Water heater with integrated securing device

Abstract

A water heater having a water tank with means for heating water inside the water tank. A support structure is coupled to the water tank and configured to support the water tank when filled with water. A securing device is integrally formed with the support structure and/or water tank. The securing device secures the water heater to surrounding infrastructure to restrict the water heater from tipping over.

1 . A water heater, comprising:
 a) a water tank, including means for heating water;   b) a support structure coupled to the water tank and configured to support the water tank when filled with water; and   c) a securing device integrally formed with the support structure, and configured to secure the water heater to surrounding infrastructure to restrict the water heater from tipping over.   
   
   
       2 . The water heater of  claim 1 , wherein the support structure includes an outer case substantially surrounding the water tank, and the securing device includes a beam directly connected to an inner diameter of the outer case and extending through the outer case to an attachment end attachable to the surrounding infrastructure. 
   
   
       3 . The water heater of  claim 2 , further comprising a connector forming a direct connection between the beam and the outer shell, the connector being selected from the group consisting of a threaded fastener, a weld, an adhesive, and combinations thereof. 
   
   
       4 . The water heater of  claim 2 , wherein the beam is adjustable in length. 
   
   
       5 . The water heater of  claim 2 , wherein the beam is integrally formed with a band that extends substantially around the inner diameter of the outer case and is coupled to the inner diameter of the outer case to transfer and disperse loads from the beam to the outer shell. 
   
   
       6 . The water heater of  claim 5 , further comprising a pair of adjustable beams, each adjustable beam coupled to the band and extending through the outer shell on approximately opposite sides of the water heater. 
   
   
       7 . The water heater of  claim 2 , wherein the support structure includes a mounting plate coupled to the inner diameter of the outer shell at an attachment point extending through the outer shell and the adjustable beam is coupleable to the attachment point in the outer shell. 
   
   
       8 . The water heater of  claim 1 , wherein the securing device further includes:
 a) a vertical frame member coupled to the outer shell, the vertical frame member providing a plurality of attachment points along a longitudinal section of the outer shell; and   b) a plurality of adjustable beams, each beam attachable to a different one of the plurality of attachment points and extendable therefrom to attach to infrastructure adjacent the water heater.   
   
   
       9 . The water heater of  claim 8 , wherein the vertical frame member extends above an upper surface of the water heater and is coupleable with infrastructure substantially above the upper surface of the water heater. 
   
   
       10 . The water heater of  claim 1 , wherein the support structure includes an outer shell and the securing device includes an extension integrally formed with the outer shell and extendable to couple with surrounding support structure. 
   
   
       11 . A water heater, comprising:
 a) an internal water tank disposed inside an outer shell with insulation therebetween; and   b) a securing device having a discrete connection to the outer shell to distribute loading applied to the strap by movement of the water heater across at least a portion of the outer shell, and having an adjustable strap extendable from the discrete connection to infrastructure adjacent the water heater.   
   
   
       12 . The water heater of  claim 11 , wherein the securing device includes a beam directly connected to an inner diameter of the outer case and extending through the outer case to an attachment end attachable to the surrounding infrastructure. 
   
   
       13 . The water heater of  claim 11 , further comprising a connector forming the discrete connection between the securing device and the outer shell, the connector being selected from the group consisting of a threaded fastener, a weld, an adhesive, and combinations thereof. 
   
   
       14 . A method for manufacturing a water heater, comprising:
 a) placing a water tank inside an outer shell;   b) filling a space between the water tank and the outer shell with an insulation material; and   c) connecting a securing device to the outer shell with a discrete connector.   
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the discrete connector is selected from the group consisting of a threaded fastener, a weld, an adhesive, and combinations thereof. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the securing device includes an adjustable beam extendable between a reinforced attachment in the outer shell and the surrounding infrastructure. 
   
   
       17 . A method for securing a water heater to surrounding infrastructure, comprising:
 a) placing a water heater in a water heater space; and   b) securing the water heater to infrastructure adjacent the water heater space with a securing device directly connected to support structure of the water heater and extendable to the infrastructure.   
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the support structure includes an outer shell substantially encasing the water tank. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the securing device includes an adjustable beam extendable between a reinforced attachment in the outer shell and the surrounding infrastructure.