Attachment for air blower

Abstract

An attachment for an air blower that enables a nozzle portion to be configured at various angles is provided. The attachment includes a rigid, elongated cylindrical portion having a first end and a second end, the rigid, elongated cylindrical portion having a longitudinal axis running therethrough; a connector portion disposed at the first end and configured to couple the cylindrical portion to an airflow outlet of an air blower; a nozzle portion disposed at the second end of the cylindrical portion, the nozzle portion configured to direct airflow out of the cylindrical portion; and an actuating member coupled to the nozzle portion, the actuating portion configured to adjust the nozzle portion at various angles relative to the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical portion.

1 . An attachment for an air blower comprising:
 a rigid, elongated cylindrical portion having a first end and a second end, the rigid, elongated cylindrical portion having a longitudinal axis running therethrough;   a connector portion disposed at the first end and configured to couple the cylindrical portion to an airflow outlet of an air blower;   a handle coupled near the first end of the cylindrical portion, the handle configured to enable a user to maneuver the attachment;   a nozzle portion disposed at the second end of the cylindrical portion, the nozzle portion configured to direct airflow out of the cylindrical portion; and   an actuating cylindrical sleeve member rotatably retained on the second end of the cylindrical portion and coupled to the nozzle portion, wherein an outer surface of the actuating cylindrical sleeve member includes a gripping surface, wherein the actuating portion cylindrical sleeve member is configured to adjust the nozzle portion at various angles relative to the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical portion when the actuating cylindrical sleeve member is rotated about the second end of the cylindrical portion, and wherein the gripping surface of the actuating cylindrical sleeve member enables the user to rotate the actuating cylindrical sleeve member about the second end of the cylindrical portion to adjust the nozzle portion at various angles relative to the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical portion;   wherein the actuating cylindrical sleeve member is rotatably retained on the second end of the cylindrical portion by a retaining mechanism, the retaining mechanism comprising a tongue portion on one end of the actuating cylindrical sleeve member and a complementary groove portion formed in the cylindrical portion, and wherein the tongue portion is configured to slide in the complementary groove portion when the cylindrical sleeve member is rotated about the second end of the cylindrical portion.   
     
     
         2 . The attachment for an air blower of  claim 1 , wherein the actuating member is a cylindrical sleeve disposed at the second end of the cylindrical portion, the cylindrical sleeve configured to adjust the nozzle portion when twisted about the cylindrical portion. 
     
     
         3 . The attachment for an air blower of  claim 2 , wherein the cylindrical portion further includes an angled channel disposed at the second end adjacent the nozzle portion to enable the nozzle portion to be adjusted relative to the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical portion. 
     
     
         4 . The attachment for an air blower of  claim 2 , wherein the cylindrical sleeve is further coupled to the second end of the cylindrical portion by a retaining mechanism. 
     
     
         5 . The attachment for an air blower of  claim 4 , wherein the retaining mechanism is a tongue and groove arrangement configured to retain the cylindrical sleeve on the cylindrical portion while being twisted. 
     
     
         6 . The attachment for an air blower of  claim 4 , wherein the retaining mechanism includes at least one stop to limit the movement of the cylindrical sleeve to limit the angle of the nozzle portion to be within a predetermined range. 
     
     
         7 . The attachment for an air blower of  claim 6 , wherein the predetermined range of the angle of the nozzle portion is about  0  degrees to about  90  degrees. 
     
     
         8 - 18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . The attachment for an air blower of  claim 3 , wherein the cylindrical portion, nozzle portion and angled channel are integrally formed from a single material. 
     
     
         20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . The attachment of  claim 1 , wherein the retaining mechanism further comprises at least one detent configured to provide tactile feedback to the user. 
     
     
         22 . A backpack-type air blower assembly comprising:
 a backpack air blower including a motor and fan configured for generating high pressure airflow, the motor and fan disposed in a portable housing having an airflow outlet, the backpack air blower further including at least one strap configured to enable a user to carry the portable housing on the back of the user;   a flexible tube member coupled to the airflow outlet;   a rigid, elongated cylindrical portion having a first end and a second end, the rigid, elongated cylindrical portion having a longitudinal axis running therethrough and a connector portion disposed at the first end configured to couple the cylindrical portion to the flexible tube member;   a handle coupled near the first end of the cylindrical portion, the handle configured to enable a user to maneuver the cylindrical portion;   a nozzle portion configured to direct the airflow out of the cylindrical portion, the nozzle portion being coupled to the second end of the cylindrical portion by an angled channel to enable an angle of the nozzle portion to be adjusted relative to the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical portion; and   an actuating sleeve member concentrically disposed on the second end of the cylindrical portion and coupled to the nozzle portion, the actuating sleeve member configured to adjust the nozzle portion at various angles relative to the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical portion when twisted about the cylindrical portion.   
     
     
         23 . An attachment for an air blower comprising:
 an elongated cylindrical portion having a first end and a second end, the elongated cylindrical portion having a longitudinal axis running therethrough;   a connector portion disposed at the first end and configured to couple the cylindrical portion to an airflow outlet of an air blower;   a nozzle portion integrally formed with the elongated cylindrical portion and disposed at the second end of the cylindrical portion, the nozzle portion configured to direct airflow out of the cylindrical portion;   an angled channel integrally formed with the elongated cylindrical portion and disposed at the second end of the cylindrical portion adjacent to the nozzle portion, the angled channel configured to enable an angle of the nozzle portion to be adjusted relative to the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical portion; and   an actuating cylindrical sleeve member rotatably retained on the second end of the cylindrical portion and coupled to the nozzle portion, wherein the actuating cylindrical sleeve member is configured to flex the nozzle portion about the angled channel when the actuating cylindrical sleeve member is rotated about the second end of the cylindrical portion;   wherein the actuating cylindrical sleeve member flexes the nozzle portion to adjust the nozzle portion at various angles relative to the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical portion.