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PedalVac

pedal powered vacuum cleaner
  (+6, -2)
(+6, -2)
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against]

Maybe called the "Green Machine", this is a low-tech human- powered vacuum cleaner that uses pedal power both to drive a fan which sucks dirt through an aimable nozzle, and motivates the unit like a tractor-mower.
JesusHChrist, Dec 29 2012

The Secret Life of Machines - Vacuum Cleaners 1/2 http://www.youtube....watch?v=KDpNQQqdSh8
[xaviergisz, Dec 29 2012]

The Secret Life of Machines - Vacuum Cleaners 2/2 http://www.youtube....watch?v=OZfR820wpSA
[xaviergisz, Dec 29 2012]

[link]






       This idea sucks .... and moves. [+]
AusCan531, Dec 29 2012
  

       Even more fun - can you make me a pogo stick version? (+)
normzone, Dec 29 2012
  

       The most likely problem with this Idea is that electric motors in vacuum cleaners are far more powerful than mere humans (say 5 horsepower vs 1/3 HP). To compensate, the sucking end of the vacuum would have to be perhaps 1/15 the area that they normally are.   

       Worse, humans can't maintain 1/3 HP output for very long, so you need an even smaller suck-area of the vacuum, to allow a more leisurely and longer-lasting effort. Perhaps a 20 times longer-lasting effort, to vacuum a carpet....
Vernon, Dec 29 2012
  

       I read this in the professors' voice from Gilligans Island.   

       Afraid I have to bone this, for the reason explained by Vernon above. There just isn't enough power.
BunsenHoneydew, Dec 30 2012
  

       Ha! I can't get my wife to vacuum or ride a bike. You want her to do both? [+] for being optimistic As for having enough power just add a battery and a voltmeter that tells you when you have 5 min worth of vacuuming stored. Too bad this can't be powered by my wife's ability to watch TV while reading.
Brian the Painter, Dec 31 2012
  

       (marked-for-tagline)   

       I read this in the professors' voice from Gilligans Island
normzone, Dec 31 2012
  

       //There just isn't enough power// Add more people! Imagine a 6-seater for the whole family!
pocmloc, Dec 31 2012
  

       //electric motors in vacuum cleaners are far more powerful than mere humans//   

       Legislate a limit on the power of electric motors in vacuum cleaners. That'll teach'em.
AusCan531, Dec 31 2012
  

       Brian, in my house the men do the vacuuming and the cycling.
pashute, Dec 31 2012
  

       yeah my wife was over my shoulder when I typed that! LOL I did five loads of laundry to make up for it!
Brian the Painter, Jan 01 2013
  
      
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