Back to results
US 12,593,946 B2Granted
Vacuum for use with modular storage system
AssigneeMilwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
InventorsChristopher J. Metcalf, Timothy Tin Pak Lee, Fraizier Reiland, Jonathan M. Mantes
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A vacuum that couples to storage units is provided. The vacuum includes a motor, an internal compartment, and an inlet and outlet that provide fluid communication between the internal compartment and an exterior of the vacuum. The vacuum includes one or more mechanisms to protect internal components from water damage and to prevent debris from escaping the internal compartment when the vacuum is being transported.
Claims21
A modular storage system comprising:
- a vacuum comprising:
- a motor;
- a hose;
- a top panel;
- a housing coupled to the top panel, the housing comprising:
- a front wall;
- a rear wall opposite the front wall, the rear wall separated from the front wall by a first depth in a first direction;
- two sidewalls extending between the front wall and the rear wall, the two sidewalls positioned below the top panel and each comprising outward facing surfaces;
- an internal compartment located within the housing;
- an inlet through which debris enters the internal compartment when the motor is operating;
- an outlet through which air exits the internal compartment when the motor is operating;
- a recess defined by at least one of the two sidewalls, the recess comprising a laterally facing surface, the recess configured to receive the hose, wherein the laterally facing surface of the recess is recessed relative to the each of the outward facing surfaces of the two sidewalls;
- a plurality of ribs protruding into the recess and positioned entirely within the recess such that the plurality of ribs are spaced from the outward facing surfaces of the two sidewalls, wherein the plurality of ribs are configured to receive the hose;
- and
- a first plurality of coupling mechanisms located along a bottom surface of the housing;
- a first utility module comprising a second plurality of coupling mechanisms, one or more of the second plurality of coupling mechanisms configured to detachably engage with the first plurality of coupling mechanisms, the first utility module extending a second depth in the first direction that is at least twice the first depth.
13 more elements
A vacuum comprising:
- a motor;
- a hose;
- a housing comprising:
- a bottom panel;
- a top panel, the top panel comprising a plurality of coupling mechanisms configured to couple the vacuum to a first utility module;
- an internal compartment located within the housing;
- a first lateral wall extending upwards from the bottom panel, the first lateral wall positioned between the bottom panel and the top panel;
- an inlet extending through the first lateral wall through which debris enters the internal compartment when the motor is operating;
- and
- a recess configured to receive the hose, the recess comprising a laterally facing surface, the recess is defined within and extends along an outward facing surface of the first lateral wall such that the laterally facing surface is recessed relative to the outward facing surface and positioned between portions of the outward facing surface of the first lateral wall;
- and
- an operating switch located on the first lateral wall, the operating switch configured to toggle whether the motor is operating.
9 more elements
A vacuum comprising:
- a motor;
- a hose;
- a housing comprising:
- a bottom panel;
- a plurality of coupling mechanisms extending from the bottom panel and configured to couple the vacuum to a utility module;
- a front wall extending upwards from the bottom panel;
- a rear wall opposite the front wall and extending upwards from the bottom panel;
- a first lateral wall that extends upward from the bottom panel and that extends from the front wall to the rear wall, the first lateral wall comprising a laterally facing outer surface;
- a recess defined within and extending along the first lateral wall;
- an internal compartment located within the housing;
- an inlet through which debris enters the internal compartment when the motor is operating, the inlet extending through the first lateral wall and coupled to the hose;
- and
- an outlet through which air exits the internal compartment when the motor is operating;
- a plurality of ribs positioned entirely within the recess, the plurality of ribs recessed relative to the laterally facing outer surface of the first lateral wall;
- a handle pivotally coupled to the housing, the handle actuating between a first position and a second position, wherein when the handle is in the first position an end of the handle extends past the front wall, and when the handle is in the second position the end of the handle extends past the rear wall;
- and
- an operating switch located on the first lateral wall, the operating switch configured to toggle whether the motor is operating;
- and
- a locking mechanism coupled to the first lateral wall, the locking mechanism configured to couple the housing to the utility module.
16 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.