Mobile fume hood
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.
This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. provisional application No. 60/547,925 filed Feb. 26, 2004, incorporated herein in its entirety.
FIELD OF INVENTIONThe present invention relates generally to fume hoods that safely exhaust undesired gases and other materials from an enclosed chamber. More particularly, the invention relates to a fume hood in which the hood/frame unit is capable of being separated from its pedestal and moved.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Referring now to the drawings in detail, for ease of the reader, like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding parts throughout the views and embodiments depicted in the drawings. It should be noted that the drawings do not depict each and every embodiment of the present invention, and one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize various alterations which are intended to fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention.
The present invention is a fume hood in which the hood/frame unit is capable of being separated from its pedestal and moved.
Hood 100 is comprised of top surface 101, side surfaces 102, and back surface 103, which define a generally enclosed work area 105. Some common features of fume hood assembly 50 can also be seen in
Nor is any particular size of fume hood 100 intended. The particular embodiment shown in
Box frame chassis 299 could also be made of steel I-beams, a uni-strut channel, a tubing welded frame covered in a sheet metal outer skin and reinforced by heavy gauge plates, heavy gauge stainless steel, penolic resin, stainless steel, polypropylene, cold-rolled steel, wood, plastic laminate, and combinations thereof, or any other material that provides the necessary structural support. Referring again to
The purpose of box frame opening 210 is to provide an opening for a lifting device (for example, a fork lift) to lift hood/frame unit off of the pedestal. One example of a lift that this embodiment of box frame 200 is designed to be operable with is model number P-52-20 from Blue Giant®. In an embodiment in which a fork lift is used to lift hood/frame unit off of the pedestal, box frame opening 210 must be wide enough to allow the forks to enter box frame opening 210. In one embodiment, the fume hood (not shown) and box frame 200 are ninety-six inches (96″) wide and box frame opening 210 is fifty-three inches (53″) wide. In addition, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that opening 210 need not be located on front surface 201, but could be on box frame rear surface 202, or on box frame side rails 203.
Moreover, in an embodiment of hood/frame unit that is light enough to be manually lifted, opening 210 is not necessary. The operators would lift the hood/frame unit and place it on a dolly for movement, for example. In addition, the hood/frame unit can have a lip along the sides, under which the arms of the lift would slide, or eyeholes with straps connected to a crane could also be used to move hood/frame unit. Depending on the means chosen to move the hood/frame unit, various support structures within box frame 200 will be necessary to prevent the hood/frame unit from bending and/or twisting.
The embodiment of lift chase 290 shown in
Referring again to
One of ordinary skill will appreciate that the provided embodiments of an additional support structure, or any combination of these, could be employed. For example, box frame 200 could be constructed with one or more support rails which run between box frame front 201 and box frame rear 202, or with a combination of these and support rails 230 and/or 231, which run the length of box frame 200 between box frame side rails 203. That is, any construction of box frame 200 could be used so long as box frame 200 can support the weight of the hood without excessive flexing. Again, as with the construction of box frame chassis 299, many alternate materials could be used for constructing box frame 200, so long as they provide the necessary strength and rigidity.
In another embodiment of box frame 200, box frame 200 further includes a “hood/frame unit mobile mechanism” to more readily facilitate the movement of the hood/frame unit.
In the embodiment of caster wheel assembly 275 shown in
Moreover, once in place, a locking mechanism can be employed to help ensure that the hood/frame unit does not slip out of alignment. Examples of a locking mechanism include, but are not limited to, a cotter key and a latch.
One of ordinary skill in the art will realize that almost any shaped pedestal supports 310 can be used, including a generally solid shaped pedestal, two or more pedestal supports without any horizontal supports connecting them, or even a slab, as long as the pedestal is generally flat at the points of contact with the hood/frame unit, level, and capable of safely supporting the weight of the hood/frame unit. The embodiment of pedestal 300 shown in
Another example of pedestal 300 can be seen in
As stated previously, hood 100 and box frame 200 can be non-permanently connected, permanently connected, or constructed as one integral piece to form hood/frame unit 70. For example, box frame 200 could be welded to hood 100, being one example of a permanent attachment. In addition, a bracket could be screwed or otherwise temporarily fastened to both box frame 200 and hood 100, being an example of a non-permanent attachment. One other example of a non-permanent attachment is to bolt the hood/frame unit to the pedestal. One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that other permanent and non-permanent means can be employed and that these are non-limiting examples.
Also visible in
To further facilitate the movement of the hood/frame unit, one embodiment of fume hood 100 further includes quick-disconnects 400 within access door 104 on top surface 101 of fume hood 100.
In the embodiment shown in
Although, for convenience, the method of use and corresponding apparatus of the present invention have been described hereinabove primarily with respect to specific embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many variations of this invention can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention as claimed. The descriptions presented in those embodiments are not intended to demonstrate all of the possible arrangements and modifications to the design. For those skilled in the art, changes will be apparent that will fall within the spirit and the scope of the present invention.
Claims
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.
Type: Application
Filed: Feb 25, 2005
Publication Date: Sep 15, 2005
Inventor: Jeffrey Worland (Jamestown, NY)
Application Number: 11/067,213