The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
May. 09, 2000
Filed:
Mar. 10, 1998
Thomas J Beckey, Edina, MN (US);
Steven R Porter, Burnsville, MN (US);
Chadwick A Shaffer, Oakdale, MN (US);
Steven J Svoboda, Bloomington, MN (US);
The Toro Company, Bloomington, MN (US);
Abstract
An improved air inlet cover and impeller for a convertible electric blower/vacuum. The blower/vac includes an electric motor which drives an impeller. A plurality of blades located on the impeller define a frusto-conical surface of revolution. The air inlet cover includes an integral, frusto-conical pressure ring which is located offset but generally congruent to the surface of revolution defined by the impeller blades. The cover additionally includes an air grate that allows the passage of air but prevents the passage of other objects. The grate also includes a choke member for adjusting the effective area of the air inlet into the blower/vac to control the exit air volume and velocity of the blower. The cover also includes a bell-mouthed opening integral with the choke member to increase the efficiency of the blower/vac when in the blower mode.