Vacuum assisted scraper

Abstract

A vacuum assisted scraper draws air from both in front of and behind the scraper blade to collect dust and debris as the scraper is used. The scraper keeps the work area clean and prevents dust buildup from hindering the use of the scraper.

1 . A scraper comprising:
 a handle;   a scraper head;   an angled metallic blade attached to the scraper head and configured for scraping a surface;   a vacuum port configured for attachment to a vacuum;   at least one conduit, the at least one conduit being fluidly connected to the vacuum port and to openings on both sides of the scraper blade for simultaneously drawing air from both sides of the blade while scraping with the blade to thereby remove debris from both sides of the blade.   
   
   
       2 . (canceled) 
   
   
       3 . The scraper of  claim 1 , further comprising a vacuum shroud disposed around at least a portion of the scraper head, the vacuum shroud extending downwardly from the scraper head. 
   
   
       4 . The scraper of  claim 3 , wherein the vacuum shroud is disposed in front of and behind the blade. 
   
   
       5 . (canceled) 
   
   
       6 . (canceled) 
   
   
       7 . A scraper comprising:
 a handle;   a scraper head;   a blade attached to the scraper head, configured for scraping a surface;   a vacuum shroud disposed around at least a portion of the scraper head, the vacuum shroud extending downwardly from the scraper head and being disposed in front of and behind the blade;   a front airflow passage extending between the front of the blade and the vacuum shroud;   a vacuum port configured for attachment to a vacuum;   at least one conduit, the at least one conduit being fluidly connected to the vacuum port and to openings on both sides of the scraper blade for simultaneously drawing air from both sides of the blade while scraping with the blade to thereby remove debris from both sides of the blade; and   wherein the blade has an angle-shaped cross-section having a first portion and a second portion, the second portion is generally perpendicular to the first portion, and wherein the front airflow passage extends between the first portion of the blade and the scraper head.   
   
   
       8 . The scraper of  claim 1 , wherein the scraper head further comprises a mount for attaching the blade thereto, the mount comprising a removable fastener, and wherein the blade is spaced apart from the scraper head such that air can flow between the blade and the scraper head. 
   
   
       9 . (canceled) 
   
   
       10 . (canceled) 
   
   
       11 . A scraper comprising:
 a scraper head;   an angled metal blade releasably mounted to the scraper head;   a handle, the handle comprising a first end having a socket configured for receiving a vacuum hose, a second end connected to the scraper head, and a conduit fluidly connecting the socket to an opening in the scraper head; and   wherein the scraper head is configured such that air flows simultaneously from both in front of the blade and behind the blade while scraping with the blade, through the opening, and through the conduit when the socket is connected to a vacuum source.   
   
   
       12 . The scraper of  claim 11 , wherein the scraper head is mounted at an angle of about 20 degrees from parallel relative to the handle. 
   
   
       13 . The scraper of  claim 12 , further comprising a vacuum shroud disposed generally around the blade. 
   
   
       14 . (canceled) 
   
   
       15 . The scraper of  claim 13 , further comprising openings disposed in the vacuum shroud. 
   
   
       16 . The scraper of  claim 15 , wherein the openings are disposed adjacent opposing ends of the blade. 
   
   
       17 . The scraper of  claim 13 , wherein the blade has a front and a top when attached to the shroud and further defining an airflow passage disposed between the front of the blade and the vacuum shroud and between the top of the blade and the vacuum shroud. 
   
   
       18 . (canceled) 
   
   
       19 . (canceled) 
   
   
       20 . A scraper comprising:
 a handle having a first end and a second end, the first end comprising a socket for receiving a vacuum hose;   a scraper head having a first end and a second end, the first end of the scraper head being attached to the second end of the handle;   a generally L-shaped blade attached to the scraper head between the first end and second end of the scraper head such that the first end of the scraper head is disposed on a first side of the blade and the second end of the scraper head is disposed on the second side of the blade;   wherein the handle comprises a conduit connecting the socket to the first end of the scraper head so as to draw air from around the first side of the blade and along a back of the blade; and   further comprising an airflow passage in the scraper head in fluid connection with the socket and conduit to thereby draw air from in front of the blade such that air is simultaneously from in front and behind the blade while the scraper is in use.   
   
   
       21 . The scraper of  claim 20 , further comprising a vacuum shroud disposed in front of and behind the blade. 
   
   
       22 . The scraper of  claim 21 , wherein the airflow passage extends between the blade and the vacuum shroud in front of the blade. 
   
   
       23 . The scraper of  claim 22 , wherein the blade forms a portion of the airflow passage. 
   
   
       24 . The scraper of  claim 1 , wherein the blade is formed from metal. 
   
   
       25 . The scraper of  claim 1 , wherein the blade is generally L-shaped. 
   
   
       26 . The scraper of  claim 7 , wherein the blade is generally L-shaped. 
   
   
       27 . The scraper of  claim 7 , wherein the front airflow passage extends between the second portion of the blade and the scraper head. 
   
   
       28 . The scraper of  claim 7 , wherein the blade is reversible to selectively expose the first portion or the second portion for use for scraping a surface.