Cylinder storage rack system

Abstract

A storage system for cylindrical objects including first second and third frame members each having a top surface, a bottom surface and end portions; a number of spaced saddle portions on the top surface of the first frame member, and the top and bottom surfaces of the second and third frame members. Each saddle portion is configured for contacting a portion of the outer circumference of a cylindrical object. One of the surfaces of the second and third frame members includes an odd number of saddle portions while the other surface includes an even number. The bottom surface of the second frame member faces the top surface of the first frame member and has the same number of saddle portions while the bottom surface of the third frame member faces the top surface of the second frame member and has the same number of saddle portions.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A storage system for cylindrical objects comprising:
 a first frame member having a top surface, a bottom surface and end portions; and   a number of spaced saddle portions on the top surface of the first frame member, wherein each saddle portion is configured for contacting a portion of the outer circumference of a cylindrical object.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a second frame member having a top surface, a bottom surface and end portions; 
 a number of spaced saddle portions on the top surface of the second support member, wherein each saddle portion is configured for contacting a portion of the outer circumference of a cylindrical object; and 
 a number of spaced saddle portions on the bottom surface of the second frame member, wherein each saddle portion is configured for contacting a portion of the outer circumference of a cylindrical object; 
 wherein one of the top and bottom surfaces includes an odd number of saddle portions and the other of the top and bottom surfaces includes an even number of saddle portions. 
 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the surface of the second frame member that faces the top surface of the first frame member has the same number of saddle portions as the top surface of the first frame member. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a third frame member having a top surface, a bottom surface and end portions;   a number of spaced saddle portions on the top surface of the third support member, wherein each saddle portion is configured for contacting a portion of the outer circumference of a cylindrical object; and   a number of spaced saddle portions on the bottom surface of the third frame member, wherein each saddle portion is configured for contacting a portion of the outer circumference of a cylindrical object;   wherein one of the top and bottom surfaces includes an odd number of saddle portions and the other of the top and bottom surfaces includes an even number of saddle portions.   
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the surface of the third frame member that faces the surface of the second frame member has the same number of saddle portions as that surface of the second frame member. 
     
     
         6 . A storage system for cylindrical objects comprising:
 a first frame member having a top surface, a bottom surface and end portions;   a number of spaced saddle portions on the top surface of the first frame member, wherein each saddle portion is configured for contacting a portion of the outer circumference of a cylindrical object;   a second frame member having a top surface, a bottom surface and end portions;   a number of spaced saddle portions on the top surface of the second support member, wherein each saddle portion is configured for contacting a portion of the outer circumference of a cylindrical object;   a number of spaced saddle portions on the bottom surface of the second frame member, wherein each saddle portion is configured for contacting a portion of the outer circumference of a cylindrical object;   wherein one of the top and bottom surfaces includes an odd number of saddle portions and the other of the top and bottom surfaces includes an even number of saddle portions;   wherein the bottom surface of the second frame member faces the top surface of the first frame member and has the same number of saddle portions as the top surface of the first frame member;   a third frame member having a top surface, a bottom surface and end portions;   a number of spaced saddle portions on the top surface of the third support member, wherein each saddle portion is configured for contacting a portion of the outer circumference of a cylindrical object; and   a number of spaced saddle portions on the bottom surface of the third frame member, wherein each saddle portion is configured for contacting a portion of the outer circumference of a cylindrical object;   wherein one of the top and bottom surfaces includes an odd number of saddle portions and the other of the top and bottom surfaces includes an even number of saddle portions; and   wherein the bottom surface of the third frame member faces the top surface of the second frame member and has the same number of saddle portions as the top surface of the second frame member.   
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein:
 the first frame member includes an odd number of saddle portions on its top surface;   the second frame member includes an odd number of saddle portions on its bottom surface which is the same number as on the top surface of the first frame member;   the second frame member includes an even number of saddle portions on its top surface;   the third frame member includes an even number of saddle portions on its bottom surface which is the same number as on the top surface of the second frame member; and   the third frame member includes an odd number of saddle portions on its top surface.   
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein:
 the first frame member includes three saddle portions on its top surface;   the second frame member includes three saddle portions on its bottom surface and four saddle portions on its top surface; and   the third frame member includes four saddle portions on its bottom surface and three saddle portions on its top surface.   
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 6  further comprising a base structure of a flat rack. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9  further comprising first means for connecting together the respective ends of the first and second frame members. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , further comprising second means for connecting together the respective ends of the second and third frame members, wherein loads from supported objects are transferred to the base structure. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the first connecting means comprises one or more pin members and the second connecting means comprises one or more pin members. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein each pin members includes a compression spring to assist in supporting the loads from the supported objects. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 6  further comprising a spaced arrangement of additional first, second and third frame members in the same configuration for supporting and holding another portion of the circumference of the cylindrical objects. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14  further comprising connection means for maintaining the additional second and third frame members in the spaced arrangement. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the cylindrical objects are cylinders that contain uranium hexafluoride.