Portable vacuum cleaner

Abstract

A portable vacuum device includes a vacuum housing including a motor housing, an inlet, a dust collection chamber, and a first airflow passage extending from the inlet to the dust collection chamber, a motor positioned within the motor chamber and configured to drive an impeller to generate an airflow, a hose defining a second airflow passage between a first end of the hose and a second end of the hose, the first end coupled to the inlet of the vacuum housing, and a handle coupled to the vacuum housing and rotatable relative to the vacuum housing about a rotational axis between a first position and a second position, wherein the handle defines a cradle configured to receive the hose. The hose rotates with the handle between the first position and the second position.

1 . A portable vacuum device comprising:
 a vacuum housing including a motor housing, an inlet, a dust collection chamber, and a first airflow passage extending from the inlet to the dust collection chamber;   a motor positioned within the motor chamber and configured to drive an impeller to generate an airflow;   a hose defining a second airflow passage between a first end of the hose and a second end of the hose, the first end coupled to the inlet of the vacuum housing; and   a handle coupled to the vacuum housing and rotatable relative to the vacuum housing about a rotational axis between a first position and a second position, wherein the handle defines a cradle configured to receive the hose,   wherein the hose rotates with the handle between the first position and the second position.   
     
     
         2 . The portable vacuum device of  claim 1 , wherein the hose is selectively removable from the cradle of the handle with the first end of the hose coupled to the inlet of the vacuum housing. 
     
     
         3 . The portable vacuum device of  claim 1 , wherein the handle includes a first arm coupled to the vacuum housing and rotatable relative to the vacuum housing about the rotational axis at a first pivot point, a second arm coupled to the vacuum housing and rotatable relative to the vacuum housing about the rotational axis at a second pivot point, wherein the first pivot point is located on a first side of the vacuum housing, and wherein the second pivot point is located on a second side of the vacuum housing, opposite the first side of the vacuum housing. 
     
     
         4 . The portable vacuum device of  claim 3 , further comprising a hand engagement portion extending transverse to the first arm and the second arm and coupling the first arm to the second arm. 
     
     
         5 . The portable vacuum device of  claim 4 , wherein at least a portion of the first arm, at least a portion of the second arm, and at least a portion of the hand engagement portion define the cradle configured to receive the hose. 
     
     
         6 . The portable vacuum device of  claim 1 , wherein the cradle of the handle has a generally U-shaped cross-section configured to receive the hose therein. 
     
     
         7 . The portable vacuum device of  claim 1 , wherein the vacuum housing includes a base configured to engage a ground surface during normal operation, wherein the portable vacuum device has a first height measured vertically upward from the base when the handle is in the first position, and wherein the portable vacuum device has a second height measured vertically upward from the base when the handle is in the second position, the second height being less than the first height. 
     
     
         8 . The portable vacuum device of  claim 1 , wherein the handle rotates approximately ninety degrees between the first position and the second position. 
     
     
         9 . The portable vacuum device of  claim 1 , wherein the hose is a flexible hose such that the first end of the hose is engaged with the inlet of the vacuum housing in the first position and the second position. 
     
     
         10 . The portable vacuum device of  claim 9 , wherein the hose is a corrugated hose. 
     
     
         11 . The portable vacuum device of  claim 1 , further comprising a detent configured to selectively retain the handle in the first position and the second position. 
     
     
         12 . The portable vacuum device of  claim 1 , further comprising a retention member configured to engage a portion of the hose adjacent the second end of the hose. 
     
     
         13 . The portable vacuum device of  claim 1 , wherein the second end of the hose includes a cuff, wherein the vacuum housing defines one or more accessory holders configured to receive a respective accessory tool that is selectively couplable to the cuff of the hose. 
     
     
         14 . The portable vacuum device of  claim 1 , further comprising a removable and rechargeable battery, wherein the removable and rechargeable battery is removable when the handle is in the first position and the second position. 
     
     
         15 . The portable vacuum device of  claim 1 , wherein the vacuum housing defines a recess configured to receive the second end of the hose when the handle is in the first position and the second position. 
     
     
         16 . A portable vacuum device comprising:
 a vacuum housing defining an inlet;   a hose defining an airflow passage between a first end of the hose and a second end of the hose, the first end coupled to the inlet of the vacuum housing, and   a handle coupled to the vacuum housing and rotatable relative to the vacuum housing about a rotational axis between a first position and a second position,   wherein the handle defines a cradle configured to receive the hose,   wherein the handle includes a first arm coupled to the vacuum housing and rotatable at a first pivot point, a second arm coupled to the vacuum housing and rotatable at a second pivot point, and a hand engagement portion extending transverse to the first arm and the second arm and coupling the first arm to the second arm,   wherein the hose rotates with the handle between the first position and the second position, and   wherein the first and second pivot points are offset from the hose positioned within the cradle.   
     
     
         17 . The portable vacuum device of  claim 16 , wherein at least a portion of the first arm, at least a portion of the second arm, and at least a portion of the hand engagement portion define the cradle configured to receive the hose. 
     
     
         18 . A portable vacuum device comprising:
 a vacuum housing defining an inlet;   a handle having a length extending between a first pivot point and a second pivot point, the handle coupled to the vacuum housing and rotatable relative to the vacuum housing between a first position and a second position offset approximately 90 degrees from the first position; and   a hose coupled to the inlet of the vacuum housing and configured to, in a storage position, attach to the handle such that the hose extends along a majority of the length of the handle in the first position and the second position.   
     
     
         19 . The portable vacuum device of  claim 18 , wherein the hose is movable from the storage position to a use position, wherein, in the use position, the hose is configured to separate from the handle. 
     
     
         20 . The portable vacuum device of  claim 18 , wherein the handle is generally U-shaped between the first and second pivot points, and wherein the cross-section of the handle between the first and second pivot points is generally U-shaped to define a cradle that receives the hose in the storage position.