subject: Differences Between Conventional Air Compressor And New [print this page] An mini air compressor package comprising: a pancake air tank having a pair of convex tank members that are coupled to one another about an equator of the pancake air tank; a handle coupled to the pancake air tank, the handle including a first handle portion and a second handle portion; a housing coupled to the pancake air tank and the handle, the housing defining an internal cavity and at least partially shrouding the pancake air tank and the handle; a motor housed in the internal cavity of the housing; a compressor driven by the motor, the compressor being housed in the internal cavity of the housing and being in fluid communication with the pancake air tank; and a manifold assembly coupled in fluid communication with the pancake air tank, the manifold assembly including a gauge, a regulator and an outlet coupling; wherein the air compressor package has a first operating position in which the equator of the pancake air tank is positioned vertically and the first portion of the handle is generally parallel to a first surface on which the mini air compressor package is positioned, wherein the air compressor package has a first hand-carried transport position in which the first portion of the handle is adapted to be engaged by a single hand of a user to transport the air compressor package such that the first portion of the handle is disposed above the pancake air tank, wherein the mini air compressor package has a second hand-carried transport position in which the second portion of the handle is adapted to be engaged by the single hand of the user to transport the mini air compressor package such that the second portion of the handle is disposed above the pancake air tank, and wherein the second transport position is rotated by an angle of about 90 degrees from the first transport position.
These conventional mini air compressor arrangements provide a package with a relatively large base or footprint, and a center of gravity that is positioned in an approximately centered position within the footprint. While such arrangements provide the air compressor with a configuration that is relatively stable during its operation, lifting and carrying air compressors with these configurations tends to be rather awkward and difficult. In this regard, these configurations typically employ a handle (for lifting and carrying the air compressor) that is attached to an appropriate structure, such as the stand or the air tank, at a location that is located vertically above the center of gravity of the entire mini air compressor package. The handle is generally oriented in a manner that requires the air compressor package to be lifted vertically upwards and carried in an orientation that is substantially the same as the orientation in which it is operated.
Lifting and carrying the known intermediate mini air compressor packages in this manner, however, is relatively difficult, since the footprint of these air compressor packages tends to be relatively large and thus requires the user to hold the air compressor package with a somewhat outstretched arm such that the wrist of the user is in a state of flexion. In an effort to bring the air compressor package's center of gravity closer to the central axis of the user, the user will typically tilt their upper body away from the load of the air compressor package and thus will lift and transport the mini air compressor package with a body posture that is uncomfortable and awkward.
