VACCUM CLAW INTERFACE

Abstract

A vacuum claw interface connecting a vacuum claw to vacuum attachments may include a body, a nozzle on a first end of the body adapted to receive a vacuum attachment, and two or more hollow, pronged inlets attached to a second end of the body in fluid communication with the nozzle, wherein each inlet includes an open end receivable within a vacuum claw.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to vacuum accessories, and more particularly, to a vacuum claw interface.

Vacuuming vehicle interiors typically involves using vacuum systems employing a vacuum claw attached to the vacuum hose. A conventional vacuum claw is generally broad and flat, configured to be dragged across upholstery surfaces. The vacuum claw may include an internally disposed pillar to obstruct large objects from entering the vacuum hose. However, vacuum claws may be unable to fit into many vehicle interior areas because of the specialized shape employed. Moreover, conventional vacuum attachments used to access various areas may not be attached to a vacuum claw because the pillar blocks the end of the attachment.

As can be seen, there is a need for an interface that can connect a vacuum claw to a vacuum attachment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a vacuum claw interface comprises a body; a nozzle on a first end of the body adapted to receive a vacuum attachment; and two or more hollow, pronged inlets attached to a second end of the body in fluid communication with the nozzle, wherein each inlet includes an open end receivable within a vacuum claw

In another aspect of the present invention, a vacuum claw interface comprises a body; a split pair of inlets attached to the body, the inlets including a height profile less than a height profile of an open end of a vacuum claw; a wall defining an opening between the inlets, the wall configured to receive a pillar from an interior of the vacuum claw into the opening; and a nozzle in fluid communication with the pair of inlets, the nozzle configured to receive a vacuum attachment.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vacuum claw interface in use according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective end view of the vacuum claw interface of FIG. 1 connected to a vacuum claw in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective side view of the vacuum claw interface of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a perspective end view of the vacuum claw interface of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a top view of the vacuum claw interface of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a rear end view of the vacuum claw interface of FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a front end view of the vacuum claw interface of FIG. 2;

FIG. 8 is a front end view the vacuum claw of FIG. 2;

FIG. 9 is a front perspective view of an exemplary assembly of the vacuum claw interface to the vacuum claw of FIG. 2;

FIG. 10 is a top view of the vacuum claw interface of FIG. 2 connected to a vacuum attachment; and

FIG. 11 is a side view of the vacuum claw interface of FIG. 2 connected to a vacuum attachment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims. Various inventive features are described below that can each be used independently of one another or in combination with other features.

Broadly, embodiments of the present invention generally provide a vacuum claw interface providing a flexible transition between a conventional vacuum system and vacuum attachment accessories. In one exemplary environment, the vacuum claw interface according to exemplary embodiments may be used in conjunction with a conventional vehicle vacuum system commonly found, for example, at a car wash or on wet/dry home vacuum cleaners.

Referring now to FIG. 1, an exemplary embodiment of a vacuum claw interface 10 is shown in use according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. A user 14 may use the vacuum claw interface 10 to vacuum a vehicle interior 19. The vacuum claw interface 10 may be attached between a vacuum claw 12 and a vacuum attachment 16 .to apply improved vacuum suction to typically inaccessible vehicle interior areas 32. In one example, the vacuum attachment 16 may be a crevice tool configured to reach the vehicle interior area 32 that may be, for example as shown, a crevice between a seat 50 and an adjacent panel 52. While a crevice tool is shown, it will be understood that other vacuum attachments that may not typically be connected directly to a vacuum claw 12 may be employed.

Referring to FIGS. 2-6, an exemplary embodiment of the vacuum claw interface 10 is shown. The vacuum claw interface 10 may include a main body 18, a pair of pronged inlets 20 attached to the body 18, an inner wall 28 between the inlets 20, and a nozzle 24.

The body 18 may be hollow and configured substantially flat to fit at least partially into the vacuum claw 12. The body 18 may include a logo area 30 for receiving a logo (not shown). The nozzle 24 may be positioned on an end 26 of the body 18 that is opposite from the inlets 20. The nozzle 24 may be in fluid communication with the pair of inlets 20. In one aspect, the nozzle 24 may be configured to receive the vacuum attachment 16.

Referring to FIGS. 2-8, the inlets 20 may be hollow attached to the body 18. The inlets 20 may include elliptical ports or open ends 22 in fluid communication with the nozzle 24 through the body 18. The inlets 20 may include a height profile H_I less than a height profile H_C of an open end 13 of the vacuum claw 12. The height profile H_I of the inlets 20 may also be less than a width profile W of the respective inlets 20. The height profile H_I may also be less than a height profile H_B of the body 18. The inlets 20 may include respectively, a flared outer edge or surface 21 expanding from the port 22 to the body 18. The outer edge or surface 21 may be indexed to fit within interior walls 17 of the vacuum claw 12.

Referring now to FIGS. 3-5 and 7-8, the wall 28 may define a split or opening between the inlets 20 configured to receive a pillar 15 present in an interior of the vacuum claw 12. The wall 28 may be substantially U-shaped including a detent 25 adjacent the body 18 at the nadir of the “U”. In one aspect, the wall 28 may extend between the open end 22 of one the inlets 20 to the detent 25 and to the open end 22 of the other inlet 20.

Referring to FIGS. 1-2 and 9-11, an exemplary assembly of the vacuum claw interface 10 is shown. The inlets 20 may be inserted into the vacuum claw 12 so that the wall 28 may be positioned to surround the pillar 15. The low profile of the inlets 20 may provide compatible attachment to the vacuum claw 12 unlike previously known vacuum accessory connections that are typically round. Moreover, it may be appreciated that the outer edges 21 may be press fit into the vacuum claw 12 interior thus minimizing pressure loss in the connection of the vacuum claw 12 to the vacuum claw interface 10. The vacuum attachment 16 may be inserted into the port 24 providing flexible reach of vacuum suction into various vehicle interior areas 32.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. A vacuum claw interface, comprising:

a body;

a nozzle on a first end of the body adapted to receive a vacuum attachment; and

two or more hollow, pronged inlets attached to a second end of the body in fluid communication with the nozzle, wherein each inlet includes an open end receivable within a vacuum claw.

2. The vacuum claw interface of claim 1 further comprising a detent between the two or more pronged inlets.

3. The vacuum claw interface of claim 2 further comprising an inner wall extending between the open end of a first of the pronged inlets to the detent and to the open end of a second of the pronged inlets.

4. The vacuum claw interface of claim 3 wherein the inner wall is substantially U-shaped.

5. The vacuum claw interface of claim 3 wherein the inner wall is configured to surround a pillar in the vacuum claw.

6. The vacuum claw interface of claim 1 wherein the pronged inlets include a height profile less than a width profile.

7. The vacuum claw interface of claim 1 wherein an outer edge of the two or more pronged inlets are indexed to fit within interior walls of the vacuum claw.

8. A vacuum claw interface, comprising:

a body;

a split pair of inlets attached to the body, the inlets including a height profile less than a height profile of an open end of a vacuum claw;

a wall defining an opening between the inlets, the wall configured to receive a pillar from an interior of the vacuum claw into the opening; and

a nozzle in fluid communication with the pair of inlets, the nozzle configured to receive a vacuum attachment.

9. The vacuum claw interface of claim 8 wherein the height profile of the inlets is less than a height profile of the body.