Air compressor

Abstract

An air compressor having improved stability and portability. The air compressor package is positionable in an operational position, wherein the air compressor package is positioned on a base, and a transport position, wherein the air compressor package may be more readily transported. Positioning of the air compressor package into the transport position is accomplished by rotating the air compressor about a rotational axis that is generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the air tank, which positions the air compressor in an orientation and position that is relatively comfortable, whether or not the air compressor is hand-transported. The air compressor package can employ a compact manifold that can couple the air tank to the compressor and a regulator valve and optionally to a relief valve, a drain valve and/or a pressure switch. A method for operating a compressor is also provided.

1 . An air compressor comprising: 
 a support structure, a compressor and an air tank in fluid connection with the compressor, the air tank having a capacity of at least 0.5 gallons, the support structure including a frame that defines a side member and a handle that extends from the side member, the side member including a first leg, an arm and a second leg, the first leg being disposed under a first side of the compressor and being secured to the air tank at a first location, the second leg having a first portion, which is generally parallel to the first leg, and a second portion that extends downwardly toward the first leg and outwardly toward the handle, the air tank having a generally cylindrical shape, the air tank abutting the first leg and the second portion of the second leg;    wherein the handle is configured to be grasped by a hand of a user so that the air compressor can be rotated about an axis that is generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of the air tank between an operating position and a hand-carried transport position.    
   
   
       2 . The air compressor of  claim 1 , wherein the compressor comprises a substantially oil-less pump.  
   
   
       3 . The air compressor of  claim 1 , wherein air compressor further includes a shroud member and the support structure further includes one or more tab members that are coupled to the frame, the shroud member being coupled to the tab members.  
   
   
       4 . The air compressor of  claim 3 , further comprising: 
 a manifold assembly having a regulator, which is coupled in fluid connection to the air tank;    a coupling;    a first gauge, which is adapted to sense a pressure of air in the air tank; and    a second gauge, which is adapted to sense a pressure in a portion of the manifold assembly between the regulator and the coupling.    
   
   
       5 . The air compressor of  claim 4 , wherein the manifold assembly is removably coupled to the shroud.  
   
   
       6 . The air compressor of  claim 1 , wherein the support structure further includes a pair of struts that are fixedly coupled to the first leg.  
   
   
       7 . The air compressor of  claim 6 , wherein the compressor is mounted to the strut members.  
   
   
       8 . The air compressor of  claim 1 , wherein the support structure further includes a pair of feet and wherein the axis about which the air compressor can be rotated is defined by the feet.  
   
   
       9 . A method comprising: 
 providing an air compressor having a support structure, a compressor, an air tank, and a handle, the air tank being in fluid connection with the compressor and having a capacity that is greater than about 0.5 gallons, the handle being coupled to at least one of the support structure and the air tank, the support structure defining a base;    placing the air compressor apparatus in an operating position wherein the base is disposed in a first orientation; and    moving the air compressor apparatus to a hand-carried transport position by rotating the air compressor apparatus by the handle about an axis that is generally parallel to the handle, the base being disposed in a second orientation that is generally perpendicular to the first orientation when the air compressor apparatus is in the hand-carried transport position.    
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the air tank is disposed between the handle and the compressor.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the support structure includes a tubular frame that defines a pair side members and the handle, the handle being disposed between and connecting the side members, each side member including a first leg, an arm and a second leg, the first leg being disposed under a first side of the compressor and being secured to the tank at a first location, the second leg having a first portion, which is generally parallel to the first leg, and a second portion that extends downwardly toward the first leg and outwardly toward the handle.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the handle is mounted to the air tank.  
   
   
       13 . An air compressor comprising: 
 a compressor;    an air tank having a tank wall that defines a tank cavity;    a pressure regulator; and    a manifold with a manifold body that includes an inlet port and an outlet port, the manifold body being coupled to the air tank, the inlet port being coupled in fluid connection to tank cavity and the compressor, the outlet port being separate from the inlet port, the outlet port being in fluid connection with the tank cavity and the pressure regulator.    
   
   
       14 . The air compressor of  claim 13 , wherein the manifold body further includes a relief port that is separate from the inlet port and the outlet port, and wherein a relief valve is coupled to the relief port.  
   
   
       15 . The air compressor of  claim 13 , wherein the manifold body further includes a pressure port that is coupled in fluid connection to a pressure switch.  
   
   
       16 . The air compressor of  claim 13 , wherein the manifold body further includes a drain port that is fluidly isolated from the inlet port and the outlet port, wherein the drain port is in fluid communication with the tank cavity.  
   
   
       17 . The air compressor of  claim 16 , wherein the drain port includes a drain port inlet that is disposed in the tank cavity at a position that is relatively lower than an end of the manifold body through which the inlet port and the outlet port are in fluid communication with the air tank.  
   
   
       18 . The air compressor of  claim 16 , wherein the manifold body further includes a manifold wall that defines a manifold cavity and wherein the inlet port and the outlet port intersect the manifold cavity and wherein the drain port inlet is an aperture that is formed partially through the manifold wall member.  
   
   
       19 . The air compressor of  claim 13 , wherein the manifold body further includes a manifold wall that defines a manifold cavity and wherein the inlet port and the outlet port intersect the manifold cavity.  
   
   
       20 . The air compressor of  claim 13 , further comprising a drain valve coupled to the drain port.