Patent Application
20100213700
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1. Field of the Invention
The inventions disclosed and taught herein relate generally to wet/dry vacuums, and more specifically, are related to securing attachments to wet/dry vacuums.
2. Description of the Related Art
Wet/dry vacuums often come with many attachments and other accessories. At times, these attachments may fit loosely, fail to seal, and/or inadvertently fall off.
The inventions disclosed and taught herein are directed to an improved method and system for securing attachments to Wet/Dry Vacuums.
In one embodiment, the invention includes an attachment assembly for a wet/dry vacuum comprising first and second tubular structures with a third tubular structure spanning a junction between the first and second tubular structures. The third tubular structure may be resilient to conform to both the first and second tubular structures. In a first position, the third tubular structure may span the junction between the first and second tubular structures and, in a second position, the third tubular structure may be rolled back onto itself to engage only one of the first and second tubular structures. The third tubular structure may resist separation of the first tubular structure from the second tubular structure in the first position. The third tubular structure may also seal the junction between the first and second tubular structures.
In another embodiment, the invention includes an attachment assembly for a wet/dry vacuum, the attachment assembly comprising a first tubular structure having a first inner perimeter, through which debris may be drawn by the vacuum, and a first outer perimeter; a second tubular structure having a second inner perimeter, sized to slide over the first outer perimeter, and a second outer perimeter; and a third tubular structure having a variable third inner perimeter, such that the third inner perimeter conforms to both the first outer perimeter and the second outer perimeter, spanning a junction between the first and second tubular structures. The third tubular structure may be completely or partially resilient. The first tubular structure and/or the second tubular structure may include multiple outer perimeters. The third tubular structure may seal the junction between the first and second tubular structures. Additionally, or alternatively, The third tubular structure may resist separation of the first and second tubular structures. The third tubular structure may be resilient such that, in a first position, the third tubular structure spans the junction between the first and second tubular structures and, in a second position, the third tubular structure is rolled back onto itself to engage only one of the first and second tubular structures and. The third tubular structure may resist separation of the first tubular structure from the second tubular structure in the first position. The third tubular structure might not resist separation of the first tubular structure from the second tubular structure in the second position.
In another embodiment, the invention includes an attachment assembly for a wet/dry vacuum, the attachment assembly comprising a first tubular structure having a first inner perimeter, through which debris may be drawn by the vacuum, and a first outer perimeter; a second tubular structure having a second inner perimeter, adjacent to the first outer perimeter, and a second outer perimeter; and a resilient third tubular structure having a variable third inner perimeter, such that in a first position, the third inner perimeter conforms to both the first outer perimeter and the second outer perimeter, sealing a junction between the first and second tubular structures and resisting separation of the first tubular structure from the second tubular structure, and in a second position, the third tubular structure is rolled back onto itself to engage only one of the first and second tubular structures and does not resist separation of the first tubular structure from the second tubular structure.
In another embodiment, the invention includes mating a first tubular structure with a second tubular structure, such as by sliding the first tubular structure into the second tubular structure, and configuring a third tubular structure to cover the junction between the first and second tubular structures. The third tubular structure may be completely or partially resilient. The first tubular structure and/or the second tubular structure may include multiple outer perimeters. The third tubular structure may seal the junction between the first and second tubular structures. Additionally, or alternatively, The third tubular structure may resist separation of the first and second tubular structures. The third tubular structure may be resilient such that, in a first position, the third tubular structure spans the junction between the first and second tubular structures and, in a second position, the third tubular structure is rolled back onto itself to engage only one of the first and second tubular structures and. The third tubular structure may resist separation of the first tubular structure from the second tubular structure in the first position. The third tubular structure might not resist separation of the first tubular structure from the second tubular structure in the second position.
The Figures described above and the written description of specific structures and functions below are not presented to limit the scope of what Applicants have invented or the scope of the appended claims. Rather, the Figures and written description are provided to teach any person skilled in the art to make and use the inventions for which patent protection is sought. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that not all features of a commercial embodiment of the inventions are described or shown for the sake of clarity and understanding. Persons of skill in this art will also appreciate that the development of an actual commercial embodiment incorporating aspects of the present inventions will require numerous implementation-specific decisions to achieve the developer's ultimate goal for the commercial embodiment. Such implementation-specific decisions may include, and likely are not limited to, compliance with system-related, business-related, government-related and other constraints, which may vary by specific implementation, location and from time to time. While a developer's efforts might be complex and time-consuming in an absolute sense, such efforts would be, nevertheless, a routine undertaking for those of skill in this art having benefit of this disclosure. It must be understood that the inventions disclosed and taught herein are susceptible to numerous and various modifications and alternative forms. Lastly, the use of a singular term, such as, but not limited to, “a,” is not intended as limiting of the number of items. Also, the use of reference and relational terms, such as, but not limited to, “first”, “second”, “third”, “top,” “bottom,” “left,” “right,” “upper,” “lower,” “down,” “up,” “side,” and the like are used in the written description for clarity in specific reference to the Figures and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention or the appended claims.
Applicants have created a system and method for securing attachments to a wet/dry vacuum. In one embodiment, the invention includes an attachment assembly for a wet/dry vacuum comprising first and second tubular structures with a third tubular structure spanning a junction between the first and second tubular structures. The third tubular structure may be resilient to conform to both the first and second tubular structures. In a first position, the third tubular structure may span the junction between the first and second tubular structures and, in a second position, the third tubular structure may be rolled back onto itself to engage only one of the first and second tubular structures. The third tubular structure may resist separation of the first tubular structure from the second tubular structure in the first position. The third tubular structure may also seal the junction between the first and second tubular structures.
The present invention may be used in conjunction with a wet/dry vacuum appliance, such as that shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,691,396, which is incorporated herein by specific reference. The wet/dry vacuum preferably includes a hose and/or wand and one or more nozzle attachments that may be interchangeably mated to the wand. For example, many wet/dry vacuums come with a variety of nozzle attachments, each designed for a different application.
In any case, referring to the figures, the present invention 10 preferably aids in the secure attachment of the hose and/or wand 12 to one of the attachments 14. In one embodiment, the present invention 10 includes a flexible or resilient sleeve 16 that may be rolled upon itself on either the wand 12 or the attachment 14 to allow the attachment 14 to be mated to, or separated from, the wand 12. Then, the sleeve 16 may be rolled down over a junction 18 between the wand 12 and the attachment 14, thereby sealing the junction 18 and resisting separation of the wand 12 and the attachment 14.
The hose and/or wand 12 presents a first tubular structure, through which the wet/dry vacuum draws air and/or debris, having an inner and outer perimeter. In many wet/dry vacuums, the hose and/or wand 12 is often cylindrical. However, the first tubular structure of the present invention may have a rectangular, triangular, oval, or other cross-section. The first tubular structure 12 of the wand is preferably rigid. In the case of a flexible hose, the hose preferably presents at least one rigid first tubular structure 12 with one or more other portions of the hose 12 being flexible.
Similarly, the nozzle attachment 14 presents a second tubular structure, through which the wet/dry vacuum draws air and/or debris, having an inner and outer perimeter. In many wet/dry vacuums, the nozzle attachment 14 is often cylindrical, at least where it is designed to mate with the hose and/or wand 12. However, the second tubular structure of the present invention may have a rectangular, triangular, oval, or other cross-section. The second tubular structure 14 of the nozzle attachment is preferably rigid.
In one embodiment, the first tubular structure 12 may be slid into the second tubular structure 14, thereby mating the two tubular structures 12,14. More specifically, the outer perimeter of the first tubular structure 12 is preferably sized to just fit inside the inner perimeter of the second tubular structure 14. Alternatively, the inner perimeter of the first tubular structure 12 may be sized to just fit about the outer perimeter of the second tubular structure 14. In any case, first tubular structure 12 and the second tubular structure 14 preferably overlap one another, thereby mating to one another. The junction 18 between the first tubular structure 12 and the second tubular structure 14 is preferably adjacent this overlap. This overlap may or may not provide sufficient friction to resist separation of the first tubular structure 12 and the second tubular structure 14. Furthermore, the first tubular structure 12 and the second tubular structure 14 may or may not seal at the overlap and/or junction 18.
Therefore, the sleeve 16 preferably presents a third tubular structure to span the junction 18 between the first tubular structure 12 and the second tubular structure 14. For example, as shown in
The sleeve 16 is preferably constructed from a resilient material, such as rubber, latex, neoprene, or other polymer. The resilient material preferably provides sufficient friction to resist separation of the first tubular structure 12 and the second tubular structure 14. The resilient material may also provide or enhance the seal between the first tubular structure 12 and the second tubular structure 14. The sleeve 16 may comprise multiple components and/or segments and may or may not be completely flexible and/or resilient. For example, the sleeve 16 may include a rigid outer perimeter to support the overlap and/or junction 18 between the first tubular structure 12 and the second tubular structure 14. In any case, the sleeve 16 preferably provides at least a variable inner and/or outer perimeter to conform to the first tubular structure 12 and the second tubular structure 14, thereby assisting in securing and/or sealing one to the other.
As shown in
It can be seen that the sleeve 16 of the present invention helps retain the nozzle 14 on the wand 12 by resisting any sliding between the first tubular structure 12 and the second tubular structure 14. The third tubular structure 16 of the present invention does not interfere with the suction created by the wet/dry vacuum, and may in fact aid the function of the wet/dry vacuum by providing or enhancing the seal between the first tubular structure 12 and the second tubular structure 14.
Other and further embodiments utilizing one or more aspects of the inventions described above can be devised without departing from the spirit of Applicant's invention. For example, while the first and second tubular structures 12,14 have been described as having an inner perimeter and an outer perimeter, either or both may have multiple inner perimeters and/or multiple outer perimeters. More specifically, as shown in
The order of steps can occur in a variety of sequences unless otherwise specifically limited. The various steps described herein can be combined with other steps, interlineated with the stated steps, and/or split into multiple steps. Similarly, elements have been described functionally and can be embodied as separate components or can be combined into components having multiple functions.
The inventions have been described in the context of preferred and other embodiments and not every embodiment of the invention has been described. Obvious modifications and alterations to the described embodiments are available to those of ordinary skill in the art. The disclosed and undisclosed embodiments are not intended to limit or restrict the scope or applicability of the invention conceived of by the Applicants, but rather, in conformity with the patent laws, Applicants intend to fully protect all such modifications and improvements that come within the scope or range of equivalent of the following claims.
