Ash vacuum and separator with filter cleaning device

Abstract

A vacuum system includes a filter cleaning mechanism which allows the filter to be cleaned without removal from the vacuum. This mechanism can include a carrying handle which is biased against the lid by a spring. The handle may be released from a vertical position, causing the handle to forcefully strike the lid and dislodge debris from the filter. The vacuum may include a spark arrestor disposed around the filter. The spark arrestor encloses the filter and surrounds the filter sides with a metal screen. The spark arrestor has holes formed in the bottom around the outer perimeter of the filter so that debris which is dislodged from the filter falls through the holes and into the vacuum canister.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A vacuum comprising:
 a cylindrical canister for receiving and holding debris, the canister having enclosed bottom and sides and having an opening on a top thereof;   a lid attached to the top of the canister, the lid being disposed to cover the opening and close the canister;   a rigid cylindrical filter attached to a bottom of the lid such that the filter is disposed inside of the canister;   an inlet port which receives a vacuum hose to allow debris to be collected in the canister;   a vacuum motor attached to the lid, the vacuum motor drawing air into the canister through the inlet port and drawing the air through the filter and out of the canister;   a striking lever pivotably attached to the lid; and   a spring attached to the striking lever and to the lid, the spring biasing the striking lever against the lid such that a user may release the striking lever from a vertical position to cause the striking lever to forcefully strike the lid and thereby dislodge debris from the filter and deposit the debris in the canister.   
     
     
         2 . The vacuum of  claim 1 , wherein the striking lever is a vacuum carrying handle. 
     
     
         3 . The vacuum of  claim 2 , wherein the carrying handle is movable between a generally horizontal storage position wherein the carrying handle rests against the lid and a generally vertical carrying position whereby a user may carry the vacuum with the carrying handle, and wherein releasing the carrying handle from the carrying position causes the carrying handle to forcefully strike the lid. 
     
     
         4 . The vacuum of  claim 1 , further comprising a debris guard mounted to the bottom of the lid such that the debris guard encloses the filter. 
     
     
         5 . The vacuum of  claim 4 , wherein the debris guard is generally cylindrical and has bottom plate and a cylindrical side wall, wherein the side wall comprises a screen, the screen being disposed laterally around sides of the filter, and wherein the bottom plate has holes formed therein beneath a lateral perimeter of the filter, the holes allowing debris to fall from the filter and exit the spark arrestor. 
     
     
         6 . The vacuum of  claim 1 , further comprising a vacuum hose attached to the inlet port. 
     
     
         7 . A vacuum comprising:
 a canister for receiving and holding debris, the canister having an opening on a top thereof;   a lid attached to the top of the canister;   a filter attached to a bottom of the lid such that the filter is disposed inside of the canister;   an inlet port which allows debris to be collected in the canister;   an exhaust port which allows air to exit the canister;   a striking lever pivotably attached to the lid; and   a spring attached to the striking lever and to the lid, the spring biasing the striking lever towards the lid such that a user may release the striking lever from an elevated position to cause the striking lever to forcefully strike the lid and thereby dislodge debris from the filter and deposit the debris in the canister.   
     
     
         8 . The vacuum of  claim 7 , wherein the filter is rigid. 
     
     
         9 . The vacuum of  claim 7 , further comprising a vacuum motor attached to the lid, the vacuum motor moving air into the canister through the inlet port, through the filter, and out of the canister through the exhaust port. 
     
     
         10 . The vacuum of  claim 7 , wherein the striking lever is a vacuum carrying handle. 
     
     
         11 . The vacuum of  claim 10 , wherein the carrying handle is movable between a generally horizontal storage position wherein the carrying handle rests against the lid and a generally vertical carrying position whereby a user may carry the vacuum with the carrying handle, and wherein releasing the carrying handle from the carrying position causes the carrying handle to forcefully strike the lid. 
     
     
         12 . The vacuum of  claim 7 , further comprising a debris guard mounted to the bottom of the lid such that the debris guard encloses the filter and such that air must flow through the debris guard to flow through the filter. 
     
     
         13 . The vacuum of  claim 12 , wherein the debris guard is generally cylindrical and has bottom plate and a cylindrical side wall, wherein the side wall comprises a screen, the screen being disposed laterally around sides of the filter, and wherein the bottom plate has holes formed therein beneath a lateral perimeter of the filter, the holes allowing debris to fall from the filter and exit the spark arrestor. 
     
     
         14 . A method for cleaning a vacuum filter comprising:
 providing a vacuum having:
 a canister for receiving and holding debris, the canister having an opening on a top thereof; 
 a lid attached to the top of the canister; 
 a filter attached to a bottom of the lid such that the filter is disposed inside of the canister; 
 an air inlet disposed in communication with the canister to allow air and debris to be drawn into the canister, through the filter, and out of the vacuum; 
 a striking lever pivotably attached to the lid; and 
 a spring biasing the striking lever towards the lid; 
   pivoting the striking lever away from the canister lid; and   releasing the striking lever such that the striking lever forcibly strikes the canister lid to thereby knock debris from the filter and deposit the debris in the canister.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the filter is rigid. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the striking lever is a vacuum carrying handle. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the method more specifically comprises carrying the vacuum by the handle and then releasing the handle from an elevated position to allow the handle to forcibly strike the canister lid. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the vacuum further comprises a debris guard mounted to the bottom of the lid such that the debris guard encloses the filter, wherein the debris guard is generally cylindrical and has bottom plate and a cylindrical side wall, wherein the side wall comprises a screen, the screen being disposed laterally around the filter, and wherein the bottom plate has holes formed therein beneath a lateral perimeter of the filter, the holes allowing debris to fall from the filter and exit the spark arrestor. 
     
     
         19 . The vacuum of  claim 14 , wherein the vacuum further comprises a vacuum motor attached to the lid, the vacuum motor moving air into the canister through the inlet port, through the filter, and out of the canister through an exhaust port.