Mobile fume hood

Abstract

An apparatus comprised of a fume hood, a box frame comprised of a box frame chassis and a lift chase functionally engaging and supporting the fume hood, the fume hood and the box frame forming a hood/box frame unit, and a pedestal functionally engaging and supporting the hood/box frame unit. The hood/box frame unit is adapted to be separated from the pedestal and moved to another location and/or placed on a second pedestal.

1 . An fume hood unit comprising: 
 a fume hood;    a box frame comprised of a box frame chassis and a lift chase, said box frame functional engaging and adapted to support said fume hood, wherein said fume hood and said box frame comprise a hood/frame unit, and wherein said box frame is comprised of an opening adapted to allow a lifting device to lift said hood/frame unit; and    a pedestal functionally engaging and adapted to support said hood/frame unit;    wherein said hood/frame unit is adapted to be separable from said pedestal.    
   
   
       2 . The fume hood unit of  claim 1 , wherein said fume hood and said box frame of said hood/frame unit are permanently or non-permanently secured to one another or are constructed as one integral piece.  
   
   
       3 . The fume hood unit of  claim 1 , wherein said box frame chassis and said lift chase are constructed of a material selected from a group comprised of sheet metal, heavy gauge stainless steel, penolic resin, stainless steel, polypropylene, cold-rolled steel, steel, a uni-strut channel, a tubing welded frame covered in a sheet metal and reinforced with a heavy gauge plate, wood, plastic laminate, two pieces of sheet metal fastened to each other with a fastener and functioning as an I-beam, and combinations thereof.  
   
   
       4 . The fume hood unit of  claim 3 , wherein said two pieces of sheet metal functioning as an I-beam has a height to width ration of approximately 6.4:1.  
   
   
       5 . The fume hood unit of  claim 1 , wherein said box frame is further comprised of at least one additional support structure, wherein said additional support structure is selected from a group comprised of: at least one angled gusset connected to said lift chase on a first end and to said box frame chassis on a second end; a first top support member, said first top support member connected to both said lift chase and said box frame chassis; a second top support member, said second top support member connected to both said lift chase and said box frame chassis; at least one angles support bracket; and combinations thereof.  
   
   
       6 . The fume hood unit of  claim 1 , wherein said pedestal is made of a material selected from a group comprised of wood, resin, a plastic laminate, mild steel, stainless steel, cement, a tubing welded frame, and combinations thereof.  
   
   
       7 . The fume hood unit of  claim 1 , wherein said opening is disposed on a front surface of said box frame.  
   
   
       8 . The fume hood unit of  claim 1 , wherein said fume hood unit is further comprised of an alignment mechanism for aligning said hood/frame unit with said pedestal.  
   
   
       9 . The fume hood unit of  claim 8 , wherein said alignment mechanism is selected from a group comprised of a plurality of pins disposed on a lower surface of said hood/frame unit and a plurality of corresponding recesses disposed on an upper surface of said pedestal, a plurality of pins disposed on said upper surface of said pedestal and a plurality of corresponding recesses on said lower surface of said hood/frame unit, a plurality of pins disposed on a lower surface of said hood/frame unit and a plurality of corresponding funnel-shaped recesses disposed on an upper surface of said pedestal, a plurality of pins disposed on said upper surface of said pedestal and a plurality of corresponding funnel-shaped recesses on said lower surface of said hood/frame unit, a plurality of curbs, a plurality of slide rails, a plurality of guide rails, a plurality of blocks, a plurality of sockets, and combinations thereof.  
   
   
       10 . The fume hood unit of  claim 8 , wherein said alignment mechanism is further comprised of a locking mechanism selected from a group comprised of a cotter key and a latch.  
   
   
       11 . The fume hood unit of  claim 1 , wherein said hood/frame unit is further comprised of a hood/frame unit mobile mechanism.  
   
   
       12 . The fume hood unit of  claim 11 , wherein said hood/frame unit mobile mechanism is comprised of a plurality of caster wheels disposed on a lower surface of said hood/frame unit.  
   
   
       13 . The fume hood unit of  claim 11 , wherein said pedestal is further comprised of a plurality of recesses, said plurality of recesses adapted to receive said hood/frame mobile mechanism.  
   
   
       14 . The fume hood unit of  claim 13  wherein said plurality of recesses disposed on said pedestal further acts as an alignment mechanism.  
   
   
       15 . The fume hood unit of  claim 1 , wherein said fume hood unit is further comprised of at least one quick-disconnect adaptable to be connected to at least one corresponding hose, said at least one corresponding hose providing gas, water, air, or a vacuum to said fume hood.  
   
   
       16 . The fume hood unit of  claim 15 , wherein said at least one quick-disconnect is within an access panel substantially within a top area of said fume hood.  
   
   
       17 . An apparatus comprising: 
 a fume hood;    a box frame comprised of a box frame chassis and a lift chase, said box frame functionally engaging and supporting said fume hood, wherein said fume hood and said box frame comprise a hood/frame unit, said hood/frame unit being adapted to be set on a pedestal and being separable from said pedestal; and    means for lifting said hood/frame unit from said pedestal.    
   
   
       18 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein said fume hood and said box frame of said hood/frame unit are permanently or non-permanently secured to one another or are constructed as one integral piece.  
   
   
       19 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein said box frame chassis and said lift chase are constructed of a material selected from a group comprised of sheet metal, heavy gauge stainless steel, penolic resin, stainless steel, polypropylene, cold-rolled steel, steel, a uni-strut channel, a tubing welded frame covered in a sheet metal and reinforced with a heavy gauge plate, wood, plastic laminate, two pieces of sheet metal fastened to each other with a fastener and functioning as an I-beam, and combinations thereof.  
   
   
       20 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein said two pieces of sheet metal functioning as an I-beam has a height to width ration of approximately 6.4:1.  
   
   
       21 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein said box frame is further comprised of at least one additional support structure, wherein said additional support structure is selected from a group comprised of: at least one angled gusset connected to said lift chase on a first end and to said box frame chassis on a second end; a first top support member, said first top support member connected to both said lift chase and said box frame chassis; a second top support member, said second top support member connected to both said lift chase and said box frame chassis; at least one angles support bracket; and combinations thereof.  
   
   
       22 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein said pedestal is made of a material selected from a group comprised of wood, resin, a plastic laminate, mild steel, stainless steel, cement, a tubing welded frame, and combinations thereof.  
   
   
       23 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein said apparatus is further comprised of an alignment mechanism for aligning said hood/frame unit with said pedestal.  
   
   
       24 . The apparatus of  claim 23 , wherein said alignment mechanism is selected from a group comprised of a plurality of pins disposed on a lower surface of said hood/frame unit and a plurality of corresponding recesses disposed on an upper surface of said pedestal, a plurality of pins disposed on said upper surface of said pedestal and a plurality of corresponding recesses on said lower surface of said hood/frame unit, a plurality of pins disposed on a lower surface of said hood/frame unit and a plurality of corresponding funnel-shaped recesses disposed on an upper surface of said pedestal, a plurality of pins disposed on said upper surface of said pedestal and a plurality of corresponding funnel-shaped recesses on said lower surface of said hood/frame unit, a plurality of curbs, a plurality of slide rails, a plurality of guide rails, a plurality of blocks, a plurality of sockets, and combinations thereof.  
   
   
       25 . The apparatus of  claim 23 , wherein said alignment mechanism is further comprised of a locking mechanism selected from a group comprised of a cotter key and a latch.  
   
   
       26 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein said hood/frame unit is further comprised of a hood/frame unit mobile mechanism, wherein said hood/frame unit mobile mechanism is selected from a group comprised of a plurality of caster wheels disposed on a lower surface of said hood/frame unit.  
   
   
       27 . The apparatus of  claim 26 , wherein said pedestal is further comprised of a plurality of recesses, said plurality of recesses adapted to receive said hood/frame mobile mechanism, wherein said plurality of recesses disposed on said pedestal further act as an alignment mechanism.  
   
   
       28 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein said apparatus is further comprised of at least one quick-disconnect adaptable to be connected to at least one corresponding hose, said at least one corresponding hose providing gas, water, air, or a vacuum to said apparatus, and wherein said at least one quick-disconnects are within an access panel substantially within a top area of said fume hood.  
   
   
       29 . An apparatus comprising: 
 a fume hood;    a box frame comprised of a lift chase and a box frame chassis, wherein said box frame chassis is comprised of a top surface, a front surface, a back surface, and two side rails, said box frame functional engaging and adapted to support said fume hood, wherein said fume hood and said box frame comprise a hood/frame unit, and wherein said front surface of said box frame is comprised of an opening adapted to allow a lifting device to lift said hood/frame unit; and    wherein said hood/frame unit is separable from a pedestal, said pedestal functionally engaging and adapted to support said hood/frame unit.    
   
   
       30 . The apparatus of  claim 29 , wherein said fume hood and said box frame of said hood/frame unit are permanently or non-permanently secured to one another or are constructed as one integral piece.  
   
   
       31 . The apparatus of  claim 29 , wherein said box frame chassis and said lift chase are constructed of a material selected from a group comprised of sheet metal, heavy gauge stainless steel, penolic resin, stainless steel, polypropylene, cold-rolled steel, steel, a uni-strut channel, a tubing welded frame covered in a sheet metal and reinforced with a heavy gauge plate, wood, plastic laminate, two pieces of sheet metal fastened to each other with a fastener and functioning as an I-beam, and combinations thereof.  
   
   
       32 . The apparatus of  claim 31 , wherein said two pieces of sheet metal functioning as an I-beam has a height to width ration of approximately 6.4:1.  
   
   
       33 . The apparatus of  claim 29 , wherein said box frame is further comprised of at least one additional support structure, wherein said additional support structure is selected from a group comprised of: at least one angled gusset connected to said lift chase on a first end and to said box frame chassis on a second end; a first top support member said first top support member connected to both said lift chase and said box frame chassis; a second top support member, said second top support member connected to both said lift chase and said box frame chassis; at least one angled support bracket; and combinations thereof.  
   
   
       34 . The apparatus of  claim 29 , wherein said pedestal is made of a material selected from a group comprised of wood, resin, a plastic laminate, mild steel, stainless steel, cement, a tubing welded frame, and combinations thereof.  
   
   
       35 . The apparatus of  claim 29 , wherein said apparatus is further comprised of an alignment mechanism for aligning said hood/frame unit with said pedestal.  
   
   
       36 . The apparatus of  claim 35 , wherein said alignment mechanism is selected from a group comprised of a plurality of pins disposed on a lower surface of said hood/frame unit and a plurality of corresponding recesses disposed on an upper surface of said pedestal, a plurality of pins disposed on said upper surface of said pedestal and a plurality of corresponding recesses on said lower surface of said hood/frame unit, a plurality of pins disposed on a lower surface of said hood/frame unit and a plurality of corresponding funnel-shaped recesses disposed on an upper surface of said pedestal, a plurality of pins disposed on said upper surface of said pedestal and a plurality of corresponding funnel-shaped recesses on said lower surface of said hood/frame unit, a plurality of curbs, a plurality of slide rails, a plurality of guide rails, a plurality of blocks, a plurality of sockets, and combinations thereof.  
   
   
       37 . The apparatus of  claim 35 , wherein said alignment mechanism is further comprised of a locking mechanism selected from a group comprised of a cotter key and a latch.  
   
   
       38 . The apparatus of  claim 29 , wherein said hood/frame unit is further comprised of a hood/frame unit mobile mechanism.  
   
   
       39 . The apparatus of  claim 38 , wherein said hood/frame unit mobile mechanism is comprised of a plurality of caster wheels disposed on a lower surface of said hood/frame unit.  
   
   
       40 . The apparatus of  claim 38 , wherein said pedestal is further comprised of a plurality of recesses, said plurality of recesses adapted to receive said hood/frame mobile mechanism, and wherein said plurality of recesses disposed on said pedestal further acts as an alignment mechanism.  
   
   
       41 . The apparatus of  claim 29 , wherein said apparatus is further comprised of at least one quick-disconnect adaptable to be connected to at least one corresponding hose, said at least one corresponding hose providing gas, water, air, or a vacuum to said apparatus, said at least one quick-disconnect being disposed within an access panel substantially within a top area of said fume hood.  
   
   
       42 . An apparatus comprising: 
 a box frame comprised of a box frame chassis and a lift chase, said box frame chassis comprised of a front surface, a back surface, two side rails, and a top surface, wherein said box frame is adapted to be supported by a pedestal, wherein said box frame is adapted to functionally engage and support a fume hood, and wherein said box frame is capable of forming a hood/frame unit with a fume hood, said hood/frame unit adapted to be lifted off of said pedestal; and    a hood/frame unit mobile mechanism disposed on said bottom surface of said box frame and adapted to permit said hood/frame unit to be movable between a first location and a second location.    
   
   
       43 . The apparatus of  claim 42 , wherein said box frame chassis and said lift chase are constructed of a material selected from a group comprised of sheet metal, heavy gauge stainless steel, penolic resin, stainless steel, polypropylene, cold-rolled steel, steel, a uni-strut channel, a tubing welded frame covered in a sheet metal and reinforced with a heavy gauge plate, wood, plastic laminate, two pieces of sheet metal fastened to each other with a fastener and functioning as an I-beam, and combinations thereof.  
   
   
       44 . The apparatus of  claim 42 , wherein said two pieces of sheet metal functioning as an I-beam has a height to width ration of approximately 6.4:1.  
   
   
       45 . The apparatus of  claim 42 , wherein said box frame is further comprised of an additional support structure, wherein said additional support structure is selected from a group comprised of: at least one angled gusset connected to said lift chase on a first end and to said box frame chassis on a second end; a first top support member, said first top support member connected to both said lift chase and said box frame chassis; a second top support member, said second top support member connected to both said lift chase and said box frame chassis; at least one angled support bracket; and combinations thereof.  
   
   
       46 . The apparatus of  claim 42 , wherein said apparatus is further comprised of an alignment mechanism for aligning said box frame with said pedestal.  
   
   
       47 . The apparatus of  claim 46 , wherein said alignment mechanism is selected from a group comprised of a plurality of pins disposed on a lower surface of said hood/frame unit and a plurality of corresponding recesses disposed on an upper surface of said pedestal, a plurality of pins disposed on said upper surface of said pedestal and a plurality of corresponding recesses on said lower surface of said hood/frame unit, a plurality of pins disposed on a lower surface of said hood/frame unit and a plurality of corresponding funnel-shaped recesses disposed on an upper surface of said pedestal, a plurality of pins disposed on said upper surface of said pedestal and a plurality of corresponding funnel-shaped recesses on said lower surface of said hood/frame unit, a plurality of curbs, a plurality of slide rails, a plurality of guide rails, a plurality of blocks, a plurality of sockets, a plurality of recesses disposed on said pedestal adapted to receive said hood/fume unit mobile mechanism, and combinations thereof.  
   
   
       48 . The apparatus of  claim 46 , wherein said alignment mechanism is further comprised of a locking mechanism selected from a group comprised of a cotter key and a latch.  
   
   
       49 . The apparatus of  claim 42 , wherein said hood/frame unit mobile mechanism is comprised of a plurality of caster wheels disposed on a lower surface of said hood/frame unit.  
   
   
       50 . A fume hood system comprised of: 
 a fume hood, said fume hood further comprised of at least one quick-disconnect hose disposed at least partially within said fume hood, each of said at least one quick-disconnect hose adaptable to be connected to a corresponding hose, said corresponding hose providing said fume hood with one of a group comprised of gas, water, air, and a vacuum.    a box frame comprised of a box frame chassis and a lift chase, said box frame functional engaging and adapted to support said fume hood, wherein said fume hood and said box frame comprise a hood/frame unit, and wherein said hood/frame unit is portable; and    a pedestal functionally engaging and adapted to support said hood/frame unit.    
   
   
       51 . The system of  claim 50 , wherein said fume hood and said box frame of said hood/frame unit are non-permanently or permanently attached to one another or are constructed as one integral piece.  
   
   
       52 . The system of  claim 50 , wherein said box frame chassis and said lift chase are constructed of a material selected from a group comprised of sheet metal, heavy gauge stainless steel, penolic resin, stainless steel, polypropylene, cold-rolled steel, steel, a uni-strut channel, a tubing welded frame covered in a sheet metal and reinforced with a heavy gauge plate, wood, plastic laminate, two pieces of sheet metal fastened to each other with a fastener and functioning as an I-beam, and combinations thereof.  
   
   
       53 . The system of  claim 52 , wherein said two pieces of sheet metal functioning as an I-beam has a height to width ration of approximately 6.4:1.  
   
   
       54 . The system of  claim 50 , wherein said box frame is further comprised of an additional support structure, wherein said additional support structure is selected from a group comprised of: at least one angled gusset connected to said lift chase on a first end and to said box frame chassis on a second end; a first top support member, said first top support member connected to both said lift chase and said box frame chassis; a second top support member, said second top support member connected to both said lift chase and said box frame chassis; at least one angled support bracket; and combinations thereof.  
   
   
       55 . The system of  claim 50 , wherein said pedestal is made of a material selected from a group comprised of wood, resin, a plastic laminate, mild steel, stainless steel, cement, a tubing welded frame, and combinations thereof.  
   
   
       56 . The system of  claim 50 , wherein said hood/frame unit is portable by an instrument selected from a group comprised of: at least one opening disposed on a front surface of said box frame, adaptable to receive a fork lift arm; manual lifting; said hood/frame unit having two side surfaces, each side surface having a lip disposed thereon, under which arms of a fork lift slide; a plurality of eyeholes or eyehooks, each of said plurality of eyeholes or eyehooks adapted to receive a strap, said strap connected to a crane; and combinations thereof.  
   
   
       57 . The system of  claim 50 , wherein said apparatus is further comprised of an alignment mechanism for aligning said hood/frame unit with said pedestal.  
   
   
       58 . The system of  claim 57 , wherein said alignment mechanism is selected from a group comprised of a plurality of pins disposed on a lower surface of said hood/frame unit and a plurality of corresponding recesses disposed on an upper surface of said pedestal, a plurality of pins disposed on said upper surface of said pedestal and a plurality of corresponding recesses on said lower surface of said hood/frame unit, a plurality of pins disposed on a lower surface of said hood/frame unit and a plurality of corresponding funnel-shaped recesses disposed on an upper surface of said pedestal, a plurality of pins disposed on said upper surface of said pedestal and a plurality of corresponding funnel-shaped recesses on said lower surface of said hood/frame unit, a plurality of curbs, a plurality of slide rails, a plurality of guide rails, a plurality of blocks, a plurality of sockets, and combinations thereof.  
   
   
       59 . The system of  claim 57 , wherein said alignment mechanism is further comprised of a locking mechanism selected from a group comprised of a cotter key and a latch.  
   
   
       60 . The system of  claim 50 , wherein said hood/frame unit is further comprised of a hood/frame unit mobile mechanism.  
   
   
       61 . The system of  claim 60 , wherein said hood/frame unit mobile mechanism is comprised of a plurality of caster wheels disposed on a lower surface of said hood/frame unit.  
   
   
       62 . The system of  claim 60 , wherein said pedestal is further comprised of a plurality of recesses, said plurality of recesses adapted to receive said hood/frame mobile mechanism, said plurality of recesses disposed on said pedestal further acts as an alignment mechanism.  
   
   
       63 . The system of  claim 50 , wherein said at least one quick-disconnect hose is within an access panel substantially within a top area of said fume hood.