U.S. patent application number 13/597388 was filed with the patent office on 2012-12-20 for portable air compressor.
Invention is credited to Kenneth M. Brazell, Douglas K. Ritterling, Richard L. Strack.
Application Number | 20120321488 13/597388 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47353820 |
Filed Date | 2012-12-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120321488 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ritterling; Douglas K. ; et
al. |
December 20, 2012 |
PORTABLE AIR COMPRESSOR
Abstract
A wheelbarrow compressor has a resting position and a transport
position. First and second reservoirs contain a compressed fluid,
and the second reservoir is fluidly separate from the first
reservoir. The second reservoir is positioned above the first
reservoir in a generally vertical direction when the wheelbarrow
compressor is in the resting position. A handle assembly is
attached at a rear end of the wheelbarrow compressor, and a wheel
assembly attached at a front end of the wheelbarrow compressor
generally opposite the rear end. A pump is fluidly connected to the
first and second reservoirs for providing the compressed fluid
thereto, and a motor is operatively connected to the pump to drive
the pump. The pump and motor are positioned adjacent the first and
second reservoirs in a generally horizontal direction when the
wheelbarrow compressor is in the resting position.
Inventors: |
Ritterling; Douglas K.;
(Chesterfield, MO) ; Brazell; Kenneth M.;
(Piedmont, SC) ; Strack; Richard L.; (Anderson,
SC) |
Family ID: |
47353820 |
Appl. No.: |
13/597388 |
Filed: |
August 29, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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12606801 |
Oct 27, 2009 |
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13597388 |
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11731999 |
Apr 2, 2007 |
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12606801 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
417/234 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F04B 35/002 20130101;
F04B 35/06 20130101; F04B 41/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
417/234 |
International
Class: |
F04B 41/02 20060101
F04B041/02 |
Claims
1. A wheelbarrow compressor having a resting position and a
transport position, the wheelbarrow compressor comprising: a first
reservoir for containing a compressed fluid; a second reservoir
fluidly separate from the first reservoir for containing a
compressed fluid, wherein the second reservoir is positioned above
the first reservoir in a generally vertical direction when the
wheelbarrow compressor is in the resting position; a handle
assembly attached at a rear end of the wheelbarrow compressor; a
wheel assembly attached at a front end of the wheelbarrow
compressor generally opposite the rear end; a pump fluidly
connected to the first and second reservoirs for providing the
compressed fluid thereto; and a motor operatively connected to the
pump to drive the pump; wherein the pump and motor are positioned
adjacent the first and second reservoirs in a generally horizontal
direction when the wheelbarrow compressor is in the resting
position.
2. The wheelbarrow compressor of claim 1, wherein the second
reservoir is completely above the first reservoir when the
wheelbarrow assembly is in the resting position.
3. The wheelbarrow compressor of claim 1, further comprising: a
flywheel coupled to one of the motor and the pump; a base including
a first portion for supporting the motor and the pump, the first
portion having a first height in the normal resting position, and a
second portion having a second height lower than the first height
and forming a recess, wherein the flywheel is accommodated in the
recess.
4. The wheelbarrow compressor of claim 3, wherein the first portion
defines a plane, and wherein the plane intersects the flywheel.
5. The wheelbarrow compressor of claim 1, further comprising a
flywheel coupled to one of the motor and the pump, wherein the
motor and the pump are positioned between the flywheel and the
first and second reservoirs in the horizontal direction when the
wheelbarrow compressor is in the resting position.
6. The wheelbarrow compressor of claim 1, wherein the wheelbarrow
compressor has a height and a width, and wherein the height is less
than or equal to the width.
7. The wheelbarrow compressor of claim 1, wherein the wheelbarrow
compressor has a width less than 20 inches.
8. The wheelbarrow compressor of claim 7, wherein the wheelbarrow
compressor has a height that is less than or equal to the
width.
9. The wheelbarrow compressor of claim 1, wherein the second
reservoir is fully supported by the first reservoir.
10. The wheelbarrow compressor of claim 1, further comprising a
base for supporting the first reservoir, the pump and the
motor.
11. A wheelbarrow compressor having a resting position and a
transport position, the wheelbarrow compressor comprising: a first
reservoir for containing a compressed fluid; a second reservoir
fluidly separate from the first reservoir for containing a
compressed fluid; a handle assembly attached at a rear end of the
wheelbarrow compressor; a wheel assembly attached at a front end of
the wheelbarrow compressor generally opposite the rear end; a pump
fluidly connected to the first and second reservoirs for providing
the compressed fluid thereto; a motor operatively connected to the
pump to drive the pump; and a flywheel coupled to one of the motor
and the pump; wherein the one of the motor and the pump are
positioned between the flywheel and the first and second reservoirs
such that the flywheel is on a first side of the one of the motor
and the pump, and the first and second reservoirs are on a second
side of the one of the motor and the pump, wherein the second side
is generally opposite the first side.
12. The wheelbarrow compressor of claim 11, wherein the one of the
motor and the pump is adjacent the first and second reservoirs in a
generally horizontal direction when the wheelbarrow compressor is
in the resting position.
13. The wheelbarrow compressor of claim 11, wherein the second
reservoir is positioned above the first reservoir in a generally
vertical direction when the wheelbarrow compressor is in the
resting position.
14. The wheelbarrow compressor of claim 13, wherein the second
reservoir is completely above the first reservoir when the
wheelbarrow assembly is in the resting position.
15. The wheelbarrow compressor of claim 11, further comprising: a
base including a first portion for supporting the motor and the
pump, the first portion having a first height in the normal resting
position, and a second portion having a second height lower than
the first height and forming a recess, wherein the flywheel is
accommodated in the recess.
16. The wheelbarrow compressor of claim 15, wherein the first
portion defines a plane, and wherein the plane intersects the
flywheel.
17. The wheelbarrow compressor of claim 11, wherein the motor and
the pump are positioned between the flywheel and the first and
second reservoirs in the horizontal direction when the wheelbarrow
compressor is in the resting position.
18. The wheelbarrow compressor of claim 11, wherein the wheelbarrow
compressor has a height and a width, and wherein the height is less
than or equal to the width.
19. The wheelbarrow compressor of claim 11, wherein the wheelbarrow
compressor has a width less than 20 inches.
20. The wheelbarrow compressor of claim 19, wherein the wheelbarrow
compressor has a height that is less than or equal to the
width.
21. The wheelbarrow compressor of claim 11, wherein the second
reservoir is fully supported by the first reservoir.
22. The wheelbarrow compressor of claim 11, further comprising a
base for supporting the first reservoir, the pump and the motor.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 12/606,801, filed Oct. 27, 2009, which is a
divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/731,999 filed
Apr. 2, 2007, now abandoned. These applications are incorporated
herein by reference in their entirety.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The present invention relates to compressor assemblies, and,
in particular, relates to portable compressor assemblies.
[0003] Several types of compressors currently exist, some of which
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 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.
[0004] 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.
[0005] 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.
Existing 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 compressor 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.
[0006] Additionally, the handles on such 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.
SUMMARY
[0007] The invention provides a wheelbarrow compressor having a
resting position and a transport position, the wheelbarrow
compressor including first and second air reservoirs, a handle
assembly, a wheel assembly, a pump and a motor. The first reservoir
is for containing a compressed fluid, and the second reservoir is
fluidly separate from the first reservoir and is for containing a
compressed fluid. The second reservoir is positioned above the
first reservoir in a generally vertical direction when the
wheelbarrow compressor is in the resting position. The handle
assembly attached at a rear end of the wheelbarrow compressor, and
the wheel assembly attached at a front end of the wheelbarrow
compressor generally opposite the rear end. The pump is fluidly
connected to the first and second reservoirs for providing the
compressed fluid thereto, and the motor is operatively connected to
the pump to drive the pump. The pump and motor are positioned
adjacent the first and second reservoirs in a generally horizontal
direction when the wheelbarrow compressor is in the resting
position.
[0008] In another aspect, the invention provides a wheelbarrow
compressor having a resting position and a transport position, the
wheelbarrow compressor including first and second reservoirs, a
handle assembly, a wheel assembly, a pump, a motor and a flywheel.
The first reservoir is for containing a compressed fluid, and the
second reservoir is fluidly separate from the first reservoir and
is for containing a compressed fluid. The handle assembly is
attached at a rear end of the wheelbarrow compressor, and the wheel
assembly is attached at a front end of the wheelbarrow compressor
generally opposite the rear end. The pump is fluidly connected to
the first and second reservoirs for providing the compressed fluid
thereto. The motor is operatively connected to the pump to drive
the pump. The flywheel is coupled to one of the motor and the pump.
The one of the motor and the pump are positioned between the
flywheel and the first and second reservoirs such that the flywheel
is on a first side of the one of the motor and the pump, and the
first and second reservoirs are on a second side of the one of the
motor and the pump, wherein the second side is generally opposite
the first side.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a compressor assembly.
[0010] FIG. 2 is a left side view of the compressor assembly of
FIG. 1.
[0011] FIG. 3 is a right side view of the compressor assembly of
FIG. 1.
[0012] FIG. 4 is a top view of the compressor assembly of FIG.
1.
[0013] FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the compressor assembly of FIG.
1.
[0014] FIG. 6 is a front view of the compressor assembly of FIG.
1.
[0015] FIG. 7 is a rear view of the compressor assembly of FIG.
1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0016] FIGS. 1-7 illustrate an air compressor assembly 10,
particularly, a wheelbarrow-style air compressor assembly. The air
compressor assembly 10 rests upon a support surface 12 in a resting
position, which will be described in greater detail below. The air
compressor assembly 10 has an air storage tank that includes at
least one air reservoir for storing a pressurized gas, with there
preferably being two air reservoirs 14a, 14b included, as shown. A
handle assembly 18 is attached to a rear portion 22 of the air
compressor assembly 10 and a wheel assembly 26 is attached to a
front portion 30 of the air compressor assembly 10. In the
illustrated construction, one of the handles 34 in the handle
assembly 18 is attached to a base 28 and the other of the handles
34 is attached to the air reservoir 14a. The wheel assembly 26 is
attached directly to the base 28. However, in other constructions,
the handle assembly 18 and wheel assembly 26 may be attached to any
component of the air compressor assembly 10. The air compressor
assembly 10 also includes compressor components 32 supported by the
base 28 adjacent the air reservoirs 14a, 14b, as will be described
in greater detail below.
[0017] Preferably, and as illustrated, the handle assembly 18
includes two handles 34, each of which projects rearward from the
assembly 10. Optionally, the end portion of each handle 34 includes
a grip 38 for the ease of a user to grasp the handles 34. The
handles 34 are removable for reducing the packaging volume of the
air compressor assembly 10. In other constructions, the handles 34
may be moveable, rotatable, foldable, slideable, retractable,
telescoping, or otherwise adjustable for reducing the packaging
volume of the air compressor assembly 10. The handles may be
removed, rotated or telescoped so that they do not project
outwardly from the rear portion of the air compressor assembly 10,
resulting in a compact air compressor assembly 10, which provides
further benefits with respect to shipping, storage and packaging as
described above. In some constructions, the handles 34 may be
readily adjusted to multiple positions so as to be more comfortable
for a user.
[0018] The wheel assembly 26 includes a wheel 42 that is mounted to
a wheel support frame 46 at an axle 50. The wheel support frame 46
is mounted to a support plate 74 of the base 28. The wheel 42 has a
diameter of about 14 inches. As compared to compressors with
smaller wheels, a larger wheel reduces the amount of pivoting about
the central axis of the wheel needs to be pivoted in order to lift
the compressor assembly 10 with the handle assembly 18.
Advantageously, the smaller amount of pivoting results in less
force being exerted on a user's arms and makes the compressor
assembly 10 easier to transport with the wheel 42 over a rough
terrain. In the illustrated construction, the vertical height C of
the axle 50 is about 6.9 inches (see FIG. 2).
[0019] The wheel assembly 26 is attached to the front 30 of the air
compressor assembly 10, generally opposite the handle assembly 18
at the rear 22, such that a user may grasp the handles 34 and
transport the air compressor in a transport position. In the
transport position, the base 28, and specifically support feet 82,
do not contact the support surface 12 and the air compressor 10
rolls on the wheel 42. The configuration of such an air compressor
assembly 10 is known as a "wheelbarrow" style air compressor. Like
the handles 34, the wheel assembly 26 is removable for reducing the
packaging volume of the air compressor assembly 10. The wheel 42
rotates in a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation, the plane
also defining a longitudinal direction, or longitudinal axis A
(FIG. 4), in which the air compressor assembly 10 moves when
transported on the wheel 42.
[0020] With reference to FIGS. 3, 6 and 7, the air reservoirs 14a,
14b each include a top portion 58a, 58b and a bottom portion 62a,
62b. The bottom portion 62a of the first air reservoir 14a is
supported fully by the base 28, and the bottom portion 62b of the
second air reservoir 14b is supported by the top portion 58a of the
first air reservoir 14a via a support member 66 or, in other
constructions, by direct contact. The second air reservoir 14b is
fully supported by the first air reservoir 14a. In other
constructions, the second air reservoir 14b is located above the
first air reservoir 14a and is at least partially supported by the
first air reservoir 14a. In yet other constructions, the second air
reservoir 14b is located above the first air reservoir 14a and is
supported independently from the first air reservoir 14a, such as
by a frame member.
[0021] Each air reservoir 14a, 14b is oriented such that a
longitudinal axis 70a, 70b of each reservoir is substantially
parallel to the support surface 12 upon which the air compressor
assembly 10 rests. Preferably, and as illustrated, the axes 70a and
70b are parallel to one another.
[0022] The base 28 may be a one-piece base, or, as shown in the
illustrated construction, the base 28 may be more than one piece.
As shown in the illustrated construction, the base 28 includes
support bars 74, a support plate 78, support feet 82 and support
brackets 86. The support bars 74 are elongate in a direction
substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axes 70a, 70b of
the air reservoirs 14a, 14b. The support plate 78 is coupled to and
supported by the support bars 74, as is best shown in FIGS. 6 and
7. The support brackets 86 are mounted to the bottom portion 62a of
the first air reservoir 14a and coupled to the respective support
bars 74 by a fastener, such as a screw, a bolt (as can be seen in
FIG. 3), or the like. The support feet 82 contact the support
surface 12 upon which the air compressor assembly 10 rests when the
compressor assembly 10 is in a resting position, or normal
operating position, as shown. In a transport position, the support
feet 82 do not engage the support surface 12, as is well understood
by those having ordinary skill in the art. In alternate
constructions, the base 28 may be comprised of other configurations
of brackets, weldments, tubes, plates or the like. In such
constructions, the air reservoirs 14a, 14b and other compressor
components 32 are mounted or otherwise supported by the tabs,
brackets, weldments, tubes or plates. Alternatively, the compressor
components 32 may be attached to inner side portions of the air
reservoirs 14a, 14b and one of either the compressor components 32
or the air reservoirs 14a, 14b may be supported by the base 28.
[0023] The base 28, and specifically the support plate 78, includes
a first portion 90 for supporting the compressor components 62 and
wheel assembly 26 and a second portion 94 that is lower than the
first portion 90, or closer to the support feet 82 or support
surface 12, providing a recess for accommodating a flywheel 98. The
wheel support frame 46 is mounted to the bottom of the first
portion 90 of the support plate 74. The first portion 90 is
positioned at a height B of about 4.1 inches vertically with
respect to the support surface 12, or with respect to the bottom of
the support feet 82. The support plate 78 is contoured to
accommodate the flywheel 98 such that a portion of the flywheel 98
is located below the first portion 90 of the support plate 78,
i.e., such that a plane defined by the first portion 90 of the
support plate 78 intersects the flywheel 98. A flywheel cage 102 is
supported by the second portion 94 of the support plate 78 and
surrounds the flywheel 98 on three sides with a frame 106 and mesh
110. The air reservoirs 14a, 14b are positioned on the base 28
generally opposite the flywheel 98 with respect to the longitudinal
axis A such that there is a space between the air reservoirs 14a,
14b and the flywheel 98. As explained further below, additional
components of the air compressor assembly 10 are supported in the
space and on the first portion 90 of the support plate 78 between
the flywheel 98 and the reservoirs 14a, 14b.
[0024] Compressor components 32 for compressing gas to be stored
within the air reservoirs 14a, 14b are operatively connected with
the air reservoirs 14a, 14b and generally are located in the space
between the flywheel 98 and the air reservoirs 14a, 14b. The
compressor components 32 are supported by the base 28, specifically
the support plate 78. The components 32 include a pump assembly 114
and a motor assembly 118. The motor assembly 118 may include an
electric motor or a gas engine. In the illustrated construction,
the motor assembly 118 includes a gas engine 120 having a fuel tank
122. The flywheel 98 is coupled with the pump assembly 114;
however, in other constructions, the flywheel 98 may be coupled
with the motor assembly 118. A drive assembly 126 includes a belt
130 coupled between the pump assembly 118, specifically the
flywheel 98, and a drive wheel 134 of the motor assembly 118. Thus,
the motor assembly 118 is operatively connected to the pump
assembly 114 to drive the pump assembly 114. The drive assembly 126
is positioned opposite the air reservoirs 14a, 14b such that the
compressor components 32 are positioned between the air reservoirs
14a, 14b and the drive assembly 126 in a direction perpendicular to
the longitudinal axis A of the air compressor assembly 10. This
arrangement assists with balance of the air compressor assembly 10.
Furthermore, the motor assembly 118 is positioned in front of the
pump assembly 114 in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis
A, i.e., the motor assembly 118 is positioned between the wheel 42
and the pump assembly 114. The pump assembly 114 includes a pump
138 and is fluidly connected to the air reservoirs 14a, 14b to
deliver pressurized air thereto.
[0025] The compressor components 32 may be located anywhere in the
space along the base 28 between the air reservoirs 14a, 14b and the
drive assembly 126. The compressor components 32 are disposed on
the first portion 90 of the support plate 78, and the air
reservoirs 14a, 14b are stacked and disposed on the first portion
90 of the support plate 78 adjacent the compressor components.
Furthermore, the flywheel 98 is positioned at least partially below
the first portion 90 of the base 28. This results in the air
compressor assembly 10 having a center of gravity lower than
prior-art air compressors, and more preferably, results in the air
compressor assembly 10 having a center of gravity closer to the
axle 50 of the wheel 42. In the illustrated construction, the
center of gravity is approximately 8.5 inches (21.6 cm) in height
relative to the support surface 12, or similarly, relative to a
bottom of the wheel 42 and support feet 82 configured to engage the
support surface 12.
[0026] Having the compressor components 32 and air reservoirs 14a,
14b positioned side by side with the air reservoirs 14a, 14b
stacked lowers the vertical height of the compressor assembly 10
and, in turn, the center of gravity. Lowering the vertical height
of the compressor assembly 10 adds stability to the compressor
assembly 10 and further discourages tipping or tilting. Such
embodiments highly reduce the likelihood of having the air
compressor assembly 10 tip or tilt while being transported and make
transporting the compressor assembly 10 much easier. Furthermore,
the overall width W of the air compressor assembly 10 in the normal
resting position is 20 inches or less, and the overall height H of
the air compressor assembly 10 is no greater than the overall width
W (see FIG. 6). In the illustrated construction, the overall width
W is about 19.3 inches and the overall height H is about 18.3
inches. In other words, the height-to-width ratio of the air
compressor assembly 10 is 1:1 or less. The overall width W extends
in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A of the air
compressor assembly 10 and parallel to the support surface 12, in
the resting position, between an outermost side of the air
reservoirs 14a, 14b and an outermost side of the flywheel cage 102.
The overall height H extends normal to the support surface 12 and
perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A, in a resting position,
between the bottom of the support feet 82 and wheel 42, which are
configured to contact the support surface 12, and an opposite upper
surface of the air compressor assembly 10. A typical truck bed rail
tool box is approximately 20 inches wide; therefore, the present
invention fits in a typical truck bed rail tool box.
[0027] Moreover, having the air compressor components 32 disposed
adjacent the stacked air reservoirs 14a, 14b results in an air
compressor assembly 10 having a height H lower than the height 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 height
requires less storage space when being packaged. When packaged, the
air compressor assemblies 10 are often stored or displayed by being
stacked atop one another on shelves. With the lower height, more
units may be stacked on top of one another within the same space.
This is particularly advantageous when shipping the compressor
assemblies 10. Shipping often is done by using large containers
that are transported on boats, trains, or trucks. The low height
allows for more compressor assemblies 10 to be packed into a
container, thereby reducing the shipping costs.
[0028] Thus, the invention provides, among other things, a
low-profile wheelbarrow compressor having compressor components
positioned adjacent the air reservoirs Various features and
advantages of the invention are set forth in the following
claims.
* * * * *