Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02580531 2007-03-16
WO 2006/039450 PCT/US2005/035109
AIR COMPRESSOR ASSEMBLY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally relates to the field of air compressors, and
more particularly to an air compressor assembly having a roll cage assembly
which defines a protective volume within the air compressor assembly, wherein
control and output components of the air compressor assembly are completely
contained within the protective volume. Additionally, the air compressor
to assembly includes a handle that is vertically aligned with the center of
gravity of
the air compressor assembly.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Air compressor assemblies typically include an air compressor, having a
motor driven pump, coupled with an air storage tank. This configuration allows
for the operation of an air powered tool from the reservoir of compressed air
stored in the air storage tank. When the supply of pressurized air in the air
storage
tank becomes depleted by the operation of the air powered tool, the air
compressor
may be operated for repressurizing the air storage tank. In this manner, air
compressor assemblies are used to provide compressed air for operating air
powered tools such as nailing tools, socket driving tools, material shaping
tools,
sanding tools, spray painting tools, inflation chucks, and the like.
Portable air compressor assemblies which are designed to be hand carried
typically include a support structure, such as a cage frame, or the like.
Often,
these cage frame structures are complex to manufacture, increasing the cost of
the
portable air compressor assembly. Further, such structures may be bulky and
thus
difficult to lift and carry. Moreover, for ease of access, control and output
components, such as pressure gauges, pressure regulators, and air hose
connections, as well as portions of the air storage tank and the air
compressor, are
made to protrude from the cage frames. However, portable air compressor
assemblies are typically used primarily in austere, harsh worksites such as
1
CA 02580531 2007-03-16
WO 2006/039450 PCT/US2005/035109
construction sites, garages, and the like. Additionally, portable air
compressor
assemblies are often moved frequently from one worksite to another. Often, the
air compressor assemblies are tipped and rolled during transport causing the
control and output components, as well as unprotected portions of the air
compressor and the air storage tank to come into contact with a hard surface
such
as the bed of a pickup truck, the floor of a truck or van, or the like.
Consequently,
these protruding control and output components can become damaged, making the
air compressor unusable.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, the present invention is directed to an air compressor
assembly including a roll cage assembly which defines a protective volume
within
the air compressor assembly. The roll cage assembly includes a first roll cage
member and a second roll cage member which support an air storage tank and an
air compressor so that the air storage tank and the air compressor are
substantially
surrounded by the roll cage assembly. A shroud is mounted to the roll cage
assembly for at least partially covering the air compressor. The shroud
includes a
control panel portion supporting control and output components for the air
compressor assembly that are completely contained within the protected volume
defined by the roll cage assembly.
The air compressor assembly may further include a handle which extends
between the first roll cage member and the second roll cage member for
carrying
the air compressor assembly. The handle is positioned along a vertical axis
extending through the center of gravity of the air compressor assembly when
the
air compressor assembly is oriented to be carried by grasping the handle.
It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the
following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not
necessarily restrictive of the invention claimed. The accompanying drawings,
which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification,
illustrate
2
CA 02580531 2007-03-16
WO 2006/039450 PCT/US2005/035109
embodiments of the invention and together with the general description, serve
to
explain the principles of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The numerous advantages of the present invention may be better
understood by those skilled in the art by reference to the accompanying
figures in
which:
FIG. 1 is an isometric view illustrating an air compressor assembly in
accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional side elevation view of the air compressor
assembly illustrated in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is an isometric view illustrating an air compressor assembly in
accordance with another exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 4 is another isometric view of the air compressor assembly illustrated
in FIG. 3; and
FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional side elevation view of the air compressor
assembly illustrated in FIG. 3.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferred
embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the
accompanying drawings.
Referring now to FIGS. 1 through 5, an air compressor assembly 100 is
described in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present invention.
The air compressor assembly 100 includes an air storage tank 102 for storing
compressed air supplied by an air compressor 104. A roll cage assembly 106
supports the air storage tank 102 and the air compressor 104. The roll cage
assembly 106 includes a first roll cage member 108 and a second roll cage
member 110. In exemplary embodiments, the first roll cage member 108 and the
second roll cage member 110 are positioned on opposite sides of the air
compressor assembly 100, such that the roll cage assembly 106 at least
3
CA 02580531 2007-03-16
WO 2006/039450 PCT/US2005/035109
substantially surrounds the air storage tank 102 and the air compressor 104.
Preferably, the roll cage assembly 106 includes mounting points for attaching
the
air storage tank 102 and the air compressor 104 to the air compressor assembly
100. For example, a support pan 144, or another such support structure, is
provided for supporting the air compressor 104 within the roll cage assembly
106.
In one specific embodiment, the support pan 144 extends between the first roll
cage member 108 and the second roll cage member 110 for supporting the air
compressor 104.
In embodiments, the first roll cage member 108 and the second roll cage
member 110 are rectangular in shape for simplicity of construction, such that
the
roll cage assembly 106 has a front side 134, a top side 136, a bottom side
138, and
a rear side 140. For instance, in one specific embodiment, the first roll cage
member 108 and the second roll cage member 110 are rectangular in shape and
constructed of tube steel. However, it will be appreciated that the first roll
cage
member 108 and the second roll cage member 110 may be shaped differently and
formed from different materials without departing from the scope and intent of
the
present invention.
In embodiments, the air compressor assembly 100 includes a shroud 112
mounted to the roll cage assembly 106 for at least partially covering the air
compressor 104. Preferably, the shroud 112 is attached to the top side 136 of
the
roll cage assembly 106. The shroud 112 includes a control panel portion 114
for
supporting control and output components for the air compressor assembly 100,
such as a first pressure gauge 116, a second pressure gauge 118, a pressure
regulator 120, a first air hose connection 122, a second air hose connection
124,
and other such control and output components as contemplated by one of skill
in
the art.
It will be appreciated that the shroud 112, or, alternatively, another shroud,
may cover other components of the air compressor assembly 100, including
components located on the front side 134, the top side 136, the bottom side
138,
4
CA 02580531 2007-03-16
WO 2006/039450 PCT/US2005/035109
the rear side 140, and in other various locations within the roll cage
assembly 106
as required. Further, it will be appreciated that other assemblies, such as
assemblies for storing miscellaneous hardware, may be mounted to the roll cage
assembly 106 as well. For example, an accessory tray assembly 146 may be
mounted to the roll cage assembly 106, extending between the first roll cage
member 108 and the second roll cage member 110, and including a cord wrap
148, or the like, for holding an electrical cord, a pressure hose, or another
accessory for the air compressor assembly 100.
Preferably, the roll cage assembly 106 defines a protected volume 126
within the air compressor assembly 100. For example, in one specific
embodiment, the control panel portion 114 is completely contained within the
protected volume 126. Thus, the control and output components for the air
compressor assembly 100, including the first pressure gauge 116, the second
pressure gauge 118, the pressure regulator 120, the first air hose connection
122,
and the second air hose connection 124 are contained within the protected
volume
126. It will be appreciated that other components for the air compressor
assembly
100 which are contained within the roll cage assembly 106 are also contained
within the protected volume 126.
The air compressor assembly 100 includes a handle 128 extending
between the first roll cage member 108 and the second roll cage member 110.
The handle 128 is shaped for being grasped by a user to facilitate carrying
the air
compressor assembly 100. In exemplary embodiments, the handle 128 is
positioned along a vertical axis 130 extending through the center of gravity
132 of
the air compressor assembly 100 when the air compressor assembly 100 is
oriented to be carried by grasping the handle 128.
In a specific embodiment, illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the handle 128
extends between the first roll cage member 108 and the second roll cage member
110 on the front side 134 of the roll cage assembly 106. In this embodiment,
the
air compressor assembly 100 may be rotated to facilitate carrying the air
5
CA 02580531 2007-03-16
WO 2006/039450 PCT/US2005/035109
compressor assembly 100, such that the roll cage assembly 106 rests on the
rear
side 140 when the air compressor assembly 100 is oriented to be carried by
grasping the handle 128.
In another specific embodiment, illustrated in FIGS. 3 through 5, the
handle 128 extends between the first roll cage member 108 and the second roll
cage member 110 on the top side 136 of the roll cage assembly 106, beneath the
shroud 112. In this embodiment, the shroud 112 includes an opening 142 for
providing access to the handle 128, for grasping the handle 128 to facilitate
carrying the air compressor assembly 100.
Those of skill in the art will appreciate that other handle configurations
may be provided as well, including other handles which are positioned along
the
vertical axis 130 extending through the center of gravity 132 of the air
compressor
assembly 100 when the air compressor assembly 100 is oriented to be carried by
grasping the handle 128, without departing from the scope and intent of the
present invention. Moreover, it will be appreciated that two or more handles
may
be included with the air compressor assembly 100, including handles wherein
each handle is positioned along an axis extending through the center of
gravity
132 of the air compressor assembly 100 when the air compressor assembly 100 is
oriented to be carried by grasping the handle.
It will be appreciated that various components of the air compressor
assembly 100 which extend between the first roll cage member 108 and the
second roll cage member 110 (e.g., the support pan 144, the shroud 112, the
accessory tray assembly 146, and the handle 128) form part of the roll cage
assembly 106, connecting the first roll cage member 108 and the second roll
cage
member 110 together and strengthening the roll cage assembly 106. By not
requiring a more complex roll cage assembly, the use of such components makes
the air compressor assembly 100 more economical to assemble. However, it
should be noted that other components may be utilized for connecting the first
roll
6
CA 02580531 2007-03-16
WO 2006/039450 PCT/US2005/035109
cage member 108 and the second roll cage member 110 together and
strengthening the roll cage assembly 106, such as structural members and the
like.
In FIGS. 1 through 5, the air compressor assembly 100 is illustrated having
an air storage tank 102 oriented in a horizontal direction. However, it will
be
appreciated that other orientations may be utilized for the air storage tank
102 of
the present invention, including air storage tanks having a vertical
orientation, air
storage tanks configured as "pancake" style air storage tanks, and air storage
tanks
having specialized shapes. Further, it should be noted that the air compressor
assembly 100 may include more than one air storage tank, such as two air
storage
tanks mounted side-by-side, or the like. The use of air storage tanks 102
having
configurations other than those specifically illustrated herein is well known
in the
art. Consequently, the substitution of such tanks in place of the air storage
tanks
102 specifically illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 6 does not depart from the
scope
and intent of the present invention.
It is believed that the present invention and many of its attendant
advantages will be understood by the foregoing description, and it will be
apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction and
arrangement of the components thereof without departing from the scope and
spirit of the invention or without sacrificing all of its material advantages.
The
form herein before described being merely an explanatory embodiment thereof.
7
