Abstract: A piston assembly is provided for an unloader valve of an air compressor. The assembly comprises an unloader piston having a first bore of a first diameter, and a second bore of a second diameter which is smaller than the diameter of the first bore. The assembly also comprises a coil spring having a central opening, one end portion disposed in the second bore, and an opposite end portion extending into the first bore. The assembly further comprises a balance piston including a head portion sized to be disposed in the first bore, a first stem portion extending from the head portion and having a diameter smaller than the first and second bores, and a second stem portion extending from the first stem portion and extending into the central opening of the coil spring and having a diameter smaller than the first stem portion.

Abstract: An apparatus for a compressor head assembly with a discharge valve comprises a valve plate having a first face and a second face, wherein at least one cavity is located on the second face and a reed valve assembly sized to be contained in the at least one cavity. The reed valve assembly comprises a reed valve plate with at least one orifice, the reed valve plate selected according to a rated compressor displacement a retainer portion; and a reed retained by the retainer portion proximate to the reed valve plate and oriented to inhibit air flow through the at least one orifice in a closed state. The reed valve assembly is removably secured to the valve plate to facilitate changing the characteristics of the reed valve assembly without changing the valve plate.

Abstract: An autolift-resistant piston assembly is provided for an air compressor. The piston assembly comprises an unloader piston having an interior chamber. The piston assembly further comprises a first coil spring for biasing the unloader piston to a loaded position when the piston assembly is installed in the air compressor. The piston assembly also comprises an inner member disposed in the interior chamber of the unloader piston and including (i) a body portion, and (ii) a tapered end portion extending from the body portion and facing an unloader air passage of the air compressor when the piston assembly is installed in the air compressor.

Abstract: A piston assembly is provided for an unloader valve of an air compressor. The assembly comprises an unloader piston having a first bore of a first diameter, and a second bore of a second diameter which is smaller than the diameter of the first bore. The assembly also comprises a coil spring having a central opening, one end portion disposed in the second bore, and an opposite end portion extending into the first bore. The assembly further comprises a balance piston including a head portion sized to be disposed in the first bore, a first stem portion extending from the head portion and having a diameter smaller than the first and second bores, and a second stem portion extending from the first stem portion and extending into the central opening of the coil spring and having a diameter smaller than the first stem portion.

Abstract: An apparatus for a compressor head assembly with a discharge valve comprises a valve plate having a first face and a second face, wherein at least one cavity is located on the second face and a reed valve assembly sized to be contained in the at least one cavity. The reed valve assembly comprises a reed valve plate with at least one orifice, the reed valve plate selected according to a rated compressor displacement a retainer portion; and a reed retained by the retainer portion proximate to the reed valve plate and oriented to inhibit air flow through the at least one orifice in a closed state. The reed valve assembly is removably secured to the valve plate to facilitate changing the characteristics of the reed valve assembly without changing the valve plate.

Abstract: An autolift-resistant piston assembly is provided for an air compressor. The piston assembly comprises an unloader piston having an interior chamber. The piston assembly further comprises a first coil spring for biasing the unloader piston to a loaded position when the piston assembly is installed in the air compressor. The piston assembly also comprises an inner member disposed in the interior chamber of the unloader piston and including (i) a body portion, and (ii) a tapered end portion extending from the body portion and facing an unloader air passage of the air compressor when the piston assembly is installed in the air compressor.

Abstract: A piston assembly is provided for an unloader valve of an air compressor. The assembly comprises an unloader piston having a first bore of a first diameter, and a second bore of a second diameter which is smaller than the diameter of the first bore. The assembly also comprises a coil spring having a central opening, one end portion disposed in the second bore, and an opposite end portion extending into the first bore. The assembly further comprises a balance piston including a head portion sized to be disposed in the first bore, a first stem portion extending from the head portion and having a diameter smaller than the first and second bores, and a second stem portion extending from the first stem portion and extending into the central opening of the coil spring and having a diameter smaller than the first stem portion.

Abstract: A compressor head includes an upper part, a lower part, a baffle, and a gasket between the upper part and the lower part. The gasket includes an inner perimeter portion between, and substantially delineating, an upper inner mating portion and a lower inner mating portion of the compressor head. The gasket also includes an outer perimeter portion between, and substantially delineating, an upper outer mating portion and a lower outer mating portion of the compressor head. A tab extends toward the first volume in the compressor head from the inner perimeter portion. The tab cooperates with an upper ledge and a lower ledge of the compressor head to reduce vibration of the baffle between the upper part and the lower part.

Abstract: A piston and cylinder assembly includes a housing defining a bore. A piston is sized to reciprocate in the bore. A first sealing member provides a sealing engagement between the piston and a wall of the bore. A first bushing, of a first material, is around a first portion of the piston toward a first end of the piston. A second bushing, of a second material, is around a second portion of the piston toward a second end of the piston. The first and second bushings guide the piston within the bore. The first material is different than the second material.

Abstract: Three elements of a fluid flow control device—switch, button, label—are designed to minimize the possibility of two labeled buttons being swapped on their switches. If the parts are assembled incorrectly or mislabeled, or if the buttons are thereafter swapped on the switches, it will be very obvious; then, if one attempts to fix such a problem, it can only be fixed by placing the buttons on the correct switches, and it can not be fixed by leaving the buttons on the wrong switches.

Abstract: A latch assembly for a vacuum cleaner is disclosed. The latch assembly includes a housing and a handle pivotally mounted to the housing and movable between an operational position and an storage position. The latch assembly further includes an arcuate surface defined in the handle near a pivot axis of the handle and a notched engagement surface defined in the handle proximate to the arcuate surface. The latch assembly yet further includes a latch pivotally mounted to the housing and offset from an axis of rotation of the handle and movable between a locked position and release position. The arcuate surface of the handle slides along the latch when the latch is in the release position allowing the handle to move between the operational position and the storage position. The notched engagement surface of handle engages the latch when the latch is in the locked position thereby preventing rotation of the handle relative to the housing and placing the handle in the operational position.

Abstract: Three elements of a fluid flow control device—switch, button, label—are designed to minimize the possibility of two labeled buttons being swapped on their switches. If the parts are assembled incorrectly or mislabeled, or if the buttons are thereafter swapped on the switches, it will be very obvious; then, if one attempts to fix such a problem, it can only be fixed by placing the buttons on the correct switches, and it can not be fixed by leaving the buttons on the wrong switches.