Vacuum conduit attachment tools

Abstract

A vacuum attachment tool includes a hollow body extending from a first end to a second end, and a conduit connector disposed at the second end of the hollow body. The hollow body defines a flow path. The conduit connector includes an inner collar having an inner diameter sized to receive a first vacuum conduit having a first diameter. The conduit connector also includes an outer collar having an inner diameter sized to receive a second vacuum conduit having a second diameter greater than the first diameter. The outer collar includes a first tab that includes a plurality of teeth operable to engage a locking mechanism of the first vacuum conduit and the second vacuum conduit. The outer collar is integrally formed with the inner collar.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A vacuum attachment tool comprising:
 a hollow body extending from a first end to a second end and defining a flow path; and   a conduit connector disposed at the second end of the hollow body, wherein the conduit connector comprises:
 an inner collar having an inner diameter sized to receive a first vacuum conduit having a first diameter; and 
 an outer collar having an inner diameter sized to receive a second vacuum conduit having a second diameter greater than the first diameter, the outer collar comprising a first tab comprising a plurality of teeth operable to engage a locking mechanism of the first vacuum conduit and the second vacuum conduit, wherein the outer collar is integrally formed with the inner collar. 
   
     
     
         2 . The vacuum attachment tool of  claim 1 , wherein the first tab is configured to deflect radially inward and outward to enable engagement and disengagement of the locking mechanism of the first vacuum conduit and the second vacuum conduit. 
     
     
         3 . The vacuum attachment tool of  claim 1 , wherein the first tab is configured to deflect radially inward and outward to form a friction-fit interface with a third vacuum conduit having a third diameter greater than the second diameter. 
     
     
         4 . The vacuum attachment tool of  claim 1 , wherein the outer collar includes a second tab positioned diametrically opposite the first tab. 
     
     
         5 . The vacuum attachment tool of  claim 1 , wherein the inner collar comprises an inner surface and the outer collar comprises an inner surface, and wherein at least one of the inner surface of the inner collar and the inner surface of the outer collar comprises a radially tapered section. 
     
     
         6 . The vacuum attachment tool of  claim 5 , wherein the radially tapered section comprises a plurality of tapered portions and at least one taper transition portion. 
     
     
         7 . The vacuum attachment tool of  claim 6 , wherein each of the plurality of tapered portions includes a taper angle of between  0  degrees and  10  degrees, wherein each of the plurality of tapered portions has a different taper angle. 
     
     
         8 . The vacuum attachment tool of  claim 7 , wherein the radially tapered section facilitates reception of vacuum conduits having an outer diameter of approximately 2 ½″. 
     
     
         9 . The vacuum attachment tool of  claim 1 , wherein each collar extends from a first end to a free end and wherein the free end of the outer collar extends past the free end of the inner collar. 
     
     
         10 . The vacuum attachment tool of  claim 1 , wherein each collar extends from a first end to a free end and wherein the free end of the inner collar extends past the free end of the outer collar. 
     
     
         11 . The vacuum attachment tool of  claim 1 , wherein the inner collar and outer collar are concentrically aligned with one another. 
     
     
         12 . The vacuum attachment tool of  claim 1 , wherein the vacuum attachment tool is constructed from rigid plastic. 
     
     
         13 . The vacuum attachment tool of  claim 1 , wherein the vacuum attachment tool is constructed from flexible rubber. 
     
     
         14 . The attachment tool of  claim 1 , wherein the attachment tool comprises one of a crevice tool, a dusting brush, a car nozzle, a floor brush, a floor tool, a utility nozzle, or a triangular dusting brush. 
     
     
         15 . The attachment tool of  claim 1 , wherein a radial gap is defined between the first tab and the inner collar, wherein a size of the radial gap decreases as the first tab extends towards the second end of the hollow body.