FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a fuel storage assembly for transporting fuel . For example , the fuel storage assembly may be loaded and unloaded from road vehicles as desired. The present invention also relates to a method of making a fuel storage assembly.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The distribution and handling of fuel on a small to medium scale, for example, in batches in the range of 200 to 1000 litres is a task regularly carried out by operators of earth moving machinery, farming machinery, mining machinery, road construction machinery and other rural machinery. In many cases fuel needs to be transported to the machinery and it is common practice to load tanks onto vehicles such as trailers, ute decks , truck trays and so forth to transport the fuel to the required destination. A problem common to some tanks presently in use is that any leakage from the tanks is difficult to contain, and any spillage from the pumping hose used to pump the fuel from the tanks to the machinery is easily spilt onto the ground. Moreover, a difficulty with some tanks presently available is that fuel spilt from the tank or from the pumping hose while been transported between destinations can occur without any knowledge to the operator.

The tanks presently available are usually also dedicated structures that are capable of one purpose only, namely transporting fuel. Multi-purpose tanks are generally not available .

An object of the invention is therefore to provide an improved assembly for transporting fuel.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An embodiment of the present invention relates to a fuel storage assembly that can be transported by a road vehicle, the storage assembly including:

an inner tank for receiving and storing fuel, the inner tank having a fuel opening for loading fuel into , or discharging fuel from the inner tank; an outer housing defining a receptacle that encloses the inner tank, the outer housing having an outer skin that is sized larger than the inner tank so that there is a bunded volume defined therebetween that can contain fuel leakage from the inner tank ; and

a first well formation in the outer housing, wherein the fuel opening of the inner tank is arranged to extend through the outer housing into the first well formation so that spillage of fuel about the fuel opening can be received by the well formation.

In one example, the fuel opening may include either one or both of: i) a fuel inlet to the inner tank to allow fuel to be loaded into the inner tank; and ii) an fuel outlet for pumping fuel from the inner tank .

A pump and a pumping hose may be connected to the fuel outlet. In other words, the pump may be located in the first well formation and the hose may be stored in the well formation when the pump and pumping hose are not in use. Any spillage or leakage from the pump, or from the hose or from an end nozzle of the hose can be received by the first well formation.

The first well formation may be arranged in an upper part of the outer housing. For example, the first well formation may be formed in an upper face of the outer housing.

The first well formation may have a drainage opening that communicates with the bunded volume so that fuel received by the first well formation can drain into the bunded volume.

The outer housing includes an outer skin and the first well formation is defined by a depression formed in the outer skin.

Suitably, the first well formation has an inclined base wall that extends upward from a low point proximate to a side of the assembly to a raised central region of the assembly, and a first side wall extending upwardly about the base wall to a first height at the central region and a second height adjacent to the side of the assembly, in which the second height is less than the first height to facilitate accessed to the fuel opening.

Suitably, the base wall has a low point proximate to the side the assembly that provides a sump in the first well formation. Suitably, the first well formation includes a pillar extending upward from the base wall and the fuel opening includes a fuel inlet to supply fuel into the inner tank located on the pillar.

The inner tank and the outer housing may be made of any suitable polymeric materials, including but by no means limited to polypropolyene , PET, polyethylene and polyamines.

The assembly may include a second well formation that is adapted to receive auxiliary containers , such as drums or cans . The second well formation may also include a drainage opening that communicates with the bunded volume so leakage from the auxiliary containers can drain into the bunded volume. The auxiliary containers may contain any fluid including fuel , oil or grease .

The second well formation may be arranged in an upper part of the outer housing. For example, the second well formation may be formed in an upper face of the outer housing .

The second well formation may be configured to co-operate to the shape of the auxiliary containers , and for instance , allow the auxiliary containers to be frictionally received by the second well formation . For example , the second well formation may have a base wall and a side wall extending from the base wall that can extend about the auxiliary containers and frictionally engage the side walls to hold the auxiliary containers in an upright position.

The second well formation may be configured to receive multiple auxiliary containers, for example, in the range of 2 to 6 containers, and suitably 5 containers. In one example, the side wall may include opposite panel sections , each panel section having convolutes defining peaks and troughs in which the peaks of one of the panels face the peaks of an opposite panel, and the troughs of one of the panels face the troughs of another panel .

The base wall of the second well formation may have stiffening ribs or battens for reinforcing the base wall .

The outer housing may also include an additional compartment, or third well formation such as, and by no means limited to, an oil gun , a greasing gun , a tool box , and emergency equipment such as fire extinguishers, fire blankets, absorbent items and so forth. The additional compartment may have a lid for keeping rain water out of the third well. The third well may have a lip that extends above a lower edge of the compartment lid.

Suitably, any one or each of the first, second and third well formations are defined by contours in the outer skin of the outer housing.

The outer housing may also have an outlet that is arranged to drain fluid located in the bunded volume . The outlet may include a openable (removable closure) , such as a screw plug, that is operable to open and close the outlet. The outlet is ideally located at the lowermost point of the outer housing, such as in a sump of the outer housing .

The assembly also includes an openable lid which when closed can prevent rain from entering into one or more of the well formations. Ideally, separate lids are provided for each well formation, namely first, second and third well formations.

Ideally, the well formations include an upwardly facing opening and the lid extends about the perimeter of the opening when the respective lid is in the closed position.

Ideally, the lids are configured so that when closed, the lids can prevent rain from entering into one or more of the well formations , and the well formations include upwardly facing openings having a peripheral lip which are overlapped by the lid when the lid is located in the closed position, and the lip extends to a height above a lower edge of the lid when the lid is located in a closed position, and the lip provides a barrier to rain water entering the well formations .

The outer housing may include an apron that provides a

continuous surface that interconnects the peripheral lips of the well formations , the apron provides a valley between the peripheral lips for directing debris and rain water away from the first, second and third well formations.

The outer housing may also include one or more screw threaded recess for receiving and co-operating with a screw threaded anchor for mounting fittings to the outer housing. The or each screw threaded recess is, ideally, in the form of a blind bore that does not extend through the outer housing. The screw threaded bores can be used for anchoring items, such as but by no means limited to a pump for pumping fuel from the tank, and holster for receiving a nozzle of the pumping hose when the hose is not being use for pumping fuel from the tank. Ideally, the screw threaded recesses are located in the first well formation for mounting a pump and the pumping hose is connectable to an outlet of the pump . The screw threaded recesses may also be located in the other well formations or on any part of the outer housing to allow items to be attached thereto .

The assembly may further including a storage module for securing elongate hand tools that is attached to a forwardend of the outer housing, the storage module has a base extending withdwise of the assembly, a side wall extending from the base including front and back panels that are separate by a gap, and a top wall, the side wall also includes short side panels extending from opposite ends of the base over approximately half the height of the module so as to define openings at the sides of the module to allow items to be loaded and unloaded therefrom, and wherein the gap between the front and back panels is less than half the spacing between the short side panels so that the storage module has a narrow profile.

The assembly may also include a cavity provided between the back panel and the outer housing for receiving road signage, wherein the cavity formed by the back panel having a stepped profile is provided between the storage module and the outer housing.

The outer housing may have channels for receiving lifting tines . The channels may include side channel walls extend upwardly from a base surface of the outer housing to allow the lifting tins to be received beneath the assembly. The channels may include an upper wall on which the lifting tines can engage , the inner tank can be seated directly onto the upper wall to support the inner tank .

The assembly may also include a storage module that extends in a widthwise direction of the outer housing and at least one side opening, and preferably two opposite side openings for loading items into the storage module . The items may have any forming including shovels, rakes and so forth. Suitably, the storage module has an enlarged cross-section at the openings and a narrowed intermediate section that faces toward the outer housing to define an opening between the narrowed section and the storage module in which flat plannar articles can be stored. The present invention also relates to a method of making a fuel storage assembly that can be transported by a road vehicle, the method including the steps of:

forming an inner tank for receiving and storing fuel , the inner tank having a fuel opening for loading fuel into, or discharging fuel from the inner tank;

forming an outer housing defining a receptacle that encloses the inner tank, the outer housing being sized larger than the inner tank so that there is a bunded volume defined therebetween that can contain fuel leakage from the inner tank, and the outer housing having a first well formation in the outer housing, wherein the opening of the inner tank is arranged to extend through the outer housing into the first well formation so that spillage of fuel about the opening is received by the well formation.

The step of forming the inner tank may include moulding the inner tank from a polymeric material .

The step of forming the outer housing may include moulding an upper portion of the outer housing so as to have the first well formation.

The step of forming the outer housing may include moulding a lower portion.

The method may also include locating the inner tank inside the lower portion and attaching together the lower and upper portions, for example, by means of welding the lower and upper portion together.

The method of making a fuel storage assembly may include any one or a combination of the features of the fuel storage assembly described herein. In addition, the fuel storage assembly may also include any one or a combination of features of the method of making the fuel storage assembly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: Figure 1 is a front perspective view of an assembly having an inner tank for containing fuel, an outer housing providing a bunded volume between the inner tank and the outer housing, three lids located in a closed position that cover compartments provided in an upper face of the outer housing, and the rear storage compartment;

Figure 2 is a rear perspective view of the assembly shown of figure 1 , which includes a rear storage compartment for hand equipment such as shovels, and flat panel objects such as signage for roadworks ;

Figure 3 is a front perspective view of the assembly of figure 1 in which the lids have been illustrated in the opened position to allow the well formations and contents therein to be seen; Figure 4 is a plan view of the assembly of figure 1 in which the lids have been removed from the assembly;

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view in the direction of the line A-A in Figure 4 , however Figure 5 also includes lids in a closed position; and

Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view in the direction of the line B-B in Figure 5 , however Figure 6 also includes a lid in a closed position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which reference numerals have been used to assist in identify the features.

However, in order to maintain the clarity of the drawings, not all reference numerals have been used in each drawing.

The assembly includes an inner tank 10, a cross-section of which is best seen in figures 5 and 6, and an outer housing 11 that provides a receptacle in which the inner tank is loacted.

Specifically, the outer housing 11 includes a lower portion 12 and an upper portion 13 that are connected together to enclose the inner tank. The inner tank 10 and outer housing 11 are ideally constructed from polymeric materials that have been moulded and are capable of being plastic welded. Ideaaly, both the inner tank 10 and the outer housing 11 have a single skin construction .

The receptacle of the outer housing 11 is sized to be at least 10% larger than the inner tank 10, and for example, the outer housing 11 may be in the range of 10 to 70 % larger than the inner tank 10. Ideally, the receptacle defined by the outer housing 11 may be approximately 40 to 50 % larger than the inner tank 10. The difference in size between the inner tank 10 and the outer housing 11 defines a volume therebetween, known as a bunded volume 15 that can receive and contain any fuel leakage from the inner tank 10.

As can be seen in Figures 3 to 6 , the outer housing 11 includes at least one, and suitably two or more well formations 14a, 14b and 14c that can communicate with the bunded volume so that in the event of spillage of fuel into the well formations 14, the spillage can be contained within the bunded volume 15. The assembly 20 includes two opposite side well formations, hereinafter referred to as first and third well formations 14a and 14b, each extending approximately half way across the width of the assembly 20 and a second rear well formation 14c extending across the width of the assembly 20 , which is oriented transverse to the direction of travle of the assembly on a vehicle .

The first well formation 14a has an inclined base wall 16 that extends from a lowest region that provides a sump located adjacent the side perimeter of the assembly 20, upwardly toward a central region of the assembly 20. A first side wall 17 extends upwardly from the base wall 16 to a first height 18 at the central region and about opposite side flanks . A lower section of the first side wall 17 that is adjacent to the perimeter of the assembly steps down to a second height 19 which is less than the first height 18. The lower section of the first side wall defines an opening for accessing the first well formation 14a.

As can best be seen in figure 3, the first well formation 14a includes a pillar 21 extending upwardly from the base wall 16 and an inlet 22 for fuel is provided on top of the pillar 21.

Extending downwardly into the inner tank 10 from the fuel inlet 22 is a filter 23 for filtering fuel entering the inner tank 10, see figure 6.

The first well formation 14a also includes screw threaded blind recesses that can receive mounting bolts for attached a mounting plate 23. The mounting plate 23 may have equipment items attached thereto such as a pump 24, a nozzle holster 25, control units, switches and so forth.

The inner tank 10 also includes an outlet 26 to which an inlet of the pump 24 is connected for discharging fuel from the inner tank 10 to a consumer. A hose 27 is connected to the outlet of the pump 24. As can be seen, the inlet 22 and outlet 26 of the inner tank 10 are all located within the first side wall 17a of the first well formation 14a, and the pump 24 and pumping hose 27 including the nozzle 28 at the free of the pumping hose 27 can also be stored in the first well formation 14a when the pump 24 is not in use. The pumping hose 27 can be wound in a stored configuration about the pillar 21.

The pump 24 may be any suitable pump for conveying fuel from within the inner tank 10 through the hose 27 and out the nozzle 28. For example, the pump 24 may be hand operated pump or a pump driven by an electric motor. The electric motor may be power by a battery such as the battery linked to the engine of the vehicle on which the assembly 20 is positioned.

Although not shown in the Figures, the first well formation 14a includes a drainage point at the lowest point thereof, such as a one-way valve that allows fuel to drain from the first well formation 14a into the bunded volume 15. The drainage point may also be in the form of a mesh to limit the size of solid material entering into the bunded volume 15. Moreover, the first well formation 14a is configured to receive spillage of the fuel, for example, during filling of the inner tank 10 about the inlet 22, and any spillage or leakage from the outlet 26, the pump 24 for discharging the fuel from the inner tank 10, or the pumping hose 27. As can be seen in Figure 5, the inlet of the pump is connected to a suction pipe 29 extending into the inner tank 10.

The first well formation 14a also includes an air valve 30 that: i) allows air to enter the inner tank 10 as the fuel is discharged from the tank 10, and ii) allows air to exit from the tank 10 as fuel is supplied into the tank 10.

The first side wall 17 extending about the first well formation 14a includes a peripheral lip 31 projecting above an apron 32 of the outer housing 11. The lip 31 provides a barrier against liquid, such as rain water flowing from the apron 32 into the first well formation 14a.

Each well formation 14a, 14b and 14c is ideally covered by its own lid 33 that can be opened and closed.

When the lid 33 of the respective well formation 14a, 14b and 14c is closed, the lid 33 overlaps the lip 31, suitably with the lip 31 on the inside of the lid 33 so that rain water is directed away by the apron 32.

The assembly also includes a second well formation 14c located at the rearend of the assembly 20 that extends in a widthwise direct across the width of the assembly 20. The second well formation 14c can carry any additional items, but is

particularly adapted to carrying small auxiliary containers 36 of fluid, such as cans or drums of fuel, oil or grease. As shown in Figure 3, 4 and 6, the containers 36 may be cylindrical drums. The second well formation 14c is defined by a recess extending across the assembly 20 including a base wall 37 and a side wall 38 having a first height 18 that extends above the containers 36 which is located at the rear of the well formation 14c, and a second height 19 that is less than the first height 18.

Like the side wall of the first and second wells 14a and 14c, the side wall of the third well formation 14b includes a lip 31 that extends above the apron 32 of the outer housing 11.

The base wall 37 of the second well 14c has stiffening ribs 39 to reduce flexing of the base wall 37. The stiffening ribs 39 may extend in widthwise direction of the assembly 20 as illustrated. In other embodiments the stiffening ribs 39 may extend in a lengthwise direction from front-to-back , or diagonally across the base wall 37. Although not shown in the figures, the second well formation 14c also has a drainage point to allow leakage of fluid from the containers 36 to drain into the bunded volume 15.

The third well formation 14b is oppositely disposed to the first well formation 14a and like the first well formation 14a is defined by a depression in the skin of the upper portion 13 of outer housing 11. The third well formation 14b also includes a profiled base wall 34 and a second side wall 35 extending from the base wall 34. The second side wall 35 has a first height 18 at a central region of the assembly 20 , and opposite side flanks extend outwardly toward the perimeter of the assembly 20 at the first height. The second side wall steps down in height to a second height 19, which is less than the first height 18, at the side perimeter to provide a convenient access point into the second well formation 14b. The side wall 35 includes a lip 31 projecting above the apron 32 of the outer housing 11 that extends about the second well formation 14b. The base wall 34 of the third well formation 14b may be partitioned or configured to receive specific items such as a tool box, emergency equipment including fire extinguishers and absorbent blankets. The base wall 34 may also include fittings, including moulded fittings having clamping elements that fractionally receive equipment items that need to be stowed and retrieved for usage , including grease guns or oil guns .

Although the third well formation does not have a drainage point, it will be appreciated that a drainage point may be provided to allow spillage in the third well formation 14b to drain in the bunded volume .

As be seen in figures 1 to 3 , the assembly 20 includes three lids 33. Each lid 33 is ideally pivotally connected to the outer housing 11 using a suitable hinge. The lids 33 may be held in a closed position as shown in figures 1 and 2, by suitable latches (which are not shown in the figures) . By way of example, the latches may include stretchable tie-downs that interconnect the lids 33 to the outer housing .

The lids 33 can also be held in an opened position which is shown in Figure 3, by suitable gas struts (which are not shown in the figures) . The lids 33 may have a double walled structure comprising an inner skin and an outer skin.

The apron 32 of the outer housing 11 extends about the perimeter of the assembly 20 and between the well formations 14. The peripheral lips 31 of each of the well formations 14 extend above the apron 32. The apron 32 and peripheral lips 31 between the first well 14a, second well 14b and the third well 14c, provides a valley or gutter for directing debris and rain water away from the first, second and third well formations 14.

The assembly 20 can be transported on any vehicle, particularly road vehicles having a flat deck such as trucks , utes and trailers. The bottom wall 12a of the outer housing 11 may be configured to have open channels 40 extending in a widthwise direction across the bottom wall 12a for receiving lifting tines. The channels 40 have an upper wall 41 with which the lifting tines can engage and opposite channel walls 42 extending downward from the upper wall 41 that also form part of the bottom wall 12a. As can best be seen in Figure 6, the inner tank 10 can be seated directly onto the upper wall 41 to support the inner tank 10. The bottom wall 12a of the outer housing 11 also includes anchoring points for anchoring the assembly to the vehicle. In the case of the preferred embodiment , the anchoring points are in the form of bars 43 extending widthwise through convolutes in the bottom wall 12a of the assembly 20. Fastening straps and/or other tie downs, including U-shaped bolts can be used to hold the assembly in position on the deck.

Although not shown in the figures , the anchoring points may also include latching mechanisms for securing the assembly 20 to the vehicle. In addition, the laching mechanism may be adapted for locking the assembly 20 to the vehicle.

The back end of the assembly 20 includes a narrow storage module 50 for securing elongate items such as shovels, rakes and piping. The narrow module 50 is suitably a mould plastic structure that is fixed or releasbly fixed to the outer housing 11. The narrow module 50 has a base, a side wall including front and back panels 56 , 57 respectively and a top wall . The side wall 51 also includes side panels extending approximately half the height of the module so as to define openings 52 at the sides of the module 50 to allow items to be loaded and unloaded therefrom.

As can best be seen in Figure 4, the storage module 50 also includes a narrowed section 53 intermediate the outer side of the module 50, the narrow section 53 defined by a stepped profile in the back panel 57. The narrow section 52 faces toward and is enclosed by the rear aspect of the outer housing 11 to provide an opening for receiving flat planar objects 55 such as signage .

Although not shown in the Figures, the assembly 20 may also have an outlet that can be opened for draining fluid from the bunded volume 15. The outlet may include a removable closure, such as a screw plug.

The inner tank 10 and the outer housing 11 may be sized according to the vehicle on which the assembly is intended to be transported. For example, the inner tank may have a capacity to store in the range of the 200 to 1,000 litres.

A method for making the fuel storage assembly may include the following steps .

i) Forming the inner tank 10, for example, by means of moulding, such as spin moulding or vacumm moulding using a polymeric material. Ideally, the inner tank 10 has a single skin construction.

ii) Forming the outer housing 11 to define a receptacle that encloses the inner tank . Forming the outer housing may include moulding a lower portion 12 of the outer housing 11 and moulding separately an upper portion 13 of the outer housing 11. Forming the outer housing 11 may also include locating the inner tank 10 inside the lower portion 12 of the outer housing 11 and joining together the upper and lower portions 12 and 13 together, for example by means of the plastic welding so as to form a bunded volume 15 between the inner tank 10 and the outer housing 11. Ideally, the upper and lower portions 12 and 13 of the housing 11 having a skin skin construction.

iii) Forming the lids 33 for covering the well formations 14, for example, by means of moulding, such as spin moulding or vacuum moulding using a polymeric material. The lids 33 may be moulded in a unity structure, and suitably have a double walled construction .

iv) Mounting the lids 33 to the outer housing 11 by means of a suitable hinging means .

v) Forming the modular storage 50 compartment by means of moulding, suitably spin moulding or vacuum moulding plastic material . Attaching the modular storage 50 to a front end of the outer housing 11, relative to the intended direction of travel of the assembly 20 on a vehicle.

vi) Attaching mounting bars 43 to the lower portion of the outer housing 11 by way of threading bars 43 in a widthwsie direction through openings in the lower portion 12.

It will be understood to persons skilled in the art of the invention that many modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

For example, it is within the scope of the present invention that the fuel storage assembly may be made from any suitable material, carbon steel, stainless steel, aluminium, fibre glass, wood and so forth .