U.S. patent application number 11/731999 was filed with the patent office on 2008-10-02 for portable air compressor.
Invention is credited to Kenneth M. Brazell, Robert Difrenza, Douglas Kent Ritterling, Richard L. Strack, Howard Eugene Sutter, Benjamin J. Thomas.
Application Number | 20080240936 11/731999 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39471875 |
Filed Date | 2008-10-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080240936 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ritterling; Douglas Kent ;
et al. |
October 2, 2008 |
Portable air compressor
Abstract
A wheelbarrow compressor is disclosed that includes a base and a
first reservoir and a second reservoir having bottom portions
located at opposite sides of the base. The base is located below an
uppermost surface of the first and the second reservoirs. A handle
assembly is attached with a first portion of at least one of the
reservoirs and a wheel assembly is attached with a second portion
of the at least one of the reservoirs. A pump and a motor are
operatively connected with the reservoirs and are disposed on the
base and between the reservoirs.
Inventors: |
Ritterling; Douglas Kent;
(Anderson, SC) ; Brazell; Kenneth M.; (Piedmont,
SC) ; Sutter; Howard Eugene; (Fountain Inn, SC)
; Strack; Richard L.; (Anderson, SC) ; Thomas;
Benjamin J.; (Anderson, SC) ; Difrenza; Robert;
(Greenville, SC) |
Correspondence
Address: |
TTi/BRINKS HOFER GILSON & LIONE
P.O.BOX 10395
CHICAGO
IL
60610
US
|
Family ID: |
39471875 |
Appl. No.: |
11/731999 |
Filed: |
April 2, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
417/234 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F04B 41/02 20130101;
F04B 35/06 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
417/234 |
International
Class: |
F04B 35/06 20060101
F04B035/06; F04B 41/02 20060101 F04B041/02 |
Claims
1. A wheelbarrow compressor comprising: a base; a first reservoir
and a second reservoir having bottom portions located at opposite
sides of the base, and wherein the base is located below an
uppermost surface of the first and the second reservoirs; a handle
assembly attached with a first portion of at least one of the first
and second reservoirs and a wheel assembly attached with a second
portion of at least one of the first and second reservoirs; and a
pump and a motor operatively connected with the reservoirs, the
motor and pump disposed on the base and between the reservoirs.
2. The wheelbarrow compressor of claim 1, having a center of
gravity no greater than an uppermost surface of the first and
second reservoirs.
3. The wheelbarrow compressor of claim 1, wherein the base includes
a recess that passes partially through the base.
4. The wheelbarrow compressor of claim 3, further comprising a
flywheel operatively connected to the motor, wherein the flywheel
is partially received in the recess.
5. The wheelbarrow compressor of claim 1, wherein the at least one
handle assembly includes a movable handle.
6. The wheelbarrow compressor of claim 1, wherein the at least one
handle assembly includes a rotating handle.
7. The wheelbarrow compressor of claim 6, wherein the at least one
handle assembly further comprises a rotating joint attached with
the first portion of at least one of the first and second
reservoirs and the rotating handle.
8. The wheelbarrow compressor of claim 1, further comprising a
first secondary handle attached to a top portion of at least one of
the first and second reservoirs.
9. The wheelbarrow compressor of claim 8, further comprising a
second secondary handle attached to the top portion of at least one
of the first and second reservoirs.
10. The wheelbarrow compressor of claim 9, wherein the first and
second secondary handles are attached to a top portion of each of
the first and second reservoirs.
11. The wheelbarrow compressor of claim 10, wherein one of the
first and second secondary handles is located closer to the second
portion of the first and second reservoirs and wherein the
secondary handles are offset from each other such that the height
of the first or second secondary handle located closer to the
second portion of the first and second reservoirs is less than the
height of the other first or second secondary handle.
12. The wheelbarrow compressor of claim 10 further comprising a
center of gravity, wherein the first secondary handle is located at
a horizontal distance that is closer to the center of gravity than
the second secondary handle, and wherein the first and second
secondary handles are offset from each other such that a vertical
height of the first secondary handle is greater than a vertical
height of the second secondary handle.
13. The wheelbarrow compressor of claim 1 further comprising skids
attached with at least a portion of a bottom surface of the first
and second reservoirs.
14. The wheelbarrow compressor of claim 1, wherein the handle
assembly further comprises a first sleeve each attached with the
first portion of at least one of the first and second reservoirs
and a handle configured to slidably engage the sleeve in a
telescoping manner.
15. The wheelbarrow compressor of claim 1 further comprising two
skids each attached with at least a portion of a bottom surface of
the first and second reservoirs.
16. The wheelbarrow compressor of claim 15, where the skid is made
of an elastomeric material.
17. A portable compressor comprising: a base; first and second
reservoirs spaced apart and located at the base; a handle assembly
attached with a first portion of the at least one of the first and
second reservoirs and a wheel assembly attached with a second
portion of the least one of the first and second reservoirs,
wherein the wheel assembly includes at least one wheel; and a
plurality of air compressor components including a pump assembly
and a motor assembly, wherein the plurality of the air compressor
components is at least partially disposed on a top portion of the
at least one of the first and second reservoirs; a flywheel
rotatably connected to said motor assembly, the flywheel extending
between the first and second reservoirs and below the top portion
of at least one of the first and second reservoirs; and wherein at
least one of the first and second reservoirs is angled with respect
to a central axis defined by the orientation of the at least one
wheel.
18. The portable compressor of claim 17, wherein the base includes
a recess that passes partially through the base, and wherein the
recess receives at least a portion of the flywheel.
19. The portable compressor of claim 17, wherein the handle
assembly further comprises a first sleeve attached the first
portion of at least one of the first and second reservoirs and a
handle configured to slidably engage the sleeve.
20. The portable compressor of claim 17, wherein the handle
assembly includes a movable handle.
21. The portable compressor of claim 17, wherein the handle
assembly includes a rotating handle.
22. A wheelbarrow compressor comprising an air storage tank
including first and second air reservoirs, a plurality of
compressor components operatively connected to the air reservoirs,
a handle assembly located at a first portion of the air reservoir,
a wheel assembly located at a second portion of the air reservoir,
and having a center of gravity whose height is no greater than an
uppermost surface of the first and second reservoirs.
23. The wheelbarrow compressor of claim 22, wherein at least some
of the compressor components are at least partially disposed
between the reservoirs.
24. The wheelbarrow compressor of claim 22, further comprising a
flywheel located between the first and second reservoirs and
operatively connected to the plurality of compressor
components.
25. The wheelbarrow compressor of claim 22 wherein the handle
assembly includes at least one movable handle.
26. A wheelbarrow compressor, comprising: a first reservoir and a
second reservoir; a pump and a motor operatively connected with the
reservoirs and disposed between the reservoirs; wherein bottom-most
portions of the pump and the motor are no higher than uppermost
quadrants of the first and the second reservoirs.
27. The wheelbarrow compressor of claim 26, wherein the bottom-most
portions of the pump and the motor are no higher than upper-mid
quadrants of the first and the second reservoirs.
28. The wheelbarrow compressor of claim 26, wherein the bottom-most
portions of the pump and the motor are no higher than lower-mid
quadrants of the first and the second reservoirs.
29. The wheelbarrow compressor of claim 26, wherein the bottom-most
portions of the pump and the motor are no higher than lower-most
quadrants of the first and the second reservoirs.
30. A wheelbarrow compressor comprising: a first reservoir and a
second reservoir; a handle assembly attached with a first portion
of at least one of the first and second reservoirs and a wheel
assembly attached with a second portion of at least one of the
first and second reservoirs; at least one first secondary handle
attached to one of a top portion and a side portion of at least one
of the first and second reservoirs; at least one second secondary
handle attached to one of a top portion and a side portion of at
least one of the first and second reservoirs; and wherein one of
the first and second secondary handles is located closer to the
second portion of the first and second reservoirs and wherein the
first and second secondary handles are offset from each other such
that the height of the first or second secondary handle located
closer to the second portion of the first and second reservoirs is
less than the height of the other first or second secondary handle,
and wherein the handle assembly is not either of the first and
second secondary handles.
31. The wheelbarrow compressor of claim 30, wherein the first and
second secondary handles are attached to the top portion of each of
the first and second reservoirs.
32. A wheelbarrow compressor comprising: a first reservoir and a
second reservoir; a handle assembly attached with a first portion
of at least one of the first and second reservoirs and a wheel
assembly attached with a second portion of at least one of the
first and second reservoirs; a first secondary handle attached to
one of a top portion and a side portion of the first reservoir and
to one of a top portion and a side portion of the second reservoir;
a second secondary handle attached to one of a top portion and a
side portion of the first reservoir and to one of a top portion and
a side portion of the second reservoir; and wherein one of the
first and second secondary handles is located at the second portion
of the first and second reservoirs and the other of the first and
second secondary handles is located at the first portion of the
first and second reservoirs, and wherein the first and second
secondary handles are offset from each other such that the height
of the first or second secondary handle located at the second
portion of the first and second reservoirs is less than the height
of the other first or second secondary handle located at the first
portion of the first and second reservoirs, and wherein the handle
assembly is not either of the first and second secondary
handles.
33. A wheelbarrow compressor comprising: a first reservoir and a
second reservoir; a handle assembly attached with a first portion
of at least one of the first and second reservoirs and a wheel
assembly attached with a second portion of at least one of the
first and second reservoirs; at least one first secondary handle
attached to one of a top portion and a side portion of at least one
of the first and second reservoirs; at least one second secondary
handle attached to one of a top portion and a side portion of at
least one of the first and second reservoirs; wherein one of the
first and second secondary handles is located at a horizontal
distance that is closer to a center of gravity than the other of
the first and second secondary handles, and wherein the first and
second secondary handles are offset from each other such that a
vertical height of the first or second secondary handle that is
closer to the center of gravity is greater than a vertical height
of the other of the first and second secondary handles, and wherein
the handle assembly is not either of the first and second secondary
handles.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] The present invention relates to compressor assemblies, and,
in particular, relates to portable compressor assemblies.
[0002] Several types of compressors exist in the prior art. Some
prior-art air compressors are portable and often include an air
storage tank that normally includes either one or two air
reservoirs for storing compressed air and, with respect to the
longitudinal axis of the tank, a wheel located at one end of the
air tank and a handle at the opposite end of the tank. The
compressors with two air reservoirs generally utilize one wheel
while the single reservoir compressors of this type generally
utilize two wheels. These single and double reservoir types of
compressors are often referred to as a wheelbarrow compressors The
compressor will also include components to compress the air. These
components generally include a motor assembly and a pump assembly.
Due to space constraints, these components typically are mounted on
top of the air tanks. One example of such a compressor is made by
Campbell Hausfeld, model number GP90135, which is shown in FIG.
12.
[0003] Mounting the components on top of the air tanks results in
several disadvantages. One disadvantage is the high center of
gravity that results from mounting the components on top of the air
tanks. The high center of gravity is particularly inconvenient for
a user manually transporting the compressor and may result in a
user losing control of the compressor. This is particularly the
case in the two-reservoir wheelbarrow-style compressors used at
worksites that are often transported in a wheelbarrow type manner
up and down narrow wooden ramps. Additionally, the high center of
gravity may cause the air compressor to be unstable and prone to
tipping or tilting when being used.
[0004] Moreover, such compressors may be difficult to package and
store for, by way of example, shipping, warehousing or retail
purposes. When packaged, the air compressors are often shipped,
stored or displayed by being stacked atop one another on shelves.
Prior-art compressors tend to have high profiles (i.e., are of a
taller height). Thus, when packaged, a large amount of storage
space may be necessary. Likewise, if the compressors are shipped in
large shipping containers, the height limits the number of units
that can be packed into a container. Moreover, a greater amount of
packaging materials may be necessary due to the high profile of the
compressor.
[0005] Additionally, the handles on such prior-art tanks also can
cause difficulties when storing the compressors. The handles on
such compressors often project outwardly and upwardly from the
compressor. Such a configuration again results in an increased
height and length and the need for a greater amount of storage
space and packaging material.
BRIEF SUMMARY
[0006] An ultra-low profile wheelbarrow compressor is disclosed
that includes a base and an air storage tank. The air storage tank
includes a pair of air reservoirs having bottom portions located at
opposite sides of the base. The base is located below an uppermost
surface of the first and the second reservoirs. A handle assembly
is attached with a first portion of at least one air reservoir and
a wheel assembly is attached with a second portion of at least one
air reservoir. A pump and a motor are operatively connected with
the reservoirs and are disposed on the base and between the air
reservoirs.
[0007] In an additional embodiment, a low-profile portable
compressor is disclosed that includes a base and first and second
reservoirs spaced apart and located at the base. A handle assembly
is attached with a first portion of at least one of the air
reservoirs and a wheel assembly is attached with a second portion
of at least one of the air reservoirs. The wheel assembly includes
at least one wheel. A plurality of air compressor components,
including a pump assembly and a motor assembly, is at least
partially disposed on a top portion of at least one of the air
reservoirs. A flywheel is rotatably connected to the motor
assembly. The flywheel extends between the first and second
reservoirs and below the top portion of at least one of the first
and second reservoirs. At least one of the first and second
reservoirs is angled with respect to the central axis defined by
the orientation of the wheel.
[0008] In an additional embodiment, a wheelbarrow compressor
includes a first reservoir and a second reservoir. A pump and a
motor are operatively connected with the reservoirs and disposed
between the reservoirs. The bottom-most portions of the pump and
the motor are no higher than uppermost quadrants of the first and
the second reservoirs.
[0009] Another aspect of the portable compressor includes movable
handles that may rotate, fold, slide, telescope, retract or be
removable and stored in a separate location on or near the
compressor.
[0010] Another aspect of the portable compressor includes first and
second secondary handles disposed on the first and second
reservoirs. One of the first and second secondary handles is
located closer to the second portion of the first and second
reservoirs. The secondary handles are offset from each other such
that the height of the secondary handle located closer to the
second portion of the first and second reservoirs is less than the
height of the other first and second secondary handle.
[0011] Before turning to the drawings and the detailed description,
it should be noted that although the detailed description describes
an air compressor, those skilled in the art will recognize that the
novel compressor disclosed herein may be used with other types of
compressed gas.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 is a side view of an embodiment of a compressor
assembly.
[0013] FIG. 2 is a top view of the compressor assembly of FIG.
1.
[0014] FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the compressor assembly of FIG.
1.
[0015] FIG. 3a is a bottom view of an alternate embodiment of a
compressor assembly.
[0016] FIG. 4 is a top view of an additional alternate embodiment
of a compressor assembly.
[0017] FIG. 5 is top view of the compressor assembly of FIG. 4.
[0018] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an additional alternate
embodiment of the compressor assembly having a movable handle
assembly.
[0019] FIG. 7 is a top view of an additional alternate embodiment
of the compressor assembly having a movable handle assembly.
[0020] FIG. 7a is a partial view of the embodiment of FIG. 7,
showing a handle inserted in a sleeve.
[0021] FIG. 7b is a partial view of a handle having a plurality of
nesting portions.
[0022] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a compressor assembly having
skids and lifting handles.
[0023] FIG. 9 is a front view of the embodiment of the compressor
of FIG. 1.
[0024] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of an air reservoir.
[0025] FIG. 11 is a view of a pump and motor.
[0026] FIG. 12 is a view of a prior-art air compressor.
[0027] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of a compressor having
secondary handles.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS AND THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED
EMBODIMENTS
[0028] Turning now to FIGS. 1-3, a novel air compressor 2 is
disclosed. The novel compressor has an air storage tank that
includes at least one air reservoir 4 for storing a pressurized
gas, with there preferably being two air reservoirs 4 included.
With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the air reservoirs each include a
top portion 23, two side portions, i.e., an outer side portion 24,
an inner side portion 21 and a bottom portion 8. The air reservoirs
4 are attached to a base 6 and are oriented such that a
longitudinal axis 7 of each reservoir is substantially parallel to
a horizontal plane 9 upon which the air compressor rests. The
reservoirs 4 preferably are located at opposite sides of the base
6.
[0029] The base may be a one-piece base, or, alternatively and as
shown in FIG. 3, the base may be more than one piece. As shown in
one preferred embodiment, the base may include a support 6a and a
bracket 6b mounted to the bottom portion 8 of each air reservoirs
4. In an alternate embodiment, and as shown in FIG. 3a, the base
need not include a support 6a, and instead may be comprised of a
plurality of tabs 78. In additional alternate embodiments, the base
may be comprised of brackets, weldments, tubes or the like. In such
embodiments, the air reservoirs 4 and other compressor components
are mounted or otherwise supported by the tabs, brackets,
weldments, or tubes. Alternatively, the compressor components may
be attached to the inner side portions 21 of the air reservoirs
4.
[0030] The base also includes a recess 10, which, in a preferred
embodiment, is a through-hole in the base. The recess 10
accommodates a flywheel 12 so that the compressor can be mounted in
an ultra-low profile manner on the base. That is, a portion of the
flywheel 12 may pass through the recess 10. The air reservoirs 4
are positioned on the base 6 such that there is a space 14 between
them. As explained further below, additional components of the air
compressor are supported in the space 14 and on the portion of the
base between the reservoirs.
[0031] A handle assembly 16 is attached to a first portion 18 of at
least one of the air reservoirs 4 and a wheel assembly 26 attached
to a second portion 20 of at least one of the air reservoirs 4. The
first and second portions 18, 20 are the portions to the left and
right of the reservoir 4 length midpoint indicated by the line M in
FIG. 1, respectively.
[0032] Although FIGS. 1-3 show the handle assembly and wheel
assembly directly mounted to the air reservoirs 4, in alternate
embodiments they need not be directly attached to an air reservoir.
Preferably, the handle assembly includes two handles 22, each of
which projects outwardly from the first portion 18 of the air
reservoir 4 and is attached to the outer side portion 24 of each
air reservoir 4. More preferably, and as shown in FIG. 1, the
handles 22 are substantially horizontal with respect to the
horizontal plane 9, with the exception of an end portion 28 of each
handle 22, which, for ergonomic purposes, may angle towards the
horizontal plane 9. Optionally, the end portion 28 of the each
handle includes a grip 30 for the ease of a user to grasp the
handles 22.
[0033] The wheel assembly 26 includes a wheel 28 that is mounted to
a pair of brackets 32, each of which connects the wheel 28 to the
air reservoir 4. As with the handle assembly, the wheel assembly
need not be directly mounted to the air reservoirs. As disclosed
above, the wheel assembly is attached to the second portion 20 of
the air reservoirs 4, opposite the first portion 18, such that a
user may grasp the handles and transport the air compressor, such
that the air compressor rolls on the wheel. The configuration of
such an air compressor is known as a "wheelbarrow" style air
compressor.
[0034] Compressor components 34 to compress gas to be stored within
the air reservoirs are operatively connected with the air reservoir
and generally are located in the space 14 between the air tanks and
supported by the base. The components may include a pump assembly
36 and a motor assembly 38. The motor assembly 38 may include an
electric motor or a gas engine 38a, and, furthermore, embodiments
that include a gas engine may also include a fuel tank 40,
depending on the design of the motor assembly. A flywheel 12 is
attached to the motor assembly. The pump assembly 36 includes a
pump 36a. The pump assembly 36 is fluidly connected to the air
reservoirs 4 and the motor assembly 38 is operatively connected to
the pump assembly 36. In addition, and as described above, the
flywheel 12 is positioned so as to be at least partially within the
recess.
[0035] The compressor components may be located anywhere in the
space along the base. In one preferred example, the motor may be
located in the space approximately four inches behind the wheel. In
another embodiment, the pump may be located in the space
immediately behind the wheel.
[0036] Having the compressor components 34 disposed on the base 6
between the air reservoirs 4 results in the air compressor having a
center of gravity lower than prior-art air compressors, and more
preferably, results in the novel air compressor having a center of
gravity lower than an uppermost surface 27 of the air reservoirs.
As shown in FIGS. 1, 9 and 10, the uppermost surface 27 of the air
reservoirs is part of the top portion 23 and is the highest part of
the reservoir from the ground when measured in its normal operating
position. For the air reservoirs 4, which are generally cylindrical
reservoirs having a generally circular cross section, the uppermost
surface 27 generally will be identified by the tangent, indicated
as T in FIGS. 9 and 10, to the cross section that is the farthest
distance from the ground during normal operating conditions.
[0037] Referring now to FIGS. 9-11, in alternate embodiments, the
benefits of the present invention may be realized based on the
position of bottom-most portions 37, 39 of the pump 36a and the
motor 38a with respect to the air reservoirs 4. The bottom-most
portions are the lowest portions of the pump and motor from the
ground when measured in their normal operating positions. With
reference to FIG. 10, which shows a cross-section of a circular air
reservoir 4, the reservoir may be divided into quadrants: an
uppermost quadrant 70, an upper-mid quadrant 72, a lower-mid
quadrant 74 and a lower-most quadrant 76. Preferably, the
bottom-most portions 37, 39 of the pump 36a and the motor 38a,
respectively, are no higher than the uppermost quadrant 70 of the
air reservoirs 4. Even more preferably, in order of ascending
preference: the bottom-most portions 37, 39 of the pump 36a and the
motor 38a are no higher than the upper-mid quadrant 72; the
bottom-most portions 37, 39 of the pump 36a and the motor 38a are
no higher than the lower-mid quadrant 74; and most preferably, the
bottom-most portions 37, 39 of the pump 36a and the motor 38a are
no higher than the lower-most quadrant 76. In alternate embodiments
that do not include air reservoirs with circular cross-section, the
reservoirs nonetheless may be similarly divided into quadrants.
[0038] Unlike the embodiments described herein, prior-art air
compressors such as the Campbell Hausfeld model number GP90135
compressor (FIG. 12) typically mount air compressor components on
an upper portion of an air reservoir, resulting in air compressors
that have a higher center of gravity. This results in a higher
center of gravity that contributes to the instability of the air
compressor and makes it more prone to tipping or tilting,
especially when being transported, resulting in an inconvenience to
a user transporting the compressor.
[0039] In contrast, having the pump and motor assemblies of the
present air compressor on the base 6 between the air reservoirs 4,
as opposed to an upper portion of the air reservoir, lowers
vertical height of the compressor and, in turn, the center of
gravity. Lowering the vertical height of the compressor adds
stability to the compressor and further discourages tipping or
tilting. Preferably, and as described above, the center of gravity
is below the uppermost surface of the air reservoirs. In an
alternate embodiment, and as also been described above, it also is
preferable to have the bottom-most portions of the pump and the
motor be no higher than the uppermost quadrant of the air
reservoirs. Such embodiments highly reduce the likelihood of having
the air compressor tip or tilt while being transported and make
transporting the compressor much easier.
[0040] Optionally, and to add further stability to the air
compressor, the wheel 28 of the compressor may be enlarged to a
size approximately equal to or greater than the air compressor
profile, as shown in FIG. 1. As compared to compressors with
smaller wheels, the enlarged wheel 28 reduces the amount of
pivoting about the central axis of the wheel needs to be pivoted in
order to lift the compressor with the handle assembly.
Advantageously, the smaller amount of pivoting results in less
force being exerted on a user's arms and makes the compressor
easier to transport with the wheel over a rough terrain.
[0041] Moreover, having the air compressor components disposed on
the base results in an air compressor having a height or profile,
measured with respect to the horizontal plane, lower than the
profile of prior art compressors. This provides benefits with
respect to the shipping and packaging of the air compressor. The
lower height profile requires less packaging material. Also, the
lower profile requires less storage space when being packaged. When
packaged, the air compressors are often stored or displayed by
being stacked atop one another on shelves. With the lower profile,
more units may be stacked on top of one another within the same
space. This is particularly advantageous when shipping the
compressors. Shipping often is done by using large containers that
are transported on boats, trains, or trucks. The low profile allows
for more compressors to be packed into a container, thereby
reducing the shipping costs.
[0042] FIGS. 4 and 5 show an alternate embodiment of an air
compressor, which is similar to the embodiments described in FIGS.
1-3 and with like components having like numerals. As with the
embodiments described with respect to FIGS. 1-3, the air compressor
includes at least one air reservoir 4, and, more preferably,
includes two air reservoirs 4. Moreover, the compressor components,
the base, handle assembly and wheel assembly generally are the same
as the embodiments described with respect to FIGS. 1-3 and use the
same reference numbers.
[0043] However, with respect to the air reservoir longitudinal axis
7, at least one air reservoir is oriented on the base so that it is
angled with respect to a central axis 44 that passes through the
wheel 26, with the central axis thus being defined as being
generally perpendicular to the rotational axis of the wheel.
Preferably, the reservoir 4 will be positioned at an angle .alpha.,
labeled in FIG. 4 as 42, in a range of about one and one-half
through five degrees, although in other embodiments the angle
.alpha. may have a lesser or greater value depending on design
specifications. Because the air reservoirs are angled, the width of
the compressor 2 near the wheel assembly 26 will be less then the
width of the remainder of the air compressor in the direction
toward the handle assembly 16, with the width increasing towards
handle assembly 16.
[0044] The pump assembly 36 and motor assembly 38 are at least
partially disposed on the top portion 23 of one of the air
reservoirs 4 and are positioned so that the profile P of these air
compressor components, when viewing FIG. 4, is substantially
parallel to the longitudinal axis 7 of the air reservoir. Having
the profile P substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of
the air reservoir leaves room for a flywheel 12 to be disposed in
the space 14 and attached to the base 6. The space 14 is large
enough to accommodate flywheels of a variety of sizes, so that a
flywheel of a larger size does not need to be disposed on the
reservoir. Thus, and advantageously, a larger flywheel will not
greatly increase the height of the compressor, so that the
disadvantages described above associated with compressors having
high profiles may be avoided. Although not required, the present
embodiment preferably contemplates incorporating a flywheel larger
than the flywheel disclosed in the embodiments illustrated in FIGS.
1-3. As shown in FIG. 5, the flywheel 12 may be covered by a
housing 46. Optionally, and as described above, the base may
include the recess 10 for partially receiving the flywheel.
[0045] As with the embodiments described above, the present
embodiment of the air compressor results in a compressor having a
lower-center of gravity than prior-art compressors. This is because
prior-art air compressors typically mount the flywheel on an upper
portion of the reservoir, thus raising the center of gravity.
Moreover, angling at least one air reservoir results in the air
compressor having a lower profile than prior-art compressors due to
the flywheel being lower, thus providing the additional packaging
benefits described above.
[0046] The embodiments described above may incorporate additional
features without departing from the scope of the invention. One
such feature includes movable handles 22 that may ergonomically
accommodate a user transporting the compressor with the handle
assembly and wheel assembly. Additionally, the movable handles 22
may be storable so that they facilitate the convenient storage of
the handles. The movable handles may rotate, fold, slide,
telescope, or retract in order to facilitate ergonomic adjustments
or storability. Additionally, the movable handles may be removable.
Handles that are removable may be stored in a separate location on
or near the compressor.
[0047] Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, each handle 22 of the handle
assembly may be attached to the air reservoir with a joint 48 so
that the handle may be rotated. The joint 48 may be of the type to
allow movement about a horizontal axis H and/or a vertical axis V,
or alternatively, may include be a U-joint that allows an unlimited
degree of freedom of movement. The joint preferably is attached to
the outer side portion 24 or the top portion 23 of the air
reservoir. Alternatively, the joint 48 and handle 22 may be mounted
to the inner side portion 21 of the reservoir. Such an alternate
embodiment may be particularly desirable for the embodiments of
FIGS. 4 and 5, although the joint and handle may be mounted in such
a way for any of the embodiments described herein. In yet alternate
embodiments, the joint and handle may be attached to the bottom
portion 8. The handle 22 may be rotated as shown by the dashed line
R so that it stores in a position parallel and adjacent to the
reservoir 4 (shown in phantom in FIG. 6 as 22a).
[0048] In yet alternate embodiments, each handle may be modified to
be slidably movable. Referring to FIG. 7, a sleeve 50 is mounted to
the first portion 18 of the air reservoir, and may be mounted on
either of the outer side portion 24, the top portion 23, the bottom
portion 8 or the inner side portion 21 of the air reservoir. The
handle 22 is slidably engaged with the sleeve 50. The handle 22,
upon the release of a lock 52, may move freely within the sleeve
50, thus facilitating a telescoping action of the handle. In one
preferred embodiment, the lock 52 includes a hole 54 in the handle
and a hole 56 in the sleeve 50. When the holes are aligned, a pin
58 may be inserted into the holes to prevent the handle from moving
within the sleeve. Advantageously, multiple holes may be provided
along the handle so that the handle can be locked into multiple
positions with respect to the sleeve.
[0049] As shown in FIG. 7, the handle 22b may be removed from a
first end 66 of the sleeve 50 and inserted into a second end 68 of
the sleeve so that the handle 22b does not project outwardly from
the air reservoir. Additionally, and as shown in FIG. 7a, the
handles 22b may be fully inserted into the sleeves 50.
Advantageously, both of these positions reduce the amount of space
required to store the compressor and the amount of packaging
required for prepurchase shipping and storage. Alternatively, stops
on the handle may prevent the handle from separating from the
sleeve. Additionally, the sleeves 50 may be incorporated into the
joint 48 so that the handles may be both rotated and
telescoped.
[0050] In another alternate embodiment shown in FIG. 7b, each
handle 22c may include a plurality of nesting portions 80 that
allow telescopic movement by collapsing or nesting within each
other, as compared to FIG. 7a, where the handle 22b is able to
slide in and out of the sleeve 50. The nesting portions 80 may be
partially nested so that less than all of the nesting portions are
collapsed or entirely nested. Detents or other commonly known
release mechanisms may be incorporated to selectively retain the
nesting portions 80 in a nested or partially-nested position.
Moreover, such nested handles may be removable so that they do not
project outwardly from the air reservoir as described above.
[0051] The movable handles provide several benefits. The handles
may be rotated or telescoped so that they do not project outwardly
from the first portion of the compressor, resulting in a compact
air compressor, which provides further benefits with respect to
shipping, storage and packaging as described above. Moreover, the
handles may be readily adjusted to multiple positions so as to be
more comfortable for a user. In fact, as those skilled in the art
will recognize, the handles may be modified to both telescope and
rotate as described above.
[0052] Referring to FIG. 8, each reservoir 4 may include a skid 60
attached to the bottom portion 8 of the reservoir 4. The skids 60
facilitate the sliding of the air compressor that under certain
circumstances may be useful. For example, the skids may be used
when loading the compressor into the back of a vehicle, or other
situations where it may not be desirable to use the wheel assembly
to transport the compressor. Specifically, when the compressor is
lifted off the ground to be loaded into the back of the vehicle
(e.g., the bed of a pick-up truck), the skids may be used to slide
the compressor once they have made point contact with the edge of
the back of the vehicle.
[0053] The skids preferably are of a material conducive to sliding,
such as an elastomeric material. While the skids preferably extend
across nearly the entire bottom portion 8, in alternate
embodiments, the skids may extend across less than nearly the
entire length of the bottom portion. Moreover, in yet alternate
embodiments, a skid may be made up of several pieces of material,
which may be either continuous or not continuous, attached across
the bottom portion 8 of the air reservoir.
[0054] Optionally, the air compressor may include secondary handles
62, disposed on the air reservoirs 4. The secondary handles 62 are
helpful for lifting the compressor. Preferably, the secondary
handles are rollbar-style handles as shown in FIG. 8, and may
additionally serve to protect compressor components in the event
the compressor tips over. However, in alternate embodiments, the
secondary handles 62 may have other shapes as well, and may not
provide both benefits depending on their shape. Preferably, each
secondary handle is partially disposed on the top portion 23 of
each air reservoir, although in other embodiments the secondary
handles may be otherwise disposed. For example, at least one
secondary handle may be disposed on each reservoir. Moreover, the
secondary handles may be disposed on the outer side portion 24 of
the air reservoir. Optionally, grips 64 may be disposed on the
handles to further facilitate the lifting of the compressor.
[0055] Preferably, the secondary handles will be offset from each
other such that the handle 62a disposed on the second portion 20 is
shorter than the handle 62b disposed on the first portion 18. In a
preferred embodiment, the offset will be about 3.875 inches,
although in other embodiments the offset may be more than or less
than this number. However, handles that differ in height as a
result of manufacturing tolerances, i.e., handles that are not
meant to be offset, are not secondary handles. Manufacturing
tolerances for such handles are most often less than 3/4 inch and
usually are closer to 1/4 inch.
[0056] As a result, if each secondary handle is used to lift the
air compressor, the second portion 20 is raised higher than the
first portion 18, which usually will aid in the loading of the air
compressor into the back of a truck or other vehicle. When the
offset handles and skids are both used, loading the compressor
(e.g., loading the compressor into the back of a pick-up truck) is
particularly facilitated. Specifically, when lifted, the second
portion 20 will be higher than the first portion 18. The operator
may then easily rest the skids 60, which are on the bottom surface
25 of the second portion 20, on the truck bed and easily slide the
compressor into the truck.
[0057] In another preferred embodiment, and referring to FIG. 13,
the secondary handles 62a, 62b are arranged relative to the
compressor's center of gravity, depicted as CG. The secondary
handles 62a, 62b may be disposed on the air reservoirs as described
in the above embodiments. The first secondary handle 62a is located
at horizontal distance Y1 from the center of gravity CG and second
secondary handle 62b is located at a distance Y2 from the center of
gravity CG. If the first distance Y1 is less than the second
distance Y2, then a vertical height Z1 of the first secondary
handle 62a should be greater than a vertical height Z2 of the
second secondary handle 62b so that the secondary handles 62a, 62b
are offset as described above. Arranging the secondary handles in
such a fashion will provide the benefits associated with lifting
the compressor described above.
[0058] The compressor shown in FIG. 8 is particularly advantageous
when it is used in a compressor having reservoirs with a capacity
less than two and one-half gallons each, which capacity allows the
compressor to be easily transported and lifted by a single user. In
other embodiments, however, the air reservoirs may have a greater
capacity. For example, in an alternate preferred embodiment the air
reservoirs may have a capacity in a range of four to four and
one-half gallons each, although the air reservoirs are not required
to be limited to such a capacity.
[0059] The air compressor may include alternate embodiments without
departing from the scope of the present invention. For example,
rather than a single wheel assembly, a wheel assembly may be
attached to the first portion of each air reservoir. Moreover, the
handle assembly may have other shapes, including a unitary,
u-shaped handle, without departing from the scope of the invention.
Also, referring to FIG. 8, the handles 22 may rotate and/or
telescope and/or lock, and may use the skids 60 as sleeves, in the
manner described above with respect to FIG. 7. Furthermore, the
compressor components may be enclosed within a housing or shroud
and the shroud may be located in the space between the air
reservoirs.
[0060] It is therefore intended that the foregoing detailed
description be regarded as illustrative rather than limiting, and
that it be understood that it is the following claims, including
all equivalents, that are intended to define the spirit and scope
of this invention.
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