US2592710A

US2592710A - Sweeper type vacuum cleaner having automatic nozzle adjustment

Info

Publication number: US2592710A
Application number: US4386A
Authority: US
Inventors: James B Kirby
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1948-01-26
Filing date: 1948-01-26
Publication date: 1952-04-15
Anticipated expiration: 1969-04-15

Description

J. B. KIRBY SWEEPER TYPE VACUUM CLEANER HAVING AUTOMATIC NOZZLE ADJUSTMENT April 15, 1952 4 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Jan. 26, 1948 NVENTOR Junes B. Kirby Aprll 15, 1952 1.13. KIRBY 2,592,710

SWEEPER TYPE VACUUM CLEANER HAVING AUTOMATIC NOZZLE ADJUSTMENT Filed Jan. 26, 1948 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 MEAT/.Annulla 3 ,Z

may n. 686769 Z 7x2- AM 80 5 INVENTOR Jamas B Kirby ATTORNEY April 15, 1952 Q KIRBY 2,592,710

SWEEPER TYPE VACUUM CLEANER HAVING AUTOMATIC NOZZLE ADJUSTMENT Filed Jan. 26, 1948 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Wj s INVENTOR 45% Jam@ Kirby ATTORN EYS April 15, 1952 J. B. KIRBY 2,592,710

SWEEIPER TYPE VACUUM CLEANER HAVING AUTOMATIC NOZZLE ADJUSTMENT Filed Jan. .26, 1948 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 75 Q 7l I 7g CID l rx (wg BY m fm2?? ATTORNEYS Patented Apr. l5, 1952 UNITED l'STATES PATENT lOFFICE SWEEPER TYPE 'VACUUM CLEANER HAVING AUTOMATICNOZZLE ADJUSTMENT James B. Kirby, West Richfield, Ohio ApplicationJanuary 26, 1948, Serial No. 4,386

4 -"7 Claims. A1

The present invention relates to sweeper type suction cleaners having automatic -nozzle adjustment and particularly to a cleaner of the character referred to that is convertible from a sweeper type cleaner to a tank type suction -hose cleaner.

rEhe invention has for an object a simple and positive Imeans `for automatically 'adjusting the nozzle "to its cleaning v.position 'and for maintaining the nozzle in its cleaning position during operation of the cleaner.

, The invention has for a `further object to provide an actuator for the -iioor nozzle that is so connected with the suction creating means that the nozzle is automatically :moved to its cleaning position when the Vsuction creating means is started. into operation andthe yexertion of Vdown ward pressure upon the nozzle -during Aoperation of thecleaner is `dependenttupon the pressure existing within the suction nozzle.

Aiurtherobject of the invention is to provide a cleaner in which dust separating means is interposed Kbetween the suction nozzle and -fan casingand in which a pneumatic nozzle adjustingmotor is provided that is .operated by the suction existing between the dust separator and the fan inlet.

`A 'further object `is to `provide `a pneumatic nozzle adjusting motor that is controlled 4by means of a valve that .-is movable in response to variations 'in pressure Vwithin .the nozzle.

With .the above and other objects in View, the invention `may be said to comprise the suction cleaner :as 'illustrated in the accompanying draw ings, hereinafter .described and particularly set lforth in the .appended claims, together with such variations and `nrodications thereof as will 'be apparent to 'one 'skilled in the art to which the invention pertains.

Reference Ashould 'be `had to the `accompanying drawings 'forming a part "of .this specification, 'in which:

Figure l `is aside elevation of a `cleaner embodying the invention with parts broken away and shown in section;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary section taken on the line indicated at 2-2 in Fig. l with the nozzle in elevated position;

Fig. 3 "is `a section taken on the line indicated at '3--3 in Fig. '2;

Fig. 4 is a lfragmentary side elevation of a forward portion of the cleaner looking toward the sideop-posite that shown in Fig. l, with the nozzle in `cleaning position;

'Fig'. 5 is atop plan view of the forward pon tion of the cleaner with a portion 'broken `away and .shown in horizontal section;

Fig. `(i 'is :a side elevation showing the floor nozzle detached from th'e housing;

Eig. .is .a side elevation :showing a cap and `suction hose` detachably vsecured tov the housing,

indicated at II-II in Fig. Fig. 4i2 `is a plan view of the cleaner .supporting carriage.;

Fig. 1-3 is a section taken on the line indicated at {3L-I3 in Fig. l2; and

Fig. 14 is `a fragmentary vertical section through the rear axle of the carriage .showing the attachmentof the housing tothe axle.

Referring tothe accompanying drawings, the cleaner of the present invention has an elongated tubular housing I in which is mountedamultiple stage fan 2 that is driven by an electric motor 3 that is mounted within the housing I to the rear of the fan 2. The farli-2 has a casing 4 that is provided with an exterior` sealing ring' engaging the interior of the housing .I, so that the fan casing forms a partition .intermediate fthe ends of the housing, the fan casing "4 being mountedin the -rear Yportion of the casing so 'as `to provide an elongatedsuction vcompartment between the fan casing and the forwardv end of Athe housing and a motor compartment between the ian and the rear end of the housing. rlhe fan casinghas a central inlet '-6 'and discharges rearwardly through the motor compartment. A lter bag l has an open end at the 'forward end of the housing with its edge portion folded 4over the forward end of the tubular wall of :the housing so that air vdrawn `into the fan `must 'pass through the filter bag.

The housing I is supported on 4a carriage having front and `rear wheels `8 and 9 that are connected by a sheet metal body I0 that is transversely curved to correspond to the curvature of the housing yI and that has upwardly extending side portions II to which a conventional vlrandle `I2 is attached. The rear wheels 9 are rotatably mounted upon an axle I3 rigid with the housing and free to vtur-n in flanges I4 formed integrally with the body I0 of the carriage.

The rear end of the housing I is detachably secured to the axle I3 by suitable means-such as screws I5, as shown vin Fig. `l5. Since the axle" I3 is free to turn `in the flanges I4 of the carriage body, it provides a pivotal connection between the rear end of the housing I Vand the supporting carriage.

Adjacent its forward end the housing I hasa bracket It .attached to Jone side thereof and this bracket has a `vertical tube 'I'I Vattached thereto that extends through a hole t8 formed in the carriage body I0. A coil vspring I9` surrounds the tube Il and is interposed 'between the :can

riage body I6 and the bracket I6. The spring I9 serves to `normally hold the housing in an elevated position with respect to the carriage and the upward movement of the housing is limited by a finage on the lower end of the tube |1 that engages the under side of the carriage body I0.

A floor nozzle 2l is detachably secured to the forward end of the housing the nozzle 2| having an integral closure portion 22 that provides a detachable head for the housing I, the closure portion 22 having a peripheral flange 23 that nts over the edge portion of the filter bag 1 on the exterior of the housing l at its forward end. The closure member 22 carries a sealing ring 24 that is mounted in an annular recess 25 in the closure member and that bears against the end of the tubular housing to provide a fluid tight seal and clamp the lter bag. Any suitable detachable fastening means may be employed for securingV the nozzle 2| to the housing. As herein illustrated the flange 23 of the closure portion of the nozzle carries diametrically opposite bosses 26 each provided with an aperture 21 to receive a screw 28 that engages a threaded aperture in a lug 29 attached to the exterior of the housing I. By tightening the screws 28 the sealing ring 24 is clamped against the end of the tubular housing will to clamp the filter bag and provide a seal.

The closure portion 22 of the nozzle 2| is provided with an opening that communicates with the nozzle 2| so that a suction conduit is provided from the nozzle inlet through the nozzle and housing to the fan 2, the lter bag 1 providing a dust separator in the conduit between the nozzle and fan.

Within the nozzle 2| there is mounted a rotatable brush 36 that is driven by means of a small low voltage electric motor 31 that is mounted in a housing formed by means of a cap 38 detachably secured to the upper portion of the nozzle. The motor 31 drives the brush 36 through -a countershaft 35 journaled in and extending through the nozzle wall, the countershaft 39 being driven by the motor at a speed less than that of the motor through a round belt 40, and the brush 36 being driven from the countershaft 39 by means of a suitable belt 4|. Current is supplied to the motor 31 through a suitable socket 42 .attached to the housing and a plug 43 attached to the flange 23 of the detachable nozzle. The socket 42 and plug 4.3 provide connection between

wires

44 and 45 in the housing I and

wires

46 and 41 in the nozzle 2| that lead to the motor 31.

Current for operating the main motor 3 is controlled by means of a suitable switch 48 at the rear end of the housing through which current is delivered to the windings 49 of the motor 3. As shown in Fig. 10, current for operating the low voltage motor 31 is taken from one of the windings 49 of the main motor which serves as a transformer.

The housing with its attached floor nozzle 2| is normally held by the spring I8 above its normal working position, preferably at a substantial distance above the door surface so that the nozzle does not interfere with free travel of the cleaner over a floor surface when it is not being operated.

Means is provided for automatically moving the housing |4 and nozzle 2| downwardly to the proper cleaning position when the suction fan 2 is started into operation. The nozzle actuating means is an auxiliary motor that is energized substantially simultaneously with the energization of the fan driving motor 3 and that is so connected to the carriage and nozzle that when energized it applies a downwardthrust to the nozzle to move it to cleaning position. The auxiliary nozzle adjusting mo-tor is preferably a pneumatic motor so connected with the fan 2 that the differential air pressure required for its operation is created by the fan. As herein illustrated, the nozzle actuating motor is a suction motor comprising a cylinder 56 attached to the rear wall of the nozzle 2| and a movable piston 5|. The piston 5| is connected by a cable 52 to a drum 53 adjacent the inner end 0f the cylinder 50, the cable 52 being attached to the piston 5| and Wound o-n the drum 53,Y which is rotatably mounted on a shaft 54 attached to the rear wall of the nozzle 2|. The drum 53 has a projecting hub 55 that forms a second drum of smaller diameter upon which is wound acable 56 that is attached to the hub 55 and to an arm -51 of a lever 58 mounted to turn on a horizontal pivot 59 attached to the rear wall of the nozzle.

The cylinder 56 is preferably disposedfhorizontally and the

cables

52 and 56 are soV wound on the

drums

53 and 55 that the cable v56 and arm 51 are moved upwardly when the piston 5| is moved outwardly away from the drum 53. The lever 58 is actuated in a direction to move the arm 51 downwardly and apply tension to the cable 56 by means of a spring 6U that is attached at one end to the nozzle 2| and at its opposite end to a short upwardly extending arm 6| of the lever 58, the'downward movement of the arm 51 being limited by a stop pin 62 in the path of the arm 6|. The arm 51 of the lever has a lateral extension 63 that is engageable with the under side of a projecting portion 64 of the carriage body I0 when the arm 51 is moved upwardly in opposition to the spring 60, so that the pull on the cable 56 exerts a downward thrust on the nozzle 2| to move it downwardly in opposition to the spring |9. The spring 6U serves to normally retain the piston 5| near the inner open end of the cylinder 56 that is adjacent the drum 53 in which position of the piston the nozzle is held by the spring I9 in its elevated position. When the nozzle 2| is removed from the housing l, the spring 66 serves to hold the piston 5| in the position which it occupies when the nozzle is in its elevated position, so that when the nozzle is reattached to the housing the actuating piston 5| and lever arm 51 will be in proper position for applying downward thrust to the nozzle.

At itsI outer end the cylinder 50 has a head 65 that is provided with an integral extension 66 that is formed to provide a valve annulus 61 that has spaced

internal grooves

68 and 69. I'he head 65 is provided with a passage 10 opening to the interior of the cylinder and to the grooves 68. The extension 65 has a tubular elbow portion 1| providing a passage that communicates with the groove 69. The upper end of the elbow portion 1| extends horizontally and is received in a fitting 12 attached to the housing through which communication is established with the suction fan. To seal the connection between the fitting 12 and the elbow 1|, a suitable sealing ring-13 is provided within the ntting for engagement with the end of the elbow 1|. f

The rear wall of the nozzle 2| has a cylinder 14 formed integrally therewith that opens to the interior of the nozzle and that is axially alined with the valve annulus 61. At the outer end of the cylinder 14 a closure member 15 is attached ftolithenozzlefbyisuitable:means :suchas screws 16. -The closure :member H5 ihasa tubular unembier 1:1 integralltherewith that :nts within :the `valve anmulus andfthatis provided Lwith openings 18 'cireumterentiallyispaced :around 'the the tubular memberzand .registering with the .groove 68, :and similarly arranged openings :T9 'that :register A:with the groove 69. Within the tubular member "|i1 'a valveispool 180 is slidably f mounted, the :spool BD being provided A'with :spaced plungers 18| and 82 thatrare lspa'cedwapartsa `distance :sufticient 5to refceive thecpenings 'ltzand 19 :between rthem.`

Withinthefcylinder 14 there isimounted` annovrafble :diaphragm .oripiston '.83 "that is connected `by means-foies. `rod` 84.w-ith` the valve spool 180, fthe :piston l=|3beingmormally held iagainstlthe :closure imember -1.5 by means `of va coil spring` 85 vof the fdesired pressure exerting cliaracteristicsi surround 4the irod P84 fand :interposed `between the lclosurenn'ember"115 and the Jvalveli). TheJspring 85 ,-'servestoinormally 'hold the vpiston 83::and` valve .spoolliin uthe position `shown .in;Fig. 511, in which 'position .the ncylinder :58 is Ain communication wvith the vinteriorl of .the .housing .1| through .thepassa'ge lli-,grooves Vtik-openings 11.8 .and a'lS, sgrooves `|39, Aelbow 1|" :andthe slitting 12.

`Withinthe housing I :a tube 85 extends .from itheltting 7.'2to1a point between the rear endfof lthedilterfbag Fl rand lthe inlet `of the fan casing, where a high vacuum exists during operation of xtheicleaner due to the air flow Liinpedingzaction oi the ilteribagythe tube '8.6 and Vpassages through thel-.iitting `12,:and extension E6 of :the fcylinder -lreadvproviding ia. separate L conduit connecting the -fanrand nozzle :actuating motor :through which `then-airflow is independent. of the air ziiow through the. conduit connecting the :suction nozzle with the Lian.:

"ilheifolosurefinember 115 is provided r,with fopen- #ingsfrli which establish :atmospheric Lprcssure :on the outcrface of `:the piston :83 .so that :the `piston *813* ill ".be` drawn inwardly "by suction lor-cated iwithin-ithe nozzle 12 during operation :of :the tcleaner'whenever' thatzsuction is suflicient to l'olvierloalance :Ithe `spring 285; 'When the cleaner is started into Loper-ation the air 'is lsimultaneous'ly drawn throughl A'the nozzle -2 into thelhousing landthrough `'the lter bag into the tan casing, A'and from the cylinder 58 -throug'h the valve 88 fand tube It6-to the fan inlet. 'The suction iin 4the cylinder i5|) causes jthe piston 5| to be -drawn `to wardthe headfBE, operating the drum 53 to swing the 'armi'lrupwardly into engagement with `the under side of the body lill` and exert afdownward thrust -on the nozzle 2| which moves the nozzle in opposition to its spring I9 downwardly to cleaning position. When the flow "of air into the nozzle 2| is impeded by the close proximity of the `nozzle inlet to the floor surface, 'suction is created within the nozzle 2| which overba'lances the spring 85 and `draws the piston 83 inwardly, moving the plunger 82 toward the position in which it -cuts oli communication between :the suction .chamber and the cylinder 5|).

'In order to normally prevent .movement of `the valve -spool 80 to a position where communication :between theitube 86 and cylinder 50 is completely 'closed and .to prevent continued exertion of a- `downward `pressure against the r-iioor covering Jin' the-eventthat the piston 83 `is moved too far by suction within the nozzle, a bleed hole 88 is pro-v acting upon the piston 5| and permit the spring 6 t! Sto slightly .lifttheznozzle and` carpet for` more effective `cleaning, action,` If the-suction grip `ol? the nozzle 2| on theY carpet should be tbroken sufficiently to permit the 4spring :Iu` :to :move :the -nozzle ,away from the carpet, the valve i180 will be Ainstantly opened so that air would beagain drawn from 'the cylinder'B to actuate the'piston 5| :and again move the nozzle downwardly to its Ycleaning position.

'In normal operation the forces exerted 'on `the nozzle by the cylinder Ell and spring |19 are 'balanced and the nozzle is instantaneously responsive'to variations in the pressure within the cylinder 58 `so that the nozzle is maintained in eiective cleaning position while passing over worn or uneven portions of a carpet.

In order to provide the highvacuum desirable when the cleaner is used as a tank cleaner, fthe `ian 2 is preferably of a capacity such that it may under lsome conditions create a higher lsuction in the nozzle 21| than is desirable and, yto avoid this diinculty small air inlet openings -89 may be provided in the nozzle 2| above its opening lower end so that an increasing vquantity vof :air isdrawn through the openings 89 instead of through the nozzle opening in which the brush :movable from the ntting 'l2 fuponhorizontalfforward movement of the nozzle. The nozzle 22 is `replaceable `by a closure .lmeinber 98, 'which kas shown in Fig.8, carries a suction hose A`8| andfhas a flange 23a corresponding to the flange `2'3 Aof `the nozzle 2| thatcarries-screws 28a corresponding to the screws 28 so that it can be locked to the housing inthe saine manner yas the nozzlel Theclosure member Si] is preferably provided with a ,plug 82 to close the tting 'l2 to prevent leakage vof air into the housing through the'tting 'lfduring oper-ation of .the cleaner with the 4suction hose.

It is to be understood vthat variations and modinca-tions ci the specific-devices herein shown and described for purposes lof illustration, may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What I-claim is: Y

l. A suction cleaner comprising a carriage, `a suctioncreating fan on said carriage, a floor nozzle mounted for vertical movementonfsaid .car-- riage from its cleaning position to an elevated position, a spring normally holding thenozzlein `its elevated position, a pneumatic motor having an air chamber provided `with .a movable piston connected to said nozzle to impart a downward movement thereto, separate conduits connecting said -nozzle land lsaid air-chamber vto `said ian, a

valve insaid conduit connecting the `fan to said `pressure and .on -the other to pressure within the .nozzle :and responsive to changes in ,air pressure withinfsaid nozzle, and meansconnecting. saiddiaphrfaginltofsaid valve to rnovezthe same -to fdecreas'e :or :increase the downward `thrust Aon said'snozzle ythe suction within :said nozzle is vincreased decreased.

21A .suction =cleaner having ia carriage, ra fsuo- 7 tion creating means including a fan on said carriage, a suction nolzzle mounted on said carriage for vertical movement from its cleaning position to an elevated position, means for yieldably holding said nozzle in its elevated position, a pneumatic motor for moving said nozzle downwardly to its cleaning position, separate conduits connecting said nozzle and said motor to said fan to draw air through said nozzle and to operate said motor upon operation of said fan, a valve for opening and closing the conduit to said motor, means for yieldably holding said valve in its open position, a member carried by the nozzle and movable in response to a predetermined reduction in pressure within the nozzle, and means connecting said member to said valveto close the valve upon said predetermined reduction of pressure in the y nozzle.

3. A suction cleaner comprising a carriage, a housing movably mounted on the carriage, a sweeper nozzle detachably secured to an end of the housing, said housing and nozzle being movable from an elevated position to a cleaning position, means for yieldably holding the housing and nozzle in elevated position, suction creating means including a fan within said housing, a suction motor carried by said nozzle and operatively connected to the carriage for applying a downward thrust to the housing and nozzle to move the same downwardly, a conduit carried by the housing and communicating with the fan inlet, a conduit on the nozzle connected to said motor and detachably connected to said housing conduit, a valve in said nozzle conduit for controlling the ilow of air therethrough to increase or decrease the downward thrust on said housing and nozzle, and means including a member carried by the nozzle and movable in response to variations in pressure within the nozzle for actuating said valve, to increase or decrease the downward thrust exerted on said housing and nozzle as the pressure within said nozzle increases or decreases.

4. A suction cleaner having a supporting carriage, a nozzle supported for vertical movement on said carriage, means yieldably supporting said nozzle above its cleaning position, a fan, a suction conduit connecting said nozzle to said fan, a dust separator in the conduit between the nozzle and fan, a suction motor, a duct connecting said motor to the portion of said suction conduit between said separator and fan to apply suction to said motor upon operation of said fan, means connecting said motor to said nozzle for exerting a downward thrust on the nozzle to lower the same to its working position, a movable controller for varying the thrust applied by said suction motor to said nozzle, a member carried by said nozzle and movable in response to the decrease in the air pressure within said nozzle caused by the restriction of air iiow through the nozzle when the nozzle is in working position, and means connecting said member to said controller for decreasing the thrust of said motor upon movement of said member.

5. A suction cleaner having a supporting carriage, a nozzle supported for vertical movement on said carriage, means yieldably supporting said nozzle above its cleaning position, a fan. a suction conduit connecting said nozzle to said fan, a dust'separator in the conduit between the nozzle and'fan, asuction motor, a duct connecting said motor to the portion of said suction conduit between said separator and fan to apply suction to said motor upon operation of said fan, means connecting said motor to said nozzle for exerting ay downward thrust on the nozzle to lower the same to its working position, a valve controlling the suction applied to said motor, a member carried by said nozzle and movable in response toa predetermined decreasefof pressure within said nozzle, and means connecting said member to said valve to decrease the suction applied to said motor upon said predetermined decrease of pressure in said nozzle.

6. A suction cleaner having a supporting carriage, a nozzle supported for vertical movement on said carriage, means yieldably supporting said nozzle above its cleaning position, a fan, a suction conduit connecting said nozzle to said fan. a dust separator in the conduit between the nozzle and fan, a suction motor, a duct connecting said motor to the portion of said suction conduit between said separator and fan to apply suction to said motor upon operation of said fan, means connecting said motor to said nozzle forexerting a, downward thrust on the nozzle to lower the same to its working position, a valve controlling air flow through said duct, a port admitting air to said duct between said motor and said valve, a member carried by said nozzle and movable in response to a predetermined decrease in pressure within the nozzle, and means connecting said member to said rvalve to move the same in a direction to decrease air flow through said Vduct upon said predetermined decrease in pressure within the nozzle.

7. A suction cleaner having a supporting carriage, a fan, a motor driving said fan, a nozzle through which air is drawn by the fan mounted on said carriage for movement froman upper position where air ow through the nozzle is substantially unobstructed to a lower'cleaning position where the air now is obstructed and a suction is maintained within the nozzle, means yieldably supporting said nozzle in said upper position, an auxiliary motor connected to said nozzle to exert a downward thrust thereon, means for energizing said auxiliary motor substantially simultaneously with the fan driving motor tov move said nozzle to cleaning position, a diaphragm subjected on one side to atmospheric pressure and on the other to the pressure of the air Within said nozzle and movable only in response to a predetermined suction within said nozzle, a movable controlling element for varying the downward thrust exerted by said motor on said nozzle, and means connecting said diaphragm to said controlling element to move the same to decrease or increase said downward thrust as the suctionin said nozzle is increased or decreased.

JAMES B. KIRBY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS