Abstract:
A vacuum hose handling and safety vacuum release system, a tubular column attachable to an industrial vacuum hose end having a long handle and a short T-handle positioned at right angles to each other that will allow a user to strategically place the metallic vacuum tube conveniently and easily to vacuum debris in a safe manner. The tube has at least one bypass orifice that the user can open to reduce or eliminate the suction at the nozzle via a lever pivotally located adjacent the T-handle.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     The present application is a Continuation-in-Part (CIP) related to and claims priority from prior provisional application Ser. No. 61/509,707 filed Jul. 20, 2011 and pending non-provisional application Ser. No. 13/553,032 filed Jul. 19, 2012 which applications are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     COPYRIGHT NOTICE 
     A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever. 37 CFR 1.71(d). 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The following includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention(s). It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art, or material, to the presently described or claimed inventions, or that any publication or document that is specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art. 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to the field of vacuum hose attachments, and more specifically relates to a vacuum hose handling and safety vacuum release system. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Industrial strength vacuums are used for a wide variety of tasks in modern industry. Most often, the vacuums are vehicle or trailer mounted so that they are somewhat portable. Some industrial uses of large vacuums include: clearing sumps, canals, tunnels, and below grade containments of liquids, solids, sand, or debris; vacuum excavating for utilities; clearing underground wastewater collection system piping; and transferring small solids, such as grains, from one container to the next. A vacuum works ideally when a piece of heavy equipment isn&#39;t built or shaped properly for the task. Vacuum excavating for utilities is often very valuable when congestion with other close proximity utilities is a problem. When excavating with a backhoe, the risk of damaging other utilities increases exponentially which is desirable to avoid. 
     When an underground utility emergency occurs, Blue Stake (or Call Before you Dig) is normally contacted. Blue Stake is a center for controlling underground excavations in order to protect underground infrastructure and for increasing the safety of the individuals performing the excavations. Blue Stake calls each utility company that is known to have utilities in the area so they can come out and locate and mark their own buried utilities using paint markings at the location of the emergency. This hopefully allows the particular utility company having the emergency to excavate safely around the other utilities. Underground gas and electric lines damaged by unsuspecting operators during excavations utilizing backhoes and shovels have resulted in many fatalities. On the other hand, industrial vacuums, also called “vactors,” can excavate utilities in a non-destructive way. The utilities are much less likely to be damaged when excavating in this way and excavations can begin as soon as the vactor truck arrives. During a utility emergency, Blue Stake response can be very slow. 
     While vacuum excavation is much safer and more convenient than using bucket excavation type heavy equipment, it poses its own set of safety problems. Industrial vacuum hoses generally range in diameter from 3 inches to 12 inches and can have an entry air speed of 400 mph or more with a negative pressure of up to 340 psi. When workers are working in close proximity (as often happens when performing utility excavations) the danger to individuals that accidently get too close to the suction end of the vacuum hose is extreme. Vactor trucks are usually equipped with a bypass valve that will greatly reduce or nearly eliminate the vacuum at the nozzle in the event of such an emergency, or when too large of debris plug the end of the nozzle and it has to be manually removed. The bypass is located near the operator controls on the truck, which is too far and results in too much time expiring before the bypass can be opened if an emergency occurs. Instantaneous vacuum bypass cannot reliably be achieved when relaying commands by word of mouth in a noisy environment. The person directing the end of the vacuum hose must be able to quickly perform the vacuum bypass. A quicker and safer solution than is currently available is needed. 
     Various attempts have been made to solve the above-mentioned problems such as those found in U.S. Pat. and Pubs. Nos. 4,881,855; 2,970,865; 4,776,731; 2006/0191098; 2003/0126697; and 7,891,050. This prior art is representative of industrial vacuum nozzles. None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the invention as claimed. 
     Ideally, an industrial vacuum nozzle should allow speedy emergency vacuum bypass, and yet, would operate reliably and be manufactured at a modest expense. Thus, a need exists for a reliable vacuum hose handling and safety vacuum release system to provide a safety vacuum release for a vacuum nozzle operator operable by the operator, and to avoid the above-mentioned problems. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known vacuum nozzle art, the present invention provides a novel vacuum hose handling and safety vacuum release system. The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a safety vacuum release for a vacuum nozzle operator. 
     Generally speaking, the vacuum hose handling and safety vacuum release system (Safety Shutter Vacuum Nozzle) is a tubular column attachable to an industrial vacuum hose end having a long handle and a short T-handle positioned at right angles to each other that will allow a user to place the vacuum tube conveniently and easily on the materials to be vacuumed. The tube has at least one bypass orifice that the user can (at will) open to reduce or eliminate the suction at the nozzle via a lever pivotally located adjacent the T-handle. 
     In greater detail now, the vacuum hose handling and safety vacuum release system as disclosed herein in a preferred embodiment comprises a vacuum hose handling assembly having a column comprising a proximate end and a distal end, a vacuum hose securer, at least one handle having a first end with a grip, a second end, a vacuum release lever, a vacuum release linkage, a vacuum release orifice stopper, a removable suction end, and a suction end securer band. The proximate end of the column of the vacuum hose handling assembly is removably attached to a vacuum hose end of a vacuum source. The handle is removably attached preferably longitudinally to an exterior of the column such that the first end of the handle comprising the grip is adjacent the flexible vacuum hose, the grip providing a gripper for a user to hold and manipulate the vacuum hose handling assembly from the proximate end. The handle preferably comprises a contoured-bend along its length to facilitate the user standing in an upright orientation when using the vacuum hose handling assembly to remove the material from a ground surface. 
     The vacuum release lever comprises a safety vacuum-release-handle. The handle may comprise a T-handle; the T-handle positioned at a right angle to the handle and located on an opposite side to the vacuum release lever such that the vacuum hose handling assembly is effectively balanced when held and manipulated. The vacuum release lever rotates about a centerline axis perpendicular to the handle, the vacuum release linkage running substantially parallel to the handle. The vacuum release lever may also comprise an end-loop in some embodiments. The second end of the handle is affixed to the distal end of the column to steady the column while in use. 
     The vacuum hose securer comprises a clamp for securing the flexible vacuum hose to the proximate end of the column, which is tubular in preferred embodiments. The column may comprise a taper to prevent the vacuum hose end from becoming plugged by oversized pieces of the material. The taper comprises a larger circumference at the proximate end than at the distal end of the column. The proximate end of the column comprises a landing such that the vacuum hose is only able to be inserted over the proximate end of the column a specified distance. The vacuum release lever is connected to the vacuum release orifice stopper via the vacuum release linkage (or other suitably equivalent means). The vacuum release linkage is able to move the vacuum release orifice stopper between open and closed positions in relation to the column to provide vacuum and alternately to release the vacuum. The safety-release-handle can regulate air flow and the vacuum via the vacuum release linkage. The safety-release-handle comprises an open condition for the vacuum release orifice stopper when the safety-release-handle is in the rearward location. The safety-release-handle comprises a closed condition for the vacuum release orifice stopper when the safety-release-handle is in the forward location. The operator is thus able to manipulate the handle to open and close the vacuum to the ambient environment at will and repeatedly. 
     The vacuum release linkage in certain embodiment may comprise a rigid rod such that the vacuum release lever is able to push or pull (depending on where the pivot is located on the shutter) the vacuum release orifice stopper into the open condition. The vacuum release linkage then is therefore also able to push the vacuum release orifice stopper to close the at least one orifice located in the column, which is a closed condition. The vacuum release orifice stopper maintains the vacuum in the column when closed and allows airflow through the nozzle, and releases the vacuum at the nozzle when opened, the vacuum release orifice stopper slideably (or other means) covers at least one orifice located in the column. The vacuum release orifice stopper may comprise a planar gate in some embodiments and the vacuum release orifice stopper may comprise an arcuate slide cover in certain embodiments; other embodiments may not slide. The removable suction end is removably coupleable to the distal end of the column via the suction end securer band. The vacuum hose handling assembly is useful for controllably vacuum-sucking material into a vacuum hose connected to a vacuum source; the vacuum controllable via the user such as to virtually eliminate a need for the user to manually extract items of the material when the distal end of the column becomes clogged. 
     A method of use for a vacuum hose handling and safety vacuum release system may comprise the steps of: gripping a handle and a t-handle of a vacuum hose handling assembly, guiding the vacuum hose handling assembly to a debris to be vacuumed, pushing or pulling a vacuum release lever as required for safety and alternately for releasing large debris from a nozzle of a removable suction end, pushing the vacuum release lever to plug at least one orifice to return vacuum to the nozzle of the removable suction end, releasing a vacuum hose securer to remove the vacuum hose handling assembly from a vacuum hose, and storing the vacuum hose handling assembly. 
     The present invention holds significant improvements and serves as a vacuum hose handling and safety vacuum release system. For purposes of summarizing the invention, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the invention have been described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any one particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. The features of the invention which are believed to be novel are particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings and detailed description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The figures which accompany the written portion of this specification illustrate embodiments and method(s) of use for the present invention, vacuum hose handling and safety vacuum release system, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present invention. 
         FIG. 1  shows a perspective view illustrating an in-use condition of a vacuum hose handling and safety vacuum release system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 2A and 2B  are perspective views illustrating a vacuum hose handling assembly of the vacuum hose handling and safety vacuum release system according to embodiments of the present invention of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view illustrating an installed condition of the vacuum hose handling and safety vacuum release system according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view illustrating a vacuum safety bypass position of the vacuum hose handling and safety vacuum release system according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view illustrating variously shaped replaceable nozzles of the vacuum hose handling and safety vacuum release system according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 6  is a flowchart illustrating a method of use of the vacuum hose handling and safety vacuum release system according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIGS. 1-5 . 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view illustrating a preferred embodiment of vacuum hose suction tube and vacuum release apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     The various embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     As discussed above, embodiments of the present invention relate to an industrial vacuum nozzle device and more particularly to a vacuum hose handling and safety vacuum release system as used to improve the safety and efficiency of operating such a device. 
     In greater detail now, referring to the drawings by numerals of reference there is shown in  FIG. 1 , a perspective view illustrating an in-use condition of vacuum hose handling and safety vacuum release system  100  according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     Vacuum hose handling and safety vacuum release system  100  comprises vacuum hose handling assembly  110  having column  120  (having proximate end  122  and distal end  124 ), at least one handle  130  (having first end  132  having grip  140 , and second end  134 ), vacuum release lever  150 , vacuum release linkage  160 , vacuum release orifice stopper  170 , removable suction end  180 , and suction end securer band  190 . Vacuum hose handling assembly  110  is useful for controllably vacuum-sucking material into vacuum hose  199  connected to a vacuum source, the vacuum controllable by user  200  such as to virtually eliminate any need for user  200  to manually extract items of material when distal end  124  of column  120  becomes clogged. Other mechanical and non-mechanical means for providing the equivalent of vacuum release linkage  160  may be used. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 2A and 2B , perspective views illustrating vacuum hose handling assembly  110  of vacuum hose handling and safety vacuum release system  100  according to embodiments (first and second respectively) of the present invention of  FIG. 1 . 
     Second end  134  of handle  130  is preferably affixed to distal end  124  of column  120  to steady column  120  while in use. Column  120  is tubular in a preferred embodiment but may comprise other cross-sectional shapes in other embodiments. Handle  130  may comprise a contoured-bend along its length to facilitate user  200  standing in a comfortable upright orientation when using vacuum hose handling assembly  110  to remove material from a ground surface. Handle  130  preferably comprises T-handle  210 ; T-handle  210  is located on an opposite side to vacuum release lever  150  such that vacuum hose handling assembly  110  is balanced when held and manipulated. Vacuum release lever  150  rotates about a centerline axis perpendicular to handle  130 , vacuum release linkage  160  running substantially parallel to handle  130 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , a perspective view illustrating an installed condition of vacuum hose handling and safety vacuum release system  100  according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIG. 1 . 
     Proximate end  122  of column  120  of vacuum hose handling assembly  110  is removably attached to vacuum hose end  220  of a vacuum source. Handle  130  is removably attached longitudinally to an exterior of column  120  such that first end  132  of handle  130  comprising grip  140  is adjacent flexible vacuum hose  230 ; grip  140  providing a gripper for user to hold and manipulate vacuum hose handling assembly  110  from proximate end  122 . Vacuum hose securer  240  may comprise a clamp (suitable fastening means) for securing flexible vacuum hose  230  to proximate end  122  of column  120 . Column  120  preferably comprises a taper to prevent vacuum hose end  220  from becoming plugged by oversized pieces of material. Taper comprises a larger circumference at proximate end  122  than at distal end  124  of column  120  in those particular embodiments. Proximate end  122  of column  120  comprises landing  250  such that vacuum hose  199  is only able to be inserted over proximate end  122  of column  120  a specified distance. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , a perspective view illustrating vacuum safety bypass position of vacuum hose handling and safety vacuum release system  100  according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIG. 1 . 
     Vacuum release lever  150  is preferably connected to vacuum release orifice stopper  170  via vacuum release linkage  160 ; vacuum release linkage  160  is able to move vacuum release orifice stopper  170  between open and closed positions in relation to column  120  to provide vacuum and alternately to release vacuum. Vacuum release orifice stopper  170  maintains a vacuum in column  120  (enclosed volume) when closed and allows airflow and releases the vacuum when opened, vacuum release orifice stopper  170  slidably covers at least one orifice  260  located in column  120 . Vacuum release lever  150  comprises a safety-release-handle. The safety-release-handle can regulate air flow and vacuum via vacuum release linkage  160 . The safety-release-handle comprises an open condition for vacuum release orifice stopper  170  when in a rearward location. In this way the operator is able to safely operate the present invention. 
     The safety-release-handle comprises a closed condition for vacuum release orifice stopper  170  when safety-release-handle is in a forward location (as shown in  FIG. 3 ). Vacuum release linkage  160  comprises a rigid rod such that vacuum release lever  150  is able to push or pull vacuum release orifice stopper  170  into an open condition. Vacuum release linkage  160  is thereby also able to push vacuum release orifice stopper  170  to close at least one orifice  260  located in column  120  in closed condition. Vacuum release lever  150  may comprise a cable (or other suitable means such as a rigid rod) in other embodiments. Vacuum release orifice stopper  170  may comprises a planar gate valve to plug a single orifice  260  in a lateral tube extending at a right angle to column  120 , or may comprise an arcuate slide cover  270  to cover at least one orifice  260  in column  120 . It should be appreciated that other means for restricting vacuum and actuating it may be employed such as doors, other linking means and the like. The various components may be sized and shaped differently. Other securing means to the vacuum source may be used. Various handle configurations may be employed and still be considered within the scope of the present invention. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , a perspective view illustrating variously shaped removable suction end(s)  180  of vacuum hose handling and safety vacuum release system  100  according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIG. 1 . Removable suction end  180  is removably coupleable to distal end  124  of column  120  via suction end securer band  190 . Variously shaped geometrical designs may characterize nozzle end  182  of auxiliary removable suction end(s)  180  to facilitate the suctioning of different types and sizes of materials from variously shaped containments. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 6 , is a flowchart illustrating method of use  600  of vacuum hose handling and safety vacuum release system  100  according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIGS. 1-5 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 6 , showing a flowchart illustrating method of use  600  for vacuum hose handling and safety vacuum release system  100  according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIGS. 1-5 . A method of use  600  for vacuum hose handling and safety vacuum release system  100  may comprise the steps of: step one  601  gripping handle  130  and T-handle  210  of vacuum hose handling assembly  110 ; step two  602  guiding vacuum hose handling assembly  110  to a debris to be vacuumed; step three  603  (pushing or) pulling vacuum release lever  150  as required for safety and alternately for releasing large debris from nozzle end  182  of removable suction end(s)  180 ; step four  604  pushing vacuum release lever  150  to plug at least one orifice  260  to return vacuum to nozzle end  182  of removable suction end(s)  180 ; step five  605  releasing vacuum hose securer  240  to vacuum hose handling assembly  110  from vacuum hose  199 ; and step six  606  storing vacuum hose handling assembly  110 . 
     It should be noted that step  606  is an optional step and may not be implemented in all cases. Optional steps of method  600  are illustrated using dotted lines in  FIG. 6  so as to distinguish them from the other steps of method  600 . 
     It should be noted that the steps described in the method of use can be carried out in many different orders according to user preference. Upon reading this specification, it should be appreciated that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other methods of use arrangements such as, for example, different orders within above-mentioned list, elimination or addition of certain steps, including or excluding certain maintenance steps, etc., may be sufficient. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 7 , showing a perspective view illustrating a preferred embodiment of vacuum hose suction tube and vacuum release apparatus  300  according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIG. 1 . 
     Vacuum hose suction tube and vacuum release apparatus  300  preferably comprises vacuum hose suction tube assembly  305  having main column  310  with hose connection-end  315  having hose connection clamp  320 , implement attachment-end having hose connection clamp  320 , center portion  325 , louver box  330  having base side  335  and louver side  340 , vacuum diversion opening  345 , plurality of louvers  350  each having a plurality of vacuum diversion lever couplers  370 , vacuum diversion lever  355 , control handle  360  having extension handle  365  and at least one t-handle  375 , and a plurality of removable suction implements  380 . 
     Vacuum hose suction tube assembly  305  is useful for controllably vacuum-sucking material into vacuum hose  199  connected to a vacuum source with greater control by user  200  and to virtually eliminate the need for user  200  having to manually extract lodged objects from implement attachment-end  385  of vacuum hose suction tube assembly  305  by diverting the vacuum through louvers  350  on the sidewall of main column  310 . Hose connection-end  315  is structured to couple to vacuum hose connection-end  315  of vacuum hose  199  via a single hose connection clamp  320 . Implement attachment-end  385  of main column  310  is structured and arranged to couple to any of the removable suction implements  380 . Main column  310  comprises a tube having center portion  325  located between hose connection-end  315  and implement attachment-end  385 . 
     Center portion  325  of main column  310  comprises vacuum diversion opening  345  with a size that is at least as large as the inside diameter of main column  310  so that the vacuum can be diverted from implement attachment-end  385 . Base side  335  of louver box  330  is non-removably attached to main column  310  about vacuum diversion opening  345  so that the attachment between the two is airtight. The plurality of louvers  350  are pivotally spaced and attached to louver side  340  of louver box  330  such that they are able to be pivoted to close or to open vacuum diversion opening  345 . Each of vacuum diversion lever couplers  370  are structured and arranged to non-removably attach to the plurality of louvers  350  and to vacuum diversion lever  355  such that pushing or pulling vacuum diversion lever  355  rotatably opens the plurality of louvers  350  to allow the air suction source to be diverted away from implement attachment-end  385  and through vacuum diversion opening  345 , or pushing vacuum diversion lever  355  to rotatably close louvers  350  to re-route the vacuum to implement attachment-end  385 . 
     Attachment end  362  of control handle  360  is non-removably attached to main column  310  near implement attachment-end  385  and positioned longitudinally along main column  310 , control handle  360  comprising coupleable end  364  opposite attachment end  362 . Extension handle  365  is able to be threadably coupled (or pinned) to attachment end  362  of control handle  360  to extend graspable portion of control handle  360 . Grasp-handle(s)  375  is/are non-removably and perpendicularly attached to control handle  360  such that user  200  is able to more easily manipulate vacuum hose suction tube assembly  305  to suction debris. 
     The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which are intended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention. Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application.