BEACH VACUUM CLEANER

Abstract

A vacuum cleaner for removal of items, such as cigarette butts or other debris, from a sandy surface with a minimal amount of sand contamination includes a receptacle positioned inside the vacuum, and a hose terminating in an angled nozzle to pick up items. One hose embodiment includes a transparent member so it can be monitored for clogging by the accumulated debris. The receptacle contains a plurality of openings sized to enable sand to be passed through the receptacle while debris is retained within it. Embodiments utilize different mechanisms to empty the vacuum and remove debris. A push button switch can be wired into the vacuum allowing for improved control of the vacuum, and increase battery life.

Claims

1. A vacuum cleaner comprising: a housing including a motor, a power source, a collection container; the housing further including a means for activating the motor; a debris collector contained within the collection container, the debris collector being attached to the collection container, a hose in communication with the housing and the collection container, the hose terminating in a nozzle.

2. The vacuum as described in claim 1, wherein the collection container further comprises an emptying mechanism, the emptying mechanism including an opening, a neck extending through the collection container, the neck including threads, a threaded closure attached to the neck, and a separation device covering the opening, the threaded closure being removable, enabling small debris to be removed from the collection container.

3. The vacuum as described in claim 2, wherein the nozzle is angled at an angle ranging from about 30 degrees to about 60 degrees.

4. The vacuum as described in claim 2, further comprising a normally-open switch in electrical communication with the on/off switch and the motor, whereby when a user depresses the switch, a circuit is completed and the motor is turned on or off.

5. The vacuum as described in claim 4, wherein the switch is positioned a distance from the vacuum housing, such that when a user depresses the switch, a circuit is completed and the motor is turned on or off.

6. The vacuum as described in claim 3, wherein the hose is transparent, enabling debris accumulation within the hose to be seen.

7. The vacuum as described in claim 3, further comprising a filter contained with the collection receptacle to separate debris.

8. The vacuum as described in claim 7, wherein the filter is a mesh filter.

9. The vacuum as described in claim 7, wherein the filter is disposed around a ring that is attached to the container.

10. The vacuum as described in claim 4, wherein the normally-open switch is mounted on the nozzle whereby contact with a surface will depress the switch and activate the motor.

11. A method to modify a vacuum cleaner to facilitate the separation of collected debris, the method comprising the steps of: installing a means for receiving a debris container within the collection container; mounting the debris container within the means for receiving;

12. The method as described in claim 11, further comprising the step of installing a normally-open switch into the vacuum housing, the switch in electrical communication with the on/off switch and the motor, whereby when a user depresses the switch, a circuit is completed and the motor is turned on or off, thereby conserving battery life.

13. The method as described in claim 12, wherein the debris container is chosen from the group consisting of a mesh basket, a wire basket, a mesh net and a mesh filter.

14. The method as described in claim 13, further comprising the step of securing the debris container to the member where the vacuum port enters the collection container.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

[0009] FIG. 1 is a plan view of an embodiment of the present invention.

[0010] FIG. 2 is an illustration of the first compartment of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1

[0011] FIG. 3 is an illustration of the upper chamber of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1

[0012] FIG. 4 illustrates the bottom receptacle, including the mounting plate and the basket.

[0013] FIG. 5 illustrates the basket with collected items.

[0014] FIG. 6 is a partial illustration of an alternate embodiment of the present invention;

[0015] FIG. 6A is a rear view, showing the emptying mechanism; and

[0016] FIG. 6B is a side sectional view to show the emptying mechanism with the door open.

[0017] FIG. 7 is a plan view of another alternate embodiment of the present invention, and also illustrates the attachment of a strap.

[0018] FIG. 8 illustrates hose connections; FIG. 8A the connection to the nozzle; and FIG. 8B the connection from the hose element to the transparent hose.

[0019] FIG. 9 is a rear view of the embodiment of FIG. 7; FIG. 9A showing the emptying mechanism; and FIG. 9B emptying mechanism with the cover attached.

[0020] FIG. 10 illustrates another embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] FIG. 11 is a cross sectional view of the vacuum compartment of the embodiment of FIG. 10, illustrating attachment of the retaining ring to the inside of the vacuum compartment.

[0022] FIG. 12 is a schematic illustration of the push-button switch and its' connection to the vacuum housing.

[0023] FIG. 13 is a schematic illustration of how the push-button switch is wired into the electrical system of a vacuum.

[0024] FIG. 14 is a schematic illustration of the push-button switch mounted at the nozzle tip.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0025] For purposes of the present specification, while the term beach has its meaning referring to the coastline, such as the area adjacent an ocean or lake, it is also intended to encompass beaches that may be found along the shore of a river, stream or other body of water, as well as other types of sandy areas, such as sand traps on golf courses, children's sand boxes and the like in playgrounds, sand areas positioned beneath swings in playgrounds and the like, or other areas where sand is present or accumulates. In an extreme example the term beach could also encompass sand dunes or deserts.

[0026] An embodiment of the present invention (FIG. 1) is a vacuum cleaner 100, which comprises a housing 200, a hose 300 and nozzle 350. In this embodiment, the vacuum 100 is a portable, hand-held vacuum that is battery-powered, but alternate embodiments could include hand-held, corded vacuums that are powered by standard electrical power, such as AC current, or other, depending upon the country of use. Other alternate embodiments could include vacuums that are upright, stick vacuums, or units that are either mounted to or components of vehicles, such as a street sweeper or beach cleaning machine. A representative vacuum cleaner useful as the vacuum for the present invention is a RIDGID (Registered Trademark of RIDGID, Inc., Newark, Del.) 3 Gallon, 18 Volt Cordless Handheld Wet Dry Vac, sold by The Home Depot, Atlanta, Ga. This vacuum is powered by an 18 volt rechargeable and replaceable battery. The vacuum is equipped with an expandable locking hose and a filter 242 for capturing dirt. Depending upon the manufacturer, other brands or models of a portable vacuum may use different sizes/styles or types of batteries, and these are intended to be within the scope of the present invention.

[0027] The housing 200 has a handle 201 and may have indicia 202 on its sides, or other surfaces. The indicia 202 could be functional, such as safety warnings (top indicia), or decorative, as in the bottom indicia (FIG. 1). Housing 200 contains two compartments 210 and 240, with the first compartment 210 positioned at the front of the housing. First compartment 210 is opened by moving the hinged cover 212 to an open position, and the power source 214 (a rechargeable battery) is positioned within the first compartment and is in electrical communication with an on/off switch 216 and the motor (not shown).

[0028] The hinged cover 212 includes a prong 220 at its sides that engages with a prong receiver 222 on the compartment wall 224 to close the first compartment 210 by a press-fit. The prong 220 and prong receiver 222 are conventional mechanisms used on many tools, containers or other devices to effect closure of a housing or like component, as known to those skilled in the art.

[0029] Second compartment 240 includes an upper chamber 250, and a bottom receptacle 270 which is attached to the upper chamber 250 by a pair of latches 280, a first latch on one side of the compartment, and a second latch on the second side of the compartment 240. The upper chamber 250 includes an upper surface 251. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 and subsequent drawings, the upper chamber 250 includes a pair of openings in the upper surface 251, a first opening 252 towards the front of the chamber, the first opening 252 being the opening for the vacuum, and a second opening 256 towards the back of the chamber, second opening 256 being the opening for use as a blower. The vacuum has dual functions, and can serve as either a vacuum or as a blower, depending upon the opening to which a hose is connected. The inner surface 258 of the upper chamber 250 includes a receptacle for attaching a filter 242. The bottom receptacle 270 has a pair of side walls 272 and a pair of end walls 274, the side walls each having a ridge 276 that extends outward towards the top of the side wall 274. A mounting plate 278 is attached to the second compartment bottom near the front end of the second compartment 240, and the mounting plate 278 receives the container basket 290. The mounting plate 278 minimizes any movement of the basket 290 during use. The mounting plate 278 has a base 280 and side walls 282. The base 280 is attached to the bottom of the second compartment by a fastener, such as an adhesive or fastener such as a screw, hook and loop fastener or comparable means for attachment. The height of the sidewalls 282 is sufficient to retain the basket 290 in place; the sidewalls' height does not have to reach as much as a quarter of the height of the basket, let alone the full height of the basket to secure the basket in place. The basket 290 is mounted within the bottom receptacle 260, and can be secured to interior wall 262 of the receptacle by means of fasteners 264. The fasteners can be any one or more of screws, screw eyes, cotter pins, or hook and loop fasteners to allow for removal of the basket. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the fasteners 264 are magnets attached near the top of the basket. A pair of metal contacts 260 are attached to the inside wall of the second compartment 240 so the magnets will have a contact point which with to attach, and retain the basket 290 within the second compartment 240. When a fastener such as a screw or screw eye is used, depending upon how far the screw is positioned within the housing, or the angle of a screw eye, the basket 290 can also be removable from the bottom receptacle 270.

[0030] The vacuum 100 is used with the filter 242 present in the housing 200; the second compartment 240 is closed by attaching the upper chamber 250 to the bottom receptacle 270 using latches 280, the basket 290 is positioned beneath the first opening 252, and near the filter 242. First opening 252 includes a prong 253 onto which the female end 302 of the hose is attached. The male end 304 of the hose terminates in a projection 304 onto which a nozzle 350 of other attachment can be joined to the hose 300. The vacuum model purchased and modified by the inventor comes with a single hose, which is extendable, and which could be used with nozzle 350. It has been found that the hose assembly 300 in one embodiment of the present invention (FIG. 1) which contains a transparent hose, enables the user to watch the flow of material into the vacuum, and monitor whether the hose is becoming clogged. As will be seen in the figures, hose clamps 310 are used to secure the connections between the different types of hose used for this embodiment.

[0031] The second compartment 240 is closed when the upper chamber 250 is joined to the bottom receptacle 270, and held in place by latch 280. The upper chamber 250 and the bottom receptacle 270 are aligned with each other, and pushed together. The flaps 284 of the latch 280 engage with a ridge 276 of both the upper chamber 250 and the bottom receptacle 270, and close the second compartment 240. The latch 280 is attached to the side of the upper chamber, as has been previously described. Each latch 280 comprises a base 282 that is attached to the upper chamber, and a wing-like pair of flaps 284 that extend outward from the base 280. The flap ends 286 engage the ridges 276 of the upper chamber 250 and the ridge 276 of the bottom receptacle 270.

[0032] In this embodiment the hose 300 comprises a hose element 302 attached to a transparent hose 304 by means of a connector 306 and hose clamps 310, and the transparent hose 304 attached to the vacuum opening 252 by means of a second connector 312 and hose clamps 310. The hose element 302 can be a standard flexible hose that is commonly sold with wet/dry vacuums, or can be an elongated extension rod for use with such hoses. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the hose element 302 is an extension rod.

[0033] The transparent hose 304 has a diameter greater than that of hose element 302, and the final connector 314 has a diameter larger than that of the transparent hose 304. The transparent hose 304 can be a piece of tubing, such as TYGON Tubing (Registered trademark of Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics Corp, Solon, Ohio for flexible non-metallic tubing), or other similar clear tubing. The final connector 314 can be a type of tubing similar to that used for a wet/dry vac, or other tubing similar to the standard hose that is capable of withstanding the vacuum without collapsing or causing operational difficulties.

[0034] The use of a series of hoses, in which the diameter of the hoses that are closer to the vacuum increase in size, facilitates removal of items, and prevents the hose from being blocked. The use of hoses of decreasing diameter as one approaches the vacuum causes the system to become clogged.

[0035] Other embodiments could use the standard hose that is provided by the manufacturer with the vacuum. In such an embodiment, the nozzle 350 is attached to one end of the hose, and the second end of the hose attached to the prong 253 where it is locked in place by locking mechanism 255. Other embodiments could utilize a combination of the standard hose, or pieces of the standard hose, in combination with the transparent tubing and/or the other solid tubing and connectors. When using such combinations, the diameter of the tubing being used should increase as the tubing extends from the nozzle to the body of the vacuum itself.

[0036] A nozzle 350 is attached to the free end of the hose element 302 by a press fit and held in place by hose clamps 310. This inventor has found that the use of a nozzle 350 with a diagonal end 352 works well to pick up debris from a sandy surface without being readily clogged.

[0037] Basket 290 includes a bottom 292 and four walls 294, which may be of equal length (if the basket is square) or unequal length (if basket is rectangular). The bottom 292 and walls 294 are made from a wire mesh, and are open, with the openings sized to be large enough to retain debris 298 that enters through the open top of the basket, allowing any sand that is drawn in to escape and be retained within the second compartment 240. Suitable materials for the basket include various types of wire mesh, chicken wire and the like, and can be made from materials such as aluminum, steel, stainless steel, reeds, other plant or natural and/or man-made fibers and the like. The size of the openings within the bottom and walls of the basket is more significant to the functioning of the beach vacuum 100 than the materials used to make the basket 290.

[0038] The weight of the battery and its' position at the front of the vacuum 100, and/or its' combination with the hose assembly, may cause the vacuum to be weighted to the front, and a user could become tired while hand-holding the vacuum for a period of time. A strap 390 can be attached to the vacuum 100 to alleviate this problem, allowing the user to place the strap 390 over their shoulder and position the vacuum 100 more evenly for use. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the strap 390 is attached to the support wire 380 that connects the vacuum handle 201 with the hose 300. The support wire 380 can be a piece of rope, string, fabric, metal, paper tube, or similar material that can be used to connect to items. The wire 380 also keeps the hose 300 elevated to facilitate its' use with the vacuum 100.

[0039] In alternate embodiments, one or more fasteners can be attached to the vacuum 100, and used for attachment of the strap 390. Examples of such fasteners include, but are not limited to, D-rings, loops, carabiners, turnbuckles or the like. The strap 390 can be chosen from any type of strap, such as a guitar strap, camera strap, backpack strap, or a padded or non-padded strap, a piece of rope or other material.

[0040] An alternate embodiment of the present invention 500 (FIG. 6) comprises most of the same components as the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 and subsequent figures. This alternate embodiment 500 will use the same reference numerals as the prior embodiment, except where there are structural differences. Alternate embodiment 500 includes an emptying mechanism 520 situated in the rear of second compartment 240. In the alternate embodiment, the emptying mechanism 520 in the rear wall comprises an opening 522 and a hinged door 524 that is attached to the rear wall by a fastener 526, and which door 524 will seal against the opening 522 once the vacuum 100 is turned on. The opening 522 may contain a lip 528 onto which a sealing means, such as an O-ring 530 can be positioned, and the hinged door 524 may contain a prong 532 at the end opposite the hinge to form a press-fit and seal the opening 522 when the vacuum 100 is turned off, so that sand or other debris that has not been retained by the basket 290 will not leak out. This provides an easier mechanism for emptying the vacuum 100 between uses, and eliminates the need to remove the bottom receptacle 270 from the second compartment. When one is aware that the basket 290 has approached its capacity or knows it is full, then the user would have to disassemble the second compartment; the rear emptying mechanism 520 facilitates emptying the vacuum 100.

[0041] Another alternate embodiment of the present invention 600 (FIG. 7) comprises most of the same components as the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 and subsequent figures. This alternate embodiment 600 will use the same reference numerals as the prior embodiment, except where there are structural differences. Alternate embodiment 600 includes an emptying mechanism 620 situated in the rear of second compartment 240. In this alternate embodiment, the emptying mechanism 620 includes an opening 624 in the rear wall 622, across which opening 624 a screen 626 is attached to the rear wall 622 by an adhesive or a fastener. The screen 624 can be a material similar to that used for the basket 290, or a wire mesh, nylon screen of various mesh sizes, or comparable material. As shown in FIG. 9A, the screen 624 is surrounded by a threaded cover 628 which includes a threaded throat 630 onto which is threaded a cap 632 (FIG. 9B). In this embodiment 600, the cap 632 can be removed, and the vacuum 600 raised at its front so that it is tilted to the rear of the vacuum, and any sand or other items that have passed through the basket 290 can be removed from the second receptacle without having to completely open the vacuum 600. After several repeated uses, as the user determines that the basket 290 is filling up and needs to be emptied, after the sand etc. has been removed through this emptying mechanism, the latches 280 can be opened, the bottom receptacle removed and the basket 290 removed, emptied and placed back into the bottom receptacle. The vacuum 600 is then reassembled and is ready for reuse.

[0042] For use, the user positions the basket 290 within the housing 200, connects the hose 300 to the housing, turns on the power using power switch 216 which is in electrical communication with the motor and battery.

[0043] In another embodiment (reference number 800, FIG. 10), the motor is from a Dyson V8 Absolute Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner (Dyson Technology Limited, Chicago, Ill.). This motor is stated as being capable of achieving 110,000 revolutions per minute (rpm), and the weight of a complete vacuum unit is 5.75 pounds (specified on manufacturer's website, www.dyson.com).

[0044] As in other embodiments, vacuum cleaner 800 comprises a housing 810, a hose 880 and nozzle 900. The housing 810 has a handle 812, and a trigger 814 that functions as an on/off switch. The housing could have indicia (not shown) on its sides, or other surfaces. The indicia could be functional, such as safety warnings, or decorative, as seen in other embodiments. Housing 810 includes a compartment 820 in which the motor and electrical components are contained, and a second compartment 830 to receive collected waste. The second compartment 830 is manufactured from a plastic. Second compartment 830 includes a bottom door 832 which is attached to compartment wall 834 by hinge 836. Door is held in place by means of a locking mechanism 838 in communication with a release mechanism 839 on the housing. By pulling up on the release mechanism 839 locking mechanism 838 disengages and releases door 832, and the contents of second compartment can be removed or dumped out from the compartment 830. A gasket and a receptacle that are mounted on the bottom door 832 are which would be inside the compartment when the door 832 is closed are not shown in order to simplify the drawing.

[0045] In this embodiment, the second compartment 830 has been modified, with a retaining mechanism 840 being attached to the compartment wall 834, and the retaining mechanism having a base 842 and retaining piece 844 that receives the ring 850 between them, and the retaining mechanism is closed by a fastener 846 (FIG. 11) The fastener 846 can be a screw, cotter pin, nail, peg or the like. The ring 850 has the approximate diameter of the second compartment, and retains a filter (to be described further below) within the compartment. The retaining mechanism base 842 can be attached to the compartment wall 834 by an adhesive, hook and loop fastener, fasteners such as screws, nail or the like, or other means of attachment known to those skilled in the art.

[0046] The filter 860 used in this embodiment is a mesh filter through which ring 850 is inserted and retains the filter 860 within the second compartment. The filter top end 862 is generally open, and could be secured to the portal component where the vacuum enters the compartment by a hose clamp (not shown), elastic band, or similar attachment device. An example of a suitable filter is a mesh bag that is commonly used to package fruits and vegetables, such as onions or citrus fruit. The openings are sufficiently wide to retain debris such as cigarette butts, and allow smaller items, such as sand particles, to pass through.

[0047] In use, the vacuum's motor is activated, the nozzle directed at the desired surface to be cleaned, a quantity of debris removed from that surface, and the motor turned off. In this embodiment, the user pulls up on the release mechanism 839, the locking mechanism 838 disengages and releases door 832, and the contents of second compartment can be removed or dumped out from the compartment 830. Any sand that has been drawn into the container has been separated from debris within the filter, and the accumulated sand is discarded. If necessary, the top of the filter is opened, and the debris accumulated therein removed and discarded. In general, the quantity of sand taken up by the vacuum is minimal in comparison to the quantity of debris removed by the vacuum.

[0048] Another vacuum embodiment 1000 employs a push-button switch 1050 (FIGS. 12-13), in which a female receptacle 1010 is mounted within the vacuum's housing and wired into the electrical system of the vacuum. This embodiment enables the user to operate the vacuum when needed, rather than a continuously on manner, and allowing for the conservation of battery life. The push button switch 1050 is connected to an electrical extension cord 1020 and the extension cord plug 1030 connected to the receptacle. The base of the push-button switch 1050 can be covered with electrical tape, plastic, wood or other material to close the back and prevent contact with exposed wiring. When the cord is plugged into the receptacle, the circuitry of the vacuum is interrupted, and the motor is off. When the switch 1050 is pressed by a user, the circuit is completed and the motor activated. By having the switch 1050 on an extension cord and the switch 1050 being a distance from the vacuum's housing, the user can operate the switch 1050 with one hand while the user's other hand is on the tubing and picking up debris. When the button of the switch 1050 is released, the motor is deactivated. In an alternate embodiment, the switch 1050 could be wired directly in the electrical system rather than through the electrical receptacle, and could be positioned directly on the vacuum housing, or extend from the housing in a manner similar to that shown in FIG. 12.

[0049] FIG. 14 illustrates another embodiment in which the switch 1050 is mounted at the tip of a nozzle, such that when the nozzle tip contacts the surface, the vacuum is turned on and debris can be picked up from the beach surface. The extension cord 1020 can be taped to the hose, or allowed to hang free. The nozzle has an angle, and that angle ranges from about 30 degrees to about 75 degrees; in the embodiment shown in the drawings, the angle is generally about 45 degrees.

[0050] Without being bound by any theory, items like cigarette butts, paper and other debris have a density that is less than the density of sand; these lighter items are picked up first by the vacuum, such that by manipulating the position of the nozzle with respect to the item and the surface surrounding the item, the item can be picked up with a minimal pickup of sand from the surface.

[0051] The embodiments of the present specification are not intended to be limited for use solely on beaches. These embodiments could be used in other types of sandy areas, for example, to clean sand traps on golf courses, children's sand boxes and the like in playgrounds, sand areas positioned beneath swings in playgrounds and the like, or other areas where sand is present or accumulates. In addition, embodiments of the present invention could also be suitable to remove other small debris, such as plastic straws, and plastic straws from boxed drinks, from a surface.

[0052] Components such as the basket, mesh filter, the ring, and the associated mounting hardware could also be packaged and sold independently of the vacuum, enabling someone who already owns a particular vacuum unit to retrofit it for use as a beach vacuum.

[0053] Although embodiments of this invention have been described with a certain degree of particularity, it is to be understood that the present disclosure has been made only by the way of illustration, and that numerous changes in construction and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.