Vacuum hose handling and safety vacuum release system

Abstract

A vacuum hose handling and safety vacuum release system, a tubular column attachable to an industrial vacuum hose end having a long handle and a short T-handle positioned at right angles to each other that will allow a user to strategically place the metallic vacuum tube conveniently and easily to vacuum debris in a safe manner. The tube has at least one bypass orifice that the user can open to reduce or eliminate the suction at the nozzle via a lever pivotally located adjacent the T-handle.

Claims

1. A vacuum hose suction tube and vacuum release apparatus comprising: a vacuum hose suction tube assembly having; a main column having a hose connection-end, an implement attachment-end, and a center portion comprising; at least one hose connection clamp; a louver box having a base side and a louver side; a vacuum diversion opening; a plurality of louvers each having; a plurality of vacuum diversion lever couplers; a control handle having an extension handle and at least one t-handle; a vacuum diversion lever; and a plurality of removable suction implements; wherein said vacuum hose suction tube assembly comprises a means for a user to conveniently control a vacuum hose connection end of a vacuum hose and for said user to divert an air suction of a vacuum source to remove a suction attached end of said vacuum hose suction tube assembly from a vacuum attached object that is larger than a diameter of said main column of said vacuum hose suction tube assembly; wherein said hose connection-end is structured to couple to said vacuum hose connection end of said vacuum hose via a single said hose connection clamp; wherein said implement attachment-end of said main column is structured and arranged to couple to said plurality of removable suction implements; wherein said main column comprises a tube and said center portion of said tube is located between said hose connection-end and said attachment-end; wherein said center portion of said main column comprises said vacuum diversion opening having a size at least as large as an inside diameter of said main column; wherein said base side of said louver box is non-removably attached to said main column about said vacuum diversion opening; wherein said plurality of louvers are pivotally spaced and attached to said louver side of said louver box such that said plurality of louvers are able to be pivoted to close said vacuum diversion opening; wherein each of said plurality of vacuum diversion lever couplers are structured and arranged to non-removably attach to said plurality of louvers and to said vacuum diversion lever such that pushing said vacuum diversion lever rotatably opens said plurality of louvers to allow said air suction of said vacuum source to be diverted away from said implement attachment-end and through said vacuum diversion opening; wherein an attachment end of said control handle is non-removably attached to said main column near said implement attachment-end and positioned longitudinally along said main column, said control handle comprising a coupleable end opposite said attachment end; wherein said extension handle is structured and arranged to pin couple to said attachment end of said control handle to extend a graspable portion of said control handle; wherein said at least one t-handle is non-removably and perpendicularly attached to said control handle such that said user is able to more easily manipulate said vacuum hose suction tube assembly to suction debris; and wherein said vacuum hose suction tube assembly is useful for controllably vacuum-sucking material into said vacuum hose connected to said vacuum source.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The figures which accompany the written portion of this specification illustrate embodiments and method(s) of use for the present invention, vacuum hose handling and safety vacuum release system, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present invention.

(2) FIG. 1 shows a perspective view illustrating an in-use condition of a vacuum hose handling and safety vacuum release system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

(3) FIGS. 2A and 2B are perspective views illustrating a vacuum hose handling assembly of the vacuum hose handling and safety vacuum release system according to embodiments of the present invention of FIG. 1.

(4) FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating an installed condition of the vacuum hose handling and safety vacuum release system according to an embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 1.

(5) FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a vacuum safety bypass position of the vacuum hose handling and safety vacuum release system according to an embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 1.

(6) FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating variously shaped replaceable nozzles of the vacuum hose handling and safety vacuum release system according to an embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 1.

(7) FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a method of use of the vacuum hose handling and safety vacuum release system according to an embodiment of the present invention of FIGS. 1-5.

(8) FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating a preferred embodiment of vacuum hose suction tube and vacuum release apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 1.

(9) The various embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(10) As discussed above, embodiments of the present invention relate to an industrial vacuum nozzle device and more particularly to a vacuum hose handling and safety vacuum release system as used to improve the safety and efficiency of operating such a device.

(11) In greater detail now, referring to the drawings by numerals of reference there is shown in FIG. 1, a perspective view illustrating an in-use condition of vacuum hose handling and safety vacuum release system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

(12) Vacuum hose handling and safety vacuum release system 100 comprises vacuum hose handling assembly 110 having column 120 (having proximate end 122 and distal end 124), at least one handle 130 (having first end 132 having grip 140, and second end 134), vacuum release lever 150, vacuum release linkage 160, vacuum release orifice stopper 170, removable suction end 180, and suction end securer band 190. Vacuum hose handling assembly 110 is useful for controllably vacuum-sucking material into vacuum hose 199 connected to a vacuum source, the vacuum controllable by user 200 such as to virtually eliminate any need for user 200 to manually extract items of material when distal end 124 of column 120 becomes clogged. Other mechanical and non-mechanical means for providing the equivalent of vacuum release linkage 160 may be used.

(13) Referring now to FIGS. 2A and 2B, perspective views illustrating vacuum hose handling assembly 110 of vacuum hose handling and safety vacuum release system 100 according to embodiments (first and second respectively) of the present invention of FIG. 1.

(14) Second end 134 of handle 130 is preferably affixed to distal end 124 of column 120 to steady column 120 while in use. Column 120 is tubular in a preferred embodiment but may comprise other cross-sectional shapes in other embodiments. Handle 130 may comprise a contoured-bend along its length to facilitate user 200 standing in a comfortable upright orientation when using vacuum hose handling assembly 110 to remove material from a ground surface. Handle 130 preferably comprises T-handle 210; T-handle 210 is located on an opposite side to vacuum release lever 150 such that vacuum hose handling assembly 110 is balanced when held and manipulated. Vacuum release lever 150 rotates about a centerline axis perpendicular to handle 130, vacuum release linkage 160 running substantially parallel to handle 130.

(15) Referring now to FIG. 3, a perspective view illustrating an installed condition of vacuum hose handling and safety vacuum release system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 1.

(16) Proximate end 122 of column 120 of vacuum hose handling assembly 110 is removably attached to vacuum hose end 220 of a vacuum source. Handle 130 is removably attached longitudinally to an exterior of column 120 such that first end 132 of handle 130 comprising grip 140 is adjacent flexible vacuum hose 230; grip 140 providing a gripper for user to hold and manipulate vacuum hose handling assembly 110 from proximate end 122. Vacuum hose securer 240 may comprise a clamp (suitable fastening means) for securing flexible vacuum hose 230 to proximate end 122 of column 120. Column 120 preferably comprises a taper to prevent vacuum hose end 220 from becoming plugged by oversized pieces of material. Taper comprises a larger circumference at proximate end 122 than at distal end 124 of column 120 in those particular embodiments. Proximate end 122 of column 120 comprises landing 250 such that vacuum hose 199 is only able to be inserted over proximate end 122 of column 120 a specified distance.

(17) Referring now to FIG. 4, a perspective view illustrating vacuum safety bypass position of vacuum hose handling and safety vacuum release system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 1.

(18) Vacuum release lever 150 is preferably connected to vacuum release orifice stopper 170 via vacuum release linkage 160; vacuum release linkage 160 is able to move vacuum release orifice stopper 170 between open and closed positions in relation to column 120 to provide vacuum and alternately to release vacuum. Vacuum release orifice stopper 170 maintains a vacuum in column 120 (enclosed volume) when closed and allows airflow and releases the vacuum when opened, vacuum release orifice stopper 170 slidably covers at least one orifice 260 located in column 120. Vacuum release lever 150 comprises a safety-release-handle. The safety-release-handle can regulate air flow and vacuum via vacuum release linkage 160. The safety-release-handle comprises an open condition for vacuum release orifice stopper 170 when in a rearward location. In this way the operator is able to safely operate the present invention.

(19) The safety-release-handle comprises a closed condition for vacuum release orifice stopper 170 when safety-release-handle is in a forward location (as shown in FIG. 3). Vacuum release linkage 160 comprises a rigid rod such that vacuum release lever 150 is able to push or pull vacuum release orifice stopper 170 into an open condition. Vacuum release linkage 160 is thereby also able to push vacuum release orifice stopper 170 to close at least one orifice 260 located in column 120 in closed condition. Vacuum release lever 150 may comprise a cable (or other suitable means such as a rigid rod) in other embodiments. Vacuum release orifice stopper 170 may comprises a planar gate valve to plug a single orifice 260 in a lateral tube extending at a right angle to column 120, or may comprise an arcuate slide cover 270 to cover at least one orifice 260 in column 120. It should be appreciated that other means for restricting vacuum and actuating it may be employed such as doors, other linking means and the like. The various components may be sized and shaped differently. Other securing means to the vacuum source may be used. Various handle configurations may be employed and still be considered within the scope of the present invention.

(20) Referring now to FIG. 5, a perspective view illustrating variously shaped removable suction end(s) 180 of vacuum hose handling and safety vacuum release system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 1. Removable suction end 180 is removably coupleable to distal end 124 of column 120 via suction end securer band 190. Variously shaped geometrical designs may characterize nozzle end 182 of auxiliary removable suction end(s) 180 to facilitate the suctioning of different types and sizes of materials from variously shaped containments.

(21) Referring now to FIG. 6, is a flowchart illustrating method of use 600 of vacuum hose handling and safety vacuum release system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention of FIGS. 1-5.

(22) Referring now to FIG. 6, showing a flowchart illustrating method of use 600 for vacuum hose handling and safety vacuum release system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention of FIGS. 1-5. A method of use 600 for vacuum hose handling and safety vacuum release system 100 may comprise the steps of: step one 601 gripping handle 130 and T-handle 210 of vacuum hose handling assembly 110; step two 602 guiding vacuum hose handling assembly 110 to a debris to be vacuumed; step three 603 (pushing or) pulling vacuum release lever 150 as required for safety and alternately for releasing large debris from nozzle end 182 of removable suction end(s) 180; step four 604 pushing vacuum release lever 150 to plug at least one orifice 260 to return vacuum to nozzle end 182 of removable suction end(s) 180; step five 605 releasing vacuum hose securer 240 to vacuum hose handling assembly 110 from vacuum hose 199; and step six 606 storing vacuum hose handling assembly 110.

(23) It should be noted that step 606 is an optional step and may not be implemented in all cases. Optional steps of method 600 are illustrated using dotted lines in FIG. 6 so as to distinguish them from the other steps of method 600.

(24) It should be noted that the steps described in the method of use can be carried out in many different orders according to user preference. Upon reading this specification, it should be appreciated that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other methods of use arrangements such as, for example, different orders within above-mentioned list, elimination or addition of certain steps, including or excluding certain maintenance steps, etc., may be sufficient.

(25) Referring now to FIG. 7, showing a perspective view illustrating a preferred embodiment of vacuum hose suction tube and vacuum release apparatus 300 according to an embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 1.

(26) Vacuum hose suction tube and vacuum release apparatus 300 preferably comprises vacuum hose suction tube assembly 305 having main column 310 with hose connection-end 315 having hose connection clamp 320, implement attachment-end having hose connection clamp 320, center portion 325, louver box 330 having base side 335 and louver side 340, vacuum diversion opening 345, plurality of louvers 350 each having a plurality of vacuum diversion lever couplers 370, vacuum diversion lever 355, control handle 360 having extension handle 365 and at least one t-handle 375, and a plurality of removable suction implements 380.

(27) Vacuum hose suction tube assembly 305 is useful for controllably vacuum-sucking material into vacuum hose 199 connected to a vacuum source with greater control by user 200 and to virtually eliminate the need for user 200 having to manually extract lodged objects from implement attachment-end 385 of vacuum hose suction tube assembly 305 by diverting the vacuum through louvers 350 on the sidewall of main column 310. Hose connection-end 315 is structured to couple to vacuum hose connection-end 315 of vacuum hose 199 via a single hose connection clamp 320. Implement attachment-end 385 of main column 310 is structured and arranged to couple to any of the removable suction implements 380. Main column 310 comprises a tube having center portion 325 located between hose connection-end 315 and implement attachment-end 385.

(28) Center portion 325 of main column 310 comprises vacuum diversion opening 345 with a size that is at least as large as the inside diameter of main column 310 so that the vacuum can be diverted from implement attachment-end 385. Base side 335 of louver box 330 is non-removably attached to main column 310 about vacuum diversion opening 345 so that the attachment between the two is airtight. The plurality of louvers 350 are pivotally spaced and attached to louver side 340 of louver box 330 such that they are able to be pivoted to close or to open vacuum diversion opening 345. Each of vacuum diversion lever couplers 370 are structured and arranged to non-removably attach to the plurality of louvers 350 and to vacuum diversion lever 355 such that pushing or pulling vacuum diversion lever 355 rotatably opens the plurality of louvers 350 to allow the air suction source to be diverted away from implement attachment-end 385 and through vacuum diversion opening 345, or pushing vacuum diversion lever 355 to rotatably close louvers 350 to re-route the vacuum to implement attachment-end 385.

(29) Attachment end 362 of control handle 360 is non-removably attached to main column 310 near implement attachment-end 385 and positioned longitudinally along main column 310, control handle 360 comprising coupleable end 364 opposite attachment end 362. Extension handle 365 is able to be threadably coupled (or pinned) to attachment end 362 of control handle 360 to extend graspable portion of control handle 360. Grasp-handle(s) 375 is/are non-removably and perpendicularly attached to control handle 360 such that user 200 is able to more easily manipulate vacuum hose suction tube assembly 305 to suction debris.

(30) The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which are intended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention. Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application.