Patent Publication Number: US-2018028030-A1

Title: Vacuum Extension Apparatus

Description:
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     This invention has been created without the sponsorship or funding of any federally sponsored research or development program. 
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to a vacuum extension apparatus for preventing small objects from clogging or damaging the vacuum. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Most households with a vacuum and children with small toys face the challenge of having to replace vacuum cleaners and/or repair vacuum cleaners due to small toys getting trapped in the suction system of the vacuum cleaner. There are a variety of manual and sometimes laborious ways to avoid this problem, but most vacuum attachments or extensions do not prevent clogging and jamming of the vacuum suction system by small objects. The present invention solves the problem of small toy clutter and small toys jamming the vacuum by way of a vacuum extension apparatus that separates small objects from dust and dirt and only allows the latter to go through to the vacuum&#39;s suction system. This vacuum extension provides a solution to a twofold problem, the chore of cleaning up clutter from the collection of small objects, such as toys, and the expense of repairing or replacing a damaged vacuum cleaner. 
     This idea was conceived because of the constant need to manually clean up the small toys, such as LEGO® pieces, which would inevitably result in a few pieces being left on the floor or in a corner or under furniture, only to subsequently get caught in a vacuum cleaner. Attempts to remedy this situation by using standard vacuum attachments did not resolve the problem as small items would still make it through the standard vacuum extensions and into the vacuum suction system. These small items would become lodged or jammed in the suction system of the vacuum, rendering it unusable until the object was either removed, or the vacuum was repaired, or the vacuum was replaced. For parents with small children, this problem has become both costly and time consuming. 
     The vacuum extension apparatus of this invention speeds up the cleaning process; prevents the loss of small items such as small LEGO® pieces, jewelry, nails and screws; and decreases the expense of replacing toys and repairing or replacing a vacuum. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention comprises a specially designed and configured vacuum attachment that sorts dust and small objects including, but not limited to toys, jewelry, nails, screws, paperclips, and coins. The attachment is an apparatus comprising a hollow cylindrical container for collecting dust, debris, and small objects of varying dimensions, which container has a lid that is securely fastened to the top of the container. The lid of the container has two openings, a first opening and a second opening, for the attachment of a hollow tubular vessel or pipe at each opening, where each said hollow pipe is fastened securely to the openings by way of metal clamps or other fastening means. At the first opening, the posterior end of the first hollow pipe extends down 1.0 inch from the first opening of the lid into the hollow chamber of the cylindrical container. The anterior end of the first hollow pipe extends up from the first opening and is not connected to the vacuum or other suction device. At the second opening, the posterior end of the second hollow pipe extends down 0.5 inches from the second opening of the lid into the hollow chamber of the cylindrical container and is attached to a filter. The anterior end of the second hollow pipe extends up from the second opening and is connected to the vacuum or other suction device. 
     The vacuum extension apparatus of this invention utilizes the suction mechanism and air pressure generated by the vacuum to pull air and small items through the anterior end of the pipe that is attached at the second opening into the chamber of the cylindrical container. The suction mechanism and air flow inside the cylindrical container forces dust and fine particles through the filter that is connected to the posterior end of the second hollow pipe, and into the second hollow pipe and then into the vacuum. The dirt and fine particles are collected into the vacuum bag or receptacle located inside the vacuum, while the small items remain inside the cylindrical container. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In describing the invention, reference will at times be made to the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1 a    is a front view of the invention with all of its components assembled; 
         FIG. 1 b    is a perspective front view of the invention with all of its components assembled; 
         FIG. 2 a    is a top view of the lid component of the apparatus of the invention; 
         FIG. 2 b    is a perspective front view of the first pipe component of the apparatus of the invention; 
         FIG. 2 c    is a perspective front view of the second pipe component of the apparatus of the invention; 
         FIG. 3 a    is a 3D angled front view of the filter component of the apparatus of the invention; 
         FIG. 3 b    is a 3D bottom view of the filter component of the apparatus of the invention; 
         FIG. 3 c    is a 3D top view of the filter component of the apparatus of the invention; 
         FIG. 3 d    is a 3D side view of the filter component of the apparatus of the invention; and 
         FIG. 4  is a flow diagram of the air flow and mechanism of the apparatus of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Before the subject invention is described further, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the particular embodiments of the invention described below, as variations of the particular embodiments may be made and still fall within the scope of the invention. It is also to be understood that the terminology employed is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments, and is not intended to be limiting. 
     The details of one or more embodiments of the invention are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims. In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. One skilled in the art to which this invention belongs will recognize, however, that the techniques described can be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, etc. In other instances, well known structures, materials or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring certain aspects. 
     In this specification, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” include plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood to one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 a  and 1 b   , the present invention is an apparatus  5  for attachment to and use with a vacuum or other suction device. The apparatus  5  comprises a hollow cylindrical container  10 ,  20  which is enclosed and houses other essential components of the invention. The hollow cylindrical container  10  has a lid  30  which fits securely on top of the container  10 . The lid  30  has a diameter that is 1-2% larger than the diameter of hollow cylindrical container  10 , allowing the lid  30  to rigidly snap on or be affixed to the container  10 . As shown in  FIG. 2 a   , the lid  30  has two openings, a first opening  35  and second opening  70 . The two openings  35  and  70  serve as the points of attachment and insertion of two hollow elbow shaped tubular vessels (pipes)  50  and  80 , as shown in  FIGS. 2 b  and 2 c   . The pipes are designated as a first pipe  50  and a second pipe  80 , and are inserted into the two openings  35  and  70 , respectively, and then fastened with metal clamps  40  and  75  or other fastening means to ensure that the openings  35  and  70  remain airtight and the pipes  50  and  80  do not move about the openings  35  and  70  during use of the apparatus  5 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 b   , the first pipe  50  comprises a posterior end  55  located below the elbow  60  of the first pipe  50  and an anterior end  65  located above the elbow  60  of the first pipe  50 .  FIGS. 1 a  and 1 b    show the anterior end  55  of the first pipe  50  inserted into the first opening  35  of the lid  30  (as shown in  FIG. 2 a   ) of the container  10  and extends down 1 inch into the interior  20  of the container  10 . The first pipe  50  is fastened to the lid  30  of the container  10  at the first opening  35 , using a metal clamp  40  that surrounds the first pipe  50  and covers the first opening  35 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 c   , the second pipe  80  comprises a posterior end  85  located below the elbow  90  of the second pipe  80  and an anterior end  95  located above the elbow  90  of the second pipe  80 .  FIGS. 1 a  and 1 b    show the posterior end  85  of the second pipe  80  inserted into the second opening  70  of the lid  30  of the container  10  and extends down 0.5 inches into the interior  20  of the container  10 . The second pipe  80  is fastened at the posterior end  85 , to the lid  30  of the container  10  at the second opening  70 , using a metal clamp  75  that surrounds the second pipe  80  and covers the second opening  70 . The anterior end  95  of the second pipe  80  is positioned and adapted for connection to a vacuum or other suction device. The apparatus  5  is connected to the vacuum during use and is readily removed when no longer in use. 
     Once assembled, the first and second pipes  50  and  80  are connected together just above their respective elbows  60  and  90  by connector  120 . The connector  120  keeps the pipes  50  and  80  in place, reducing or eliminating their shifting and moving while the apparatus  5  is assembled and the vacuum is in the on position. This is an important feature for keeping the assembled apparatus  5  stable and for maintaining its structural integrity under the force of the air pressure generated by the vacuum as well as the rigors of handling by a user. The connector  120  may be made of strong cord or rope comprised of materials such as polypropylene, nylon, polyester, or sisal. The connector  120  should be made of rope or cord having a minimum tensile strength of at least 75 lbs. to handle and resist the tugging and pulling inherent in the use of the apparatus  5  while connected to a vacuum in the on position. 
     In other embodiments of the invention, the container  10  may be made of varying dimensions, including width, length, and depth, which would change how far into the interior  20  of the container  10 , the pipes  50  and  80  would extend. For example, for a larger and deeper container  10 , the pipes  50  and  80  may extend down into the interior  20  of the container  10  greater than 1.0 inches and 0.5 inches respectively. As the dimensions of the container  10  change, the dimensions of the lid  30  and other components of the apparatus  5  may change in direct proportion in order to maintain the optimal functioning of the apparatus  5 . One of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs would be able to calculate and adjust the dimensions of the components of the apparatus  5  accordingly without deviating from the essence and intended function of the invention. 
     In the preferred embodiment of the apparatus  5  the clamps  40  and  75  are metal fasteners, however in other embodiments of the invention, the clamps  40  and  75  may be made of plastic material or other material known to one of ordinary skill in the art of making clamps or other fastening means. In the preferred embodiment, the container  10  and its lid  30  are made of plastic material, however in other embodiments of the invention the container  10  and its lid  30  may be made of rubber materials, light weight metal alloys, or a combination of synthetic or naturally occurring materials known to one of ordinary skill in the art. In the preferred embodiment, the pipes  50  and  80  are made of Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC), but in other embodiments of the invention, the pipes  50  and  80  may be made of other plastic material or synthetic material with the properties of plastic known to one of ordinary skill in the art of plastics, including but not limited to other synthetic plastic polymers, polyethylene, or polypropylene. 
     The second pipe  80  has a filter  100  attached to the posterior end  85 , as shown in  FIG. 2 c   . The entire filter  100  is housed inside the interior  20  of the container  10  and consists of openings  105  symmetrically positioned throughout the exterior of the filter  100 , as shown in  FIGS. 2 c , 3 a , 3 b , 3 c , and 3 d   . The filter  100  has a lip  110  which serves as the point of attachment to the posterior end  85  of the second pipe  80 , as shown in  FIGS. 1 b , 2 c , 3 a , 3 b , 3 c , and 3 d   . The filter  100  is cylindrical in shape with a rounded bottom (see  FIG. 3 b   ) and hollow interior (see  FIG. 3 c   ) to facilitate optimal filtration. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the filter  100  is made of durable plastic material such as Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) or other materials known to one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. In other embodiments, the filter  100  may be made of mesh, fiber, fabric, metal, other synthetic plastic polymers or other malleable material used by and known to one of ordinary skill in the art of making filters. 
     The assembled apparatus of the invention and its components work together whereby the anterior end  95  of the second pipe  80  is attached to a vacuum or other suction device. Once the vacuum or other suction device is turned on, the air moves into the apparatus  5  from the anterior end  65  of the first pipe  50  down through the posterior end  55  and then into the interior  20  of the container  10 , moving up through the filter  100  and  105  into the posterior end  85  of the second pipe  80  and through the anterior end  95  of the second pipe  80 . The air pressure and suction capacity generated by the vacuum or suction device directs the flow of air and allows the apparatus  5  to pick up small objects as well as dirt and debris and pull them through the first pipe  50  and into the interior  20  of the container  10 . Inside the container  20  the dust, dirt, and small particle debris move through the filter  100 ,  105  up through the second pipe  80  and into the vacuum and its dirt/dust collection receptacle (see  FIG. 4 ). While the dirt and small particle debris are sucked into the vacuum, the small objects such as, but not limited to toys, jewelry, nails, screws, paperclips, and coins remain inside the container  10 , 20 . This process is repeated as the vacuum remains in the on position. Once the vacuum is turned off, the air flow stops and the debris and small objects that did not go through the filter  100 ,  105  settle inside the container  10 ,  20 . 
       FIG. 4  shows the air flow and mechanism of the assembled apparatus  5  once it is attached to a vacuum or suction device. At position  135  it is determined whether the vacuum motor is turned on or off. If the vacuum motor is turned off, then there is no air flow at position  135 . If the vacuum motor is turned on, then the vacuum suction system is engaged at position  175  and the air flows from position  140  through the assembled apparatus  5 . The movement of the air begins at position  140  and moves to position  145  through the first pipe  50  and continues to position  150  into the container  10 ,  20 . From position  150  the air flows to position  155  to the filter  100 ,  105  and continues to position  160  where it is determined whether there is dust or dirt to be carried through the filter  100 ,  105  and to position  170 . At position  160  if there is no dust/dirt but larger debris or small objects then they remain at position  150  inside the container  10 ,  20 . If there is dust/dirt at position  160 , then it is carried through the filter  100 ,  105  and to position  170  up into the second pipe  80 . From position  170  the dust/dirt is pulled into the vacuum suction system at position  175  and then deposited into the vacuum&#39;s dust/dirt receptacle at position  180 . 
     In other embodiments of this invention, the apparatus  5  is generated by a three dimensional (3D) printer by one of ordinary skill in the art of 3D printing, resulting in the components forming one contiguous unit that does not require assembly or the use of fastening means. A 3D printed apparatus  5  would be ready for connection to a vacuum or other suction device without the need to attach any components using clamps or other fastening means other than at the point of attachment to the vacuum. 
     As various changes can be made in the above-described subject matter without departing from the scope and the spirit of the invention, it is intended that all subject matter contained in the above description, shown in the accompanying drawings, or defined in the appended claims will be interpreted as descriptive and illustrative, and not in a limiting sense. Many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described. 
     EQUIVALENTS 
     Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalents to the specific embodiments of the invention described herein. Such equivalents are intended to be encompassed by the claims.