Vacuum nozzle with integrated light

{
  "publication_number": "US10238255B2",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B2",
  "title": "Vacuum nozzle with integrated light",
  "abstract": "A vacuum accessory tool that includes a nozzle body having a first end and a second, spaced apart end and at least one light emitting element that emits light that will illuminate a surface to be cleaned by the accessory tool is described. The light emitting element is protected by a protective housing that protects the element when the tool is inserted into areas during cleaning, yet still allows the light to illuminate surfaces during operation.",
  "claims": [
    "1. An attachment tool for a vacuum cleaner operable as a crevice tool, the attachment tool comprising: an attachment end adapted for mounting to a vacuum cleaner; a nozzle end spaced apart from the attachment end; a nozzle body intermediate between the attachment end and the nozzle end and defining an exterior of the tool, the nozzle body comprising a lower housing region proximate the nozzle end and an upper housing region comprising a first, upper body region proximate an air conduit and a second, intermediate body region intermediate the upper housing region and the lower housing region, wherein the lower housing region is tapered downward and away from the upper housing region; and a light assembly comprising a housing containing at least one light emitting element that emits light in a UV or visible spectrum and that will illuminate a surface to be cleaned, the light assembly being mounted on a leading, forward end of the intermediate body region and rearward of a plane that is parallel to and in alignment with a top face of the lower housing region.",
    "2. The attachment tool of claim 1, wherein the lower housing region is tapered at an angle ranging from about 130° to about 170° relative to a horizontal axis of the attachment tool.",
    "3. The attachment tool of claim 1, wherein the at least one light emitting element is at least one light emitting diode (LED).",
    "4. The attachment tool of claim 1, wherein the at least one light emitting element further comprises a convex lens to disperse light illuminated from the at least one light emitting element.",
    "5. The attachment tool of claim 1, further comprising a power switch mounted within the light assembly for powering the at least one light emitting element.",
    "6. The attachment tool of claim 1, wherein the housing of the light assembly has a U-shape.",
    "7. The attachment tool of claim 1, wherein the first upper body region has a circular cross section.",
    "8. The attachment tool of claim 1, wherein the lower housing region has an oval cross section.",
    "9. The attachment tool of claim 1, wherein the nozzle body is formed of a plastic material by blow molding.",
    "10. A tool, comprising: a main body defining an internal air path and having a first end including a suction inlet, a second end including a discharge outlet, a lower housing region proximate the suction inlet and an upper housing region, wherein the lower housing region is tapered downward and away from the upper housing region; an illumination assembly including a cover and a light emitting element; and a receiving region on a top face of the main body sized to receive the illumination assembly, wherein the receiving region is located on a leading, forward end of the upper housing region such that the illumination assembly is mounted on the leading, forward end of the upper housing region and rearward of a plane that is parallel to and in alignment with a top face of the lower housing region; wherein the suction inlet is in fluid communication with the discharge outlet and the tool includes a longitudinal centerline axis A.",
    "11. The tool of claim 10, wherein the lower housing region is tapered toward the suction inlet and the taper is offset from the longitudinal centerline axis A.",
    "12. The tool of claim 11, wherein the offset taper is offset at an angle ranging from about 110° to about 165° relative to the longitudinal centerline axis A.",
    "13. The tool of claim 10, wherein the second end of the main body has a circular cross section.",
    "14. A vacuum cleaner system comprising: a housing; a debris collection vessel; a vacuum suction generator; a cleaning hose connected to the vacuum suction generator; and a crevice tool including: a main body having a first end including a suction inlet, a second end including a discharge outlet, an internal air path, and a longitudinal centerline axis A; a nozzle body intermediate between the suction inlet and the discharge outlet, the nozzle body comprising a lower housing region proximate the suction inlet and an upper housing region comprising a first, upper body region proximate the discharge outlet and a second, intermediate body region intermediate the upper housing region and the lower housing region, wherein the lower housing region is tapered downward and away from the nozzle body; and a light assembly comprising a light housing containing at least one light emitting element that will illuminate a surface to be cleaned, the light assembly being mounted on a leading, forward end of the intermediate body region and rearward of a plane that is parallel to and in alignment with a top face of the lower housing region.",
    "15. The system of claim 14, wherein the lower housing region is tapered downward at an angle ranging from about 110° to about 165° relative to the longitudinal centerline axis A.",
    "16. The system of claim 15, wherein the angle ranges from about 130° to about 160° relative to the longitudinal centerline axis A.",
    "17. The system of claim 14, wherein the discharge outlet has a circular cross section."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "Not applicable.\n\nNot applicable.\n\nField of the Invention\n\nThe inventions disclosed and taught herein relate generally to attachments for vacuum appliances. More specifically, the inventions disclosed and taught herein are related to cleaning tool attachments which are adaptable for use in conjunction with a variety of vacuum cleaners and which include an illuminated portion for use in dark areas during cleaning, such as under seats in an automobile.\n\nDescription of the Related Art\n\nVacuum cleaners of the type having a nozzle end and a handle end, as well as canister-type vacuum appliances like wet/dry vacuum cleaners, are generally well known in the art. When gripped by their handle ends and moved in a generally back and forth oscillatory motion, the nozzle ends of these devices trace a back-and-forth cleaning path. During such typical operation, the wrist of the hand by which the handle ends are gripped controls the trajectory of their nozzle ends. When in normal use with the hand extended straight out, the cleaning path is generally in front of the user, but when the wrists are rolled to either the right or to the left, the cleaning path traced by the nozzle ends follows the roll to the right and left of the wrist. In the case of vacuum appliances such as wet/dry vacuums, the user typically uses a vacuum hose that attaches directly to the vacuum head, allowing for collection of dirt, solid debris, and liquids in the vacuum collection drum. In this operation, the user typically moves the open end of the vacuum hose, versus the entire vacuum appliance, over the debris to be collected.",
  "cpc": [
    "A47L 9/02",
    "A47L 9/30"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "A47L 9/02",
    "A47L 9/30"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "Emerson Electric Co"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Douglas C. Schultz",
    "Mark Tomasiak",
    "Jason Hill"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2017-06-12",
  "publication_date": "2019-03-26",
  "grant_date": "2019-03-26",
  "priority_date": "2014-08-06",
  "application_number": "US-201715620052-A",
  "family_id": "55262593",
  "cited_by_count": 5,
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}