CA2522111A1 - Vacuum cleaner with displaceable height adjustment assembly and rotary agitator - Google Patents
Vacuum cleaner with displaceable height adjustment assembly and rotary agitator Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2522111A1 CA2522111A1 CA002522111A CA2522111A CA2522111A1 CA 2522111 A1 CA2522111 A1 CA 2522111A1 CA 002522111 A CA002522111 A CA 002522111A CA 2522111 A CA2522111 A CA 2522111A CA 2522111 A1 CA2522111 A1 CA 2522111A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- floor cleaning
- cleaning apparatus
- assembly
- rotary agitator
- nozzle assembly
- 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
- A47L5/28—Suction cleaners with handles and nozzles fixed on the casings, e.g. wheeled suction cleaners with steering handle
- A47L5/34—Suction cleaners with handles and nozzles fixed on the casings, e.g. wheeled suction cleaners with steering handle with height adjustment of nozzles or 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
- 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
- A47L9/10—Filters; Dust separators; Dust removal; Automatic exchange of filters
- A47L9/16—Arrangement or disposition of cyclones or other devices with centrifugal action
- A47L9/165—Construction of inlets
-
- 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
- A47L9/28—Installation of the electric equipment, e.g. adaptation or attachment to the suction cleaner; Controlling suction cleaners by electric means
- A47L9/2836—Installation of the electric equipment, e.g. adaptation or attachment to the suction cleaner; Controlling suction cleaners by electric means characterised by the parts which are controlled
- A47L9/2847—Surface treating elements
-
- 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
- A47L9/28—Installation of the electric equipment, e.g. adaptation or attachment to the suction cleaner; Controlling suction cleaners by electric means
- A47L9/2857—User input or output elements for control, e.g. buttons, switches or displays
Abstract
A floor cleaning appliance includes a housing having a canister assembly and a nozzle assembly. A suction generator and a dirt collection vessel are carried on the housing. A suction inlet, a rotary agitator and a bare floor wiper are carried on the nozzle assembly. In addition the floor cleaning apparatus includes a switch for slowing or interrupting drive to the rotary agitator and a displaceable height adjustment assembly. The height adjustment assembly is displaceable between one or more carpet cleaning positions and a bare floor cleaning position. The height adjustment assembly engages the switch and slows or interrupts drive to the rotary agitator when in the bare floor cleaning position.
Description
i 'VACUUM C)L,EANLR 'WITH DISPLACEABLE HEI(~I~iT
ADJUSTMENT ASSEMBL~t' A~TD ROTARY AGITATOR S'~VffCH
This applic;,~tion claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application serial ito. 64/fi15,7fG fled on 4 October 20U4.
Technical Field The present invention relates generally to the floor care equipment field and, more pamieula~rly, a floor cleaning apparatus equipped with a displaceable heigktt adjustment ;assembly and a switch for interrupting the agitator drive.
Bac ~xound of th~~ ventio~, Floor care cleaning equipment such as upright vacuum cleaners as well as extractors :have long beEao. knomn in the art. Such equipment is generally equippe<1 with a sucti,~n generator including a fan and cooperating drive motor. Some, of the devices are also equipped with a separate drive mol.or for a rotary agitator. 'typically the rotary agitator is equipped with a series of bristle tufts, brushes, wipers, beater bars or the like that project frc>m the rotary agitator, When the rotary agitatox is rotated at a high speed these projecting structures produce a wind current.
Doting bare floor :leaning, the resulting wind current may interfere with and prevent cffici~::nt drawing of dirt and debris into the suction inlet of the vacuum cleaner. ~a_ccordingly, many vacuum cleanexs have been equipped with switches that allow the operator to interrupt the drive to the rotary agitator. Where tha floor cleaning appliance is equipped with an agitator drivmmotor, this is accomplished by simply de~nergizing that motor.
'Where the Floor cleaning appliance is equipped with a single motor for driving the suctioyy generator fm and the rotary agitator, this is accomplished by interrupting the power takeoff from that motor to tl~e agitator.
~'he present: invention relates to a vacuum cleaner equipped vv~ith a cooperating height adjustment assembly acrd switch which automatically stows or interrupt, drive to the rotary agitator when the height adjustment assembly is positioned for bare floor cleaning.
SumrnarV of the Invention In accordance with the purposes of the present invention as 2Q . described herein, a floor cleaning apparatus is provided. 'fhe floor cleaning apparati:u~ includes a bc~usirng having a canister assembly and a nozzle assembly. ~1 suction generator and a dirt collection vessel are both carried on th.e homsing. The ne~zzie assembly includes a suction inlet and a rotary agitator is carried on the nozzle assembly adjacent that suction inlet.
ADJUSTMENT ASSEMBL~t' A~TD ROTARY AGITATOR S'~VffCH
This applic;,~tion claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application serial ito. 64/fi15,7fG fled on 4 October 20U4.
Technical Field The present invention relates generally to the floor care equipment field and, more pamieula~rly, a floor cleaning apparatus equipped with a displaceable heigktt adjustment ;assembly and a switch for interrupting the agitator drive.
Bac ~xound of th~~ ventio~, Floor care cleaning equipment such as upright vacuum cleaners as well as extractors :have long beEao. knomn in the art. Such equipment is generally equippe<1 with a sucti,~n generator including a fan and cooperating drive motor. Some, of the devices are also equipped with a separate drive mol.or for a rotary agitator. 'typically the rotary agitator is equipped with a series of bristle tufts, brushes, wipers, beater bars or the like that project frc>m the rotary agitator, When the rotary agitatox is rotated at a high speed these projecting structures produce a wind current.
Doting bare floor :leaning, the resulting wind current may interfere with and prevent cffici~::nt drawing of dirt and debris into the suction inlet of the vacuum cleaner. ~a_ccordingly, many vacuum cleanexs have been equipped with switches that allow the operator to interrupt the drive to the rotary agitator. Where tha floor cleaning appliance is equipped with an agitator drivmmotor, this is accomplished by simply de~nergizing that motor.
'Where the Floor cleaning appliance is equipped with a single motor for driving the suctioyy generator fm and the rotary agitator, this is accomplished by interrupting the power takeoff from that motor to tl~e agitator.
~'he present: invention relates to a vacuum cleaner equipped vv~ith a cooperating height adjustment assembly acrd switch which automatically stows or interrupt, drive to the rotary agitator when the height adjustment assembly is positioned for bare floor cleaning.
SumrnarV of the Invention In accordance with the purposes of the present invention as 2Q . described herein, a floor cleaning apparatus is provided. 'fhe floor cleaning apparati:u~ includes a bc~usirng having a canister assembly and a nozzle assembly. ~1 suction generator and a dirt collection vessel are both carried on th.e homsing. The ne~zzie assembly includes a suction inlet and a rotary agitator is carried on the nozzle assembly adjacent that suction inlet.
Further a bare floor wipex is can~ied on the nozzle assembly.
A, switch fer slowing or interrupting drive to that notary agitator is also carried on the housing. Stil1 further the floor cleaning apparatus includes a displaceable height adjustment assembly. The height adjustment assembly is displweable between one or more carpet cleaning positions and a bare floor elE;aning position. The height adjustrnent assembly engages the switch and slows or interrupts drive to the rotary agitator when in the bare floor cleaning positx~an.
More specifically, the he3ight adjustment assembly includes an actuator, a carriage and a pair of ground engaging wheels connected to the carriage. The cars loge includes at least one cam follower and the actuator includes at least one cam for engaging the cam follo~uver. Iz~ one possible embodiment of thc; invention the floor cleaning apparatus includes an agitator drive ma~~;or that is conr~ected to the switch.
The dixt ca llection vessel may take the forrxx of a porous filter bag or a dirt cup. rn one possible embodiment the dirt cup includes a cylindrical sidewcall and a tangesntially directed inlet. A first filter may be provided~in the dart cup. A second filter zxiay be provided downstream from the suction ;generator.
In. accordance with an anditianal aspect of the present invention, a method is provided for controlling operation of a floor clEaning apparatus equipped with a xotary agitator, a bare floor wiper and a nozzle assembly.
That method may be bxQadly d~acribed as including the step of providing the floor cleaning apparatus with a single control that simultaneously lowers an aperatiz~l; height of thn nozzle assembly, moves the bare Boor wiper into en~gageinent with the floor and slows or interrupts dzive to the rotary agitator.
,Alternatively, the method may be described as including the single step of pxaviding llae floor cleaning apparatus with a single control that sixxiultaneously lo~raers the nozzle assembly relative to the ground and slows or interrupts drive t~, the rotary agitator when placed in a bare floor cleaning position.
Tn the follo~~~ing description there is shown and described a prefeixed embodita~ent of this invention, simply by way of illustration, of one of the modes best suited to carry out the invention. As it will be realized, the invention is capable of other different embodiments and its several details are: capable of modification in various, obvious aspects all without departiurxg, from the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions will l~~e; regarded as illustrative in nature and not as restrictive.
Brief De~cri~tion_of the Drawiyg The accompanying draining incorporated in and formiung a part of this specification, illustrates se~,reral aspects of the present invention, and together with the description serves to explain certain principles of the invention. In the ,3rawing:
pigure 1 i~: a partially cutaway perspective view of the floor cleaning apparatLn of the present invention;
Figure 2 is ~~ detailed perspective view of one possible embodiment of the dirt callecti~on vessel provided in the apparatus illusi~rated in Figure 1; and Figuxes 3a End 3b are scr~enaatical elevational views illustratiuag in detail the coopexa~:ing displaGeahle haight adjusfiment assembly and switch that slow or interrupt the drive to the rotary agitator when the height adjustment asse~rrl:~ly is placed in the bare floor cleaning position.
Reference -will now be made in detail to the present prefexred embodituent of thf: invention, a~ example of which is illustrated in the accompanying d~rvwing.
Detailed Description of the Invention Reference is raw made is Figure 1 which illustrates the vacu~t cleaner 10 of the yresent invention. That vacuum cleaner 10 includes a housing 12 camp:rising both a nozzle assembly 14 and canister assembly 1 f . ~~n the illustraxed embadimwnt of an upright vacuum cleaner, the canister assembly 16 is pivotally connected to the nozzle assembly 14.
A,s further illustrated in Figure 1, the nozzle assembly 14 includes a suction inlet 18. e~ rotaxy agitator 20 is carried by the nozzle assembly and extends across the; suction inlet 18. A suction generator 22 is provided in a cavity of the canifoter assembly 16. The canister assembly 16 also carries a dirt collection vewsel 24. Tn the illustrated embodiment the dirt collection vessel 24 compri;~es a dirt cup.
As best illu;vtrated in Figmre 2 that dirt cup 24 may include a cylindrical sidewall 21 and a tangentially directed inlet 23 in order to establish cyclonic airflow in the dirt cup. A filter 25 may be provided over the axially aligned. outlet 27 of the dirt cup 24 which conuriunicates with the suction generaicrr 22. In such an embodiment, the cyclonic flow of the air tends to force dirt and debris towat~d the cylindrical sidewall 21 while clean air is drawn nhrough the filter 25. Of course, the filter 25 fiuactions to remove any fine dirt particles remaining in the airstream. As a result, clean air passes through the outlet 27 while dirt and debris is captured in the dirt 1 U cup 24. Zt should; of course, be appreciated that the illustrated embodiment is just one of a nurnber of possible struct<xres and that the dirt cups may, for example, be replaced with a porous filter bag held in an internal chamber in the canister assembly 16 ifdesi:red.
During vacuum cleaner operation the rotary agitator 20 scrubs and beats dirt and deba~is from the nap of an underlying carpet being cleaned.
Simultaneously tYm suction generator 22 draws air entrained with that dirt aaad debris into the: suction inlet 18. That dirty air is then directed to the dirt collection ve;~sel 24 where the dirt and debris is trapped. The relatively clean air is then m oved over thi. suction generator 22 in order to cool the navtor of the sucti.~~r~ generator. That air is then passed through a final filter before being e~chausted to tree environment through the exhaust vent 34.
In accordance with the yresent invention the vacuum cleaner IO is equipped with a displaceable height adjustment assembly, generally designated by reft:rence numeral 40, that is schematically illustrated in Figures 3a and 3b. The height adjustment assembly 40 includes a cooperating actuator 42 and carriage 44. A. pair of ground engaging wheels 46 are connected tc~ the carriage 44. As illustrated the acfi~ator 42 includes tvvo cams 48 and tt~e carriage 44~ includes two cooperating cam followers 50.
As further illustrated in Figures 3a and 3b, a bare floor wiper 52 is ca~.~ried an the noz::le assembly 14. 1'he wiper 52 may take the form of a brush, bristles or a strip of material such as felt, cloth, rubber yr the like.
rn addition, a switch 54 is mou,r~ted to the housing 12 and, nnore particularly, the n~:~zzle assembly 14. Tlae operation of the switch 54 will be described iua grE;ater detail below.
The height adjustment a~~sembly 40 is selecti~rely displaceable between one ar more carpet cle~~xing positions as illustrated in Figure 3a and a bare floor c:lsaning position as illustrated in Figure 3b. In the bare floor cleaning po:: ition the height adjustment assembly 40 engages the switch 54. As a r;~sult the switch 54 interrupts the drive to the rotary agitator 20. Acca~:dingly, the rcytary agitator 20 becomes stationary and as a consequence bare ~lvor cleaning efficiency is enhaaced. Alternatively, the switch naay sl~,~w the agitator from a carpet cleaning rotational speed of, for example, betmeen x,000 to ~~,000 rpm to a bare floor cleaning, of between 1 to 1,500 rpm.
IVtore specifically, an agitator rotating at high speeds generates air currents that bane: a tendency to push dirt and debris across a bare floor away from the sw;:tion imlet I 8. As a consequence, a rotating agitator 20 g actually interferes ~n~ith efficient bare floor cleaning. By slowing or interrupting the drive to the rotary agitator Z0, the switch 54 functions to eliminate those ain currents that otherwise reduce bare floor cleaning efficiency.
'Where the vacuum cleaner X 0 is provided with a separate agitator drive motor, the s~r~itch 54 rnay simply function to reduce or interrupt power to that drive: motor when, engaged by the height adjustment assembly 40 in the bare floor cleaning poaitioz~ (note Figure 3b). Alternatively, where a single mcrtor drives both the suction generator 22 and the rotary agitator 20, engag~:rnent ofthe :;witch 54 with the height adjustment assembly 40 ates a txansmi~~sion to slow or interrupt the drive from the motor to the rotary agitatox without slowing or interrupting tlZe drive from the motor to the fs~n of the suction generator.
Advantagewusly, the height adjustment assembly 40 acts as a single control that simultaneously lovers tl~e operating height of the nozzle assembly 14, mo~~es the baxe floor wiper 52 into engagement with the floor F and controls the; drive to the rotary agitatox 20 through the switch 54.
The use of a singl.n sliding control to echieve all three functions significantly enh~cr~ces operator convenience and represents a valuable benefit.
The foregoirxg description of floe preferred enabodirnent of the invention has beech presented fir purposes of illustration and description.
It is not intended 'to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. t_)bvious rnodifxcations or variations are possible in light of the above teachings. For example, while only ane xotary agitatox 18 is illustrated, the de~~ice could include two or mare rotary agitators. Further while the illustrate: embodimez:.t is an upright vacuum. cleaner, the apparatus ofthe present invention includes other floor cleaning appliances s such as canister vticuum cleanem and extractors.
The ernboda~ment was ch~asen and described to provide the best illustration of the lrrinciples of the invention arid its practical application to thereby enable one; of ordinary ~~lcill in the art to utilize the invention in vat~ious embodimwnts and with various modifications as are suited to the i0 particular use cante~mplated. Atl such modifications and variations are Within the scope of the invention as detenmin.ed by the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are fairly, legally and equitably entitled. 'fhe drawings and preferred embodiment do not and are not intended to limit the ordinary meaning of the claims and 1~ their fair and bro~id interpretation in any way.
A, switch fer slowing or interrupting drive to that notary agitator is also carried on the housing. Stil1 further the floor cleaning apparatus includes a displaceable height adjustment assembly. The height adjustment assembly is displweable between one or more carpet cleaning positions and a bare floor elE;aning position. The height adjustrnent assembly engages the switch and slows or interrupts drive to the rotary agitator when in the bare floor cleaning positx~an.
More specifically, the he3ight adjustment assembly includes an actuator, a carriage and a pair of ground engaging wheels connected to the carriage. The cars loge includes at least one cam follower and the actuator includes at least one cam for engaging the cam follo~uver. Iz~ one possible embodiment of thc; invention the floor cleaning apparatus includes an agitator drive ma~~;or that is conr~ected to the switch.
The dixt ca llection vessel may take the forrxx of a porous filter bag or a dirt cup. rn one possible embodiment the dirt cup includes a cylindrical sidewcall and a tangesntially directed inlet. A first filter may be provided~in the dart cup. A second filter zxiay be provided downstream from the suction ;generator.
In. accordance with an anditianal aspect of the present invention, a method is provided for controlling operation of a floor clEaning apparatus equipped with a xotary agitator, a bare floor wiper and a nozzle assembly.
That method may be bxQadly d~acribed as including the step of providing the floor cleaning apparatus with a single control that simultaneously lowers an aperatiz~l; height of thn nozzle assembly, moves the bare Boor wiper into en~gageinent with the floor and slows or interrupts dzive to the rotary agitator.
,Alternatively, the method may be described as including the single step of pxaviding llae floor cleaning apparatus with a single control that sixxiultaneously lo~raers the nozzle assembly relative to the ground and slows or interrupts drive t~, the rotary agitator when placed in a bare floor cleaning position.
Tn the follo~~~ing description there is shown and described a prefeixed embodita~ent of this invention, simply by way of illustration, of one of the modes best suited to carry out the invention. As it will be realized, the invention is capable of other different embodiments and its several details are: capable of modification in various, obvious aspects all without departiurxg, from the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions will l~~e; regarded as illustrative in nature and not as restrictive.
Brief De~cri~tion_of the Drawiyg The accompanying draining incorporated in and formiung a part of this specification, illustrates se~,reral aspects of the present invention, and together with the description serves to explain certain principles of the invention. In the ,3rawing:
pigure 1 i~: a partially cutaway perspective view of the floor cleaning apparatLn of the present invention;
Figure 2 is ~~ detailed perspective view of one possible embodiment of the dirt callecti~on vessel provided in the apparatus illusi~rated in Figure 1; and Figuxes 3a End 3b are scr~enaatical elevational views illustratiuag in detail the coopexa~:ing displaGeahle haight adjusfiment assembly and switch that slow or interrupt the drive to the rotary agitator when the height adjustment asse~rrl:~ly is placed in the bare floor cleaning position.
Reference -will now be made in detail to the present prefexred embodituent of thf: invention, a~ example of which is illustrated in the accompanying d~rvwing.
Detailed Description of the Invention Reference is raw made is Figure 1 which illustrates the vacu~t cleaner 10 of the yresent invention. That vacuum cleaner 10 includes a housing 12 camp:rising both a nozzle assembly 14 and canister assembly 1 f . ~~n the illustraxed embadimwnt of an upright vacuum cleaner, the canister assembly 16 is pivotally connected to the nozzle assembly 14.
A,s further illustrated in Figure 1, the nozzle assembly 14 includes a suction inlet 18. e~ rotaxy agitator 20 is carried by the nozzle assembly and extends across the; suction inlet 18. A suction generator 22 is provided in a cavity of the canifoter assembly 16. The canister assembly 16 also carries a dirt collection vewsel 24. Tn the illustrated embodiment the dirt collection vessel 24 compri;~es a dirt cup.
As best illu;vtrated in Figmre 2 that dirt cup 24 may include a cylindrical sidewall 21 and a tangentially directed inlet 23 in order to establish cyclonic airflow in the dirt cup. A filter 25 may be provided over the axially aligned. outlet 27 of the dirt cup 24 which conuriunicates with the suction generaicrr 22. In such an embodiment, the cyclonic flow of the air tends to force dirt and debris towat~d the cylindrical sidewall 21 while clean air is drawn nhrough the filter 25. Of course, the filter 25 fiuactions to remove any fine dirt particles remaining in the airstream. As a result, clean air passes through the outlet 27 while dirt and debris is captured in the dirt 1 U cup 24. Zt should; of course, be appreciated that the illustrated embodiment is just one of a nurnber of possible struct<xres and that the dirt cups may, for example, be replaced with a porous filter bag held in an internal chamber in the canister assembly 16 ifdesi:red.
During vacuum cleaner operation the rotary agitator 20 scrubs and beats dirt and deba~is from the nap of an underlying carpet being cleaned.
Simultaneously tYm suction generator 22 draws air entrained with that dirt aaad debris into the: suction inlet 18. That dirty air is then directed to the dirt collection ve;~sel 24 where the dirt and debris is trapped. The relatively clean air is then m oved over thi. suction generator 22 in order to cool the navtor of the sucti.~~r~ generator. That air is then passed through a final filter before being e~chausted to tree environment through the exhaust vent 34.
In accordance with the yresent invention the vacuum cleaner IO is equipped with a displaceable height adjustment assembly, generally designated by reft:rence numeral 40, that is schematically illustrated in Figures 3a and 3b. The height adjustment assembly 40 includes a cooperating actuator 42 and carriage 44. A. pair of ground engaging wheels 46 are connected tc~ the carriage 44. As illustrated the acfi~ator 42 includes tvvo cams 48 and tt~e carriage 44~ includes two cooperating cam followers 50.
As further illustrated in Figures 3a and 3b, a bare floor wiper 52 is ca~.~ried an the noz::le assembly 14. 1'he wiper 52 may take the form of a brush, bristles or a strip of material such as felt, cloth, rubber yr the like.
rn addition, a switch 54 is mou,r~ted to the housing 12 and, nnore particularly, the n~:~zzle assembly 14. Tlae operation of the switch 54 will be described iua grE;ater detail below.
The height adjustment a~~sembly 40 is selecti~rely displaceable between one ar more carpet cle~~xing positions as illustrated in Figure 3a and a bare floor c:lsaning position as illustrated in Figure 3b. In the bare floor cleaning po:: ition the height adjustment assembly 40 engages the switch 54. As a r;~sult the switch 54 interrupts the drive to the rotary agitator 20. Acca~:dingly, the rcytary agitator 20 becomes stationary and as a consequence bare ~lvor cleaning efficiency is enhaaced. Alternatively, the switch naay sl~,~w the agitator from a carpet cleaning rotational speed of, for example, betmeen x,000 to ~~,000 rpm to a bare floor cleaning, of between 1 to 1,500 rpm.
IVtore specifically, an agitator rotating at high speeds generates air currents that bane: a tendency to push dirt and debris across a bare floor away from the sw;:tion imlet I 8. As a consequence, a rotating agitator 20 g actually interferes ~n~ith efficient bare floor cleaning. By slowing or interrupting the drive to the rotary agitator Z0, the switch 54 functions to eliminate those ain currents that otherwise reduce bare floor cleaning efficiency.
'Where the vacuum cleaner X 0 is provided with a separate agitator drive motor, the s~r~itch 54 rnay simply function to reduce or interrupt power to that drive: motor when, engaged by the height adjustment assembly 40 in the bare floor cleaning poaitioz~ (note Figure 3b). Alternatively, where a single mcrtor drives both the suction generator 22 and the rotary agitator 20, engag~:rnent ofthe :;witch 54 with the height adjustment assembly 40 ates a txansmi~~sion to slow or interrupt the drive from the motor to the rotary agitatox without slowing or interrupting tlZe drive from the motor to the fs~n of the suction generator.
Advantagewusly, the height adjustment assembly 40 acts as a single control that simultaneously lovers tl~e operating height of the nozzle assembly 14, mo~~es the baxe floor wiper 52 into engagement with the floor F and controls the; drive to the rotary agitatox 20 through the switch 54.
The use of a singl.n sliding control to echieve all three functions significantly enh~cr~ces operator convenience and represents a valuable benefit.
The foregoirxg description of floe preferred enabodirnent of the invention has beech presented fir purposes of illustration and description.
It is not intended 'to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. t_)bvious rnodifxcations or variations are possible in light of the above teachings. For example, while only ane xotary agitatox 18 is illustrated, the de~~ice could include two or mare rotary agitators. Further while the illustrate: embodimez:.t is an upright vacuum. cleaner, the apparatus ofthe present invention includes other floor cleaning appliances s such as canister vticuum cleanem and extractors.
The ernboda~ment was ch~asen and described to provide the best illustration of the lrrinciples of the invention arid its practical application to thereby enable one; of ordinary ~~lcill in the art to utilize the invention in vat~ious embodimwnts and with various modifications as are suited to the i0 particular use cante~mplated. Atl such modifications and variations are Within the scope of the invention as detenmin.ed by the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are fairly, legally and equitably entitled. 'fhe drawings and preferred embodiment do not and are not intended to limit the ordinary meaning of the claims and 1~ their fair and bro~id interpretation in any way.
Claims (12)
1. A flour cleaning apparatus comprising:
a housing including a canister assembly and a nozzle assembly;
a suction generator carried on said housing;
a dirt collection vessel carried on said housing;
a suction inlet provided on said nozzle assembly;
a rotary agitator carried on said nozzle assembly;
a bare floor wiper carrier on said nozzle assembly;
a switch for slowing or interrupting drive to said rotary agitator, said switch being carried on said housing; and a displaceable height adjustment assembly, said height adjustment assembly being displaceable between one or more carpet cleaning positions and a bare floor cleaning position, said height adjustment assembly engaging said switch and interrupting drive to said rotary agitator when in said bare floor cleaning position.
a housing including a canister assembly and a nozzle assembly;
a suction generator carried on said housing;
a dirt collection vessel carried on said housing;
a suction inlet provided on said nozzle assembly;
a rotary agitator carried on said nozzle assembly;
a bare floor wiper carrier on said nozzle assembly;
a switch for slowing or interrupting drive to said rotary agitator, said switch being carried on said housing; and a displaceable height adjustment assembly, said height adjustment assembly being displaceable between one or more carpet cleaning positions and a bare floor cleaning position, said height adjustment assembly engaging said switch and interrupting drive to said rotary agitator when in said bare floor cleaning position.
2. The floor cleaning apparatus of claim 1, wherein said height adjustment assembly includes an actuator, a carriage and a pair of ground engaging wheels connected to said carriage.
3. The floor cleaning apparatus of claim 2, wherein said carriage includes at least one cam follower and said actuator includes at least one cam for engaging said at least one cam follower.
4. The floor cleaning apparatus of claim 3, further including an agitator drive motor connected to said switch.
5. The floor cleaning apparatus of claim 1, wherein said canister assembly is pivotally connected to said nozzle assembly.
6. The floor cleaning apparatus of claim 1, wherein said dirt collection vessel is a filter bag.
7. The floor cleaning apparatus of claim 1, wherein said dirt collection vessel is a dirt cup.
8. The floor cleaning apparatus of claim 7, wherein said dirt cup includes a cylindrical sidewall and a tangentially directed inlet.
9. The floor cleaning apparatus of claim 8, further including a first filter in said dirt cup.
10. The floor cleaning apparatus of claim 9, further including a second filter downstream from said suction generator.
12~
12~
11. A method of controlling operation of a floor cleaning apparatus equipped with a rotary agitator, a bare floor wiper and a nozzle assembly, comprising:
providing said floor cleaning apparatus with a single control that simultaneously lowers an operating height of said nozzle assembly, moves said bare floor wiper into engagement with said floor and controls drive to said rotary agitator.
providing said floor cleaning apparatus with a single control that simultaneously lowers an operating height of said nozzle assembly, moves said bare floor wiper into engagement with said floor and controls drive to said rotary agitator.
12. A method of controlling operation of a floor cleaning apparatus equipped with a rotary agitator, a bare floor wiper and a nozzle assembly, comprising:
providing said floor cleaning apparatus with a single control that simultaneously lowers said nozzle assembly relative to the ground and controls drive to said rotary agitator when placed in a bare floor cleaning position.
providing said floor cleaning apparatus with a single control that simultaneously lowers said nozzle assembly relative to the ground and controls drive to said rotary agitator when placed in a bare floor cleaning position.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US61577604P | 2004-10-04 | 2004-10-04 | |
| US60/615,776 | 2004-10-04 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2522111A1 true CA2522111A1 (en) | 2006-04-04 |
Family
ID=36141723
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002522111A Abandoned CA2522111A1 (en) | 2004-10-04 | 2005-10-04 | Vacuum cleaner with displaceable height adjustment assembly and rotary agitator |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US20060070209A1 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2522111A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US7418764B2 (en) * | 2006-04-05 | 2008-09-02 | The Hoover Company | Mode control arrangement for a floor care appliance |
| US9345371B2 (en) | 2012-12-12 | 2016-05-24 | Electrolux Home Care Products, Inc. | Vacuum cleaner base assembly |
| US20140157543A1 (en) | 2012-12-12 | 2014-06-12 | Electrolux Home Care Products, Inc. | Vacuum cleaner base assembly |
| CN107752900B (en) * | 2016-08-16 | 2021-07-02 | 康塔有限公司 | Vacuum cleaner with a vacuum cleaner head |
| KR20210014511A (en) * | 2019-07-30 | 2021-02-09 | 엘지전자 주식회사 | Cleaner unit having agitator |
Family Cites Families (11)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US3460188A (en) * | 1966-04-26 | 1969-08-12 | Gen Electric | Vacuum cleaner |
| US4171554A (en) * | 1978-05-11 | 1979-10-23 | The Hoover Company | Nozzle height adjustment |
| JPS56139727A (en) * | 1980-04-02 | 1981-10-31 | Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd | Upright type electric cleaner |
| US4748714A (en) * | 1986-11-06 | 1988-06-07 | The Hoover Company | Cleaner with belt shifting |
| US5331715A (en) * | 1992-06-04 | 1994-07-26 | Matsushita Floor Care Company | Two motor upright vacuum cleaner |
| JPH08117158A (en) * | 1994-10-28 | 1996-05-14 | Sanyo Electric Co Ltd | Vacuum cleaner |
| US5839160A (en) * | 1997-02-21 | 1998-11-24 | Kinergy Industrial Co., Ltd. | Clutch control mechanical device for the brush axle of a vacuum cleaner |
| US6131238A (en) * | 1998-05-08 | 2000-10-17 | The Hoover Company | Self-propelled upright vacuum cleaner with offset agitator and motor pivot points |
| US6351872B1 (en) * | 1999-07-16 | 2002-03-05 | Matsushita Electric Corporation Of America | Agitator motor projection system for vacuum cleaner |
| US6510584B2 (en) * | 2001-01-12 | 2003-01-28 | Royal Appliance Mfg. Co. | Flow cut-off and brushroll shut-off mechanism for vacuum cleaner |
| US6640386B2 (en) * | 2001-09-18 | 2003-11-04 | The Hoover Company | Floor cleaning unit with a brush assembly |
-
2005
- 2005-10-04 US US11/243,375 patent/US20060070209A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2005-10-04 CA CA002522111A patent/CA2522111A1/en not_active Abandoned
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| US20060070209A1 (en) | 2006-04-06 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| FZDE | Discontinued |