CA1263804A - Compact vacuum cleaner - Google Patents
Compact vacuum cleanerInfo
- Publication number
- CA1263804A CA1263804A CA000538439A CA538439A CA1263804A CA 1263804 A CA1263804 A CA 1263804A CA 000538439 A CA000538439 A CA 000538439A CA 538439 A CA538439 A CA 538439A CA 1263804 A CA1263804 A CA 1263804A
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- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- vacuum cleaner
- set forth
- wheel means
- casing
- motor
- Prior art date
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- Expired
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- Structures Of Non-Positive Displacement Pumps (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
The present invention provides a vacuum cleaner includ-ing a casing comprising a tank section for storing dirt picked up by said vacuum cleaner, and a housing section to the rear of said tank section; a fan means within said casing; a motor disposed within said housing section and having an output shaft drivingly connected to said fan means to create a main air stream flowing through said casing by drawing air into said tank section through an inlet at the front thereof and exhausting air through an out-let at the rear of said housing; said shaft extending in a front to rear direction and said main air stream moving longitudinally of said shaft to cool said motor; first means defining a chamber in front of said motor and within which said fan means is rotat-ably disposed; wheel means at one end of said casing; a buckle member mounted on one of said sections and including a latch por-tion operatively engageable with a cooperating formation in the other of said sections to releasably secure said sections together; said buckle member also including a skid portion engageable with a surface for supporting said vacuum cleaner in a horizontal position and on which said wheel means rest.
The present invention provides a vacuum cleaner includ-ing a casing comprising a tank section for storing dirt picked up by said vacuum cleaner, and a housing section to the rear of said tank section; a fan means within said casing; a motor disposed within said housing section and having an output shaft drivingly connected to said fan means to create a main air stream flowing through said casing by drawing air into said tank section through an inlet at the front thereof and exhausting air through an out-let at the rear of said housing; said shaft extending in a front to rear direction and said main air stream moving longitudinally of said shaft to cool said motor; first means defining a chamber in front of said motor and within which said fan means is rotat-ably disposed; wheel means at one end of said casing; a buckle member mounted on one of said sections and including a latch por-tion operatively engageable with a cooperating formation in the other of said sections to releasably secure said sections together; said buckle member also including a skid portion engageable with a surface for supporting said vacuum cleaner in a horizontal position and on which said wheel means rest.
Description
This invention rela-tes -to vacuum cleaners in general.
and more particularly relates to cannis-ter -type vacuum cleaners that may be wheeled about and may also be convenien-tly hand car-ried while in use.
This applica-tion is a divisional appl.icat:ion oE copend-ing applica-tion No. 469,630 flled December 7, ~98~.
Cannister type vacuum cleaners are oE-ten provided wl-th wheels and/or skids -to facili-tate moving of the vacuurn cleaner duriny use thereoE. Sometimes it is desirable -to u-t:Llize this type of vacuum cleaner for cleaniny s-tairs and elevated locations that do not have any surfaces in the vicini-ty to suppor-t the vacuum c:Leaner while i-t is in operation. Pri.or art vacuum clea-ners of this type are, for the most part, either -too bulky o:E
heavy to be carried conveniently over an extended period of time, especially when they must be carried in only one hand while the other hand is being used to maneuver a cleaning tool.
One prior art attempt to solve this problem is set forth in U.S. Patent No, 3,599,273 which issued August 17, 1971 to K. Shirayangi et al. for a Vacuum Cleaner. In the aforesaid U.S. Paten-t No. 3,599,273 when the canni.s-ter vacuum is -to be held by the user, the vacuum mus-t be split into two sections, one of which is .handheld and the other of which may be shoulder carrled.
This appears to be an extrernely awkward arrangement and it would appear -that an inordinate amount of time is required :Eor separat:i.ng and reassembling the sec-tions o:E the vacuuln cleane~r.
As will hereina:Fter be seen, -the present :Lnventioll pro--v:Ldes a vacuum c:Leaner o:E compact rela-tively li.yllL we~:Lght con-struct:Lon that may be moved a:Lony the :Eloor on wheels and may also be conveniently handheld duriny operation thereoE. Except for the electric motor, all. oE the major components are molded plastic elements that are readily assembled to Form a unitary structure.
~;~63~0~
Accordingly, the present inven-tion provides a novel cons-truc-tion Eor a cannister type vacuum cleaner -that is conve-nien-t to carry and is also convenient to move along a suppor-ting surface.
The presen-t invention also provides a vacuum cleaner oE
this type -that is relatively inexpensive and i,s reliable.
rrhe present inven-tion further provides a vacuum cleaner of this type that does not requ:Lre gaskets be-tween separable cas-i,ng element.
The presen-t invention also provides a common Eastening means Eor mechanically securing most of the major eleme,nts toge-ther in cooperating relationship.
The present invention again provides a vacuum cleaner of this type that includes a one-piece molded buckle having a portion for latching casing sections toge-ther in opera-tive rela-tionship, a glide or skid section to support the cleaner as it isbeing moved along the floor and a hook section for hanging the cleaner on a wall mounted hook.
The present invention also provides a vacuum cleaner of -this -type in which the outlet for air from the chamber Eor -the fan blade consis-ts of hundreds of rela-tive]y small apertures arranged in a narrow annular array so as to reduce no:ise without creating excessive pressure.
According -to the present invention there ls provided a vacuum cleaner inc:Luding a cas:Lng cornpris:lng a tank section for stor:Lng dirt picked up by said vacuum cleaner, and a housing sec--tion to the rear of sa:Ld -tank section; a Ean mearls wLthin said casing; a motor disposed within said houslng section and having an output shaE-t drivingly connec-ted to said fan means to create a main air s-tream Elowing through said casing by drawing air in-to ~ ~3 ~
said tank sec-tion through an inlet at the front thereof and exhaus-ting air -through an outlet at the rear of said housing;
said shaft extending in a front to rear direction and said main air s-tream moving longitudinally of said shaft to cooL said motor; first means defining a chamber in front oE said motor and wi-thin which said fan means is rotatably disposed; wheel means at one end of said caslng; a buckle member moun-ted on one of saLd sec-tions and includlng a latch portion operatively engageable with a cooperating formation in the o-ther of said sections to releasab]y secure said sec-tions -toge-ther; said buckle member also including a sk:id portion enyagable with a surEace for suppor-ting said vacuum cleaner in a horizontal posi-tion and on which said wheel means rest. Suitably -the buckle also includes a hook portion engageable wi-th a wall bracket for hanging said vacuurn cleaner in a ver-tical position. Desirably -the skid por-tion is between the latch por-tion and the hook portion. Preferably the buckle is moun-ted to the -tank section and -the hook por-tion is at the fron-t of -the buckle.
The present inven-tion will be further illustrated by way of the accompanying drawings, in which:-Figure 1, is a perspec-tive, looking generally at the intake or front end of a vacuum cleaner construc-ted in accordance wi-th -teachings of the present inven-tion;
Figure 2 is a rear elevation of the vacuum c:Leaner of Fiyure 1, looking in -the direc-tion of arrows 2-2 of F:igure l;
F:Lyure 3 is a cross-section taken through :l:lrle 3-3 of Figure 2, lookiny in -the direction oE arrows 3-3;
Fiyure ~ is an enlaryed fragmentary cross-section through line ~-~ of F:iyure 3, looking in the direction of arrows 4-~;
Figure 5 is an elevation looking at the rear facing surface of -the baffle at the rear of the motor;
Figures 5A and 5B are cross-sec-tions taken through -the respective lines 5A-5A and 5B-5B of Figure 5, l.ooki.ng in the directions of the respec-tive arrows 5A-5A and 5B-5B;
,, ~ 'iyure 6 is an eleva-tion looking at -the rear facing surface of the motor mount:lng plate;
Figure 6A is a cross-sec-tion -taken through line 6A-6A
of Flgure 6, looking in the direction of arrows 6A-6A;
Figure 7 is an elevation looking at the rear facing surface of the fan housing;
Figure 7A is a cross-section taken -through line 7A-7A
of Figure 7, looking in the direction of arrows 7A-7A;
Figure 8 is an elevation looking at the rear facing surface of -the support for the secondary filter; ancl ~ - 3a -~ ~3 ~ ~
Figure 8A is a cross-section taken through line 8A-8A of Figure 8, looking in the direction of arrows ~A-8A.
Now referring to the Figures, canister type vacuum cleaner 10, constructed in accordance with teachings of the instant invention, includes casing 11, have a tank section 12 at the front and motor housing 14 at the rear. As seen in Figures 3 and 4, disposed within casing 11 are motor 25 and main molded plastic elements 75 (secondary filter support), 30 (fan housing), 55 (motor mounting plate) and 60 (baffle).
Inlet 15 to tank 12 is through passage 16 defined by cylindrical neck 17 that extends rearward from front surface 18 of tank 12. Handle 19 molded integrally with tank 12 is disposed at the front thereof in a position that permits one end of a tool hose (not shown) to be removably connected to tank 12 over its inlet 15. Dirt drawn into tank 12 through inlet 15 is trapped within porous paper bag 20 that acts as a primary filter in protecting air-cooled motor 25 against dust and dirt. Stiffener 21 at the open end of bag 20 is provided with annular collar 22 that surrounds neck 17 and is wedged thereagainst two removably secure bag 20 to neck 17.
Depression 23 in the front surface of handle 19 defines a space for the storage of line cord 24 as it is wound around casing 11. Other storage spaces for line cord 24 are provided by depressions 26, 26 along opposite edges of motor housing 14 at the rear thereof.
Tank 12 and housing 14 abut the front and rear surfaces respectively of narrow, generally rectangular band formation 27 formed integrally with fan housing 30 at ~.~
~638634 the rear thereof. As seen in Figure 3 fan housing 30 is also provided with shallow upward projection 28 positioned forward of band formation 27. Projection 28 is received by a complementary depression in the internal surface of tank 12 in the vicinity of the rear end thereof so that the top of the tank is held in position by projection 28. The bottom of tank 12 at the transverse center thereof mounts bucklet 35 that is a one piece rnolded plastic member, preferably constructed of nylon or acetate and including latch formation 34 at one end thereof, hook formation 33 at the other end thereof and skid 32 at the mid-region thereof. When the supporting surface 31 (Figure 3-4) for vacuum 10 is horizontal, skid 32 engages surface 31 as do wheels 36, 36 that are rotatably mounted to motor housing 14 at the rear thereof.
Latch 34 is received by a cooperating depression in motor housing 14 to firmly secure the lower portions of tank 12 and motor housing 14 together. This connection is releasable in that latch 34 may be removed from its cooperating depression in motor housing 14 by applying force at finger-engagable extension 37, formed integrally with buckle 35, at the rear thereof to bend buckle 35 as re~uired to release latch 34.
Motor 25 is disposed within housing 14 and includes stater 41 and rotor 42 having sha~t 43 extending therethrough. The windings of rotor 42 are electrically connected to line cord 24 in a conventional manner including switch 44 and leads 46, 47, 98. Grommet 98 (Figure 3) surrounds line cord 24 where it enters housing 14 through rear wall 99 , ,.
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thereof. Shaft 43 is rotatably supported by bearings (not shown) disposed at opposite ends thereof, with one of these bearings being mounted to U-shaped bracket 48 and the other being mounted to molded plastic end bell 50.
Pancake type centrifugal fan impeller 51 is secured to the rear end o motor shaft 43 so as to be rotatable therewith. Impeller 51 is disposed within shallow chamber 52 that is defined b~ fan housing 30 and is substantially closed at the rear thereo by motor mounting plate 55 (Figure 6). The latter includes circular aperture 56 at the center thereof to received annular extension 56 at the from of end bell 50. Mounting plate 55 also includes apertures 57, 57 disposed on opposite sides of central aperture 56.
Each aperture 57 receives a bushing 58 that surrounds a stud 59 formed integrally with end bell 50. Mechanical securement of motor 25 to its mounting plate 55 is completed by screws 61, 61 that are threadably received in longitudinal passages (not shown) that extend to the fronts of studs 59, 59.
Fan housing 30 (Figure 7), motor mounting plate 55 and baffle 60 at the rear of motor 25 are mechanically secured within motor housing 14 by a common astening means provided by four screws 121 each of which is threadably received in an individual passage 62 that extends to the forward end o one of four posts 63 that are disposed within motor housing 14 and extend forward from rear wall 99 thereof, being molded integrally therewith. Each post 63 extends into one of four hollow studs 64 through the open rear end thereof. Stud 64 includes a shallow depression at its ~1.263~3~4 front end which receives the rear end of a post 66 that extends rearward from motor mounting plate 55. Post 66 and stud 64 are provided with clearance apertures through which screw 121 extends. ~ead 67 of screw 121 bears against the forward facing surface of fan housing 30 that is at the rear of longitudinal depression 68 and stud 81.
Fan housing 30 also includes annular wall 71 that is concentric with the outer edge of impeller 51 and in close proximity thereto. Central aperture 72 in transverse wall 74 of housing 30 is concentric with wall 71 and provides the inlet through which air reaches impeller 51. Disposed outboard of wall 71 are four apertures 73 that extend through the fan housing wall 74. Each aperture 73 receives one of four rearwardly projecting cars 176 of support 75 (Figure 8) for secondary filter 76 the latter being a sheet of filter material that is removably held by six inwardly projecting tabs 77 of support 75. The rear ends of tabs 74 are upset, as by applying heat thereto, thereby mechanically securing support 75 to the front of fan housing 30. Main platelike section 78 of support 75 is provided with an array of slots 120 to minimize interference with airflow to impeller 51 and to utilize a maximum amount of filter area. Apertures 79 at the corners of main section 78 are aligned with depressions 68 to permit access to heads 67 of screws 121 when filter 76 is removed. Screw heads 67 are not visible to the user when filter 76 is in operative position during normal use.
Ba~fle 60 (Figure 5) includes main wall 82 that extends across the interior of motor housing 14 f ~ 2 ~ 8~
and at its central region is provided with cup 83 wherein the rear half of motor 25 is disposed. A
plurality of apertures 84 in cup 83 near the rear thereof provide air flow openings. Baffle member 60 also defines chamber 122 wherein sw;tch 44 is disposed with its operating member 86 extending through housing aperture 87 and being engaged by manually operable slide 88 that is accessible outside of motor housing 14 for selectively operating motor 25 on and off.
Baffle 60 is snap fitted on bracket 48 through the cooperation of bracket projections 48a (one seen in Figure 4) and baffle apertures 60a (one seen in Figure 4) to constitute an independent subassembly in which aperture radial projection 50a of end bell 50 provides a finger-proof front for chamber 122. End ball 50 and baffle 60 are constructed of flame retardant material so that even if other housing elements are broken or destroyed the uninsulated electrical connections at switch ~4 will be surrounded by flame retardant material.
As seen best in Figures 3 and 4, rotation of fan impeller 51 by motor 25 moves air through casing 11 along indicated by the broken lines having arrowheads thereon. That is, rotating impeller 51 draws air into tank 12 through inlet 15 and passage 16. This is the main or working air that creates a suction force at a pick-up tool (not shown) disposed at one end of a flexible hose (not shown) whose other end is removably connected to vacuum cleaner 10 at inlet 15, in a manner well known to the art. Air and dirt particles that enter tank 18 enter bag 20 that constitutes a primary filter which traps the dirt. Air flows rearward ~, ~ ~ ~3 8~
through bag 20 and then flows through secondary filter 76, typically a flexible sheet of open cell foam material, and slots 120 into impeller chamber 96 through central aperture 72 thereof. Air flow is then radially outward, being deflected rearwardly again by wall 71 and flowing through apertures 95 in motor mounting plate 55. As seen best in Figure 6, each of the apertures 95 is of relatively small diameter and the plurality of apertures 95 is arranged in a narrow annular array or band consisting of three rows. This arrangement of many small apertures 95, typically 270 in number, suppresses noise without creating excessive back pressure.
Air flow to the rear of motor mounting plate 55 is alongside and through motor 25 to cool the latter. Some of the flow is through apertures 94 in end bell 50. Because o~ the configuration of baffle 60, air flow is for the most part directed into cup 83 and circular aperture 83, and exits motor housing 14 at the rear thereof through slotted apertures 92. Foam noise suppressor 91 is disposed in the air path, being inside of motor housing 19 is disposed in the air path, being inside of motor housing 19 in front of slots 92.
The amount of air forced through motor 25 for cool;ng thereo~ may be adjusted by providing apertures (not shown) in transverse wall 82 of baffle 60.
Tank 12 may be released from motor housing 14 by merely disengaging latch 34 from housing 14 and thereafter pivoting tank 12 counterclockwise in an upward direction with respect to Eigure 3 about band 27. Bag 20 is then accessible for removal from tank 12, Bag 20 may be either a reusable or replaceable type.
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and more particularly relates to cannis-ter -type vacuum cleaners that may be wheeled about and may also be convenien-tly hand car-ried while in use.
This applica-tion is a divisional appl.icat:ion oE copend-ing applica-tion No. 469,630 flled December 7, ~98~.
Cannister type vacuum cleaners are oE-ten provided wl-th wheels and/or skids -to facili-tate moving of the vacuurn cleaner duriny use thereoE. Sometimes it is desirable -to u-t:Llize this type of vacuum cleaner for cleaniny s-tairs and elevated locations that do not have any surfaces in the vicini-ty to suppor-t the vacuum c:Leaner while i-t is in operation. Pri.or art vacuum clea-ners of this type are, for the most part, either -too bulky o:E
heavy to be carried conveniently over an extended period of time, especially when they must be carried in only one hand while the other hand is being used to maneuver a cleaning tool.
One prior art attempt to solve this problem is set forth in U.S. Patent No, 3,599,273 which issued August 17, 1971 to K. Shirayangi et al. for a Vacuum Cleaner. In the aforesaid U.S. Paten-t No. 3,599,273 when the canni.s-ter vacuum is -to be held by the user, the vacuum mus-t be split into two sections, one of which is .handheld and the other of which may be shoulder carrled.
This appears to be an extrernely awkward arrangement and it would appear -that an inordinate amount of time is required :Eor separat:i.ng and reassembling the sec-tions o:E the vacuuln cleane~r.
As will hereina:Fter be seen, -the present :Lnventioll pro--v:Ldes a vacuum c:Leaner o:E compact rela-tively li.yllL we~:Lght con-struct:Lon that may be moved a:Lony the :Eloor on wheels and may also be conveniently handheld duriny operation thereoE. Except for the electric motor, all. oE the major components are molded plastic elements that are readily assembled to Form a unitary structure.
~;~63~0~
Accordingly, the present inven-tion provides a novel cons-truc-tion Eor a cannister type vacuum cleaner -that is conve-nien-t to carry and is also convenient to move along a suppor-ting surface.
The presen-t invention also provides a vacuum cleaner oE
this type -that is relatively inexpensive and i,s reliable.
rrhe present inven-tion further provides a vacuum cleaner of this type that does not requ:Lre gaskets be-tween separable cas-i,ng element.
The presen-t invention also provides a common Eastening means Eor mechanically securing most of the major eleme,nts toge-ther in cooperating relationship.
The present invention again provides a vacuum cleaner of this type that includes a one-piece molded buckle having a portion for latching casing sections toge-ther in opera-tive rela-tionship, a glide or skid section to support the cleaner as it isbeing moved along the floor and a hook section for hanging the cleaner on a wall mounted hook.
The present invention also provides a vacuum cleaner of -this -type in which the outlet for air from the chamber Eor -the fan blade consis-ts of hundreds of rela-tive]y small apertures arranged in a narrow annular array so as to reduce no:ise without creating excessive pressure.
According -to the present invention there ls provided a vacuum cleaner inc:Luding a cas:Lng cornpris:lng a tank section for stor:Lng dirt picked up by said vacuum cleaner, and a housing sec--tion to the rear of sa:Ld -tank section; a Ean mearls wLthin said casing; a motor disposed within said houslng section and having an output shaE-t drivingly connec-ted to said fan means to create a main air s-tream Elowing through said casing by drawing air in-to ~ ~3 ~
said tank sec-tion through an inlet at the front thereof and exhaus-ting air -through an outlet at the rear of said housing;
said shaft extending in a front to rear direction and said main air s-tream moving longitudinally of said shaft to cooL said motor; first means defining a chamber in front oE said motor and wi-thin which said fan means is rotatably disposed; wheel means at one end of said caslng; a buckle member moun-ted on one of saLd sec-tions and includlng a latch portion operatively engageable with a cooperating formation in the o-ther of said sections to releasab]y secure said sec-tions -toge-ther; said buckle member also including a sk:id portion enyagable with a surEace for suppor-ting said vacuum cleaner in a horizontal posi-tion and on which said wheel means rest. Suitably -the buckle also includes a hook portion engageable wi-th a wall bracket for hanging said vacuurn cleaner in a ver-tical position. Desirably -the skid por-tion is between the latch por-tion and the hook portion. Preferably the buckle is moun-ted to the -tank section and -the hook por-tion is at the fron-t of -the buckle.
The present inven-tion will be further illustrated by way of the accompanying drawings, in which:-Figure 1, is a perspec-tive, looking generally at the intake or front end of a vacuum cleaner construc-ted in accordance wi-th -teachings of the present inven-tion;
Figure 2 is a rear elevation of the vacuum c:Leaner of Fiyure 1, looking in -the direc-tion of arrows 2-2 of F:igure l;
F:Lyure 3 is a cross-section taken through :l:lrle 3-3 of Figure 2, lookiny in -the direction oE arrows 3-3;
Fiyure ~ is an enlaryed fragmentary cross-section through line ~-~ of F:iyure 3, looking in the direction of arrows 4-~;
Figure 5 is an elevation looking at the rear facing surface of -the baffle at the rear of the motor;
Figures 5A and 5B are cross-sec-tions taken through -the respective lines 5A-5A and 5B-5B of Figure 5, l.ooki.ng in the directions of the respec-tive arrows 5A-5A and 5B-5B;
,, ~ 'iyure 6 is an eleva-tion looking at -the rear facing surface of the motor mount:lng plate;
Figure 6A is a cross-sec-tion -taken through line 6A-6A
of Flgure 6, looking in the direction of arrows 6A-6A;
Figure 7 is an elevation looking at the rear facing surface of the fan housing;
Figure 7A is a cross-section taken -through line 7A-7A
of Figure 7, looking in the direction of arrows 7A-7A;
Figure 8 is an elevation looking at the rear facing surface of -the support for the secondary filter; ancl ~ - 3a -~ ~3 ~ ~
Figure 8A is a cross-section taken through line 8A-8A of Figure 8, looking in the direction of arrows ~A-8A.
Now referring to the Figures, canister type vacuum cleaner 10, constructed in accordance with teachings of the instant invention, includes casing 11, have a tank section 12 at the front and motor housing 14 at the rear. As seen in Figures 3 and 4, disposed within casing 11 are motor 25 and main molded plastic elements 75 (secondary filter support), 30 (fan housing), 55 (motor mounting plate) and 60 (baffle).
Inlet 15 to tank 12 is through passage 16 defined by cylindrical neck 17 that extends rearward from front surface 18 of tank 12. Handle 19 molded integrally with tank 12 is disposed at the front thereof in a position that permits one end of a tool hose (not shown) to be removably connected to tank 12 over its inlet 15. Dirt drawn into tank 12 through inlet 15 is trapped within porous paper bag 20 that acts as a primary filter in protecting air-cooled motor 25 against dust and dirt. Stiffener 21 at the open end of bag 20 is provided with annular collar 22 that surrounds neck 17 and is wedged thereagainst two removably secure bag 20 to neck 17.
Depression 23 in the front surface of handle 19 defines a space for the storage of line cord 24 as it is wound around casing 11. Other storage spaces for line cord 24 are provided by depressions 26, 26 along opposite edges of motor housing 14 at the rear thereof.
Tank 12 and housing 14 abut the front and rear surfaces respectively of narrow, generally rectangular band formation 27 formed integrally with fan housing 30 at ~.~
~638634 the rear thereof. As seen in Figure 3 fan housing 30 is also provided with shallow upward projection 28 positioned forward of band formation 27. Projection 28 is received by a complementary depression in the internal surface of tank 12 in the vicinity of the rear end thereof so that the top of the tank is held in position by projection 28. The bottom of tank 12 at the transverse center thereof mounts bucklet 35 that is a one piece rnolded plastic member, preferably constructed of nylon or acetate and including latch formation 34 at one end thereof, hook formation 33 at the other end thereof and skid 32 at the mid-region thereof. When the supporting surface 31 (Figure 3-4) for vacuum 10 is horizontal, skid 32 engages surface 31 as do wheels 36, 36 that are rotatably mounted to motor housing 14 at the rear thereof.
Latch 34 is received by a cooperating depression in motor housing 14 to firmly secure the lower portions of tank 12 and motor housing 14 together. This connection is releasable in that latch 34 may be removed from its cooperating depression in motor housing 14 by applying force at finger-engagable extension 37, formed integrally with buckle 35, at the rear thereof to bend buckle 35 as re~uired to release latch 34.
Motor 25 is disposed within housing 14 and includes stater 41 and rotor 42 having sha~t 43 extending therethrough. The windings of rotor 42 are electrically connected to line cord 24 in a conventional manner including switch 44 and leads 46, 47, 98. Grommet 98 (Figure 3) surrounds line cord 24 where it enters housing 14 through rear wall 99 , ,.
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thereof. Shaft 43 is rotatably supported by bearings (not shown) disposed at opposite ends thereof, with one of these bearings being mounted to U-shaped bracket 48 and the other being mounted to molded plastic end bell 50.
Pancake type centrifugal fan impeller 51 is secured to the rear end o motor shaft 43 so as to be rotatable therewith. Impeller 51 is disposed within shallow chamber 52 that is defined b~ fan housing 30 and is substantially closed at the rear thereo by motor mounting plate 55 (Figure 6). The latter includes circular aperture 56 at the center thereof to received annular extension 56 at the from of end bell 50. Mounting plate 55 also includes apertures 57, 57 disposed on opposite sides of central aperture 56.
Each aperture 57 receives a bushing 58 that surrounds a stud 59 formed integrally with end bell 50. Mechanical securement of motor 25 to its mounting plate 55 is completed by screws 61, 61 that are threadably received in longitudinal passages (not shown) that extend to the fronts of studs 59, 59.
Fan housing 30 (Figure 7), motor mounting plate 55 and baffle 60 at the rear of motor 25 are mechanically secured within motor housing 14 by a common astening means provided by four screws 121 each of which is threadably received in an individual passage 62 that extends to the forward end o one of four posts 63 that are disposed within motor housing 14 and extend forward from rear wall 99 thereof, being molded integrally therewith. Each post 63 extends into one of four hollow studs 64 through the open rear end thereof. Stud 64 includes a shallow depression at its ~1.263~3~4 front end which receives the rear end of a post 66 that extends rearward from motor mounting plate 55. Post 66 and stud 64 are provided with clearance apertures through which screw 121 extends. ~ead 67 of screw 121 bears against the forward facing surface of fan housing 30 that is at the rear of longitudinal depression 68 and stud 81.
Fan housing 30 also includes annular wall 71 that is concentric with the outer edge of impeller 51 and in close proximity thereto. Central aperture 72 in transverse wall 74 of housing 30 is concentric with wall 71 and provides the inlet through which air reaches impeller 51. Disposed outboard of wall 71 are four apertures 73 that extend through the fan housing wall 74. Each aperture 73 receives one of four rearwardly projecting cars 176 of support 75 (Figure 8) for secondary filter 76 the latter being a sheet of filter material that is removably held by six inwardly projecting tabs 77 of support 75. The rear ends of tabs 74 are upset, as by applying heat thereto, thereby mechanically securing support 75 to the front of fan housing 30. Main platelike section 78 of support 75 is provided with an array of slots 120 to minimize interference with airflow to impeller 51 and to utilize a maximum amount of filter area. Apertures 79 at the corners of main section 78 are aligned with depressions 68 to permit access to heads 67 of screws 121 when filter 76 is removed. Screw heads 67 are not visible to the user when filter 76 is in operative position during normal use.
Ba~fle 60 (Figure 5) includes main wall 82 that extends across the interior of motor housing 14 f ~ 2 ~ 8~
and at its central region is provided with cup 83 wherein the rear half of motor 25 is disposed. A
plurality of apertures 84 in cup 83 near the rear thereof provide air flow openings. Baffle member 60 also defines chamber 122 wherein sw;tch 44 is disposed with its operating member 86 extending through housing aperture 87 and being engaged by manually operable slide 88 that is accessible outside of motor housing 14 for selectively operating motor 25 on and off.
Baffle 60 is snap fitted on bracket 48 through the cooperation of bracket projections 48a (one seen in Figure 4) and baffle apertures 60a (one seen in Figure 4) to constitute an independent subassembly in which aperture radial projection 50a of end bell 50 provides a finger-proof front for chamber 122. End ball 50 and baffle 60 are constructed of flame retardant material so that even if other housing elements are broken or destroyed the uninsulated electrical connections at switch ~4 will be surrounded by flame retardant material.
As seen best in Figures 3 and 4, rotation of fan impeller 51 by motor 25 moves air through casing 11 along indicated by the broken lines having arrowheads thereon. That is, rotating impeller 51 draws air into tank 12 through inlet 15 and passage 16. This is the main or working air that creates a suction force at a pick-up tool (not shown) disposed at one end of a flexible hose (not shown) whose other end is removably connected to vacuum cleaner 10 at inlet 15, in a manner well known to the art. Air and dirt particles that enter tank 18 enter bag 20 that constitutes a primary filter which traps the dirt. Air flows rearward ~, ~ ~ ~3 8~
through bag 20 and then flows through secondary filter 76, typically a flexible sheet of open cell foam material, and slots 120 into impeller chamber 96 through central aperture 72 thereof. Air flow is then radially outward, being deflected rearwardly again by wall 71 and flowing through apertures 95 in motor mounting plate 55. As seen best in Figure 6, each of the apertures 95 is of relatively small diameter and the plurality of apertures 95 is arranged in a narrow annular array or band consisting of three rows. This arrangement of many small apertures 95, typically 270 in number, suppresses noise without creating excessive back pressure.
Air flow to the rear of motor mounting plate 55 is alongside and through motor 25 to cool the latter. Some of the flow is through apertures 94 in end bell 50. Because o~ the configuration of baffle 60, air flow is for the most part directed into cup 83 and circular aperture 83, and exits motor housing 14 at the rear thereof through slotted apertures 92. Foam noise suppressor 91 is disposed in the air path, being inside of motor housing 19 is disposed in the air path, being inside of motor housing 19 in front of slots 92.
The amount of air forced through motor 25 for cool;ng thereo~ may be adjusted by providing apertures (not shown) in transverse wall 82 of baffle 60.
Tank 12 may be released from motor housing 14 by merely disengaging latch 34 from housing 14 and thereafter pivoting tank 12 counterclockwise in an upward direction with respect to Eigure 3 about band 27. Bag 20 is then accessible for removal from tank 12, Bag 20 may be either a reusable or replaceable type.
.~ ,..
.v
Claims (12)
EXCLUSIVE PROPERTY OR PRIVELEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED
AS FOLLOWS:
1. A vacuum cleaner including a casing comprising a tank section for storing dirt picked up by said vacuum cleaner, and a housing section to the rear of said tank section; a fan means within said casing; a motor disposed within said housing section and having an output shaft drivingly connected to said fan means to create a main airstream flowing through said casing by drawing air into said tank section through an inlet at the front thereof and exhausting air through an outlet at the rear of said housing; said shaft extending in a front to rear direction and said main airstream moving longitudinally of said shaft to cool said motor; first means defining a chamber in front of said motor and within which said fan means is rotatably disposed; wheel means at one end of said casing; a buckle member mounted on one of said sections and including a latch portion operatively engageable with a cooperating formation in the other of said sections to releasably secure said sections together; said buckle member also including a skid portion engageable with a surface on which said wheel means rests to support said vacuum cleaner in a position generally parallel to such surface; said buckle also including a hook portion engageable with a wall bracket for hanging said vacuum cleaner in a vertical position.
2. A vacuum cleaner as set forth in claim 1 in which the skid portion is between the latch portion and the hook portion.
3. A vacuum cleaner as set forth in claim 2 in which the buckle is mounted to the tank section and the hook portion is at the front of the buckle.
4. A vacuum cleaner as set forth in claim 3 in which the wheel means is at the rear of the housing section.
5. A vacuum cleaner as set forth in claim 4 in which the skid portion that is engageable with a surface upon which said wheel means rests is elongated in said front to rear direction.
6. A vacuum cleaner as set forth in claim 3 in which the skid portion that is engageable with a surface upon which said wheel means rests is elongated in said front to rear direction.
7. A vacuum cleaner as set forth in claim 2 in which the wheel means is at the rear of the housing section.
8. A vacuum cleaner as set forth in claim 2 in which the skid portion that is engageable with a surface upon which said wheel means rests is elongated in said front to rear direction.
9. A vacuum cleaner as set forth in claim 1 in which the skid portion that is engageable with a surface upon which said wheel means rests is elongated in said front to rear direction.
10. A vacuum cleaner as set forth in claim 9 in which the wheel means is at the rear of the housing section.
11. A vacuum cleaner as set forth in claim 1 in which the buckle is mounted to the tank section and the hook portion is at the front of the buckle.
12. A vacuum cleaner as set forth in claim 1 in which the wheel means is at the rear of the housing section.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000538439A CA1263804A (en) | 1983-12-08 | 1987-05-29 | Compact vacuum cleaner |
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US06/559,335 US4547927A (en) | 1983-12-08 | 1983-12-08 | Compact vacuum cleaner |
| US559,335 | 1983-12-08 | ||
| CA000469630A CA1253663A (en) | 1983-12-08 | 1984-12-07 | Compact vacuum cleaner |
| CA000538439A CA1263804A (en) | 1983-12-08 | 1987-05-29 | Compact vacuum cleaner |
Related Parent Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000469630A Division CA1253663A (en) | 1983-12-08 | 1984-12-07 | Compact vacuum cleaner |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1263804A true CA1263804A (en) | 1989-12-12 |
Family
ID=25670542
Family Applications (2)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000538440A Expired - Fee Related CA1264212A (en) | 1983-12-08 | 1987-05-29 | Compact vacuum cleaner |
| CA000538439A Expired CA1263804A (en) | 1983-12-08 | 1987-05-29 | Compact vacuum cleaner |
Family Applications Before (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000538440A Expired - Fee Related CA1264212A (en) | 1983-12-08 | 1987-05-29 | Compact vacuum cleaner |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (2) | CA1264212A (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US10869586B2 (en) | 2016-11-17 | 2020-12-22 | Karcher North America, Inc. | Portable vacuum and related accessories |
-
1987
- 1987-05-29 CA CA000538440A patent/CA1264212A/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1987-05-29 CA CA000538439A patent/CA1263804A/en not_active Expired
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US10869586B2 (en) | 2016-11-17 | 2020-12-22 | Karcher North America, Inc. | Portable vacuum and related accessories |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| CA1264212A (en) | 1990-01-09 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKLA | Lapsed | ||
| MKEC | Expiry (correction) |
Effective date: 20121205 |