Tip resistant wet/dry vacuum

Abstract

The present invention provides a wet/dry vacuum cleaner, or a kit for modifying an existing wet/dry vacuum, that includes a hose that is connected to a lower portion of the vacuum such that a pulling force applied to the hose will be applied to the lower portion of the vacuum, thereby preventing the vacuum from tipping over as the unit is pulled around an area using the hose.

1 . A tip resistant wet/dry vacuum, comprising: 
 a housing having an upper portion containing a motor assembly for creating a suction force within the housing, and a lower portion having a collection tank adapted to retain fluid and/or debris therein, the lower portion including a top end, a bottom end, and a sidewall extending therebetween;    at least one caster mated to the lower portion of the housing to allow rolling movement of the housing; and    a hose having at least a portion coupled to the sidewall adjacent to the bottom end of the lower portion of the housing such that a pulling force applied to the hose will be transferred to the bottom end of the lower portion of the housing to prevent tipping of the housing, the hose further including an outlet adapted to deposit fluid and/or debris adjacent to the top end of the lower portion of the housing wherein the fluid and/or debris is collected in the collection tank.    
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the outlet of the hose is coupled to a port formed in the sidewall adjacent to the top end of the lower portion of the housing, the port being in communication with the collection tank, and wherein a portion of the hose is connected to the sidewall adjacent to the bottom end of the lower portion of the housing.  
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 2 , further comprising a mating element for mating a portion of the hose to the sidewall adjacent to the bottom end of the lower portion of the housing.  
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein the mating element is removably matable to the sidewall of the housing.  
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein the mating element is selected from the group consisting of a clip, a cord, a bracket, a strap, a tab, and a fastener.  
   
   
       6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the outlet of the hose is coupled to a port formed in the sidewall adjacent the bottom end of the lower portion of the housing.  
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 6 , further comprising an extension hose disposed within the lower portion of the housing and including a first end coupled to the port and a second end disposed adjacent the top end of the lower portion of the housing for delivering fluid and/or debris to the collection tank.  
   
   
       8 . The device of  claim 7 , further comprising a mating element adapted to mate the second end of the extension hose to an internal surface of the sidewall adjacent the top end of the lower portion of the housing.  
   
   
       9 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the mating element is selected from the group consisting of an L-shaped connector, a clip, a bracket, a cord, a strap, a tab, and a fastener.  
   
   
       10 . A kit for creating a tip-resistant wet/dry vacuum, comprising: 
 a connector member having a first end adapted to mate to a hose on a wet/dry vacuum, and a second end adapted to mate to an extension hose, the connector member being configured to be disposed within an opening formed in a sidewall of a wet/dry vacuum;    an extension hose having a first end adapted to mate to the second end of the connector member, and a second, open end for delivering fluid and/or debris to a collection chamber formed in a wet/dry vacuum; and    a mating element adapted to mate a portion of the second end of the extension hose to an inner sidewall of a housing in a wet/dry vacuum to allow fluid and/or debris to be delivered to the collection chamber in the wet/dry vacuum.    
   
   
       11 . The kit of  claim 10 , wherein the mating element is selected from the group consisting of an L-shaped connector, a clip, a bracket, a cord, a strap, a tab, and a fastener.  
   
   
       12 . The kit of  claim 10 , further comprising a sealing member adapted to seal an existing inlet port on a wet/dry vacuum.  
   
   
       13 . The kit of  claim 12 , wherein the sealing member comprises a cap.