Vacuum attachment for blinds

Abstract

A novel vacuum attachment for vacuuming planar elements of varying widths is provided. The attachment comprises a hollow member having a first end adapted for attachment to a vacuum cleaner hose and a second end having one or more elongate apertures formed therein and adapted for receiving a planar element. Each elongate aperture comprising a pair of parallel arms having a hollow interior with opposing and facing openings, each opening being in communication with the elongate aperture and with the first end. The aperture is sufficiently long to accept a relatively wide planar element. The attachment further comprises adjustment means for selectively adjusting the effective length of the aperture which enables the attachment to accommodate planar elements of varying widths. In a preferred embodiment, the length adjustment means comprises a sliding member slidably positioned over the second end for selectively blocking a longitudinal portion of the aperture.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is being claimed are defined as follows:  
     
         1 . An attachment for a vacuum cleaner hose comprising: 
 a hollow member having a first end adapted for attachment to, and communication with, a vacuum cleaner hose and a second end having one or more elongate apertures formed therein and each adapted for receiving a planar element having a width equal to or shorter than the elongate aperture, each elongate aperture comprising a pair of parallel arms having a hollow interior with opposing and facing openings, each facing opening being in communication with the elongate aperture and with the first end; and    adjustment means for selectively blocking at least a longitudinal portion of the elongate aperture for adjusting an effective length of the elongate aperture wherein the elongate aperture is adapted to accommodate planar elements of varying widths.    
     
     
         2 . The attachment of  claim 1  wherein the adjustment means further comprises a sliding member movable along the parallel arms and over at least a longitudinal portion of the elongate aperture.  
     
     
         3 . The attachment of  claim 2  wherein the sliding member comprises a collar slidable over the arms.  
     
     
         4 . The attachment of  claim 2  wherein the sliding member further comprises a pair of opposing bumps projecting into the aperture.  
     
     
         5 . The attachment of  claim 2  further comprising preset means for retaining the sliding member at any of a number of preset elongate aperture blocking positions.  
     
     
         6 . The attachment of  claim 2  wherein the planar elements are blinds.  
     
     
         7 . The attachment of  claim 1  wherein the hollow interior of the arms is profiled so as to create opposing venturi chambers along the opposing openings when the planar element is inserted into the aperture.  
     
     
         8 . The attachment of  claim 4  wherein the sliding member comprises a collar slidable over the arms.  
     
     
         9 . The attachment of  claim 8  further comprising a plurality of transverse notches formed along the arms and the collar has a complementary protrusion for engaging a notch as the collar is positioned along the arms.  
     
     
         10 . The attachment of  claim 1  comprising one pair of parallel arms for forming one elongate aperture adapted for receiving a planar element.  
     
     
         11 . The attachment of  claim 1  comprising three parallel arms forming two pairs of parallel arms for forming two elongate apertures each adapted for receiving a planar element.  
     
     
         12 . An attachment for a vacuum cleaner hose comprising: 
 a hollow member having a first end adapted for attachment to, and communication with, a vacuum cleaner hose and a second end having a plurality of arms, a plurality of apertures having opposing facing openings for simultaneously accepting a plurality of planar elements therein; and    adjustment means for selectively blocking at least a longitudinal portion of the elongate apertures for adjusting a effective length of the elongate apertures wherein the elongate aperture is adapted to accommodate planar elements of varying widths.    
     
     
         13 . The attachment of  claim 12  wherein the adjustment means further comprises a sliding member movable along the plurality of arms and over at least a longitudinal portion of the elongate apertures.  
     
     
         14 . The attachment of  claim 13  wherein the sliding member comprises a collar slidable over the arms.  
     
     
         15 . The attachment of  claim 13  wherein the sliding member further comprises a pair of opposing bumps projecting into each aperture.  
     
     
         16 . The attachment of  claim 13  wherein the sliding member comprises a collar slidable over the arms.  
     
     
         17 . The attachment of  claim 16  further comprising a plurality of transverse notches formed along the arms and the collar has a complementary protrusion for engaging a notch as the collar is positioned-along the arms.  
     
     
         18 . A method of cleaning planar elements comprising: 
 providing a vacuum attachment having a hollow member with a first end adapted for attachment to, and communication with, a vacuum cleaner hose and a second, bifurcate end having opposing, facing openings forming an elongate aperture for accepting a planar element therein, and adjustment means for selectively adjusting an effective length of the aperture so as to accommodate planar elements of varying widths;    moving the vacuum attachment along the surface of the planar element; and    drawing air through the effective length of the aperture over the planar element so as to duct dirt into the vacuum.    
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18  further comprising; 
 positioning adjustment means along the bifurcate end, and over at least a longitudinal portion of the elongate aperture for adapting to the width of the planar element.