US1891256A - Vacuum cleaner - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 20, 1932. E, m; 1,891,256

. VACUUM CLEANER Filed Feb. 26. 1930 h IINVENT'OR w cleaners.

Patented Dec. 20, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT orr cs 'I'ORD ERIK DANIEL BILDE, F STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGN- MENTS, TO ELECTROLUX CORPORATION, A. CORPORATION OF DELAWARE vacuum CLEANER Application filed February 26, 1930, Serial No. 431,360, and in Gerinany April 22, 1929.

This invention relates to vacuum cleaners and more particularly to air directing and alr conditioning means therefor. The invention is especially applicable to vacuum cleaners of the type having a unit of generally cylindrical formation supported in horizontal position on the floor and to which is attached a flexible operating hose, although certain features are applicable to other forms of An object of the invention is to provide means to control or fix the direction of the air discharged by a vacuum cleaner. Other objects of the invention are: to direct the air discharged by a vacuum cleaner away from the floor to thereby prevent stirring up dust and other objects; to provide for conditioning the air by separating impurities therefrom before discharging the same; to provide for conditioning the air by introducing.

lieved to be characteristic of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims appended-hereto, the invention itself, as to its objects and advantages, the mode of its operation and the manner of its organization may be better understood by referring to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing forming a part thereof, in which Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a vacuum cleaner unit comprising a filter and air directing rings 11 and 12, respectively, and serve to vanes, the view being partly broken away to show the internal construction.

Figs. 2 and 3 are sectional views of a portion of the vacuum cleaner showing modified forms of vanes;

Fig. i is an end elev lustrated in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view showing another modified form of vane;

Fig. 6 is an end elevation thereof; and

Fig. 7 is an enlarged sectional view showing the details of the vanes of Figs. 5 and 6.

Like reference characters denote like parts inthe several figures of thedrawing.

In the following description and in the claims, parts will be identified by specific names for convenience,-but they are intended to be as generic in their application to similar parts as the art will permit.

Referring to the drawing more in detail, the invention is shown as applied to a vacuum cleaner unit comprising a barrel 10 having rings 11 and 12 secured to the ends thereof. A bell 13. having a central aperture or inlet port l lnadapted to receive a coupling member 15, seats against ring 11 and is secured by convenient means such as spring clips 16. Said coupling member 15 is provided with a central bore for receiving an operating device such as a flexible air hose (not shown). Cap 17 seats against ring 12 and is secured thereto in any desired manner. Runners 18 are mounted in lugs 19 and 20 formed on ation pf the device ilsupport the vacuum cleaner unit on a surface such as a floor. A handle 21 is applied to barrel 10 to facilitate transportation of the unit. Barrel 10 contains the operating parts such as dust bag 24:, motor 22 and fan 23.

In the form shown in Fig. 1, cap.17 is formedfwith an inwardly extending circular wall providing a central aperture or outlet port 25 which is internally threaded with threads of the same kind as those in aperture 14 so that it may also receive coupling 90 member 15. Across the inner part of the annular wall is a flow directing member or part 26 comprising a plurality of vanes 27 which may be stamped from the plate or body from which the part 26 is made. Vanes 27 are bent inwardly and downwardly, whereby the air currents passed therethrough are directed in an upwardly inclined direction. Part 26 may be formed as an integral part of cap 17 and I stamped therefrom if desired, or it may be made as a separate member.

Cap 17 is provided with an annular shoulder 30 against which a screen 31 is seated. Said screen may be formed of wire gauze or other suitable material and may be sufficiently rigid to form a support for the filter.

The filter comprises layers 32 of filter material, such as flannel, which are stretched over an annular ring 33 having a circumferential groove 34. The ends of said layers are securely held in groove 34 by member 35 which may comprise a wire, string or similar material. The filter material may be treated with an air conditioning substance or may be used to mechanically separate undesired matter, such as bacteria, from the air stream.

Positioned within the filter, between layers 32, is a bag 36 of unsized paper. fabric, or similar material, enclosing a mass of infuserial earth 37 which is impregnated with a. deodorizing, disinfecting, insecticidal or perfuming liquid or equivalent substance. The construction of the-filter and the air conditioning material used therewith may be, however. varied as desired. A particular form has been shown by way of illustration only.

In the operation of the above described device, fan 23 draws a current of air through coupling member 15, bell 13 and dust bag 24, thence over motor 22 and through the filter, which serves to remove bacteria and condition the air, after which it is discharged between vanes 27 and caused to pass in an upwardly inclined direction out of aperture 25. The filter is particularly useful in removing undesired materials from the air before it is discharged into the room and may be used for disinfecting, deodorizing, perfuming or other purposes as desired. The vanes 27 then deflect the air stream, directing it away from the floor and preventing it from picking up dust and other objects therefrom and from losing any conditioning matter introduced into the air. The cleaner is accordingly adapted to discharge a particularly pure. air stream which is free from undesired odors, bacteria and dust, and which may carry a disinfectant or other air conditioning substance.

In the form shown in Fig. 2 annular member 40, provided with internal threads 41 for receiving coupling member 15. is secured within central aperture 42-of cap 17. Member 40 has attached thereto, or cast integrally therewith a plurality of vanes 43, which are located similarly to vanes 27 and serve the .purpose described in connection therewith.

In the form shown in Figs. 3 and 4, cap 17 is formed with an internally threaded recess 45, having a closure member 46 rovided with aperture 47. Vanes 48 are hlnged to member 46, asby hinges 49, and are held in a closed position by springs 50. Tabs 51 may be formed in member 46 for receiving said springs.

In the operation of the machine using this form of vane, the size of the discharge opening is determined by the air pressure within the cleaner. When the cleaner is at rest the vanes will be held in closed position by means of springs and serve to completely close the casing. \Vhen the cleaner is operated, however, the air pressure causes said vanes to move to a position similar to that shown in Fig. 3 whereby the air stream is directed away from the floor. When the machine is operated with a low air pressure the vanes will remain nearly closed, thereby enclosing the motor unit and deadening the sound thereof.

In the form shown in Figs. 5 to 7, cap 15 is provided with a central opening covered by member 55, whichmay be of any flexible material, such as rubber. Vanes 56 are formed of said material and are either stamped from member or formed integrally therewith. In the latter case said vanes are preferably formed in the opposite position from that assumed during use, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 7, and are bent to the desired position prior to being inserted in the cleaner. Said vanes are sufficiently long to contact with the edges of member 55 adjacent the aperture, whereby reversal of their position is prevented. Member 55 is clamped between ring 57 and cap 17 and is secured by screws 58 which extend intb an annular member 59. Said member 59 is internally threaded to receive coupling 15. Vanes 56 may be so formed that they are normally closed due to their natural resilience and are automatically opened when the cleaner is operated. Their operation in this manner is similar to vanes 48 described in Figs. 3 and 4.

It is to be noted that the above described arrangement not only provides for directing the air stream, but also forms a closure for the vacuum cleaner casing and prevents the entrance of foreign material. The use of the air vanes with the filter serves to efiiciently condition the air and permit the same to be discharged in exceptionally pure condition.

It is also to be noted that coupling member 15 may be removedfrom bell 13 and applied to the aperture in cap 17 to permit the cleaner to be operated as a blower. In either case the size of the effective opening is increased by removing coupling member 15, thereby reducing the air friction and preventing an aeeaeea w may he made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. I I

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

l. A vacuum cleaner comprising a casing, means within said casing for producing flow or" air, said casing having an outlet port, means for supporting said casing above a horizontal surface and means within said outlet port for directing air passing through said outlet port away from the supporting surface.

2. A vacuum cleaner comprising a cylindrical casing having an air inlet port in one end thereofand an air outlet port in the other end thereof, means within said casing for producing fiow of air, means for supporting said casing above a horizontal surface so that the axis thereof is horizontal and means for directing air passing'through the outlet port way from said surface comprising a plurality of horizontal vanes mounted in said outlet port and inclined to the axis of the casing.

3. A vacuum cleaner comprising a casing having an air outlet port, means for producing ilow of air through said casing means for supporting said casin above a horizontal surface, an air conditioning member in said casing and means within said casing and extending across said outlet port for deflecting the flow of air discharged from the casing away from the supporting surface,

i. A vacuum cleaner comprising acasing having an air outlet port, means for producing flow of air through said casing, means for supporting said casing above a horizontal surface, an air conditioning member in said casing and means for deflecting the flow of air discharged from the casing comprising a plurality of vanes within said' casing inclined' to the normal direction of flow at discharge and providing a plurality of parallel paths for the flow of air in the same direct ion upwardly away from the supporting surrace.

5. A vacuum cleaner comprising a casing, means within said casing for producing flow of air, said casinghaving an outlet port, means for supporting said casing above a horizontal surface, an air conditioning member within said casingand means within said outlet port for directfiilg air passing through said outlet surface.

6. A vacuum cleaner comprising a cylinport away from the supporting mounted in said outlet port and inclined t the axis of the casing.

drical casing having an air inlet port in one end thereof and an air outlet port in the other end thereof, means within said casing for producing flow of air, means for supporting said casing above a horizontal surface so that the axis thereof is horizontal, an air conditioning member within said casing and means for directing air passing through the outlet port away "from the supporting surface comprising a plurality of horizontal vanes 7. lln a vacuum-cleaner unit, a casing havingan outlet port, air directing vanes within said port and a filter mounted adjacent said port, said filter comprising a frame and filter material carried by said frame.

8. In a vacuum cleaner unit, a casing having an outlet port, air directing vanes associated with said port and a filter mounted adjacent said port, said filter comprising a ring and a pair of layers or" filter material mounted on said ring, and air conditioning materia interposed between said layers.

9. in a vacuum cleaner unit, a casing having an outlet port, airdirecting vanes associated with said port and a filter mounted adj acent said port, said filter comprising an annular ring anda pair of layers of filter material mounted on said ring, and a receptacle containing iniusorial earth saturated with an air conditioning substance mounted within said filter between said layers.

10-. in a vacuum cleaner unit containing a dust bag, tan and driving motor, an air discharge port, a filter containing air conditioning material interposed between said motor and said port, and vanes associated with said let port and in said outlet port engageable with said coupling member and a plurality of inclined vanes extending across said outlet port inwardly of the casing with respect to the engaging means for deflecting the flow of air discharged therefrom.

12. A vacuum cleaner comprising a casing formed with an inlet port and an outlet port, means for producing flow of air through said casing, a coupling member, means in said inlet port and in said outlet port engageable with said coupling member and means for defleeting the flow of air discharged through said outlet port comprising a plurality of vanes within said outlet port inclined to the normal direction oil flow at discharge.

13. A vacuum cleaner comprising a cylindrical casing formed with'an end inlet port and an end outlet port, means for producing flow oi air through said casing, a-coupling member, threads in said inlet port and in said outlet port enga cable with said coupling member, means or supporting said casing above a horizontal surface and a plurality of inclined vanes extending across said outlet port inwardly of the threads fordirectin air passing through said outlet port away rom said surface.

14. A vacuum cleaner comprising'a casing formed with an inlet port and an outlet port, means for producing flow of air through said casing, a coupling member, means in said inlet port and in said outlet port engageable with said coupling member, an air conditioning member within said casing and a plurality of inclined vanes extending across said outlet port inwardly of the casin with respect to the engaging means for de ecting the flow of air discharged therefrom.

15. A vacuum cleaner comprising a casing formed with an inlet port and an outlet port, means for producing flow of air through said casing, a coupling member, means in said inlet port and in said outlet port engageable with said coupling member, an air conditioning memberwithin said casing and means for deflecting the flow of air discharged through said outlet port comprising a plurality of vanes within said outlet port inclined to the normal direction of flow at discharge.

16. A vacuum cleaner comprising a cylindrical casing formed with an end 1n1et port and an end outlet port, means for producing flow of air through said casing, a coupling member, threads in said inlet port and in said means for producing flow of air through said outlet port engageable with said coupling member, an air conditioning member within said casing, means for supporting said casing above a horizontal surface and a plurality of inclined vanes extending across said outlet port inwardly of the threads for directin air passing through said outlet port away roin said surface.

17. A vacuum cleaner comprising a casing, means for producing flow of air through said casing and means for deflecting the flow of air discharged from the casing comprising a pivoted vane swingable above the pivot in the direction of air flow.

18. In a vacuum cleaner unit, a casing having an outlet port, air directing vanes within said port and a filter mounted adjacent said port, said filter comprising a ring and a pair of layers of filter material mounted on said ring.

19. A vacuum cleaner comprising a casing.

having an air inlet port and an air outlet port,

casing, a vane for deflecting flow of air discharged through said outlet port and movably mounted to vary the effective discharge area of the outlet port, and means for urging said vane into flow restricting position with respect to the outlet port.

20. A vacuum cleaner comprising a casing I having an air inlet port and an air outlet port,

means for producing flow of air through said casing, a plurality of vanes for deflecting the flow of air discharged through said outlet port and movably mounted to vary the effectivedischarge area of the outlet port and means for urging said vanes into flow restricting position with respect to the outlet port.

21. A vacuum cleaner comprising a casing having an air inlet port and an air outlet port, and means for producing flow of air through said casing, said outlet port being formed by a member of resilient material having a slit therethrough whereby the material of said member adjacent to said slit constitutes a movable vane for deflecting the flow of air discharged through said outlet port.

22. A vacuum cleaner comprising a casing, means for producing flow of air through said casing, and a member of resilient material having slits therethrough forming outlet ports whereby the material of said member adjacent to said slits constitutes movable vanes for deflecting the flow of air discharged from the casing, the resilience of said member tending to maintain a restricted outlet area.

23. A vacuum 'cleaner comprising a casing having an air inlet port and an air outlet port, means for supporting said casing above a horizontal surface, means for producing flow of air through said casing, and means responsive to variations in the rate of flow of air through said casing for varying the effective area for discharge of air from the casing, and for deflecting air discharged from the casing comprising pivoted vanes swingable above their pivots in the direction of air flow.

24. A vacuum cleaner comprising a casing having an air inlet port and air outlet port, means for supporting said casing above a horizontal surface, means for producing flow of air through said casing, and means responsive to variations in the pressure of the air for varying the effective area of discharge of air from the casing and for deflecting air discharge. from the casing comprising pivot- I ed vanes swingable above theirpivots in the extending across the port and supported by said annularwall, In testimony whereof I have afiixed my signature.

TORD ERIK DANIEL BILDE.

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