Combination swing broom and vacuum cleaner assembly

• US 6,125,500 A
• Filed: 07/01/1998
• Issued: 10/03/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 07/05/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Niels Kat
• Original Assignee: Niels Kat
• Inventors: Kat, Niels
• Primary Examiner(s): MOORE, CHRISTOPHER K
• Application Number:
  US09/108,460
• Time in Patent Office: 825 Days
• Field of Search: 15/339, 15/344, 15/350, 15/398, 15/410
• US Class Current: 15/344
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 5/24 Hand-supported suction cleaners

Abstract

A new Combination Broom and Vacuum Cleaner Assembly for easy pickup of dirt piles. The inventive device includes an upper handle, a lower handle, a broom portion, a means for creating suction, a vacuum manifold, and an attachment head. In use, the Combination Broom and Vacuum Cleaner Assembly is used to sweep up dirt and the like using the broom portion. After gathering the debris up into a pile, the vacuum manifold is lowered and used to pickup the pile easily and swiftly. After picking up the pile of debris, the vacuum manifold is again raised to enable sweeping once again.

Claims

1. A combination broom and vacuum cleaner assembly comprising:

an upper handle;

a lower handle coupled to the upper handle;

an attachment head coupled to a lower end of the lower handle, the attachment head being substantially hollow;

a broom portion protruding out from a lower end of the attachment head;

a vacuum manifold protruding out from within the attachment head; and

a means for creating suction through the vacuum manifold.

2. The combination broom and vacuum cleaner assembly of claim 1 further comprising:

a center wall extending downwardly within the attachment head such that the vacuum manifold protrudes from a rearward side of the attachment head and the broom portion protrudes from a forward side of the attachment head.

3. The combination broom and vacuum cleaner assembly of claim 2, further comprising:

the center wall structured to have a travel slot therein;

a suction tube extending upwardly from the vacuum manifold and through the travel slot; and

an air bag positioned within the forward side of the attachment head, the air bag removably coupled to the suction tube.

4. The combination broom and vacuum cleaner assembly of claim 3, wherein the means for creating suction through the vacuum manifold includes a pair of motors, each motor positioned within a motor compartment, each motor compartment positioned alongside the air bag to form an air bag channel.

5. The combination broom and vacuum cleaner assembly of claim 4, wherein the broom portion comprises a plurality of bristles and a bristle base;

the bristle base being secured to the attachment head and the center wall such that the bristle base seals the lower end of the forward side of the attachment head.

6. The combination broom and vacuum cleaner assembly of claim 5, wherein the bristle base and the motor compartments define a base channel in fluid communication with the air bag channel.

7. The combination broom and vacuum cleaner assembly of claim 6, wherein the means for creating suction in the vacuum manifold further comprises:

a pair of vacuum fans, each fan positioned within a respective motor compartment, each vacuum fan positioned such that upon activation the respective fan draws air from the base channel through apertures in a bottom wall of the respective motor compartments, whereby air is drawn into the vacuum manifold, through the suction tube, into the air bag, through the air bag, into the air bag channel, and then into the base channel; and

a number of air vents positioned in the attachment head such that air drawn into the motor compartments by the vacuum fans is dispelled through the air vents.

8. A combination broom and vacuum cleaner assembly comprising:

an upper handle;

a lower handle coupled to the upper handle, said lower handle being hollow;

an attachment head coupled to a lower end of the lower handle, the attachment head being substantially hollow;

a vacuum manifold protruding out from within the attachment head;

a broom portion protruding out from a lower end of the attachment head;

a center wall extending downwardly within the attachment head such that the vacuum manifold protrudes from a rearward side of the attachment head and the broom portion protrudes from a forward side of the attachment head;

the center wall being structured to have a travel slot therein;

wherein the broom portion comprises a plurality of bristles and a bristle base;

the bristle base being secured to the attachment head and the center wall such that the bristle base seals the lower end of the forward side of the attachment head;

a suction tube extending upwardly from the vacuum manifold and through the travel slot;

an air bag positioned within the forward side of the attachment head, the air bag removably coupled to the suction tube;

a means for creating suction through the vacuum manifold;

wherein the means for creating suction through the vacuum manifold includes a pair of motors, a pair of vacuum fans, and a number of air vents;

each motor positioned within a motor compartment, each motor compartment positioned alongside the air bag to form an air bag channel;

wherein the bristle base and the motor compartments define a base channel in fluid communication with the air bag channel;

each fan positioned with in a respective motor compartment, each vacuum fan positioned such that upon activation the respective fan draws air from the base channel through apertures in a bottom wall of the respective motor compartments, whereby air is drawn into the vacuum manifold, through the suction tube, into the air bag, through the air bag, into the air bag channel, and then into the base channel; and

the air vents being positioned in the attachment head such that air drawn into the motor compartments by the vacuum fans is dispelled through the air vents.