Adjustable vacuum nozzle

• US 6,519,805 B2
• Filed: 02/22/2001
• Issued: 02/18/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 02/25/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Mtd Products Incorporated (Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Mtd Products Incorporated (Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.)
• Inventors: Dawson, John, Firdaus, Usman, Smith, Philip B., Kucera, Jeffery R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Snider, Theresa T.
• Application Number:
  US09/792,143
• Publication Number:
  US 20010029642A1
• Time in Patent Office: 726 Days
• Field of Search: 153/34, 153/28, 153/31, 153/402, 154/151, 154/16, 154/19
• US Class Current: 15/334
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 20/47 Vacuum or blower devices
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 5/32 with means for connecting a hose hose couplings for suction cleaners A47L9/24

Abstract

A vacuum unit used to vacuum lawn debris includes a vacuum unit body having at least first and second inlet openings and at least one flap that can be adjusted to selectively cover and open the second opening. The vacuum unit body includes a flap adjustment member that is located within the second opening and that includes a contact surface that contacts the flap. Preferably, the flap adjustment member has one end that is adapted to receive a vacuum hose. The flap adjustment member can be placed into a first position where it causes the flap to open the second opening and a second position where it permits the flap to cover the second opening. The vacuum hose has a handle that can be attached to the vacuum unit handle permitting the vacuum hose to remain permanently attached to the vacuum unit even when the vacuum hose is not being used.

Claims

1. A vacuum unit comprising:

a vacuum unit body having a vacuum deck and a nozzle;

a plurality of ground engaging wheels operatively connected to said vacuum deck;

an engine operatively supported by said vacuum deck;

at least a first fan blade positioned within said vacuum deck and selectively rotated by said engine, said at least first fan blade for use in creating a vacuum pressure within said vacuum deck;

a hose; and

said nozzle for use in receiving and transporting associated debris from a ground surface to said vacuum deck, said nozzle comprising;

A) a nozzle body having ground, attachment and deck openings;

B) a connecting means for use in connecting said deck opening to said vacuum deck;

C) a flap operatively connected to said nozzle body, said flap selectively covering said ground and attachment openings; and

,

D) a flap adjustment member positioned within said attachment opening, said flap adjustment member having a contact surface that contacts said flap, said flap adjustment member being selectively adjustable with respect to said nozzle body into first and second positions, said flap covers said ground opening when said flap adjustment member is in said first position and covers said attachment opening when said flap adjustment member is in said second position;

wherein said flap adjustment member has a first end that comprises said contact surface and a second end that is adapted to receive said hose.

2. The vacuum unit of claim 1 further comprising:

a vacuum unit handle that extends from said vacuum deck; and

, wherein said hose is flexible and includes,

A) a first end that is adapted to be attached to said second end of said flap adjustment member;

B) a second end adapted to be used in vacuuming associated debris; and

,

C) a hose handle that is adapted to be attached to said vacuum unit handle thereby maintaining said hose above a ground surface.

3. The vacuum unit of claim 1:

wherein said nozzle body has an adjustment extension forming said attachment opening, said adjustment extension having a groove; and

,

wherein said flap adjustment member has a pin that is slidably received within said groove in said adjustment extension.

4. The vacuum unit of claim 1 wherein said flap comprises:

a first patch area for contacting said contact surface of said flap adjustment member when said flap adjustment member is placed into said first position;

a second patch area for contacting said contact surface of said flap adjustment member when said flap adjustment member is placed into said second position; and

,

a sliding surface, said contact surface of said flap adjustment member slidingly contacting said sliding surface as said flap adjustment member is adjusted between said first and second positions.

5. A vacuum unit comprising:

a vacuum unit body having a vacuum deck and a nozzle;

a plurality of ground engaging wheels operatively connected to said vacuum deck;

an engine operatively supported by said vacuum deck;

at least a first fan blade positioned within said vacuum deck and selectively rotated by said engine, said at least first fan blade for use in creating a vacuum pressure within said vacuum deck;

said nozzle for use in receiving and transporting associated debris from a ground surface to said vacuum deck, said nozzle comprising;

A) a nozzle body having ground and deck openings;

B) a connecting means for use in connecting said deck opening to said vacuum deck;

C) a nozzle flap operatively connected to said nozzle body, said nozzle flap selectively covering said ground opening; and

,

D) a flap adjustment means operatively connected to said nozzle flap, said flap adjustment means having first and second positions;

said nozzle flap covers said ground opening when said flap adjustment means is in said first position and said nozzle flap opens said ground opening when said flap adjustment means is in said second position;

said vacuum deck comprising;

A) a vacuum deck body having an attachment opening;

B) a deck flap operatively connected to said vacuum deck body, said deck flap selectively covering said attachment opening; and

,

C) a flap adjustment member positioned within said attachment opening, said flap adjustment member having a contact surface that contacts said deck flap, said flap adjustment member being selectively adjustable with respect to said vacuum deck body into first and second positions, said deck flap covers said attachment opening when said flap adjustment member is in said second position and said deck flap opens said attachment opening when said flap adjustment member is in said first position.

6. The vacuum unit of claim 5 further comprising:

a hose; and

,

wherein said flap adjustment member has a first end that comprises said contact surface and a second end that is adapted to receive said hose.

7. The vacuum unit of claim 6 further comprising:

a vacuum unit handle that extends from said vacuum deck; and

,

wherein said hose is flexible and includes;

A) a first end that is adapted to be attached to said second end of said flap adjustment member;

B) a second end adapted to be used in vacuuming associated debris; and

,

C) a hose handle that is adapted to be attached to said vacuum unit handle thereby maintaining said hose above a ground surface.

8. The vacuum unit of claim 6 further comprising:

said vacuum deck body having an adjustment extension forming said attachment opening;

said flap adjustment member having first and second holes;

said adjustment extension having an adjustment pin, said adjustment pin being selectively received by said first and second holes; and

,

wherein when said adjustment pin is positioned within said second hole of said flap adjustment member, said contact surface of said flap adjustment member contacts said deck flap and opens said attachment opening.

9. The vacuum unit of claim 8:

wherein said adjustment extension has a groove; and

,

wherein said flap adjustment member has a nub that is slidably received within said groove.

10. A method of adjusting a nozzle on a vacuum unit, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a vacuum unit that includes a vacuum unit body having a vacuum deck and a nozzle, a plurality of ground engaging wheels operatively connected to said vacuum deck, an engine operatively supported by said vacuum deck, a vacuum unit handle that extends from said vacuum deck and at least a first fan blade positioned within said vacuum deck and selectively rotated by said engine, said at least first fan for use in creating a vacuum pressure within said vacuum deck;

providing said nozzle that includes a nozzle body having ground, attachment and deck openings, a connecting means for use in connecting said deck opening of said nozzle body to said vacuum deck, a flap operatively connected to said nozzle body and a flap adjustment member positioned within said attachment opening;

providing a hose that is flexible and includes, a first end, a second end adapted to be used in vacuuming associated debris and a hose handle;

providing said flap adjustment member with a first end that has a contact surface for use in contacting said flap and a second end that is adapted to receive said first end of said hose;

adjusting said flap adjustment member into a first position thereby causing said flap to cover said ground opening and to open said attachment opening;

adjusting said flap adjustment member into a second position thereby causing said flap to open said ground opening and cover said attachment opening; and

,

wherein after the step of adjusting said flap adjustment member into a second position thereby causing said flap to cover said attachment opening and to open said ground opening, the method comprises the steps of;

A) attaching said hose handle to said vacuum unit handle; and

,

B) maintaining said hose above a ground surface while vacuuming associated debris through said ground opening.

11. A method of adjusting a nozzle on a vacuum unit, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a vacuum unit that includes a vacuum unit body having a vacuum deck and a nozzle, a plurality of ground engaging wheels operatively connected to said vacuum deck, an engine operatively supported by said vacuum deck, a vacuum unit handle that extends from said vacuum deck and at least a first fan blade positioned within said vacuum deck and selectively rotated by said engine, said at least first fan for use in creating a vacuum pressure within said vacuum deck;

providing said nozzle that includes a nozzle body having ground, attachment and deck openings, a connecting means for use in connecting said deck opening to said vacuum deck, a flap operatively connected to said nozzle body and a flap adjustment member positioned within said attachment opening;

providing said flap adjustment member with a pin;

providing said nozzle body with an adjustment extension that forms said attachment opening, said adjustment extension having a groove that receives said pin, said groove having first and second ends with first and second notches respectively;

adjusting said flap adjustment member into a first position thereby causing said flap to cover said ground opening and to open said attachment opening; and

,

adjusting said flap adjustment member into a second position thereby causing said flap to open said ground opening and cover said attachment opening; and

,

wherein the step of adjusting said flap adjustment member into a first position thereby causing said flap to cover said ground opening and to open said attachment opening, comprises the step of rotating said flap adjustment member in a first direction with respect to said nozzle body thereby sliding said pin within said groove into said first notch; and

,

wherein the step of adjusting said flap adjustment member into a second position thereby causing said flap to cover said attachment opening and to open said ground opening, comprises the step of rotating said flap adjustment member in a second direction with respect to said nozzle body thereby sliding said pin within said groove into said second notch.

12. The method of claim 11 further comprising the steps of:

providing said flap adjustment member with a first end that has a contact surface for use in contacting said flap;

providing said flap with first and second patch areas;

wherein the step of rotating said flap adjustment member in a first direction with respect to said nozzle body, comprises the step of positioning said contact surface against said first patch area; and

,

wherein the step of rotating said flap adjustment member in a second direction with respect to said nozzle body, comprises the step of positioning said contact surface against said second patch area.

13. A method of adjusting a nozzle on a vacuum unit, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a vacuum unit that includes a vacuum unit body having a vacuum deck and a nozzle, a plurality of ground engaging wheels operatively connected to said vacuum deck, an engine operatively supported by said vacuum deck, a vacuum unit handle that extends from said vacuum deck and at least a first fan blade positioned within said vacuum deck and selectively rotated by said engine, said at least first fan for use in creating a vacuum pressure within said vacuum deck;

providing said nozzle that includes a nozzle body having ground and deck openings, a connecting means for use in connecting said deck opening to said vacuum deck, a nozzle flap operatively connected to said nozzle body and a flap adjustment means operatively connected to said nozzle flap;

providing said vacuum deck that includes a vacuum deck body having an attachment opening, a deck flap operatively connected to said vacuum deck body and a flap adjustment member positioned within said attachment opening;

adjusting said flap adjustment member into a first position thereby causing said deck flap to open said attachment opening; and

,

adjusting said flap adjustment means into a first position thereby causing said nozzle flap to cover said ground opening.

14. The method of claim 13 further comprising the steps of:

adjusting said deck flap adjustment member into a second position thereby causing said deck flap to cover said attachment opening; and

,

adjusting said flap adjustment means into a second position thereby causing said nozzle flap to open said ground opening.

15. The method of claim 14 further comprising the steps of:

providing the vacuum unit with a hose that is flexible and includes, a first end, a second end adapted to be used in vacuuming associated debris and a hose handle;

providing said flap adjustment member with a first end that has a contact surface for use in contacting said deck flap and a second end that is adapted to receive said first end of said hose;

wherein after the steps of, adjusting said flap adjustment member into a second position thereby causing said deck flap to cover said attachment opening and adjusting said flap adjustment means into a second position thereby causing said nozzle flap to open said ground opening, the method comprises the steps of;

A) attaching said hose handle to said vacuum unit handle; and

,

B) maintaining said hose above a ground surface while vacuuming associated debris through said ground opening.

16. The method of claim 14 further comprising the steps of:

providing said flap adjustment member with first and second holes;

providing said vacuum deck with an adjustment extension that forms said attachment opening, said adjustment extension having an adjustment pin which is selectively received by said first and second holes;

wherein the step of adjusting said flap adjustment member into said first position thereby causing said deck flap to open said attachment opening, comprises the step of moving said flap adjustment member in a downward direction with respect to said vacuum deck thereby sliding said adjustment pin into said second hole of said flap adjustment member; and

,

wherein the step of adjusting said flap adjustment member into said second position thereby causing said deck flap to cover said attachment opening, comprises the step of moving said flap adjustment member in an upward direction with respect to said vacuum deck thereby sliding said adjustment pin into said first hole of said flap adjustment member.

17. The method of claim 16 further comprising the steps of:

providing said flap adjustment member with a nub; and

,

providing said adjustment extension with a groove that receives said nub.

18. A vacuum nozzle comprising:

a nozzle body having ground, attachment and deck openings;

a connecting means for use in connecting said deck opening of said nozzle body to an associated device;

a flap operatively connected to said nozzle body, said flap selectively covering said ground and attachment openings; and

,

a flap adjustment member positioned within said attachment opening, said flap adjustment member having a contact surface that selectively contacts said flap, said flap adjustment member being selectively adjustable with respect to said nozzle body into first and second positions, said flap covering said ground opening when said flap adjustment member is in said first position and covering said attachment opening when said flap adjustment member is in said second position.

19. The vacuum nozzle of claim 18 wherein said flap adjustment member has a first end that comprises said contact surface and a second end that is adapted to receive an associated hose.

20. The vacuum nozzle of claim 19 further comprising:

an adjustment extension forming said attachment opening, said adjustment extension having a groove; and

,

wherein said flap adjustment member has a pin that is slidably received within said groove.

21. The vacuum nozzle of claim 20 wherein said groove in said adjustment extension has first and second ends with first and second notches respectively, said pin being received within said first notch when said flap adjustment member is placed into said first position, said pin being received within said second notch when said flap adjustment member is placed into said second position.

22. The vacuum nozzle of claim 18 wherein said flap comprises:

a first patch area for contacting said contact surface of said flap adjustment member when said flap adjustment member is placed into said first position; and

,

a second patch area for contacting said contact surface of said flap adjustment member when said flap adjustment member is placed into said second position.

23. The vacuum nozzle of claim 22 wherein said flap further comprises:

a sliding surface, said contact surface of said flap adjustment member slidingly contacting said sliding surface as said flap adjustment member is adjusted between said first and second positions.

24. A method of adjusting a vacuum nozzle comprising the steps of:

providing a nozzle that includes a nozzle body having ground, attachment and deck openings, a connecting means for use in connecting said deck opening to an associated device, a flap operatively connected to said nozzle body and a flap adjustment member positioned within said attachment opening;

providing said flap adjustment member with a pin;

providing said nozzle body with an adjustment extension that forms said attachment opening, said adjustment extension having a groove that receives said pin;

providing said groove with first and second ends having first and second notches respectively;

adjusting said flap adjustment member into a first position thereby causing said flap to cover said ground opening and open said attachment opening;

adjusting said flap adjustment member into a second position thereby causing said flap to cover said attachment opening and open said ground opening;

wherein the step of adjusting said flap adjustment member into a first position thereby causing said flap to cover said ground opening and open said attachment opening, comprises the step of rotating said flap adjustment member in a first direction with respect to said nozzle body thereby sliding said pin within said groove to a first location within said groove;

wherein the step of adjusting said flap adjustment member into a second position thereby causing said flap to cover said ground opening and open said attachment opening, comprises the step of rotating said flap adjustment member in a second direction with respect to said nozzle body thereby sliding said pin within said groove to a second location within said groove;

wherein the step of sliding said pin within said groove to a first location within said groove, comprises the step of positioning said pin within said first notch; and

,

wherein the step of sliding said pin within said groove to a second location within said groove, comprises the step of positioning said pin within said second notch.

25. A method of adjusting a vacuum nozzle comprising the steps of:

providing a nozzle that includes a nozzle body having ground, attachment and deck openings, a connecting means for use in connecting said deck opening to an associated device, a flap operatively connected to said nozzle body and a flap adjustment member positioned within said attachment opening;

providing said flap adjustment member with a pin;

providing said nozzle body with an adjustment extension that forms said attachment opening, said adjustment extension having a groove that receives said pin;

providing said flap adjustment member with a first end that has a contact surface and a second end that is adapted to receive an associated hose;

providing said flap with first and second patch areas and a sliding surface;

adjusting said flap adjustment member into a first position thereby causing said flap to cover said ground opening and open said attachment opening;

adjusting said flap adjustment member into a second position thereby causing said flap to cover said attachment opening and open said ground opening;

wherein the step of adjusting said flap adjustment member into a first position thereby causing said flap to cover said ground opening and open said attachment opening, comprises the step of rotating said flap adjustment member in a first direction with respect to said nozzle body thereby sliding said pin within said groove to a first location within said groove;

wherein the step of adjusting said flap adjustment member into a second position thereby causing said flap to cover said ground opening and open said attachment opening, comprises the step of rotating said flap adjustment member in a second direction with respect to said nozzle body thereby sliding said pin within said groove to a second location within said groove;

wherein the step of rotating said flap adjustment member in a first direction with respect to said nozzle body, comprises the steps of;

A) sliding said contact surface across said sliding surface of said flap; and

,

B) positioning said contact surface against said first patch area; and

,

wherein the step of rotating said flap adjustment member in a second direction with respect to said nozzle body, comprises the steps of;

A) sliding said contact surface across said sliding surface of said flap; and

,

B) positioning said contact surface against said second patch area.