US3672445A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Underground service module
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1970-08-31
•
Granted: 1972-06-27
•
Expires: 1990-08-31
Abstract
Abstract A self-contained module is mounted in an electrified van truck and powered thereby and has an air conveying tube, compressed air hoses and electrical wires that are extensible therefrom through a modified panel section of the truck so as to supply conditioned air, operating compressed air and electrical outlets to workmen in a manhole or other underground working area. Air is passed vertically through the module from the vented top of the truck over a heat exchanger or refrigeration coil and conveyed to the workmen through the extensible tube which is locked in a collapsed position within the module for storage and transportation. An air compressor supplies a volume of compressed air which air is directed to a receiver from which low pressure dry air and high pressure air, selectively admixed with a lubricator, are regulatingly passed through the air hoses that are mounted on automatic recoil reels in the module and have outer ends carrying air chucks with a remote control switch for the compressor being provided.
Inventors
- 👤 Theo L Carson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 11:25
CPC Classifications
F; F24; F24F; F24F1/00; F24F1/02; F24F1/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
142 words
An underground service module comprising a rigid framework, an air duct mounted on and supported by saiD framework and having a substantially vertical intake portion and a substantially horizontal outlet portion, fan means operatively mounted in the duct for drawing atmospheric air from the atmosphere surrounding the intake portion into the duct and passing it out through the outlet portion, means for conditioning the air as it passes through the air duct, a flexible air tube extensibly carried by the outlet portion of the duct in communication therewith, means for sealingly locating the air tube in an extended position wherein it constitutes a flexible extension of the duct outlet portion and can be inserted into a manhole opening for conveying conditioned air to such underground area and means for maintaining the air tube in a stored condition within the duct outlet portion.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
142 words
An underground service module comprising a rigid framework, an air duct mounted on and supported by saiD framework and having a substantially vertical intake portion and a substantially horizontal outlet portion, fan means operatively mounted in the duct for drawing atmospheric air from the atmosphere surrounding the intake portion into the duct and passing it out through the outlet portion, means for conditioning the air as it passes through the air duct, a flexible air tube extensibly carried by the outlet portion of the duct in communication therewith, means for sealingly locating the air tube in an extended position wherein it constitutes a flexible extension of the duct outlet portion and can be inserted into a manhole opening for conveying conditioned air to such underground area and means for maintaining the air tube in a stored condition within the duct outlet portion.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said fan means is disposed in the intake portion and said air conditioning means is mounted at the top of the intake portion.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The invention of claim 2 wherein said air conditioning means is a heat exchanger.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The invention of claim 2 wherein said air conditioning means is a refrigeration coil.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
94 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said air tube has an inner end, a supporting adapter carried by said inner end of the tube and slidably mounting the tube within the outlet portion of the duct with the tube being bodily storable within said outlet portion of the duct and said means for sealingly locating the air tube in an extended position including a sealing gasket assembly at the outer end of the outlet portion against which the adapter sealingly abuts when the tube is fully extended from the outlet portion of the duct.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
42 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said means for maintaining the air tube in a stored condition includes a stop gate movably carried by the outer end of the duct outlet portion for lockingly engaging the outer end of the air tube.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
65 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein an air compressor is mounted on and supported by the framework, said compressor producing low and high air pressures and extensible air hoses are connected to the air compressor and extensibly disposable alongside the air tube for conveying such air pressures to the manhole area conjointly with the conveyance to such area of conditioned air by the air tube.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The invention of claim 7 wherein said hoses are mounted on automatic recoil reels rotatably mounted on the framework of the module.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The invention of claim 7 wherein said hoses have outer ends provided with air chucks.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
The invention of claim 7 wherein said high pressure air hose is selectively connectable with a lubricating source for selectively conveying lubricating high pressure air.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
The invention of claim 7 wherein said low pressure hose is connected to an air dryer means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
12 words
The invention of claim 11 wherein said air dryer is a chemical.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
59 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said module further comprises an electrical power line extensibly and retractably carried by the framework and having an outer end carrying outlets with such line being disposable alongside the air tube to convey electrical power to the manhole area conjointly with the conveyance to such area of conditioned air by the air tube.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
80 words
The invention of claim 13 wherein said module further comprises an air compressor mounted on and supported by the framework for producing high and low air pressures, automatic recoil reels carried by the framework of the module, air hoses carried by said reels and connected to the air compressor with said hoses being disposed alonside the air tube and the electrical power line and said electrical power line having a remote control switch for the compressor on its outer end.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
32 words
The invention of claim 1 including an electrified vehicle having a floor on which the framework of the module is mounted with the vehicle supplying the electrical power for the fan means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
39 words
The invention of claim 14 including an electrified vehicle having a floor on which the framework of the Module is mounted with the vehicle supplying the electrical power for the fan means, the compressor and the electrical power line.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
30 words
The invention of claim 16 wherein said vehicle has a body panel having an opening through which the air tube, hoses and line are extensible in side by side arrangement.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
65 words
The invention of claim 16 wherein said vehicle has a closed body within which the module is fixedly positioned, said body having a roof provided with an air vent immediately overlying the intake of the air duct and having a side panel provided with an opening through which the air tube, the hoses and the electrical line are passed from the module to the manhole.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US1811529A
Cited
US2341781A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-06-27 | 1975-12-27 | 1976-06-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-06-27 | 1979-12-27 | 1980-06-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-06-27 | 1983-12-27 | 1984-06-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |