US 5,396,885 AGranted

Mobile air supply cart having dual tanks and connections allowing simultaneous filling of tank and delivery of air to a user

OwnerJoseph M. Nelsoninventor

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Abstract

A mobile air supply cart for use by personnel wearing respirators while working in hazardous environments. The cart supports two compressed air cylinders and has a handle and wheels, thereby facilitating transporting the air supply as the movements of the user require. A connector pin allows the cart to be separated into a base assembly and a frame assembly to which the cylinders are secured. In this configuration the cylinders can be carried through confined spaces. A piping system is mounted on the cart and regulates the pressure of the air supplied to the user. Valving allows the cylinder from which air is supplied to be switched out and the other cylinder to be switched in as the air is depleted in one cylinder without interrupting the supply of air to the user. A low pressure manifold on the cart allows several users to be supplied with air simultaneously. A coupling in the piping system allows the cylinders to recharged from a remote air supply while simultaneously supplying air to the user.

Claims9

Dependent claims

A mobile air supply for supplying breathing air comprising:

a) first and second compressed air cylinders;
and
b) an air supply cart for transporting said cylinders, said air supply cart having:
(i) means for securing said cylinders to said air supply cart,
(ii) an outlet port having means for placing a hose connected to a respirator mask in flow communication with said cylinders,
(iii) means for receiving air from a source of compressed air remote from said air supply cart,
(iv) means for selectively placing said outlet port in flow communication with either one of said cylinders while isolating the other one of said cylinders from said outlet port, said air supply cart directing air from one of said cylinders to a respirator mask, said means for placing said outlet port in flow communication with either one of said cylinders comprising means for simultaneously connecting said means for receiving air from a remote source to both one of said cylinders for charging said cylinder and to said outlet port for supplying a respirator mask, thereby permitting recharging of said cylinders without interrupting air supply to said user, and
(v) means for reducing the pressure of said air delivered from said air cylinders to said outlet port placed in flow communication with and between said cylinders and said outlet port.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.