ANGLE GRINDER DUST COLLECTION SHROUD

Abstract

A dust collection shroud for angle grinders includes mounting brackets with a vertically and inwardly extending flex arm. The flex arm allows the shroud to fit many different angle grinders while automatically centering the grinding wheel within the shroud dust collection chamber. The mounting brackets allow the shroud to move vertically relative to the angle grinder to allow the operator to vary the application of the grinding wheel to a workpiece while keeping the shroud lower edge in contact with the workpiece to collect the generated debris.

Claims

1. An angle grinder dust collection shroud comprising: a shroud body having a horizontal upper wall and a peripheral sidewall extending downwardly from the upper wall, the shroud body forming a dust collection chamber below the upper wall and inside of the peripheral sidewall; an exhaust port attached to the shroud body, the exhaust port having an air passage which is connected to the dust collection chamber; an output shaft hole in the shroud body which is sized and positioned to receive an angle grinder output shaft therethrough such that a grinding wheel may be mounted to the output shaft inside of the dust collection chamber; a plurality of mounting brackets attached to the shroud body upper wall at locations which are spaced around the output shaft hole; wherein each of the plurality of mounting brackets includes: an outer end which is attached to the upper section of the shroud body; an inner end disposed upwardly from the outer end and inwardly from the outer end adjacent the output shaft hole; an opening in the inner end; and a flex arm that extends between the outer end and the inner end of the mounting bracket, the flex arm comprising a vertically oriented section and a horizontally oriented section; and a band clamp that passes through the inner end opening in each mounting bracket.

2. The angle grinder dust collection shroud of claim 1, wherein the mounting brackets are elastically flexible.

3. The angle grinder dust collection shroud of claim 2, wherein the inner ends of the mounting brackets may be moved inwardly towards the output shaft hole by tightening the band clamp and elastically bending the flex arm, and wherein the inner ends of the mounting brackets may be moved downwardly towards the shroud body upper wall by elastically bending the flex arm.

4. The angle grinder dust collection shroud of claim 1, wherein the outer end of each mounting bracket comprises a bracket mounting hole, and wherein each mounting bracket is attached to the upper wall by a fastener that passes through the bracket mounting hole and through a shroud body mounting hole.

5. The angle grinder dust collection shroud of claim 4, wherein the shroud body upper wall comprises an alignment rail disposed adjacent the outer end of each mounting bracket to inhibit movement of the mounting bracket.

6. The angle grinder dust collection shroud of claim 1, wherein the vertically oriented section of the flex arm comprises a first curved section which extends from an inner edge of the mounting bracket inner end and wherein the first curved section curves upwardly from the upper surface and outwardly away from the output shaft hole, and wherein the flex arm comprises a second curved section which curves upwardly from the first curved section and inwardly towards the output shaft hole.

7. The angle grinder dust collection shroud of claim 1, wherein the vertically oriented section of the flex arm comprises a first curved section which extends from an outer edge of the mounting bracket inner end and wherein the first curved section curves upwardly and inwardly towards the output shaft hole.

8. The angle grinder dust collection shroud of claim 1, wherein, for each mounting bracket, the inner end is oriented vertically, the opening is oriented vertically, and the inner end is connected to the horizontally oriented section of the flex arm.

9. The angle grinder dust collection shroud of claim 1, wherein the inner end of each mounting bracket comprises a vertically oriented clamping face with inwardly extending projections.

10. The angle grinder dust collection shroud of claim 1, wherein each of the mounting brackets comprises two adjacent layers of strip steel that are not bonded to each other.

11. The angle grinder dust collection shroud of claim 1, wherein the vertically oriented section of the flex arm comprises an S bend.

12. An angle grinder dust collection shroud comprising: a shroud body having a horizontal upper wall and a peripheral sidewall extending downwardly from the upper wall, the shroud body forming a dust collection chamber below the upper wall and inside of the peripheral sidewall; an exhaust port attached to the shroud body, the exhaust port having an air passage which is connected to the dust collection chamber; an output shaft hole in the shroud body which is sized and positioned to receive an angle grinder output shaft therethrough when such that a grinding wheel may be mounted to the output shaft inside of the dust collection chamber; a plurality of mounting brackets attached to the shroud body upper wall at locations which are spaced around the output shaft hole; wherein each of the plurality of mounting brackets includes: an outer end which is attached to the upper section of the shroud body; an inner end disposed upwardly from the outer end and inwardly from the outer end adjacent the output shaft hole, wherein the inner end is spaced apart vertically from the shroud body upper wall; a band clamp opening in the inner end; and a curved flex arm that extends upwardly and inwardly from the mounting bracket outer end to the mounting bracket inner end, wherein the flex arm is elastically bendable to permit horizontal movement of the inner end towards the output shaft hole and to permit vertical movement of the inner end towards the; and a band clamp that passes through the band clamp opening in each mounting bracket.

13. The angle grinder dust collection shroud of claim 12, wherein the outer end of each mounting bracket comprises a bracket mounting hole, wherein the outer end is planar and is disposed parallel to the upper wall, and wherein each mounting bracket is attached to the upper wall by a fastener that passes through the bracket mounting hole and through a shroud body mounting hole in the upper wall.

14. The angle grinder dust collection shroud of claim 13, wherein the shroud body upper wall comprises an alignment rail disposed adjacent the outer end of each mounting bracket to inhibit movement of the mounting bracket.

15. The angle grinder dust collection shroud of claim 12, wherein the curved flex arm comprises a vertically oriented section having: a first curved section which extends from an inner edge of the mounting bracket inner end and which curves upwardly from the upper surface and outwardly away from the output shaft hole; and a second curved section which curves upwardly from the first curved section and inwardly towards the output shaft hole.

16. The angle grinder dust collection shroud of claim 12, wherein the curved flex arm comprises a vertically oriented section having a first curved section which extends from an outer edge of the mounting bracket inner end and which curves upwardly and inwardly towards the output shaft hole.

17. The angle grinder dust collection shroud of claim 12, wherein, for each mounting bracket, the inner end is oriented vertically, the opening is oriented vertically, and the inner end is connected to the horizontally oriented section of the flex arm.

18. The angle grinder dust collection shroud of claim 12, wherein the inner end of each mounting bracket comprises a vertically oriented clamping face with inwardly extending projections.

19. The angle grinder dust collection shroud of claim 12, wherein the flex arm comprises a vertically oriented section comprising an S shaped bend.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0003] Non-limiting and non-exhaustive examples of the present invention are described with reference to the following figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views unless otherwise specified.

[0004] FIG. 1 is a perspective view drawing of the dust collection shroud mounted to an angle grinder.

[0005] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view drawing of the dust collection shroud and angle grinder.

[0006] FIG. 3 is a perspective view drawing of the dust collection shroud.

[0007] FIG. 4 is a top view drawing of the dust collection shroud.

[0008] FIG. 5 is a front view drawing of the dust collection shroud.

[0009] FIG. 6 is a perspective view drawing of one design of the dust collection shroud mounting bracket.

[0010] FIG. 7 is a perspective view drawing of the dust collection shroud with different mounting brackets.

[0011] FIG. 8 is a perspective view drawing of another design of the dust collection shroud mounting bracket.

[0012] FIG. 9 is a perspective view drawing of the dust collection shroud with different mounting brackets.

[0013] FIG. 10 is a perspective view drawing of another design of the dust collection shroud mounting bracket.

[0014] Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding components throughout the several views of the drawings. Unless otherwise noted, the drawings have been drawn to scale. Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help improve understanding of various examples of the present invention. Also, common but well-understood elements that are useful or necessary in a commercially feasible embodiment are often not depicted in order to facilitate a less obstructed view of these various embodiments of the present invention.

[0015] It will be appreciated that the drawings are illustrative and not limiting of the scope of the invention which is defined by the appended claims. The examples shown each accomplish various different advantages. It is appreciated that it is not possible to clearly show each element or advantage in a single figure, and as such, multiple figures are presented to separately illustrate the various details of the examples in greater clarity. Similarly, not every example need accomplish all advantages of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be apparent, however, to one having ordinary skill in the art that the specific detail need not be employed to practice the present invention. In other instances, well-known materials or methods have not been described in detail in order to avoid obscuring the present invention.

[0017] In the above disclosure, reference has been made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific implementations in which the disclosure may be practiced. It is understood that other implementations may be utilized and structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. References in the specification to one embodiment, an embodiment, an example embodiment, etc., indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarily include the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, such feature, structure, or characteristic may be used in connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitly described. The particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable combination and/or sub-combinations in one or more embodiments or examples. It is appreciated that the figures provided herewith are for explanation purposes to persons ordinarily skilled in the art.

[0018] As used herein, adjacent refers to near or close sufficient to achieve a desired effect. Although direct contact is common, adjacent can broadly allow for spaced apart features. As used herein, the singular forms a, and, the include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0019] As used herein, the term substantially refers to the complete or nearly complete extent or degree of an action, characteristic, property, state, structure, item, or result. For example, an object that is substantially enclosed would mean that the object is either completely enclosed or nearly completely enclosed. The exact allowable degree of deviation from absolute completeness may in some cases depend on the specific context. However, generally speaking the nearness of completion will be such as to have the same overall result as if absolute and total completion were obtained. The use of substantially is equally applicable when used in a negative connotation to refer to the complete or near complete lack of an action, characteristic, property, state, structure, item, or result. For example, a composition that is substantially free of particles would either completely lack particles, or so nearly completely lack particles that the effect would be the same as if it completely lacked particles. In other words, a composition that is substantially free of an ingredient or element may still actually contain such item as long as there is no measurable effect thereof.

[0020] As used herein, the term about is used to provide flexibility to a number or numerical range endpoint by providing that a given value may be one or two significant digits above or one or two significant digits below the number or endpoint.

[0021] As used herein, a plurality of items, structural elements, compositional elements, and/or materials may be presented in a common list for convenience. However, these lists should be construed as though each member of the list is individually identified as a separate and unique member. Thus, no individual member of such list should be construed as a de facto equivalent of any other member of the same list solely based on their presentation in a common group without indications to the contrary.

[0022] Dimensions, amounts, and other numerical data may be expressed or presented herein in a range format. It is to be understood that such a range format is used merely for convenience and brevity and thus should be interpreted flexibly to include not only the numerical values explicitly recited as the limits of the range, but also to include all the individual numerical values or sub-ranges encompassed within that range as if each numerical value and sub-range is explicitly recited. As an illustration, a numerical range of about 1 to about 5 should be interpreted to include not only the explicitly recited values of about 1 to about 5, but also include individual values and sub-ranges within the indicated range. Thus, included in this numerical range are individual values such as 2, 3, and 4 and sub-ranges such as from 1-3, from 2-4, and from 3-5, etc., as well as 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, individually.

[0023] FIGS. 1 and 2 show perspective drawings of an angle grinder dust collection system. FIG. 1 shows a dust collection shroud 10 installed on an angle grinder 14. FIG. 2 shows a partially disassembled view of the angle grinder 14, grinding wheel 34, and dust collection shroud 10 to better illustrate the shroud attachment structures. The angle grinder 14 includes a grinder body 18 which houses an electric motor and provides a structural support for much of the grinder 14. An electrical power cord 22, switch, etc. may be mounted to the grinder body 18. The angle grinder 14 includes a gearbox 26. The gearbox 26 is used to provide an appropriate output speed for the grinder and is also used to position the output shaft 30 at a 90 degree angle to the motor and body 18. Angle grinders 14 are frequently used with sanding attachments or grinding cup wheels 34 to sand or grind different materials. A diamond cup wheel 34 may be used to grind concrete and masonry. Sanding discs may be used to sand wood, plastics, or fiberglass. These grinding processes create a significant amount of dust, much of which is harmful. Small particulate grinding dust from many different materials is harmful to the lungs and should be contained.

[0024] Many angle grinders 14 include a stock blade guard (not shown) which covers a portion of a grinding wheel. The blade guard helps keep debris from hitting the operator. These blade guards, however, do not capture the grinding dust produced by the grinder 14. It is common for manufacturers to use proprietary quick release attachment systems for blade guards which allow the blade guard to be rotated to different positions around the grinding wheel. Other angle grinders have different sizes of blade guard attachment locations. These quick release attachment systems make it difficult to provide a dust collection shroud 10 which fits a variety of different angle grinders 14. The shroud 10 provides a mounting system which adapts to different angle grinders 14 and is adjustable to different angle grinders 14 despite the various structures used to mount the original blade guards. This reduces the number of dust collection shrouds 10 that must be manufactured and kept in inventory. Additionally, the dust collection shroud 10 provides an attachment system that centers the shroud 10 around the grinder output shaft 30 and grinding wheel 34 provides a secure attachment to the grinder 14 while still allowing some movement of the shroud 10 to permit successful operation of the grinder 14.

[0025] The shroud 10 is used to collect the grinding dust and capture the dust to reduce the environmental and health impact of using the angle grinder 14. The shroud 10 includes a shroud body 38 which is attachable to the angle grinder 14 to enclose the grinding wheel 34. The shroud body 38 includes a generally horizontal upper section/wall 42 and a sidewall 46 which extends downwardly from the upper section 42. The sidewall 46 may include a curved shoulder that transitions from the upper wall 42 into the downward section of the sidewall 46. The upper section 42 and sidewall 46 are relatively thin and define a hollow interior that receives a grinding wheel 34 and forms a dust collection chamber 50. The dust collection chamber 50 is generally enclosed along its top and sides and has an open bottom that permits access to the grinding wheel 34. As shown, the upper surface 42 is generally flat and is oriented perpendicularly to the grinder output shaft 30. The upper surface extends outwardly from the output shaft 30. The sidewall 46 is generally round as viewed from above and may be formed with a curved transition between the upper section 42 and the sidewall 46. The bottom edge of the sidewall 46 may be formed with a channel that receives a skirt 58. The skirt 58 is flexible and contacts the work surface which is being ground by the grinder 14 around the grinding wheel 34 to assist in collecting dust. The skirt 58 may be formed from a flexible plastic or rubber. In this example, the skirt 58 is formed by a plurality of plastic bristles held together in a crimped metal ring. The bristles form a generally continuous skirt wall which is round and encircles the dust collection chamber 50 along the lower edge of the shroud sidewall 46. The skirt 58 is typically preinstalled into the shroud sidewall 46. The flexibility of the skirt 58 accommodates irregularities in the work surface and improves the dust collection efficiency by reducing gaps between the dust collection shroud 10 and the work surface.

[0026] The shroud body 38 includes an exhaust port 62. The exhaust port 62 is attached to the shroud body upper section 42 adjacent to the sidewall 46 so that the exhaust port 62 is oriented tangentially to the outside of the grinding wheel 34 and shroud body 38. The exhaust port 62 opens from the shroud body 38 so that it flows smoothly from the shroud body 38 and continues in the direction of rotation of the cup wheel 34. The exhaust port 62 has a hollow interior bore or passage which is connected to the hollow interior dust collection chamber 50 so that dust can move from the dust collection chamber 50 and through the exhaust port 62. Typically, the exhaust port 62 is connected to the inlet hose 66 of a vacuum (not shown) to extract dust from the dust shroud body 38. The exhaust port 62 may thus be sized to receive a nominal 1.25 inch or 1.5 inch vacuum hose 66 (or a larger hose for larger shrouds/grinders).

[0027] The shroud 10 is attached to the angle grinder 14. Many angle grinders 14 include a shoulder 70 which extends downwardly from the gearbox 26 around the grinder output shaft 30. The shoulder 70 may house bearings to support the output shaft 30. The shoulder 70 of the angle grinder 14 may be generally circular and often includes registration or attachment features such as grooves or projections that are used to mount the original angle grinder blade guard. These attachment features often interfere with attachment of an aftermarket dust collection shroud 10. The upper section 42 of the shroud body 38 has a hole 74 therethrough. The hole 74 through the upper section 42 of the shroud body is typically located in the center of the upper section of the shroud body. The output shaft 30 of the grinder 14 passes through the hole 74 and into the dust collection chamber 50 so that when the cup wheel 34 or other grinding attachment is attached to the grinder 14, the grinding attachment is located in the dust collection chamber 50. The hole 74 in the upper section of the shroud body 38 is larger than the output shaft and is sufficiently large to fit a variety of grinders. If desired, a gasket or insert may be attached to the top of the shroud body 38 to create a smaller opening between the hole 74 and the output shaft 30 to help keep dust contained inside of the dust collection chamber 50 and to keep dust separated from the grinder motor and bearings. In some cases, an annular space between the output shaft 30 and the grinder upper surface 42 is desirable as it allows airflow around the output shaft 30, into the dust collection chamber 50, past the grinding wheel 34, and through the exhaust port 62 to be collected.

[0028] The shroud 10 includes mounting brackets 90 which are attached to the upper section 42 of the shroud body 38 and which attach the shroud 10 to the angle grinder 14. In order to accommodate a variety of different angle grinders with a single shroud 10, the mounting brackets 90 are flexible and the top/inner portion of the brackets 90 may be moved in and out to different distances from the center of the hole 74 to allow the shroud 10 to be mounted to grinders 14 with different diameters and sizes of shoulders 70. Additionally, the top/inner portion of the brackets 90 may be moved vertically up and down relative to the dust collection shroud 10 to allow the user to contact a work surface with the grinding wheel 34 while maintaining contact between the shroud 10 and the work surface to collect the dust produced by the grinder 14.

[0029] FIGS. 3, 4, and 5 show a perspective view, top view, and front view of the shroud 10, respectively. As shown, three mounting brackets 90 are attached to the shroud body 38. The mounting brackets 90 are spaced apart equally around the center opening 74. Each of the mounting brackets 90 is attached to the shroud body 38 via a fastener 94 such as a rivet or bolt and nut. The bottom/outer portion of the mounting brackets 90 are securely attached to the upper surface 42 of the shroud body 38 so that the bottom end of the mounting brackets 90 does not move relative to the shroud body 38. The upper surface 42 of the shroud body 38 includes a hole (not shown) through which the fastener 94 passes. Each fastener passes through a hole in the upper surface 42 of the shroud body 38 and through a hole in the bracket 90 and secures the bracket 90 to the shroud body 38. The upper surface 42 of the shroud body 38 may also include alignment rails 98 for each mounting bracket 90 that prevent rotation and movement of the mounting bracket 90 relative to the shroud body 38. The mounting brackets 90 bend elastically to allow the top/inner ends of the mounting brackets 90 move inwardly and outwardly to adjust the distance between the mounting brackets 90 and thereby allow the shroud 10 to be mounted to grinders 14 with different sizes of shoulders 70.

[0030] Each of the mounting brackets 90 has an upper opening 102 that receives a band clamp 106. The band clamp 106 is tightened to draw the upper ends of the mounting brackets 90 together and clamp them against an angle grinder 14 to attach the dust collection shroud 10 to the angle grinder 14. FIG. 4 shows how the upper ends of the mounting brackets 90 are positioned evenly around the center opening 74, centering the band clamp 106 around the center opening 74. FIG. 5 shows how the upper section 42 of the shroud body 38 is generally flat and the mounting brackets 90 are fastened against the shroud body 38. The inner ends of the mounting brackets 90 are separated from the upper surface 42 of the shroud body 38 and hold the band clamp 106 above the upper surface 42 of the shroud body 38. The separation between the shroud body 38 and the mounting brackets 90 and band clamp 106 allows the shroud body to move towards the mounting brackets (and grinder 14) when the grinder 14 is in use. Typically, the mounting brackets 90 allow movement of the shroud body 38 towards the angle grinder 14 through a distance which is between about 0.2 inches and 0.5 inches. In the example shroud 10, the mounting brackets 90 are sufficiently strong to support the weight of the shroud body 38 so that the skirt 58 remains in contact if the grinder is used on a vertical or overhead work surface and to require some force to move the shroud body 38 relative to the grinder 14. The mounting brackets 90 are sufficiently flexible to not eliminate the operator's sensitivity in using the grinder 14.

[0031] FIG. 6 shows a perspective drawing of one of the mounting brackets 90. The mounting bracket 90 includes a lower/outer end 110 which is attached to the upper surface 42 of the dust collection shroud 10. The outer end 110 of the mounting bracket 90 includes a hole 114 which receives fastener 94 to attach the mounting bracket 90 to the dust collection shroud 10. The mounting bracket 90 includes an upper/inner end 118 that is attached to the angle grinder 14 by the band clamp 106. The inner end 118 of the mounting bracket 90 includes opening 102 that receives the band clamp 106. The opening 102 is vertically oriented to receive the band clamp 106 and the mounting bracket 90 has a generally flat inner clamping face 122 which is held against the shoulder 70 of the grinder gearbox 26 by the band clamp 106. The inner clamping face 122 has inwardly extending projections 126 that increase the grip between the mounting bracket 90 and the grinder 14 to better secure the dust collection shroud to the grinder.

[0032] The mounting bracket 90 includes a flex arm 130 between the outer end 110 and the inner end 118 which facilitates both up and down movement and inner and outer movement of the inner end 118 relative to the outer end 110. The flex arm 130 is formed with multiple bends and includes a vertically oriented section and a horizontally oriented section. The example mounting bracket flex arm 130 includes a first vertically oriented curved section 134, a second vertically oriented curved section 138, and a horizontally extending section 142. The first curved section 134 and the second curved section 138 both extend vertically. The first curved section 134 and the second curved section 138 together form a curved vertically extending section 140 of the mounting bracket 90 and, in the example mounting bracket 90, the first curved section 134 and the second curved section 138 form a curved vertically extending section 140 with an S bend shape. The horizontally extending section 142 extends from the curved vertically extending section to the inner end 118 of the mounting bracket 90. The example mounting bracket 90 is formed from a strip of steel. The steel strip begins at the outer end of the mounting bracket 90 and is bent so that is extends through the first curved section 134, second curved section 138, horizontal section 142, forms the inner end 118 and opening 102, and then extends back through the horizontal section 142, second curved section 138, first curved section 134, and outer end 110. Most of the mounting bracket 90 is formed by two layers of the steel strip disposed adjacent each other without the two layers being bonded to each other. The two layers of steel both have holes 114 and are both fastened to the shroud body 38 at the outer end. The steel strips separate from each other at the inner end 118 to form the opening 102.

[0033] When the band clamp 106 is tightened, the first curved section 134 and second curved section 138 are elastically bent to allow the inner end 118 of the mounting bracket 90 to move inwardly towards the center opening 74 and to be clamped against the angle grinder mounting shoulder 70. The bends 134, 138 in the mounting bracket 90 allow the mounting bracket 90 to better accommodate the different sizes of angle grinders 14. Once the dust collection shroud 10 is mounted to the angle grinder 14, the second curved section 138 and the horizontal section 142 allow the inner end 118 of the mounting bracket 90 to move vertically relative to the outer end 110. This allows the grinder 14 and grinding wheel 34 to move vertically relative to the dust collection shroud to contact a workpiece with the grinding wheel. The mounting brackets 90 keep the grinding wheel 34 centered inside of the dust collection chamber 50.

[0034] The mounting brackets also allow the operator flexibility in choosing which part of the grinding disk 34 contacts the work surface and in choosing how much pressure to apply to the work surface while grinding. In a resting position, the inner ends 118 of the mounting brackets 90 are biased into the position shown relative to the shroud body 38 and position the grinding wheel 34 inside of the dust collection chamber 50. This typically places the bottom of the skirt 58 below the bottom surface of the grinding wheel 34. When an operator brings the grinding wheel 34 into contact with a work surface, the skirt 58 first contacts the work surface and then remains in contact with the work surface while the grinding wheel 34 is then pushed downwardly (along with the grinder 14 and inner ends 118 of the mounting brackets 90) relative to the shroud body 38 and skirt 58 to bring the grinding wheel 34 in contact with the work surface. This arrangement maintains the skirt 58 in contact with the work surface and improves the collection of dust generated while grinding. Dust and debris are contained within the dust collection chamber 50 where it is collected by a vacuum through the exhaust port 62.

[0035] In mounting the dust collection shroud 10, the band clamp 106 such as a worm drive hose clamp passes through the openings 102 on the inner ends 118 of the mounting brackets 90 and is tightened to securely fasten the inner ends 118 of the mounting brackets 90 to an angle grinder 14. The output shaft 30 of the angle grinder 14 passes through the center of the hole 74 and the grinding wheel 34 is then attached to the output shaft 30 and is located in the dust collection chamber 50.

[0036] For many angle grinders 14, the bottom cutting surface of the grinding wheel 34 is located below the plane formed by the bottom edge of the sidewall 46 and above the plane formed by the bottom edge of the skirt 58 when the inner ends 118 mounting brackets 90 are not deflected upwardly or downwardly. If the skirt 58 is formed of plastic bristles, for example, it will compress vertically somewhat to maintain contact with an uneven work surface and the mounting brackets 90 allow the shroud body 38 to move vertically relative to the grinder 14 to allow the bottom cutting surface of the grinding attachment 34 to contact the work surface to grind that surface while keeping the skirt 58 in contact with the work surface to contain dust. The exhaust port 62 includes an air passage which is open to the dust collection chamber 50 and allows a vacuum to collect air and dust from the dust collection chamber 50. A vacuum which is attached to the exhaust port 62 via hose 66 draws air and dust inwardly through the skirt 58, from around the grinding wheel 34, through the exhaust port 62, and into the vacuum where it is collected. The air flow and dust tend to rotate with the grinding wheel 34 and are carried to the exhaust port 62.

[0037] The dust collection shroud 10 may have additional features such as an access hatch 150. The access hatch 150 is openable to expose a small amount of the grinding wheel 34 such that the outer cutting edge of the grinding wheel extends beyond the remaining edge of the shroud body 38 after opening the access hatch 150. This allows an operator to grind against a vertical surface, such as when grinding a floor against a wall.

[0038] FIGS. 7 and 8 show another embodiment of the dust collection shroud 10. FIG. 7 shows a perspective drawing of the dust collection shroud 10. FIG. 8 shows a perspective drawing of one of the mounting brackets 90. The dust collection shroud 10 is the same as the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 through 5 except for the mounting bracket 90 and includes the structures, features, and functions described above except as noted. The mounting bracket 90 includes a lower/outer end 110 which is attached to the upper surface 42 of the dust collection shroud 10 via a hole 114 which receives fastener 94. The mounting bracket 90 includes an upper/inner end 118 that is attached to the angle grinder 14 by the band clamp 106 via opening 102 that receives the band clamp 106. The opening 102 is vertically oriented to receive the band clamp 106 and the mounting bracket 90 has a generally flat inner clamping face 122 with inwardly extending projections 126 that is held against the shoulder 70 of the grinder gearbox 26 by the band clamp 106.

[0039] The mounting bracket 90 includes a flex arm 130 between the outer end 110 and the inner end 118 which facilitates both up and down movement and inner and outer movement of the inner end 118 relative to the outer end 110. The flex arm 130 includes a vertically oriented section 140 and a horizontally oriented section 142. A first curved section 134 extends vertically and forms the vertical section 140 of the flex arm 130. The horizontally extending section 142 extends inwardly from the curved vertically extending section 140 to the inner end 118 of the mounting bracket 90. The example mounting bracket 90 is formed from a strip of steel. The steel strip begins at the outer end of the mounting bracket 90 and is bent so that it extends through the first curved section 134, horizontal section 142, forms the inner end 118 and opening 102, and then extends back through the horizontal section 142, first curved section 134, and outer end 110.

[0040] FIGS. 9 and 10 show another embodiment of the dust collection shroud 10. FIG. 9 shows a perspective drawing of the dust collection shroud 10. FIG. 10 shows a perspective drawing of one of the mounting brackets 90. The dust collection shroud 10 is the same as the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 through 5 except for the mounting bracket 90 and includes the structures, features, and functions described above except as noted. The mounting bracket 90 includes a lower/outer end 110 which is attached to the upper surface 42 of the dust collection shroud 10 via a hole 114 which receives fastener 94. The mounting bracket 90 includes an upper/inner end 118 that is attached to the angle grinder 14 by the band clamp 106 via opening 102 that receives the band clamp 106. The opening 102 is vertically oriented to receive the band clamp 106 and the mounting bracket 90 has a generally flat inner clamping face 122 with inwardly extending projections 126 that is held against the shoulder 70 of the grinder gearbox 26 by the band clamp 106.

[0041] The mounting bracket 90 includes a flex arm 130 between the outer end 110 and the inner end 118 which facilitates both up and down movement and inner and outer movement of the inner end 118 relative to the outer end 110. The flex arm 130 includes a vertically oriented section 140 and a horizontally oriented section 142. A first curved section 134 and a second curved section 138 extend vertically in an S bend shape and form the vertical section 140 of the flex arm 130. The horizontally extending section 142 extends inwardly from the curved vertically extending section 140 to the inner end 118 of the mounting bracket 90. The example mounting bracket 90 is formed from a strip of steel. The steel strip begins at the outer end of the mounting bracket 90 and is bent so that it extends through the first curved section 134, second curved section 138, horizontal section 142, forms the inner end 118 and opening 102, and then extends back through the horizontal section 142, second curved section 138, first curved section 134, and outer end 110.

[0042] The dust collection shroud 10 is advantageous as it allows for a simple and convenient attachment of a single dust collection shroud 10 to a variety of different angle grinders 14. The shroud is easily used and is convenient for an operator, promoting compliance in using the dust collection system. This promotes a clean work environment and reduces health hazards to the operator and others in the area. The mounting brackets 90 keep the grinding wheel 34 centered in the dust collection chamber 50 while accommodating a variety of different angle grinders 14. The mounting brackets 90 provide sufficient stiffness to keep the shroud body 38 over the grinding wheel 34 while also providing sufficient flexibility to allow the user to contact a work piece with the grinding wheel 34. The skirt 58 is held against the work piece during use to keep dust and debris contained within the dust collection chamber until it is collected. The shroud 10 is able to capture most of the dust created while grinding.

[0043] The above description of illustrated examples of the present invention, including what is described in the Abstract, is not intended to be exhaustive or to be limiting to the precise forms disclosed. While specific examples of the invention are described herein for illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications are possible without departing from the broader scope of the present claims. Indeed, it is appreciated that specific example dimensions, materials, voltages, currents, frequencies, power range values, times, etc., are provided for explanation purposes and that other values may also be employed in other examples in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.