Kenneth D Fritz

US Patent:

62240242, May 1, 2001

Filed:

Jun 8, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/328874

Inventors:

Kenneth H. Fritz - Orangevale CA

International Classification:

F16L 316

US Classification:

248 55

Abstract:

A portable retention and transport apparatus for cylindrical objects is provided to resist rotation and translation of a cylindrical object while resting on a horizontal surface. The apparatus is comprised of a series of tubes connected at their first and second ends via two flexible elongate cables. The connecting cables are sufficiently short to create a span between the tubes whose length is less than the outer diameter of the cylindrical object. The span created between the tubes, in combination with the interconnecting cables, creates a receiving cradle for the cylindrical object. The tubes also include a high friction surface covering to increase frictional engagement of the tubes with both the cylindrical object and the horizontal surface upon which the tubes rest. In use, the tubes are laid on the horizontal surface such that a cylindrical object rests longitudinally upon and between two of the tubes. The span between two adjacent tubes is sufficient to capture the cylindrical object between the tubes while preventing the cylindrical object from directly touching the horizontal surface, thereby maximizing the frictional engagement of the tubes with the cylindrical object and the horizontal surface.