Tool dust control attachment

Abstract

A tool accessory is disclosed comprising a tube and capable of attachment to the body of a tool (for example, a rotary grinder) by means of a mounting tab. The tube has a first end with an opening positioned proximate to the source of dust created by the tool. The second end of the tube is adapted for connection to a vacuum source. The opening collects substantially all of the dust from the tool, but does not obstruct the view of the grinding bit.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An attachment for collecting dust from a tool having a body and a source of dust, wherein the attachment comprises:
 a tube having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end has an opening and the second end is adapted to connect to a vacuum source;   a mounting tab connected to the tube between the first end and the second end, wherein the mounting tab has a hole sized to receive the tool; and   wherein a plane defined by the opening of the first end is oriented at angle α relative to a line extending along the length of the tool.   
     
     
         2 . The attachment of  claim 1 :
 wherein the first end of the tube is bent at an angle β relative to the axis of the tube; and   wherein the mounting tab is substantially perpendicular to the axis of the tube.   
     
     
         3 . The attachment of  claim 1 , wherein the mounting tab is connected at an angle φ relative to the axis of the tube. 
     
     
         4 . The attachment of  claim 1 , further comprising a strap capable of stabilizing the tube relative to the body of the tool. 
     
     
         5 . The attachment of  claim 2 , wherein the angle β is about 25 to 35 degrees. 
     
     
         6 . The attachment of  claim 1 , wherein the angle a ranges from −30 degrees to +30 degrees. 
     
     
         7 . The attachment of  claim 6 , wherein the angle a is substantially 0 degrees. 
     
     
         8 . The attachment of  claim 1 , wherein the center of the hole aligns with the axis of rotation of the tool when attached to the tool. 
     
     
         9 . The attachment of  claim 1 , wherein the mounting tab is a flat plate. 
     
     
         10 . The attachment of  claim 1 , wherein an area of the opening of the first end is greater than an area of the source of dust. 
     
     
         11 . The attachment of  claim 1 , wherein the source of dust is adjacent to the opening. 
     
     
         12 . The attachment of  claim 1 , wherein the source of dust penetrates the plane defined by the opening. 
     
     
         13 . The attachment of  claim 1 , wherein the opening is oval-shaped. 
     
     
         14 . An attachment for collecting dust from a tool having a body, a collet, a collet retaining nut, and a source of dust, wherein the attachment comprises:
 a tube having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end has an opening and the second end is adapted to connect to a vacuum source;   a mounting tab connected to the tube between the first end and the second end, wherein the mounting tab is adapted to be retained on the tool near the collet by the collet retaining nut; and   wherein a plane defined by the opening of the first end is oriented at angle α relative to a line extending along the length of the tool.