US3648303A

US3648303A - Portable tank

Info

Publication number: US3648303A
Application number: US39439A
Authority: US
Inventors: William H Stewart; Robert B Feistel
Original assignee: W H Stewart Co
Current assignee: W H Stewart Co
Priority date: 1970-05-21
Filing date: 1970-05-21
Publication date: 1972-03-14
Anticipated expiration: 1989-03-14

Abstract

A tank structure having a plurality of arcuately shaped panel sections, each panel being adapted to be interconnected such that the sections are secured in the assembled relationship, and including a seal liner, each panel being adapted to cooperate with the seal liner to prevent leakage of the fluid contained therein.

Description

limited Etatea Patent Ellen/art et all.

[ Mar, 14, 11072 [54] PORTABLE TANK [72] Inventors: William 11. Stewart; Robert E. lFeistel,

both of Oklahoma City, Okla.

[73] Assignee: W. 111. Stewart Company, Oklahoma City,

Okla.

[22] Filed: May 21, 1970 211 App]. No.: 39,4139

[52] US. Cl ..4/172.1l9, 52/5 [51] lint. Cl. 1120 111 3/ 116, E04h 3/18 [58] lField oliSearch..4/172.19, 172, 172.1 1, l72.12-172.18;

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,546,720 12/1970 Hoeh et a1. ..4/172.19 2,846,694 8/1958 Wallace ..4/l72. 19

3,260,399 7/1966 Sieg ..220/1 8 3,233,251 2/1966 Barrera.... .....4/172.l9 3,193,847 7/1965 Mashura ..4/l72. 19 3,302,825 2/1967 Schleeweiss .220/5 A 3,440,780 4/1969 Adam et a1 ..4/l72. l 9 X FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 913,709 12/1962 Great Britain ..4/172. 19

Primary Examiner-Henry 1C. Artis Attorney-Dunlap, Laney, Hessin and Dougherty [5 7] ABSTRACT A tank structure having a plurality of arcuately shaped panel sections, each panel being adapted to be interconnected such that the sections are secured in the assembled relationship, and including a seal liner, each panel being adapted to cooperate with the seal liner to prevent leakage of the fluid contained therein.

16 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures PATENTEDMAR W I972 BJSABRBOE SHEET 1 0f 2 mutants rank This invention relates generally to improvements in porta- 5 ble tanks, and more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to improvements in tanks having a plurality of panel sections adapted to be interconnected to form a supporting sidewall.

2. Description of the Prior Art There have been in the past various designs for portable tank structure or retainers. These designs usually incorporated a plurality of arcuately shaped sections, which were adapted to be connected together in a manner to form a circular shaped retainer, for holding or retaining various types of fluids for temporary storage.

Various forms of interconnections were used to secure the sections in an assembled structure. One such interconnection merely consisted of overlapping the adjacent end portions of the sections and securing them together by bolts extending through the overlapping portions. Another type of interconnection attempted was to form a U-shaped channel on the end of each container section and to secure the sections together by a clamp, having one end portion adapted to extend into the U-shaped channel of one of the sections and the opposite end thereof adapted to extend into the U-shaped channel of the adjacent section.

The interconnections discussed above were generally found acceptable for small retainers, which were used for such purposes as an outdoor-type swimming pool or in those situations where the sections were to be assembled in a hole in the ground and where the earth could provide additional lateral support for the various sections. However, there are many applications such as brine reservoirs or other such reservoirs used in relation to oil production, where it is desirable to store large quantities of fluid in a portable retainer to prevent pollution of the surrounding area.

Where the quantity of fluid to be stored was large, or of such a nature, i.e., viscosity, specific gravity, that larger fluid forces were exerted on the walls of the portable retainer, the above generally discussed interconnections has been found unacceptable. In these applications, the interconnections were found to be separated or partially destroyed by the fluid pressure exerted from within the retainer, in spite of the fact that in some instances a pure mathematical approach might in dicate the particular interconnection should hold secure.

It should also be noted, that one of the advantages of using a portable-type retainer was that it could be quickly and easily assembled and disassembled for use in remote areas, or for use in various applications. It has also been found desirable that the portable retainers be effectively sealed, so that leakage of the fluid retained is substantially reduced.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention contemplates a portable fluid retaining tank basically comprising a supporting sidewall. The supporting sidewall defines a periphery and includes a plurality of panel sections, each panel section having opposite ends. A plurality of spaced loops having an aperture therethrough, extend from one of the opposite ends of each panel section, and a plurality of spaced loops having an aperture therethrough extend from the end of each panel section, opposite the end of the panel section the first mentioned loops extend from. The first mentioned loops and the last mentioned loops are spaced and sized such that when the panel sections are in the assembled position the apertures through the first and the last mentioned loops are aligned. The tank also includes a plurality of interconnecting posts. Each post is sized to extend through the aligned opening of the adjacent panel sections, thereby interconnecting one panel section to the adjacent panel section.

An object of the invention isto provide a portable fluid retaining tank which can be easily and quickly assembled and disassembled.

Another object of the invention is to provide a portable fluid retaining tank capable of retaining a large volume of fluid yet maintaining the structural integrity of the tank.

One other object of the invention is to provide a portable fluid retaining tank capable of retaining relatively large volumes of fluid yet maintaining the sealing integrity of the tank.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a portable fluid retaining tank which is economical in construction and operation.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be evident from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate various embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. l is a pictorial view of a portable fluid retaining tank in the assembled position.

FIG. 2 is a partial elevational, partial sectional view showing the interconnection between two panel sections of the portable fluid retaining tank of FIG. ll.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view of one of the panel sections of the fluid retaining tank, showing a sectional view of the wall liner and the floor liner in an assembled position.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the panel sections of FIG. 2, but taken substantially along the lines 4--4 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a partial sectional view, partial elevational view showing the cable securing device assembled about one of the panel sections.

FIG. 6 is a view ofthe cable securing device of FIG. 5, taken substantially along the lines 6-6 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a view of the cable securing device of FIG. 5, taken substantially along the lines 7-7 of F IO. 6.

FIG. 8 is a partial sectional, partial elevational view similar to FIG. 3, but show a barbed wire flange and a stake secured to the panel section.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to the drawings in general, and to FIG. 1 in particular, shown therein and designated by the general reference character 10 is a portable fluid retaining tank basically comprising a plurality of panel sections 12 interconnected to form a supporting sidewall 14. As shown in FIG. I and, in a preferred form, the panel sections 112 are arcuately shaped and constructed such that the supporting, wall 14 is circularly shaped. This particular shape is desirable because of the increased pressure containing characteristics of a circular or cylindrical shape.

In the assembled position, a wall liner I6 is secured about the inner surface of the supporting wall l4, and a floor liner H8 is disposed over the bottom of the tank It). The liners lo and 18 are secured to the supporting wall l4 and are disposed with respect to each other to retain the fluid within the tank It], in a manner to be more fully described below. The liners lo and 118 are constructed of a suitable fluid repellent material, the particular composition of which may vary depending on the type of fluid to be contained and various other environmental factors, however, a nylon or elastomeric-type material has been found to be a suitable material in most applications.

Each panel section ll2, in a preferred form is constructed identical and includes, an outer wall Zll, an inner wall 22, an upper end portion 24, a lower end portion 26, and

opposite ends

28 and 30. Each panel section 112 is also, in a preferred form, arcuately shaped on a radius such that the panels l2 will interconnect to form circularly shaped supporting wall 14 of a desired diameter.

As shown more clearly in FIG. 3, an upper channel 32 is formed about the periphery of each panel l2, generally adjacent the upper end portion 24 thereof. A lower channel 34 is formed about the periphery of each panel 12, generally adjacent the lower end portion 26 thereof. In a preferred form, the

channels

32 and 34 are similar and each is formed as an in tegral part of each panel section 12. Each

channel

32 and 34 extends generally perpendicularly from the outer wall of each panel section 12. An arcuately shaped depression 36 is formed in the outermost end of each

channel

32 and 34, for reasons to be made apparent below.

As shown more clearly in FIGS. 2 and 4, a series of spaced loops 38 are formed on the end 28 of each panel section 12. Each loop 38 extends generally perpendicularly from the end 28, generally adjacent the inner wall 22 and forms an opening 40, which extends through each loop 38. A series of spaced loops 42 are formed on the end of each panel section 12. Each loop 42 extends generally perpendicularly from the end 30, generally adjacent the inner wall 22 and forms an opening 44, which extends through each loop 42.

The

loops

38 and 40 are sized and spaced, such that when the panel sections 12 are moved into an end to end relation, that is a position wherein the end 28 of one panel section 12 is generally adjacent the end 30 of the interconnected panel section 12, the

loops

38 and 42 will intermesh. In this intermeshing relationship of the

loops

38 and 42, the loops 38 will slidingly fit into the spaces between the loops 42, and the loops 42 will slidingly fit into the spaces between the loops 38. In this position as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the openings 40 of the loops 38 will be aligned with the openings 44 of the loops 42.

The aligned

openings

40 and 44 are disposed between each adjacent panel section 12, and are sized to receive an interconnecting post 46, which is disposed therethrough. It is apparent from the foregoing, that each post 46 cooperates, with the

loops

38 and 42 to interlock one panel section 12 to the adjacent panel section 12, in an assembled position.

The wall liner 16 is, in a preferred form, cylindrical in shape and sized to matingly conform to the diameter of the particular tank 10. The wall liner 16 has

opposite end portions

48 and 50, and encompasses the inner walls 22 of tank 10.

As shown more clearly in FIG. 3, the height of the wall liner 16, that is the height generally between the

end portions

48 and 50, is sized such that a portion of the wall liner 16 generally adjacent the end portion 50 overlaps the adjacent portion of the floor liner 16, for reasons which will be made more apparent below.

The height of the wall liner 16 is also sized such that a portion of the wall liner 16 generally adjacent the end portion 48 thereof extends over the upper end portion 24 of each panel section 12 and about each adjacent upper channel 32. A bead 52 is formed on the outermost end of the end portion 48, and is sized to cooperate with a plurality of top channels 54 and a plurality of clamps 56 to secure the end portion 48 about the upper channel 32 of each panel section 12.

Each top channel 54 includes an L-shaped member 58, which is sized such that a portion thereof extends over a portion of the inner wall 22 adjacent the upper end portion 24 of one of the panel sections 12, and another portion thereof extends over an upper portion of one of the upper channels 32. As shown more clearly in FIG. 3, the adjacent portion of the wall liner 16 is disposed between the L-shaped member 58 and the panel section 12.

Each top channel 54 also includes a basically C-shaped member 60, having a crimped portion 62 in one end thereof. Each C-shaped member 60 is sized to matingly fit over a portion of the adjacent upper channel 32 of each panel section 12, such that the crimped portion 62 extends a distance into the depression 36 of each upper channel 32, and a portion of each C-shaped member 60 extends over a portion of the adjacent L-shaped member 58, as shown in FIG. 3. The adjacent portion of the wall liner 16 is disposed generally between the C-shaped member 60 and the panel section 12, such that the bead 52 of the wall liner 16 extends beyond the end of each C- shaped member 60 and the crimped portion 62 of each C- shaped member 60 abuts the adjacent portion of the wall liner 16; thereby forcing that portion of the wall liner 16 a distance into the adjacent depression 36, for reasons to be made more apparent below.

The clamps 56 are each sized to extend over a portion of the L-shaped member 58 and about a portion of the adjacent C- shaped member 60. A screw 64 is threadedly connected to each clamp 56, such that each screw 64 can be adjusted to engage an adjacent portion of one of the L-shaped members 58. Each clamp 56 thereby secures each L-shaped member 58 and each C-shaped member 60 in an assembled position about the upper end portion 24 of the panel sections 12.

As shown more clearly in FIGS. 1 and 8, each panel section 12 also includes an angularly upwardly extending arm 66, which is secured to the outer wall 20 of each panel section 12, generally adjacent the upper end portion 24 thereof. As shown in FIG. 9, the arm 66 is bolted to a flange 68 which extends perpendicularly from the outer wall 20 and is secured thereto. Each arm 66 has a plurality of hooks 70 secured to the upper edge thereof. In the assembled position, as shown in FIG. I, a plurality of barbed wire strands 72 are secured via the hooks 70 to each arm 66 and extended about the outer periphery of the tank 10. The barbed wire 72 is provided to keep animals away from the fluid contained in the tank 10, which may be a desirable feature in some locations.

A stake 74 is bolted to another flange 76 which extends perpendicularly from the outer wall 20 of each panel section I0 and is secured thereto. Each stake 74 extends generally parallel to the adjacent panel section 12 and a distance beyond the lower end portion 26 thereof, a distance into the adjacent terrain. The stakes 74 are used to secure the tank 10 in a stable position.

The diameter of the floor liner 18 is sized to be slightly larger than the diameter of the particular tank 10, so that the outer periphery thereof will extend beyond the supporting sidewall 14 when the tank 10 is in the assembled position. As shown more clearly in FIG. 3, a portion of the floor liner 18 extends about the lower channel 34 terminating with the peripheral bead 78.

A cable 80, having

opposite end proportions

82 and 84, is extended about the outer periphery of the supporting sidewall 14 and is disposed such that the cable 80 engages a portion of the floor liner 18, generally adjacent the bead 78, thereby securing the floor liner 18 to each panel section 12. More particularly, the cable 80 secures a portion of the floor liner 18 in the depression 36 of the lower channel 34.

The

opposite end portions

82 and 84 of the cable 80 are threaded and sized to threadedly engage a cable securing device 86. The cable securing device 86, as shown more clearly in FIGS. 5, 6 and 7, includes an elongated channel member 88, which is constructed similar to the C-shaped member 60, described before, and includes a crimped portion 90. The channel member 88 is shaped and sized to encompass a portion of the adjacent lower channel 34 of one of the panel sections 12. The adjacent portion of the floor liner 18 is disposed between the channel member 88 and the lower channel 34, such that the peripheral bead portion 78 extends beyond the channel member 88.

A hollow tube 92 is secured to a portion of the outer edge of the channel member 88 and another hollow tube 94 is secured to the outer edge of the hollow tube 92. The

hollow tubes

92 and 94 are generally disposed at an angle with respect to each other, as shown more clearly in FIG. 5.

The hollow portion of each

tube

92 or 94 is sized to slidingly receive the

end portion

82 or 84 of the cable 80 such that portions of the

end portions

82 or 84 extend through the hollow portions of

tubes

92 or 94 and beyond the

tubes

92 or 94. A securing nut 96 is threaded on each

end

82 and 84 to a position abutting one end of the

adjacent tube

92 or 94.

It is apparent from the foregoing that each securing nut 96 cooperates with one of the

tubes

92 or 94 or pull or secure the cable 80 in position about the periphery of the supporting side wall 14. The channel member 88 protects the adjacent portions of the floor liner 18 from being damaged as the cable 80 is so secured.

It should be noted that particularly in larger diameter tanks, the cable 80 is preferably constructed as a plurality of sections of curved rigid bar form and a plurality of the cable securing devices as are disposed about the periphery of the tank It] and interconnect the rigid cable sections.

OPERATION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT It is apparent from the foregoing, that the tank It) is comprised of various components, all of which are adapted to be easily transported to remote localities. Each of the com ponents is also adapted to be easily and quickly assembled at such location and in such a manner that the fluid retaining characteristics of the tank 110 is assured.

To assemble the various components of the tank I0, the floor liner III is first disposed over the area of the terrain designated to be occupied by the tank 110. The panel sections T2 are then secured in an assembled position about the floor liner I3, such that a portion of the floor liner I8 adjacent the peripheral bead 78 thereof extends outwardly beyond the outer wall 20 of each panel section 112.

To secure the panel sections 12 in an end to end relation, the end 255 of one panel section I2 is moved to a position adjacent the end 30 of another panel section 112. In this position, the loops 3t and 412 intermesh in a manner described before wherein the openings MB and Ml are aligned. The interlocking post I6 is inserted downwardly through the openings 40 and M, thereby securing one panel section I2 in an assembled position with respect to one other panel section I2.

The above procedure is repeated a number of times depending on the number of panel sections 12 included in the tank 110. Since in a preferred form each panel section 12 is arcuately shaped, it is apparent that at some predetermined point the panel sections l2 will interlock to form the retaining wall M, which will be circular in shape.

The outer periphery of the floor liner llfl adjacent the peripheral bead 7d is wrapped over the lower channel 1% of each panel section 112 as described before. The cable 80 is then secured in an assembled position via the cable securing device as, such that the adjacent portion of the floor liner m is secured in the depression as of each lower channel 34. In this position the head 7% functions in the nature of a stop, preventing the floor liner llfl from slipping out from between the lower channel 1% and the cable ht).

The wall liner llti is then secured about the supporting sidewall ll l via the top channels d and the clamps 56. In a preferred form, a cover plate 93% is disposed over each interconnection between the

adjacent end portions

28 and 30 of the panel section 112, as shown more clearly in FIGS. 2 and 4. The cover plate 9'8 prevents engagement of the wall liner to with the interconnecting portions of the panel sections 12, thereby reducing the possibility of destruction of a portion of the wall liner In resulting in a leak.

In a preferred form of assembly, the tank III is filled or partially filled with a fluid prior to staking the tank It} in position using the stakes '74. It has been found that, particularly in the larger diameter sizes of the tanks 110, the supporting sidewall lldl may not be fully rounded immediately subsequent to assembly and when filled with fluid, portions of the supporting sidewall Ml may move or expand as much as 1 foot.

The upper and the lower channels 32 and M cooperate with top channel 5d and the cable fltlt, respectively, to seal the wall liner I6 and the floor liner lid to the supporting side wall 114, thereby retaining the fluid within the tank lltl. It should also be noted, that the fluid within the tank It) will act upon the overlapping portion of the wall liner Id and tend to force that portion of the wall liner to into a sealing engagement with the floor liner llfl, thereby augmenting the sealing effectiveness therebetween. In an alternate form, the overlapping portion of the wall liner In could be bonded to the floor liner 118.

The barbed wire 72 and associated flanges 63 can be assembled to the tank llfl at any time, if required in the particular installation. In a preferred form, the barbed wire 72 is assembled after the tank III? has been filled or partially filled with fluid and expanded to its assembled position, for ease of installation purposes.

As shown more clearly in FIG. I, a plurality of cables ltltl may be secured about the periphery of the tank 10, generally adjacent the upper end portion 2d of each panel section 112. The opposite end of each cable lllltl may then be secured in position with respect to the surrounding terrain by a plurality of stakes 102. This additional structural support may be desired in some applications depending on the volume of fluid to be retained.

It is apparent from the foregoing that the tank 110, described before, provides a portable tank structure which can be easily transported to various remote locations and assembled in a minimum time and in a manner which insures the fluid retaining characteristics of the tank It]. The structural integrity of the tank Ill) is also such that the tank can retain large volumes of fluid without such causing a separation of the interconnecting portions of the supporting sidewall 11 i.

Changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of the parts or the elements of the various embodiments as disclosed herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined herein.

What is claimed is:

I. A fluid retaining tank, comprising:

a supporting sidewall defining a periphery, comprising:

a plurality of panel sections, each panel section having an inner and an outer wall, an upper and a lower side, and opposite ends;

means to interconnect the panel sections in end-toend relation, comprising:

a plurality of spaced loops extending from each end of each panel section in a position to mesh with the loops extending from the adjacent end of the adjacent panel section, each of said loops having an opening therethrough vertically aligned with the openings of adjacent loops when the panel sections are assembled;

a plurality of interconnecting posts, each post being sized to extend through the aligned openings of each group of intermeshing loops, thereby interconnecting one panel section to the adjacent panel section in an assembled position; and

a floor liner constructed of a fluid repellent material, said floor liner being sized to cover an area defined by the periphery of the supporting sidewall, and being disposed generally adjacent the lower end portion of each panel section;

means to secure the floor liner to the supporting sidewall;

a wall liner constructed of a fluid repellent material extending about the inner wall of the supporting sidewall formed by the inner walls of the panel sections, thereby preventing leakage of the fluid through or between the panel sections; and

means to secure the wall liner to the supporting sidewall.

2. The fluid retaining tank of claim I wherein each panel section is further defined as being arcuately shaped, so that the panel sections interconnect to form a circular-shaped supporting sidewall.

3. The fluid retaining tank of claim I wherein the loops extending from each panel section extend generally perpendicularly from the respective opposite end of each panel section, generally adjacent the inner wall thereof.

I. The fluid retaining tank of claim I defined further to include:

a plurality of covers, each cover being sized to encompass the interconnecting means between the panel sections and disposed generally between said interconnecting means and the wall liner, thereby protecting the wall liner from damaging engagement with the interconnecting means.

5. The fluid retaining tank of claim I defined further to include; means to form a fluid seal between the wall liner and the floor liner, thereby preventing leakage of fluid therebetween.

6. The fluid retaining tank of claim I wherein the wall liner is sized such that a lower portion thereof overlaps an adjacent portion of the floor liner, generally adjacent the lower end portion of each of the panel sections, the overlapping portion of the wall liner being disposed such that the fluid retained in the tank creates a pressure augmenting the seal between the wall liner and the floor liner.

7. The fluid retaining tank of claim 6 wherein the overlapping portion of the wall liner is defined further as being bonded to the adjacent portion of the floor liner.

8. The fluid retaining tank of claim 1 wherein the wall liner is defined further as being sized such that a portion thereof extends over the upper end of each panel section; and wherein the means to secure the wall liner to the supporting sidewall is defined further to include:

an upper channel formed on the outer wall of each panel section, generally adjacent the upper end thereof, each upper channel having an outermost end portion and being sized and disposed such that the portion of the wall liner extending over the upper end of each panel section, extends over the outermost end of each upper channel, thereby encompassing a portion of each upper channel; and

a clamp means to secure a portion of the wall liner about the upper end portion of each panel section and about a portion of each upper channel.

9. The fluid retaining tank of claim 8 wherein the means to secure the wall liner to the supporting sidewall is defined further to include; a top channel disposed between the wall liner and the clamp means, thereby preventing the clamp means from directly contacting the wall liner.

10. The fluid retaining tank of claim 9 wherein the outermost end of the upper channel includes; a depression; and wherein the top channel means includes; a crimped portion, said crimped portion being sized and disposed to force an adjacent portion of the wall liner into a portion of the depression, the upper channel means thereby cooperating to secure the wall liner in the assembled position.

11. The fluid retaining tank of claim 10 wherein the wall liner is defined further to include; a bead portion formed on one end thereof, said bead portion being disposed to extend beyond the top channel means and being sized to prevent the wall liner from moving from an assembled position with respect to the upper channel and the cooperating top channel means to retain the wall liner in the assembled position.

12. The fluid retaining tank of claim 1 wherein the floor liner is defined further as being sized such that a portion thereof extends over the lower end of each panel section; and wherein the means to secure the floor liner to the supporting sidewall is defined further to include:

a lower channel formed on the outer wall of each panel section adjacent the lower end thereof, each lower channel having an outermost end portion and being sized and disposed such that the portion of the floor liner extending over the lower end of each panel section extends over the outermost end of each lower channel, thereby encompassing a portion of each lower channel;

a cable extending about a portion of the outer periphery of the supporting sidewall, generally adjacent the lower channel of each panel section, said cable being sized and disposed to engage a portion of the floor liner encompassing each lower channel; and

means to secure the cable about the periphery of the supporting sidewall, thereby securing the overlapping portion of the floor liner in an assembled position with respect to the lower channel.

13. The fluid retaining tank of claim 12 wherein the outermost end of the lower channel includes; a depression; and wherein the cable is disposed to engage a portion of the floor liner adjacent the depression in the lower channel, thereby forcing the adjacent portion of the floor liner into said depression, thereby cooperating to secure the floor liner in an assembled position.

14. The supporting tank of claim 13 wherein the opposite ends of the cable are threaded: and wherein the means to secure the cable about the periphery of the supporting wall IS defined further to include:

a channel member sized to slidingly extend over a portion of the lower channel;

a pair of hollow tubes, the hollow portion of each tube being sized such that one end portion of the cable slidingly extends therethrough and a portion of the threaded end of the cable extends beyond the end of one of the tubes; and

a pair of securing nuts, each nut being sized to threadedly engage one of the threaded ends of the cable and engage one end of one of the hollow tubes so that as each securing nut is tightened on the respective threaded end of the cable the cable is pulled securedly about the periphery of the supporting wall.

15. The fluid retaining tank of claim 1, defined further to include; a plurality of stakes, each stake having opposite ends, one end of the stake being adapted to be connected to a lower end portion of one of the panel sections, and the opposite end of each stake being adapted to be secured in the adjacent terrain, thereby cooperating to secure the supporting wall in an assembled position.

16. The fluid retaining tank of claim 1, defined further to include:

a plurality of flanges, each flange having opposite ends and an upper side, one of said opposite ends being adapted to be connected to one of the panel sections such that the upper side of each flange extends angularly upwardly from each respective panel section;

a plurality of hooks, some of said hooks being secured to the upper side of each flange; and

a plurality of barbed wire strands extending about the periphery of the supporting sidewall, each barbed wire stranded being securedly connected to upper side of each flange via said hooks.

Claims

1. A fluid retaining tank, comprising: a supporting sidewall defining a periphery, comprising: a plurality of panel sections, each panel section having an inner and an outer wall, an upper and a lower side, and opposite ends; means to interconnect the panel sections in end-to-end relation, comprising: a plurality of spaced loops extending from each end of each panel section in a position to mesh with the loops extending from the adjacent end of the adjacent panel section, each of said loops having an opening therethrough vertically aligned with the openings of adjacent loops when the panel sections are assembled; a plurality of interconnecting posts, each post being sized to extend through the aligned openings of each group of intermeshing loops, thereby interconnecting one panel section to the adjacent panel section in an assembled position; and a floor liner constructed of a fluid repellent material, said floor liner being sized to cover an area defined by the periphery of the supporting sidewall, and being disposed generally adjacent the lower end portion of each panel section; means to secure the floor liner to the supporting sidewall; a wall liner constructEd of a fluid repellent material extending about the inner wall of the supporting sidewall formed by the inner walls of the panel sections, thereby preventing leakage of the fluid through or between the panel sections; and means to secure the wall liner to the supporting sidewall.

2. The fluid retaining tank of claim 1 wherein each panel section is further defined as being arcuately shaped, so that the panel sections interconnect to form a circular-shaped supporting sidewall.

3. The fluid retaining tank of claim 1 wherein the loops extending from each panel section extend generally perpendicularly from the respective opposite end of each panel section, generally adjacent the inner wall thereof.

4. The fluid retaining tank of claim 1 defined further to include: a plurality of covers, each cover being sized to encompass the interconnecting means between the panel sections and disposed generally between said interconnecting means and the wall liner, thereby protecting the wall liner from damaging engagement with the interconnecting means.

5. The fluid retaining tank of claim 1 defined further to include; means to form a fluid seal between the wall liner and the floor liner, thereby preventing leakage of fluid therebetween.

6. The fluid retaining tank of claim 1 wherein the wall liner is sized such that a lower portion thereof overlaps an adjacent portion of the floor liner, generally adjacent the lower end portion of each of the panel sections, the overlapping portion of the wall liner being disposed such that the fluid retained in the tank creates a pressure augmenting the seal between the wall liner and the floor liner.

8. The fluid retaining tank of claim 1 wherein the wall liner is defined further as being sized such that a portion thereof extends over the upper end of each panel section; and wherein the means to secure the wall liner to the supporting sidewall is defined further to include: an upper channel formed on the outer wall of each panel section, generally adjacent the upper end thereof, each upper channel having an outermost end portion and being sized and disposed such that the portion of the wall liner extending over the upper end of each panel section, extends over the outermost end of each upper channel, thereby encompassing a portion of each upper channel; and a clamp means to secure a portion of the wall liner about the upper end portion of each panel section and about a portion of each upper channel.

12. The fluid retaining tank of claim 1 wherein the floor liner is defined further as being sized such that a portion thereof extends over the lower end of each panel section; and wherein the means to secure the floor liner to the supporting sidewall is defiNed further to include: a lower channel formed on the outer wall of each panel section adjacent the lower end thereof, each lower channel having an outermost end portion and being sized and disposed such that the portion of the floor liner extending over the lower end of each panel section extends over the outermost end of each lower channel, thereby encompassing a portion of each lower channel; a cable extending about a portion of the outer periphery of the supporting sidewall, generally adjacent the lower channel of each panel section, said cable being sized and disposed to engage a portion of the floor liner encompassing each lower channel; and means to secure the cable about the periphery of the supporting sidewall, thereby securing the overlapping portion of the floor liner in an assembled position with respect to the lower channel.

14. The supporting tank of claim 13 wherein the opposite ends of the cable are threaded: and wherein the means to secure the cable about the periphery of the supporting wall is defined further to include: a channel member sized to slidingly extend over a portion of the lower channel; a pair of hollow tubes, the hollow portion of each tube being sized such that one end portion of the cable slidingly extends therethrough and a portion of the threaded end of the cable extends beyond the end of one of the tubes; and a pair of securing nuts, each nut being sized to threadedly engage one of the threaded ends of the cable and engage one end of one of the hollow tubes so that as each securing nut is tightened on the respective threaded end of the cable the cable is pulled securedly about the periphery of the supporting wall.

16. The fluid retaining tank of claim 1, defined further to include: a plurality of flanges, each flange having opposite ends and an upper side, one of said opposite ends being adapted to be connected to one of the panel sections such that the upper side of each flange extends angularly upwardly from each respective panel section; a plurality of hooks, some of said hooks being secured to the upper side of each flange; and a plurality of barbed wire strands extending about the periphery of the supporting sidewall, each barbed wire stranded being securedly connected to upper side of each flange via said hooks.