Utility vacuum

• US 20050055794A1
• Filed: 07/10/2004
• Published: 03/17/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 07/10/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Black & Decker Incorporated (Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Black & Decker Incorporated (Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.)
• Inventors: Rosa, Richard P., Sergyeyenko, Oleksiy P., Marshall, James D., Baldwin, Michelle M., Smith, Ray T., Meng, Andrew E., Nawrozki, Damon J.
• Granted Patent: US 7,287,301 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 15/353
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 5/225 Convertible suction cleaners, i.e. convertible between different types thereof, e.g. from upright suction cleaners to sledge-type suction cleaners
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 5/365 of the vertical type, e.g. tank or bucket type
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 7/0028 Security means, e.g. float valves or level switches for preventing overflow
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 7/0038 with means for emptying the tanks
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 7/0042 Gaskets; Sealing means
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/0009 Storing devices winding devices for electric cables A47L9/26; Supports, stands or holders
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/0027 specially adapted for holding the suction cleaning tools
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/0045 specially adapted for holding the suction tube
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/009 Carrying-vehicles; Arrangements of trollies or wheels; Means for avoiding mechanical obstacles
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/02 Nozzles suction nozzles for fluid transport B65G51/00
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/1418 Impermeable dust collecting bags
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/327 for suction cleaners with hose between nozzle and casing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 55/03 Vacuum cleaner

Abstract

A utility vacuum that may be configured to employ a disposable bag or removable and reusable container for the collection of dirt and debris that are drawn into the utility vacuum. The utility vacuum may employ one or more movable legs that are movable between an extended position, which provides relatively stable operation of the utility vacuum, and a retracted position, which reduces the footprint of the utility vacuum so that it is easier to store.

Claims

1. A utility vacuum comprising:

a container;

a fan assembly coupled to the container, the fan assembly including a fan housing and a fan, the fan being operable for drawing a debris-laden air flow into the container;

a check valve coupled to the fan housing; and

a set of legs movably coupled to the container, the legs being movable between a first position and a second position, the first position being relatively further inboard of the second position.

2. The utility vacuum of claim 1, wherein the set of legs are pivotally coupled to the container.

3. The utility vacuum of claim 2, wherein the set of legs includes at least two legs and each of the legs is pivotable about a non-horizontal axis.

4. The utility vacuum of claim 3, wherein each non-horizontal axis is substantially vertical.

5. The utility vacuum of claim 3, further comprising a plurality of caster wheels, each caster wheel being rotatably coupled to a corresponding one of the legs.

6. The utility vacuum of claim 2, wherein the set of legs is pivotable about a generally horizontal axis.

7. The utility vacuum of claim 6, wherein the set of legs is unitarily formed and includes a pair of caster wheel mounts, each of the caster wheel mounts being coupled to a caster wheel.

8. The utility vacuum of claim 1, wherein the set of legs includes a plurality of telescoping legs.

9. A vacuum comprising:

a container-shaped housing;

a lid for closing an open end of the container-shaped housing;

a fan assembly coupled to one of the container-shaped housing and the lid, the fan assembly including a fan housing and a fan that is housed in the fan housing, the fan being operable for drawing a flow of debris-laden air into the container-shaped housing;

a valve for selectively closing an intake opening of the fan housing; and

a vacuum distribution system with a conduit, the conduit being disposed at least partially in the container-shaped housing and being coupled in fluid connection to the fan housing at a location downstream of the filter.

10. The vacuum of claim 9, wherein the vacuum distribution system includes a distribution valve for selectively inhibiting a flow of air through the conduit.

11. The vacuum of claim 10, wherein the distribution valve includes a valve body and a valve element, the valve body defining a chamber in which the valve element is movably housed, the chamber including a vent.

12. The vacuum of claim 11, wherein the vent is disposed in-line with a top edge of the container-shaped housing.

13. The vacuum of claim 12, further comprising a disposable bag disposed in the container-shaped housing and extending between the top edge and the vent.

14. The vacuum of claim 10, wherein the distribution valve is configured to automatically inhibit a flow of air through the conduit if a disposable bag is not installed to the container-shaped housing in a predetermined manner.

15. The vacuum of claim 14, wherein the disposable bag at least partially seals the vent when the disposable bag is installed to the container-shaped housing in the predetermined manner.

16. The vacuum of claim 9, wherein the conduit includes a plurality of axially spaced apertures.

17. The vacuum of claim 9, wherein the conduit is oriented about a generally vertical axis.

18. A method comprising:

providing a vacuum having a container-shaped housing, a lid for closing an open end of the container-shaped housing, a fan assembly having a fan housing, which is coupled to at least one of the container-shaped housing and the lid, and a fan that is at least partially housed by the fan housing and operable for drawing a flow of air through an intake opening, a filter disposed between the fan and the intake opening, and a vacuum distribution system having an inlet that is disposed in an interior area of the container-shaped housing;

placing a disposable bag in the interior area of the container-shaped housing;

securing the lid to the container shaped housing such that a portion of the disposable bag is disposed between at least two of the container-shaped housing, the fan housing and the lid; and

drawing air through the inlet to at least partially evacuate a volume between the container-shaped housing and the disposable bag.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the vacuum distribution system further includes a valve with a valve housing that is fluid communication with the inlet and wherein the disposable bag at least partially closes a vent in the valve housing.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising:

removing the disposable bag from the container-shaped housing; and

moving a valve element in the valve housing to inhibit fluid communication from the inlet through the valve housing.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the valve element moves in response to a pressure differential.

22. A vacuum comprising:

a canister;

a lid for closing an open end of the canister;

a fan assembly coupled to one of the canister and the lid, the fan assembly including a fan housing and a fan that is housed in the fan housing, the fan being operable for drawing a flow of debris-laden air into the canister;

a valve for selectively closing an intake opening of the fan housing;

a set of wheels coupled to the canister; and

a handle that is telescopically coupled to the canister and movable between an extended position and a retracted position.

23. The vacuum of claim 22, wherein the handle moves in a direction that is generally perpendicular to an axis about which the set of wheels rotate when the handle is moved between the extended and retracted positions.

24. The vacuum of claim 22, further comprising a latch for maintaining the handle in at least one of the extended and retracted positions.

25. A vacuum comprising:

a canister;

a lid for closing an open end of the canister;

a fan assembly coupled to one of the canister and the lid, the fan assembly including a fan housing and a fan that is housed in the fan housing, the fan being operable for drawing a flow of debris-laden air through an inlet that is formed in one of the canister and the lid;

a valve for selectively closing an intake opening of the fan housing;

a dust pan attachment having a bottom member and a wall that extends about a portion of the bottom member; and

a conduit coupling the dust pan attachment with the inlet;

wherein dust and debris that are swept into the dust pan attachment may be transported through the conduit and into the interior of the canister.