Appliance for ash removal

Claim 1

An applicance for removing ash from a fireplace comprising a vacuum source, an intermediate container, and vacuum hoses attached to the intermediate container and defining a vacuum path from a fireplace through the intermediate container to the vacuum source, the intermediate container having a collector receptacle and a lid adapted for vacuum-tight attachment to the container, an inlet opening in the receptacle side wall to the interior of the receptacle, an inlet tube affixed to the side wall through the inlet opening having one portion thereof projecting into the interior of the receptacle defining a mounting for a vacuum bag and another portion thereof projecting outwardly from the side wall for receiving a vacuum hose defining a vacuum path to the fireplace, an outlet opening and an outlet tube affixed thereto for receiving a vacuum hose for defining the vacuum path to the source, the inlet and outlet tubes being located along a first container diameter on opposite sides of the container, a flame arrester covering the outlet opening, and a vacuum bag fitted to the inlet tube within the container and defining a closed portion of the vacuum path for receiving and containing soot and ash removed from the fireplace and cooperating with the flame arrester as first and second barriers to hot coals passing out of the container into the vacuum source, and a bail affixed along the second diameter displaced approximately 45° from the first diameter.