| Dental air compressor/vacuum apparatus | | | | The present invention overcomes the disadvantages |
| Disclosed is a combined water ring vacuum pump and | | | | of the prior art by combining a water ring vacuum |
| dental air compressor, both mounted in a single cabinet. | | | | pump, a compressor and a compressed air storage |
| The vacuum pump is mounted in the base of the | | | | tank in a single cabinet, which occupies a minimum of |
| cabinet, the dental compressor is mounted on a | | | | floor space. To economize on floor space, the vacuum |
| vibration insulated platform suspended from the top of | | | | pump, compressor drive motor, and compressor are all |
| the cabinet and the compressor drive motor is | | | | arranged one above the other in the cabinet. This |
| attached to the underside of the support platform. A | | | | arrangement permits a simple, relatively vibration free, |
| water line connects the compressed air heat | | | | mounting of the compressor, together with means for |
| exchanger to the water ring vacuum pump. | | | | adjusting the tension of the compressor drive belts, |
| BACKGROUND OF THE Dental air compressor | | | | and also permits an integration of the water system |
| The present invention relates to apparatus for use in | | | | for cooling the compressed air and running the water |
| dental offices and the like, namely a single | | | | ring vacuum pump. |
| self-contained unit providing both the vacuum and | | | | SUMMARY OF THE Dental air compressor |
| compressed air needs of the dental office. | | | | The present invention can be characterized in one |
| Heretofore, dental compressors and vacuum pumps | | | | aspect thereof by a generally upright cabinet, having a |
| required by the dental practitioner were usually | | | | water ring vacuum pump mounted in the base thereof |
| purchased separately and installed in some out of the | | | | and a compressor mounted on a platform suspended |
| way location such as a basement. Suitable utility lines | | | | from adjacent the top of the cabinet. The platform |
| then connected the compressor and vacuum pump to | | | | suspension is not rigid and is therefore able to absorb |
| one or more dental operatories. The vibration noise of | | | | the vibrations produced by the compressor. The |
| the oilless air compressor was particularly a problem, | | | | compressor drive motor is mounted to the underside |
| requiring that the compressor be installed outside of | | | | of the platform on means for moving the motor with |
| the dental laboratory. Vibration noises of the vacuum | | | | respect to the platform to adjust the tension in the |
| pump, particularly of the water ring pump, are minimal | | | | compressor drive belts. |