Scraper attachment for vacuum cleaners

United States Patent Application 20030159241

A device for attachment to a vacuum cleaner to combine the steps of scraping articles from a surface and removing the resulting debris. The device includes a first end which attaches to a vacuum cleaner. The second end of the device has a substantially rectangular shape. A slot is formed beneath the second end near the opening of the device. The slot has a first width slightly greater than the width of the safety end of a scraping blade. The slot also has a second width slightly greater than the width of scraping portion of the scraping blade. A scraping blade is inserted into the slot so that the scraping edge of the blade extends just in front of the opening of the second end of the device. Articles can then be removed from a surface by the blade. The debris which the results is sucked up through the second end and into the tank of a vacuum cleaner.

Calzolari, Gary R. (Longmont, CO, US)

09/683875

08/28/2003

02/26/2002

Click for automatic bibliography generation

CALZOLARI GARY R.

15/401

A47L9/02; A47L13/08; (IPC1-7): A47L9/06

Download PDF 20030159241  

20070245505	Disc Cleaner	October, 2007	Abfall et al.
20080072398	Height adjusting apparatus of suction body for use in vacuum cleaner	March, 2008	Moon
20060048814	Supply unit for an application device and process for operating such a unit	March, 2006	Albrecht et al.
20020002984	Surgical scrub brush and method	January, 2002	Loy
20090126135	Scratch off tool for lottery tickets	May, 2009	Gilmore et al.
20090158495	Glove for a motorcyclist wearing a helmet with a visor	June, 2009	Flynn
20040040112	Three piece self-contained gutter cleaning kit	March, 2004	Humble
20070061991	Cleaning implement comprising melamine foam	March, 2007	Gonzales et al.
20070251047	Rotary cleaning head	November, 2007	Monson
20100071153	DOMESTIC APPLIANCE	March, 2010	Genn
20060230564	Extendable handle for drywall tools	October, 2006	Jungklaus et al.

TILL, TERRENCE R

GLENN L. WEBB (DURANGO, CO, US)

1. An attachment device for vacuum cleaners for scraping and removing substances from a surface, said device comprising: a body member having a first end for connection to a vacuum cleaner and a second end for second debris; an opening extending through said body member from said first end to said second end; and means for holding a scraping blade affixed near said second end.

2. The attachment device of claim 1 wherein said means for holding a scraping blade includes: a slot formed adjacent said second opening having a width slightly larger than the width of a first end of a scraping blade; and a reduced width portion on said slot having a width slight larger than the width of a second end of a scraping blade.

3. The attachment device of claim 1 wherein said means for holding a scraping blade includes: means for clamping a first end of a scraping blade mounted near said second opening.

4. The attachment device of claim 1 wherein said means for holding a scraping blade includes: means for adjusting the angle of a scraping blade relative to said second opening.

5. The attachment device of claim 4 wherein said means for adjusting the angle of a scraping blade includes: a screw mounted in said means for holding a scraping blade wherein said movement of said screw causes the angle of a scraping blade held in said means for holding a scraping blade to change.

6. The attachment device of claim 1 wherein said attachment device includes: an adapter for allowing said attachment device to be used on different types of vacuum cleaners.

7. The attachment device of claim 1 wherein said first opening includes: a cylindrical shape.

8. The attachment device of claim 1 wherein said second opening includes: a rectangular shape.

9. The attachment device of claim 1 wherein said attachment device includes: means for changing the size of said second opening.

10. An attachment device for a vacuum cleaner for scraping and removing articles from a surface, said attachment device comprising: a body member; a cylindrical shaped portion on a first end of said body member for attachment to a vacuum cleaner; a substantially rectangular shaped portion on a second end of said body member opposite said first end; an opening extending through said body member from said first end to said second end; and means for holding a scraping blade having a scraping edge near said second end.

11. The attachment device of claim 10 wherein said means for holding a scraping blade having a scraping edge includes: a clamp for clamping a scraping blade.

12. The attachment device of claim 10 wherein said means for holding a scraping blade further includes: means for holding a scraping blade having a scraping edge and a second edge having a thicker dimension.

13. The attachment device of claim 12 wherein said means for holding a scraping blade includes: a slot formed near said second opening having a width slightly larger than the width of the second edge of the scraping blade; and a reduced width portion in said slot having a width slight larger than the width of scraping edge of the scraping blade.

14. The attachment device of claim 10 wherein said means for holding a scraping blade includes: means for adjusting the angle of the scraping blade to said second opening.

15. The attachment device of claim 14 wherein said means for adjusting the angle of the scraping blade relative to said second opening includes: a screw mounted in said means for holding a scraping blade and in contact with the scraping blade wherein movement of said screw causes the angle of the scraping blade to change relative to said second opening.

16. The attachment device of claim 10 wherein said attachment device further includes: means for adapting said first opening to attach to various types of vacuum cleaners.

17. The attachment device of claim 10 wherein said body member further includes: means for changing the size of the opening of said second end.

18. An attachment device for a vacuum cleaner for scraping and removing articles from a surface, said attachment device comprising: a body member; a cylindrical shaped portion on a first end of said body member for attachment to a vacuum cleaner; a substantially rectangular shaped portion on a second end of said body member opposite said first end; an opening extending through said body member from said first end to said second end; and a slot having a width slight larger than the width of a first end of a scraping blade formed in said second end beneath said opening in said second end; and a reduced width portion having a width slightly larger than the width of a second end of the scraping blade formed in said slot near said opening in said second end.

19. The attachment device of claim 18 wherein said attachment device further includes: means for changing the angle of the scraping blade relative to said second end.

20. The attachment device of claim 19 wherein said means for changing the angle of the scraping blade relative to said second end includes: a screw mounted in said slot for contacting the scraping blade.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

[0001] There are many occasions which require surfaces to be scraped. One such occasion may arise when a surface is being cleaned prior to painting, to remove rust, stickers or other debris from the surface to ensure a smooth painting surface. Another occasion often arises when masking tape has been applied to protect a surface. Additionally, it is often necessary to remove stickers from surfaces on which they have been applied. Also, it is often necessary to scrape putty or other adhesive products from a wall prior to painting. Old gaskets are yet another item which are difficult to remove and often must be scraped.

[0002] Utility knives have been designed to perform such scraping tasks. Typically, these are hand held devices in which a scraping blade is inserted. The item is then scraped off the selected surface. However, a problem occurs from the use of the knives or other scraping tools. The tool leaves the debris behind during the scraping process. The debris particles can accumulate around the work area. This is particularly a problem when the scraping causes the debris to accumulate in an inaccessible area.

[0003] This problem normally requires an additional clean-up step. The debris is removed by sweeping or by the use of a vacuum cleaner. Even this is not always successful in removing the debris. The debris often has a tacky surface which may adhere onto other objects. Also, the debris can fall into inaccessible areas that even a vacuum may not be effective.

[0004] Thus, a problem exists in cleaning the debris which occurs during a scraping process. At best, a secondary clean-up process is required and at worst, the clean-up process may not be effective.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0005] The present invention provides a device for attachment onto a vacuum cleaner. The device provides a tool for combining the operations of scraping articles, such as tape, stickers, paint or other debris from a surface with disposing of the resulting debris. This device is able not only to save time by eliminating the secondary clean-up process but also prevents the debris from accumulating in inaccessible places or contaminating the surrounding surface.

[0006] The device of the present invention includes a tubular body member. The tubular body member has a first cylindrical end which is designed to attach to the hoses of most vacuum cleaners. An adapter is provided if necessary which will adapt this first cylindrical end to other sizes of vacuum cleaner hoses. The second end of the tubular body forms the debris-receiving end. The receiving end is shaped in a substantially rectangular shape. Other shapes can be used if desired.

[0007] A slot is formed in the tubular body member beneath and near the receiving end of the tubular body member. The slot has a first portion having a width slightly larger than the width of the safety end of a scraping blade. A receiving portion of the slot has a reduced width slightly larger than the width of the blade portion of a scraping blade. The slot has an opening approximately perpendicular to the receiving opening to receive a scraping blade.

[0008] The scraping edge of the scraping blade is held in the slot so that it extends in front of the receiving opening of the tubular body member. Thus, as a surface is scraped by the scraping blade, the resulting debris is immediately sucked up through the receiving opening of the body member by the action of the vacuum cleaner and deposited into the tank of the vacuum cleaner.

[0009] An adjusting screw can be inserted into the slot to contact the scraping blade. As the adjusting screw is moved, the contact with the scraping blade causes the angle of the scraping blade to change relative to the receiving opening of the body member.

[0010] Other clamping mechanisms other than the slot discussed above can be used. For instance, a wedge clamping device could be secured beneath the receiving end of the body member. Also, a sliding door could be attached to the receiving end to change the pressure of the suction if desired.

[0011] These and other features will be evident from the drawings and the description of preferred embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the attachment device of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0013] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a scraping blade for use the attachment device of FIG. 1.

[0014] FIG. 3 is a view of the scraping blade about to be inserted into the attachment device of FIG. 1.

[0015] FIG. 4 is a view of the assembled attachment device of FIG. 1.

[0016] FIG. 5 is a view of an adapter for use with the attachment device of FIG. 1.

[0017] FIG. 6 is a detail view of an alternative blade holding device.

[0018] FIG. 7 is a detail view of a blade adjustment device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] The present invention provides a combination device which not only aids in the scraping process but also effectively disposes of the debris before it can become a problem. A preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 1-4. It is to be expressly understood that this descriptive embodiment in not intended to limit the scope of the present inventive concept.

[0020] Scraper attachment 10, shown in FIG. 1 includes body 20 having tubular cylindrical end 22. Mid portions 24, 26 curve downward to form tubular rectangular portion 28. End 30 of body 20 includes aperture 32 having a reduced rectangular nozzle opening 34. Aperture 32 extends throughout body 20. Lip 40 is formed beneath end 30 and spaced slightly from the edge 36 of opening 34 to form slot 42. Slot 42 includes reduced width portion 44.

[0021] Scraping blade 50, shown in FIG. 2, includes edge 52 and housing 54. The scraping blades are shown as a safety razor blade as commonly used for scraping operations. The present invention is intended to be used with other types of scraping blades as well. Slot 42 of body 20 is designed to receive housing 54 of safety scraping blade with a slight resistance. Scraping blade 50 is inserted into body 20 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.

[0022] Tubular cylindrical end 22 of body 20 is designed to be attached to a standard vacuum cleaner hose (not shown). If necessary, adapter 60, shown in FIG. 5 can be used as an adapter between the vacuum cleaner hose and tubular cylindrical end 22. End 62 engages with the vacuum cleaner hose and end 64 engages cylindrical end 22 of member 20 or vice-versa.

[0023] In operation, once body 20 has been attached to the vacuum cleaner, the vacuum cleaner can be switched on. The user simply begins scraping. As debris is created during the scraping operation, it tends to ride up scraping blade 50 towards opening 34. The force of the vacuum cleaner will suck the debris through opening 34 and into aperture 30. The debris will then accumulate into the vacuum tank where it can be easily disposed.

[0024] The present invention is thus able to dispose of the debris before it ever becomes a problem. This is especially important when the scraping occurs in an inaccessible area or where contamination from the debris is critical. The present invention is able to solve this important problem by sucking up the debris before it is able to fall into an inaccessible area or contaminate the area. This is even true where the debris may be tacky or have an adhesive which might cling to a surface.

[0025] Another embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. 6. Body 70, identical to body 20 as described above, includes nozzle end 80, similar to nozzle end 34 described above. Lower surface 82 beneath nozzle end 80 includes a series of engagement notches 84. Blade holder 90 includes a series of matching engagement notches 94. Wing bolt 96 threads into hole 86 of body 70 to securely clamp scraping blade 50 in slot 88.

[0026] In another embodiment, shown in FIG. 7, the blade holder is angularly adjustable. Screw 100 is threaded into slot 110 in which scraping blade 50 is engaged. Adjusting screw 100 causes scraping blade 50 to change angles. This allows the angle of the scraping blade to be adjusted to create the optimum scraping and/or fit into an area.

[0027] In another embodiment (not shown) a sliding door mechanism fits across the nozzle opening. The suction of the vacuum can then be adjusted as necessary for optimum performance.

[0028] These and other embodiments are considered to be descriptive of the present invention. They are not intended to unduly limit the scope of the claimed inventive concept.