US20060026791A1 - Upright vacuum cleaner incorporating telescopic wand assembly with trigger operation - Google Patents
Upright vacuum cleaner incorporating telescopic wand assembly with trigger operation Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20060026791A1 US20060026791A1 US11/196,605 US19660505A US2006026791A1 US 20060026791 A1 US20060026791 A1 US 20060026791A1 US 19660505 A US19660505 A US 19660505A US 2006026791 A1 US2006026791 A1 US 2006026791A1
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- Prior art keywords
- wand
- vacuum cleaner
- upright vacuum
- assembly
- lock
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- 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
- A47L9/24—Hoses or pipes; Hose or pipe couplings
- A47L9/242—Hose or pipe couplings
- A47L9/244—Hose or pipe couplings for telescopic or extensible hoses or pipes
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- 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
- A47L5/32—Suction cleaners with handles and nozzles fixed on the casings, e.g. wheeled suction cleaners with steering handle with means for connecting a hose
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- 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
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- 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
- A47L9/32—Handles
- A47L9/325—Handles for wheeled suction cleaners with steering handle
Definitions
- the present invention relates generally to the floor care equipment field and, more particularly, to an upright vacuum cleaner equipped with a telescopic handle and wand assembly that may be conveniently operated by means of a trigger.
- An upright vacuum cleaner may be generally described as comprising a canister assembly that is pivotally connected to a nozzle assembly.
- the canister assembly includes an operating handle that is manipulated by the operator to move the vacuum cleaner back and forth across the floor during the cleaning operation.
- the canister assembly also includes a dirt collection vessel, in the form of a dirt cup or filter bag that traps dirt and debris.
- a suction generator in the form of a motor driven fan, is provided on either the nozzle assembly or the canister assembly. It is this suction generator that provides the drop in air pressure necessary to produce the desired cleaning action.
- the nozzle assembly includes a suction inlet through which dirt and debris is drawn into the vacuum cleaner by the suction generator.
- a suction inlet through which dirt and debris is drawn into the vacuum cleaner by the suction generator.
- most upright vacuum cleaners are also equipped with a rotary agitator.
- the rotary agitator is carried on the nozzle assembly and usually extends substantially across the full width of the suction inlet.
- the rotary agitator beats dirt and debris from the nap of the underlying carpet. That dirt and debris is then drawn in an airstream through the suction inlet into the vacuum cleaner by the suction generator.
- the dirt and debris becomes entrapped in the dirt collection vessel and the suction generator then moves the clean air through the motor to provide cooling before exhausting that air back into the environment.
- a wand assembly In order to allow above floor cleaning of, for example, baseboards, draperies and upholstered furniture, many upright vacuum cleaners are equipped with a wand assembly. Such a wand assembly is generally connected to the upright vacuum cleaner by means of a flexible hose. Accordingly, when disconnected from the canister assembly, the wand assembly may be freely manipulated to provide the desired above floor cleaning.
- the present invention relates to an upright vacuum cleaner equipped with a telescopic wand assembly which allows the length of the wand to be adjusted in order to meet the needs of any particular cleaning application.
- the telescopic wand assembly is also equipped with a trigger actuator.
- such an actuator allows the operator to quickly and conveniently extend or retract the telescopic wand as desired.
- an improved upright vacuum cleaner comprises a housing including a nozzle assembly and a canister assembly.
- a suction generator and dirt collection vessel are both carried on the housing.
- the vacuum cleaner includes a detachable telescopic wand assembly. That wand assembly includes a first wand section, a second wand section, a wand lock for securing the first and second wand sections together and a trigger actuator for operating the wand lock.
- the trigger actuator is located remote from the wand lock on the wand assembly.
- a linkage connects the trigger actuator to the wand lock.
- the linkage includes a crank and a link arm.
- the crank includes a first end, a second end and a hub between the first and second ends. The first end of the crank is connected to the trigger actuator while the second end of the crank is connected to the link arm.
- a pivot pin is received in the hub and pivotally connects the crank to the wand assembly.
- the wand assembly further includes a control handle.
- the control handle includes a hand grip.
- the trigger actuator is carried on the control handle adjacent the hand grip where it may be conveniently manipulated by the operator to control operation of the wand lock and allow the extension or retraction of the telescoping wand assembly as needed for any particular cleaning application.
- the wand lock includes a spring loaded latch and the second wand section includes a series of spaced notches.
- the latch is selectively received in one of the notches in order to secure the first wand section relative to the second wand section and thereby maintain the telescoping wand assembly at a particular length during the cleaning operation.
- the nozzle assembly and the canister assembly are pivotally connected together.
- the dirt collection vessel may take the form of a filter bag or a dirt cup.
- the dirt cup may be substantially cylindrical in shape and include a tangentially directed inlet in order to provide cyclonic cleaning action. No matter the shape of the dirt cup, the dirt cup may also carry a filter for stripping dirt and debris from the airstream and maintaining that dirt and debris in the dirt cup.
- the vacuum cleaner may also include a final filter downstream from the suction generator to strip carbon particles from the suction motor brushes or other contaminants from the airstream before that airstream is exhausted back into the environment.
- a method for manufacturing a telescopic wand including a first wand section, a second wand section, a wand lock and a control handle.
- the method comprises providing the control handle adjacent a first end of the first wand section, providing the wand lock adjacent a second end of the first wand section and providing a control trigger for said wand lock adjacent said control handle and remote from said wand lock.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an upright vacuum cleaner constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention
- FIG. 2 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 1 but showing the wand assembly withdrawn from the canister assembly to allow for above floor cleaning;
- FIG. 3 illustrates a dirt cup of cylindrical construction including a tangentially directed inlet and a centrally located filter so as to provide for cyclonic airflow;
- FIG. 4 is a detailed cross-sectional view illustrating the trigger actuator of the present invention for releasing the wand lock and allowing the telescoping wand assembly to be extended or retracted;
- FIGS. 5 a and 5 b are schematical illustrations of the operation of the trigger assembly and wand lock.
- the present invention relates to an upright vacuum cleaner 10 including a housing comprising both a nozzle assembly 12 and a canister assembly 14 .
- the canister assembly 14 is pivotally connected to the nozzle assembly 12 .
- the upright vacuum cleaner 10 rides over the floor surface being cleaned on wheels 15 carried on the housing.
- the nozzle assembly 12 includes a suction inlet 16 .
- a rotary agitator 18 carried on the nozzle assembly 12 is mounted in the suction inlet 16 .
- the rotary agitator 18 includes bristle tufts 20 , brushes, wipers or the like to beat dirt and debris from the nap of an underlying carpet being cleaned as the agitator 18 is rotated at high speeds with respect to that carpet and the nozzle assembly 12 .
- the canister assembly 14 includes a dirt collection vessel 22 housed in an internal cavity 23 .
- the dirt collection vessel 22 is a dust bag of permeable filter material adapted to entrap dirt and debris while allowing the passage of clean air through the bag.
- the dirt collection vessel 22 may take the form of a dirt cup 24 .
- such a dirt cup 24 may include a cylindrical dirt collection chamber 26 having a tangentially directed inlet 26 and an axial outlet 28 .
- a filter 30 may be concentrically mounted within the dirt collection chamber 26 over the outlet 28 . Such a filter 30 strips any remaining fine dirt and debris from the airstream as it moves through the filter toward the outlet 28 .
- the canister assembly 14 also includes a telescopic wand assembly generally designated by reference numeral 32 .
- the wand assembly 32 includes first and second telescopic wand sections 34 , 36 .
- the second wand section 36 is telescopingly received in the first wand section 34 .
- the wand sections 34 and 36 are connected together by a wand lock, generally designated by reference numeral 38 , that is carried on the end of the section 34 .
- a control handle 40 having a hand grip 42 is provided at the end of the first wand section 34 opposite the wand lock 38 .
- the end of the second wand section 36 opposite the wand lock 38 is received in a connector 44 mounted to the rear of the canister assembly 14 .
- a flexible hose 46 extends from the control handle 40 to the inlet 48 connected to the dirt collection vessel 22 .
- the rotary agitator 18 scrubs and beats dirt and debris from the nap of an underlying carpet being cleaned.
- a suction generator 50 carried on the housing draws air entrained with that dirt and debris through the suction inlet 16 , the connector 44 , the wand section 36 , the wand section 34 , the control handle 40 , the hose 46 and the inlet 48 into the dirt collection vessel 22 .
- the dirt and debris is captured in the vessel 22 while relatively clean air is drawn over the motor of the suction generator 50 in order to provide cooling. That air is then exhausted through a final filter (not shown) and returned to the environment through an exhaust port 54 .
- the wand assembly 32 includes a distal end that is removable from the canister assembly 14 to allow manipulation and specialty cleaning. More specifically, the distal end of the wand section 36 is removable from the connector 44 .
- the telescopic sections 34 , 36 of the wand assembly 24 may then be retracted or extended as desired to produce a wand of desired length.
- the wand assembly 32 is then manipulated by the operator through the control handle 40 . In this mode of operation air including dirt and debris is drawn into the open distal end of the wand assembly 32 . That air then travels through the wand section 36 , the wand section 34 , the control handle 40 , the hose 46 and the inlet 48 into the dirt collection vessel 22 . There the dirt becomes trapped and clean air then passes over the motor of the suction generator 50 before being exhausted through the final filter 52 and exhaust port 54 into the environment.
- the vacuum cleaner 10 is equipped with a user friendly feature for operating the telescopic wand 32 . More particularly, as illustrated in FIG. 4 , the control handle 40 is equipped with a trigger actuator 60 for operating the wand lock 38 . A lug 62 on the trigger actuator 60 is connected by a linkage, including a crank 64 and a link arm 66 , to a sliding lock actuator 68 for locking the two sections 34 , 36 of the wand assembly 32 together.
- the lock actuator 68 is of the type described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,148,474 to Ohara et al., the full disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
- the lock actuator 68 is received for sliding movement in a chamber 70 formed in the sheath 72 carried on the wand section 34 . More specifically, the chamber 70 is formed between the end wall 74 , the outer sheath wall 76 and the stop or bulkhead 78 .
- a coil spring 79 biases the lock actuator 68 toward the stop 78 into a home position. In this position, the lock actuator 68 engages a locking pin 80 and holds that pin in a locking notch 82 formed in the wall of the wand section 36 thereby securing the wand sections 34 , 36 together in a selected position (see FIG. 5 a ).
- the telescopic wand assembly 32 may be extended or retracted by manipulating the trigger actuator 60 . More specifically, by pulling the trigger actuator 60 toward the hand grip 42 , the crank 64 is rotated about the pivot pin 84 in a clockwise direction (see action arrow A in FIGS. 5 b ). This in turn moves the rigid link arm 66 in the direction of action arrow B sliding the lock actuator 68 against the biasing force of the spring 79 toward the end wall 74 . As a result of this movement, the slot 90 in the actuator 68 is aligned over the locking pin 80 .
- the locking pin 80 rides up the sloped sidewall of the locking notch 82 and retracts into the slot 90 in the actuator 68 .
- the locking pin 80 free of the notch 82 , the wand section 34 moves freely relative to the wand section 36 and the wand assembly 32 may be lengthened or shortened as desired to meet the operator's needs for any particular cleaning application.
- the operator releases the trigger actuator 60 .
- the spring 79 then biases the lock actuator 68 back toward the stop 78 and its home position.
- the sloped cam surface 92 in the slot 90 functions to force the locking pin 80 down into the new locking notch 82 now aligned therewith.
- the lock actuator 68 continues to slide in the direction of action arrow C in FIG. 5 b until the pin 80 is captured in the notch 82 by the bottom wall of the actuator as illustrated in FIG. 5 a .
- the wand sections 34 , 36 are again locked together and the wand assembly 32 may not be lengthened or shortened until the trigger actuator 60 is again manipulated to release the wand lock 38 in the manner previously described.
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Electric Vacuum Cleaner (AREA)
- Nozzles For Electric Vacuum Cleaners (AREA)
Abstract
An upright vacuum cleaner includes a housing having a nozzle assembly and a canister assembly. A suction generator and a dirt collection vessel are both carried on the housing. The vacuum cleaner also includes a detachable telescopic wand assembly. That wand assembly includes a first wand section, a second wand section, a wand lock for securing the two wand sections together and a trigger actuator for operating the wand lock. The trigger actuator is located remote from the wand lock on the wand assembly.
Description
- The present invention claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/598,748 filed on Aug. 4, 2004.
- The present invention relates generally to the floor care equipment field and, more particularly, to an upright vacuum cleaner equipped with a telescopic handle and wand assembly that may be conveniently operated by means of a trigger.
- Upright vacuum cleaners have become increasingly popular over recent years. An upright vacuum cleaner may be generally described as comprising a canister assembly that is pivotally connected to a nozzle assembly. The canister assembly includes an operating handle that is manipulated by the operator to move the vacuum cleaner back and forth across the floor during the cleaning operation. The canister assembly also includes a dirt collection vessel, in the form of a dirt cup or filter bag that traps dirt and debris. A suction generator, in the form of a motor driven fan, is provided on either the nozzle assembly or the canister assembly. It is this suction generator that provides the drop in air pressure necessary to produce the desired cleaning action.
- The nozzle assembly includes a suction inlet through which dirt and debris is drawn into the vacuum cleaner by the suction generator. In order to provide more effective cleaning of the nap of rugs and carpets, most upright vacuum cleaners are also equipped with a rotary agitator. The rotary agitator is carried on the nozzle assembly and usually extends substantially across the full width of the suction inlet. During vacuum cleaner operation the rotary agitator beats dirt and debris from the nap of the underlying carpet. That dirt and debris is then drawn in an airstream through the suction inlet into the vacuum cleaner by the suction generator. The dirt and debris becomes entrapped in the dirt collection vessel and the suction generator then moves the clean air through the motor to provide cooling before exhausting that air back into the environment.
- In order to allow above floor cleaning of, for example, baseboards, draperies and upholstered furniture, many upright vacuum cleaners are equipped with a wand assembly. Such a wand assembly is generally connected to the upright vacuum cleaner by means of a flexible hose. Accordingly, when disconnected from the canister assembly, the wand assembly may be freely manipulated to provide the desired above floor cleaning.
- The present invention relates to an upright vacuum cleaner equipped with a telescopic wand assembly which allows the length of the wand to be adjusted in order to meet the needs of any particular cleaning application. Advantageously, the telescopic wand assembly is also equipped with a trigger actuator. Advantageously, such an actuator allows the operator to quickly and conveniently extend or retract the telescopic wand as desired.
- In accordance with the purposes of the present invention as described herein, an improved upright vacuum cleaner is provided. The upright vacuum cleaner comprises a housing including a nozzle assembly and a canister assembly. A suction generator and dirt collection vessel are both carried on the housing. In addition the vacuum cleaner includes a detachable telescopic wand assembly. That wand assembly includes a first wand section, a second wand section, a wand lock for securing the first and second wand sections together and a trigger actuator for operating the wand lock. The trigger actuator is located remote from the wand lock on the wand assembly.
- More specifically describing the invention, a linkage connects the trigger actuator to the wand lock. The linkage includes a crank and a link arm. The crank includes a first end, a second end and a hub between the first and second ends. The first end of the crank is connected to the trigger actuator while the second end of the crank is connected to the link arm. A pivot pin is received in the hub and pivotally connects the crank to the wand assembly.
- Still further describing the invention the wand assembly further includes a control handle. The control handle includes a hand grip. The trigger actuator is carried on the control handle adjacent the hand grip where it may be conveniently manipulated by the operator to control operation of the wand lock and allow the extension or retraction of the telescoping wand assembly as needed for any particular cleaning application.
- Still further describing the invention the wand lock includes a spring loaded latch and the second wand section includes a series of spaced notches. The latch is selectively received in one of the notches in order to secure the first wand section relative to the second wand section and thereby maintain the telescoping wand assembly at a particular length during the cleaning operation.
- In accordance with still additional aspects of the present invention, the nozzle assembly and the canister assembly are pivotally connected together. Further, the dirt collection vessel may take the form of a filter bag or a dirt cup. The dirt cup may be substantially cylindrical in shape and include a tangentially directed inlet in order to provide cyclonic cleaning action. No matter the shape of the dirt cup, the dirt cup may also carry a filter for stripping dirt and debris from the airstream and maintaining that dirt and debris in the dirt cup. Still further the vacuum cleaner may also include a final filter downstream from the suction generator to strip carbon particles from the suction motor brushes or other contaminants from the airstream before that airstream is exhausted back into the environment.
- In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention a method is provided for manufacturing a telescopic wand including a first wand section, a second wand section, a wand lock and a control handle. The method comprises providing the control handle adjacent a first end of the first wand section, providing the wand lock adjacent a second end of the first wand section and providing a control trigger for said wand lock adjacent said control handle and remote from said wand lock.
- In the following description there is shown and described a preferred embodiment 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 departing from the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions will be regarded as illustrative in nature and not as restrictive.
- The accompanying drawing incorporated in and forming a part of this specification, illustrates several aspects of the present invention, and together with the description serves to explain certain principles of the invention. In the drawing:
-
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an upright vacuum cleaner constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention; -
FIG. 2 is a perspective view similar toFIG. 1 but showing the wand assembly withdrawn from the canister assembly to allow for above floor cleaning; -
FIG. 3 illustrates a dirt cup of cylindrical construction including a tangentially directed inlet and a centrally located filter so as to provide for cyclonic airflow; -
FIG. 4 is a detailed cross-sectional view illustrating the trigger actuator of the present invention for releasing the wand lock and allowing the telescoping wand assembly to be extended or retracted; and -
FIGS. 5 a and 5 b are schematical illustrations of the operation of the trigger assembly and wand lock. - Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferred embodiment of the invention, an example of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawing.
- As illustrated in
FIG. 1 , the present invention relates to anupright vacuum cleaner 10 including a housing comprising both anozzle assembly 12 and acanister assembly 14. Thecanister assembly 14 is pivotally connected to thenozzle assembly 12. Theupright vacuum cleaner 10 rides over the floor surface being cleaned onwheels 15 carried on the housing. - The
nozzle assembly 12 includes asuction inlet 16. Arotary agitator 18 carried on thenozzle assembly 12 is mounted in thesuction inlet 16. Therotary agitator 18 includes bristletufts 20, brushes, wipers or the like to beat dirt and debris from the nap of an underlying carpet being cleaned as theagitator 18 is rotated at high speeds with respect to that carpet and thenozzle assembly 12. - The
canister assembly 14 includes adirt collection vessel 22 housed in aninternal cavity 23. As illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 2 thedirt collection vessel 22 is a dust bag of permeable filter material adapted to entrap dirt and debris while allowing the passage of clean air through the bag. In an alternative embodiment thedirt collection vessel 22 may take the form of adirt cup 24. As illustrated inFIG. 3 , such adirt cup 24 may include a cylindricaldirt collection chamber 26 having a tangentially directedinlet 26 and anaxial outlet 28. Such an arrangement promotes cyclonic airflow in thechamber 26 which efficiently removes dirt and debris from the airstream in a manner well known in the art. Afilter 30 may be concentrically mounted within thedirt collection chamber 26 over theoutlet 28. Such afilter 30 strips any remaining fine dirt and debris from the airstream as it moves through the filter toward theoutlet 28. - The
canister assembly 14 also includes a telescopic wand assembly generally designated byreference numeral 32. Thewand assembly 32 includes first and secondtelescopic wand sections second wand section 36 is telescopingly received in thefirst wand section 34. Thewand sections reference numeral 38, that is carried on the end of thesection 34. A control handle 40 having ahand grip 42 is provided at the end of thefirst wand section 34 opposite thewand lock 38. The end of thesecond wand section 36 opposite thewand lock 38 is received in aconnector 44 mounted to the rear of thecanister assembly 14. Aflexible hose 46 extends from the control handle 40 to theinlet 48 connected to thedirt collection vessel 22. - During standard floor cleaning operation, the
rotary agitator 18 scrubs and beats dirt and debris from the nap of an underlying carpet being cleaned. Asuction generator 50 carried on the housing draws air entrained with that dirt and debris through thesuction inlet 16, theconnector 44, thewand section 36, thewand section 34, the control handle 40, thehose 46 and theinlet 48 into thedirt collection vessel 22. The dirt and debris is captured in thevessel 22 while relatively clean air is drawn over the motor of thesuction generator 50 in order to provide cooling. That air is then exhausted through a final filter (not shown) and returned to the environment through anexhaust port 54. - As illustrated in
FIG. 2 thewand assembly 32 includes a distal end that is removable from thecanister assembly 14 to allow manipulation and specialty cleaning. More specifically, the distal end of thewand section 36 is removable from theconnector 44. Thetelescopic sections wand assembly 24 may then be retracted or extended as desired to produce a wand of desired length. Thewand assembly 32 is then manipulated by the operator through the control handle 40. In this mode of operation air including dirt and debris is drawn into the open distal end of thewand assembly 32. That air then travels through thewand section 36, thewand section 34, the control handle 40, thehose 46 and theinlet 48 into thedirt collection vessel 22. There the dirt becomes trapped and clean air then passes over the motor of thesuction generator 50 before being exhausted through the final filter 52 andexhaust port 54 into the environment. - The
vacuum cleaner 10 is equipped with a user friendly feature for operating thetelescopic wand 32. More particularly, as illustrated inFIG. 4 , the control handle 40 is equipped with atrigger actuator 60 for operating thewand lock 38. Alug 62 on thetrigger actuator 60 is connected by a linkage, including a crank 64 and alink arm 66, to a slidinglock actuator 68 for locking the twosections wand assembly 32 together. Thelock actuator 68 is of the type described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,148,474 to Ohara et al., the full disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. - As best illustrated schematically in
FIGS. 5 a-5 b, thelock actuator 68 is received for sliding movement in achamber 70 formed in thesheath 72 carried on thewand section 34. More specifically, thechamber 70 is formed between theend wall 74, theouter sheath wall 76 and the stop orbulkhead 78. Acoil spring 79 biases thelock actuator 68 toward thestop 78 into a home position. In this position, thelock actuator 68 engages a lockingpin 80 and holds that pin in a lockingnotch 82 formed in the wall of thewand section 36 thereby securing thewand sections FIG. 5 a). - The
telescopic wand assembly 32 may be extended or retracted by manipulating thetrigger actuator 60. More specifically, by pulling thetrigger actuator 60 toward thehand grip 42, thecrank 64 is rotated about thepivot pin 84 in a clockwise direction (see action arrow A inFIGS. 5 b). This in turn moves therigid link arm 66 in the direction of action arrow B sliding thelock actuator 68 against the biasing force of thespring 79 toward theend wall 74. As a result of this movement, theslot 90 in theactuator 68 is aligned over the lockingpin 80. - As the operator moves the
wand section 36 relative to thewand section 34 in order to extend or retract thewand assembly 32 as desired, the lockingpin 80 rides up the sloped sidewall of the lockingnotch 82 and retracts into theslot 90 in theactuator 68. With the lockingpin 80 free of thenotch 82, thewand section 34 moves freely relative to thewand section 36 and thewand assembly 32 may be lengthened or shortened as desired to meet the operator's needs for any particular cleaning application. - Once the
wand assembly 32 is extended or retracted as desired, the operator releases thetrigger actuator 60. Thespring 79 then biases thelock actuator 68 back toward thestop 78 and its home position. The slopedcam surface 92 in theslot 90 functions to force the lockingpin 80 down into thenew locking notch 82 now aligned therewith. As this occurs, thelock actuator 68 continues to slide in the direction of action arrow C inFIG. 5 b until thepin 80 is captured in thenotch 82 by the bottom wall of the actuator as illustrated inFIG. 5 a. In this position, thewand sections wand assembly 32 may not be lengthened or shortened until thetrigger actuator 60 is again manipulated to release thewand lock 38 in the manner previously described. - The foregoing description of the preferred embodiment of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Obvious modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teachings. For example, while the
link arm 54 is illustrated inFIG. 3 as being exposed, it could run through a sheath connected between the control handle 40 and theactuator 68. - The embodiment was chosen and described to provide the best illustration of the principles of the invention and its practical application to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the invention as determined by the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are fairly, legally and equitably entitled. The drawings and preferred embodiment do not and are not intended to limit the ordinary meaning of the claims and their fair and broad interpretation in any way.
Claims (20)
1. An upright vacuum cleaner, comprising:
a housing including a nozzle assembly and a canister assembly;
a suction generator carried on said housing;
a dirt collection vessel carried on said housing;
a detachable telescopic wand assembly including a first wand section, a second wand section, a wand lock for securing said first and second wand sections together and a trigger actuator for operating said wand lock, said trigger actuator being located remote from said wand lock on said wand assembly.
2. The upright vacuum cleaner of claim 1 , further including a linkage connecting said trigger actuator to said wand lock.
3. The upright vacuum cleaner of claim 2 , wherein said linkage includes a crank and a link arm.
4. The upright vacuum cleaner of claim 3 , wherein said crank is pivotally connected to said wand assembly.
5. The upright vacuum cleaner of claim 4 , wherein said crank includes a first end connected to said trigger actuator and a second end connected to said link arm.
6. The upright vacuum cleaner of claim 5 , wherein a first end of said link arm is connected to said crank and a second end of said link arm is connected to said wand lock.
7. The upright vacuum cleaner of claim 5 , wherein said crank includes a hub between said first end and said second end.
8. The upright vacuum cleaner of claim 7 , wherein a pivot pin is received in said hub, said pivot pin pivotally connecting said crank to said wand assembly.
9. The upright vacuum cleaner of claim 6 , wherein said wand lock includes a sliding actuator, a biasing spring and a locking pin and said second wand section includes a series of spaced notches, said locking pin being selectively received in one of said notches in order to secure said first wand section relative to said second wand section.
10. The upright vacuum cleaner of claim 1 , wherein said wand assembly further includes a control handle.
11. The upright vacuum cleaner of claim 10 , wherein said control handle includes a hand grip.
12. The upright vacuum cleaner of claim 1 1, wherein said trigger actuator is carried on said control handle adjacent said hand grip.
13. The upright vacuum cleaner of claim 1 , wherein said nozzle assembly and said canister assembly are pivotally connected together.
14. The upright vacuum cleaner of claim 1 , wherein said dirt collection vessel is a filter bag.
15. The upright vacuum cleaner of claim 1 , wherein said dirt collection vessel is a dirt cup.
16. The upright vacuum cleaner of claim 15 , wherein said dirt cup is substantially cylindrical in shape and includes a tangentially directed inlet.
17. The upright vacuum cleaner of claim 16 , wherein said dirt cup carries a filter.
18. The upright vacuum cleaner of claim 15 , wherein said dirt cup carries a filter.
19. The upright vacuum cleaner of claim 1 , further including a final filter downstream from said suction generator.
20. A method for manufacturing a telescopic wand including a first wand section, a second wand section, a wand lock and a control handle, comprising:
providing said control handle adjacent a first end of said first wand section;
providing said wand lock adjacent a second end of said first wand section; and
providing a control trigger for said wand lock adjacent said control handle and remote from said wand lock.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US11/196,605 US20060026791A1 (en) | 2004-08-04 | 2005-08-03 | Upright vacuum cleaner incorporating telescopic wand assembly with trigger operation |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US59874804P | 2004-08-04 | 2004-08-04 | |
US11/196,605 US20060026791A1 (en) | 2004-08-04 | 2005-08-03 | Upright vacuum cleaner incorporating telescopic wand assembly with trigger operation |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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US20060026791A1 true US20060026791A1 (en) | 2006-02-09 |
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Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US11/196,605 Abandoned US20060026791A1 (en) | 2004-08-04 | 2005-08-03 | Upright vacuum cleaner incorporating telescopic wand assembly with trigger operation |
Country Status (4)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20060026791A1 (en) |
CN (1) | CN1739438A (en) |
CA (1) | CA2514530A1 (en) |
GB (1) | GB2416679A (en) |
Cited By (15)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20060282976A1 (en) * | 2005-06-14 | 2006-12-21 | Ross Richardson | Vacuum Cleaner |
US20090000054A1 (en) * | 2007-06-29 | 2009-01-01 | Leonard Hampton | Vacuum Cleaner Cleanout System |
US9282866B2 (en) | 2009-12-22 | 2016-03-15 | Ab Electrolux | Vacuum cleaner with retractable auxiliary suction hose |
WO2016141953A1 (en) | 2015-03-06 | 2016-09-15 | Alfred Kärcher Gmbh & Co. Kg | Vacuum cleaner |
USD779754S1 (en) * | 2014-12-11 | 2017-02-21 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | Handle for a vacuum cleaner |
USD781516S1 (en) * | 2014-09-04 | 2017-03-14 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd | Cleaner |
USD782137S1 (en) * | 2014-09-04 | 2017-03-21 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd | Cleaner |
WO2017207071A1 (en) * | 2016-05-30 | 2017-12-07 | Alfred Kärcher Gmbh & Co. Kg | Vacuum cleaner having operating unit for a length-adjustable tube device |
USRE47623E1 (en) | 2008-12-24 | 2019-10-01 | Midea America, Corp. | Vacuum cleaner handle lock and valve control |
US11129510B2 (en) * | 2019-01-23 | 2021-09-28 | Omachron Intellectual Property Inc. | Surface cleaning apparatus, cyclonic air treatment member and surface cleaning apparatus including the same |
US11135602B2 (en) * | 2019-01-23 | 2021-10-05 | Omachron Intellectual Property Inc. | Surface cleaning apparatus, cyclonic air treatment member and surface cleaning apparatus including the same |
US11213832B2 (en) * | 2019-01-23 | 2022-01-04 | Omachron Intellectual Property Inc. | Surface cleaning apparatus, cyclonic air treatment member and surface cleaning apparatus including the same |
US11219906B2 (en) * | 2019-01-23 | 2022-01-11 | Omachron Intellectual Property Inc. | Surface cleaning apparatus, cyclonic air treatment member and surface cleaning apparatus including the same |
US20220386837A1 (en) * | 2021-05-31 | 2022-12-08 | Rushi Parikh | Universal accessory for enhancing floor cleaning and hair trapping for a plurality of vacuum devices |
USD972720S1 (en) | 2021-02-04 | 2022-12-13 | Angiodynamics, Inc. | Port for aspiration device |
Families Citing this family (9)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB2439915B (en) * | 2006-07-08 | 2011-05-11 | Hoover Ltd | Wand arrangement for vacuum cleaner |
US9480373B2 (en) | 2009-03-13 | 2016-11-01 | Omachron Intellectual Property Inc. | Surface cleaning apparatus |
US9392916B2 (en) | 2009-03-13 | 2016-07-19 | Omachron Intellectual Property Inc. | Surface cleaning apparatus |
US9427122B2 (en) | 2009-03-13 | 2016-08-30 | Omachron Intellectual Property Inc. | Surface cleaning apparatus |
IT1401526B1 (en) | 2010-08-13 | 2013-07-26 | Omec Spa | TELESCOPIC EXTENSION, IN PARTICULAR FOR A APPLIANCE, AND ITS ELECTRODOMESTIC |
GB2541145B (en) * | 2014-05-29 | 2021-01-13 | Omachron Intellectual Property Inc | Surface cleaning apparatus |
ITUB20161063A1 (en) | 2016-02-25 | 2017-08-25 | Omec Spa | Compact telescopic extension for a household appliance and related appliance |
WO2019120542A1 (en) * | 2017-12-21 | 2019-06-27 | Aktiebolaget Electrolux | Vacuum cleaner |
CN112493919B (en) * | 2020-11-04 | 2022-02-11 | 桃源县第四中学 | Cleaning sanitary appliance possesses foldable cleaning device of dust absorption function |
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US1918519A (en) * | 1930-07-16 | 1933-07-18 | Clements Mfg Co | Vacuum cleaner |
US3596946A (en) * | 1970-03-09 | 1971-08-03 | Wooster Brush Co The | Cam lock for telescopic members |
US4489980A (en) * | 1983-01-31 | 1984-12-25 | Everest & Jennings, Inc. | Adjustable arm rest trigger handle |
US4700429A (en) * | 1986-10-23 | 1987-10-20 | Whirlpool Corporation | Quick release wand for cannister vacuum cleaner |
US4880258A (en) * | 1988-03-07 | 1989-11-14 | Whirlpool Corporation | Vacuum cleaner wand release structure |
US5323506A (en) * | 1993-05-19 | 1994-06-28 | Babitch Bob A | Bathtub scrubbing implement |
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JP2001070211A (en) * | 2000-08-07 | 2001-03-21 | Hitachi Ltd | Vacuum cleaner |
JP2003033311A (en) * | 2001-07-23 | 2003-02-04 | Hitachi Ltd | Vacuum cleaner |
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-
2005
- 2005-08-03 CA CA002514530A patent/CA2514530A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2005-08-03 US US11/196,605 patent/US20060026791A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2005-08-04 GB GB0516040A patent/GB2416679A/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2005-08-04 CN CNA2005100981094A patent/CN1739438A/en active Pending
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US3596946A (en) * | 1970-03-09 | 1971-08-03 | Wooster Brush Co The | Cam lock for telescopic members |
US4489980A (en) * | 1983-01-31 | 1984-12-25 | Everest & Jennings, Inc. | Adjustable arm rest trigger handle |
US4700429A (en) * | 1986-10-23 | 1987-10-20 | Whirlpool Corporation | Quick release wand for cannister vacuum cleaner |
US4880258A (en) * | 1988-03-07 | 1989-11-14 | Whirlpool Corporation | Vacuum cleaner wand release structure |
US5349977A (en) * | 1991-04-05 | 1994-09-27 | Wood Maurice S | Adjustable walker |
US5388892A (en) * | 1993-04-02 | 1995-02-14 | Tornero; Lino E. | Mechanism for the relative positioning of telescoping members |
US5323506A (en) * | 1993-05-19 | 1994-06-28 | Babitch Bob A | Bathtub scrubbing implement |
US5459901A (en) * | 1994-01-14 | 1995-10-24 | Bissell Inc. | Hose and wand assembly for water extraction machine |
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US6279196B2 (en) * | 1995-11-06 | 2001-08-28 | Bissell Homecare, Inc. | Upright water extraction cleaning machine |
US6148474A (en) * | 1998-04-22 | 2000-11-21 | Matsushita Electric Corporation Of America | Vacuum cleaner and wand assembly |
US6073300A (en) * | 1999-01-08 | 2000-06-13 | Royal Appliance Mfg. Co. | Valve assembly for carpet extractor |
US6247202B1 (en) * | 1999-06-04 | 2001-06-19 | The Hoover Company | Carpet extractor fluid supply system |
US6695352B2 (en) * | 2001-01-29 | 2004-02-24 | Lg Electronics Inc. | Extension tube in vacuum cleaner |
US6412843B1 (en) * | 2001-04-18 | 2002-07-02 | Remco Products Corporation | Collapsible shovel |
US6681442B2 (en) * | 2001-05-21 | 2004-01-27 | The Hoover Company | Apparatus and method for cleaning a surface |
US7350263B2 (en) * | 2003-02-26 | 2008-04-01 | Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd | Electric vacuum cleaner |
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Cited By (18)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20060282976A1 (en) * | 2005-06-14 | 2006-12-21 | Ross Richardson | Vacuum Cleaner |
US20090000054A1 (en) * | 2007-06-29 | 2009-01-01 | Leonard Hampton | Vacuum Cleaner Cleanout System |
USRE47623E1 (en) | 2008-12-24 | 2019-10-01 | Midea America, Corp. | Vacuum cleaner handle lock and valve control |
US9282866B2 (en) | 2009-12-22 | 2016-03-15 | Ab Electrolux | Vacuum cleaner with retractable auxiliary suction hose |
USD782137S1 (en) * | 2014-09-04 | 2017-03-21 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd | Cleaner |
USD781516S1 (en) * | 2014-09-04 | 2017-03-14 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd | Cleaner |
USD779754S1 (en) * | 2014-12-11 | 2017-02-21 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | Handle for a vacuum cleaner |
WO2016141953A1 (en) | 2015-03-06 | 2016-09-15 | Alfred Kärcher Gmbh & Co. Kg | Vacuum cleaner |
WO2017207071A1 (en) * | 2016-05-30 | 2017-12-07 | Alfred Kärcher Gmbh & Co. Kg | Vacuum cleaner having operating unit for a length-adjustable tube device |
US11129510B2 (en) * | 2019-01-23 | 2021-09-28 | Omachron Intellectual Property Inc. | Surface cleaning apparatus, cyclonic air treatment member and surface cleaning apparatus including the same |
US11135602B2 (en) * | 2019-01-23 | 2021-10-05 | Omachron Intellectual Property Inc. | Surface cleaning apparatus, cyclonic air treatment member and surface cleaning apparatus including the same |
US11213832B2 (en) * | 2019-01-23 | 2022-01-04 | Omachron Intellectual Property Inc. | Surface cleaning apparatus, cyclonic air treatment member and surface cleaning apparatus including the same |
US11219906B2 (en) * | 2019-01-23 | 2022-01-11 | Omachron Intellectual Property Inc. | Surface cleaning apparatus, cyclonic air treatment member and surface cleaning apparatus including the same |
US11524306B2 (en) | 2019-01-23 | 2022-12-13 | Omachron Intellectual Property Inc. | Surface cleaning apparatus, cyclonic air treatment member and surface cleaning apparatus including the same |
US11642681B2 (en) | 2019-01-23 | 2023-05-09 | Omachron Intellectual Property Inc. | Surface cleaning apparatus, cyclonic air treatment member and surface cleaning apparatus including the same |
US11786918B2 (en) | 2019-01-23 | 2023-10-17 | Omachron Intellectual Property Inc. | Surface cleaning apparatus, cyclonic air treatment member and surface cleaning apparatus including the same |
USD972720S1 (en) | 2021-02-04 | 2022-12-13 | Angiodynamics, Inc. | Port for aspiration device |
US20220386837A1 (en) * | 2021-05-31 | 2022-12-08 | Rushi Parikh | Universal accessory for enhancing floor cleaning and hair trapping for a plurality of vacuum devices |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
GB0516040D0 (en) | 2005-09-14 |
GB2416679A (en) | 2006-02-08 |
CN1739438A (en) | 2006-03-01 |
CA2514530A1 (en) | 2006-02-04 |
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Legal Events
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AS | Assignment |
Owner name: PANASONIC CORPORATION OF NORTH AMERICA, NEW JERSEY Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:FISCHER, RICHARD J.;HAFLING, DANIELLE M.;HITZELBERGER, J. ERIK;REEL/FRAME:016481/0377;SIGNING DATES FROM 20050721 TO 20050802 |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |