A combination trash can and vacuum cleaner in which the base of a trash can contains a battery operated vacuum cleaner that is activated by any one of a number of foot pedals. The vacuum is contained in a housing with an internal fan, a debris collection chamber, and an electrically controlled trap door for emptying debris. The device allows for in-room storage of a vacuum cleaner in an aesthetically pleasing manner and for the collection of debris without the need for a dustpan and/or a conventional vacuum cleaner.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to trash cans and vacuum cleaners and, more particularly, to a combination trash can and vacuum cleaner.

2. Description of Related Art

The related art does not teach a combination trash can and vacuum cleaner, the subject matter of the instant invention. However, it does teach vacuum cleaners combined with other items such as, for example, a decorative plant base, a kitchen cabinet, an ash bucket and a mobile workstation.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,205,013 to Lopes, teaches a combined decorative plant base and vacuum cleaner for use in hair cutting salons. The device consists of a vacuum cleaner hidden inside the base of a box-like container that also serves as a decorative plant base. The device allows for in-room storage of a vacuum cleaner in an aesthetically pleasing manner. A user of the device removes hair from a salon floor by sweeping the hair to an opening at the base of the device from where the hair is vacuumed into a storage container.

Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 6,286,177 to Robinson, teaches an under-cabinet vacuum with an intake vent positioned at floor level. With the device, debris can be swept under the overhang of an under-counter kitchen cabinet and vacuumed into a collection bin. Thus, both of the devices taught by Lopez and Robinson incorporate vacuums hidden within structures displayed in plain sight, thereby providing access to a vacuum without the typical lifting and carrying associated with a conventional vacuum, while at the same time avoiding the unpleasing visual aspect of storing a conventional vacuum in plain sight. However, neither of the devices taught by Lopes or Robinson can also serve as a trash can.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,360,947 to DeCosa et al., teaches an ash bucket and vacuum combination in which the bucket is connected to a vacuum cleaner via a hose. The bucket is also attached, via a vacuum hose, to a hand-held dustpan. Ash from a fireplace can be shoveled directly into the bucket using the dustpan or can be swept into the dustpan and then vacuumed through the hose into the bucket. From the bucket, ash can then be vacuumed into a vacuum cleaner. Although well suited for cleaning a fireplace, the device is not suited for use as a combination trash can and vacuum cleaner, particularly in a home or office setting where its appearance would be inconsistent with typical home or office furnishings.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,946,768 to Kelly teaches a mobile workstation with an integrated vacuum cleaner. The workstation is mounted on wheels and provides a level work surface and cabinet space for storing tools and equipment. However, although useful for cleaning offices and rooms, the device is not useful as a trash can nor is it appropriate for storage in plain sight within a home or office.

Consequently, none of the above inventions and patents, taken either singularly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed. Thus a trash can/vacuum combination solving the aforementioned problems is desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a combination trash can and vacuum in which the base of the trash can contains a battery operated vacuum cleaner. The vacuum cleaner is activated by a foot pedal and is contained in a housing with an internal fan, a debris collection chamber, and an electronically controlled trap door for emptying debris. Four foot pedals encircle the base of the housing. When depressed, any one of the foot pedal forms the lower edge of an opening into the vacuum. Debris is swept over the depressed pedal and into the opening, where it is then drawn into a collection chamber.

Accordingly, it is a principal object of the invention to provide a combination trash can and vacuum cleaner allowing for the collection of waste, such as paper and other refuse, and also allowing for the collection of debris without the use of a dustpan or a conventional vacuum cleaner.

It is another object of the invention to provide an aesthetically pleasing device in which a vacuum cleaner can be stored, thereby providing easy access to a vacuum cleaner without the unsightliness of a conventional vacuum cleaner.

It is a further object of the invention to eliminate the necessity of bending over commonly associated with the use of a dustpan and broom.

Still another object of the invention is to eliminate the necessity of retrieving, i.e., lifting and carrying, a conventional vacuum cleaner to an area in which debris is located.

Still another object of the invention is to facilitate the transfer of debris in a simple and efficient manner that requires minimal physical effort.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1shows a trash can/vacuum combination10according to the present invention. It will be appreciated from the view that the device comprises two main components: 1) a trash can20mounted on top of a 2) vacuum cleaner30. It will also be appreciated that the vacuum cleaner30is cylindrical in shape with vents on its sides and with four curve pedals40encircling its base.

FIG. 2shows one foot pedal42depressed. An opening62is formed by the bottom edge of the vacuum cleaner30and the top of the depressed pedal. Two springs41connect pedal42to the base of the vacuum cleaner30. When pedal42is depressed, the vacuum cleaner is activated thereby causing reduced air pressure at the opening62. Debris is swept over the pedal42and into the opening62in a manner similar to that in which debris would be swept into a dustpan. Once debris is swept into the opening62, the debris is drawn into the vacuum cleaner30by the reduced air pressure.

FIG. 3shows trash can component20welded to a rim61that extends vertically upward from the vacuum cleaner component30. The rim21of the trash can component20is rounded in a manner that provides an overhang, concaved upward, under which a ring22is attached. The ring22encircles the trash can and is attached to the underside of the rim21via a plurality of springs23. When the ring22is squeezed upward into the rim21, the latch112of an electronic release mechanism111releases a trap door43on the bottom of the vacuum cleaner component.

The internal works of the vacuum cleaner component30, described in more detail in the discussion ofFIG. 4, include an intake chamber51, a collection chamber44, a fan49and a discharge chamber52.

FIG. 4illustrates a pedal42attached to the vacuum cleaner via springs41. When any one pedal42is depressed, the fan49is activated. The fan49draws air and debris into the vacuum cleaner through the opening62formed by the bottom edge of the vacuum cleaner and the top of the pedal, through an intake chamber51through a collection chamber44, and through a screen48that filters the debris from the air. The air is then forced, by the fan49, into a discharge chamber, and then out of the vacuum cleaner through vents47on its side. The filtered debris drops to the floor of the collection chamber44.

A hinged trap door43is attached to the bottom of the vacuum cleaner component and comprises the floor of the collection chamber44. When the trap door43is opened, debris in the collection chamber44drops out of the vacuum cleaner component thereby allowing the collection chamber44to be emptied.

Access to a battery compartment46is provided by a hinged access door45. Batteries are used to power the fan49and the trap door release mechanism111.

FIG. 5shows trap door43attached to the bottom of the vacuum cleaner component. A latch112holds the trap door43in the closed position. The release mechanism111moves the latch112thereby allowing the trap door43to swing open and allowing the collection chamber44to be emptied. Also shown is the battery compartment and its hinged access door45.

FIG. 6shows the hinged access door45to the battery compartment, the hinged trap door43to the collection chamber and the underside of foot pedal42.

FIG. 7illustrates an alternative embodiment of a trash can/vacuum combination10in which the trash can component80is capable of being separated from the vacuum cleaner component90. In this embodiment, the vacuum cleaner component90and all its workings are the same as those of the preferred embodiment with the exception of the trap door release mechanism which is activated by depressing a button on the bottom of the vacuum cleaner component. The rim of the trash can component does not include a ring attached to its underside. The rim91on the top of vacuum cleaner component90is shaped and dimensioned to accommodate a standard size trash can.