Hand held vacuum and scraper combination

• US 5,794,303 A
• Filed: 02/28/1996
• Issued: 08/18/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 02/28/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Donna Sanfilippo, Jakie Sanfilippo
• Original Assignee: Donna Sanfilippo, Jakie Sanfilippo
• Inventors: Sanfilippo, Jakie, Sanfilippo, Donna
• Primary Examiner(s): MOORE, CHRISTOPHER K
• Application Number:
  US08/608,399
• Time in Patent Office: 902 Days
• Field of Search: 15/344, 15/352, 15/401, 15/339, 15/383, 451/344, 451/358, 451/456
• US Class Current: 15/344
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 5/26 with driven dust-loosening tools
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 3/068 Accessories therefor, e.g. ticket scrapers
• CPC Class Codes: B44D 3/162 Scrapers
• CPC Class Codes: E01H 2001/1293 Walking cane or the like, i.e. implements allowing handling while in an upright position

Abstract

A hand-held, pocket size vacuum with scraper combination is disclosed which is primarily for use when rubbing off and cleaning up the scrapings left behind from a "scratch-off" lottery ticket. Activated by a power switch and battery, the DC Motor and centrifugal blower are located directly above a removable residue cartridge with filter. The centrifugal blower creates a flow of air between an intake port and discharge ports which flows past the storage container which collects the scrapings for subsequent disposal. The device becomes a scraping device through use of the scraper blade or abrasive wheel mechanism which is affixed to one end of the unit near the vacuum intake port.

Claims

1. A combination portable vacuum and scraper apparatus comprising:

an elongated, hand held outer housing having a front end and a back end;

an on/off switch located at said back end;

a vacuum intake port located at said front end;

a scraping means for scraping flat surfaces, said scraping means affixed to said outer housing near said vacuum intake port;

at least one air discharge port formed as a penetration in said outer housing in fluid communication with said vacuum intake port;

an air transfer shaft connecting said air discharge port and said vacuum intake port;

a removable residue cartridge having a filter, said residue cartridge held within said air transfer shaft such that air traveling through said air transfer shaft passes through said residue cartridge and impinges against the filter;

a centrifugal blower driven by a motor, said blower contained within said air transfer shaft to provide a means of propelling air from said vacuum intake port, along said air transfer shaft, and out said air discharge port;

a one way air valve mounted near the vacuum intake port and covering said air transfer shaft for allowing only the inward flow of air, thereby preventing the accidental discharge of debris and shavings when said blower is in an unengaged state; and

a battery housed within said housing and in electrical contact with both said on/off switch and said motor in order to provide the necessary electrical energy to operate said motor.

2. The apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein said outer housing has a conventional pen shape, the apparatus further comprising a hanging clip affixed to said outer housing.

3. The apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein said scraping means comprises a scraper blade.

4. The apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein said scraping means comprises:

a shaft extending to said vacuum intake port and having a first end and a second end, said shaft in connection with and driven by said motor at said first end; and

a wheeled abrasive means affixed to said second end of said shaft.

5. A combination portable vacuum and scraper apparatus comprising:

an elongated, hand held outer housing;

a vacuum intake port located on said outer housing;

at least one air discharge port in said outer housing in fluid communication with said vacuum intake port;

an air transfer shaft connecting said air discharge port and said vacuum intake port;

a blower driven by a motor, said blower contained within said air transfer shaft to provide a means of propelling air from said vacuum intake port, along said air transfer shaft, and out said air discharge port;

a shaft extending to said vacuum intake port and having a first end and a second end, said shaft in connection with and driven by said motor at said first end; and

a wheeled abrasive means for scraping flat surfaces, the wheeled abrasive means affixed to said second end of said shaft.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, in which the wheeled abrasive means is a rotary wire brush.