Manifold system

Abstract

A system module, manifold system and method for installing and/or attaching a manifold system to a trailer/dolly system module. The manifold system includes groove and at least one fastener for securing the manifold system to the system module.

Claims

1. A module, the module comprising: a panel fixed to an exterior surface of a trailer/dolly vehicle, said panel having a slot including a first region and second region; a manifold that slideably engages into the slot having at least two connection fittings on an exterior of said manifold and at least one internal passage way fluidly connecting said at least two connection fittings for detachably connecting valves, said manifold having a length greater than a width and a height of said manifold and at least one groove extending along the entire length of said manifold for engagement with the slot, said manifold mounted between the first region and the second region of the slot of said panel; and at least one fastening element, wherein upon slideable engagement of the manifold into the slot, at least one of the first and second regions of the slot engages into the at least one groove along the length of said manifold and the at least one fastening element detachably fastens said manifold to said panel; and wherein said manifold further includes at least one valve remotely located from said manifold coupled to one of said at least two connection fittings.

2. The module of claim 1, wherein the manifold is fabricated from a group of materials consisting of: aluminum, casting, engineering plastics, metal, steel, or a combination thereof.

3. The module of claim 1, wherein the at least one groove comprises two grooves, the two grooves engaging with corresponding edges on the second region and the first region of the slot.

4. The module of claim 1, further comprising a pressure protection valve attached to the manifold and a boot enclosing the pressure protection valve so as to protect the manifold from contamination.

5. The module of claim 1, wherein the first region extends parallel to the second region.

6. The module of claim 1, wherein the at least one fastening element fastens the manifold to the second region by passing through at least one mounting hole in the manifold and at least one mounting hole in the second region.

7. The module of claim 1 wherein said at least one valve is selected from the group consisting of: a check valve and a pressure protection valve.

8. The module of claim 1 wherein one of said at least two fittings is selected from the group consisting of: a straight fitting and a ninety-degree fitting.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of an embodiment of the invention;

(2) FIG. 2 is a end perspective view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1;

(3) FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1;

(4) FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the attachment/slot portion of the system module;

(5) FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the manifold system being adaptable to the attachment/slot portion of the system module shown in FIG. 4; and

(6) FIG. 6 is an alternative perspective view of the manifold system being adaptable to the attachment/slot portion of the system module having a fastening orientation from the one disclosed in FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(7) FIG. 1 shows manifold system 100 with body 105 having groove 110 and mounting hole 120. Screw 130 is shown in phantom illustrating that it may be screwed through mounting hole 120. Screw 130 is an example of a fastener or fastening means that allows manifold system 100 to be secured to a system module. While only one screw and one mounting hole is shown in FIG. 1, this is not meant to limit the amount of screws (fasteners) and/or mounting holes present for this invention. Additionally, while only 1 groove is shown, additional grooves, such as the lower groove shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, and even a third, fourth, or fifth groove, may also be included to secure manifold system 100 to a system module. These groove(s) or plurality of grooves allow manifold system 100 to be slidable and allow manifold system 100 to engage the attachment element (shown as a panel in FIGS. 4-6) of the system module.

(8) FIG. 1 also shows various components of manifold system 100 such as straight fitting(s) 140, 142, 145 and 148, one way check valve 150, ninety degree fitting(s) 160 and 162, pressure protection valve 170, and pressure protection valve with boot 180. These elements can interact with various connections on the system module allowing for minimizing fittings and connections and simplifying plumbing with other components on the system module in order to reduce leakage points and speed up assembly time. The connections of the valves and fittings to elements in the system module are not shown.

(9) FIG. 2 shows an end view of manifold system 100 shown in FIG. 1. Here, groove 110 and lower groove 210 are shown located on body 105 of manifold system 100. One way check valve 150, pressure protection valve with boot 180, ninety degree fitting 162, and pipe plug 220 are also shown in this view. These elements may connect to various connections on the system module.

(10) FIG. 3 is a rear view of manifold system 100 with body 105 showing mounting hole 310, which allows for fasteners, such as screws (not shown) to secure manifold system 100 to system module 400 (not shown).

(11) FIG. 4 shows the system module 400 having attachment element 410. Attachment element 410 is shown as a panel having lower region 420 where the space between the upper region 425 of attachment element 410 and lower region 420 forms slot 430. Manifold system 100 may slide into the slot formed by attachment element 410 (shown in FIG. 5). This is because the grooves on manifold system 100 have a width which corresponds to the width of attachment element 410 and 420 of system module 400.

(12) Additionally, system module 400 includes mounting hole 440, allowing for screws (not shown) to secure manifold system 100 to system module 400. While only one mounting hole is shown, various mounting holes may be present within system module 400, corresponding to various mounting holes in manifold system 100. FIG. 4 also shows the system module 400 being attached to a trailer vehicle 300, such that the manifold system is able to be repaired during use of the use of the trailer vehicle.

(13) FIG. 5 shows manifold system 100 secured into system module 400 through attachment element 410 by fastener 610. Additionally, in FIG. 5, groove 110 and lower groove 210 are shown interacting with attachment element 410 and lower attachment element 420. These grooves correspond to attachment element 410 and 420, allowing for body 105 of manifold system 100 to be supported, and allowing for manifold system 100 to slide into slot 430 formed by attachment element 410 and 420. Furthermore, screw 610, shown in phantom and in a fastening position, is able to secure body 105 of manifold system 100 to attachment element 410 and to system module 400. While shown as a screw, fastener 610 may be any other such fastening means known in the art.

(14) The ability of manifold system 100 to be quickly and easily fastened and/or unfastened, and then slid off from attachment element 410, allows manifold system 100 to be easily removed and/or attached to system module 400. This design allows for the various advantages of the manifold system listed above.

(15) Additionally, FIG. 5 shows the various components of manifold system 100 including straight fitting(s) 140, 142, 145 and 148, one way check valve 150, 90 Degree fitting(s) 160 and 162, pressure protection valve 170.

(16) FIG. 6 shows another embodiment of the invention where manifold system 100 is attached to system module 600 having attachment element 610, where manifold system 100 fits into attachment element 610. Here, fastening element 620 is shown as a clamp, allowing for manifold system 100 to be clamped to system module 600.

(17) In other embodiments of the invention, a combination of a clamp, clamping means, and/or fasteners may be used to secure manifold system 100 to attachment element 410 of system module 400.

(18) In other embodiments not shown in the figures, additional fasteners and/or grooves may be used to secure the manifold system to the attachment element on the system module panel.

(19) The embodiments of the invention allow for a manifold system to be quickly replaced by another manifold system allowing for continued use of the trailer/dolly vehicle. The invention further allows for a reduction in installation time of the manifold system, and helps eliminate installation error of the manifold system, thus minimizing operation cost in both early and unnecessary repair and replacement cost, as well as minimizing catastrophic failures resulting in insurance cost saving.

(20) The manifold system also provides increased ease of use, durability, and longevity, as it attaches to the panel on the system module of the trailer/dolly.

(21) The manifold system may be made of aluminum, casting, engineering plastics, and various other materials known in the art.

(22) Additionally, the manifold system may be fastened such that its longitudinal axis is completely surrounded by the attachment element as shown in FIG. 6 or partially surrounded by the attachment element as shown in FIG. 5.

(23) While the invention has been specifically described in connection with certain specific embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that this is by way of illustration and not of limitation and that various changes and modifications in form and details can be made thereto, and the scope of the appended Claims should be construed as broadly as the prior art will permit.

(24) The description of the invention is merely exemplary in nature, and thus, variations that do not depart from the gist of the invention are intended to be within the scope of the invention. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention.