Vacuum Attachment Device

Abstract

Certain embodiments herein relate to a vacuum attachment device that includes a tubular body having a proximal end and a distal end, where the proximal end of the tubular body removably attaches to a vacuum. The vacuum attachment device further includes an attachment head comprising a neck portion and a base. The distal end of the tubular body removably attaches to the neck portion at a first predefined angle and the neck portion is connected to the base at a second predefined angle, where the first predefined angle and the second predefined angle is between 55 and 75 degrees. The bottom surface of the base comprises an air intake opening to allow the movement of air and debris through the base and the tubular body, and then into the vacuum where the debris is collected.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/097352 filed Dec. 29, 2014, and is incorporated herein in its entirety.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO A SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM, LISTING COMPACT DISC APPENDIX

Not Applicable

BACKROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The present disclosure relates to vacuum nozzle attachments that are attachable to air blower/vacuums devices that allow for the collecting of dust, trash or the like.

2. Description of Prior Art

Air blower/vacuums are known in art for using high-pressure airflow to move or collect debris in the direction of the airflow. Conventional air blower/vacuums include portable types (e.g., hand-held or backpack types) and stand-behind push types.

Generally, these air blowers/vacuums have different attachments that are configured for different tasks. For example, linear or straight attachments are employed for general use, for example, when directing large debris to a predetermined location. However, when trying to direct airflow under an object, or to draw an object into the air blower/vacuum, the user must position traditional attachments close to and parallel to the ground. This may require frequent bending. In other situations, the length of the attachment, or the diameter of the attachment may lack the required air intake volume to draw up various dust and trash articles. In other situations, the blower/vacuum is bulky and cumbersome, while attachment cords may tangle or impede the movement of the user.

Therefore, a need exists for an air blower/vacuum attachment that can complete the above tasks with the optimum attachment angle and required vacuum intake volume. The present invention addressed these needs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention provide for an attachment for an air blower/vacuum that enables a nozzle portion of the attachment to be configured at an optimum angle and length to accomplish various tasks. The attachment is designed to be lightweight and preferably used with cordless or hand-held blowers/vacuums.

In some aspects of the invention, the air blower/vacuum attachment has a tubular body that is about 8-14 inches long and has a diameter of about 2-5 inches wide. A neck portion is connected to the tubular body with an angle of about 55-75 degrees, where the neck opening is about 2-5 inches in diameter and can be removably attached to the tubular body. The neck portion is about 4-6 inches in length. The neck portion is connected to a base at an angle of about 55-75 degrees, or at the same angle that the neck portion is connected to the tubular body. The base is generally rectangular in shape, having a width of about 3-10 inches. The length of the rectangular base portion is preferably about 10-20 inches. The depth is about 1-3 inches.

In another aspect of the invention, attachment tubular body is about 12 inches long and has a diameter of about 3 inches. The neck portion is connected to the tubular body with an angle of about 65 degrees, where the neck opening is about 3 inches in diameter and can be removably attached to the tubular body. The neck portion is about 5 inches in length. The neck portion is connected to a base at about a 65-degree angle, or at the same angle that the neck portion is connected to the tubular body. The base is generally rectangular in shape, having a width of about 5 inches. The length of the rectangular base portion is preferably about 14 inches. The depth is about 1.5 inches.

In other aspects of the invention, the bottom surface of the base has an air intake opening. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the base may have wheels or other devices to allow easy movement over various surfaces.

These and other exemplary features and advantages of the present invention will become clear from the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following drawings form part of the specification and are included to further demonstrate certain embodiments or various aspects of the invention. In some instances, embodiments of the invention can be best understood by referring to the accompanying drawings in combination with the detailed description presented herein. The description and accompanying drawings may highlight a certain specific example, or a certain aspect of the invention. However, one skilled in the art will understand that portions of the example or aspect may be used in combination with other examples or aspects of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a front view of a vacuum attachment device, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a view of a vacuum attachment device in use, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a nozzle attachment for a portable hand-held lawn blower/vacuums, or varieties of lawn blower/vacuums that are worn on the user's back. The nozzle attachment can be generally used to vacuum up dust, trash or other debris as desired by the user.

In a preferred embodiment, the vacuum attachment device generally consists of a long, cylindrical or tubular body. The proximal end of the tubular body can by removably attached to the vacuum housing body. The tubular body also has a distal end that can be removably attached to the attachment head via a neck portion. The neck portion is fixedly attached to the base, where the base has an opening on the bottom surface to allow the movement of air through the base, into the tubular body and into the blower/vacuum body where the dirt and debris is collected or otherwise disposed.

Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. For the purposes of presenting a brief and clear description of the present invention, the preferred embodiment will be discussed as used for vacuuming dust or other debris. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-2, there is shown a view of an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the device is shown in an exemplary embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1, in some embodiments, the vacuum attachment device 100 may include a tubular body 110 is used to couple a vacuum (or vacuum housing body) to an attachment head 115. The tubular body 110 has a diameter that is optimal for the intake of air and corresponding debris that is drawn up through the attachment head 115 by the vacuum. The tubular body 110 has a diameter that is preferably about 2-5 inches, and more preferably about 3 inches in diameter. The tubular body 110 has a proximal end 120 and distal end 130. The proximal end 120 can be removably attached to the blower/vacuum body. In certain embodiments, the proximal end 120 and/or the distal end 130 may be flared to aid in attachment.

The attachment head 115 includes a neck portion 140 and a base 150, where the distal end 130 of the tubular body 110 connects to the attachment head 115 via the neck portion 140. The neck portion 140 is preferably about 4-6 inches in length, and more preferably about 5 inches in length. The neck portion 140 has a circumference that is adapted to fit within the distal end 130 of the tubular body 110. The circumference of the neck portion 140 is about 2-5 inches, or more preferably about 3 inches. In certain embodiments, the neck portion 140 attaches to the distal end 130 of the tubular body 110 at about a first predefined angle between 55-75 degrees or, more preferably, in some embodiments, about 65 degrees.

With continued reference to FIG. 1, the neck portion 140 is attached to the base 150. The base 150 and the neck portion 140 are preferably connected at a second predefined angle that may be 65 degrees, but can also be connected between about a 55-75 degree angle. In most instances, it is preferably that the first and second predefined angles of connections are the same. The base 150, in some embodiments is generally rectangular. However, the base 150 may also be in other shapes as well such as round, oval, square etc. In a preferred embodiment, the base 150 is substantially rectangular with a width of about 3-10 inches, or preferably about 4-6 inches, or most preferably about 5 inches. The length of the rectangular base 150 is preferably about 10-20 inches, more preferably about 12-16 inches or most preferably about 14 inches. The base 150 has a depth of about 1-3 inches, or more preferably about 1.5 inches.

In certain embodiments, the bottom surface of the base 150 may include an air intake opening 160 to allow the movement of air and debris through the base 150 and the tubular body 110 and then into the vacuum housing body where the debris is collected. Additionally, in some embodiments, the base 150 can swivel from side to side when attached to the tubular body 110. This can be achieved through known mean that are available to one of ordinary skill in the art. The swivel action allows the base portion to fit into small spaces or corners.

In further embodiments, the base 150 may have wheels on the bottom surface to allow the base 150 to maneuver over various surfaces more easily. In other embodiments, the base 150 may have rollers, balls or other similar devices in place of wheels.

In some embodiments, there is provided an adapter that allows the connection of the tubular body 110 to the blower/vacuum body that can accommodate a blower/vacuum end having a different diameter than the tubular body 110. The adapter may have an end that attaches to the blower/vacuum where the blower/vacuum end is a different diameter than the proximal end 120 of the tubular body 110. For instance, the blower/vacuum end of the connector may have a diameter of 2 inches and the diameter of the tubular body end of the adaptor may be 3 inches.

It is to be appreciated that the adaptor portion may be used for connecting the attachment to any various known or to be developed types of air blowers/vacuums. For example, the adaptor portion may include a fitting, a snap-fit type connection, an elastic member, screwable, friction fit, and etc. type attachments methods.

Furthermore, the method of connection for the other various parts is preferably by snap-fit. However, in other embodiments, the connection may be via screwing, friction fit, or other methods that are known to a person of ordinary skill in the art.

Referring now to FIG. 2, shown is a vacuum attachment device 200 in use. As shown in FIG. 2, the vacuum attachment device includes a tubular body 210 that is removably attached to a neck portion 220. The neck portion 220 is fixedly attached to the base 230, where the base 230 has an opening (see 160 in FIG. 1) on the bottom surface of the base 230 to allow the movement of air and dirt through the base 230 and then neck portion 220, and then into the tubular body 210 and into the blower/vacuum body where the dirt and debris is collected or otherwise disposed. Additionally, in certain embodiments, the vacuum attachment device 200 may be made of various structurally resilient materials including but not limited to metal and plastic. In other embodiments, the resilient material may also be made of a more flexible material such as a flexible plastic or rubber.

Thus, a novel vacuum attachment device has been shown and described. Various changes and substitutions can of course be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Definitions

The following definitions are included to provide a clear and consistent understanding of the specification and claims. As used herein, the recited terms have the following meanings. All other terms and phrases used in this specification have their ordinary meanings, as one of skill in the art would understand.

References in the specification to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, etc., indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular aspect, feature, structure, moiety, or characteristic, but not every embodiment necessarily includes that aspect, feature, structure, moiety, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases may, but do not necessarily, refer to the same embodiment referred to in other portions of the specification. Further, when a particular aspect, feature, structure, moiety, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to affect or connect such aspect, feature, structure, moiety, or characteristic with other embodiments, whether or not explicitly described.

The singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, a reference to “a compound” includes a plurality of such compounds, so that a compound X includes a plurality of compounds X. It is further noted that the claims may be drafted to exclude any optional element. As such, this statement is intended to serve as antecedent basis for the use of exclusive terminology, such as “solely,” “only,” and the like, in connection with any element described herein, and/or the recitation of claim elements or use of “negative” limitations.

The term “and/or” means any one of the items, any combination of the items, or all of the items with which this term is associated. The phrase “one or more” is readily understood by one of skill in the art, particularly when read in context of its usage.

As used herein, the term “about” refers to an approximately +/−10% variation from a given value. It is to be understood that such a variation is always included in any given value provided herein, whether or not it is specifically referred to.

One skilled in the art will also readily recognize that where members are grouped together in a common manner, such as in a Markush group, the invention encompasses not only the entire group listed as a whole, but each member of the group individually and all possible subgroups of the main group. Additionally, for all purposes, the invention encompasses not only the main group, but also the main group absent one or more of the group members. The invention therefore envisages the explicit exclusion of any one or more of members of a recited group. Accordingly, provisos may apply to any of the disclosed categories or embodiments whereby any one or more of the recited elements, species, or embodiments, may be excluded from such categories or embodiments, for example, for use in an explicit negative limitation.

Claims

1. A vacuum attachment device, comprising:

a tubular body comprising a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end of the tubular body removably attaches to a vacuum; and

an attachment head comprising a neck portion and a base, wherein the distal end of the tubular body removably attaches to the neck portion at a first predefined angle, and wherein the neck portion is connected to the base at a second predefined angle, and wherein the first predefined angle and the second predefined angle is between 55 and 75 degrees, and wherein the bottom surface of the base comprises an air intake opening to allow the movement of air and debris through the base and the tubular body and then into the vacuum where the debris is collected.

2. The vacuum attachment device of claim 1, wherein the tubular body has a length of 8 to 14 inches and a diameter of 2 to 5 inches.

3. The vacuum attachment device of claim 1, wherein the tubular body has a length of 12 inches and a diameter of 3 inches.

4. The vacuum attachment device of claim 1, wherein the neck portion has a length of 4 to 6 inches and a diameter of 2 to 5 inches.

5. The vacuum attachment device of claim 1, wherein the neck portion has a length of 5 inches and a diameter of 3 inches.

6. The vacuum attachment device of claim 1, wherein the base is rectangular in shape and has a length of 10 to 20 inches, a width of 3 to 10 inches, and a depth of 1 to 3 inches.

7. The vacuum attachment device of claim 1, wherein the base is rectangular in shape and has a length of 14 inches, a width of 5 inches, and a depth of 1.5 inches.

8. The vacuum attachment device of claim 1, wherein the first predefined angle is the same angle as the second predefined angle.

9. The vacuum attachment device of claim 1, wherein the first predefined angle and the second predefined angle is 65 degrees.