Background of the Invention Cleanliness of spaces such as vehicle garages, living and work spaces is a time consuming task for many homeowners, and a significant expense for businesses. Open doorways such as a garage or entrance door offer an opportunity for leaves, dirt and other debris to be blown or carried into the garage, living area or workspace.

Cleaning or removal of the debris after entrance to the space by sweeping, vacuuming or other means is less efficient than preventing entrance of the debris in the first place.

Cleaning the areas surrounding the entrance is not always practical or feasible, since wind or falling leaves can quickly accumulate new debris. Debris removers such as brushes or mats at the entrance are not often effective.

An improved means of preventing entrance of debris to garages, work and living spaces is needed.

Objects and Summary of the Invention Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an improved method to prevent entrance of leaves, dirt and other surface and near-surface debris to entrances to garages, work areas and living spaces.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a debris blower for an entrance which blows debris outward from the entrance upon opening of an entrance door.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a nozzle assembly for a debris blower apparatus attachable to the floor or entrance sill in the entrance.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a nozzle assembly for a debris blower apparatus which utilizes removable sections to reduce packaging and shipping costs.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a debris vacuum assembly which allows the debris blower to perform vacuuming activities.

The debris blower of the present invention comprises a blower assembly having a blower and electric motor. An elongated nozzle assembly connected to the blower is mounted on the floor or doorsill at the entrance door to a garage, living space or work space. The nozzle assembly comprises a plurality of nozzles which direct jets of pressurized air from the blower assembly outward and upward from the nozzle assembly, dislodging and projecting debris from a person or vehicle entering the space outward and away from the space. The apparatus is effective in removing debris from persons and objects entering the protected space, as well as preventing entrance of surface and near-surface debris airborne or dislodged near the entry.

A control circuit starts the blower motor upon opening of the entrance door, and stops the blower upon closing of the door. A manual switch permits operator control of the blower.

Preferred embodiments of the nozzle assembly provide a plurality of nozzle sections which engage end-to-end with adjacent sections to provide the desired nozzle assembly length. Other embodiments utilize a flexible hose with nozzles which can be rolled up as a reel. An adhesive strip or alternatively, fasteners attach the nozzle assembly to the floor or sill.

Yet another embodiment of the present invention incorporates a suction connection on the blower. A suction hose connected to the suction connection allows vacuuming of floor space and objects in the protected space, such as automobiles.

Brief Description of the Drawings These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims and accompanying drawings where: FIG. 1 is a perspective drawing of a embodiment of the debris blower apparatus installed in the entrance of a garage, the apparatus consisting of a blower assembly, a nozzle assembly secured to the entrance floor area of the garage, and a control system that starts the blower upon opening of the garage door; FIG. 2 is a detail drawing of the blower assembly and the nozzle assembly of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross section of the nozzle assembly taken along lines 3-3 of FIG. 2 showing an attachment method for the nozzle assembly to the floor; FIG. 4 is a perspective drawing of an alternative embodiment of the nozzle assembly showing nozzle sections containing male and female connector portions for assembling the nozzle assembly; FIG. 5 is an alternative embodiment of the nozzle assembly incorporating a flexible hose with nozzles, the assembly rolled up on a reel; FIG. 5A is a cross section of the nozzle tube of FIG. 5 taken along lines 5A-5A of FIG. 5; FIG. 6 is a cross section of the nozzle tube of FIG. 5A in an inflated condition; FIG. 7A is a schematic diagram of the control circuit of a preferred embodiment providing starting and stopping of the blower based on door position; FIG. 7B is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of the control circuit providing starting and stopping of the blower based on door actuator operation; and FIG. 8 is a front elevation drawing of an embodiment of the debris blower having a suction connection and a suction hose attachable to the suction connection for use as a vacuum cleaner.

FIG. 9 is a perspective drawing of the debris blower apparatus installed on an entry door of a living or working space; and

Description of the Preferred Embodiments The following is a description of the preferred embodiments of a debris blower for an entrance such as a garage door.

FIG. 1 is perspective drawing of embodiment 100 of the debris blower apparatus incorporating a blower assembly 101 supplying pressurized air to nozzle assembly 103 via blower connection 105. Blower assembly 101 comprises a motor 107 coupled to a blower such as centrifugal blower 109. A supply plug and cord assembly 110 supplies power to motor 107 via outlet 111.

A garage door position sensor such as limit switch 113, mountable on guide track 115 of garage door operating mechanism 117 starts motor 107 of blower assembly 101 when garage door 119 is opened. Other position sensor locations on operating mechanism 117 may be used to start blower assembly 101.

A plurality of nozzles 103A distributed in nozzle assembly 103 direct air from blower assembly 101 outwardly and/or upwardly as shown by air jets 103B. Jets 103B prevent leaves, dirt and other debris 121 from entering garage opening 123 when door 119 is opened. Jets 103B also dislodge debris from a vehicle or person entering the garage, and direct the debris outward, preventing entry of the debris.

FIG. 2 is a perspective drawing of the blower and inlet portion of the apparatus showing centrifugal blower 109, motor 107, and nozzle assembly 103. Supply plug and cord assembly 110 supplies power to motor 107 thorough connection box 201. Either activation of limit switch 113 or manual switch 203 energizes motor 107.

Nozzle assembly 103 comprises a longitudinal axis 205 extending parallel to the plane of garage floor 125 when nozzle assembly 103 is secured in the position shown in FIG. 1.

A plurality of nozzles 103A direct jets 103B outward and upward with respect to garage floor 125 at opening 123.

FIG. 3 is a cross section of nozzle assembly 103 taken along lines 3-3 of FIG. 2. In the preferred embodiments, body 301 of nozzle assembly 103 is made of a high strength plastic material such as high density polyethylene HDPE, polyamide (PA), or other plastics to provide rigidity and strength. The wall thickness of body 301 is selected to provide sufficient strength to prevent crushing from the tires of a vehicle when the vehicle passes over the nozzle assembly. Internal stiffeners such as stiffener 303 may be added for additional rigidity. A nozzle assembly attachment means such as adhesive strip 304, attached to bottom portion 306 of nozzle assembly fastens the nozzle assembly to floor 125.

In the preferred embodiments, nozzles 301A1 and 301A2 are drilled apertures which define axes 305A1 and 305A2, respectively. In the preferred embodiments, axes 305A1 and 303A2 form angles 307A1 and 307A2, respectively, of less than 90 degrees with the plane of the garage floor 125 and the bottom plane of nozzle bottom 309. In the preferred embodiments, longitudinal axis 205 is perpendicular to garage opening or entrance axis 127. In the preferred embodiments, nozzles 103A are outward of and aligned outward from vertical axis 310. The outward direction is defined as opposite entrance axis 127.

Preferred embodiments of nozzle assembly 103 provide nozzles 103A1 forming an angle of less than 90 degrees with floor 125. In more preferred embodiments, nozzles 103A1 form an angle less than 80 degrees with floor 125. In still more preferred embodiments, nozzles 103A1 form an angle of less than 70 or even 60 degrees with floor 125 when installed as shown in FIG. 1.

Preferred embodiments of nozzle assembly 103 provide nozzles 103A2 forming an angle of greater than 0 degrees with floor 125. In more preferred embodiments, nozzles 103A2 form an angle greater than 10 degrees with floor 125. In still more preferred embodiments, nozzles 103A2 form an angle of greater than 20 or even 30 degrees with floor 125 when installed as shown in FIG. 1.

Although nozzle body 301 is shown as a generally D-shaped cross section, other cross- sectional shapes can be used such as rectangular cross sections, oval cross sections, circular cross sections, triangular cross sections, trapezoidal cross sections, and other shapes performing the disclosed function.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of nozzle assembly 403 comprising a plurality of nozzle sections 405 each having a male connector portion 405A engageable to a female connector portion 405B. Connector portions 405A and 405B may be frictionally engaged by inserting the male connector portion into the female connector portion having an interference fit, or the connector portions may be attached by mechanical fasteners, adhesives or solvents. An end plug 407 may be attached to the last nozzle section, opposite blower connection 105. End plug male connector portion 407A is similar to nozzle section male connector portions 405A. Use of nozzle sections 405 and end plug 407 allow simple adjustment of nozzle assembly length and ease of packaging and assembly. Nozzles 403A may be rectangular slots as shown in the figure.

FIG. 5 is a perspective drawing of an alternative of nozzle assembly 501 incorporating a flexible hose 505 with a blower connector portion 507 on one end and a closure 509 on the opposite end. In the preferred embodiments, flexible hose 505 can be rolled up into a reel for packaging, shipping and ease of assembly.

FIG. 5A is a cross section drawing of hose 505 taken along lines 5A-5A of FIG. 5. Hose 505 is shown in the deflated condition. Nozzles 503A may be formed plastic nozzles inserted into apertures 503B of hose 505, or the apertures used without inserts. An adhesive strip, such as a double-sided adhesive strip 509, attached to the bottom portion 511 of hose 505 may be used to attach hose portion 505 to the garage floor of FIG. 1. A peel strip 511 protects the lower adhesive side 513 of adhesive strip 509.

FIG. 6 is a cross section of the hose portion 505 of nozzle assembly 503 inflated and attached to floor 125 of FIG. 1 Pressurized air from a blower, such as blower assembly 101 of FIG. 1 inflates hose portion 505 and forms jet 513 as it exits nozzle 503A.

In the preferred embodiments, blower assembly 101 is energized upon opening of garage door 119. A garage door position sensor such as limit switch or photocell 113 of FIG. 1 is shown schematically in FIG. 7A. Contacts 703 of position sensor 113 are in series with power source 701 such as outlet 111 of FIG. 1 and motor 107 windings 702. A manual start/stop switch 704 in parallel with contacts 703 allows manual control of the blower. Position sensor 113 may be physically attached to guide rail 115 as show, on the garage structure shown in FIG. 1, or other locations on the garage door, opening frame or structure, or opening apparatus 117.

In alternative embodiments, when position sensor 113 is a photocell, a photocell target such as reflector 131, installed on garage door 119 provides a target for photocell activation.

Other control means shown schematically in FIG. 7B includes an engagement relay 706 energized by power to motor windings 707 of garage door opening motor 118. Contacts 705 of relay 706 are in series with power source 701 and blower motor windings 702. Yet another embodiment utilizes a separate activation receiver 708 activated by the garage door opener transmitter 710 to energize engagement relay 706.

FIG. 8 is a front elevation drawing of and alternative embodiment of the invention showing blower apparatus 801 having a suction connection 803 on blower 809. Vacuum hose connection 805 of vacuum hose assembly 807 removeably connects to suction connection 803 of blower assembly 801. A friction fit, interference connection, or mechanical fasteners may be used to make the connection. Flexible hose sections 81 lA and 811B allow easy placement of suction nozzle 813 in the desired location. Debris canister 815 allows collection of debris picked up by nozzle 813. A filter (not shown) in canister 815 collects dust picked up by nozzle 813.

FIG. 9 is a perspective drawing of embodiment 901 of the debris blower installed at an entrance door 903 to a living or working space 905. Blower assembly 907 installed in wall 909 supplies air to nozzle assembly 911 installed as a doorsill for door 903. The construction and mounting of nozzle assembly 911, as well as the control circuit, is similar to that of previous embodiments.

Accordingly, the reader will see that the debris blower apparatus provides an automatic means for preventing debris from entering a garage, living space or work space. The device provides the following additional advantages: - The apparatus is easily adaptable to a wide range of entrances; - The apparatus is simple to install; and - The apparatus is low in cost.

Although the description above contains many specifications, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but merely providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiments of this invention. Thus the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by the examples given.