Frame for pressurized fluid apparatus

Abstract

An integrally formed one-piece frame for an apparatus that supplies a pressurized fluid, such as a pressure washer. The frame includes a base that supports a power unit, at least one leg integrally formed with the base, and a handle integrally formed with the base. The frame is designed such that it is stackable with other frames before the power unit is coupled to the base.

1 . An integrally formed one-piece frame for an apparatus that supplies a pressurized fluid, the frame comprising: 
 a base that supports a power unit;    at least one leg that supports the base on a surface; and    a handle that is used to move the frame from a first location to a second location.    
   
   
       2 . The frame of  claim 1 , wherein the frame is formed by injection molding.  
   
   
       3 . The frame of  claim 1 , wherein the base includes at least one integral reinforcing rib.  
   
   
       4 . The frame of  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus includes a power unit having an engine.  
   
   
       5 . The frame of  claim 4 , wherein the base includes an aperture therein for receiving a portion of the power unit.  
   
   
       6 . The frame of  claim 5 , wherein the base includes a mounting plate.  
   
   
       7 . The frame of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one leg includes a plurality of legs.  
   
   
       8 . The frame of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one leg includes a support that engages the surface and that defines a footprint of the frame, and wherein the handle has an upper end that defines a width such that the width of the upper end is less than the footprint.  
   
   
       9 . The frame of  claim 1 , wherein the handle further includes an integral accessory holder formed as one piece with the frame.  
   
   
       10 . The frame of  claim 9 , wherein the accessory holder includes at least one aperture sized to accept a pressure washer wand.  
   
   
       11 . The frame of  claim 9 , wherein the accessory holder includes at least one aperture sized to accept a pressure washer gun.  
   
   
       12 . The frame of  claim 1 , wherein the handle includes a plurality of integral grip ridges.  
   
   
       13 . The frame of  claim 1 , wherein the handle includes a pair of downwardly extending support members that form an acute included angle with the base in the XY-plane.  
   
   
       14 . The frame of  claim 13 , wherein the support members are substantially parallel to the at least one leg.  
   
   
       15 . The frame of  claim 13 , wherein the support members are contiguous with the at least one leg.  
   
   
       16 . The frame of  claim 1 , wherein the handle includes a pair of downwardly extending support members that form an acute included angle with the base in the YZ-plane.  
   
   
       17 . The frame of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one leg forms an obtuse included angle with the base in the XY-plane.  
   
   
       18 . The frame of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one leg forms an obtuse included angle with the base in the YZ-plane.  
   
   
       19 . The frame of  claim 1 , wherein the frame is stackable.  
   
   
       20 . An integrally formed one-piece frame for an apparatus that supplies a pressurized fluid, the frame comprising: 
 a base that supports a power unit;    a first base support member integrally formed with the base that supports the base on a surface;    a second base support member integrally formed with the base that supports the base on the surface;    a side panel integrally formed with and extending between the first and second base support members; and    an integrally formed handle.    
   
   
       21 . The frame of  claim 20 , further comprising an integrally formed front panel.  
   
   
       22 . The frame of  claim 20 , wherein the frame is stackable.  
   
   
       23 . The frame of  claim 20 , wherein the frame defines a footprint, and wherein the handle has an upper end that defines a width such that the width of the upper end is less than the footprint.  
   
   
       24 . The frame of  claim 20 , wherein the handle includes an integrally formed accessory holder.  
   
   
       25 . The frame of  claim 24 , wherein the accessory holder includes at least one aperture sized to accept a pressure wand.  
   
   
       26 . The frame of  claim 24 , wherein the accessory holder includes at least one aperture sized to accept a pressure washer gun.  
   
   
       27 . The frame of  claim 20 , wherein the handle includes a plurality of grip ridges.  
   
   
       28 . The frame of  claim 20 , wherein the handle includes a pair of downwardly extending support members that form an acute included angle with the base in the XY-plane.  
   
   
       29 . The frame of  claim 28 , wherein the support members are substantially parallel to the first and second base support members.  
   
   
       30 . The frame of  claim 28 , wherein the support members are contiguous with the first and second base support members.  
   
   
       31 . The frame of  claim 20 , wherein the handle includes a pair of downwardly extending support members that form an acute included angle with the base in the YZ-plane.  
   
   
       32 . The frame of  claim 20 , wherein the first and second base support members each form an obtuse included angle with the base in the XY-plane.  
   
   
       33 . The frame of  claim 20 , wherein the first and second base support members each form an obtuse included angle with the base in the YZ-plane.  
   
   
       34 . An integrally formed one-piece frame for an apparatus that supplies a pressurized fluid, the frame comprising: 
 a base that supports a power unit;    at least one base support member that supports the base on a surface; and    a handle including 
 an upper end,  
 a first support member defining a first axis, and  
 a second support member defining a second axis, the first and second axes each forming an acute included angle with the upper end in the XY-plane.  
   
   
   
       35 . The frame of  claim 34 , wherein the at least one base support member includes first, second, third, and fourth base support members.  
   
   
       36 . The frame of  claim 35 , further comprising a first side panel extending between the first and fourth base support members, and a second side panel extending between the second and third base support members.  
   
   
       37 . The frame of  claim 34 , wherein the handle includes an integrally formed accessory holder.  
   
   
       38 . The frame of  claim 34 , wherein the first and second support members each form an acute included angle with the base in the YZ-plane.  
   
   
       39 . The frame of  claim 34 , wherein the first and second support members are substantially parallel to the at least one base support member.  
   
   
       40 . The frame of  claim 34 , wherein the first and second support members are contiguous with the at least one base support member.  
   
   
       41 . The frame of  claim 34 , wherein the at least one base support member forms an obtuse included angle with the base in the XY-plane.  
   
   
       42 . The frame of  claim 34 , wherein the at least one base support member forms and obtuse included angle with the base in the YZ-plane.