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]

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.
-- 2 fries shy of a happy meal, Dec 29 2012


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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