Tool operated switch for vacuums

Abstract

A vacuum control system allows the vacuum to be turned on and off automatically based on the operation of an associated power tool. The vacuum is able to run at full power without sacrificing power to the power tool itself. Additionally, a pneumatic power tool may be used to control the operation of the vacuum.

1 . A vacuum comprising:
 a portable vacuum having a motor and a power cord;   a socket for providing power to a power tool other than the vacuum;   a sensor for sensing the operation of the power tool; and   a control module for receiving a signal from the sensor and for selective providing a signal to the relay to thereby switch the motor on and off.   
   
   
       2 . The vacuum of  claim 1 , wherein the control module is configured for switching the motor on when the power tool is turned on, for leaving the motor on if the power tool is turned off after a period of time less than a specified period of time, and for switching the motor off if the power tool is turned off after operating for more than the specified period of time. 
   
   
       3 . The vacuum of  claim 2 , wherein the control module is configured for switching off the motor when the power tool is turned off if the motor was on before the power tool was switched on. 
   
   
       4 . The vacuum of  claim 1 , further comprising a port for receiving a signal from a remote switch to thereby control the operation of the motor. 
   
   
       5 . A system comprising the vacuum of  claim 1 , wherein the vacuum comprises first communications means for communicating remotely with a remote switch; and wherein the system further comprises a remote switch separate from the vacuum, the remote switch comprising:
 a connection which is connectable to a source of power for a power tool;   a connection which is connectable to a power tool to thereby provide power to the power tool;   a sensor for sensing when the power tool is operating; and   second communications means for communicating with the vacuum such that the operation of the power tool controls the operation of the vacuum motor.   
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the first communications means comprises an electrical connector, and wherein the second communications means comprises a cable for connection to the electrical connector. 
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the first communications means comprises a wireless receiver, and wherein the second communications means comprises a wireless transmitter for communication with the wireless receiver. 
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the connection which is connectable to a source of power is a power cord. 
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the connection which is connectable to a source of power is an air hose. 
   
   
       10 . A vacuum system for use with a power tool comprising:
 a vacuum, the vacuum comprising a vacuum motor and a hose for connecting the vacuum to a power tool;   a control module for controlling the operation of the vacuum motor; and   a signal receiving device for communicating with a remote switch;   a remote switch separate from the vacuum comprising:
 a connector which is connectable to a source of power suitable for powering a power tool; 
 a connector which is connectable to a power tool so as to provide said source of power to the power tool to thereby operate the power tool; 
 a sensor for sensing the operation of the power tool; and 
 a signal transmitting device for communicating with the control module; and 
   wherein the control module operates the vacuum motor according to the operation of the power tool.   
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the control module operates the vacuum motor to turn the vacuum motor on when the power tool is turned on and to turn the vacuum motor off when the power tool is turned off. 
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the control module operates the vacuum motor to turn the vacuum motor on when the power tool is turned on, keep the vacuum motor on when the power tool is turned off if the power tool was operated for less than a predetermined period of time; and turn the vacuum motor off when the power tool is turned off if the power tool was operated for more than a predetermined period of time. 
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the control module further operates the vacuum motor to turn the motor off when the power tool is turned off if the vacuum motor was turned on before the power tool was turned on. 
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the signal receiving device comprises an electrical socket and the signal transmitting device comprises an electrical cable. 
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the signal receiving device comprises a wireless receiver and the signal transmitting device comprises a wireless transmitter. 
   
   
       16 . A method for controlling a vacuum comprising:
 selecting a vacuum having a vacuum motor and a hose;   selecting a control module for receiving a signal indicating the operation of a power tool and for controlling the operation of the vacuum motor in accordance to the operation of the power tool;   selecting a power tool;   using the vacuum in concert with the power tool to perform a task; and   operating the vacuum so that the vacuum is turned on and off according to the operation of the power tool.   
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the method comprises selecting a remote switch separate from the vacuum, the remote switch comprising a connector connectable to a power source for the power tool, a connector connectable to the power tool to thereby power the tool, and a signal transmitting device for transmitting a signal to the control module;
 connecting the vacuum to an electrical outlet;   connecting the remote switch to a power source separate from the electrical outlet;   connecting the power tool to the remote switch;   the remote switch sensing the operation of the power tool; and   the remote switch transmitting a signal to the control module to indicate the operation of the power tool; and   the control module operating the vacuum motor according to the operation of the power tool.   
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the power tool is electric, and wherein the remote switch is connected to an electrical outlet which is different than the outlet to which the vacuum is connected to thereby power the power tool. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the power tool is pneumatic, and wherein the remote switch is connected to a source of compressed gas. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the step of operating the vacuum comprises, more specifically, the control module operating the vacuum motor to turn the vacuum motor on when the power tool is turned on, keep the vacuum motor on when the power tool is turned off if the power tool was operated for less than a predetermined period of time; and turn the vacuum motor off when the power tool is turned off if the power tool was operated for more than a predetermined period of time. 
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the control module operates the vacuum motor to turn the vacuum motor off when the power tool is turned off if the vacuum motor was on before the power tool was turned on.