Patent ID: 8108965

Claim:
A convertible vacuum attachment apparatus for conveying a particulate material located on a substantially horizontal surface on which the apparatus is rested, the attachment apparatus comprising a housing defining a chamber, the housing having an inlet in fluid communication with the chamber, the inlet defining an inlet opening, the housing having an outlet in fluid communication with the chamber for connection to a vacuum source; an area changing structure configured to change an area of the inlet opening; wherein the housing has a bottom plane defined by lower edges of sidewalls forming the housing, at least a portion of the inlet opening being in the bottom plane; an adjustable spacing structure configured to adjustably space the bottom plane of the housing, and the portion of the inlet opening in the bottom plane, from the surface to create a gap between the bottom plane and the surface; and a bracket assembly mounted on the housing, the bracket assembly being configured to connect to the lift arms of a loader vehicle so that the gap between the bottom plane of the housing and the surface is adjustable by movement of the lift arms of the loader vehicle; and wherein the housing includes an outlet with a pair of outlet openings, a first one of the outlet openings being positioned toward an opposite lateral side of the housing from a second one of the outlet openings.