Filter cleaner assembly

Abstract

A filter assembly for use with a power head having a blower assembly with a blower inlet contained therein and a collection container defining a collection volume. The filter assembly including a housing, where the housing includes a first connection interface configured to releasably attach to the power head, and a second connection interface configured to releasably attach to the collection container, a first filter passageway extending between and open to both first connection interface and the second connection interface, a first filter region positioned within the first passageway between the first connection interface and the second connection interface, and a master control assembly, where the master control assembly is configured to selectively reverse the flow of air through the first filter region.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A filter assembly for use with a power head having a blower assembly with a blower inlet contained therein and a collection container defining a collection volume, the filter assembly comprising:
 a housing, wherein the housing includes a first connection interface configured to releasably attach to the power head, and a second connection interface configured to releasably attach to the collection container;   a first filter passageway extending between and open to both first connection interface and the second connection interface;   a first filter region positioned within the first passageway between the first connection interface and the second connection interface; and   a master control assembly, wherein the master control assembly is configured to selectively reverse the flow of air through the first filter region.   
     
     
         2 . The filter assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the housing is configured to be stacked between the power head and the collection container. 
     
     
         3 . The filter assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a second passageway extending between and open to both the first connection interface and the second connection interface;   a second filter region positioned within the second passageway between the first connection interface and the second connection interface; and   wherein the master control assembly is configured to selectively reverse the flow of air through the second filter region.   
     
     
         4 . The filter assembly of  claim 3 , wherein:
 the first filter region has a first end facing the second connection interface and a second end opposite the first end, wherein air flows through the first filter region in a first direction when it enters via the first end and exits via the second end, and wherein air flows through the first filter region in a second direction when it enters via the second end and exits via the first end;   the second filter region has a third end facing the second connection interface and a fourth end opposite the third end, wherein air flows through the first filter region in a third direction when it enters via the third end and exists via the fourth end, and wherein air flows through the second filter region in a fourth direction when it enters via the fourth end and exits via the third end; and   wherein the master control assembly is operable in
 a first configuration, in which air passes through the first filter region in the first direction and passes through the second filter region in the third direction, 
 a second configuration, in which air passes through the first filter region in the second direction and passes through the second filter region in the third direction, and 
 a third configuration, in which air passes through the first filter region in the first direction and passes through the second filter region in the fourth direction. 
   
     
     
         5 . The filter assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first connection interface is in fluid communication with the blower inlet of the blower assembly when the filter assembly is attached to the power head, and wherein the second connection interface is in fluid communication with the collection volume when the filter assembly is attached to the collection container. 
     
     
         6 . The filter assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising an ambient air port open to the exterior of the housing. 
     
     
         7 . The filter assembly of  claim 6 , further comprising a first valve assembly, wherein the first valve assembly is adjustable between a first configuration, in which the first filter region is in fluid communication with the first connection interface and not in fluid communication with the ambient air port, and a second configuration, in which the first filter region is in fluid communication with the ambient air port and not in fluid communication with the first connection interface. 
     
     
         8 . The filter assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the master control assembly is configured to reverse the flow of air through the first filter region without the use of electrical power. 
     
     
         9 . The filter assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a transition passage extending between and open to the second connection interface and the exterior of the housing; and   a valve assembly positioned in the transition passage, wherein the valve is adjustable between an open configuration, in which air can flow through the transition passage, and a closed configuration, in which air cannot flow through the transition passage.   
     
     
         10 . The filter assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the master control assembly is configured to adjust the valve between the open configuration and the closed configuration. 
     
     
         11 . The filter assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the master control assembly is configured to coordinate adjusting the valve between the open and closed configurations and reversing the flow of air through the first filter region. 
     
     
         12 . The filter assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the transition passage extends between and is open to both the first connection interface and the second connection interface. 
     
     
         13 . The filter assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a first coupling element positioned proximate the first connection interface for releasably connecting the housing and the power head, and a second coupling element positioned proximate the second connection interface for releasably connecting the housing with the collection container. 
     
     
         14 . A filter assembly for use with a power head having a blower assembly with a blower inlet contained therein, and a collection container defining a collection volume, the filter assembly comprising:
 a housing, wherein the housing includes a first connection interface configured to releasably attach to the power head, and a second connection interface configured to releasably attach to the collection container;   a first filter region, the first filter region having a first end open to and in fluid communication with the second connection interface and a second end opposite the first end;   a second filter region, the second filter region having a third end open to and in fluid communication with the second connection interface and a fourth end opposite the first end;   an ambient air inlet open to the exterior of the housing;   a first valve assembly adjustable between a first configuration, in which the second end of the first filter region is in fluid communication with the first connection interface and not in fluid communication with the ambient air inlet, and a second configuration, in which the second end of the first filter region is in fluid communication with the ambient air inlet and not in fluid communication with the first connection interface; and   a second valve assembly adjustable between a third configuration, in which the fourth end of the second filter region is in fluid communication with the first connection interface and not in fluid communication with the ambient air inlet, and a fourth configuration, in which the fourth end of the second filter region is in fluid communication with the ambient air inlet and not in fluid communication with the first communication interface.   
     
     
         15 . The filter assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the first connection interface is in fluid communication with the blower inlet of the blower assembly when the filter assembly is attached to the power head, and wherein the second connection interface is in fluid communication with the collection volume when the filter assembly is attached to the collection container. 
     
     
         16 . The filter assembly of  claim 14 , further comprising a master control assembly including:
 a shaft rotatable relative to the housing;   a first cam mounted to the shaft for rotation together therewith, wherein the first cam is configured to operatively engage the first valve assembly;   a second cam mounted to the shaft for rotation together therewith, wherein the second cam is configured to operatively engage the second valve assembly; and   wherein rotating the shaft in a first direction causes the first valve assembly to adjust from the first configuration to the second configuration and causes the second valve assembly to remain in the third configuration; and   wherein rotating the shaft in a second direction opposite the first direction causes the first valve assembly to remain in the first configuration and causes the second valve assembly to adjust from the third configuration to the fourth configuration.   
     
     
         17 . The filter assembly of  claim 16 , wherein the first cam and the second cam are mounted 180 degrees apart. 
     
     
         18 . The filter assembly of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 a transition passage open to and extending between the second connection interface and the exterior of the housing; and   a third valve assembly positioned in the transition passage, wherein the valve is adjustable between an open configuration, in which air can flow through the transition passage, and a closed configuration, in which air cannot flow through the transition passage.   
     
     
         19 . The filter assembly of  claim 18 , further comprising a master control assembly, wherein the master control assembly in operable communication with the first valve assembly, the second valve assembly, and the third valve assembly, and wherein the master control assembly is configured to initiate adjusting the third valve assembly before initiate adjusting the second valve assembly or the third valve assembly. 
     
     
         20 . A filter assembly for use with a power head having a blower assembly with a blower inlet contained therein and a collection container defining a collection volume, the filter assembly comprising:
 a housing, wherein the housing includes a first connection interface configured to releasably attach to the power head, and a second connection interface configured to releasably attach to the collection container;   a first filter passageway extending between and open to both first connection interface and the second connection interface;   a first filter region positioned within the first passageway between the first connection interface and the second connection interface; and   a filter cleaning mechanism configured to clean the first filter region.