SUPPORT STAND FOR PRESSURE VESSEL

1 . A stand for supporting a pressure vessel, the stand comprising:

a) a body having an upper wall and a sidewall extending downwardly from the upper wall;

b) an aperture defined in the upper wall configured to permit passage therethrough of a fluid conduit; and

c) a locking element provided in connection with the body configured to engage the fluid conduit when in a locked position to inhibit removal of the stand from the pressure vessel.

2 . The stand of claim 1 , wherein the fluid conduit is in fluid communication with the pressure vessel.

3 . The stand of claim 1 , wherein the aperture is configured to permit connection of the stand and the pressure vessel when at least one fluid conduit is provided on the pressure vessel.

4 - 9 . (canceled)

10 . The stand of claim 1 , wherein a plurality of standoffs are provided about the perimeter of the upper wall of the stand and are configured for abutting an end surface of the pressure vessel.

11 . The stand of claim 1 , wherein resilient spring elements are provided on the stand for resiliently abutting a surface of the pressure vessel to inhibit relative movement between the pressure vessel and the stand.

12 . (canceled)

13 . The stand of claim 1 , wherein at least one aperture is provided in the sidewall of the body, and is configured to permit a fluid conduit to pass therethrough.

14 - 15 . (canceled)

16 . The stand of claim 1 , wherein an upper portion of the sidewall of the body includes an outer circumferential recess configured for engaging another stand of a pressure vessel.

17 - 18 . (canceled)

19 . The stand of claim 1 , wherein the body is formed by selecting from the group consisting of a molding process, and an injection molding process.

20 . (canceled)

21 . The stand of claim 1 , wherein the body is formed of a material selected from the group consisting of a nonmetallic material, a nonferrous material, a plastic material, and a composite material.

22 - 25 . (canceled)

26 . The stand of claim 1 , wherein the upper wall includes a pivot, the locking element engaging the pivot for pivotal movement thereabout.

27 . The stand of claim 26 , wherein the pivot is integrally molded into the upper wall of the stand.

28 . The stand of claim 1 , wherein the locking element is pivotally connected to the upper wall of the body and includes at least one catch for maintaining the locking element in a closed position, thereby maintaining the stand in contact with the pressure vessel.

29 . The stand of claim 28 , wherein the stand is formed of a material selected from the group consisting of a corrosion-proof material, a corrosion-resistant material, and a material including a polymeric material.

30 - 31 . (canceled)

32 . The stand of claim 28 , wherein an upper portion of the sidewall of the body includes an outer circumferential recess configured for engaging another stand of a pressure vessel.

33 . A method of supporting a pressure vessel comprising the steps of:

a) providing a stand having:

i) a body having an upper wall and a sidewall extending downwardly from the upper wall;

ii) an aperture defined in the upper wall configured to permit passage therethrough of a fluid conduit, the fluid conduit being in fluid communication with the pressure vessel; and

iii) a locking element provided in connection with the body configured to engage the fluid conduit when in a locked position to inhibit removal of the stand from the pressure vessel;

b) placing the stand over the conduit of the pressure vessel and into contact with the pressure vessel; and

c) positioning the locking element into a closed position to inhibit removal of the stand from the pressure vessel.