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Tank holder for a vehicleRelated Patent Categories: Receptacles, High-pressure-gas TankTank holder for a vehicle description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070187414, Tank holder for a vehicle. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] The present Application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.120 as a continuation of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/963,359, titled Auto Locking Holder Apparatus, filed on Oct. 12, 2004, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference. BACKGROUND [0002] The present invention relates to an auto-locking holder apparatus, and relates more specifically to an auto-locking holder for use in a vehicle for restraining objects such as self-contained breathing apparatus equipment. [0003] It is generally known to provide holders for a storage of objects such as tanks (e.g. cylinders, containers, etc.) for self-contained breathing apparatus ("SCBA") in vehicles such as rescue vehicles, fire trucks and the like. SCBA holders can be integrated into an opening or recess in a seat back portion of a seat within the vehicle. Storage of the SCBA in the seat back is intended to permit a user occupying the seat to rapidly don the SCBA in response to an event. However, applicable regulations typically require SCBAs to be restrained in a manner that ensures that the SCBA remains secured during certain accident scenarios such as collisions, abrupt vehicle maneuvers, etc. [0004] The known holders for SCBAs typically have a restraint that secures the SCBA until released by a user. For example, one type of holder secures a tank in an elongated cavity in a seat with belts. Another example of a holder provides a releasable clasping device and lanyard for use with a strap to secure a tank in a hollow seat back. However, the known SCBA holders tend to have certain disadvantages. For example, the known SCBA holders tend to require intervention by a user to release the SCBA from a restraining device when removing the SCBA from the holder. [0005] Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a holder for an object, such as an SCBA or the like, with an auto-lock feature that permits the object to be freely installed and removed from the holder by a user for use in a vehicle when the vehicle is not involved in an accident scenario, but that prevents the object from being released from the holder during applicable accident scenarios involving the vehicle. It would be further desirable to provide a holder integrated with a vehicle seat having an extendable/retractable member with a locking mechanism (e.g. an inertial lock, etc.--such as a type typically used with conventional seat belts for restraint of occupants in a vehicle) that the permits installation or removal of the object (e.g. SCBA, etc.) when the locking mechanism is unlocked (e.g. free, released, etc.) and that prevents removal of the object when the locking mechanism is locked. It would be further desirable to provide a holder configured to hold an object during events indicative of an accident scenario involving the vehicle and that permits the object to be removed without actuating separate retainers or retention devices (e.g. catches, latches, connectors, buckles, clasps, snaps, etc.) when the vehicle is not involved in an accident scenario. It would also be desirable to provide a holder configured to remain open for convenient placement of the object into the holder. [0006] Therefore, it would be desirable to provide a holder apparatus for releasably holding an object having any one or more of these or other advantageous features. SUMMARY [0007] The present invention relates to a tank holder for securing a tank in a vehicle and includes a pair of curved arms pivotally coupled to each other for movement between a closed position and an open position. The tank is restrainable by the arms in the closed position and is removable from the arms in the open position. A restraint mechanism is coupled to the arms to prevent movement of the arms when a predetermined acceleration or deceleration is applied to the arms. [0008] The present invention also relates to a vehicle having a holder for securing an SCBA tank and includes a frame coupled to an interior portion of a cab of the vehicle. A pair of curved arms are pivotally coupled to the frame for movement between a closed position and an open position so that an SCBA tank is restrainable by the arms in the closed position and is removable from the arms in the open position. A restraint mechanism is coupled to the arms to prevent movement of the arms when a predetermined acceleration or deceleration is applied to the arms. [0009] The present invention further relates to a holder for securing a tank in a vehicle. The holder includes a frame configured to support the tank, and a first curved arm pivotally coupled to the frame for movement about a first axis, and a second curved arm pivotally coupled to the frame for movement about a second axis. The first arm and the second arm are operable to restrain the tank when the arms are in a closed position, and the first arm and the second arm are operable to permit removal of the tank when the arms are in an open position. A spring-biased auto-locking device having an inertial lock member is coupled to at least one of the arms to prevent removal of the tank when a predetermined acceleration or deceleration is applied to the arms. [0010] The present invention further relates to a holder for storing an SCBA tank in a vehicle. The holder includes a frame configured to support the SCBA tank in a storage position, and a first arm coupled to the frame for movement about a first pivot point, and a second arm coupled to the frame for movement about a second pivot point. The first arm and the second arm are movable between a closed position and an open position, so that the arms are configured to restrain the SCBA tank when the arms are in the closed position and to permit removal of the SCBA tank when the arms are in the open position. An inertial lock device is coupled to at least one of the arms to prevent removal of the SCBA tank when a predetermined acceleration or deceleration is applied to the arms. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0011] FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a perspective view of a holder for an object and vehicle seat frame according to one embodiment. [0012] FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of a separated perspective view of the holder and vehicle seat frame according to the embodiment of FIG. 1. [0013] FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of a front elevation view of the holder and vehicle seat according to the embodiment of FIG. 1. [0014] FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of a perspective view of the holder in an open position according to the embodiment of FIG. 1. [0015] FIG. 5 is a schematic representation of a top sectional view of the holder in a closed position according to the embodiment of FIG. 1. [0016] FIG. 6 is a schematic representation of a top sectional view of the holder in an open position according to the embodiment of FIG. 1. [0017] FIG. 7A is a schematic representation of a perspective view of a holder for an object according to another embodiment. [0018] FIG. 7B is a schematic representation of a top sectional view of the holder in a closed position according to the embodiment of FIG. 7A. [0019] FIG. 7C is a schematic representation of a top sectional view of the holder in an open position according to the embodiment of FIG. 7A. [0020] FIG. 8 is a schematic representation of a portion of a holder for an object according to yet another embodiment. Continue reading about Tank holder for a vehicle... Full patent description for Tank holder for a vehicle Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Tank holder for a vehicle patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. 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