Ergonomic and easily serviceable vacuum probe

Ergonomic and easily serviceable vacuum probe. The probe for applying a vacuum has a see-through chamber in which a particulate filter is disposed so that the contamination level in the chamber is monitorable for servicing the filter. The probe is vacuum-dependent and sized to be gripped by a person's hand making a fist therearound including around the handle which extends longitudinally of the body. By squeezing the handle toward the body, a valve plunger is pushed radially inwardly to open the valve to apply vacuum. The valve is spring-biased to return to the closed position upon release of the handle.

The present invention relates to devices for applying a vacuum such as for 
micro-vacuum cleaning and small part pickup and handling applications. 
During the manufacture of small electronic components and the like, it is 
often necessary to insure that dust and the like is removed therefrom. In 
the medical industry, there are also applications for such 
micro-vacuuming. 
Various vacuuming devices have been proposed examples of which are found in 
U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,444,584; 3,897,604; 4,221,017; 4,302,225; 4,488,331; 
4,918,857; and 4,989,292. These devices have various drawbacks. Thus, they 
may not be easily operable. For example, the button for operating the 
vacuum desoldering tool of U.S. Pat. No. 4,221,017 to Fortune requires 
finger operation, must be located for manipulation by the finger, and does 
not offer a mechanical advantage. Neither does the handle of the apparatus 
of U.S. Pat. No. 3,897,604 to Weimer allow good operation ergonomically. 
Neither may such vacuuming devices allow easy or user friendly 
serviceability. For example, it may be difficult to detect when 
particulate filters in such devices need cleaning or replacement. 
It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide a vacuum 
probe which allows easy detection of the need for cleaning or replacement 
of a particulate filter. 
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a hand-held 
vacuum probe having an ergonomically-suitable handle for operating to 
provide vacuum on-demand. 
It is another object of the present invention to provide such a vacuum 
probe which is of light weight, easy to service, rugged, effective, and 
inexpensive. 
In order to allow easy detection of the need for cleaning or replacement of 
a particulate filter, in accordance with the present invention a chamber 
in which the filter is disposed is composed of see-through material. 
Also in accordance with the present invention the device has an elongate 
generally cylindrical body and a handle pivotally connected thereto for 
operating a valve and extending generally longitudinally of the body so 
that the body and handle can together be gripped by a person's hand making 
a fist therearound, and an intermediate portion of the handle depresses a 
valve plunger for opening the valve passage, the plunger being biased to 
close the passage whereby, upon release of the handle, the plunger returns 
to a position closing the passage, and the device being vacuum dependent. 
The above and other objects, features, and advantages will be apparent in 
the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment of the 
present invention when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings 
wherein the same reference numerals denote the same or similar parts 
throughout the several views.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
Referring to the drawings, there is shown generally at 10 a hand-held 
vacuum probe for micro-vacuum cleaning and small part pickup and handling 
applications. For example, the probe 10 may be used surgically as a vacuum 
extraction device with containment. The device 10 includes an elongate 
generally cylindrical body 12 having a vacuum passage 14 extending 
generally longitudinally therethrough. A longitudinally extending threaded 
aperture 16 is provided in the rearward end of the body portion 13 in flow 
communication with the passage 14. Body portion 13 may be composed of 
aluminum or other suitable material. A suitable fitting 18 such as, for 
example, a 1/8 inch clippard fitting is threadedly received in threaded 
aperture 16 and includes a passage 22 which extends longitudinally 
therethrough in flow communication with passage 14 for connection to a 
vacuum source (not shown) so that the device 10 may be vacuum-dependent 
and thus not contain a venturi with the result that the device 10 may be 
of lighter weight and smaller size for easier handling, less expensive 
operation, and not subject to clogging of the venturi. Aperture 16 may, 
for example, be provided to accept any fitting having a 1/16 NPT. 
A longitudinally extending threaded aperture 24 is provided in the forward 
end of the body portion 13 in communication with body passage 14 for 
threadedly receiving a generally cylindrical elongate member 26 shaped to 
define a chamber 28 co-axially with body portion 13. A threaded aperture 
30 is provided in the forward end of chamber member 26 for threadedly 
receiving a replaceable nozzle or tip 32 co-axially with the member 26 and 
body portion 13. Nozzle 32 may be composed of aluminum or other suitable 
material. Aperture 30 opens into chamber 28, and nozzle 32 includes a 
vacuum passage 20 extending longitudinally therethrough and in flow 
communication with chamber 28. The nozzle 32 includes a radially enlarged 
portion 34 intermediate the ends thereof, and a suitable O-ring 36 is 
disposed between the enlarged portion 34 and the forward end wall of 
chamber member 26 for sealing. The nozzle 32 may be hand-tightened, and 
the portion 34 may, if desired, be knurled, as illustrated in FIG. 3, for 
this purpose. Alternatively, the portion 34 may, if needed, be hex-shaped 
or the like for receiving a wrench. 
The forward end portion of the body portion 13 has a radially extending 
opening 38 which is in flow communication with passage 14, and the 
radially outer portion 40 of opening 38 is threaded for receiving the body 
42 of a suitable valve 44 such as, for example, an Air-Vac spool valve. 
Extending rearwardly from a radially inner portion 46 of opening 38 is a 
portion 48 of the passage 14, and extending forwardly from the radially 
outer portion 40 of the opening 38 is another portion 50 of passage 14. 
Passage portion 50 opens into aperture 24 and is thus in flow 
communication with chamber 28. 
When connected to a vacuum source at the rearward end by fitting 18, the 
probe 10 provides a vacuum suction at the forward end via the removable 
tip 32, the vacuum route being nozzle passage 20, chamber 28, body passage 
14 including passage portions 50 and 48, and fitting passage 22. Demand is 
controlled by operation of valve 44, as hereinafter discussed. 
A suitable replaceable particulate filter 52 such as, for example, a Tetco 
wire filter screen is disposed at the axially inner surface 53 defining 
aperture 24, i.e., the bottom of the aperture 24. Filter 52 is secured in 
position by the rearward end of chamber member 26 with a Delrin or other 
suitable washer 54 therebetween. 
Vacuum flow or suction initiates when the vacuum passage through the device 
10 is opened by operating valve 44. All vacuum is drawn through the 
removable chamber 28. Particulate is filtered from the vacuum stream upon 
exiting the chamber 28 through the replaceable filtering screen 52. The 
replaceable tip 32 and filtering chamber 28 are threadedly-attached for 
user serviceability, i.e., cleaning and replacement of the filter 52. 
In order to allow users to monitor the contamination level in the chamber 
28 so as to clean or replace the screen 52 as needed, in accordance with 
the present invention the dust chamber member 26 is composed of a suitable 
see-through material such as, for example, a clear acrylic material. 
The passage 14 is closed when the valve plunger 56 extends radially 
outwardly to seat the valve, as shown in FIG. 2. The plunger 56 is biased 
to return to this closed position by spring 58, which is disposed between 
the bottom of the plunger 56 and the radially inner surface 59 defining 
opening 38, i.e., the bottom of opening 38. Movement of the plunger 56 
radially inwardly by means of handle 60 forces the plunger 56 from the 
seat to open the passage 14 to vacuum flow. Release of the handle 60 
allows the spring 58 to return the plunger 56 to the closed position to 
close the passage 14 to vacuum flow. Thus, the operation of the vacuum 
probe 10 is on-demand. 
The handle 60, which may be composed of 16 gage stainless sheet steel or 
other suitable material, comprises a thin elongate member 62 which is 
pivotally attached at one end to the body portion 13. The 
pivotally-attached or fulcrum end of handle 60 has a pair of ears 64 
normal to member 62 on opposite sides thereof. These ears 64 are received 
in cut-outs or notches 66 in the body portion 13 on opposite sides thereof 
and spaced rearwardly of valve 44. These cut-outs 66 have inner surfaces 
to which the ears 64 are pivotally attached such as by respective pan head 
machine screws 68 (only one shown), which are assembled loosely with 
Loctite adhesive so that the handle 60 may be pivotally manipulated but so 
that the screws 68 do not work loose. 
The handle member 62 extends forwardly from ears 64 generally 
longitudinally of the body at a small angle, illustrated at 78, of less 
than perhaps about 10 degrees relative to the axis of body 12 so that an 
intermediate portion of the handle member 62 overlies the enlarged head 70 
of the valve plunger 56. The handle member 62 is formed so that the 
forward terminal end portion 72 (forward of valve 44) is substantially 
parallel to the axis of body 12 so that the radial extent to which the 
handle extends is limited for easier holding and manipulation by a user's 
hand. The length of the handle member 62 is preferably greater than about 
half of the length of the body 12. By squeezing the handle 60 toward the 
body 12, the valve plunger 56 is pushed radially inwardly by an 
intermediate portion of the handle member 62 to open the valve 44 for 
application of vacuum at the nozzle 32. When the handle 60 is released, 
spring 58 exerts a force to close the valve 44. The contact of the 
rearward edge 74 of the handle 60 with the body portion 13 (with the 
corresponding point of tangency thereof) acts as a "stop" to limit pivotal 
movement of the handle 60 so that it remains positioned to extend within 
the small angle 78 relative to the axis of body 12 so as to lie closely to 
the body 12 to allow easier grasping and manipulation of the vacuum probe. 
Alternatively, if desired, the rearward edges of the cut-outs 66 may be 
provided to act as such a stop. 
Connected to a vacuum source by means of fitting 18 so as to be 
vacuum-dependent whereby the vacuum probe may be smaller in size for 
easier manipulation and easier to maintain, the probe 10 provides a vacuum 
force at the removable tip 32 on the opposite end. Demand is controlled by 
depressing the ergonomically-constructed lever or handle 60, which is 
sized to accommodate single finger, thumb, or multiple finger-grasping 
actuation. Vacuum flow initiates when the mechanical advantage lever 60 
forces the spring-loaded spool valve from its seat, and all vacuum is 
drawn into the removable see-through chamber 28. Particulate is filtered 
from the vacuum stream upon exiting the chamber 28 through the replaceable 
filtering screen 52. It should be understood that the probe 10 may, if 
desired, be connected to an air pressure source to be used for blowing a 
stream of air onto an object. 
The vacuum supply line is connected to the fitting 18 which extends axially 
from the rear end of the body 12 so as to avoid interference by the supply 
line with a full hand grip on the device 10. The handle 60 is positioned 
and sized to allow a variety of choices for manipulation of the probe 10. 
For example, it may be held and used like a pencil or like a die-grinder, 
i.e., by making a fist around the device 10 and depressing the handle 60 
with the palm of the hand. The device 10 may be held at various 
orientations to the work depending on the nature of the grip. In order to 
allow suitable gripping of the probe ergonomically, the body is sized to 
have a diameter, illustrated at 76, which is less than about 1 inch. 
By way of example and not for purposes of limitation, the following are 
exemplary dimensions for the probe 10 so that it may be easily held in 
one's hand and operated. The overall length of the probe 10 may be perhaps 
between about 4 and 5 inches. Its overall diameter (diameter of body 
portion 13 and dust chamber 26) may perhaps be about 0.8 inch. The handle 
length is preferably proportioned to a person's hand, and the handle is 
sized to fit comfortably in the hand. Thus, the handle member 62 may have 
a width of perhaps about 1/2 inch and an overall length of perhaps about 
2.89 inches. The handle end portion 72 may have a length of perhaps about 
0.76 inch and may form an included angle with the rest of the handle 
member of perhaps about 170 degrees. The distance between the cut-outs 66 
and valve 44 may perhaps be about 2-3/4 inches. The valve plunger 56 may, 
when the value is closed, extend radially outwardly of the body 12 a 
distance of perhaps about 3/16 inch. Such a device is provided to be 
easily gripped by a person's hand making a fist therearound whereby the 
handle may be merely squeezed to apply vacuum and released to stop 
applying vacuum. 
It should be understood that, while the present invention has been 
described in detail herein, the invention can be embodied otherwise 
without departing from the principles thereof, and such other embodiments 
are meant to come within the scope of the present invention as defined by 
the appended claims.