U.S. patent application number 10/889238 was filed with the patent office on 2005-01-20 for mobile unit for a portable vacuum system.
Invention is credited to Potter, Terry, Zhao, Liguo.
Application Number | 20050011037 10/889238 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34068232 |
Filed Date | 2005-01-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050011037 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Zhao, Liguo ; et
al. |
January 20, 2005 |
Mobile unit for a portable vacuum system
Abstract
A mobile unit, such as a cart, for transporting a portable
vacuum system is disclosed. The cart may have one or more
compartments and areas for storing cleaning supplies and the like.
The unit may also have a debris containment compartment for
receiving and storing debris collected by the portable vacuum
system. Additionally, a battery charging circuit may connect one or
more batteries carried on the cart for selectively charging the
batteries.
Inventors: |
Zhao, Liguo; (Toledo,
OH) ; Potter, Terry; (Lambertville, MI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MARSHALL & MELHORN
FOUR SEAGATE, EIGHT FLOOR
TOLEDO
OH
43604
US
|
Family ID: |
34068232 |
Appl. No.: |
10/889238 |
Filed: |
July 12, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60486207 |
Jul 10, 2003 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
15/323 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B62B 2202/50 20130101;
B62B 3/005 20130101; A47L 9/009 20130101; B62B 3/10 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
015/323 |
International
Class: |
A47L 005/00; A47L
009/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A mobile unit for a portable vacuum system, comprising: a cart
having a plurality of wheels to enable the cart to be moved; at
least one debris containment compartment in said cart; and at least
one portable vacuum system docking station on said cart; wherein
said at least one debris containment compartment and said at least
one portable vacuum system docking station are connected to each
other.
2. The mobile unit of claim 1, wherein said cart has a plurality of
storage bins for selectively receiving cleaning supplies.
3. The mobile unit of claim 1, wherein said cart has at least one
handle, said handle can be manually grasped for moving said cart on
said plurality of wheels.
4. The mobile unit of claim 1, wherein said docking station has a
slidable door.
5. The mobile unit of claim 4, wherein said docking station door
provides access to an interior portion of said debris containment
compartment.
6. The mobile unit of claim 1, wherein said docking station opens
toward one side of the top portion of said cart.
7. The mobile unit of claim 4, wherein said slidable door has at
least one handle to manually pull and to push said slidable door
open and closed, respectively.
8. The mobile unit of claim 1, wherein said debris containment
compartment of said cart is selectively removable from a side of
said cart.
9. A mobile unit for a portable vacuum system, comprising: a cart
having a plurality of wheels to enable the cart to be moved; a
plurality of battery charging receptacles located on said cart; at
least one battery charging circuit electrically connected to said
plurality of battery charging receptacles; and at least one
portable vacuum system station on said cart.
10. The mobile unit of claim 9, wherein said battery charging
circuit comprises at least one charging circuit, a logic circuit,
and said plurality of battery charging receptacles, wherein said
charging circuit provides a battery recharging voltage to said
logic circuit, which provides a recharging voltage to one or more
batteries located in said battery charging receptacles until said
logic circuit determines that said one or more batteries is fully
charged.
11. The mobile unit of claim 9, wherein said plurality of battery
charging receptacles are located on a top portion of said cart.
12. The mobile unit of claim 9, wherein said plurality of battery
charging receptacles are complementary shaped recesses to the shape
of said one or more batteries.
13. The mobile unit of claim 9, wherein said at least one portable
vacuum station is a shelf located on a lower, open portion of said
cart.
14. A mobile unit for a portable vacuum system, comprising: a cart
having a plurality of wheels to enable said cart to be moved; at
least one debris containment compartment in said cart; a plurality
of battery charging receptacles on said cart; and at least one
battery charging circuit electrically connected to said plurality
of battery charging receptacles.
15. The mobile unit of claim 14, wherein said cart has at least one
portable vacuum system docking station connected to said at least
one debris containment compartment.
16. The mobile unit of claim 14, wherein said battery charging
circuit comprises at least one charging circuit, a logic circuit,
and said plurality of battery charging receptacles, wherein said
charging circuit provides a battery recharging voltage to said
logic circuit, which provides a recharging voltage to one or more
batteries located in said battery charging receptacles until said
logic circuit determines that said one or more batteries is fully
charged.
17. The mobile unit of claim 15, wherein said portable vacuum
system docking station has at least one door for providing
selective access to an interior portion of said debris containment
compartment.
18. The mobile unit of claim 14, wherein said plurality of battery
charging receptacles are vertically aligned on a side portion of
said cart adjacent said debris containment compartment.
19. The mobile unit of claim 16, wherein said batteries are
selectively removable from said battery charging receptacles.
20. The mobile unit of claims 14, wherein said debris containment
compartment is selectively removable from said cart.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is claiming benefit, under 35 USC .sctn.
119(e), of the provisional application filed on Jul. 10, 2003,
under 35 USC .sctn. 111(b), which was granted Ser. No. 60/486,207,
and is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a mobile unit, such as a
cart, for a portable vacuum system.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Portable vacuum systems, such as backpack mounted vacuum
systems, are well known to those skilled in the art. These vacuum
systems are often used in conjunction with other cleaning, such as
glass and surface cleaning and dusting, frequently performed in
office buildings and the like.
[0004] The desirability to have a lightweight, unencumbered vacuum
system requires that support equipment for the vacuum system and
other cleaning supplies be carried on separate structure. Those
skilled in the art are familiar with various carts used to carry a
wide variety of cleaning supplies. The prior art does not provide,
however, for a cart that can support the vacuum system along with
other cleaning supplies, or even the vacuum system by itself.
[0005] Therefore, in light of the disadvantages of the prior art,
it would be advantageous to have a portable cart that can support
the portable vacuum system. It would also be advantageous to have a
portable cart that can support not only the vacuum system, but
other cleaning supplies for other cleaning duties.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention is directed toward a mobile unit for a
portable vacuum system, such as a cart. The cart has a plurality of
wheels so that it can be easily moved from one location to another.
In one embodiment, at least one debris containment compartment is
located in the cart for receiving debris collected from the vacuum
system. A docking station is part of the cart and functions to
selectively secure the portable vacuum system thereto. The docking
station is connected to the debris containment compartment so that
debris can be dropped into the compartment from the portable vacuum
system.
[0007] In certain environments, such as, for example hospitals,
emptying the collected debris into an open trash can or other
receptacle is not acceptable due to the amount of dirt and dust
generated. The present invention reduces, or prevents, debris from
escaping from the portable vacuum system to a waste receptacle.
[0008] In another embodiment of the present invention, a cart is
provided with wheels for mobility and a station for a portable
vacuum system. Additionally, a plurality of battery docking
stations are located on the cart. At least one battery charging
circuit is electrically connected to the plurality of battery
docking stations for selectively charging the batteries.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] The above, as well as other advantages of the present
invention, will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art
from the following detailed description when considered in the
light of the accompanying drawings in which:
[0010] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of
the present invention;
[0011] FIG. 2 is an electrical schematic of a battery charging
circuit of the present invention; and
[0012] FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of another embodiment
of the present invention;
[0013] FIG. 4 is a partially exploded schematic perspective view of
the invention depicted in FIG. 3;
[0014] FIG. 5 is a schematic depiction of a portable vacuum system
used with the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 6 is a bottom, schematic view of the portable vacuum
system of FIG. 5; and
[0016] FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view of another embodiment
of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0017] It is to be understood that the invention may assume various
alternative orientations and step sequences, except where expressly
specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the
specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached
drawings, and described in the following specification are simply
exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the
appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions, directions or other
physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed are
not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state
otherwise.
[0018] The present invention is a mobile unit, such as a cart 10,
adapted to be used with, or support, at least one portable vacuum
system. The portable vacuum system may be such as a backpack
mounted vacuum cleaner system 12.
[0019] In one embodiment depicted in FIG. 1, the cart 10 is
provided having a main body portion 14. Wheels 16 are attached to
the base of the main body portion 14. The wheels 16 may be, for
example, caster type wheels that allow the cart 10 to easily change
direction with a minimum turning radius.
[0020] The wheels 16 allow the cart 10 to be moved from location to
location by manual or automated means. The automated means may be
such as an electric motor, however, other automated means may be
used without departing from the scope of the present invention.
[0021] A hand rail 18 is located on the main body portion 14. The
rail 18 can be grasped by an operator if manual means are used to
move and direct the cart 10.
[0022] Preferably, the cart 10 can carry the at least one backpack
mounted vacuum cleaner system 12. The cart 10 permits an operator
to move the backpack mounted vacuum cleaner system 12 to an area to
be cleaned without the operator having to carry the backpack system
12. The backpack system 12 can be located anywhere on the cart 10.
In a preferred embodiment, the backpack system 12 is located on a
shelf 20 extending forward from a lower portion 22 of the main body
portion 14.
[0023] The shelf 20 may be fixed or be capable of moving from the
main body portion 14 for easy access to the backpack system 12.
Means to removeably secure the backpack system 12 to the shelf 20
can be included.
[0024] In a preferred embodiment, an upper portion 24 of the main
body portion 14 is adapted to receive one or more rechargeable
power sources. The power sources are rechargeable batteries 26
known to those skilled in the art.
[0025] The batteries 26 can be used with the backpack system 12 to
supply electric power to a vacuum motor therein (not shown). In one
embodiment of the backpack system 12, the batteries 26 are designed
to have at least one concave surface 28 for conforming to the hip
area of a system operator.
[0026] FIG. 2 is a schematic of a battery charging circuitry 30 for
a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, where
separate batteries can be charged in eight battery docking stations
B1-B8, at any given time. However, it should be appreciated that
the number of batteries that can be charged at any given time, by
the present invention, does not limit the present invention.
[0027] As illustrated in FIG. 2, incoming power PS, for example,
120VAC or 240VAC, 60 Hz, is supplied to each of four charging
circuits C1-C4, which convert the incoming high voltage into a
lower output voltage, for example, 12VDC or 24VDC, that recharges
the respective battery in its docking station B1-B8. In an
alternative embodiment, the incoming power PS may be from a battery
located on or off the cart 10 without departing from the scope of
the present invention. The incoming power PS is also supplied to a
logic circuit G1, which passes the output voltage from the charging
circuits C1-C4 onto the respective battery, monitors various
properties of the respective batteries (for example, battery
temperature and voltage rate of charging), and lights the
respective LEDs L1-L8 so as to indicate to the user of the present
invention that the respective battery is still in need of
charging.
[0028] Note that the voltage rate of charging, which the logic
circuit G1 determines for each battery in its docking station
B1-B8, that is being charged, is a measure of the completeness of
the charging for that specific battery. When the logic circuit G1
determines that a particular battery is charged completely, then
the logic circuit G1 no longer supplies voltage to that particular
battery. It should be further appreciated that the present
invention can utilize other battery charging circuits and remain
within the spirit and scope of the present invention.
[0029] Referring back to FIG. 1, a plurality of battery charging
receptacles 32 within the upper portion 24 of the main body portion
14 have a complementary shape to the batteries 26. Individual
batteries 26 can be removeably located within the individual
receptacles 32 for storage, transport, or re-charge. The
receptacles 32 and the batteries 26 may be arranged and located on
the upper portion 24 or in any other location or orientation
without departing from the scope of the present invention.
[0030] A second embodiment of the present invention is depicted in
FIG. 3. A cart 34 in FIG. 3 has a main body portion 36 having a
plurality of wheels 38 attached to its base 40. The wheels 38 may
be such as, for example, caster type wheels for the same advantages
described above.
[0031] The cart 34 may be moved by manual or automated means, also
as described above. If manual means are used to move the cart 34, a
hand rail 42 is provided.
[0032] The cart 34 has several compartments 44 for carrying and/or
mounting various cleaning supplies known to those skilled in the
art. These compartments 44 may be for transporting various
attachments for the backpack mounted vacuum system 12. As best seen
in FIG. 4, one compartment includes a dust receiving bin 46 into
which debris collected by the backpack mounted vacuum system 12 can
be emptied.
[0033] As depicted in FIG. 5, the backpack system 12 preferably has
a containment area 48 for collected debris. The base 50 of the
containment area 48 has a slidable, or hinged, door 52, as
schematically depicted in FIG. 6. The debris in the containment
area 48 may be removed by sliding, or swinging, the door 52 open
and allowing the debris therein to fall out.
[0034] The backpack system 12 is located in or on a docking area 54
on the cart 34, as best seen in FIG. 3. The docking area 54
preferably has a complementary shape, size and design to the base
of the containment area 48 of the backpack system 12. Also, the
docking area 54 is preferably located on a top portion 56 of the
cart 34 so that the backpack system 12 can be easily located
thereon by the operator. In a most preferred embodiment, the
docking area 54 opens toward a first side 58 of the cart 34 to
facilitate locating and removing the backpack system 12 therefrom.
Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the docking area 54
can be designed to open from either side of the cart 34.
[0035] The docking area 54 has a door 60 which attaches to the
slidable, or hinged, door 52 of the backpack system 12. Preferably,
the docking area door 60 has a complementary shape to at least part
of the door 54 of the backpack system 54. The docking area door 60
complementary shape engages with the backpack door 54 when the
backpack system 12 is set on the cart 34. The docking area door 60
can be pulled outwardly from the cart 34, thus simultaneously
sliding, or otherwise releasing, the slidable door 52 of the
backpack system 12 (see FIG. 6) from the containment area 48 and
allowing the debris to fall into an interior portion 62 of the dust
receiving bin 46.
[0036] The backpack system 12 seals against the cart 34 to prevent
any dust or debris from escaping during the above described
transfer step. A least one seal 64 may be located in or on the
periphery of the docking area door 60 to seal with the backpack
system 12 and reduce, or prevent, dust from escaping.
[0037] When the containment area 48 of the backpack system 12 is
empty (see FIG. 5), the docking area door 60 can be slid back into
position, thus simultaneously sliding, or otherwise closing, the
backpack door 52 into the containment area 48 of the backpack
system 12. The backpack system 12 can then be removed from the cart
34 for continued operation or left on the cart 34 for
transport.
[0038] Another embodiment of the present invention is depicted in
FIG. 7, wherein a cart 66 mounted on a plurality of wheels 68 is
schematically depicted. The cart 66 has a main body portion 70 with
a hand rail 72 connected to the main body portion 70 for enabling
an operator to easily move the cart 66 by manual means. A plurality
of compartments 74 for carrying and/or mounting various cleaning
supplies known to those skilled in the art is provided around the
cart 66. At least one compartment 74 comprises a debris containment
compartment 76 into which debris collected by the backpack mounted
vacuum system 12, described above, can be emptied.
[0039] The cart 66 has at least one portable vacuum system docking
station 78, as described above, connected to the debris containment
compartment 76. A seal 80 may be located about the docking station
78 to provide an air tight seal between the backpack system (not
shown in FIG. 7) and the docking station 78. A slidable, or hinged,
docking station door 82, as described above, provides selective
access to an interior portion 84 of the debris containment
compartment 76. The debris containment compartment 76 is
selectively removable from the cart 66 for emptying and/or
maintenance.
[0040] A plurality of battery charging receptacles 86 are located
on the cart 66. In the preferred embodiment depicted in FIG. 7, the
receptacles 86 are vertically aligned on a side portion 88 of the
cart 66 adjacent the debris containment compartment 76.
Rechargeable batteries 90 are selectively located in the individual
receptacles 86 for storage, transport and/or charging.
[0041] A battery recharging circuit, or circuitry 30, as described
above, electrically connects the batteries 90 within the
receptacles 86 to a logic circuit G1 (FIG. 2) and a power source PS
(FIG. 2). The above discussion relating to the battery charging
circuitry 30 of FIG. 2, as it applies to the embodiment of FIG. 1,
also applies to the embodiment of FIG. 7.
[0042] In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes,
the present invention has been described in what is considered to
represent its preferred embodiments. However, it should be noted
that the invention can be practiced otherwise than as specifically
illustrated and described without departing from its spirit or
scope.
* * * * *