Apparatus for vacuum and/or blowing of debris

Abstract

Vacuum and blowing apparatus is provided having means for selecting between a first vacuum mode and a second blowing mode. A base portion of the apparatus is in contact with a surface from which debris is to be collected and/or across or relative to which debris is to be blown in use and, depending from the base portion, a body portion of the apparatus supports a collection box for the reception of debris collected from the surface.

1 . Apparatus which, in use, is upstanding, said apparatus having a base portion in contact with the surface from which debris is to be collected in a vacuum mode and/or across which debris is to be blown in a blower mode and, depending from said base portion, the body of the apparatus supports a collection box, located as part of the apparatus for the reception of debris collected from said surface.  
   
   
       2 . Apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein one or more wheels or rollers are provided for contact with the surface on which the apparatus is movable in use.  
   
   
       3 . Apparatus according to  claim 2  wherein the one or more wheels or rollers are provided on the base portion of said apparatus.  
   
   
       4 . Apparatus according to  claim 2  wherein the one or more wheels or rollers are mounted on one or more arms, said arms movable between two or more different positions so as to allow the height or position of the base portion from said surface to be selected.  
   
   
       5 . Apparatus according to  claim 4  wherein one or more of said arms are movable between an in use position, wherein the wheels or rollers contact the surface, and a storage position.  
   
   
       6 . Apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said apparatus includes a series of passages which define an air flow pathway in the vacuum mode from the base portion to the collection box, said air flow pathway including the passage of air and debris past the vanes of a fan unit prior to entering the collection box.  
   
   
       7 . Apparatus according to  claim 6  wherein the fan unit is provided so as to allow the debris which passes in the air flow to be shredded into a smaller size prior to reaching the collection box.  
   
   
       8 . Apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein when air and debris enter the collection box, the debris enters at a location at or adjacent an upper edge of the collection box and thereafter said debris falls downwardly into the collection box, and the air exits the collection box through at least one aperture.  
   
   
       9 . Apparatus according to  claim 8  wherein said at least one aperture is provided with filter means to prevent or minimise the dust particles leaving the collection box.  
   
   
       10 . Apparatus according to  claim 9  wherein the filter means includes at least two filter layers.  
   
   
       11 . Apparatus according to  claim 9  wherein the filter means are located in a lid portion of the collection box, said lid portion forming one of the walls of the collection box when in a closed position.  
   
   
       12 . Apparatus according to  claim 11  wherein when the lid portion is in the closed position, the lid is held in position by clamping means which engage with the body of the apparatus and collection box to secure the lid in position.  
   
   
       13 . Apparatus according to  claim 12  wherein the clamping means are also used to secure the collection box in position with respect to the body of the apparatus.  
   
   
       14 . Apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said apparatus includes a series of passages which define an air flow pathway in the blower mode, air entering the body of the apparatus through at least one aperture open to the external environment and passing through part of the body, past the fan unit and then leaves the body of the apparatus via a tube by which the user can direct the air flow.  
   
   
       15 . Apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein when the apparatus is provided with selection means to allow a user to select between a vacuum mode or a blower mode.  
   
   
       16 . Apparatus according to  claim 15  wherein the selection means includes or operates flap means which are movable in air flow passages in the apparatus in response to user selection to alter the airflow pathway between said vacuum mode and said blower mode.  
   
   
       17 . Apparatus according to  claim 16  wherein first and second flap means are provided in said apparatus and each flap means is movable.  
   
   
       18 . Apparatus according to  claim 16  wherein the flap means are moved in response to user selection and said flaps are resiliently biased towards the selected position for said blowing and vacuuming modes.  
   
   
       19 . Apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein a further airflow system is provided within the apparatus, said air flow controlled to induce air either from externally of the apparatus or from another air flow within the apparatus and direct said air flow around a motor unit of said apparatus to provide a cooling effect.  
   
   
       20 . Apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein a fan unit in the apparatus includes a sealing layer which serves to seal a motor or motor chamber which drives the fan unit from the ingress of water or debris or other material which may be collected by the apparatus when in the vacuuming mode.  
   
   
       21 . Apparatus according to  claim 20  wherein vanes of the fan unit which impact on debris being sucked into the apparatus in the vacuum mode are located on one side of said sealing layer, and the motor chamber or motor are located on a second side of said sealing layer.  
   
   
       22 . Apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein one or more air flow apertures defined in the base and/or body of the apparatus are provided with a series of fingers which depend from a side of the aperture towards the opposing side so as to prevent or minimize the opportunity of a person's hand or other part of their anatomy from entering the aperture.  
   
   
       23 . Apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the base portion is selectively removable to allow one or more different types of collection heads to be fitted to the apparatus.  
   
   
       24 . Apparatus according to  claim 23  wherein the one or more collection heads can include one or more scraping means or brush means associated therewith.  
   
   
       25 . Apparatus according to  claim 24  wherein said scraping means and/or brush means are pivotally mounted to said collection head.  
   
   
       26 . Apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the collection box is substantially rigid.  
   
   
       27 . Apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said apparatus is self supporting in an in use position.  
   
   
       28 . Apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said apparatus is manually powered for movement across a surface.  
   
   
       29 . Apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said apparatus is for use exclusively in an outdoor environment.  
   
   
       30 . Vacuum apparatus, which, in use, is upstanding, said apparatus having a base portion in contact with the surface from which debris is to be collected in a vacuum mode and, depending from said base portion, the body of the apparatus supports a collection box, located as part of the apparatus for the reception of debris collected from said surface.  
   
   
       31 . Blower Apparatus which, in use, is upstanding, said apparatus having a base portion in contact with the surface across which debris is to be blown in a blower mode and, depending from said base portion, the body of the apparatus supports a collection box, located as part of the apparatus for the reception of debris collected from said surface.  
   
   
       32 . Vacuum and blowing apparatus, said apparatus having means for selecting between a first vacuum mode and a second blowing mode, a base portion in contact with a surface from which debris is to be collected and/or across or relative to which debris is to be blown in use and, depending from said base portion, a body portion of the apparatus supports a collection box for the reception of debris collected from said surface.