CA1189259A - Cordless vacuum cleaner bowl and filter systems - Google Patents
Cordless vacuum cleaner bowl and filter systemsInfo
- Publication number
- CA1189259A CA1189259A CA000449527A CA449527A CA1189259A CA 1189259 A CA1189259 A CA 1189259A CA 000449527 A CA000449527 A CA 000449527A CA 449527 A CA449527 A CA 449527A CA 1189259 A CA1189259 A CA 1189259A
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- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- bowl
- unit
- vacuum cleaner
- units
- power unit
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A hand-held cordless electric vacuum cleaner including separable power and bowl units secured by a releasable latch. The power unit includes a housing formed with a handle and enclosing an electric motor and fan, batteries for the motor, and a switch for turning the motor on and off. The bowl unit includes a hollow bowl provided with an air inlet opening and an integral internal nozzle communicated with the fan when joined to the power unit. A filter assembly including a ring and a filter bag is positioned wholly within the bowl between the air inlet opening and fan and is removable from the bowl after the units are separated, whereby dirt and debris contained in the bowl are not spilled during separation of the units. A flapper covers the nozzle when the unit is off to prevent dirt in the bowl from coming out of the opening.
A hand-held cordless electric vacuum cleaner including separable power and bowl units secured by a releasable latch. The power unit includes a housing formed with a handle and enclosing an electric motor and fan, batteries for the motor, and a switch for turning the motor on and off. The bowl unit includes a hollow bowl provided with an air inlet opening and an integral internal nozzle communicated with the fan when joined to the power unit. A filter assembly including a ring and a filter bag is positioned wholly within the bowl between the air inlet opening and fan and is removable from the bowl after the units are separated, whereby dirt and debris contained in the bowl are not spilled during separation of the units. A flapper covers the nozzle when the unit is off to prevent dirt in the bowl from coming out of the opening.
Description
This is a divisional of Canadian Patent Application Serial No. ~16,430 filed November 25th, 1982, which in turn is a divisional of application Serial No. 333,564 filed Auqust 10th, 1979.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to electric powered vacuum cleaners, and more particularly, to a hand-held, electric vacuum cleaner which is constructed for convenient and easy emptying of dirt and avoidance of spilling, which is lightweight and balanced for easy handling, and which is simple in design and includes a minimum of separate parts.
Vacuum cleaners include a variety of types ranging from heavy duty shop-type vacuum cleaners used in basements, work rooms, garages, etc., and cannisters and uprights used for medium to heavy-duty cleaning of floors and floor coverings, furniture, and draperies, to the so-called stick-type vacuum cleaners which are used for li~ht-duty dirt pick-up such as kitchen 100rs, and some light carpet cleaning.
In addition, even smaller and lighter weight vacuum cleaners, some of which are battery operated, have also entered the market in recent years. These vacuum cleaners are often used in the kitchen, for example, for picking up dirt and crumbs on kitchen counters and tables and on kitchen floors, and are also used on stairs, shelves, workshops, or any hard-to-get-to areas.
Many of these smaller units suEfer from being 3~ clumsy and difficult to handle as a result of poor weight distribution. An even more important problem with these vacuum cleaners is that the dirt collection means is difficult to empty, and often results in spillage when the unit is opened in attempting to empty g2~i9 the dirt. Also, these units often are poorly designed with many separate parts, have inefficient air flow and dirt pick-up characteristics, and have an objecionably small dirt collection capacity which requires frequent emptying.
Thus, even though a definite need exists for a small, hand-held, light-duty vacuum cleaner of this type, the many problems attendant with existing units tends to discourage their use.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention alleviates the problems described above and generally satisfies the requisites for a small, hand-held vacuum cleaner by providing two separable units, one being a power unit, and the other a bowl unit into which dirt is drawn and retained. The bowl unit includes a hollow bowl and filter bag assembly removably positioned wholly within the bowl which confines the dirt and debris therein. The bowl is preferably a one-piece molded part and preferably includes an internal nozzle formed integral therewith and terminating in an air inlet opening. The end of the bowl remote from the air inle-t opening is constructed for ready attachment to and detachment from the power unit. When the bowl is detached from the power unit, the filter bag assembly remains within the bowl and prevents dirt spillage. The filter bag assembly is then easily removed from the bowl and the dirt can then be dumped.
The invention accordingly provides a hand-held vacuum cleaner comprising power and bowl units de-tachably secured together by releasable latch means, said power unit including a housing formed 5~
; ^~
with a handle and enclosing an electric motor and fan, an inlet opening at the upstream side of the fan, and having a switch for operating said motor, said bowl unit including an air inlet and an open end secured by said releasable latch means to said power unit and a filter bag assembly disposed between said air inlet and fan including a supporting frame adapted to releasably fit into said bowl unit open end, said filter bag assembly including a filter bag mounted on said supporting frame and disposed wholly within said bowl unit, said releasable latch means interacting between said power unit and said bowl unit and including a flexible latch member on one of such units and a first engagement means engageable by said flexible l.atch member on the other of such units, and second engagement means on such units spaced from said first engagement means and providing a releasable catch between the bowl and power units, and wherein said supporting rame is adapted to fit closely into said bowl unit at a location spaced a selected distance from said open end and to remain in said bowl unit when the latter is separated from said power unit, and said first and second engagement means being located in a region which is intermediate said location of said supporting frame and said open end of the bowl unit.
The accompanying drawings which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate one embodiment of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION_OF THE DRAWIMGS
Fig. 1 is a perspective view o a hand-held electric vacuum cleaner which embodies and is constructed in accordance with the present invention;
Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional view of the vacuum cleaner shown in Fix. 1 taken along a line ex-I!
tending substantially longitudinally thereof;
Fig. 3 is an exploded view of Fig. 2 andshowing the parts separated for emptying dirt;
Fig. 4 is a sectional view of Fig. 2 taken along the line 4-4 thereof;
Fig. 5 is a sectional view of Fig. 2 taken along the line 5-5 thereof and with parts broken away for clarity;
Fig. 6 is a bottom plan view of a portion of Fig. 2 taken along the line 6-6 thereof;
Fig. 7 is a sectional view of Fig. 6 taken along the line 7-7 thereof and showing one position of parts during assembly and disassembly of the units;
Fig. 8 is an enlarged sectional view of Fig.2 taken along the line 8-8 thereof;
Fig. 9 is a sectional view of Fig. 3 taken along the line 9-9 thereof;
Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 9 and showing the parts prior to assembly;
Fig. 11 is a perspective view of a part of Fig. 10; and Fig. 12 is an enlarged sectional view of Fig.2 taken along the line 12-12 whereof.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREF_RRED_ EMB_DIMENT
ReferencP will now be made in detail to the present preferred embodiment of the invention, an example of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
The preferred embodiment, shown in Fig. 1, is seen to include a hand-held, electric vacuum cleaner 21 comprising first and second separable units 23, 25 inter-connected by a releasable latch means 27. As embodied 89~i9 --herein, the first unit 23 is a power unit which includes a clam shell housing 24 formed with a handle 26 and enclosing an electric motor 29 and a fan 31 (see Fig.2).
Battery means including a plurality of rechargeable batteries 33, 35 are positioned within the handle 26 and are electrically connected to the motor 29. A pair of electrical terminals 28 and 30 (Fig.12) are positioned within the housing 24 and are connected to the batteries 33, 35. The terminals 28 and 30 are accessible from outside the housing 24 through openings 38 and 40 for connection to a plug (not shown) for recharging the batteries 33, 35. Switch means for turning the motor 29 on and off includes a switch 37 within the housing 24 and a slidable switch operator 39 located outside the housing 24 on or adjacent the handle 26.
The fan 31 is of the centrifugal type which includes blades 32, and is fixed to a motor shaft 34.
When the motor 29 is energized, the fan 31 rotates and causes air to be drawn axially through an inlet opening 36 and discharges it radially outwardly between blades 32.
An intermediate part is provided which comprises a venturi 41 fixed to the housing 24 forwardly of the fan 31 by screws 42 (Fig. 5). The venturi 41 includes a passageway 43 which converges toward and is communicated with the inlet opening 36 of fan 31. The housing 24 in-cludes diffuser means formed by equidistant radially spaced louvers 44 which define air discharge openinys 45 adjacent the outer periphery of the fan 31 (see Fig. 8).
Thus, when the motor 29 is turned on, the rotating fan 31 causes air to be drawn through the venturi passage-way 43 into the fan inlet opening 36. The air then moves outwardly between the fan blades 32 and is 92S~
discharged through openings 45.
The second unit 25 of the vacuum cleaner 21 is detachably connected to first or power unit 23. As embodied herein, the second unit 25 is a bowl unit and includes a bowl 47 constructed as a hollow, one-piece, molded member having an open end connected to the first or power unit 23. The bDwl 47 is constructed of a suitable tough, impact resistant material such as polypropylene.
As noted above, the power unit 23 and bowl unit 25 are connected by a releasable latch means 27. As embodied herein, the latch means includes one or more openings 49 wormed in the bottom of bowl 47 to receive corresponding projections 53 wormed on the bottom of venturi 41 (see Fig.6). The releasable latch means 27 also includes a flexible latch member 57 (Fig. 11) carried by the venturi 41 and engagable in an opening 63 in bowl 47. The member 57 is formed with a pair of arms 56, 58 connected by a flexible web 59 so that arms 56, 58 can move toward and away prom one another. Arm 58 is bifurcated and is fixed to the venturi 41 by snapping into place in an opening 60 (see Figs. 9 and 10). Arm 56 includes a button 61 shaped with a camming surface 62 and a locking shoulder 64. Latch member 57 can be constructed ox, or example, acetal.
To assemble the power and bowl units 23, 25, they are positioned as shown in Fig. 7 with the bowl 47 and venturi 41 tilted slightly and the venturi l extending partly into the bowl 47 with projections 53 aligned with openings 49. The projections 53 are then inserted in openings 49 and the units 23, 25 are rocked in the direction of the arrow toward the aligned and so assembled position shown in FigO 2. During this movement, the camming surface 62 on latch button 61 engages the edge ox bowl 47. The flexible web 59 allows the arm 56 of latch member 57 to move toward arm 56 until finally, the locking shoulder 64 snaps into position in the opening 63 in bowl 47.
Conversely, when the power and bowl units 23, 25 are to be separated, such as when the dirt is to be emptied from the bowl 47, as will be described, the latch button 61 is depressed ar enough to release the shoulder 64 from bowl opening 63. The units 23, 25 are then tilted toward the position shown in Fig. 7 (opposite the direction illustrated by the arrow) and are separated.
Full separation of units 23, 25 is illustrated in Fig.3.
As embodied herein, the bowl 47 is a one-piece member which can be molded of a tough, impact resistant material such as polypropylene. A nozzle 65 extends inwardly from an air inlet opening 67. The nozzle 65 is formed by a continuous skirt 68 which is molded integrally with the bowl 47 and is wholly within and spaced from the bowl itself except where it is joined to the bowl 47 adjacent the opening 67. The nozzle 65 is straight and substantially aligned with venturi passage 43, and has a generally constant cross sectional area throughout its length for maximum air flow and efficiency in piekiny up dirt.
By molding the nozzle 65 as one piece with the bowl 47, the need for an extra part, i.e. a separate nozzle, is eliminated. Further, by constructing the nozzle skirt 68 whollly internally of the bowl 47 and spaced therefrom except where joined adjacent the opening 67, the size and shape of the nozzle has no ef~ec~
so on the external contour of the bowl 47. This allows for maximum design latitude in the bowl 47 and results in the aesthetically pleasing appearance shown in Fig. 1.
A resilient flapper 71 is securely fastened in place over the internal end of the nozzle skirt 68. The flapper 71 is normally positioned as shown in full lines in Fig. 2 so that it closes the nozæle 65 and inlet opening 67. however, when the motor 29 is turned on, air drawn by the fan 31 through the venturi 41 exerts suction on the flapper 71 and causes it to lift away prom the nozzle 65 as shown by dot-dash lines in Fig. 2. This casues air flow through nozzle 65 and dirt to be drawn through inlet opening 67. When the motor 29 is again turned off, the flapper 71 returns to the full line closed position and dirt trapped within the bowl 47 cannot escape through the inlet opening 67.
The bowl unit 25 includes a filter bag assembly 73 positioned wholly within the bowl 47 and which is removable therefrom only after separation of the bowl 47 from the power unit 23. As embodied herein, the filter bag assembly 73 includes a ring 75 and an integral frame-work formed by a plurality of ribs 79. As air permeable filter bag 77 is fitted over ribs 79 and is fixed to ring 75. The framework ribs 79 hold the hag 77 extended as shown in Fig. 2 and ensure that a maximum area of the filter bag 77 is exposed to air flow through the vacuum cleaner.
The ring 75 can be formed of a suitable plastic material, such as polyethylene, polypropylene, or PVC.
The bag 77 can be formed of a porous non-woven polyester material having pores which are sufficiently small to resist passage of dirt. The bag 77 and ring 75 are g preferably permanently attached such as, for example, by stitching, hot welding, or by using a suitable adhesive material.
Means are provided to limit inward movement of the filter bag assembly relative to the bowl 47. As here embodied, the outer periphery of the ring 75 is shaped generally complementary to the internal surface of the bowl 47. Desirably, the upper surface of the bowl 47 and ring 75 are tapered so that when the jilter bag assembly 73 is inserted into the bowl 47, the ring 75 wedges into engagement with the wall of the bowl 47. In addition, the ring 25 has a feathered edge ~2 which can cold flow into sealing engagement with the bowl ~7. When so positioned, the filter bag assembly 73 and bowl 47 define a dirt-collecting chambex 80~ If desired, the bowl 47 can be formed with ribs 81, which define shoulders 83 to prevent the ring 75 from moving too far into the bowl 47. Desirably, the ring 75 wedges into engagement with the bowl 47 before engaging the shoulders 83. This ensures that the ring 75 sealingly engages the bowl 47 and prevents dirt from passing the ring.
The bowl ~7 and filter ring assembly 73 are constructed so that the assembly 73 remains within the bowl 47 when the units 23, 25 are detached and separatecl.
As here embodied, the wedging engagement between .rincJ 75 and bowl 47 prevents the assembly 73 from inadvertently falling out of bowl 47 or :Erom backing out when the power unit is separated from bowl unit 23. Furthermore, when the power unit 23 and bowl unit 25 are assembled together, as shown in Fig. 2, the venturi l engages -the ring 75 and presses it in-to snug wedging engagemen-t with the bowl 47. As shown, the venturi has a radial shoulder 85 which engages a radial shoulder 87 on the
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to electric powered vacuum cleaners, and more particularly, to a hand-held, electric vacuum cleaner which is constructed for convenient and easy emptying of dirt and avoidance of spilling, which is lightweight and balanced for easy handling, and which is simple in design and includes a minimum of separate parts.
Vacuum cleaners include a variety of types ranging from heavy duty shop-type vacuum cleaners used in basements, work rooms, garages, etc., and cannisters and uprights used for medium to heavy-duty cleaning of floors and floor coverings, furniture, and draperies, to the so-called stick-type vacuum cleaners which are used for li~ht-duty dirt pick-up such as kitchen 100rs, and some light carpet cleaning.
In addition, even smaller and lighter weight vacuum cleaners, some of which are battery operated, have also entered the market in recent years. These vacuum cleaners are often used in the kitchen, for example, for picking up dirt and crumbs on kitchen counters and tables and on kitchen floors, and are also used on stairs, shelves, workshops, or any hard-to-get-to areas.
Many of these smaller units suEfer from being 3~ clumsy and difficult to handle as a result of poor weight distribution. An even more important problem with these vacuum cleaners is that the dirt collection means is difficult to empty, and often results in spillage when the unit is opened in attempting to empty g2~i9 the dirt. Also, these units often are poorly designed with many separate parts, have inefficient air flow and dirt pick-up characteristics, and have an objecionably small dirt collection capacity which requires frequent emptying.
Thus, even though a definite need exists for a small, hand-held, light-duty vacuum cleaner of this type, the many problems attendant with existing units tends to discourage their use.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention alleviates the problems described above and generally satisfies the requisites for a small, hand-held vacuum cleaner by providing two separable units, one being a power unit, and the other a bowl unit into which dirt is drawn and retained. The bowl unit includes a hollow bowl and filter bag assembly removably positioned wholly within the bowl which confines the dirt and debris therein. The bowl is preferably a one-piece molded part and preferably includes an internal nozzle formed integral therewith and terminating in an air inlet opening. The end of the bowl remote from the air inle-t opening is constructed for ready attachment to and detachment from the power unit. When the bowl is detached from the power unit, the filter bag assembly remains within the bowl and prevents dirt spillage. The filter bag assembly is then easily removed from the bowl and the dirt can then be dumped.
The invention accordingly provides a hand-held vacuum cleaner comprising power and bowl units de-tachably secured together by releasable latch means, said power unit including a housing formed 5~
; ^~
with a handle and enclosing an electric motor and fan, an inlet opening at the upstream side of the fan, and having a switch for operating said motor, said bowl unit including an air inlet and an open end secured by said releasable latch means to said power unit and a filter bag assembly disposed between said air inlet and fan including a supporting frame adapted to releasably fit into said bowl unit open end, said filter bag assembly including a filter bag mounted on said supporting frame and disposed wholly within said bowl unit, said releasable latch means interacting between said power unit and said bowl unit and including a flexible latch member on one of such units and a first engagement means engageable by said flexible l.atch member on the other of such units, and second engagement means on such units spaced from said first engagement means and providing a releasable catch between the bowl and power units, and wherein said supporting rame is adapted to fit closely into said bowl unit at a location spaced a selected distance from said open end and to remain in said bowl unit when the latter is separated from said power unit, and said first and second engagement means being located in a region which is intermediate said location of said supporting frame and said open end of the bowl unit.
The accompanying drawings which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate one embodiment of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION_OF THE DRAWIMGS
Fig. 1 is a perspective view o a hand-held electric vacuum cleaner which embodies and is constructed in accordance with the present invention;
Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional view of the vacuum cleaner shown in Fix. 1 taken along a line ex-I!
tending substantially longitudinally thereof;
Fig. 3 is an exploded view of Fig. 2 andshowing the parts separated for emptying dirt;
Fig. 4 is a sectional view of Fig. 2 taken along the line 4-4 thereof;
Fig. 5 is a sectional view of Fig. 2 taken along the line 5-5 thereof and with parts broken away for clarity;
Fig. 6 is a bottom plan view of a portion of Fig. 2 taken along the line 6-6 thereof;
Fig. 7 is a sectional view of Fig. 6 taken along the line 7-7 thereof and showing one position of parts during assembly and disassembly of the units;
Fig. 8 is an enlarged sectional view of Fig.2 taken along the line 8-8 thereof;
Fig. 9 is a sectional view of Fig. 3 taken along the line 9-9 thereof;
Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 9 and showing the parts prior to assembly;
Fig. 11 is a perspective view of a part of Fig. 10; and Fig. 12 is an enlarged sectional view of Fig.2 taken along the line 12-12 whereof.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREF_RRED_ EMB_DIMENT
ReferencP will now be made in detail to the present preferred embodiment of the invention, an example of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
The preferred embodiment, shown in Fig. 1, is seen to include a hand-held, electric vacuum cleaner 21 comprising first and second separable units 23, 25 inter-connected by a releasable latch means 27. As embodied 89~i9 --herein, the first unit 23 is a power unit which includes a clam shell housing 24 formed with a handle 26 and enclosing an electric motor 29 and a fan 31 (see Fig.2).
Battery means including a plurality of rechargeable batteries 33, 35 are positioned within the handle 26 and are electrically connected to the motor 29. A pair of electrical terminals 28 and 30 (Fig.12) are positioned within the housing 24 and are connected to the batteries 33, 35. The terminals 28 and 30 are accessible from outside the housing 24 through openings 38 and 40 for connection to a plug (not shown) for recharging the batteries 33, 35. Switch means for turning the motor 29 on and off includes a switch 37 within the housing 24 and a slidable switch operator 39 located outside the housing 24 on or adjacent the handle 26.
The fan 31 is of the centrifugal type which includes blades 32, and is fixed to a motor shaft 34.
When the motor 29 is energized, the fan 31 rotates and causes air to be drawn axially through an inlet opening 36 and discharges it radially outwardly between blades 32.
An intermediate part is provided which comprises a venturi 41 fixed to the housing 24 forwardly of the fan 31 by screws 42 (Fig. 5). The venturi 41 includes a passageway 43 which converges toward and is communicated with the inlet opening 36 of fan 31. The housing 24 in-cludes diffuser means formed by equidistant radially spaced louvers 44 which define air discharge openinys 45 adjacent the outer periphery of the fan 31 (see Fig. 8).
Thus, when the motor 29 is turned on, the rotating fan 31 causes air to be drawn through the venturi passage-way 43 into the fan inlet opening 36. The air then moves outwardly between the fan blades 32 and is 92S~
discharged through openings 45.
The second unit 25 of the vacuum cleaner 21 is detachably connected to first or power unit 23. As embodied herein, the second unit 25 is a bowl unit and includes a bowl 47 constructed as a hollow, one-piece, molded member having an open end connected to the first or power unit 23. The bDwl 47 is constructed of a suitable tough, impact resistant material such as polypropylene.
As noted above, the power unit 23 and bowl unit 25 are connected by a releasable latch means 27. As embodied herein, the latch means includes one or more openings 49 wormed in the bottom of bowl 47 to receive corresponding projections 53 wormed on the bottom of venturi 41 (see Fig.6). The releasable latch means 27 also includes a flexible latch member 57 (Fig. 11) carried by the venturi 41 and engagable in an opening 63 in bowl 47. The member 57 is formed with a pair of arms 56, 58 connected by a flexible web 59 so that arms 56, 58 can move toward and away prom one another. Arm 58 is bifurcated and is fixed to the venturi 41 by snapping into place in an opening 60 (see Figs. 9 and 10). Arm 56 includes a button 61 shaped with a camming surface 62 and a locking shoulder 64. Latch member 57 can be constructed ox, or example, acetal.
To assemble the power and bowl units 23, 25, they are positioned as shown in Fig. 7 with the bowl 47 and venturi 41 tilted slightly and the venturi l extending partly into the bowl 47 with projections 53 aligned with openings 49. The projections 53 are then inserted in openings 49 and the units 23, 25 are rocked in the direction of the arrow toward the aligned and so assembled position shown in FigO 2. During this movement, the camming surface 62 on latch button 61 engages the edge ox bowl 47. The flexible web 59 allows the arm 56 of latch member 57 to move toward arm 56 until finally, the locking shoulder 64 snaps into position in the opening 63 in bowl 47.
Conversely, when the power and bowl units 23, 25 are to be separated, such as when the dirt is to be emptied from the bowl 47, as will be described, the latch button 61 is depressed ar enough to release the shoulder 64 from bowl opening 63. The units 23, 25 are then tilted toward the position shown in Fig. 7 (opposite the direction illustrated by the arrow) and are separated.
Full separation of units 23, 25 is illustrated in Fig.3.
As embodied herein, the bowl 47 is a one-piece member which can be molded of a tough, impact resistant material such as polypropylene. A nozzle 65 extends inwardly from an air inlet opening 67. The nozzle 65 is formed by a continuous skirt 68 which is molded integrally with the bowl 47 and is wholly within and spaced from the bowl itself except where it is joined to the bowl 47 adjacent the opening 67. The nozzle 65 is straight and substantially aligned with venturi passage 43, and has a generally constant cross sectional area throughout its length for maximum air flow and efficiency in piekiny up dirt.
By molding the nozzle 65 as one piece with the bowl 47, the need for an extra part, i.e. a separate nozzle, is eliminated. Further, by constructing the nozzle skirt 68 whollly internally of the bowl 47 and spaced therefrom except where joined adjacent the opening 67, the size and shape of the nozzle has no ef~ec~
so on the external contour of the bowl 47. This allows for maximum design latitude in the bowl 47 and results in the aesthetically pleasing appearance shown in Fig. 1.
A resilient flapper 71 is securely fastened in place over the internal end of the nozzle skirt 68. The flapper 71 is normally positioned as shown in full lines in Fig. 2 so that it closes the nozæle 65 and inlet opening 67. however, when the motor 29 is turned on, air drawn by the fan 31 through the venturi 41 exerts suction on the flapper 71 and causes it to lift away prom the nozzle 65 as shown by dot-dash lines in Fig. 2. This casues air flow through nozzle 65 and dirt to be drawn through inlet opening 67. When the motor 29 is again turned off, the flapper 71 returns to the full line closed position and dirt trapped within the bowl 47 cannot escape through the inlet opening 67.
The bowl unit 25 includes a filter bag assembly 73 positioned wholly within the bowl 47 and which is removable therefrom only after separation of the bowl 47 from the power unit 23. As embodied herein, the filter bag assembly 73 includes a ring 75 and an integral frame-work formed by a plurality of ribs 79. As air permeable filter bag 77 is fitted over ribs 79 and is fixed to ring 75. The framework ribs 79 hold the hag 77 extended as shown in Fig. 2 and ensure that a maximum area of the filter bag 77 is exposed to air flow through the vacuum cleaner.
The ring 75 can be formed of a suitable plastic material, such as polyethylene, polypropylene, or PVC.
The bag 77 can be formed of a porous non-woven polyester material having pores which are sufficiently small to resist passage of dirt. The bag 77 and ring 75 are g preferably permanently attached such as, for example, by stitching, hot welding, or by using a suitable adhesive material.
Means are provided to limit inward movement of the filter bag assembly relative to the bowl 47. As here embodied, the outer periphery of the ring 75 is shaped generally complementary to the internal surface of the bowl 47. Desirably, the upper surface of the bowl 47 and ring 75 are tapered so that when the jilter bag assembly 73 is inserted into the bowl 47, the ring 75 wedges into engagement with the wall of the bowl 47. In addition, the ring 25 has a feathered edge ~2 which can cold flow into sealing engagement with the bowl ~7. When so positioned, the filter bag assembly 73 and bowl 47 define a dirt-collecting chambex 80~ If desired, the bowl 47 can be formed with ribs 81, which define shoulders 83 to prevent the ring 75 from moving too far into the bowl 47. Desirably, the ring 75 wedges into engagement with the bowl 47 before engaging the shoulders 83. This ensures that the ring 75 sealingly engages the bowl 47 and prevents dirt from passing the ring.
The bowl ~7 and filter ring assembly 73 are constructed so that the assembly 73 remains within the bowl 47 when the units 23, 25 are detached and separatecl.
As here embodied, the wedging engagement between .rincJ 75 and bowl 47 prevents the assembly 73 from inadvertently falling out of bowl 47 or :Erom backing out when the power unit is separated from bowl unit 23. Furthermore, when the power unit 23 and bowl unit 25 are assembled together, as shown in Fig. 2, the venturi l engages -the ring 75 and presses it in-to snug wedging engagemen-t with the bowl 47. As shown, the venturi has a radial shoulder 85 which engages a radial shoulder 87 on the
2~i~
ring 75. However, after the power unit 23 is separated from the bowl unit 25, the filter bag assembly 73 can be manually withdrawn from the bowl 47 simply by reaching into the bowl and grasping the ring 75. Since the grasped portion of the ring 75 is downstream of the dirt within bowl 47, the user's hands are not dirtied in this action.
After removal of the dust bag assembly 73 from the bowl 47, the dirt is emptied simply by turning the bowl 47 upside down. Thereafter, the dust bag assembly 73 can be shaken or washed, and reinserted in the bowl 47. The power unit 23 and bowl unit 25 are then re-assembled as described and the vacuum cleaner is again ready for use. By providing that the filter bag assembly 73 remains in position in the bowl ~7 when the power and bowl units 23, 25 are detached and separated, all of the dirt remains securely trapped in the dirt collecting chamber 80 in bowl ~7 and cannot spill out until the filter bag assembly 73 is thereafter removed.
It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various additions, substitutions, modifications, and omissions can be made to the present embodiment with-out departing from the scope or spirit of the invention Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers such provided that they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.
ring 75. However, after the power unit 23 is separated from the bowl unit 25, the filter bag assembly 73 can be manually withdrawn from the bowl 47 simply by reaching into the bowl and grasping the ring 75. Since the grasped portion of the ring 75 is downstream of the dirt within bowl 47, the user's hands are not dirtied in this action.
After removal of the dust bag assembly 73 from the bowl 47, the dirt is emptied simply by turning the bowl 47 upside down. Thereafter, the dust bag assembly 73 can be shaken or washed, and reinserted in the bowl 47. The power unit 23 and bowl unit 25 are then re-assembled as described and the vacuum cleaner is again ready for use. By providing that the filter bag assembly 73 remains in position in the bowl ~7 when the power and bowl units 23, 25 are detached and separated, all of the dirt remains securely trapped in the dirt collecting chamber 80 in bowl ~7 and cannot spill out until the filter bag assembly 73 is thereafter removed.
It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various additions, substitutions, modifications, and omissions can be made to the present embodiment with-out departing from the scope or spirit of the invention Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers such provided that they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.
Claims (11)
1. A hand-held vacuum cleaner comprising power and bowl units detachably secured together by releasable latch means, said power unit including a housing formed with a handle and enclosing an electric motor and fan, an inlet opening at the upstream side of the fan, and having a switch for operating said motor, said bowl unit including an air inlet and an open end secured by said releasable latch means to said power unit and a filter assembly disposed between said air inlet and fan including a supporting frame adapted to releasably fit into said bowl unit open end, said filter assembly including a filter means mounted on said supporting frame and disposed wholly within said bowl unit, said releasable latch means interacting between said power unit and said bowl unit and including a flexible latch member on one of such units and a first engagement means engageable by said flexible latch member on the other of such units, and second engagement means on such units spaced from said first engagement means and providing a releasable catch between the bowl and power units, and wherein said supporting frame is adapted to fit closely into said bowl unit at a location spaced a selected distance from said open end and to remain in said bowl unit when the latter is separated from said power unit, and said first and second engagement means being located in a region which is intermediate said location of said supporting frame and said open end of the bowl unit.
2. Vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 1, wherein said power unit includes a portion which projects into the open end of the bowl unit by the selected distance when the two units are secured together, said portion engaging said supporting frame and pressing the latter into said location spaced the selected distance from said open end of the bowl unit.
3. Vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 2, wherein said flexible latch member is mounted to said portion which projects into the open end of the bowl unit.
4. Vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein said second engagement means serves to provide a releasable hinge between the power and bowl units to allow said bowl unit to be rocked relative to said power unit in the course of engaging said flexible latch member with said first engagement means.
5. Vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein said supporting frame and filter means are permanently fixed together.
6. Vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein said bowl unit has an internal tapered portion, said supporting frame being adapted to wedge into engagement with said tapered portion and having a feathered edge adapted to deform into sealing engagement with said tapered portion.
7. Vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 1 wherein said bowl unit is a one-piece molded member of hollow configuration having said air inlet opposite said bowl unit open end, a nozzle formed inside said molded member and communicated with said air inlet, said nozzle including a continuous skirt formed integral with and wholly within and spaced from said molded member and joined thereto adjacent said air inlet.
8. Vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 7, characterized by said nozzle being straight and substantially constant in cross-section throughout its length.
9. Vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, further including a battery for said motor in said power unit.
10. Vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, further including a battery for said motor in said power unit, and wherein said battery is positioned within said handle, said motor and fan being positioned in said housing immediately forwardly of said handle.
11. Vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, further including a rechargeable battery for said motor within said power unit, and terminals accessible from the exterior of said power unit to permit said battery to be connected to a charging unit.
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US932,762 | 1978-08-11 | ||
| US05/932,762 US4209875A (en) | 1978-08-11 | 1978-08-11 | Cordless vacuum cleaner bowl and filter system |
| CA000333564A CA1144716A (en) | 1978-08-11 | 1979-08-10 | Cordless vacuum cleaner bowl and filter system |
Related Parent Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000416430A Division CA1170409A (en) | 1978-08-11 | 1982-11-25 | Cordless vacuum cleaner bowl and filter system |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1189259A true CA1189259A (en) | 1985-06-25 |
Family
ID=25668952
Family Applications (2)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000449527A Expired CA1189259A (en) | 1978-08-11 | 1984-03-13 | Cordless vacuum cleaner bowl and filter systems |
| CA000526807A Expired CA1245812B (en) | 1978-08-11 | 1987-01-06 | Cordless vacuum cleaner bowl and filter system |
Family Applications After (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000526807A Expired CA1245812B (en) | 1978-08-11 | 1987-01-06 | Cordless vacuum cleaner bowl and filter system |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (2) | CA1189259A (en) |
-
1984
- 1984-03-13 CA CA000449527A patent/CA1189259A/en not_active Expired
-
1987
- 1987-01-06 CA CA000526807A patent/CA1245812B/en not_active Expired
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| CA1245812B (en) | 1988-12-06 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKEX | Expiry |