Air compressor having a removable air tank

Abstract

A portable air compressor assembly includes a compressor component unit and a tank unit removably coupled to the compressor component unit. The compressor component unit includes a prime mover, a pump operably coupled to the prime mover, and a first tank fluidly connected to the pump to receive pressurized air from the pump when operated by the prime mover. The tank unit includes a second tank fluidly connected to the pump to receive pressurized air, and a manifold assembly fluidly and mechanically coupled to the second tank such that the second tank and the manifold assembly are removable from the compressor component unit together.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A portable air compressor assembly comprising:
 a compressor component unit including
 a prime mover, 
 a pump operably coupled to the prime mover, and 
 a first tank fluidly connected to the pump to receive pressurized air from the pump when operated by the prime mover; and 
   a tank unit removably coupled to the compressor component unit, the tank unit including
 a second tank fluidly connected to the pump to receive pressurized air, and 
 a manifold assembly fluidly and mechanically coupled to the second tank such that the second tank and the manifold assembly are removable from the compressor component unit together. 
   
     
     
         2 . The portable air compressor of  claim 1 , further comprising a rigid structure configured to support the compressor component unit and the tank unit. 
     
     
         3 . The portable air compressor of  claim 2 , wherein the rigid structure includes at least one wheel, a frame, and a rotatable handle member rotatably coupled to the frame. 
     
     
         4 . The portable air compressor of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one retainer configured to removably secure the second tank with respect to the compressor component unit. 
     
     
         5 . The portable air compressor of  claim 4 , wherein the at least one retainer is configured as a compressive retainer for applying a compressive force to secure the second tank to the compressor component unit. 
     
     
         6 . The portable air compressor of  claim 5 , wherein the at least one retainer is substantially semicircular. 
     
     
         7 . The portable air compressor of  claim 4 , wherein the first tank defines a first longitudinal axis, wherein the second tank defines a second longitudinal axis, wherein the at least one retainer is coupled to the first tank such that the second tank is removably coupled the first tank, and wherein the first longitudinal axis is substantially parallel to the second longitudinal axis when the second tank is coupled to the first tank. 
     
     
         8 . The portable air compressor of  claim 1 , wherein the manifold assembly further comprises:
 at least one pressure gauge for displaying a pressure of at least one of the first tank and the second tank, and   a pressure regulator.   
     
     
         9 . The portable air compressor of  claim 8 , further comprising of a pressure relief valve fluidly coupled between the manifold assembly and the second tank. 
     
     
         10 . The portable air compressor of  claim 8 , wherein the at least one pressure gauge is a first pressure gauge, and wherein the manifold assembly further includes a second pressure gauge, wherein the first pressure gauge is configured to display a pressure of the first tank, and wherein the second pressure gauge is configured to display a supply pressure of air supplied by the pressure regulator. 
     
     
         11 . The portable air compressor of  claim 1 , further comprising a handle coupled to the tank unit. 
     
     
         12 . The portable air compressor of  claim 11 , wherein the handle is rotatably coupled to the second tank. 
     
     
         13 . The portable air compressor of  claim 11 , further comprising a grip coupled to the handle. 
     
     
         14 . The portable air compressor of  claim 1 , wherein the tank unit further comprises at least one support foot for supporting the tank unit on a support surface when the tank unit is removed from the compressor component unit. 
     
     
         15 . The portable air compressor of  claim 14 , wherein the at least one support foot is coupled to the manifold assembly. 
     
     
         16 . The portable air compressor of  claim 15 , wherein the at least one support foot is a first support foot, and wherein the portable air compressor further comprises a second support foot coupled to the second tank. 
     
     
         17 . The portable air compressor of  claim 1 , wherein the first tank defines a first longitudinal axis and the second tank defines a second longitudinal axis, wherein the first longitudinal axis is substantially parallel to the second longitudinal axis when the tank unit is coupled to the compressor component unit. 
     
     
         18 . A portable air tank unit comprising:
 an air tank for storing compressed air;   an inlet fluidly coupled to the air tank;   a quick-disconnect fitting fluidly coupled to the inlet;   an outlet fluidly coupled to the air tank; and   a manifold assembly fixedly coupled to the air tank and fluidly coupled to the outlet of the air tank, the manifold assembly including
 a pressure gauge operably coupled to the air tank for displaying a pressure of the compressed air in the air tank, and 
 a pressure regulator for regulating a supply pressure of air released from the air tank. 
   
     
     
         19 . The portable air tank unit of  claim 18 , further comprising a second pressure gauge configured to display the supply pressure regulated by the pressure regulator. 
     
     
         20 . The portable air tank unit of  claim 18 , further comprising a handle coupled to the air tank for transporting the portable air tank unit. 
     
     
         21 . The portable air tank unit of  claim 20 , wherein the handle is rotatably coupled to the air tank. 
     
     
         22 . The portable air tank unit of  claim 21 , wherein the handle further includes a grip.