Method and apparatus for removal of debris

Abstract

An apparatus for cleaning a collection system of debris is shown and described. The apparatus may include a debris collector having a capacity and an inlet hose operatively coupled with the debris collector, at least a portion of the inlet hose positionable within the collection system. The apparatus may also include at least one vacuum operatively coupled with the debris collector, where the vacuum creates suction capable of forcing debris and fluid from the collection system into the inlet hose, and a debris reduction assembly attached to the inlet hose, where the debris reduction assembly is capable of generally reducing a size of the debris entering the inlet hose.

Having thus described the invention, we claim: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for cleaning a collection system of debris, the apparatus comprising:
 a debris collector having a capacity;   an inlet hose operatively coupled with the debris collector, at least a portion of the inlet hose positionable within the collection system;   at least one vacuum operatively coupled with the debris collector, wherein the vacuum creates suction capable of forcing debris and fluid from the collection system into the inlet hose; and   a debris reduction assembly attached to the inlet hose, wherein the debris reduction assembly is capable of generally reducing a size of the debris entering the inlet hose.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a pump operatively coupled with the debris collector, wherein the pump is capable of removing fluid from the debris collector. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the pump is capable of removing fluid from the debris collector at a rate greater than the vacuum is capable of suctioning fluid into the collection system whereby a majority of the capacity of the debris collector is capable of being filled with debris. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the debris collector includes a vacuum box. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4  further comprising a pressure reduction mechanism capable of generally reducing pressure in the vacuum box. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the pressure reduction mechanism includes at least one air inlet valve. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the pressure reduction mechanism includes a pair of air inlet valves. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a second vacuum operatively coupled to the debris collector, wherein at least one vacuum and the second vacuum create suction capable of forcing the debris and fluid from the collection system into the inlet hose and into the debris collector. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the debris reduction assembly comprises:
 a generally annular ring attached to an end of the inlet hose;   a plurality of teeth generally circumscribing at least a portion of the annular ring, wherein the teeth are capable of generally reducing the size of the debris that contact the teeth during operation of the vacuum.   
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the pump is positioned within the debris collector. 
     
     
         11 . An apparatus for cleaning a collection system of debris, the apparatus comprising:
 a debris collector having a capacity;   an inlet hose operatively coupled with the debris collector, a portion of the inlet hose capable of entry into the collection system;   at least one vacuum operatively coupled with the debris collector, wherein the vacuum creates suction capable of forcing debris and fluid from the collection system into the debris collector through the inlet hose; and   a debris reduction assembly attached to the inlet hose, wherein the debris reduction assembly reduces a size of the debris entering the inlet hose.   
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , further comprising a pump operatively coupled with the debris collector, wherein the pump is capable of removing fluid from the debris collector at a rate greater than the vacuum is capable of suctioning fluid into the collection system whereby a majority of the capacity of the debris collector is capable of being filled with debris. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the debris reduction assembly comprises:
 a generally annular ring attached to an end of the inlet hose;   a plurality of teeth generally circumscribing at least a portion of the annular ring, wherein the teeth are capable of generally reducing the size of the debris that contact the teeth during operation of the vacuum.   
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the teeth generally circumscribe an entire of a circumference of the annular ring. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the teeth generally circumscribe a portion of a circumference of the annular ring. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the teeth include a generally pointed end capable of reducing the size of debris. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the teeth are formed of harden steel. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the teeth generally form an air gap between the inlet hose and the collection system during operation of the vacuum. 
     
     
         19 . A method of removing debris from a collection system, method comprising the steps of:
 providing a debris collector having a capacity;   providing at least one vacuum operatively coupled with the debris collector;   providing an inlet hose operatively coupled with the debris collector, the inlet hose including a debris reduction device;   creating suction through the inlet hose;   vacuuming the debris from the collection system through the inlet hose;   contacting the debris with the debris reduction device;   reducing size of the debris contacting the debris reduction device; and   forcing the debris through the inlet hose and into the debris collector.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the vacuuming of the debris is performed by at least one vacuum operatively coupled with the debris collector. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the debris reduction assembly comprises:
 a generally annular ring attached to an end of the inlet hose;   a plurality of teeth generally circumscribing at least a portion of the annular ring, wherein the teeth generally reduce the size of the debris that contact the teeth during the vacuuming.   
     
     
         22 . A method of removing debris from a collection system, method comprising the steps of:
 creating suction through an inlet hose operatively coupled to a debris collector;   vacuuming the debris from the collection system through the inlet hose;   contacting the debris with a debris reduction device coupled to the inlet hose;   reducing size of the debris contacting the debris reduction device; and   forcing the debris through the inlet hose and into the debris collector.