Suction nozzle

Abstract

A vacuum system with a blower, a flexible hose connected to an intake opening and a discharge duct for transporting the materials to a collection zone has a suction nozzle mounted on the outer end of the flexible hose. The nozzle is formed by a cylindrical collar connected to the outer end of the flexible hose, a pick-up tube mounted within the collar so as to define an annular space therebetween and projecting forwardly from the forward end of the collar to an open circular mouth into which material to be picked up can be drawn to enter the pick-up tube to be transported by the hose to the blower for discharge to the collection zone.

1 . A suction nozzle for a vacuum system comprising: 
 a cylindrical collar shaped and arranged for connection of a rearward end of the collar to an end of a flexible hose through which a vacuum can be drawn from a vacuum source, the collar being coaxial to the hose with a forward end of the collar located at or projecting forwardly from the end of the hose;    a pick-up tube mounted within the collar so as to define a space between an inside surface of the collar at the forward end and an outside surface of the pick up tube with the space surrounding the pick-up tube through which air is drawn;    the pick-up tube projecting forwardly from the forward end of the collar and having a forward end of the pick-up tube defining a mouth into which material to be picked up can be drawn to enter the pick-up tube to be transported by the hose to the vacuum source.    
   
   
       2 . The suction nozzle according to  claim 1  wherein the pick-up tube has at least a portion thereof which is coaxial with the collar.  
   
   
       3 . The suction nozzle according to  claim 1  wherein the pick-up tube forms a straight cylindrical member which is coaxial with the collar.  
   
   
       4 . The suction nozzle according to  claim 1  wherein the pick-up tube is coaxial with the collar and both the pick-up tube and the collar are circular in cross-section so that the space is annular.  
   
   
       5 . The suction nozzle according to  claim 1  wherein the pick-up tube extends into the hose.  
   
   
       6 . The suction nozzle according to  claim 1  wherein the collar and the pick-up tube are supported in relative position by a plurality of angularly spaced spacer members.  
   
   
       7 . The suction nozzle according to  claim 1  wherein the space is of constant width around the pick-up tube.  
   
   
       8 . The suction nozzle according to  claim 1  wherein there is provided a handle for manual manipulation of the pick-up tube, the handle being arranged to support and move the pick-up tube, the end of the flexible hose and the collar attached thereto.  
   
   
       9 . The suction nozzle according to  claim 8  wherein the handle is attached to the pick-up tube.  
   
   
       10 . The suction nozzle according to  claim 8  wherein the handle is an elongate member with a grasping portion at an upper end which can be grasped to manoeuvre the pick-up tube, the end of the flexible hose and the collar attached to a lower end thereof over the ground.  
   
   
       11 . The suction nozzle according to  claim 1  wherein the collar rests on the ground.  
   
   
       12 . The suction nozzle according to  claim 1  wherein the mouth is formed at an angle to a radial plane of the axis of the pick-up tube.  
   
   
       13 . The suction nozzle according to  claim 1  wherein the pick-up tube includes a portion projecting forwardly from the collar which has a length which is less than 18 inches and preferably less than 12 inches.  
   
   
       14 . A vacuum system comprising: 
 a blower including a blower housing having an intake opening and a discharge opening with a rotor in the housing for transporting air and materials at the intake opening to the discharge opening;    a flexible hose having an inner end connected to the intake opening and an outer end;    a discharge duct connected to the discharge opening for transporting the materials to a collection zone;    and a suction nozzle mounted on the outer end of the flexible hose comprising: 
 a cylindrical collar connected to the outer end of the flexible hose, the collar being coaxial to the hose with a forward end of the collar located at or projecting forwardly from the end of the hose;  
 a pick-up tube mounted within the collar so as to define a space between an inside surface of the collar at the forward end and an outside surface of the pick up tube with the space surrounding the pick-up tube through which air is drawn;  
 the pick-up tube projecting forwardly from the forward end of the collar and having a forward end of the pick-up tube defining a mouth into which material to be picked up can be drawn to enter the pick-up tube to be transported by the hose to the blower for discharge to the collection zone.  
   
   
   
       15 . The vacuum system according to  claim 14  wherein the pick-up tube forms a straight cylindrical member which is coaxial with the collar.  
   
   
       16 . The vacuum system according to  claim 14  wherein the space is of constant width around the pick-up tube.  
   
   
       17 . The vacuum system according to  claim 14  wherein there is provided a handle for manual manipulation of the pick-up tube, the handle being arranged to support and move the pick-up tube, the end of the flexible hose and the collar attached thereto.  
   
   
       18 . The vacuum system according to  claim 17  wherein the handle is an elongate member with a grasping portion at an upper end which can be grasped to manoeuvre the pick-up tube, the end of the flexible hose and the collar attached to a lower end thereof over the ground with the collar resting on the ground.  
   
   
       19 . The vacuum system according to  claim 14  wherein the mouth is formed at an angle to a radial plane of the axis of the pick-up tube.  
   
   
       20 . The vacuum system according to  claim 14  wherein the pick-up tube includes a portion projecting forwardly from the collar which has a length which is less than 18 inches and preferably less than 12 inches.