Handheld vacuum device having a hook

Abstract

A handheld vacuum device is presented. That handheld vacuum device comprises a housing, a vacuum-generating system, and a hook. The housing has a handle, while the vacuum-generating system is disposed within the housing, and is configured to generate vacuum pressure that creates suction for the handheld vacuum device. The hook is coupled to the housing, and has a bent portion that is configured to engage an external structure for hanging the handheld vacuum device from the external structure.

1 . A handheld vacuum device, comprising:
 a housing having a handle;   a vacuum-generating system disposed within the housing, the vacuum-generating system being configured to generate vacuum pressure that creates suction for the handheld vacuum device;   a battery coupled to a rearward end of the housing; and   a hook that extends laterally from the housing and is disposed between the battery and the handle,   wherein the hook has a base portion and a bent portion that extends from the base portion,   wherein the bent portion is configured to engage an external structure for hanging the handheld vacuum device from the external structure, and   wherein the base portion and the bent portion of the hook form a slot that extends along a length dimension of the hook, wherein the slot is configured, when the external structure forms a rail, to fit around the rail to permit the handheld vacuum device to be hung from the rail via the hook.   
     
     
         2 . The handheld vacuum device of  claim 1 , wherein the slot formed by the base portion and the bent portion of the hook opens toward a frontward end of the housing of the handheld vacuum device. 
     
     
         3 . A handheld vacuum device, comprising:
 a housing having a handle;   a vacuum-generating system disposed within the housing, the vacuum-generating system being configured to generate vacuum pressure that creates suction for the handheld vacuum device;   a battery coupled to a rearward end of the housing; and   a hook coupled to the housing to be disposed between the battery and the handle and to extend laterally from the housing, the hook having a bent portion that is configured to engage an external structure for hanging the handheld vacuum device from the external structure.   
     
     
         4 . The handheld vacuum device of  claim 3 , wherein the hook is disposed at a rearward end of the housing. 
     
     
         5 . The handheld vacuum device of  claim 4 , wherein the housing has a frontward end through which air enters the housing to create the suction for the handheld vacuum device, and wherein the rearward end and the frontward end are opposite ends of the housing. 
     
     
         6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . The handheld vacuum device of  claim 4 , wherein the handle is disposed between the hook and a frontward end of the housing. 
     
     
         8 . The handheld vacuum device of  claim 3 , wherein the hook extends laterally from the housing. 
     
     
         9 . The handheld vacuum device of  claim 3 , wherein the hook includes a base portion from which the bent portion extends, wherein the base portion and the bent portion form a slot that extends along a length dimension of the hook, and wherein the slot is configured, when the external structure forms a rail, to fit around the rail to cause the handheld vacuum device to be hung from the rail via the hook. 
     
     
         10 . The handheld vacuum device of  claim 9 , wherein the slot formed by the base portion and the bent portion of the hook is C-shaped and opens toward a frontward end of the housing of the handheld vacuum device. 
     
     
         11 . The handheld vacuum device of  claim 9 , wherein the hook includes a flat base portion having a hole through which a fastener is inserted to fasten the hook to the housing. 
     
     
         12 . The handheld vacuum device of  claim 11 , wherein the bent portion includes an overhang portion configured to press against the external structure when the handheld vacuum device is hung from the external structure via the hook, and wherein the slot is formed by a gap between the flat base portion and the overhang portion. 
     
     
         13 . The handheld vacuum device of  claim 12 , wherein the overhang portion has an opening through which the hole of the flat base portion and the fastener are accessible. 
     
     
         14 . The handheld vacuum device of  claim 9 , further comprising a crevice tool that forms or is coupled to a frontward end of the housing, and wherein the slot has a width which is substantially the same as a width of the crevice tool, such that the crevice tool is insertable into the slot. 
     
     
         15 . The handheld vacuum device of  claim 3 , wherein the hook forms a belt clip that is configured, when the handheld vacuum device is hung from a belt, to press against the belt. 
     
     
         16 . The handheld vacuum device of  claim 15 , wherein the hook includes a base portion that is coupled to the housing, and includes a bent portion that extends from the base portion and bends back towards the housing,
 wherein the bent portion forms a spring clip that is biased, when the belt is positioned between the belt clip and the housing, to push the belt against the vacuum housing.   
     
     
         17 . The handheld vacuum device of  claim 3 , wherein the hook is rotatably connected to the housing such that the hook is pivotable between a folded position in which the hook is folded against the housing and an unfolded position in which the hook is unfolded from the housing, wherein the handheld vacuum device is hangable via the hook when the hook is in the unfolded position. 
     
     
         18 . The handheld vacuum device of  claim 3 , wherein the vacuum-generating system includes a fan and a motor, wherein the fan is configured, when rotating, to cause air flow that creates the vacuum pressure, and wherein the motor is configured, when activated, to cause rotation of the fan. 
     
     
         19 . A handheld vacuum device, comprising:
 a housing having: (i) a handle and (ii) a hook mounting region which has one or more slots and a hole, and which is configured to attach the housing to a hook which has a flat base portion with a hole therethrough and which has one or more protruding portions extending from the flat base portion;   a vacuum-generating system disposed within the housing, the vacuum-generating system being configured to generate vacuum pressure that creates suction for the handheld vacuum device; and   a battery coupled to a rearward end of the housing,   wherein the one or more slots of the hook mounting region are configured to receive the one or more protruding portions of the hook,   wherein the hole of the hook mounting region is configured to align with the hole of the flat base portion of the hook when the one or more slots of the hook mounting region receives the one or more protruding portions of the hook, and   wherein the hook is attached to the housing to be disposed between the battery and the handle and to extend laterally from the housing.   
     
     
         20 . The handheld vacuum device of  claim 19 , wherein the hook mounting region is disposed at a rearward end of the housing.