US2964236A

US2964236A - Suction cleaner motor mounting construction

Info

Publication number: US2964236A
Application number: US787179A
Authority: US
Inventors: Elmer J Kasper
Original assignee: Royal Appliance Manufacturing Co
Current assignee: Royal Appliance Manufacturing Co
Priority date: 1959-01-16
Filing date: 1959-01-16
Publication date: 1960-12-13
Anticipated expiration: 1977-12-13

Description

Dec. 13, 1960 E. J. KASPER SUCTION CLEANER MOTOR MOUNTING CONSTRUCTION Filed Jan. 16, 1959 m wm INVENTOR ATTORNEYS United States Patent SUCTION CLEANER MOTOR MOUNTING CONSTRUCTION Elmer J. Kasper, Russell Township, Geauga County, Ohio, assignor to Royal Appliance Manufacturing Company, Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Filed Jan. 16, 1959, Ser. No. 787,179

4 Claims. (Cl. 230-417) This invention relates to suction cleaners and more particularly it pertains to mounting construction for holding a motor and fan unit in a tank type suction cleaner.

A suction cleaner of the tank type is a horizontal cylinder having open ends of the cylinder closed by detachable covers. In addition, a carrying handle and operating switch are usually mounted on the topside of the cylinder and a motor-fan unit is mounted within the cylinder in a vibrationless manner. Numerous constructions have been used for attaching the covers, the handle, and the operating switch on 'the cylinder and for mounting the motor in a fixed position within the cylinder. In the past many additional parts have been required for separately mounting the covers, handle, switch, and motor, which parts have contributed greatly to the cost of the product and frequently increased subsequent costs of maintenance and repair.

The suction cleaner construction of the present invention provides a household appliance which is less expensive to manufacture, repair and maintain. In the first place, the motor-fan unit has been'moved rearwardly into the outlet cover to provide a greater dust collecting chamber at the forward end of the cleaner. By providing a larger dust collecting chamber a'dust'filter bag having a greater surface'may be provided which contributes to'the increased capacity of the suction cleaner.

In addition, the motor is mounted in a readily detachable manner by providing-amotor mounting ring having an outer peripheral flange'which is clamped inplace between the end of the' cylinder and the outlet cover. The motor mounting ring has a V-shaped cross section and is flexible radially outwardly when its outer peripheral flange is seated in place. Upon removal of the outlet cover, the mounting ring is released from its position of holding the motor-fan unit tightly in place and thereby facilitates the assembly and disassembly of the cleaner.

Moreover, the outerperipheral flange of the mounting ring is provided with an annular gasket or seal member which upon assembly of the cleaner cover on the end of the cylinder clamps the sealing member in place to preventair leakage therebetween.

Furthermore, the outlet cover is secured to the end of the cleaner by a minimum number of easily detachable screws, one of which also provides attachment means for securing one end of the handlein place.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention "to provide a suction cleaner having an increased capacity for collecting and storing dust.

It is another object of this invention to provide a suction cleaner unit in which the motor-fan unit is mounted in an easily detachable manner for assembly and disassembly.

It is another object of this invention to provide a 'suction cleaner having a motor mounting ring which upon assembly with other parts of the cleaner is clamped to mount a motor-fan unit rigidly in place. 7

It is another object of this invention to provide a detachable motor mounting ring hav ng an outerperiph'eral flange with an air sealing member compressible between the end of the motor housing and the outlet cover,

It is another object of this invention to provide a minimum of parts for assembly of the motor-fan unit, the outlet cover, and the handle for the suction cleaner and thereby minimize the number of parts and assembly time on the production line.

Finally, it is an object of this invention to provide an improved suction cleaner motor mounting construction which accomplishes the foregoing objects and desirderata in a simple, effective and inexpensive manner.

These and other objects and advantages apparent to those skilled in the art may be obtained by the parts, constructions, arrangements, combinations and subcombinations comprising the present invention, the nature of which is set forth in the following general statement, a preferred embodiment of which-illustrative of the best mode in which applicant has contemplated applying the principles-is set forth in the following description and illustrated in the accompanying drawing and which is particularly and distinctly pointed out and set forth in the appended claims forming a part hereof.

The improved suction cleaner motor mounting construction of the present invention may be stated in general terms as including a motor-fan unit mounted in a cylindrical suction cleaner tank near one open end thereof, an end closure detachably mounted on the open end of the tank, motor mounting means within the tank including an apertured, substantially radially extending member secured to the inner surface of the tank and spaced inwardly from the open end of the tank, the motor mounting means also including an annular member detachably mounted near the open end of the tank, the annular member having a substantially V-shaped cross section one side of which engages the motor-fan unit, a rubber mounting ring disposed between the motor-fan unit and one side of the annular member, the other side of the annular member having an outturned peripheral flange detachably seated between the end of the cylinder and a shoulder on the end closure, the outer peripheral flange-having a resilient cover thereon which is compressible b'etweenthe tank and the closure, means including screws for holding the closure in place on the end of the tank, and a handle on the outer surface of the cleaner having one end detachably engaged on'the cleaner by one ofthe screws securing the closure member on the tank.

An embodiment of the invention is illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a tank type suction cleaner;

Fig. 2 is 'an enlarged fragmentary, vertical, sectional view showing the motor-fan unit mounted within the rear portion of the suction cleaner;

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 33 of Fig. 2; and

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary, vertical, sectional View showing the relative positions of the cleaner housing, the outlet cap and a motor mounting ring prior to final assembly.

Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

A tank type suction cleaner is generally indicated at 1 in Fig. 1. It includes a cylindrical housing or tank 2, inlet end cap 3, and an outlet end cap or closure For convenience'the cleaner 1 is mounted on a pair of front casters 5 and a pairof rear wheels 6 as shown. The suction cleaner 1 is also provided with a strap handle 7 and an operating switch 8.

The cylindrical housing 2 is divided by a motor mounting member 9 into a suction chamber 10 and a motor chamber 11 where a filter dust bag 12 and a motor-fan unit generally indicated at 13 are located respectively. The motor-fan unit comprises a centrifugal fan portion 14 and a motor portion 15,'and the motor-fan unit when operating draws air through apertures 16 in the member 9 from the suction chamber 16 where a. partial vacuum is created around the filter bag 12. The air passes out of the cleaner through an air outlet 17 in the closure 4.

The outlet end closure 4 is a cup-shaped member having an outturned annular shoulder 18 and a cylindrical flange 19. As shown in Fig. 2, the closure 4 is secured to the end portion of the housing 2 by similar spaced screws 20 ('Figs. 1 and 2) as well as by a retaining bolt 21 having a nut 22 at the upper side of the assembly. The operating switch 8 extends through the upper side of the closure 4.

The strap handle 7 is attached at one end to the housing 2 where it is seated within a bracket 23 (Fig. 1) and the other end is attached to the closure 4 by the bolt 21 where it is seated within a stamping 24 which also encloses the switch 8 (Fig. 2).

The motor mounting member 9 is preferably a cupshaped member including the apertures 16 through which communication between the chambers and 11 is provided. The member 9 includes an annular shoulder 25 and a cylindrical wall portion 26 which together with the shoulder form an annular seat for an L-shaped rubber mounting ring 27. A third stage filter cap 25a is detachably mounted between the bag 12and member 25. The wall portion 26 terminates in an annular outturned shoulder 28 which has a cylindrical flange 29 that is secured to the inner surface of the cylindrical housing 2 by spaced spot welds 30. Thus one side of the motor-fan unit 13 is mounted in place in a vibrationless manner with respect to the housing 2 of the cleaner.

The motor-fan unit 13 is also maintained in position on the other side by an annular motor mounting member or ring generally indicated at 31. The ring 31 is preferably a stamping of sheet metal having a generally V- shaped cross section which includes

sides

32 and 33 which join at a rounded apex 34. Both

sides

32 and 33 are inclined to'the axis of the tank 2. The V-shaped con struction of the member 31, together with'the fact that it isa sheet-metal stamping, provide the member wtih radial and longitudinal flexibility. The side 32 is inclinedto the axis of the cleaner tank 2. .The side 33,

i which is a flange-like portion of the side 32,has a'concave configuration and is provided with a longitudinally extending flange 35 that, together with the concave shape of the side, provides seating means for a rubber mounting ring 36 for holding the motor-fan unit 13 in place.

Moreover, the side 33 is provided with anoutturned peripheral flange 37 (Fig. 4) on which a rubber gasket or sealing ring 38 is mounted. In the unassembled position the member 31 maintains a substantially V-shaped configuration such as shown in Fig. 4. In-the assembledi condition the peripheral flange 37 of the member 31 is clamped (Fig. 2) between the end of the tank 2 and the shoulder 18 of the closure 4 so that stresses are created in the member 31 which spread the

sides

32 and 33 slightly and thereby apply clamping pressure upon the motorfan unit 13 through the mounting ring '36 for holding the unit tightly in place as shown in Fig. 2-. Furthermore, with the member 31 clamped in place between the tank 2 and the motor-fan unit, the latter is'sustained in the rubber mounting members 27 and 36 which -pre-. vent vibrations created in the operating motorfan unit from being transmitted throughout the entire suction cleaner 1. As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the side 33 is provided with an aperture '39 to create clearance for the lower end of the nut 22.

When the suction cleaner 1 is assembled, the motorfan unit 13 is placed in position within the rubber mounting ring 27. Thereafter the mounting ring 36 and the annular member 31 are placed in position against the fau'housing 14 as shown in Fig. 4. --The closure 4 is for insertion of the screws 20 and the bolt 21, as shown.

in Fig. 2.

During the final closing operation of the closure 4 on the cleaner housing 2, the'peripheral flange 37 is secured between the end of the housing and the closure 4, and the motor mounting'member 31, being flexible, is expanded slightly, outwardly, enlarging the angle between the

sides

32 and 33. At the same time the force applied compresses the-rubber mounting member 36 and clamps the motor-fan unittightly in place. By providing the rubber mounting members 27 and 36 as the only mounting contacts withthe motor-fan unit 13, the unit is secured in a vibrationless manner. As a result, wider tolerances may be used and thereby reduce manufacturing costs. Moreover, the flexibility of themotor mounting member 31, having its outer peripheral flange 37 seated within a sealing ring 38, further adds to the smooth and quiet operation of the cleaner.

In addition to the foregoing functions, the outturned flange 37 of the member 31 together with the sealing ring 38 provides an air seal between the end of the cylindrical housing 2 and the shoulder 18 of the closure 4. For that purpose, an end portion 42 of the cylinder 2 is turned inwardly slightly (Fig. 4) to provide positive engagement with and clamping action on the sealing'ring 38 in conjunction with the shoulder 18 of the closure 4.

Upon assembly or disassembly of the cleaner a minimum number of screws 20 and bolt 21 are involved. All

of the other parts are separably and detachably mounted posed of .a sheet metal V-shaped stamping, has a normalposition which is slightly less than the radial distance between the rubber mounting member 36 on the motor-fan unit .13 and the outer wall of the cylindrical housing. When theparts are assembled as shownin Fig. 2, the motor mountingmember '31 is sustained. in a distorted position due to its outer flange 37 being clamped between the endof the housing 2 aiidthe shoulder 18-so that a constant compression is applied to therubber mounting member. tov hold the motor-fan unit 13 in place. 1

Accordingly, the present invention provides a new and improved motor. mounting construction for mounting any usual or standard type of motor-fan unit in a tank type suction cleaner with-a minimum of noise and vibration in use; provides a construction in which the motor-fan unit is maintained in a continual clamped position; provides a construction in which the various separable parts are joined by air sealing members; provides a construction which is readily assembled and disassembled in a minimum .of time; and provides a construction having a minimum of parts and thereby eliminates prior art difficulties and overcomes long-standing problems in the tank type cleaner field.

In the foregoing description certain terms-have been usedfor brevity, clearness and understanding, but no unnecessary limitationshave 'been implied therefrom as such words are used for descriptive purposes arid are intended tobe broadly -construed.

Moreover, the embodiment of the improved construction illustrated and described herein is by way of example and the scope of the present invention is not limited to the exact construction shown.

Having now described the invention, construction, operation. and use of a preferred embodiment thereof and the advantageous, new and useful results obtained thereby; the' new and useful suction cleaner motor mounting construction andreasonable mechanical equivalents thereof'obvious to those skilled in the art are set forth in-the appended claims.

Anal...

I claim:

1. In a suction cleaner of the type wherein a cylindrical tank has a motor-fan unit mounted near one open end of the tank, and wherein an end closure is detachably mounted on the open end of the tank; the combination of motor mounting means including a motor mounting member spaced inwardly from the open end of the tank, the motor mounting member having means for receiving one side of a motor-fan unit, a motor mounting ring for engaging another side of the motor-fan unit in clamping engagement with the motor mounting member, the ring having an outer peripheral flange, an inner flange, and a central portion between the inner and outer flanges which portion extends at a angle to the axis of the cleaner, the inner flange being distortable into clamping en agement with the motor-fan unit upon clamping of the outer flange between the tank and the end closure, and means for holding the end closure on the tank and in clamping engagement with the outer flange portion of the ring.

2. In a suction cleaner of the type wherein a cylindrical tank has a motor-fan unit mounted therein near one open end of the tank, and wherein an end closure is detachably mounted on the open end of the tank; the combination of motor mounting means including a pair of spaced motor mounting members one of said members being spaced inwardly of and attached to the tank, the other motor mounting member being disposed at the open end of the tank and having a peripheral flange detachably engaged between the end of the housing and the end closure, the motor-fan unit being clampingly engaged between the motor mounting members, said other motor mounting member being annular and having an inner flange portion in clamping engagement with the motor-fan unit when the peripheral flange is clamped between the end of the housing and the end closure, said other motor mounting member having a substantially V- shaped cross section and holding the inner flange portion compressively against the motor-fan unit when the peripheral flange is clamped between the tank and the end closure, and means for holding the end closure on the tank in clamping engagement with the peripheral flange of the motor mounting member.

3. In a suction cleaner of the type wherein a cylindrical tank has a motor-fan unit mounted therein near one open end of the tank, and wherein an end closure is detachably mounted on the open end of the tank and is provided with an annular shoulder having a radius substantially equal to that of the tank; the combination of motor mounting means including a motor mounting member spaced inwardly from the open end of the tank, a second motor mounting member having a peripheral flange detachably mounted between the end of the cylindrical housing and the shoulder of the end closure, the second motor mounting member having an inner flange means for clampingly engaging a motor-fan unit between the motor mounting members, the second motor mounting member having an annular intermediate portion inclined to the longitudinal axis of the cleaner housing between the housing and the motor-fan unit, the annular intermediate portion being flexible to compress the outer peripheral flange against the motor-fan unit in response to distortion of the outer flange upon clamping the outer flange between the tank and the end closure, and means for holding the end closure on the tank.

4. The construction set forth in claim 3 in which the end portion of the tank is turned inwardly and in which the peripheral flange of the motor mounting member is covered with a sealing ring means for providing an airtight seal between the end of the tank and the shoulder of the end closure.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,464,401 Kelly Mar. 15, 1949