Suction To Or From Blast Patents (Class 15/330)
  • Publication number: 20140082882
    Abstract: A portable cleaner includes: a housing; a motor; a fan; a dust filter; and an exhaust regulating unit. The housing is formed with an intake port, an exhaust port, and a blower port. The housing defines an air passage providing a communication between the intake port, the exhaust port, and the blower port. The fan is disposed in the air passage and rotationally driven by the motor. The fan is configured to draw air into the air passage through the intake port and to exhaust the air from the air passage through at least one of the exhaust port and the blower port while rotating. The dust filter is disposed in the air passage at a position between the intake port and the fan. The exhaust regulating unit is provided at the housing and configured to regulate an amount of the air exhausted from the air passage through the blower port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2013
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicant: HITACHI KOKI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: SHINJI KAWAMATA, HIDEYUKI HASHIMOTO, JUNICHI SUDOU, YOSHIMASA HAYAMA
  • Patent number: 8671508
    Abstract: In a dust collector, a main body includes a motor and a rotary fan. The rotary fan is to be driven by the motor to suck air from outside through an intake port provided at the main body. A receptacle unit configured to allow a battery pack to be attached thereto and an exhaust port configured to allow a dust bag to be detachably attached thereto are provided at the main body. A handle capable of being grasped and a belt fastening part configured to allow a belt to be fastened thereto are also provided at the main body. At an underside of the main body, a supporting surface is provided which is configured to allow the dust collector with the dust bag and the battery pack attached to the exhaust port and to the receptacle unit respectively to be placed thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Makita Corporation
    Inventors: Hidenori Nagasaka, Takeshi Kamiya
  • Patent number: 8590099
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a dirt tank, a tank cover mounted on the dirt tank, and a blower detachably mounted on the tank cover and including a main body. The blower forms a single handle which is located on a top face of the main body. Thus, the vacuum cleaner can be easily lifted up by one single hand of an operator due to the single handle located on a top face of the main body of the blower. A locking assembly for a vacuum cleaner including a tank cover and a blower detachably engaged with the tank cover is arranged between the tank cover and the blower. The locking assembly includes a latch, a resilient member and a locking shoulder, the resilient member being connected between the blower and the latch, the latch being pivotally mounted at the blower and engageable with the locking shoulder. Therefore, the blower is easily and reliably attached with or detached from the tank cover via the locking assembly which includes the latch and the locking shoulder simply latching with or detaching from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Suzhou Cleva Electric Appliance Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Shuhua Sang, Juan Wei
  • Patent number: 8549698
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner with wind-driven lighting is characterized in that an interior of an ordinary vacuum cleaner is installed with a wind-driven power generation device constituted by fan blades, an acceleration gear set and a generator. When the vacuum cleaner is operating, a suction force of the vacuum cleaner is converted into wind-driven power to provide electricity needed by an LED. Therefore, at a same time when the vacuum cleaner is operating, by this energy-saving device for the generation of wind-driven power, light can be illuminated on blind spots inside a house where a light intensity is insufficient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: In Win Development, Inc.
    Inventor: Vincent Lai
  • Publication number: 20130212830
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a blower vacuum device and in particular to a blower vacuum device for use in the collection of garden debris. The device is preferably one which is operable in a blowing mode to generate an air stream for blowing the debris into piles and also operable in a vacuum mode to suck debris into the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2013
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Applicant: BLACK & DECKER INC.
    Inventor: BLACK & DECKER INC.
  • Publication number: 20130185892
    Abstract: An apparatus for collection of garden waste wherein the apparatus has a vacuuming mode of operation and a dirty fan operation in the vacuuming mode of operation thereof, the apparatus comprising: a hand-holdable unit comprising a motor with an output shaft coupled to an impeller for generation of air flow; a volute enclosing the impeller for direction of air flow from an axial air inlet of the volute past the impeller to a tangential air outlet of the volute; a vacuum tube for conducting dirty air flow to the air inlet of the volute in the vacuuming mode of operation; and a cyclonic separation arrangement for receiving dirty air flow from the air outlet of the volute and separating garden waste from said dirty air flow in the vacuuming mode of operation. A blowervac comprising the apparatus for collection of garden waste.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2013
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Applicant: BLACK & DECKER INC.
    Inventor: BLACK & DECKER INC.
  • Patent number: 8479746
    Abstract: A hookah accessory comprising a motor driven vacuum secured in a housing, vacuum port, filter between the vacuum port and vacuum used to apply a suction force used to ignite and start a hookah, blower port in pneumatic communication with the output/return port of the vacuum to provide a blow force used to clean hoses, switches in the vacuum and air pressure ports to automatically turn on the accessory when inserting a hose, rheostat for adjusting the vacuum suction force, insulated oven having a burner assembly for heating charcoal or other agents used in the hookah and charcoal filter for filtering emissions from the charcoal or heated agent. The invention may have fixed resistors in series with the switches for setting the vacuum at two constant speeds for a set suction force and set air pressure force. The invention may include a basket for placement in the oven.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Inventor: Bishara Tannous
  • Patent number: 8418312
    Abstract: Described herein are improved wet/dry vacuum appliance assemblies and associated systems which facilitate the ease of removal of the filter assembly from within the appliance itself. The vacuum appliance assemblies described include a drum, a lid assembly adapted to removably mount on or to hinge on the drum, and a filter assembly housed within the lid assembly, wherein the lid assembly comprises a removable component such that if the removable component is removed, the filter assembly is accessible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventors: Steven Rhea, Douglas Schultz
  • Patent number: 8402986
    Abstract: A device is provided for deflating or inflating an item using a vacuum source including a receiving member including an outer open-ended cup with a partial bottom, the bottom including a central aperture, and an outer frustoconical portion extending from the central aperture; an air-flow adjusting member including an inner open-ended substantially cylindrical portion, an inner frustoconical portion extending from the inner open-ended substantially cylindrical portion; a tip member; and means for removably coupling the tip member to the air-flow adjusting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Inventor: Steven S. Gray
  • Patent number: 8341803
    Abstract: A floor cleaning attachment is configured to attach to a pressure washer lance to receive a flow of fluid. The floor cleaning attachment includes a housing that defines a suction space and includes an attachment point configured to attach to the pressure washer lance to receive the flow of fluid. A rotatable brush is coupled to the housing, a vacuum producing member is coupled to the housing, and a valve is coupled to the housing and movable between a first position in which the flow of fluid is directed onto a floor, a second position in which the flow of fluid is directed to the vacuum producing member to produce a partial vacuum, and a third position in which the flow of fluid is directed to the rotatable brush to rotate the brush.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Techtronic Outdoor Products Technology Limited
    Inventors: Michael R. Gardner, Klaus K. Hahn
  • Patent number: 8177914
    Abstract: An embodiment in accordance with the present invention provides a blower and a method for landscaping and lawn maintenance. The blower includes an outer housing having an inner chamber, the outer housing defining at least one discharge port and an impeller disposed within the inner chamber of the housing. The impeller has a first side surface and a second side surface, wherein a first plurality of blades are mounted to the first side surface and a second plurality of blades are mounted to the second side surface. The second plurality of blades are a mirror image of the first plurality of blades. Air or other fluid is expelled through the discharge ports and can be directed using discharge tubes in order to redistribute debris or fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Inventor: Clifford Peters
  • Patent number: 8122565
    Abstract: To obtain a hand-held powered suction device, which secures a high suction performance by a lightweight fan while preventing a blade of the fan from being damaged or being broken due to a sucked object. Forming an air intake opening along a driving axis of a fan in a portable-type fan case and providing a fan protection member to be rotated at an upstream side in an air intake direction of the fan within the intake opening being attached so as to be integrally rotated with the driving axis, a shock absorbing surface that is perpendicular in an air intake direction of the intake opening is formed on the fan protection member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Yamabiko Corp.
    Inventors: Yoshiki Nakayama, Masaki Takeda, Junichi Akaike
  • Patent number: 8104138
    Abstract: A portable handheld suction/blower apparatus includes a motor-driven blower (1) and at least one air guide tube (3) connected to the blower (1) at a connecting location (2) to conduct flow. The connecting location (2) is configured at least as a double-winding connection (9) which has pairs of outer thread sections (4) of an outer winding (5) and inner thread sections (7) of an inner winding (8). The pairs are distributed about the periphery of the threaded connection. The periphery of the connecting location (2) is subdivided by the number of pairs of thread sections (4, 7) into a corresponding number of angular segments (10). The sum of angular extents (?, ?) of a pair of individual thread sections (4, 7) is in total less than an angular extent (?) of the corresponding angular segment (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Andreas Stihl AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Harald Schliemann, Manfred Rabis
  • Patent number: 8028372
    Abstract: A blower/vacuum device includes a base supported on wheels. The device (10) has a reservoir (bag) that receives material collected by the device. Mounted on the base is a motor and impeller assembly that draws air inward and delivers the air (with collected material) to the bag. The assembly can also be operated to provide a forward delivery directed air stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Victa Lawncare Pty Ltd.
    Inventors: Finlay Llewyn Watson, Julia Prudhoe, Marc Frederick Lachere Francis
  • Patent number: 7870640
    Abstract: A convertible blower/vacuum for selectively blowing or vacuuming debris. The blower/vacuum may include a housing to which a blower/vacuum tube is coupled. The tube may be movable, relative to the housing, to allow a primary passageway of the tube to selectively communicate with either an air inlet of the housing or an air outlet. The blower/vacuum may further include a vacuum receptacle having an opening that selectively communicates with the air outlet when the passageway of the tube communicates with the air inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: The Toro Company
    Inventors: Darrell W. Hinklin, David J. Martin
  • Patent number: 7836545
    Abstract: A manually guided suction apparatus for suctioning up material via a suction air stream, comprising a suction fan having a fan housing surrounding a fan wheel and provided with an intake opening. A centrifugal separator is disposed upstream of the intake opening and produces a curved path of the suction air stream. The centrifugal separator has a curved peripheral wall in which is disposed a removal opening for material that is to be sucked up. The intake opening is disposed approximately in a central portion of the centrifugal separator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Andreas Stihl AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Georg Maier, Wolfgang Layher, Markus Zwimpfer, Uwe Gaese, Marco Deuchert, Michael Hermann, Sebastian Gembardt, Jochen Keinath, Rolf Erhardt
  • Patent number: 7788764
    Abstract: A suction device for cleaning jobs comprising a bladed impeller (1) actuated by a motor and suitable for being housed inside a carcass provided with an inlet opening for an airflow and an outlet opening, where said impeller (1) comprises a first series of blades (2) and a second series of blades (3), which rotate firmly fixed together, coaxial to each other and distributed in a staggered manner, suitable for respectively generating an axial flow and a radial flow, said second series of blades (3) being arranged downstream of the first series of blades (2), with respect to the inlet opening, so that the air sucked in is transmitted from the first series of blades (2) to the second series of blades (3) before it reaches the outlet opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: EMAK S.p.A.
    Inventor: William T Cobb, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7774896
    Abstract: A backpack suction/blower apparatus has a blower unit (1) which includes a drive motor (2), a blower (3), which is driven by the drive motor (2), and a blower tube (4) extending from the blower (3). A back carrier frame (5) is provided on which the blower unit (1) is attached at a spacing while forming an intake gap (6). The intake gap (6) is filled with a foam attenuating element (8) in the lateral direction (7) referred to the usual working position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Andreas Stihl AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Erik Andresen, Markus Herzog, Jürgen Häberlein, Jörg Amann
  • Patent number: 7765637
    Abstract: A manually guided suction apparatus for suctioning up material via a suction air stream, comprising a suction fan having a fan housing surrounding a fan wheel and provided with an intake opening. A removal opening for sucked up material is disposed upstream of the intake opening in an intake channel that guides the suction air stream toward the suction fan. The removal opening empties into a collection bag, and the suction air stream in the intake channel is guided past the removal opening. An endless tube folded up to form a supply portion is stored in a storage chamber. A container portion of the endless tube forms the collection bag. A weight support for the collection bag prevents the supply portion from being pulled out of the storage chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Andreas Stihl AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Georg Maier, Markus Zwimpfer, Uwe Gaese
  • Patent number: 7748078
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a portable blower-vacuum device which comprises a motor (3) operated by a switch (7) and located in a main body (2) and a fan (4) drivable by the motor. A vacuum nozzle (11) and a blower nozzle (12) are associated with the main body and the vacuum nozzle comprises a main portion (14a) extending in a direction of an axis (Z1) of the main portion and a terminal portion (14b) with an axis (Z2) angularly disposed with respect to the axis (Z1) of the main portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Positec Power Tools (Suzhou) Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Paolo Andriolo, Qibin Wang
  • Patent number: 7707683
    Abstract: The present invention comprises a rechargeable battery operated combination sweeper/vacuum assembly for picking up debris that is swept into a pile. The assembly further comprises an elongated handle, a sweeper member, and a vacuum member. A compartment for housing the rechargeable battery is mounted to the upper end of the elongated handle. Mounted to the lower end of the handle is the sweeper member which further comprises a housing adapted to slidably receive the bristles of the sweeper member. Mounted to the backside of the housing is the vacuum member which further comprises a removable cover constructed in the shape of a dust pan. The removable cover of the vacuum member can be used as a conventional dust pan with the sweeper portion of the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Inventor: Selim Nurudeen
  • Patent number: 7698779
    Abstract: A hand-guided portable vacuum/blower device has a blower unit with a blower and a motor unit with a drive motor. The blower unit is rigidly connected to the motor unit. The drive motor is drivingly connected to the blower. A grip part is connected with antivibration elements to the motor unit and the blower unit. The grip part is at least approximately ring-shaped and has a first handle. The grip part is arranged in a plane that is positioned perpendicularly to an axis of rotation of the blower and, when viewed in the direction of the axis of rotation, is located between the motor unit and the blower unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Andreas Stihl AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Harald Schliemann, Manfred Rabis
  • Patent number: 7690076
    Abstract: A hookah accessory comprising a motor driven vacuum secured in a housing, vacuum port, filter between the vacuum port and vacuum used to apply a suction force used to ignite and start a hookah, blower port in pneumatic communication with the output/return port of the vacuum to provide a blow force used to clean hoses, switches in the vacuum and air pressure ports to automatically turn on the accessory when inserting a hose and fixed resistors in series with the switches for setting the vacuum at two constant speeds for a set suction force and set air pressure force. Alternatively, the accessory may have a variable resistor (rheostat) to adjust the speed of the motor, which adjusts the suction and blowing forces. The filter is in line with the vacuum port and vacuum to capture debris before it reaches the vacuum or vacuum motor. The vacuum and blower ports securely receive and hold different sized hoses and, or hose tips in a manner that creates a substantial airtight seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Inventor: Bishara Tannous
  • Patent number: 7685673
    Abstract: A manually guided blower having a housing in which is disposed a drive motor that rotatingly drives an impeller. The impeller draws in an air stream via an intake opening and conveys the air stream through a discharge opening of the housing. The blower has at least one attachment that can be detachably connected to the housing in the region of one of the openings. The blower has at least one switch that is actuated when the attachment is secured to the opening, whereby the drive motor is in a ready-to-operate state only when the switch is actuated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: Andreas Stihl AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Dieter Kremsler, Roman Dawen, Klaus Langhans, Manfred Rabis, Kirsten Schellin
  • Publication number: 20100043169
    Abstract: The invention is drawn to methods and apparatus comprising the use of attachment components comprising fluid-driven turbines to dusting, trimming, polishing, and claiming a locus, such as a surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2008
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Inventor: David J. Watzke
  • Publication number: 20100005615
    Abstract: A blower/vacuum device (10) having a base (11) supported on wheels (18). The device (10) has a reservoir (bag) (17) that receives material collected by the device (10). Mounted on the base (11) is a motor and impeller assembly (21) that draws air inward and delivers the air (with collected material) to the bag (17). The assembly (21) can also be operated to provide a forward delivery directed air stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2007
    Publication date: January 14, 2010
    Applicant: Victa Lawncare Pty Ltd.
    Inventors: Finlay Llewyn Watson, Julia Prudhoe, Marc Frederick Lachere Francis
  • Patent number: 7621019
    Abstract: A blower apparatus has a blower housing having a blower intake. A motor-driven blower is arranged in the blower housing and takes in air in a flow direction through the blower intake into the blower housing. A device for mechanical clearing of the blower intake is arranged at the blower intake. The mechanical clearing device is driven in rotation during operation of the blower apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: Andreas Stihl AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Dieter Kremsler, Michael Hocquel, Klaus Langhans, Helmut Swistun, Uwe Gaese
  • Patent number: 7600291
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a main body mounting structure of an upright type vacuum cleaner capable of being converted to a canister type. The mounting structure comprises a main body having a suction port and a discharge port formed thereon and including a suction device inside the suction port, a connection panel on which the main body is detachably installed, a suction unit having a dust collecting port and a discharge opening and on which the connection panel is rotatably installed, an attaching mechanism disposed between the main body and the connection panel, an extension pipe and a handle detachably installed to the main body and having a hollow inner space to define a flow passage along which foreign substances are induced, and a suction hose connected at one end with the suction port and selectively connected at the other end with the discharge opening or the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: Ace Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Im Suk Choi
  • Publication number: 20090241285
    Abstract: A convertible blower/vacuum for selectively blowing or vacuuming debris. The blower/vacuum may include a housing to which a blower/vacuum tube is coupled. The tube may be movable, relative to the housing, to allow a primary passageway of the tube to selectively communicate with either an air inlet of the housing or an air outlet. The blower/vacuum may further include a vacuum receptacle having an opening that selectively communicates with the air outlet when the passageway of the tube communicates with the air inlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Inventors: Darrell W. Hinklin, David J. Martin
  • Patent number: 7520298
    Abstract: A rotary valve having inner and outer sleeves includes multiple ports configured to provide pressure and vacuum pulses when the sleeves are rotated with respect to each other. A source of pressure and vacuum is connected to the rotary valve, and the inner sleeve is rotated to generate pressure and vacuum pulses. The alternating pressure and vacuum pulses may be used to remove obstructions in conduits such as piping systems. The rotary valve may also provide static positions where no vacuum or pressure is available. The valve may be motor driven and the pressure/vacuum pulse frequency may be controlled based upon the relative speed of rotation of the sleeves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: HRP Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: William George, John Kohlman, Stuart R. Amos
  • Patent number: 7480957
    Abstract: A direct port vacuum cleaning system comprises a vacuum cleaner housing including a vacuum generating unit having a blower within a blower housing, and a debris canister housing detachably directly connected to the blower housing providing a defined path for a flow of air through the system. The debris canister housing has an air input and outlet directing the flow of air along the defined path into the debris canister housing, out the canister air outlet, and directly into the blower housing when the canister air outlet is connected directly to the air inlet of the blower housing. The vacuum cleaner housing is shaped for disposition between the outer shell of a vehicle body and an inner surface panel inside a vehicle; or within the back cushion of a seat within the vehicle; or within a cabinet located between two laterally spaced, side-by-side seats in a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Inventor: William Ganzenmuller, V
  • Publication number: 20090000055
    Abstract: The present invention provides a blower-vacuum device having means for collecting garden waste, the garden waste collecting means comprising: an attachment part (42) for receiving a garden waste receptacle; and a garden waste receptacle (30) for removable engagement with the attachment part; wherein the attachment part (42) comprises an arcuate groove (44); and the garden waste receptacle (30) comprises a band (33) defining a mouth (35) of the receptacle for sliding engagement with the groove. Thus the receptacle may be easily removed from the attachment part of the blower-vacuum device merely by sliding the band (33) of the receptacle out of the groove (44), whereupon the receptacle may then be emptied of garden waste by tipping it upside-down.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2008
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Inventors: Clare Tate, John Sadler, Nigel Robson
  • Publication number: 20080307602
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a portable blower-vacuum device which comprises a motor (3) operated by a switch (7) and located in a main body (2) and a fan (4) drivable by the motor. A vacuum nozzle (11) and a blower nozzle (12) are associated with the main body and the vacuum nozzle comprises a main portion (14a) extending in a direction of an axis (Z1) of the main portion and a terminal portion (14b) with an axis (Z2) angularly disposed with respect to the axis (Z1) of the main portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Publication date: December 18, 2008
    Applicant: POSITEC POWER TOOLS (SUZHOU) CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Paolo Andriolo, Qibin Wang
  • Publication number: 20080295279
    Abstract: A powered blower/vacuum unit includes a base portion having a housing and a power air-moving device within the base portion. A tube is provided that is formed by a first manufacturing operation, such as a blow molding process. The tube extends a relatively large distance away from the housing and air flows through the tube along a relatively large distance. A coupler is also included for coupling the tube to the housing. The coupler is separately formed by a second, different manufacturing operation, such as an injection molding process. The coupler includes a plurality of one-way snap-in features configured to engage a plurality of receiver features located on the tube to non-removably attach the coupler to the tube. The housing can also include at least one male component and the coupler can include at least one complementary female component for securing the coupler to the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2007
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Applicant: HUSQVARNA OUTDOOR PRODUCTS INC.
    Inventors: Robert F. Alamond, Jeffery L Osterchill, John R. Coffey, John D. Allen, Andrew L. Curtis, Daniel T. Sparks
  • Publication number: 20080244858
    Abstract: A hand-held portable vacuum having a filter indicator that is coupled to an outlet housing and in fluid communication with a portion of the outlet housing between a fan inlet and an intake. The filter indicator includes a pressure differential indicator that is configured to indicate a pressure differential between air in the portion of the outlet housing and atmospheric air pressure. The filter indicator is employed to indicate to the user of the hand-held vacuum that replacement and/or cleaning of the filter is required. The vacuum may also be used in a blower mode with a set of inflator nozzles to permit a user to inflate an article.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2008
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Inventors: David M. Shaver, Jacob R. Prosper, Murray D. Hunter, Carolyn Martin, Patrick W. Mooney, Olga Makeev
  • Patent number: 7418763
    Abstract: A hand-held portable vacuum having a filter indicator that is coupled to an outlet housing and in fluid communication with a portion of the outlet housing between a fan inlet and an intake. The filter indicator includes a pressure differential indicator that is configured to indicate a pressure differential between air in the portion of the outlet housing and atmospheric air pressure. The filter indicator is employed to indicate to the user of the hand-held vacuum that replacement and/or cleaning of the filter is required. The vacuum may also be used in a blower mode with a set of inflator nozzles to permit a user to inflate an article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: David M. Shaver, Jacob R. Prosper, Murray D. Hunter, Carolyn Martin, Patrick W. Mooney, Olga Makeev
  • Patent number: 7412747
    Abstract: The present invention provides a blower-vacuum device having means for collecting garden waste, the garden waste collecting means comprising: an attachment part (42) for receiving a garden waste receptacle; and a garden waste receptacle (30) for removable engagement with the attachment part; wherein the attachment part (42) comprises an arcuate groove (44); and the garden waste receptacle (30) comprises a band (33) defining a mouth (35) of the receptacle for sliding engagement with the groove. Thus the receptacle may be easily removed from the attachment part of the blower-vacuum device merely by sliding the band (33) of the receptacle out of the groove (44), whereupon the receptacle may then be emptied of garden waste by tipping it upside-down.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Clare Tate, John Sadler, Nigel Robson
  • Patent number: 7404230
    Abstract: A vacuum-operable feces collector includes a primary housing having an outer wall for defining a cavity therein. The housing further has a rear portion provided with a plurality of vents. The device further includes a vacuum mechanism for collecting the excrement from a support surface. Such a vacuum mechanism includes an elongated hose and further includes a cage removably positionable within the auxiliary housing and a motor and a rotary fan operably connected thereto. The motor and the fan are housed within the cage wherein the cage has a plurality of outlet openings and an inlet port disposed upstream therefrom for assisting the fan to direct air outwardly from the auxiliary housing. A storing mechanism is operably connected to the vacuum mechanism and includes a disposable bag removably connected to the hose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Inventor: Mary Ellen Phillips
  • Publication number: 20080127448
    Abstract: A manually guided blower having a housing in which is disposed a drive motor that rotatingly drives an impeller. The impeller draws in an air stream via an intake opening and conveys the air stream through a discharge opening of the housing. The blower has at least one attachment that can be detachably connected to the housing in the region of one of the openings. The blower has at least one switch that is actuated when the attachment is secured to the opening, whereby the drive motor is in a ready-to-operate state only when the switch is actuated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2007
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Inventors: Dieter Kremsler, Roman Dawen, Klaus Langhans, Manfred Rabis, Kirsten Schellin
  • Patent number: 7382104
    Abstract: The present invention relates to portable powered devices or tools for residential, commercial, or industrial applications, in which the power source may be carried on the back of the individual user, power is transferred via a flexible drive shaft, and the powered devices or tools may be quickly connected to or disconnected from the power source via a quick-connect power take-off and power take-on to allow the user to quickly, safely and ergonomically accomplish a variety of tasks, each requiring a different device or tool. Among residential, commercial, or industrial applications, the invention relates to power sources which are light-weight internal combustion engines or AC or DC powered electric motors and to portable powered tools for landscaping, maintenance and repair; such as, without limitation, string-trimmers, edge-trimmers, hedge cutters, brush saws, blowers, drills, buffers, grinders, sanders, drainer cleaners, or sump pumps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Inventors: Bradley A. Jacobson, David E. Milton
  • Publication number: 20080022481
    Abstract: A leaf removal system of the blower-vac type is disclosed which allows the user to minimize down-time during the process of leaf and debris removal. The user can work productively removing leaves and other debris for a longer time before needing to empty or replace the debris bag.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2006
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Inventor: Roland John Reeves
  • Patent number: 7310853
    Abstract: An air-flowing direction distributor of an industrial dust-collector is provided with a pipe end at one side to be connected with the pipe of the main body of an industrial dust-collector, and two pipe ends are provided at the other side of the air-flowing direction distributor to be connected with the front end of an air blower. The air-flowing direction distributor is provided with four partition boards in the interior, a passage is provided in each partition board, a movable rod is provided in the interior of the air-flowing direction distributor to penetrate through each passage, and the movable rod is provided with sealing blocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Inventor: Kuo-Chin Cho
  • Patent number: 7266860
    Abstract: The present invention provides a blower-vacuum device with both a blowing mode of operation and a vacuuming mode of operation and having dirty fan operation in the vacuuming mode thereof, which comprises: a hand-holdable unit (10) comprising a motor having an output shaft extending outwardly of said hand-holdable unit; an impeller connected to said output shaft; a first attachment (22, 24, 26, 28) for removable engagement with the hand-holdable unit (10) in the vacuuming mode of operation and comprising both a first volute (22) for enclosing said impeller and a vacuum tube (26) in fluid communication with an inlet of said first volute; a second attachment (16, 18, 20) for removable engagement with the hand-holdable unit (10) in the blowing mode of operation and comprising both a second volute (16) for enclosing said impeller and a blower tube (20) in fluid communication with an outlet of said second volute; wherein the first attachment further comprises a handle (24) on or proximal to said first volute; and t
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Clare Tate, John Sadler
  • Patent number: 7257858
    Abstract: An apparatus for facilitating the collection of leaves and/or yard debris using a portable vacuum device is provided. The apparatus includes a top surface and side walls defining an open-bottom chamber. An intake hose leading to the open-bottom chamber receives materials expelled from an exhaust outlet of the portable vacuum device and routes the expelled materials into the open-bottom chamber. The apparatus can be positioned within a yard waste disposal bag. When the apparatus has been filled with yard waste, it can be removed from the disposal bag, leaving the collected yard waste behind in the bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Inventor: Giacomo S. Palazzolo
  • Patent number: 7231687
    Abstract: In a vacuum cleaner, by including a casing having a certain internal space; a suction force generating unit installed in the casing to generate a suction force and discharge sucked air; a head unit combined with the casing to suck impurities on the bottom with air by a suction force of the suction force generating unit or discharge air sucked from the outside; a filter unit for filtering off impurities in air sucked through the head unit or ambient air received from the outside; a flow channel switch connected with the head unit, the filter unit and the suction force generating unit so as to selectively switch a flow channel in order to guide air including impurities sucked through the head unit by the suction force of the suction force generating unit or make ambient air introduced in the flow channel switch flow to the head unit; and plural pipes for providing passages of air flowing in the head unit, the filter unit, the suction force generating unit and the flow channel switch, it is possible to perform n
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Ho-Seon Rew, Yong-Woo Lee, Hyeon-Sik Nam, Choon-Myun Chung
  • Patent number: 7213297
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a body having a suction motor for generating a suction force, a filter for filtering dust sucked in by the suction motor, and an outlet for exhausting air which has been filtered by the filter. A suction head is provided at one side of the body for sucking dust and a suction/exhaustion switch is installed between the body and the suction head. The suction head includes a channel switching valve assembly installed at a lateral surface of the body, a head side suction hose connected between the channel switching valve assembly and the suction head and a body side suction hose connecting the body and the channel switching valve assembly. A suction/exhaustion hose is connected to the channel switching valve assembly for exhausting a part of the exhaustion air exhausted through the outlet to the outside of the body or for sucking dust through the channel switching valve assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Hyeun-Sik Nam, Young-Woo Lee
  • Patent number: 7204523
    Abstract: A hose connector for hose of a dust collector is disclosed. The hose connector has a housing containing a blower, a blade module, a hose and the hose connector includes a covering plate, wherein the center of the covering plate of the hose connector is provided with a through hole and the lower edge next to the hose connector is protruded out an urging edge which can resist against the circumferential edge of the covering plate, and the lower edge of the hose connector is protruded out an engaging block which can engage to the lower inner edge of the through hole of the covering plate, and on the hose connector adjacent to the engaging block, a stopping pad is disposed such that when the stopping pad is at the covering plate of the hose seat the length of the stopping pad facing downward is beyond the top end of the blade module and a curved gap is formed between the stopping pad and the blade module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Inventor: Chun Hsiang Wang
  • Patent number: 7160395
    Abstract: A device for alternately applying pressure and vacuum to pipes in order to remove or prevent build-up of undesirable coatings inside the pipes is disclosed. The device includes a pressure and vacuum source connected to a plenum having a hose attached to the plenum at a proximal end and a control mechanism attached to the hose near a distal end. The control mechanism is operable to control the plenum to rapidly switch between variable amounts of vacuum and pressure to the hose. The plenum may also be controlled to supply neither vacuum nor pressure to the hose. The device may be used in a wide variety of settings, including industrial, commercial, marine hospitality industry, and household settings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Inventor: Stuart R. Amos
  • Patent number: 7055213
    Abstract: A power blower includes a frame, and a blower mounted on the frame. An air intake port of the blower faces the frame. There is provided an air intake space between the blower and the frame. A debris-catching cover is constructed between the frame side and the blower side in a state in which it is mounted on both the frame and blower sides. The debris-catching cover inhibits debris from being sucked from the air intake space into the air intake port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: Kioritz Corporation
    Inventors: Giichi Iida, Tadashi Kamoshita
  • Patent number: 6988293
    Abstract: A leaf collection system for lawn blower/vacuums is disclosed. The collection system includes a port coupling fitted to the exhaust port of a blower/vacuum, a dust cover, and a unique disposable collection bag. The disposable collection bag is constructed of an environmentally friendly, bio-degradeable plastic that will quickly decompose along with the organic leaves and lawn debris collected therein. Both sides of the collection bag has several rows of T-shaped slits and two rows of straight or I-shaped slits that allow air to escape from the bag but retain the leaves and lawn debris deposited therein. The collection bag is shaped to fit inside the dust cover that is fixed to the port coupling. The port coupling includes an elastic lock ring that secures the collection bag to the coupling. The dust cover envelops of the collection bag and shields the operator from the dust that passes through the collection bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2006
    Inventor: Joseph K. Ritter