Vacuum Attachment

Abstract

A vacuum attachment comprising a housing and a brush rotatably disposed in the housing. A suction chamber is disposed within the housing. The suction chamber comprises an inlet port disposed adjacent to an outer edge of the brush, a venturi and a contacting surface that contacts the outer edge of the brush. The housing is configured to retain a modular drive system.

1 . A vacuum attachment apparatus comprising:
 an apparatus housing to rotatably supporting a brush;   a suction chamber disposed adjacent to an outer edge of the brush rotatably disposed in the apparatus housing;   an impeller housing forming an impeller chamber;   at least one venturi disposed between the suction chamber and the impeller chamber; and   a drive system removably disposed in the housing and driven by the impeller to rotate the brush.   
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the impeller housing is disposed within the apparatus housing. 
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the impeller housing is in fluid communication with the suction chamber. 
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the impeller housing is configured for passing particulates therethrough. 
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the at least one venture includes an upstream venturi disposed in suction chamber adjacent to the drive system. 
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the drive system rotates the brush relative to the housing. 
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 6  wherein the drive system is at least partially rotated by airflow through the suction chamber. 
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 7  wherein the drive system is at least partially enhanced by airflow through the upstream venturi. 
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the at least one venturi includes a downstream venturi located downstream of the modular drive system. 
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 9  wherein the upstream venturi communicates with a nozzle in the impeller housing. 
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the impeller housing includes a channel from the at least one venture to an outlet in the impeller housing. 
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 11  further including another venture at the outlet. 
   
   
       13 . A vacuum attachment apparatus comprising:
 a brush rotatably disposed in a housing, wherein a portion of the brush contacts the housing;   a suction chamber disposed within the housing and comprising an inlet port disposed adjacent to an outer edge of the brush, and a venturi disposed adjacent to the outlet; and   a drive system disposed within the housing and coupled to the brush, wherein the drive system rotates the brush relative to the housing.   
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 13  wherein the venturi is disposed adjacent to the drive system, such that the drive system is at least partially rotated by airflow. 
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 13  wherein the drive system comprises an impeller coupled to the brush by a transmission, wherein the impeller is rotated by airflow through the venturi. 
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 15  wherein airflow through the venturi is generated by a vacuum cleaner coupled to the vacuum attachment apparatus. 
   
   
       17 . A method for constructing a vacuum attachment comprising:
 forming a housing having a suction chamber comprising a venturi disposed therein;   rotatably coupling a brush in the housing so that an outer edge of the brush is disposed adjacent to an inlet port into the suction chamber; and   disposing a drive system within the housing, wherein the drive system rotates the brush relative to the housing at least partially by airflow.   
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the drive system comprises an impeller coupled to the brush by a transmission, wherein the impeller is rotated by airflow through the suction chamber.