Wet/dry utility vacuum and implement bag assembly

Abstract

A wet/dry utility vacuum has an implement bag secured thereto for conveniently and easily storing a plurality of vacuum implements therein and for facilitating the drainage of fluid from such implements. The wet/dry utility vacuum is provided with an implement bag supporting member. The implement bag is supported on the implement bag supporting member. The implement bag contains a plurality of vacuum implements therein for selective use with the wet/dry utility vacuum. The implement bag is preferably formed from porous or mesh material that allows fluid to drain from the vacuum implements contained therein and from within the implement bag to minimize the likelihood of fluid being retained within the vacuum implement or within the implement bag during storage.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates in general to vacuum appliances. More specifically, this invention relates to an improved structure for a wet/dry utility vacuum having an implement bag for conveniently and easily storing a plurality of vacuum implements therein and that facilitates the drainage of fluid from such implements.

A variety of vacuum devices are known in the art that are effective to suction both wet and dry materials. These vacuum devices, which are commonly referred to as “wet/dry vacuums” typically include a relatively large holding tank having an open top and a suction mechanism that is supported on the open top of the holding tank. A hose or other flexible conduit is usually provided having a first end that is connected to the suction mechanism and a second end that is adapted to support a vacuum implement (such as a vacuum head or a crevice tool) thereon. When the suction mechanism is operated, the wet and dry materials are drawn through the vacuum implement supported on the second end of the hose and are deposited within the holding tank for subsequent disposal.

In many instances, the wet/dry vacuum is provided a plurality of interchangeable vacuum implements can be used for varying purposes. Although the provision of such a plurality of vacuum implements is desirable, most wet/dry vacuums do not provide any structure for conveniently and easily storing them directly on the wet/dry vacuum. Thus, it has been found that the plurality of vacuum implements can become separated from the wet/dry vacuum and misplaced. For those few wet/dry vacuums that do provide a structure for storing the plurality of vacuum implements directly thereon, it has been found that these storing structures are not well suited for use with vacuum implements that can get wet because fluid from the implement cannot easily drain therefrom after use. Thus, it would be desirable to provide an improved structure for a wet/dry utility vacuum for conveniently and easily storing a plurality of vacuum implements therein and that facilitates the drainage of fluid from such implements.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to an improved structure for a wet/dry utility vacuum having an implement bag for conveniently and easily storing a plurality of vacuum implements therein and that facilitates the drainage of fluid from such implements. The wet/dry utility vacuum is provided with an implement bag supporting member. The implement bag is supported on the implement bag supporting member. The implement bag contains a plurality of vacuum implements therein for selective use with the wet/dry utility vacuum. The implement bag is preferably formed from porous or mesh material that allows fluid to drain from the vacuum implements contained therein and from within the implement bag to minimize the likelihood of fluid being retained within the vacuum implement or within the implement bag during storage.

Various objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment, when read in light of the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a wet/dry utility vacuum and implement bag assembly in accordance with this invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged exploded perspective view of the implement bag and vacuum implements illustrated in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to the drawings, there is illustrated in FIG. 1 a wet/dry utility vacuum, indicated generally at 10, in accordance with this invention. The illustrated wet/dry utility vacuum 10, which is intended to be representative of any type of conventional wet/dry utility vacuum structure, includes a relatively large holding tank 12 having a closed bottom end, an opened upper end, and a hollow interior space. If desired, the bottom of the holding tank 12 may be supported on a plurality of wheels 12a to facilitate movement of the wet/dry utility vacuum 10 to and from a storage location and during use. An extendible handle 12b may be secured to the outside of the holding tank 12 to further facilitate movement of the wet/dry utility vacuum 10 to and from a storage location and during use.

A suction mechanism, indicated generally at 14, is supported on the opened upper end of the holding tank 12. The suction mechanism 14 is conventional in the art and includes an air intake port 14a and an air exhaust port 14b, both of which communicate with the interior space of the holding tank 12 in a known manner. The suction mechanism 14 further includes a motor 14c that, when operated, is adapted to create a relatively low pressure or vacuum situation within the holding tank 12. Typically, the suction mechanism 14 also includes a conventional check valve (not shown) that can be provided either at the intake port 14a (to permit the one-way flow of air from outside of the holding tank 12 to inside the holding tank 12) or at the exhaust port 14b (to permit the one-way flow of air from inside the holding tank 12 to outside of the holding tank 12). As a result, when the motor 14c is operated, air flows at a relatively high velocity from outside of the holding tank 12 through the intake port 14a to the interior of the holding tank 12, and then from the interior of the holding tank 12 through the exhaust port 14b to the outside thereof. The suction mechanism usually includes a filter (not shown) to trap fluid and solid materials that are drawn into the interior of the holding tank 12 by this relatively high velocity flow of air and prevent them from exiting through the exhaust port 14b.

The illustrated wet/dry utility vacuum 10 also includes a hose 16 or other similar conduit. The hose 16 is usually formed from a flexible material and has a first end 16a and a second end 16b. The first end 16a of the hose 16 is sized and shaped to cooperate in an air-tight manner with the intake port 14a of the suction mechanism 14, as shown in FIG. 1. The second end 16b of the hose 16 is adapted to support one of a plurality of vacuum implements, indicated generally at 18, thereon. As best shown in FIG. 2, the plurality of vacuum implements 18 may include a vacuum head 18a, a crevice tool 18b, and a pair of extension tubes 18c. However, the plurality of vacuum implements 18 may be embodied as any desired structures. The second end 16b of the hose 16 is sized and shaped to cooperate in an air-tight manner with each of the plurality of vacuum implements 18. Thus, when the motor 14c of the suction mechanism 14 is operated, fluid and solid materials are drawn through the selected one of the plurality of vacuum implements 18 supported on the second end 16b of the hose 16 and are deposited within the holding tank 12 for subsequent disposal.

The wet/dry utility vacuum 10 may have one or more implement bag supporting members 20 provided thereon. In the illustrated embodiment, the implement bag supporting members 20 are embodied as a plurality of conventional hooks provided on the handle 12b of the holding tank 12 and on the motor 14c of the suction assembly 14. However, it will be appreciated that any number of such implement bag supporting members 20 can be provided at any desired location on the wet/dry utility vacuum 10. It will also be appreciated that implement bag supporting members 20 may have any desired shapes and sizes. Furthermore, it will be appreciated that the implement bag supporting members 20 may be embodied as a portion of the wet/dry utility vacuum 10 itself. For example, the implement bag supporting member 20 may be embodied as a conventional flange (not shown) or other structure that extends outwardly from a portion of the wet/dry utility vacuum 10. Lastly, it will be appreciated that the implement bag supporting member 20 may be provided on a support surface that is completely separate from the wet/dry utility vacuum 10. For example, such an external support surface may be provided as a portion of a wall of a garage, basement, or other storage area (not shown). The purpose of the implement bag supporting members 20 will be explained in detail below.

Referring now to FIG. 2, there is illustrated an implement bag, indicated generally at 30, for use with the wet/dry utility vacuum 10. The illustrated implement bag 30 includes a body 31 that is preferably formed from a suitable flexible fabric material, such as cotton, nylon, and other polymers, for example. In the illustrated embodiment, the body 31 is fabricated or otherwise formed from porous or mesh material. It will understood that such mesh material may be either a woven or a non-woven mesh material. The openings between the threads, cords, or material of the implement bag 30 may be any desired size and shape to allow fluid, such as water, to drain from within the implement bag 30. Preferably, the implement bag 30 is sufficiently large as to be capable of storing all of the plurality of vacuum implements 18 therein, as shown in FIG. 1.

In the illustrated embodiment, the body 31 of the implement bag 30 is generally flat and rectangular in shape, including a closed bottom 32 end and an opened top end 33. If desired, the opened top end 33 of the body 31 of the implement bag 30 can be provided with a closure structure. In the illustrated embodiment, the closure structure is a conventional drawstring 33a. In a manner that is well known in the art, the opened top end 33 of the body 31 of the implement bag 30 can be selectively closed by pulling on the drawstring 33a. Alternatively, the closure structure can be embodied as any other known closure structure, such as a zipper, one or more snaps, a hook and loop fastener, and the like. If desired, a carrying structure (not shown), such as a strap or handle, may be provided on the implement bag 30.

In use, the hose 16 and the plurality of vacuum implements 18 are initially disposed within the implement bag 30 for storage, and the implement bag 30 is suspended from the implement bag supporting member 20 provided on the wet/dry utility vacuum 10, as shown in FIG. 1, or elsewhere, as discussed above. For example, a portion of the drawstring 33a of the implement bag 30 can be looped over the hook 20 to suspend the implement bag 30 therefrom. As a result, the plurality of vacuum implements 18 are conveniently and easily stored on the wet/dry utility vacuum 10 for subsequent use. To use the wet/dry utility vacuum 10, the implement bag 30 is removed from the implement bag supporting member 20, and the hose 16 is removed therefrom. The first end 16a of the hose 16 is then secured to the intake port 14a of the wet/dry utility vacuum 10. Next, the desired one of the plurality of vacuum implements 18 is removed from the implement bag 30 and secured to the second end 16b of the hose 16. The implement bag 30 (containing the remaining vacuum implements 18) can either be re-suspended from the implement bag supporting member 20 or set aside temporarily. As discussed above, when the suction mechanism 14 of the wet/dry utility vacuum 10 is operated, wet and dry materials are drawn through the vacuum implement 18 supported on the second end 16b of the hose 16 and the intake port 14a so as to be deposited within the holding tank 12 for subsequent disposal.

Following such use, the vacuum implement 18 is removed from the second end 16b of the hose 16, and the hose 16 is removed from the intake port 14a. The hose 16 and the vacuum implement 18 are returned within the implement bag 30 for storage, either on the implement bag supporting member 20. As discussed above, the body 31 of the implement bag 30 is fabricated or otherwise formed from porous or mesh material that allow fluid to drain from the vacuum implement 18 and from within the implement bag 30. As a result, the likelihood of fluid being retained within the vacuum implement 18 or within the implement bag 30 is minimized. Thus, the formation of mold or mildew resulting from the extended presence of such fluid is reduced.

In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, the principle and mode of operation of this invention have been explained and illustrated in its preferred embodiment. However, it must be understood that this invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically explained and illustrated without departing from its spirit or scope.

Claims

1. A wet/dry utility vacuum and implement bag assembly comprising:

a wet/dry utility vacuum;

an implement bag supporting member; and

an implement bag supported on said implement bag supporting member, said implement bag containing a plurality of vacuum implements therein for selective use with said wet/dry utility vacuum.

2. The wet/dry utility vacuum and implement bag assembly defined in claim 1 wherein said implement bag is formed from flexible fabric material.

3. The wet/dry utility vacuum and implement bag assembly defined in claim 1 wherein said implement bag is formed from porous material.

4. The wet/dry utility vacuum and implement bag assembly defined in claim 1 wherein said implement bag is formed from mesh material.

5. The wet/dry utility vacuum and implement bag assembly defined in claim 1 wherein said implement bag includes including a closed bottom end and an opened top end.

6. The wet/dry utility vacuum and implement bag assembly defined in claim 5 wherein said opened top end of said implement bag is provided with a closure structure.

7. The wet/dry utility vacuum and implement bag assembly defined in claim 6 wherein said closure structure is a drawstring.

8. The wet/dry utility vacuum and implement bag assembly defined in claim 1 wherein said implement bag supporting member is provided on said wet/dry utility vacuum.

9. The wet/dry utility vacuum and implement bag assembly defined in claim 1 wherein said implement bag supporting member is a hook.

10. A wet/dry utility vacuum and implement bag assembly comprising:

a wet/dry utility vacuum having an implement bag supporting member; and

an implement bag supported on said implement bag supporting member, said implement bag containing a plurality of vacuum implements therein for selective use with said wet/dry utility vacuum.

11. The wet/dry utility vacuum and implement bag assembly defined in claim 10 wherein said implement bag is formed from flexible fabric material.

12. The wet/dry utility vacuum and implement bag assembly defined in claim 10 wherein said implement bag is formed from porous material.

13. The wet/dry utility vacuum and implement bag assembly defined in claim 10 wherein said implement bag is formed from mesh material.

14. The wet/dry utility vacuum and implement bag assembly defined in claim 10 wherein said implement bag includes including a closed bottom end and an opened top end.

15. The wet/dry utility vacuum and implement bag assembly defined in claim 14 wherein said opened top end of said implement bag is provided with a closure structure.

16. The wet/dry utility vacuum and implement bag assembly defined in claim 15 wherein said closure structure is a drawstring.

17. The wet/dry utility vacuum and implement bag assembly defined in claim 10 wherein said implement bag supporting member is a hook.

18. The wet/dry utility vacuum and implement bag assembly defined in claim 10 wherein said implement bag supporting member is a hook.

19. A method of storing a wet/dry utility vacuum and a plurality of vacuum implements comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a wet/dry utility vacuum and a plurality of vacuum implements;

(b) providing an implement bag supporting member;

(c) disposing the plurality of vacuum implements within the implement bag; and

(d) hanging the implement bag on the implement bag supporting member.

20. The method defined in claim 19 where said step (b) is performed by providing the implement bag supporting member on the wet/dry utility vacuum.