Handheld portable vacuum

Abstract

The present invention relates to a lightweight, portable vacuum that can be operated with a single hand. The invention provides improved means of collecting small objects, pet waste, dust, dirt, or other small debris without requiring excessive bending or stooping by the user. Advantageously, the invention provides improvements that reduce or potentially eliminate the user's contact with pet waste or other potentially hazardous solid waste.

Claims

1. A portable vacuum device comprising a) a handle; b) a motor having a fan, wherein the motor is housed in the handle; and c) a tube that is attached to the handle, and the tube includes an intake port that is located distally to the handle, a first filter guard, and a first collection compartment, wherein the first collection compartment is in the half of the tube nearest to the intake port, and the first filter guard is between the first collection compartment and the handle, wherein the vacuum device is operable with one hand and the exterior of the tube adjacent to the intake port comprises an attachment area for a collection bag that inserts into the first collection compartment.

2. The portable vacuum device of claim 1, wherein the motor includes a battery or an electric cord.

3. The portable vacuum device of claim 1, wherein a second filter guard is located in the half of the tube most adjacent to the handle.

4. The portable vacuum device of claim 1, wherein the tube is a telescoping tube.

5. The portable vacuum device of claim 1, wherein the circumference of the attachment area is greater than the circumference of the exterior portion of the tube adjacent to the attachment area.

6. The portable vacuum device of claim 1, wherein the attachment area is curled, winged, pronged, or folded away from the input port.

7. The portable vacuum device of claim 1, wherein the tube further includes a means to collect objects without operating a vacuum, wherein the means substantially surrounds the intake port and comprises a tacky material, adhesive, bristle, fiber, brush, magnet, or any combination thereof.

8. The portable vacuum device of claim 1, wherein the handle further includes an operating mechanism.

9. The portable vacuum device of claim 8, wherein the operating mechanism is an on/off mechanism, a reverse mechanism, or a light switch.

10. The portable vacuum device of claim 1, wherein the handle further includes a scent compartment, a wrist strap, reflector, light, or any combination thereof.

11. The portable vacuum device of claim 1, wherein the tube further includes a scent compartment, reflector, light, or any combination thereof.

12. The portable vacuum device of claim 1, wherein the tube further includes a tube closure adjacent to the intake port that covers the intake port when the vacuum device is not in operation, and when a vacuum force is applied then the tube closure is forced against the interior of the tube such that objects can be sucked into the collection compartment.

13. A portable vacuum device comprising a) a handle; b) a motor having a fan, wherein the motor is housed in the handle; c) a tube that is attached to the handle, and the tube includes an intake port that is located distally to the handle, a first filter guard, and a first collection compartment, wherein the first collection compartment is in the half of the tube nearest to the intake port, and the first filter guard is between the first collection compartment and the handle; and d) a floor attachment that has an intake opening, a second collection compartment, and a connector space to which the distal end of the tube attaches such that during operation of the motor air flows through the tube and the floor attachment such that a pressure change occurs wherein the vacuum device is operable with one hand.

14. The portable vacuum device of claim 13, wherein the floor attachment further includes an opener to access the second collection compartment.

15. The portable vacuum device of claim 13, wherein a front portion of each side of the floor attachment is broader than an adjacent rear portion of each side of the floor attachment and together the broader front portions of the sides form a connecting region for a collection bag that inserts into the second collection compartment.

16. The portable vacuum device of claim 13, wherein the floor attachment further includes a molded depression into which the tube can at least partially rest.

17. The portable vacuum device of claim 13, wherein the floor attachment further includes a wheel, roller, connector for a carrying means, a reflector, a scent compartment, a light, or any combination thereof.

18. A method of collecting solid animal waste comprising using a vacuum device, wherein the vacuum device has a handle; a motor having a fan, wherein the motor is housed in the handle; a tube attached to the handle, wherein the tube has an intake port that is located distally to the handle; a first filter guard; and a first collection compartment, wherein the first collection compartment is in the half of the tube nearest to the intake port, and the first filter guard is between the first collection compartment and the handle; and a collection bag.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The following drawings form part of the present specification and are included to further demonstrate certain aspects of the present invention. The invention may be better understood by reference to one or more of these drawings in combination with the detailed description of specific embodiments presented herein.

(2) FIG. 1. shows a diagram of one embodiment of the invention with an exemplary arrangement for a waste filter bag.

(3) FIG. 2 shows a diagram of another embodiment of the invention with an exemplary arrangement for a waste filter bag.

(4) FIG. 3 shows a diagram of an embodiment of the invention that includes a floor attachment having a waste compartment.

(5) FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of the invention with a floor attachment in position for storage, shipping, or carrying.

(6) FIG. 5 illustrates further details of a floor attachment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(7) The invention provides a relatively lightweight, handheld vacuum especially designed to pick up solid animal waste or objects, preferably small objects such as pins, fasteners, buttons, paper, hearing aids, lightweight objects of various size, etc., without requiring that the user unduly bend, reach, or stoop to operate the vacuum. Objects that the invention can collect may be either metallic or non-metallic. Advantageously, the vacuum is designed so that it can be operated with one hand. Some embodiments of the invention can be compacted for storage, shipping, carrying, or easier transport.

(8) Embodiments of the invention that are particularly suitable for collection of solid animal waste are advantageously designed so that both the device and the user's physical contact with the animal waste is reduced, or even eliminated. By reducing, or even eliminating, physical contact with animal excrement little or no cleaning of the device or user are required after use.

(9) When the invention is used to collect objects a bag may or may not be used. Those of skill in the art will appreciate that when a user is using a device of the invention to collect dust, debris, or other material intended for disposal, then a user may prefer to use the device with a bag. Such a bag may be made of plastic, paper, cloth, filter material, or any combination thereof. An environmentally safe bag is preferred. Alternatively, a user may prefer to collect material, e.g. buttons, screws, coins, etc., without a bag.

(10) FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate two embodiments of the invention. FIG. 1 shows an embodiment in which the vacuum includes a tube (11) that is telescopic and may be retracted or collapsed when the vacuum is not in use. FIG. 2 shows a device having a tube (11) that is not retractable or collapsible. During vacuum operation, air flows from the distal opening of the tube (11) (i.e an intake port) towards the handle (1) with enough force to create sufficient suction to collect material into the tube (11). Those of skill in the art will be familiar with the principles of vacuum technology and understand that the length of the tube, the size of the intake port, the force generated by the motor will, and rate of air flow will all effect the amount of suction that is created by the device.

(11) To prevent collected material from travelling the entire length of the tube (11) towards the handle (1), one or more filter guards (10) are present in the tube (11). Preferably at least one filter guard (10) is located, relative to the handle (1), in the distal half, third, or even the most distal quarter of the tube (11). And, preferably another filter guard (10) is located in the half, third, or even the quarter of the tube (11) most adjacent to the handle (1). When not in use, the distal end of the tube (11) may be covered by an end cap.

(12) When a bag is used in an embodiment similar to either FIG. 1 or 2, then the bag (13) is placed in a waste compartment (12) at the most distal portion of the tube (11) relative to the handle (1). Preferably, a portion of the bag (13) overlaps onto the exterior of the distal end of the tube (11) so that material, such as animal waste, does not contact the device during use. It is also preferred that the bag extends sufficiently over the exterior of the distal portion of the tube so that the user can reduce, or even eliminate, contact with collected material, such as animal waste, when removing the bag from the device. Preferred bags are environmentally safe and biodegradable. Preferred bags also have a fastener, such as elastic or other flexible material, that acts to hold the bag in place during vacuum operation. Such fasteners also may act to close a filled bag. Those of skill in the art will be familiar with the many suitable means for closing a bag. Preferred fasteners are pull tabs or have sticky ends. Preferred bags allow air to pass through them.

(13) The exterior of the distal end of the tube (11) is shaped to help fix in place the portion of the bag (13) that extends over the exterior of the tube (11). The exterior of the distal end of the tube may be shaped in a variety of ways to help the bag to stay in place. For example, the exterior of the distal end of the tube may be curled, have flaps or wings, folded outward, or otherwise shaped or molded so that when a bag overlaps the shaped or molded area, then the bag is less able to slip off of the tube as compared to a tube lacking such shaping or molding.

(14) Adjacent to the filter guard (10) in the tube (11) most proximal (i.e. nearest) to the handle (1) is a scent compartment (15). Preferably, the scent compartment is adjacent to, or more preferably within the handle (1). The scent compartment (15) may contain any variety of materials that are useful for reducing offensive odors that are often associated with pet waste. Preferably, the material used to control odors is lightweight and environmentally safe. Optionally, an opening (not shown) in the tube (11), handle (1), or preferably the scent compartment (15) provides access to the material used to control odor so that it can be replaced as desired.

(15) So that a user can operate the vacuum with one hand, operating mechanisms for the vacuum are located near, in, or on the handle area. An exemplary arrangement of the operating mechanisms is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Those of skill in the art will understand that many different arrangements of the operating mechanisms can be made. Preferred arrangements are those that are easy for multiple different users to operate. For example, an on/off switch or button (3), light switch (4) to operate a light (7), and reverse switch or button (5) may be located on an upper, bottom, or side surface of the handle (1). The operating mechanisms may be adjacent to each other or separated onto different surfaces of the handle (1). Preferably, the light (7) is an LED light that operates in the visible light range so that a user can collect material in dim light or in the dark.

(16) Optionally, a wrist strap (8) may be attached to the handle (1) for easier carrying. Either in addition to or in place of a wrist strap, a magnet, clip, or hook (9) may be on the side of the handle (1) so that device can be easily stored or carried (e.g. on a wheelchair, walker, or in a closet). Optionally, one or more reflectors (14) may be present on the side(s) of the handle (1) or tube (11) so that the vacuum may be operated with greater safety at night. One or more reflectors (14) may be placed on the distal portion of the tube (11) so that a user may more easily identify the opening to the waste compartment (12).

(17) The vacuum operates by using a motor having a battery(ies) or an electrical cord. While the motor may be located within the device in multiple positions, such as either along a side of the tube (11), or at or near the bottom or top of the device, it is preferred that the motor is located within the handle (1) so that the device's weight is better balanced for the user. While the motor is not shown in the accompanying figures, the preferred region (2) of the handle (1) within which the motor is placed is identified. If the motor is battery-operated, then preferably the battery(ies) is located in or adjacent to the handle (1), most preferably the battery(ies) is located in the preferred region (2) of the handle (1). If the motor is operated with an electrical cord, then preferably the cord is retractable and located in the preferred region (2) of the handle (1) or adjacent to it. Preferably, one or more vents (6) are located near the motor. The motor may include a fan (not shown).

(18) The bag (13) can be composed of any suitable material(s). Preferably, the bag (13) is environmentally safe, such as a paper bag. Preferred bags (13) are composed at least partially of paper, other filter material, or a combination thereof so that when the vacuum is operated air can flow through the bag and into the tube (11). One or more air vents may be located along the tube near the waste compartment or near the motor. Exemplary vents (6) are shown near the top of the device in the handle area in FIGS. 1-3.

(19) A third embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the FIGS. 3-5. This embodiment includes the features of the other described embodiments of the invention and some additional features. Specifically, this embodiment allows the user to reconfigure a handheld vacuum into a floor vacuum by adding a floor attachment. The reconfigured vacuum is suitable for collecting material, preferably lightweight material such as dust, dirt, small debris, or objects, preferably small objects such as pins, fasteners, buttons, stamps, hearing aids, and other lightweight objects of various size.

(20) FIG. 3 illustrates the invention reconfigured into a floor vacuum. The most distal end of the tube (11) attaches to the floor attachment at approximately either connecting position (26) (see FIGS. 3 and 5). Preferably, the tube (11) may insert, snap, or twist into a connecting position (26). Skilled artisans will understand that the tube (11) can placed into a connecting position (26) through any number of readily available means.

(21) Preferably, the floor attachment includes one or more lights (25) on or near the front of the floor attachment. Optionally, one or more lights (not shown) may be located along the top or sides of the floor attachment.

(22) Material is collected through an opening (18) that is located on the front side of the floor attachment and adjacent to a floor or surface on which the attachment is resting. The opening (18) may extend partially onto the bottom surface of the floor attachment. The specific location and shape of the opening (18) may be varied somewhat so that a floor attachment may be especially designed to pick up particular types of materials.

(23) Vacuumed material, such as waste or an object, is collected in a waste compartment (12) located inside the floor attachment (see FIGS. 4 and 5, dotted line). The waste compartment is accessed by removing or opening the top or lid (17) of the floor attachment with an opener (21). Preferably, the opener (21) is located on a front portion of the lid (17). The opener (21) is a switch, or more preferably a button, that can be easily operated with the user's foot, hand, or finger(s) to open the lid (17). The lid (17) may be held in place by molded tabs, strips, or other similar molded indentations, or one or more hinges. If the lid (17) is hinged then one or more hinges (23) may be located either on a side, or preferably along the back, of the floor attachment. The lid (17) can be closed by simply pressing it back into position for use.

(24) In some embodiments of the invention a bag may be placed in the compartment to contain collected material. The bag may be made of any suitable material such as plastic, cloth, paper, or any combination of such materials. Preferably, the bag is paper, and more preferably, the bag is composed of a filter paper so that air can flow through the bag. Alternatively, a user may use the floor vacuum without a bag in the compartment. When a bag (13) is placed in the compartment (12), preferably the bag (13) extends outside of the compartment and over a portion of the front of the floor attachment. More preferably, the front of the floor attachment is configured to be wider along its lateral edges relative to the rest of the floor attachment so that the bag (13) extends over the lateral edges and better protects the device from contacting waste or other material (see FIGS. 4 and 5).

(25) Optionally, the floor attachment may have a wheel(s) or roller(s) (20), or a connector (19) for a shoulder strap or other carrying means. In addition, the floor attachment may have one or more safety reflectors (14) located along its top, side(s), front, and/or back. One or more scent compartments (15) may also be present on the floor attachment. If a scent compartment is present then preferably a means of opening the scent compartment is included so that the material used to control or mask odor can be replaced. An end cap (16) may be included to cover the distal end of the tube (11).

(26) When not in use, the floor attachment includes a molded depression (22) into which the tube (11) can be folded or collapsed so that the vacuum takes up less space when stored or carried. Preferably, when the tube (11) is telescopic, the tube (11) can be reduced in size and fit into the molded depression (22). One configuration of the folded vacuum is shown in FIG. 4. Advantageously, when the collapsed tube (11) is folded into the floor attachment, the size of the entire device is greatly reduced so that it can be easily carried, shipped, or stored.

(27) Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as is commonly understood by one of skill in the art to which this invention belongs at the time of filing. The meaning and scope of terms should be clear; however, in the event of any latent ambiguity, definitions provided herein take precedent over any dictionary or extrinsic definition. Further, unless otherwise required by context, singular terms shall include pluralities and plural terms shall include the singular. Herein, the use of or means and/or unless stated otherwise. Furthermore, the use of the term including, as well as other forms such as includes and included is not limiting. All patents and publications referred to herein are incorporated by reference herein.

(28) Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as is commonly understood by one of skill in the art to which this invention belongs at the time of filing. All patents and publications referred to herein are incorporated by reference herein.

(29) All of the compositions and methods disclosed and claimed herein can be made and executed without undue experimentation in light of the present disclosure. While the compositions and methods of this invention have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, it will be apparent to those of skill in the art that variations may be applied to the compositions and methods and in the steps or in the sequence of steps of the method described herein without departing from the concept, spirit and scope of the invention. All such similar substitutes and modifications apparent to those skilled in the art are deemed to be within the spirit, scope and concept of the invention as defined by the following claims.