Patent ID: 8661608

Claim:
A handheld portable device for dislodging and capturing particulate matter from a surface to be cleaned, the handheld portable device comprising: a handle that extends in a first direction and is provided at a first end of the handheld portable device and that can be grasped by a user so that the user supports the entire handheld portable device by the handle; a nose segment that has a width and a length that is greater than the width so that the nose segment has an elongate arrangement within the handheld portable device, the nose segment extending in a second, generally opposite direction away from the handle so that the nose segment and handle are generally parallel and offset from each other, the nose segment being provided at a second, opposing end of the handheld portable device, wherein the nose segment is interconnected with the handle such that the nose segment and handle move in unison with each other while the entire handheld portable device is being supported by the user; a body segment disposed between the handle and the nose segment; at least one articulating connecting element, comprising a ball joint, coupled between the body segment and the handle configured to enable articulating movement of the handle relative to the body segment; a vacuum airflow entering the nose segment and defining a vacuum affected zone on and adjacent the surface to be cleaned; and at least one high pressure nozzle provided at the nose segment and delivering a high pressure airflow, so that the high pressure airflow exits the nose segment and contacts the surface to be cleaned, wherein the high pressure airflow dislodges at least some of the particulate matter from the surface to be cleaned for capture by the vacuum airflow so that particulate matter is removed from the surface to be cleaned while the handheld portable device is being supported by the handle.