Patent Publication Number: US-2011065370-A1

Title: Air collector integration with workstation

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present invention is a non-provisional of U.S. Application No. 61/241,422 filed Sep. 11, 2009. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates generally to an air collector and more particular to a air collector assembly integrated into a work station to incorporate a variety of mounting positions. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Work stations incorporating air cleaning systems are known and utilized in a variety of industries. In many manufacturing industries, processes such as welding generate undesirable byproducts such as dust or hazardous substances. Separate work stations or work areas are often utilized to contain these substances produced during manufacturing operations. 
     The size and configuration of work stations for air purification can vary from small hood style arrangements to full room enclosures. In some instances the work stations or room enclosures are required to be portable. This feature allows them to be erected surrounding equipment at a given site and in addition to be moved to accommodate assembly line reconfigurations. Known structures, however, allow for relatively limited reconfigurations from their original designs. This can restrict their usage, such as when their configuration is not compatible with assembly line space limitations. 
     In addition, work stations with restrained design modifications may not be compatible with other production layouts. It would therefore be highly desirable to have an air collector assembly that could quickly and efficiently be mounted into a variety of positions on a workstation. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with the objects of the present invention, an air collector workstation assembly is provided. The air collector workstation assembly comprises a plurality of workstation walls defining a work area. Each of the plurality of workstation walls comprises a plurality of wall panels mounted to a plurality of frame members. Each of the plurality of wall panels has a panel width and a panel height. At least one wall panel comprises an adjustable dimension wall panel having at least one removable panel portion to adjust the panel height. An air collector unit with a mounting profile having an air intake width and an air intake height is mounted to one of the workstation walls. The air intake width is approximately equal to the panel width. The removable panel portion can be removed and the mounting profile inserted to place the air collector in communication with the work area. 
     Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent when viewed in light of the detailed description and preferred embodiment when taken in conjunction with the attached drawings and claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an illustration of an embodiment of an air collector workstation assembly in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is an illustration of an alternate embodiment of an air collector workstation assembly in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a detailed illustration of an air collector for use in the air collector workstation assembly illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a detailed illustration of an alternate air collector for use in the air collector workstation assembly illustrated in Figure I. 
         FIG. 5  is an exploded view detail illustration of the air collector mount to a wall panel for use in the air collector workstation assembly shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
         FIG. 6  is the air collector workstation mounting illustrated in  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 7  is the air collector workstation mounting illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the mounting including the use of a boot element is a wall panel illustration for use in the mounting illustrated in  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 8  is a detailed illustration of an embodiment of the wall panel for use as shown in  FIG. 5 , the illustration detailing a template. 
         FIG. 9  is a detailed illustration of an embodiment of the wall panel for use as shown in  FIG. 5 , the illustration detailing a perforation line. 
         FIG. 10  is a detailed illustration of a second embodiment of the wall panel for use as shown in  FIG. 5 , the illustration detailing a weakened break line. 
         FIG. 11  is a cross sectional illustration of the weakened break line shown in  FIG. 10 , 
         FIG. 12  is a detailed illustration of a further embodiment of the wall panel for use as shown in  FIG. 5 , the illustration detailing a removable panel  56 . 
         FIG. 13  is a detailed illustration of an embodiment of the wall panel shown in  FIG. 5 , the detail illustrating a rubberized external surface. 
         FIG. 14  is a cross sectional illustration of the wall panel illustrated in  FIG. 13 . 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , which is an embodiment of an air collector workstation assembly  10  in accordance with the present invention. It is contemplated that the air collector workstation  10  is comprised of a workstation housing  12  comprised of a plurality of workstation walls  14  defining a completely or partially enclosed work area  15 . It is contemplated that the air collector workstation assembly  10  may be utilized for the control of airborne particulates such as those generated during welding. 
     The workstation housing  12  operates in combination with an air collector unit  20  to extract and clean the air contained within the work area  15 . The workstation housing  12  is comprised of a plurality of frame members  24  comprising support posts  25  and corner posts  27 . The plurality of frame members  24  support the mounting of wall panels  26  to completely or partially enclose the work area  15 . It is contemplated that the wall panels  26  may be mounted to the frame members  24  in a variety of fashions, including but not limited to screws, nails, bolts, or other attachment methodologies. It is further contemplated that a single wall panel  26  may be installed between adjoining frame members  24  ( FIG. 1 ) or that a plurality of wall panels  26  may be installed between adjoining frame members  24  ( FIG. 2 ). In addition, although the wall panels  26  may very in height, the wall panels  26  preferably are comprised of a standard wall panel width  29 . It should be understood, however, that specialized panels for dedicated areas such as entryways may have differing widths. The term wall panel  26  is intended to reflect the sidewalls wherein an air collector unit  20  may be mounted. 
     The workstation housing  12  further includes a customized hood or ceiling assembly  28 . The customized hood  28  is comprised of a hood frame  30  configured to engage the frame members  24  as well as a hood panel  32  configured to at least partially enclose the ceiling region of the work area  15 . In at least one embodiment it is contemplated that the hood panel  32  and/or the wall panels may be comprised of clear material in order to allow light to pass through into the work area  15 . 
     The present invention contemplates a unique arrangement for mounting the air collector unit  20  to a variety of positions along any of the workstation walls  14 . The present invention utilizes an air collector unit  20  comprised of a main air collector housing  34  with a mounting profile  36  protruding there from. The mounting profile  36  may also be referred to as a snout  36 . It is contemplated that the snout  36  may be formed in a variety of sizes and shapes including but not limited to those illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . The snout  36  is comprised of an air intake height  37  and an air intake width  39 . The snout  36  may be sized to encompass only a small portion of the workstation wall  14  to which it is mounted ( FIG. 4 ) or a larger portion ( FIG. 3 ). It is preferable, however, for the air intake width  39  to approximately equal the wall panel width  29 . 
     The widely varied configurations and space availability of existing operating facilities makes a static single position mounting of the air collector unit  20  to a single position on the workstation wall  14  undesirable. The present invention provides flexibility in such mounting by way of providing removable wall panels  26  or adjustable dimension wall panels  40 . The adjustable dimension wall panels  40  are preferably configured such that their panel height  41  can be modified for different snout air intake heights  37  (see  FIGS. 5 and 6 ). It is contemplated that this adjustable dimension wall panels  40  may be in a variety of configurations. In one embodiment, the material of the wall panels  26  may be configured such that the adjustable dimension wall panel  40  includes a removable panel portion  43  that can be cut out of the desired wall panel  26  and the snout  36  inserted. This allows the air collector units  20  with a wide variety of mounting profiles  36  to be mounting in any location around the workstation walls  14 . It is contemplated that the snout  36  may taper outwards slightly as it nears the main air collector housing  34  in order to generate a press fit seal. Alternatively, the present invention contemplates the use of a boot element  44  positioned between the snout  36  and the appropriate wall panel  26  in order to effectuate a proper seal ( FIG. 7 ). 
     Although the removable panel portion  43  may be configured in a variety of fashions, in one embodiment it is contemplated that the workstation walls  14  and more specifically the adjustable dimension wall panel  40  may have pre-printed templates  42  printed on their exterior that represent a variety of different mounting profiles  36  ( FIG. 8 ). In this fashion, the assembler can quickly and easily identify both the desired position and desired mounting profile corresponding to a particular model of air collector unit  20  prior to removing the removable panel portion  43 . 
     Although the removable panel portion  43  may be easily cut out due to the material configuration of the wall panels  26 , a variety of alternative embodiments are also contemplated. It is contemplated that the adjustable dimension wall panel  40  may be comprised of a perforated line  46  which allow simple removal of the removable panel portion  43  ( FIG. 9 ). It is contemplated that the perforations are small enough to not interfere with air flow within the work area  15 , but significant enough to allow easy removal. Alternately, it is contemplated that a weakened break line  48  of the adjustable dimension wall panel  40  may be weakened through a variety of methodologies such as thinning of material along the weakened break line  48  with a thinning groove  49  ( FIGS. 10 &amp; 11 ). This allows easy removal with or without cutting tools. Finally, the wall panels  26  may be formed with a pre-existing mounting slot  54  covered by a removable cover  56  ( FIG. 12 ). The removable cover  56  may be mounted and removed in a variety of fashion such as screws or bolts. 
     In at least one embodiment it is contemplated that the adjustable dimension wall panel  40  include a rubberized external surface  58  ( FIGS. 13 &amp; 14 ). When the removable panel portion  43  is removed, the rubberized external surface  58  acts as a seal against the snout  36 . The rubberized external surface  58  preferably has an external surface cut or break line  60  such that when the removable panel portion  43  is removed, a lip portion  62  protrudes past the main panel body  64 . This provides an instant seal for the snout  36 . 
     The present invention provides a highly modifiable and versatile air cleaner workstation assembly  10 . The ability to mount the air cleaner unit  20  in a variety of positions while still providing a secure mounting connection is highly desirable. 
     While the invention has been described in connection with one or more embodiments, it is to be understood that the specific mechanisms and techniques which have been described are merely illustrative of the principles of the invention, numerous modifications may be made to the methods and apparatus described without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.