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US 5,336,130 AGranted
Adjustable exhauster arm assembly
AssigneeMetal-Fab, Inc.
InventorShaun Ray
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An exhauster arm assembly for capturing gaseous fumes which comprises a base member connected to a support structure, a hood member, a plurality of rigid tubular sections disposed between the base member and the hood member, and a plurality of flexible tubular sections interconnecting the base member, the rigid tubular sections and the hood member such that fluid communication is provided between the base members and the hood member. A plurality of joint assemblies pivotally support the hood member and the rigid tubular sections. An actuator, controlled from a switch assembly located on the hood member, is mounted on the base member and the adjacent rigid tubular section to precisely position the hood member.
Claims44
An adjustable exhauster arm assembly for conducting gaseous fumes from a work area, the exhauster arm assembly operably connected to a vacuum source and mounted to a supporting surface, the exhauster arm assembly comprising:
- a first arm assembly comprising:
- a hood member;
- a base collar;
- a plurality of rigid tubular members disposed between the base collar and the hood member;
- a plurality of flexible tubular members interconnecting the base collar, the rigid tubular members and the hood member in an alternating relationship such that fluid communication is provided between the base collar and the hood member;
- joint means for pivotally supporting the hood member and the rigid tubular members in a selected position;
- and
- actuator means for selectively moving and supporting the rigid tubular members;
- support means for rotatably interconnecting the base collar and the supporting surface;
- switching means, supported by the hood member and electrically connected to the actuator means, for selectively operating the actuator means, the switching means connected to the actuator means by an electric cable;
- and
- spring means connected to the electric cable for maintaining the electric cable in a substantially taut condition as the hood member and the tubular members are pivotally moved to varied positions.
9 more elements
An adjustable exhauster arm assembly for conducting gaseous fumes from a work area, the exhauster arm assembly operably connected to a vacuum source mounted to a supporting surface, the exhauster arm assembly comprising:
- a first arm assembly comprising:
- a hood member;
- a base collar;
- a plurality of rigid tubular members disposed between the base collar and the hood member;
- a plurality of flexible tubular members interconnecting the base collar, the rigid tubular members and the hood member in an alternating relationship such that fluid communication is provided between the base collar and the hood member;
- joint means for pivotally supporting the hood member and the rigid tubular members in a selected position, the joint means comprising:
- a first joint comprising a pair of brackets to adjacent rigid tubular member in a parallel relationship, each bracket comprising:
- a pair of support arms;
- and
- connecting means for pivotally connecting the support arms;
- a second joint comprising a pair of brackets to adjacent rigid tubular members in a parallel relationship, each bracket comprising:
- a pair of support arms;
- and
- connecting means for pivotally connecting the support arms;
- and
- a third joint comprising:
- a first connecting rod having a first end rigidly connected to an adjacent rigid tubular member and having a second end rigidly connected to a first pair of linking brackets;
- a second connecting rod having a first end rigidly connected to the hood member and having a second end rigidly connected to a second pair of linking brackets such that the second pair of linking brackets are in a perpendicular relationship to the first pair of linking brackets;
- and
- a third connecting rod having a first end pivotally connected to the first pair of linking brackets and having a second end pivotally connected to the second pair of linking brackets so as to provide universal joint movement to the hood member;
- and
- actuator means for selectively moving and supporting the rigid tubular members;
- and
- support means for rotatably interconnecting the base collar and the supporting surface.
21 more elements
An adjustable exhauster arm assembly for conducting gaseous fumes from a work area, the exhauster arm assembly operably connected to a vacuum source mounted to a supporting surface, the exhauster arm assembly comprising:
- a first arm assembly comprising:
- a hood member;
- a base collar;
- a plurality of rigid tubular members disposed between the base collar and the hood member;
- a plurality of flexible tubular members interconnecting the base collar, the rigid tubular members and the hood member in an alternating relationship such that fluid communication is provided between the base collar and the hood member;
- joint means for pivotally supporting the hood member and the rigid tubular members in a selected position, the joint means comprising:
- a first joint comprising a pair of brackets to adjacent rigid tubular members in a parallel relationship, each bracket comprising:
- a pair of support arms;
- and
- connecting means for pivotally connecting the support arms;
- a second joint comprising a pair of brackets to adjacent rigid tubular members in a parallel relationship, each bracket comprising:
- a pair of support arms;
- and
- connecting means for pivotally connecting the support arms;
- and
- a third joint comprising:
- a first connecting rod having a first end rigidly connected to an adjacent rigid tubular member and having a second end rigidly connected to a pair of linking brackets;
- and
- a second connecting rod having a first end rotatably journaled to the hood member and having a second end pivotally connected to the linking brackets of the first connecting rod;
- and
- actuator means for selectively moving and supporting the rigid tubular members;
- and
- support means for rotatably interconnecting the base collar and the supporting surface.
20 more elements
An adjustable exhauster arm assembly for conducting gaseous fumes from a work area, the exhauster arm assembly operably connected to a vacuum source and mounted to a supporting surface, the exhauster arm assembly comprising:
- a first arm assembly comprising:
- a hood member;
- a base collar;
- a plurality of rigid tubular members disposed between the base collar and the hood member;
- a plurality of flexible tubular members interconnecting the base collar, the rigid tubular members and the hood member in an alternating relationship such that fluid communication is provided between the base collar and the hood member;
- joint means for pivotally supporting the hood member and the rigid tubular members in a selected position;
- and
- actuator means for selectively moving and supporting the rigid tubular members;
- and
- support means for rotatably interconnecting the base collar and the supporting surface, the support means comprising:
- a first support bracket mounted to the supporting surface;
- and
- boom arm means for rotatably interconnecting the first arm assembly and the first support bracket and for radially extending the reach of the first arm assembly, the boom arm means comprising:
- a boom tube having a first end and a second end, the base collar of the first arm assembly rotatably connected to the second end of the boom tube;
- collar means connected to the first end of the boom tube for rotatably interconnecting the boom tube and the first support bracket;
- and
- a support rod having one end connected to the collar means and another end connected to the boom tube so as to horizontally support the boom tube.
14 more elements
An adjustable exhauster arm assembly for conducting gaseous fumes from a work area, the exhauster arm assembly operably connected to a vacuum source and mounted to a supporting surface, the exhauster arm assembly comprising:
- a first arm assembly comprising:
- a hood member;
- a base collar;
- a plurality of rigid tubular members disposed between the base collar and the hood member;
- a plurality of flexible tubular members interconnecting the base collar, the rigid tubular members and the hood member in an alternating relationship such that fluid communication is provided between the base collar and the hood member;
- joint means for pivotally supporting the hood member and the rigid tubular members in a selected position;
- and
- actuator means for selectively moving and supporting the rigid tubular members;
- and
- support means for rotatably interconnecting the base collar and the supporting surface, the support means comprising:
- a first support bracket mounted to the supporting surface;
- boom arm means for rotatably interconnecting the first arm assembly and the first support bracket and for radially extending the reach of the first arm assembly, the boom arm means comprising:
- a boom tube having a first end and a second end, the base collar of the first arm assembly rotatably connected to the second end of the boom tube;
- and
- collar means connected to the first end of the boom tube for rotatably interconnecting the boom tube and the first support bracket;
- and
- a second support bracket mounted to the supporting surface in a spatial relationship to the first support bracket, and wherein the collar means is rotatably connected to the second support bracket.
14 more elements
An adjustable exhauster arm assembly for conducting gaseous fumes from a work area, the exhauster arm assembly operably connected to a vacuum source and mounted to a supporting surface, the exhauster arm assembly comprising:
- a first arm assembly comprising:
- a hood member;
- a base collar;
- a plurality of rigid tubular members disposed between the base collar and the hood member;
- a plurality of flexible tubular members interconnecting the base collar, the rigid tubular members and the hood member in an alternating relationship such that fluid communication is provided between the base collar and the hood member;
- joint means for pivotally supporting the hood member and the rigid tubular members in a selected position;
- and
- actuator means for selectively moving and supporting the rigid tubular members;
- support means for rotatably interconnecting the base collar and the supporting surface, the support means comprising:
- a first support bracket mounted to the supporting surface;
- and
- boom arm means for rotatably interconnecting the first arm assembly and the first support bracket and for radially extending the reach of the first arm assembly, the boom arm means comprising:
- a boom tube having a first end and a second end, the base collar of the first arm assembly rotatably connected to the second end of the boom tube;
- and
- collar means connected to the first end of the boom tube for rotatably interconnecting the boom tube and the first support bracket;
- switching means, supported by the hood member and electrically connected to the actuator means by an electric cable, for selectively operating the actuator means;
- and
- spring means connected to the electric cable for maintaining the electric cable in a substantially taut condition as the hood member and the tubular members are pivotally moved to varied positions.
15 more elements
An adjustable exhauster arm assembly for conducting gaseous fumes from a work area, the exhauster arm assembly operably connected to a vacuum source and mounted to a supporting surface, the exhauster arm assembly comprising:
- a first arm assembly comprising:
- a hood member;
- a base collar;
- a plurality of rigid tubular members disposed between the base collar and the hood member;
- a plurality of flexible tubular members interconnecting the base collar, the rigid tubular members and the hood member in an alternating relationship such that fluid communication is provided between the base collar and the hood member;
- joint means for pivotally supporting the hood member and the rigid tubular members in a selected position;
- and
- actuator means for selectively moving and supporting the rigid tubular members;
- support means for rotatably interconnecting the base collar and the supporting surface, the support means comprising:
- a first support bracket mounted to the supporting surface;
- and
- boom arm means for rotatably interconnecting the first arm assembly and the first support bracket and for radially extending the reach of the first arm assembly, the boom arm means comprising:
- a boom tube having a first end and a second end, the base collar of the first arm assembly rotatably connected to the second end of the boom tube;
- collar means connected to the first end of the boom tube for rotatably interconnecting the boom tube and the first support bracket;
- and
- a support rod having one end connected to the collar means and another end connected to the boom tube so as to horizontally support the boom tube.
13 more elements
An adjustable exhauster arm assembly for conducting gaseous fumes from a work area, the exhauster arm assembly operably connected to a vacuum source and mounted to a supporting surface, the exhauster arm assembly comprising:
- a first arm assembly, comprising:
- a hood member;
- a base member;
- a plurality of rigid tubular members disposed between the base collar and the hood member;
- a plurality of flexible tubular members interconnecting the base collar, the rigid tubular members and the hood member in an alternating relationship such that fluid communication is provided between the base collar and the hood member;
- joint means for pivotally supporting the hood member and the rigid tubular members in a selected position;
- and
- actuator means for selectively moving and supporting the rigid tubular members;
- support means for rotatably interconnecting the base collar and the supporting surface, the support means comprising:
- a first support bracket mounted to the supporting surface;
- boom arm means for rotatably interconnecting the first arm assembly and the first support bracket and for radially extending the reach of the first arm assembly, the boom arm means comprising:
- a boom tube having a first end and a second end, the base collar of the first arm assembly rotatably connected to the second end of the boom tube;
- and
- collar means connected to the first end of the boom tube for rotatably interconnecting the boom tube and the first support bracket;
- and
- a second support bracket mounted to the supporting surface in a spatial relationship to the first support bracket, and wherein the collar means is rotatably connected to the second support bracket;
- and
- a second arm assembly having a first end and a second end, the first end of the second arm assembly rotatably connected to the second support bracket.
15 more elements
An adjustable exhauster arm assembly for conducting gaseous fumes from a work area, the exhauster arm assembly operably connected to a vacuum source and mounted to a supporting surface, the exhauster arm assembly comprising:
- a first arm assembly comprising:
- a hood member;
- a base collar;
- a plurality of rigid tubular members disposed between the base collar and the hood member;
- a plurality of flexible tubular members interconnecting the base collar, the rigid tubular members and the hood member in an alternating relationship such that fluid communication is provided between the base collar and the hood member;
- joint means for pivotally supporting the hood member and the rigid tubular members in a selected position;
- and
- actuator means for selectively moving and supporting the rigid tubular members;
- support means for rotatably interconnecting the base collar and the supporting surface, the support means comprising:
- a first support bracket mounted to the supporting surface;
- boom arm means for rotatably interconnecting the first arm assembly and the first support bracket and for radially extending the reach of the first arm assembly, the boom arm means comprising:
- a boom tube having a first end and a second end, the base collar of the first arm assembly rotatably connected to the second end of the boom tube;
- and
- collar means connected to the first end of the boom tube for rotatably interconnecting the boom tube and the first support bracket;
- and
- a second support bracket mounted to the supporting surface in a spatial relationship to the first support bracket, and wherein the collar means is rotatably connected to the second support bracket;
- and
- a second arm assembly comprising:
- a hood member;
- a base collar rotatably connected to the second support bracket;
- a plurality of rigid tubular members disposed between the base collar and the hood member;
- a plurality of flexible tubular members interconnecting the base collar, the rigid tubular members and the hood member in an alternating relationship such that fluid communication is provided between the base collar and the hood member;
- joint means for pivotally supporting the hood member and the rigid tubular members in a selected position;
- and
- actuator means for selectively moving and supporting the rigid tubular members.
22 more elements
An adjustable exhauster arm assembly for conducting gaseous fumes from a work area, the exhauster arm assembly operably connected to a vacuum source and mounted to a supporting surface, the exhauster arm assembly comprising:
- a hood member;
- a base collar;
- a plurality of rigid tubular members disposed between the base collar and the hood member;
- a plurality of flexible tubular members interconnecting the base collar, the rigid tubular members and the hood member in an alternating relationship such that fluid communication is provided between the base collar and the hood member;
- joint means for pivotally supporting the hood member and the rigid tubular members in a selected position;
- and
- first support means connected between the base collar and the adjacent rigid tubular member for supporting the rigid tubular members;
- switching means, supported by the hood member and electrically connected to the vacuum source, for selectively operating the vacuum source;
- spring means connected to the electric cable for maintaining the electric cable in a substantially taut condition as the hood member and the rigid tubular members are pivotally moved to varied positions;
- and
- second support means for rotatably interconnecting the base collar and the supporting surface.
8 more elements
An adjustable exhauster arm assembly for conducting gaseous fumes from a work area, the exhauster arm assembly operably connected to a vacuum source and mounted to a supporting surface, the exhauster arm assembly comprising:
- a hood member;
- a base collar;
- a plurality of rigid tubular members disposed between the base collar and the hood member;
- a plurality of flexible tubular members interconnecting the base collar, the rigid tubular members and the hood member in an alternating relationship such that fluid communication is provided between the base collar and the hood member;
- joint means for pivotally supporting the hood member and the rigid tubular members in a selected position, the joint means comprising:
- a pair of brackets secured to adjacent rigid tubular members, each bracket including a pair of support arms pivotally coupled together with a finger adjustable nut and bolt combination;
- a friction pad interposed between the support arms;
- and
- bias means attached to the adjacent rigid tubular members for partially supporting one of the adjacent rigid tubular members and for effecting spring assisted movement thereto, the bias means comprising:
- at least one spring extended between the adjacent rigid tubular members at the lower end of one tubular member and the upper end of the other tubular member such that the spring has unrestricted pivotation with the adjacent rigid tubular members as same are pivoted relative to one another and such that the maximum extension of the spring occurs as the longitudinal axis of the spring intersects the axis of pivotation of the joint means;
- first support means connected between the base collar and the adjacent rigid tubular member for supporting the rigid tubular members;
- and
- second support means for rotatably interconnecting the base collar and the supporting surface.
10 more elements
An adjacent exhauster arm assembly for conducting gaseous fumes from a work area, the exhauster arm assembly operably connected to a vacuum source and mounted to a supporting surface, the exhauster arm assembly comprising:
- first and second arm assemblies, each comprising:
- a hood member;
- a base collar;
- a plurality of rigid tubular members disposed between the base collar and the hood member;
- a plurality of flexible tubular members interconnecting the base collar, the rigid tubular members and the hood member in an alternating relationship such that fluid communication is provided between the base collar and the hood member;
- and
- joint means for pivotally supporting the hood member and the rigid tubular members in a selected position;
- and
- support means for rotatably interconnecting the base collar of the first and second arm assemblies and the supporting surface, the support means comprising:
- a first support bracket mounted to the supporting surface;
- a second support bracket mounted to the supporting surface in a spatial relationship to the first support bracket and having the base collar of the second arm assembly rotatably connected thereto;
- and
- boom arm means for rotatably interconnecting the first arm assembly and the first support bracket, for radially extending the reach of the first arm assembly and for interconnecting the second support bracket and the first support bracket, the boom arm means comprising:
- a boom tube having a first end and a second end, the base collar of the first arm assembly rotatably connected to the second end of the boom tube;
- and
- collar means for rotatably interconnecting the boom tube, the first support bracket and the second support bracket.
13 more elements
An adjustable exhauster arm assembly for conducting gaseous fumes from a work area, the exhauster arm assembly operably connected to a vacuum source and mounted to a supporting surface, the exhauster arm assembly comprising:
- a first arm assembly comprising:
- a hood member;
- a base collar;
- a plurality of rigid tubular members disposed between the base collar and the hood member;
- a plurality of flexible tubular members interconnecting the base collar, the rigid tubular members and the hood member in an alternating relationship such that fluid communication is provided between the base collar and the hood member;
- joint means for pivotally supporting the hood member and the rigid tubular members in a selected position, the joint means comprising:
- a first joint comprising a pair of brackets secured to adjacent rigid tubular members in a parallel relationship, each bracket comprising:
- a pair of support arms;
- and
- connecting means for pivotally connecting the support arms;
- and
- a second joint comprising a pair of brackets secured to adjacent rigid tubular members in a parallel relationship, each bracket comprising:
- a pair of support arms;
- connecting means for pivotally connecting the support arms;
- and
- bias means attached to adjacent tubular members at the lower end of one tubular member and the upper end of the other tubular member for partially supporting one of the adjacent rigid tubular members and for effecting spring assisted movement thereto, the bias means comprising at least one spring extended between the adjacent rigid tubular members such that the spring has unrestricted pivotation with the adjacent rigid tubular members as same are provided relative to one another and such that the maximum extension of the spring occurs as the longitudinal axis of the spring intersects the axis of pivotation of the second joint;
- and
- actuator means for selectively moving and supporting the rigid tubular members;
- and
- support means for rotatably interconnecting the base collar and the supporting surface.
17 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.