This invention relates generally to a dust collection device. In particular, the present invention relates to a vacuum attachment that allows multiple tools to utilize a single vacuum source, effectively converting a standard vacuum into a centralized dust collection system.
Dust collection has made construction and building-related fields much healthier in recent years. However, this collection often becomes expensive and cumbersome due to the multiple vacuums currently being used at each single location. Indeed, power tools currently utilize independent dust collection systems that are large and heavy. Reducing the current bulk would allow more space for other tools and equipment as well as produce cost savings.
Various devices have been proposed for altering the traditional vacuum design. Although assumably effective for their intended purposes, the existing devices do not provide a device that allows a single standard vacuum to operate multiple vacuum lines either concurrently or at different times, allows multiple vacuum lines to be easily interchanged, securely attaches to vacuum lines, and automatically compensates for any vacuum lines that are not attached to the device. Therefore, it would be desirable to have a vacuum attachment having these features.
A vacuum attachment according to the present invention includes an aerodynamic bell housing, a distribution plate defining a plurality of blast gate openings, a plurality of blast gates, and means for biasing each blast gate toward a closed configuration. The bell housing has a first end defining an opening and a second end defining a bell housing outlet. The distribution plate is attached to the first end of the bell housing. The blast gates are hingedly attached to the distribution plate for selectively covering the blast gate openings, and an outer face of each blast gate includes an indented configuration. At least one blast gate opening may include an internal thread, and a coarse filter may be positioned in the bell housing.
In use, the vacuum attachment converts a standard vacuum cleaner having an inlet port into a centralized dust collection system. The bell housing is first attached to the vacuum's inlet port. One or more vacuum lines are inserted in the blast gate openings, forcing the blast gates to move from closed to open configurations. The vacuum lines are locked into place by a combination of the blast gates' configurations and the blast gates' biasing means, and the attached vacuum lines may then be used concurrently. The size and arrangement of the blast gate openings maintain the airflow velocity created by the vacuum and optimal flow patterns. If a vacuum line is no longer needed, it is simply withdrawn from the respective blast gate opening. The corresponding blast gate then automatically moves from the open configuration to the closed configuration due to the biasing means.
Therefore, a general object of this invention is to provide a vacuum attachment that allows a single standard vacuum to operate multiple vacuum lines either concurrently or at different times.
Another object of this invention is to provide a vacuum attachment, as aforesaid, that allows multiple vacuum lines to be easily interchanged.
Still another object of this invention is to provide a vacuum attachment, as aforesaid, that securely attaches to vacuum lines.
Yet another object of this invention is to provide a vacuum attachment, as aforesaid, that automatically compensates for any vacuum lines that are not attached to the device.
A further object of this invention is to provide a vacuum attachment, as aforesaid, that is easily and economically manufactured.
A still further object of this invention is to provide a vacuum attachment, as aforesaid, that prevents large debris from entering the attached vacuum.
Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein is set forth by way of illustration and example, embodiments of this invention.
a is a perspective view of the vacuum attachment as in
b is a perspective view of the vacuum attachment as in
a is a front view of the vacuum attachment as in
b is a sectional view taken along line 4b-4b in
c is a rear view of the vacuum attachment as in
a is an exploded view of a vacuum attachment according to another embodiment of the present invention;
b is a perspective view on an enlarged scale of a blast gate opening that includes an internal thread as in
A vacuum attachment for use with a standard vacuum cleaner having an inlet port according to the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to
The aerodynamic bell housing 110 has first and second ends 112a, 112b. The first end 112a of the bell housing 110 defines an opening 115 (
The distribution plate 120 is attached to the first end 112a of the bell housing 110 and defines a plurality of blast gate openings 122. The distribution plate 120 may be either removably or fixedly attached to the bell housing 110. Each blast gate opening 122 has a predetermined cross-sectional area 122a and a centerpoint 122b (
The plurality of blast gates 130 corresponds to the plurality of blast gate openings 122, and each blast gate 130 is hingedly attached to the distribution plate 120 proximate a respective blast gate opening 122 for selectively covering the respective blast gate opening 122 (
The means 140 for biasing each blast gate 130 toward the closed configuration 136 includes a spring 142 incorporated in each hinged attachment 141 of a respective blast gate 130 to the distribution plate 120 (
In use, the vacuum attachment 100 is used for converting a standard vacuum cleaner 102 having an inlet port 104 into a centralized dust collection system. The standard coupling means 114 of the second end 112b of the bell housing 110 attach the bell housing 110 to the inlet port 104 of the vacuum 102. All blast gates 130 are initially in the closed configurations 136 (
Once a respective blast gate 130 is in the open configuration 138 and a vacuum line 106 is fully inserted in the respective blast gate opening 122, the respective blast gate 130 and vacuum line 106 adjoin substantially flush (
When the vacuum 102 is activated, air is drawn from the attached vacuum lines 106 through the vacuum attachment 100 and the inlet port 104 of the vacuum 102. The size and arrangement of the blast gate openings 122 as described above maintain the airflow velocity created by the vacuum 102 and optimal flow patterns.
If a vacuum line 106 is no longer necessary, it is simply withdrawn from the respective blast gate opening 122. The corresponding blast gate 130 then automatically moves from the open configuration 138 (
A vacuum attachment 200 according to another embodiment of the present invention is shown in
A vacuum attachment 300 according to still another embodiment of the present invention is shown in
It is understood that while certain forms of this invention have been illustrated and described, it is not limited thereto except insofar as such limitations are included in the following claims and allowable functional equivalents thereof.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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20060042037 A1 | Mar 2006 | US |