UTILITY VACUUM

• US 20080216280A1
• Filed: 08/03/2007
• Published: 09/11/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 07/10/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Andrew E. Meng, Damon Nawrozki, James D. Marshall, Michelle M. Baldwin, Oleksiy P. Sergyeyenko, Ray T. Smith, Richard P. Rosa
• Original Assignee: Andrew E. Meng, Damon Nawrozki, James D. Marshall, Michelle M. Baldwin, Oleksiy P. Sergyeyenko, Ray T. Smith, Richard P. Rosa
• Inventors: Rosa, Richard P., Sergyeyenko, Oleksiy P., Marshall, James D., Baldwin, Michelle M., Smith, Ray T., Nawrozki, Damon, Meng, Andrew E.
• Application Number:
  US11/833,439
• Publication Number:
  US 20080216280A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 15/323
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 5/225 Convertible suction cleaners, i.e. convertible between different types thereof, e.g. from upright suction cleaners to sledge-type suction cleaners
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 5/365 of the vertical type, e.g. tank or bucket type
• 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 9/009 Carrying-vehicles; Arrangements of trollies or wheels; Means for avoiding mechanical obstacles
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/02 Nozzles suction nozzles for fluid transport B65G51/00
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/1418 Impermeable dust collecting bags
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/327 for suction cleaners with hose between nozzle and casing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 55/03 Vacuum cleaner

Abstract

A vacuum that includes a container, a hose in fluid communication with the container, a fan assembly coupled to the container, an attachment and an accessory apron. The fan assembly includes a fan housing and a fan that is configured to draw a debris-laden air flow through the hose and into the container. The attachment is capable of being releasably coupled to at least one of the hose and the fan housing. The accessory apron has a strap and a holder that is sized to receive and removably store the attachment. The strap is configured to be releasably secured to at least one of the canister and the fan assembly.

Claims

1. A vacuum comprising:

a container;

a hose in fluid communication with the container;

a fan assembly coupled to the container, the fan assembly including a fan housing and a fan, the fan being operable for drawing a debris-laden air flow through the hose and into the container;

an attachment that is capable of being releasably coupled to at least one of the hose and the fan housing; and

an accessory apron with a strap and a holder that is sized to receive and removably store the attachment, the strap being configured to be releasably secured to at least one of the canister and the fan assembly.

2. The vacuum of claim 1, wherein the holder comprises a pouch that is closed on three sides, the attachment being received into an open side of the pouch.

3. The vacuum of claim 2, wherein the holder is formed of a fabric material.

4. The vacuum of claim 1, wherein the holder comprises an elastic band that frictionally engages the attachment.

5. The vacuum of claim 1, wherein the strap comprises a first strap portion and a second strap portion, the first strap portion being coupled to a first side of the holder, the second strap portion being coupled to a second side of the holder opposite the first side.

6. The vacuum of claim 5, wherein the strap further comprises a fastener that releasably couples the first and second straps to one another.

7. The vacuum of claim 6, wherein the fastener is selected from a group consisting of hook-and-loop fasteners, hooks, snaps and D-rings.

8. The vacuum of claim 1, further comprising a valve mechanism, the valve mechanism including a cage and a float that is disposed in the cage, the valve mechanism being received in the canister and in fluid communication with the fan.

9. The vacuum of claim 8, further comprising a filter that is disposed about the cage.

10. The vacuum of claim 8, wherein the holder comprises a pouch that is closed on three sides, the attachment being received into an open side of the pouch.

11. The vacuum of claim 10, wherein the holder is formed of a fabric material.

12. The vacuum of claim 8, wherein the holder comprises an elastic band that frictionally engages the attachment.

13. The vacuum of claim 8, wherein the strap comprises a first strap portion and a second strap portion, the first strap portion being coupled to a first side of the holder, the second strap portion being coupled to a second side of the holder opposite the first side.

14. The vacuum of claim 13, wherein the strap further comprises a fastener that releasably couples the first and second straps to one another.

15. The vacuum of claim 14, wherein the fastener is selected from a group consisting of hook-and-loop fasteners, hooks, snaps and D-rings.

16. A method for operating a vacuum having a container, a hose in fluid communication with the container and a fan assembly coupled to the container, the fan assembly including a fan housing and a fan, the fan being operable for drawing a debris-laden air flow through the hose and into the container, the method comprising:

providing a plurality of accessories, each of the accessories being capable of being selectively coupled at least one of the hose, the fan assembly and another one of the plurality of accessories;

providing an accessory apron having a plurality of holders and a strap;

removably securing the accessory apron to vacuum; and

storing at least a portion of the plurality of accessories in corresponding ones of the holders.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising removing the accessory apron from the vacuum and removably securing the accessory apron to a user of the vacuum.

18. A vacuum comprising:

a hose;

an assembly including a container and a fan assembly, the hose being in fluid communication with the container, the fan assembly being coupled to the container, the fan assembly including a fan housing and a fan, the fan being operable for drawing a debris-laden air flow through the hose and into the container;

a plurality of attachments that are capable of being releasably coupled to at least one of the hose, the fan housing and another one of the plurality of attachments; and

a tool holder with a body that is configured to releasably hold the plurality of attachments, the body being flexible and conforming to an exterior shape of the container when the tool holder is releasably secured around the exterior of the container.

19. The vacuum of claim 18, wherein the body includes a plurality of pouches into which the plurality of attachments are received.

20. The vacuum of claim 19, wherein the tool holder further comprises a pair of straps that are coupled to the opposite ends of the body, the straps being selectively coupled to one another to tighten the tool holder about the assembly.