Wet/dry vacuum

Abstract

A wet/dry vacuum is disclosed. The wet/dry vacuum preferably includes a base, a handle coupled with the base, a lid coupled with the handle, and a container that is removable from the base. In operation, the container is placed on the base. As the handle is rotated towards the rear of the base, the handle secures the container to the base by lowering the lid onto the container.

1 . A wet/dry vacuum comprising: 
 a base having an upper and a lower portion;    a handle pivotably mounted to said upper portion of said base, said handle being moveable between a first and second position;    a lid incorporating a vacuum motor housing, said lid being attached to said handle so that said lid moves to a first lid position when said handle is in said first position and to a second lid position when said handle is in said second position; and    a container detachably mounted to said base, wherein said container is removeable when said handle is in said first position and is secured when said handle is in said second position.    
   
   
       2 . The wet/dry vacuum according to  claim 1 , wherein said container is a conventional five gallon construction bucket.  
   
   
       3 . The wet/dry vacuum according to  claim 2 , wherein said container is manufactured from PVC.  
   
   
       4 . The wet/dry vacuum according to  claim 1 , wherein said handle is an overmold handle.  
   
   
       5 . The wet/dry vacuum according to  claim 1  wherein a seal is coupled with an outer perimeter of said lid.  
   
   
       6 . The wet/dry vacuum according to  claim 5 , wherein said seal is manufactured from foam rubber.  
   
   
       7 . The wet/dry vacuum according to  claim 1 , wherein said lid further comprises a tapered truncated cone with an exterior surface capable of forming a seal with said container.  
   
   
       8 . The wet/dry vacuum according to  claim 1 , wherein said lid further comprises a tapered truncated cone with an interior surface capable of forming a seal with said container.  
   
   
       9 . The wet/dry vacuum according to  claim 1 , wherein a secondary locking mechanism is coupled with said lid to secure said lid with said container.  
   
   
       10 . The wet/dry vacuum according to  claim 1 , wherein said vacuum unit comprises a motor and a hose coupled with said motor.  
   
   
       11 . The wet/dry vacuum according to  claim 1 , wherein a pivot is utilized to couple said lid to said handle.  
   
   
       12 . A method of operating a wet/dry vacuum, the method comprising: 
 (a) providing a vacuum unit, said vacuum unit comprising a base, a pivotable handle coupled with said base, and a lid coupled with said handle, wherein said lid houses a vacuum motor;    (b) inserting a container onto said base; and    (c) rotating said handle towards the rear of said unit, wherein the rotation of said handle lowers and secures said lid to said container.    
   
   
       13 . The method according to  claim 12 , wherein said container is a conventional five gallon construction bucket.  
   
   
       14 . The method according to  claim 13 , wherein said container is manufactured from PVC.  
   
   
       15 . A wet/dry vacuum comprising: 
 a base having an upper and a lower portion;    a handle mounted to said upper portion of said base; and    a bucket releasably attached to said base.    
   
   
       16 . The wet/dry vacuum according to  claim 15 , wherein said bucket is a construction site bucket.  
   
   
       17 . The wet/dry vacuum according to  claim 15 , further comprising a lid attached to said handle, said lid having a seal and incorporating a vacuum motor housing.  
   
   
       18 . The wet/dry vacuum according to  claim 17 , wherein said lid further comprises a tapered truncated cone with an interior capable of forming a seal with said container.  
   
   
       19 . The wet/dry vacuum according to  claim 17 , wherein said lid further comprises a tapered truncated cone with an exterior capable of forming a seal with said container.  
   
   
       20 . The wet/dry vacuum according to  claim 17 , wherein a secondary locking mechanism is coupled with said lid to secure said lid with said bucket.