Hand held wand with on/off switch remotely connected to motor/fan

• US 5,018,238 A
• Filed: 05/17/1989
• Issued: 05/28/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 05/17/1989
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Joseph A. Nelle
• Original Assignee: Joseph A. Nelle
• Inventors: Nelle, Joseph A.
• Primary Examiner(s): MOORE, CHRISTOPHER K
• Application Number:
  US07/353,812
• Time in Patent Office: 741 Days
• Field of Search: 15/301, 15/314, 15/339, 15/344, 15/377
• US Class Current: 15/314
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 5/24 Hand-supported suction cleaners

Abstract

A hand held wand with forefinger and thumb contours (75) so arranged that upon grasping the wand the index finger is automatically positioned over an on/off switch (74). The wand and switch communicate with a motor/fan housing (39) by means of electrical conductors (81) encased in a thin profile house (80). A device specifically used to remove eraser debris from a drawing surface. The positioning of the wand over a given task and applying power to the motor/fan is accomplished with the use of one hand. The wand (73) is equipped with a hanging ring (70) for wand positioning when not in use. The hanging ring (70) when placed on the ring hook (71) holds the wand in an upright position which is convenient for the operator during his or her course of work. Airborne eraser debris is carried through the hose (80) to the motor/fan housing (39) and deposited in an air filter bag (45) enclosed within an air filter bag chamber (64). The motor/fan housing (39) has multiple means of attaching to the underside of any work station.

Claims

1. An apparatus for clearing a work surface from dust and small debris which comprises:

an air-sucking assembly having an air inlet;

a wand substantially commensurate with a pen and other articles which can be held between thumb and index finger of one hand;

said wand comprising a hollow tubular body having an intake opening at a working tip and an outlet at a proximal end opposite said tip;

a control switch mounted on the outer surface of said body;

a flexible conduit connecting said outlet to said air inlet; and

a suspending ring rotatively attached to said body.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said tip comprises a flattened section of said body defining an oblong intake opening.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said body comprises a first arcuately depressed median area shaped, dimensioned and positioned to receive the tip of said index finger.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said body comprises a second arcuately depressed median area shaped, dimensioned and positioned opposite said first arcuately depressed median area to receive the tip of said thumb.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said control switch is generally located between said first and second arcuately depressed areas.

6. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said air-sucking assembly comprises:

a motor and fan assembly;

a tubular canister housing said motor and fan assembly;

a lead at one end of said canister having said air intake; and

means for holding said canister in an axially horizontal position over a flat surface.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said means for holding comprise at least one leg held in a plane intersecting said canister.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said leg comprises a length of metal rod bent into the shape of a trapeze leaving a gap in the median section of the shortest side of the trapeze;

and

the ends of said length of rod engaging support cavities in the walls of said canister.