Large size clean air workstation

Details Large size clean air workstation Large size clean air workstation

1999-09-15

2001-09-18

Simmons, David A. (Department: 1724)

Gas separation

Combined or convertible

In environmental air enclosure

C055S473000, C055S481000, C055SDIG001

Reexamination Certificate

active

06290740

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF INVENTION
The present invention relates to a modular work bench and booth assembly having a perforated table top and booth grating. A self-contained fan and filter draws workbench smoke, fumes or dust into a filter. A high density of perforations keeps the noise level low.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Workbench projects including welding, grinding, and sanding produce high amounts of dust. Known in the art are workbench assemblies which address removing the dust from the air.
Dustvent™ manufactures a workbench having a plurality of slots on the table top which form a grate similar to a charcoal cooking grill. Tools can fall through the slots. Noise is created by the 1400 C.F.M. cleaning airflow. An external central air filtration system must be built adding to costs and taking up floor space.
Airflow Systems, Inc.™ manufactures a self-contained 200 FPM downdraft workbench. It is built as a massive non-modular unit. Large slots on the table top form a grill. But tools can fall through. Air noise is considerable. The sidewalls and backwall are too short, thus allowing dust to fly off the workbench.
Aerology™ manufactures a downdraft air velocity workbench having large slots on the table top into which tools could fall. An external air filtration system is required. A good sized backwall and hinged side-wing panels capture the dust.
A summary of patented prior art is noted below.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,944,705 (1976) to van Calsteren discloses a laminar down-flow chamber having a ceiling and room and a workbench having an exhaust grid.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,202,676 (1980) to Pelosi, Jr. et al. discloses a portable clean room for an animal or plant under observation.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,287,405 (1981) to Ohmee et al. discloses a suction hood for a welding device.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,595,368 (1986) Cole discloses an underwater welding training tank.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,606,260 (1986) to Cox discloses a welding station exhaust hood and a pair of legs support the exhaust hood.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,860,643 to Spearow discloses a laminer flow clean room workbench having bench-top ducts and rear wall ducts.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,096,650 (1992) to Oldham, deceased et al. discloses a garbage bin having a rear wall exhaust duct.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,257,957 (1993) to Doccianni et al. discloses a safety enclosure work container.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,318,473 (1994) to Goemans et al. discloses a fume hood having back wall outlets.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,410,120 (1995) to Taylor discloses a welding room having a downward laminer flow air vent system.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,807,414 (1998) to Schaefer discloses a workbench having vent openings each equal to or less then 0.5 square inch to handle 1200 CFM of air at a noise level less than 75 dB.
In summary the present invention provides a larger workbench than the '414 patent and having a good-sized backwall and hinged side panels on a self-contained downdraft air velocity workbench. A minimum of 100 perforations per square foot having a maximum opening size of 0.5 square inches each provide for high 100-300 CFM per square ft. and a low 68 dB noise. The modular construction allows a work booth to be added to the top. The work booth also has a perforated backwall. The modular table top provides for a 500 pound capacity in a relatively lightweight workbench.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The main aspect of the present invention is to provide a large workbench having a high throughput draw and relatively low noise level.
Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a self-contained air filtration system in the workbench.
Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a modular construction enabling a work booth to be added to the top.
Other aspect of this invention will appear from the following description and appended claims, reference being made to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts in the several views.
Both the workbench and booth embodiments of the present invention are used for welding, grinding, and polishing. They create a clean environment for the operators. They use a “DualDraw®” system to gently pull fumes, dust, and smoke out the back and bottom of the booth.
“DualDraw®” has an exclusive perforated table top which draws air evenly through 1000 or more openings. Systems that vent from the top pull smoke and dust past the worker's face, but the “DualDraw®” system draws it back and down away from the operator.
Other systems that pull only from the bottom are not effective when working on parts that sit high above the table. The “DualDraw®” booth eliminates this problem because fumes and dust are drawn out the back of the booth as well.
The downdraft work table has no back or sides in order to accommodate larger items. The bottom draw pulls air away from the operator. A downdraft back panel is available to contain sparks and dust when using the table for grinding. Hinged side wings are also available.
Two options are available for filtering. They are
First, the “Filter System” offers significantly higher efficiencies, longer life, and better dust-holding capacities than conventional filters.
Second, the “Dust Collector System” is used for polishing and grinding. This system filters out smaller particles while large particles are collected in a container for easy disposal.
Booth Features
The table top and the back of the booth were designed with thousands of small openings over the entire surface. These openings enable the filter system to remove welding smoke, fumes and small particles from around the worker.
A 110V side outlet comes with the table along with a 36″ fluorescent safety light attached to the top of the booth.
Due to the thousands of small openings there are no areas of high velocity air flow that create loud noise levels.
DualDraw's® unique design prevents any and all tooling from dropping through the table top.
DualDraw® was designed from the ground up using heavy gage sheet metal so that the entire unit can be manufactured with high-speed computerized equipment. This lowers manufacturing costs and allows the units to be shipped partially assembled in smaller crates to reduce shipping costs.
Blower Features
Achieves the correct balance between proper air flow and quiet operation.
The blower allows correct balance between proper air flow and quiet operation without disrupting welding gas flow.
Filter Features
Self-contained air filtration system allows DualDraw® to be placed anywhere without expensive duct systems and can be moved anywhere to accommodate efficient plant layout for different production needs.
Optional bag filter system allows DualDraw® to be used for grinding, polishing, and buffing operations.
Operator Benefits
Comfortable work height and table size to reduce operator fatigue.
Knee room for sitting at booth.
Rounded edges on operator's side.
Low noise level.
Good lighting.
Extra electrical outlets.
High-strength unibody design (500 lb. load rate).


REFERENCES:
patent: 3295298 (1967-01-01), Mackey
patent: 3301167 (1967-01-01), Howard et al.
patent: 3318076 (1967-05-01), Baker
patent: 3944405 (1976-03-01), van Calsteren
patent: 4016809 (1977-04-01), Austin
patent: 4202676 (1980-05-01), Pelosi, Jr. et al.
patent: 4268282 (1981-05-01), MacKenzie
patent: 4287405 (1981-09-01), Ohmae et al.
patent: 4333745 (1982-06-01), Zeanwick
patent: 4595368 (1986-06-01), Cole
patent: 4606260 (1986-08-01), Cox
patent: 4832717 (1989-05-01), Peters
patent: 4860643 (1989-08-01), Spearow
patent: 5131192 (1992-07-01), Cheng
patent: 5257957 (1993-11-01), Diccianni et al.
patent: 5318473 (1994-06-01), Goemans et al.
patent: 5410120 (1995-04-01), Taylor
patent: 5487768 (1996-01-01), Zytka et al.
patent: 5511764 (1996-04-01), Wonsetler
patent: 5582225 (1996-12-01), Schank
patent: 5807414 (1998-09-01), Schaefer
patent: 5984990 (1999-11-01), McDonald
patent: 6101666 (2000-05-01), Cheng

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