Patent Publication Number: US-7216396-B2

Title: Debris blower apparatus

Description:
This application is a Continuation-In-Part of International Application No. PCT/US02/41647 filed 09 Dec. 2002 designating the United States of America and claiming priority of U.S. Provisional Application 60/339,564, filed Dec. 11, 2001, this application further claiming priority of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/494,312 filed Aug. 11, 2003. 

   FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
   The present invention relates to apparatus for clearing debris and, more specifically, apparatus for blowing debris from the vicinity of a garage door opening or the entrance doors to living and working spaces. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
   Cleanliness of spaces such as vehicle garages, living and work spaces is a time consuming task for many homeowners, and a significant expense for businesses. Open doorways such as a garage or entrance door offer an opportunity for leaves, dirt and other debris to be blown or carried into the garage, living area or workspace. 
   Cleaning or removal of the debris after entrance to the space by sweeping, vacuuming or other means is less efficient than preventing entrance of the debris in the first place. Cleaning the areas surrounding the entrance is not always practical or feasible, since wind or falling leaves can quickly accumulate new debris. Debris removers such as brushes or mats at the entrance are not often effective. 
   An improved means of preventing entrance of debris to garages, work and living spaces is needed. 
   OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
   Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an improved method to prevent entrance of leaves, dirt and other surface and near-surface debris to entrances to garages, work areas and living spaces. 
   Another object of the present invention is to provide a debris blower for an entrance which blows debris outward from the entrance upon opening of an entrance door. 
   Another object of the present invention is to provide a nozzle assembly for a debris blower apparatus attachable to the floor or entrance sill in the entrance. 
   Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a nozzle assembly for a debris blower apparatus which utilizes removable sections to reduce packaging and shipping costs. 
   Still another object of the present invention is to provide a debris vacuum assembly which allows the debris blower to perform vacuuming activities. 
   Still another object of the present invention is to provide a nozzle assembly which is modular for simple adding to the length of the debris blower apparatus. 
   The debris blower of the present invention comprises a blower assembly having a blower and electric motor. An elongated nozzle assembly connected to the blower is mounted on the floor or doorsill at the entrance door to a garage, living space or work space. The nozzle assembly comprises a plurality of nozzles which direct jets of pressurized air from the blower assembly outward and upward from the nozzle assembly, dislodging and projecting debris from a person or vehicle entering the space outward and away from the space. The apparatus is effective in removing debris from persons and objects entering the protected space, as well as preventing entrance of surface and near-surface debris airborne or dislodged near the entry. 
   A control circuit starts the blower motor upon opening of the entrance door, and stops the blower upon closing of the door. A manual switch permits operator control of the blower. 
   Preferred embodiments of the nozzle assembly provide a plurality of nozzle sections which engage end-to-end with adjacent sections to provide the desired nozzle assembly length. Other embodiments utilize a flexible hose with nozzles which can be rolled up as a reel. An adhesive strip or alternatively, fasteners attach the nozzle assembly to the floor or sill. 
   Yet another embodiment of the present invention incorporates a suction connection on the blower. A suction hose connected to the suction connection allows vacuuming of floor space and objects in the protected space, such as automobiles. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
     These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims and accompanying drawings where: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective drawing of a embodiment of the debris blower apparatus installed in the entrance of a garage, the apparatus consisting of a blower assembly, a nozzle assembly secured to the entrance floor area of the garage, and a control system that starts the blower upon opening of the garage door; 
       FIG. 2  is a detail drawing of the blower assembly and the nozzle assembly of the apparatus of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 3  is a cross section of the nozzle assembly taken along lines  3 — 3  of  FIG. 2  showing an attachment method for the nozzle assembly to the floor; 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective drawing of an alternative embodiment of the nozzle assembly showing nozzle sections containing male and female connector portions for assembling the nozzle assembly; 
       FIG. 5  is an alternative embodiment of the nozzle assembly incorporating a flexible hose with nozzles, the assembly rolled up on a reel; 
       FIG. 5A  is a cross section of the nozzle tube of  FIG. 5  taken along lines  5 A— 5 A of  FIG. 5 ; 
       FIG. 6  is a cross section of the nozzle tube of  FIG. 5A  in an inflated condition; 
       FIG. 7A  is a schematic diagram of the control circuit of a preferred embodiment providing starting and stopping of the blower based on door position; 
       FIG. 7B  is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of the control circuit providing starting and stopping of the blower based on door actuator operation; and 
       FIG. 8  is a front elevation drawing of an embodiment of the debris blower having a suction connection and a suction hose attachable to the suction connection for use as a vacuum cleaner. 
       FIG. 9  is a perspective drawing of the debris blower apparatus installed on an entry door of a living or working space; 
       FIG. 10A  is a cross-section drawing of a preferred embodiment of the nozzle assembly in its normal installed condition comprising a flexible hose having two sets of nozzles and a seal strip extending from a front portion of the nozzle assembly; 
       FIG. 10B  is a cross-section drawing of a the embodiment of  FIG. 10A  of the nozzle assembly inflated by a positive blower pressure applied to the interior portion of the nozzle assembly; 
       FIG. 11  is an exploded view of two nozzle assemblies connected to the air supply hose by a transition piece and a nozzle assembly connector, and an end cap sealing the second nozzle assembly; 
       FIG. 12A  is a detail cross section drawing showing the connection between the nozzle assembly and transition piece of  FIG. 11 ; 
       FIG. 12B  is an alternative embodiment of the connection between components of  FIG. 11 ; and 
       FIG. 13  is a perspective drawing of a nozzle assembly of  FIGS. 10A and 11  rolled into reel for shipping and storage. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
   The following is a description of the preferred embodiments of a debris blower for an entrance such as a garage door. 
     FIG. 1  is perspective drawing of embodiment  100  of the debris blower apparatus incorporating a blower assembly  101  supplying pressurized air to nozzle assembly  103  via blower connection  105 . Blower assembly  101  comprises a motor  107  coupled to a blower such as centrifugal blower  109 . A supply plug and cord assembly  110  supplies power to motor  107  via outlet  111 . 
   A garage door position sensor such as limit switch  113 , mountable on guide track  115  of garage door operating mechanism  117  starts motor  107  of blower assembly  101  when garage door  119  is opened. Other position sensor locations on operating mechanism  117  may be used to start blower assembly  101 . 
   A plurality of nozzles  103 A distributed in nozzle assembly  103  direct air from blower assembly  101  outwardly and/or upwardly as shown by air jets  103 B. Jets  103 B prevent leaves, dirt and other debris  121  from entering garage opening  123  when door  119  is opened. Jets  103 B also dislodge debris from a vehicle or person entering the garage, and direct the debris outward, preventing entry of the debris. 
     FIG. 2  is a perspective drawing of the blower and inlet portion of the apparatus showing centrifugal blower  109 , motor  107 , and nozzle assembly  103 . Supply plug and cord assembly  110  supplies power to motor  107  thorough connection box  201 . Either activation of limit switch  113  or manual switch  203  energizes motor  107 . 
   Nozzle assembly  103  comprises a longitudinal axis  205  extending parallel to the plane of garage floor  125  when nozzle assembly  103  is secured in the position shown in  FIG. 1 . A plurality of nozzles  103 A direct jets  103 B outward and upward with respect to garage floor  125  at opening  123 . 
     FIG. 3  is a cross section of nozzle assembly  103  taken along lines  3 — 3  of  FIG. 2 . In the preferred embodiments, body  301  of nozzle assembly  103  is made of a high strength plastic material such as high-density polyethylene HDPE, polyamide (PA), or other plastics to provide rigidity and strength. The wall thickness of body  301  is selected to provide sufficient strength to prevent crushing from the tires of a vehicle when the vehicle passes over the nozzle assembly. Internal stiffeners such as stiffener  303  may be added for additional rigidity. A nozzle assembly attachment means such as adhesive strip  304 , attached to bottom portion  306  of nozzle assembly fastens the nozzle assembly to floor  125 . 
   In the preferred embodiments, nozzles  103 A 1  and  103 A 2  are drilled apertures which define axes  305 A 1  and  305 A 2 , respectively. In the preferred embodiments, axes  305 A 1  and  303 A 2  form angles  307 A 1  and  307 A 2 , respectively, of less than 90 degrees with the plane of the garage floor  125  and the bottom plane of nozzle bottom  309 . In the preferred embodiments, longitudinal axis  205  is perpendicular to garage opening or entrance axis  127 . In the preferred embodiments, nozzles  103 A are outward of and aligned outward from vertical axis  310 . The outward direction is defined as opposite entrance axis  127 . 
   Preferred embodiments of nozzle assembly  103  provide nozzles  103 A 1  forming an angle of less than 90 degrees with floor  125 . In more preferred embodiments, nozzles  103 A 1  form an angle less than 80 degrees with floor  125 . In still more preferred embodiments, nozzles  103 A 1  form an angle of less than 70 or even 60 degrees with floor  125  when installed as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
   Preferred embodiments of nozzle assembly  103  provide nozzles  103 A 2  forming an angle of greater than 0 degrees with floor  125 . In more preferred embodiments, nozzles  103 A 2  form an angle greater than 10 degrees with floor  125 . In still more preferred embodiments, nozzles  103 A 2  form an angle of greater than 20 or even 30 degrees with floor  125  when installed as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
   Although nozzle body  301  is shown as a generally D-shaped cross section, other cross-sectional shapes can be used such as rectangular cross sections, oval cross sections, circular cross sections, triangular cross sections, trapezoidal cross sections, and other shapes performing the disclosed function. 
     FIG. 4  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of nozzle assembly  403  comprising a plurality of nozzle sections  405  each having a male connector portion  405 A engageable to a female connector portion  405 B. Connector portions  405 A and  405 B may be frictionally engaged by inserting the male connector portion into the female connector portion having an interference fit, or the connector portions may be attached by mechanical fasteners, adhesives or solvents. An end plug  407  may be attached to the last nozzle section, opposite blower connection  105 . End plug male connector portion  407 A is similar to nozzle section male connector portions  405 A. Use of nozzle sections  405  and end plug  407  allow simple adjustment of nozzle assembly length and ease of packaging and assembly. Nozzles  403 A may be rectangular slots as shown in the figure. 
     FIG. 5  is a perspective drawing of an alternative of nozzle assembly  501  incorporating a flexible hose  505  with a blower connector portion  507  on one end and a closure  509  on the opposite end. In the preferred embodiments, flexible hose  505  can be rolled up into a reel for packaging, shipping and ease of assembly. 
     FIG. 5A  is a cross section drawing of hose  505  taken along lines  5 A— 5 A of  FIG. 5 . Hose  505  is shown in the deflated condition. Nozzles  503 A may be formed plastic nozzles inserted into apertures  503 B of hose  505 , or the apertures used without inserts. An adhesive strip, such as a double-sided adhesive strip  509 , attached to the bottom portion  511  of hose  505  may be used to attach hose portion  505  to the garage floor of  FIG. 1 . A peel strip  511  protects the lower adhesive side  513  of adhesive strip  509 . 
     FIG. 6  is a cross section of the hose portion  505  of nozzle assembly  503  inflated and attached to floor  125  of  FIG. 1  Pressurized air from a blower, such as blower assembly  101  of  FIG. 1  inflates hose portion  505  and forms jet  513  as it exits nozzle  503 A. In the preferred embodiments, blower assembly  101  is energized upon opening of garage door  119 . A garage door position sensor such as limit switch or photocell  113  of  FIG. 1  is shown schematically in  FIG. 7A . Contacts  703  of position sensor  113  are in series with power source  701  such as outlet  111  of  FIG. 1  and motor  107  windings  702 . A manual start/stop switch  704  in parallel with contacts  703  allows manual control of the blower. Position sensor  113  may be physically attached to guide rail  115  as show, on the garage structure shown in  FIG. 1 , or other locations on the garage door, opening frame or structure, or opening apparatus  117 . 
   In alternative embodiments, when position sensor  113  is a photocell, a photocell target such as reflector  131 , installed on garage door  119  provides a target for photocell activation. 
   Other control means shown schematically in  FIG. 7B  includes an engagement relay  706  energized by power to motor windings  707  of garage door opening motor  118 . Contacts  705  of relay  706  are in series with power source  701  and blower motor windings  702 . Yet another embodiment utilizes a separate activation receiver  708  activated by the garage door opener transmitter  710  to energize engagement relay  706 . 
     FIG. 8  is a front elevation drawing of and alternative embodiment of the invention showing blower apparatus  801  having a suction connection  803  on blower  809 . Vacuum hose connection  805  of vacuum hose assembly  807  removeably connects to suction connection  803  of blower assembly  801 . A friction fit, interference connection, or mechanical fasteners may be used to make the connection. Flexible hose sections  811 A and  811 B allow easy placement of suction nozzle  813  in the desired location. Debris canister  815  allows collection of debris picked up by nozzle  813 . A filter (not shown) in canister  815  collects dust picked up by nozzle  813 . 
     FIG. 9  is a perspective drawing of embodiment  901  of the debris blower installed at an entrance door  903  to a living or working space  905 . Blower assembly  907  installed in wall  909  supplies air to nozzle assembly  911  installed as a doorsill for door  903 . The construction and mounting of nozzle assembly  911 , as well as the control circuit, is similar to that of previous embodiments. 
     FIG. 10A  is a cross section drawing of an alternative embodiment of a nozzle assembly  1001  consisting of a flexible hose  1002  having an upper portion  1003 , a lower portion  1005 , a front portion  1007 , a back portion  1009 , and a generally open interior portion  1011 . In the preferred embodiments, hose  1001  is made of an elastomeric material such as natural rubber, synthetic rubber, or other polymers known in the art. Fabric-reinforced polymers and composites may also be used. In a preferred embodiment, flexible hose  1002  is made of ethylene propylene rubber (EPR). In other embodiments, hose  1002  may be made of other elastomers and resilient polymers such as silicone rubber, PVC, vinyl, polyethylene and other polyolefins. In the preferred embodiments, hose  102  is extruded. In other embodiments, hose  1002  is fabricated of separate formed parts such as a top and bottom portion. 
   In the preferred embodiments hose  1002  incorporates internal stiffeners  1017  to provide sufficient stiffness of hose  1002  to maintain an open interior portion  1011  under its own weight as a continuous air passage interior to hose  1002 . Bottom portion  1005  defines a generally horizontal surface engageable with entrance floor surface  1008  and may comprise attachment portions such as recesses  1004  suitable for use with adhesive tapes or adhesive foam strips as discussed in the previous sections. In other embodiments, recesses  1004  are omitted and double-sided adhesive strips are used on bottom portion  1005 . In still other embodiments, mechanical fasteners are used to attach hose  1002  to floor  1008 . 
   In the preferred embodiments, seal strip portion  1010 , attached to front portion  1007  and/or bottom portion  1005  provides added stability to hose  1002 . Seal strip  1010  also provides a sealing component for sealing the bottom seal  1012  of a garage door  1014  and prevents accumulation of debris under nozzle assembly  1001 . 
   In the preferred embodiments, nozzle assembly  1001  comprises at least two sets of nozzles, a forward-directed nozzle set  1013  and an upward-directed nozzle set  1015 . Nozzle assemblies  1013  and  1015  may be simple round holes, or they may be slits, rectangular holes, or countersunk holes as shown in nozzle assembly  1013  connecting an outside surface  1040  to the interior portion  1011 . 
     FIG. 10B  is a cross section drawing of nozzle assembly  1001  in operation when air under pressure is supplied to hose  1002 . The increased air pressure of inside portion  1011  as compared to outside air pressure deflects or deforms upper portion, front portion  1013  and back portion  1009  to form a generally D-shaped cross section shape as compared to the non-pressurized nozzle assembly. The resulting deflection re-orientates nozzle sets  1013  slightly downward and nozzle set  1015  forward as compared to the non-pressurized assemblies. For example, axis  1019  of nozzle set  1015  rotates forward from a generally vertical axis to an axis approximately 10–30 degrees forward of the vertical axis  1021 . The axis  1023  of nozzle set  1013  rotates from a generally horizontal direction to 5–20 degrees below the horizontal axis  1025 . Together, nozzle sets  1013  and  1015  provide air jets with both upward and downward components combined with the forward movement of air to sweep debris from the opening of the garage. Additional nozzle sets may be used in other embodiments. 
     FIG. 11  is an exploded drawing of an air delivery assembly  1101  of the present invention comprising air supply hose  1107  from a blower such as blower assembly  01  of  FIG. 1 , transition piece  1105 , nozzle assemblies  1111 A,  1111 B, connector  1113 , and end cap  1121 . 
   Hose seating surface  1103  of nozzle transition piece  1105  provides a connection or seating surface for air supply hose  1007 . In the preferred embodiments, nozzle transition piece  1105  is a rigid component made of plastic or metal. The connection may be a press fit, an interference fit, adhesive fit, or it may utilize mechanical connectors such as hose clamps. Nozzle assembly seating surface  1109  provides a similar connection surface between transition piece  1105  and nozzle assembly  1111 . In still another embodiment, transition piece  1105  forms one end of air supply hose  1007 . 
   In the preferred embodiments, seating surface  1109  comprises an “inflated” shape cross section similar to the cross section of  FIG. 10B . The “inflated” cross section shape of seating surface  1109  comprises a thickness (along vertical axis  1021  of  FIG. 10B  greater than the “un-inflated” thickness of nozzle assembly  1111 A and aids in maintaining an open airway and quicker inflation of nozzle assembly  1111 A upon startup. 
   Nozzle assembly connector  1113  comprises two mirror-image portions  1115 A,  1115 B similar to nozzle transition piece  1105  connected end-to-end. In the preferred embodiments, connector  1113  is a rigid component made of plastic or metal. Connector  1113  allows connection of a second nozzle assembly  1111 B to nozzle assembly  1111 A in a series-type connection. Such a connection could be used to connect nozzle assemblies for multiple-car garages or for other applications in which the effective length of the nozzle assembly must be increased. Seating surfaces  1117 A and  1117 B comprise the “inflated” cross section shape of seating surface  1109  of transition piece  1105 . 
   Another embodiment of nozzle assembly connector  1113  is a “T” type connector utilizing a supply nozzle  1119  (shown in phantom lines) for air supply to both nozzle assemblies. End cap  1121  provides a means to seal the end of a nozzle assembly such as nozzle assembly  1111 B. In the preferred embodiments, end cap  1121  comprises a seating surface  1123  which seats in the end of nozzle assembly  1111 B. An end flange portion  1125  seals the end of cap  1121  and provides an insertion stop for the cap. 
     FIGS. 12A and 12B  are detail cross section drawings of connections between the components of  FIG. 11  such as nozzle assembly  1111 A and transition piece  1105 . End  1201  of nozzle assembly  1111 A fits over seating surface  1109  of transition piece  1105 . Joint surface  1203  may be an interference fit, or it may utilize a mechanical fastener such as clamp band  1205 . In other embodiments an adhesive may be used in joint  1203 . In the preferred embodiments, stiffeners such as stiffener  1017  is cut away from the interior of end  1201  of nozzle assembly  1111 A as shown in the dotted lines to prevent interference at the joint. 
     FIG. 12B  is an alternative embodiment of a connection of the components of  FIG. 11  showing a groove portion  1209  in connector end  1211 . Groove portion  1209  provides a receptacle for end  1201  of nozzle assembly  1111 A. End  1201  is fixed by an interference fit in groove portion  1209 , or by adhesives. As in the embodiment of  FIG. 12A , stiffener  1017  is cut away to prevent interference of the fit. In still other embodiments, connector end  1211  may comprise a receptor groove (not shown) for stiffener  1017 . 
     FIG. 13  is a perspective drawing of nozzle assembly  1111 A coiled for shipping or storage. 
   Accordingly, the reader will see that the debris blower apparatus provides an automatic means for preventing debris from entering a garage, living space or work space. The device provides the following additional advantages:
         The apparatus is easily adaptable to a wide range of entrances;   The apparatus is simple to install; and   The apparatus is low in cost.       

   Although the description above contains many specifications, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but merely providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiments of this invention. Thus the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by the examples given.