Abstract:
A vacuum claw interface connecting a vacuum claw to vacuum attachments may include a body, a nozzle on a first end of the body adapted to receive a vacuum attachment, and two or more hollow, pronged inlets attached to a second end of the body in fluid communication with the nozzle, wherein each inlet includes an open end receivable within a vacuum claw.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention generally relates to vacuum accessories, and more particularly, to a vacuum claw interface. 
         [0002]    Vacuuming vehicle interiors typically involves using vacuum systems employing a vacuum claw attached to the vacuum hose. A conventional vacuum claw is generally broad and flat, configured to be dragged across upholstery surfaces. The vacuum claw may include an internally disposed pillar to obstruct large objects from entering the vacuum hose. However, vacuum claws may be unable to fit into many vehicle interior areas because of the specialized shape employed. Moreover, conventional vacuum attachments used to access various areas may not be attached to a vacuum claw because the pillar blocks the end of the attachment. 
         [0003]    As can be seen, there is a need for an interface that can connect a vacuum claw to a vacuum attachment. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    In one aspect of the present invention, a vacuum claw interface comprises a body; a nozzle on a first end of the body adapted to receive a vacuum attachment; and two or more hollow, pronged inlets attached to a second end of the body in fluid communication with the nozzle, wherein each inlet includes an open end receivable within a vacuum claw 
         [0005]    In another aspect of the present invention, a vacuum claw interface comprises a body; a split pair of inlets attached to the body, the inlets including a height profile less than a height profile of an open end of a vacuum claw; a wall defining an opening between the inlets, the wall configured to receive a pillar from an interior of the vacuum claw into the opening; and a nozzle in fluid communication with the pair of inlets, the nozzle configured to receive a vacuum attachment. 
         [0006]    These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a vacuum claw interface in use according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is a perspective end view of the vacuum claw interface of  FIG. 1  connected to a vacuum claw in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  is a perspective side view of the vacuum claw interface of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  is a perspective end view of the vacuum claw interface of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0011]      FIG. 5  is a top view of the vacuum claw interface of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0012]      FIG. 6  is a rear end view of the vacuum claw interface of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0013]      FIG. 7  is a front end view of the vacuum claw interface of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0014]      FIG. 8  is a front end view the vacuum claw of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 9  is a front perspective view of an exemplary assembly of the vacuum claw interface to the vacuum claw of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 10  is a top view of the vacuum claw interface of  FIG. 2  connected to a vacuum attachment; and 
           [0017]      FIG. 11  is a side view of the vacuum claw interface of  FIG. 2  connected to a vacuum attachment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0018]    The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims. Various inventive features are described below that can each be used independently of one another or in combination with other features. 
         [0019]    Broadly, embodiments of the present invention generally provide a vacuum claw interface providing a flexible transition between a conventional vacuum system and vacuum attachment accessories. In one exemplary environment, the vacuum claw interface according to exemplary embodiments may be used in conjunction with a conventional vehicle vacuum system commonly found, for example, at a car wash or on wet/dry home vacuum cleaners. 
         [0020]    Referring now to  FIG. 1 , an exemplary embodiment of a vacuum claw interface  10  is shown in use according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. A user  14  may use the vacuum claw interface  10  to vacuum a vehicle interior  19 . The vacuum claw interface  10  may be attached between a vacuum claw  12  and a vacuum attachment  16  .to apply improved vacuum suction to typically inaccessible vehicle interior areas  32 . In one example, the vacuum attachment  16  may be a crevice tool configured to reach the vehicle interior area  32  that may be, for example as shown, a crevice between a seat  50  and an adjacent panel  52 . While a crevice tool is shown, it will be understood that other vacuum attachments that may not typically be connected directly to a vacuum claw  12  may be employed. 
         [0021]    Referring to  FIGS. 2-6 , an exemplary embodiment of the vacuum claw interface  10  is shown. The vacuum claw interface  10  may include a main body  18 , a pair of pronged inlets  20  attached to the body  18 , an inner wall  28  between the inlets  20 , and a nozzle  24 . 
         [0022]    The body  18  may be hollow and configured substantially flat to fit at least partially into the vacuum claw  12 . The body  18  may include a logo area  30  for receiving a logo (not shown). The nozzle  24  may be positioned on an end  26  of the body  18  that is opposite from the inlets  20 . The nozzle  24  may be in fluid communication with the pair of inlets  20 . In one aspect, the nozzle  24  may be configured to receive the vacuum attachment  16 . 
         [0023]    Referring to  FIGS. 2-8 , the inlets  20  may be hollow attached to the body  18 . The inlets  20  may include elliptical ports or open ends  22  in fluid communication with the nozzle  24  through the body  18 . The inlets  20  may include a height profile H I  less than a height profile H C  of an open end  13  of the vacuum claw  12 . The height profile H I  of the inlets  20  may also be less than a width profile W of the respective inlets  20 . The height profile H I  may also be less than a height profile H B  of the body  18 . The inlets  20  may include respectively, a flared outer edge or surface  21  expanding from the port  22  to the body  18 . The outer edge or surface  21  may be indexed to fit within interior walls  17  of the vacuum claw  12 . 
         [0024]    Referring now to  FIGS. 3-5  and  7 - 8 , the wall  28  may define a split or opening between the inlets  20  configured to receive a pillar  15  present in an interior of the vacuum claw  12 . The wall  28  may be substantially U-shaped including a detent  25  adjacent the body  18  at the nadir of the “U”. In one aspect, the wall  28  may extend between the open end  22  of one the inlets  20  to the detent  25  and to the open end  22  of the other inlet  20 . 
         [0025]    Referring to  FIGS. 1-2  and  9 - 11 , an exemplary assembly of the vacuum claw interface  10  is shown. The inlets  20  may be inserted into the vacuum claw  12  so that the wall  28  may be positioned to surround the pillar  15 . The low profile of the inlets  20  may provide compatible attachment to the vacuum claw  12  unlike previously known vacuum accessory connections that are typically round. Moreover, it may be appreciated that the outer edges  21  may be press fit into the vacuum claw  12  interior thus minimizing pressure loss in the connection of the vacuum claw  12  to the vacuum claw interface  10 . The vacuum attachment  16  may be inserted into the port  24  providing flexible reach of vacuum suction into various vehicle interior areas  32 . 
         [0026]    It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.