Adapter ring for vacuum cleaner filters

Abstract

A filter adapter for engaging a filter to fit the filter into a vacuum cleaner chamber. The filter adapter includes an adapter ring having an inner ring perimeter and an outer ring perimeter, and a number of protrusions extending from the outer perimeter of the ring. Alternatively, there is provided an adapter ring and filter assembly for use in a vacuum cleaner chamber. The assembly includes a filter having an outer filter perimeter, and an adapter ring having an inner ring perimeter configured to surround the outer filter perimeter and an outer ring perimeter configured to contact an inner surface of the vacuum cleaner chamber.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A filter adapter for engaging a filter to fit the filter into a vacuum cleaner chamber, the filter adapter comprising:
 an adapter ring having an inner ring perimeter and an outer ring perimeter; and   a plurality of protrusions extending from the outer perimeter of the ring.   
     
     
         2 . The filter adapter of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of protrusions comprises at least three ribs. 
     
     
         3 . The filter adapter of  claim 2 , wherein each of the at least three ribs extends in a different respective direction and the at least three ribs are spaced equidistantly around the adapter ring from one another. 
     
     
         4 . The filter adapter of  claim 1 , wherein the inner ring perimeter is configured to engage a corresponding outer perimeter of the filter. 
     
     
         5 . The filter adapter of  claim 4 , wherein the inner ring perimeter frictionally engages the outer perimeter of the filter. 
     
     
         6 . The filter adapter of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of protrusions are configured to contact the vacuum cleaner chamber at at least three points. 
     
     
         7 . The filter adapter of  claim 1 , wherein the adapter ring includes clamps configured to couple the adapter ring to the filter. 
     
     
         8 . The filter adapter of  claim 7 , wherein each clamp includes a coupling member on an inner surface of the clamp, and a flange on an outer surface of the clamp. 
     
     
         9 . The filter adapter of  claim 7 , wherein the clamps comprise at least three clamps. 
     
     
         10 . The filter adapter of  claim 1 , wherein the inner ring perimeter comprises a circle. 
     
     
         11 . The filter adapter of  claim 10 , wherein the inner ring perimeter is configured to engage a corresponding circular outer perimeter of the filter. 
     
     
         12 . The filter adapter of  claim 1 , wherein the inner ring perimeter comprises a polygon. 
     
     
         13 . An adapter ring and filter assembly for use in a vacuum cleaner chamber; the assembly comprising:
 a filter having an outer filter perimeter;   an adapter ring having an inner ring perimeter configured to surround the outer filter perimeter and an outer ring perimeter configured to contact an inner surface of the vacuum cleaner chamber.   
     
     
         14 . The adapter ring of  claim 13 , wherein the outer ring perimeter comprises a plurality of ribs. 
     
     
         15 . The adapter ring of  claim 14 , wherein the plurality of ribs comprises at least three ribs. 
     
     
         16 . The adapter ring of  claim 13 , wherein the adapter ring comprises a plurality of clamps that each surround a respective portion of the outer filter perimeter. 
     
     
         17 . The adapter ring of  claim 16 , wherein each of the plurality of clamps comprises at least one rib extending radially from the outer ring perimeter. 
     
     
         18 . The adapter ring of  claim 13 , wherein the adapter ring comprises a smooth outer perimeter configured to contact the inner surface of the vacuum cleaner chamber continuously around the outer perimeter. 
     
     
         19 . The adapter ring of  claim 18 , wherein the inner ring perimeter is configured to surround an enlarged portion of the outer filter perimeter. 
     
     
         20 . The adapter apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the ring comprises foam.