Vac Lid

Abstract

An accessory module for a vacuum cleaner system that can be attached to any of the standard shop vacuum and help for reducing the re-emptying times while cleaning. More specifically, the present invention relates to a vacuum lid in a vacuum cleaning system with a large waste receptacle to be used in industrial or construction site. The vacuum lid is an innovative cleaning unit that has been designed to allow the user to easily swap the suction head off of the shop vacuum and place it on the large waste receptacle to pick up larger volumes of dust, dirt, and debris. Further, the system could adapt standard shop vacuum to larger containers, and latches could be used to secure the assembly to top of large waste receptacle.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A. Technical Field

The present invention generally relates to an accessory module in a vacuum cleaner system. More specifically, the present invention relates to a vacuum lid in a vacuum cleaning system with a large waste receptacle to be used in industrial or construction site.

B. Description of Related Art

Modern vacuum cleaner has established itself as a necessary machine for saving time, effort, and for effective cleaning. One of the latest innovations and embodiments of the vacuum cleaner is the development of the shop style vacuum cleaner usually known as the shop vacuum, exhibiting larger waste containers than a typical household model. The shop vacuum has various configurations of power from a small hand held versions those are handy for small jobs; for instance, vacuuming out automobiles to large industrial size models. Many models feature a wet or dry configuration, a convenient feature for removing water and damp debris from areas easily damaged by high levels of moisture.

Generally, most people cannot justify the large, expensive industrial models for everyday use, even if the use involves substantial application as would be employed in a significant clean-up of a renovation site. A shop vacuum suitable for clean-up of a site of extensive scale is usually capable of filling its five to ten-gallon receptacle rather quickly. The filling of the container rapidly presents a particular problem for anyone attempting to clean such a location. The container has to be emptied each time it reaches its capacity. Frequent clearing of the container will require the operator to make repeated trips to empty the container into a larger repository such as a dumpster or other larger waste container. This maintenance creates a highly inefficient scenario for the worker concerned with vacuuming up the area. Regardless of the size and power of the shop vacuum, the limit imposed by the smaller containers in an extensive clean-up prevent the worker from performing their task in a timely and effective manner

Currently, the person using a standard shop vacuum to pick up larger volume materials may have to empty the collection tank of the vacuum many times before all the dust, dirt, and debris is removed from the floor or lawn. This continual emptying of the base container is very irritating and causes additional fatigue as more trips have to be made to allow the vacuum to be used after having been filled. Additionally, some debris is too large to be picked up and moved through the standard 2.5″ or 1.25″ diameter shop vacuum suction hose.

Therefore, there is a need for an accessory module of a vacuum cleaner to gather huge trashes, without recurring disposal of trashes from floor or lawn of any large area, for example any industrial or construction site etc. Further, there is also a need for the accessory module to be able to fit to different types of vacuum cleaners.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to an accessory module in a vacuum cleaner system. More specifically, the present invention relates to a vacuum lid in a vacuum cleaning system with a large waste receptacle to be used in industrial or construction site. The vacuum lid is an innovative cleaning unit that has been designed to allow the user to easily swap the suction head off of the shop vacuum and place it on the large waste receptacle to pick up larger volumes of dust, dirt, and debris.

In an embodiment, the accessory module for the cleaning system is been designed to allow the user to easily swap a suction head off of a shop vacuum and place it on the large waste receptacle to pick up larger volumes of dust, dirt, and debris. In one embodiment, the vacuum lid consists of an adapter plate and an extension collar. The system consists of waste receptacle, upon which the adapter plate has been attached to interface between the waste receptacle and a specific brand of suction head. The system is manufactured with a long suction hose and a few tools for picking up materials conveniently.

In one embodiment, the adapter plate could fit to the top of the large waste receptacle. The plate is designed to accommodate both the upper part of the large waste receptacle and the base of the vacuum cleaner, once the original container of the shop vacuum is removed. The shop vacuum motor and housing are attached to an upper portion of the adapter plate with the extension collar. In one embodiment, individual blocks added to the sides of the large waste container could serve as secure points to fasten the adapter plate to the receptacle.

In one embodiment, multiple latches could be located on the outside of each of the blocks to attach the adapter plate to the large waste container. The adapter plate is configured with an open center section that could allow the shop vacuum to direct debris directly into the waste receptacle. The larger receptacle will permit the operator to continuously vacuum for longer periods of time without repeatedly emptying the standard containers that come with a shop vacuum. Further, multiple wheels on the larger container could provide leverage and ease of emptying.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description. It should be understood, however, that the detailed description and the specific examples, while indicating specific embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of the invention, is better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, exemplary constructions of the invention are shown in the drawings. However, the invention is not limited to the specific methods and structures disclosed herein. The description of a method step or a structure referenced by a numeral in a drawing is applicable to the description of that method step or structure shown by that same numeral in any subsequent drawing herein.

FIG. 1 illustrates an accessory module to be fitted with a vacuum cleaner for cleaning of floor or lawn in industrial or construction site mostly, incorporating the aspects of the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a front prospective view of accessory module to be fitted with a vacuum cleaner, incorporating the aspects of the present invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates a side prospective view of different parts of the accessory module to be fitted with a vacuum cleaner, incorporating the aspects of the present invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates a latch that could be located on the outside of each of the blocks to attach the adapter plate to the large waste container, incorporating the aspects of the present invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates a top view of a large waste receptacle with an adapter plate of the vacuum cleaning system, incorporating the aspects of the present invention.

FIG. 6 illustrates a collar on the adapter plate, incorporating the aspects of the present invention.

FIG. 7 illustrates different parts of the accessory module to be fitted with a vacuum cleaner and their fitting patterns, incorporating the aspects of the present invention.

FIG. 8A illustrates a top view of assembly of the vacuum cleaning system, incorporating the aspects of the present invention.

FIG. 8B illustrates a top view of the adapter plate, incorporating the aspects of the present invention.

FIG. 8C illustrates a side view of the adapter plate, incorporating the aspects of the present invention.

FIG. 9A illustrates a diameter slide in vacuum hose, incorporating the aspects of the present invention.

FIG. 9B illustrates a diameter slide in vacuum plug, incorporating the aspects of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

A description of embodiments of the present invention will now be given with reference to the Figures. It is expected that the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive.

The present invention relates to an accessory module 100 to be fitted with a shop vacuum cleaning system for easy cleaning and less recurring disposal of wastage or trash collected from floor or lawn in large areas, for example, industrial and construction sites as shown in FIG. 1. The accessory module 100 comprises a large waste receptacle 112 with wheels 114. In an embodiment, side surfaces of the large waste receptacle 112 could be ribbed to prevent drawing in and collapsing during vacuum use. An adapter plate 106 is interfaced with the large waste receptacle 112, on its top surface. An extension collar 104 is used between the adapter plate 106 and a vacuum motor/suction head 102. The extension collar 104 is configured to be attached with a vacuum hose 108. Further, the adapter plate is configured with latch supports 116 and a gasket is adhesively bonded to the bottom of the adapter plate 106. A latch block 110 is configured to adhere to the large waste container 112 to which the gasket could be hooked to firmly hold a connection between the large waste receptacle 112 with the suction head 102. In an embodiment, the vacuum hose 108 could be a suction hose and manufactured with long molded plastic hose. In another embodiment, the vacuum hose 108 could be coiled and stored with the tools in the large waste receptacle 112 when not in use.

In an embodiment as shown in FIG. 2, the accessory module 100 for the cleaning system is been designed to allow the user to easily swap a suction head off of a shop vacuum and place it on the large waste receptacle 112 to pick up larger volumes of dust, dirt, and debris. The system consists of waste receptacle 112, upon which an adapter plate 106 has been attached to interface between the waste receptacle 112 and any specific brand of suction head 102. In another embodiment, the large waste receptacle 112 is a heavy duty molded plastic large container and could contain 40 to 50-gallon of waste. The system is manufactured with a long suction hose 108 and a few tools for picking up materials conveniently. In yet another embodiment, the vacuum lid could adapt almost any shop vacuum.

In an embodiment as shown in FIG. 3, the shop vacuum motor/suction head 102 of any brand and a compatible extension collar 104 could be incorporated to the large waste receptacle 112 by means of adapter plate 106. The suction head 102 can be unsnapped from the standard shop vacuum and placed upon the top of the adapter plate 106, and then snapped down for use. After use, the suction head 102 can be quickly unsnapped from the adapter plate 106 and returned to the shop vacuum for normal use. In an embodiment, the extension collar 104 could be designed to fit a specific brand and type of removable shop vacuum head 102. There is no commonality between these shop vacuum head 102 in terms of size and latches, so the extension collar 104 is constructed to meet that specific brand/type shop vacuum head 102 and allow easy and quick movement from the extension collar 104 back to the shop vacuum head 102 and vice versa. The said extension collar 104 are manufactured to fit different shop vacuum heads.

As shown in FIG. 4, a latch block 110 is configured to securely fasten the large waste receptacle 112 with the suction head 102. Latch protrusions are robotically drilled to adapter plate 106 to create latch supports. In an embodiment, the adapter plate 106, after drilled with latch protrusions are placed on a CNC milling center to create a smoothed edge and corners and tap the holes. After fabrication of the adapter plate 106, a dense EVA foam gasket is adhesively bonded to the bottom of the plate and center latches are installed. Further, the large waste container 112 is configured to have molded latch block 110. The center latches 116 from the adapter plate 106 will mate with molded protrusions on the rim of the large waste receptacle 112.

As shown in FIG. 5, an adapter plate 106 and a large waste container 112 of the accessory module 100 is used to make any shop vacuum into a large container. The adapter plate 106 could fit to the top of the large waste receptacle 112. The adapter plate 106 is designed to accommodate both the upper part of the large waste receptacle 112 and the suction head 102 of the vacuum cleaner, once the original container of the shop vacuum 102 is removed. The shop vacuum motor 102 and the extension collar 104 are attached to the upper portion of the adapter plate 106. In one embodiment, individual blocks added to the sides of the large waste container could serve as secure points to fasten the adapter plate to the receptacle. An adapter plate 106 is interfaced with the large waste receptacle 112, on its top surface. An extension collar 104 is used between the adapter plate 106 and a vacuum motor 102. The extension collar 104 is configured to be attached with a vacuum hose 108. Further, the adapter plate 106 is configured with latch supports 116 and a gasket is adhesively bonded to the bottom of the adapter plate 106. A latch block 110 is configured to adhere to the large waste container 112 to which the gasket could be hooked to firmly hold a connection between the large waste receptacle 112 with the suction head 102. Further, the system consists of a heavy duty large waste receptacle, upon which an adapter could be attached to interface between the large waste receptacle 112 and the specific brand of suction head 102. In another embodiment, the 0.75″ thick extruded polypropylene plastic sheet could be used for either round or rectangular large waste receptacle 112. The system could use a rectangular interface plate 106. The large waste receptacle 112 could be made up of rotationally molded polypropylene plastic, which is very durable, highly resistant to household or shop chemicals, UV stabilized to reduce ultraviolet degradation. The wheeled large waste receptacle 112 is manufactured with reinforcing ribs so the sides will not cave in during use. The lift handle on the front and molded 6″ wheels 114 on the back could allow easy movement across any terrain. The large waste receptacle 112 could be manufactured with a removable, hinged adapter plate 106 to be used as a standard large waste receptacle 112. In further embodiment, large waste receptacle 112 could be able to collect 45 gallons of waste at a time.

According to one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the extension collar 104 is attached to the adapter plate 106 with an external seal. The type of extension collar 104 could be brand and product specific interface, and consists of mating latch anchor points 116 near its upper rim which mate with the suction motor 102 latches. After fabrication, the extension collar 104 could be screwed to the adapter plate 106 by applying a small bead of silicone rubber to the joining surfaces. In another embodiment, the extension collar 104 could have a curved diverter plate molded into the side of the inlet tube, directing any dust, dirt, and debris down into the large waste receptacle 112, so it drops out of the airstream more effectively when it slows down upon reaching the large waste receptacle 112.

FIG. 7 illustrates different parts of the accessory module 100 to be fitted with a vacuum cleaner and their fitting patterns, incorporating the aspects of the present invention. The heavy duty large waste receptacle 112 is configured with thick side walls and reinforcing ribs to prevent collapsing during use. The wheels 114 and handle allow easy movement around the lawn or building during use the system. The opening in the adapter plate 106 allows the suctioned debris and dust to drop out of the airstream and fall to the bottom of the large waste receptacle 112, allowing the system to accumulate significantly more material before it needs to be emptied. The large waste receptacle 112 is configured to be emptied with the release of adapter plate 106 side latches when the suction head 102 is removed. Further, the large waste receptacle 112 could be wheeled to the trash collection site to be emptied. After use, with the accessory module 100, the suction head 102 could be unlatched and quickly returned to the standard canister for normal operation. In another embodiment, the accessory module 100 is manufactured with a 15′ by 4″ diameter suction hose and a few tools. In yet another embodiment, where the suction head 102 has an integral hose attachment, the system is supplied with a slide-in plug 118 for the 4″ hose inlet on the external collar 104. The rugged spring loaded latch 116 is configured to allow the trash to be removed. The large waste receptacle 112 or the external collar 104 could be manufactured in a vibrant color.

In an embodiment as shown in FIG. 8A which illustrates a top view of assembly of the vacuum cleaning system 100. As shown in FIG. 8B, a top view of the adapter plate 106 is disclosed. In another embodiment, all edges of the adapter plate 106 could be shaped round for safe installation or removal of the adapter plate 106. The adapter plate 106 could be made up of UV stabilized plastic to be safe on exposure to sunlight without degradation. Further, FIG. 8C illustrates a side view of the adapter plate 106, incorporating the aspects of the present invention. In yet another embodiment, the side projections of the adapter plate 106 could allow easy installation of the latches 116.

As shown in FIG. 9A, illustrates a diameter slide in vacuum hose 108, incorporating the aspects of the present invention. In an embodiment, the vacuum hose 108 could be manufactured using polyurethane rubber with spring steel wire reinforcement to prevent collapse during use. A smooth inner wall could allow excellent transfer of air, dust, loose dirt, and other vacuum transferable materials. End points of the flexible vacuum hose 108 could be terminated with polypropylene fittings that fit the interface suction tube and the supplied tools. In another embodiment, the inlet tube could be molded into the external collar 104 and accepts the vacuum hose 108 at its end. The inlet of vacuum hose 108 is reinforced and could protect damaging the interface wall on vigorous use. The spring loaded latch 116 could hold the vacuum hose 108 in place, once it is pushed in deeply enough. The vacuum hose 108 could be easily unplugged, rolled up, and dropped into the large waste receptacle 112 below for storage. FIG. 9B illustrates a diameter slide in vacuum plug 118, incorporating the aspects of the present invention. In yet another embodiment, a vacuum plug 118 could be used when the inlet of the vacuum hose 108 is fixed with external collar 104. The vacuum plugs 118 could be injection molded using polypropylene plastic. The vacuum plugs 118 could fit the various suction hose 108 that may not be used during vacuuming process. Each of these vacuum plugs 118 consists of latches to lock them into the unused vacuum port.

In an embodiment, the individual components could be manufactured in almost any vibrant color. All the basic sections could be molded in matching, complementary, or conflicting colors. Adapter plate 106 could be keyed to the top surface of large waste receptacle 112, i.e., either round or square top. The latch block 110 installed under the large waste receptacle 112 lid will be manufactured with the fasteners. In another embodiment, the external collar 104 could be manufactured for the standard shop vacuums, for example; Ridgid WD1450, Vacmaster VBV1210, Craftsman 12004, Stihl SE 62, Shop-Vac, 3 hp, 6 gal, Stanley SL 18130, VacMaster VJ 507, ArmourAll, 2 hp, 2.5 gal, Dewalt DCV 580 etc.

Further, the system could adapt standard shop vacuum to larger containers. It could eliminate the repeated emptying of the smaller shop vacuum containers. It could allow use of wheeled large waste receptacle 112 for heavy duty use. Latches could be used to secure the assembly to top of large waste receptacle.

Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention. It should be understood that the illustrated embodiments are exemplary only, and should not be taken as limiting the scope of the invention.

The foregoing description comprise illustrative embodiments of the present invention. Having thus described exemplary embodiments of the present invention, it should be noted by those skilled in the art that the within disclosures are exemplary only, and that various other alternatives, adaptations, and modifications may be made within the scope of the present invention. Merely listing or numbering the steps of a method in a certain order does not constitute any limitation on the order of the steps of that method. Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which this invention pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions. Although specific terms may be employed herein, they are used only in generic and descriptive sense and not for purposes of limitation. Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments illustrated herein.

Claims

1. A vacuum lid for a vacuum cleaner, comprises:

a waste receptacle;

an adapter plate disposed at a top surface of the receptacle, and

an extension collar extends from the adapter plate configured to detachably receive a motor suction head of the vacuum cleaner.

2. The vacuum lid of claim 1, wherein the extension collar further comprises a vacuum hose.

3. The vacuum lid of claim 1, wherein the extension collar further comprises a vacuum plug to receive the vacuum hose.

4. The vacuum lid of claim 1, further comprises one or more latches to secure the adapter plate to the receptacle.

5. The vacuum lid of claim 1, wherein the adapter plate further comprises a latch block and gasket.

6. The vacuum lid of claim 5, wherein the latch block and the gasket are configured to adhere the adapter plate to the waste receptacle.

7. The vacuum lid of claim 1, wherein the waste receptacle comprises a plurality of wheels configured to allow movement of receptacle.

8. The vacuum lid of claim 1, wherein the extension collar comprises a mating latch anchor points to detachably receive the suction head of the vacuum cleaner.

9. The vacuum lid of claim 1, wherein the extension collar further comprises a curved diverter plate at an inlet tube to direct waste into the receptacle.

10. The vacuum lid of claim 1, wherein the adapted plate further comprises an opening to allow suctioned waste to collect at the receptacle.