U.S. patent application number 10/687368 was filed with the patent office on 2005-04-21 for tip resistant wet/dry vacuum.
Invention is credited to Condon, Robert.
Application Number | 20050081324 10/687368 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34520954 |
Filed Date | 2005-04-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050081324 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Condon, Robert |
April 21, 2005 |
Tip resistant wet/dry vacuum
Abstract
The present invention provides a wet/dry vacuum cleaner, or a
kit for modifying an existing wet/dry vacuum, that includes a hose
that is connected to a lower portion of the vacuum such that a
pulling force applied to the hose will be applied to the lower
portion of the vacuum, thereby preventing the vacuum from tipping
over as the unit is pulled around an area using the hose.
Inventors: |
Condon, Robert; (Brockton,
MA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
NUTTER MCCLENNEN & FISH LLP
WORLD TRADE CENTER WEST
155 SEAPORT BOULEVARD
BOSTON
MA
02210-2604
US
|
Family ID: |
34520954 |
Appl. No.: |
10/687368 |
Filed: |
October 16, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
15/353 ;
15/327.2 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47L 5/365 20130101;
A47L 9/242 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
015/353 ;
015/327.2 |
International
Class: |
A47L 005/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A tip resistant wet/dry vacuum, comprising: a housing having an
upper portion containing a motor assembly for creating a suction
force within the housing, and a lower portion having a collection
tank adapted to retain fluid and/or debris therein, the lower
portion including a top end, a bottom end, and a sidewall extending
therebetween; at least one caster mated to the lower portion of the
housing to allow rolling movement of the housing; and a hose having
at least a portion coupled to the sidewall adjacent to the bottom
end of the lower portion of the housing such that a pulling force
applied to the hose will be transferred to the bottom end of the
lower portion of the housing to prevent tipping of the housing, the
hose further including an outlet adapted to deposit fluid and/or
debris adjacent to the top end of the lower portion of the housing
wherein the fluid and/or debris is collected in the collection
tank.
2. The device of claim 1, wherein the outlet of the hose is coupled
to a port formed in the sidewall adjacent to the top end of the
lower portion of the housing, the port being in communication with
the collection tank, and wherein a portion of the hose is connected
to the sidewall adjacent to the bottom end of the lower portion of
the housing.
3. The device of claim 2, further comprising a mating element for
mating a portion of the hose to the sidewall adjacent to the bottom
end of the lower portion of the housing.
4. The device of claim 3, wherein the mating element is removably
matable to the sidewall of the housing.
5. The device of claim 3, wherein the mating element is selected
from the group consisting of a clip, a cord, a bracket, a strap, a
tab, and a fastener.
6. The device of claim 1, wherein the outlet of the hose is coupled
to a port formed in the sidewall adjacent the bottom end of the
lower portion of the housing.
7. The device of claim 6, further comprising an extension hose
disposed within the lower portion of the housing and including a
first end coupled to the port and a second end disposed adjacent
the top end of the lower portion of the housing for delivering
fluid and/or debris to the collection tank.
8. The device of claim 7, further comprising a mating element
adapted to mate the second end of the extension hose to an internal
surface of the sidewall adjacent the top end of the lower portion
of the housing.
9. The device of claim 8, wherein the mating element is selected
from the group consisting of an L-shaped connector, a clip, a
bracket, a cord, a strap, a tab, and a fastener.
10. A kit for creating a tip-resistant wet/dry vacuum, comprising:
a connector member having a first end adapted to mate to a hose on
a wet/dry vacuum, and a second end adapted to mate to an extension
hose, the connector member being configured to be disposed within
an opening formed in a sidewall of a wet/dry vacuum; an extension
hose having a first end adapted to mate to the second end of the
connector member, and a second, open end for delivering fluid
and/or debris to a collection chamber formed in a wet/dry vacuum;
and a mating element adapted to mate a portion of the second end of
the extension hose to an inner sidewall of a housing in a wet/dry
vacuum to allow fluid and/or debris to be delivered to the
collection chamber in the wet/dry vacuum.
11. The kit of claim 10, wherein the mating element is selected
from the group consisting of an L-shaped connector, a clip, a
bracket, a cord, a strap, a tab, and a fastener.
12. The kit of claim 10, further comprising a sealing member
adapted to seal an existing inlet port on a wet/dry vacuum.
13. The kit of claim 12, wherein the sealing member comprises a
cap.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a tip resistant wet/dry
vacuum, and in particular to a tip-resistant vacuum and a kit for
modifying a vacuum to prevent tipping.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Wet/dry vacuum cleaners typically include an upright
cylindrical housing having an upper portion that contains the power
head or motor assembly for generating suction, and a lower portion
or canister for collecting debris and water. The power head is
positioned at the top of the canister to allow a suction force to
be create within the canister, while preventing water and/or debris
collected in the lower portion of the housing from interfering with
and possibly causing damage to the motor assembly. Existing wet/dry
vacuum cleaners also include a hose or other device for directing
the suctioning force of the motor assembly to collect and deliver
debris to the canister. Like the motor assembly, the hose must be
connected to the top of the lower portion or to the upper portion
of the housing to prevent water and/or debris from interfering with
the suctioning force.
[0003] Such a configuration can disadvantageously result in tipping
of the vacuum for several reasons. Since the power head on the
vacuum contains the motor, fan, and other components for creating
suction, the typical wet/dry vacuum is extremely top heavy. This
top heavy condition may become less sever as debris is collected,
however most canisters continue to remain unstable even with the
heaviest loads. Most wet/dry vacuums include casters or wheels to
facilitate movement of the vacuum cleaner. As a result, most users
will pull on the hose, rather than the vacuum cleaner, to move the
vacuum around a room. Since the pulling force is being applied at
the top of the unit, tipping of the vacuum can easily occur when
the canister is empty or when the casters are unable to roll as a
result of a blockage, such as cord interference.
[0004] Accordingly, there remains a need for an improved wet/dry
vacuum that is tip resistant.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The present invention generally provides a tip resistant
wet/dry vacuum that includes a housing having an upper portion
containing a motor assembly for creating a suction force within the
housing, and a lower portion having a collection tank adapted to
retain fluid and/or debris therein. The lower portion includes a
top end, a bottom end, and a sidewall extending therebetween. At
least one caster is mated to the lower portion of the housing to
allow rolling movement of the housing. The vacuum further includes
a hose that is coupled to the sidewall adjacent the bottom end of
the lower portion of the housing such that a pulling force applied
to the hose will be transferred to the bottom end of the lower
portion of the housing to prevent tipping of the housing. The hose
further includes an outlet adapted to deposit fluid and/or debris
adjacent to the top end of the lower portion of the housing wherein
the fluid and/or debris is collected in the collection tank.
[0006] In one embodiment, the outlet of the hose can be coupled to
a port formed in the sidewall adjacent to the top end of the lower
portion of the housing and in communication with the collection
tank, and a portion of the hose can be connected to the sidewall
adjacent to the bottom end of the lower portion of the housing. The
vacuum can also include a mating element for mating a portion of
the hose to the sidewall adjacent to the bottom end of the lower
portion of the housing. The mating element can optionally be
removably matable to the sidewall of the housing. Suitable examples
of mating elements for use with the present invention include a
clip, a cord, a bracket, a strap, a tab, and a fastener.
[0007] In another embodiment, the outlet of the hose can be coupled
to a port formed in the sidewall adjacent the bottom end of the
lower portion of the housing. An extension hose is preferably
disposed within the lower portion of the housing, and it includes a
first end coupled to the port and a second end disposed adjacent
the top end of the lower portion of the housing for delivering
fluid and/or debris to the collection tank. A mating element, such
as an L- or U-shaped connector, a clip, a bracket, a cord, a strap,
a tab, and a fastener, can be provided for mating a portion of the
second end of the extension hose to an internal surface of the
sidewall adjacent the top end of the lower portion of the
housing.
[0008] The present invention also provides a kit for creating a
tip-resistant wet/dry vacuum. The kit preferably includes a
connector member having a first end adapted to mate to a hose on a
wet/dry vacuum, and a second end adapted to mate to an extension
hose. The connector member is preferably configured to be disposed
within an opening formed in a sidewall of a wet/dry vacuum. The kit
also includes an extension hose having a first end adapted to mate
to the second end of the connector member, and a second, open end
for delivering fluid and/or debris to a collection chamber formed
in a wet/dry vacuum. A mating element can be provided for mating a
portion of the second end of the extension hose to an inner
sidewall of a housing in a wet/dry vacuum to allow fluid and/or
debris to be delivered to the collection chamber in the wet/dry
vacuum. The mating element can be, for example, an L- or U-shaped
connector, a clip, a bracket, a cord, a strap, a tab, and a
fastener. In another embodiment, rather than including an extension
hose, the kit can include a housing having a lumen extending
therethrough, and the mating element can be effective to mate the
housing to an inner or outer sidewall of an existing wet/dry
vacuum. The kit can also optionally include a sealing member, such
as a cap, that is adapted to seal an existing inlet port on a
wet/dry vacuum.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] The invention will be more fully understood from the
following detailed description taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings, in which:
[0010] FIG. 1 is side view of one embodiment of a wet/dry vacuum
according to the present invention;
[0011] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a
wet/dry vacuum having an extension hose disposed therein and
coupled to a side wall of the vacuum by a clip member;
[0012] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of yet another embodiment
of a wet/dry vacuum having an extension hose disposed therein and
coupled to a side wall of the vacuum by an L-shaped connector;
and
[0013] FIG. 4 is a side view of a wet/dry vacuum according yet
another embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0014] The present invention provides a wet/dry vacuum cleaner
having, or a kit for modifying an existing wet/dry vacuum to have,
a hose that is connected to a sidewall of the vacuum adjacent to a
bottom end of the vacuum such that a pulling force applied to the
hose will be applied to the bottom portion of the vacuum, thereby
preventing the vacuum from tipping over during use as the unit is
pulled around an area using the hose. As an initial matter, it is
worth noting that although an exemplary embodiment of a vacuum
cleaner will be described in some detail, the collection tank,
motor assembly, casters, and other components are not essential to
the invention and these components are merely described for
illustration purposes. Thus, a person skilled in the art will
appreciate that the vacuum can have virtually any configuration,
shape, and it can include a variety of components and features
known in the art.
[0015] FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of a wet/dry vacuum for
use with the present invention. As shown, the vacuum cleaner 10 is
generally in the form of a housing having an upright, generally
cylindrical shape, and that includes an upper portion 10a and a
lower portion 10b. The upper portion 10a contains the motor
assembly 14 for creating a suction force within the housing, and
the lower portion 10b includes a collection tank 12 for collecting
fluid and/or debris. The upper portion 10a of the housing is also
preferably removably attached to the lower portion 10b of the
housing to allow the fluid and/or debris to be emptied from the
tank 12.
[0016] The motor assembly 14 in the upper portion 10a of the
housing can have virtually any configuration, and a variety of
motor assemblies 14 are known in the art and can be used with the
present invention. A typical motor assembly 14 includes a power
head, which contains the motor, fan, an other components for
creating a vacuum force within the tank 12. A power cord 15 is
connected to the motor assembly 14 for supplying power to the motor
assembly 14. The motor assembly 14 also preferably includes an
automatic shut-off valve (not shown) that is effective to
deactivate the motor when the vacuum 10 tips over. This feature is
generally required with wet/dry vacuums to prevent fluid and/or
debris from interfering with or causing damage to the motor
assembly 14. Moreover, most wet/dry vacuums require a floating ball
or other device that is effective to shut off the motor assembly 14
when the collection tank 12 is full. This mechanism will also
prevent fluid and/or debris from interfering with the delivery of
fluid and/or debris from the hose 16 to the collection tank 12.
[0017] The lower portion 10b of the housing can also have a variety
of configurations, but in general it includes a top end 12a and a
bottom end 12b that extends between a sidewall which forms the
collection tank 12 for collecting fluid and/or debris. A hose 16 is
coupled to an outlet 20 that is formed in the sidewall of the
housing, and it is in communication with the tank 12. The hose 16
can have virtually any configuration, but in general it includes an
inlet end 16a for receiving fluid and/or debris, and an outlet end
16b for delivering the fluid and/or debris to the collection tank
12. A person skilled in the art will appreciate that the hose 16
can have any configuration, and it can be formed from one or more
lengths of hoses that are connected to one another. Moreover, the
term "hose" is also intended to include a variety of detachable and
interchangeable nozzles and hoses that can be attached to either
the inlet end 16a of the hose 16 or to the outlet 20 formed in the
lower portion 10b of the housing. The lower portion 10b of the
housing also preferably includes one or more casters or wheels 18
coupled thereto, and preferably mated to the bottom end 12b of the
housing, for allowing the vacuum 10 to roll during use.
[0018] As is further illustrated in FIG. 1, the hose 16 of the
vacuum 10 of the present invention is coupled to the lower portion
10b of the housing at or near the bottom end 12b of the vacuum 10,
unlike prior art vacuums which have a hose that is connected to the
sidewall near the top end 12a of the lower portion 10b of the unit.
The attachment of the hose 16 at or near the bottom end 12b of the
unit allows a user to pull on the hose 16 to move the vacuum 10
around an area without causing the vacuum 10 to tip over. In
particular, since the pulling force is applied to the bottom end
12b of the unit near the casters 18, the casters 18 will roll or be
pulled over any objects that might interfere with movement of the
vacuum. In an exemplary embodiment, the hose 16 also preferably
includes a catch member, such as a pin or latch, that is effective
to removably engage the hose 16 to the outlet 20. The catch member
is particularly advantageous in that it will prevent the hose 16
from becoming detached from the outlet during use of the vacuum
10.
[0019] In order to provide a hose 16 that is coupled near the
bottom end 12b of the vacuum 10, the vacuum 10 must be adapted such
that the fluid and/or debris is still deposited into the tank 12
adjacent to the top end 12a of the lower portion 10b of the
housing. This is necessary in order to prevent the fluid and/or
debris from interfering with the suction force created by the motor
assembly 14 and applied to the hose 16. Accordingly, the present
invention provides several exemplary techniques for depositing
fluid and/or debris adjacent to the top end 12a of the lower
portion 10b of the housing, while allowing at least a portion of
the hose 16 to remain connected to the lower portion 10b of the
housing adjacent to the bottom end 12b to prevent tipping of the
vacuum 10 during use. While virtually any technique can be used to
redirect debris from the bottom end 12b of the lower portion 10b of
the housing to the top end 12a of the lower portion 10b of the
housing, FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate exemplary embodiments of such a
technique. For convenience, like reference numbers are used to
refer to like parts.
[0020] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, as extension hose 117, 217 is
provided having an inlet end 117a, 217a that is coupled to the
outlet port 120, 220 in the housing, and an outlet end 117b, 217b
that is coupled to an internal surface of the lower portion 110b,
210b of the housing adjacent to the top end 112a, 212a of the
housing. In an exemplary embodiment, the extension hose 117, 217 is
fluid-tight to prevent the collection of fluid in the hose 117, 217
near the outlet 120, 220 in the housing. A variety of techniques
and mating elements can be used to connect the outlet end 117b,
217b to the inner sidewall of the lower portion 110b, 210b of the
housing.
[0021] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, a portion of the
extension hose 117 is coupled to an L-shaped connector or bracket
124 that is mounted on the inner sidewall near the top end 112a,
212a of the lower portion 110b, 210b of the housing. The connector
124 can have a variety of configurations, but preferably it is in
the form of a housing having an L-shaped lumen extending
therethrough. The connector 124, which is preferably fixedly
attached to the inner sidewall, can slidably receive a portion of
the hose 117 to essentially change the direction of the hose 117 so
that the outlet end 117b of the hose 117 is directed into the
collection tank 112. Alternatively, the connector 124 can mate to
the hose 117 to allow fluid and/or debris flowing through the hose
to be received by the connector 124 and directed toward the
collection tank 112.
[0022] In an alternative embodiment, shown in FIG. 3, the extension
hose 217 can be connected to the sidewall of the lower portion 210b
of the housing, adjacent to the top end 112a, 212a of the housing,
using a clip 222 or similar mating element. The clip 222 can have
virtually any configuration, but in general it should extend around
the extension hose 217 without compressing the hose 217. By way of
non-limiting example, the clip 222 can be a strap or band having
opposed ends that mate to the housing, or a ring-shaped member that
is connected to the housing and that is disposed around the hose
217. Other suitable mating elements include, for example, a cord, a
bracket, a fastener, a strap, a tab, etc.
[0023] A person skilled in the art will appreciate that, while the
hose in each of FIGS. 2 and 3 is shown extending directly upwards
from the bottom end of the sidewall of the lower portion of the
housing, the hose can optionally extend around all or a portion of
the inner sidewall of the housing and it can connect to any portion
of the top end of the sidewall of the housing. This is particularly
effective in that it will allow fluid and/or debris to flow more
freely through the hose. A person skilled in the art will also
appreciate that a variety of other techniques can be used to attach
the extension hose 117, 217 to the lower portion 10b of the
housing, or to otherwise redirect fluid and/or debris from the
outlet 20, 120, 220 in the housing such that the fluid and/or
debris is deposited into the tank 12, 112, 212 adjacent to the top
end 12a, 112a, 212a of the lower portion 10b, 110b, 210b of the
housing. By way of non-limiting example, the extension hose can be
in the form of a housing having a lumen extending therethrough for
redirecting fluid and/or debris. Alternatively, an extension lumen
can be formed in the sidewall of the housing for redirecting
fluid.
[0024] In another embodiment of the present invention, the
extension hose 117, 217, and clip 222, L-shaped bracket 124, or
other mating element, can be provided as a kit to allow a person to
modify an existing wet/dry vacuum to provide a tip-resistant
wet/dry vacuum. In an exemplary embodiment, the kit preferably
includes a connector member (not shown), similar to outlets 20,
120, and 220 shown in FIGS. 1-3, which can be used to form a new
outlet in the lower portion of the housing of an existing vacuum
adjacent to the bottom of the unit. The connector member is
preferably a ring-shaped member having a first end that is adapted
to mate to a hose of a wet/dry vacuum, and a second end that is
adapted to mate to an extension hose. Since the outlet on existing
wet/dry vacuums is located near the top end of the lower portion of
the vacuum unit, an opening can be cut into the sidewall of the
lower portion of the vacuum adjacent to the bottom end of the unit
for receiving the connector member. The kit can also include an
extension hose 117, 217 having a first end 117a, 217a that is
adapted to mate to the connector member, and a second, open end
117b, 217b for delivering fluid and/or debris to the collection
tank formed in the wet/dry vacuum. The kit can also include a
mating element, such as L-shaped bracket 124 or clip 222, that is
adapted to mate a portion of the extension hose 117, 217 to an
inner sidewall of the lower portion of the housing adjacent to the
top end of the lower portion of the housing. The kit can also
optionally include a sealing member, such as a cap, that is adapted
to seal the original outlet port in the vacuum.
[0025] A person skilled in the art will appreciate that the kit can
include a variety of components not shown or described herein, as
long as the components are effective to allow an existing wet/dry
vacuum to be modified such that the pulling force applied to the
hose will be transferred to the bottom end of the housing. By way
of non-limiting example, the kit can include a housing that is
adapted to mate to an outer or inner surface of an existing wet/dry
vacuum, and that includes a lumen extending therethrough that is
effective to direct debris from a hose connected to the bottom end
of the housing to the top end of the housing for delivery into the
collection tank.
[0026] FIG. 4 illustrates yet another embodiment of a tip-resistant
wet/dry vacuum 310. The vacuum 310 is similar to vacuum 10 shown in
FIG. 1, thus like reference numbers are used to refer to like
parts. In this embodiment, the vacuum 310 is a standard prior art
vacuum that is modified in accordance with the present invention to
provide a tip-resistant wet/dry vacuum. A person skilled in the art
will appreciate that the components used to modify the vacuum can
be provided as a kit, or alternatively they can be built into a new
vacuum cleaner.
[0027] As shown, the vacuum 310 generally includes an upper portion
310a that contains a motor assembly 314, and a lower portion 310b
that includes a collection tank 312, and one or more casters or
wheels 318 disposed under the lower portion 310b. An outlet port
320 is formed in the lower portion 310b of the housing and it is in
communication with the collection tank 312 and with the motor
assembly 314 such that the motor assembly 314 is effective to
create a suction force within the collection tank 312 and a hose
316 coupled to the outlet port 320. The outlet port 320, rather
than being positioned adjacent to the bottom of the lower portion
310b of the unit, is formed at the top end 312a of the lower
portion 310b of the housing, as is standard on existing wet/dry
vacuums. Unlike prior art vacuums, however, a clip 322, similar to
clip 222 shown in FIG. 3, is provided for attaching a portion of
the hose 316 near the bottom end 312b of the lower portion 310b of
the housing. This will allow the vacuum 310 to be pulled using the
hose 316 without causing the vacuum to tip over. In particular, the
pulling force applied to the hose 316 will be transferred to the
lower portion 310b of the housing, thus causing the casters 318 to
roll over any objects that might interfere with movement of the
vacuum 310.
[0028] The clip 322 can have virtually any configuration, but like
clip 222 shown in FIG. 3, it should be effective to attach the hose
316 to the housing without compressing the hose 316, e.g., without
interfering with the flow of fluid and/or debris through the hose
316. By way of non-limiting example, the clip 322 can be a
substantially rigid or semi-rigid ring-shaped member that fits
around the hose 316 and that includes one side that can be fixedly
attached to the side of the vacuum 310. The clip 322 is also
preferably adapted to retain the hose 316 such that the hose 316 is
not slidably movable with respect to the clip 322. This will retain
the pulling force at the base of the unit, rather than allowing the
pulling force to be transferred to the outlet 320 of the housing.
Other suitable mating elements that can be used include, for
example, fasteners, straps, tabs, cords, brackets, etc.
[0029] A person skilled in the art will appreciate that a variety
of other techniques can be used to provide a wet/dry vacuum wherein
the pulling force applied to the hose will be transferred to the
base of the unit, rather than to the upper portion of the housing,
as is done in existing wet/dry vacuums. By way of non-limiting
example, a cord can be provided and attached to a portion of the
hose. The opposed end of the cord can then be attached to the base
of the unit such that the length of the cord extending between the
hose and the vacuum is shorter than the length of the hose
extending from the attachment point of the cord to the vacuum. As a
result, when a pulling force is applied to the hose, the cord,
rather then portion of the hose attached to the vacuum, will
receive the pulling force. The force will thus be applied to the
base of the unit, thereby preventing the unit from tipping over as
the vacuum is pulled around an area using the hose.
[0030] One skilled in the art will appreciate further features and
advantages of the invention based on the above-described
embodiments. Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited by
what has been particularly shown and described, except as indicated
by the appended claims.
* * * * *