Filter cleaning device

Claim 1

A portable cleaning device for purging a filter; said filter having a medium surrounding and defining a chamber, and having at least one end with an opening to said chamber, said cleaning device comprising: (a) a tank for containing pressurized gas; (b) charging means on said tank for filling same; (c) a conduit extending from said tank and having an end with an outflow valve therewith to permit rapid passage of gas through said conduit; (d) a shield on said conduit adjacent said end and having a surface extending outwardly from said conduit for sealing engagement with said filter around the end opening thereof with said conduit end communicating with said filter chamber end communicating with said filter chamber through said filter end opening; said filter being held in place by a user by positioning said filter between said shield surface and a supporting surface; and (e) an extensible member longitudinally mounted within said conduit and having a lower end portion with a gas diverter means thereon for forcing gas flow from said tank radially outwardly through said medium to thereby purge it, said diverter means being movable between an upper position located adjacent an upper part of said chamber and a lower position located adjacent a lower part of said chamber; said extensible member and diverter means being responsive to gas flow from said tank to extend and variably position said diverter means between said upper and lower positions.