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US6131239A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Ground debris vacuum

Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1999-03-31
•
Granted: 2000-10-17
•
Expires: 2019-03-31
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Abstract

Abstract Leaves and other loose debris on a ground surface can be removed and collected by a portable vacuum that includes a motor-operated fan located at the upper end of an upright passage structure that has a lower intake end proximate to the ground surface. The vacuum is supported by two ground wheels at the lower intake end of the passage structure, and a shoulder strap attached to an upper section of the passage structure. The vacuum includes a rotary debris cutter in a mid area of the passage structure, and a centrifugal particle separation located between the cutter and the motor-operated fan.

Inventors

  • 👤 Carl Lee White

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-08 18:50
CPC Classifications
E; E01; E01H; E01H1/00; E01H1/08; E01H1/0827; E01H1/0836; A; A01; A01G; A01G20/00; A01G20/40; A01G20/43; A01G20/47; A47; A47L; A47L5/00; A47L5/12; A47L5/22; A47L5/24

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim 222 words
A portable vacuum for removing debris from the ground surface, comprising: an upright air-debris passage means having a lower intake end for drawing air and debris from a ground surface; two aligned ground wheels connected to said passage means for supporting said passage means so that said intake end is located in close proximity to the ground surface; a shoulder strap connected to said passage means, and a hand grip connected to said passage means for wardly from said shoulder strap so that a person is able to grasp the hand grip with one hand while the strap is in a suspended position on the person's shoulder; a fan located within said passage means for drawing air and entrained debris upwardly through said passage means; an electric motor mounted on said passage means; said motor having a shaft operatively connected to said fan, whereby said fan is powered by said motor; a motor-control pushbutton switch located on said hand grip, whereby said fan can be truned on or off; a centrifugal debris-separation means located in said passage means between said intake end and said fan, said debris-separation means having a discharge duct for receiving the separated debris; and a removable collection receptacle communicating with said discharge duct for receiving debris that has been separated from the air flowing through said passage means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 222 words
A portable vacuum for removing debris from the ground surface, comprising: an upright air-debris passage means having a lower intake end for drawing air and debris from a ground surface; two aligned ground wheels connected to said passage means for supporting said passage means so that said intake end is located in close proximity to the ground surface; a shoulder strap connected to said passage means, and a hand grip connected to said passage means for wardly from said shoulder strap so that a person is able to grasp the hand grip with one hand while the strap is in a suspended position on the person's shoulder; a fan located within said passage means for drawing air and entrained debris upwardly through said passage means; an electric motor mounted on said passage means; said motor having a shaft operatively connected to said fan, whereby said fan is powered by said motor; a motor-control pushbutton switch located on said hand grip, whereby said fan can be truned on or off; a centrifugal debris-separation means located in said passage means between said intake end and said fan, said debris-separation means having a discharge duct for receiving the separated debris; and a removable collection receptacle communicating with said discharge duct for receiving debris that has been separated from the air flowing through said passage means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 25 words
The vacuum of claim 1, and further comprising a debris cutter means located in said passage means between said intake end and said debris-separation means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 35 words
The vacuum of claim 2, wherein said debris cutter means comprises a cutter blade attached to said motor shaft, whereby said motor serves as a power source for said fan and said debris cutter means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 23 words
The vacuum of claim 1, wherein said fan is a centrifugal fan; said passage means comprising a scroll housing for said centrifugal fan.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

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US3862466A Cited
US4041569A Cited
US4566149A Cited
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 2003-10-17 2004-04-17 2004-10-17 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 2007-10-17 2008-04-17 2008-10-17 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2011-10-17 2012-04-17 2012-10-17 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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