U.S. patent application number 09/779966 was filed with the patent office on 2002-08-15 for portable blower/vacuum having air inlet cover attachable to blower tube.
This patent application is currently assigned to The Toro Company. Invention is credited to Shaffer, Chadwick A., Svoboda, Steven J..
Application Number | 20020108206 09/779966 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25118143 |
Filed Date | 2002-08-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020108206 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Svoboda, Steven J. ; et
al. |
August 15, 2002 |
PORTABLE BLOWER/VACUUM HAVING AIR INLET COVER ATTACHABLE TO BLOWER
TUBE
Abstract
A blower/vacuum having an air inlet cover and a blower tube,
both of which attach to a blower housing for operation in a blower
mode. The air inlet cover is preferably able to removably attach to
the blower housing and the blower tube. Blower/vacuums of the
present invention may generally prohibit operation unless both the
blower tube and the air inlet cover are first installed. The
blower/vacuum is further adapted to operate in a vacuum mode by
removing the air inlet cover and blower tube and replacing the same
with a vacuum tube assembly and a vacuum collection container,
respectively.
Inventors: |
Svoboda, Steven J.;
(Bloomington, MN) ; Shaffer, Chadwick A.;
(Oakdale, MN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MUETING, RAASCH & GEBHARDT, P.A.
P.O. BOX 581415
MINNEAPOLIS
MN
55458
US
|
Assignee: |
The Toro Company
|
Family ID: |
25118143 |
Appl. No.: |
09/779966 |
Filed: |
February 9, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
15/330 ;
15/405 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A01G 20/47 20180201;
E01H 1/0836 20130101; E01H 1/0809 20130101; A47L 5/14 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
15/330 ;
15/405 |
International
Class: |
A47L 005/14 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A portable blower/vacuum comprising: a housing having an air
inlet opening and a housing outlet; a blower tube operable to
removably couple to the housing outlet; and an air inlet cover
operable to removably cover the air inlet opening, wherein the air
inlet cover is securable relative to the air inlet opening by
engaging at least a portion of the housing and a portion of the
blower tube.
2. The portable blower/vacuum of claim 1, wherein the air inlet
cover further comprises a first attachment member and a second
attachment member, the first attachment member adapted to engage a
first attachment receiver located on the blower tube and the second
attachment member adapted to engage a second attachment receiver
located on the housing.
3. The portable blower/vacuum of claim 2, wherein the engagement of
the first attachment member with the first attachment receiver and
the engagement of the second attachment member with the second
attachment receiver securely engages both the blower tube and the
air inlet cover to the housing.
4. The portable blower/vacuum of claim 2, further comprising an
interlock sensor operable to detect latching engagement of the
second attachment member with the second attachment receiver.
5. The blower/vacuum of claim 2, wherein the first attachment
member comprises a pin and the first attachment receiver comprises
a hook.
6. The blower/vacuum of claim 5, wherein engagement of the pin with
the hook permits the air inlet cover to pivot between a first
unlatched position and a second latched position, the second
latched position corresponding to secure engagement of the air
inlet cover to the housing.
7. A method for assembling a portable blower/vacuum, comprising:
providing a blower housing, the housing having an air inlet opening
and a housing outlet; coupling a blower tube to the housing outlet
of the blower housing; and attaching an air inlet cover over the
air inlet opening, the air inlet cover releasably engaged with both
the blower tube and the blower housing.
8. The method of claim 7, wherein coupling the blower tube
comprises sliding a female portion of the blower tube over a male
portion of the housing outlet.
9. The method of claim 7, wherein attaching the air inlet cover
comprises engaging a first attachment member on the air inlet cover
with a first attachment receiver on the blower tube and engaging a
second attachment member on the air inlet cover with a second
attachment receiver on the blower housing.
10. The method of claim 7, further comprising: providing an
interlock engagement member on the air inlet cover; and engaging,
with the interlock engagement member, an interlock sensor
associated with the blower housing.
11. The method of claim 9, further comprising: disengaging the
second attachment member from the second attachment receiver;
disengaging the first attachment member from the first attachment
receiver; removing the air inlet cover from the blower housing; and
removing the blower tube from the blower housing.
12. A method for assembling and using a portable blower/vacuum,
comprising: providing a blower housing, the housing having an air
inlet opening and a housing outlet; coupling a blower tube to the
housing outlet of the blower housing; providing an air inlet cover;
engaging a first attachment member of the air inlet cover with a
first attachment receiver on the blower tube; and engaging a second
attachment member of the air inlet cover with a second attachment
receiver on the blower housing.
13. The method of claim 12, further comprising engaging, with the
air inlet cover, an interlock sensor coupled to the blower
housing.
14. The method of claim 12, further comprising operating the
blower/vacuum after engagement of the second attachment member with
the second attachment receiver.
15. A portable blower/vacuum comprising: a blower housing, the
housing having: a housing outlet; an air inlet opening in fluid
communication with the housing outlet; and a rotatable impeller
coupled to a motor, the impeller operable to draw air into the
housing through the air inlet opening and expel the air through the
housing outlet; a blower tube attachable to the housing outlet; air
inlet cover adapted to removably cover the air inlet opening, the
air inlet cover securable by engaging both a portion of the blower
tube and a portion of the blower housing.
16. The blower/vacuum of claim 15, wherein the blower housing
further comprises an interlock sensor engageable by an interlock
engagement member on the air inlet cover.
17. The blower/vacuum of claim 15, further comprising: a first
attachment receiver located on the blower tube; a first attachment
member and a second attachment member located on the air inlet
cover; and a second attachment receiver located on the housing,
wherein the first attachment member is adapted to engage the first
attachment receiver and the second attachment member is adapted to
engage the second attachment receiver.
18. The blower/vacuum of claim 17, wherein the engagement of the
first attachment member and the first attachment receiver permits
the air inlet cover to pivot between a first unlatched position and
a second latched position.
19. The blower/vacuum of claim 18, wherein, in the second latched
position, the air inlet cover and the blower tube are securely
engaged to the blower housing.
20. A portable blower/vacuum system comprising: a housing having an
air inlet opening and a housing outlet; a blower tube operable to
removably couple to the housing outlet; and an air inlet cover
operable to removably cover the air inlet opening, the air inlet
cover having a first attachment member operable to engage a first
attachment receiver on the blower tube and a second attachment
member operable to engage a second attachment receiver on the
housing.
21. The blower/vacuum system of claim 20, further comprising: a
vacuum collection container operable to removably couple to the
housing outlet; and a vacuum tube assembly operable to removably
cover the air inlet opening, the vacuum tube assembly having a
first vacuum attachment member operable to engage a first vacuum
attachment receiver on the housing and a second vacuum attachment
member operable to engage the second attachment receiver on the
housing.
22. The blower/vacuum system of claim 21, wherein the housing
further comprises an interlock sensor engageable by an interlock
engagement member on the vacuum tube assembly.
23. The blower/vacuum system of claim 21, wherein the engagement of
the first vacuum attachment member with the first vacuum attachment
receiver permits the vacuum tube assembly to pivot between a first
unlatched position and a second latched position.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to the field of hand-held,
portable blower/vacuums. More particularly, the present invention
pertains to portable blower/vacuums having an air inlet cover that
may be removably coupled to both a blower housing and a blower
tube.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Convertible blower/vacuum units (blower/vacs) are commonly
used by homeowners and professionals alike for the removal of
debris from yards, driveways, sidewalks, etc. As used herein, a
convertible blower/vac is a portable device which can be configured
for use as either a debris blower or a debris vacuum. When used as
a vacuum, vacuum attachments coupled to the blower housing permit
leaves or similar debris to be vacuumed into an attached bag or
other debris container.
[0003] When used in the blower configuration, blower/vacs provide a
sweeping action created by the production of a fast moving stream
of air generated by a rotating impeller located within the blower
housing. The impeller draws air into the housing through an air
inlet opening and exhausts an accelerated air stream through a
housing outlet. The air stream is typically channeled through a
tapered, removable blower tube. In addition to providing a more
precisely focused air stream, the tapered blower tube also yields
an air stream of generally higher velocity.
[0004] Because most all blower/vac units are designed for hand-held
use, they are often made of lightweight materials and utilize
lightweight power sources, e.g., small electric- (battery and
corded) and gasoline-powered motors. While applicable to
blower/vacs having most any power source, the present invention is
particularly advantageous for use with corded electric blower/vacs
and the remainder of this discussion will focus on the same.
[0005] Although size and weight are criteria to consider in
selection of the blower/vac motor, available power is also a
factor. Generally speaking, maximum electric current draw for these
and other portable consumer devices may be restricted, e.g., by
applicable industry and/or governmental standards, to ensure
conformance with conventional household circuits and available
electrical equipment (e.g., extension cords). For example, a
typical blower/vac may be designed to operate, within acceptable
margins, with a 120 volt, 15 amp circuit.
[0006] Nonetheless, a blower/vac motor designed to draw a
particular current load under normal operating conditions, e.g.,
when operating in blower mode with the blower tube installed, may,
under certain circumstances, exceed that limit. For example,
removal of the blower tube may increase the air flow rate through
the blower. This increased air flow rate results in a higher torque
load, which, in turn, causes the motor to spin more slowly and draw
more current. This increased current may exceed the desired
limit.
[0007] One solution to this "tube removed" condition is to provide
a -motor designed to draw the maximum desired current load when
operating with the blower tube removed. However, such a motor may
draw less current, and provide a less than optimal air flow rate,
when the blower tube is then installed.
[0008] Another option is to configure the blower/vac motor for
optimal air flow rate, e.g., draw the maximum desired current load,
when operating with the blower tube installed. However, as
mentioned above, this option may result in a motor that draws
increased current when the blower tube is then removed.
[0009] While either option is acceptable, a solution that yields
the desired current draw, i.e., produces the maximum air flow rate,
with the blower tube installed while at the same time preventing
excessive current draw when the blower tube is removed would be
advantageous.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] A blower/vac is provided that, generally speaking, prevents
motor operation unless at least the blower tube and air inlet cover
are installed. Accordingly, the motor may be selected for optimal
blower/vac operation without concern for excessive current draw
should the blower tube be removed.
[0011] In one embodiment, a portable blower/vac is provided which
includes a housing having an air inlet opening and a housing
outlet. A blower tube operable to removably couple to the housing
outlet is further provided, as is an air inlet cover. The air inlet
cover is operable to removably cover the air inlet opening. The air
inlet cover is securable relative to the air inlet opening by
engaging at least a portion of the housing and a portion of the
blower tube.
[0012] In another embodiment of the present invention, a method for
assembling a portable blower/vac is provided. In this embodiment, a
blower housing is provided having an air inlet opening and a
housing outlet. The method further includes coupling a blower tube
to the housing outlet of the blower housing, and attaching an air
inlet cover over the air inlet opening. The air inlet cover is
releasably engaged with both the blower tube and the blower
housing.
[0013] In yet another embodiment of the present invention, a method
for assembling and using a portable blower/vac is provided. The
method includes providing a blower housing where the housing has an
air inlet opening and a housing outlet. A blower tube is coupled to
the housing outlet of the blower housing. The method also includes
providing an air inlet cover; engaging a first attachment member of
the air inlet cover with a first attachment receiver on the blower
tube; and engaging a second attachment member of the air inlet
cover with a second attachment receiver on the blower housing.
[0014] In still yet another embodiment, a portable blower/vac is
provided which includes a blower housing. The blower housing itself
includes a housing outlet; an air inlet opening in fluid
communication with the housing outlet; and a rotatable impeller
coupled to a motor. The impeller is operable to draw air into the
housing through the air inlet opening and expel the air through the
housing outlet. The blower/vac further includes a blower tube
attachable to the housing outlet and an air inlet cover adapted to
removably cover the air inlet opening. The air inlet cover is
securable by engaging both a portion of the blower tube and a
portion of the blower housing.
[0015] The above summary of the invention is not intended to
describe each embodiment or every implementation of the present
invention. Rather, a more complete understanding of the invention
will become apparent and appreciated by reference to the following
detailed description and claims in view of the accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] The present invention will be further described with
reference to the drawings, wherein:
[0017] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a blower/vac in accordance
with one embodiment of the invention, the blower/vac shown as
configured in blower mode with the blower tube and air inlet cover
installed;
[0018] FIG. 2 is an exploded, perspective view of the blower/vac of
FIG. 1;
[0019] FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the blower/vac of FIG. 1
shown with the blower tube and air inlet cover removed;
[0020] FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of the blower/vac of FIG. 1
shown with the blower tube and air inlet cover installed;
[0021] FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of the blower/vac of FIG. 1
illustrating attachment of the air inlet cover in accordance with
one embodiment of the invention;
[0022] FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of a portion of the blower/vac of
FIG. 5;
[0023] FIG. 7 is a section view taken along lines 7-7 of FIG.
5;
[0024] FIG. 8 is an exploded, perspective view of the blower/vac of
FIG. 1 as configured for operation in vacuum mode in accordance
with one embodiment of the invention; and
[0025] FIG. 9 is a side elevation view of the blower/vac of FIG. 8
illustrating the attachment of the vacuum tube assembly.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
[0026] In the following detailed description of the exemplary
embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which
form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration
specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. It is
to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and
structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of
the present invention.
[0027] With reference to the drawings, wherein like reference
numerals designate like parts and assemblies throughout the several
views, FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a portable, electric
blower/vacuum 100 (also referred to herein as "blower" or
"blower/vac") in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.
While the present invention is perceived to be particularly
advantageous for use with corded electric blower/vacs, those
skilled in the art will appreciate that it may also be used with
most any type of blower/vac, e.g., gas-engine powered units or
battery-powered units. Furthermore, while described herein with
application to blower/vacs, the present invention is equally
applicable to units configurable as blower-only machines.
[0028] Unless otherwise noted, relative directions (e.g., upper,
top, lower, bottom, etc.) are exemplary only and may, for purposes
of explanation, generally refer to the orientation of the
particular part or assembly when the blower/vac 100 is in its
operating position, e.g., the position generally illustrated in
FIG. 1.
[0029] As the name suggests, embodiments of the blower/vac 100
described and illustrated herein may be configured to operate in
either a blower mode or a vacuum mode. Regardless of the operating
mode, these blower/vacs typically include a blower housing 102
having one or more handles 104 and 106 adapted to receive one or
both hands of an operator during use. The housing 102 furthermore
may include a receptacle for receiving external AC power, e.g., a
receptacle 110 for receiving an electrical cord. To selectively
control delivery of external power from the receptacle 110 to a
motor (described in more detail below) located within the housing,
a switch 108 may also be provided. In one embodiment, the switch
108 is coupled in series between the receptacle 110 and the motor.
The switch 108 may merely open or close the power delivery circuit
or, alternatively, may vary the power to the motor to provide
adjustable motor speed.
[0030] When operating in blower mode, the blower/vac 100 preferably
includes a blower tube 112 as shown in FIG. 1. The blower tube 112
has a proximate end which preferably attaches to a single housing
outlet 114 (see FIGS. 2 and 3). In one embodiment, the proximate
end of the blower tube forms a female portion 117 which slides over
a male portion 115 formed by the housing outlet 114 (see FIG.
2).
[0031] The blower tube 112 typically tapers from the proximate end
to a blower outlet 116 at a distal end. The tapered blower tube 112
is advantageous as it permits focusing of the high velocity air
stream produced by the blower/vac 100. To further reduce the
cross-sectional size of the blower outlet 116, a nozzle insert
113--as generally shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and particularly described
in commonly-assigned U.S. Pat. No. 6,003,199--may optionally be
provided.
[0032] FIG. 2 shows the blower/vac 100 of FIG. 1 in an exploded
perspective view. As depicted herein, the housing 102 may
preferably be formed from mating plastic halves 102a and 102b
which, when assembled, define an interior cavity. The cavity
encloses a power source, e.g., an electric motor 122. The electric
motor 122 is coupled to an impeller 126 via an output shaft 124
with connecting hardware, e.g., washer 123 and nut 125. When
external power is provided to the motor 122, the output shaft 124,
and thus the impeller 126, rotate. As the impeller 126 rotates,
curved blades 130 (see FIG. 3) integrally formed with or otherwise
attached to the impeller draw air into a plenum 132 formed within
the housing 102. In general, air is drawn into the housing 102
through an air inlet opening 118 (see FIG. 3) where it is then
accelerated and exhausted through the housing outlet 114 and blower
tube 112. In some embodiments, the air inlet opening 118 resides
within a first plane on a lower side of the housing 102 while the
housing outlet 114 lies in a second plane that may be substantially
perpendicular to the first plane.
[0033] FIG. 2 further illustrates an air inlet cover 134 in
accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. A purpose
of the air inlet cover 134 is to permit air to pass through the air
inlet opening 118 (see FIG. 3) and into the housing 102 while, at
the same time, restricting the entry of foreign objects, e.g.,
debris, fingers. Accordingly, the air inlet cover 134 may include a
grate or grill portion 136 which covers the air inlet opening 118
when the air inlet cover 134 is installed (see FIG. 4). An
interlock sensor, e.g., switch 135, explained in more detail below,
may also be associated with the housing 102 as shown in FIGS. 2 and
3. The interlock switch 135, which may, for example, be wired in
series with the motor 122, prevents operation of the motor unless
the air inlet cover 134 is properly installed.
[0034] Having described the blower/vac 100 generally, attention is
now directed to an exemplary air inlet cover 134 as illustrated
primarily in FIGS. 4-7. As previously stated, the air inlet cover
134 removably attaches to the housing 102 such that the air grate
portion 136 covers the air inlet opening 118 as shown in FIG. 4. In
addition to the air grate portion 136, the air inlet cover 134
further includes a first attachment member 138 and a second
attachment member 140 which are shown in more detail in FIG. 5. In
one embodiment, the first attachment member 138 is connected to the
air grate portion 136 by a pair of generally parallel rails 139
(see FIG. 4). The first attachment member 138 is preferably
received by a first attachment receiver 142 formed on or otherwise
attached to the blower tube 112. The second attachment member 140
is likewise preferably received by a second attachment receiver 144
formed on or otherwise attached to the housing 102 (see FIG.
5).
[0035] The geometry of the air inlet cover 134 and the first and
second attachment members 138 and 140 is such that engagement of
both the first and second attachment members 138 and 140 with the
first and second attachment receivers 142 and 144, respectively,
securely engages the air inlet cover 134 relative to both the
blower tube 112 and the housing 102. "Secure" engagement is used
herein to refer to engagement of components in such a way that
unintended disengagement or decoupling during normal operation is
generally prevented. Preferably, the second attachment member 140
and the second attachment receiver 144 are unable to releasably
secure the air inlet cover 134 unless the first attachment member
138 is first engaged with the first attachment receiver 142 as
described below.
[0036] The terms attachment "member" and attachment "receiver" are
used herein merely to simplify the description of the illustrated
embodiments. Broadly speaking, the terms may include most any
interconnecting structures. For instance, other embodiments of the
present invention may reverse the location of the attachment
members and attachment receivers, e.g., the first attachment member
138 may be located on the blower tube 112 while the first
attachment receiver 142 may be located on the air inlet cover
134.
[0037] FIG. 6 is a partial, enlarged view of the first attachment
member 138 and the first attachment receiver 142 of FIG. 5. As
clearly illustrated, the first attachment member 138 may form an
element having a shape that is generally cylindrical or at least
partially cylindrical, e.g., a pin, spanning between the rails 139
(see FIG. 2). The first attachment receiver 142, on the other hand,
may form a receiving or mating element e.g., a J-shaped hook or
open-sided hinge, adapted to receive the cylindrically-shaped first
attachment member 138. In one embodiment, the first attachment
receiver 142 has a clearance opening 141 sufficient to permit the
first attachment member 138 to pass therethrough. Once the first
attachment member 138 is in place, it may bear against a
corresponding interior surface 143 of the first attachment receiver
142 as shown in FIG. 6. The air inlet cover 134 may be disengaged
from the blower tube 112, provided that the second attachment
member 140 has not yet been engaged with the second attachment
receiver 144, by sliding the cover 134 in the forward direction
until the first attachment member 138 disengages from, e.g., slides
out of, the first attachment receiver 142.
[0038] Once the first attachment member 138 is engaged with the
first attachment receiver 142, the air inlet cover 134 may pivot
about the first attachment receiver 142 as indicated in FIG. 5. The
second attachment member 140 may then be rotated towards the second
attachment receiver 144 (as indicated by arrow 145 in FIG. 5) and
latched thereto. The second attachment member 140 preferably forms
a flexible tab integrally formed with or otherwise attached to a
rearward portion of the air inlet cover 134. The second attachment
member 140 may engage the second attachment receiver 144 (which, in
one embodiment, forms a substantially rigid lip) with a snap fit.
The term "snap fit," as used herein, describes the joining of one
resilient flexible member with another flexible or rigid member.
The flexible member may deflect initially upon contact with the
other member but ultimately returns or "snaps back" to its
undeflected, or to a partially deflected, position, thereby
securing one member with respect to the other. Once the second
attachment member 140 and second attachment receiver 144 are
completely engaged, the air inlet cover 134, and thus the blower
tube 112, are securely engaged with the housing 102.
[0039] As the air inlet cover 134 is pivoted in the direction 145
from an unlatched position (shown in broken lines in FIG. 5) to a
latched position (shown in solid lines), an interlock engagement
member, e.g., protrusion 146, located on the air inlet cover
engages an actuator button 148 located on the interlock switch 135.
When the air inlet cover 134 is completely installed, e.g., the
second attachment member 140 latches with the second attachment
receiver 144, the button 148 is sufficiently depressed to engage
and close the interlock switch 135, permitting operation of the
electric motor 122. When the second attachment member 140 is
disengaged, i.e., unlatched from the second attachment receiver
144, the button 148, which is preferably biased outwardly, returns
the interlock switch 135 to its normally open position, preventing
operation of the electric motor 122. In some embodiments, the
second attachment member 140 may include a flexible tab 140a (see
FIG. 5) to assist the operator in disengaging the second attachment
member 140 from the second attachment receiver 144 after use. If
desired, the air inlet cover 134 may then be disengaged from the
first attachment receiver 142 as described above. Thus, the air
inlet cover 134 may be separated from both the housing 102 and the
blower tube 112.
[0040] To operate the blower/vac 100 in blower mode, the blower
tube 112 may first be coupled to the outlet 114 of the housing 102.
In one embodiment, the female portion 117 (see FIG. 2) of the
proximate end of the blower tube 112 slides over the male portion
115 (see FIG. 3) of the housing outlet 114. A cross-sectional view
taken along lines 7-7 of FIG. 5 is shown in FIG. 7. As illustrated
herein, the blower tube 112 may include small structural ribs 112a
that provide increased rigidity to the blower tube and may further
assist with its attachment. Preferably, the shape of the blower
tube 112 and outlet 114 prevents coupling of the blower tube 112 in
any but the desired orientation, e.g., with the first attachment
receiver 142 extending downwardly. Once the blower tube 112 is in
place, the first attachment member 138 may then be engaged with the
first attachment receiver 142. Thereafter, the air inlet cover 134
may be rotated in the direction 145 (see FIG. 5) about the first
attachment member 138 until the second attachment member 140
engages the second attachment receiver 144 with a snap fit. As the
second attachment member 140 and second attachment receiver 144 are
engaged, the protrusion 146 closes the interlock switch 135,
permitting operation of the motor 122.
[0041] Engagement of the second attachment member 140 with the
second attachment receiver 144 alone is preferably incapable of
retaining the air inlet cover 134 to the blower housing 102. As a
result, the air inlet cover 134 cannot be to the housing 102, nor
can the interlock switch 135 be correctly engaged, without first
engaging the first attachment member 138 with the first attachment
receiver 142. Stated another way, the blower/vac 100 generally
cannot operate in blower mode unless both the blower tube 112 and
the air inlet cover 134 are installed as described herein. As a
result, blower/vacs 100 of the present invention may utilize motors
sized for maximum performance with the blower tube 112 installed
without concern for potential current overdraw when the blower tube
is removed. Other advantages may also be realized. For example,
attachment of the separate air inlet cover 134 and blower tube 112
may be detected with the use of a single interlock sensor, e.g.,
switch 135.
[0042] Although not depicted, one or more additional mechanisms for
securing the blower tube 112 to the housing 102 may also be
provided, such that the blower tube 112 may be secured independent
of the air inlet cover 134.
[0043] Still other embodiments are possible without departing from
the scope of the invention. For example, as mentioned above, the
first attachment member, e.g., a pin member, may be located on the
blower tube 112 while the first attachment receiver, e.g., a hook
element, may be located on the air inlet cover 134. Moreover, the
first and second attachment members and attachment receivers may be
configured to couple in alternative manners. For example, instead
of pivoting about a transverse axis (e.g., the axis of the first
attachment member 138 as shown in FIG. 5) as described and
illustrated, the first attachment member 138 and first attachment
receiver 142 may be configured to permit pivoting of the air inlet
cover 134 about most any axis, e.g., about an axis generally
parallel to the axis of the impeller 126. The second attachment
member 140 and second attachment receiver 144 may be reconfigured
to accommodate such alternative configurations without departing
from the scope of the invention. In still other embodiments, the
air inlet cover 134 may be attached via translational displacement
instead of by pivotal movement as described herein. For instance,
after engaging the first attachment member 138 with first
attachment receiver 142, the air inlet cover 134 may be displaced,
e.g., pulled, rearwardly, preferably against a forwardly-biasing
force, to engage a modified second attachment member 140 with the
second attachment receiver 144.
[0044] FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate a blower/vac of the present
invention as configured for use as a vacuum. In particular, FIG. 8
illustrates a vacuum tube assembly 206 adapted to couple to the
housing 102 at the air inlet opening 118. The vacuum tube assembly
206 may include an upper tube 208 and a lower tube 210. The lower
tube 210 may flare to provide more effective vacuum operation. The
upper tube 208 preferably includes a first vacuum attachment member
212, similar in most respects to the first attachment member 138
(see FIGS. 5 and 6), and a second vacuum attachment member 214,
similar in most respects to the second attachment member 140 (see
FIG. 5). To collect vacuumed debris, a vacuum collection container,
e.g., bag 202, is coupled to the housing outlet 114 via a vacuum
bag collar 204. In some embodiments, the bag 202 and collar 204 are
permanently or semi-permanently coupled, i.e., they are not
intended to be separated by the operator. During operation, the
impeller 126 draws air and entrained debris through the vacuum tube
assembly 206. In the vacuum configuration, the impeller 126 may, in
addition to generating vacuum air flow, mulch or shred the debris
before expelling it out of the housing outlet 114 and into the
vacuum collection bag 202.
[0045] FIG. 9 is a side view of the housing 102 and upper tube 208
of FIG. 8. As stated above, the upper tube 208 preferably includes
coupling features, e.g., first and second vacuum attachment members
212 and 214, for attaching the tube assembly 206 to the housing
102. The first vacuum attachment member 212 may engage a first
vacuum attachment receiver 216. The first vacuum attachment
receiver 216 may be similar in most respects to the first
attachment receiver 142 (see FIG. 5) except that it may be
integrally formed with or otherwise attached to the housing 102
instead of the blower tube 112. If desired, the first vacuum
attachment receiver 216 could also be connected to or engaged with
the bag collar 204. Once the first vacuum attachment member 212 is
engaged with the first vacuum receiver 216, the upper tube 208 may
pivot in the direction 218 until the second vacuum attachment
member 214 engages the second attachment receiver 144 of the
housing 102. The engagement of the second vacuum attachment member
214 with the second attachment receiver 144 may be via a snap fit.
A protrusion 246 may engage the interlock switch 135 in a manner
similar to that discussed with respect to protrusion 146.
Accordingly, the upper tube 208 attaches to the housing 102 in a
manner similar to that of the air inlet cover 134 described above.
When installed, the upper tube 208 may provide a secondary handle
209 which allows more comfortable operation for vacuum
operations.
[0046] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described
above. Those skilled in the art will recognize that many
embodiments are possible within the scope of the invention. For
instance, the configuration of the attachment members and
attachment receivers could be most any design that permits coupling
of the air inlet cover, housing, and blower tube as described
herein. Other variations, modifications, and combinations of the
various parts and assemblies can certainly be made and still fall
within the scope of the invention. Thus, the invention is limited
only by the following claims, and equivalents thereto.
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