US1507879A

US1507879A - Electric vacuum cleaning- machine

Info

Publication number: US1507879A
Authority: US
Publication date: 1924-09-09
Anticipated expiration: 1941-09-09

Description

Sept. 9, 1924.

M. S. WRIGHT ELECTRIC VACUUM CLEANING momma Filad'sept- 2 .1917 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Sept. 9, 1924. 1,507,879

M. S. WRIGHT musc'rmc VACUUM CLEANING cams.

rum Sept. 25. 191'? s Sheets-Sheet 3 Sept. 9, 1924.

M. S. WRIGHT ELECTRIC VACUUM CLEANING MACHINE Filed Sept. 25. 1917 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Sept. 9, 1924.

1,507,879 M. S. WRIGHT ELECTRIC VACUUM CLEANING CHIN! F1104 Sept. 25. 1917 6 ShOOtQ'ShQ'Ot 5 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 u I "u 6 WW. 9 T Raj W M. 5w M m iv MI. M wk 5* 5w Sept. 9 1924.

Patented Sept 9, 1924,

UNITED STATES v 1 it 1,507,879

PATENT OFFICE.

MORRIS S. WRIGHT, O1? WORCEST MASSAGHUSETTS, ASSIGNOB TO M. S. WRIGHT Application filed September To c727 wisom it concern:

Be it known that I Mounts ti i Vnrerrr, citizen of the United States, rcs'ding at ll orcester. in the county of forecaster and State of lVl-assachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Electric Vacuum Cleaning Machines, of which the followine is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying d To win g.

This invention relates to vacuum cleaning machines of theportable type, adapted to be moved over the surface of a floor or the like, and hy n'ieans of suction; cleanse such. surface of dust or dust-laden particles. l

More particularly the invention has to deal with a vacuum cleaner of the character just descrihi-id wherein the driving power for the suction creating means talres the form of a motou conveniently an electric motor mounted directly upon the machine, and one of the objects of the invention is to produce a machine of this type simple and neat in (lesi n and construction, comparatively inexpensive, and highly ef icient and satisfactory in use.

Another feature of the invention resides in the provision of novel and improved. brushing means operatively associated with the intake nozzle of the apparatus with lflr proved means for imparting the necessary movement to the brush through the in vdiuin of the motor.

In vacuum tuszichines as heretofore con-- structed wherein a rotatable brush is cur ployed to operate over the surface, it has been ascertained that the suction device, usually a fan, when mounted upon the same end of the motor asthe driving means for the brush usuallv the front end of the motor shaft. results in an uneven balancefor the parts, and in many instances the drivinn means being: exposed to the incoming dust; the same will soon become dust laden, thereby decreasing the efficiency of the mechanism and resulting; in unnecessary friction and wear upon the parts. Therefore one of the main features of the present inven tion to overcome existingdifficulties and disadvantages inherent in vacuum machines of the portable electric type, and to this end it is proposed to impart the necessary movement to the brush through the medium of a driving connection with the motor SAC'HUSETTS, GQIERIEPORJLTION OF MASSACHUSETTS.

CLEANING 95 19.1.7. Serial No. 193 2091- shaft at a point removed from that portion of the shaft adapted to impart the necessary movement to the fan, and further to so construct and, arrange the driving means for the brush. shaft that the same is more effectively encased and protected.

A still further object of the invention is to provide novel means interposed. between the motor shaft and the brush shaft to reduce the speed of the brush shaft as compared. with that of the motor shaft, with the result that while the brush. shaft has impartedthereto the necessary moven'ient to obtain effective results, the same is saved the unnecessary strain and wear due to the rapid movement which would result from operating the brush at the same speed as the motor shaft. it being?) observed in this connection that the motor shaft usually op crates at a high speed whereby to impart the desirable rapid movement to the suction crcatinrrmeans, in e. the fan Furtheu the present invention embodies the i dca of interposing; in the driving mechanism between the motor and brush, means accessible and operable from without the casino? of the machine for interrupting the drive between the motor and brush and this without stoppiuo" the machine, or interferin with the continued operation of the i or other suction creating: medium.

In the l tter connection, it is proposed to employ a mechanism as the driving force. or in operati e association with the driv nc force, and suitable shifting or c utchii mechanism readil. operable at a convenient point on the machine, and adapted at will to release the driving: force for the brush, and reestablish the same as desired.

Another feature of the invention resides in the provision of novel means whereby the brush may be readily adjusted relative to the nozazlru and whereby the brush may at will, in a novel and convenient manner, he applied. tor and removed from. the machine, for cleansing or otherpurposes.

In the usual construction and arrangement of parts provided, I have had in mind the improvement generally of machines of the type under consideration, andin this latter connection the various working parts of the apparatus have been constructed and arranged whereby they are more eflicient in service and more thoroughly protected both while the machine is in use and when the same is idle.

Other features of the invention, and novel details in. the construction and arrangement of the various parts, will be appreciated from the description to follow, which for a clear and comprehensive understanding of the invention, should be considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and wherein is disclosed for the purpose of illustration, a convenient and satisfactory embodiment of the invention.

Certain features herein illustrated and described and not claimed are made the basis of claims in my copending application for Letters Patent Serial No. 121 178, filed September 21, 1916, for vacuum cleaner machines.

In the drawings Figure 1 is a perspective view of a. vacuum cleaning apparatus on a reduced scale embodying my improvements.

Figure 2 is an enlarged side elevation, parts being removed.

Figure 3 is a top plan, parts being bro ken away and other parts removed.

Figure 4 is a side elevation of the front end of the apparatus, parts being illustrated in section.

Figure 5 is a rear end elevation, parts being removed.

Figures 6, 7 and 8 are detail views of the nozzle and associated parts broken away.

Figure 9 is a detail view of parts of-the releasable drive connection between the motor shaft, and brush.

l i ith more particular reference to the drawings wherein like reference numerals refer to corresponding parts throughout the se eral views:

1 is a motor barrel or cylindrical cas 11- having a removable rear end cap and removable enlargement 3 at the forwart end thereof forming fan ca which is mounted in any desired n -..nnei hollow nozzle 4, the latter being adapted to rest upon the floor or other surface to constitute a support for the front end of the machine.

The rear end of the machine is preferably supported by means of roller bearing's or wheels 5, mounted on a suitable shaft 6 having bearings in a frame 7 shaped to conform to the lower surface of the barrel 1. The supporting frame 7 also has depending ears 8 forming bearings as at 9 for the forked end 10 of a suitable push handle 11, whereby the machine may in operation be moved to and fro over the surface to be cleaned. The handle 11 may be retained in adjusted positions about the axis formed by the bearings 9 through the medium .of suitable thumb nuts 12 threaded' on the bearings 9. Positioned within the.

barrel 1 is a suitable electric motor 13 having a central drive shaft 14: projecting from opposite ends of the motor. Mounted upon the forward end of said shaft 14 for rotatable movement therewith and in the fan casing 3 is a suitable fan 1.5. The fan casing 1: a suitable flanged outlet 16 adapted to receive coupling member 17 at the inlet or mouth end of a dust receptacle 18, of any desired material, conveniently a suitable fabric bag, mounted as at 19 upon the handle 11, for removal as desired. Suitable electrical connections are provided for the motor, the same includinga flexible conduit 20 leading from the motor and projecting through the handle 11 and having a plug 21 to fit the ordinary plug socket. When notin use the conduit 20 may be supported upon suitable hangers 22 on the handle. The front end of the fan casing has a central opening 23 in communication with the interior 24: of the nozzle whereby the dust laden air as picked up at the inlet end of the nozzle, is drawn in by the fan and discharged into the dust bag.

The nozzle 4 is provided with a removable mouth piece or shoe 25 adapted to engage the surface to be cleansed the said shoe being" conveniently supported in place upon the body portion of the nozzle substantially as follows:

A metallic plate 26 conveniently fixed to the body portion of the nozzle by rivets or screws 27. has one or more recesses or apertures 28 adapted to receive and engage over projecting pins 29 in the removable shoe 25. Likewise similar plates 30 are secured to the nozzle shoe as by rivets or screws 81, the said plates having one or more recesses or apertures 32 to receive and engage over suitable pins 33 mounted upon surface of the body portion of e 1. it ill thus be seen that the nozzle shoe may be readily removed by rearwardly sliding movement whereby to disengage the retaining pins 29 and from the respective receiving apertures therefor. A suitable retaining means for locking the nozzle against separation includes a substantially U-shaped clamp 3 1, one arm 35 of which engages the rear surface of the nozzle and the other 36 the rear surface of the retaining plate 30. The clamp 34 is held in position as by means of a thumb nut 37 engaging a threaded pintle or bolt 38 projecting rearwardly from a suit able plate 39 secured to the rear surface of the body portion of the nozzle 4.

Positioned within the enlarged lower end of the nozzle 4 is a suitable brush, preferably in two sections 40 and 41. the brushes including closely associated tufts of bristles mounted upon, in any desired manner. a shaft 42 mounted for rotatable movement in metallic caps or bearings at a wooden fill.-

mg b oclr 44 being preferably interposed be tween the pinlles 45 of the shaft 42 and the metallic caps or bearings 43. The wooden filling blocks form free bearings for the pintles of the shaft, overcomingthe necessity of oil or other lubricant at: this point in the machine.

The ends of the nozzle are provided with enlarged openings for the reception of the metal caps 43, these openings being formed by cooperating cut-out parts 46 in the body portion of the

nozzle

4 and 47 in the nozzle shoe. The hearings or openings provided by said cut-out parts are of such a size as to permit of vertical adjustment of the nozzle shaft which latter is conveniently spring supported as by means of spiral springs 48 positioned in recessed parts of the mouthpiece or shoe and adapted to engage the under surface of the metallic caps 43. Suitable adjustable screws 49 have threaded engagement with the body portion of the nozzle and are adapted to engage the upper surface of said metal caps 43 whereby to more accurately position the brush shaft and brush and to limit the vertical movement of the brush over the action of said spring members 48. This adjustment allows for the takingalp of any wear of the brush, it being observed that as the brush wears in the course of time, the screws 49 may be turned out a little and thereby keep the brush in the same position relative to the nozzle inlet or shoe at all times.

Mounted upon the shaft 42 substantially midway of the ends thereof is a suitable pulley 50, the same having a central peripheral groove 51 adapted for the reception of an endless drive member conveniently a belt 52. In. order to protect said pulley and that portion of the belt which engages thereover from dust and the like. a suitable housing for these parts is provided, the same including cooperating sections 53 and 54 on the body portion of the nozzle and the nozzle shoe respectively.

The preferred means for imparting move ment to the endless belt 52 and in turn the brush shaft 42 will now be described.

Adjacent the rear end of the shaft 14, that is to say, the end of said shaft opposite the fan supporting part, is a worm 55 adapted to engage a worm gear 56 fixed upon a substantially vertically disposed shaft 57 which latter is adapted to rotate in

suitable bearings

58 and 59 connected by a suitable bar 60 whereby to form a carriage or frame. A stationary frame 61 is sleeved upon the shaft 14, and fixed in any desired manner as by a removable bolt or screw 62 upon a stationary part of the machine. The lower bearing 59 of the movable carriage or frame has a pivotal connection 63 with the lower end of the stationary frame 61 whereby to permit of pivotal movement of the carriage or frame 60 to engage or disenga the worm and gear 55 and 56. The upper bearing 58 of the movable carriage or frame has a lateral projection 58 with a recess 58" therein, adapted to he engaged by an eccentric a4; mounted upon a hand lever 65 having a pivotal bearing 66 upon the upper end of the stationary frame 61. The lever 65 has a finger engaging terminal no at its upper end, which said upper end of the lever projects through a slotted way 67 in the upper portion of the motor barrel or using 1. A coil spring 68 secured at one end to the offset lug 69 of the lever 65 tends to hold the lever in the position indicated in Figure 9 at which time the gear 56 will be in en cement with the worm 55. Nhen the lever no is in reverse position the same is adapted to engage in an offset part 70 of the slotted way 6'? whereby to retain the lever in this position, and at which time the gear 56 will be out of engagement with the worm Therefore if the motor shaft is operatcd the shaft 57 will not be operated to impart the necessary rotation to the endless drive belt 52. The said endless drive 52 is adapted to have a twist therein and to engage over a grooved pulley 71 at the lower end of the shaft 57. The motor barrel is of sulficiont length to accommodate what may be termed the transmission gear mechanism just described which is adapted to be housed by the cap 2.

It is desirable to enclose and thereby profoot the endless drive belt 52 and to this end suitable casing 72 is provided, the same having supporting arms preferably formed by a substantially U-shaped wire 73. having bearings at 74 in struclcup ears on said casing 72. The arms of the wire have offset upper ends 75 to engage in suitable receiving rec see or apertures in the wheel supporting part of the frame 7. leaf spring clamp '76 may also be provided on the inner surface of the casing 72 adapted to engage over the wheel shaft 6. The casing 72 at the forward end thereof has offset ears 77 adapted to be cngagcd as by screws or bolts 78 with the rear surface of the body portion of the nozzle 4. The casing 7 2 cooperates with the cap 2 to form an effective enclosing casing or house for the movable parts of the transmission or drive for the brush.

It is desirable at times to cleanse wall and other surfaces, in which event the dust laden air will be introduced into the body portion of the nozzle through the opening 79. as distinguished fronii the shoe or mouth piece 25. is usual in this type of devices a flexible tube or conduit with a suitable tool or shoe is adapted to be coupled to the wall surrounding the opening 79, it being unnecessary to illustrate such conduit or shoe. The opening 79 will. he usually closed as by a closure cap 80 having an annular flange 81.. and in order to retain said cap in position, a curved spring wire retaining device 83 may be provided, the same being pivotally connected at "34 adjacent the top cf the outer surface o t the nozzle, the respective arms of the retaining wire being adapted to engage beneath the headed ends of screw retaining means secured to the outer surface of said nozzle. The free arms of the retaining wire being yieldable the operator by engaging the finger eng ging terminals 86 will slightly compress the sameto release the arms from the retaining screws when the retaining wire may be elevated about the pivotal connection 84 to thereby release the cap 80. I

The operation may he reviewed as follows:

Current being supplied to the motor from any suitable source, the same is operated to rotate the shaft 14 at the desirable speed to impart the necessar movement to the fan 15 thereby creating vacuum or suction to draw up the dust-laden air through the nozzle as the shoe 25 is moved back and forth by this handle 11 over the surface to be cleansed. Assuming that it is desired to simultaneously brush the surface to pick up pins, threads or other heavier articles which might not be drawn up under the action of the suction, the hand lever will at this time be in the position illustrated in. full lines in Figure 5, which will cause engagement between the gear 56 and the worm 55 which latter is mounted upon the motor shaft to be driven thereby. The movement of the shaft 57 will impart the necessary movement to the endless belt 52 and the brush shaft 42 thereby rotating the brush in contact with the surface. Now assuming it is desired to eliminate the brushing characteristic, this is readily accomplished without interrupting or interfering with the normal operation of the device as a suction cleaner by moving the hand lever to the position indicated by dotted lines in Figure 9. This movement of the lever 65 will tend to tilt the carriage or frame 61 about the pivotal connection 63 thereby moving the gear 56 laterally and out of contact with the worm 55. This will maintain stationary the brush and the driving mechanism therefor. I

The worm and gear driving connection for operating the brush being disposed at that end of the motor shaft opposite the fan operating end, tends to balance up the delivery of power and makes the machine run smoother while at the same time the transmission mechanism will be spaced from the when the nozzle shoe proper may be moved rearwardly and separated from the body portion of the nozzle. The brush shaft bearin gs and associated parts may then be bodily removed. hen the shoe is in position the brush may be appropriately adjusted through the medium of the screws or bolts 49, the springs d8 tending to normally retain the hearings in contact with the screws 49, as will be readily appreciated.

When it is desired to remove the dust from the dust receptacle or bag 18, the latter may be removed by swinging the retaining wire clips 87 about their pivotal connections 88 with the bag coupling whereby to release the wire clips from the retaining flange 89 on the outlet part 16 of the fan casing.

What I claim is: V

1. In a suction cleaning machine the combination of a vacuum chamber, a nozzle, an elongated rotatable brush in the nozzle,

.a drive shaft a fan in the vacuum chamher, a driving connection interposed between the forward end of the drive shaft and the fan, and a driving connection interposed between the opposite end of the drive shaft and brush and connecting with the brush substantially midway of the ends thereof.

2. In a portable electric vacuum cleaner, the combination of a substantially h0rizontally disposed electric motor having a drive shaft projecting from opposite ends thereof, a casing for the motor, a fan casing mounted upon the front end of the motor casing, a fan mounted upon the forwardly projecting end of the drive shaft of the motor and withinthe fan casing, a nozzle to engage the surface to be cleansed having an upwardly projecting part connected directly to and in communication with the interior of the fan casing, a rotatable brush carried by the nozzle, a driving connection between the rearwardly projecting end of the motor drive shaft and the brush, said connection including an endless driven member operatively connected with the brush intermedi ate the ends thereof, and projecting beneath the motor casing, intermediate the sides thereof so as to offer no projection therebeyond, and a detachable housing underlying the endless driven member and connected to the motor casing.

3. In a portable electric vacuum cleaner, the combination of a substantially horizontally disposed electric motor having a drive shaft projecting from opposite ends thereof, a casing for the motor, a fan casing mounted upon the front end of the motor casing, afan mounted upon the forwardly projecting end of the drive shaft of the motor and within the fan easing, a nozzle to engage the surface to be cleansed having an upwardly projecting part connected directly to and in communication with the interior of the fan casing, a rotatable brush carried by the nozzle, an endless belt drive connecting with the brush shaft interme diate its ends, a drive pulley for the op posite end i the belt drive, a releasable driving connection between. the rearwardly projecting end of the motor shaft and said drive pulley, said releasable connection being housed within the motor casing, and means for releasing said connection pro jecting through the motor casing.

4. In a portable electric vacuum cleaner, the combination of a substantially horzontally disposed electric motor having a drive shaft projecting from opposite ends thereof, a casing for the motor, a fan casing mounted upon the front end of the motor casing, a fan mounted upon the forwardly projecting end of the drive shaft of the motor and within the fan casing, a nozzle to engage the surface to be cleansed having an upwardly projecting part connected directly to and in communication with the interior of the fan casing, a rotatable brush carried by the nozzle, an endless belt drive connecting with the brush shaft intermediate its ends, a drive pulley for the opposite end of the belt drive, a releasable driving connection between the rearwardly projecting end of the motor shaft and said drive pulley, spring means for normally holding said parts in one position, and a stop member on the casing to be engaged by an operative part of said connection to hold the parts in a reversed position.

5. In a portable electric vacuum cleaning machine, the combination of a motor, a fan casing arranged forwardly thereof, a nozzle in direct communication with the fan casing, a rotatable brush in the nozzle, a fan in the fan casing, mounted upon the motor shaft, and an operative drive connection between the motor shaft and the brush intermediate the ends of the latter, said lastmentioned connection being arranged at a point out of the path of the incoming dustladen air from the nozzle, and including a driving member projecting beneath the motor longitudinally thereof intermediate its sides and connecting substantially midway of the ends of the brush.

6. In a portable electric vacuum cleaning machine, the combination of a horizontally disposed motor barrel, a roller support for the rear end thereof, a fan casing at the forward end of the barrel, a nozzle constituting a support for the front end of the machine and having a hollow tubular part connected directly with and in communication with the fan casing, a rotatable brush in the nozzle, a fan in the fan casing, a motor in the barrel, a connect-ion between one end of the motor and fan, and a releasable driving connection between the opposite end. of the motor and brush.

7. In a portable electric vacuum cleaning machine, the combination of a motor having a drive shaft projecting from opposite ends thereof, a fan casing at the forward end of the motor, a nozzle adapted to engage the surface to be cleansed and having an integral extension connecting with and in communication with the fan casing, a rotatable brush having driving means operatively connected with the rear end of the motor shaft, and a driving connection between the forward end of the motor shaft and fan.

8. I11 an electric vacuum cleaner, the corn bination of a substantially horizontally disposed motor, a fan casing at the forward end of the motor, a vertically disposed intake nozzle, having an inlet at its base, and communicating through its rear wall with said fan casing, said nozzle being connected directly to the fan casing, a movable brush within the nozzle, a fan within the casing connected directly with the forward end of the motor, and driving connections for the brush connected with the rear end of the motor, whereby to distribute the load of the latter, the said driving connections projecting beneath the said motor.

9. In a vacuum cleaning apparatus, the combination of a nozzle, a fan casing, a fan in the casing for drawing the dust-laden air through the nozzle, a rotatable brush within the nozzle, an electric motor operatively connected with the fan, gear mechanism operatively associated with the motor and brush, arranged at apoint without the path of the dustladen air and offering substantially no obstruction beyond the top, front and sides of the apparatus, means for enclosing the gear mechanism and means for rendering the said gear connection inoperative to drive the brush at will.

10. In a portable electric vacuum cleaning machine, the combination of a motor,'a fan casing, a nozzle in communication with the fan casing, a rotatable brush in the nozzle, a driving connection between the motor and fan whereby the latter is operated at the speed of the motor shaft and a driving con nection between the motor shaft and brush, said last mentioned connection being dis-- posed at the opposite end of the shaft and including gears having a releasable connec-- tion with one another substantially as for the purpose described, and casing for the motor, which casing also constitutes a housing for said connection.

11. In a portable electric vacuum cleaning machine, the combination of a horizontally disposed motor barrel, a motor within the barrel, a fan casing at the forward end of the barrel, a fan in the casing, operatively connected with the forward end of the motor, a nozzle in communication with the fan casing, a rotatable brush in the nozzle, a gear at the rear endof the motor, a" cooperating gear mounted upon a movable frame whereby to engage and disengage the motor gear, means for enclosing the gears, anda driving connection between the movably mounted gear and the brush, and means operable fromapoint without the barrel and guided by the wall thereof for engaging and disengaging said gears. I

I 12. In an electric portable vacuum cleaning machine, the combination of a motor, a casing therefor, a fan casing at the front thereof, a nozzle having an integral projection connecting directly with the fan casing and in communication with thefan casing, a rotatable brush in the nozzle, a fan in the fan casing adapted to be driven bythe motor, an endless drive member for the brush, and a gear connection within the casing between said endless drive member and the motor, whereby the speed or the endless member andbrush is reduced relative to that of the motor, and means projecting through I the motor casing for releasing said gear drive connection from the motor whereby to interrupt themovement of the brush without interrupting themovement of the fan.

13. In a. portable electric vacuum clean ing machine, the combination of a motor having a drive shaft, a nozzle, a brush the nozzle having a shaft mounted for rotatable movement, an endless drive member for the shaft and connected with the latter intermediate the ends thereof, and means for operating the endless drive member conip'rising a rotatable shaft, having a pulley for the reception of said endless drive mem ber,and a releasable worm and gear connection between said rotatable shaft and themotor shaft, and a motor barrel enclosing the motor and worm and gear connection.

14. In a portable electric vacuum clean ii'ig machine, the combination of a motor having a drive shaft, a nozzle, a brush in he nozzle havinga shaft mounted for retatable movement, an endless drive member for the shaft, and means for operating'the endless drive member comprising a rotatable shaft, having a pulley for the reception of said endless drive member,a worm and gear connection between said rotatable shaft and the motor shaft, said rotatable shaft beingmounted for pivotal movement into and out of position to operatively connect said worm and gear, and spring means for normally holding said shaft in one of itspositions of pivotal adjustment.

15. In a portable electric vacuum cleaning machine, the combination of a motor having a drive shaft, a nozzle,a brush in the" nozzle having a shaft. mounted for retatable movement, an endless drive member for the shaft, and means for operating the endless drive member comprising a rotatable. shaft, having a pulley for the reception of said endless drive member, a worm and gear connection between said rotatable shaft and the motor shaft, said rotatable shaft being mounted for pivotal movement into and out of position to operatively connect said worm and gear, an enclosing barrel for the motor, an end cap for the barrel overlying said worm and gear connections, and a casing to house said endless drive member and its operative connection with said rotatable shaft. I

16. In a portable electric vacuum cleaning machine, the combination of a horizontally disposed motor having a shaft projecting rearwardly therefrom, a worm on the shaft, a dust intake nozzle, a suction chamber in terposed between the nozzle and motor and suction creating means in said chamber adapted to be operated by the motor, a brush in the nozzle, a vertically extending shaft having a gear to mesh with said worm, a pulley on said vertically extending shaft and on the brush shaft, and an endless drive connection between said pulleys.

17. In a portable electric vacuum cleaning machine, the combination of a horizon tally disposed motor having a shaft projecting rearwardly therefrom, a worm on the shaft, a dust intake nozzle, a suction chamber interposed between the nozzle and motor, and suction creating means in said chamber adapted to be operated by the motor, a brush in the nozzle. a vertically extending shaft having a gear to mesh with said worm, a pulley on said vertically extending shaft, and on the brush shaft, and an endless drive connection between said pulleys, said vertically disposed shaft be- 1 ing mounted for oscillating movement whereby to connect and disengage the worm and gear at will.

18.' In a portable electric vacuum cleaning machine, the combination of a suctioncreating means, a nozzle in communication therewith, said nozzle comprising a body part, and a dust intake shoe to engage the surface to be cleansed, a brush in the nozzle, a shaft for the brush adapted to have bearings at its ends, between the body part of the nozzle and shoe, and means whereby the shoe may be removed to release the brush comprising a plate secured to the body part of the nozzle and having recesses, pintles on the shoe to engage said recesses, and a releasable retaining means upon the opposite surface of the nozzle to retain said pintles in position in said recesses.

19. In a portable electric vacuum il'eaning machine, the combination of a suctioncreating means, a nozzle in communication therewith, said nozzle comprising a body part, and adust intake shoe to engage the surface to be cleansed, a brush in the nozzle,

a shaft for the brush adapted to have bean ings at its ends between the body part of the shoe and nozzle, and means whereby the shoe may be removed to release the brush, comprising a plate on the front surface oi: the body part of the nozzle having recesses therein, pintles on the shoe to engage said recesses, an auxiliary plate secured to the rear surface of the shoe having recesses therein, pintles on the rear surface of the body part to engage the last-mentioned recesses, and a retaining clamp on the body part of the nozzle to engage said rear plate to secure the shoe in place.

20. In an electric vacuum cleaner the combination of a motor having a drive shaft, a nozzle, a fan casing, a fan in the casing driven by the drive shaft and in communication with the nozzle, a rotatable brush in the nozzle, and a driving connection between said driving shaft and brush, said connection being disposed at a point to the rear of the fan casing and motor, and projecting beneath the latter.

21. In a portable electric vacuum cleaning machine, the combination of a substantially horizontally disposed motor, a tubular casing for the motor having a removable rear end, a fan casing connecting with the front end of the motor casing, a nozzle to engage a surface to be cleansed having an upwardly projecting Wall forming a closure for the fan casing and in direct connnunication therewith, a brush in the nozzle, a fan in the fan casing mounted upon the forward end of the motor shaft, the fan casing having an outlet in the side wall thereof at a point forwardly of the motor, driving gear mechanism operatively connected with the rear end of the motor shaft Within the motor casing, and means driven by said driving gear connection and projecting below the motor casing and fan casing so as to ofier no projections beyond the sides of the casings and connected with the brush within the nozzle intermediate the ends of the latter for imparting rotatable movement thereto.

22. In a portable electric vacuum cleaning machine, the combination of a substantially horizontally disposed motor, a tubular casing for the motor having a removable rear end, a fan casing connecting with the front end of the motor casing, a nozzle to engage a surface to be cleansed having an upwaroiy projecting wall forming closure for the fan casing and in direct communication therewith, a brush in the nozzle, a fan in the :an casing mounted upon the forward end of the motor shaft, the fan casing having an outlet in the side wall thereof at a point for-- \vardly of the motor, driving gear mechanism operatively connected with the rear end of the motor shaft within the motor casing, and means driven by said driving connection and projecting below the motor casing and fan casing offering no obstruction beyond the sides of the casing and connected with the brush with in the nozzle int -nmdiate the ends of the latter for in'ipirting rotatable movement thereto, a casin j for the motor and driving gear mocha; in having a slotted way with an offset stop, and a lever mounted upon part of said driving connection whereby to release said connection, said lever adapted in its n'iovement to said offset part of the wall of the slot to hold the parts in one position.

23. In a vacuum cleani combination of a substantially disposed motor, having a tubular casing, a fan casing moored to the motor casing at the front end thereof, an upright nozzle con nected directly to and in connnunication with the fan casing, the lower end of said nozzle constituting inlet, a rotatable brush within the nozzle, a shaft for the brush, a: fan within the casing connected directly with the front end of the motor, driving connectious betweei'i the rear end of the motor and the brush, including a drive member projecting beneath the motor casing and connecting with the brush shaft at a point intermediate the ends of the latter, and releasing means for the brush driving means, where-- by the fan may independently operate.

In a portable electric vacuum cleaning machine, the combination of a motor, a fan casing, a nozzle havin a hollow upward extension connecting directly with and in comninnication with the an casing, a rotatable brush in the nozzle. :1 fan in the fan casing, mounted upon the motor shaft, and an operative drive connection between the motor shaft and the brush, said last-n'ientioned connection being arranged at the rear end of the motor and having a part projecting below the motor extending longitudinally thereof and comic; ing with the brush intermediate the ends thereo the apparatus overlying the last-mentioned part so as to coi'istitute a protecting medium therefor.

In a vacuum cleaner, the cm nation of a substantially horizontally disposed motor, a fan casing at the front end of the motor, an upright nozzle having an opening at its bottom, and an opening in its rear wall communicating directly with the fan casing. a, rotatable brush within the nozzle, a fan in the fan casing directly connected with the forward end of the motor and actuated thereby, actuating means for the brush connected directly with. the rear end of the motor and operated thereby, and means disconnecting said actuating means for the brush, whereby the fan may independently operate.

26. In a vacuum cleaner apparatus, the combination of a portable, substantially horizontally disposed motor having zit the limit end thereot a tan easing, an uprightnozzle member connected directly to the tan casing and in eon'm'mnioution therewith, a

shoe to!" the nozzle to engage the surface to he eloemao a rotatable brush for the nozzle, c'li'ivingg' mechanism for the brush connected with the rear end of the motor erl projecting beneath the motor and connecting with. (he lHHtll substantially midway of the sides thereof, the said shoe and the lower edge of the nozzle having cooperating hearings for the brush. and said shoe being detachable whereby to permit removal of the brush and the bmsli-driving -mechanism from the nozzle.

27. In a suction cleaning machine, the combination of a vacuum chamber, a nozzle an elongated rotatable brush in the nozzle, ti drive shaft, a fan in the vacuum chamber, "A driving connection between the forward end of the drive shaft and the ten, and a driving connection interposed between the opposite end of the drive shaft and brush and connecting With the brush. I

In testimony whereof I hereunto ai'iik signature.

MORRIS WRIGHT.