The present invention generally relates generally to the field of portable air compressors and more particularly to hand portable air compressors with improved portability and ruggedness.
Small air compressors have become common tools around the home, workshop and work site. For home, recreation and other light duty uses such as inflating sports or recreation equipment or for emergency use in inflating a car tire a number of very small and lightweight compressors are available. Such tasks require relatively low-pressure compressed air and/or relatively low airflow rates. Weight is kept low and portability is maximized in these designs by use of small, low volume and/or low-pressure compressors powered by small lightweight electric motors. Additionally, significant weight, size and cost savings are achieved by the omission of a high-pressure vessel (i.e., air tank), as well as an oil lubrication system.
Many jobs, however, require higher air pressures, and/or greater instantaneous air flow demands which typically exceed the capacity of the hobby or recreational use compressors. To satisfy the demands of higher air pressure and higher airflow tasks it is necessary to increase the size of the compressor and the related motor or engine. Furthermore, rather than sizing the compressor to meet the maximum theoretical instantaneous air flow demand, it is common design practice to include a compressed air reservoir in the form of an air tank or other pressure vessel. The tank, usually with an output regulator, can hold a quantity of pressurized air to meet peak demands from serviced loads, while allowing the use of a smaller and lighter compressor that charges the tank and is capable of meeting the average compressed air flow rate for the intended use.
The air tank and the larger compressor that are typically required to meet the desired pressure and airflow levels substantially increase the weight and overall size of the compressor package. Units designed for high pressure and high volume tasks can rapidly reach a weight and size where the well-known motor vehicle mounted or towed trailer configuration is the only practical form. Still, there are a range of intermediate capacity air compressors that are common tools around the construction site and which are man portable.
Current models of man portable air compressor packages comprise a stand or supporting structure on or in which are mounted a motor or engine, an air compressor, an air tank, a discharge manifold and various valves, instrumentation and controls. Many of the larger portable configurations are provided with wheels, in what is often referred to as a wheelbarrow configuration, so that they can be moved by a single user. Examples of wheeled air compressors include Models D55170 and D55270, which are marketed by DeWalt.
Still, some users of intermediate capacity professional grade compressors find it necessary or desirable to have a compressor that is capable of being lifted and carried by hand. One common approach taken by air compressor manufacturers to improve the portability of such intermediate capacity professional grade compressors has been to redesign the air compressor so as to reduce its weight. Despite such efforts, intermediate capacity professional grade compressors frequently weigh more than 50 pounds and thus remain difficult to lift and move by hand, even for those users who are physically strong.
Aside from the issue of their weight, hand-portable intermediate capacity professional grade compressors are also known to be quite cumbersome to transport. In this regard, the configurations that use two cylindrical tanks or a single pancake tank (i.e., a cylindrical tank of large diameter but small height with convex ends) have become common, as have the mounting schemes for mounting the compressor and the motor. For example, configurations that use two cylindrical tanks typically mount the compressor and motor alongside the tanks, whereas configurations that use a single pancake tank typically mount the compressor and motor on an end of the tank.
These conventional air compressor arrangements provide a package with a relatively large base or footprint, and a center of gravity that is positioned in an approximately centered position within the footprint. While such arrangements provide the air compressor with a configuration that is relatively stable during its operation, lifting and carrying air compressors with these configurations tends to be rather awkward and difficult. In this regard, these configurations typically employ a handle (for lifting and carrying the air compressor) that is attached to an appropriate structure, such as the stand or the air tank, at a location that is located vertically above the center of gravity of the entire air compressor package. The handle is generally oriented in a manner that requires the air compressor package to be lifted vertically upwards and carried in an orientation that is substantially the same as the orientation in which it is operated.
Lifting and carrying the known intermediate air compressor packages in this manner, however, is relatively difficult, since the footprint of these air compressor packages tends to be relatively large and thus requires the user to hold the air compressor package with a somewhat outstretched arm such that the wrist of the user is in a state of flexion. In an effort to bring the air compressor package's center of gravity closer to the central axis of the user, the user will typically tilt their upper body away from the load of the air compressor package and thus will lift and transport the air compressor package with a body posture that is uncomfortable and awkward.
In one preferred form, the present invention provides an air compressor apparatus having a support structure, a compressor mechanism, an air tank and a handle. The support structure defines a base and is coupled to the compressor mechanism, the air tank and the handle. The air tank is in fluid connection with the compressor mechanism and has a capacity that is greater than about 0.5 gallons. The handle is configured to be grasped by the hand of a user so as to permit the air compressor apparatus to be rotated between an operating position, wherein the base lies in a first plane, and a transport position, wherein the base is skewed to the first plane.
In another preferred form, the present invention provides an air compressor package that is configured to be hand portable by a user. The air compressor package has a center of gravity (CGACP) and includes a support structure, an air tank, a compressor mechanism and a handle. The support structure defines a base and is coupled to the air tank, the compressor mechanism and the handle. The handle is configured to be grasped by a human hand such that a palmar surface of the hand is wrapped about a handle centerline. The air compressor package is positionable in an operative position, in which the base of the support structure is disposed in a substantially horizontal plane. The air compressor package is also positionable in a transport position, in which the base of the support structure is skewed to the substantially horizontal plane. The CGACP and the handle centerline are contained in a generally vertically extending plane when the air compressor package is positioned in the transport position.
In another preferred form, the present invention provides an air compressor package that is hand portable by a person having a vertical axis. The air compressor package includes a support structure that defines a supporting surface and that is coupled to an air tank, an air compressor mechanism and a handle. The air compressor package is positionable on the supporting surface in an operating position. The operating position defines a substantially horizontal axis in which the air tank and the air compressor lie. The operating position also defines a top of the air compressor package and a bottom of the air compressor package which are approximately parallel to the supporting surface. The air tank and the air compressor lie in a substantially vertical second axis when the air compressor package is being carried by the person and a hand of the person is engaged to the handle. The second axis defines a second position in which one of the top and bottom of the air compressor package is positioned proximate a lateral side of the person carrying the air compressor package.
In still another preferred form, the present invention provides an air compressor package that is hand portable by a person having a vertical axis. The air compressor package includes a support structure that is coupled to an air tank, an air compressor and a handle. When the air compressor package is in operation and lying on a supporting surface that is defined by the support structure, then the center of gravity of the air tank (CGAT) and the center of gravity the air compressor (CGAC) lie along a substantially horizontal first axis that defines a first position, the substantially horizontal first axis being approximately parallel to the supporting surface. When the person is carrying the air compressor package by the handle, then the air tank and the air compressor lie along a substantially vertical second axis defining a second position, and the center of gravity of the air tank (CGAT) and the center of gravity of the compressor (CGAC) are substantially equidistant from the vertical axis of the person.
In yet another preferred form, the present invention provides an air compressor package that is hand portable by a user having an arm with a hand and a wrist. The air compressor package includes a support structure, which defines a base, an air tank, a compressor mechanism and a handle. The handle is coupled to one of the support structure, the air tank and the compressor mechanism and is configured to be engaged by a palmar surface of the user's hand such that the palmar surface is wrapped about a centerline of the handle. The air compressor package is positionable in a operational position, in which the base is disposed in a first plane, and a transport position, in which the base is disposed in a second plane that is skewed to the first plane. When the air compressor package is positioned in the transport position, the center of gravity of the air compressor package (CGACP) is vertically in-line with the centerline of the handle and the handle is positioned such that the wrist is both disposed proximate a lateral side of the user and not positioned in a state of flexion.
Further areas of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating the preferred embodiment of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.
Additional advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent from the subsequent description and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
With reference to
With additional reference to
In
The air tank 14 has a capacity of at least 0.5 gallons and in the particular example provided, is illustrated as having a single cylindrically shaped tank structure. The air tank 14, however, preferably has a capacity of about 1 to about 8 gallons, and more preferably a capacity of about 3 to about 5 gallons. Those skilled in the art will understand that the air tank 14 may be configured somewhat differently, as with a conventional pancake-style (i.e., a relatively short and large diameter cylinder with convex ends) tank structure (not shown) or with a plurality of cylindrically shaped tank structures that are coupled in fluid connection as shown in FIG. 10.
The support structure 16 is illustrated to be configured in a “roll-cage” manner that extends around both the compressor mechanism 12 and the gauge package 20 to protect these components should the air compressor package 10 be overturned or impacted by another object. In the particular embodiment illustrated, the support structure 16 includes a tubular frame 30 having opposite laterally extending sides 32 that are interconnected by a mounting platform 34 and a plurality of strut members 36, as well as an optional shield or cover 38. In the example provided, the cover 38 is formed from a sheet material, such as steel, aluminum or plastic, and is removably fastened with, for example, conventional threaded fasteners (not shown) to the tubular frame 30. While the primary purpose of the cover 38 is to protect components such as the compressor mechanism 12 and the gauge package 20 from damaging contact with, for example, falling tools and workpieces, those skilled in the art will understand that the relatively smooth outer surface of the cover 38, when abutted against the lateral side of the user during transport, is relatively more comfortable and less likely to interfere with the movement of the user as compared to the tubular frame 30, the compressor mechanism, the air tank 14 and/or the gauge package 20.
In the example provided, the laterally extending sides 32 are constructed in an open manner, such that the ends 42 of the laterally extending sides 32 do not intersect one another but rather intersect the air tank 14. The ends 42 are coupled to the air tank 14 through a conventional coupling means, such as welds. In the particular embodiment illustrated, the air tank 14 extends through the laterally extending sides 32 but those skilled in the art will understand that the air tank 14 could alternatively be configured to terminate flush or inboard of the laterally extending sides 32 so that the support structure 16 would also protect the opposite ends of the air tank 14. The gauge package 20, which conventionally includes an air tank pressure gauge 46, a regulator 48, a regulator gauge 50 and an outlet manifold 52, is coupled to a gauge panel 54 that is mounted between the laterally extending sides 32 of the support structure 16. The gauge panel 54 may be a discrete component or may be integrally formed with the cover 38. Preferably, the gauge panel 54 is mounted in a rearwardly sloped orientation, which is best illustrated in
The mounting platform 34, which is illustrated to be fabricated from a sheet material, such as steel, aluminum or plastic, serves as the base 66 of the support structure 16. The compressor mechanism 12 is coupled to the mounting platform 34 via a plurality of threaded fasteners (not specifically shown). A plurality of rubber feet 68 are affixed to the corners of the mounting platform 34 and serve to dampen vibrations that are transmitted through the support structure 16 as well as to provide the support structure 16 with a degree of skid resistance. With specific reference to
With renewed reference to
With reference to
The handle 18 permits the user of the air compressor package 10 to reposition the air compressor package 10 from the operational position that is illustrated in
Furthermore, since the center of gravity CGACP of the air compressor package 10 is relatively close to the base 66 when the air compressor package 10 is oriented in the operational position, the user 94 is able to transport the air compressor package 10 such that the base 66 is proximate a lateral side 110 of the user 94 (i.e., within about 10 inches of the lateral side 110, and preferably about 3 inches to about 7 inches) and the user's wrist 112 is not in a state of flexion. When placed in the transport position, the air compressor package 10 is preferably configured such that the centers of gravity CGAT and CGAC of the air tank 14 and the compressor mechanism 12 are disposed in the plane 100, or oppositely offset therefrom by substantially equal distances. With the handle 18 thus positioned, the user 94 is able to comfortably carry the air compressor package 10, as well as to easily pivot the air compressor package 10 between the operational position and the transport position without releasing the handle 18.
While the air compressor package 10 has been described thus far as including an air tank 14 with a single cylindrically shaped tank structure and a handle 18 that is fixedly coupled to the air tank 14, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention, in its broader aspects, may be constructed somewhat differently. For example, the handle 18a may be incorporated into the support structure 16a as illustrated in
In the arrangement of
The arrangement of
While the invention has been described in the specification and illustrated in the drawings with reference to a preferred embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the claims. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment illustrated by the drawings and described in the specification as the best mode presently contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include any embodiments falling within the foregoing description and the appended claims.
This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Appl. Ser. No. 29/136,877 filed Feb. 8, 2001, which issued as U.S. Design Pat. No. D461,196 on Aug. 6, 2002. This application also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appl. No. 60/366,676, filed Mar. 22, 2002.
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