Gas separation: processes – Filtering
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-17
2001-04-24
Smith, Duane S. (Department: 1724)
Gas separation: processes
Filtering
C055S356000, C055S366000, C055S429000, C055SDIG003
Reexamination Certificate
active
06221135
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to dust collectors and, more particularly, to dust collectors of the type having a large upper filter bag and a removable collection vessel.
2. Description of the Related Art
Dust collectors are a common component of the woodworking shop. Conventional dust collectors use a relatively low speed motor which drives a large diameter fan to generate a high volume of air flow at a relatively low pressure rise, which produces a highly efficient removal of dust.
A typical dust collector includes a housing having upper and lower openings, a blower, a motor for driving the blower, and a support stand for supporting the housing. A bag is attached to the upper opening and is made of a fabric material such as nylon or cotton which allows the air exhausted by the blower to exit the housing while retaining dust particles. A collection bag encircles the lower opening for collecting dust and debris for disposal. The collection bag may be made of plastic so as to be impermeable to air or may be formed from a cotton or nylon fabric material.
The inlet to the blower typically receives a flexible hose of four to six inches in diameter which is connected to a woodworking tool for purposes of removing dust, wood chips, and the like generated during cutting, boring, sanding and like operations which generate debris. The blower outlet is in turn coupled to the dust collector housing with another flexible hose.
The upper, filter bag is typically shaped to define a large surface area for ready airflow out of the housing. The lower collection bag is removable from the lower opening of the housing to facilitate its being emptied or changed. The support stand typically includes a base which supports the collection bag and the blower and motor assembly, and a support rod or bracket for mounting the housing at an elevated position. In some cases the base may have casters so that the dust collector can be moved or repositioned.
While dust collectors of the type described above have proved to be highly advantageous in workshops, that is not to say that dust collectors are without limitations and disadvantages. For example, the large volume collection bags attached to the lower opening of conventional dust collectors have proved to be hard to handle for debris removal from the workshop and disposal. Indeed, conventional dust collection bags may become unbalanced and fall to the side when disconnected from the dust collector housing, spilling some of the collected dust and debris to the workshop floor. Maneuvering the heavy unsupported bag for disposing of the collected dust or for depositing the collected dust in a central receptacle for later disposal can also result in further debris spillage or damage to the collection bag.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an objective of the invention to adapt a conventional dust collector for depositing collected dust and debris into a conventional trash can so that the hard to handle plastic or cloth bags can be eliminated from the dust collector system. To adapt the dust collector for use with a trash can, a clamp-on skirt or adapter is provided to interconnect the lower opening of the dust collector housing to the rim or upper portion of a conventional trash can. In a preferred embodiment, the clamp-on skirt adapter is formed from the same material as conventional dust collection bags and can be clamped to the dust collector housing and trash can using, for example, conventional dust collection bag clamping straps.
Thus, the invention is embodied in a dust collector coupling skirt for adapting a dust collector outlet to a rigid debris receptacle that comprises an adapter band formed from a flexible material so as to extend in a substantially continuous loop and having first and second axial end edges. A pocket is preferably defined adjacent at least one of the axial end edges of the adapter band and an elongated clamping strap is disposed in the pocket to extend at least about substantially the entire circumference of the band. The clamping strap includes a clamping mechanism for selectively increasing and decreasing a diameter of the strap to thereby selectively control a diameter of the one axial end of the adapter band. An exemplary embodiment, the strap is a conventional dust collection bag clamping strap consisting of a spring biased metal clamp and an elongated inelastic nylon strap.
A pocket is preferably defined adjacent each axial end of the adapter band for receiving a respective clamping strap, so that the adapter band can be readily attached to a dust collector housing at one end thereof and to an upper perimeter of a trash can at the other end thereof, so as to adapt the lower opening or outlet of the dust collector housing to the upper end or inlet of the trash can.
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Brutsman Paul
Sanger Jay L.
Wirth, Jr. John
Nixon & Vanderhye PC
Smith Duane S.
Woodworker's Supply
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