U.S. patent application number 12/831136 was filed with the patent office on 2010-12-09 for duct cleaning attachment for a vacuum.
Invention is credited to Gabe Coscarella.
Application Number | 20100306954 12/831136 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43299669 |
Filed Date | 2010-12-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100306954 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Coscarella; Gabe |
December 9, 2010 |
DUCT CLEANING ATTACHMENT FOR A VACUUM
Abstract
A duct cleaning attachment includes a hollow body having an
exterior surface with a curved under-belly, one of a tapered or
rounded leading end, a trailing end, and an interior surface
defining an interior cavity. A coupling is positioned at the
trailing end wherein the body is coupled to a hose from a vacuum
source in a manner that results in air being drawn from the
interior cavity by the vacuum source. The body has openings from
the exterior surface to the interior surface.
Inventors: |
Coscarella; Gabe; (Edmonton,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CHRISTENSEN, O'CONNOR, JOHNSON, KINDNESS, PLLC
1420 FIFTH AVENUE, SUITE 2800
SEATTLE
WA
98101-2347
US
|
Family ID: |
43299669 |
Appl. No.: |
12/831136 |
Filed: |
July 6, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
15/339 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47L 5/36 20130101; A47L
7/00 20130101; A47L 7/009 20130101; A47L 9/242 20130101; A47L
9/0693 20130101; A47L 9/02 20130101; B08B 9/035 20130101; B08B
9/0436 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
15/339 |
International
Class: |
A47L 9/00 20060101
A47L009/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 3, 2009 |
CA |
2670689 |
Claims
1. A duct cleaning attachment, comprising: a hollow body having an
exterior surface with a curved under-belly, one of a tapered or
rounded leading end, a trailing end, and an interior surface
defining an interior cavity; a coupling positioned at the trailing
end wherein the body is coupled to a vacuum source in a manner that
results in air being drawn from the interior cavity by the vacuum
source; and openings in the body from the exterior surface to the
interior surface.
2. The duct cleaning attachment of claim 1, wherein the trailing
end is one of tapered or rounded.
3. The duct cleaning attachment of claim 1, wherein the body is
cylindrical with a central reduced diameter section and the
openings are positioned in the reduced diameter section.
4. The duct cleaning apparatus of claim 3, further comprising a
brush comprised of a sleeve that overlies the reduced diameter
section and has outwardly extending bristles.
5. The duct cleaning apparatus of claim 4, wherein the sleeve
slides to assume a position either on a leading end side or on a
trailing end side of the openings.
6. The duct cleaning apparatus of claim 1, wherein the leading end
is bulbous.
7. The duct cleaning apparatus of claim 1, wherein the body
comprises a flexible hose.
8. The duct cleaning apparatus of claim 1, wherein the body is
coupled to a hose of the vacuum source.
9. The duct cleaning apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an
insert within the body having an outer perimeter that is smaller
than the inner perimeter of the body, and having fins that extend
outward from the vacuum section such that, as the body lays on a
surface, the fins cause the insert to move away from the surface
relative to the body.
10. The duct cleaning apparatus of claim 1, wherein the coupling
comprises a swivel coupling.
11. The duct cleaning apparatus of claim 1, wherein the hollow body
comprises a positioning wheel at an angle relative to the hollow
body, the positioning wheel biasing the hollow body in a first
direction when moved forward, and in a second direction when moved
backward.
12. The duct cleaning apparatus of claim 1, wherein the hollow body
comprises an upper surface and a lower surface, the lower surface
having a larger opening area than the upper surface.
13. The duct cleaning attachment of claim 12, wherein the upper
surface has no openings.
14. A duct cleaning attachment for a vacuum, comprising: a leading
end, the leading end being one of tapered or rounded; a trailing
end having an attachment sized to attach to a hose of a household
vacuum cleaner; and a vacuum section disposed between the tapered
leading end and the tapered trailing end, the vacuum section having
at least one vacuum opening.
15. The duct cleaning attachment of claim 14, wherein the trailing
end is one of tapered or rounded.
16. The duct cleaning attachment of claim 14, wherein the vacuum
opening is disposed in a recess of the vacuum section.
17. The duct cleaning attachment of claim 14, wherein the leading
end, the trailing end and the vacuum section are substantially
spherical.
18. The duct cleaning attachment of claim 14, wherein the diameter
of the vacuum section is less than half the height of a diameter of
a household duct.
19. The duct cleaning attachment of claim 14, further comprising an
insert within the vacuum section having an outer perimeter that is
smaller than the inner perimeter of the vacuum section, and having
projections that extend outward from the vacuum section such that,
as the vacuum section lays on a surface, the projections cause the
insert to move away from the surface relative to the vacuum
section.
20. The duct cleaning attachment of claim 14, wherein the
attachment sized to attach to a hose of a household vacuum cleaner
comprises a swivel coupling.
21. The duct cleaning attachment of claim 14, further comprising a
positioning wheel at an angle relative to the duct cleaning
attachment, the positioning wheel biasing the duct cleaning
attachment in a first direction when moved forward, and in a second
direction when moved backward.
22. The duct cleaning attachment of claim 14, wherein the vacuum
section comprises an upper surface and a lower surface, the lower
surface having a larger opening area than the upper surface.
23. The duct cleaning attachment of claim 22, wherein the upper
surface has no openings.
24. In combination, a household vacuum cleaner having a vacuum
hose; and a duct cleaning attachment for the vacuum hose,
comprising: a tapered leading end; a tapered trailing end having an
attachment sized to attach to a hose of a household vacuum cleaner;
and a vacuum section disposed between the tapered leading end and
the tapered trailing end, the vacuum section having at least one
vacuum opening.
Description
FIELD
[0001] Attachment for a vacuum, such as a household vacuum, that is
used to clean ducts.
BACKGROUND
[0002] U.S. Pat. No. 4,792,363 describes a vent cleaning system
that uses a rotating brush attached to a vacuum source.
SUMMARY
[0003] There is provided a duct cleaning attachment that comprises
a hollow body having an exterior surface with a curved under-belly,
one of a tapered or rounded leading end, a trailing end, and an
interior surface defining an interior cavity. A coupling is
positioned at the trailing end wherein the body is coupled to a
vacuum source in a manner that results in air being drawn from the
interior cavity by the vacuum source. The body has openings from
the exterior surface to the interior surface.
[0004] According to another aspect, there is provided a duct
cleaning attachment for a vacuum comprising a tapered leading end,
a tapered trailing end having an attachment sized to attach to a
hose of a household vacuum cleaner, and a vacuum section disposed
between the tapered leading end and the tapered trailing end. The
vacuum section has at least one vacuum opening. The vacuum section
is larger in diameter than the tapered leading end and the tapered
trailing end.
[0005] According to another aspect, there is provided a duct
cleaning attachment for a vacuum as described above in combination
with a household vacuum cleaner.
[0006] According to another aspect, the trailing end may be
tapered, rounded, or bulbous. The body may be cylindrical with a
central reduced diameter section and the openings are positioned in
the reduced diameter section, and a brush comprised of a sleeve may
overlie the reduced diameter section and has outwardly extending
bristles. The sleeve may slide to assume a position either on a
leading end side or on a trailing end side of the openings.
[0007] According to another aspect, the body may comprise a
flexible hose, or may be coupled to a hose of the vacuum
source.
[0008] According to another aspect, there may be an insert within
the body having an outer perimeter that is smaller than the inner
perimeter of the body, and having fins that extend outward from the
vacuum section such that, as the body lays on a surface, the fins
cause the insert to move away from the surface relative to the
body.
[0009] According to another aspect, the hollow body may comprise an
upper surface and a lower surface, the lower surface having a
larger opening area than the upper surface, and the upper surface
may not have any openings. The coupling may comprise a swivel
coupling.
[0010] According to another aspect, the hollow body may comprise a
positioning wheel at an angle relative to the hollow body, the
positioning wheel biasing the hollow body in a first direction when
moved forward, and in a second direction when moved backward.
[0011] Other aspects will be apparent from the description,
drawings, and claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] These and other features will become more apparent from the
following description in which reference is made to the appended
drawings, the drawings are for the purpose of illustration only and
are not intended to be in any way limiting, wherein:
[0013] FIG. 1 is a side view of a duct cleaning attachment in a
duct.
[0014] FIG. 2 is a detailed side elevation view of a duct cleaning
attachment.
[0015] FIG. 3 is a detailed side elevation view of an alternative
duct cleaning attachment.
[0016] FIG. 4 is a detailed side elevation view of an alternative
duct cleaning attachment.
[0017] FIGS. 5 and 6 are detailed side elevation views of an
alternative duct cleaning attachment with a sliding brush.
[0018] FIG. 7 is a detailed side elevation view of an alternative
duct cleaning attachment.
[0019] FIG. 8 is a detailed side elevation view of an alternative
duct cleaning attachment integrally formed with a hose.
[0020] FIG. 9 is an end elevation view in section of an alternative
duct cleaning attachment with a blocking insert.
[0021] FIG. 10 is a side elevation view of an alternative duct
cleaning attachment with a swivel attachment.
[0022] FIG. 11 is an end elevation view of a duct cleaning
attachment with a positioning wheel
[0023] FIG. 12 is a bottom plan view of the duct cleaning
attachment in FIG. 11.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0024] A duct cleaning attachment for a vacuum generally identified
by reference numeral 10 will now be described with reference to
FIG. 1 through 12.
Structure and Relationship of Parts:
[0025] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, duct cleaning attachment 10
includes a tapered leading end 12 and a tapered trailing end 14 on
a hollow body 15 that has an attachment 16 sized to attach to a
hose 18 of a vacuum source, such as a household vacuum cleaner 19
in a manner that results in air being drawn from the interior
cavity of body 15 by vacuum source 19, and a vacuum section 20
disposed between tapered leading end 12 and tapered trailing end
14. As shown, tapered trailing end 14 tapers down to attachment 16,
while tapered leading end 12 may taper to a flat surface, or may
also terminate in a rounded snub-nose, or a point (not shown).
Vacuum section 20 has at least one vacuum opening 22 and is shown
to be larger in diameter than tapered leading end 12 and tapered
trailing end 14.
[0026] As can be seen in FIG. 2, vacuum section 20 is cylindrical
in shape, and leading and trailing ends 12 and 14 taper away in a
partial cone. It will be understood, however, that many different
shapes may be used. For example, referring to FIG. 3, which shows a
substantially circular attachment 10, leading and trailing ends 12
and 14 may be curved such that attachment 10 takes a bulbous shape,
and vacuum section 20 may not be inherently distinct from these
ends. It will be understood that body 15 may not be circular. For
example, it may have a rounded bottom surface with a flatter top
surface (not shown).
[0027] Trailing end 14 need not be curved or tapered. Referring to
FIG. 8, trailing end 14 need not reduce at all. In the depicted
embodiment, body 15 of attachment 10 includes a flexible hose
portion 21, although it will be understood that this also applies
to rigid attachments as shown in the other figures. Another feature
shown in FIG. 8 is the use of additional holes 23 spaced along
flexible hose 21 away from leading end 12. Additional holes 23 may
also be used with a rigid attachment 10 that is long enough,
however the length of attachment 10 with a rigid body 15 will be
limited by the anticipated curves that must be negotiated in the
ductwork. If a longer body 15 is desired, body 15 may be flexible
or resilient to allow the curves in the ductwork to be
negotiated.
[0028] Referring to FIG. 4, vacuum section 20 may include a reduced
diameter section, or recess 24 in which vacuum openings 22 are
positioned. In this situation, the diameter of vacuum section 20 is
defined by the largest edges of ends 12 and 14. As can be seen,
each variation has a round cross-section throughout its length.
This allows them to be used without trying to maintain the proper
orientation. Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, a brush 25 may be
positioned in recess 24. As depicted, brush 25 is positioned on a
sleeve 27 that is slidable along recess 24. As attachment 10 is
pushed or pulled through a duct, brush 25 moves to the leading end
side or trailing end side of recess 24. Alternatively, brush 25 may
be fixed in a desired position, and need not be positioned in a
recess 24.
[0029] Referring again to FIG. 2, it will be understood that other
vacuum openings 22 may be provided in attachment 10, such as on
leading end 12. The number and size of openings 22, as well as the
position, will depend upon the available vacuum pressure from
household vacuum cleaner 19, the desired vacuum pressure applied by
the various vacuum openings 22, and the direction or location that
the pressure is applied.
[0030] Other variations may be used for other effects. For example,
it may be preferably to have more suction applied to the bottom of
a duct where more dust and debris settle. Referring to FIG. 9, an
insert 32 may be included with fins 34 that extend out slots 36 in
hollow body 15. As hollow body 15 is positioned in a duct, fins 34
contact the sides and insert 32 moves relative to hollow body 15 to
block or partially block vacuum openings 22. Thus, regardless of
the orientation, more suction will be applied to the bottom of the
duct. Alternatively, referring to FIG. 10, more openings 22 may be
placed on the bottom of hollow body 15, and a swivel attachment 38
may be supplied, such that hollow body 15 is able to maintain its
desired orientation despite any twisting of the vacuum hose. This
may be done by external fins, by weighting hollow body 15
appropriately, or other such designs.
[0031] As another example, vacuum attachment 10 may also be
designed specifically to clean square ducts. Referring to FIGS. 11
and 12, a positioning wheel 40 may be provided that is at an angle
relative to hollow body 15. As body 15 travels forward down a duct,
wheel 40 biases body 15 toward one side of the duct. As body 15 is
pulled backward through the duct, wheel 40 will bias body 15 toward
the other side of the duct, thus allowing the vacuum pressure to be
applied to both sides of the duct.
Operation:
[0032] Referring to FIG. 1, attachment 16 at trailing end 14 is
attached to hose 18. Duct cleaning attachment 10 is then inserted
into a household duct 26 to be cleaned. Tapered ends 12 and 14
allow duct cleaning attachment 10 to pass over screws 28 or other
protrusions such as bent edges of ducting that may be positioned
within duct 26 without getting caught as it is being inserted or
withdrawn, and also facilitates the negotiation of bends in duct 26
as it is pushed through.
[0033] Preferably, the largest diameter of duct cleaning attachment
10, which is the diameter of vacuum section 20, is less than half
the height of a diameter of household duct 26. This allows duct
cleaning attachment 10 to pass under or around any dampers 30 that
may be positioned in duct 26.
Advantages:
[0034] Prior art duct and vent cleaners use brushes to loosen any
dust or debris in a vent, to clean the entire vent. However, most
dust and debris settle on the bottom of the duct or vent. The
apparatus described herein allows a user to clean the majority of
the dust and debris in the vents by using a much simpler and less
costly design. This does not remove the need to periodically clean
the entire vent, however it allows a user to delay a more costly
cleaning by removing the majority of dust and debris until it
becomes necessary to do so. As the apparatus is designed to attach
to household vacuum cleaners, users who already own a vacuum
cleaner are not required to purchase anything aside from the
attachment.
[0035] In this patent document, the word "comprising" is used in
its non-limiting sense to mean that items following the word are
included, but items not specifically mentioned are not excluded. A
reference to an element by the indefinite article "a" does not
exclude the possibility that more than one of the element is
present, unless the context clearly requires that there be one and
only one of the elements.
[0036] The following claims are to be understood to include what is
specifically illustrated and described above, what is conceptually
equivalent, and what can be obviously substituted. Those skilled in
the art will appreciate that various adaptations and modifications
of the described embodiments can be configured without departing
from the scope of the claims. The illustrated embodiments have been
set forth only as examples and should not be taken as limiting the
invention. It is to be understood that, within the scope of the
following claims, the invention may be practiced other than as
specifically illustrated and described.
* * * * *