Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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CARRY HANDLE SUPPORT FOR A PORTABLE PUMP ASSEMBLY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a support frame for supporting a carry
handle on a portable pump assembly, for example a Mark-3 pump supported on a
portable backpack frame.
BACKGROUND
In forest firefighting, it is common for firefighters to use portable pumps
which are carried on a backpack. The pumps are portable to allow carrying into
a
forest or otherwise difficult to access areas for connection to hoses for
pumping water
from a suitable source to a location of a fire or potential fire.
One common type of portable pump assembly comprises a Mark-3
pump which is well suited for carrying on the back of a user. The pump
assembly
typically comprises a backpack frame which is elongate in a longitudinal
direction for
defining a bottom side of the pump when supported horizontally on the ground.
A
central crankcase is supported above the frame in connection between a fan
cowl at
one end of the crankcase and a centrifugal pumping chamber at the other end. A
motor is coupled above the crankcase opposite the backpack frame in the form
of a
single cylinder, two cycle, air cooled motor. The Mark-3 pump is typically
difficult to
carry with one hand unless the frame is pivoted upwardly into a backpack
orientation
where the backpack frame spans the back of the user. Transportation and
handling
other than in a backpack orientation however is difficult and awkward. When
storing
the pump, typically the pumps cannot be stacked upon one another due to the
protruding components on top of the motor such that each pump must be
supported
on a respective frame or shelf for storage.
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SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a carry handle
support for a pump assembly comprising a crankcase extending in a longitudinal
direction between a first end and a second end, a motor coupled to the
crankcase, a
fan cowl coupled to the first end of the crankcase, and a pumping chamber
coupled to
the second end of crankcase, the carry handle support comprising:
a first mounting portion arranged for mounting onto the pump assembly
adjacent to the first end of the crankcase;
a second mounting portion arranged for mounting onto the pump
assembly adjacent the second end of the crankcase;
a frame portion spanning between the first and second mounting
portions; and
a handle portion supported on frame portion between the first and
second mounting portions and being arranged to be gripped in a hand of a user.
According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided
a method of supporting a handle on a pump assembly comprising a crankcase
extending in a longitudinal direction between a first end and a second end, a
motor
coupled to the crankcase, a fan cowl coupled to the first end of the
crankcase, and a
pumping chamber coupled to the second end of crankcase, the method comprising:
providing a carry handle support comprising a frame portion spanning
between a first mounting portion and a second mounting portion and a handle
portion
supported on the frame portion between the first and second mounting portions
which
is arranged to be gripped in a hand of a user;
mounting the first mounting portion onto the pump assembly adjacent to
the first end of the crankcase; and
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mounting the second mounting portion onto the pump assembly
adjacent the second end of the crankcase.
The first mounting portion is preferably arranged to be coupled to
existing fasteners on the crankcase at laterally spaced apart positions on the
crankcase.
The second mounting portion is preferably arranged to be coupled to
existing fasteners on the fan cowl at laterally spaced part positions on the
fan cowl.
In some embodiments, the handle portion may be supported on the
frame portion so as to be freely slidable relative to the pump assembly in a
direction
which is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of crankcase so as to
vary a
distance of the handle portion from the crankcase.
Preferably the handle portion is supported on the frame portion so as to
be substantially aligned with a center of gravity of the pump assembly in the
longitudinal direction of the crankcase.
When the first mounting portion comprises first mounting apertures and
the second mounting portion comprises second mounting apertures, the first and
second mounting apertures may be oriented perpendicularly to one another.
The frame portion preferably comprises two side plates which are
parallel and spaced apart from one another such that the handle portion spans
between the two side plates perpendicularly to the two side plates.
The two side plates are preferably joined at a fixed space relative to one
another at both ends adjacent the first and second mounting portions
respectively.
More particularly, the first mounting portion may comprise a mounting plate
joined
between the two side plates so as to span perpendicularly to the two side
plates and
there may be provided a cross member comprising a plate joined between the two
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side plates so as to span perpendicularly to the two side plates across the
motor of
the pump assembly adjacent the second mounting portion.
Preferably there is provided at least one access opening in the cross
member in alignment with at least one cylinder head stud of the motor of the
pump
assembly.
The frame portion may comprise a longitudinal portion extending in the
longitudinal direction of the crankcase between the second mounting portion
and the
handle portion and a radial portion extending perpendicularly to the
longitudinal
direction from the first mounting portion radially outwardly from the
crankcase to the
handle portion.
When the pump assembly comprises a common frame spanning in the
longitudinal direction of the crankcase along a bottom side of the pump
assembly, the
handle portion is preferably supported on the frame portion so as to be
arranged to be
located relative to the crankcase opposite from the common frame, above the
motor
of the pump assembly to define an uppermost portion of the pump assembly.
By providing a handle portion which is supported centrally above the
motor opposite the frame of the pump assembly, the pump can be readily handled
and transported with a single hand of a user which permits balanced lifting of
the
assembly with the longitudinal frame remaining in a generally horizontal
orientation.
The configuration of the frame portion spanning between first and second ends
of the
crankcase above the motor also provides protection for the spark plug of the
motor
while also providing a suitable support opposite the frame at the bottom side
such that
a pallet can be supported directly on top of the frame portion of several pump
assemblies with carry handle supports thereon for stacking further pumps in
layers
with pallets or stacking frames therebetween.
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By configuring the first and second mounting portions to be coupled to
existing fasteners of the pump assembly, no modification to the pump assembly
is
required for mounting the carry handle in place in a stable configuration. The
access
holes in the frame portion provide access to the cylinder head studs to allow
torquing
5 of the studs while the spark plug at the top of the motor remains protected.
The
handle portion can also be adjustable relative to the frame portion to allow
varying
clearance for spark plug tools without requiring the carry handle support to
be
removed from the pump assembly.
The first mounting portion is separable from the remainder of the frame
portion to simplify the mounting process of the carry handle support onto the
pump
assembly. The spaced apart mounting locations of both the first and second
mounting portions distribute the weight transferred between the pump assembly
and
the handle portion evenly to minimize stress on the pump assembly or potential
cracking of the cowl.
Various embodiments of the invention will now be described in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the carry handle
support mounted on a pump assembly.
Figure 2 is a perspective view of the first embodiment of the carry
handle support shown separated from the pump assembly.
Figure 3 is a top plan view, Figure 4 is a first side elevational view, and
Figure 5 is a bottom plan view of the first embodiment of the carry handle
support.
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Figure 6 is an outer side elevational view, Figure 7 is a second side
elevational view, and Figure 8 is an inner side elevational view of the first
embodiment
of the carry handle support.
Figure 9 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the carry
handle support shown separated from the pump assembly.
Figure 10 is a top plan view, Figure 11 is a first side elevational view,
and Figure 12 is a bottom plan view of the second embodiment of the carry
handle
support.
Figure 13 is an outer side elevational view, Figure 14 is a second side
elevational view, and Figure 15 is an inner side elevational view of the
second
embodiment of the carry handle support.
In the drawings like characters of reference indicate corresponding parts
in the different figures.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Referring to the accompanying figures there is illustrated a carry handle
support generally indicated by reference numeral 10. The support 10 is
typically
suited for use with a portable pump assembly 12, and more particularly with a
pump
assembly known as a Mark-3 pump which is portable as a backpack.
The pump assembly 12 typically comprises a backpack frame 14
comprising two side rails 16 extending generally in a longitudinal direction
in which the
frame 14 is elongate. The two rails are joined at opposing ends by respective
U-
shaped cross bars 18 as well as being joined at spaced apart intermediate
locations
by intermediate cross bars 20.
A crankcase 22 is supported above the frame when the frame 14
defines a bottom of the pump assembly when supported horizontally along the
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ground. The crankcase extends in the longitudinal direction between a pump
chamber
24 at a first end of the crankcase and a fan cowl 26 surrounding a respective
fan at
the second end thereof. The central shaft of the crankcase rotates about a
respective
longitudinal axis extending in the longitudinal direction between the rotor of
the pump
chamber at one end and the fan at the other end. The pump chamber comprises a
centrifugal pump casing within which the rotor is rotatable for pumping fluid
therethrough from the inlet to the outlet of the pump. The pump assembly
further
comprises a motor 28 supported above the crankcase at the top end of the pump
assembly opposite the frame 14 spanning the bottom side. The motor comprises a
single cylinder enclosed by a cylinder head which is secured at the top side
of the
motor by foil: head studs.
Although various embodiments of the carry handle support are
described and illustrated in the accompanying specification, the common
features of
the various embodiments will first be described.
The carry handle support 10 generally comprises two side plates 30
which are parallel and spaced apart from one another to define a frame portion
which
extends between a first mounting portion 32 at a first end of the crankcase
and a
second mounting portion 34 arranged to be coupled at the second end of the
crankcase.
The first mcunting portion 32 comprises a mounting plate arranged to be
oriented generally perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction of the
crankcase. The
first mounting portion thus defines a first plate portion which includes a
pair of laterally
spaced apart mounting apertures 36 formed therein which are positioned for
alignment with respective existing fasteners at the first end of the
crankcase. The
mounting plate is suitably shaped for extending partway about the
circumference of
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the crankcase at the first end thereof.
The mounting plate defining the first mounting portion includes a pair of
end flanges 38 at laterally spaced apart ends thereof which are perpendicular
to the
mounting plate for overlapping the first ends of respective ones of the two
side plates
30. Cooperating apertures in the end flanges 38 and the side plates 30 receive
fasteners therethrough for fastening through the apertures along a common
horizontal
axis extending laterally between the two side plates. The fasteners serve to
fix the
side plates relative to the mounting plate defining the first portion 32 in
the mounted
position on the pump assembly. The first mounting portion thus secures the two
side
plates at a fixed spacing therebetween at the first end thereof.
The second mounting portion 34 comprises an end portion of each of
the two side plates at the second ends thereof opposite the first ends
supporting the
first mounting portion thereon. Each end portion of the second mounting
portion 34
defines a second plate portion for connection to a respective one of the
mounts on the
fan cowl. The second plate portions are integral and coplanar with the side
plates of
the frame portion so as to be spaced apart and parallel to one another so as
to be
oriented perpendicularly to the first plate portion. A mounting aperture 40 is
located in
each end portion with the end portions lying in common planes with the side
plates
respectively so as to be perpendicular to the mounting plate forming the first
mounting
portion. The first mounting apertures 36 of the first mounting portion are
thus
perpendicular to the second mounting apertures 40 of the second mounting
portion.
The mounting apertures 40 in the end portions of the side plates
defining the second mounting portion are arranged for alignment with
respective ones
of a pair of laterally spaced apart fasteners 42 at the top end of the fan
cowl farthest
from the two side rails defining the bottom frame 14. The existing fasteners
42 of the
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fan cowl are spaced apart in the lateral direction similarly to the space
between the
existing fasteners at the first end of the crankcase to which the first
mounting portion
is secured.
The space between the two side plates at the second end of the frame
-- portion is fixed by a cross member 44 spanning between the two side plates
overtop
of the cylinder head of the motor adjacent the second end of the frame
portion. The
details of the cross member 44 will be described in further detail below.
The carry handle support 10 further comprises a handle portion 46
which is mounted on the frame portion at an intermediate location between the
first
and second mounting portions. The handle portion 46 comprises an elongate rod
spanning in the lateral direction between the two side plates in perpendicular
relationship therewith such that the rod is suitable for being gripped in a
single hand of
a user. The rod defining the handle portion is positioned directly above the
first
mounting portion when the backpack frame 14 is laid generally horizontally
along the
ground.
Each of the two side plates includes a longitudinal portion 48 spanning
in the longitudinal direction from the second mounting portion to the handle
portion 46.
Each side plate further comprises a radial portion 50 which extends generally
radially
outward from the axis of the crankcase adjacent the first mounting portion in
an
-- orientation which is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal direction
towards the
handle portion where the longitudinal and radial portions are connected. The
radial
portion 50 includes an intermediate portion between the first mounting portion
and the
handle which is offset inwardly towards the second mounting portion relative
to the
first mounting portion and the handle portion. The handle portion 46 is
connected to
-- the side plates at the connection between the longitudinal portion and the
radial
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portion to locate the handle above the first end of the crankcase. In this
manner, the
handle is substantially aligned with a centre of gravity of the pump assembly
in the
longitudinal direction of the crankcase for balanced lifting of the pump
assembly
suspended below the handle portion 46.
5 The
cross member 44 comprises a plate which extends the full width of
the support 10 in the lateral direction between the two side plates. The cross
member
spans in the longitudinal direction from the second mounting portion at the
second
end of the frame portion only partway towards the handle portion such that the
cross
member is positioned above the cylinder head of the motor. A set of access
10
apertures 54 are provided in the cross member in alignment with respective
ones of
the cylinder head studs to allow access of a tool for re-torquing the studs as
may be
desired without removing the carry handle support from the pump assembly.
The cross member 44 is formed by two separate plates 56 which are
each joined integrally with respective ones of the two side plates. The
overall cross
member is assembled by forming the side plates 30 separately with respective
ones
of the plates 56 integrally formed therewith and then folding the plates 56
relative to
respective ones of the side plates 30 until the two plates 56 are generally
coplanar.
The inner edges are then welded together to form a common plate spanning
between
the two side plates.
As shown in the figures, the handle portion 46 extends perpendicularly
to the second plate portions, directly above the first plate portion, so as to
be co-
planar with the first plate portion.
In use an existing pump assembly is provided with an additional carry
handle by fastening the first and second mounting portions of the support 10
to
respective existing fasteners of the crankcase and fan cowl as described
above. The
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configuration of the frame portion provides protection to the spark plug at
the top of
the motor while maintaining access for re-torquing the cylinder head studs.
The rigid
construction of the frame portion provides sufficient support that a suitable
supporting
structure can be rested on top of the cross members of a plurality of pump
assemblies
with carry handle supports 10 mounted thereon for stacking additional pump
assemblies on the supporting structure which may comprise a pallet for
example.
Turning now more particularly to the first embodiment of Figures 1
through 8, the handle portion 46 is adjustable relative to the side plates of
the frame
portion by supporting opposing ends of the rod forming the handle portion in
respective mounting slots 52. Each slot is oriented generally in the radial
direction
perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and supports a respective end of
the rod
forming the handle portion therein such that the handle is freely slidable and
adjustable along the slot. The handle portion is thus adjustable in height
relative to
the frame 14 at the bottom of the pump assembly while permitting the distance
of the
handle portion from the crankcase to be variable. The slidably adjustable
handle
permits access of a variety of different tools to the spark plug for changing
the spark
plug as may be desired without removing the carry handle support from the pump
assembly. Also in the first embodiment, the cross member 44 is positioned
above the
cylinder head of the motor to span substantially the full length of the
cylinder head in
the longitudinal direction. Four access apertures 54 are provided in the cross
member in this instance in alignment with each of the four respective cylinder
head
studs.
Turning now to the second embodiment of Figures 9 through 15, the
handle portion 46 is fixed relative to the side plates of the frame portion.
The handle
portion is located adjacent a top end of the side plates so as to be
substantially at the
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same height as the cross member 44 to evenly support the weight of a pallet
thereon
when stacking for example. The cross member 44 in this embodiment only spans
over a portion of the cylinder head in the longitudinal direction so that some
of the
cylinder heads remain fully exposed. In this instance only two access
apertures 54
are required in the cross member 44 so that all of the cylinder head studs
remain
accessible to tools.
Since various modifications can be made in my invention as herein
above described, and many apparently widely different embodiments of same
made,
it is intended that all matter contained in the accompanying specification
shall be
interpreted as illustrative only and not in a limiting sense.
