Stabilizers for propane cylinders

Abstract

The invention relates to a stabilizer for a pressurized gas cylinder characterized by a cylindrical wall having a diameter d c and a convex bottom having a curvature radius r c , comprising a molded shipping device characterized by a bottom and a top, the top having (a) an upper surface, (b) a downwardly projecting recess, relative to said upper surface, adapted to receive the gas cylinder, the recess comprising a cylindrical wall having a diameter, d s , approximately equal to d c , terminating in a concave surface having a curvature radius, r s , that is approximately equal to or greater than r c , and (c) external walls projecting downwardly from the upper surface; the bottom having (a) a lower surface; (b) a plurality of feet protruding from the lower surface, wherein the bottom of the feet are molded to receive the upper surface of the top whereby a plurality of devices can be stably stacked. Surprisingly, it has been found that stabilizers of the claimed configuration are exceedingly stable for transporting pressurized gas cylinders and the like, even at high speeds. Advantageously, the stabilizer is hollow and, accordingly, exceedingly light weight.

1 . A stabilizer for a pressurized gas cylinder characterized by a cylindrical wall having a diameter d c  and a convex bottom having a curvature radius r c , comprising a molded shipping device characterized by a bottom and a top,
 the top having (a) an upper surface, (b) a downwardly projecting recess, relative to said upper surface, adapted to receive the gas cylinder, the recess comprising a cylindrical wall having a diameter, d s , approximately equal to d c , terminating in a concave surface having a curvature radius, r s , that is approximately equal to or greater than r c , and (c) external walls projecting downwardly from the upper surface;   the bottom having (a) a lower surface; (b) a plurality of feet protruding from the lower surface, wherein the bottom of the feet are molded to receive the upper surface of the top whereby a plurality of devices can be stably stacked.   
     
     
         2 . A stabilizer as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the molded shipping device is hollow. 
     
     
         3 . A stabilizer as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the top is substantially square and the bottom has four feet disposed at the corners of the square. 
     
     
         4 . A stabilizer as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the recess is further characterized by an annular depression in the concave surface. 
     
     
         5 . A stabilizer as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the bottom is contained in a bottom piece snap-fitted to a top piece containing the top. 
     
     
         6 . A stabilizer as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the external wall of the top piece terminates in a first radially protruding lip and the bottom piece is characterized by external walls projecting upwardly from the bottom piece, terminating in a second radially protruding lip, wherein said first and second radially protruding lips are adapted to engage. 
     
     
         7 . A stabilizer as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the upper surface of the top is characterized by a ring surrounding the recess which can be adapted to receive an advertisement. 
     
     
         8 . A stabilizer as claimed in  claim 1  wherein d s  is about 12.25 inches and the height of the stabilizer is less than 6 inches.