Portable cleaning assembly with waste container and anti tip-over protection

Abstract

A portable cleaning assembly includes a vacuum unit for vacuuming debris and a waste container for collecting waste separate from the vacuumed debris. The assembly also includes one or more batteries electrically connected to the vacuum unit for providing electric power. A transport mechanism supports the waste container, the vacuum unit, and the batteries to allow the free movement of the assembly about an area. The at least one battery is balanced in opposition with the vacuum unit to prevent tip-over of the cleaning assembly.

1 . A cleaning assembly comprising:
 a vacuum unit for creating a vacuum to clean debris from an area;   at least one battery electrically connected to said vacuum unit for supplying electrical power to said vacuum unit;   a waste container for collecting waste separate from the debris collected by said vacuum unit; and   a transport mechanism supporting said waste container, said vacuum unit, and said at least one battery for moving said waste container, said vacuum unit, and said at least one battery thereof;   wherein said at least one battery is balanced with said vacuum unit for preventing tip-over of said cleaning assembly.   
     
     
         2 . A cleaning assembly as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said at least one battery is disposed in opposition to said vacuum unit for providing the balance therebetween. 
     
     
         3 . A cleaning assembly as set forth in  claim 1  wherein a center of mass of said assembly is disposed generally along a center axis of said transport mechanism. 
     
     
         4 . A cleaning assembly as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said waste container includes an upper end defining an opening, a lower end having a bottom, and a sidewall extending between the upper and lower ends. 
     
     
         5 . A cleaning assembly as set forth in  claim 4  wherein said vacuum unit is supported by said sidewall of said waste container and disposed adjacent a first portion of said sidewall. 
     
     
         6 . A cleaning assembly as set forth in  claim 4  wherein said at least one battery is disposed adjacent a second portion of said sidewall opposite said first portion of said sidewall. 
     
     
         7 . A cleaning assembly as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said vacuum unit is attached to said waste container. 
     
     
         8 . A cleaning assembly as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said vacuum unit is disposed within said transport mechanism. 
     
     
         9 . A cleaning assembly as set forth in  claim 1  further comprising an apron supported by said waste container and supporting said at least one battery. 
     
     
         10 . A cleaning assembly as set forth in  claim 9  wherein said apron includes at least one pocket wherein said at least one battery is disposed in said at least one pocket. 
     
     
         11 . A cleaning assembly as set forth in  claim 9  wherein said apron includes a plurality of pockets wherein one battery is disposed in each pocket. 
     
     
         12 . A cleaning assembly as set forth in  claim 9  further comprising a duct in fluidic communication between said vacuum and said apron for routing exhaust air from said vacuum to said at least one battery to cool said at least one battery. 
     
     
         13 . A cleaning assembly as set forth in  claim 12  wherein said apron defines passages between at least two of said pockets for allowing the exhaust air to flow between said pockets. 
     
     
         14 . A cleaning assembly as set forth in  claim 9  further comprising a duct in fluidic communication between said vacuum and said at least one battery for routing exhaust air from said vacuum to said at least one battery to cool said at least one battery.