VEHICLE FRAME FOR LIQUID CONTAINER SUPPORT
This document discusses, among other things, a vehicle frame for a liquid container including one or more longitudinal rails and one or more transverse supports connected to the longitudinal rail, the transverse support including a central portion to be positioned beneath a container for support of the container, the central portion including a plurality of apertures In an example, wherein the central portion includes a top portion, a bottom portion, and one or more webs extending from the top portion to the bottom portion with the web extending generally along a radial line from at least one of a geometric center line of the container or the centerline that corresponds to a center of gravity of the container, or both.
1 . A vehicle frame for a liquid container, comprising:
one or more longitudinal rails; and
one or more transverse supports connected to the longitudinal rail, the transverse support including a central portion to be positioned beneath a container for support of the container, the central portion including a plurality of apertures.
2 . The vehicle frame of claim 1 , wherein the central portion includes a top portion, a bottom portion, and one or more webs extending from the top portion to the bottom portion with the web extending generally along a radial line from at least one of a geometric center line of the container or the centerline that corresponds to a center of gravity of the container, or both.
3 . The vehicle frame of claim 2 , wherein the top portion is continuous and is curved to essentially match an outer surface of the container.
4 . The vehicle frame of claim 3 , wherein the bottom surface is continuous.
5 . The vehicle frame of claim 1 , wherein the central portion includes a slot that match a slot in the longitudinal rail to join the transverse support to the longitudinal rail.
6 . The vehicle frame of claim 5 , wherein the slot of the central portion includes a narrow recess inwardly of a wider recess.
7 . The vehicle frame of claim 1 , wherein the central portion includes a unitary body.
8 . The vehicle frame of claim 1 , wherein the middle of the central portion being free of apertures.
9 . The vehicle frame of claim 8 , wherein the apertures are substantially polygonal in shape.
10 . The vehicle frame of claim 1 , wherein the transverse support includes a side portion extending outwardly from an end of the central portion, the side portion including one or more apertures therein.
11 . The vehicle frame of claim 10 , wherein the side portion extends outwardly from the container.
12 . The vehicle frame of claim 11 , wherein the side portion including a horizontal top surface to support a walkway.
13 . The vehicle frame of claim 1 , wherein the central portion includes an insulation layer and a cushioning gasket on which the container rests.
14 . The vehicle frame of claim 13 , wherein the insulation layer is in direct contact with a band on the container.
15 . The vehicle frame of claim 1 , wherein the transverse support includes a machined unitary body of a non-ferrous metal.
16 . The vehicle frame of claim 15 , wherein the non-ferrous metal is aluminum.
17 . The vehicle frame of claim 15 , wherein the non-ferrous metal is aluminum ASTM 6061.
18 . The vehicle frame of claim 15 , wherein the non-ferrous metal is stainless steel.
19 . The vehicle frame of claim 1 , wherein the transverse support is made of a metal having density of less than about 0.1 lb/in 3 .
20 . The vehicle frame of claim 1 , wherein the transverse support includes an inset at an end thereof, and a cap positioned in the inset.