Fluent material handling – with receiver or receiver coacting mea – Filling means with receiver or receiver coacting means – Flexible hose terminal with receiver engaging means
Reexamination Certificate
1998-09-18
2001-01-30
Recla, Henry J. (Department: 3751)
Fluent material handling, with receiver or receiver coacting mea
Filling means with receiver or receiver coacting means
Flexible hose terminal with receiver engaging means
C141S231000, C239S373000, C239S154000, C137S899400
Reexamination Certificate
active
06179023
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to air or gas blowers and particularly air or gas blowers of the type used in yard cleanup. The air blower of the invention has particular application in yard and garden work, especially the blowing into piles of leaves, grass, dirt and other garden debris. The air blower may also be used for driving snow or moving water.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Air blowers and leaf blowers for use in gathering backyard and garden debris are well-known. While several types of leaf blowers are available and in popular use, a typical leaf blower comprises a fuel powered internal combustion engine intended to drive a fan or other means, the fan being attached to a hose and handle whereby air is compressed and driven through the hose to the handle. Air exiting from the handle with force is used to drive the leaves and other garden debris into heaps facilitating leaf collection and disposal thereof.
The internal combustion engine, fuel tank, fan and air compressor in typical blowers would normally be mounted on a frame which can be worn of the back of the user. There is thus the convenience of a portable garden implement which can be easily transported for sweeping and gathering materials to be disposed.
Air blowers have applications not only with respect to collection of garden debris, but may be used in other contexts as well. For example, an air blower may also be used for removing now from roads or scattering a pool of water by blowing an air current into the pool.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,223,419 (Sato) describes a shoulder supported pneumatic sweeping apparatus. The sweeping apparatus is of the type that can be easily carried by means of a strap worn over the shoulder of the operator, and has a typical application in clearing the surface of a vast playground or a baseball field, removing snow from the roads, or scattering a pool of water by blowing an air current into it. The sweeping apparatus has a centrifugal fan located in a housing, which is driven by an engine. Upon rotation of the fan, an air current is produced and led to an outlet port, which in turn exits into a flexible pipe. An air ejection pipe conveys the air to the outside thereof. The exit or ejection pipe has an operating handle to facilitate the use of the ejecting pipe. The engine in this patent includes a starter, fuel tank, ignition plugs and the like and thus constitutes a standard or conventional internal combustion-type engine which has associated therewith high noise levels, and the emission of polluting hydrocarbon gases, nitrous oxide, carbon monoxide and other compositions.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,052,073 (Iida) discloses a back-pack type power working machine. This patent addresses an apparent problem in shoulder frame machines, which are relatively heavy and which generate vibration. The back-pack of Iida includes a carrying frame having a main frame section held against the back and side guard sections on each side of the main frame sections. The side guard sections are bent rearward and form a U-shape. A fan, driven by a gasoline engine connected to the fan, is located within the U-shaped frame and damping rubber members serve to prevent or reduce vibration of the fan and engine from being transmitted to the carrying frame and, ultimately, the operator. The working machine of Iida is, otherwise, very similar to the conventional type of sweeping apparatus as described in Sato above, and includes the internal combustion gasoline-driven engine for producing the stream of air. While the working machine is self-contained in that it provides the stream of air as well as the source for producing the stream of air, it is, nevertheless, still very noisy and produces exhaust emissions containing polluting and noxious gases.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,332,222 (Perry) shows a golf club including putting path cleaning means. The golf putter has a head, for striking the golf ball, and a shaft including a handgrip. Contained within the shaft is a compressed gas cartridge and a discharge nozzle, whereby gas can be discharged from the golf putter. Between the gas cartridge and the discharge nozzle, there is located a pipe for transmitting the compressed air and a valve assembly for controlling the flow. A trigger is provided which opens the otherwise closed valve to permit expulsion of air from the discharge nozzle. The air so discharged is used by the golfer to clear leaves or other objects and provide a debris-free path between the golf ball and the hole.
U.S. Pat. No. 1,932,137 (Jinkerson) shows a lawn cleaner including a platform mounted on wheels. Jinkerson uses compressed air discharged from an air compressor pump to an outlet tube, and a discharge nozzle. The compressor pump is driven by a water cooled motor, which is typically of the gasoline or internal combustion type. To the extent that Jinkerson has any modern applications, it is a self-contained unit, where the internal combustion engine produces substantial noise levels and pollutant emissions.
Other background art shows the use of compressed air guns, and can be seen in, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 2,016,113 Lambert) and U.S. Pat. No. 2,021,603 (Kelley).
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided an air blower comprising: a first unit having means for producing compressed air and a reservoir for storing the compressed air; a second unit including a portable storage tank for holding compressed air, and means for releasing the compressed air from the storage tank; and means for charging whereby compressed air in the reservoir of the first unit is transferred to the storage tank of the second unit.
According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of supplying an air stream to a predetermined location for moving debris, water and the like, the method comprising: providing a first unit having means for producing compressed air and a reservoir for storing the compressed air; providing a second unit including a portable storage tank for holding compressed air, and means for releasing the compressed air from the storage tank; and releasably connecting the first and second units whereby compressed air in the reservoir of the first unit is transferred to the storage tank of the second unit.
The invention is also, in another aspect, for a method of supplying an air stream to a predetermined location for moving debris, water and the like, the method comprising: producing a supply of compressed air at a first location; releasably connecting the supply of compressed air to a portable unit including a portable storage tank for holding compressed air; transferring at least a portion of the compressed air from the supply to the portable storage tank; and disconnecting the supply of compressed air and portable storage unit from each other and conveying the portable storage unit to the predetermined location.
In one aspect, this invention relates to an air blower device and system, whereby compressed air is produced and utilized in a manner wherein noise levels are substantially reduced, and the emission of noxious gases and pollutants may be effectively eliminated. In a further aspect, the invention comprises the production of compressed air, preferably by the use of electrical power, the transfer of the compressed air to a portable pack, whereby the portable pack can be used at a site where the compressed air is required to gather debris, spread water or snow, or such other use as the case may be.
In yet a further aspect, the invention uses valve assemblies for controlling the flow of compressed air within the system to ration and preserve the use of the compressed air, and therefore prolong or delay the need to recharge or refill the portable container with compressed air.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2906263 (1959-09-01), Wolshin
patent: 4077747 (1978-03-01), Burenga
patent: 4350299 (1982-09-01), Stephenson et al.
patent: 5494083 (1996-02-01), Elmore
patent: 5505354 (1996-04-01), Hutton et al.
Abrahams Colin O.
Air-Jet, Inc
Le Huyen
Recla Henry J.
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