System having a power tool and an AD/DC hand portable wet/dry vacuum that share a battery pack

• US 20070113369A1
• Filed: 01/16/2007
• Published: 05/24/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 11/12/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Christine Potter, Daniel Lopano, James Watson, Jason Goger, John Cochran
• Original Assignee: Christine Potter, Daniel Lopano, James Watson, Jason Goger, John Cochran
• Inventors: Potter, Christine, Watson, James, Cochran, John, Lopano, Daniel, Goger, Jason
• Granted Patent: US 7,526,833 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 15/327.500
• 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 9/0045 specially adapted for holding the suction tube
• 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 9/2878 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
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 15/01 Rechargeable batter

Abstract

A tool set with a battery pack, a power tool and a utility vacuum. The power tool includes a receptacle assembly for detachably coupling the battery pack to the power tool. The utility vacuum has a canister, a powerhead assembly, which is coupled to the canister and has a fan, a motor for providing rotary power to the fan, and a power supply for distributing electrical power to the motor, and a shut-off device that prevents the fan from drawing a liquid into the fan inlet when a volume of the liquid in the canister exceeds a predetermined volume. The power supply includes a receptacle assembly for detachably receiving the battery pack. The battery pack may be selectively coupled to either of the power tool and the utility vacuum to provide a source of electrical power thereto. A method for operating a battery-powered tool set is also provided.

Claims

1. A tool set comprising:

a battery pack;

a power tool having a receptacle assembly for detachably receiving the battery pack; and

a utility vacuum having a canister, a powerhead assembly and a shut-off device, the powerhead assembly being coupled to the canister and having a fan, a motor for providing rotary power to the fan, and a power supply for distributing electrical power to the motor, the fan including a fan inlet, the shut-off device being associated with the powerhead assembly and configured to prevent the fan from drawing a liquid into the fan inlet when a volume of the liquid in the canister exceeds a predetermined volume, the power supply including a receptacle assembly for detachably receiving the battery pack;

wherein the battery pack may be selectively coupled to either of the power tool and the utility vacuum to provide a source of electrical power thereto.

2. The tool set of claim 1, further comprising an electrical cord associated with the power supply, the electrical cord being configured to permit a user to selectively couple the power supply to a source of alternating current power.

3. The tool set of claim 2, further comprising a battery charger, the battery charger being electrically coupled to one of the power supply and the electrical cord, the battery charger being operable for charging the battery pack when the electrical cord is coupled to the source of alternating current power.

4. The tool set of claim 2, wherein the power supply includes a circuit for selecting between the source of alternating current power and electrical energy provided by the battery pack.

5. The tool set of claim 4, wherein the circuit inhibits the battery pack from transmitting electrical power to the power supply when the power supply is receiving alternating current power.

6. The tool set of claim 1, wherein the power tool is selected from a group of power tools consisting of flashlights, circular saws, reciprocating saws and drill drivers.

7. The tool set of claim 1, further comprising a battery charger, the battery charger for recharging the battery pack.

8. The tool set of claim 1, wherein the powerhead assembly includes a housing in which the fan, the motor and the power supply are housed, the housing including 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.

9. The tool set of claim 8, wherein a cooling air intake aperture and a cooling air discharge aperture are formed in the housing, the cooling air discharge aperture being associated with the outlet so that air flowing through the outlet blows across the cooling air discharge aperture to set up a zone of relatively low pressure that causes air to be drawn out of the cooling air discharge aperture to thereby cool the motor.

10. The tool set of claim 9, wherein the cooling air intake aperture is positioned proximate the inlet.

11. The tool set of claim 10, wherein the cooling air intake aperture is positioned concentric about the inlet.

12. The tool set of claim 1, further comprising a second battery pack that is interchangeable with the battery pack, the second battery pack having a voltage that is different than a voltage of the battery pack, the second battery pack being the source of direct current electrical power for powering the power supply when the second battery pack is interchanged with the battery pack and the power supply is not receiving alternating current power from the source of alternating current power.

13. A method for operating a battery-powered tool set, the tool set including a utility vacuum and a power tool, the method comprising:

uncoupling the battery pack from the power tool; and

coupling the battery pack to the utility vacuum to thereby provide the utility vacuum with a cordless source of electrical power.

14. The method for operating a battery-powered tool set of claim 13, further comprising:

providing an electrical cord associated with the utility vacuum, the electrical cord being configured to detachably couple the utility vacuum to a source of alternating current power; and

operating the utility vacuum with electrical power from one of the battery pack and the source of alternating current power.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the step of operating the utility vacuum includes:

operating the utility vacuum with electrical power from the source of alternating current power if the electrical cord is coupled to the source of alternating current power; and

otherwise, operating the utility vacuum with electrical power from the battery pack.

16. A utility vacuum comprising:

a canister;

a powerhead assembly removably coupled to the canister, the powerhead assembly having a fan, a motor for providing rotary power to the fan and a housing coupled to the fan and the motor, the housing including a fan inlet;

a shut-off device associated with the powerhead assembly, the shut-off device being configured to prevent the fan from drawing a liquid into the fan inlet when a volume of the liquid in the canister exceeds a predetermined volume;

a filter coupled to the housing and configured to filter a flow of air into the fan inlet, the filter including a filter flange; and

a filter gasket fixedly coupled to the housing and positioned adjacent the filter flange;

wherein one of the filter flange and the fan inlet includes a retaining tab and the other one of the filter flange and the fan inlet includes a retaining slot for receiving the retaining tab and wherein the retaining tab and the retaining slot are configured such that when engaged to one another the filter flange is drawn in an axial direction toward the housing to sealingly engage the filter flange to the filter gasket.

17. The utility vacuum of claim 16, wherein the retaining slot extends about a portion of a circumference of the other one of the filter flange and the fan inlet.

18. The utility vacuum of claim 17, wherein the retaining slot is spiral shaped.