Air cleaner with hinged side walls

Claim 2

A filter assembly comprising: a. a housing having two opposed side walls, and bottom wall means joining said side walls, said bottom wall means having an aperture therein; b. said side walls each comprising a first portion affixed to said bottom wall means, a second portion joined to said first portion by hinge means, and a lip portion affixed to said second portion; c. filter means mounted on said bottom wall means between said side walls; and d. said housing having end wall means extending between the ends of said side walls and sealing the ends of said filter means, said end wall means including means for holding said first and second portions of each said side wall in a coplanar relationship adjacent said filter means with said lip portion extending over an edge of said filter means to aid in holding said filter means in said housing.

Claim 3

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said end wall means are connected by hinged means to said bottom wall means.

Claim 4

The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said housing is molded as a single unit from a plastic material, said bottom wall means being formed to have a planar surface around said aperture to facilitate the sealing of gasket means thereto.

Claim 5

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first portions of said side walls are parallel to each other and extend generally perpendicular to said bottom wall means, and wherein said filter means comprises a substantially rectangularly shaped pleated filter element of gas permeable material and a support screen, said screen having a main portion positioned opposite the filter element from said bottom wall means and a pair of side legs each extending into a corresponding side pleat and having an edge thereof positioned adjacent said bottom wall means, said lip portions extending generally perpendicular to corresponding first and second coplanar portions and over said screen above said side legs to aid in holding said filter means in said housing.

Claim 6

The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said end wall means are separate end caps that encompass the ends of said side walls, bottom wall means and filter means, and adhesively secured thereto.

Claim 7

The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said end caps, side walls and bottom wall means are mechanically interlocked together.

Claim 8

The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said end wall means are connected by hinge means to said bottom wall means, and wherein said housing is molded as a single unit from a plastic material.

Claim 9

The apparatus of claim 7 wherein mechanical interlocking means are provided between said end wall means and said side walls.

Claim 10

The apparatus of claim 4 wherein an upstanding wall member is formed on said bottom wall means adjacent each of said first portions of said side walls to form a slot therebetween into which said side legs and corresponding side pleats of said filter means extend.

Claim 11

A filter assembly comprising: a. a housing having two opposed side walls, and bottom wall means joining said side walls, said bottom wall means having an aperture therein; b. said side walls each having opposite ends and each comprising a first portion connected to said bottom wall means, a second portion joined to said first portion by hinge means, and a lip portion affixed to said second portion; c. filter means mounted on said bottom wall means between said side walls; and d. said housing having end wall means extending between the ends of said side walls and sealing the ends of said filter means, said end wall means including means for holding each said side wall generally perpendicular to said bottom wall means adjacent said filter means with said lip portion extending over an edge of said filter means to aid in holding said filter means in said housing.

Claim 12

A filter assembly comprising: a. a housing having two opposed side walls, and bottom wall means joining said side walls, said bottom wall means having an aperture therein; b. said side walls each having opposite ends and each comprising a first portion connected to said bottom wall means, a second portion joined to said first portion by hinge means, and a lip portion affixed to said second portion; c. filter means mounted on said bottom wall means between said side walls; and d. said housing having end wall means extending between the ends of said side walls and sealing the ends of said filter means, said end wall means including means for holding each said side wall generally perpendicular to said bottom wall means adjacent said filter means with said lip portion extending over an edge of said filter means to aid in holding said filter means in said housing.

Claim 13

A filter assembly comprising: a. a housing having two opposed side walls each having opposite ends, and bottom wall means joiNing said side walls, said bottom wall means having an aperture therein; b. said side walls being connected to said bottom wall means by means including hinge means; c. each of said side walls having a lip portion affixed thereto; d. filter means mounted on said bottom wall means between said side walls; and e. said housing having end wall means extending between the ends of said side walls and sealing the ends of said filter means, said end wall means including means for holding said hinged side walls adjacent said filter means with said lip portion extending over an edge of said filter means to aid in holding said filter means in said housing.

Claim 14

A filter assembly comprising: a. a housing having two opposed side walls each having opposite ends, and bottom wall means joiNing said side walls, said bottom wall means having an aperture therein; b. said side walls being connected to said bottom wall means by means including hinge means; c. each of said side walls having a lip portion affixed thereto; d. filter means mounted on said bottom wall means between said side walls; and e. said housing having end wall means extending between the ends of said side walls and sealing the ends of said filter means, said end wall means including means for holding said hinged side walls adjacent said filter means with said lip portion extending over an edge of said filter means to aid in holding said filter means in said housing.