Apparatus for the secure transport of containers

Abstract

An apparatus that allows for safe and secure transport of a tank, canister, container or cylinder in the upright position on the seat in a vehicle, using the three point seat belt mechanism provided in the vehicle. The primary use was directed toward transportation of a 20 pound propane tank. An apparatus consisting of a body and a bracket, attachment or mechanism that holds the seats belts in place around the tank or cylinder. The body comes into contact with the tank and the brackets, attachments or mechanism that are a part of the body, allow for the three point seat belt straps to be placed in a proper position to hold the tank against the car seat in the car. There is also a retaining strap that goes around the value area of the tank to hold it in place.

1 . An apparatus for securing a propane tank, container or any canister in a car in an upright position using the three point seat belts comprising:
 a body portion that comes in contact with the tank T going between the upright portion of the rear seat and the tank. The body portion may also go around the front of the tank instead of the rear of the tank when the tank is positioned on the car seat.   a bracket or attachment or mechanism, whether intrinsic or external that allows the seats belts to be held in proper position to allow for the secure transport of the tank. The seat belts will hold the tank at its upper and lower points.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus has a retaining strap for added security to go around the value protector assembly of the tank to prevent the tank from coming loose from the apparatus with the three point seat belt assembly in place. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus can also have a base that protects the car upholstery from damage as compared to just putting the tank on the car seat, but also allows for wheels to be added. 
     
     
         4 . An apparatus that has brackets or attachments or a mechanism to hold the seat belts in the proper position to secure the tank in the apparatus and prevent its moving during transportation by the vehicle whether it is placed behind the tank or in front of the tank. 
     
     
         5 . The body portion of the apparatus  1  may be rigid or flexible as long as it has brackets or attachments or mechanism to hold and keep the seat belts in their proper alignment around the tank. 
     
     
         6 . Once the tank is positioned in the apparatus on the vehicle seat and the car seat belts are properly placed within each bracket or attachment or mechanism and the seat belt male end is engaged into the female end, and the upper neck strap is secured, the tank will be safe and secure during transportation. The upper neck strap is an addition to add more security to the apparatus, but is not mandatory. 
     
     
         7 . Apparatus doesn't need to completely surround or enclose the tank, but can. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus goes between the car seat and the tank or can be placed in front of the tank. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus can be fitted with wheels. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus can be fitted with a collapsible handle. 
     
     
         11 . The tank must be in its upright position for the apparatus to work. 
     
     
         12 . The brackets or attachments or mechanism that guide the seat belt assembly to hold the tank in place can also be incorporated into the design of the apparatus as grooves or cutouts or straps that open and close on the apparatus.