U.S. patent application number 12/077568 was filed with the patent office on 2009-06-04 for power tool dust-collecting assembly and accessories.
Invention is credited to Danny P. Williams.
Application Number | 20090139048 12/077568 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40674270 |
Filed Date | 2009-06-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090139048 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Williams; Danny P. |
June 4, 2009 |
Power tool dust-collecting assembly and accessories
Abstract
A power tool dust-collecting assembly for collecting dust from a
dust port of a power tool includes an airflow-producing subassembly
for sucking sawdust and/or other dust from the dust port. A
coupling component is provided for coupling an air-and-dust input
port of the airflow-producing subassembly to the dust port of the
power tool, and a bag subassembly is included for collecting dust
from a dust output port of the airflow-producing subassembly. Those
parts form a motorized dust bag that is adapted to be physically
supported by the dust port of the power tool without requiring
other support. One embodiment includes a secondary input portion of
the coupling component for capturing dust from beneath the power
tool. Various adapters and accessories enable use for various tasks
while disconnected from the power tool.
Inventors: |
Williams; Danny P.;
(Temecula, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Mr. Loyal M. Hanson;Hanson Law Corporation
P.O.Box 430
Fallbrook
CA
92088-0430
US
|
Family ID: |
40674270 |
Appl. No.: |
12/077568 |
Filed: |
March 20, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11998490 |
Nov 30, 2007 |
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12077568 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
15/347 ;
383/64 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B23D 59/006 20130101;
B23Q 11/0046 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
15/347 ;
383/64 |
International
Class: |
A47L 9/10 20060101
A47L009/10; B65D 33/16 20060101 B65D033/16 |
Claims
1. An assembly for collecting dust from a dust port of a power
tool, the assembly comprising: means for sucking dust from the dust
port, including an airflow-producing subassembly having an
air-and-dust input port and a dust output port, which
airflow-producing subassembly is adapted to suck dust and air into
the air-and-dust input port and release the dust through the dust
output port; means for coupling the air-and-dust input port of the
airflow-producing subassembly to the dust port of the power tool,
including a coupling component connected to the air-and-dust input
port of the airflow-producing subassembly; and means for collecting
dust from the dust output port of the airflow-producing
subassembly, including a bag subassembly connected to the dust
output port; wherein the coupling component, the airflow-producing
subassembly, and the bag subassembly form a combination of
components that is adapted to be physically supported by the dust
port of the power tool without other support when the coupling
component is connected to the dust port of the power tool.
2. An assembly as recited in claim 1, further comprising means for
sucking dust from beneath the power tool, including a secondary
input portion of the coupling component for coupling to a region
beneath the power tool.
3. An assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the coupling
component includes a rigid member adapted to slip onto the dust
port of the power tool.
4. An assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the bag subassembly
includes a zipper for enabling a user to empty dust from the bag
assembly.
5. An assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the bag subassembly
is at least partially composed of a flexible fabric material.
6. An assembly as recited in claim 1, further comprising means for
coupling electrical power to the vacuum-generating subassembly.
7. An assembly as recited in claim 1, further comprising an adapter
component having a first end portion that mates with the input port
on the subassembly and a second end portion that mates with the
dust port on the power tool.
8. An assembly as recited in claim 1, further comprising at least
one accessory for enabling use of the assembly as a separate vacuum
cleaner apparatus when disconnected from the power tool.
9. An assembly as recited in claim 1, further comprising at least
one accessory enabling use of the assembly as a separate blower
apparatus when disconnected from the power tool.
10. An assembly for collecting dust from a dust port of a power
tool, the assembly comprising: means for sucking dust from the dust
port, including an airflow-producing subassembly having an
air-and-dust input port and a dust output port, which
airflow-producing subassembly is adapted to suck dust and air into
the air-and-dust input port and release the dust through the dust
output port; means for coupling the air-and-dust input port of the
airflow-producing subassembly to the dust port of the power tool,
including a coupling component connected to the air-and-dust input
port of the airflow-producing subassembly; and means for collecting
dust from the dust output port of the airflow-producing
subassembly, including a bag subassembly connected to the dust
output port; wherein the coupling component, the airflow-producing
subassembly, and the bag subassembly form a combination of
components that is adapted in size and weight to be positioned
immediately adjacent to the dust port of the power tool, to be
connected directly to the dust port without an interconnecting
hose, and to be physically supported by the dust port without other
support when the coupling component is connected to the dust port
of the power tool.
11. An assembly as recited in claim 10, further comprising means
for sucking dust from beneath the power tool, including a secondary
input portion of the coupling component for coupling to a region
beneath the power tool.
12. An assembly as recited in claim 10, wherein the coupling
component includes a rigid member adapted to slip onto the dust
port of the power tool.
13. An assembly as recited in claim 10, wherein the bag subassembly
includes means for enabling a user to empty dust from the bag
assembly.
14. An assembly as recited in claim 10, wherein the bag subassembly
is at least partially composed of a flexible fabric material.
15. An assembly as recited in claim 10, further comprising means
for coupling electrical power to the vacuum-generating
subassembly.
16. An assembly as recited in claim 10, further comprising an
adapter component having a first end portion that mates with the
input port on the subassembly and a second end portion that mates
with the dust port on the power tool.
17. An assembly as recited in claim 10, further comprising at least
one accessory for enabling use of the assembly as a separate vacuum
cleaner apparatus when disconnected from the power tool.
18. An assembly as recited in claim 10, further comprising at least
one accessory enabling use of the assembly as a separate blower
apparatus when disconnected from the power tool.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a continuation in part of copending U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 11/998,490 by the same inventor that
was filed Nov. 30, 2007 and later abandoned in favor of and
subsequent to the filing date of this application.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Technical Field
[0003] This invention relates generally to the fields of
woodworking and power tools, including power saws, power sanders,
and the like. It relates more particularly to a dust-collecting
assembly for collecting sawdust and/or other dust produced and/or
expelled by such a tool, and to accessories for adapting the
dust-collecting assembly to other tasks.
[0004] 2. Description of Related Art
[0005] Health, hygiene, and work-site cleanup issues make the
production of sawdust and/or other dust by a power tool a major
concern. Many dust-collecting techniques and devices have been
invented as a result. Some current dust-collecting designs for chop
saws, miter saws, and the like, for example, include a one-inch
diameter dust outlet port on the tool (i.e., a dust port or dust
duct) through which sawdust is expelled. An air flow produced by
operation of the tool carries dust through the dust port and into a
dust-collecting bag attached to the dust port.
[0006] Although such a dust-bag arrangement proves useful in some
respects, it relies only on the tool-produced airflow. As a result,
users often desire to enhance the movement of dust through the dust
port. They do so at times by attaching an available shop-vac (i.e.,
a workshop vacuum cleaner device that is frequently designed for
heavy duty use in cleaning up wet and/or dry material) to the dust
port via a length of ordinary shop-vac hose. The shop-vac produces
an airflow resulting in a vigorous sucking action that draws
sawdust through the dust port more effectively.
[0007] Using a shop-vac connected to the dust port in the manner
described introduces some concerns, however. First, a typical
shop-vac is somewhat large and bulky, and connecting it to the dust
port involves some time and inconvenience. In addition, the use of
multiple dust-producing power tools means multiple shop-vacs, or
disconnection from one tool and connection to another tool as
needed, or the extra task of obtaining and connecting a manifold
for multiple shop-vac hoses. Furthermore, the electric power
required by a shop-vac can be significant for such a use, and the
use of multiple shop-vacs only compounds that concern. Moreover,
use of a shop-vac affects tool portability because the shop-vac
must be transported with the power tool. Beyond all that, shop-vac
use involves connecting the shop-vac(s) to electric power via
suitable extension cord(s) and powering on the shop-vac at the
right time when it is needed. Thus, a need exists for a better way
to collect dust from a dust-producing power tool of the type
described.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] In view of the foregoing, it is an object of the present
invention to provide a dust-collecting arrangement for power tools
of the type described that overcomes the above concerns. The
present invention achieves this objective by providing a
dust-collecting assembly in the form of what may be called a
motorized dust bag. The dust-collecting assembly is a powered
device that fits on an existing dust port of a power tool in place
of the usual dust bag accessory, and it is supported by the dust
port of the power tool without requiring other support. Once
mounted on the dust port of the power tool and powered up, the
assembly sucks sawdust and other dust from the dust port,
collecting it in an attached dust bag assembly for convenient
removal when desired.
[0009] Thus, the dust-collecting assembly of the present invention
avoids the time and inconvenience of connecting a shop-vac to the
power tool. It avoids the space requirements of a typical shop-vac.
Less electric power is required. Power-tool portability is not
affected. Emptying the smaller bag assembly is less work.
[0010] To paraphrase some of the more precise language appearing in
the claims and further introduce the nomenclature used, a motorized
dust bag assembly constructed according to the invention for
connection to a dust port of a power tool includes a first element
in the form of an airflow-producing subassembly. It sucks dust from
the dust port. It has an air-and-dust input port (i.e., an input
port through which air and dust flow) and a dust output port (i.e.,
an output port through which dust passes), and it is adapted to
suck dust into the air-and-dust input port and release the dust
through the dust output port.
[0011] The motorized dust bag assembly also includes a second
element in the form of a coupling component for coupling the
air-and-dust input port of the airflow-producing subassembly to the
dust port of the power tool. In addition, a third element is
provided in the form of a bag subassembly for collecting dust from
the dust output port of the airflow-producing subassembly (i.e.,
receiving dust as it passes through the dust output port). The bag
subassembly is connected to the dust output port.
[0012] According to the major aspect of the invention, the coupling
component, the airflow-producing subassembly, and the bag
subassembly form a combination of components (i.e., a motorized
dust bag with some vacuum-cleaner-like functionality) that is
adapted to be physically supported by the dust port of the power
tool without other support when the coupling component is connected
to the dust port. The dust port supports the coupling component,
the coupling component supports the airflow-producing subassembly,
and the airflow-producing subassembly supports the bag subassembly.
Additional support for the motorized dust bag is not required.
[0013] One embodiment of the invention includes a secondary input
portion of the coupling component for coupling to a region beneath
the power tool in order to suck dust from beneath the power tool. A
power cord is provided for coupling electrical power to the
airflow-producing subassembly, and a zipper is included on the bag
subassembly for enabling a user to empty collected dust when
desired. Moreover, adapter components are included that enable use
with different sizes of power tool dust ports, while various
accessories facilitate use of the motorized dust bag assembly as a
vacuum cleaner apparatus and as a blower apparatus.
[0014] Thus, the invention overcomes some prior art dust-collecting
concerns with a small, lightweight, motorized dust bag that
replaces the usual shop-vac or dust-bag accessory of the prior art
while requiring no modification to the existing power tool. In
addition, the various accessories facilitate use as a handheld shop
vac and blower. The following illustrative drawings and detailed
description make the foregoing and other objects, features, and
advantages of the invention more apparent.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] FIG. 1 of the drawings is a perspective view of a first
embodiment of a motorized dust bag assembly constructed according
to the invention, shown connected to an existing chop saw form of
power tool that is illustrated in phantom lines;
[0016] FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic representation that represents a
side elevation view of the first embodiment connected to the power
tool;
[0017] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a second embodiment having a
different coupling component with a secondary input portion for
capturing sawdust from beneath the power tool;
[0018] FIG. 4a is a perspective view of a first adapter component
having a circularly shaped first end for connection to the
motorized dust bag input and a circularly shaped send end for
connection with a clamp component to the power tool dust port;
[0019] FIG. 4b is a perspective view of a second adapter component
having a circularly shaped first end for connection to the
motorized dust bag and an oval-shaped second end for connection
with a clamp component to the power tool dust port;
[0020] FIG. 4c is a perspective view of a third adapter component
having a large first end for connection to the motorized dust bag
and a smaller second end for connection with clamp component to the
power tool dust port;
[0021] FIG. 4d is a perspective view of a fourth adapter component
having a small first end for connection to the motorized dust bag
and a larger second end for connection with a clamp component (not
shown in this figure) to the power tool dust port;
[0022] FIG. 4e is a front elevation view of just the clamp
component;
[0023] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the dust bag assembly with a
vacuum cleaner head accessory that enables use of a motorized dust
bag as a handheld vacuum;
[0024] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the dust bag assembly with a
nozzle accessory that enables use of a motorized dust bag as a
handheld blower; and
[0025] FIG. 7 is shows an accessory with a vacuum cleaner head on
an extension piece for the dust bag assembly that enables
vacuum-cleaner use of a motorized dust bag by a user in an upright
standing position;
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0026] FIG. 1 of the drawings shows a power tool dust-collecting
assembly constructed according to the invention in the form of a
motorized dust bag assembly 10. Generally, the assembly 10 includes
an airflow-producing subassembly 11, a bag subassembly 12, and a
coupling component 13. Those parts are connected together to form a
combination of components (i.e., the motorized dust bag assembly
10) such that the assembly 10 is adapted to be connected to a dust
port 14 on a power tool 15 and to be physically supported by the
dust port 14 without resting upon a support surface 16 of a table,
bench, or other supportive structure.
[0027] As such, the assembly 10 can be connected to and supported
by the dust port 14 in place of a commonly used dust bag accessory
(not shown) of the type existing in the prior art. So connected and
supported, the assembly 10 more effectively captures sawdust and/or
other dust produced by the power tool 12 without otherwise
affecting operation or portability of the power tool 12, and
without introducing the various drawbacks of using a shop-vac
connected to the dust port 11.
[0028] The power tool 15 represents any of various types of tools,
including chop saws, miter saws, and the like, that include a dust
port (see, for example, the compound miter saw 10 shown in U.S.
Pat. No. 6,431,040 B1). The dust port 14 represents a typical dust
port on such a power tool, with such a typical dust port taking the
form of a cylindrically shaped tube having an outside diameter of
about 1.0 inches to about 1.5 inches or so (e.g., the dust duct 33
shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,431,040 B1). Many commercially available
power tools include a dust bag accessory that slips onto such a
dust port (e.g., the dust collection bag accessory 63 shown in U.S.
Pat. No. 6,431,040 B1). The coupling component 13 of the motorized
dust bag assembly 10 slips onto the dust port 14 in place of such a
prior art dust bag accessory.
[0029] As shown diagrammatically in FIG. 2, the airflow-producing
subassembly 11 includes a housing 11A composed of a rigid material
(e.g., metal or plastic) that has an air-and-dust input port 11B
and a downwardly facing dust output port 11C. The coupling
component 13 mounts on the input port 11B by suitable means (e.g.,
a screw-on collar arrangement). The airflow-producing subassembly
11 produces an airflow (i.e., a flow of air) that flows into the
input port 11B while carrying along dust from the dust port 14 of
the power tool 15. The dust is released within the housing 11A,
passing through the downwardly opening dust output port 11C into an
upwardly opening bag subassembly 12 that is connected to the dust
output port 11C. Thus, the airflow-producing subassembly 11
functions similar to the suction-producing device of a vacuum
cleaner (i.e., a device that uses an air pump to create a partial
vacuum to suck up dust and dirt), and it may include a known type
of vacuum cleaner device. A blower port 11D may also be
included.
[0030] The airflow-producing subassembly 11 has an electrically
powered motor (not shown) that is supplied with electrical power
via a power cord 11E (or by a battery power supply) and a suitable
On/Off switch (not shown). A foot-actuated switch may be included
as part of the setup. The electrically powered motor provides
rotational energy to an impeller component (not shown) that rotates
within an impeller enclosure 11F to produce the airflow. The motor
and impeller may take the form of well-known components. In terms
of the claim language, the airflow-producing subassembly 11 is
adapted to suck dust and air into the air-and-dust input port 11B
and release the dust through the dust output port 11C. It is
adapted to do so in the sense that it includes the components
necessary to function as stated. Based upon the foregoing and
subsequent descriptions, one of ordinary skill in the art can
readily implement an airflow-producing subassembly 11 as part of a
motorized dust bag assembly constructed according to the
invention.
[0031] The bag subassembly 12 serves as means for collecting dust
from the downwardly opening dust output port 11C. It includes an
upwardly opening flexible bag 12A (e.g., composed of fabric
material) having a zipper 12B (or a suitable quick release
arrangement) that provides access to the interior for purposes of
emptying dust from the bag 12A when desired. The bag subassembly 12
is connected to the dust output port 11C by suitable means so that
dust released through the dust output port 11C collects within the
bag 12A. For wet/dry vacuum use, the bag assembly 12 may take the
form of a rigid plastic dust container with a quick release
mechanism.
[0032] The coupling component 13 is composed of a rigid material
(e.g., plastic or metal). It is connected to the air-and-dust input
port 11B by suitable means and it is adapted to fit on the dust
port 14 of the power tool 15 in place of a prior art dust bag
accessory. It couples the dust port 14 and the air-and-dust input
port 11B in fluid communication so that the airflow-producing
subassembly 11 can suck air and dust from the dust port 14. It is
adapted to fit on the dust port 14 in the sense that the coupling
component 13 is suitably sized and shaped to mate with the size and
shape of the dust port 14.
[0033] With the coupling component 13 connected to the dust port
14, the dust port 14 portion of the power tool 15 supports the
coupling component 13, the coupling component 13 supports the
airflow-producing subassembly 11, and the airflow-producing
subassembly 11 supports the bag subassembly 12. Additional support
for the motorized dust bag 10 is not required. The bag 12A need not
contact the support surface 16 or a base portion 15A of the power
tool 15 for support. In terms of the claim language, the coupling
component 13 combines with the airflow-producing subassembly 11 and
the bag subassembly 13 to form a combination of components that is
adapted to be physically supported by the dust port 14 of the power
tool 15 without other support when the coupling component 13 is
connected to the dust port 14. It is so adapted in the sense that
it is suitably sized with a suitable weight to be so supported.
Among other things, that arrangement facilitates connection and
disconnection, with a small dust collecting assembly fitted
directly to the power tool dust port that requires less electrical
power and no shop-vac hoses or manifold for multiple shop-vac
hoses. Stated another way, the coupling component, the
airflow-producing subassembly, and the bag subassembly form a
combination of components that is adapted in size and weight to be
positioned immediately adjacent to the dust port of the power tool
(e.g., the dust port 14 and the input port 11B are separated by no
more than about twelve inches), to be connected directly to the
dust port without an interconnecting hose of the type used for
typical shop vacs, and to be physically supported by the dust port
without other support when the coupling component is connected to
the dust port of the power tool.
[0034] As a further idea of size, the weight of a motorized dust
bag assembly constructed according to the invention falls within a
range of about 1.0 pounds to about 6.0 pounds, with the illustrated
assembly 10 weighing about 3.0 pounds. The overall height of a
motorized dust bag assembly constructed according to the invention
falls within a range of about 6.0 inches to about 18.0 inches, with
the illustrated assembly 10 having an overall height of about 12.0
inches, depending in large part on the height of the dust port on
the particular power tool of interest. In operation, the
airflow-producing subassembly draws in the range of about 2.0
amperes to about 8.0 amperes, with the illustrated assembly 10
drawing about 5.0 amperes. Of course, the precise values may vary
significantly according to the particulars of the power tool and
the characteristics designed into the motorized dust bag
assembly.
[0035] Turning now to FIG. 3, it shows a second embodiment of the
invention in the form of a motorized dust bag assembly 100. The
assembly 100 is similar in many respects to the assembly 10 and so
only differences are described in more detail. The major difference
is that the assembly 100 includes a coupler component 113 having a
secondary input portion 113A. The coupler component 113 is
otherwise similar to the coupler component 13. The secondary input
portion 113A serves as means for sucking dust from beneath the
power tool 15 for even greater dust-collecting action.
[0036] FIGS. 4a through 4d show particulars of several adapter
components (e.g., composed of plastic) that connect the input port
11B on the subassembly 11 of the assembly 10 to various sizes and
shapes of dust port 14. Each adapter component has a first end
portion that mates with the input port 11B on the subassembly 11
and a second end portion that mates with the dust port 14 on the
power tool 15. A first adapter component 120 in FIG. 4a is provided
for a circularly shaped dust port 14 having a size similar to a
circularly shaped input port 11B of the subassembly 11. The first
adapter component 120 includes a tube 121 with a circularly shaped
first end portion 122 and a screw-on collar component 123 that
couples the first end portion 122 to the subassembly 11. The tube
121 also includes a second end portion 124 having a size and shape
similar to the first end portion 122 that fits on the similarly
sized circularly shaped dust port (the dust port is not separately
illustrated in FIG. 4a). A user operates a hose-clamp type of
clamping device 125 to compress the second end portion 124 so that
it grips the circularly shaped dust port.
[0037] Similarly, a second adapter component 130 in FIG. 4b
includes a tube 131 with a circularly shaped first end portion 132
and a screw-on collar component 133 that couples the first end
portion 132 to the subassembly 11. The tube 131 also includes a
second end portion 134 having an oval shape that is sized to fit on
an oval-shaped dust port (the dust port is not separately
illustrated in FIG. 4b). A user operates the clamping device 125 to
compress the oval-shaped second end portion 134 so that it grips
the oval-shaped dust port.
[0038] A third adapter component 140 in FIG. 4b includes a tube 141
with a circularly shaped first end portion 142 and a screw-on
collar component 143 that couples the first end portion 142 to the
subassembly 11. The tube 141 also includes a circularly shaped
second end portion 144 having a smaller size that fits on a smaller
dust port (i.e., a circularly shaped dust port having a size
smaller than the input port 11B on the subassembly 11). A user
operates the clamping device 125 to compress the oval-shaped second
end portion 134 so that it grips the oval-shaped dust port.
[0039] FIG. 4d shows a fourth adapter component 150 having a tube
151 with a circularly shaped first end portion 152 that fits the
input port of the subassembly 11. A larger circularly shaped second
end portion 154 of tube 151 first a larger circularly shaped dust
port (not illustrated). FIG. 4e is a front elevation view of the
clamping device 125. A resiliently deformable body portion 125A
responds in a known way to operation of a handle portion 125B by
changing diameter in order to thereby squeeze or release the second
end portions 123, 133, 143, and 153 of the adapter components 120,
130, 140, and 150.
[0040] Having described the motorized dust bag assembly 10 as it is
used when connected to and supported by the dust port 14 of the
power tool 15, various attachments (i.e., accessories) are now
presented with reference to FIGS. 5, 6, and 7 that expand use of
the assembly 10 to other tasks. In other words, the assembly 10
includes at least one accessory for enabling use of the assembly as
a separate vacuum cleaner apparatus and/or blower apparatus when
disconnected from the power tool. First consider FIG. 5. It shows a
motorized dust bag assembly 200 with a vacuum head accessory 201
connected by a tube 202 to an input port 203 of the assembly 200.
The assembly 200 is similar in many respects to the assembly 10, so
that it can be coupled to and supported by the dust port of a power
tool. Preferably, it has the capabilities for wet and dry shop-vac
use. The accessory 201 enables use as a handheld vacuum that may be
used, for example, to pick up dust and other particulate material
located on a table supporting the power tool. The accessory 201 and
the tube 202 may be plastic components and similar to existing
vacuum cleaner attachments.
[0041] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the motorized dust bag
assembly 200 with a nozzle accessory 204 that is connected to an
air output port 205 of the assembly 200 to thereby enable use of
the assembly 200 as a handheld blower (e.g., for blowing dust from
the power tool and from a table supporting the power tool). The
accessory 204 may be a plastic component measuring one to two feet
in length, for example.
[0042] FIG. 7 shows the motorized dust bag assembly 200 with a
standup vacuum cleaner accessory 206 (i.e., an extended wand) that
enables vacuum-cleaner use of the assembly 200 by a user 207 in an
upright standing position. The accessory 206 includes a vacuum head
208 that is connected by a tube 209 and elbow 210 to the input port
203. After using the assembly 200 as a dust collector connected to
a power tool dust port, and as a handheld vacuum and handheld
blower for cleaning up in the immediate vicinity of the power tool,
the user 207 adds the standup vacuum cleaner accessory 206 and
continues to clean up the surrounding area while in a standing
position.
[0043] Thus, the invention overcomes some prior art dust-collecting
concerns with a small, lightweight, motorized dust bag assembly
that replaces the usual shop-vac or dust-bag accessory of the prior
art while requiring no modification to the existing power tool. The
motorized dust bag assembly avoids the time and inconvenience of
connecting a shop-vac to the power tool. It avoids the space
requirements of a typical shop-vac. Less electric power is
required. Power-tool portability is not affected. Emptying the
smaller bag assembly is less work. And, various adapters and
accessories enable use for various tasks while disconnected from
the power tool. Although exemplary embodiments have been shown and
described, one of ordinary skill in the art may make many changes,
modifications, and substitutions without necessarily departing from
the spirit and scope of the invention. As for the specific
terminology used to describe the exemplary embodiments, it is not
intended to limit the invention; each specific term is intended to
include all technical equivalents that operate in a similar manner
to accomplish a similar purpose or function.
* * * * *