VACUUM CLEANER ATTACHMENT

Abstract

A candy-cane shaped vacuum cleaner attachment is disclosed for cleaning top surfaces of elevated objects, such as ceiling fan blades and rain gutters. The vacuum cleaner attachment includes a preferably tapered straight tubular wand portion able to receive a vacuum supply at a proximal end and from which extends distally a substantially rigid, preferably tapered, tubular curved portion which terminates in a dual-purpose brush coupling and rain gutter tool. The vacuum cleaner attachment may be made in various sizes to fit commercial-off-the-shelf brushes and vacuum cleaners, or may be specially sized for other purposes. Custom brushes may be used.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application 61/703,398 filed Sep. 20, 2012 naming the same inventor.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to a vacuum cleaner attachment for assisting in cleaning tops of fan blades, high shelves, rafters, rain gutters, and the like. More particularly, it relates to an attachment for a “shop vac” type vacuum cleaner for the above-mentioned and other purposes.

BACKGROUND

Available vacuum cleaner attachments for cleaning ceiling fan blades are multi-part kits that require user assembly and are comparatively heavy, expensive to manufacture (due to specialized brushes, for example), and difficult to use.

Therefore, a need exists for a back-curved vacuum cleaner attachment that is a single piece, light weight, inexpensive to manufacture, capable of using standard brushes, and easy to use.

OBJECTS AND FEATURES OF THE INVENTION

A primary object and feature of the present invention is to overcome the above-mentioned problems and fulfill the above-mentioned needs.

Another object and feature of the present invention is to provide a single-piece vacuum cleaner attachment that is useful for cleaning ceiling fan blades and other high surfaces.

It is a further object and feature of the present invention to provide a vacuum cleaner attachment that is lightweight.

It is a further object and feature of the present invention to provide a vacuum cleaner attachment that is inexpensive to manufacture.

It is a further object and feature of the present invention to provide a vacuum cleaner attachment that is capable of using standard vacuum cleaner brushes.

It is an additional primary object and feature of the present invention to provide such a system that is efficient, inexpensive and handy. Other objects and features of this invention will become apparent with reference to the following descriptions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with a preferred embodiment hereof, this invention provides a one-piece, lightweight, easy-to-use, vacuum cleaner attachment that is inexpensive to manufacture and to use. This invention provides a vacuum cleaner attachment including: a tubular wand portion able to be coupled to a vacuum-supply at a vacuum-supply end; and a tubular curved portion extending arcuately from the tubular wand portion, distal the vacuum-supply end, to a brush-coupling junction. The attachment, where the tubular curved portion includes an inflexible tubular curved portion. The attachment, where the tubular wand and the tubular curved portion is tapered. The attachment, where the tubular wand portion and the tubular curved portion include two discrete connectable portions. The attachment, where the discrete tubular wand portion and the discrete tubular curved portion each include complimentary portions of a coupling for connecting the two discrete connectable portions. The attachment, including a collar surrounding the vacuum supply end. The attachment, including a brush coupling extending from the brush-coupling junction. The attachment, including: a first longitudinal half of the attachment; a second and complimentary longitudinal half of the attachment; and where the first and second longitudinal halves are fixed together along respective long edges to form the vacuum cleaner attachment. The attachment, including an edge flange on each the long edge of the first and second longitudinal halves, where the edge flanges are able to receive a fixative during manufacture. The attachment, including injection-molded material. The attachment, where the tubular curved portion extends arcuately for greater than 160 degrees of arc. The attachment, where the tubular curved portion extends arcuately for 180 degrees of arc.

A vacuum cleaner attachment including: a tubular wand portion able to be coupled to a vacuum supply at a vacuum-supply end; an inflexible tubular curved portion extending arcuately from the tubular wand portion to a distal brush-coupling junction; a brush coupling extending from the brush-coupling junction; and where the tubular curved portion extends arcuately for greater than 160 degrees of arc. The attachment where the tubular curved portion includes a tapered tubular curved portion. The attachment, including: a first longitudinal half of the attachment; a second longitudinal half of the attachment; and where the first and second longitudinal halves are fixed together along respective long edges to form the attachment. The attachment, including an edge flange on each the long edge of the first and second longitudinal pieces, where the edge flanges are able to receive a fixative during manufacture. The attachment, including a collar surrounding the vacuum supply end. The attachment, including injection-molded material.

A vacuum cleaner attachment including: a tubular wand portion able to be coupled to a vacuum supply at a vacuum-supply end; an inflexible tapered tubular curved portion extending from the tubular wand portion to a distal brush-coupling junction; a brush coupling extending from the brush-coupling junction; and where the tubular curved portion extends arcuately for 180 degrees of arc. The attachment, including a collar surrounding the vacuum supply end.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the following drawing figures, wherein like numerals denote like elements, and

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an exemplary embodiment of the vacuum cleaner attachment, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective wire frame view illustrating the exemplary embodiment of the vacuum cleaner attachment of FIG. 1 in a stage of manufacturing, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating the exemplary embodiment of the vacuum cleaner attachment of FIG. 1 in a stage of manufacturing, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a side wire frame view illustrating the exemplary embodiment of the vacuum cleaner attachment of FIG. 1, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 5 is a side cross-sectional view illustrating an additional exemplary embodiment of the vacuum cleaner attachment, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is a perspective wire frame view illustrating an exemplary embodiment of the vacuum cleaner attachment 100, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Vacuum cleaner attachment 100 is tubular for conducting air and debris when coupled to a vacuum cleaner. Vacuum cleaner attachment 100 includes a vacuum supply end 116 including collar 106 with opening 108 into tapered tubular wand portion 102. Collar 106 surrounds tapered tubular wand portion 102 at the vacuum supply end 116. Tapered tubular wand portion 102 extends across mold line 114 into tapered tubular curved portion 104 and terminates at brush-coupling junction 124. In an additional embodiment, curved portion 104 is not tapered.

Tapered brush coupling 110 extends from brush-coupling junction 124 and has an opening 112 completing the brush-receiving end 118. Curved portion 104 preferably extends arcuately over 180 degrees of arc, not including brush coupling 110. In additional embodiments, curved portion 104 preferably extends arcuately over more than 160 degrees of arc. The vacuum cleaner attachment 100 is preferably made of injection-molded material, such as plastic or hard rubber for non-limiting examples, and is substantially inflexible. Some flexing occurs in deformation to attach a vacuum supply or a brush, but the attachment 100 retains its shape and is not flexible like a hose. In various embodiments, various suitably lightweight and rigid materials may be used to make attachment 100. Ridges 120 and 122 are formed by flanges being fixed together during assembly, which will be discussed in more detail below.

In a particular additional embodiment, tubular curved portion 104 and tubular wand portion 102 may be discrete pieces, each with a complimentary portion of a coupling, that the user couples together prior to use.

In operation, vacuum cleaner attachment 100 is coupled to a vacuum supply, such as a vacuum cleaner wand or hose (not shown) that at least partially inserts into collar 106 to provide suction. Vacuum cleaner attachment 100 is preferably coupled to a vacuum cleaner brush (not shown) via tapered brush coupling 110. The vacuum cleaner brush may be custom-made to fir a particular embodiment of the vacuum cleaner attachment 100, or the vacuum cleaner attachment 100 may be sized to fit commercial-off-the-shelf brushes. The vacuum cleaner attachment 100 may be held with the tapered wand portion 102 generally vertical, enabling cleaning of high, upward-facing surfaces, such as the tops of ceiling fan blades. In particular instances, vacuum cleaner attachment 100 may be used without a brush. For non-limiting example, when using vacuum cleaner attachment 100 to remove leaves from rain gutters, the brush coupling alone is preferred. Vacuum cleaner attachment 100 may be manufactured in sizes to fit any of the plurality of commercially available vacuum cleaner brushes and vacuum supply hoses and wands. In addition, vacuum cleaner attachment 100 may be shaped to fit special purpose vacuums, such as handheld vacuum cleaners.

FIG. 2 is a perspective wire frame view illustrating the exemplary embodiment of the vacuum cleaner attachment 100 of FIG. 1 in a stage of manufacturing, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. First and second longitudinal halves 202 and 204 of vacuum cleaner attachment 100 are each preferably injection molded and joined together along their edges, preferably with a fixative, such as a permanent adhesive. In various other embodiments, other methods of forming and/or joining each half 202 and 204 may be used. For example, the plastic along the edges may be thermally softened, and the pieces pressed together.

In the FIG. 2, the edge flanges 222.1 and 222.2, which will form ridge 122 when fixed together, are shown in interior dashed hidden lines due to the perspective of the drawing. Edge flanges 220.1 and 220.2, which will form ridge 120 when fixed together, are shown in solid lines, with a rear flange edge as a dashed hidden line, due to the perspective of the drawing. Wall thickness 206 is preferably constant, except for where a flange 220.1, 220.2, 222.1, or 222.2 adds to the wall thickness 206 to create combined thickness 208. In an additional embodiment, wall thickness 206 may be great enough to obviate the need for flanges 220.1, 220.2, 222.1, and 222.2 enabling a vacuum cleaner attachment 100 without ridges 120 and 122. In yet another additional embodiment, wall thickness 206 may vary.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating the exemplary embodiment of the vacuum cleaner attachment 100 of FIG. 1 in a stage of manufacturing, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. In an additional embodiment, the mold line 114 between tapered wand portion 102 and tapered curved portion 104 may be omitted. In an additional embodiment, the vacuum cleaner attachment 100 may be made in two parts, above and below the mold line 114, with couplings, joinable in the known way of vacuum cleaner attachment joining

FIG. 4 is a side x-ray view illustrating the exemplary embodiment of the vacuum cleaner attachment 100 of FIG. 1, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. In a preferred embodiment, the height 1 of the vacuum cleaner attachment 100 is preferably twenty-four inches, with the tapered wand portion 102 having a preferred length 2 of twenty inches and the curved portion 104 having a preferred height 3 of four inches. The internal diameter 4 of opening 108 is preferably 2.3 inches, and the taper angle α of tapered wand portion 102 is preferably eighty-nine degrees. Tapered wand portion 102 tapers to an inside preferred diameter 5 of 1.633 inches. Accordingly, the taper of the wand portion 102 is 0.667 inches over the length 2 of twenty-four inches. The external outer cross-sectional diameter 11 of the tube of the curved portion 104 adjacent the tapered brush coupling 110 is preferably 1.836 inches. The length 12 of the inside chord, illustrated as a diameter, of the tapered curved portion 104 is preferably 4.080 inches, while the length 10 of the outside curvature of the tapered curved portion 104 is preferably eight inches, leaving a preferred 2.084 inches for the outside diameter 13 of the tube of the tapered curved portion 104 adjacent the tapered wand portion 102. Accordingly, the taper in the tapered curved portion 104 is from 2.084 inches to 1.836 inches, for a taper of 0.248 inches over the length of tapered curved portion 104. Tapered brush coupling 110 preferably has an inside diameter 9 of 1.633 inches adjacent the curved portion 104, and a preferred inside diameter 8 at opening 112 of 1.500 inches. Tapered brush coupling 110 has a preferred outside diameter 6 adjacent the curved portion 104 of 1.757 inches and a preferred outside diameter 7 adjacent opening 112 of 1.590 inches. Tapered brush coupling 110 has a preferred height 14 of one inch. Tapered brush coupling 110 requires a custom-made brush, but is sized for cleaning rain gutters without a brush. The tapering assists in increasing suction at the opening 112 to offset pressure losses in the tapered wand portion 102 and tapered curved portion 104.

The precise measurements given above are an example to support enablement, and are not intended to limit the invention. Various vacuum cleaner manufacturers have various sized hoses and wands, and adaptations of the above example to accommodate such variations are within the scope of the invention. Preferred variations in size of the vacuum cleaner attachment 100 preserve the ratios inherent in the measurements given in regard to the exemplary embodiment 100 in FIG. 4. In various additional embodiments, other ratios may be used.

FIG. 5 is a side cross-sectional view illustrating an additional exemplary embodiment of the vacuum cleaner attachment 500, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. vacuum cleaner attachment 500 is similar to vacuum cleaner attachment 100, except that tapered curved portion 504 has a first coupling portion 506, as shown, and tapered wand 502 has and end 508 with a second coupling portion 510 that is complimentary to first coupling portion 506. In an additional embodiment, the vacuum cleaner attachment 500 may be divided into two parts such that the lengths of the two parts are equal.

Although applicant has described applicant's preferred embodiments of this invention, it will be understood that the broadest scope of this invention includes such modifications as diverse shapes and sizes and materials. Such scope is limited only by the above specification and the claims below.

Further, many other advantages of applicant's invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the above descriptions.

Claims

1. A vacuum cleaner attachment comprising:

a. a tapered tubular wand portion operable to be coupled to a vacuum-supply at a vacuum-supply end; and

b. a tapered tubular curved portion extending arcuately from said tubular wand portion, distal said vacuum-supply end, to a brush-coupling junction.

2. The attachment of claim 1, wherein said tubular curved portion comprises an inflexible tubular curved portion.

3. The attachment of claim 1, wherein at least one of said tubular wand and said tubular curved portion is tapered to be narrower proximate said brush-coupling junction.

4. The attachment of claim 1, wherein said tubular wand portion and said tubular curved portion comprise two discrete connectable portions.

5. The attachment of claim 4, wherein said discrete said tubular wand portion and said discrete tubular curved portion each comprise complimentary portions of a coupling for connecting said two discrete connectable portions.

6. The attachment of claim 1, comprising a collar surrounding said vacuum supply end.

7. The attachment of claim 1, comprising a brush coupling extending from said brush-coupling junction.

8. The attachment of claim 1, comprising:

a. a first longitudinal half of said attachment;

b. a second and complimentary longitudinal half of said attachment; and

c. wherein said first and second longitudinal halves are fixed together along respective long edges to form said vacuum cleaner attachment.

9. The attachment of claim 8, comprising an edge flange on each said long edge of said first and second longitudinal halves, wherein said edge flanges are operable to receive a fixative during manufacture.

10. The attachment of claim 1, comprising injection-molded material.

11. The attachment of claim 1, wherein said tubular curved portion extends arcuately for greater than 160 degrees of arc.

12. The attachment of claim 1, wherein said tubular curved portion extends arcuately for 180 degrees of arc.

13. A vacuum cleaner attachment comprising:

a. a tapered tubular wand portion operable to be coupled to a vacuum supply at a vacuum-supply end;

b. an inflexible tubular curved portion extending arcuately from said tubular wand portion to a distal brush-coupling junction;

c. a brush coupling extending from said brush-coupling junction; and

d. wherein said tubular curved portion extends arcuately for greater than 160 degrees of arc.

14. The attachment of claim 13 wherein said tubular curved portion comprises a tapered tubular curved portion.

15. The attachment of claim 13, comprising:

a. a first longitudinal half of said attachment;

b. a second longitudinal half of said attachment; and

c. wherein said first and second longitudinal halves are fixed together along respective long edges to form said attachment.

16. The attachment of claim 15, comprising an edge flange on each said long edge of said first and second longitudinal pieces, wherein said edge flanges are operable to receive a fixative during manufacture.

17. The attachment of claim 13, comprising a collar surrounding said vacuum supply end.

18. The attachment of claim 13, comprising injection-molded material.

19. A vacuum cleaner attachment comprising:

a. a tapered tubular wand portion operable to be coupled to a vacuum supply at a vacuum-supply end;

b. an inflexible tapered tubular curved portion extending from said tubular wand portion to a distal brush-coupling junction;

c. a brush coupling extending from said brush-coupling junction; and

d. wherein said tubular curved portion extends arcuately for 180 degrees of arc.

20. The attachment of claim 13, comprising a collar surrounding said vacuum supply end.