Garage air-n-vac station

Abstract

The Garage Air-N-Vac Station is an integrated wall-mounted vacuum, blower, and air compressor. The integrated system includes provisions for wall-mounting, tool and accessory storage, a wand hanger, and hose hangers for the combined vacuum/blower hose as well as the compressed air hose. The vacuum and blower sections of the machine are powered by a combination vacuum/blower motor, with the vacuum function utilizing the intake side of the vacuum/blower motor, and the blower function utilizing the discharge side of the vacuum/blower motor. A tankless compressor provides compressed air at full capacity. The machine is operated by a single 3-way control switch (On-Off-On) to activate either the vacuum/blower function or the compressor function. The elements that make this invention new and novel relate to its multi-function capabilities, combined with the integrated wall-mounting, tool, and hose storage system that has been optimized for ease of installation, convenience of use, organization, and appearance.

Claims

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20) An integrated wall-mounted vacuum, blower and air compressor system comprising: a) a vacuum section comprising: i) a combination vacuum/blower motor, utilizing the intake port to create suction and high-volume airflow; ii) a high-efficiency air filter to separate dirt and debris from the incoming air stream; iii) a vacuum chamber with a detachable debris collection bucket; iv) a vacuum intake tube to attach a vacuum/blower hose; and v) a combination vacuum/blower hose appointed to receive a variety of vacuum tools and accessories; b) a blower section comprising: i) a combination vacuum/blower motor, utilizing the discharge port to create pressure and high-volume airflow; ii) a blower discharge tube to attach a vacuum/blower hose; and iii) a combination vacuum/blower hose appointed to receive a variety of blower tools and accessories; c) a compressor section comprising: i) a tankless air compressor to create high-pressure and moderate airflow; ii) an adjustable air pressure relief valve; iii) a means for attaching a high-pressure air hose; and iv) a high-pressure air hose appointed to receive a variety of air tools and accessories; d) a single three-way switch (On-Off-On) to activate either the combination vacuum/blower motor or the air compressor; e) a tool storage compartment comprising: i) a larger compartment to store a variety of larger tools and accessories; and ii) a smaller compartment holding two removable storage bins to store a variety of smaller tools and accessories; f) a wand hanger bracket to store a vacuum floor wand with an attached vacuum floor tool; g) a hose hanger to store the combination vacuum/blower hose; h) a hose hanger to store the high-pressure air hose; i) a wall-mounting system comprising: i) an upper and lower horizontal mounting rail to attach to the structure of a wall (the wall studs); and ii) two vertical mounting panels to accommodate the attachment of all components of the overall vacuum, blower, and air compressor as well as the tool storage, wand hanger, and hose hangers; whereby said integrated wall-mounted vacuum, blower and air compressor system provides functionalities of a dry vacuum, a blower, a dryer, an inflator, and an air compressor in a single unit.

21) An integrated wall-mounted vacuum, blower and air compressor system as recited in claim 20, wherein said vacuum, blower and air compressor are contained within a single operational unit, and said unit is controlled by a single electrical switch to activate either the vacuum/blower motor or the air compressor.

22) An integrated wall-mounted vacuum, blower and air compressor system as recited in claim 20, wherein said vacuum and blower functions utilize the same hose, and said hose is attached to either the vacuum intake tube to operate as a vacuum, or the blower discharge tube to operate as a blower.

23) An integrated wall-mounted vacuum, blower and air compressor system as recited in claim 20, wherein said combined vacuum/blower motor can generate enough airflow and suction (pressure) as to accommodate a very long vacuum/blower hose (50 feet or more) and still provide a high level of performance in either mode of operation, over a large working area.

24) An integrated wall-mounted vacuum, blower and air compressor system as recited in claim 20, wherein a very long high-pressure air hose (50 feet or more) is attached as to provide a moderate volume of air stored at pressure and allow for a large working area.

25) An integrated wall-mounted vacuum, blower and air compressor system as recited in claim 20, wherein because of the nature of said tankless air compressor (not requiring any time become fully charged to pressure) the system can be used in any functional mode, almost immediately, at the flip of a switch, making it highly convenient and easy to use.

26) An integrated wall-mounted vacuum, blower and air compressor system as recited in claim 20, wherein said wall-mounting system, tool storage bins, wand and hose hangers accommodate the preservation of floor space within any building and facilitate keeping the area clutter free and organized at all times.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] There are two drawings that clearly represents the current design of the operating system—

[0006] Drawing 1 is a front view of the system and Drawing 2 is a side view of the system. The drawings identify the entire system, including the integrated vacuum, blower, and compressor system, as well as the integrated mounting hardware, tool storage bins, floor wand hanger, and hose hangers. The hoses and attachments are not shown in the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The present invention is an all-in-one machine that provides a vacuum, a high-flow high-velocity blower, and a high-pressure tankless air compressor that is integrated into a single unit, as well as having provisions for wall-mounting, tool and accessory storage, and the storage of all hoses. It is designed for premium performance, easy installation, cleanliness and organization, aesthetic appearance, and simplicity and convenience of use.

[0008] The vacuum section of the unit provides for a very powerful dry vacuum function and based upon the suction and air flow parameters of the integrated vacuum/blower motor, is more than capable of operating with a very long vacuum/blower hose attached (more than 50 feet). This capability accommodates a very large working area and allows the machine to be used to clean a large garage, shop, or pole barn. Further, because of its reach, the vacuum can be used to clean a variety of vehicles, including cars, boats, buses, and RV's.

[0009] The blower section of the unit provides a very powerful high-flow, high-velocity blower function, and again, based upon the pressure and air flow parameters of the integrated vacuum/blower motor, is more than capable of operating with a very long vacuum/blower hose attached (more than 50 feet). This capability accommodates a very large working area and allows the machine to be used to blow dust, dirt, and debris out of a large garage, shop, or pole barn. Further, because of its reach, the blower can be used to as a handheld dryer for a variety of vehicles, including motorcycles. Additionally, the blower can be used to inflate a variety of items, such as air mattresses, pool toys, and boat innertubes.

[0010] The tankless air compressor section of the unit provides an almost instantaneous supply of high-pressure air flow. The reach of the air compressor is only limited by the length of air hose attached. Because the air compressor used is of a tankless variety, it does not require any time to charge a holding tank before it can be used. The air compressor function of the machine is ideal for maintaining the proper pressure level in car, bike, truck, trailer, or RV tires and can also be used to inflate basketballs, footballs, etc . . . Beyond these basic inflation capabilities, the air compressor generates enough air flow and pressure to operate a blow-off gun and even a pneumatic impulse tool such as a nail gun. The air compressor function of the machine is not intended to replace a larger compressor with a holding tank, needed to operate many pneumatic tools, but it facilitates the ability to be used immediately, at the flip of a switch.

[0011] Beyond the concept of combining multiple functions into a single operating platform, the design of the overall system is unique and novel in that it has been optimized regarding the amount of wall space required for mounting, while at the same time, maintaining the highest level of convenience and aesthetic appearance. The mounting system has been designed to make installation simple and straight forward and provides adequate storage for a variety of tools and accessories that can be used across the various functions of the machine. Additionally, accommodations have been made for the hanging of a vacuum floor wand, as well as both a long vacuum/blower hose and a long air hose. When fully installed, ease of access to any tool, accessory, or hose makes the complete machine set-up easy and convenient to use and looking good.

[0012] Referring to Drawing 1 and Drawing 2, the complete system is comprised of the integrated vacuum, blower and compressor unit 1, the upper mounting rail 2, the lower mounting rail 3, the left-hand mounting panel 4, the right-hand mounting panel 5, the tool storage bin 6, the vacuum hose hanger 7, the floor wand hanger bracket 8, and the storage trays for small items 9. The operational machine 1 has two basic modes of operation: the vacuum/blower mode, and the air compressor mode. A 3-way switch (not shown) controls the function of the machine, with the middle position being “off”, the up position activating the “vacuum/blower” mode, and the down position activating the “air compressor” mode. When operating in the vacuum/blower mode, air is drawn into the machine through the vacuum intake 10, passes through the high-efficiency air filter 11, is drawn into the vacuum/blower motor 12, and is discharged through the blower pipe 13. To utilize the machine as a vacuum, the vacuum/blower hose (not shown) is attached to the vacuum intake 10, and the high-efficiency air filter 11 traps all the dirt, dust and debris in the vacuum chamber 17, and the dirt and debris is collected in the detachable dirt bucket 18; to utilize the machine as a blower, the vacuum hose (not shown) is attached to the blower pipe 13, and the high efficiency filter 11 ensures that the discharge air flow from the blower pipe 13 is clean and free of debris. When operating in the air compressor mode, the air compressor 14 produces compressed air, which exits through a discharge pipe 15, and incorporates an adjustable pressure relief valve (not shown), that allows the user to set the maximum pressure output of the compressor as needed. A high-pressure air hose (not shown) is attached to the discharge pipe 15, and a variety of attachments (not shown) can be connected to the opposite end of the air hose (not shown) for several applications. There is a dedicated vacuum hose hanger 7 for the vacuum hose, and a dedicated air hose hanger 16 for the high-pressure air hose. There is a dedicated floor wand hanger bracket 8 for hanging and storing the floor wand (not shown), and there is a tool storage bin 6 for storage of the other vacuum hose attachments (not shown). The tool storage bin 6 includes two storage trays for small items 9, including all the attachments for the high-pressure air hose (not shown). The operational machine 1, the tool storage bin 6, the vacuum hose hanger 7, and the floor wand hanger bracket 8 all attach to the mounting system, as shown in the Drawings. The mounting system consists of an upper rail 2 and a lower rail 3, intended to be securely mounted to the wall, and a left-hand mounting panel 4 and a right-hand mounting panel 5, designed to attach to the two mounting rails. The rails 2, 3 include pre-drilled holes for both 16″ and 24″ stud spacing in the wall, and the vertical panels 4, 5 incorporate pre-drilled holes and threaded inserts for mounting all the components of the complete system.