CA2226190A1 - Canister type vacuum cleaner - Google Patents
Canister type vacuum cleaner Download PDFInfo
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- CA2226190A1 CA2226190A1 CA 2226190 CA2226190A CA2226190A1 CA 2226190 A1 CA2226190 A1 CA 2226190A1 CA 2226190 CA2226190 CA 2226190 CA 2226190 A CA2226190 A CA 2226190A CA 2226190 A1 CA2226190 A1 CA 2226190A1
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- vacuum cleaner
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Abstract
Disclosed is a unique canister type vacuum cleaner having a simplified housing assembly. The vacuum cleaner provides many features including a modular housing construction, a simplified motor mounting configuration, a combined handle and tool cradle, a unique wheel and castor arrangement, an improved exhaust air discharge configuration, a particular switch mounting arrangement, and a cord routing arrangement.
Description
CA 02226190 1998-01-0~
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3 This application claims the benefit of U.S.
4 Provisional Application No. 60/035,359, filed January 10, 1997.
6 The present invention relates to a novel canister type 7 vacuum cleaner. Canister vacuum cleaners are known in the 8 art. These vacuum cleaners are compact and incorporate 9 many features typically found in upright vacuum cleaners.
Accordingly, as canister vacuum cleaners have evolved, they 11 have become relatively complicated, often utilizing 12 intricate internal assemblies. The resulting complexity 13 significantly impacts manufacturing and assembling such 14 vacuum cleaners. Accordingly, there is a need for a canister type vacuum cleaner that is relatively easy to 16 assemble and which is economical to manufacture.
17 A specific concern related to the complex assembly of 18 currently available canister vacuum cleaners is the manner 19 in which the motor is mounted within the enclosure.
Although a wide array of mounting configurations have been 21 utilized, none have provided significant improvement from 22 early canister vacuum cleaners. That is, the problems of 23 noise, vibration, leaks, and durability have continued to 24 plague artisans in this area. Accordingly, there is a need for a simplified and efficient technique for mounting and 26 incorporating a motor within a canister enclosure.
27 Many canister vacuum cleaners employ exhaust ports 28 along the rear of their enclosures. Although generally 29 satisfactory, these exhaust ports serve only a single function--that of directing exhaust from the unit. There 31 are numerous applications and attachments for canister 32 vacuum cleaners requiring diverting of the exhaust or 33 directing the exhaust through one or more other components.
34 As far as is known, currently available canister vacuum CA 02226190 1998-01-0~
1 cleaners do not provide for manipulating exhaust flow from 2 the enclosure, or for easily incorporating attachments to 3 the enclosure. Thus, there is a need for a canister vacuum 4 cleaner having an exhaust port with an improved configuration for directing airflow from the unit.
6 Recently, consumers have demanded increased filtering 7 of exhaust air. As will be appreciated, it is desirable to 8 remove as much of the contaminants and pollutants from the 9 exhaust air stream as possible before returning it to the environment, which typically is inside the user's home.
11 Accordingly, some vacuum cleaners, most notably large 12 industrial units, have provided a supplemental filter for 13 the exhaust stream. It would be desirable to provide, in a 14 simple and economical manner, an assembly for attaching a supplemental filter to a canister type vacuum cleaner to 16 further filter exhaust from the unit.
18 The present invention achieves the foregoing 19 objectives and provides in a first aspect, a vacuum cleaner comprising a front module and a rear module that is adapted 21 to releasably engage the front module. Each module has a 22 unique configuration. The rear module includes a rearward 23 walled enclosure with an upwardly projecting handle, that 24 collectively define a first sealing edge. The front module provides an enclosed region that defines a second sealing 26 edge. The modules sealingly engage each other along the 27 first and second edges.
28 In another aspect, the present invention provides a 29 vacuum cleaner comprising a rear module having an interior mounting ledge and defining an exhaust duct providing an 31 opening through the rear module. The rear module also 32 includes a forwardly directed sealing edge. The vacuum 33 cleaner also comprises a front module having a generally 34 enclosed interior within which is disposed a partition wall. The partition wall includes a support member. The CA 02226190 1998-01-0~
1 vacuum cleaner also comprises a motor disposed between the 2 rear module and the front module, and specifically 3 contacting the mounting ledge of the rear module and the 4 support member of the front module.
In yet another aspect, the present invention provides 6 a vacuum cleaner having first and second housing components 7 adapted to releasably engage one another, and a unique 8 exhaust port disposed on an end wall of one of the housing g components. The exhaust port is configured about an exhaust aperture defined in the end wall and includes a 11 plurality of support legs that extend from the end wall, 12 and which are disposed around the exhaust aperture.
13 Attached to the support legs and spaced from the end wall 14 and positioned in front of or directly over the exhaust aperture, is a blocking plate.
16 In yet another aspect, the present invention provides 17 a vacuum cleaner comprising a first housing component 18 having an interior chamber for a filter bag, and a second 19 housing component adapted to releasably engage the first housing component. The second housing component provides a 21 unique handle configuration.
22 In a further aspect, the present invention provides a 23 vacuum cleaner comprising a body module having an integral 24 and ported interior partition, a bag cover module detachably connected to one end of the body module, a rear 26 housing module affixed to the other end of the body module, 27 a motor clamped between the rear housing module and the 28 body module, and fasteners extending between the rear 29 housing module and the body module to affix the modules together and apply clamping pressure to the motor.
32 FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a 33 preferred embodiment vacuum cleaner in accordance with the 34 present invention;
FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the preferred 1 embodiment vacuum cleaner;
2 FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the preferred embodiment 3 vacuum cleaner;
4 FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a rear module component of the preferred embodiment vacuum cleaner;
6 FIG. 5 is a rear end view of the rear module 7 component;
8 FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the rear module 9 component;
FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the rear module 11 component;
12 FIG. 8 is a view of the underside of the rear module 13 component;
14 FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a front module component of the preferred embodiment vacuum cleaner;
16 FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the front module 17 component and a front cover utilized in the preferred 18 embodiment vacuum cleaner;
19 FIG. 11 is a top plan view of the front module component and the front cover;
21 FIG. 12 is a side elevational view of the front module 22 component and the front cover;
23 FIG. 13 is a front end view of the front cover and 24 front module component;
FIG. 14 is an exploded view of the front module 26 component and a caster assembly; and 27 FIG. 15 is an exploded view illustrating the placement 28 of a switch within the front module component.
The preferred embodiment vacuum cleaner 10 in 31 accordance with the present invention is best illustrated 32 in FIGS. 1-3. Before describing the preferred embodiment 33 vacuum cleaner, it is to be understood that all references 34 to "top", "bottom", "front", "rear", and "sides", including references to orientations of "up" and "down", generally CA 02226190 1998-01-0~
1 refer to the assembled vacuum cleaner placed in its normal 2 operating position on a floor such that its wheels and 3 front caster assembly, all described below, contact the 4 floor. Accordingly, the front of the vacuum cleaner 10 is the region at which a front cover 500 is located.
6 Similarly, the top of the vacuum cleaner is the region at 7 which the handle 50 is disposed.
8 The preferred embodiment vacuum cleaner 10 comprises a 9 rear module 20, a motor 270, a front module 300, and a front cover 500 hingedly attached to the front module 300.
11 As illustrated in FIG. 1, the rear module 20 and the front 12 module 300 engage each other and form a generally hollow 13 interior within which is disposed the motor 270. As 14 described in greater detail below, the vacuum cleaner 10 further comprises an inlet port 510 defined along the front 16 cover 500 at which may be attached various hoses and 17 cleaning instruments. When the components of the preferred 18 embodiment vacuum cleaner 10 are fully assembled, the rear 19 module 20 provides a handle 50 and a pair of rotatable wheels 110 and 120, that in conjunction with a caster 21 assembly 440 providing a wheel 448 disposed on the 22 underside of the front module 300, facilitate moving the 23 vacuum cleaner with relative ease across the floor.
24 The rear module 20 utilizes a unique design and provides numerous features. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 4-8, 26 the rear module 20 generally provides a pair of opposing 27 sloped sides generally shown in the drawings as a first 28 side 30 and a second side 40. The two sides 30 and 40 29 extend upwards toward a top wall 24 at which is disposed the handle 50. The top wall 24 is generally horizontal.
31 The first side 30 defines a rounded and outwardly 32 projecting first shoulder 32 and a generally arcuate cavity 33 designated as the first wheel well 34. The first shoulder 34 32 extends downward in an arcuate fashion, as best shown in FIG. 6, to an arcuate fender support 36. Similarly, on the 36 opposite side of the rear module 20, the second side 40 37 provides an arcuate and generally outwardly projecting CA 02226190 1998-01-0~
1 shoulder 42 that merges into a fender support 46 and which 2 also defines a second wheel well 44. The handle 50 extends 3 upward from the top wall 24 of the rear module 20 a 4 distance that is sufficient to provide clearance for a user's hand inserted between the underside of the handle 50 6 and the top wall 24. The handle extends toward the front 7 of the vacuum cleaner 10, i.e. toward the front cover 500 8 in the assembled vacuum cleaner 10. The handle 50 is 9 preferably oriented parallel with the longitudinal axis of the vacuum cleaner 10. The distal end of the handle 50 11 proximate to the front end of the vacuum cleaner 10 defines 12 a flanged arcuate collar 52 which, as discussed in greater 13 detail below, serves to engage the rear module 20 with the 14 front module 300. The collar 52 comprises two upwardly sloping legs that merge into an arcuate upper wall to 16 provide a generally continuous inverted U-shaped lip. An 17 ear 56 also projecting toward the front of the vacuum 18 cleaner 10 is preferably disposed between the legs of the 19 collar 52. The handle 50 is preferably hollow having both ends open to thereby define a throughway 58.
21 Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the rear region of the 22 rear module 20 provides several significant features. The 23 rear module 20 provides a rear face 60 generally extending 24 across the lower rear portion of the rear module 20. The rear module also provides a recessed rear face 62 located 26 along the upper region of the rear portion of the rear 27 module 20. The recessed rear face 62 is generally defined 28 by and extends between first and second sloping sidewalls 29 64 and 66, respectively, and a sloping rear face 68.
Extending over the recessed rear face 62, is a cradle 70.
31 The cradle 70 is preferably oriented parallel with the 32 longitudinal axis of the vacuum cleaner 10. The cradle 70 33 provides a generally arcuate or concave receiving surface 34 72 that terminates at a U-shaped upper rear edge 74. The cradle 70 is adapted for supporting and/or releasably 36 engaging one or more tools or attachments that may be used 37 in conjunction with the vacuum cleaner 10.
CA 02226190 1998-01-0~
1 The rearwardly extending cradle 70 also preferably 2 serves as a "kickstand" member. In some applications, it 3 is desirable to tilt the vacuum cleaner 10 upward so that 4 the rear face 60 of the rear module 20 is directed toward the floor and the front cover 500 is directed upwards. In 6 a most preferred configuration, the cradle 70 extends 7 beyond the rear face 60 of the rear module 20 a sufficient 8 distance such that when the vacuum cleaner 10 is tilted 9 upwards, the rear edge 74 and the two wheels 110 and 120 contact the floor.
11 The rear module 20 comprises provisions for supporting 12 and retaining rotatable wheels 110 and 120. Referring to 13 FIGS. 5 and 6, the rear module 20 provides a first wheel 14 support 90 extending laterally outward from the first wheel well 34. The first wheel support 90 is generally 16 cylindrical and provides an interior bearing surface. One 17 or more support ribs 92 may be provided around the 18 periphery of the wheel support 90. A second wheel support 19 100 and corresponding support ribs 102 are provided within and extending from the second wheel well 44. The first 21 wheel 110 provides a centrally located axle member 22 rotatably engaging the first wheel support 90. The axle 23 member of the first wheel rotatably engages the interior 24 bearing surface of the first wheel support 90. Similarly, the second wheel 120 has an axle member that rotatably 26 engages the second wheel support 100 and preferably, a 27 corresponding interior bearing surface thereof. The wheels 28 110 and 120 are sized such that they are received and 29 freely rotate within the corresponding wheel wells 34 and 44.
31 Referring to FIG. 8, the bottom wall 80 of the rear 32 module 20 is illustrated. Disposed along the bottom wall 33 80 and extending generally toward the rear of the rear 34 module 20 and preferably in a direction parallel with the longitudinal axis of the vacuum cleaner 10 is a cord tongue 36 130. It can be seen in FIGS. 4-6 that the cord tongue 130 37 provides a channel defined between the bottom wall 80 of CA 02226190 1998-01-0~
1 the rear module 20 and the upper surface of the cord tongue 2 130. The cord tongue 130 facilitates wrapping and 3 retaining the cord along the underside of the vacuum 4 cleaner 10.
Referring to FIGS. 4, 5, 7, and 8, the configuration 6 and arrangement of fastener receptacles along the rear 7 module 20 are shown. The entire assembly of the vacuum 8 cleaner 10 is secured and retained together by the use of g four threaded fasteners, i.e. screws. A first lower fastener 140 is engaged and received within a first lower 11 fastener boss 144. A first notch 142 may be provided along 12 the lower periphery of the rear face 60 of the rear module 13 20 to increase the access to the first lower boss 144.
14 Preferably disposed proximate the other side of the rear face 60 of the rear module 20, a second lower fastener 150 16 is received within a second lower fastener boss 154 through 17 a second notch 152. The first and second lower fastener 18 bosses 144 and 154 preferably serve to align and support 19 the corresponding fasteners. The lower fastener bosses 144 and 154 typically do not threadedly engage the fasteners 21 140 and 150 as described in greater detail below.
22 Referring further to FIGS. 4, 5, 7, and 8, a first upper 23 fastener 160 is provided proximate the first side 30 of the 24 rear module 20. The first upper fastener 160 is received within a first upper fastener boss 162. Similarly, a 26 second upper fastener 170 is received within a second upper 27 fastener boss 172 preferably disposed proximate to the 28 second side 40 of the rear module 20. The first and second 29 upper fastener bosses 162 and 172 serve to align and retain the first and second upper fasteners 160 and 170 and 31 typically do not threadedly engage these fasteners. As 32 described in conjunction with FIG. 9 below, the fasteners 33 threadedly engage fastener receptacles 400, 404, 408, and 34 412 provided in the front module 300.
Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, preferably provided within 36 the recessed rear face 62 along the rear of the rear module 37 20, are a pair of rearwardly extending first and second ., , CA 02226190 1998-01-0~
1 projections 180 and 190. The first projection 180 is 2 disposed proximate to the first side 30. Similarly, the 3 second projection 190 is disposed proximate to the second 4 side 40. Each projection has a semi-circular cross-section. That is, the first projection 180 has a laterally 6 and outwardly facing arcuate side 182 and an inwardly 7 facing planar face 184. Similarly, the second projection 8 190 has a laterally and outwardly facing arcuate side 192 9 and an inwardly facing planar face 194. The planar face 184 of the first projection 180 preferably faces the planar 11 face 194 of the second projection 190.
12 The vacuum cleaner 10 utilizes a unique exhaust 13 discharge configuration. Referring to FIGS. 4-6, the rear 14 module 20 provides an exhaust port 230 concentrically defined within an annular recess 220 disposed along the 16 rear face 60 of the rear module 20. As described in 17 greater detail below, the exhaust airstream from the vacuum 18 cleaner 10 exits through the exhaust port 230. A circular 19 blocking plate 240 is disposed directly over, yet spaced from the opening of the exhaust port 230. The blocking 21 plate 240 is rearwardly spaced from the opening of the 22 exhaust port 230 by a plurality of support legs 242. The 23 support legs 242 are preferably equally spaced around the 24 opening of the exhaust port 230. The support legs 242 and the blocking plate 240 define a plurality of apertures 26 through which exhaust air exits during operation of the 27 vacuum cleaner 10. As the exiting air is discharged from 28 the rear of the vacuum cleaner 10, it is directed laterally 29 outward by a plurality of horizontally extending baffles 210. The baffles 210 extend across the rear face 60 of the 31 rear module 20. The baffles 210 as shown are generally 32 horizontal and are arranged around the upper portion of the 33 exhaust port 230. The baffles 210 may be continuous and 34 generally extend across the width of the rear face 60 or may be noncontinuous and arranged around each side of the 36 rear face 60. The exhaust port 230 and the annular recess 37 220 may also be adapted for coupling attachment tools to CA 02226190 1998-01-0~
1 utilize the exhaust air stream of the vacuum cleaner 10.
2 As shown in FIG. 5, one or more attachment clips 264 3 can be provided along the rear face 60 of the rear module 4 20. It may be desirable to utilize one or more supplemental filters in conjunction with the vacuum cleaner 6 10. For instance, a detachable HEPA rated filter cartridge 7 could be releasably secured over the exhaust port 230 and 8 retained by the clips 264. The filter cartridge would 9 provide a final filtering operation upon the air stream exiting the vacuum cleaner 10.
11 The rear module 20 utilizes a unique motor support 12 configuration as follows. Referring to FIG. 1, the rear 13 module 20 provides a forwardly projecting motor rear 14 support ledge 250. The size and shape of the motor rear support ledge 250 corresponds to the rear region of the 16 motor 270 disposed within the vacuum cleaner 10. A
17 mounting bushing 251 is preferably utilized between the 18 support ledge 250 and the motor 270. An exhaust duct 260 19 is also provided along the lower portion of the rear module 20 and provides access from the interior of the rear module 21 20 to the exterior of the rear module 20. During operation 22 of the motor 270, air exits the vacuum cleaner 10 from the 23 exhaust duct 260 and is discharged to the rear of the 24 vacuum cleaner 10 at the exhaust port 230. This is explained in greater detail below.
26 The vacuum cleaner 10 comprises a motor 270 disposed 27 within and between the rear module 20 and the front module 28 300. The motor 270 is preferably clamped between these 29 components as described in greater detail below. The motor may be nearly any type of conventional motor as commonly 31 used in domestic and industrial appliances and particularly 32 vacuum cleaners. A most preferred motor is 120 volt AC 10 33 amp motor. Included with the motor 270 are associated 34 impeller and housing components as known in the art for producing a moving air stream or pressure differential. A
36 sealing ring 280 is preferably provided to facilitate 37 support and retention of the motor 270 within the vacuum CA 02226190 1998-01-0~
1 cleaner 10. The sealing ring 280 preferably fits over the 2 outer periphery of the motor 270 or its mounting base and 3 serves to support the motor 270 within the vacuum cleaner 4 10 and dampen and absorb any vibration resulting from operation of the motor 270. The sealing ring 280 can be 6 formed from a wide array of materials so long as it 7 exhibits the previously noted characteristics. A pliable 8 elastomeric material is preferred.
g The front module 300 is illustrated in FIGS. 9-13.
The front module 300 provides an interior hollow chamber 11 304 generally accessible from the front of the vacuum 12 cleaner 10. The chamber 304 serves to house and contain a 13 filter bag as known in the art. The front module 300 14 comprises a first side 310 and a second side 320 extending between a top wall 340 and a bottom wall 330. A backwall 16 422 is provided at one end of the resulting chamber 304.
17 The chamber 304 is generally defined as the region between 18 the opening of the front module 300, i.e. at which the 19 front cover 500 is hingedly attached, the backwall 422, the first side 310, the second side 320, the top wall 340, and 21 the bottom wall 330. The backwall 422 is preferably 22 integral with the front module 300. A front lip 306 is 23 defined along the edges, farthest from the backwall 422, 24 of the first side 310, the second side 320, the top wall 340, and the bottom wall 330. The front lip 306 is 26 preferably continuous and defines an opening to the chamber 27 304. One or more ribs 308 are preferably provided along 28 the interior surfaces of the sides 310 and 320, and the top 29 and bottom walls 340 and 330. It is preferred that the first and second sides 310 and 320 slope towards one 31 another slightly as they extend upwards to the top wall 32 340. It is further preferred that rounded corners or 33 arcuate transition regions be provided between all 34 adjoining surfaces of the top, bottom, and side walls.
Provided along the top wall 340 of the front module 36 300 is an upwardly extending hood 350. The hood 350 37 includes a sloping front wall 352 disposed between first CA 02226190 1998-01-0~
1 and second side walls 354 and 356, respectively. The first 2 and second walls 354 and 356 and the sloping front wall 352 3 combine to form a rearwardly disposed continuous edge 358.
4 The previously described flanged arcuate collar 52 defined along the forward distal end of the handle 50 is inserted 6 within the rearwardly facing opening of the hood 350 7 defined by the edge 358. These components are preferably 8 frictionally held together by an interference fit.
9 However, the use of adhesives and other affixment provisions to secure the distal end of the handle 50 to the 11 hood 350 of the front module 300 are contemplated. A
12 switch knob 360 and a resilient flexible member 362 are 13 provided along the front and upward regions of the hood 350 14 and are described in greater detail below. The hood 350 encloses a switch for operating the motor 270 and utilizes 16 a unique switch mounting configuration also described in 17 greater detail below.
18 Preferably located along the front region of the front 19 module 300 and along the sloping front wall 352 of the hood 350 is a clasp seat 366 and a clasp receiving region 364.
21 These are described in conjunction with the front cover 22 500. Preferably disposed along the bottom wall 330 and 23 proximate the front lip 306 are one or more hinge members 24 334. These are also described in conjunction with the front cover 500.
26 A first fender 370 is preferably provided proximate to 27 the rear end of the front module 300 and along the first 28 side 310. The first fender 370 is preferably arcuate and 29 engages the first fender support 36 provided on the rear module 20. Preferably disposed along the second wall 320 31 of the front module 300 is a second fender 380. Similarly, 32 the second fender 380 is arcuate and corresponds to and 33 receives the second fender support 46 of the rear module 34 20. An upper engaging surface 390 is defined along the top wall 340 of the front module 300 and proximate to the rear 36 region of the front module 300 behind the hood 350. The 37 upper engaging surface 390 facilitates engagement and CA 02226190 1998-01-0~
1 support between the front module 300 and the rear module 2 20. One or more retention slits 392 are defined along the 3 rear periphery of the upper engaging surface 390.
4 As can be seen in the accompanying drawings, the rear module 20 and the front module 300 engage each other along 6 a long and winding, i.e. tortuous, interface region. Such 7 a lengthy interface region increases the sealing and 8 seating area for the modules 20 and 300 and promotes the 9 overall rigidity of the assembled unit.
As noted, the preferred embodiment vacuum cleaner 10 11 utilizes a particular arrangement and configuration of 12 assembly fastener receptacles. The fastener receptacles 13 are adapted to receive and engage the previously described 14 upper and lower fasteners 160, 170, 140, and 150.
Referring to FIG. 9, the front module 300 provides a first 16 lower fastener receptacle 400 and a second lower fastener 17 receptacle 404 defined along the lower portion of the rear 18 face of the front module 300. Similarly, the front module 19 300 further provides a first upper fastener receptacle 408 and a second upper fastener receptacle 412, along the upper 21 portion of the rear face. Each of the fastener receptacles 22 400, 404, 408 and 412 are adapted to engage, and preferably 23 threadedly engage a corresponding fastener. That is, in 24 the assembled vacuum cleaner 10, the first lower fastener receptacle 400 is aligned with the first lower fastener 26 boss 144 of the rear module 20 and engagably receives the 27 first lower fastener 140. The second lower fastener 28 receptacle 404 is aligned with the second lower fastener 29 boss 154 of the rear module 20 and engagably receives the second lower fastener 150. The first upper fastener 31 receptacle 408 is aligned with the first upper fastener 32 boss 162 of the rear module 20 and engagably receives the 33 first upper fastener 160. The second upper fastener 34 receptacle 412 is aligned with the second upper fastener boss 172 of the rear module 20 and engagably receives the 36 second upper fastener 170. Each of the fastener 37 receptacles 400, 404, 408, and 41Z preferably projects .~ .
CA 02226190 1998-01-0~
1 toward the rear of the assembled vacuum cleaner 10 and is 2 oriented in a direction parallel with the longitudinal axis 3 of the vacuum cleaner 10. The fasteners not only affix the 4 front: and rear modules together, but also maintain a clamping pressure on the motor disposed between those 6 modules. This configuration simplifies the assembly of the 7 unit and reduces the number of components otherwise 8 necessary for its assembly.
9 The front module 300 also serves to support and retain the ~otor 270 disposed within the vacuum cleaner 10.
11 Referring to FIG. 9, it is preferred to provide at least 12 one arcuate motor front support flange 420 along the 13 rearwardly facing portion of the front module 300. The 14 backwall 422 of the front module 300 provides support for the one or more motor front support flanges 420. As shown 16 in F~G. 9, the preferred front module 300 utilizes four 17 arcuate support flanges 420 concentrically disposed on the 18 backwall 422.
19 The backwall 422 defines a plurality of apertures with:Ln an intake region 424 as shown in FIG. 9. Airflow to 21 the motor 270 passes through this intake region 424 from a 22 filter bag disposed within the chamber 304. Disposed on 23 the opposite side of the backwall 422 is a filter 430 as 24 best shown in FIG. 10. The filter 430 serves to screen the airflow passing through the intake region 424.
26 The vacuum cleaner 10 utilizes a caster assembly 440 27 to facilitate moving or rolling the vacuum cleaner 10 along 28 a floor. Referring to FIG. 14, the caster assembly 440 is 29 prov:ided along the bottom wall 330 of the front module 300.
The caster assembly 440 comprises a downwardly extending or 31 vert:ical post 442 that is rotatably received by a pivot arm 32 444. One or more ribs 443 may be provided proximate to the 33 post 442 for increased rigidity. A detent 441 is 34 preferably provided along the bottom wall 330 of the front modu:le 300. The detent 441 biases or assists in retaining 36 a desired orientation of a caster wheel 448. Defined along 37 the top region of the pivot arm 444 is a cylindrical bore CA 02226190 1998-01-0~
1 446 corresponding to the dimensions of the post 442. The 2 wheel 448 is rotatably retained within the pivot arm 444 by 3 a pair of guide members 452 that rotatably support an axle 4 450 extending through the wheel 448. It is preferred that the pivot arm 444 have a cantilevered portion which serves 6 as a cord receiving region 454. The pivot arm 444 further 7 preferably defines a wheelway 456 within which the wheel 8 448 :is disposed.
9 The vacuum cleaner 10 of the present invention util:izes a unique switch configuration as follows.
11 Referring to FIG. 15, defined within the hood 350 is a 12 generally horizontal switch support ledge 470 having a 13 receiving slot 472 defined therein. Defined along the 14 bottom portion of the hood 350 and generally along the top wall 340 of the front module 300 is a receiving seat 474.
16 A switch 460 is received within the hood 350 and generally 17 supported and retained by the previously noted switch 18 support ledge 470 and receiving the seat 474. The switch 19 460 may be any type of conventional control switch as known in the art. It is preferred that the switch 460 comprises 21 a vertically extending actuator 462 which when depressed 22 actuates the switch 460. The switch 460 includes a body 23 466, one or more electrical leads 464, and a collar 24 assembly 468. Upon placement of the switch 460 within the hood 350, the actuator 462 is either contacting or in close 26 proximity to the switch knob 360. Accordingly, when a user 27 presses downward upon the switch knob 360, the actuator 462 28 is operated thereby actuating the switch 460.
29 Referring to FIGS. 10, 11, 13, and 14, the front cover 500 is generally rectangular in shape, however having an 31 outwardly projecting or bulging front wall 502. The front 32 cover 500 is adapted to sealingly engage the front module 33 300 and particularly along the front lip 306. The front 34 cover 500 provides a sealing channel 504 extending around the periphery of the front cover 500 and preferably along 36 the rearward face of the front cover 500. The sealing 37 channel 504 sealingly engages the front lip 306 of the CA 02226190 1998-01-0~
1 front module 300. Disposed generally at the center of the 2 front cover 500 is an air inlet port 510. A generally 3 cylindrical inlet duct 512 extends rearwardly from the rear 4 face of the front cover 500. A filter bag may be releasably attached to the inlet duct 512 as known in the 6 art. The filter bag preferably comprises a flap of 7 material such as cardboard that, after the bag is removed 8 from the inlet duct 512, is folded over the inlet opening g of the bag. This prevents or significantly minimizes loss of waste and contaminants from the bag. The front cover 11 500 is preferably hingedly attached to the front module 300 12 by a hinge assembly. Accordingly, it is preferred that one 13 or more hinge members 334 of the front module 300 are 14 rotatably affixed to one or more hinge members 520 of the front cover 500, preferably by hinge pins 522 extending 16 therethrough. A clasp member 530 is preferably provided 17 along the upper portion of the front cover 500 and is 18 received by the clasp receiving region 364 and the clasp 19 seat 366 along the hood 350.
The preferred embodiment vacuum cleaner 10 utilizes a 21 unique cord routing configuration. As will be appreciated, 22 since the motor 270 preferably utilizes an external AC
23 power supply, it is necessary to provide an electrical 24 power supply cord between the exterior of the vacuum cleaner 10 and the motor 270 disposed within the interior 26 of the unit. FIGS. 2, 9, 12, and 14 illustrate a cord 27 outlet 332 provided along the underside of the front module 28 300. The cord outlet 332 is a relatively small canopy that 29 provides protection for a conventional electrical power supply cord passing through the underside of the vacuum 31 cleaner 10. Referring to FIG. 9, it is most preferred to 32 provide a cord retaining passage provided by a notch 337 33 and a cord way 336 defined between a dividing wall 335 and 34 the bottom wall 330. Upon placement of an electrical cord within the notch 337 and the cord way 336, shown in FIG. 9 36 as dashed lines, the cord is securely held by the front 37 module 300. This cord routing configuration prevents CA 02226190 1998-01-0~
1 damage to electrical connections at the cord and terminals 2 of the motor 270 caused by pulling the cord away from the 3 vacuum cleaner 10. The cord can be conveniently stored 4 about the vacuum cleaner 10 by winding it along the underside of the unit. Particularly, the cord is wrapped 6 between the cord tongue 130 provided on the underside of 7 the rear module 20 and the cantilevered portion of the 8 pivot arm 444 disposed on the underside of the front module 9 300.
During operation of the vacuum cleaner 10, the 11 backwall 422 provided in the front module 300 partitions 12 the interior chamber 304, i.e. the suction chamber housing 13 a filter, dust, or collection bag, from the exhaust chamber 14 generally defined between the rear face of the backwall 422 and the front region of the rear module 20. The motor and 16 associated impeller draw air from the inlet port 510, 17 through the chamber 304, and into the exhaust duct 260.
18 The air then exits the vacuum cleaner through the exhaust 19 port 230. The motor 270 is mounted within this exhaust chamber proximate to, and preferably immediately adjacent 21 to the backwall 422 so that its impeller draws air through 22 the intake region 424 defined in the backwall 422.
23 In another preferred embodiment, a flexible tube or 24 conduit is provided between the motor bearings and the suction side or negative pressure side of the system. The 26 conduit and resulting air flow through the conduit captures 27 particles and contaminants otherwise potentially leaking 28 through the bearing or around the bearing and into the 29 atmosphere. In the absence of such conduit, particles and contaminates may leak from inside the enclosure or motor 31 shroud to the outside environment. Another advantage of 32 providing the flexible conduit is that the resulting 33 airflow therethrough draws air through and around the 34 bearing thereby cooling the bearing and neighboring components.
36 The rear module 20, the front module 300, and the 37 front cover 500 are preferably formed from a plastic.
CA 02226190 1998-01-0~
1 However, the present invention includes vacuum cleaners 2 formed from, or utilizing housing components formed from, 3 materials other than plastics such as for instance metals 4 and composite materials. The various components can be formed by a wide array of techniques. If plastic is 6 utilized for any of the rear module 20, the front module 7 300 or the front cover 500, injection molding is the 8 preferred manufacturing technique.
9 While the foregoing details are what is felt to be the preferred embodiments of the present invention, no material 11 limitations to the scope of the claimed invention are 12 intended. Further, features and design alternatives that 13 would be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art are 14 considered to be incorporated herein. The scope of the invention is set forth and particularly described in the 16 claims herein below.
6 The present invention relates to a novel canister type 7 vacuum cleaner. Canister vacuum cleaners are known in the 8 art. These vacuum cleaners are compact and incorporate 9 many features typically found in upright vacuum cleaners.
Accordingly, as canister vacuum cleaners have evolved, they 11 have become relatively complicated, often utilizing 12 intricate internal assemblies. The resulting complexity 13 significantly impacts manufacturing and assembling such 14 vacuum cleaners. Accordingly, there is a need for a canister type vacuum cleaner that is relatively easy to 16 assemble and which is economical to manufacture.
17 A specific concern related to the complex assembly of 18 currently available canister vacuum cleaners is the manner 19 in which the motor is mounted within the enclosure.
Although a wide array of mounting configurations have been 21 utilized, none have provided significant improvement from 22 early canister vacuum cleaners. That is, the problems of 23 noise, vibration, leaks, and durability have continued to 24 plague artisans in this area. Accordingly, there is a need for a simplified and efficient technique for mounting and 26 incorporating a motor within a canister enclosure.
27 Many canister vacuum cleaners employ exhaust ports 28 along the rear of their enclosures. Although generally 29 satisfactory, these exhaust ports serve only a single function--that of directing exhaust from the unit. There 31 are numerous applications and attachments for canister 32 vacuum cleaners requiring diverting of the exhaust or 33 directing the exhaust through one or more other components.
34 As far as is known, currently available canister vacuum CA 02226190 1998-01-0~
1 cleaners do not provide for manipulating exhaust flow from 2 the enclosure, or for easily incorporating attachments to 3 the enclosure. Thus, there is a need for a canister vacuum 4 cleaner having an exhaust port with an improved configuration for directing airflow from the unit.
6 Recently, consumers have demanded increased filtering 7 of exhaust air. As will be appreciated, it is desirable to 8 remove as much of the contaminants and pollutants from the 9 exhaust air stream as possible before returning it to the environment, which typically is inside the user's home.
11 Accordingly, some vacuum cleaners, most notably large 12 industrial units, have provided a supplemental filter for 13 the exhaust stream. It would be desirable to provide, in a 14 simple and economical manner, an assembly for attaching a supplemental filter to a canister type vacuum cleaner to 16 further filter exhaust from the unit.
18 The present invention achieves the foregoing 19 objectives and provides in a first aspect, a vacuum cleaner comprising a front module and a rear module that is adapted 21 to releasably engage the front module. Each module has a 22 unique configuration. The rear module includes a rearward 23 walled enclosure with an upwardly projecting handle, that 24 collectively define a first sealing edge. The front module provides an enclosed region that defines a second sealing 26 edge. The modules sealingly engage each other along the 27 first and second edges.
28 In another aspect, the present invention provides a 29 vacuum cleaner comprising a rear module having an interior mounting ledge and defining an exhaust duct providing an 31 opening through the rear module. The rear module also 32 includes a forwardly directed sealing edge. The vacuum 33 cleaner also comprises a front module having a generally 34 enclosed interior within which is disposed a partition wall. The partition wall includes a support member. The CA 02226190 1998-01-0~
1 vacuum cleaner also comprises a motor disposed between the 2 rear module and the front module, and specifically 3 contacting the mounting ledge of the rear module and the 4 support member of the front module.
In yet another aspect, the present invention provides 6 a vacuum cleaner having first and second housing components 7 adapted to releasably engage one another, and a unique 8 exhaust port disposed on an end wall of one of the housing g components. The exhaust port is configured about an exhaust aperture defined in the end wall and includes a 11 plurality of support legs that extend from the end wall, 12 and which are disposed around the exhaust aperture.
13 Attached to the support legs and spaced from the end wall 14 and positioned in front of or directly over the exhaust aperture, is a blocking plate.
16 In yet another aspect, the present invention provides 17 a vacuum cleaner comprising a first housing component 18 having an interior chamber for a filter bag, and a second 19 housing component adapted to releasably engage the first housing component. The second housing component provides a 21 unique handle configuration.
22 In a further aspect, the present invention provides a 23 vacuum cleaner comprising a body module having an integral 24 and ported interior partition, a bag cover module detachably connected to one end of the body module, a rear 26 housing module affixed to the other end of the body module, 27 a motor clamped between the rear housing module and the 28 body module, and fasteners extending between the rear 29 housing module and the body module to affix the modules together and apply clamping pressure to the motor.
32 FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a 33 preferred embodiment vacuum cleaner in accordance with the 34 present invention;
FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the preferred 1 embodiment vacuum cleaner;
2 FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the preferred embodiment 3 vacuum cleaner;
4 FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a rear module component of the preferred embodiment vacuum cleaner;
6 FIG. 5 is a rear end view of the rear module 7 component;
8 FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the rear module 9 component;
FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the rear module 11 component;
12 FIG. 8 is a view of the underside of the rear module 13 component;
14 FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a front module component of the preferred embodiment vacuum cleaner;
16 FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the front module 17 component and a front cover utilized in the preferred 18 embodiment vacuum cleaner;
19 FIG. 11 is a top plan view of the front module component and the front cover;
21 FIG. 12 is a side elevational view of the front module 22 component and the front cover;
23 FIG. 13 is a front end view of the front cover and 24 front module component;
FIG. 14 is an exploded view of the front module 26 component and a caster assembly; and 27 FIG. 15 is an exploded view illustrating the placement 28 of a switch within the front module component.
The preferred embodiment vacuum cleaner 10 in 31 accordance with the present invention is best illustrated 32 in FIGS. 1-3. Before describing the preferred embodiment 33 vacuum cleaner, it is to be understood that all references 34 to "top", "bottom", "front", "rear", and "sides", including references to orientations of "up" and "down", generally CA 02226190 1998-01-0~
1 refer to the assembled vacuum cleaner placed in its normal 2 operating position on a floor such that its wheels and 3 front caster assembly, all described below, contact the 4 floor. Accordingly, the front of the vacuum cleaner 10 is the region at which a front cover 500 is located.
6 Similarly, the top of the vacuum cleaner is the region at 7 which the handle 50 is disposed.
8 The preferred embodiment vacuum cleaner 10 comprises a 9 rear module 20, a motor 270, a front module 300, and a front cover 500 hingedly attached to the front module 300.
11 As illustrated in FIG. 1, the rear module 20 and the front 12 module 300 engage each other and form a generally hollow 13 interior within which is disposed the motor 270. As 14 described in greater detail below, the vacuum cleaner 10 further comprises an inlet port 510 defined along the front 16 cover 500 at which may be attached various hoses and 17 cleaning instruments. When the components of the preferred 18 embodiment vacuum cleaner 10 are fully assembled, the rear 19 module 20 provides a handle 50 and a pair of rotatable wheels 110 and 120, that in conjunction with a caster 21 assembly 440 providing a wheel 448 disposed on the 22 underside of the front module 300, facilitate moving the 23 vacuum cleaner with relative ease across the floor.
24 The rear module 20 utilizes a unique design and provides numerous features. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 4-8, 26 the rear module 20 generally provides a pair of opposing 27 sloped sides generally shown in the drawings as a first 28 side 30 and a second side 40. The two sides 30 and 40 29 extend upwards toward a top wall 24 at which is disposed the handle 50. The top wall 24 is generally horizontal.
31 The first side 30 defines a rounded and outwardly 32 projecting first shoulder 32 and a generally arcuate cavity 33 designated as the first wheel well 34. The first shoulder 34 32 extends downward in an arcuate fashion, as best shown in FIG. 6, to an arcuate fender support 36. Similarly, on the 36 opposite side of the rear module 20, the second side 40 37 provides an arcuate and generally outwardly projecting CA 02226190 1998-01-0~
1 shoulder 42 that merges into a fender support 46 and which 2 also defines a second wheel well 44. The handle 50 extends 3 upward from the top wall 24 of the rear module 20 a 4 distance that is sufficient to provide clearance for a user's hand inserted between the underside of the handle 50 6 and the top wall 24. The handle extends toward the front 7 of the vacuum cleaner 10, i.e. toward the front cover 500 8 in the assembled vacuum cleaner 10. The handle 50 is 9 preferably oriented parallel with the longitudinal axis of the vacuum cleaner 10. The distal end of the handle 50 11 proximate to the front end of the vacuum cleaner 10 defines 12 a flanged arcuate collar 52 which, as discussed in greater 13 detail below, serves to engage the rear module 20 with the 14 front module 300. The collar 52 comprises two upwardly sloping legs that merge into an arcuate upper wall to 16 provide a generally continuous inverted U-shaped lip. An 17 ear 56 also projecting toward the front of the vacuum 18 cleaner 10 is preferably disposed between the legs of the 19 collar 52. The handle 50 is preferably hollow having both ends open to thereby define a throughway 58.
21 Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the rear region of the 22 rear module 20 provides several significant features. The 23 rear module 20 provides a rear face 60 generally extending 24 across the lower rear portion of the rear module 20. The rear module also provides a recessed rear face 62 located 26 along the upper region of the rear portion of the rear 27 module 20. The recessed rear face 62 is generally defined 28 by and extends between first and second sloping sidewalls 29 64 and 66, respectively, and a sloping rear face 68.
Extending over the recessed rear face 62, is a cradle 70.
31 The cradle 70 is preferably oriented parallel with the 32 longitudinal axis of the vacuum cleaner 10. The cradle 70 33 provides a generally arcuate or concave receiving surface 34 72 that terminates at a U-shaped upper rear edge 74. The cradle 70 is adapted for supporting and/or releasably 36 engaging one or more tools or attachments that may be used 37 in conjunction with the vacuum cleaner 10.
CA 02226190 1998-01-0~
1 The rearwardly extending cradle 70 also preferably 2 serves as a "kickstand" member. In some applications, it 3 is desirable to tilt the vacuum cleaner 10 upward so that 4 the rear face 60 of the rear module 20 is directed toward the floor and the front cover 500 is directed upwards. In 6 a most preferred configuration, the cradle 70 extends 7 beyond the rear face 60 of the rear module 20 a sufficient 8 distance such that when the vacuum cleaner 10 is tilted 9 upwards, the rear edge 74 and the two wheels 110 and 120 contact the floor.
11 The rear module 20 comprises provisions for supporting 12 and retaining rotatable wheels 110 and 120. Referring to 13 FIGS. 5 and 6, the rear module 20 provides a first wheel 14 support 90 extending laterally outward from the first wheel well 34. The first wheel support 90 is generally 16 cylindrical and provides an interior bearing surface. One 17 or more support ribs 92 may be provided around the 18 periphery of the wheel support 90. A second wheel support 19 100 and corresponding support ribs 102 are provided within and extending from the second wheel well 44. The first 21 wheel 110 provides a centrally located axle member 22 rotatably engaging the first wheel support 90. The axle 23 member of the first wheel rotatably engages the interior 24 bearing surface of the first wheel support 90. Similarly, the second wheel 120 has an axle member that rotatably 26 engages the second wheel support 100 and preferably, a 27 corresponding interior bearing surface thereof. The wheels 28 110 and 120 are sized such that they are received and 29 freely rotate within the corresponding wheel wells 34 and 44.
31 Referring to FIG. 8, the bottom wall 80 of the rear 32 module 20 is illustrated. Disposed along the bottom wall 33 80 and extending generally toward the rear of the rear 34 module 20 and preferably in a direction parallel with the longitudinal axis of the vacuum cleaner 10 is a cord tongue 36 130. It can be seen in FIGS. 4-6 that the cord tongue 130 37 provides a channel defined between the bottom wall 80 of CA 02226190 1998-01-0~
1 the rear module 20 and the upper surface of the cord tongue 2 130. The cord tongue 130 facilitates wrapping and 3 retaining the cord along the underside of the vacuum 4 cleaner 10.
Referring to FIGS. 4, 5, 7, and 8, the configuration 6 and arrangement of fastener receptacles along the rear 7 module 20 are shown. The entire assembly of the vacuum 8 cleaner 10 is secured and retained together by the use of g four threaded fasteners, i.e. screws. A first lower fastener 140 is engaged and received within a first lower 11 fastener boss 144. A first notch 142 may be provided along 12 the lower periphery of the rear face 60 of the rear module 13 20 to increase the access to the first lower boss 144.
14 Preferably disposed proximate the other side of the rear face 60 of the rear module 20, a second lower fastener 150 16 is received within a second lower fastener boss 154 through 17 a second notch 152. The first and second lower fastener 18 bosses 144 and 154 preferably serve to align and support 19 the corresponding fasteners. The lower fastener bosses 144 and 154 typically do not threadedly engage the fasteners 21 140 and 150 as described in greater detail below.
22 Referring further to FIGS. 4, 5, 7, and 8, a first upper 23 fastener 160 is provided proximate the first side 30 of the 24 rear module 20. The first upper fastener 160 is received within a first upper fastener boss 162. Similarly, a 26 second upper fastener 170 is received within a second upper 27 fastener boss 172 preferably disposed proximate to the 28 second side 40 of the rear module 20. The first and second 29 upper fastener bosses 162 and 172 serve to align and retain the first and second upper fasteners 160 and 170 and 31 typically do not threadedly engage these fasteners. As 32 described in conjunction with FIG. 9 below, the fasteners 33 threadedly engage fastener receptacles 400, 404, 408, and 34 412 provided in the front module 300.
Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, preferably provided within 36 the recessed rear face 62 along the rear of the rear module 37 20, are a pair of rearwardly extending first and second ., , CA 02226190 1998-01-0~
1 projections 180 and 190. The first projection 180 is 2 disposed proximate to the first side 30. Similarly, the 3 second projection 190 is disposed proximate to the second 4 side 40. Each projection has a semi-circular cross-section. That is, the first projection 180 has a laterally 6 and outwardly facing arcuate side 182 and an inwardly 7 facing planar face 184. Similarly, the second projection 8 190 has a laterally and outwardly facing arcuate side 192 9 and an inwardly facing planar face 194. The planar face 184 of the first projection 180 preferably faces the planar 11 face 194 of the second projection 190.
12 The vacuum cleaner 10 utilizes a unique exhaust 13 discharge configuration. Referring to FIGS. 4-6, the rear 14 module 20 provides an exhaust port 230 concentrically defined within an annular recess 220 disposed along the 16 rear face 60 of the rear module 20. As described in 17 greater detail below, the exhaust airstream from the vacuum 18 cleaner 10 exits through the exhaust port 230. A circular 19 blocking plate 240 is disposed directly over, yet spaced from the opening of the exhaust port 230. The blocking 21 plate 240 is rearwardly spaced from the opening of the 22 exhaust port 230 by a plurality of support legs 242. The 23 support legs 242 are preferably equally spaced around the 24 opening of the exhaust port 230. The support legs 242 and the blocking plate 240 define a plurality of apertures 26 through which exhaust air exits during operation of the 27 vacuum cleaner 10. As the exiting air is discharged from 28 the rear of the vacuum cleaner 10, it is directed laterally 29 outward by a plurality of horizontally extending baffles 210. The baffles 210 extend across the rear face 60 of the 31 rear module 20. The baffles 210 as shown are generally 32 horizontal and are arranged around the upper portion of the 33 exhaust port 230. The baffles 210 may be continuous and 34 generally extend across the width of the rear face 60 or may be noncontinuous and arranged around each side of the 36 rear face 60. The exhaust port 230 and the annular recess 37 220 may also be adapted for coupling attachment tools to CA 02226190 1998-01-0~
1 utilize the exhaust air stream of the vacuum cleaner 10.
2 As shown in FIG. 5, one or more attachment clips 264 3 can be provided along the rear face 60 of the rear module 4 20. It may be desirable to utilize one or more supplemental filters in conjunction with the vacuum cleaner 6 10. For instance, a detachable HEPA rated filter cartridge 7 could be releasably secured over the exhaust port 230 and 8 retained by the clips 264. The filter cartridge would 9 provide a final filtering operation upon the air stream exiting the vacuum cleaner 10.
11 The rear module 20 utilizes a unique motor support 12 configuration as follows. Referring to FIG. 1, the rear 13 module 20 provides a forwardly projecting motor rear 14 support ledge 250. The size and shape of the motor rear support ledge 250 corresponds to the rear region of the 16 motor 270 disposed within the vacuum cleaner 10. A
17 mounting bushing 251 is preferably utilized between the 18 support ledge 250 and the motor 270. An exhaust duct 260 19 is also provided along the lower portion of the rear module 20 and provides access from the interior of the rear module 21 20 to the exterior of the rear module 20. During operation 22 of the motor 270, air exits the vacuum cleaner 10 from the 23 exhaust duct 260 and is discharged to the rear of the 24 vacuum cleaner 10 at the exhaust port 230. This is explained in greater detail below.
26 The vacuum cleaner 10 comprises a motor 270 disposed 27 within and between the rear module 20 and the front module 28 300. The motor 270 is preferably clamped between these 29 components as described in greater detail below. The motor may be nearly any type of conventional motor as commonly 31 used in domestic and industrial appliances and particularly 32 vacuum cleaners. A most preferred motor is 120 volt AC 10 33 amp motor. Included with the motor 270 are associated 34 impeller and housing components as known in the art for producing a moving air stream or pressure differential. A
36 sealing ring 280 is preferably provided to facilitate 37 support and retention of the motor 270 within the vacuum CA 02226190 1998-01-0~
1 cleaner 10. The sealing ring 280 preferably fits over the 2 outer periphery of the motor 270 or its mounting base and 3 serves to support the motor 270 within the vacuum cleaner 4 10 and dampen and absorb any vibration resulting from operation of the motor 270. The sealing ring 280 can be 6 formed from a wide array of materials so long as it 7 exhibits the previously noted characteristics. A pliable 8 elastomeric material is preferred.
g The front module 300 is illustrated in FIGS. 9-13.
The front module 300 provides an interior hollow chamber 11 304 generally accessible from the front of the vacuum 12 cleaner 10. The chamber 304 serves to house and contain a 13 filter bag as known in the art. The front module 300 14 comprises a first side 310 and a second side 320 extending between a top wall 340 and a bottom wall 330. A backwall 16 422 is provided at one end of the resulting chamber 304.
17 The chamber 304 is generally defined as the region between 18 the opening of the front module 300, i.e. at which the 19 front cover 500 is hingedly attached, the backwall 422, the first side 310, the second side 320, the top wall 340, and 21 the bottom wall 330. The backwall 422 is preferably 22 integral with the front module 300. A front lip 306 is 23 defined along the edges, farthest from the backwall 422, 24 of the first side 310, the second side 320, the top wall 340, and the bottom wall 330. The front lip 306 is 26 preferably continuous and defines an opening to the chamber 27 304. One or more ribs 308 are preferably provided along 28 the interior surfaces of the sides 310 and 320, and the top 29 and bottom walls 340 and 330. It is preferred that the first and second sides 310 and 320 slope towards one 31 another slightly as they extend upwards to the top wall 32 340. It is further preferred that rounded corners or 33 arcuate transition regions be provided between all 34 adjoining surfaces of the top, bottom, and side walls.
Provided along the top wall 340 of the front module 36 300 is an upwardly extending hood 350. The hood 350 37 includes a sloping front wall 352 disposed between first CA 02226190 1998-01-0~
1 and second side walls 354 and 356, respectively. The first 2 and second walls 354 and 356 and the sloping front wall 352 3 combine to form a rearwardly disposed continuous edge 358.
4 The previously described flanged arcuate collar 52 defined along the forward distal end of the handle 50 is inserted 6 within the rearwardly facing opening of the hood 350 7 defined by the edge 358. These components are preferably 8 frictionally held together by an interference fit.
9 However, the use of adhesives and other affixment provisions to secure the distal end of the handle 50 to the 11 hood 350 of the front module 300 are contemplated. A
12 switch knob 360 and a resilient flexible member 362 are 13 provided along the front and upward regions of the hood 350 14 and are described in greater detail below. The hood 350 encloses a switch for operating the motor 270 and utilizes 16 a unique switch mounting configuration also described in 17 greater detail below.
18 Preferably located along the front region of the front 19 module 300 and along the sloping front wall 352 of the hood 350 is a clasp seat 366 and a clasp receiving region 364.
21 These are described in conjunction with the front cover 22 500. Preferably disposed along the bottom wall 330 and 23 proximate the front lip 306 are one or more hinge members 24 334. These are also described in conjunction with the front cover 500.
26 A first fender 370 is preferably provided proximate to 27 the rear end of the front module 300 and along the first 28 side 310. The first fender 370 is preferably arcuate and 29 engages the first fender support 36 provided on the rear module 20. Preferably disposed along the second wall 320 31 of the front module 300 is a second fender 380. Similarly, 32 the second fender 380 is arcuate and corresponds to and 33 receives the second fender support 46 of the rear module 34 20. An upper engaging surface 390 is defined along the top wall 340 of the front module 300 and proximate to the rear 36 region of the front module 300 behind the hood 350. The 37 upper engaging surface 390 facilitates engagement and CA 02226190 1998-01-0~
1 support between the front module 300 and the rear module 2 20. One or more retention slits 392 are defined along the 3 rear periphery of the upper engaging surface 390.
4 As can be seen in the accompanying drawings, the rear module 20 and the front module 300 engage each other along 6 a long and winding, i.e. tortuous, interface region. Such 7 a lengthy interface region increases the sealing and 8 seating area for the modules 20 and 300 and promotes the 9 overall rigidity of the assembled unit.
As noted, the preferred embodiment vacuum cleaner 10 11 utilizes a particular arrangement and configuration of 12 assembly fastener receptacles. The fastener receptacles 13 are adapted to receive and engage the previously described 14 upper and lower fasteners 160, 170, 140, and 150.
Referring to FIG. 9, the front module 300 provides a first 16 lower fastener receptacle 400 and a second lower fastener 17 receptacle 404 defined along the lower portion of the rear 18 face of the front module 300. Similarly, the front module 19 300 further provides a first upper fastener receptacle 408 and a second upper fastener receptacle 412, along the upper 21 portion of the rear face. Each of the fastener receptacles 22 400, 404, 408 and 412 are adapted to engage, and preferably 23 threadedly engage a corresponding fastener. That is, in 24 the assembled vacuum cleaner 10, the first lower fastener receptacle 400 is aligned with the first lower fastener 26 boss 144 of the rear module 20 and engagably receives the 27 first lower fastener 140. The second lower fastener 28 receptacle 404 is aligned with the second lower fastener 29 boss 154 of the rear module 20 and engagably receives the second lower fastener 150. The first upper fastener 31 receptacle 408 is aligned with the first upper fastener 32 boss 162 of the rear module 20 and engagably receives the 33 first upper fastener 160. The second upper fastener 34 receptacle 412 is aligned with the second upper fastener boss 172 of the rear module 20 and engagably receives the 36 second upper fastener 170. Each of the fastener 37 receptacles 400, 404, 408, and 41Z preferably projects .~ .
CA 02226190 1998-01-0~
1 toward the rear of the assembled vacuum cleaner 10 and is 2 oriented in a direction parallel with the longitudinal axis 3 of the vacuum cleaner 10. The fasteners not only affix the 4 front: and rear modules together, but also maintain a clamping pressure on the motor disposed between those 6 modules. This configuration simplifies the assembly of the 7 unit and reduces the number of components otherwise 8 necessary for its assembly.
9 The front module 300 also serves to support and retain the ~otor 270 disposed within the vacuum cleaner 10.
11 Referring to FIG. 9, it is preferred to provide at least 12 one arcuate motor front support flange 420 along the 13 rearwardly facing portion of the front module 300. The 14 backwall 422 of the front module 300 provides support for the one or more motor front support flanges 420. As shown 16 in F~G. 9, the preferred front module 300 utilizes four 17 arcuate support flanges 420 concentrically disposed on the 18 backwall 422.
19 The backwall 422 defines a plurality of apertures with:Ln an intake region 424 as shown in FIG. 9. Airflow to 21 the motor 270 passes through this intake region 424 from a 22 filter bag disposed within the chamber 304. Disposed on 23 the opposite side of the backwall 422 is a filter 430 as 24 best shown in FIG. 10. The filter 430 serves to screen the airflow passing through the intake region 424.
26 The vacuum cleaner 10 utilizes a caster assembly 440 27 to facilitate moving or rolling the vacuum cleaner 10 along 28 a floor. Referring to FIG. 14, the caster assembly 440 is 29 prov:ided along the bottom wall 330 of the front module 300.
The caster assembly 440 comprises a downwardly extending or 31 vert:ical post 442 that is rotatably received by a pivot arm 32 444. One or more ribs 443 may be provided proximate to the 33 post 442 for increased rigidity. A detent 441 is 34 preferably provided along the bottom wall 330 of the front modu:le 300. The detent 441 biases or assists in retaining 36 a desired orientation of a caster wheel 448. Defined along 37 the top region of the pivot arm 444 is a cylindrical bore CA 02226190 1998-01-0~
1 446 corresponding to the dimensions of the post 442. The 2 wheel 448 is rotatably retained within the pivot arm 444 by 3 a pair of guide members 452 that rotatably support an axle 4 450 extending through the wheel 448. It is preferred that the pivot arm 444 have a cantilevered portion which serves 6 as a cord receiving region 454. The pivot arm 444 further 7 preferably defines a wheelway 456 within which the wheel 8 448 :is disposed.
9 The vacuum cleaner 10 of the present invention util:izes a unique switch configuration as follows.
11 Referring to FIG. 15, defined within the hood 350 is a 12 generally horizontal switch support ledge 470 having a 13 receiving slot 472 defined therein. Defined along the 14 bottom portion of the hood 350 and generally along the top wall 340 of the front module 300 is a receiving seat 474.
16 A switch 460 is received within the hood 350 and generally 17 supported and retained by the previously noted switch 18 support ledge 470 and receiving the seat 474. The switch 19 460 may be any type of conventional control switch as known in the art. It is preferred that the switch 460 comprises 21 a vertically extending actuator 462 which when depressed 22 actuates the switch 460. The switch 460 includes a body 23 466, one or more electrical leads 464, and a collar 24 assembly 468. Upon placement of the switch 460 within the hood 350, the actuator 462 is either contacting or in close 26 proximity to the switch knob 360. Accordingly, when a user 27 presses downward upon the switch knob 360, the actuator 462 28 is operated thereby actuating the switch 460.
29 Referring to FIGS. 10, 11, 13, and 14, the front cover 500 is generally rectangular in shape, however having an 31 outwardly projecting or bulging front wall 502. The front 32 cover 500 is adapted to sealingly engage the front module 33 300 and particularly along the front lip 306. The front 34 cover 500 provides a sealing channel 504 extending around the periphery of the front cover 500 and preferably along 36 the rearward face of the front cover 500. The sealing 37 channel 504 sealingly engages the front lip 306 of the CA 02226190 1998-01-0~
1 front module 300. Disposed generally at the center of the 2 front cover 500 is an air inlet port 510. A generally 3 cylindrical inlet duct 512 extends rearwardly from the rear 4 face of the front cover 500. A filter bag may be releasably attached to the inlet duct 512 as known in the 6 art. The filter bag preferably comprises a flap of 7 material such as cardboard that, after the bag is removed 8 from the inlet duct 512, is folded over the inlet opening g of the bag. This prevents or significantly minimizes loss of waste and contaminants from the bag. The front cover 11 500 is preferably hingedly attached to the front module 300 12 by a hinge assembly. Accordingly, it is preferred that one 13 or more hinge members 334 of the front module 300 are 14 rotatably affixed to one or more hinge members 520 of the front cover 500, preferably by hinge pins 522 extending 16 therethrough. A clasp member 530 is preferably provided 17 along the upper portion of the front cover 500 and is 18 received by the clasp receiving region 364 and the clasp 19 seat 366 along the hood 350.
The preferred embodiment vacuum cleaner 10 utilizes a 21 unique cord routing configuration. As will be appreciated, 22 since the motor 270 preferably utilizes an external AC
23 power supply, it is necessary to provide an electrical 24 power supply cord between the exterior of the vacuum cleaner 10 and the motor 270 disposed within the interior 26 of the unit. FIGS. 2, 9, 12, and 14 illustrate a cord 27 outlet 332 provided along the underside of the front module 28 300. The cord outlet 332 is a relatively small canopy that 29 provides protection for a conventional electrical power supply cord passing through the underside of the vacuum 31 cleaner 10. Referring to FIG. 9, it is most preferred to 32 provide a cord retaining passage provided by a notch 337 33 and a cord way 336 defined between a dividing wall 335 and 34 the bottom wall 330. Upon placement of an electrical cord within the notch 337 and the cord way 336, shown in FIG. 9 36 as dashed lines, the cord is securely held by the front 37 module 300. This cord routing configuration prevents CA 02226190 1998-01-0~
1 damage to electrical connections at the cord and terminals 2 of the motor 270 caused by pulling the cord away from the 3 vacuum cleaner 10. The cord can be conveniently stored 4 about the vacuum cleaner 10 by winding it along the underside of the unit. Particularly, the cord is wrapped 6 between the cord tongue 130 provided on the underside of 7 the rear module 20 and the cantilevered portion of the 8 pivot arm 444 disposed on the underside of the front module 9 300.
During operation of the vacuum cleaner 10, the 11 backwall 422 provided in the front module 300 partitions 12 the interior chamber 304, i.e. the suction chamber housing 13 a filter, dust, or collection bag, from the exhaust chamber 14 generally defined between the rear face of the backwall 422 and the front region of the rear module 20. The motor and 16 associated impeller draw air from the inlet port 510, 17 through the chamber 304, and into the exhaust duct 260.
18 The air then exits the vacuum cleaner through the exhaust 19 port 230. The motor 270 is mounted within this exhaust chamber proximate to, and preferably immediately adjacent 21 to the backwall 422 so that its impeller draws air through 22 the intake region 424 defined in the backwall 422.
23 In another preferred embodiment, a flexible tube or 24 conduit is provided between the motor bearings and the suction side or negative pressure side of the system. The 26 conduit and resulting air flow through the conduit captures 27 particles and contaminants otherwise potentially leaking 28 through the bearing or around the bearing and into the 29 atmosphere. In the absence of such conduit, particles and contaminates may leak from inside the enclosure or motor 31 shroud to the outside environment. Another advantage of 32 providing the flexible conduit is that the resulting 33 airflow therethrough draws air through and around the 34 bearing thereby cooling the bearing and neighboring components.
36 The rear module 20, the front module 300, and the 37 front cover 500 are preferably formed from a plastic.
CA 02226190 1998-01-0~
1 However, the present invention includes vacuum cleaners 2 formed from, or utilizing housing components formed from, 3 materials other than plastics such as for instance metals 4 and composite materials. The various components can be formed by a wide array of techniques. If plastic is 6 utilized for any of the rear module 20, the front module 7 300 or the front cover 500, injection molding is the 8 preferred manufacturing technique.
9 While the foregoing details are what is felt to be the preferred embodiments of the present invention, no material 11 limitations to the scope of the claimed invention are 12 intended. Further, features and design alternatives that 13 would be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art are 14 considered to be incorporated herein. The scope of the invention is set forth and particularly described in the 16 claims herein below.
Claims (20)
1. A vacuum cleaner comprising:
a rear module having (i) a rear wall, (ii) a first sloping side wall transversely extending from said rear wall, (iii) a second sloping side wall transversely extending from said rear wall, (iv) a top wall transversely extending from said rear wall and disposed between said first and second sloping side walls, said top wall generally contiguous with said first and second side walls, and (v) a handle assembly including a first handle member projecting from said top wall, and a second handle member extending from said first handle member over at least a portion of said top wall, said second handle member spaced from said top wall a distance sufficient to provide clearance for a user's hand disposed between said top wall and said second handle member, wherein said first and second sloping side walls, said top wall, and said second handle member all extend to a first distal edge; and a front module having (i) a top wall, (ii) a bottom wall, (iii) a first side wall extending between said top wall and said bottom wall, (iv) a second side wall spaced from said first side wall and extending between said top wall and said bottom wall, and (v) a hood extending from said top wall, wherein said top wall, said bottom wall, said first and second side walls and said hood all extend to a second distal edge;
wherein said rear module is adapted to releasably engage said front module such that said first distal edge sealingly contacts said second distal edge.
a rear module having (i) a rear wall, (ii) a first sloping side wall transversely extending from said rear wall, (iii) a second sloping side wall transversely extending from said rear wall, (iv) a top wall transversely extending from said rear wall and disposed between said first and second sloping side walls, said top wall generally contiguous with said first and second side walls, and (v) a handle assembly including a first handle member projecting from said top wall, and a second handle member extending from said first handle member over at least a portion of said top wall, said second handle member spaced from said top wall a distance sufficient to provide clearance for a user's hand disposed between said top wall and said second handle member, wherein said first and second sloping side walls, said top wall, and said second handle member all extend to a first distal edge; and a front module having (i) a top wall, (ii) a bottom wall, (iii) a first side wall extending between said top wall and said bottom wall, (iv) a second side wall spaced from said first side wall and extending between said top wall and said bottom wall, and (v) a hood extending from said top wall, wherein said top wall, said bottom wall, said first and second side walls and said hood all extend to a second distal edge;
wherein said rear module is adapted to releasably engage said front module such that said first distal edge sealingly contacts said second distal edge.
2. The vacuum cleaner of claim 1 wherein said rear wall defines an exhaust port, said vacuum cleaner further comprising:
support members extending rearwardly from said rear wall and disposed around said exhaust port; and a blocking plate affixed to said support members and disposed over said exhaust port and spaced from said rear wall.
support members extending rearwardly from said rear wall and disposed around said exhaust port; and a blocking plate affixed to said support members and disposed over said exhaust port and spaced from said rear wall.
3. The vacuum cleaner of claim 2 further comprising a plurality of baffles projecting rearwardly from said rear wall and generally extending across said rear wall.
4. The vacuum cleaner of claim 1 wherein said front module further has a plurality of fastener mounting bosses, said rear wall of said rear module defining a plurality of fastener apertures aligned with said fastener mounting bosses, said vacuum cleaner further comprising:
a plurality of fasteners extending through said fastener apertures and receivably engaged with said fastener mounting bosses.
a plurality of fasteners extending through said fastener apertures and receivably engaged with said fastener mounting bosses.
5. The vacuum cleaner of claim 1 wherein said rear module further has retaining clips disposed along said rear wall, and said vacuum cleaner further comprises:
a filter assembly releasably attached to said rear module by said retaining clips.
a filter assembly releasably attached to said rear module by said retaining clips.
6. The vacuum cleaner of claim 1 wherein said second handle member extends rearwardly beyond said rear wall of said rear module.
7. A vacuum cleaner comprising:
a rear module including (i) a rear panel providing a rear face and an oppositely directed forward face, (ii) an enclosure wall extending around the periphery of said panel thereby defining an interior region proximate to said forward face, (iii) a mounting ledge projecting from said rear panel into said interior region, and (iv) an exhaust duct projecting from said rear panel into said interior region and defining an exhaust opening through said rear panel, said enclosure wall defining a sealing edge;
a front module including (i) a housing having a first end and a second end opposite from said first end, (ii) a front cover hingedly attached to said second end of said housing, (iii) a partition wall disposed within said housing and between said first end and said second end, said partition wall having at least one support member transversely extending from said partition wall toward said first end of said housing, said first end of said housing sealingly engaging said sealing edge of said rear module;
and a motor disposed between said rear module and said front module, said motor contacting said mounting ledge of said rear module and said at least one support member of said front module.
a rear module including (i) a rear panel providing a rear face and an oppositely directed forward face, (ii) an enclosure wall extending around the periphery of said panel thereby defining an interior region proximate to said forward face, (iii) a mounting ledge projecting from said rear panel into said interior region, and (iv) an exhaust duct projecting from said rear panel into said interior region and defining an exhaust opening through said rear panel, said enclosure wall defining a sealing edge;
a front module including (i) a housing having a first end and a second end opposite from said first end, (ii) a front cover hingedly attached to said second end of said housing, (iii) a partition wall disposed within said housing and between said first end and said second end, said partition wall having at least one support member transversely extending from said partition wall toward said first end of said housing, said first end of said housing sealingly engaging said sealing edge of said rear module;
and a motor disposed between said rear module and said front module, said motor contacting said mounting ledge of said rear module and said at least one support member of said front module.
8. The vacuum cleaner of claim 7 further comprising:
support members disposed around said exhaust opening defined in said rear panel and extending from said rear face of said rear panel; and a blocking plate affixed to said support members and disposed over said exhaust opening and spaced from said rear face of said rear panel.
support members disposed around said exhaust opening defined in said rear panel and extending from said rear face of said rear panel; and a blocking plate affixed to said support members and disposed over said exhaust opening and spaced from said rear face of said rear panel.
9. The vacuum cleaner of claim 8 further comprising a plurality of horizontal baffles extending across said rear face of said rear panel.
10. The vacuum cleaner of claim 7 wherein said rear module further includes retaining clips disposed on said rear face of said rear wall, and said vacuum cleaner further comprises:
a filter assembly releasably attached to said rear module by said retaining clips.
a filter assembly releasably attached to said rear module by said retaining clips.
11. The vacuum cleaner of claim 7 wherein said rear module further includes a handle having a handle base member projecting from said enclosure wall and a handle grip member integrally formed with said handle base member, spaced from said enclosure wall, and extending between said sealing edge and said rear face of said rear panel.
12. The vacuum cleaner of claim 7 wherein said front module further includes a hood projecting upwards from said housing, said hood disposed proximate to said second end of said housing, and said hood providing a resilient flexible member; said vacuum cleaner further comprising:
a switch for controlling the operation of said motor, said switch in electrical association with said motor, said switch disposed within and generally enclosed within said hood, said switch disposed proximate to said flexible member, wherein said switch is actuatable by applying a force upon said member to flex said member into engagement with said switch.
a switch for controlling the operation of said motor, said switch in electrical association with said motor, said switch disposed within and generally enclosed within said hood, said switch disposed proximate to said flexible member, wherein said switch is actuatable by applying a force upon said member to flex said member into engagement with said switch.
13. A vacuum cleaner comprising:
a first housing component providing an interior chamber adapted to contain a filter bag, and defining an open end providing access to said interior chamber; and a second housing component having an open end and an end wall opposite said open end, said second housing component adapted to releasably engage said first housing component, wherein said end wall defines an exhaust aperture through said end wall;
a plurality of support legs disposed around the periphery of said exhaust aperture and extending from said end wall in a direction away from said open end of said second housing component; and a blocking plate affixed to said plurality of support legs and disposed over said exhaust aperture and spaced from said end wall.
a first housing component providing an interior chamber adapted to contain a filter bag, and defining an open end providing access to said interior chamber; and a second housing component having an open end and an end wall opposite said open end, said second housing component adapted to releasably engage said first housing component, wherein said end wall defines an exhaust aperture through said end wall;
a plurality of support legs disposed around the periphery of said exhaust aperture and extending from said end wall in a direction away from said open end of said second housing component; and a blocking plate affixed to said plurality of support legs and disposed over said exhaust aperture and spaced from said end wall.
14. The vacuum cleaner of claim 13 wherein said first housing component includes an integral wall disposed within said interior chamber, said integral wall having a frontwardly directed face, a rearwardly directed face, and a support ledge projecting from said rearwardly directed face, said end wall of said second housing component including a mounting shelf projecting from said end wall toward said open end of said second housing component, said vacuum cleaner further comprising:
a motor clamped between said support ledge of said first housing component and said mounting shelf of said second housing component; and fasteners extending between said first housing component and said second housing component to affix said first housing component to said second housing component and to apply clamping pressure to said motor.
a motor clamped between said support ledge of said first housing component and said mounting shelf of said second housing component; and fasteners extending between said first housing component and said second housing component to affix said first housing component to said second housing component and to apply clamping pressure to said motor.
15. The vacuum cleaner of claim 14 wherein said first housing component further includes an upwardly extending hood having a flexible member disposed along an outer region of said hood, said vacuum cleaner further comprising:
a switch in electrical association with said motor, said switch disposed in said hood and actuatable by flexing of said flexible member.
a switch in electrical association with said motor, said switch disposed in said hood and actuatable by flexing of said flexible member.
16. The vacuum cleaner of claim 13 wherein said end wall of said second housing component includes a plurality of retaining clips along said end wall, said vacuum cleaner further comprising:
a filter releasably retained to said second housing component by said plurality of retaining clips.
a filter releasably retained to said second housing component by said plurality of retaining clips.
17. A vacuum cleaner comprising:
a first housing component providing an interior chamber adapted to contain a filter bag, and defining an open end providing access to said interior chamber; and a second housing component having (i) an open end and an end wall opposite said open end, said second housing component adapted to releasably engage said first housing component, said second housing component further having (ii) a top wall extending between said open end and said end wall, (iii) a first handle base member projecting from said top wall and disposed proximate said open end, (iv) a second handle base member projecting from said top wall and disposed proximate said end wall, and (v) a handle grip member extending between said first handle base member and said second handle base member, wherein said handle grip member extends beyond said second handle base member and beyond said end wall.
a first housing component providing an interior chamber adapted to contain a filter bag, and defining an open end providing access to said interior chamber; and a second housing component having (i) an open end and an end wall opposite said open end, said second housing component adapted to releasably engage said first housing component, said second housing component further having (ii) a top wall extending between said open end and said end wall, (iii) a first handle base member projecting from said top wall and disposed proximate said open end, (iv) a second handle base member projecting from said top wall and disposed proximate said end wall, and (v) a handle grip member extending between said first handle base member and said second handle base member, wherein said handle grip member extends beyond said second handle base member and beyond said end wall.
18. The vacuum cleaner of claim 17 wherein said end wall defines an exhaust opening, said vacuum cleaner further comprising:
support legs projecting from said end wall in a direction away from said open end of said second housing component, said support legs disposed proximate to said exhaust opening; and a plate affixed to said support legs and spaced from said exhaust opening.
support legs projecting from said end wall in a direction away from said open end of said second housing component, said support legs disposed proximate to said exhaust opening; and a plate affixed to said support legs and spaced from said exhaust opening.
19. The vacuum cleaner of claim 18 further comprising:
a plurality of retaining clips disposed along said end wall; and a filter disposed over said exhaust opening and releasably retained along said end wall by said plurality of retaining clips.
a plurality of retaining clips disposed along said end wall; and a filter disposed over said exhaust opening and releasably retained along said end wall by said plurality of retaining clips.
20. A vacuum cleaner comprising:
a body module having an integral partition therein, said partition defining a port through said partition, said partition dividing said module into suction and exhaust chambers;
a bag cover module detachably connected to one end of said body module and, with said partition, defining said suction chamber;
a rear housing module affixed to another end of said body module and, with said partition, defining said exhaust chamber;
a seal member disposed over said port and enabling air flow through said seal and said port;
a motor having an impeller adapted to draw air from said suction chamber to said exhaust chamber, said motor being mounted within said exhaust chamber so that said impeller is adjacent said port defined in said partition, and said motor being clamped between said rear housing module and said seal member; and fasteners extending between said rear housing module and said body module to affix said rear housing module to said body module and to apply clamping pressure to said motor.
a body module having an integral partition therein, said partition defining a port through said partition, said partition dividing said module into suction and exhaust chambers;
a bag cover module detachably connected to one end of said body module and, with said partition, defining said suction chamber;
a rear housing module affixed to another end of said body module and, with said partition, defining said exhaust chamber;
a seal member disposed over said port and enabling air flow through said seal and said port;
a motor having an impeller adapted to draw air from said suction chamber to said exhaust chamber, said motor being mounted within said exhaust chamber so that said impeller is adjacent said port defined in said partition, and said motor being clamped between said rear housing module and said seal member; and fasteners extending between said rear housing module and said body module to affix said rear housing module to said body module and to apply clamping pressure to said motor.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US3535997P | 1997-01-10 | 1997-01-10 | |
| US60/035,359 | 1997-01-10 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2226190A1 true CA2226190A1 (en) | 1998-07-10 |
Family
ID=21882192
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2226190 Abandoned CA2226190A1 (en) | 1997-01-10 | 1998-01-05 | Canister type vacuum cleaner |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2226190A1 (en) |
-
1998
- 1998-01-05 CA CA 2226190 patent/CA2226190A1/en not_active Abandoned
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| FZDE | Dead |