Abstract:
An adjustable attachment for a landscaping air blower includes a mounting tube, a nozzle and a connecting ring that rotatably couples the mounting ring and the nozzle. The upstream end of the nozzle defines a circle aligned at an acute angle to the axis of the nozzle and the downstream end of the mounting tube defines a circle aligned at an acute angle to the axis of the mounting tube. Rotation of the nozzle about its axis changes the alignment of the axis of the nozzle relative to the axis of the mounting tube.

Description:
[0001]    This application claims priority on U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/049,052 filed on Sep. 11, 2014. This application also is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/891,233 filed on May 10, 2013, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/613,148 filed on Sep. 13, 2012 which claims priority on U.S. Provisional Patent Appl. No. 61/645,817 filed on May 11, 2012. The entire disclosures of these prior applications are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The invention relates generally to air blowers for moving or collecting leaves, grass clippings and other debris, and further relates to a nozzle for such an air blower that enables the direction of the air flow produced by the air blower to be adjusted. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    Air blowers are used widely by landscapers to help collect and remove leaves, grass clippings and other such debris. The typical air blower includes a housing that contains a fan to produce a flow of high-pressure air. A tube communicates with the outlet of the fan and is manipulated by the user of the air blower to direct the airflow toward the debris that is to be removed. Air blowers take many different forms, including a wheeled air blower that is pushed from behind by the landscaper, a handheld air blower or a backpack type air blower. 
         [0006]    A conventional known backpack air blower is identified generally by the numeral  10  in  FIG. 1 . The backpack air blower  10  includes a housing  12  that contains a motor and fan for generating a high-pressure flow of air. An outlet  14  communicates with the outlet of the housing  12  and generates the flow of air produced by the fan to a flexible tube  16 . The flexible tube  16  is coupled releasably to a rigid tube  18  that has an outlet nozzle  20  aligned coaxially with the rigid tube  18 . A handle  21  is mounted near the downstream end of the flexible tube  16  and extends transversely to the tubes  16 ,  18 . The handle  21  can be gripped by the worker using the air blower  10  in an effort to direct the flow of air toward the targeted debris. 
         [0007]    The rigid tube  18  shown in  FIG. 1  generally will be aligned at an acute angle to the ground during use, as shown in  FIG. 2 . However, the exact angle of the rigid tube  18  will be a function of the size of the user. A tall person will have a larger angle, while a shorter person will have a smaller angle. The optimum angle of the rigid tube  18  will depend upon the nature of the debris that is being targeted and the characteristics of the landscape. For example, dry leaves will respond differently to the airflow than moist grass clippings. Additionally, removing debris from beneath a shrub may require the airflow from the rigid tube  18  to be nearly parallel to the ground. The user will determine the optimum angle of flow of air during the course of performing a landscaping job. As a result, the user will stoop to reduce the angle of the airflow to the ground during certain conditions and will hold the rigid tube  18  in a more upright orientation during other conditions. Stooping while carrying a heavy backpack can lead to back problems for the user. 
         [0008]      FIG. 3  shows an example of a known rigid tube  22  with an outlet nozzle  24  aligned to the axis of the rigid tube  22  at an angle “a” greater than 90°. The rigid tube  22  is intended to facilitate blowing air for removing debris beneath a shrub. However, the angular alignment of the nozzle  24  to the ground still will be a function of the size of the landscaper, and stooping will be required for some landscapers. Furthermore, the angularly aligned nozzle  24  shown in  FIG. 3  is not optimum for all types of debris. As result, a landscaper may have to carry both a linear rigid tube  18 , as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , and a rigid tube  22  within angularly aligned nozzle  24 , as shown in  FIG. 3 , for use in other circumstances. 
         [0009]    The prior art also includes sheet metal ducts used for heating and air-conditioning systems and to vent air from a clothes dryer. Some such sheet-metal ducts are formed as an adjustable fitting formed from two cylindrical duct sections. One end of each of the duct sections in such an adjustable fitting is formed to define an angle to the axis of the cylinder. Each of these angularly aligned ends is formed with a continuous bead extending around the circumference of the duct. The continuous circumferential beads at the ends of these duct sections are permanently engaged with one another, but permit rotation of the duct sections relative to one another. This rotation will change the angular alignment of the two duct sections of the fitting. These duct sections typically are set at a specified angle and are positioned in a wall of a building. The duct sections are unlikely to ever be moved after being positioned at the required angle and set in the wall of the building. The adjustable sheet-metal fitting for a heating or air conditioning system or for a dryer vent is not readily adaptable to an air blower for landscaping purposes. More particularly, the outlet duct of a landscaping air blower frequently is contacted with the ground, curbs, rocks, trees and the like in a way that would permanently damage the sheet metal fitting. The continuous circumferential sheet-metal beads that connect the two duct sections to one another would not enable rigid sturdy plastic tubes to be connected to one another. Additionally, the two duct sections of an adjustable fitting for a heating or air conditioning system or for a dryer vent are not easily adjustable, in part due to the difficulty of gripping the adjustable sheet metal members. 
         [0010]    In view of the above, it is an object of the invention to provide an attachment for a landscaping air blower that enables the user to adjust the angle of the airflow in accordance with the size of the landscaper and the characteristics of the landscaping debris that is being blown. 
         [0011]    It is another object of the subject invention to provide an adjustable outlet nozzle for a landscaping air blower that is sturdy and not likely to be damaged during normal use. 
         [0012]    It is a further object of the invention to provide an adjustable outlet nozzle for an air blower that enables the nozzle to be adjusted easily regardless of the size of the hands of the person performing the adjustment. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0013]    The invention relates to an adjustable attachment for a landscaping air blower. The adjustable attachment includes a mounting tube, an adjustable nozzle and a connecting ring. The mounting tube is formed from a plastic material and has opposite upstream and downstream ends. Portions of the mounting tube adjacent the upstream end may be substantially cylindrical, and the upstream end may define a plane aligned normal to the axis of the cylindrical tube. Areas of the mounting tube adjacent the upstream end may include structure for connecting the mounting tube to a tubular member of the air blower. The configuration of the mounting structure may vary depending upon the configuration of the air blower. For example, the upstream end of the mounting tube may define part of a bayonet connection with one or more axial grooves extending from the upstream end of the mounting tube toward the downstream end and circumferential grooves extending from ends of the axial grooves spaced from the upstream end of the mounting tube. These grooves may be connected to one or more projections on a tubular component of the air blower. Thus, the mounting tube of the adjustable attachment can be connected to the tubular component of the air blower simply by advancing the mounting tube axially into or onto the tubular component of the air blower and then rotating the mounting tube. Other connections also can be provided. 
         [0014]    Areas of the mounting tube adjacent the downstream end of the mounting tube may assume an elliptical cross-section. The extreme downstream end defines a plane aligned at an acute angle to the axis of the mounting tube with the orientation of the angle relative to the major and minor axes of the ellipse being selected so that the extreme downstream end of the mounting tube defines a circle. A circumferential bead or groove may extend around the downstream end of the mounting tube. 
         [0015]    The nozzle also is formed from a plastic material and defines a tube having upstream and downstream ends and may taper toward the downstream end. Areas of the nozzle adjacent the upstream end of the nozzle may have a substantially elliptical cross-section. The extreme upstream end defines a plane aligned at an acute angle to the axis of the nozzle with the orientation of the angle relative to the major and minor axes of the ellipse being selected so that the extreme upstream end defines a circle. The downstream end of the nozzle may be aligned perpendicular to the axis of the nozzle. A mounting bead or groove may be formed at the upstream end of the nozzle. 
         [0016]    Portions of the nozzle substantially adjacent the downstream end may include a plurality of axially extending ribs or other surface discontinuities to facilitate gripping and manipulation of the nozzle and to provide a reinforcement for preventing damage to the nozzle that might otherwise occur when the nozzle strikes the ground, a curb or a stone. The ribs of the nozzle ensure that the nozzle can be rotated manually to adjust the angular alignment of the nozzle regardless of the size of the hands of the landscaper who uses the adjustable attachment. 
         [0017]    The connecting ring also is formed from plastic and defines an axially short truncated cone with circular upstream and downstream ends. Opposite ends of the connecting ring include an annular bead projecting inward on the connecting ring. The inside diameter of each bead is slightly smaller than the corresponding beads on the downstream end of the mounting tube and on the upstream end of the nozzle. The plastic of the connecting ring, the mounting tube and the nozzle is sufficiently resilient to enable the connecting ring to snap into engagement with the mounting tube and the nozzle for holding the nozzle in proximity to the mounting tube. However, the relative dimensions of the beads on the connecting ring and the nozzle permit rotation of the nozzle relative to the connecting ring and the mounting tube. This rotation enables the angular alignment of the axis of the nozzle to be adjusted relative to the axis of the mounting tube. 
         [0018]    The plastic of the nozzle and the mounting tube are sufficiently rigid to resist damage to the nozzle and the mounting tube during normal use. However, damage always is a possibility. In the event of damage, a replacement nozzle easily can be mounted on the mounting tube merely by snapping a new nozzle into engagement with the connecting ring and/or snapping a new connecting ring into engagement with the mounting tube. 
         [0019]    The adjustable attachment for the landscaping air blower enables the landscaper to adjust the angle of airflow easily in accordance with characteristics of the landscape and the debris that is being moved. The adjustments also enable the landscaper to achieve the proper alignment of the airflow in accordance with the physical dimensions (e.g. height) of the landscaper. The adjustable attachment for the air blower is not limited to landscaping applications. For instance, the adjustable attachment for the air blower can be used to clear debris and for other purposes by construction workers, highway workers, roofers, and the like. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0020]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a prior art landscaping air blower. 
           [0021]      FIG. 2  is a side elevational view of linear outlet tube for the prior art landscaping air blower of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0022]      FIG. 3  is a side elevational view of a prior art outlet to with a fixed angularly aligned outlet nozzle for use with the landscaping air blower of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0023]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the adjustable attachment in accordance with an embodiment of the invention with the nozzle of the attachment angularly aligned to the mounting tube of the attachment. 
           [0024]      FIG. 5  is a second perspective view of the adjustable attachment shown in  FIG. 4  with the nozzle aligned linearly with the mounting tube. 
           [0025]      FIG. 6  is a side elevational view of the attachment shown in the alignment of  FIG. 4 . 
           [0026]      FIG. 7  is a top plan view of the attachment shown in the alignment of  FIG. 4 . 
           [0027]      FIG. 8  is a top plan view of the attachment shown in the alignment of  FIG. 5 . 
           [0028]      FIG. 9  is a side elevational view of the attachment shown in the alignment of  FIG. 5 . 
           [0029]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the mounting tube of the attachment shown in the alignment of  FIG. 1-9 . 
           [0030]      FIG. 11  is a side elevational view of the mounting tube shown in  FIG. 10 . 
           [0031]      FIG. 12  is a front elevational view of the mounting tube. 
           [0032]      FIG. 13  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  13 - 13  of  FIG. 12 . 
           [0033]      FIG. 14  is a perspective view of the nozzle of the attachment shown in the alignment of  FIG. 1-9 . 
           [0034]      FIG. 15  is a side elevational view of the nozzle shown in  FIG. 14 . 
           [0035]      FIG. 16  is a front elevational view of the nozzle. 
           [0036]      FIG. 17  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  16 - 16  of  FIG. 16 . 
           [0037]      FIG. 18  is a side elevational view of the connecting ring of the attachment shown in the alignment of  FIG. 1-9 . 
           [0038]      FIG. 19  is a top plan view of the connecting ring shown in  FIG. 18 . 
           [0039]      FIG. 20  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  20 - 20  of  FIG. 19 . 
           [0040]      FIG. 21  is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a region of the connecting ring shown in  FIG. 20 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0041]    An adjustable attachment for a landscaping air blower in accordance with the invention is identified generally by the  30  in  FIGS. 4-21 . The adjustable attachment  30  includes a mounting tube  32 , a nozzle  34  and a connecting ring  35  all of which are formed from a plastic material. The mounting tube  32  is tubular and has an upstream end  36  aligned substantially normal to the axis of the mounting tube  32  and a downstream end  38  aligned at an acute angle of about 65° to the longitudinal axis of the mounting tube  32 . Regions of the mounting tube  32  adjacent the upstream end  36  are substantially cylindrical. Bayonet type mounting grooves  40  are formed adjacent the upstream end  36  and are configured to mate with a tubular component of the prior art landscaping air blower, such as the air blower  10  illustrated in  FIG. 1 . Regions of the mounting tube  32  adjacent the downstream end are elliptical. The acute angle downstream end  38  of the mounting tube  32  is oriented at an angle relative to the major and minor axes of the ellipse so that the extreme downstream end  38  is circular. The downstream end  38  of the mounting tube  32  includes a continuous circumferential bead  42  on the outer circumferential surface thereof. 
         [0042]    The nozzle  34  is a slightly tapered tubular structure with opposite upstream and downstream ends  44  and  46 . The tapered shape of the nozzle  34  contributes to accelerated air flow and also enables the connecting ring  35  to be telescoped onto the nozzle, as explained below. The downstream end  46  of the nozzle  34  lies in a plane substantially normal to the axis of the nozzle  34 . Regions of the nozzle  34  adjacent the upstream end are substantially elliptical. The extreme upstream end  44  of the nozzle  34  is aligned at an acute angle to the axis of the nozzle  34 , and more particularly at an angle corresponding to the angular alignment of the downstream end  38  of the mounting tube  32  (e.g. about 65°). Furthermore, the acute angular alignment of the upstream end of the nozzle  34  is oriented relative to the major and minor axes of the elliptical cross section so that the upstream end of the nozzle  34  is circular. A mounting bead  48  extends circumferentially around the outer perimeter of the upstream end of the nozzle  34 . The outer circumferential surface of the nozzle  34  adjacent the downstream end  46  includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced, axially aligned ribs  50 . The ribs  50  function to reinforce the nozzle, thereby reducing the likelihood of damage caused to the nozzle by contact with the ground, rocks, curbs, walls and the like. Additionally, the ribs project out sufficiently to define grips for manipulating the nozzle  34  relative to the remainder of the attachment  30 . 
         [0043]    The connecting ring  35  has a short truncated conical shape with a round upstream end  52  and a round downstream end  54  that is cross-sectionally smaller than the upstream end  52 . The upstream end  52  of the connecting ring  35  is characterized by an inwardly projecting circumferential upstream lip  56  with a tapered outer surface  58  aligned to flare out at positions closer to the extreme upstream end  52 . The upstream lip  56  further has an inwardly facing engaging surface  60 . Similarly, the downstream end  54  of the connecting ring  35  is characterized by an inwardly projecting circumferential downstream lip  62  with a tapered outer surface  64  aligned to flare out at positions closer to the extreme downstream end  54 . The downstream lip  62  further has an inwardly facing engaging surface  66 . 
         [0044]    The adjustable attachment  30  is assembled by telescoping the upstream end  52  of the connecting ring  35  over the downstream end  46  of the nozzle  34  sufficiently for the inwardly facing engaging surface  66  of the downstream lip  62  to contact the mounting bead  48  that extends circumferentially around the outer perimeter of the upstream end of the nozzle  34 , thereby preventing further upstream movement of the connecting ring  35  while permitting sliding rotation of the downstream lip  62  of the connecting ring  35  relative to the mounting bead  48  of the nozzle  34 . Additionally, the upstream end  52  of the connecting ring  35  projects axially upstream beyond the nozzle  34 . The upstream lip  56  of the connecting ring  35  then is snapped into engagement with the circumferential bead  42  on the downstream end  38  of the mounting tube  32 . More particularly, the tapered outer surface  58  of the upstream lip  56  will cause a slight inward deflection of the downstream end  38  of the mounting tube  32  and/or an outward deflection of the connecting ring  35  as the upstream lip  56  passes over the circumferential bead  42  on the downstream end  38  of the mounting tube  32 . The downstream end  38  of the mounting tube  32  and/or the connecting ring  35  will resiliently restore when the upstream lip  56  of the connecting ring  35  passes the circumferential bead  42  on the downstream end  38  of the mounting tube  32 , thereby retaining the connecting ring  35  on the downstream end  38  of the mounting tube  32 . 
         [0045]    As noted above, the downstream end  38  of the mounting tube  32  and the upstream end  44  of the nozzle  34  are circular and the connecting ring  35  is circular. The engagement of the circular bead  42  on the downstream end  38  of the mounting tube  32  and the circular bead  48  on the upstream end  44  of the nozzle  34  with the circular lips  56  and  62  on the connecting ring  35  enables the nozzle  34  and the connecting ring  35  to be rotated relative to the mounting tube  32 . Additionally, the angular alignment of the downstream end  38  of the mounting tube  32  and the upstream end  44  of the nozzle  34  enables the axial alignment of the nozzle  34  to be changed as the nozzle  34  is rotated relative to the mounting tube  32 . Thus, the nozzle can be rotated from the orientation of  FIGS. 5 ,  8  and  9 , where the axis of the mounting tube  32  and the axis of the nozzle  34  align, to the orientation shown in  FIGS. 4 ,  6  and  7 , where the axis of the nozzle  34  is aligned at an acute angle of approximately 50° to the axis of the mounting tube  32 . The landscaper can easily grip the ribs  50  on the outer surface of the nozzle  34  to rotate the nozzle  34  relative to the mounting tube  32  and thereby can change the direction of air flow emitted from the nozzle  34  into a preferred angular orientation for the particular landscaping task height of the landscaper. 
         [0046]    The ribs  50  on the outer surface of the nozzle  34  contribute to the strength of the nozzle  34  and make breakage unlikely. However, breakage remains a possibility. The attachment  30  can be reconditioned or restored in the event of breakage by separating a broken nozzle  34  and snapping a new nozzle  34  into engagement with the connecting ring  35 . Additionally, the connecting ring  35  can be replaced if necessary by snapping the connecting ring  35  into engagement with the circular bead  42  on the downstream end  38  of the mounting tube  32 . 
         [0047]    It should be understand that the adjustable attachment for the air blower is not limited to landscaping applications. For instance, the adjustable attachment for the air blower can be used to clear debris and for other purposes by construction workers, highway workers, roofers, and the like. 
         [0048]    Continuous annular beads are shown as being formed on the downstream end of the mounting tube and the upstream end of the nozzle. However, other mounting structures can be provided. For example, resiliently deflectable mounting fingers can be provided on the downstream end of the mounting tube, the upstream end of the nozzle and/or on one or both ends of the connecting ring. Similarly, discontinuous beads can be provided.