Compressed Air Rock Cleaning Device

Abstract

A rock cleaning device for dislodging and cleaning landscaping materials, such as landscape rock includes a vacuum assembly and a suction head. The vacuum assembly generates an airflow through a tube thereof. The suction head is engaged to the tube distal from the vacuum assembly so that an interior space, which is defined by the suction head, is in fluidic communication with the tube. The suction head has an opening positioned in a bottom thereof. A set of nozzles is coupled to a top of the suction head and is engageable a hose, which extends from a source of pressurized air. The nozzles direct pressurized air from the hose through the interior space to dislodge objects, such as landscape rock embedded in a surface, and to clean the objects that now are entrained in the airflow.

Claims

1. A rock cleaning device comprising: a vacuum assembly configured for generating an airflow through a tube thereof; a suction head engaged to the tube distal from the vacuum assembly such that an interior space defined by the suction head is in fluidic communication with the tube, the suction head having an opening positioned in a bottom thereof; and a set of nozzles coupled to a top of the suction head and being configured for engaging a hose extending from a source of pressurized air, wherein the nozzles are configured for directing pressurized air from the hose through the interior space for dislodging objects embedded in a surface, wherein the vacuum assembly is configured for entraining the objects in the airflow, positioning the set of nozzles for cleaning the objects entrained in the airflow.

2. The rock cleaning device of claim 1, wherein the suction head is substantially half barrel shaped such that the top of the suction head is arcuate.

3. The rock cleaning device of claim 1, further including a handle engaged to and extending from the suction head wherein the handle is configured for grasping in a hand of a user for maneuvering the suction head.

4. The rock cleaning device of claim 3, wherein the handle comprises: a first rod engaged to and extending from the suction head; and a second rod coupled to and extending bidirectionally and arcuately from the first rod distal from the suction head, wherein the second rod is configured for grasping in a pair of hands of the user for maneuvering the suction head.

5. The rock cleaning device of claim 3, further including a ball joint engaged to and positioned between the suction head and the handle such that the handle is pivotable relative to the suction head.

6. The rock cleaning device of claim 1, wherein the set of nozzles comprises four nozzles.

7. The rock cleaning device of claim 1, further including a pipe coupled to and extending from the suction head and being configured for selectively engaging the tube of the vacuum assembly, such that the tube is removably engageable to the suction head.

8. The rock cleaning device of claim 1, further including a head screen selectively engageable to the suction head such that the head screen extends over the opening, wherein the head screen is configured for excluding objects larger than a mesh size of the head screen, such that the objects larger than the mesh size are cleaned by the pressurized air from the hose but are excluded from the interior space.

9. The rock cleaning device of claim 8, further including a pair of rails coupled to the bottom such that the rails bracket the opening, the head screen being selectively insertable between the rails for removably engaging the head screen to the suction head for covering the opening.

10. The rock cleaning device of claim 1, further including: a manifold engaged to and in fluidic communication with the set of nozzles; and a connector coupled to the manifold and being configured for engaging the hose extending from the source of the pressurized air.

11. The rock cleaning device of claim 10, wherein the connector comprises a male hose connection.

12. The rock cleaning device of claim 10, further including a valve engaged to and positioned between the connector and the hose wherein the valve is configured for controlling flow of the pressurized air from the hose to the manifold.

13. The rock cleaning device of claim 1, further including the vacuum assembly comprising: a cannister having a vacuum module coupled to an upper end thereof, the tube extending from the cannister proximate to the upper end; a plurality of wheels coupled to a lower end of the cannister; and an internal screen selectively positionable within and engageable to the cannister, such that the internal screen defines an upper chamber and a lower chamber, wherein the internal screen is configured for separating the objects from the debris in the airflow.

14. The rock cleaning device of claim 1, further including the vacuum assembly comprising: a platform, the platform being mobile; the source of pressurized air comprising a first tank and an air compressor positioned on the platform, the first tank and being configured for holding compressed air, the air compressor being operationally engaged to the first tank and to the hose wherein the air compressor is configured for releasing the compressed air from the first tank through the hose to the set of nozzles; a vacuum unit positioned on the platform; a second tank positioned on the platform; and a conduit engaged to and extending between the vacuum unit and the second tank, such that the second tank is in fluidic communication with the vacuum unit, the tube extending from the second tank to the suction head, wherein the second tank is configured for holding the objects and the debris from the airflow.

15. The rock cleaning device of claim 14, wherein the platform comprises a trailer configured to be selectively hitched to a vehicle, such that the platform is towable.

16. The rock cleaning device of claim 14, further including a screening unit selectively positionable inline between the second tank and the suction head, the screening unit being configured for extracting the objects from the airflow while leaving the debris entrained in the airflow.

17. A rock cleaning device comprising: a vacuum assembly configured for generating an airflow through a tube thereof; a suction head engaged to the tube distal from the vacuum assembly such that an interior space defined by the suction head is in fluidic communication with the tube, the suction head having an opening positioned in a bottom thereof, the suction head being substantially half barrel shaped such that a top of the suction head is arcuate; a handle engaged to and extending from the suction head wherein the handle is configured for grasping in a hand of a user for maneuvering the suction head, the handle comprising a first rod and a second rod, the first rod being engaged to and extending from the suction head, the second rod being coupled to and extending bidirectionally and arcuately from the first rod distal from the suction head wherein the second rod is configured for grasping in a pair of hands of the user for maneuvering the suction head; a ball joint engaged to and positioned between the suction head and the handle such that the handle is pivotable relative to the suction head; a set of nozzles coupled to the top of the suction head and being configured for engaging a hose extending from a source of pressurized air, wherein the nozzles are configured for releasing pressurized air from the hose through the interior space for dislodging objects embedded in a surface, wherein the vacuum assembly is configured for entraining the objects in the airflow, positioning the set of nozzles for cleaning the objects entrained in the airflow, the set of nozzles comprising four nozzles; a pipe coupled to and extending from the suction head and being configured for selectively engaging the tube of the vacuum assembly, such that the tube is removably engageable to the suction head; a head screen selectively engageable to the suction head such that the head screen extends over the opening, wherein the head screen is configured for excluding objects larger than a mesh size of the head screen, such that the objects larger than the mesh size are cleaned by the pressurized air from the hose but are excluded from the interior space; a pair of rails coupled to the bottom such that the rails bracket the opening, the head screen being selectively insertable between the rails for removably engaging the head screen to the suction head for covering the opening; a manifold engaged to and in fluidic communication with the set of nozzles; a connector coupled to the manifold and being configured for engaging the hose extending from the source of the pressurized air, the connector comprising a male hose connection; and a valve engaged to and positioned between the connector and the hose wherein the valve is configured for controlling flow of the pressurized air from the hose to the manifold.

18. The vacuum assembly and suction head combination of claim 17, further including the vacuum assembly comprising: a cannister having a vacuum module coupled to an upper end thereof, the tube extending from the cannister proximate to the upper end; a plurality of wheels coupled to a lower end of the cannister; and an internal screen selectively positionable within and engageable to the cannister, such that the internal screen defines an upper chamber and a lower chamber, wherein the internal screen is configured for separating the objects from the debris in the airflow.

19. The vacuum assembly and suction head combination of claim 17, further including the vacuum assembly comprising: a platform, the platform being mobile, the platform comprising a trailer configured to be selectively hitched to a vehicle, such that the platform is towable; the source of pressurized air comprising a first tank and an air compressor positioned on the platform, the first tank and being configured for holding compressed air, the air compressor being operationally engaged to the first tank and to the hose wherein the air compressor is configured for releasing the pressurized air from the first tank through the hose to the set of nozzles; a vacuum unit positioned on the platform; a second tank positioned on the platform; a conduit engaged to and extending between the vacuum unit and the second tank, such that the second tank is in fluidic communication with the vacuum unit, the tube extending from the second tank to the suction head, wherein the second tank is configured for holding the objects and the debris from the airflow; and a screening unit selectively positionable inline between the second tank and the suction head, the screening unit being configured for extracting the objects from the airflow while leaving the debris entrained in the airflow.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 through 8 thereof, a new rock cleaning device embodying the principles and concepts of an embodiment of the disclosure and generally designated by the reference numeral 10 will be described.

[0024] As best illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 8, the rock cleaning device 10 generally comprises a vacuum assembly 12 and a suction head 14. The suction head 14 may be substantially half barrel shaped, as shown in FIG. 1, so that a top 16 of the suction head 14 is arcuate. The suction head 14 also may be alternatively shaped, such as rectangularly box shaped, disc shaped, and the like.

[0025] A handle 18 is engaged to and extends from the suction head 14 and is configured to be grasped in a hand of a user to maneuver the suction head 14. A ball joint 20 is engaged to and positioned between the suction head 14 and the handle 18 so that the handle 18 is pivotable relative to the suction head 14. The handle 18 may comprise a first rod 22 and a second rod 24, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. The first rod 22 is engaged to and extends from the suction head 14. The second rod 24 is coupled to and extends bidirectionally and arcuately from the first rod 22 distal from the suction head 14. The second rod 24 is configured to be grasped in a pair of hands of the user to maneuver the suction head 14.

[0026] The present invention also anticipates the suction head 14 being selectively engageable to a mini-excavator (not shown), allowing the user to utilize the mini-excavator to position and manipulate the suction head 14.

[0027] The vacuum assembly 12 is configured to generate an airflow through a tube 26 thereof. The suction head 14 is engaged to the tube 26 distal from the vacuum assembly 12 so that an interior space 28, which is defined by the suction head 14, is in fluidic communication with the tube 26. The suction head 14 has an opening 30 positioned in a bottom 32 thereof. The suction head 14 may have a pipe 34 coupled thereto and extending therefrom. The pipe 34 is configured to selectively engage the tube 26 of the vacuum assembly 12 so that the tube 26 is removably engageable to the suction head 14.

[0028] A set of nozzles 36 is coupled to the top 16 of the suction head 14 and is configured to engage a hose 38, which extends from a source of pressurized or compressed air. The nozzles 36 are configured to direct compressed air from the hose 38 through the interior space 28 to dislodge objects, such as landscape rock embedded in a surface, and to clean the objects that now are entrained in the airflow. The set of nozzles 36 may comprise four nozzles 36, as shown in FIG. 1, or other number of nozzles 36, such as, one to three nozzles 36 and five or more nozzles 36.

[0029] A head screen 40 is selectively engageable to the suction head 14 so that the head screen 40 extends over the opening 30. The head screen 40 is configured to exclude objects larger than a mesh size 84 of the head screen 40. The objects larger than the mesh size 84 are cleaned by the compressed air flowing from the hose 38 but are excluded from the interior space 28. The present invention anticipates head screens 40 having a variety of mesh sizes 84 for use with objects of various sizes.

[0030] A pair of rails 42 is coupled to the bottom 32 so that the rails 42 bracket the opening 30, as shown in FIG. 2. The head screen 40 is selectively insertable between the rails 42 to removably engage the head screen 40 to the suction head 14 to cover the opening 30.

[0031] A manifold 44 is engaged to and is in fluidic communication with the set of nozzles 36. A connector 46 is coupled to the manifold 44 and is configured to engage the hose 38 that extends from the source of the pressurized air. The connector 46 may comprise a male hose connection 48, as shown in FIG. 4, or other connecting means, such as, but not limited to, quick connects, camlocks, and the like. A valve 50 is engaged to and positioned between the connector 46 and the hose 38. The valve 50 is configured to control flow of the pressurized air from the hose 38 to the manifold 44. The valve 50 is positioned conveniently to be accessed by the user during operation of the rock cleaning device 10.

[0032] In one embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the vacuum assembly 12 comprises a cannister 52, which has a vacuum module 54 coupled to an upper end 56 thereof. The tube 26 extends from the cannister 52 proximate to the upper end 56. A plurality of wheels 58 is coupled to a lower end 80 of the cannister 52. In these respects, the vacuum assembly 12 of this embodiment is similar to an off the shelf wet/dry vacuum. The air compressor to supply the set of nozzles in this embodiment may generally comprise a hose connected to an air compressor or a hose connected to a tank of compressed air. An internal screen 82 is selectively positionable within, and engageable to, the cannister 52. The internal screen 82 defines an upper chamber 60 and a lower chamber 62 and is configured to separate the objects, which collect in the upper chamber 60, from the water and the debris in the airflow.

[0033] In another embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the vacuum assembly 12 comprises a platform 64, which is mobile. The platform 64 may comprise a trailer 66, which is configured to be selectively hitched to a vehicle so that the platform 64 is towable. The present invention also anticipates the platform 64 comprising a motorized vehicle, such as a flatbed truck, a van, and the like.

[0034] In this embodiment, the source of pressurized air comprises a first tank 68 and an air compressor 70, which are positioned on the platform 64. The first tank 68 is configured to hold water. The air compressor 70 is operationally engaged to the first tank 68 and to the hose 38 and thus is configured to release the compressed air from the first tank 68 through the hose 38 to the set of nozzles 36.

[0035] A vacuum unit 72 and a second tank 74 are positioned on the platform 64. A conduit 76 is engaged to and extends between the vacuum unit 72 and the second tank 74 so that the second tank 74 is in fluidic communication with the vacuum unit 72. The tube 26 extends from the second tank 74 to the suction head 14. The second tank 74 is configured to hold the objects, such as the landscape rock, wood chips, mulch, and the like, along with the debris and the water from the airflow. A screening unit 78 is selectively positionable inline between the second tank 74 and the suction head 14. The screening unit 78 is configured to extract the objects from the airflow while leaving the debris entrained in the airflow.

[0036] In use, the suction head 14 is engaged to the tube 26. If the objects are to be cleaned and immediately returned to the surface, the head screen 40 is inserted between the rails 42 to cover the opening 30 in the suction head 14. The vacuum assembly 12 is actuated to start the airflow through the tube 26 and the interior space 28. The source of pressurized air also is actuated to initiate the release of pressurized air from the nozzles 36. The objects are cleaned of debris by the spray but are prevented from entering the interior space 28 by the head screen 40.

[0037] If the objects are to be cleaned and removed from the surface, the head screen 40 is not used. The vacuum assembly 12 and the source of pressurized air are actuated, as above. However, without the head screen 40 in place the objects are still cleaned of debris, but also pass through the interior space 28 and the tube 26. With the objects removed from the surface, the user can perform maintenance of the surface, such as repair or replacement of a weed barrier, prior to repositioning the objects on the surface. In one embodiment, the objects are collected on the internal screen 82 in the cannister 52, while in another embodiment the objects are collected in the screening unit 78.

[0038] With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of an embodiment enabled by the disclosure, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0039] Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the disclosure. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the disclosure to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the disclosure. In this patent document, the word “comprising” is used in its non-limiting sense to mean that items following the word are included, but items not specifically mentioned are not excluded. A reference to an element by the indefinite article “a” does not exclude the possibility that more than one of the elements is present, unless the context clearly requires that there be only one of the elements.