 . The system according to  claim 1 , further comprising a spacer inserted between said first article and said second article, the spacer having attached thereto a holder having a opening for receiving the strap, one end of the strap being fixed to said spacer and extending outwardly from said holder to one side to extend over said second article and extending outwardly from said holder to another side to extend around said first article. 
   
   
       15 . The system according to  claim 14 , further comprising a second spacer and holder placed between said second article and a third article. 
   
   
       16 . The system according to  claim 14 , wherein the holder includes a chain link and pin arrangement. 
   
   
       17 . The system according to  claim 14 , wherein the holder is two chain links with one chain link being perpendicular to the other 
   
   
       18 . The system according to  claim 14 , wherein the holder is a flat plate having a slot and a rod behind the said plate. 
   
   
       19 . The system according to  claim 14 , wherein the holder is a tube used as a spacer and having slots formed in the surface thereof for receiving said strap and a pin. 
   
   
       20 . The system according to  claim 19 , wherein the tube has a vertical orientation and the strap extends vertically through the tube. 
   
   
       21 . The system according to  claim 19 , wherein the tube extends horizontally and the strap extends through the tube horizontally. 
   
   
       22 . The system according to  claim 14 , wherein the holder includes a mechanical advantage. 
   
   
       23 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein said articles are horizontally extending cylinders. 
   
   
       24 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the articles are cylindrical tanks. 
   
   
       25 . A method for stacking plurality of articles, comprising:
 providing a flexible strap;   extending said strap around a first of said articles and at least over a second of said articles;   securing said strap to itself at interception points with said straps causing said articles to be held in a cantilevered arrangement.   
   
   
       26 . The method according to  claim 25 , wherein the strap extends around the third article to form a horizontal arrangement of three articles with the outer articles being cantilevered from the second article. 
   
   
       27 . The method according to  claim 25 , wherein the strap extends around the second article. 
   
   
       28 . The method according to  claim 25 , further comprising a spacer between said first and second articles and extending around said spacer. 
   
   
       29 . The method according to  claim 25 , wherein the strap is secured to itself using a holder. 
   
   
       30 . The method according to  claim 25 , wherein the holder works in conjunction with the spacer between the first and second articles. 
   
   
       31 . A system for holding a plurality of articles in a cantilevered fashion, comprising:
 at least one flexible strap;   at least one hook provided at each end of said strap;   each hook being attachable to an eye provided on an article, whereby said strap extends over a central article in each hook is attached to an eye on an outer article so as to provide a horizontal array of three articles with outer articles being cantilevered from the central article.   
   
   
       32 . The system according to  claim 31 , further comprising spacers connected to said straps for inserting between an outer article and the center article. 
   
   
       33 . The system according to  claim 31 , to whereby said strap extends diagonally between outer articles. 
   
   
       34 . The system for holding a plurality of articles in a cantilevered fashion, comprising:
 at least one round object having a central opening being firmly connected to each article;   a connecting device extending through openings in objects connected to adjoining articles while being overlapped, so that the connecting devices firmly hold the adjoining tanks in position.   
   
   
       35 . The system according to  claim 34 , wherein the objects are metal eyes. 
   
   
       36 . The system according to  claim 34 , wherein the fastening device is a nut and bolt. 
   
   
       37 . The system according to  claim 34 , wherein the object is a chain link. 
   
   
       38 . The system according to  claim 34 , wherein the connecting device is a chain link having an opening.