U.S. patent application number 10/653753 was filed with the patent office on 2005-03-03 for attachment for a suction device.
Invention is credited to Rickman, Fern.
Application Number | 20050044659 10/653753 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34217965 |
Filed Date | 2005-03-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050044659 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Rickman, Fern |
March 3, 2005 |
Attachment for a suction device
Abstract
An attachment device for a suction system. The suction system,
e.g., a vacuum cleaner, has an opening through which a suction
force is experienced. The attachment device includes a hair
extraction element configured to be positioned adjacent to and/or
covering at least a portion of, the opening. The hair extraction
element is formed of a material, such as rubber, plastic, latex,
vinyl and neoprene, etc. that, when slidably moved across a surface
having embedded hair, is capable of extracting the embedded hair
from the surface. Once the embedded hair has been extracted, the
hair may be suctioned through the opening of the suction
system.
Inventors: |
Rickman, Fern; (Bayville,
NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Fern Rickman
34 June Avenue
Bayville
NY
11709
US
|
Family ID: |
34217965 |
Appl. No.: |
10/653753 |
Filed: |
September 3, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
15/415.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47L 9/0613 20130101;
A47L 9/06 20130101; A47L 9/0673 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
015/415.1 |
International
Class: |
A47L 009/02 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An attachment device for a suction system, the suction system
having an opening through which a suction force is experienced,
comprising: a hair extraction element configured to be positioned
at least one of adjacent to, and covering at least a portion of,
the opening, wherein the hair extraction element is formed of a
material that, when slidably moved across a surface having embedded
hair, is capable of extracting the embedded hair from the surface,
upon which the hair may be suctioned through the opening of the
suction system.
2. The device of claim 1, wherein the suction system includes a
vacuum cleaner.
3. The device of claim 2, wherein the hair extraction element is
formed of at least one of rubber, plastic, latex, vinyl and
neoprene.
4. The device of claim 1, wherein the hair extraction element is
configured to be positioned adjacent to the opening, and wherein
the hair extraction element is in the shape of a strip.
5. The device of claim 4, wherein the strip is detachably
positionable adjacent to the opening.
6. The device of claim 4, wherein the strip is positionable
adjacent to a leading edge of the opening.
7. The device of claim 1, wherein the hair extraction element is
configured to cover at least a portion of the opening, and the hair
extraction element is in the shape of a sheet defining at least one
orifice.
8. The device of claim 7, wherein the hair extraction element is
configured to cover the entire opening.
9. The device of claim 8, wherein the hair extraction element
includes a connection element for maintaining the hair extraction
element in position during operation.
10. The device of claim 9, wherein the connection element includes
at least one of an adhesive, a clip, a snap and Velcro.
11. The device of claim 1, wherein the hair extraction element is
attached to a vacuum tool of the suction system.
12. The device of claim 11, wherein the hair extraction element is
integral with the vacuum tool.
13. The device of claim 11, wherein the attachment is one of
permanently and detachably attachable to the vacuum tool.
14. The device of claim 1, wherein the hair extraction element is
attached to a hose of the suction system.
15. The device of claim 14, wherein the hair extraction element is
integral with the hose.
16. The device of claim 11, wherein the attachment is one of
permanently and detachably attachable to the hose.
17. The device of claim 1, wherein the hair extraction element is
attached directly to a main suction opening of a vacuum
cleaner.
18. The device of claim 17, wherein the hair extraction element is
integral with the main suction opening of the vacuum cleaner.
19. The device of claim 17, wherein the attachment is one of
permanently and detachably attachable to the main suction opening
of the vacuum cleaner.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a suction system, and more
specifically, to an attachment for a suction device for removing
embedded hair from a fabric surface.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
[0002] Suction devices, for instance vacuum cleaners, are very well
known for removing dirt, dust, etc. from a surface desired to be
cleaned. One of the problems experienced by conventional suction
devices, however, is that they are incapable of satisfactorily
removing embedded hair from a surface to be cleaned. This is
particularly true of fabric surfaces, such as furniture, drapes,
curtains, etc., as well as floors, e.g., wood floors, that have
narrow spaces therein.
[0003] Although there are many ways in which hair may become
embedded in a surface, the problem of embedded hair is most
commonly experienced by pet owners. Pets, such as cats and dogs,
very often come into contact with furniture that is made of fabric,
such as couches, chairs, etc. as well as floors having spaces
therein. By way of example, when pets come into contact with
fabric, for instance by sleeping on or rubbing against the fabric,
pet hair may be partially pushed into, e.g., embedded in, the
fabric such that a portion of each piece of hair extends into the
fabric and a portion of each piece of hair extends out of the
fabric.
[0004] As any pet owner will attest, conventional vacuum cleaners
do not adequately remove the embedded pet hair from surfaces. The
frictional forces that maintain each piece of embedded hair in the
fabric of furniture or in the spaces of a wood floor are simply not
overcome by either the suction force exerted by conventional
suction devices, nor by the agitating effect that is caused by the
rotating brushes of conventional suction devices. Still further,
though many conventional suction devices include vacuum tools, used
in conjunction with a hose, that have combs or brushes disposed
thereon, these vacuum tools are also incapable of adequately remove
the embedded pet hair from such surfaces. Rather, the combs/brushes
of these vacuum tools slide ineffectively over the embedded hair
without removing the embedded hair from the surface.
[0005] It is therefore an object of the present invention to
provide a device for removing embedded hair from a surface.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention, according to one example embodiment
thereof, relates to an attachment device for a suction system. The
suction system, e.g., a vacuum cleaner, has an opening through
which a suction force is experienced. The attachment device
includes a hair extraction element configured to be positioned
adjacent to and/or covering at least a portion of the opening. The
hair extraction element is formed of a material, such as rubber,
plastic, latex, vinyl and neoprene, etc. that, when slidably moved
across a surface having embedded hair, is capable of extracting the
embedded hair from the surface. Once the embedded hair has been
extracted, the hair may be suctioned through the opening of the
suction system.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram that illustrates the salient
features of a suction system having an attachment for a suction
device, in accordance with one embodiment of the present
invention;
[0008] FIG. 2 is perspective view that illustrates an attachment
for a suction device, in accordance with one embodiment of the
present invention;
[0009] FIG. 3 is perspective view that illustrates an attachment
for a suction device, according to another embodiment of the
present invention;
[0010] FIG. 4 is perspective view that illustrates an attachment
for a suction device, according to still another embodiment of the
present invention; and
[0011] FIG. 5 is perspective view that illustrates an attachment
for a suction device, according to still another embodiment of the
present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0012] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram that illustrates the salient
features of a suction system 5 having an attachment for a suction
device 10, in accordance with one embodiment of the present
invention. For instance, FIG. 1 illustrates a suction device 10.
The suction device 10 may be any device capable of causing a
suction force to be experienced. Preferably, the suction device 10
is a vacuum cleaner or the like. The present invention may include
any type of vacuum cleaner, e.g., upright, canister, wet/dry vac,
etc.
[0013] In the embodiment shown, the suction device 10 has at least
one opening, e.g., opening 10a, through which the suction force is
experienced. Attached to the opening 10a of the suction device 10
is one end 40a of a hose 40. Advantageously, the hose 40 is a
flexible hose of the type typically provided with conventional
vacuum cleaners. Such a hose is typically employed so as to enable
a user to reach a surface that is desired to be vacuumed, but which
is not easily accessible with the larger suction device 10. For
instance, surfaces such as furniture, upholstery, draperies,
curtains, etc. are some of the many types of surfaces that may be
desired to be vacuumed, but which are not easily accessible with
the main suction opening of conventional vacuum cleaners.
[0014] In the embodiment shown, the other end 40b of the hose 40 is
attached to an opening 30a of a vacuum tool 30. The vacuum tool 30
also has a second opening 30b through which the suction is
experienced. Advantageously, the vacuum tool 30 is any one of the
numerous different types of vacuum tools typically provided with
conventional vacuum cleaners. The vacuum tool 30 may be of the type
which is typically employed so as to change the shape and/or the
size of the second end 40b of the hose 40. For instance, if the
second end 40b of the hose 40 is round in shape when viewed
cross-sectionally, the vacuum tool 30 may be configured so as to
have a first opening 30a that is round for mating with the round
end 40b of the hose 40, and may also have a second opening 30b
having a different, e.g., an elongated oval or rectangular,
cross-sectional shape. The use of a vacuum tool 30 that has, as its
second opening 30b, an elongated oval or rectangular
cross-sectional shape enables a wider area to be suctioned when the
second opening 30b is moved over a surface by virtue of the second
opening 30b being wider than the diameter of the second end 40b of
the hose 40. It should be recognized that, in various embodiments
of the present invention, the second opening 30b of the vacuum tool
30 may have the same or a different cross-sectional shape relative
to the hose 40. Furthermore, it should be recognized that, in
various embodiments of the present invention, the cross-sectional
area of the second opening 30b of the vacuum tool 30 may be smaller
than, the same size as, or larger than the cross-sectional area of
the hose 40.
[0015] In the embodiment shown, the second opening 30b of the
vacuum tool 30 is attached to a hair extraction element 20. The
hair extraction element 20 functions to extract hair, particularly
hair that is embedded in the surface, e.g., a fabric surface, to be
suctioned. The hair extraction element 20 is formed of a material
that, when slidably moved across a surface having hair embedded
therein, is capable of extracting the embedded hair from the
surface. For instance, according to one embodiment of the present
invention, the hair extraction element 20 is formed from a rubber
material, such as the rubber used for conventional rubber kitchen
gloves of the type advertised for protecting hands while washing
dishes. Of course, it should be recognized that the hair extraction
element 20 may be formed from any type of material, be it rubber,
plastic, latex, vinyl, neoprene, etc., provided that the material
is capable of extracting hair that is embedded in a surface, e.g.,
a fabric surface. In addition, the hair extraction element 20 may
be either smooth or textured so as to further enable it to extract
hair that is embedded in a surface.
[0016] There are various different arrangements and configurations
possible for the hair extraction element 20. For instance, when the
hair extraction element 20 is attached to a vacuum tool 30 as
illustrated in FIG. 1, the hair extraction element 20 may be
arranged in various different ways relative to the vacuum tool 30.
FIGS. 2 through 5 illustrate several different arrangements of the
hair extraction element 20.
[0017] FIG. 2 illustrates a vacuum tool 30 that has a first opening
30a that is round, so as to mate with the second end 40b of a hose
40 that has a round cross-sectional shape, and a second opening 30b
that has a substantially rectangular cross-sectional shape that is
wider than the diameter of the hose 40. In this embodiment, the
hair extraction element 20 may be configured as a strip of material
that is adjacent to an edge 301 of the second opening 30b.
Preferably, the edge 301 of the second opening 30b is a leading
edge of the vacuum tool 30, e.g., the edge of the vacuum tool 30
that, when the vacuum tool 30 is slidably moved over a surface to
be suctioned, is the first edge to encounter the surface. While
FIG. 2 illustrates one embodiment of the present invention in which
the hair extraction element 20 is configured as a strip of material
that is adjacent to only one edge, e.g., edge 301, of the second
opening 30b, in other embodiments the hair extraction element 20
may be configured as a strip of material that extends around the
second opening 301 and that is adjacent to more than one edge of
the second opening 30b, or else the hair extraction element 20 may
be configured as several strips of material each of which extends
around at least a portion of the second opening 301 and each of
which is adjacent to one or more edges of the second opening
30b.
[0018] In these embodiments, the hair extraction element 20 may be
permanently attached to the vacuum tool 30. Alternatively, the hair
extraction element 20 may be detachable from the vacuum tool 30 so
as to be replaceable when the hair extraction element 20 wears out.
The present invention contemplates that the hair extraction element
20 may be attached, either permanently or detachably, to the vacuum
tool 30 in any known manner including, by way of non-limiting
example, by adhesive, clips, snaps, Velcro, etc.
[0019] FIG. 3 also illustrates a vacuum tool 30 that has a first
opening 30a that is round, so as to mate with the second end 40b of
a hose 40 that has a round cross-sectional shape, and a second
opening 30b that has a substantially rectangular cross-sectional
shape that is wider than the diameter of the second end 40b of the
hose 40. In this embodiment, the hair extraction element 20 is
configured as a sheet of material that covers at least a portion of
the second opening 30b. While FIG. 3 illustrates one embodiment of
the present invention in which the hair extraction element 20 is
configured as a sheet of material that extends over the entire
second opening 30b, in other embodiments the hair extraction
element 20 may be configured as a sheet of material that extends
over a smaller portion of the second opening 30b.
[0020] In these embodiments, the hair extraction element 20 may
also include one or more orifices 32 through which suction may be
experienced. For instance, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the hair
extraction element 20 may include orifices, such as rectangular
orifices 32a, 32b, 32c, 32d and 32e. The orifice 32c, located in
substantially the center of the second opening 30b of the vacuum
tool 30, is larger than the remaining orifices, each of which is
arranged substantially longitudinally relative to each other. It
should be recognized that, while FIG. 3 illustrates the hair
extraction element 20 having five different orifices, any number of
orifices may be employed. Furthermore, it should be recognized
that, while FIG. 3 illustrates the hair extraction element 20
having rectangular-shaped orifices, orifices of any shape may be
employed. Still further, it should be recognized that, while FIG. 3
illustrates the hair extraction element 20 having the orifices
arranged substantially longitudinally relative to each other, any
arrangement of the orifices may be employed. It should also be
recognized that, while FIG. 3 illustrates the hair extraction
element 20 having orifices of a particular size relative to each
other and relative to the size of the second opening 30b of the
vacuum tool 30, orifices of any size may be employed.
[0021] In these embodiments, the hair extraction element 20 may be
permanently attached to the vacuum tool 30. Alternatively, the hair
extraction element 20 may be detachable from the vacuum tool 30 so
as to be replaceable when the hair extraction element 20 wears out.
The present invention contemplates that the hair extraction element
20 may be attached, either permanently or detachably, to the vacuum
tool 30 in any known manner including, by way of non-limiting
example, by adhesive, clips, snaps, Velcro, etc. In the embodiment
shown in FIG. 3, the hair extraction element 20 is shaped so as to
fit over the second opening 30b of the vacuum tool 30, and to be
retained in position on the vacuum tool 30 by virtue of friction
between the hair extraction element 20 and the vacuum tool 30.
[0022] FIG. 4 illustrates an arrangement in which the hair
extraction element 20 may be detachable from the vacuum tool 30 so
as to be replaceable when the hair extraction element 20 wears out.
For instance, in FIG. 4, the hair extraction element 20 is
connected to the vacuum tool 30 by means of at least one connection
element 50. In this embodiment, the connection elements 50 are
clips that are permanently attached to one of the vacuum tool 30
and the hair extraction element 20 and that is detachably clipped
to the other one of the vacuum tool 30 and the hair extraction
element 20, and that function to retain the hair extraction element
20 in position on the vacuum tool 30.
[0023] FIG. 5 also illustrates an arrangement in which the hair
extraction element 20 may be detachable from the vacuum tool 30 so
as to be replaceable when the hair extraction element 20 wears out.
In FIG. 5, the hair extraction element 20 is connected to the
vacuum tool 30 by means of connection elements 51. In this
embodiment, the connection elements 51 are clips that are not
permanently attached to the vacuum tool but rather that are
configured to retain at least two portions, e.g., two edges, of the
hair extraction element 20 relative to each other. In this manner,
the hair extraction element 20 is positioned over the second
opening 30b of the vacuum tool 30 such that two edges of the hair
extraction element 20 are brought into contact with each other
adjacent to the first opening 30a of the vacuum tool 30. The
connection elements 51 are then employed to attach the two edges of
the hair extraction element 20 to each other, thereby maintaining
the hair extraction element 20 in position on the vacuum tool 30.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the connection elements
51 are conventional binder clips or the like.
[0024] It should be recognized that, while FIG. 1 illustrates the
hair extraction element 20 being a separate and discrete element,
such as a kit, that is configured to be either permanently or
detachably attached to a vacuum tool 30, the present invention also
contemplates that the hair extraction element 20 may be integrally
formed with the vacuum tool 30. Also, it should be recognized that,
in other embodiments of the present invention, the hair extraction
element 20 may be a separate and discrete element that is
configured to be either permanently or detachably attached directly
to the hose 40, rather than to the vacuum tool 30 that is connected
to the hose 40, thereby eliminating the need for the vacuum tool
30. In addition, it should be recognized that, in other embodiments
of the present invention, the hair extraction element 20 may be
integrally formed with the hose 40.
[0025] Furthermore, it should be recognized that, in other
embodiments of the present invention, the hair extraction element
20 may be a separate and discrete element that is configured to be
either permanently or detachably attached directly to the suction
device 10, e.g., a main suction opening of a vacuum cleaner, rather
than to a vacuum tool 30 that is connected to the suction device 10
via a hose 40. Thus, the need for the vacuum tool 30 and the hose
40 may be eliminated. Still further, it should be recognized that,
in other embodiments of the present invention, the hair extraction
element 20 may be integrally formed with the suction device 10. In
those embodiments of the present invention in which the hair
extraction element 20 is either configured to be attached to, or
that is integrally formed with, the suction device 10, the hair
extraction element is preferably configured so as to avoid contact
with any moving components of the suction device, e.g., rotating
brushes, wheels, etc.
[0026] The operation of the suction system 5 will hereinafter be
described in connection with the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1.
In operation, the suction device 10 is turned "on" so as to cause a
suction force to be experienced at opening 10a, through the hose
40, and through the vacuum tool 30. The vacuum tool 30 is placed by
an operator such that the second opening 30b of the vacuum tool 30,
and particularly the hair extraction element 20 that is located at
the second opening 30b, is in contact with a surface, e.g., a
fabric surface, to be suctioned. As previously mentioned, the
surface may have hair, such as pet hair, embedded therein. The
vacuum tool 30 is then slidably moved over the surface, whereby the
hair extraction element 20 is brought into frictional contact with
the portions of the embedded hair that is extending out of the
surface. As the vacuum tool 30 is slidably moved over the surface,
the frictional contact of the hair extraction element 20 and the
portions of the embedded hair that is extending out of the surface
causes the embedded hair to be pulled out of the surface, whereupon
the previously embedded hair may be removed by suction through the
second opening 301 of the vacuum tool 30. In the embodiment shown
for instance in FIG. 2, the hair extraction element 20, in the form
of one or more strips of material located at one or more edges of
the second opening 30b, causes the embedded hair to be pulled out
of the surface, whereupon the previously embedded hair may be
removed by suction through the second opening 30b of the vacuum
tool 30. In the embodiment shown for instance in FIGS. 3 and 4, the
hair extraction element 20, in the form of a sheet of material
covering at least a portion of the second opening 30b, causes the
embedded hair to be pulled out of the surface, whereupon the
previously embedded hair may be removed by suction first through
the orifices 32a to 32e of the hair extraction element 20 and then
through the second opening 30b of the vacuum tool 30.
[0027] As set forth more fully above, conventional suction devices
are incapable of satisfactorily removing embedded hair from a
surface to be cleaned, because the frictional forces that maintain
each piece of embedded hair in the surface are simply not overcome
by either the suction force exerted by conventional suction
devices, by the agitating effect of rotating brushes of
conventional suction devices, or by the combs or brushes disposed
on conventional vacuum tools. Rather, when a surface that has hair
embedded therein is cleaned using a conventional suction device,
two steps are typically required to be performed. In a first step,
a conventional suction device is used to remove dirt, dust, etc.
from the surface. A second step is then performed to remove the
embedded hair that was not removed by the performance of the first
step. This second step may include using an adhesive lint roller on
the surface, or manually pulling the embedded hair out of the
surface. Thus, because of the need to perform two steps, the
complete cleaning with a conventional suction device of a fabric
surface having hair embedded therein takes an undesirably long
amount of time. In contrast, the present invention, according to
the various embodiments described above, enables a surface having
hair embedded therein to be completely cleaned in a single step,
saving time as compared to the use of conventional suction devices.
Furthermore, because the present invention, according to some of
the various embodiments described above, may be employed as an
attachment to a conventional suction device, there may be
eliminated the need to purchase a new suction device.
[0028] Thus, the several aforementioned objects and advantages of
the present invention are most effectively attained. Those skilled
in the art will appreciate that numerous modifications of the
exemplary example embodiments described hereinabove may be made
without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
Although various exemplary example embodiments of the present
invention have been described and disclosed in detail herein, it
should be understood that this invention is in no sense limited
thereby and that its scope is to be determined by that of the
appended claims.
* * * * *