Vacuum system attachment for cleaning household items

Abstract

One embodiment of a vacuum system attachment ( 8 ) for cleaning lint filters ( 9 ) and other household items, such as furnace filters, dust pans, window screens, mops, brooms, shoe soles, and ash trays formed in accordance with the present invention includes a hollow insertion member ( 10 ) having a insertion opening ( 11 ). An elongated, hollow nozzle member ( 12 ) adjoins the insertion member ( 10 ). The nozzle member ( 12 ) further defines a tip end ( 14 ) having a tip opening ( 16 ). The hollow insertion member ( 10 ) is joined with the elongated, hollow nozzle member ( 12 ) to cooperatively form a vacuum system attachment ( 8 ). The insertion member ( 10 ) is then inserted into a vacuum system outlet ( 13 ), and a lint filter ( 9 ) is passed over the tip end ( 14 ) to draw the lint or dirt into the nozzle ( 12 ) and then into the vacuum system ( 5 ).

1 . A vacuum system attachment for cleaning lint filters and other household items, such as furnace filters, dust pans, window screens, mops, brooms, shoe soles, and ash trays, the attachment comprising: 
 a. a hollow insertion member having an insertion opening;    b. an elongated, hollow nozzle member adjoining the insertion member;    c. said elongated, hollow nozzle member defining a tip end portion and a tip opening;    d. wherein the hollow insertion member is engageable with the nozzle member to cooperatively form a vacuum system attachment, the insertion member is connectable to a vacuum source, and a lint filter or other household item is passable over the tip end of the nozzle to draw the lint, dirt, or debris into the nozzle and then into the vacuum system.    
     
     
         2 . The attachment of  claim 1 , wherein the insertion member is round.  
     
     
         3 . The attachment of  claim 1 , wherein the tip end portion of the elongated, hollow nozzle member is flattened.  
     
     
         4 . The attachment of  claim 1 , wherein the nozzle member is round in cross section.  
     
     
         5 . The attachment of  claim 1 , wherein the tip end portion is formed from a perpendicular edge of the nozzle member.  
     
     
         6 . The attachment of  claim 1 , wherein the insertion member and the nozzle member are integrated into a singular unit.  
     
     
         7 . The attachment of  claim 1 , further comprising an electrically conducting ring engaged over the insertion member.  
     
     
         8 . The attachment of  claim 1 , wherein the insertion member is defined by more than one component.  
     
     
         9 . The attachment of  claim 1 , wherein the nozzle member is defined by more than one component.  
     
     
         10 . The attachment of  claim 1 , further comprising a length of flexible hose interposed between the insertion member and nozzle.  
     
     
         11 . A method of removing lint from a lint filter and other household items, such as furnace filters, dust pans, window screens, mops, brooms, shoe soles, and ash trays, the method comprising the steps of: 
 a. providing a vacuum system attachment, said attachment comprising: 
 i. a hollow insertion member having a insertion opening;  
 ii. an elongated, hollow nozzle member, said elongated, hollow nozzle member defining a tip end and a tip opening;  
   b. mating the hollow insertion member with the nozzle member to cooperatively form a vacuum system attachment,    c. inserting the insertion member into a vacuum system outlet; and    d. passing a lint filter or other household item over the tip end to draw the lint, dirt, or debris into the nozzle and then into the vacuum system.    
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising providing a vacuum system attachment wherein the insertion member is round.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising providing a vacuum system attachment wherein the elongated, hollow nozzle member is flattened.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising providing a vacuum system attachment wherein the nozzle member is round.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising providing a vacuum system attachment wherein the tip end is formed from a perpendicular edge of the nozzle member.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising providing a vacuum system attachment wherein the tip end is formed from an edge of the nozzle member that is at an angle relative to the length of the nozzle member.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising providing a vacuum system attachment where the insertion member and the nozzle member are of unitary construction.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the insertion member is defined by more than one component.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the nozzle member is defined by more than one component.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising providing a flexible hose between the insertion member and the nozzle member to cooperatively form a vacuum system attachment.