Debris collection and spark-arresting device

Abstract

Devices described herein relate to a debris collection device for a pneumatic sanding tool that also arrests sparks. In one embodiment, the debris collection device includes a duct housing detachably connectable to the pneumatic sanding tool. The duct housing includes 1) a debris duct in communication with a debris discharge port of the pneumatic sanding tool and 2) an air duct in communication with an air vent of the pneumatic sanding tool. The debris collection device also includes a spark-arresting device. The spark-arresting device includes 1) a spark-arresting chamber in communication with the debris duct and 2) a toroidal manifold of air nozzles surrounding an exit of the spark-arresting chamber. The toroidal manifold is in communication with the air vent and the spark-arresting chamber. The debris collection device also includes a debris collection bin in communication with the spark-arresting device.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A debris collection device, comprising:
 a duct housing detachably connectable to a pneumatic sanding tool, the duct housing comprising:
 a debris duct in communication with a debris discharge port of the pneumatic sanding tool; and 
 an air duct in communication with an air vent of the pneumatic sanding tool; 
   a spark-arresting device, comprising:
 a spark-arresting chamber in communication with the debris duct; and 
 a toroidal manifold of air nozzles surrounding an exit of the spark-arresting chamber, the toroidal manifold in communication with the air vent and the spark-arresting chamber; and 
   a debris collection bin in communication with the spark-arresting device.   
     
     
         2 . The debris collection device of  claim 1 , further comprising a belt guard pivotally attached to the duct housing and covering an abrasive belt of the pneumatic sanding tool on an opposite side of the abrasive belt from the spark-arresting device and the debris collection bin. 
     
     
         3 . The debris collection device of  claim 1 , wherein the spark-arresting chamber comprises a debris duct inlet that is off-center from the spark-arresting chamber to induce swirling of debris within the spark-arresting chamber. 
     
     
         4 . The debris collection device of  claim 1 , wherein a spark-arresting chamber outlet has a smaller diameter than a main volume of the spark-arresting chamber. 
     
     
         5 . The debris collection device of  claim 1 , wherein a spark-arresting device outlet has a tapered diameter extending into the debris collection bin. 
     
     
         6 . The debris collection device of  claim 1 , wherein the toroidal manifold:
 is downstream of the spark-arresting chamber; and   generates a vacuum to draw debris through the debris duct and the spark-arresting chamber.   
     
     
         7 . The debris collection device of  claim 1 , wherein the debris collection bin:
 is detachably connected to the spark-arresting device; and   comprises:
 a cylindrical porous filter; 
 a rigid leading plate; and 
 a rigid terminal plate against which air and debris are redirected through the cylindrical porous filter. 
   
     
     
         8 . The debris collection device of  claim 1 , wherein the debris duct and the air duct are separated from one another within the duct housing. 
     
     
         9 . The debris collection device of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the duct housing comprises two sub-housings; and   portions of the debris duct and the air duct are formed in each sub-housing.   
     
     
         10 . The debris collection device of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the air duct and the debris duct change an airflow direction and a debris flow direction respectively by between 130-180 degrees; and   the spark-arresting device changes the airflow direction and the debris flow direction by 90 degrees.