Beach vacuum cleaner

Abstract

A vacuum cleaner for removal of items, such as cigarette butts or other debris, from a sandy surface with a minimal amount of sand contamination includes a receptacle positioned inside the vacuum, and a hose terminating in an angled nozzle to pick up items. One hose embodiment includes a transparent member so it can be monitored for clogging by the accumulated debris. The receptacle contains a plurality of openings sized to enable sand to be passed through the receptacle while debris is retained within it. Embodiments utilize different mechanisms to empty the vacuum and remove debris. A push button switch can be wired into the vacuum allowing for improved control of the vacuum, and increase battery life.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A vacuum cleaner comprising:
 a housing including a motor, a power source, a collection container;   the housing further including a means for activating the motor;   a debris collector contained within the collection container, the debris collector being attached to the collection container,   a hose in communication with the housing and the collection container, the hose terminating in a nozzle.   
     
     
         2 . The vacuum as described in  claim 1 , wherein the collection container further comprises an emptying mechanism, the emptying mechanism including an opening, a neck extending through the collection container, the neck including threads, a threaded closure attached to the neck, and a separation device covering the opening, the threaded closure being removable, enabling small debris to be removed from the collection container. 
     
     
         3 . The vacuum as described in  claim 2 , wherein the nozzle is angled at an angle ranging from about 30 degrees to about 60 degrees. 
     
     
         4 . The vacuum as described in  claim 2 , further comprising a normally-open switch in electrical communication with the on/off switch and the motor, whereby when a user depresses the switch, a circuit is completed and the motor is turned on or off. 
     
     
         5 . The vacuum as described in  claim 4 , wherein the switch is positioned a distance from the vacuum housing, such that when a user depresses the switch, a circuit is completed and the motor is turned on or off. 
     
     
         6 . The vacuum as described in  claim 3 , wherein the hose is transparent, enabling debris accumulation within the hose to be seen. 
     
     
         7 . The vacuum as described in  claim 3 , further comprising a filter contained with the collection receptacle to separate debris. 
     
     
         8 . The vacuum as described in  claim 7 , wherein the filter is a mesh filter. 
     
     
         9 . The vacuum as described in  claim 7 , wherein the filter is disposed around a ring that is attached to the container. 
     
     
         10 . The vacuum as described in  claim 4 , wherein the normally-open switch is mounted on the nozzle whereby contact with a surface will depress the switch and activate the motor. 
     
     
         11 . A method to modify a vacuum cleaner to facilitate the separation of collected debris, the method comprising the steps of:
 installing a means for receiving a debris container within the collection container;   mounting the debris container within the means for receiving;   
     
     
         12 . The method as described in  claim 11 , further comprising the step of installing
 a normally-open switch into the vacuum housing, the switch in electrical communication with the on/off switch and the motor, whereby when a user depresses the switch, a circuit is completed and the motor is turned on or off, thereby conserving battery life.   
     
     
         13 . The method as described in  claim 12 , wherein the debris container is chosen from the group consisting of a mesh basket, a wire basket, a mesh net and a mesh filter. 
     
     
         14 . The method as described in  claim 13 , further comprising the step of securing the debris container to the member where the vacuum port enters the collection container.