Rack construction

Abstract

A cargo rack includes a frame having a front, a rear, and upper and lower end portions. The lower end portion of the frame has a base with a floor providing a load holding position. A tank, vessel or tank module that is supported with the frame during use, the lower end portion of the tank, vessel or tank module resting upon the load holding position of the base. The frame includes a plurality of side walls or side panels or side trusses that attach to and extend upwardly from the base frame. Each side wall, side panel or side truss has a pair of corner columns. The frame can include at least one horizontally extending beam connecting between each pair of corner columns. Each side wall, side panel or side truss can include the pair of columns, a central plate, and a plurality of diagonal members, each diagonal member connected to a corner column and a central plate. The diagonal members include an upper pair that can form an obtuse angle and a lower pair that can form an acute angle. Specially configured fittings are fitted to each corner of the tank, each fitting held in position with a pair of tensioning members that can be in the form of bolted connections that interface each fitting with two of the side walls, panels or trusses.

1 . A cargo rack and fluid holding tank apparatus, comprising:
 a) a frame having and upper and lower end portions;   b) the lower end portion of the frame having a base with a floor providing a load holding position;   c) a tank module that is supported with the frame during use;   d) the frame including a plurality of side walls that attach to and extend upwardly from the base, the frame having four corners with a corner column at each corner;   e) at least one horizontally extending beam connecting between each pair of corner columns;   each side wall comprising a pair of said columns, a central plate, and a plurality of diagonal members, each connected to a corner column and a central plate; and   g) wherein the diagonal members include an upper pair and a lower pair, the upper pair forming a first angle and the lower pair forming a second angle that is not equal to the first angle.   
     
     
         2 . The cargo rack and tank apparatus of  claim 1  wherein one of the said angles is an obtuse angle. 
     
     
         3 . The cargo rack and tank apparatus of  claim 1  wherein one of the said angles is an acute angle. 
     
     
         4 . The cargo rack and tank apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the first angle is an obtuse angle. 
     
     
         5 . The cargo rack and tank apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the second angle is an acute angle. 
     
     
         6 . The cargo rack and tank apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a plurality of fittings that each fit a corner of the tank next to the tank upper surface, each fitting being compressed against the tank with a tensioning member that connects the fitting to the said frame. 
     
     
         7 . The cargo rack and tank apparatus of  claim 6  wherein there are a pair of said tensioning members. 
     
     
         8 . The cargo rack and tank apparatus of  claim 7  wherein each tensioning member attaches to a said diagonal member. 
     
     
         9 . The cargo rack and tank apparatus of  claim 7  wherein each tensioning member attaches to a different diagonal member. 
     
     
         10 . The cargo rack and tank apparatus of  claim 6  the tensioning members form an angle that is less than 180 degrees. 
     
     
         11 . The cargo rack and tank apparatus of  claim 1  wherein each corner column has an upper end portion with a lifting eye that enables a lifting device such as a crane to lift the frame. 
     
     
         12 . A rack for shipping a contained fluid, comprising:
 a) a frame having a plurality of sides and upper and lower end portions;   b) the lower end portion of the frame having a base with a floor providing a load holding position;   c) a tank module that is supported with the frame during use;   d) the frame including a plurality of side walls that attach to and extend upwardly from the base, the frame having four corners with a corner column at each corner;   e) each side wall comprising a pair of said columns, a central plate, and a plurality of diagonal members, each connected to a corner column and a central plate; and   f) wherein the diagonal members include an upper pair and a lower pair, the upper pair forming a first angle and the lower pair forming a second angle that is not equal to the first angle; and   g) a plurality of fittings that each fit a corner of the tank next to the tank upper surface, each fitting being compressed against the tank with a tensioning member that connects the fitting to the said frame.   
     
     
         13 . The rack of  claim 12  wherein one of the said angles is an obtuse angle. 
     
     
         14 . The rack of  claim 12  wherein one of the said angles is an acute angle. 
     
     
         15 . The rack of  claim 12  wherein the first angle is an obtuse angle. 
     
     
         16 . The rack of  claim 12  wherein the second angle is an acute angle. 
     
     
         17 . The rack of  claim 12  wherein each fitting is compressed against the tank with a tensioning member that connects the fitting to the said frame next to the central plate. 
     
     
         18 . The rack of  claim 17  wherein a pair of said tensioning members extends downwardly from a said fitting. 
     
     
         19 . The rack of  claim 18  wherein each tensioning member attaches to a said diagonal member. 
     
     
         20 . The rack of  claim 18  wherein each tensioning member attaches to a different diagonal member.