AC/DC portable wet/dry vacuum having improved portability and convenience

• US 20050273969A1
• Filed: 05/31/2005
• Published: 12/15/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 11/12/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Black & Decker Incorporated (Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Black & Decker Incorporated (Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.)
• Inventors: DiTommaso, Maria, DiPasquale, Kathy E., Watson, James B., Lopano, Daniel N., Harrison, Edward A.
• Application Number:
  US11/140,844
• Publication Number:
  US 20050273969A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 15/344
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4019 Fill level sensors; Security means to prevent overflow, e.g. float valves
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 5/14 cleaning by blowing-off, also combined with suction cleaning
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 5/24 Hand-supported suction cleaners
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 5/36 Suction cleaners with hose between nozzle and casing; Suction cleaners for fixing on staircases; Suction cleaners for carrying on the back
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 7/0028 Security means, e.g. float valves or level switches for preventing overflow
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 7/0038 with means for emptying the tanks
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 7/0042 Gaskets; Sealing means
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/0009 Storing devices winding devices for electric cables A47L9/26; Supports, stands or holders
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/0027 specially adapted for holding the suction cleaning tools
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/0036 specially adapted for holding the suction hose
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/0045 specially adapted for holding the suction tube
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/0063 External storing devices; Stands, casings or the like for the storage of suction cleaners
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/106 Dust removal
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/22 Mountings for motor fan assemblies
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/242 Hose or pipe couplings
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/26 Incorporation of winding devices for electric cables devices specially adapted for repeatedly paying-out or re-storing cables B65H75/34; arrangements of electrical cables or lines between relatively-movable parts H02G11/00
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/2842 Suction motors or blowers
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/2857 User input or output elements for control, e.g. buttons, switches or displays
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/2878 Dual-powered vacuum cleaners, i.e. devices which can be operated with mains power supply or by batteries
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/2889 Safety or protection devices or systems, e.g. for prevention of motor over-heating or for protection of the user
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2207/40 : adapted for charging from various sources, e.g. AC, DC or multivoltage

Abstract

A wet/dry utility vacuum with a canister, a powerhead assembly with a fan, a shut-off device that prevents the fan from drawing liquids into the fan inlet when a volume of the liquid in the canister exceeds a predetermined volume. The powerhead assembly includes a controller that permits the utility vacuum to be operated in a desired power mode so that the user may employ either an AC power source or a DC power source, such as a battery pack, for example. In some applications, the battery pack may be interchangeable with the battery packs of various cordless tools, including drill/drivers and saws. A tool set and a method for operating a battery-powered tool set are also provided.

Claims

1. A utility vacuum comprising:

a housing having an intake portion;

a canister removeably attached to the housing;

a powerhead assembly located within the housing and having a fan, a motor for providing rotary power to the fan, and a power supply for distributing electrical power to the motor; and

a battery associated with the power supply, the battery providing a source of direct current electrical power for powering the power supply,

wherein the powerhead assembly is oriented in a substantially vertical fashion.

2. The utility vacuum of claim 1, wherein the powerhead assembly is located above the canister.

3. The utility vacuum of claim 1, wherein the housing includes an inlet and an outlet, wherein operation of the utility vacuum draws an intake flow of air into the canister through the inlet and discharges a discharge flow of air through the outlet.

4. The utility vacuum of claim 3, further comprising a filter, wherein the flow of air into the canister also passes through the filter.

5. The utility vacuum of claim 4, wherein the filter includes a washable material.

6. The utility vacuum of claim 3, further comprising a flexible hose that is configured to be coupled with the inlet.

7. The utility vacuum of claim 6, wherein the flexible hose has a first end, a second end opposite the first end and a body interconnecting the first end and second end, the flexible hose being positionable in a storage position wherein the first end is coupled to the inlet and the body is coupled to a portion of a handle portion of the housing.

8. The utility vacuum of claim 7, wherein the second end of the hose is coupled to the intake portion of the housing.

9. The utility vacuum of claim 1, wherein the battery is removeable from the utility vacuum.

10. The utility vacuum of claim 1, wherein the battery is located adjacent the intake portion of the housing between the canister and the intake portion of the housing.

11. A utility vacuum comprising:

a housing having an inlet;

a canister removeably attached to the housing;

a powerhead assembly located within the housing and having a fan, a motor for providing rotary power to the fan, and a power supply for distributing electrical power to the motor;

a battery associated with the power supply, the battery providing a source of direct current electrical power for powering the power supply, and

a flexible hose,

wherein the flexible hose has a first end, a second end opposite the first end and a body interconnecting the first end and second end, the flexible hose being positionable in a storage position wherein the first end is coupled to the inlet and the body is coupled to a portion of a handle portion of the housing.

12. The utility vacuum of claim 11, wherein the second end of the hose is coupled to an intake portion of the housing.

13. The utility vacuum of claim 11, wherein the battery is located adjacent an intake portion of the housing between the canister and the intake portion of the housing.

14. The utility vacuum of claim 11, wherein the battery is removeable from the utility vacuum.

15. The utility vacuum of claim 11, wherein the housing includes an outlet, wherein operation of the utility vacuum draws an intake flow of air into the canister through the inlet and discharges a discharge flow of air through the outlet.

16. The utility vacuum of claim 15, further comprising a filter, wherein the flow of air into the canister also passes through the filter.

17. The utility vacuum of claim 16, wherein the filter includes a washable material.

18. The utility vacuum of claim 11, wherein the powerhead assembly is oriented in a substantially vertical fashion.

19. The utility vacuum of claim 18, wherein the powerhead assembly is located above the canister.