Utility vacuum

• US 7,287,301 B2
• Filed: 07/10/2004
• Issued: 10/30/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/10/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• 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., Nawrozki, Damon, Meng, Andrew E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Snider; Theresa T.
• Application Number:
  US10/888,522
• Publication Number:
  US 20050055794A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,207 Days
• Field of Search: 153/52, 153/53, 153/276, 55D/IG.3, 554/10, 554/17, 554/18, 554/20
• 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 vacuum comprising:

a container-shaped housing;

a powerhead assembly having a powerhead housing, a motor and a fan, the powerhead housing closing an open end of the container shaped housing and including an intake opening and an outlet opening, the fan being housed in the powerhead housing and being operable for drawing a flow of debris laden air through the inlet port and into the container-shaped housing, the fan exhausting an fan of air to the outlet opening;

a filter coupled to the powerhead assembly between the intake opening and the fan;

a valve for selectively closing an intake opening of the powerhead 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 powerhead housing at a location downstream of the filter and upstream of the exhaust flow.

2. A vacuum comprising:

a container-shaped housing;

a powerhead assembly having a powerhead housing, a motor and a fan, the powerhead housing closing an open end of the container shaped housing and including an intake opening, the fan being housed in the powerhead housing and being operable for drawing a flow of debris laden air through the inlet port and into the container-shaped housing;

a filter coupled to the powerhead assembly between the intake opening and the fan;

a valve for selectively closing an intake opening of the powerhead 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 powerhead housing at a location downstream of the filter;

wherein the vacuum distribution system includes a distribution valve for selectively inhibiting a flow of air through the conduit.

3. The vacuum of claim 2, 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.

4. The vacuum of claim 3, wherein the vent is disposed in-line with a top edge of the container-shaped housing.

5. The vacuum of claim 4, further comprising a disposable bag disposed in the container-shaped housing and extending between the top edge and the vent.

6. The vacuum of claim 2, 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.

7. The vacuum of claim 6, wherein the chamber includes a vent and 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.

8. A vacuum comprising:

a container-shaped housing;

a powerhead assembly having a powerhead housing, a motor and a fan, the powerhead housing closing an open end of the container shaped housing and including an intake opening, the fan being housed in the powerhead housing and being operable for drawing a flow of debris laden air through the inlet port and into the container-shaped housing;

a filter coupled to the powerhead assembly between the intake opening and the fan;

a valve for selectively closing an intake opening of the powerhead 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 powerhead housing at a location downstream of the filter;

wherein the conduit includes a plurality of axially spaced apertures.

9. A vacuum comprising:

a container-shaped housing;

a powerhead assembly having a powerhead housing, a motor and a fan, the powerhead housing closing an open end of the container shaped housing and including an intake opening, the fan being housed in the powerhead housing and being operable for drawing a flow of debris laden air through the inlet port and into the container-shaped housing;

a filter coupled to the powerhead assembly between the intake opening and the fan;

a valve for selectively closing an intake opening of the powerhead 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 powerhead housing at a location downstream of the filter;

wherein the conduit is oriented about a generally vertical axis.

10. A method comprising:

providing a vacuum having a container-shaped housing, a powerhead assembly, a filter and a vacuum distribution system, the powerhead assembly including a lid for closing an open end of the container-shaped housing, 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, the filter being disposed between the fan and the intake opening, the 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;

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.

11. The method of claim 10, 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.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the valve element moves in response to a pressure differential.