Mobile workstation with vacuum unit

• US 5,946,768 A
• Filed: 03/14/1997
• Issued: 09/07/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 03/14/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Michael D. Kelly
• Original Assignee: Michael D. Kelly
• Inventors: Kelly, Michael D.
• Primary Examiner(s): MOORE, CHRISTOPHER K
• Application Number:
  US08/818,012
• Time in Patent Office: 907 Days
• Field of Search: 15/315, 15/314, 15/310, 15/414, 15/334
• US Class Current: 15/315
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 5/28 Suction cleaners with handles and nozzles fixed on the casings, e.g. wheeled suction cleaners with steering handle A47L5/24 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 5/32 with means for connecting a hose hose couplings for suction cleaners A47L9/24
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/0009 Storing devices winding devices for electric cables A47L9/26; Supports, stands or holders
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/0072 Mechanical means for controlling the suction or for effecting pulsating action
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/02 Nozzles suction nozzles for fluid transport B65G51/00
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/244 for telescopic or extensible hoses or pipes

Abstract

A workstation on wheels comprising a housing having a shelf dividing the housing interior into an upper and lower chamber. The shelf supports a vacuum unit that draws air from the lower chamber and exhausts it into the upper chamber. The lower chamber is provided with a vacuum outlet to which is connected an inelastic ductwork. The ductwork includes a nozzle for receiving air and solid materials from a floor surface. The air and solid materials flow through the ductwork and into a bag or bin in the lower chamber where the solid materials are accumulated. The ductwork is rotatable about the vacuum inlet and may be a one-piece L-shaped structure. Alternatively, it may be longitudinally adjustable by multiple interconnecting duct parts or by telescoping segments. The ductwork includes an housing duct to which is connected a valved flexible conduit for providing an auxiliary vacuum source.

Claims

1. A workstation comprising:

a housing having a vacuum outlet and an interior chamber;

a vacuum source in communication with said vacuum outlet;

a vacuum means extending from said outlet for evacuating air and solid material from a directed surface comprising an intake member with an inlet means comprising a nozzle having a nozzle opening for receiving said air and solid material, said intake member including a passageway in communication with said inlet means and said vacuum outlet, said nozzle including adjustment means for varying the debris intake space of said nozzle opening comprising a shield releasably attached to said nozzle at predetermined positions in relation to said nozzle opening.

2. The workstation of claim 1 wherein said intake member includes a housing duct attached to said vacuum outlet, said passageway extending from said housing duct to said inlet means.

3. The workstation of claim 2 wherein said ductwork is segmented into two or more duct parts held together by an attachment means.

4. The workstation of claim 2 wherein said ductwork comprises two or more telescoping segments.

5. The workstation of claim 2 wherein said housing duct is rotatable about the center axis of said vacuum outlet.

6. The workstation of claim 2 including a container means in communication with said housing duct for receiving said air and solid material.

7. The workstation of claim 6 wherein said container means is selected from the group consisting of a bin and a porous bag.

8. The workstation of claim 1 including a container means in communication with said vacuum outlet and said vacuum source for receiving said air and solid material.

9. A workstation comprising:

a housing with an interior shelf which separates the housing interior into an upper chamber and a lower chamber, said housing having a vacuum outlet in communication with said lower chamber;

a vacuum source in communication with said vacuum outlet;

a ductwork in communication with said vacuum outlet having an inlet means for drawing-in air and solid material from a directed surface, said vacuum source comprising a vacuum unit secured to said shelf for creating a vacuum in said lower chamber; and

,

a container means in communication with said vacuum outlet for receiving said air and solid material, said container means being located in said lower chamber and being selected from the group consisting of a bin and a porous bag.

10. The workstation of claim 9 wherein said ductwork is segmented into at least two duct parts held together by an attachment means.

11. The workstation of claim 9 wherein said ductwork comprises at least two telescoping segments.

12. The workstation of claim 9 wherein said inlet means comprises a nozzle having a nozzle opening.

13. The workstation of claim 12 wherein said nozzle includes adjustment means for varying the debris intake space of said nozzle opening.

14. The workstation of claim 9 wherein said ductwork includes an housing duct rotatably connected to said vacuum outlet.

15. The workstation of claim 14 wherein said housing duct includes an auxiliary vacuum means comprising a flexible conduit in communication with said ductwork.

16. The workstation of claim 15 wherein said auxiliary vacuum means includes a valve means for regulating air flow between said ductwork and said flexible conduit.

17. A workstation comprising:

a housing with an interior shelf which separates the housing interior into an upper chamber and a lower chamber, said housing having a vacuum outlet;

a vacuum source in communication with said vacuum outlet; and

,

a ductwork in communication with said vacuum outlet having an inlet means for drawing-in air and solid material from a directed surface, said ductwork including a housing duct rotatably connected to said vacuum outlet, said housing duct having an auxiliary vacuum means comprising a flexible conduit in communication with said ductwork.

18. The workstation of claim 17 wherein said auxiliary vacuum means includes a valve means for regulating air flow between said ductwork and said flexible conduit.

19. A workstation comprising:

a housing with an interior shelf which separates the housing interior into an upper chamber and a lower chamber, said housing having a vacuum outlet;

a vacuum source in communication with said vacuum outlet, said vacuum source exhausting air into said upper chamber and out through a housing vent; and

,

a ductwork in communication with said vacuum outlet having an inlet means for drawing-in air and solid material from a directed surface.

20. The workstation of claim 19 wherein said ductwork is segmented into at least two duct parts held together by an attachment means.

21. The workstation of claim 19 wherein said ductwork comprises at least two telescoping segments.

22. The workstation of claim 19 wherein said inlet means comprises a nozzle having a nozzle opening.

23. The workstation of claim 19 including a container means in communication with said vacuum outlet for receiving said air and solid material.

24. The workstation of claim 23 wherein said container means is located in said lower chamber and is selected from the group consisting of a bin and a porous bag.