Axial fan blower and vacuum

Abstract

The present invention is directed to an axial or in-line type blowervac that switches between a blowing operational mode and a vacuum operational mode by moving a baffle within its housing to cover an air inlet or air exhaust depending on the operational mode selected. In the blow mode, a fan assembly is driven in a first direction to blow air out of an airpipe attached to a front portion of the housing. In a vacuum mode, the fan assembly is driven in a reverse direction, and air and debris are pulled in through the airpipe.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An outdoor power tool comprising:
 a housing having a fan assembly;   an airpipe connected to a front portion of the housing;   a motor operatively connected to the fan assembly, the motor capable of driving the fan assembly in a first blow mode to blow air out of the airpipe, and a second vacuum mode to suck air in through the airpipe.   
     
     
         2 . The outdoor power tool of  claim 1 , wherein the axis of the fan assembly is parallel with the longitudinal axis of the airpipe; and
 further comprising an air inlet at a rear portion of the housing capable of pulling air into the housing when operating in the blow mode.   
     
     
         3 . The outdoor power tool of  claim 2 , further comprising an air exhaust capable of exhausting air out of the housing when operating in the vacuum mode. 
     
     
         4 . The outdoor power tool of  claim 3 , further comprising a baffle moveable between a first position where it covers the air exhaust and a second position where it covers the air inlet, such that when the baffle is in the first position, the tool is operating in the blow mode, and when the baffle is in the second position, the tool is operating in the vacuum mode. 
     
     
         5 . The outdoor power tool of  claim 4 , wherein moving the baffle from the first position to the second position automatically reverses the direction of the fan assembly. 
     
     
         6 . The outdoor power tool of  claim 4 , wherein the baffle is in the form of a flap that is pivotable between the first position and the second position. 
     
     
         7 . The outdoor power tool of  claim 6 , wherein the flap includes at least one scoop to help maintain the flap in the proper position. 
     
     
         8 . The outdoor power tool of  claim 4 , wherein the baffle is in the form of a shroud that is rotatable between the first and second position. 
     
     
         9 . The outdoor power tool of  claim 8 , further comprising a knob for rotating the shroud, and an interlock mechanism for preventing the rotation of the shroud while operating the tool. 
     
     
         10 . The outdoor power tool of  claim 9 , further comprising a power switch for turning the tool on and off; and
 wherein the interlock mechanism includes a band having a first end fixedly connected to the power switch and a second end engageable with a slot in the knob when the power switch is in the on position to prevent the rotation of the knob.   
     
     
         11 . The outdoor power tool of  claim 1 , wherein the motor is located outside the main housing and is connected to the fan assembly through a transmission. 
     
     
         12 . The outdoor power tool of  claim 1 , wherein the main housing includes vanes downstream from the fan assembly to reduce the turbulence of the airflow. 
     
     
         13 . An outdoor power tool comprising:
 a housing having a fan assembly therein;   a motor connected to the fan assembly to drive it in a first direction and a second reverse direction;   an airpipe connected to a front portion of the housing;   a rear portion of the housing having an air inlet and an air exhaust; and   a baffle inside the housing movable between a first position covering the air exhaust, and a second position covering the air inlet.   
     
     
         14 . The outdoor power tool of  claim 13 , wherein an axis of the fan assembly is parallel to a longitudinal axis of the airpipe. 
     
     
         15 . The outdoor power tool of  claim 13 , wherein when the baffle is in the first position, the tool operates in a blow mode where air enters the tool through the air inlet and exits the tool through the airpipe, and when the baffle is in the second position, the tool operates in a vacuum mode where the air enters the tool through the airpipe and exists the tool through the air exhaust. 
     
     
         16 . The outdoor power tool of  claim 15 , wherein the baffle is in the form of a shroud inside the rear portion of the housing, and a knob mechanically linked to the shroud to rotate it between the two positions. 
     
     
         17 . The outdoor power tool of  claim 16 , further comprising a power switch for actuating the tool, and an interlock mechanism preventing the rotation of the knob when the tool is actuated. 
     
     
         18 . The outdoor power tool of  claim 15 , wherein the motor is located outside the housing and is connected to the fan assembly through a transmission. 
     
     
         19 . The outdoor power tool of  claim 15 , where the baffle is in the form of a flap that is pivotable between the first position and second position.