1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a cleaning device. More particularly, the invention relates to a cleaning device consisting of a handheld, combination vacuum cleaner and duster designed to effectively remove dust from a wide variety of surfaces.
2. Prior Art
Cleaning devices have been the center of innovation for many years in order to provide a user with means for quick and effective cleaning. Typical household cleaning chores include vacuuming, wiping counter tops and dusting. Vacuum cleaning devices are a technology that continues to advance and provide improved means for removing dirt and debris from carpets and floors. Further, the plurality of cleaning solutions available to the average consumer also provide a user with means to clean and disinfect almost every surface in a house. However, many conventional dusting devices fall short in providing convenient cleaning means in that the devices merely move or spread dust around rather then remove it completely.
Conventionally, dusting involves the employment of a dusting device, such as feather duster, intended for removing dust from surfaces and between tight spaces. However, as mentioned, as a user passes the dusting device over a surface or area containing dust, the dust particles are simply moved around or disturbed and released into the air, only to settle back onto a surface moments later. As such, dust continues to remain in the home where it can cause health issues, contain dust mites, and clog and potentially harm electronic devices.
As a solution, manufacturers have begun to produce statically attractive dusting devices made from synthetic materials. With these devices, as they pass over a surface containing dust, the dust particles are statically attracted to the device and essentially stick to the material and the dust is removed from the surface. However, these and similar devices fall short in that now the devices themselves must be cleaned and removed of the dust which can be difficult due to the statically attractive nature of the material itself. Further, these devices are limited in the quantity of dust that can be removed due to the limited amount of synthetic material employed on the device.
Still further, many users may attempt to employ a conventional vacuum cleaner for dusting purposes. However, many vacuum cleaners are very bulky and/or do not provide adequate adapters for effectively removing dust from surfaces. Therefore, hard to reach areas such as high places and between small spaces continue to go uncleaned.
As such, there is a continuing unmet need for a cleaning device which provides a means to completely and effectively remove dust.
The device herein disclosed and described provides a solution to the shortcomings in prior art and achieves the above noted goals through the provision of a cleaning device consisting of a handheld unit, employing a combination vacuum means and duster designed to effectively remove dust from a wide variety of surfaces. In all modes of the device discussed below, there is included a plurality of special-purpose nozzle configurations and brush-styles intended to make dusting easy and far more effective.
In a first preferred mode, the cleaning device is comprised of a self-contained, battery-powered unit having a vacuum source powered by an onboard motor and pump, and duster head intended for use as a standalone, handheld, rechargeable vacuum-utility cleaner. In use, the device is preferably rechargeable with a standard 120-volt household outlet or it can easily be configured for power by an automotive power outlet also known as a cigarette lighter. However, the device may be powered by any means known in the art or as would occur to one skilled in the art.
In another particularly preferred mode, the device is employable as an attachment for an existing vacuum cleaner having a series of terminal attachments for engagement to a vacuum cleaner hose. Alternatively and preferred, due to increased utility, the self-powered mode of the device can employ a component adapted to engage both a vacuum hose, or its own onboard vacuum motor.
In all modes of the invention, the cleaning device is intended to collect the dust via the vacuum means rather than moving or spreading it around. The cleaning device includes a plurality of brush/vacuum heads, each of which consists of a hollow tube or nozzle that is engageable into a mounting collar of the device. The means for engagement can be a frictional engagement between the parts, or using projections on one part with depressions on the other, a snap fit may be employed. However, any other means known in the art, employable for the intended purpose of the invention herein, is also considered within the scope of this application.
The mounting collar provides a first connection for reducing the vacuum opening diameter which provides a means to speed up the airflow at the point of the reduction, wherein the additional components can be engaged for sealed fluid communication to a distal nozzle end. For example, and without limiting the device in any manner, the vacuum opening at the collar may reduce from ½ inch to ¼ inch, and further to a nozzle diameter of 1/32 inch. Each reduction will tend to increase airspeed fluid flow through the aperture formed which, when brushing small components and the like, can be used to pull dust and debris off delicate components more effectively.
Each of the various brush/vacuum heads are preferably tapered tubes and are offered in various lengths and configurations. As a further example, again not intended to limit the device in any manner, the device may consist of a 6-inch head, a 4-inch head, a stiff head, or a flexible head, and so forth. The nozzle ends are preferably fringed or ringed with dusting means such as feathers, soft bristles, micro fiber cloth, or other material suitable for the intended application. Additionally and preferred, the underlying tubes or nozzles having engaged dusting means thereon, employ slits, slots or apertures, through which the vacuum will function to pull air and the dust terminus of the nozzle. The apertures may be substantially small apertures to exercise further suction.
In the self-contained mode of the device, the vacuum portion is contained within a preferably cylindrical housing and employs the mounting collar as a means to engage the dusting head components. As such, the plurality of vacuum/brush heads are essentially identical in terms of their terminal diameters, providing a universal engagement means to engage the collar and the vacuum portion of the device. In use, the dust will be drawn into the housing, which itself can be easily disconnected for emptying.
In the mode of the device intended for engagement to existing vacuum cleaners, there is included a series of reducing diameter connectors, as well as an extension hose, enabling the user to connect the substantially small diameter terminal fittings of the cleaning device heads to the much larger standard, home or shop vacuum cleaner hose. In use, the dust is drawn in via the vacuum force provided by the conventional vacuum cleaner.
The components of the device are preferably formed of a tough and durable, injection-molded thermoplastic, and the device can be offered in a variety of colors and finishes.
a depicts a mode of the device wherein the brush housing is adapted to fit both the battery powered vacuum component and the distal end of a vacuum hose such as for an electric vacuum cleaner.
b depicts a mode of the brush housing wherein the brush may rotate using the movement of incoming air over blades.
a depicts a telescopic mode of the extension which may have two or more sections to allow for elongation.
Now referring to drawings in
However, other means for engagement of the housing 12 to the battery pack 22 may be employed such as projecting pins 15 engaging depressions 17 formed on the two components or a frictional engagement of the interior of the second end 16 with the circumference of the battery pack 22. Additionally shown is an on/off switch 20 which may be positioned on the battery pack 22 or the housing 12 and which is wired to close or open an electrical circuit to communicate electrical power to the motor in the housing 12.
On the opposite or second end 25 of the housing 12 there is shown the brush housing 23 having a mounting collar 24 preferably of a frustoconcial shape widening toward an engagement end 27. The mounting collar 24 is engaged to the open first end 14 of the housing 12 by means of removable engagement, including but not limited to any from a group including cooperative snap locks 15 engaging depressions 17, a frictional engagement of the engagement end 27 with the first end 14, any conventional vacuum cleaner hose 100 to attachment connection, or other means for removable engagement as would occur to those in the art.
The collar 24 provides a means to transition the fluid flow drawn toward the engagement end 27 of the brush housing 23 to a smaller diameter opening 25. This decrease of diameter provides a means for increasing the velocity of the fluid flow through the opening 25 area and to the smaller conduit formed in line with the axis of the extension portion 26.
The fluid flow in the decreased sized axial conduit, flowing in the direction toward the engagement end 27 when a vacuum source is engaged to the brush housing 23, then may be communicated to the sides adjacent to any mounted head components on the distal end of the extension portion 26 of the device 10. Such an adjacent draw of air in a fluid stream may be imparted by one or preferably a plurality of extension apertures 28 and 30, which may be formed at the distal end of the extension portion 26 of the brush housing 23. Additionally, this intake of air in the fluid flow may also be communicated through the extension-engaged component itself, if such adapted to communicate with the elongated internal conduit of the extension portion 26.
While the brush housing 23 may be formed in a single unitary component of collar 24 and extension portion 26 configured to engage the head component 32, it is preferred that the extension portion 26 is engaged in a removable sealed engagement to the collar 24. Engagement of the extension portion 26, just like the brush housing 23 to a vacuum source, may be made by any means for removable sealed engagement and can be held by cooperating fasteners 15 and 17, fictional engagement of the extension portion 26 with the collar 24, or other means of engagement as would occur to those skilled in the art.
This preferred removable engagement of the extension portion 26 allows for engagement of a plurality of different length extension portions 26 which may be sold separately or provided with the device 10 in a kit. Also, the extension portion 26 may be formed to telescopically as in
Still further, the extension portion 26 is configures at the distal end, to mount a head component 32. The head component 32 will have a central elongated member shown as tube portion 34 which at a first end, engages the distal end of the extension portion 26. At the distal end of the tube portion 34 and a central portion between the distal end and first end, are positioned means for dusting, such as a plurality of pliable members such as bristles 36 engaged thereon. It must be noted that the pliable members forming the dusting means may be of any material adapted to the task of softly contacting a surface to be cleaned, and while not limited by, may be formed of one or a plurality of materials from a group including polymeric material, feathers, microfiber, cloth, hair, nylon, polyethylene, polypropylene, bamboo, or other natural or synthetic material conventionally employed for dusting.
The head component 32 may be permanently engaged but is preferably removably engageable to an engagement position at the distal end of the extension portion 26 and would appear as a complete assembly of the brush housing 23 of the device 10 in
If the tube portion 34 employs apertures 38 in contact with its axial passage upon engaging a vacuum source be it the vacuum within the housing 12, or the distal end of a vacuum cleaner hose 100, dust will be drawn into the tube 34. It will then be drawn along with the fluid stream of air, through the extension portion 26 and collar 24, and ultimately to a means for dust collection either in the engaged vacuum cleaner or in the housing 12. If the brush housing 23 is employed with the vacuum housing 12, it can then be easily disengaged for emptying dust collected therein and for cleaning.
a depicts a mode of the device 10 noted, wherein the brush housing 23 is provided with a housing circumference which matches that of the distal end of a hose 100 from a conventional vacuum cleaner, which is currently substantially 1.25 inches in widely sold electric vacuum cleaners from multiple manufacturers. The device 10 can be sold as just the brush housing 23 with the engageable extension portion 26 or more preferably would be provided with both the vacuum pump housing 12 having a circumference substantially 1.25 inches, and a brush housing 23 with an engagement end 27 configured with an internal circumference equal to, or slightly smaller than 1.25 inches. Preferably this engagement end 27 is formed of pliable or slightly elastic material which will form a sealed engagement with either the pump housing 12 or a vacuum cleaner hose 100.
In this fashion, the user will have the option to use the brush housing 23 with engaged extension portion 26 and brush with either the battery powered vacuum pump with the housing 12, or with their conventional vacuum cleaner by engagement to its hose 100.
Of course, the device 10 might also be sold in separate components of brush housing 23 with engaged or engageable extension portions 26 with head component 32, and housing 12, and allow the user to decide if they wish to have the utility of the battery operated housing 12 for smaller, hard to reach or delicate cleaning jobs, where lugging a large electric vacuum cleaner with high powered fluid stream would not be desirable.
As indicated
In all modes of the device 10 however, there is seen in
It must be further emphasized that the head component 32 of the device 10 is capable of size, length, and various other modifications in order to provide the most effective dust collecting means. As such the prior descriptions and depictions of the head component 32 were shown merely as the simplest descriptive means and therefor should not be considered limiting in any manner. However, in aiding to portray the overall scope and intent of the invention, an additional preferred mode of the head component 32 is described immediately below.
The foregoing exemplary descriptions and the illustrative preferred embodiments of the present invention have been explained in the drawings and described in detail with varying modifications and alternative embodiments being taught. While the invention has been so shown, described and illustrated, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that equivalent changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention, and that the scope of the present invention is to be limited only to the claims except as precluded by the prior art. Moreover, the invention as disclosed herein, may be suitably practiced in the absence of the specific elements which are disclosed herein.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/458,438 filed on Nov. 23, 2010, and is incorporated herein in its entirety by this reference thereto.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
5050266 | Schneider | Sep 1991 | A |
6799350 | Gordon | Oct 2004 | B1 |
7437797 | Ptak et al. | Oct 2008 | B2 |
7465359 | Vives-Martinez | Dec 2008 | B2 |
7845048 | Bailey et al. | Dec 2010 | B1 |
8387208 | Davis | Mar 2013 | B2 |
Number | Date | Country | |
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20120124771 A1 | May 2012 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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61458438 | Nov 2010 | US |