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Air compressor enclosed in shroud having tab isolatorRelated Patent Categories: Pumps, Motor Driven, Electric Or Magnetic MotorAir compressor enclosed in shroud having tab isolator description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060104834, Air compressor enclosed in shroud having tab isolator. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED DOCUMENTS [0001] The present application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. .sctn. 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/459,804, entitled "Air Compressor Enclosed in Shroud with Plastic Tab Isolator," filed Apr. 2, 2003. Said U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/459,804 is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates generally to air compressors and particularly to an air compressor enclosed in a shroud having tab isolators. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Air compressors are widely used in household and industrial applications for operating air powered tools such as fasteners, socket driving tools, material shapers, sanders, sprayers, inflation chucks, and the like. An air compressor typically includes an air tank for storing compressed air, a compressor for supplying compressed air to the air tank, and a manifold assembly for controlling and distributing compressed air from the portable air compressor to one or more air powered tools. Conventionally, a portable air compressor may include a shroud or housing, which encloses the air tank, the compressor, and the manifold assembly. The shroud, which is preferably formed of plastic, may include a handle for allowing an operator to lift and transport the portable air compressor between worksites. [0004] An air tank enclosed in a shroud of an air compressor conventionally has a known tolerance due to the manufacturability of the tank head and the welding process of the tank. This tolerance often leads to the difficulty in designing a general-purpose shroud ribbing that may firmly hold air tanks of a range of sizes in place. In other words, if the ribbing is designed to firmly hold a nominal tank (e.g., an air tank with a medium tolerance) in place, there would be an extra space between the tank and the shroud for a minimum tolerance tank (thus the minimum tolerance tank may move in the shroud); on the other hand, a maximum tolerance tank would not fit inside the ribbing at all. This often leads to manufacture inefficiency. [0005] Thus, it would be desirable to provide an apparatus and method for securing air tanks of a range of sizes within a known tolerance inside a shroud of an air compressor. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0006] Accordingly, the present invention is directed to an air compressor enclosed in a shroud with plastic tab isolators. In an exemplary aspect of the present invention, an air compressor includes an air tank for containing air at an elevated pressure, and a shroud for enclosing the air tank. The shroud may include a ribbing and a plurality of support members. The ribbing and the plurality of support members may be in contact with the air tank to assist in holding the air tank inside the shroud. [0007] In an additional exemplary aspect of the present invention, a portable air compressor includes an air tank for containing air at an elevated pressure, and a shroud for enclosing the air tank. The shroud may include a ribbing and a plurality of support members. The ribbing may include a first group of ribs and a second group of ribs. The first group of ribs may be perpendicular to the second group of ribs. The ribbing and the plurality of support members may be in contact with the air tank to assist in holding the air tank inside the shroud. [0008] In another exemplary aspect of the present invention, a shroud for enclosing an air tank of an air compressor includes a ribbing extending from an inner wall of the shroud, and a plurality of support members extending from the inner wall of the shroud. The ribbing may include a first group of ribs and a second group of ribs. The ribbing and the plurality of support members may be in contact with the air tank to assist in holding the air tank inside the shroud. [0009] In a further exemplary aspect of the present invention, a method for holding air tanks of a range of sizes inside a shroud of an air compressor may include the following steps: (a) placing a ribbing on an inner wall of the shroud so that the ribbing may hold an air tank of a maximum size; and (b) placing a plurality of support members on the inner wall so that the plurality of support members may hold an air tank of a minimum size. [0010] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention as claimed. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate an embodiment of the invention and together with the general description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0011] The numerous advantages of the present invention may be better understood by those skilled in the art by reference to the accompanying figures in which: [0012] FIG. 1 is an isometric view illustrating an air compressor in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; [0013] FIG. 2 is a cut-away view of the portable air compressor assembly shown in FIG. 1, showing an air tank, a shroud ribbing and a support member; [0014] FIG. 3 further illustrates the air tank, the shroud ribbing, and the support member shown in FIG. 2; [0015] FIG. 4 illustrates the shroud ribbing and the support member shown in FIG. 2 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; [0016] FIG. 5 is a partial view of the shroud ribbing and the plurality of support members shown in FIG. 4; and [0017] FIG. 6 is a partial right elevation view of the air compressor shown in FIG. 2. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0018] Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Continue reading about Air compressor enclosed in shroud having tab isolator... Full patent description for Air compressor enclosed in shroud having tab isolator Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Air compressor enclosed in shroud having tab isolator patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. 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