SHOP VACUUM CLEANER ACCESSORY HOLDER APRON

Abstract

A shop vacuum cleaner accessory holder apron includes a flexible main section and securing means. The flexible main section has a plurality of pouches and is sized to fit substantially around the body of a vacuum cleaner. Each of the pouches is sized for receiving a vacuum accessory and has an open top end and a closed bottom end. The securing means is for attaching the main flexible section around the vacuum cleaner. When the flexible main section is wrapped around the vacuum cleaner, the securing means secures the flexible main section to the vacuum cleaner.

Description

FIELD OF INVENTION

The instant invention relates to vacuum cleaners, and more particularly to a vacuum accessory holder apron for a shop vacuum cleaner.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Vacuums, like shop vacuums (a.k.a. shop vacs, wet vacs, or wet/dry vacs), need accessories. The typically shop vacuum cleaner has a standard extension wand at the end of the hose, but the user typically needs other accessories, also referred to as tools or extensions. Most vacuum cleaners are supplied with numerous specialized attachments, such as tools, brushes and extension wands, which allow them to reach otherwise inaccessible places or to be used for cleaning a variety of surfaces. The most common of these accessories or tools are: hard floor brushes, powered floor nozzles, dusting brush Crevice tool, upholstery nozzle, power cords, heads extension tubes or wands, the like, etc. It is clearly desirable for the user of the vacuum cleaner to carry these accessories with him or her so that they will be readily available for the job at hand. However, many vacuum cleaners, especially shop vacs, do not come with any way to carry such accessories.

The instant invention is designed to provide a shop vacuum cleaner accessory holder apron that addresses the above mentioned problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The instant invention is directed toward a shop vacuum cleaner accessory holder apron. The shop vacuum cleaner accessory holder apron includes a flexible main section and securing means. The flexible main section has a plurality of pouches and is sized to fit substantially around the body of a vacuum cleaner. Each of the pouches is sized for receiving a vacuum accessory and has an open top end and a closed bottom end. The securing means is for attaching the main flexible section around the vacuum cleaner. When the flexible main section is wrapped around the vacuum cleaner, the securing means secures the flexible main section to the vacuum cleaner.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawings a form that is presently preferred; it being understood, however, that this invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.

FIG. 1 is an environmental perspective view of the shop vacuum cleaner accessory holder apron according to one embodiment of the instant invention installed on a shop vac.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the shop vacuum cleaner accessory holder shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the shop vacuum cleaner accessory holder apron shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a top view of the shop vacuum cleaner accessory holder apron shown in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawings, wherein like numerals, indicate like elements, there is shown in the Figures an embodiment of a shop vacuum cleaner accessory holder apron 10 (see FIGS. 1-4). Shop vacuum cleaner accessory holder apron 10 may be used for holding any accessories 14 for a vacuum cleaner 20 in a convenient place that travels with vacuum cleaner 20. Shop vacuum cleaner accessory holder apron 10 may also be referred to herein as just apron 10. Apron 10 may be used for any type of vacuum 20, including, but not limited to any canister type vacuum cleaner 62, like any type or size shop vacuum 64 (also known as a shop vac, wet vac, wet/dry vac, etc.). As such, although the instant invention is labeled a “shop vacuum cleaner” accessory holder apron, it should be clear that the instant invention is not limited to use with just shop vacuum cleaners and can be used for other devices or vacuums. The apron 10 may be used for storing any accessories 14 included with vacuum cleaner 20 or any accessories 14 later purchased or added for use with vacuum cleaner 20. Accessories 14 include any known or later developed vacuum accessories or shop vacuum cleaner accessories, including, but not limited to, attachments, tools, extensions, brushes, extensions, wands, hard floor brushes, powered floor nozzles, dusting brush crevice tool, upholstery nozzle, power cords, heads, extension tubes or wands, the like, combinations thereof, etc. The apron 10 may be made of any material, including, but not limited to any flexible material, like fabric 36. Shop vacuum accessory holder apron 10 may generally include a flexible main section 16 with a plurality of pouches 12 and a securing means 26. These parts will be described in greater detail below.

Flexible main section 16 may be included with shop vacuum accessory holder apron 10. See FIGS. 1-4. Flexible main section 16 may be the main portion of apron 10 for storing accessories 14. Flexible main section 16 may be any size or shape main portion of apron 10 that is capable of storing accessories 14. Flexible main section 16 may be flexible for allowing the apron 10 to be wrapped around the body 18 of vacuum cleaner 20. This flexible feature of flexible main section 16 may allow the apron to fit around any size or shaped (square, oval, circular, etc.) vacuum cleaner 20. The flexible main section 16 may be sized to fit substantially around the body 18 of vacuum cleaner 20. In one embodiment, flexible main section 16 may be sized to fit substantially around the body 18 of canister type vacuum cleaner 62. In another embodiment, flexible main section 16 may be sized to fit substantially around the body 18 of shop vacuum 64. In one embodiment, flexible main section 16 may fit around the body 18 of the shop vacuum cleaner 64 where the top portion of flexible main section 16 is below a point 66 where the top 68 of shop vac 64 lifts off. This embodiment of apron 10 may allow the top 68 to be removed making the inside of the body accessible (for like emptying the canister or removing the bag) without having to remove the apron 10 and attachments 14. In another embodiment, flexible main section 16 may be sized where the bottom portion of apron 10 is positioned above the bottom 70 of the shop vacuum cleaner 64. This embodiment of apron 10 may allow the shop vacuum cleaner 64 to be rolled and/or moved without dragging the apron 10. In another embodiment, flexible main section 16 may fit around the body 18 of the shop vacuum cleaner 64 where the top portion of flexible main section 16 is below a point 66 where the top 68 of shop vac 64 lifts off and the bottom portion of flexible main section 16 is positioned above the bottom 70 of the shop vac 64.

A plurality of pouches 12 may be included in flexible main section 16 of shop vacuum cleaner accessory apron 10. See FIGS. 1-4. Each pouch 12 may be for holding accessories 14 on or inside apron 10. Pouches 12 may be any size or shape pouch, pocket, container, reservoir, the like, etc. capable of holding accessories 14 on or inside apron 10. Each pouch 12 may be sized for receiving and holding a vacuum accessory 14. In one embodiment, each pouch 12 may be sized to receive and hold a standard 1½ inch diameter vacuum accessory 14. In another embodiment, each pouch 12 may be sized for receiving and holding a standard 3 inch diameter vacuum accessory 14. In another embodiment, some pouches 12 may be sized for receiving and holding standard 1½ inch diameter vacuum accessories 14 while other pouches 12 may be sized for receiving and holding standard 3 inch diameter vacuum accessories. Pouches 12 may be any form of pouches. In one embodiment, each pouch 12 may have an open top end 22 and a closed bottom end 24.

In one embodiment, the flexible main section 16 may be made of two layers, a first layer 28 and a second layer 30. See FIGS. 2-4 (best shown in FIG. 4). In this embodiment, the second layer 30 may be attached to the first layer 28 at distances 32 and locations 34 where the second layer 30 forms the plurality of pouches 12 on first layer 28. The first layer 38 and second layer 38 may be attached by any means. In this two layer embodiment, the flexible main section 16 may be made from a fabric material 36. This fabric embodiment may allow the fabric 36 of the first layer 28 and second layer 30 to be sewn together at the desired distances 32 and locations 34. In one embodiment, the edges 38 of the opening of each pouch 12 may be folded over and sewn. In another embodiment, the edges 40 of the flexible main section 16 may be folded over and sewn. The fabric embodiment of apron 10 may provide for a low cost, easy production apron 10 that is durable and easy to clean.

Securing means 26 may be included in shop vacuum accessory holder apron 10. See FIGS. 2-4. Securing means 26 may be for securing the main flexible section 16 around the vacuum cleaner 20. Securing means 26 may be any device or mechanism for securing flexible main section 16 around the body 18 of vacuum cleaner 20. When the flexible main section 16 may be wrapped around the vacuum cleaner, the securing means 26 may secure the flexible main section 16 around the vacuum cleaner. In one embodiment, the securing means 26 may be adjustable in length. This adjustable length embodiment of securing means 26 may allow the vacuum cleaner accessory holder apron 10 to be securable around various sized and/or shaped vacuum cleaners 20. The securing means 26 may be adjustable in length by any means. In one embodiment, this adjustable length securing means 26 may include a first attachment means 44 and a second attachment means 48. The first attachment means 44 may be attached to one side 46 of the flexible main section 16, while the second attachment means 48 may be attached to the other side 50 of the flexible main section 16. Whereby, when the flexible main section 16 may be wrapped around the vacuum cleaner, the first attachment means 44 may be secured to the second attachment means 48 thereby securing the flexible main section 16 to the body 18 of vacuum cleaner 20. In one embodiment, the first attachment means 44 may be a first tie string 52 attached to the one side 46 of flexible main section 16, and the second attachment means 48 may be a second tie string 54 attached to the other side 50 of the flexible main section 16. In this tie string embodiment of the attachment means, when the flexible main section 16 may be wrapped around the body 18 of vacuum cleaner 20, the first tie string 52 may be tied to the second tie string 54 thereby securing the flexible main section 16 to the body 18 of vacuum cleaner 20. Alternatively, first tie string 52 and/or second tie string 54 may be tied to various parts of vacuum cleaner 20 for securing the flexible main section 16 to the vacuum 20. In another embodiment, the first attachment means 44 may include a hook section 56 of a hook and loop type fastener 60 attached to the one side 46 of the flexible main section 16, and the second attachment means 48 may include a loop section 58 of the hook and loop type fastener 60 attached to the other side 50 of the flexible main section 16. In this hook and loop fastener embodiment, when the flexible main section 16 may be wrapped around the body 18 of vacuum cleaner 20, the hoop section 56 may be secured to the loop section 58 thereby securing the flexible main section 16 to the vacuum cleaner 20. Alternatively, the hook section 56 or multiple hook sections 56 and/or loop section 58 and/or multiple loop sections 58, may be secured to various parts of vacuum cleaner 20 with the opposing hook or loops for securing the flexible main section 16 to the vacuum 20.

The instant invention is also directed toward shop vacuum 64. See FIG. 1. Shop vacuum 64 may be any shop vac, wet vac, wet/dry vac, the like, etc. Shop vacuum 64 may include the vacuum cleaner accessory holder apron 10. Shop vacuum 64 may include any of the embodiments of apron 10 discussed above. In one embodiment, the flexible main section 16 may be sized to fit substantially around the body 18 of the shop vacuum cleaner 64 where the flexible main section 16 is below a point 66 where the top 68 lifts off making the inside of the body 18 or canister/bag accessible without having to remove the apron 10 and/or attachments 14, and above a bottom 70 of the shop vacuum cleaner 64 allowing the shop vacuum cleaner 64 to be rolled without dragging the apron 10. Whereby, when the flexible main section 16 may be wrapped around the body 18 of shop vacuum cleaner 64, the securing means 26 may secure the flexible main section 16 to the shop vacuum cleaner 64.

EXAMPLES

In a first example, a shop vacuum cleaner accessory holder apron 10 was created for 3 inch diameter accessories 14. The apron 10 was made with a 50 inch by 12 inch first layer 28 of fabric 36 that formed a finished back piece of flexible main section 16. The pouches 12 were made with a second layer 30 of fabric 36 that was attached at locations 34 and distances 32 every 3½ inches allowing for 14 pouches on this 3 inch diameter version. The pouches 12 were 11 inches in length or one inch shorter than the first layer 28, which allowed accessories 14 to be easily inserted into pouches 12. The apron 10 includes string ties 52 and 54 which, once flexible main section 16 was positioned around the body 18 of a shop vac 64, were tied to one another securing the apron 10 on the shop vac 64.

In a second example, a shop vacuum cleaner accessory holder apron 10 was created for 1 and ½ inch diameter accessories 14. The apron 10 was made with a 32 inch by 9 inch first layer 28 of fabric 36 that formed a finished back piece of flexible main section 16. The pouches 12 were made with a second layer 30 of fabric 36 that was attached at locations 34 and distances 32 every 2¼ inches allowing for 14 pouches on this 1 and ½ inch diameter version. The pouches 12 were 8 inches in length or one inch shorter than the first layer 28, which allowed accessories 14 to be easily inserted into pouches 12. The apron 10 includes hook and loop fastener 60 with hook section 56 and loop section 58. Once flexible main section 16 was positioned around the body 18 of a shop vac 64, the hook section 56 was secured to loop section 58 thus securing the apron 10 on the shop vac 64.

The present invention may be embodied in other forms without departing from the spirit and the essential attributes thereof, and, accordingly, reference should be made to the appended claims, rather than to the foregoing specification, as indicated the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A vacuum cleaner accessory holder apron comprising:

a flexible main section having a plurality of pouches each sized for receiving a vacuum accessory; and

sad flexible main section being sized to fit substantially around the body of a vacuum cleaner;

each of said pouches having an open top end and a closed bottom end;

a securing means for securing said main flexible section around the vacuum cleaner;

whereby, when said flexible main section being wrapped around the vacuum cleaner, said securing means securing said flexible main section to the vacuum cleaner.

2. The vacuum cleaner accessory holder apron of claim 1 wherein said flexible main section having a first layer and a second layer, said second layer being attached to said first layer at distances and locations where said second layer forming said plurality of pouches on said first layer.

3. The vacuum cleaner accessory holder apron of claim 2 wherein said flexible main section being made of fabric.

4. The vacuum cleaner accessory holder apron of claim 3 wherein edges of the opening of each pouch are folded over and sewn and edges of said flexible main section being folded over and sewn.

5. The vacuum cleaner accessory holder apron of claim 1 wherein said securing means being adjustable in length whereby the vacuum cleaner accessory holder apron being securable around various sized vacuum cleaners.

6. The vacuum cleaner accessory holder apron of claim 5 wherein said adjustable length securing means including:

a first attachment means attached to one side of said flexible main section; and

a second attachment means attached to the other side of said flexible main section;

whereby, when said flexible main section being wrapped around the vacuum cleaner, said first attachment means being secured to said second attachment means thereby securing said flexible main section to the vacuum cleaner.

7. The vacuum cleaner accessory holder apron of claim 6 wherein:

said first attachment means being a first tie string attached to one side of said flexible main section; and

said second attachment means being a second tie string attached to the other side of said flexible main section;

whereby, when said flexible main section being wrapped around the vacuum cleaner, said first tie string being tied to said second tie string thereby securing said flexible main section to the vacuum cleaner.

8. The vacuum cleaner accessory holder apron of claim 6 wherein:

said first attachment means including a hook section of a hook and loop type fastener attached to one side of said flexible main section; and

said second attachment means including a loop section of a hook and loop type fastener attached to the other side of said flexible main section;

whereby, when said flexible main section being wrapped around the vacuum cleaner, said hoop section being securable to said loop section thereby securing said flexible main section to the vacuum cleaner.

9. The vacuum cleaner accessory holder apron of claim 1 wherein said vacuum cleaner being a canister type vacuum cleaner.

10. The vacuum cleaner accessory holder apron of claim 9 wherein said canister type vacuum cleaner being a shop vacuum cleaner.

11. The vacuum cleaner accessory holder apron of claim 10 wherein said flexible main section fits around the body of the shop vacuum cleaner where said flexible main section is below a point where the top lifts off making the inside of the body accessible without having to remove the apron and attachments, and above a bottom of the shop vacuum cleaner allowing the shop vacuum cleaner to be rolled without dragging the apron.

12. The vacuum cleaner accessory holder apron of claim 1 wherein said vacuum cleaner accessory being selected from the group consisting of: tubes, brushes, power cords, heads, and combinations thereof.

13. The vacuum cleaner accessory holder apron of claim 1 wherein said pouches being sized to fit 1½ inch diameter vacuum accessories, 3 inch diameter vacuum accessories, or combinations thereof.

14. A shop vacuum cleaner comprising:

a shop vacuum cleaner accessory holder apron comprising: a flexible main section having a plurality of pouches each sized for receiving a shop vacuum accessory; and sad flexible main section being sized to fit substantially around the body of the shop vacuum cleaner where said flexible main section is below a point where the top lifts off making the inside of the body accessible without having to remove the apron and attachments, and above a bottom of the shop vacuum cleaner allowing the shop vacuum cleaner to be rolled without dragging the apron; each of said pouches having an open top end and a closed bottom end; a securing means for securing said main flexible section around the shop vacuum cleaner;

whereby, when said flexible main section being wrapped around the shop vacuum cleaner, said securing means securing said flexible main section to the shop vacuum cleaner.

15. The shop vacuum cleaner of claim 14 wherein said flexible main section having a first layer and a second layer, said second layer being attached to said first layer at distances and locations where said second layer forming said plurality of pouches on said first layer.

16. The shop vacuum cleaner of claim 14 wherein said flexible main section being made of fabric, wherein edges of the opening of each pouch are folded over and sewn and edges of said flexible main section being folded over and sewn.

17. The shop vacuum cleaner of claim 14 wherein said securing means being adjustable in length whereby the shop vacuum cleaner accessory holder apron being securable around various sized shop vacuum cleaners,

said adjustable length securing means including: a first attachment means attached to one side of said flexible main section; and a second attachment means attached to the other side of said flexible main section;

whereby, when said flexible main section being wrapped around the shop vacuum cleaner, said first attachment means being secured to said second attachment means thereby securing said flexible main section to the shop vacuum cleaner.

18. The shop vacuum cleaner of claim 17 wherein:

said first attachment means being a first tie string attached to one side of said flexible main section; and

said second attachment means being a second tie string attached to the other side of said flexible main section;

whereby, when said flexible main section being wrapped around the shop vacuum cleaner, said first tie string being tieable to said second tie string thereby securing said flexible main section to the shop vacuum cleaner.

19. The shop vacuum cleaner of claim 17 wherein:

said first attachment means including a hook section of a hook and loop type fastener attached to one side of said flexible main section; and

said second attachment means including a loop section of a hook and loop type fastener attached to the other side of said flexible main section;

whereby, when said flexible main section being wrapped around the shop vacuum cleaner, said hoop section being securable to said loop section thereby securing said flexible main section to the shop vacuum cleaner.

20. The shop vacuum cleaner of claim 14 wherein: tubes, brushes, power cords, heads, and combinations thereof; and

said vacuum accessory being selected from the group consisting of:

said pouches being sized to fit 1½ inch diameter vacuum accessories, 3 inch diameter vacuum accessories, or combinations thereof.