Air compressor

Abstract

An air compressor system. The system includes a frame configured to be supported on support surface defining a plane. An air storage tank, supported by the frame, has a center of gravity at a first height measured along a direction perpendicular to the plane. A power supply, removably coupled to the frame, has a center of gravity at a second height measured along a direction perpendicular to the plane. A motor, driven by the power supply, has a center of gravity at a third height measured along the direction perpendicular to the plane. An air pump, fluidly coupled to the tank and driven by the motor, has a center of gravity at a fourth height measured along the direction perpendicular to the plane. The first height and the second height may be less than the third height and the fourth height.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An air compressor system comprising:
 a frame configured to be supported on a support surface, the support surface defining a plane;   an air storage tank supported by the frame, the tank having a center of gravity at a first height measured along a direction perpendicular to the plane;   a power supply coupled to the frame, the power supply having a center of gravity at a second height measured along the direction perpendicular to the plane;   a motor driven by the power supply, the motor having a center of gravity at a third height measured along the direction perpendicular to the plane; and   an air pump driven by the motor and fluidly coupled to the air storage tank, the pump having a center of gravity at a fourth height measured along the direction perpendicular to the plane,   wherein the first height and the second height are less than the third height and the fourth height.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first height is substantially the same as the second height. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the power supply includes a battery. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the battery is a first removable battery, and the power supply includes a second removable battery. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the power supply is disposed directly below the motor along the direction perpendicular to the plane. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the power supply is disposed directly below the air pump along the direction perpendicular to the plane. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the tank is spaced apart from the power supply along a direction parallel to the plane. 
     
     
         8 . An air compressor system having a center of gravity, the system comprising:
 a frame configured to be supported on a support surface, the support surface defining a plane;   an air storage tank supported by the frame;   an air pump fluidly coupled to the tank;   a power supply coupled to the frame, the power supply being disposed directly below the pump along a direction perpendicular to the plane;   a motor driven by the power supply to operate the pump; and   a handle coupled to the frame and including a grip portion, the grip portion being disposed directly above the center of gravity of the air compressor system along the direction perpendicular to the plane.   
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the power supply includes a battery. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the battery is a first removable battery, and the power supply includes a second removable battery. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the first battery and the second battery are moveable between an engaged position, in which the first battery and the second battery are coupled to the frame, and a disengaged position, in which the first battery and the second battery are removed from the frame, and wherein the grip portion is disposed directly above the center of gravity of system along the direction perpendicular to the plane when the first battery and the second battery are in the engaged position. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein, when the first battery and the second battery are in the disengaged position, the center of gravity of the system is moved along a direction parallel to the plane such that the center of gravity is no longer directly below the grip portion. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the power supply is disposed directly below the motor along the direction perpendicular to the plane. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the tank is spaced apart from the power supply along a direction parallel to the plane. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 8 , further comprising a fitting in fluid communication with the tank to dispense compressed air, the fitting being above the center of gravity of the system. 
     
     
         16 . An air compressor system having a center of gravity, the system comprising:
 a frame configured to be supported on a support surface defining a plane;   a power supply removably coupled to the frame and movable between an engaged position, in which the power supply is coupled to the frame, and a disengaged position, in which the power supply is removed from the frame;   an air storage tank supported by the frame;   an air pump fluidly coupled to the tank;   a motor driven by the power supply to operate the pump; and   a handle coupled to the frame and including a grip portion, the grip portion being disposed directly above the center of gravity of the system along a direction perpendicular to the plane when the power supply is in the engaged position, the center of gravity being moved along a direction parallel to the plane when the power supply is in the disengaged position.   
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the power supply is disposed directly below the motor and the pump along the direction perpendicular to the plane. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 16 , further comprising a fitting in fluid communication with the tank to dispense compressed air, the fitting being above the center of gravity of the system.