FIELD OF DISCLOSURE
The present disclosure generally relates to vacuum systems and, more particularly but not by way of limitation, to wet-dry vacuums, such as may also be utilized as blowers.
BACKGROUND
Various wet-dry vacuums are known have been available for a number of years, and example of which is shown in FIGS. 1-4. Virtually all previous configurations of vacuums 100 are similar in design with a base 103 that is typically supported on four caster wheels 102. The base typically is integrated with or attached to a debris bin 104 for collection of debris and/or liquid. A hose 110 is typically coupled to an inlet connection 109 defined in the upper third of the debris bin 104. A lid assembly 105 sits above and clamps to the debris bin 104 with a large filter (not shown in FIGS. 1-4) and a motor and fan assembly (in blower chamber 111).
Such vacuums are often moved during use by a user pulling on the hose 110 to advance the vacuum 100 toward the user. However, the heaviest elements of the vacuum system, which include the motor and fan assembly (in blower chamber 111), the hose 110, power cord (not shown), and accessories (e.g., hose-end nozzles/fittings) are typically mounted on the upper part of the machine (on or near) the lid assembly, making such vacuums top heavy and subject to falling over. When the hose is pulled by the user to advance the machine, the force applied from the hose is on the upper part of (e.g., upper one-third) of the debris bin 104 with the weight of the motor and fan assembly (in blower chamber 111) above the point 109 at which the force 118 is applied through the hose 110, and the wheels 102 typically under or close to the edge of the debris bin, often causing the unit to pivot on the wheel(s) and tip over as indicated by the dashed profile in FIG. 4. Additionally, lifting up on the hose can cause the unit to tip backward as front wheels (under the hose connection 109) lift off the floor or other support surface, and the opposing (rear) wheels roll under the unit.
SUMMARY
The present disclosure includes various configurations of vacuums (e.g., wet-dry vacuums), at least some of which can also be used as blowers. The present vacuums are configured to resist tipping, for example, by lowering the center of gravity, lowering the point at which the hose applies lateral forces, and/or expanding the lateral extent of the casters to resist tipping. The present vacuums also include various additional features, such as removability of debris bins, deployable caster outriggers, and/or the like.
Some configurations of the present wet/dry vacuum cleaner apparatuses comprise: a base, an electric motor, a receptacle, and a lid. In some such configurations, the base has a body with a lower side, an upper side, and a lateral periphery, the body defining: a blower chamber; a vacuum inlet passage extending through and between the upper side of the body and the lateral periphery of the body; a blower inlet passage in fluid communication with the blower chamber and extending through the upper side of the body; and a blower outlet passage in fluid communication with the blower chamber and extending out of the body. In some such configurations, the electric motor is coupled to the base and configured to rotate a blower wheel in the blower chamber to draw air into the blower chamber through the blower inlet passage and expel the air through the blower outlet passage. In some such configurations, the receptacle has a body with a closed bottom wall and a peripheral wall extending upward from the bottom wall to a peripheral wall upper end, the bottom and peripheral walls cooperating to define a hollow chamber that is configured to receive debris collected by the vacuum cleaner apparatus, the receptacle defining: a vacuum intake tube extending from a lower vacuum intake opening through the bottom wall of the receptacle to a vacuum intake tube upper end opening into the receptable at a point that is closer to the peripheral wall upper end than to the bottom wall; and a blower intake tube extending from a lower blower intake tube opening through the bottom wall of the receptacle to a blower intake tube upper end that is closer to the peripheral wall upper end than to the bottom wall. In some such configurations, the lid is configured to be coupled to the peripheral wall upper end of the receptacle to substantially enclose the chamber. In some such configurations, the receptacle is configured to be removably coupled to the base such that the lower vacuum intake opening is in fluid communication with the vacuum inlet passage at the upper side of the base, and the lower blower intake tube opening is in fluid communication with the blower inlet passage at the upper side of the base. In some such configurations, the apparatus is configured such that, when the lid is coupled to the receptacle and the receptacle is coupled to the base, the motor is configured to draw air sequentially through the vacuum inlet passage, the vacuum intake tube, the receptacle, the motor inlet tube, and the blower inlet passage.
In some configurations of the present wet/dry vacuum cleaner apparatuses, the lid includes an upper wall, a peripheral wall, and a lower wall that cooperate with one another to define an intake chamber, the lower wall further defining an air intake passage and a vacuum tube passage; where the lid is configured to be coupled to the receptacle such that the air intake passage is in fluid communication with the chamber of the receptacle, and the vacuum tube passage is in fluid communication with the vacuum intake tube. Some such configurations further comprise: a filter covering the air intake passage such that air passing from the receptacle to the air intake chamber must pass through the filter.
Some configurations of the present wet/dry vacuum cleaner apparatuses further comprise: a plurality of casters coupled to the base, each of the casters having a rotational axis about which a wheel of the respective caster rotates. In some such configurations, the lower side of the base extends below the rotational axis of at least one of the casters. In some such configurations, the casters are each configured to be adjusted from a first configuration at which the respective wheel is at a first vertical position to a second configuration in which the respective wheel is at a second vertical position at which the respective wheel is disposed above at least a portion of the bottom side of the receptacle. Some such configurations further comprise: a plurality of outriggers each having a first end coupled to the base and a second end to which one of the casters is coupled. In some such configurations, the first end of each outrigger is coupled to the base such that each of the outriggers is movable between a collapsed configuration in which the second end is adjacent to the base, and a deployed configuration in which the second end extends away from the base. Some configurations of the present wet/dry vacuum cleaner apparatuses include certain examples of caster configurations and/or wheel configurations. It will be appreciated that these examples represent non-limiting, illustrative examples and that any of various available types of caster and/or wheel configurations may be utilized instead.
In some configurations of the present wet/dry vacuum cleaner apparatuses, when the hollow chamber of the receptacle is empty, the apparatus has a center of gravity in a bottom one-half of the apparatus. In some such configurations, when the hollow chamber of the receptacle is empty, the apparatus has a center of gravity in a bottom one-quarter of the apparatus.
In some configurations of the present wet/dry vacuum cleaner apparatuses, the receptacle is removable from the base by hand, without tools, such that the receptacle can be lifted and inverted to empty debris without also lifting the base.
In some configurations of the present wet/dry vacuum cleaner apparatuses, one of the casters is circumferentially positioned at an angle that is from 170 degrees to 190 degrees around the base from the hose connection.
In some configurations of the present wet/dry vacuum cleaner apparatuses, at least one of the casters is circumferentially positioned at an angle that is from 170 degrees to 190 degrees around the base from an outlet opening of the blower outlet passage.
In some configurations of the present wet/dry vacuum cleaner apparatuses, the peripheral wall of the receptacle also defines a drain opening, and the drain opening is circumferentially positioned between two casters.
Some configurations of the present wet/dry vacuum cleaner apparatuses comprise: a receptacle having a body with a closed bottom wall and a peripheral wall extending upward from the bottom wall to a peripheral wall upper end, the bottom and peripheral walls cooperating to define a hollow chamber that is configured to receive debris collected by the vacuum cleaner apparatus, the receptacle defining a vacuum intake defined through an upper half of the peripheral wall; a plurality of casters coupled to the receptacle, each of the casters having a rotational axis about which a wheel of the respective caster rotates; a lid configured to be coupled to the peripheral wall upper end of the receptacle to substantially enclose the chamber; an electric motor configured to rotate a blower wheel to draw air into the receptacle through the vacuum intake; a hose having a first end coupled to the vacuum intake and a hose connection point separated from the first end by a hose length; a first segment of cord or strap extending between the hose connection point and a first receptacle connection point disposed in a lower half of the receptacle. Some such configurations further comprise: a second segment of cord or strap extending between the hose connection point and a second receptacle connection point disposed in a lower half of the receptacle.
Some configurations of the present wet/dry vacuum cleaner apparatuses comprise: a receptacle having a body with a closed bottom wall and a peripheral wall extending upward from the bottom wall to a peripheral wall upper end, the bottom and peripheral walls cooperating to define a hollow chamber that is configured to receive debris collected by the vacuum cleaner apparatus, the receptacle defining a vacuum intake through an upper half of the peripheral wall; a plurality of casters coupled to the receptacle, each of the casters having a rotational axis about which a wheel of the respective caster rotates; a lid configured to be coupled to the peripheral wall upper end of the receptacle to substantially enclose the chamber; an electric motor configured to rotate a blower wheel to draw air into the receptacle through the vacuum intake; and a hose adapter comprising substantially rigid conduit having a horizontal first end coupled to the vacuum intake, a first bend segment extending from the first end, a vertical segment extending downward from the first bend segment, a second bend segment extending from a lower end of the vertical segment, and a horizontal second end configured to be coupled to a vacuum hose; where the adapter is coupled to the receptacle such that the second end of the adapter is disposed below the center of gravity of the apparatus. Some such configurations further comprise: a bracket coupled to the hose adapter and to the receptacle.
Some configurations of the present wet/dry vacuum cleaner apparatuses comprise: a receptacle having a body with a closed bottom wall and a peripheral wall extending upward from the bottom wall to a peripheral wall upper end, the bottom and peripheral walls cooperating to define a hollow chamber that is configured to receive debris collected by the vacuum cleaner apparatus, the receptacle defining a vacuum intake through a lower half of the peripheral wall; a plurality of casters coupled to the receptacle, each of the casters having a rotational axis about which a wheel of the respective caster rotates; a lid configured to be coupled to the peripheral wall upper end of the receptacle to substantially enclose the chamber; an electric motor configured to rotate a blower wheel to draw air into the receptacle through the vacuum intake; and a substantially rigid snorkel conduit disposed inside the hollow chamber of the receptacle, the snorkel conduit having a horizontal first end coupled to the vacuum intake, a first bend segment extending from the first end, and a vertical segment extending upward from the first bend segment to a second end disposed above a vertical midpoint of the receptacle. Some such configurations further comprise: one or more stabilizers adjacent to the vacuum intake and extending outward from a lower portion of the receptacle to resist tipping of the apparatus. In some such configurations, distal ends of the one or more stabilizers are coupled to one or more wheels.
Some configurations of the present wet/dry vacuum cleaner apparatuses comprise: a receptacle having a body with a closed bottom wall and a peripheral wall extending upward from the bottom wall to a peripheral wall upper end, the bottom and peripheral walls cooperating to define a hollow chamber that is configured to receive debris collected by the vacuum cleaner apparatus, the receptacle defining a vacuum intake through the peripheral wall; a plurality of casters coupled to the receptacle, each of the casters having a rotational axis about which a wheel of the respective caster rotates; a lid configured to be coupled to the peripheral wall upper end of the receptacle to substantially enclose the chamber; and an electric motor configured to rotate a blower wheel to draw air into the receptacle through the vacuum intake; where the casters are coupled to the receptacle such that the height of the receptacle is adjustable relative to a support surface contacted by the casters. In some such configurations, the casters are coupled to outriggers that are coupled to the receptacle.
The term “coupled” is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly, and not necessarily mechanically; two items that are “coupled” may be unitary with each other. The terms “a” and “an” are defined as one or more unless this disclosure explicitly requires otherwise. The term “substantially” is defined as largely but not necessarily wholly what is specified (and includes what is specified; e.g., substantially 90 degrees includes 90 degrees and substantially parallel includes parallel), as understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art. In any embodiment of the present apparatuses, kits, and methods, the term “substantially” may be substituted with “within [a percentage] of” what is specified, where the percentage includes 0.1, 1, 5, and/or 10 percent.
The terms “comprise” (and any form of comprise, such as “comprises” and “comprising”), “have” (and any form of have, such as “has” and “having”), “include” (and any form of include, such as “includes” and “including”) and “contain” (and any form of contain, such as “contains” and “containing”) are open-ended linking verbs. As a result, an apparatus or kit that “comprises,” “has,” “includes” or “contains” one or more elements possesses those one or more elements, but is not limited to possessing only those elements. Likewise, a method that “comprises,” “has,” “includes” or “contains” one or more steps possesses those one or more steps, but is not limited to possessing only those one or more steps.
Further, an apparatus, device or system that is configured in a certain way is configured in at least that way, but it can also be configured in other ways than those specifically described.
Any embodiment of any of the present apparatuses and methods can consist of or consist essentially of—rather than comprise/include/contain/have—any of the described steps, elements, and/or features. Thus, in any of the claims, the term “consisting of” or “consisting essentially of” can be substituted for any of the open-ended linking verbs recited above, in order to change the scope of a given claim from what it would otherwise be using the open-ended linking verb.
Details associated with the embodiments described above and others are presented below.
Some details associated with the aspects of the present disclosure are described above, and others are described below. Other implementations, advantages, and features of the present disclosure will become apparent after review of the entire application, including the Brief Description of the Drawings, Detailed Description, and the Claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The following drawings illustrate by way of example and not limitation. For the sake of brevity and clarity, every feature of a given structure is not always labeled in every figure in which that structure appears. Identical labels or reference numbers do not necessarily indicate an identical structure. Rather, the same reference number may be used to indicate a similar feature or a feature with similar functionality, as may non-identical reference numbers. The figures are drawn to scale (unless otherwise noted), meaning the sizes of the depicted elements are accurate relative to each other for the examples depicted in the figures.
FIG. 1 is a first side view of a prior art wet-dry vacuum.
FIG. 2 is a front view of the vacuum of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a top view of the vacuum of FIG. 1.
FIG. 4 is a first side view of the vacuum of FIG. 1, illustrating in dashed lines how the vacuum may tip when a vacuum hose is pulled.
FIG. 5 is a side cross-sectional view of an example of the present wet-dry vacuums.
FIG. 6 is an exploded side view of the vacuum of FIG. 5.
FIG. 7 is a top view of the vacuum of FIG. 5, with caster outriggers in a deployed configuration.
FIG. 8 is a top view of the vacuum of FIG. 5, with the caster outriggers in a collapsed configuration and one caster outrigger in dashed lines shown for comparison in a deployed configuration.
FIG. 9 is a side view of the vacuum of FIG. 5, with the caster outriggers in a deployed configuration.
FIG. 10 is a side view of the vacuum of FIG. 5, with the caster outriggers in a collapsed configuration.
FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional top view of a base of the vacuum of FIG. 5.
FIG. 12 is a bottom view of the lid of the vacuum of FIG. 5.
FIG. 13 is a top view of the receptacle of the vacuum of FIG. 5.
FIG. 14 is an enlarged cutaway top view of a caster outrigger in a deployed configuration.
FIG. 15 is an enlarged, cutaway side view of the caster outrigger of FIG. 14 in a deployed configuration.
FIG. 16 is an enlarged cutaway top view of a caster outrigger in a collapsed configuration.
FIG. 17 is an enlarged cutaway side view of the caster outrigger of FIG. 16 in a collapsed configuration.
FIG. 18 is an enlarged cutaway side view of the caster outrigger of FIG. 16 in a deployed configuration, with the caster wheel in a lowered position.
FIG. 19 is an enlarged cutaway side view of the caster outrigger of FIG. 16 in a deployed configuration, with the caster wheel in a raised position.
FIG. 20 is an enlarged cutaway top view of a portion of an alternate lid configuration for the present vacuums, which portion includes an integrated handle.
FIG. 21 is cross-sectional side view of the portion of the lid shown in FIG. 20.
FIG. 22 is a bottom view of an alternate configuration of a base for the present vacuums.
FIG. 23 is a cutaway side view of a portion of the base of the vacuum of FIG. 22, showing a skid support in a retracted position.
FIG. 24 is a cutaway side view of the portion of the base shown in FIG. 23, but with the skid support in a lowered position.
FIG. 25 is a bottom view of the skid support shown in FIGS. 23 and 24.
FIG. 26 is cross sectional view of the skid support of FIG. 25 shown contacting a level surface.
FIG. 27 is cross section view of the skid support of FIG. 25 shown pivoted and contacting a non-level surface.
FIG. 28 is front view of an alternate caster design.
FIG. 29 is left side view of the alternate caster of FIG. 28.
FIG. 30 is right side view of the alternate caster of FIG. 28.
FIG. 31 is first side view of a second example of the present wet-dry vacuums.
FIG. 32 is front view of the vacuum of FIG. 31.
FIG. 33 is top view of the vacuum of FIG. 31.
FIG. 34 is a first side view of a third example of the present wet-dry vacuums.
FIG. 35 is front view of the vacuum of FIG. 34.
FIG. 36 is top view of the vacuum of FIG. 34.
FIG. 37 is a first side view of a fourth example of the present wet-dry vacuums.
FIG. 38 is a front view of the vacuum of FIG. 37.
FIG. 39 is a top view of the vacuum of FIG. 37.
FIG. 40 is a cutaway top view of a first alternative example of a base of the present disclosure.
FIG. 41 is a cutaway perspective view of a second alternative example of a base of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS
Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. 5-19, shown there and designed by the reference numeral 200 is a first example of the present wet-dry vacuums. In this example, the vacuum comprises a base 103, a bin or receptacle 104, and a lid 105. The base 103 has a body with a lower side, an upper side, and a lateral periphery. While the lateral periphery is circular in the depicted configuration, other configurations may have other shapes (e.g., oval, octagonal, or the like). As shown in FIG. 11, the body of the base defines a blower chamber 111; a vacuum inlet passage 115 extending through and between the upper side of the body and the lateral periphery of the body (at hose connection 109); a blower inlet passage 119 in fluid communication with the blower chamber and extending through the upper side of the body; and a blower outlet passage 175 in fluid communication with the blower chamber and extending out of the body (e.g., to a blower hose connection 135 to which the hose can be connected to blow air out instead of sucking air in). As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, in the depicted example, each of vacuum inlet passage 115 and blower inlet passage 119 includes a male connector 136 extending upward from the upper side of the base and configured to be received in corresponding passages of the receptacle 104.
As shown in FIG. 11, vacuum 200 also includes an electric motor 121 coupled to the base and configured to rotate a blower wheel or fan 122 in the blower chamber 111 to draw air into the blower chamber 111 through the blower inlet passage 119 and expel the air through the blower outlet passage 175. As shown in FIG. 6, in the depicted example, motor 121 is disposed between the upper and lower sides of the base 103, which are substantially planar, and within a radial interior of blower wheel 122. In other configurations, motor 121 may extend partially above a plane defined by the upper edge of the lateral periphery, such that a central portion of the upper side of the base may be relatively taller than an annular outer portion of the upper side of the base.
As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the bin or receptacle 104 has a body with a closed bottom wall 181 and a peripheral wall extending upward from the bottom wall to a peripheral wall upper end, the bottom wall 181 and peripheral wall cooperating to define a hollow chamber that is configured to receive debris collected by the vacuum cleaner apparatus. The receptacle 104 defines a vacuum intake tube 188 and a blower intake tube 189. The vacuum intake tube 188 extends from a lower vacuum intake opening through the bottom wall 181 of the receptacle to a vacuum intake tube upper end 127 opening into the receptable at a point that is closer to the peripheral wall upper end than to the bottom wall 181 (e.g., in the upper one-quarter of the receptacle). The blower intake tube 189 extends from a lower blower intake tube opening through the bottom wall 181 of the receptacle to a blower intake tube upper end that is closer to the peripheral wall upper end than to the bottom wall. In the depicted example, the blower intake tube upper end extends all the way up to the level of the upper end of the peripheral wall (the top of the receptacle). As shown, in the depicted example, the lower ends of each of the vacuum intake tube 188 and blower intake tube 189 are configured as female connectors 159 configured to receive the male connectors 136 of the base 103 to connect in substantially sealed relation: the vacuum intake passage 115 of the base 103 to the vacuum intake tube 188 of the receptacle 104, and the blower intake passage 119 of the base 103 to the blower intake tube 189 of the receptacle. As also shown, in the depicted example, the blower intake tube upper end is configured as a female connector 159 to receive a male connector 136 of the lid.
The lid 105 is configured to be coupled to the peripheral wall upper end of the receptacle to substantially enclose the chamber. As shown in FIG. 6, lid 105 includes an upper wall 201, a peripheral wall 202, and a lower wall 180 that cooperate with one another to define an intake chamber 149. Lower wall 180 further defines an air intake passage 204 and a vacuum tube passage 203. In the depicted example, a filter 126 covers air intake passage 204. In the depicted configuration, filter 126 is cup-shaped such that a bottom wall portion 205 the filter covers air intake passage 204, and a peripheral wall portion 206 of the filter cooperates with lower wall 180 to define an annular shape for intake chamber 149. In this configuration, and as illustrated by the heavy arrows 160 in FIG. 5, air entering the chamber of the receptacle through vacuum intake tube upper end 127 passes a first time through bottom wall portion 205 of the filter into an interior of the cup-shaped filter 126, and then passes a second time through peripheral wall portion 206 of the filter into the annular intake chamber 149, where the air can then be drawn through air intake passage 203. As shown in in FIG. 5, the lid 105 is configured to be coupled to the receptacle 104 such that the air intake passage 204 of the lid is in fluid communication with the chamber of the receptacle, and the vacuum tube passage 203 of the lid is in fluid communication with the blower intake tube 189 (e.g., via male connector 136 of the lid received in the female connector portion of the upper end of the blower intake tube 189).
As shown in FIG. 5, vacuum 200 is configured such that, when the lid 105 is coupled to the receptacle 104, and the receptacle 104 is coupled to the base 103, the motor 121 (via blower wheel 122) is configured to draw air sequentially through the vacuum inlet passage 115, the vacuum intake tube 188, the chamber of the receptacle, the motor inlet tube 189 (through filter 126, intake chamber 149, and air intake passage 203), and the blower inlet passage 119.
And, as shown in FIG. 6, the receptacle 104 is configured to be removably coupled to the base 103 such that the lower vacuum intake opening of vacuum intake tube 188 is in fluid communication with the vacuum inlet passage 115 at the upper side of the base 103, and the lower blower intake tube opening of the blower intake tube 189 is in fluid communication with the blower inlet passage 119 at the upper side of the base. The male connectors 136 that are linearly received in the bottom of the tubes 188, 189 of the receptacle, the receptacle 104 can simply be lifted straight up from the base for removal and emptying. While not shown in the depicted example, some configurations can include one or more latches to secure the receptacle 104 relative to the base 103. In this example, the lid 105 can be removed from the receptacle 104, and the receptacle 104 can be removed from the base 103, to enable the receptacle to be lifted and inverted to dump the contents (e.g., debris and/or liquid) from the receptacle without having to also lift the motor.
By positioning the motor in the base (e.g., near or below an upper planar side of the base as described above), the center of gravity is significantly lower than the prior art approach in which the motor has traditionally been included in a lid assembly. For example, in the depicted example, the vacuum 200 is configured such that, when the hollow chamber of the receptacle is empty, the apparatus has a center of gravity in a bottom one-half (e.g., bottom one-quarter) of the apparatus. Stability can also be improved relative to prior art design by lowering the receptacle relative to the casters and/or by extending the casters farther outward relative to the center of the center of the base. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the base 103 is configured such that the lower side 242 of the base extends below the rotational axes of the wheels 102 of the casters. By way of further example, in the depicted example and as shown in FIGS. 11 and 14-17, vacuum 200 also comprises a plurality of outriggers 155 each having a first end coupled to the base and a second end to which one of the casters 102 is coupled. In the depicted example, the inner ends of outriggers 155 have a height that is substantially equal to that of the base 103 to resist bending of the outriggers relative to the base, and thereby resist tipping. More particularly, in the depicted example, each outrigger is pivotally coupled to the base at hinge 158 (with a vertical pivot axis) such that each of the outriggers is movable between a collapsed configuration in which the second end is adjacent to the base (FIGS. 8, 10, 16-17), and a deployed configuration in which the second end extends away from the base (FIGS. 7, 9, 11, 14-15). By extending the casters further outward relative to the center of the base, the horizontal moment arm from wheel axis to the vacuum center of gravity is longer to resist tipping. In the example shown, a locking assembly for each outrigger includes a pair of triangular locking arms 156 that pivot around a horizontal hinge axis 191 between a lower position (FIGS. 16-17) in which the outrigger is free to pivot at hinge 158, and an upper position (FIGS. 14, 15) in which locking arms 156 are pivoted upward away from the base and latch in place via a detent or magnetic latch 157 to maintain the outrigger 155 in its deployed position. In the depicted example, and as can be seen in FIG. 11, one of the casters 102 (and outriggers) is circumferentially positioned an angle that is from 170 degrees to 190 degrees (e.g., 180 degrees, as shown) around the base from (opposite to) the hose connection 109, so as to resist tipping away from the hose if a user pulls up on the hose. Similarly, in this example, one of the casters 102 (and outriggers) is circumferentially positioned at an angle that is from 170 degrees to 190 degrees (e.g., 180 degrees, as shown) around the base from an outlet opening 130 of the blower outlet passage 175, so as to resist tipping away from the hose if a user pulls up on a hose that is connected to the outlet 130. Additionally, as shown in FIG. 9, in this example, the peripheral wall of the receptacle also defines a drain opening 128, and the drain opening 128 is circumferentially positioned between two caster to facilitate tipping the base forward to facilitate draining of liquid through the drain opening 128.
Additionally, to improve stability when the vacuum 200 is stationary, the casters are each configured to be adjusted from a first configuration at which the respective wheel is at a first vertical position (FIG. 18) to a second configuration in which the respective wheel is at a second vertical position at which the respective wheel is disposed above at least a portion of the bottom side of the receptacle (FIG. 19). In particular, in the depicted example, the caster wheel stem is coupled to a support pin 186 that moves in a slot between a lower position (FIG. 18) in which the wheel is lowered, and an upper position (FIG. 19) in which the wheel is raised. A removable attachment pin 185 secures the support pin 186 in the desired one of the lower and upper positions.
Referring now to FIGS. 20-21, FIG. 20 is an enlarged cutaway top view of a portion of an alternate lid configuration for the present vacuums, which portion includes an integrated handle 106 molded into a peripheral portion of the lid, and FIG. 21 is cross-sectional side view of the portion of the lid shown in FIG. 20.
Referring now to FIGS. 22-27, FIG. 22 is a bottom view of an alternate configuration of a base for the present vacuums; FIG. 23 is a cutaway side view of a portion of the base, showing an inner skid support 195 in a retracted position; FIG. 24 is a cutaway side view of the portion of the base, but with the skid support 195 in a lowered position; FIG. 25 is a bottom view of an outer skid support 195 on an outrigger 155; FIG. 26 is cross sectional view of the outer skid support 195 of FIG. 25 shown contacting a level surface; and FIG. 27 is cross section view of the outer skid support 195 of FIG. 25 shown pivoted and contacting a non-level surface. As shown in FIG. 22, the inner skid supports 195 are disposed on a bottom of the base within the periphery of the base, and the outer skid supports 195 are disposed on outriggers 155 (similar to those described above with reference to FIGS. 11 and 14-17. As shown in FIGS. 23 and 24, the inner skid supports 195 are coupled to the base via threads or other adjustment structures to permit the inner skid supports 195 to be retracted into recesses 196 (FIG. 23), or extended out of recesses 196 (FIG. 24). In the depicted example, the bottom side of base includes a non-skid surface 147 such that extending the skid supports 195 out of the recesses 196 permits the base and vacuum to slide on a support surface such as a floor). As shown in FIGS. 25-27, the outer skid supports 195 may be pivotally coupled (e.g., via ball pivots 197) to the lower ends of support shafts extending downward from the outriggers to permit the skid supports to adapt to non-level or uneven surfaces (e.g., as in FIG. 27).
Referring now to FIGS. 28-30, FIG. 28 is front view of an alternate caster design; FIG. 29 is left side view of the alternate caster; and FIG. 30 is right side view of the alternate caster. In this example, the caster wheel 182 is carried on one end of a bracket 225 that has at its opposing end a gripping pad 238. Brackets 225 are pivotally coupled (at point 117) to outer ends of a respective outrigger such that when the wheels are positioned downward (FIG. 29), the vacuum can be rolled; and, when the gripping pads are positioned downward (FIG. 30), the vacuum is resists movement relative to a support surface. In the depicted example, bracket 225 is configured to be retained in the desired position by one or more detents or magnetic latches 157. As shown in FIG. 28, if the bracket 225 is rotated to be perpendicular to the height of the outrigger 230, then non-slip surface 147 of the outrigger 230 contacts the supporting surface.
Referring now to FIGS. 31-33, FIG. 31 is first side view of a second example of the present wet-dry vacuums; FIG. 32 is front view of the vacuum of FIG. 31; and FIG. 33 is top view of the vacuum of FIG. 31. The vacuum of FIGS. 31-33 is similar to prior art designs in that the motor is included in the lid and the center of gravity (at least when the receptacle is empty) is therefore in the upper one-half (e.g., upper on-third) of the vacuum. In this example, the receptacle 104 has a body with a closed bottom wall and a peripheral wall extending upward from the bottom wall to a peripheral wall upper end, the bottom and peripheral walls cooperating to define a hollow chamber that is configured to receive debris collected by the vacuum cleaner apparatus. The vacuum includes a plurality of casters 102 coupled to the receptacle, each of the casters having a rotational axis about which a wheel of the respective caster rotates; and a lid 105 configured to be coupled to the peripheral wall upper end of the receptacle to substantially enclose the chamber. The vacuum also includes an electric motor 111 (e.g., coupled to the lid in the depicted example) that is configured to rotate a blower wheel to draw air into the receptacle through the vacuum intake.
As shown, the receptacle defines a vacuum intake/hose connection 109 through an upper half (e.g., upper one-third) of the peripheral wall of the receptacle. A hose 110 has a first end coupled to the vacuum intake and a hose connection point 211 separated from the first end by a hose length. A first segment of cord or strap 213 extends between the hose connection point 211 and a first receptacle connection point 214 disposed in a lower half of the receptacle. The depicted example also includes a second segment 213 of cord or strap extending between the hose connection point 211 and a second receptacle connection point 213 disposed in a lower half of the receptacle (e.g., laterally spaced from the first receptacle connection point). The cords or straps can be coupled to the hose connection point 211 with a pivot or other connection that allows the cords/straps to move relative to the hose. The length of the cord(s)/strap(s) is such that as the hose is pulled laterally away from the vacuum the cord(s)/strap(s) become taught (all slack is removed) before all slack is removed from the hose segment between the hose connection point 211 and the intake hose connection 109 at the receptacle. In this way, lateral force on the hose is conveyed to the receptacle connection point(s) 214 instead of the intake hose connection 109, thereby applying the corresponding lateral force to a point that is closer to the ground and thereby less likely to cause the vacuum to tip.
Referring now to FIGS. 34-36, FIG. 34 is a first side view of a third example of the present wet-dry vacuums; FIG. 35 is front view of the vacuum of FIG. 34; and FIG. 36 is top view of the vacuum of FIG. 34. The vacuum of FIGS. 34-36 is similar to the vacuum of FIGS. 31-33, with the exception that the vacuum of FIGS. 34-36 includes a substantially rigid hose adapter 246 having a horizontal first end coupled to the vacuum intake 109, a first (upper) bend segment extending from the first end, a vertical segment extending downward from the first bend segment, a second (lower) bend segment extending from a lower end of the vertical segment, and a horizontal second end configured to be coupled to a vacuum hose 110. As shown, the adapter 246 is coupled to the receptacle such that the second (lower) end of the adapter is disposed below the center of gravity of the apparatus, for example in the bottom one-half (e.g., bottom one-quarter) of the vacuum, as shown. In this example, a bracket 247 couple the hose adapter to the receptacle (for example via a strap, screws, and/or other fastener(s) that secure the bracket 247 to the receptacle).
Referring now to FIGS. 37-39, FIG. 37 is a first side view of a fourth example of the present wet-dry vacuums; FIG. 38 is a front view of the vacuum of FIG. 37; and FIG. 39 is a top view of the vacuum of FIG. 37. The vacuum of FIGS. 37-39 is similar to the vacuum of FIGS. 34-36, with the exception that the vacuum of FIGS. 37-39 includes a hose connection 109 that is in the lower one-half (e.g., lower one-third, lower one-quarter, or even lower) of the receptacle, and the vacuum of FIGS. 37-39 also includes outriggers 230 that extend the casters radially outward from the receptacle for stability. To accommodate the lower hose connection 109, the vacuum includes a substantially rigid snorkel conduit 248 disposed inside the hollow chamber of the receptacle, the snorkel conduit having a horizontal first end coupled to the vacuum intake, a first bend segment extending from the first end, and a vertical segment extending upward from the first bend segment to a second end 127 disposed above a vertical midpoint of the receptacle. The internal segment moves the air intake to an upper position within the receptacle (to allow debris and liquid to enter the receptacle above debris and liquid already collected) and moves the hose connection point 109 to a lower part of the receptacle to reduce the possibility of tipping.
In this example, the vacuum also includes a plurality of outriggers 230 each coupled to the receptacle via a ratchet or other height-adjustment mechanism 228/229 to allow the height of the receptacle to be adjusted relative to a support surface (e.g., floor). As shown, this can permit the lower side of the receptacle to be lowered below rotational axis of the caster wheels to further resist tipping of the vacuum.
Additionally, in the depicted example, the vacuum also includes one or more optional stabilizers 249 adjacent to the vacuum intake 109 and extending outward (e.g., radially outward or parallel to a plane that extends radially outward through the center of the vacuum intake) from a lower portion of the receptacle to resist tipping of the apparatus. As shown, such stabilizers can include one or more wheels.
FIG. 40 depicts a cutaway top view of a first alternative example of a base assembly 103a of the present disclosure in a first, vacuum configuration. While base assembly is shown without bin 104 and lid 105 for illustration purposes, it should be understood that in the vacuum configuration, the bin and lid will typically be coupled to the base assembly during use. Base assembly 103a is substantially similar to base assembly 103 (e.g., as shown in FIG. 11), with the primary exceptions that base assembly 103a includes a turbine motor/fan 250 having an elongated configuration (rather than a conventional pancake-type configuration like that of motor 121 and blower wheel 122), and (2) blower outlet passage 175 includes an acoustic attenuation unit 251 (coupled to the outlet of turbine motor/fan 250) for acoustic attenuation in order to dampen noise associated with the unit (e.g., air flow, fan, and motor noise). In the example depicted in FIG. 40, acoustic attenuation unit 251 includes multiple bends between turbine motor/fan 250 and the outlet of blower outlet passage 175. In the illustrative, non-limiting example depicted in FIG. 40, the multiple bends include two bends of approximately ninety degrees and one bend of approximately forty-five degrees. In the example depicted in FIG. 40, base assembly 103a further includes an acoustic muffler 252 positioned at the exhaust port of the unit. As high noise may be generally associated with operation of conventional wet-dry vacuums/blowers, the combination of features depicted in the example of FIG. 40 may lower the decibels of sound associated with operation of the unit. Such reduced noise may be associated with: bends of pipe in the acoustic attenuation unit 251; one or more vanes inside the pipe; one or more baffles; the acoustic muffler 252; the turbine motor/fan 250 and pipe being mounted on dampener(s); acoustic isolator(s); or any combination thereof.
FIG. 41 depicts a cutaway perspective view of base assembly 103a in a second, blower configuration in which acoustic muffler 252 is coupled to the inlet of blower inlet passage 119. According to some embodiments, the unit depicted in FIG. 41 may be configured to operate as a rollable blower system including the base (including the turbine motor/fan 250) without the debris bin or lid attached. To illustrate, the motor base can be modified by removing the lid and debris bin from the motor base. The acoustic muffler 252 may then be moved from blower outlet passage 175 to the blower inlet passage 119, and by moving hose 110 from the vacuum inlet connection 109 to the connection for the blower outlet passage 175, thereby making the rolling motor base a rolling blower with acoustic attenuation bends and a muffler. The rolling blower may include a hose with some solid section(s) of hose that includes a pistol type grip with variable speed control to change the force of the air flow by modifying the RPM of the turbine motor/fan 250.
There may be various benefits/advantages associated with the alternative example and configurations depicted in FIGS. 40 and 41 (many of which are also associated with the examples of FIGS. 5-30). Non-limiting, illustrative examples of such benefits/advantages may include one or more of: 1) flat profile motor base with relatively low center of gravity associated with the unit; 2) vacuum and blower hoses attach to motor base for relatively low attachment points to vacuum/blower; 3) hose pull force is at a relatively low point on the unit for stabilization and reduced risk of tipping; 4) five wheels on foldable support arms extend the diameter of the base up to twenty-five percent to improve stability; 5) a wheel is on the axis opposite each hose connection on the motor base to prevent back flip if lifted; 6) power cord is connected to the motor base at bottom of unit for stabilization from cord pull; 7) bottom of the motor base container is below the axles of the support wheels; 8) extended wheel supports are attached from the top to the bottom of the motor base for improved stability; 9) wheel supports fold against motor base reducing diameter of unit by twenty-five percent or more for ease of transport/storage; 10) lid, debris bin, and motor base (with hose) can all be independently detached; 11) debris bin is detachable, easily handled and emptied without interference from lid, base, motor, wheels, or hose; 12) high discharge “snorkel” drops debris high into debris bin for improved capacity; 13) filter design filters vacuum air flow twice from outside to inside the filter and from inside to outside the filter; 14) filtered vacuum air is clean discharge air or blower air when unit is used as a rolling blower; 15) low profile motor base (detached) can be used as a stable rolling blower with variable speed trigger grip on hose; 16) turbine motor and fan utilize acoustic dampers in pipe layout to dampen noise levels; and 17) acoustic muffler used with exhaust air pipe baffles reduce air, motor, fan, and overall vacuum noise.
REFERENCE NUMERALS
The following reference numerals generally designate various listed components in the figures:
- 100 Vacuum (Wet and/or Dry) & Blower
- 102 Wheel
- 103 Base Assembly
- 104 Debris Bin/Receptacle
- 105 Lid Assembly
- 106 Handle
- 107 Top of Debris Bin
- 108 Lid Latch
- 109 Vacuum Hose Connection
- 110 Hose
- 111 Blower chamber
- 112 Wheel(s) & Support Structure(s)—Not Shown for Clarity
- 115 Vacuum Intake Assembly
- 116 Centerline of Wheel Mount
- 117 Pivot Point
- 118 Force on Hose
- 119 Blower inlet passage
- 120 Centerline of Unit
- 121 Motor
- 122 Blower wheel/Fan
- 125 Centerline of Motor
- 126 Filter
- 127 Vacuum Intake Tube Upper End
- 128 Drain
- 129 Vacuum Tube
- 130 Blower Outlet Filter
- 131 Vertical Moment Arm from Support Surface to Centerline of Original Hose Connection
- 132 Vertical Moment Arm from Support Surface to Centerline of Motor
- 133 Centerline of Wheel Contact
- 134 Horizontal Moment Arm from Wheel Centerline to Face of Pull Force
- 135 Blower Hose Connection
- 136 Male Connector
- 137 Unit Rotating and Tipping Over Pivot Point 117
- 138 Reduced Vertical Moment Arm from Support Surface to New Hose Pull Force
- 147 Non-Skid Pad(s) and/or Skid Plate(s)
- 148 Access Panel to Motor Base (on top or bottom of unit)
- 149 Intake Chamber
- 150 Integrated Handle—Not Shown for Clarity
- 155 Folding Wheel Support
- 156 Locking Arm for Folding Wheel Support
- 157 Detent and/or Magnetic Latch
- 158 Hinge/Pivot Pin for Folding Wheel Support
- 159 Sealed Debris Bin at Vacuum Tube
- 160 Vacuum Air Flow
- 161 Bracket for Folding Wheel Support Arm (155)
- 170 Locking Arm for Folding Wheel Supports-Shown Folded Down
- 171 Extended Wheel Support Diameter
- 172 Arc of Folding Wheel Support (155)
- 173 Retracted Wheel Support Diameter
- 174 Integrated Handle with Formed Indent for Fingers
- 175 Blower Outlet Passage
- 180 Bottom of Lid Assembly
- 181 Bottom of Debris Bin Assembly
- 182 Wheel Axle
- 183 Bottom of Motor Base Unit
- 184 Lock Pin for Accessory Supports
- 185 Attachment Pin
- 186 Wheel/Support Pin
- 187 Wheel(s) Raised off Support Surface
- 188 Vacuum Intake Tube
- 189 Blower Intake Tube
- 190 Wheel Height Variance
- 191 Hinge/Pivot for Locking Arms (156)
- 192 Gap Behind Handle
- 193 Radius
- 194 Debris/Water
- 195 Sliding Skid/Ski
- 196 Recess for Sliding Skid
- 197 Ball Pivot
- 198 Threads or other means of extension
- 200 Wet/Dry Vacuum and Blower Unit
- 201 Lid upper wall
- 202 Lid peripheral wall
- 203 Air intake passage
- 210 Slack in Hose
- 211 Strap, Cord, Attachment
- 212 Swivel
- 213 Cord, Bungee, Strap, Attachment
- 214 Fastener
- 215 Force on Strap
- 216 Resultant Force
- 225 Bracket
- 226 Original Centerline of Hose
- 227 Original Wheel Position
- 228 Adjustable Height Wheel Support
- 229 Adjustable Height Quick Release/Lock
- 230 Support Arm
- 235 Extension of Support Diameter/Stability of Support Centerline
- 236 Roller, Wheel, Skid, or other Support
- 237 Diameter to Base of Optional Supports
- 238 Gripper Pad with Teeth
- 239 Radius Variance from Bottom Support to Optional Supports
- 240 Arc of Folding Locking Arm
- 241 Non-Slip and/or Skids on Support Surface when Wheels Raised
- 242 Bottom of Motor Base is Below Wheel Axles
- 243 Wheel Support Bracket Extends from Top to Bottom of Motor Base
- 244 Support Surface
- 245 Blower Air Flow
- 246 Hose Adapter
- 247 Hose Adapter Bracket
- 248 Snorkel Conduit
- 249 Stabilizer
- 250 Turbine Motor/Fan
- 251 Acoustic Attenuation Unit
- 252 Acoustic Muffler
The above specification and examples provide a complete description of the structure and use of exemplary embodiments. Although certain embodiments have been described above with a certain degree of particularity, or with reference to one or more individual embodiments, those skilled in the art could make numerous alterations to the disclosed embodiments without departing from the scope of this invention. As such, the various illustrative embodiments of the present devices are not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed. Rather, they include all modifications and alternatives falling within the scope of the claims, and embodiments other than the one shown may include some or all of the features of the depicted embodiment. For example, components may be combined as a unitary structure, and/or connections may be substituted. Further, where appropriate, aspects of any of the examples described above may be combined with aspects of any of the other examples described to form further examples having comparable or different properties and addressing the same or different problems. Similarly, it will be understood that the benefits and advantages described above may relate to one embodiment or may relate to several embodiments.
The claims are not intended to include, and should not be interpreted to include, means-plus- or step-plus-function limitations, unless such a limitation is explicitly recited in a given claim using the phrase(s) “means for” or “step for,” respectively.
Patent Application
20240366049
