U.S. patent application number 11/109592 was filed with the patent office on 2005-11-03 for apparatus for vacuum and/or blowing of debris.
This patent application is currently assigned to GMCA PTY LIMITED. Invention is credited to Park, Keith.
Application Number | 20050241100 11/109592 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35185542 |
Filed Date | 2005-11-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050241100 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Park, Keith |
November 3, 2005 |
Apparatus for vacuum and/or blowing of debris
Abstract
Vacuum and blowing apparatus is provided having means for
selecting between a first vacuum mode and a second blowing mode. A
base portion of the apparatus is in contact with a surface from
which debris is to be collected and/or across or relative to which
debris is to be blown in use and, depending from the base portion,
a body portion of the apparatus supports a collection box for the
reception of debris collected from the surface.
Inventors: |
Park, Keith; (Ellerton,
GB) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MCKEE, VOORHEES & SEASE, P.L.C.
801 GRAND AVENUE
SUITE 3200
DES MOINES
IA
50309-2721
US
|
Assignee: |
GMCA PTY LIMITED
Melbourne Airport
AU
|
Family ID: |
35185542 |
Appl. No.: |
11/109592 |
Filed: |
April 19, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
15/330 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47L 5/28 20130101; A47L
5/14 20130101; A47L 9/122 20130101; A47L 9/009 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
015/330 |
International
Class: |
A47L 005/00; A47L
005/14 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 28, 2004 |
GB |
0409412.4 |
Mar 15, 2005 |
GB |
0405729.5 |
Claims
1. Apparatus which, in use, is upstanding, said apparatus having a
base portion in contact with the surface from which debris is to be
collected in a vacuum mode and/or across which debris is to be
blown in a blower mode and, depending from said base portion, the
body of the apparatus supports a collection box, located as part of
the apparatus for the reception of debris collected from said
surface.
2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein one or more wheels or
rollers are provided for contact with the surface on which the
apparatus is movable in use.
3. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the one or more wheels or
rollers are provided on the base portion of said apparatus.
4. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the one or more wheels or
rollers are mounted on one or more arms, said arms movable between
two or more different positions so as to allow the height or
position of the base portion from said surface to be selected.
5. Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein one or more of said arms
are movable between an in use position, wherein the wheels or
rollers contact the surface, and a storage position.
6. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said apparatus includes a
series of passages which define an air flow pathway in the vacuum
mode from the base portion to the collection box, said air flow
pathway including the passage of air and debris past the vanes of a
fan unit prior to entering the collection box.
7. Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein the fan unit is provided
so as to allow the debris which passes in the air flow to be
shredded into a smaller size prior to reaching the collection
box.
8. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein when air and debris enter
the collection box, the debris enters at a location at or adjacent
an upper edge of the collection box and thereafter said debris
falls downwardly into the collection box, and the air exits the
collection box through at least one aperture.
9. Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said at least one
aperture is provided with filter means to prevent or minimise the
dust particles leaving the collection box.
10. Apparatus according to claim 9 wherein the filter means
includes at least two filter layers.
11. Apparatus according to claim 9 wherein the filter means are
located in a lid portion of the collection box, said lid portion
forming one of the walls of the collection box when in a closed
position.
12. Apparatus according to claim 11 wherein when the lid portion is
in the closed position, the lid is held in position by clamping
means which engage with the body of the apparatus and collection
box to secure the lid in position.
13. Apparatus according to claim 12 wherein the clamping means are
also used to secure the collection box in position with respect to
the body of the apparatus.
14. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said apparatus includes
a series of passages which define an air flow pathway in the blower
mode, air entering the body of the apparatus through at least one
aperture open to the external environment and passing through part
of the body, past the fan unit and then leaves the body of the
apparatus via a tube by which the user can direct the air flow.
15. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein when the apparatus is
provided with selection means to allow a user to select between a
vacuum mode or a blower mode.
16. Apparatus according to claim 15 wherein the selection means
includes or operates flap means which are movable in air flow
passages in the apparatus in response to user selection to alter
the airflow pathway between said vacuum mode and said blower
mode.
17. Apparatus according to claim 16 wherein first and second flap
means are provided in said apparatus and each flap means is
movable.
18. Apparatus according to claim 16 wherein the flap means are
moved in response to user selection and said flaps are resiliently
biased towards the selected position for said blowing and vacuuming
modes.
19. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein a further airflow system
is provided within the apparatus, said air flow controlled to
induce air either from externally of the apparatus or from another
air flow within the apparatus and direct said air flow around a
motor unit of said apparatus to provide a cooling effect.
20. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein a fan unit in the
apparatus includes a sealing layer which serves to seal a motor or
motor chamber which drives the fan unit from the ingress of water
or debris or other material which may be collected by the apparatus
when in the vacuuming mode.
21. Apparatus according to claim 20 wherein vanes of the fan unit
which impact on debris being sucked into the apparatus in the
vacuum mode are located on one side of said sealing layer, and the
motor chamber or motor are located on a second side of said sealing
layer.
22. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein one or more air flow
apertures defined in the base and/or body of the apparatus are
provided with a series of fingers which depend from a side of the
aperture towards the opposing side so as to prevent or minimize the
opportunity of a person's hand or other part of their anatomy from
entering the aperture.
23. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the base portion is
selectively removable to allow one or more different types of
collection heads to be fitted to the apparatus.
24. Apparatus according to claim 23 wherein the one or more
collection heads can include one or more scraping means or brush
means associated therewith.
25. Apparatus according to claim 24 wherein said scraping means
and/or brush means are pivotally mounted to said collection
head.
26. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the collection box is
substantially rigid.
27. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said apparatus is self
supporting in an in use position.
28. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said apparatus is
manually powered for movement across a surface.
29. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said apparatus is for
use exclusively in an outdoor environment.
30. Vacuum apparatus, which, in use, is upstanding, said apparatus
having a base portion in contact with the surface from which debris
is to be collected in a vacuum mode and, depending from said base
portion, the body of the apparatus supports a collection box,
located as part of the apparatus for the reception of debris
collected from said surface.
31. Blower Apparatus which, in use, is upstanding, said apparatus
having a base portion in contact with the surface across which
debris is to be blown in a blower mode and, depending from said
base portion, the body of the apparatus supports a collection box,
located as part of the apparatus for the reception of debris
collected from said surface.
32. Vacuum and blowing apparatus, said apparatus having means for
selecting between a first vacuum mode and a second blowing mode, a
base portion in contact with a surface from which debris is to be
collected and/or across or relative to which debris is to be blown
in use and, depending from said base portion, a body portion of the
apparatus supports a collection box for the reception of debris
collected from said surface.
Description
[0001] The invention which is the subject of this application is
apparatus for use in an external environment such as a garden,
park, paved area or the like for the purpose of collecting debris
from a surface in the environment in a first use of the apparatus
and/or in a second use of the apparatus, for blowing air from the
apparatus in a directed manner onto a surface or area so as to
allow debris to be moved to a particular location.
[0002] The provision of apparatus which allows the collection of
debris in an external environment is previously known but
typically, a user of said apparatus is provided to sit on or stand
behind the apparatus as the same moves across the surface. The
debris which is collected is typically collected into a bag made of
a flexible sheet material such that the collected debris passes
into the bag and the dust and finer particles which are collected
can pass through the bag into the environment. This type of
apparatus, due to its bulk and weight, tends to be used exclusively
for industrial or commercial usage such as for example by park
authorities, Council authorities, Estate owners and/or the
like.
[0003] A further known type of apparatus is that which is typically
carried by a user using a shoulder strap and, in this case, an
elongate funnel is provided which can be hand held and directed
towards a surface at a particular location thereon to allow debris
to be collected, again typically into a bag of flexible sheet
material. It is also known for this form of apparatus to be
convertible to act as a blower.
[0004] A problem with the apparatus which is required to be carried
is that as collected debris builds up in the bag, the apparatus can
become heavy and therefore be difficult for the user to use the
apparatus for any significant period of time. As a result, this
form of apparatus tends to be used simply as apparatus for small
scale debris collection.
[0005] The aim of the present invention is to provide apparatus
which allows for the collection and/or blowing of debris and which
is in a form so as to be user friendly, yet ensuring that the
efficiency of collection of the debris is at least maintained or
improved with respect to the conventional apparatus.
[0006] In a first aspect of the invention there is provided
apparatus which, in use, is upstanding, said apparatus having a
base portion in contact with the surface from which debris is to be
collected in a vacuum mode and/or across which debris is to be
blown in a blower mode and, depending from said base portion, the
body of the apparatus supports a collection box, located as part of
the apparatus for the reception of debris collected from said
surface.
[0007] Preferably the apparatus allows user selection of at least
two operating modes; a first vacuum mode and a second blowing or
blower mode.
[0008] Preferably the apparatus is of a type being substantially
upstanding or upright in use. This allows the apparatus to be moved
across a surface in use by a user, with the user typically standing
adjacent the apparatus and steering the same in a required
direction. Preferably the apparatus is manually powered and steered
by the user.
[0009] The apparatus is typically of a type for use exclusively
outdoors, such as in the garden. The apparatus could also be used
indoors if required. However, conventional vacuum devices are only
capable of use indoors, thus the present invention has a
significant advantage over prior art devices.
[0010] Preferably the apparatus is provided with one or more wheels
or rollers to allow the apparatus to be moved across a surface in
use. In one example, the base portion is provided with wheels or
rollers associated therewith. In a further embodiment the body
portion of the apparatus can have one or more wheels or rollers
associated therewith.
[0011] The wheels and/or rollers can be mounted on arms and said
arms are preferably movable with respect to the apparatus to allow
the position and/or height of the base portion and/or further
portion of the apparatus to be moved between different positions.
The required position is typically selected by a user. For example,
the rear or underside surface of the apparatus can be moved to
different heights relative to the surface, thereby allowing a
suitable height to be selected depending on the size of the
user.
[0012] In one embodiment, one or more rear wheels are mounted on
one or more arms and said arms are movable between a storage
condition and a contact position; and one or more front wheels or
rollers mounted on arms, said front and/or rear arms selectively
adjustable between a number of positions so as to allow the height
of the underside of the base portion from said surface, to be
selected by the alteration of the position of the arms with respect
to the apparatus.
[0013] Typically the apparatus includes a series of passages or
channels which define an air flow pathway in the vacuum mode from
the base portion of the apparatus to the collection box. The air
flow passage includes the passage of air and debris past the vanes
of a fan unit prior to entering the collection box. Typically, the
fan unit is provided so as to allow the debris which passes in the
air flow to be shredded into smaller sizes prior to reaching the
collection box, thereby allowing improved load capacity of the
collection box.
[0014] Typically, when the air and debris enters the collection
box, the debris enters at a location at or adjacent to the upper
edge of the collection box whereupon the debris falls downwardly
into the collection box and the air exits the collection box
through at least one aperture. Typically, the at least one aperture
is provided with filter means so as to prevent or minimize the dust
particles leaving the collection box. Typically, the filter means
includes two filter layers, each of which can be selectively
removed and preferably are washable.
[0015] In one embodiment, the filter means is located in a lid
portion which forms one of the walls of the collection box when
closed. Typically the lid portion is hingedly movable between an
open position and a closed position and, when in the closed
position, clamping means on the same engage with the body of the
apparatus and collection box to secure the lid in position. These
clamping means can also be used to secure the collection box in
position with respect to the body of the apparatus, thereby
achieving an effective air seal, between the lid and the collection
box and the collection box and the body of the apparatus at the
location of entry of the air flow and debris into the collection
box from the body.
[0016] Typically, the fan unit is provided within the body of the
apparatus. The fan unit can be driven by any suitable drive means
such as an electronic motor, in which case connection to a power
supply is provided, or an engine in which a fuel tank for the fuel
supply for the engine is provided. Although not necessary, in one
embodiment the movement of the apparatus along the surface can be
driven by connection of at least one of the wheels to the drive
means.
[0017] When the apparatus is operated in a vacuum mode, the air
flow passes from the base portion of the apparatus to the
collection box. In a blower mode, air enters the body of the
apparatus through at least one aperture open to the external
environment and passes through part of the body, past the fan unit
and then leaves the body of the apparatus via a tube or conduit, so
as to allow the user to direct the location of the exit of the tube
so as to exert the blowing force onto a selected location on the
surface. The tube or conduit is typically substantially flexible to
increase the ease with which the same can be directed to a selected
location of the surface or debris.
[0018] Typically, in selecting to move between blower and vacuum
operations, flap means are moved in the air passageway in response
to the user selection. The flap means are located with respect to
air passages in the apparatus so as to allow the selective opening
and closure and redirection of air flow depending on the
positioning of the flap at that time.
[0019] Preferably first and second flap means are provided which
are movable to allow selection between said blower and vacuum
modes. Typically, both flaps are moved in response to user
selection means with the flaps being resiliently biased towards
positions for said blowing and vacuuming modes so that, when in
said positions, a seal is achieved.
[0020] In a further embodiment of the invention, a third air flow
system is provided within the apparatus, said air flow controlled
so as to induce air either from externally of the apparatus or from
another air flow within the apparatus, and direct said air flow
around the motor unit of said apparatus so as to provide a cooling
effect. Typically, the fan unit which is connected to the motor,
includes a series of vanes which, when the motor is driven, serve
to act on the air in this air system and move the air to provide
the cooling effect on the motor.
[0021] Typically the fan unit includes a sealing layer or plate
which serves to seal the motor and motor chamber from the ingress
of water, debris or other material which may be collected by the
apparatus, particularly when in the vacuuming mode. Typically, the
vanes of the fan unit which impact on the debris are located at a
first side of the sealing plate and the motor unit and motor
chamber are located at a second side of the sealing plate or
layer.
[0022] In one embodiment the motor unit is an electric motor
connected by cable to a mains electric supply or battery supply
carried on the apparatus. Alternatively the motor unit is a
combustion engine and in this embodiment the engine is connected to
a fuel container carried on the apparatus.
[0023] Typically, the entry into the base of the apparatus through
which the air and debris passes, is provided as wide as possible
but is provided with a series of fingers which, preferably, depend
from a side of the aperture, and preferably only one side, towards
the opposing side, so as to prevent or minimise the opportunity of
a person's hand or other part of their anatomy from entering
contact with the fan unit. By providing the fingers such that they
will only depend from one side towards the other side of the
aperture, so the opportunity for debris collection and snagging on
the fingers is reduced compared to that which occurs when the
fingers depend across the entire aperture.
[0024] It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that
the present apparatus can be used exclusively in a vacuum mode
(i.e. not have a blower mode) or a blower mode (i.e. not have a
vacuum mode) if required and, when operated in such exclusive
modes, any of the features described herein may be provided on the
apparatus.
[0025] Thus, according to further independent aspects of the
present invention there is provided a blower apparatus; and a
vacuum apparatus.
[0026] According to a yet further aspect of the present invention
there is provided vacuum and blowing apparatus, said apparatus
having means for selecting between a first vacuum mode and a second
blowing mode, a base portion in contact with a surface from which
debris is to be collected and/or across or relative to which debris
is to be blown in use and, depending from said base portion, a body
portion of the apparatus supports a collection box for the
reception of debris collected from said surface.
[0027] Specific embodiments of the invention are now described with
reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
[0028] FIGS. 1a-d illustrate various views of the apparatus in
accordance with one embodiment of the invention;
[0029] FIG. 2 illustrates a cross sectional elevation of the
apparatus along the longitudinal centre line of said apparatus;
and
[0030] FIG. 3 illustrates a cross sectional elevation of the
apparatus along a longitudinal axis offset to one side of the
centre of the apparatus.
[0031] Referring firstly to FIGS. 1a-d, there is illustrated the
apparatus in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.
[0032] The apparatus, as can be seen, is an upstanding or free
standing item and in this case is provided with a cable to allow
the drive means motor to be connected to an electric power
supply.
[0033] The apparatus 2 has a base portion 4 which is provided to be
located adjacent to a surface along which the apparatus is provided
to be pushed or moved by the user who grips the handle arrangement
6. Adjacent the base portion are provided a first set of wheels or
rollers 8 and a second rear set of wheels or rollers 10. The first
set of wheels or rollers 8 are mounted on an arm 12 which is in
turn mounted on a portion of the body 14 of the apparatus. The arm
12 is rotatable as indicated by arrow 16 about a pivot location and
is engageable in a series of positions via engagement means, such
as a ratchet mechanism, so as to allow the adjustment of the height
of the wheels 8 and hence allow the distance between the underside
of the base 4 and the surface to be adjustable.
[0034] The wheels 10 are mounted on arms 18 which are rotatable
about pivot point 22 so as to allow the same to be moved,
approximately through 90.degree. as indicated by arrow 20 to a
storage position wherein the arm 18 and wheels 10 take up less
space (i.e. are arranged in closed proximity to the body of the
apparatus). Depending upwardly from the body 14 there is provided a
collection box 24 which is retained within the body between the
arms 26, 28, a receiving face 30 on the body and a lid portion 32.
The lid portion 32 is shown in the closed position and, when in
said position, clamping means are provided on the lid portion which
engage with the arms 26, 28 of the body and hence clamp down onto
the collection box acting to retain the collection box in position
and also acting to form sealing engagement between the lid 32 and
the collection box 24, and the collection box 24 and receiving base
30.
[0035] Also provided externally of the apparatus are cable
receiving means 34 which are movable between the flush position
shown in FIGS. 1a-d and a protruding position so as to allow the
cable to be wound around the same. The cable (not shown) is
attached to a switch box 36 located on the handle 6. The switch box
36 includes a lever 38 which, when depressed by a user, causes the
connection of the electricity supply to the motor within the body
of the apparatus and the cable passes from the switch box to the
motor to allow the supply of electricity for the motor to operate.
The switch box can also include a neon indicator 40 which, when the
electricity supply is provided to the switch box, is illuminated.
The handle arrangement 6 comprises a gripping portion 42 which is
slidably received in members 44, 46 which in turn are received in a
collet arrangement 48. Rotational adjustment means 50 are provided
so as to allow the relative position of the handle 6 to be adjusted
by rotation about the member 50. Selective adjustment of the length
of the handle is possible within a predetermined limit by the
sliding movement between the gripping portion 42 and the members 44
and 46.
[0036] Returning now to the lid 32, and although not shown, the lid
includes therein filter means, said filter means typically being of
a number of layers, the use of which will be described in mote
detail subsequently.
[0037] The apparatus also has mounted externally, a flexible hose
member 52 which is shown in location for storage but which can be
removed from said position by a user such that the end 54 of the
hose can be directed by the user to a particular location on a
surface or to particular debris on said surface.
[0038] In the base unit 4 there is provided an aperture which
allows the flow of air into the body of the apparatus. The aperture
leads to a passage and said passage includes an aperture 56
selectively open to the environment. Both the aperture 56 and the
aperture in the base unit are provided with fingers so as to allow
the flow of air through the apertures but act as a safety means to
prevent a person's anatomy being placed into the apertures.
[0039] Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, the internal aspects of the
apparatus can be described. It should be appreciated that the
apparatus is shown in a position for use in contact with a surface
60 and that the surface may of course by horizontal rather than as
shown in illustrative purposes.
[0040] A key aspect of the apparatus is that there are provided a
series of air flow systems some of which can be operated at the
same time or are selectively operated. These air flow systems will
now be described with reference to parts of the apparatus which are
provided internally of the same.
[0041] Base 4 is shown with an aperture 62 which allows the
collection of debris from the surface 60 as indicated by arrow 64.
The debris is then caused by air flow to pass through the channel
or passage as indicated by the arrows 64 towards a fan unit 66
which rotates about axis 68. The rotation of the vanes of the fan
unit 66 causes debris in the air flow 64 to be shredded. The action
of the fan unit causes the debris and air flow 64 to pass to the
side of the fan unit as indicated by arrow 64 whereupon, reference
to FIG. 3 illustrates the subsequent movement of the air flow 64
and debris past the fan unit into a deposition channel 70 and into
collection box 24. The deposition channel is shaped as shown such
that debris is emitted at the location 72 near the top of the
collection box and then falls downwardly as indicated by arrows 74
to rest at the base of the collection box. By the provision of the
deposition channel of this shape, so the debris in the collection
box cannot re-enter the deposition channel 70 and hence block the
air flow 64. The air which enters the collection box eventually
leaves the same as indicated by arrow 64 passing through the filter
means 76 in the lid 32 and leaves the apparatus via the port 78
with the filter means collecting dust from the airflow. This
therefore completes the first air system of the apparatus and
illustrates the vacuum function of the same. The lid with the
filter means is typically provided adjacent the top of the
collection means or opposite to the surface on which the debris
collects in the collection means.
[0042] The second air flow system can be selectively activated
instead of the first air flow system herein described and is used
in the blower mode. In this case, a user operated manual switch is
provided on the body of the apparatus. In FIGS. 2 and 3, the
apparatus is shown in the arrangement where the apparatus is for
use in the vacuuming mode. However, when the switch is operated by
the user to change from a vacuum mode or other mode to a blower
mode, then flaps 80 and 82 are pivotally moved about respective
pivot points 84, 86 to the position shown in dotted lines in FIGS.
2 and 3, 80' and 82' respectively. The movement of the flaps serves
to alter the air passage as follows. Firstly, the movement of the
flap 80 to a position 80', allows the entry of air through aperture
56 as indicated by arrow 86 in FIG. 2. The air then passes into the
fan unit 66 from where the air passes as indicted by arrows 86 in
FIG. 3, until it reaches the flap 82 in position 82'. This flap
serves to divert the air flow as indicated by arrow 86 towards the
entry aperture 88 of pipe 52. The air then enters the pipe 52
moving therealong to the exit aperture 54 as referred to in FIGS.
1a-d. As the pipe is flexible, at least in certain portions, the
same can be moved to a selected position by the user to provide the
blowing effect. This therefore concludes the air flow system for
the blower option.
[0043] A third air flow system is provided to allow a cooling
effect to be created on the motor unit 90 within the body and this
air flow is indicated by arrows 92 whereupon air enters the chamber
in which the motor unit is mounted, passes around the motor 90 to
cool the same and is encouraged to leave the motor chamber by the
rotation of the vanes of a second part 94 of the fan unit which is
connected for rotation to the motor unit. The parts 94 and 66 of
the fan unit are separated by a sealing layer 96 which prevents the
ingress of water, debris or dust from the fan unit 66 through to
the motor chamber. Typically, the sealing layer is provided as a
labyrinth seal.
[0044] In one embodiment, it is preferred that the base unit will
be selectively removable from the apparatus so as to allow the
interchangeability of the same with particular debris collection
heads fitted to suit particular tasks. For example, different types
of scraping heads, brush heads and/or the like can be used.
[0045] Furthermore, in one embodiment, at the base unit there is
provided a brush or strip of flexible material, said brush or strip
provided so as to be contactable with the surface as the apparatus
base unit 4 is moved along the surface. The provision of the brush
or strip of material in contact with the surface serves to separate
debris from the surface and thereby allow the debris to be more
easily collectable by the suction action of the air flow 64. In one
embodiment, the brush unit is pivotally movable such that the same
pivots between first and second positions upon front and reverse
directions of movement of the apparatus and, furthermore, can be
pivoted completely out of contact with the surface for storage.
[0046] The present invention therefore provides a unique apparatus
for use in an external environment in that the apparatus is
upstanding or self supporting and includes a collection box as part
of the apparatus in use. Typically the collection box is formed of
plastics material and is of a rigid structure such that, for
removal of the collection box the lid 32 is opened and the
collection box, with debris therein, removed from the body of the
apparatus and carried to dispose of the debris at the desired
location.
[0047] The provision of the three air flow systems in the apparatus
firstly achieves the required cooling effect on the motor and
importantly, allows the user selection of the apparatus to be used
in a vacuuming mode and a blower mode by simple user selection. The
apparatus herein described therefore provides the possibility for
users in a domestic situation to achieve the vacuuming and/or
blowing effect in an external environment in a manner which was not
previously possible.
* * * * *