Patent Application
20120217250
1. Field
The embodiments relate to air compressor devices, such as tools and accessories, and in particular to apparatus and method for air compressor device organizers.
2. Description of the Related Art
Air compressors are used by many tradesmen, business owners and homeowners for various tasks. Users of air compressors use a variety of tools and accessories. The various air compressor tools and accessories are usually stored a distance from the air compressor, which makes it inconvenient to users to retrieve and replace tools and accessories. Additionally, time is often wasted by a user trying to locate specific air compressor items as they may have been placed with other tools and accessories in a tool box.
When a user uses an air compressor, air compressor tools and accessories may be placed on the ground, a table, etc. Many times the tools or accessories may become hidden by other tools or accessories, be misplaced, etc.
One embodiment of the invention comprises an apparatus including a multi-device air compressor organizer with a storage portion. An air tank attachment portion includes at least one removable coupling portion.
Another embodiment of the invention comprises an air compressor device organizer including an organizing panel having a storage portion and an air compressor tank attachment element.
Yet another embodiment of the invention comprises a method providing an air compressor device organizer, and attaching the air compressor device organizer to an air compressor tank.
Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, which, when taken in conjunction with the drawings, illustrate by way of example the principles of the invention.
The embodiments are illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the Figures of the accompanying drawings and in which like reference numerals refer to similar elements and in which:
The following description is made for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention and is not meant to limit the inventive concepts claimed herein. Further, particular features described herein can be used in combination with other described features in each of the various possible combinations and permutations. Unless otherwise specifically defined herein, all terms are to be given their broadest possible interpretation including meanings implied from the specification as well as meanings understood by those skilled in the art and/or as defined in dictionaries, treatises, etc.
The description may disclose several preferred embodiments of air compressor organizers, as well as operation and/or component parts thereof. While the following description will be described in terms of air compressor organizers and devices for clarity and to place the invention in context, it should be kept in mind that the teachings herein may have broad application to all types of systems, devices and applications.
One embodiment of the invention provides an apparatus including a multi-device air compressor organizer with a storage portion. An air tank attachment portion includes at least one removable coupling portion
In one example, the releasable retaining portion 135 is a clip type device, a spring clip type device, a hook device, a carabineer type device, or any other similar type device. In another example, the air hose holding element 130 may be any other type of device, such as a chain, a wire device, a hook, a bungee type device, etc.
In one example, the air tank attachment portion 120 may include another removable coupling portion 125 on the other end 230 (see
In one embodiment of the invention, the length of the air tank attachment portion 120 may be varied, may be adjustable, etc., for fitting different sized upright or vertical air compressor tanks. In one example, the length and width of the storage portion 110 may vary to accommodate more or less air compressor tools and accessories. It should be noted that the size of the storage portion 110 may be adapted to cover more or less area of an upright air compressor tank 205.
In one embodiment of the invention, the multi-device air compressor organizer 100 includes a handle (not shown) for accommodating the storage portion 110 to be carried by a user. In one example, the air tank attachment portion 120 may be adjusted and used as a shoulder strap for carrying the multi-device air compressor organizer 100. In another example, the storage portion 110 includes one or more fastening elements (not shown) connected to the rear of the storage portion 110 for attaching to an air compressor tank. In one example, fastening elements may comprise hook and loop fasteners, magnetic fasteners, etc. In this example, the multi-device air compressor organizer 100 does not need the air tank attachment portion 120. In this example, the air tank attachment portion 120 is either not attached to the multi-device air compressor organizer 100 or may be removed.
In one embodiment of the invention, the removable coupling portion 125 includes an insertion portion 220 and a locking portion 225. In one example, the removable coupling portion 125 may be other types of known connectors and/or combination of equivalent connectors.
In one embodiment of the invention the storage portion 110 includes one or more air compressor tool holster type storage portions 250 and 255, which may be the same or differently sized. In one example, the storage portions 250 and 255 may include accessory holders or pockets. In one example, the storage portions 250 and 255 may be stretchable or expandable to accommodate different sized air compressor tools.
In one embodiment of the invention, the storage portion 110 includes multiple storage pockets 240. In one example, the multiple storage pockets 240 may include layered vertical pockets comprising multiple layers of material. As illustrated, the air hose holding element 130 is shown holding an air compressor air hose 215. In one example, the releasable retaining portion 135 releases to allow use of the air hose 215. In this example, the air hose 215 remains organized or untangled when stowed with the air hose holding element 130.
In one example, the various elements of the multi-device air compressor organizer 100/200 are made of material such as nylon, canvas material, hardened plastic, polymer materials, suede, synthetic suede, leather, synthetic leather, etc. In some embodiments of the invention, the releasable retaining portion 135 and coupling portion 125 may be made of a metal, metal alloy, hardened plastic, or other appropriate material.
In one embodiment of the invention, the storage portion 410 includes a storage pocket that includes a closeable flap 420. In one example, the closeable flap 420 may be secured by a hook and loop fastening pair, a snap pair, etc. In another example, the closeable flap 420 may be replaced by a zipper closure, or other known closure equivalents.
In one example, the multi-device air compressor organizer 400 may be permanently or removably attached to an air tank 405 of a pancake air compressor 420. In one example, the storage portion 410 and elements thereof may be made of material such as nylon, canvas material, hardened plastic, polymer materials, suede, synthetic suede, leather, synthetic leather, etc.
In one embodiment of the invention, the length and width of the storage portion 410 may vary to accommodate more or less air compressor tools and accessories while contoured and comprising a length and width for attaching neatly to standard pancake air compressor air tanks. It should be noted that the size of the storage portion 410 may be adapted to cover more or less area of the pancake air compressor tank 405.
In one example, the pancake compressor air tank coupling element 510 may comprise a pair of hook and loop fastener elements or a magnetic fastener. In another example, the pancake compressor air tank coupling element 510 comprises multiple coupling elements, such as pairs of hook and loop fastener elements, magnets, etc. In yet another example, the pancake compressor air tank coupling element 510 may comprise a permanent attachment from an adhesive. In another embodiment of the invention, the storage portion 410 may be connected to the air tank 405 of the pancake air compressor 420 by other means for attaching, such as a strap, belt, stretchable material, bungee type connectors, metal or metal alloy hanger, plastic or hardened plastic holding device, etc.
In the description above, numerous specific details are set forth. However, it is understood that embodiments of the invention may be practiced without these specific details. For example, well-known equivalent components and elements may be substituted in place of those described herein, and similarly, well-known equivalent techniques may be substituted in place of the particular techniques disclosed. In other instances, well-known structures and techniques have not been shown in detail to avoid obscuring the understanding of this description.
Reference in the specification to “an embodiment,” “one embodiment,” “some embodiments,” or “other embodiments” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiments is included in at least some embodiments, but not necessarily all embodiments. The various appearances of “an embodiment,” “one embodiment,” or “some embodiments” are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiments. If the specification states a component, feature, structure, or characteristic “may”, “might”, or “could” be included, that particular component, feature, structure, or characteristic is not required to be included. If the specification or claim refers to “a” or “an” element, that does not mean there is only one of the element. If the specification or claims refer to “an additional” element, that does not preclude there being more than one of the additional element.
While certain exemplary embodiments have been described and shown in the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that such embodiments are merely illustrative of and not restrictive on the broad invention, and that this invention not be limited to the specific constructions and arrangements shown and described, since various other modifications may occur to those ordinarily skilled in the art.
