Abstract:
The present disclosure provides a method and system to adjust the outflow of exhaust air that flows out of a nozzle outlet attached to a removable vacuum unit of a wet and dry vacuum cleaner. This adjustment allows the vacuum unit to perform at full operating capacity in a vacuum mode and yet reduce the air flow in a blower mode with the vacuum unit operating as if in the vacuum mode. The nozzle can include an air diverter that allows air in the nozzle to be diverted away from nozzle outlet. The air diverter can be adjusted to a variety of positions for controlling the amount of air diversion. The nozzle can be removably coupled with the vacuum outlet using a latch. An inlet ring on the nozzle having an enclosed portion can engage the vacuum outlet on the vacuum unit and stabilize the nozzle coupling to the vacuum unit.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     Not applicable.  
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT  
       [0002]     Not applicable.  
       NAMES OF PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT  
       [0003]     Not applicable.  
       REFERENCE TO APPENDIX  
       [0004]     Not applicable.  
       BACKGROUND  
       [0005]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0006]     The invention relates to vacuum cleaners. More specifically, the invention relates to wet and dry vacuum cleaners having detachable blower nozzles for the vacuum cleaners.  
         [0007]     2. Description of Related Art  
         [0008]     The use of wet and dry vacuum cleaners has become almost ubiquitous. Such devices are seen in most homes, businesses, and industrial facilities. Typically, the vacuum cleaner has a container for waste with a lid attached thereto. The lid houses the working components including the motor and vacuum impeller in a fixed orientation in the lid. A hose is attached to a vacuum inlet that allows debris to be vacuumed into the container. A port functioning as a vacuum outlet exhausts the remaining air after the waste is deposited into the container.  
         [0009]     A more recent design of a wet and dry vacuum cleaner includes a dual use version. This version has a detachable self-contained vacuum unit that includes the motor, vacuum impeller, associated on-off switch and other controls, and housing. The vacuum unit can be detached from the lid and operated as a blower by using the vacuum outlet as a positive pressure air flow source. When attached to the lid, the vacuum unit is designed to interface with ports through the lid or the container so that the vacuum inlet provides a vacuum for debris in the typical manner and the vacuum outlet exhausts the remaining air.  
         [0010]     While more flexible and more expensive, this version has disadvantages. To obtain the necessary vacuum negative pressure to be commercially acceptable, the vacuum unit propels the outlet exhaust air through the vacuum outlet at such a force as to be difficult to use as a blower. Reducing the motor speed results in acceptable blower performance, but unacceptable vacuum performance.  
         [0011]     Further, the force is so great on the nozzle that the nozzle can become detached and “blown off” the vacuum unit. In contrast, a typical blower has the nozzle fixedly attached to the blower motor unit. The dual use version must have the nozzle removable to reinsert the vacuum unit into the lid and function in a vacuum mode. This challenge appears to be largely unique to the dual use wet and dry vacuum cleaners.  
         [0012]     Thus, there remains a need for an improved wet and dry vacuum cleaner that can function as both a blower and a vacuum cleaner with more controllable air flow.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY  
       [0013]     The present disclosure provides a method and system to adjust the outflow of exhaust air that flows out of a nozzle outlet attached to a removable vacuum unit of a wet and dry vacuum cleaner. This adjustment allows the vacuum unit to perform at full operating capacity in a vacuum mode and yet reduce the air flow in a blower mode with the vacuum unit operating as if in the vacuum mode. The nozzle can include an air diverter that allows air in the nozzle to be diverted away from nozzle outlet. The air diverter can be adjusted to a variety of positions for controlling the amount of air diversion. The nozzle can be removably coupled with the vacuum outlet using a latch. An inlet ring on the nozzle having an enclosed portion can engage the vacuum outlet on the vacuum unit and stabilize the nozzle coupling to the vacuum unit.  
         [0014]     The disclosure provides a wet and dry vacuum cleaner, comprising: a container for receiving debris; a lid attachable with the container; a vacuum unit adapted to be removably coupled with the lid, the vacuum unit having a vacuum inlet and a vacuum outlet; and a nozzle adapted to be removably coupled with the vacuum outlet when the vacuum unit is detached from the lid, the nozzle comprising a nozzle inlet and a nozzle outlet and an air diverter adapted to exhaust air from the nozzle intermediate between the nozzle inlet and nozzle outlet. One exemplary method of using the wet and dry vacuum cleaner above comprises: decoupling the vacuum unit from the lid; attaching the nozzle inlet to the vacuum outlet; activating the vacuum unit; flowing a positively pressurized air through the nozzle; and diverting a portion of the air through the air diverter to reduce air flow through the nozzle outlet.  
         [0015]     The disclosure further provides a wet and dry vacuum cleaner, comprising: a container for receiving debris; a lid attachable with the container; a vacuum unit removably coupled with the lid, the vacuum unit having a vacuum inlet and a vacuum outlet; a nozzle removably coupled with the vacuum outlet when the vacuum unit is detached from the lid; and a latch coupled to the nozzle, the vacuum unit, or a combination thereof and adapted to removably couple the nozzle with the vacuum unit. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0016]     While the concepts provided herein are susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, only a few specific embodiments have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are described in detail below. The figures and detailed descriptions of these specific embodiments are not intended to limit the breadth or scope of the concepts or the appended claims in any manner. Rather, the figures and detailed written descriptions are provided to illustrate the concepts to a person of ordinary skill in the art as required by 35 U.S.C. § 112.  
         [0017]      FIG. 1  is a cross-sectional schematic perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the system.  
         [0018]      FIG. 2  is a schematic perspective view of the vacuum unit removably coupled with the adjustable blower nozzle.  
         [0019]      FIG. 3  is a schematic view of the air adjustable nozzle. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0020]     One or more illustrative embodiments of the concepts disclosed herein are presented below. Not all features of an actual implementation are described or shown in this application for the sake of clarity. It is understood that the development of an actual embodiment, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve the developer&#39;s goals, such as compliance with system-related, business-related and other constraints, which vary by implementation and from time to time. While a developer&#39;s efforts might be complex and time-consuming, such efforts would be, nevertheless, a routine undertaking for those of ordinary skill in the art having benefit of this disclosure.  
         [0021]      FIG. 1  is a schematic perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the system. The exemplary system  2  is a wet and dry vacuum cleaner that generally includes a lid  4  coupled to a collection container  6 . The lid is removably attachable to the container  6  so that the container can be emptied of debris, liquids, and other wastes that are brought into the container through the vacuuming process. A vacuum unit  8  is removably coupled to the lid  4 . The vacuum unit generally includes the operating elements of the vacuum cleaner system. Such operating elements include a motor, vacuum impeller, on/off switch, and other controls (such elements not shown). The lid generally includes a vacuum inlet  10  through which debris and other waste enter the vacuum cleaner and are deposited into the container  6 . The remaining air after depositing waste into the container is routed through the vacuum unit by first passing through a filter  14  coupled to a vacuum inlet disposed inside the container  6  at a lower portion (not shown) of the lid  4 . The filtered air is generally exhausted through a vacuum outlet  12 . Further, the container  6  can include a drain  16  for disposing of liquid waste brought into the container. Accessories to the wet and dry vacuum system  2  include a flexible hose  18 , one or more hose extensions  20 , and/or various end attachments. The hose is sized to be attached to the vacuum inlet  10  and the accessories can be attached to the hose or directly to the vacuum inlet.  
         [0022]     In the embodiment advantageously used with the present disclosure, the vacuum unit  8  can be decoupled from the lid  4  when an operator desires to use the vacuum unit  8  in a blower mode. After decoupling, a vacuum inlet of the vacuum unit  8  is exposed and can be coupled to an adjustable blower nozzle  22 , as described in more detail below. When an operator desires to couple the vacuum unit back to the lid, the nozzle  22  can be decoupled from the vacuum unit and the vacuum unit  8  placed back into position and coupled to the lid  4  to operate in a vacuum mode.  
         [0023]      FIG. 2  is a schematic perspective view of the vacuum unit removably coupled with an adjustable blower nozzle. In at least one embodiment, the removable vacuum unit  8  can be selectively coupled with the adjustable blower nozzle  22  by coupling a nozzle attachment portion  24  on the nozzle with the vacuum outlet  12  on the vacuum unit. A latch  30  can be used to secure the nozzle  22  with the vacuum unit  8 . In general, the latch  30  is conveniently located on the nozzle  22 . Alternatively, the latch could be coupled to the vacuum unit  8 , or to a combination of the vacuum unit and the nozzle, such as having a portion of the latch on one element and another portion of the latch on another element.  
         [0024]     The adjustable blower nozzle  22  generally includes a nozzle inlet adjacent the nozzle attachment portion  24  and a nozzle outlet  26  distal from the nozzle inlet. An air diverter  28  is disposed between the nozzle inlet and the nozzle outlet. The air diverter generally includes an opening formed in the nozzle  22  with a cover ring adapted to cover a portion of the opening, described in more detail below.  
         [0025]      FIG. 3  is a schematic view of the air adjustable nozzle shown in  FIG. 2 . The air adjustable nozzle  22  includes a nozzle inlet  32  disposed on an end of the nozzle attachment portion  24  that is adapted to be connected to the vacuum outlet  12  of the vacuum unit  8 , shown in  FIG. 2 . When the nozzle is coupled to the vacuum unit  8  with its vacuum outlet  12 , the nozzle inlet  32  is generally sized to slide into the vacuum outlet  12 . A nozzle outlet  26  is located distally from the nozzle inlet  32 . An air diverter  28  is disposed between the nozzle inlet  32  and nozzle outlet  26 . In at least one embodiment, the air diverter  28  includes an opening  48  formed through the nozzle wall  52  of the nozzle. The opening can be a variety of sizes and shapes depending upon the amount of air that is intended to be diverted from the nozzle outlet  26 . The air diverter can be advantageously located closer to the nozzle inlet  32  than the nozzle outlet  26 . The location can help dissipate the force of the air earlier in the flow path between the nozzle inlet and the nozzle outlet.  
         [0026]     A cover ring  50  can be coupled to the nozzle  22  as part of the air diverter  28 . The cover ring  50  can be slidably coupled, so that the cover ring can be slid over the opening  48  to a variety of positions to adjust the effective size of the opening  48  and the amount of air flowing therethrough. In at least one embodiment, the cover ring  50  can be rotably coupled to the nozzle  22 , so that it can be rotated about a longitudinal axis  54  passing between the nozzle inlet and the nozzle outlet. Further, one or more flanges  44 ,  46  can be formed on the nozzle  22  on either side of the cover ring  50  to help the cover ring  50  stay in position. While not shown, it is to be understood that the cover ring  50  could be alternatively coupled to the nozzle  22  in a longitudinal manner, so that it can be moved along the length of the longitudinal axis  54 . As the cover ring is moved along the longitudinal axis, it can cover various portions of the opening  48  to adjust the amount of diverted air, as described above.  
         [0027]     The latch  30  can be coupled to the nozzle  22 . For example and without limitation, the latch  30  can include a latch support  36  coupled to the nozzle  22  that is used as a fulcrum about which the latch  30  can bend or rotate in an angular fashion to engage and disengage the vacuum unit. The latch  30  on one end includes a release  38  that can be depressed by hand pressure to raise a clip  40  formed distally from the release  38 . The clip  40  further includes a clip extension  42  disposed in a radially inward manner toward the longitudinal axis  54 . The clip extension can function as a retainer with the vacuum unit to help secure the nozzle  22  and the vacuum unit  8  together.  
         [0028]     The nozzle attachment portion  24  can also include an inlet ring  34 . The inlet ring  34  can extend radially outward from the wall  52  of the nozzle  22 . Further, the inlet ring can include an enclosed portion  35 , such as an “L”-shaped cross-section, that has a portion directed towards the nozzle inlet  32 . The inlet ring  34  can be aligned longitudinally with the latch  30  or portion thereof. In general, the inlet ring  34  can assist in sealing the air flow between the nozzle  22  and the vacuum outlet  12  and/or assist in stabilizing the coupling between the nozzle and vacuum outlet. It is to be understood that the inlet ring  34 , the cover ring  50 , the flanges  44 ,  46  can be continuous or segmented. Further, the actual system can include a plurality of air diverters, latches, cover rings, inlet rings, and other features described herein.  
         [0029]     In operation, the vacuum system  2 , shown in  FIG. 1 , could be used in a vacuum mode when the vacuum unit  8  is coupled to the lid  4  of the vacuum system  2 . The vacuum mode allows the system to vacuum debris and waste into the container  6 . If an operator desires to use the vacuum unit  8  in a blower mode, the vacuum unit can be decoupled from the lid  4 , and the nozzle inlet of the nozzle  22  coupled to the vacuum outlet  12  of the vacuum unit  8 . As the nozzle inlet  32  is slid into the vacuum outlet  12 , the latch  30  can engage a flange, opening, or other connection portion on the vacuum outlet  12 . The clip extension  42  can latch on or in such connection point on the vacuum outlet to couple the nozzle  22  with the vacuum outlet  12 . The vacuum unit, when activated, can flow a positively pressured air through the nozzle. The nozzle can remain coupled to the blower or to the vacuum unit  8  with the assistance of the latch  30 . Further, the coupling of the nozzle  22  with the vacuum unit  8  can be stabilized by the inlet ring  34  at the nozzle attachment portion  24 . At the operator&#39;s discretion, the air can be at least partially diverted through the air diverter  28 , so that the air flow through the nozzle outlet is reduced. The operator can rotate the cover ring  50  to various positions over the opening  48  on the nozzle to divert air. To release the nozzle  22  and decouple it from the vacuum outlet  12 , the release  38  can be depressed, thus raising the clip  40  and the clip extension  42  while pulling the nozzle  22  and the vacuum unit  8  apart from each other. The vacuum unit  8  can be recoupled to the lid  4  to operate in a vacuum mode with the container  6 .  
         [0030]     The invention has been described in the context of various embodiments and not every embodiment of the invention has been described. Apparent modifications and alterations to the described embodiments are available to those of ordinary skill in the art. The disclosed and undisclosed embodiments are not intended to limit or restrict the scope or applicability of the invention conceived of by the Applicant, but rather, in conformity with the patent laws, Applicant intends to protect all such modifications and improvements to the full extent that such falls within the scope or range of equivalent of the following claims.  
         [0031]     The various methods and embodiments of the invention can be included in combination with each other to produce variations of the disclosed methods and embodiments, as would be understood by those with ordinary skill in the art, given the understanding provided herein. Also, various aspects of the embodiments could be used in conjunction with each other to accomplish the understood goals of the invention. Also, the directions such as “top,” “bottom,” “left,” “right,” “upper,” “lower,” and other directions and orientations are described herein for clarity in reference to the figures and are not to be limiting of the actual device or system or use of the device or system. Unless the context requires otherwise, the word “comprise” or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising”, should be understood to imply the inclusion of at least the stated element or step or group of elements or steps or equivalents thereof, and not the exclusion of a greater numerical quantity or any other element or step or group of elements or steps or equivalents thereof. The device or system may be used in a number of directions and orientations. The term “coupled,” “coupling,” “coupler,” and like terms are used broadly herein and can include any method or device for securing, binding, bonding, fastening, attaching, joining, inserting therein, forming thereon or therein, communicating, or otherwise associating, for example, mechanically, magnetically, electrically, chemically, directly or indirectly with intermediate elements, one or more pieces of members together and can further include without limitation integrally forming one functional member with another in a unity fashion. The coupling can occur in any direction, including rotationally. Further, the order of steps can occur in a variety of sequences unless otherwise specifically limited. The various steps described herein can be combined with other steps, interlineated with the stated steps, and/or split into multiple steps. Additionally, the headings herein are for the convenience of the reader and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.  
         [0032]     Further, any references mentioned in the application for this patent as well as all references listed in the information disclosure originally filed with the application are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety to the extent such may be deemed essential to support the enabling of the invention. However, to the extent statements might be considered inconsistent with the patenting of the invention, such statements are expressly not meant to be considered as made by the Applicant.