GB2219195A

GB2219195A - Vehicle vacuum cleaner installation

Info

Publication number: GB2219195A
Application number: GB8812883A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Peter E Wright; James P Maguire
Original assignee: MOTOVAC Ltd
Current assignee: MOTOVAC Ltd
Priority date: 1988-05-31
Filing date: 1988-05-31
Publication date: 1989-12-06
Also published as: GB8812883D0

Abstract

A vacuum cleaner installation for a vehicle comprises a vacuum cleaner 12 provided with apertured lugs 28 for securing the cleaner to a surface within the body of the vehicle, a hose 42 for coupling inlet port 38 of the cleaner to a port 44 in a bulkhead of the vehicle, and a microswitch 50 connected to a source of electrical power e.g. a battery which is actuated on insertion of end 54a of hose 54 within port 44. The port may be provided with a sliding cover 48. The vacuum cleaner may have a hinged lid 30 providing access to dust bag 34. <IMAGE>

Description

VACUUM CLEANERS This invention relates to vacuum cleaners and concerns cleaners suitable for use in vehicles.

An object of the invention is to provide a vacuum cleaner wherein a cleaner unit can be fixedly secured in the vehicle, for example, in the engine compartment so that it is available for use at any time.

According to the invention there is provided a vacuum cleaner specifically for use in a vehicle, comprising means for fixedly securing a vacuum cleaner unit to a vehicle, means for coupling an inlet of the unit to an inlet port on the interior of the vehicle, means for coupling one end of a flexible hose to the inlet port and means for energising the vacuum cleaner unit when the said one end of the hose is coupled to said inlet port.

The means for energising the cleaner unit may be a switch, such as a microswitch, operable to connect a source of power to the cleaner unit when the hose is coupled to the inlet ports.

One embodiment of a vacuum cleaner according to the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig.l is a perspective view from above and one side of one embodiment of a vacuum cleaner according to the invention, Fig.2 is a sectional view from one side of the cleaner unit of Fig.l with other parts of the cleaner.

The vacuum cleaner 10 includes a cleaner unit 12 shown in longitudinal section and comprising a main body portion 14 and a motor portion 16 secured together by bolts 18. The portions 14, 16 are generally of square cross-section and conveniently made of a suitable plastics material.

Mounted in the portion 16 is a motor 20 with an impeller 22 rotatably mounted on a shaft 24 thereof. The upper wall 16a of the portion 16 is provided with ventilation slots 17.

An electrical cable 26 has leads 26a, 26b connected at one end to terminals 20a, 20b and at the other end to a source of energising power such as the vehicle battery (not shown); one of said leads being coupled to the source by way of a microswitch (to be described).

The body portion 14 is provided with apertured lugs 28 to enable the unit to be secured to a suitable fixing surface in the engine compartment or the boot of the vehicle.

A lid 30 is hingedly secured by hinges 32 in a recess formed in the upper wall 14a of the body portion 14 and provides access to the interior of the body portion for the insertion and removal of a dust bag 34.

The open end of the bag 34 is mounted on a square frame 36 having a central aperture co-axial with the aperture 38 in the front end wall 14b of the body portion 14.

The frame 36 is arranged to be slid in and out of the body portion on guidewalls formed in the body portion as shown by arrow A to enable periodic replacement or emptying of the bag.

The bag 34 is so dimensioned that it generally fills the volume of the body portion 14 and its closed end abuts a filter 40 mounted so as to close the aperture between the body portion 14 and motor portion 16 to prevent or reduce the amount of dust which would otherwise pass through the impeller 22 to the motor 20. The filter is removable for replacement or cleaning.

The inlet port 38 of the cleaner unit 12 is coupled by way of a hose 42 to a port 44 in the bulkhead 46 of the vehicle, for example, at a convenient position below the dashboard.

The port 44 is provided with a sliding cover 48 to cover the aperture when the cleaner is not in use.

A microswitch 50 with normally-open contacts is secured in the wall of the port 44 with its operating member 52 protruding into the port. The lead 26a from the motor 20 is coupled to the source of power by way of the normally-open contacts 50a, 50b of the microswitch.

In use, a hose is inserted in the port 44 and the cylindrical end wall 54a activates the microswitch 50 thus energising the motor 20. A suitable cleaning nozzle or brush can be attached to the other end of the hose 54 to effect the cleaning.

It is envisaged that the power source will be the vehicle battery and, if the cleaner is to be used for some time, then the vehicle engine will be kept running to prevent excessive discharge of the battery.

Alternatively to, or additionally to, the lugs 28, adjustable brackets, for example, four brackets, may be provided which can be positioned and secured to the vacuum cleaner and to the vehicle at convenient fixing points.

Claims

1. A vacuum cleaner specifically for use in a vehicle, comprising means for fixedly securing a vacuum cleaner unit to a vehicle, means for coupling an inlet of the unit to an inlet port on the interior of the vehicle, means for coupling one end of a flexible hose to the inlet port and means for energising the vacuum cleaner unit when the said one end of the hose is coupled to said inlet port.

2. A vacuum cleaner specifically for use in a vehicle, transport or the like comprising a motorized cleaner unit which can be fixedly secured to the vehicle and a hose means such that coupling of the hose means to an inlet of the cleaner unit enables the energization of the motor.

3. A vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein at least one connecting lead from the vacuum cleaner motor is coupled to a power source by way of a switch.

4. A vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 3, wherein the switch is a microswitch positioned such that coupling the hose means to the cleaner unit actuates the microswitch to energise the motor.

5. A vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 1, 2, 3 or 4, wherein the cleaner unit comprises a main body portion and a motor portion.

6. A vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 5, wherein the main body portion is substantially square in cross-section and comprises an inlet aperture in one end wall.

7. A vacuum cleaner as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the motor includes a rotatably mounted impeller.

8. . A vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 5 or 6 or claim 7 when dependent on claim 5 or 6 wherein the main body portion can be fixedly secured to the vehicle by apertured lugs on the body portion.

9. A vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 4 or any one of claims 5 to 8 as dependent on claim 4, comprising duct means coupled between the inlet of the cleaner unit and an inlet port on the interior of the vehicle, said inlet port being arranged to receive said hose means, the microswitch being mounted in the vicinity of said inlet port and arranged to be operable by the insertion and removal of said hose means.

10. A vacuum cleaner for use in a vehicle, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.