Abstract:
A candy-cane shaped vacuum cleaner attachment is disclosed for cleaning top surfaces of elevated objects, such as ceiling fan blades and rain gutters. The vacuum cleaner attachment includes a preferably tapered straight tubular wand portion able to receive a vacuum supply at a proximal end and from which extends distally a substantially rigid, preferably tapered, tubular curved portion which terminates in a dual-purpose brush coupling and rain gutter tool. The vacuum cleaner attachment may be made in various sizes to fit commercial-off-the-shelf brushes and vacuum cleaners, or may be specially sized for other purposes. Custom brushes may be used.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application 61/703,398 filed Sep. 20, 2012 naming the same inventor. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    This invention relates to a vacuum cleaner attachment for assisting in cleaning tops of fan blades, high shelves, rafters, rain gutters, and the like. More particularly, it relates to an attachment for a “shop vac” type vacuum cleaner for the above-mentioned and other purposes. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Available vacuum cleaner attachments for cleaning ceiling fan blades are multi-part kits that require user assembly and are comparatively heavy, expensive to manufacture (due to specialized brushes, for example), and difficult to use. 
         [0004]    Therefore, a need exists for a back-curved vacuum cleaner attachment that is a single piece, light weight, inexpensive to manufacture, capable of using standard brushes, and easy to use. 
       OBJECTS AND FEATURES OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    A primary object and feature of the present invention is to overcome the above-mentioned problems and fulfill the above-mentioned needs. 
         [0006]    Another object and feature of the present invention is to provide a single-piece vacuum cleaner attachment that is useful for cleaning ceiling fan blades and other high surfaces. 
         [0007]    It is a further object and feature of the present invention to provide a vacuum cleaner attachment that is lightweight. 
         [0008]    It is a further object and feature of the present invention to provide a vacuum cleaner attachment that is inexpensive to manufacture. 
         [0009]    It is a further object and feature of the present invention to provide a vacuum cleaner attachment that is capable of using standard vacuum cleaner brushes. 
         [0010]    It is an additional primary object and feature of the present invention to provide such a system that is efficient, inexpensive and handy. Other objects and features of this invention will become apparent with reference to the following descriptions. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0011]    In accordance with a preferred embodiment hereof, this invention provides a one-piece, lightweight, easy-to-use, vacuum cleaner attachment that is inexpensive to manufacture and to use. This invention provides a vacuum cleaner attachment including: a tubular wand portion able to be coupled to a vacuum-supply at a vacuum-supply end; and a tubular curved portion extending arcuately from the tubular wand portion, distal the vacuum-supply end, to a brush-coupling junction. The attachment, where the tubular curved portion includes an inflexible tubular curved portion. The attachment, where the tubular wand and the tubular curved portion is tapered. The attachment, where the tubular wand portion and the tubular curved portion include two discrete connectable portions. The attachment, where the discrete tubular wand portion and the discrete tubular curved portion each include complimentary portions of a coupling for connecting the two discrete connectable portions. The attachment, including a collar surrounding the vacuum supply end. The attachment, including a brush coupling extending from the brush-coupling junction. The attachment, including: a first longitudinal half of the attachment; a second and complimentary longitudinal half of the attachment; and where the first and second longitudinal halves are fixed together along respective long edges to form the vacuum cleaner attachment. The attachment, including an edge flange on each the long edge of the first and second longitudinal halves, where the edge flanges are able to receive a fixative during manufacture. The attachment, including injection-molded material. The attachment, where the tubular curved portion extends arcuately for greater than 160 degrees of arc. The attachment, where the tubular curved portion extends arcuately for 180 degrees of arc. 
         [0012]    A vacuum cleaner attachment including: a tubular wand portion able to be coupled to a vacuum supply at a vacuum-supply end; an inflexible tubular curved portion extending arcuately from the tubular wand portion to a distal brush-coupling junction; a brush coupling extending from the brush-coupling junction; and where the tubular curved portion extends arcuately for greater than 160 degrees of arc. The attachment where the tubular curved portion includes a tapered tubular curved portion. The attachment, including: a first longitudinal half of the attachment; a second longitudinal half of the attachment; and where the first and second longitudinal halves are fixed together along respective long edges to form the attachment. The attachment, including an edge flange on each the long edge of the first and second longitudinal pieces, where the edge flanges are able to receive a fixative during manufacture. The attachment, including a collar surrounding the vacuum supply end. The attachment, including injection-molded material. 
         [0013]    A vacuum cleaner attachment including: a tubular wand portion able to be coupled to a vacuum supply at a vacuum-supply end; an inflexible tapered tubular curved portion extending from the tubular wand portion to a distal brush-coupling junction; a brush coupling extending from the brush-coupling junction; and where the tubular curved portion extends arcuately for 180 degrees of arc. The attachment, including a collar surrounding the vacuum supply end. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]    The present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the following drawing figures, wherein like numerals denote like elements, and 
           [0015]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view illustrating an exemplary embodiment of the vacuum cleaner attachment, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  is a perspective wire frame view illustrating the exemplary embodiment of the vacuum cleaner attachment of  FIG. 1  in a stage of manufacturing, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view illustrating the exemplary embodiment of the vacuum cleaner attachment of  FIG. 1  in a stage of manufacturing, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  is a side wire frame view illustrating the exemplary embodiment of the vacuum cleaner attachment of  FIG. 1 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  is a side cross-sectional view illustrating an additional exemplary embodiment of the vacuum cleaner attachment, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0020]      FIG. 1  is a perspective wire frame view illustrating an exemplary embodiment of the vacuum cleaner attachment  100 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Vacuum cleaner attachment  100  is tubular for conducting air and debris when coupled to a vacuum cleaner. Vacuum cleaner attachment  100  includes a vacuum supply end  116  including collar  106  with opening  108  into tapered tubular wand portion  102 . Collar  106  surrounds tapered tubular wand portion  102  at the vacuum supply end  116 . Tapered tubular wand portion  102  extends across mold line  114  into tapered tubular curved portion  104  and terminates at brush-coupling junction  124 . In an additional embodiment, curved portion  104  is not tapered. 
         [0021]    Tapered brush coupling  110  extends from brush-coupling junction  124  and has an opening  112  completing the brush-receiving end  118 . Curved portion  104  preferably extends arcuately over 180 degrees of arc, not including brush coupling  110 . In additional embodiments, curved portion  104  preferably extends arcuately over more than 160 degrees of arc. The vacuum cleaner attachment  100  is preferably made of injection-molded material, such as plastic or hard rubber for non-limiting examples, and is substantially inflexible. Some flexing occurs in deformation to attach a vacuum supply or a brush, but the attachment  100  retains its shape and is not flexible like a hose. In various embodiments, various suitably lightweight and rigid materials may be used to make attachment  100 . Ridges  120  and  122  are formed by flanges being fixed together during assembly, which will be discussed in more detail below. 
         [0022]    In a particular additional embodiment, tubular curved portion  104  and tubular wand portion  102  may be discrete pieces, each with a complimentary portion of a coupling, that the user couples together prior to use. 
         [0023]    In operation, vacuum cleaner attachment  100  is coupled to a vacuum supply, such as a vacuum cleaner wand or hose (not shown) that at least partially inserts into collar  106  to provide suction. Vacuum cleaner attachment  100  is preferably coupled to a vacuum cleaner brush (not shown) via tapered brush coupling  110 . The vacuum cleaner brush may be custom-made to fir a particular embodiment of the vacuum cleaner attachment  100 , or the vacuum cleaner attachment  100  may be sized to fit commercial-off-the-shelf brushes. The vacuum cleaner attachment  100  may be held with the tapered wand portion  102  generally vertical, enabling cleaning of high, upward-facing surfaces, such as the tops of ceiling fan blades. In particular instances, vacuum cleaner attachment  100  may be used without a brush. For non-limiting example, when using vacuum cleaner attachment  100  to remove leaves from rain gutters, the brush coupling alone is preferred. Vacuum cleaner attachment  100  may be manufactured in sizes to fit any of the plurality of commercially available vacuum cleaner brushes and vacuum supply hoses and wands. In addition, vacuum cleaner attachment  100  may be shaped to fit special purpose vacuums, such as handheld vacuum cleaners. 
         [0024]      FIG. 2  is a perspective wire frame view illustrating the exemplary embodiment of the vacuum cleaner attachment  100  of  FIG. 1  in a stage of manufacturing, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. First and second longitudinal halves  202  and  204  of vacuum cleaner attachment  100  are each preferably injection molded and joined together along their edges, preferably with a fixative, such as a permanent adhesive. In various other embodiments, other methods of forming and/or joining each half  202  and  204  may be used. For example, the plastic along the edges may be thermally softened, and the pieces pressed together. 
         [0025]    In the  FIG. 2 , the edge flanges  222 . 1  and  222 . 2 , which will form ridge  122  when fixed together, are shown in interior dashed hidden lines due to the perspective of the drawing. Edge flanges  220 . 1  and  220 . 2 , which will form ridge  120  when fixed together, are shown in solid lines, with a rear flange edge as a dashed hidden line, due to the perspective of the drawing. Wall thickness  206  is preferably constant, except for where a flange  220 . 1 ,  220 . 2 ,  222 . 1 , or  222 . 2  adds to the wall thickness  206  to create combined thickness  208 . In an additional embodiment, wall thickness  206  may be great enough to obviate the need for flanges  220 . 1 ,  220 . 2 ,  222 . 1 , and  222 . 2  enabling a vacuum cleaner attachment  100  without ridges  120  and  122 . In yet another additional embodiment, wall thickness  206  may vary. 
         [0026]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view illustrating the exemplary embodiment of the vacuum cleaner attachment  100  of  FIG. 1  in a stage of manufacturing, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. In an additional embodiment, the mold line  114  between tapered wand portion  102  and tapered curved portion  104  may be omitted. In an additional embodiment, the vacuum cleaner attachment  100  may be made in two parts, above and below the mold line  114 , with couplings, joinable in the known way of vacuum cleaner attachment joining 
         [0027]      FIG. 4  is a side x-ray view illustrating the exemplary embodiment of the vacuum cleaner attachment  100  of  FIG. 1 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. In a preferred embodiment, the height  1  of the vacuum cleaner attachment  100  is preferably twenty-four inches, with the tapered wand portion  102  having a preferred length  2  of twenty inches and the curved portion  104  having a preferred height  3  of four inches. The internal diameter  4  of opening  108  is preferably 2.3 inches, and the taper angle α of tapered wand portion  102  is preferably eighty-nine degrees. Tapered wand portion  102  tapers to an inside preferred diameter  5  of 1.633 inches. Accordingly, the taper of the wand portion  102  is 0.667 inches over the length  2  of twenty-four inches. The external outer cross-sectional diameter  11  of the tube of the curved portion  104  adjacent the tapered brush coupling  110  is preferably 1.836 inches. The length  12  of the inside chord, illustrated as a diameter, of the tapered curved portion  104  is preferably 4.080 inches, while the length  10  of the outside curvature of the tapered curved portion  104  is preferably eight inches, leaving a preferred 2.084 inches for the outside diameter  13  of the tube of the tapered curved portion  104  adjacent the tapered wand portion  102 . Accordingly, the taper in the tapered curved portion  104  is from 2.084 inches to 1.836 inches, for a taper of 0.248 inches over the length of tapered curved portion  104 . Tapered brush coupling  110  preferably has an inside diameter  9  of 1.633 inches adjacent the curved portion  104 , and a preferred inside diameter  8  at opening  112  of 1.500 inches. Tapered brush coupling  110  has a preferred outside diameter  6  adjacent the curved portion  104  of 1.757 inches and a preferred outside diameter  7  adjacent opening  112  of 1.590 inches. Tapered brush coupling  110  has a preferred height  14  of one inch. Tapered brush coupling  110  requires a custom-made brush, but is sized for cleaning rain gutters without a brush. The tapering assists in increasing suction at the opening  112  to offset pressure losses in the tapered wand portion  102  and tapered curved portion  104 . 
         [0028]    The precise measurements given above are an example to support enablement, and are not intended to limit the invention. Various vacuum cleaner manufacturers have various sized hoses and wands, and adaptations of the above example to accommodate such variations are within the scope of the invention. Preferred variations in size of the vacuum cleaner attachment  100  preserve the ratios inherent in the measurements given in regard to the exemplary embodiment  100  in  FIG. 4 . In various additional embodiments, other ratios may be used. 
         [0029]      FIG. 5  is a side cross-sectional view illustrating an additional exemplary embodiment of the vacuum cleaner attachment  500 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. vacuum cleaner attachment  500  is similar to vacuum cleaner attachment  100 , except that tapered curved portion  504  has a first coupling portion  506 , as shown, and tapered wand  502  has and end  508  with a second coupling portion  510  that is complimentary to first coupling portion  506 . In an additional embodiment, the vacuum cleaner attachment  500  may be divided into two parts such that the lengths of the two parts are equal. 
         [0030]    Although applicant has described applicant&#39;s preferred embodiments of this invention, it will be understood that the broadest scope of this invention includes such modifications as diverse shapes and sizes and materials. Such scope is limited only by the above specification and the claims below. 
         [0031]    Further, many other advantages of applicant&#39;s invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the above descriptions.