Apparatus for supporting expansion tank

Abstract

An apparatus for supporting s a thermal or hydronic expansion tank relative to a hot water heater comprises a rigid bracket adapted to be secured to the tank and to the hot water heater. The bracket provides support for the tank adjacent to the pipe nipple. Means are provided for interconnecting the tank and the bracket for securing the tank to the bracket. In one aspect, the bracket comprises a base, and an end wall at each end of the base. The end walls adapted for engaging and supporting the tank, wherein one of the end walls engages the tank adjacent the pipe nipple and the other of the end walls engages the tank past the midpoint of the length of the tank from the base.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A tank supporting apparatus for supporting a thermal or hydronic expansion tank relative to a hot water heater, the tank comprising a first end and a second end, the tank having a central longitudinal axis and including a pipe nipple coaxial with the central longitudinal axis at the first end of the tank for fluid connection to a water piping system, the tank supporting apparatus comprising:
 a rigid bracket adapted to be secured to the tank, the bracket comprising a base; and
 a support surface extending from the base, wherein the support surface is structured to support a portion of the tank adjacent to the first end of the tank, 
 wherein the support surface is attached to the base by one or more perpendicular rigid structures; and 
   means for interconnecting the tank and the base for securing the tank to the bracket.   
     
     
         2 . The tank supporting apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the base is a flat surface structured to be attached to a fixed support. 
     
     
         3 . The tank supporting apparatus as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the fixed support is an exterior of a water heater. 
     
     
         4 . The tank supporting apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the support surface is a first curved surface structured to define a concave engagement with the tank. 
     
     
         5 . The tank supporting apparatus as recited in  claim 4 , wherein the base is a second curved surface structured to define a concave engagement with a water heater. 
     
     
         6 . The tank supporting apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the tank is mounted to the water heater such that the central longitudinal axis extends horizontally. 
     
     
         7 . The tank supporting apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the tank is mounted to the water heater such that the central longitudinal axis extends vertically. 
     
     
         8 . The tank supporting apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the tank securing means comprises one or more straps, bands, belts, wires, ropes or cables of metal, plastic, fiber or other flexible material, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         9 . The tank supporting apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the tank securing means comprise an elongated flexible member, each end of the flexible member secured to the bracket such that the flexible member extends around the periphery of the tank. 
     
     
         10 . The tank supporting apparatus as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the supporting surface comprises a slot through which the elongated flexible member is inserted to secure the tank to the bracket. 
     
     
         11 . The tank supporting apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the bracket further comprises partial side walls for structural reinforcement. 
     
     
         12 . The tank supporting apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the base comprises a plurality of holes through which the bracket is fastened to a water heater. 
     
     
         13 . The tank supporting apparatus as recited in  claim 12 , wherein the support surface comprises a plurality of holes, wherein the plurality of holes of the support surface are vertically aligned with the plurality of holes of the base. 
     
     
         14 . The tank supporting apparatus as recited in  claim 12 , wherein the base extends beyond the support surface such that the plurality of holes of the base are not obstructed by the support surface. 
     
     
         15 . A tank supporting apparatus for supporting a thermal or hydronic expansion tank relative to a hot water heater, the tank comprising a first end and a second end, the tank having a central longitudinal axis and including a pipe nipple coaxial with the central longitudinal axis at the first end of the tank for fluid connection to a water piping system, the tank supporting apparatus comprising:
 a bracket adapted to be secured to the tank and to the hot water heater, the bracket comprising:
 a curved support surface having a first side and second side, 
 wherein the first side of the curved support surface is structured to support a portion of the tank adjacent to the first end of the tank and at least one other portion of the tank, 
 wherein the curved support surface comprises a plurality of holes, 
 wherein the second side of the curved support surface is structured to be mounted to the hot water heater through the plurality of holes; and 
   means for interconnecting the tank and the base for securing the tank to the bracket.   
     
     
         16 . The tank supporting apparatus as recited in  claim 15 , wherein the tank securing means comprises an elongated flexible member. 
     
     
         17 . The tank supporting apparatus as recited in  claim 16 , wherein one or more edges of the curved support surface each comprise a lip, wherein the lip comprises an opening through which the elongated flexible member is inserted to fasten the tank to the bracket. 
     
     
         18 . The tank supporting apparatus as recited in  claim 15 , wherein the bracket further comprises a flat surface, wherein the curved support surface is attached to the flat surface to prevent the curved support surface from twisting. 
     
     
         19 . The tank supporting apparatus as recited in  claim 18 , wherein the flat surface further comprises a plurality of holes, wherein the plurality of holes of the flat surface are vertically aligned with the plurality of holes of the curved support surface. 
     
     
         20 . The tank supporting apparatus as recited in  claim 15 , wherein the curved support surface has a central longitudinal axis, wherein the plurality of holes of the curved support surface are positioned along the central longitudinal axis of the curved support surface.