PORTABLE WASTE COLLECTION AND CLEANING DEVICE
A portable cleaning assembly is provided. The assembly comprises a body or chassis portion supported by wheels. The body portion comprises a first portion for selectively receiving a waste container or barrel, as well as a housing member for storing various features of the assembly as well as additional cleaning products and devices. The housing at least partially contains a vacuum, a motor, and a rechargeable battery for powering the motor.
This U.S. Non-Provisional Patent Application claims the benefit of priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/186,666, filed Jun. 30, 2015, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
FIELDThe present disclosure generally relates to systems and devices for collecting waste and debris, and cleaning areas or surfaces. More specifically, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a portable device comprising a vacuum unit and additional components for receiving waste and storing related articles.
BACKGROUNDVarious known devices provide a vacuum unit in combination with a waste container, such as a trash barrel or similar feature. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,058,560, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety, discloses an assembly having a vacuum attached to a waste container. The vacuum has an inlet for attachment to a hose to allow the vacuum to be utilized in an area without having to move the assembly. U.S. Pat. No. 6,199,714, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety, also discloses an assembly having a waste container housing a vacuum unit. The vacuum unit has an inlet in the bottom of the waste container for collecting swept debris and for cleaning of dustpans. These devices, however, fail to disclosure various novel features of the present disclosure. For example, in various embodiments, the present disclosure provides systems and devices comprising features for receiving and transporting a waste container, and an at least partially enclosed housing for receiving and containing a vacuum unit, a battery, and one or more control features for operation of the battery and/or vacuum unit.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,732,403, 7,979,954, 7,472,456, 2007/0186371, and 2009/0113664 to Moore et al., which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties, disclose various waste barrels supported by or connected to a vacuum unit, but fail to disclose various novel features of devices of the present disclosure. For example, in various embodiments, the present disclosure provides systems and devices comprising a portable system for receiving a waste container, and an at least partially enclosed portion for receiving a vacuum unit and associated features in a manner that is aesthetically pleasing and reduces or isolates noise emissions from a vacuum unit.
SUMMARYIt is an object of the present disclosure to provide a mobile cleaning and waste collection device with integrated vacuum features. It is a further object of the present disclosure to provide a device comprising portable vacuum features with a power source (e.g. power cord or rechargeable battery), and wherein vacuum and battery features are at least partially contained within a housing member of the device, and wherein access and control features are provided such that they are accessible to a user. Devices and features in furtherance of these objects are shown and described herein.
In one embodiment, a cleaning assembly is provided, the cleaning assembly comprising a main body portion with a horizontally extending platform for receiving at least one waste container, and a housing comprising a plurality of sidewalls, at least some of the sidewalls extending perpendicularly to the horizontally extending platform. A plurality of wheels is provided on a lower portion of the main body portion to enable movement of the assembly. A vacuum unit comprising a motor is also provided, the vacuum unit at least partially disposed within the housing. A collection device is provided in fluid communication with the motor for collecting materials. At least one rechargeable battery is provided within the housing and electrically connected to the motor for supplying electrical power to the motor. At least one sidewall of the housing comprises an attachment member for selectively receiving and securing a waste container. In certain embodiments, a power cord is provided in addition to or in lieu of the rechargeable battery. Although certain embodiments contemplate either or both of a rechargeable and a disposable battery as providing power to various device features, it is also contemplated that the device may be powered directly by current from an external source (e.g. power In such embodiments, a power cord is provided that may be selectively plugged into a current source (e.g. wall outlet). It is also contemplated that embodiments comprising a rechargeable battery are provided with a cord for at least one of charging the battery and running the device and motor on current directly from an external source. Power cords of the present disclosure are contemplated as including, but are not limited to, extending cords that may selectively extend from the device and be stored substantially within the device when not in use.
In preferred embodiments, portable cleaning assemblies of the present disclosure are configured such that at least one rechargeable battery of the assembly is operable to run in a “hybrid” charging mode. For example, in certain embodiments, at least one of the battery and an electronic control unit in communication with the battery are operable to receive a charge from an external power source and charge the rechargeable battery while also being provided in a mode of use. Specifically, in certain embodiments, the battery is capable of providing power to the motor while also being charged. Accordingly, devices of the present disclosure comprise vacuum units including a motor that are powered by a rechargeable battery and wherein the motor is powered by any one or more of: a battery comprising a charge that is not connected to an external power source, a battery comprising a charge that is connected to an external power source, and a battery that is devoid of a charge and is connected to an external power source.
In certain embodiments, vacuum units of the present disclosure comprise at least one of a canister and a bag for receiving contents collected by the vacuum. Embodiments of the present disclosure contemplate that a fill-level indicator of a canister or bag is provided to indicate to a user or operator when the canister or bag requires emptying. In preferred embodiments, the fill-level indicator comprises a temperature sensor and a user-interface (e.g. a light or indicia). When the temperature sensor detects that a temperature of the motor exceeds a predetermined value, a user is alerted to this condition by the user-interface. The predetermined temperature value corresponds to an increase in motor temperature due to increased load on the motor that has been caused by the canister or bag reaching or exceeding a desired fill level. In alternative embodiments, a mechanical or electrical pressure switch is provided to indicate a fill-level or condition. Such switch(es) may be provided in addition to or in lieu of the temperature sensor and user-interface.
In various embodiments, devices of the present disclosure contemplate reduced machine sound levels such that the devices may be used in indoor settings with minimal impact on users and occupants (for example). In certain embodiments, a vacuum unit and an associated motor are at least partially provided within an external housing and wherein the housing provides a sound baffle to reduce noise associated with the motor and/or vacuum chamber. It is also contemplated that embodiments of the present disclosure comprise integrated sound reduction devices (e.g. muffler) within the housing. In certain embodiments, at least a portion of the housing comprise baffling, such as foam provided between sidewalls of the housing to reduce noise output. it is also contemplated that sound-conductive elements and materials of the motor known to conduct or transmit sound are isolated from additional components. Existing vacuum devices teach away from the provision of such sound-reducing and dampening features, as a critical feature of vacuum devices relates to an ability to vent heat and exhaust from the device. Embodiments of the present disclosure contemplate providing a specific exhaust path as shown and described herein, wherein a vacuum exhaust is directed from the housing. This exhaust path of various embodiments provides the ability to shield or shroud noise-producing components of the device without the negative impacts of trapping vacuum heat and exhaust, and provides for an efficient device which is also quieter than existing technologies.
In one embodiment, a portable cleaning assembly is provided that comprises a main body portion comprising a horizontally extending platform for receiving at least one waste container, and a housing comprising a plurality of sidewalk, at least some of the sidewalk extending perpendicularly to the horizontally extending platform. A plurality of wheels are provided on a lower portion of the main body portion to enable movement of the assembly. A vacuum unit comprises a motor, the vacuum unit being at least partially disposed within the housing. A collection device is in fluid communication with the motor for collecting materials. At least one rechargeable battery is provided within the housing and electrically connected to the motor for supplying electrical power to the motor, and at least one sidewall of the housing comprises an attachment member on an exterior portion of the sidewall for selectively receiving and securing a waste container.
In one embodiment, a portable cleaning assembly is provided, the assembly comprises a main body portion with a horizontally extending platform for receiving at least one waste container, and a housing comprising a plurality of sidewalls, at least some of said sidewalls extending perpendicularly to the horizontally extending platform, the housing comprising an at least partially enclosed volume. A plurality of wheels are provided on a lower portion of the main body portion to enable movement of the assembly. A vacuum unit is provided that comprises a motor and a vacuum canister. The motor is provided within the housing. At least one rechargeable battery is provided within the housing for supplying electrical power to the vacuum unit. The vacuum unit comprises an exhaust hose, the exhaust hose in fluid communication with the vacuum motor and an outlet of the housing. In various embodiments, the exhaust hose comprises a stretch or stretchable hose that does not comprise a fixed length but may expand and contract as needed for use and/or storage. In certain embodiments, on-board storage for at least one of a hose, a wand, and cleaning accessories is integrated into the device housing.
In one embodiment, a portable cleaning assembly is provided, the assembly comprising a main body portion having a forwardly extending platform operable to receive at least one waste container, and a housing comprising a plurality of sidewalls, at least some of the sidewalls extending perpendicularly to the platform, the housing comprising an at least partially enclosed volume. A plurality of wheels is provided on a lower portion of the main body portion to enable movement of the assembly. A vacuum unit is provided that comprises a motor and a vacuum canister. The motor is provided substantially within the at least partially enclosed volume. At least one rechargeable battery is provided within the housing for supplying electrical power to the vacuum unit, and the vacuum unit comprises an exhaust hose in fluid communication with the vacuum motor and an outlet of the housing.
The Summary is neither intended nor should it be construed as being representative of the full extent and scope of the present disclosure. The present disclosure is set forth in various levels of detail in the Summary as well as in the attached drawings and the Detailed Description and no limitation as to the scope of the present disclosure is intended by either the inclusion or non-inclusion of elements, components, etc. in this Summary. Additional aspects of the present disclosure will become more readily apparent from the Detailed Description, particularly when taken together with the drawings.
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the disclosed system and together with the general description of the disclosure given above and the detailed description of the drawings given below, serve to explain the principles of the disclosed system(s) and device(s).
It should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scale. In certain instances, details that are not necessary for an understanding of the disclosure or that render other details difficult to perceive may have been omitted. It should be understood, of course, that the disclosure is not necessarily limited to the particular embodiments illustrated herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTIONThe platform 8 of the embodiment of
The primary housing 10 comprises vertically extending sidewalls and an at least partially enclosed internal volume, the internal volume at least partially comprising and containing a vacuum unit 14 including a vacuum lid 16 and a vacuum chamber 18. An upper portion of the primary housing 10 further comprises at least one storage area 20 for receiving and transporting various devices including, but not limited to, cleaning supplies and tools. Preferably, at least one handle member 22 is provided proximal a rear or user end of the device 2. A vacuum wand 24 is provided and shown in a storage position wherein the wand 24 is stored for transport on the device 2. The wand 24 may be provided in fluid communication with the vacuum unit 14 via at least one hose (not shown in
As further shown in
In various embodiments, the panel 34 comprises a removable panel wherein an entirety of the panel 34 is removable to access features provided within the primary housing 10. In certain embodiments, the panel 34 comprises a plurality of knock-out features or smaller panels to allow selective access to particular internal features, and the ability to customize the rear panel 34 based on the particular components provided within the housing 10 and the layout thereof. Additionally, embodiments of the present disclosure provide for various vacuum exhaust flow paths wherein vacuum exhaust may be directed to any number of features of the device or simply vented outside of the device. In certain embodiments, an exhaust hose (e.g. 44 in
A rear panel 34 is provided to allow for at least partial access to system components provided within the interior volume of the primary housing 10. In various embodiments, the rear panel 34 comprises a removable panel or a door to allow for a user to access features contained within the internal volume of the primary housing 10. In alternative embodiments, the rear panel 34 comprises at least one aperture or port for accessing features within the internal volume.
In the embodiment shown in
As shown in
While various embodiments of the system have been described in detail, it is apparent that modifications and alterations of those embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art. It is to be expressly understood that such modifications and alterations are within the scope and spirit of the present disclosure. Further, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purposes of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof herein are meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof, as well as, additional items.
Claims
1. A portable cleaning assembly comprising:
- a main body portion comprising a substantially horizontally extending platform for receiving at least one waste container, and a housing comprising a plurality of sidewalls, at least some of said sidewalls extending perpendicularly to the horizontally extending platform;
- a plurality of wheels provided on a lower portion of the main body portion to enable movement of the assembly;
- a vacuum unit comprising a motor, the vacuum unit at least partially disposed within the housing;
- a collection device in fluid communication with the motor for collecting materials;
- at least one rechargeable battery provided within the housing and electrically connected to the motor for supplying electrical power to the motor; and
- wherein at least one sidewall of the housing comprises an attachment member on an exterior portion of the sidewall for selectively receiving and securing a waste container.
2. The portable cleaning assembly of claim 1, wherein the waste container comprises a plastic barrel.
3. The portable cleaning assembly of claim 1, wherein the collection device comprises a vacuum canister in fluid communication with the motor.
4. The portable cleaning assembly of claim 1, wherein the vacuum unit comprises a lid provided proximal to an upper portion of the housing.
5. The portable cleaning assembly of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises an access panel operable to provide access to an interior of the housing.
6. The portable cleaning assembly of claim 5, wherein the access panel comprises a rear panel of the main body portion provided on an opposing side of the housing relative to the platform.
7. The portable cleaning assembly of claim 1, further comprising an electronic control unit in communication with the rechargeable battery, and wherein the battery is operable to receive power from an external source and wherein the battery is configured to power the motor and be simultaneously charged by the external source.
8. A portable cleaning assembly comprising:
- a main body portion comprising a horizontally extending platform for receiving at least one waste container, and a housing comprising a plurality of sidewalls, at least some of said sidewalls extending perpendicularly to the horizontally extending platform, the housing comprising an at least partially enclosed volume;
- a plurality of wheels provided on a lower portion of the main body portion to enable movement of the assembly;
- a vacuum unit comprising a motor and a vacuum canister;
- the motor provided within the housing;
- at least one source for power provided within the housing for supplying electrical power to the vacuum unit; and
- wherein the vacuum unit comprises an exhaust hose, the exhaust hose in fluid communication with the vacuum motor and an outlet of the housing.
9. The portable cleaning assembly of claim 8, wherein the source for power is a rechargeable battery.
10. The portable cleaning assembly of claim 8, wherein the source for power comprises a power cord connected to at least the motor.
11. The portable cleaning assembly of claim 8, wherein the vacuum canister is in fluid communication with the motor.
12. The portable cleaning assembly of claim 8, wherein the vacuum unit comprises a lid provided proximal to an upper portion of the housing.
13. The portable cleaning assembly of claim 8, wherein the housing comprises an access panel operable to provide access to an interior of the housing, wherein the access panel comprises a rear panel of the main body portion provided on an opposing side of the housing relative to the platform.
14. The portable cleaning assembly of claim 8, wherein the at least one source for power comprises a rechargeable battery, and wherein the rechargeable battery is operable to receive a charge from an external power source and concurrently provide power to the motor.
15. The portable cleaning assembly of claim 8, further comprising at least one of a clip, a strap, and a cord to selectively secure the collection device to the assembly.
16. A portable cleaning assembly comprising:
- a main body portion comprising a forwardly extending platform operable to receive at least one waste container, and a housing comprising a plurality of sidewalls, at least some of the sidewalls extending perpendicularly to the platform, the housing comprising an at least partially enclosed volume;
- a plurality of wheels provided on a lower portion of the main body portion to enable movement of the assembly;
- a vacuum unit comprising a motor and a vacuum canister;
- the motor provided substantially within the at least partially enclosed volume;
- at least one rechargeable battery provided within the housing for supplying electrical power to the vacuum unit; and
- wherein the vacuum unit comprises an exhaust hose, the exhaust hose in fluid communication with the vacuum motor and an outlet of the housing.
17. The portable cleaning assembly of claim 16, further comprising an electronic control unit provided within the housing, the electronic control unit operable to control at least one of charging the battery and operating the vacuum unit.
18. The portable cleaning assembly of claim 16, wherein the vacuum canister comprises a removable canister that operable to be removed for emptying contents of the vacuum canister.
19. The portable cleaning assembly of claim 16, further comprising at least one of a clip, a strap, and a cord to selectively secure the collection device to the assembly.
20. The portable cleaning assembly of claim 17, wherein the electronic control unit is configured to simultaneously charge the battery and provide power from the battery to the motor such that the battery is rechargeable in a state of use.
Type: Application
Filed: Jun 30, 2016
Publication Date: Jan 5, 2017
Inventors: Scott Pyne (Englewood, CO), Adam Bearup (Lakewood, CO), Mark McCullough (Castle Rock, CO), Lynn Relph (Englewood, CO), Michael Rasmussen (Denver, CO), Scott Geschwentner (Littleton, CO), Jeff Bernath (Denver, CO)
Application Number: 15/198,389