CA2057146A1 - Hand-held vacuum cleaner - Google Patents
Hand-held vacuum cleanerInfo
- Publication number
- CA2057146A1 CA2057146A1 CA 2057146 CA2057146A CA2057146A1 CA 2057146 A1 CA2057146 A1 CA 2057146A1 CA 2057146 CA2057146 CA 2057146 CA 2057146 A CA2057146 A CA 2057146A CA 2057146 A1 CA2057146 A1 CA 2057146A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- housing
- nozzle
- hand
- vacuum cleaner
- cleaner
- 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.)
- Abandoned
Links
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L5/00—Structural features of suction cleaners
- A47L5/12—Structural features of suction cleaners with power-driven air-pumps or air-compressors, e.g. driven by motor vehicle engine vacuum
- A47L5/22—Structural features of suction cleaners with power-driven air-pumps or air-compressors, e.g. driven by motor vehicle engine vacuum with rotary fans
- A47L5/24—Hand-supported suction cleaners
- A47L5/26—Hand-supported suction cleaners with driven dust-loosening tools
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L5/00—Structural features of suction cleaners
- A47L5/12—Structural features of suction cleaners with power-driven air-pumps or air-compressors, e.g. driven by motor vehicle engine vacuum
- A47L5/22—Structural features of suction cleaners with power-driven air-pumps or air-compressors, e.g. driven by motor vehicle engine vacuum with rotary fans
- A47L5/24—Hand-supported suction cleaners
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L9/00—Details or accessories of suction cleaners, e.g. mechanical means for controlling the suction or for effecting pulsating action; Storing devices specially adapted to suction cleaners or parts thereof; Carrying-vehicles specially adapted for suction cleaners
- A47L9/24—Hoses or pipes; Hose or pipe couplings
- A47L9/242—Hose or pipe couplings
Abstract
HAND-HELD VACUUM CLEANER
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A hand-held vacuum cleaner includes a housing having first and second half housing elements.
The housing has a handle and a nozzle. A motor is mounted within the housing for driving a shaft. A
fan is mounted on the shaft for rotation therewith. A selectively separable bag assembly is mounted on the housing. A working air channel is formed within the housing for communicating the nozzle with the bag assembly. The air channel terminates in a working air outlet chute positioned within the bag assembly at its open upper end. The shaft is positioned within the housing generally normal to the direction of air flow within the working air channel.
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A hand-held vacuum cleaner includes a housing having first and second half housing elements.
The housing has a handle and a nozzle. A motor is mounted within the housing for driving a shaft. A
fan is mounted on the shaft for rotation therewith. A selectively separable bag assembly is mounted on the housing. A working air channel is formed within the housing for communicating the nozzle with the bag assembly. The air channel terminates in a working air outlet chute positioned within the bag assembly at its open upper end. The shaft is positioned within the housing generally normal to the direction of air flow within the working air channel.
Description
2~7~
HAND-HELD VACUUM CIE~NER
This invention relates to hand-held vacuum cleaners and in particular to hand-held vacuum cleaners having improved air-flow resulting in improved performance.
AC powered hand-held vacuum cleaners have become increasingly popular in the past several years. Such cleaners are particularly useful where conventional larger size vacuum cleaners such as large canister or upright types are inconvenient for the user. Such hand-held vacuum cleaners are particularly useful in cleaning stairs and ~urniture. Examples of these AC
powered hand-held vacuum cleaners are found in United States patents 4,700,428 and 4,891,861.
Due to their reduced size, such hand-held vacuum cleaners, do not have the same suction power as do the larger conventional cleaners. To minimize the loss of suction power, the working air path through the cleaner should be designed to provide an unobstructed, generally continuous air flow channel from the inlet nozzle to the collector bag ~or receiving the dirty air.
Heretofore, the conventional hand-held vacuum cleaners of the type described, as exemplified by 2~71~i the unit illustrated in U.S. Patent 4,891,861, have wasted suction power by causing the working air to flow through a rather circuitous air path within the cleaner. The loss of suction power has reduc~d the operating efficiency of the unit.
In United States patent 2,184,446 there is illustrated a vacuum cleaner having a motor mounted in a vertical orientation. However, the illustrated cleaner is not a hand-held type, but is rather a large upright cleaner.
Very often it is desirable to extend the working air flow path of the cleaner by attaching a hose or other attachment to the cleaner.
Heretofore, many of the commercially available hand-held vacuum cleaners have reguired that the user disengage or remove the drive belt employed to operate the rotary brush of the cleaner making the rotary brush inoperable. Removal of the drive belt has generally been relatively time consuming and inconvenient to the user.
A connector for attaching the hose to a hand-held vacuum cleaner is illustrated in United States Patent 4,700,42~. The connector illustrated in this patent is relatively costly to manufacture and is not as simple to use as might be desired.
- 20~71~
~ ccordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a hand-held vacuum cleaner having an air-flow channel which directs the air in a generally straight flow path from the inlet nozzle to the dirt collector bag.
Accordingly, it is another object of this invention to provide a connector for a hand-held vacuum cleaner which permits an accessory to be readily connected to the cleaner without requiring any removal of the drive belt.
The foregoing object and other objects of the invention are attained in a hand-held vacuum cleaner including a housing comprising mating first and second half housing elements. The housing has a handle and a nozzle. A motor is mounted within the housing for driving a shaft. A
fan is mounted on the shaft for rotation therewith. A selectively separable bag assembly is mounted on said housing. Means defining a working air channel within the housing communicates the nozæle with the bag assembly. The air channel terminates in a working air outlet chute positioned within the bag assembly at its open upper end.
Further, the sha~t is positioned within the housing generally normal to the direction o~ air flow within the working air channel. The air drawn into the housing flows through the nozzle axially towards the bag assembly and thence upwardly through the fan and again axially into the ~ag assembly.
A connector for joining a hose or similar attachment to the vacuum cleaner extends the flow path of the working air from the attachment to the nozzle. The connector comprises a first section for direct engagement with the attachment and a second section adapted for fitting over the housing in underlying registration with the nozzle. The second section includes a fluid flow channel~ an edge wall surrounding the fluid flow channel and having an extent and configuration to fit in substantially fluid tight engagement with the nozzle, a pair of spaced apart hook-shaped projections extending outwardly from the edge wall and releasable latch means movably connected to the edge wall on the side thereo~ opposite the hook shaped projections. The nozzle includes first wall means for pivoting engagement with the hook-shaped projections and second wall means for releasable enyagement with said latch means.
2~1~7~
FIGURE 1 of the drawing is a side view, partially in cross section, oE a hand-held vacuum cleaner embodying the present invention;
FIGURE 2 of the drawing is a fragmentary sectional view of a detail of the cleaner illustrated in FIGURE 1.
FIGURE 3 is a side elevational view, partially in cross section, illustrating the connector of the present invention as attached to the vacuum cleaner of FIGURE l;
FIGURE 4 is a perspective view illustrating the manner in which the connector is attached to the cleaner by the user;
FIGURE 5 is a perspeckive view of the connector; and FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary perspective view of a detail o~ the connector and cleaner illustrated in FIGURE 3.
ReEerring now to the drawing, there is disclosed a hand-held vacuum cleaner generally designated by the reference numeral 10. Vacuum 2 ~ .s ~
cleaner 10 comprises a housing generally desiynated by reference numeral 11. The housing has two mating half elements 12, 14 which are joined together via a tongue and groove joint. A
handle 16 extends outwardly from the top of housing 11.
Housing 11 includes a member 22 defining the lower wall of cleaner 10. Member 22 is removably connected to first and second half housing elements 12, 14. Member 22 has an opening 20 defining the intake nozzle for vacuum cleaner 10.
A rotating brush 18 is mounted within the nozzle.
Brush 18 includes a spindle 1~ which is mounted in opposed bearing housing cavities (not shown) mounted in the side wall of member 22. An endless belt 34 is wrapped around spindle 19 for rotationally driving brush 18.
A motor 24 is supported between the two half housing elements 12, 14. The motor is mounted in a vertical orientation with respect to the floor on which the vacuum cleaner 10 is supported. Motor 24 is operated by a source of AC power. Motor 24 is connected to the source. of power via AC power plug 26. Each of the half housing elements includes a plurality of air vents 28 for providiny cooling air to and from the motor.
Motor 2~ drives a shaft 30 connected thereto.
2~7~
Fan 32 is mounted on shaft 30 for rotation therewith. Shaft 30 also is connected to belt 34 which, as described previously, drives brush 18.
Internal walls of half housing elements 12, 14 define, in part, working air channel 36.
Channel 36 commences at nozzle 20 and terminates at an outlet chute 38. Outlet chute 38 extends from backwall 58 of housing ll. Outlet chute 38 directs the working air drawn into the vacuum cleaner into a dirty air bag assembly 40. The upper surface o~ outlet chute 38 includes a generally arcuate or curved wall 54 for directing the working air towards the rear of the bag.
Curved wall 54 deflects any debris entrained within the working air away from the user and enables the velocity of the entrained debris to decrease before the debris hits any surface of the bag. Curved wall 54 facilitates the filling of the bag. It is particularly important to note that outlet chute 38 is positioned at the top of the bag assembly. It has been determined that more dirt can be captured within a given size bag when the chute is positioned at the top of the bag assembly rather than at the bottom thereof.
Bag assembly 40 includes a dirt collector bag 41 tshown in phantom) which is attached to a collar 42. Bay assembly 40 is removably secured ~7~{~
to housing 11. Collar 42 includes a pair of depending spaced bosses 43 which provide support for a pivot pin 44. A combined handle and latch member 46 is pivotally attached to pivot pin 44.
Collar 42 has an inwardly extending finger 62 formed on its top surface. Finger 62 mates with an indented section 64 formed in the top of housing 11 so that the collar and attached bag assembly 40 are properly aligned on the housing.
Handle and latch member 46 includes a slightly canted upwardly extending rib 50 provided at its forward end. Rib 50 mates with a detent 48 formed on member 22 to latch the collar and bag assembly onto housing 11. Lower wall 22 further includes a pair of guide ribs 52 for guiding rib 50 on handle and latch member 46 into proper position with respect to detent 48.
In operation, air is drawn through nozzle 20 and it passes in a generally straight line through air channel 36 and thence into fan inlet 60. Fan 32 discharges the air khrough outlet chute 38 with the curved upper wall thereof directing the air kowards the rear of collector bag 41. The air flow path from nozzle 20 to outlet chute 38 is in generally a straight path.
2 ~ f ~
There are no 90 bends at the fan outlet and thus air flow losses are maintained at a minimum.
By maintaining the air flow losses at a minimum, the effective cleaning e~ficiency oE cleaner 10 is maintained at a relatively high level. The relatively high cleaning efficiency of the cleaner is attained primarily because the motor 24 and shaft 30 are mounted in a relatively vertical orientation with respect to bottom wall member ~2. Shaft 30 is positioned generally normal to the direction of the working air flow through channel 36. In actuality, the motor and shaft are mounted at a 5 to 12 angle relative to a vertical axis, with motor 24 being tilted towards the front of cleaner 10.
In the hand-held vacuum cleaner illustrated in United States Patent 4,891,861, the motor is mounted in a horizontal plane. The workiny air flows through the nozzle into the vacuum cleaner housing and then is drawn vertically upward to pass into the ~an inlet. I`he air is then discharged radially outwardly and must make a 90 bend to pass into the working air channel. The center of the air inlet for the ~an is approximately 3 inches above the nozzle. The 2~7~
working air channel terminates in an outlet communicating with the lower open end of a bag assembly. The aforedescribed air flow path results in significant ~low losses reducing the overall cleaning efficiency of the cleaner thus described.
The position of the outlet at the lower open end of the bag assembly results in the working air channel becoming clogged with dirt further degrading the performance of the cleaner.
In the vacuum cleaner embodying the present invention, the center of the fan is only 3/4 of an inch above the nozzle as a result of the vertical mounting of the motor and fan. Further, the air flow from the fan follows a generally straight line as the air passes into the collector bag ~1.
Operation of brush 18 assists in propelling the debris towards fan inlet 60. The debris tends to follow a tangential flow path when thrown from the brush. The tangential flow path is co axial with working air channel 36. When the motor is mounted in a horizontal plane, the brush does not provide the same assistance in throwing the debris towards the fan inlet as it does when the motor is mounted in a vertical plane.
2 ~
ll--The position of the outlet at the open upper end of bag 41 minimizes clQgging o~ the working air channel. Thus, the efficiency of the cleaner embodying the present invention is greater than the ef~iciency of vacuum cleaners of the type represented in the previously described United States patent.
A further advantage of mounting the motor in a vertical plane as compared to mounting the motor in a horizontal plane is manifested when it is necessary to replace belt 34. To replace the belt, wall 22 is easily removed to provide access to the belt shaft 30 and spindle 19. With cleaners mounted in a horizontal plane, a front panel on the cleaner is removed providing only limited access to the belt and its associated mechanisms. In some instances, manufacturers have provided the users with special tools to replace the belt.
At times, the user of vacuum cleaner 10 may desire to employ an attachment such as a hose and crevice tool. The hose extends the working air ~low path. In some o~ the prior art hand-held vacuum cleaners, it has been necessary to detach belt 34 and render brush 18 inoperable when an attachment is connected to the cleaner.
2 ~
Detachment of tha belt is generally not 2 user friendly operation. In other cleaners of the type described, a connector has been inserted between the attachment and nozzle of the cleaner. The connector of the prior art has been relatively more expensive to manufacture and has not been as user friendly as the connector to be more fully described hereinafter.
Referring now to FIGURES 3 - 6, the attachment connector of the present invention will be described in detail. The attachment connector is generally designated by the reference numeral 70.
Connector 70 includes a first section 72 and a second section 74. First section 72 includes a generally cylindrical portion 76 which mates directly with the attachment such as a hose.
Portion 76 extends from a generally rhomboid shaped housing portion 78. An operating lever 81 of a latch assembly 80 extends through the top surface of housing 78. Latch assembly 80 further includes a latch member 88 to be more fully described hereinafter. A leaf spring 90 biases latch assembly 80 towards cylindrical portion 76.
~7~ ~
Connector 70 includPs a fluid flow path.
first portion 102 of the flow path is defined by first section 72 and a second portion 104 of the flow path is defined by second section 74. Second portion 104 of the flow path i~ in fluid flow communication with nozzle 20.
Second section 74 includes an outer wall 106 extending along the front and both sides of connector 70; the rear of second section 74 is open. A four sided inner edge wall 92 is spaced from outer wall 106 and is dimensioned to fit in substantially fluid tight engagement with nozzle 20 when placed in underlying registration th~rewith. A gasket 94 is held between the outer surface of edge wall 92 and the inner surface of the wall defining nozzle 20 to insure a fluid tight seal between the respective walls. The space betwe~n opposed surfaces of walls 92 and 106 is designated by reference numeral 110.
The front wall deEining nozzle 20 includes a pair of spaced vertically extending ribs 98, 100 which define a pocket 96. As illustrated in Figures 4 and 6, nozzle 20 is bisected by a rib 97 which includes base 99 defining a bottom wall for pocket 96. Pocket 96 is sized so that it receives latch member 88 of latch assembly 80 in a snap-fit engagement when connector 70 is placed on cleaner 2 ~
10. Each o~ the side wal.ls definillg nozzle 20 includes a depending rib 108.Depending ribs 10~
fit in space 110 when connector 70 is attached to housing 11.
A pair of angled ribs 112 are spaced laterally to and equidistantly from latch member 88.
As illustrated in FIGURE 3, when the user of the cleaner desires to place connector 70 onto the cleaner, the user grabs handle 16 of the cleaner with one hand and uses the other hand to place the connector onto housing 11 of cleaner 10. In particular, hook-shaped projections 84 extending from the rear of second section 74 are placed into engagement with the rear wall of the housing defining nozzle 20. Hook-shaped projections 84 enable the user to pivot connector relative to the housing so that the connector rotates in a counter clockwise direckion as viewed in FIGURE 2 resulting in latch member 88 of latch assembly 80 being forced into pocket 96. The combination of inner edge wall 92, gasket 94 and the inner surface of the housing defining nozzle 20 defines a seal between connector 70 and cleaner 10.
Depending ribs 108, angled ribs 112 and hook-shaped projections 84 cooperate to prevent any lateral or axial movement of connector 70 relative to housing 11 when cleaner 10 is in use.
When it is desired to remove connector 70 from cleaner 10, operating lever 81 is moved towards the cleaner housing in opposition to the force provided by leaf spring 90. This moves latch member ~8 from pock~t 96 thereby enabling the user to pivot connector 70 about project.ions 84 and out of engagement with noz~le 20.
HAND-HELD VACUUM CIE~NER
This invention relates to hand-held vacuum cleaners and in particular to hand-held vacuum cleaners having improved air-flow resulting in improved performance.
AC powered hand-held vacuum cleaners have become increasingly popular in the past several years. Such cleaners are particularly useful where conventional larger size vacuum cleaners such as large canister or upright types are inconvenient for the user. Such hand-held vacuum cleaners are particularly useful in cleaning stairs and ~urniture. Examples of these AC
powered hand-held vacuum cleaners are found in United States patents 4,700,428 and 4,891,861.
Due to their reduced size, such hand-held vacuum cleaners, do not have the same suction power as do the larger conventional cleaners. To minimize the loss of suction power, the working air path through the cleaner should be designed to provide an unobstructed, generally continuous air flow channel from the inlet nozzle to the collector bag ~or receiving the dirty air.
Heretofore, the conventional hand-held vacuum cleaners of the type described, as exemplified by 2~71~i the unit illustrated in U.S. Patent 4,891,861, have wasted suction power by causing the working air to flow through a rather circuitous air path within the cleaner. The loss of suction power has reduc~d the operating efficiency of the unit.
In United States patent 2,184,446 there is illustrated a vacuum cleaner having a motor mounted in a vertical orientation. However, the illustrated cleaner is not a hand-held type, but is rather a large upright cleaner.
Very often it is desirable to extend the working air flow path of the cleaner by attaching a hose or other attachment to the cleaner.
Heretofore, many of the commercially available hand-held vacuum cleaners have reguired that the user disengage or remove the drive belt employed to operate the rotary brush of the cleaner making the rotary brush inoperable. Removal of the drive belt has generally been relatively time consuming and inconvenient to the user.
A connector for attaching the hose to a hand-held vacuum cleaner is illustrated in United States Patent 4,700,42~. The connector illustrated in this patent is relatively costly to manufacture and is not as simple to use as might be desired.
- 20~71~
~ ccordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a hand-held vacuum cleaner having an air-flow channel which directs the air in a generally straight flow path from the inlet nozzle to the dirt collector bag.
Accordingly, it is another object of this invention to provide a connector for a hand-held vacuum cleaner which permits an accessory to be readily connected to the cleaner without requiring any removal of the drive belt.
The foregoing object and other objects of the invention are attained in a hand-held vacuum cleaner including a housing comprising mating first and second half housing elements. The housing has a handle and a nozzle. A motor is mounted within the housing for driving a shaft. A
fan is mounted on the shaft for rotation therewith. A selectively separable bag assembly is mounted on said housing. Means defining a working air channel within the housing communicates the nozæle with the bag assembly. The air channel terminates in a working air outlet chute positioned within the bag assembly at its open upper end.
Further, the sha~t is positioned within the housing generally normal to the direction o~ air flow within the working air channel. The air drawn into the housing flows through the nozzle axially towards the bag assembly and thence upwardly through the fan and again axially into the ~ag assembly.
A connector for joining a hose or similar attachment to the vacuum cleaner extends the flow path of the working air from the attachment to the nozzle. The connector comprises a first section for direct engagement with the attachment and a second section adapted for fitting over the housing in underlying registration with the nozzle. The second section includes a fluid flow channel~ an edge wall surrounding the fluid flow channel and having an extent and configuration to fit in substantially fluid tight engagement with the nozzle, a pair of spaced apart hook-shaped projections extending outwardly from the edge wall and releasable latch means movably connected to the edge wall on the side thereo~ opposite the hook shaped projections. The nozzle includes first wall means for pivoting engagement with the hook-shaped projections and second wall means for releasable enyagement with said latch means.
2~1~7~
FIGURE 1 of the drawing is a side view, partially in cross section, oE a hand-held vacuum cleaner embodying the present invention;
FIGURE 2 of the drawing is a fragmentary sectional view of a detail of the cleaner illustrated in FIGURE 1.
FIGURE 3 is a side elevational view, partially in cross section, illustrating the connector of the present invention as attached to the vacuum cleaner of FIGURE l;
FIGURE 4 is a perspective view illustrating the manner in which the connector is attached to the cleaner by the user;
FIGURE 5 is a perspeckive view of the connector; and FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary perspective view of a detail o~ the connector and cleaner illustrated in FIGURE 3.
ReEerring now to the drawing, there is disclosed a hand-held vacuum cleaner generally designated by the reference numeral 10. Vacuum 2 ~ .s ~
cleaner 10 comprises a housing generally desiynated by reference numeral 11. The housing has two mating half elements 12, 14 which are joined together via a tongue and groove joint. A
handle 16 extends outwardly from the top of housing 11.
Housing 11 includes a member 22 defining the lower wall of cleaner 10. Member 22 is removably connected to first and second half housing elements 12, 14. Member 22 has an opening 20 defining the intake nozzle for vacuum cleaner 10.
A rotating brush 18 is mounted within the nozzle.
Brush 18 includes a spindle 1~ which is mounted in opposed bearing housing cavities (not shown) mounted in the side wall of member 22. An endless belt 34 is wrapped around spindle 19 for rotationally driving brush 18.
A motor 24 is supported between the two half housing elements 12, 14. The motor is mounted in a vertical orientation with respect to the floor on which the vacuum cleaner 10 is supported. Motor 24 is operated by a source of AC power. Motor 24 is connected to the source. of power via AC power plug 26. Each of the half housing elements includes a plurality of air vents 28 for providiny cooling air to and from the motor.
Motor 2~ drives a shaft 30 connected thereto.
2~7~
Fan 32 is mounted on shaft 30 for rotation therewith. Shaft 30 also is connected to belt 34 which, as described previously, drives brush 18.
Internal walls of half housing elements 12, 14 define, in part, working air channel 36.
Channel 36 commences at nozzle 20 and terminates at an outlet chute 38. Outlet chute 38 extends from backwall 58 of housing ll. Outlet chute 38 directs the working air drawn into the vacuum cleaner into a dirty air bag assembly 40. The upper surface o~ outlet chute 38 includes a generally arcuate or curved wall 54 for directing the working air towards the rear of the bag.
Curved wall 54 deflects any debris entrained within the working air away from the user and enables the velocity of the entrained debris to decrease before the debris hits any surface of the bag. Curved wall 54 facilitates the filling of the bag. It is particularly important to note that outlet chute 38 is positioned at the top of the bag assembly. It has been determined that more dirt can be captured within a given size bag when the chute is positioned at the top of the bag assembly rather than at the bottom thereof.
Bag assembly 40 includes a dirt collector bag 41 tshown in phantom) which is attached to a collar 42. Bay assembly 40 is removably secured ~7~{~
to housing 11. Collar 42 includes a pair of depending spaced bosses 43 which provide support for a pivot pin 44. A combined handle and latch member 46 is pivotally attached to pivot pin 44.
Collar 42 has an inwardly extending finger 62 formed on its top surface. Finger 62 mates with an indented section 64 formed in the top of housing 11 so that the collar and attached bag assembly 40 are properly aligned on the housing.
Handle and latch member 46 includes a slightly canted upwardly extending rib 50 provided at its forward end. Rib 50 mates with a detent 48 formed on member 22 to latch the collar and bag assembly onto housing 11. Lower wall 22 further includes a pair of guide ribs 52 for guiding rib 50 on handle and latch member 46 into proper position with respect to detent 48.
In operation, air is drawn through nozzle 20 and it passes in a generally straight line through air channel 36 and thence into fan inlet 60. Fan 32 discharges the air khrough outlet chute 38 with the curved upper wall thereof directing the air kowards the rear of collector bag 41. The air flow path from nozzle 20 to outlet chute 38 is in generally a straight path.
2 ~ f ~
There are no 90 bends at the fan outlet and thus air flow losses are maintained at a minimum.
By maintaining the air flow losses at a minimum, the effective cleaning e~ficiency oE cleaner 10 is maintained at a relatively high level. The relatively high cleaning efficiency of the cleaner is attained primarily because the motor 24 and shaft 30 are mounted in a relatively vertical orientation with respect to bottom wall member ~2. Shaft 30 is positioned generally normal to the direction of the working air flow through channel 36. In actuality, the motor and shaft are mounted at a 5 to 12 angle relative to a vertical axis, with motor 24 being tilted towards the front of cleaner 10.
In the hand-held vacuum cleaner illustrated in United States Patent 4,891,861, the motor is mounted in a horizontal plane. The workiny air flows through the nozzle into the vacuum cleaner housing and then is drawn vertically upward to pass into the ~an inlet. I`he air is then discharged radially outwardly and must make a 90 bend to pass into the working air channel. The center of the air inlet for the ~an is approximately 3 inches above the nozzle. The 2~7~
working air channel terminates in an outlet communicating with the lower open end of a bag assembly. The aforedescribed air flow path results in significant ~low losses reducing the overall cleaning efficiency of the cleaner thus described.
The position of the outlet at the lower open end of the bag assembly results in the working air channel becoming clogged with dirt further degrading the performance of the cleaner.
In the vacuum cleaner embodying the present invention, the center of the fan is only 3/4 of an inch above the nozzle as a result of the vertical mounting of the motor and fan. Further, the air flow from the fan follows a generally straight line as the air passes into the collector bag ~1.
Operation of brush 18 assists in propelling the debris towards fan inlet 60. The debris tends to follow a tangential flow path when thrown from the brush. The tangential flow path is co axial with working air channel 36. When the motor is mounted in a horizontal plane, the brush does not provide the same assistance in throwing the debris towards the fan inlet as it does when the motor is mounted in a vertical plane.
2 ~
ll--The position of the outlet at the open upper end of bag 41 minimizes clQgging o~ the working air channel. Thus, the efficiency of the cleaner embodying the present invention is greater than the ef~iciency of vacuum cleaners of the type represented in the previously described United States patent.
A further advantage of mounting the motor in a vertical plane as compared to mounting the motor in a horizontal plane is manifested when it is necessary to replace belt 34. To replace the belt, wall 22 is easily removed to provide access to the belt shaft 30 and spindle 19. With cleaners mounted in a horizontal plane, a front panel on the cleaner is removed providing only limited access to the belt and its associated mechanisms. In some instances, manufacturers have provided the users with special tools to replace the belt.
At times, the user of vacuum cleaner 10 may desire to employ an attachment such as a hose and crevice tool. The hose extends the working air ~low path. In some o~ the prior art hand-held vacuum cleaners, it has been necessary to detach belt 34 and render brush 18 inoperable when an attachment is connected to the cleaner.
2 ~
Detachment of tha belt is generally not 2 user friendly operation. In other cleaners of the type described, a connector has been inserted between the attachment and nozzle of the cleaner. The connector of the prior art has been relatively more expensive to manufacture and has not been as user friendly as the connector to be more fully described hereinafter.
Referring now to FIGURES 3 - 6, the attachment connector of the present invention will be described in detail. The attachment connector is generally designated by the reference numeral 70.
Connector 70 includes a first section 72 and a second section 74. First section 72 includes a generally cylindrical portion 76 which mates directly with the attachment such as a hose.
Portion 76 extends from a generally rhomboid shaped housing portion 78. An operating lever 81 of a latch assembly 80 extends through the top surface of housing 78. Latch assembly 80 further includes a latch member 88 to be more fully described hereinafter. A leaf spring 90 biases latch assembly 80 towards cylindrical portion 76.
~7~ ~
Connector 70 includPs a fluid flow path.
first portion 102 of the flow path is defined by first section 72 and a second portion 104 of the flow path is defined by second section 74. Second portion 104 of the flow path i~ in fluid flow communication with nozzle 20.
Second section 74 includes an outer wall 106 extending along the front and both sides of connector 70; the rear of second section 74 is open. A four sided inner edge wall 92 is spaced from outer wall 106 and is dimensioned to fit in substantially fluid tight engagement with nozzle 20 when placed in underlying registration th~rewith. A gasket 94 is held between the outer surface of edge wall 92 and the inner surface of the wall defining nozzle 20 to insure a fluid tight seal between the respective walls. The space betwe~n opposed surfaces of walls 92 and 106 is designated by reference numeral 110.
The front wall deEining nozzle 20 includes a pair of spaced vertically extending ribs 98, 100 which define a pocket 96. As illustrated in Figures 4 and 6, nozzle 20 is bisected by a rib 97 which includes base 99 defining a bottom wall for pocket 96. Pocket 96 is sized so that it receives latch member 88 of latch assembly 80 in a snap-fit engagement when connector 70 is placed on cleaner 2 ~
10. Each o~ the side wal.ls definillg nozzle 20 includes a depending rib 108.Depending ribs 10~
fit in space 110 when connector 70 is attached to housing 11.
A pair of angled ribs 112 are spaced laterally to and equidistantly from latch member 88.
As illustrated in FIGURE 3, when the user of the cleaner desires to place connector 70 onto the cleaner, the user grabs handle 16 of the cleaner with one hand and uses the other hand to place the connector onto housing 11 of cleaner 10. In particular, hook-shaped projections 84 extending from the rear of second section 74 are placed into engagement with the rear wall of the housing defining nozzle 20. Hook-shaped projections 84 enable the user to pivot connector relative to the housing so that the connector rotates in a counter clockwise direckion as viewed in FIGURE 2 resulting in latch member 88 of latch assembly 80 being forced into pocket 96. The combination of inner edge wall 92, gasket 94 and the inner surface of the housing defining nozzle 20 defines a seal between connector 70 and cleaner 10.
Depending ribs 108, angled ribs 112 and hook-shaped projections 84 cooperate to prevent any lateral or axial movement of connector 70 relative to housing 11 when cleaner 10 is in use.
When it is desired to remove connector 70 from cleaner 10, operating lever 81 is moved towards the cleaner housing in opposition to the force provided by leaf spring 90. This moves latch member ~8 from pock~t 96 thereby enabling the user to pivot connector 70 about project.ions 84 and out of engagement with noz~le 20.
Claims (10)
1. A hand-held vacuum cleaner including a housing comprising mating first and second half housing elements, said housing having a handle and a nozzle, a motor mounted within the housing for driving a shaft, a fan mounted on said shaft for rotation therewith, a selectively separable bag assembly mounted on said housing, and means defining a working air channel within said housing communicating said nozzle with said bag assembly, said air channel terminating in a working air outlet chute positioned within said bag assembly at the open upper end of said assembly, said air channel directing the working air upwardly within said cleaner housing from said fan outlet to said outlet chute.
2. A hand-held vacuum cleaner in accordance with Claim 1 wherein said outlet chute is partially defined by a surface having an arcuate shape.
3. A hand-held vacuum cleaner in accordance with Claims 1 or 2 further including:
a connector for joining a hose or similar attachment to the vacuum cleaner, said connector extending the flow path of the working air channel from said attachment to said nozzle, said connector comprising a first section for direct engagement with the attachment and a second section adapted for fitting over the housing in underlying registration with the nozzle, said second section including a fluid flow channel, an edge wall surrounding said fluid flow channel and having an extant end configuration to fit in substantially fluid tight engagement with the nozzle, a pair of spaced apart hook-shaped projections extending outwardly from said edge wall and releasable latch means movably connected to said edge wall on the side thereof opposite said hook-shaped projections and said nozzle including first wall means for pivoting engagement with said hook-shaped projections and second wall means for releasable engagement with said latch means, said latch means including a latch member and said second wall means including a pair of spaced ribs defining a pocket for receiving said latch member in a snap-fit engagement.
a connector for joining a hose or similar attachment to the vacuum cleaner, said connector extending the flow path of the working air channel from said attachment to said nozzle, said connector comprising a first section for direct engagement with the attachment and a second section adapted for fitting over the housing in underlying registration with the nozzle, said second section including a fluid flow channel, an edge wall surrounding said fluid flow channel and having an extant end configuration to fit in substantially fluid tight engagement with the nozzle, a pair of spaced apart hook-shaped projections extending outwardly from said edge wall and releasable latch means movably connected to said edge wall on the side thereof opposite said hook-shaped projections and said nozzle including first wall means for pivoting engagement with said hook-shaped projections and second wall means for releasable engagement with said latch means, said latch means including a latch member and said second wall means including a pair of spaced ribs defining a pocket for receiving said latch member in a snap-fit engagement.
4. A hand-held vacuum cleaner including a housing comprising mating first and second half housing elements, said housing having a handle and a nozzle, a motor mounted within the housing for driving a shaft, a fan mounted on said shaft for rotation therewith, a selectively separable bag assembly mounted on said housing in spaced relation along the horizontal axis of the cleaner relative to the nozzle, means defining a working air channel within said housing communicating said nozzle with said bag assembly for delivering working air axially within said housing from said nozzle to said bag assembly, said channel directing the working air upwardly within said cleaner housing from said fan outlet to said bag assembly, and said shaft extending within said housing in a substantially vertical upwardly direction relative to said working air channel.
5. A hand-held vacuum cleaner in accordance with Claim 4 wherein said air channel terminates in an outlet chute positioned within said bag assembly at the open upper end of said assembly.
6. A hand-held vacuum cleaner in accordance with Claim 5 wherein said outlet chute is partially defined by a surface having an arcuate shape.
7. A hand-held vacuum cleaner including a housing comprising mating first and second half housing elements, said housing having a handle and a nozzle, a motor mounted within the housing for driving a shaft, a fan mounted on said shaft for rotation therewith, a selectively separable bag assembly mounted on said housing in spaced relation along the horizontal axis of the cleaner relative to the nozzle and means defining a working air channel for directing the air flowing through the nozzle along the horizontal axis of the cleaner vertically upwardly through the fan and thence upwardly within said cleaner housing from said fan outlet to said bag assembly.
8. A hand-held vacuum cleaner in accordance with Claim 7 wherein said air channel terminates in a working air outlet chute positioned within said bag assembly at the open upper end of said assembly.
9. A hand-held vacuum cleaner in accordance with Claim 8 wherein said outlet chute is partially defined by a surface having an arcuate shape.
10. A hand-held vacuum cleaner in accordance with Claims 7-9 wherein said shaft is positioned within said housing in a substantially vertical upwardly direction relative to said working air channel.
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US07/637,412 | 1991-01-04 | ||
| US07/637,414 | 1991-01-04 | ||
| US07/637,414 US5092015A (en) | 1991-01-04 | 1991-01-04 | Hand-held vacuum cleaner with attachment connector |
| US07/637,412 US5105505A (en) | 1991-01-04 | 1991-01-04 | Hand-held vacuum cleaner |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2057146A1 true CA2057146A1 (en) | 1992-07-05 |
Family
ID=27092831
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2057146 Abandoned CA2057146A1 (en) | 1991-01-04 | 1991-12-05 | Hand-held vacuum cleaner |
Country Status (4)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (1) | EP0493930A3 (en) |
| AU (1) | AU9011291A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2057146A1 (en) |
| MX (1) | MX9102857A (en) |
Families Citing this family (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KR100622364B1 (en) * | 2002-07-25 | 2006-09-13 | 도시바 테크 가부시키가이샤 | Vacuum cleaner |
| AU2006276725A1 (en) * | 2005-07-28 | 2007-02-15 | Steven M. Kibbey | Agitator device for cleaning system |
Family Cites Families (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US1506231A (en) * | 1921-02-28 | 1924-08-26 | Frank W Finkhousen | Vacuum cleaner |
| NL56566B (en) * | 1930-05-25 | |||
| FR867342A (en) * | 1940-02-17 | 1941-10-13 | Hoover Ets | Improvements to dust extractors |
| GB910383A (en) * | 1960-02-29 | 1962-11-14 | Salo David Rand | Improvements in or relating to vacuum cleaners |
| US3189933A (en) * | 1963-12-03 | 1965-06-22 | Signal Mfg Company | Vacuum cleaner with rotatable nozzle |
| DE2219375A1 (en) * | 1972-04-20 | 1973-11-08 | Siemens Elektrogeraete Gmbh | HAND VACUUM CLEANER |
-
1991
- 1991-12-05 CA CA 2057146 patent/CA2057146A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 1991-12-30 MX MX9102857A patent/MX9102857A/en unknown
- 1991-12-31 AU AU90112/91A patent/AU9011291A/en not_active Abandoned
-
1992
- 1992-01-01 EP EP19910311740 patent/EP0493930A3/en not_active Withdrawn
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| EP0493930A2 (en) | 1992-07-08 |
| AU9011291A (en) | 1992-07-09 |
| MX9102857A (en) | 1992-07-01 |
| EP0493930A3 (en) | 1992-08-19 |
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| US5347679A (en) | Stick type vacuum cleaner | |
| US7134164B2 (en) | Vacuum cleaner nozzle assembly having edge-cleaning ducts | |
| JP3249931B2 (en) | Upright type vacuum cleaner | |
| US7386915B2 (en) | Dual motor upright vacuum cleaner | |
| US5500979A (en) | Vacuum cleaner | |
| US5020187A (en) | Filter assembly for a vacuum cleaner | |
| EP1119281B1 (en) | Vacuum cleaner | |
| US5802666A (en) | Power brush for a vacuum cleaner | |
| AU2003207685A1 (en) | Vacuum cleaner nozzle assembly having edge-cleaning ducts | |
| GB2251178A (en) | Vacuum cleaner | |
| GB2387318A (en) | Vacuum cleaner nozzle with valve-operated auxiliary inlet | |
| CA2254569C (en) | Vacuum cleaner including ventilation fan for forming air current flowing along the axial direction of rotary brush to suction member | |
| EP0493929B1 (en) | Hand-held vacuum cleaner | |
| JP3937405B2 (en) | Vacuum cleaner suction tool and vacuum cleaner provided with the same | |
| US5105505A (en) | Hand-held vacuum cleaner | |
| US5092015A (en) | Hand-held vacuum cleaner with attachment connector | |
| CA2112822A1 (en) | Compact air path construction for vacuum cleaner | |
| CA2438855C (en) | A cleaning head for a vacuum cleaner | |
| CA2057146A1 (en) | Hand-held vacuum cleaner | |
| JP2017129111A (en) | Blower | |
| EP0606169A2 (en) | Vacuum cleaner | |
| JP3187346B2 (en) | Suction body for vacuum cleaner and vacuum cleaner using the same | |
| GB2321589A (en) | Suction cleaner with transparent pipe | |
| KR960004010B1 (en) | Inlet port blowing apparatus for a vacuum cleaner | |
| CA2526665A1 (en) | Hand-held vacuum cleaner with a detachable head |
Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| FZDE | Dead |