Elastomeric base for pressure vessels

Abstract

An elastomeric base for a pressure vessel is configured to be adhesively secured to the bottom of the vessel in order to eliminate the problems caused by welding of steel legs. The base includes a surface configured to correspond with a curved surface of the compressor vessel. Advantageously, the base may be formed of an elastomeric material, a plastic, or of an elastomeric material co-molded with a ridged plastic.

1 . A portable air compressor, comprising: 
 a air storage tank forming a generally hemispherical shape, the air storage tank for containing air at an elevated pressure;    a base coupled to the compressor vessel, the base comprising a plurality of feet configured to be adhesively secured to the air storage tank,    wherein the pedestal includes a surface configured to correspond with the shape of the surface of the air storage tank.    
   
   
       2 . The portable air compressor as described in  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of feet is secured to the air storage tank generally equidistant from an adjacent foot in the pedestal.  
   
   
       3 . The portable air compressor as described in  claim 1 , wherein the pedestal includes vibration dampening material.  
   
   
       4 . The portable air compressor as described in  claim 1 , further comprising a valve for draining condensate.  
   
   
       5 . The portable air compressor as described in  claim 4 , wherein the pedestal is constructed to at least partially extend around the valve for protection.  
   
   
       6 . The portable air compressor as described in  claim 3 , wherein the pedestal includes outer-coating material which has high coefficient of friction for preventing the portable air compressor from skidding.  
   
   
       7 . The portable air compressor as described in  claim 1 , wherein the pedestal is molded with ridged plastic.  
   
   
       8 . The portable air compressor as described in  claim 7 , wherein the pedestal is co-molded with at least partially elastomeric material.  
   
   
       9 . The portable air compressor as described in  claim 1 , wherein the air storage tank defines a footprint and the pedestal is configured to be within the footprint.  
   
   
       10 . The portable air compressor as described in  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of feet is an elongated foot connected to form the pedestal.  
   
   
       11 . A pressure vessel, comprising: 
 a pedestal coupled to the pressure vessel, the pedestal including a plurality of base members configured to be adhesively secured to the pressure vessel,    each of the plurality of base members including a first surface configured to correspond with a curved form surface of the pressure vessel.    
   
   
       12 . The pressure vessel as described in  claim 11 , wherein each of the plurality of base members includes vibration dampening material.  
   
   
       13 . The pressure vessel as described in  claim 11 , wherein each of the plurality of base members is molded with ridged plastic.  
   
   
       14 . The pressure vessel as described in  claim 11 , wherein each of the plurality of base members includes a second surface with a recess.  
   
   
       15 . A base for a pressure vessel, comprising: 
 a pedestal for supporting the pressure vessel, the pedestal including a plurality of feet configured to be adhesively secured to the pressure vessel,    wherein the pedestal includes a surface configured to correspond with a generally curved surface of the pressure vessel.    
   
   
       16 . The base for a pressure vessel as described in  claim 16 , wherein the pedestal is constructed to support the pressure vessel to rest on a flat surface.  
   
   
       17 . The base for a pressure vessel as described in  claim 16 , wherein each of the plurality of feet is secured to the pressure vessel substantially equidistant from an adjacent foot included in the plurality of feet.  
   
   
       18 . An air compressor, comprising: 
 means for containing air at an elevated pressure; and    means for supporting the air containing means,    wherein the supporting means is secured to the air containing means via a adhesive.    
   
   
       19 . The air compressor as described in  claim 18 , wherein the supporting means includes a first surface configured to correspond with a generally curved surface of the containing air means and a second surface with a recess.  
   
   
       20 . The air compressor as described in  claim 18 , wherein the supporting means is configured to have a circular shape.