Quick connect, stabilized clean room filter support system

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 6511522
  • Patent Number
    6,511,522
  • Date Filed
    Friday, March 23, 2001
    23 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, January 28, 2003
    21 years ago
Abstract
A clean room filter support system has a filter unit comprising a perimetrical frame having four sides of a predetermined vertical extent with upper and lower edges and filtering material held within the frame for air flow between a first plane incorporating rear face of the filter material and a second plane incorporating a front face of the filter material, at least one side of the perimetrical frame defines an outwardly projecting bracket. There is a connector extending vertically between the support surface and the filter unit frame that has a rod supported from the support surface and an anchor structure supported by the rod. A spring-loaded pin engages with the bracket and is adjustable to selectively engage the anchor structure to couple the filter unit by its bracket to the anchor structure, the pin being adjustable for selectively engaging the anchor structure. A clip interposed between the pin head and the bracket blocks shifting of the filter unit against the resiliency of the spring.
Description




STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT




Not Applicable




REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX




Not Applicable




BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION




1. Field of the Invention




This invention relates to clean rooms and to the arrays of filters used in clean rooms and like spaces where ultra-pure air is required. More particularly, the invention relates to improvements in the mounting of filter units in clean room filter arrays. In a specific embodiment, the invention provides a quick-connect mounting for filter units using a common anchor array for supporting spring-loaded retaining pins supporting the filter units, a series of outwardly projecting brackets that engage the pins, and in preferred embodiments stabilizing clips to block unwanted movement of spring fastener-mounted filter units by selectively rigidly spacing the pin heads and the bracket.




2. Description of the Related Art




Filter unit support in clean rooms has frequently involved grids of support members that may contain sealing gels. More recently, filter units have been supported in small groups or individually. See U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,350,862, 3,360,910, 3,780, 503, 3,808,777, 4,178,159, 4,239,109, 4,601,737, 4,883,511, 5,329,739, 5,454,756, 5,871,556, 5,946,875, 6,070,383, 6,183,528, 6,190,431, DE 3719734 and DE 3836147, Certain of such systems have involved special hardware requirements that have proved costly. Lower cost installations with ready filter interchange capability are always in demand and there is thus a need for a simplified filter unit support system.




BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION




Further, the use in some systems of spring loaded pins to maintain the filter units in place sometimes permits movement of the filter under force from above such as walking person atop the filter array, or earthquake disturbances. This movement, while permitted by the spring mounting of the filter units, is undesirable as the sealing between adjacent filters, critical to the integrity of the clean room, may be compromised by the movement.




It is an object, therefore, of the present invention to provide an improved clean room ceiling filter array support system. It is a further object to provide filter units having on their sides projecting brackets that receive mounting pins. Another object is to provide an overhead anchor structure that is slotted to receive transverse members in pin mounting relation to support the filter units by the pins that engage the unit brackets. Yet another object is to provide for the adjustment, vertically, rotationally, etc. of the pins from within the clean room, from below the filter units, at pin heads that are accessible from the within the clean room, i.e. there are downwardly available heads on the pins. A further object is to provide a clip that engages between the pin head and the bracket to remove the springiness in the filter unit mounting and stabilize the system against shifting of the units.




These and other objects of the invention to become apparent hereinafter are realized in a clean room filter support system for supporting a clean room filter unit in spaced relation to a support surface bordering a clean room, the filter unit comprising a perimetrical frame having four sides of a predetermined vertical extent with upper and lower edges and filtering material held within the frame for air flow between a first plane incorporating rear face of the filter material and a second plane incorporating a front face of the filter material, at least one side of the perimetrical frame defining an outwardly projecting bracket between the one side upper and lower edges, a connector extending vertically between the support surface and the filter unit frame, the connector comprising a rod supported from the support surface and an anchor structure supported by the rod, a pin engaged with the bracket and adjustable to selectively engage the anchor structure to couple the filter unit by its the bracket to the anchor structure, the pin being adjustable for selectively engaging the anchor structure.




In this and like embodiments, typically, the pin is accessible for adjustment from within the clean room and the frame is formed of metal, the outwardly projecting bracket is integrally formed with the side wall, the outwardly projecting bracket is spaced from each of the first and second planes, the pin is a component of a pin and spring assembly disposed generally parallel to the one side and perpendicular to the bracket, the pin penetrating the bracket in engaging relation, the assembly pin has a head facing the second plane, the pin head has a shoulder facing the first plane, the spring being centered on the pin with its lower end blocked against the shoulder and its upper end blocked against the bracket to resiliently urge the pin from the bracket, the pin has a locking member on the opposite side of the bracket from the spring that locks the pin against exiting from the bracket against the urging of the spring, the pin has a continued extent above the bracket extending to the anchor structure, and there are cooperating fasteners on the pin continued extent and the anchor structure to anchor the pin in place, the cooperating fasteners comprise opposed flanges on the anchor structure spaced across a slot, and an upper transverse member carried by the pin continued extent arranged to pass through the slot in one adjustment of the pin and to engage the flanges in a second adjustment of the pin to support the pin in place against the weight of the filter unit, the pin further comprises a lower transverse member engaged in detented relation with the bracket to maintain the second adjustment of the pin in the anchor structure, the filter unit is shiftable downwardly relative to the pin against the urging of the spring on the bracket, and in certain embodiments there is also a clip rigidly engaged between the bracket and the shoulder to block downward shifting of the filter unit; and, the clip comprises a generally U-shaped member with left and right legs and a cross-piece joining the legs at one end thereof, the member cross-piece being engaged with the bracket and journaled on the pin, the legs having opposed upsets arranged to receive and rigidly engage the pin head against shifting of the filter unit against the urging of the spring at the bracket, the legs being outwardly deflectable in pin head disengaging relation to free the pin for adjustment.




In a further embodiment, the invention provides a clean room filter support system for supporting a clean room filter unit in spaced relation to a support surface, the filter unit comprising a perimetrical frame having four sides of a predetermined vertical extent with upper and lower edges and filtering material held within the frame for air flow between a first plane incorporating rear face of the filter material and a second plane incorporating a front face of the filter material, at least two opposed sides of the perimetrical frame defining outwardly projecting brackets between and spaced from each of the first and second planes, a connector extending vertically between the support surface and the filter unit frame, the connector comprising a rod supported from the support surface and an anchor structure supported by the rod, a headed pin and spring assembly at each bracket, the assembly being generally parallel to its adjacent frame side and engaged with the bracket and bodily adjustable to selectively engage the anchor structure to couple the filter unit by its the brackets to the anchor structure, the assembly resiliently connecting the connector to the bracket shiftably against the spring to support the filter frame on the connector, each the assembly pin being bodily adjustable for selectively engaging the anchor structure.




In this and like embodiments, typically, each the outwardly projecting bracket is integrally formed with its respective side wall, each outwardly projecting bracket is intermediate its frame upper and lower edges, each pin and spring assembly is disposed generally perpendicular to the bracket, each pin penetrating the bracket in engaging relation, each assembly pin head faces the second plane, each pin head having a shoulder facing the first plane, each spring being centered on its pin with its lower end blocked against the shoulder and its upper end blocked against the bracket to resiliently urge the pin from the bracket, each pin having a locking member on the opposite side of the bracket from the spring that locks the pin against exiting from the bracket against the urging of the spring, the pin having a continued extent above the bracket extending to the anchor structure, and cooperating fasteners on the pin continued extent and the anchor structure to anchor the pin in place.




Further, typically, the cooperating fasteners comprise opposed flanges on the anchor structure spaced across a slot, and there is an upper transverse member carried by the pin continued extent arranged to pass through the slot in one adjustment of the pin and to engage the flanges in a second adjustment of the pin to support the pin in place against the weight of the filter unit, each pin further comprises a lower transverse member engaged in detented relation with its respective bracket to maintain the second adjustment of the pin in the anchor structure, the filter unit is shiftable downwardly relative to each the pin against the urging of the spring on the bracket, and including also a clip rigidly engaged between each the bracket and shoulder to block downward shifting of the filter unit, the clip comprises a generally U-shaped member with left and right legs and a cross-piece joining the legs at their opposed ends, the cross-piece being engaged with its bracket and centered or journaled on its pin, the legs having opposed upsets arranged to receive and rigidly engage the pin head shoulder against shifting of the filter unit against the urging of the spring at the bracket, the legs being outwardly deflectable in pin head disengaging relation to free the pin for adjustment.




In a particular embodiment, the invention provides a clip adapted for centering on a headed retaining pin and engagement between a filter unit frame bracket and pin head, the clip comprising a generally U-shaped member of resilient material with left and right legs and a cross-piece joining the legs at opposed ends thereof, the cross-piece defining an opening that passes the pin and engages the bracket, the legs having opposed upsets arranged to receive and rigidly engage the pin head against shifting of the filter unit against the urging of the spring at the bracket, the legs being outwardly deflectable in pin head disengaging relation to free the pin for adjustment relative to the clip.




In a further particular embodiment, the invention provides a filter unit comprising a four-sided frame, at least one side of the frame having a projecting bracket that is apertured to pass a retaining pin.











BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS




The invention will be further described in conjunction with the attached drawings in which:





FIG. 1

is an oblique view of the clean room filter array support system according to the invention;





FIG. 2

is an oblique view of the stabilizing clip and spring-pin assembly of the invention;





FIG. 3

is a fragmentary view of the support system taken on line


3


in FIG.


1


and showing particularly the clip alternately in its closed and deflected condition;





FIG. 4

is a view like

FIG. 3

of the support system in detail;











DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION




With reference now to the drawings in detail, in

FIGS. 1 and 4

the invention is shown at


10


to comprise in a clean room indicated at


12


a filter support system


14


for supporting an array


16


of clean room filter units


18


in spaced relation to a support


22


that is fixed to the true or a false ceiling (not shown) in the building housing the clean room. Support system includes connectors


46


comprising rods


48


that are length-adjustable by turnbuckle


25


.




Each filter unit


18


comprises a rectangular perimetrical frame


24


having four straight sides


24




a


,


24




b


,


24




c


and


24




d


, each of a common predetermined vertical extent


26


and with upper and lower edges


28


,


32


. lower edges


28


have a flange


29


. Opposing flanges


29


are sealed by seal


31


, such as caulking, T-members or gaskets, against air flow between units


18


.




Filtering material


20


of the HEPA, ULPA or other high efficiency type is held within the frame


24


for air flow, indicated by the arrows, between a first plane


34


incorporating rear face


36


of the filter material and a second plane


38


incorporating a front face


42


of the filter material, FIG.


4


. At least one and preferably two opposed sides


24




b


,


24




c


, of the perimetrical frame


24


define outwardly projecting brackets


44


between and spaced from each of the first and second planes


34


,


38


.




Connectors


46


extend vertically between the support surface


22


and the filter unit frame


24


. Each connector


46


of rod


48


and turnbuckle


25


is supported from the support surface


22


and further comprises an anchor structure


52


supported by the rod. A pin retaining assembly


54


comprising headed pin


56


and compression spring


58


are located at each bracket


44


(FIG.


3


). Assembly


54


is generally parallel to its adjacent frame side, e.g.


24




b


and engaged with the bracket


44


as shown. Assembly


54


is bodily adjustable by rotation, vertical shifting, etc. to selectively engage the anchor structure


52


to couple the filter unit


18


by its brackets


44


to the anchor structure. Assembly


54


resiliently connects the connector


46


to the bracket


44


shiftably against the spring


58


to support the filter frame


24


on the connector. Each assembly pin


56


is separately bodily adjustable for selectively engaging the anchor structure


52


. This adjustment is performed from within the room


12


using a suitable tool, such as an Allen wrench (not shown) to engage the pin head


64


.




Preferably, each outwardly projecting bracket


44


is integrally formed with its respective side wall, e.g.


24




b


, and is preferably located intermediate the frame upper and lower edges


28


,


32


. As shown, each pin and spring assembly


54


is disposed generally perpendicular to the bracket


44


, with each pin


56


penetrating the bracket in engaging relation through the transverse member


62


as hereinafter described. Each assembly pin head


64


faces the second plane


38


and has a shoulder


66


that faces the first plane


34


. Each spring


58


is centered on its pin


56


with its lower end


68


blocked against the shoulder


66


and its upper end


70


blocked against the bracket


44


to resiliently urge the pin from the bracket. Each pin


56


has a locking transverse member


62


on the opposite side of the bracket


44


from the spring


58


that locks the pin against exiting from the bracket aperture


74


against the urging of the spring. Pin


56


further has a continued extent


76


above the bracket


44


and extending to the anchor structure


52


. Cooperating fasteners


78


,


82


are provided on the pin continued extent


76


and the anchor structure


52


to anchor the pin


56


in place.




The cooperating fasteners


78


,


82


are shown in this embodiment to comprise opposed flanges


84


on the anchor structure


52


spaced across a slot


86


, and an upper transverse member


88


carried by the pin continued extent


76


. Transverse member


88


is arranged to pass through the slot


86


in one rotational adjustment of the pin (using a tool not shown) that engages the pin head


64


from below the filter array


16


, to engage the flanges


84


in a second adjustment of the pin


56


to support the pin in place against the weight of the filter unit


18


.




Each pin


56


further comprises the lower transverse member


62


engaged in detented relation, as shown by the nesting of the member in the detent recess


94


in

FIG. 4

, with its respective bracket


44


to maintain the second adjustment of the pin


56


in the anchor structure


52


.




In practice, as thus far described the filter unit support assembly


54


may permit shifting toward the room


12


if a force is applied to the filter unit


18


. This occurs because the spring


58


may compress upon a force being applied from above to the filter unit


18


, e.g. from a person walking above the filter units, or from an earthquake or other perturbation. Thus, filter unit


18


is shiftable downwardly relative to each pin


56


against the urging of the spring


58


on the bracket


44


. This movement can be blocked by rigidly mounting the filter units


18


, but such an installation is problematical since secure fastening is burdensome and the quick-assembly, quick-removal feature of the invention is compromised if there is not a resilient mounting such as afforded by the spring


58


.




The invention provides a way to stiffen the mounting and thereby stabilize the filter unit


18


against this shifting after the initial installation of the filters while retaining the spring


58


. This is accomplished by adding a support to block the action of spring


58


, after installation of the filter units. This support is readily disengaged when unit


18


removal is needed, and can be bypassed to reach pin head


64


to adjust the pin


56


.




With reference to

FIGS. 2 and 3

, clip


102


is shown adapted to be rigidly engaged (when in a closed condition) between each bracket


44


and pin head shoulder


66


to block downward shifting of the filter unit


18


. Clip


102


comprises a generally U-shaped member


104


with left and right legs


106


,


108


and a cross-piece


112


joining the legs at their opposed ends


114


,


116


. Cross-piece


112


is engaged with its bracket


44


and centered or journaled on its pin


56


. Legs


106


,


108


have opposed upsets


118


,


122


arranged to receive the pin head


64


and rigidly engage the pin head shoulder


66


against shifting of the filter unit


18


against the urging of the spring


58


at the bracket


44


. To open the clip


102


from its closed condition to an open condition, legs


106


,


108


are outwardly deflectable in pin head


64


disengaging relation to free the pin for adjustment. See the dotted lines in FIG.


3


.




The invention thus provides an improved clean room ceiling filter array support system in which filter units have on their sides projecting brackets that receive mounting pins for coupling to an overhead anchor structure that is slotted to receive transverse members in pin mounting relation to support the filter units by the pins that engage the unit brackets. The pins are adjustable vertically, rotationally, etc. from below the filter units at downwardly available heads on the pins. A clip is provided that engages between the pin head and the bracket to remove the springiness in the filter unit mounting and stabilize the system against shifting of the units.




The foregoing objects are thus met.



Claims
  • 1. A clean room filter support system for supporting a clean room filter unit in spaced relation to a support surface, said filter unit comprising a perimetrical frame having four sides with upper and lower edges and filtering material held within said frame for air flow between a first plane incorporating a rear face of said filter material and a second plane incorporating a front face of said filter material, at least one side of said perimetrical frame defining an outwardly projecting bracket between and spaced from said upper and lower edges, a connector extending vertically between said support surface and said filter unit frame, said connector comprising a rod supported from said support surface and an anchor structure supported by said rod, a pin engaged with said bracket, said pin being adjustable to selectively engage said anchor structure to couple said filter unit by said bracket to said anchor structure.
  • 2. The clean room filter support system according to claim 1, in which said frame is formed of metal.
  • 3. A clean room filter support system for supporting a clean room filter unit in spaced relation to a support surface, said filter unit comprising a perimetrical frame having four sides with upper and lower edges and filtering material held within said frame for air flow between a first plane incorporating a rear face of said filter material and a second plane incorporating a front face of said filter material, at least one side of said perimetrical frame defining an outwardly projecting bracket between said one side upper and lower edges, said outwardly projecting bracket being integrally formed with said side wall, a connector extending vertically between said support surface and said filter unit frame, said connector comprising a rod supported from said support surface and an anchor structure supported by said rod, a pin engaged with said bracket, said pin being adjustable to selectively engage said anchor structure to couple said filter unit by its said bracket to said anchor structure.
  • 4. A clean room filter support system for supporting a clean room filter unit in spaced relation to a support surface, said filter unit comprising a perimetrical frame having four sides with upper and lower edges and filtering material hold within said frame for air flow between a first plane incorporating a rear face of said filter material and a second plane incorporating a front face of said filter material, at least one side of said perimetrical frame defining an outwardly projecting bracket between said one side upper and lower edges, said outwardly projecting bracket being spaced from each of said first and second planes, a connector extending vertically between said support surface and said filter unit frame, said connector comprising a rod supported from said support surface and an anchor structure supported by said rod, a pin engaged with said bracket, said pin being adjustable to selectively engage said anchor structure to couple said filter unit by its said bracket to said anchor structure.
  • 5. A clean room filter support system for supporting a clean room filter unit in spaced relation to a support surface, said filter unit comprising a perimetrical frame having four sides with upper and lower edges and filtering material held within said frame for air flow between a first plane incorporating a rear face of said filter material and a second plane incorporating a front face of said filter material, at least one side of said perimetrical frame defining an outwardly projecting bracket between said one side upper and lower edges, a connector extending vertically between said support surface and said filter unit frame, said connector comprising a rod supported from said support surface and an anchor structure supported by said rod, a pin engaged with said bracket, said pin being adjustable to selectively engage said anchor structure to couple said filter unit by its said bracket to said anchor structure, said pin being a component of a pin and spring assembly disposed generally parallel to said one side and perpendicular to said bracket, said pin penetrating said bracket in engaging relation.
  • 6. The clean room filter support system according to claim 5, in which said assembly pin has a head facing second plane, said pin head having a shoulder facing said first plane, said spring being centered on said pin and having a lower end blocked against said shoulder and an upper end blocked against said bracket to resiliently urge said pin from said bracket, said pin having a locking member on the opposite side of said bracket from said spring that locks said pin against exiting from said bracket against the urging of said spring, said pin having a continued extent above said bracket extending to said anchor structure, and cooperating fasteners on said pin continued extent and said and said anchor structure to anchor said pin in place.
  • 7. The clean room filter support system according to claim 6, in which said cooperating fasteners comprise opposed flanges on said anchor structure spaced across a slot, and an upper transverse member carried by said pin continued extent arranged to pass through said slot in one adjustment of said pin and to engage said flanges in a second adjustment of said pin to support said pin in place against the weight of said filter unit.
  • 8. The filter unit support system according to claim 7, in which said pin further comprises a lower transverse member engaged in detented relation with said bracket to maintain the second adjustment of said pin in said anchor structure.
  • 9. The clean room filter support system according to claim 8, in which said filter unit is shiftable downwardly relative to said pin against the urging of said spring on said bracket, and including also a clip rigidly engaged between said bracket and said shoulder to block downward shifting of said filter unit.
  • 10. The clean room filter support system according to claim 9, in which said clip comprises a generally U-shaped member with left and right legs and a cross-piece joining said legs at one end thereof, said member cross-piece being engaged with said bracket and journaled on said pin, said legs having opposed upsets arranged to receive and rigidly engage said pin head against shifting of said filter unit against the urging of said spring at said bracket, said legs being outwardly deflectable in pin head disengaging relation to free said pin for adjustment.
  • 11. clean room filter support system for supporting a clean room filter unit in spaced relation to a support surface, said filter unit comprising a perimetrical frame having four sides with upper and lower edges and filtering material held within said frame for air flow between a first plane incorporating a rear face of said filter material and a second plane incorporating a front face of said filter material, at least two opposed sides of said perimetrical frame defining outwardly projecting brackets between and spaced from each of said first and second planes, a connector extending vertically between said support surface and said filter unit frame, said connector comprising a rod supported from said support surface and an anchor structure supported by said rod, a headed pin and spring assembly at each said bracket, said assembly being generally parallel to the frame side adjacent thereto and engaged with said bracket and bodily adjustable to selectively engage said anchor structure to couple said filter unit by said brackets to said anchor structure, said assembly resiliently connecting said connector to said bracket shiftably against said spring to support said filter frame on said connector, each said assembly pin being bodily adjustable for selectively engaging said anchor structure.
  • 12. A clean room filter support system for supporting a clean room filter unit in spaced relation to a support surface, said filter unit comprising a perimetrical frame having four sides with upper and lower edges and filtering material held within said frame for air flow between a first plane incorporating a rear face of said filter material and a second plane incorporating a front face of said filter material, at least two opposed sides of said perimetrical frame defining outwardly projecting brackets between and spaced from each of said first and second planes, a connector extending vertically between said support surface and said filter unit frame, said connector comprising a rod supported from said support surface and an anchor structure supported by said rod, a headed pin and spring assembly at each said bracket, each said outwardly projecting bracket being integrally formed with the respective side wall of said bracket, said assembly being generally parallel to adjacent frame side and engaged with said bracket and bodily adjustable to selectively engage said anchor structure to couple said filter unit by said brackets to said anchor structure, said assembly resiliently connecting said connector to said bracket shiftably against said spring to support said filter frame on said connector, each said assembly pin being bodily adjustable for selectively engaging said anchor structure.
  • 13. The clean room filter support system according to claim 12, in which each said outwardly projecting bracket is intermediate the upper and lower edges of the frame from which it projects.
  • 14. The clean room filter support system according to claim 13, in which each said pin and spring assembly is disposed generally perpendicular to said bracket, each said pin penetrating said bracket in engaging relation.
  • 15. The clean room filter support system according to claim 14, in which each said assembly pin head faces said second plane, each said pin head having a shoulder facing said first plane, each said spring being centered on said pin with a lower end blocked against said shoulder and an upper end blocked against said bracket to resiliently urge said pin from said bracket, each said pin having a locking member on the opposite side of said bracket from said spring that locks said pin against exiting from said bracket against the urging of said spring, said pin having a continued extent above said bracket extending to said anchor structure, and cooperating fasteners on said pin continued extent and said and said anchor structure to anchor said pin in place.
  • 16. The clean room filter support system according to claim 15, in which said cooperating fasteners comprise opposed flanges on said anchor structure spaced across a slot, and an upper transverse member carried by said pin continued extent arranged to pass through said slot in one adjustment of said pin and to engage said flanges in a second adjustment of said pin to support said pin in place against the weight of said filter unit.
  • 17. The filter unit support system according to claim 16, in which each said pin further comprises a lower transverse member engaged in detented relation with its respective bracket to maintain the second adjustment of said pin in said anchor structure.
  • 18. The clean room filter support system according to claim 17, in which said filter unit is shiftable downwardly relative to each said pin against the urging of said spring on said bracket, and including also a clip rigidly engaged between each said bracket and shoulder to block downward shifting of said filter unit.
  • 19. The clean room filter support system according to claim 18, in which said clip comprises a generally U-shaped member with left and right legs and a cross-piece joining said legs at one end thereof, said cross-piece being engaged with its said bracket and journaled on said pin, said legs having opposed upsets arranged to receive and rigidly engage said pin head shoulder against shifting of said filter unit against the urging of said spring at said bracket, said legs being outwardly deflectable in pin head disengaging relation to free said pin for adjustment.
  • 20. A clip adapted for centering on a headed retaining pin and engagement between a filter unit frame bracket and pin head, said clip comprising a generally U-shaped member of resilient material with left and right legs and a cross-piece joining said legs at opposed ends thereof, said cross-piece defining an opening that passes said pin and engages said bracket, said legs having opposed upsets arranged to receive and rigidly engage said pin head against shifting of said filter unit against the urging of said spring at said bracket, said legs being outwardly deflectable in pin head disengaging relation to free said pin for adjustment relative to said clip.
  • 21. A filter unit comprising a four-sided frame, at least one side of said frame having an outwardly projecting bracket, said bracket being apertured, and a retaining pin in said aperture.
  • 22. A filter unit comprising a four-sided frame, at least two sides of said frame each having an outwardly projecting bracket, said bracket being apertured to pass a retaining pin, and a retaining pin in said bracket aperture.
  • 23. In combination: A filter unit comprising a four-sided frame, at least one side of said frame having a projecting bracket that is apertured to pass a retaining pin and a retaining pin and spring assembly in which said spring is centered on said pin, said bracket aperture being adapted to pass said retaining pin while blocking passage of said spring.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/275,142, filed Mar. 9, 2001.

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Number Name Date Kind
5192348 Wawig Mar 1993 A
5279632 Decker et al. Jan 1994 A
5417610 Spransy May 1995 A
5613759 Ludwig et al. Mar 1997 A
5865674 Starr Feb 1999 A
5993519 Lim et al. Nov 1999 A
6070383 Jeanseau Jun 2000 A
6267793 Gomez et al. Jul 2001 B1
6270546 Jeanseau et al. Aug 2001 B1
Provisional Applications (1)
Number Date Country
60/275142 Mar 2001 US