US2094138A - Suction cleaner - Google Patents

Description

H. a. WHITE 2,0949@ sUcTIoN CLEANR Filed March l2, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet l 23 Y INVENTOR l '8 @PU/; Wm@

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ATTORN EY SUCTION CLEANER Filed March 12, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR ATTORNEY motor by vshifting the belt from contact with in which:

carpet contacting member' and for the obvious Figure 4 is an enlargeddetail view in section 20 5? ssiiinngers carrying mugs si their puter eggs psrsuelvwitii the axis or a. combir'iea-bnisn and *www ses. 28,1931 12,094,138

.assises i suegros:

Harry B. White. Canton, 01min, assigner to The Hoover Company, North Canton, 0h10, a corporation oi Ohio Appiicsiion Maren 1e, 19st, serial Ns. 68,375 s claims. ici. v4-242.5)

This invention relates to improvements in which separate as they approach the pulley thus lsuction cleaners and more particularly to a de- 'shifting the belt therefrom. vice for disengasins the belt driven brush or A preferredembodiment of the beltshifting beater roll of asuction cleaner from the driving device is disclosed in the accompanying drawings its driving pulley. Figure l is a general-view inside elevation of As well known in the, suction cleaning art, `a suction cleaner showing the operating memsome types of cleaners are equipped with robers for shifting the driving belt into land out tary brushes or beaters mounted in the nozzle of driving connection with its pulley; 1 0 for promoting .greater cleaning eectiveness, Figure 2 is afragmentary view showing the 10 these rolls being belt driven from a driving pul' .external operating handle ,shifted from on" ley on the same shaft that carries the suction 'position shown in' Figurejl to the "oiT posifan. Now, for ordinary cleaning operations in tion with arrows indicating the direction in which whichthe cleaner is maneuvered over the iloor the handle, is tobe turned to restore the belt i5 covering to be cleaned, there is no occasion for to its driving position; k i 15.- rendering the' roll inoperative. but wherer the vFigure 3 is a v iew infront elevation of the cleaner is designed to function withy dusting cleaner showing the location of the belt shifttools, it is desirable if not necessary to provide ing device withrelation `to the nozzle, fan chamfor the temporary disengagement of this rotary ber and other essential parts of'thecleaner';

' reason that. havingconverted the cleaner from taken on line 4--4 of vFigure lshowing. the exsci-called on-the-iioor to "oil-the-iloor operaternal operating handle for the belt shifting tion through the agency vof the dusting tools, device;`v unduel carpet wear will result if the cleaner is Figure 5 is a detailed view slightly enlarged allowed to operate for any length of time in one showing the belt and belt shifter housingl in lon- '25 position. Moreove the driving of the roll under gitudinal section as taken on line 5 5 of Figthese conditions involves a needless consumption ure 3; i

' of power. p Figures 6, 7, and 8. are enlarged detailed views It has been the practice heretofore, to coverthe in cross section through the belt shifting mechspace, occupied by the driving belt with a reanism astaken on lines 6 8, 1-1, and 8-8 res0 movable bottom plate, whichl permitted accessV vspectively, of Figure 5: to the belt for its temporary disengagement from Figure 9 is a view duplicating the showing of its pulley by hand, at the same time replacing Figure 5, but with the belt in its shifted position the bottom plate with a 'special lfitting or at and disengagedfrom its driving-pulley; 3 iachment for the hose to be used with the dust* Figure 1o is an enlarged detailed view in cross 35' ing tools, said fitting or converter member. usual` section as taken on lin'e vIll--I of Figure 9-and ly fitting over the inlet opening to the fan. corresponds to theshowing of Figure 7, but with- 'chamber and at the same time closing oif all the parts in b emsmftedposiuon;

other passages thereto. i Figure 11 isa perspective view of one of they 40 Thus, with the foregoing introduction to the belt shifting elementngers with the roller reproblem of suctioncleaer operation with which. moved and l the vpresent invention isv particularly concerned, Figure 12 is a perspective view of the various it may be stated that Vits principal object is to garts'of'the operating pinion and handle in posi- 5)provide means whereby the belt driving the rotion for assembly. 5

4L tary brush or beater roll may-'bedisengage'd or The -invention is incorporated. in asuction .shifted fromv driving contact with its pulley,v .cleaner of the portable', hand-irianeuvered type WithOllt removing any parte! the cleaner calins consisting generally of a casing supported upon or manipulating the belt' by hand and, without wheels and provided with a nozzle portion com- 'having to stop the driving motor if it is ,not municating with afanchamber inwnich amotor w desired todo e0. e" 1 driven fan is mounted and leading to a dust bag.

Essentially, the invention embodies a novel or receptacle through-an exhaust outlet. In the belt shifting mechanism consisting primarily `present disclosure, the cleaner is'more particucfa pair of lingers or arms which are shiftable larly characterized by the fact-that the axis of lengthwise between the two leads of the belt. rotation ofthe motor and fan is horizontal and 55 ranged brush elements (not shown).

directly, connected with the fan 3, (a portion of which is shown at the right hand of the housing I in Figure 3). this fanpbeing'mounted upon an extension of a motor shaft 2a.. Immediatelyin front of the cylindric housingel and extending transversely across the Ifront of the cleaner is the nozzle Ia, having a'downwardly facing suction mouth or openingl and having theformof an arched chamber in which is located the agitator l consisting primarily of a cylindric metal shell with helically arranged beater elements' la projecting from its surface; as well as suitably ardric shellof the agitator is journaled on a shaft 5 which in turn is supported in a bearing 6 mounted at each end of the nozzle chamber.

As clearly shown in Figure 3 there is provided at either end of the cylindric housing I of the casing a pair of symmetrically arranged passageways or conduits 1 and 8, extending forwardly and downwardly from each end of the cylindric housing I and opening at their lower ends into the nozzlechamber at points disposed inwardly from the outer ends thereof. The passageway 1 on the right hand side of the cleaner forms the air passage from the nozzle chamber to the fan chamber 9, the same being that portion of the cylindric housing I enclosing the fan and communicating with the upper end of the passage 1 through an inlet opening or eye I0 formed in the end wall of the housing separating the fan chamber from the air inlet passage 1 and concentric with the axis of the fan; The fan chamber 9 has direct communication with an exhaust passage I I extending rearwardly from the housing I, and thence with a dust bag I2, removablyattached at its inlet end to the nanged end of the exhaust outlet II. And nnally, to complete the general assembly of the cleaner, wheels il-II are mounted at the forward and rear ends of the cleaner casing, whereby the cleaner is maneuvered over the carpet, being guided and manually propelled through a handle I4, the lower end portion of which is shown pivotally connected to the casing, immediately above and to the rear of the cylindric housin I thereof.. v

Referring now to the inclined passage 8 on the left hand side of the cylindric housing I, the same is substantially a counterpart of the air inlet passage 1 at the opposite end of the housing and while it also communicates at its lower end with the nozzle chamber, it is closed oi! from the housing I at its upper end except for an opening in the `end wall of the housing for the motor shaft bearing Il (Figure 6) and the extension ofthe shaft forming the driving pulley II. 'I'his pulley is located in the upper'end of the passage and carries a driving belt I1 having driving connection in an annular groove 4b on the agitator l.

Before considering. the belt shifting device, it may be observed that access to the interior 'of the passageway I is made possible by constructing the entire upper endportion thereof in the form of a removable cover plate Il, having a substantially semi-'circular flanged upper end portion Ila bearing ilatwise against the end wall of the housing I and` suitably fastened in place by means of a manually operative latch member I9 engaging the flanged edgeof the removable cover, coupled with a locking finger IIb at the lower inside edge '0f Thus. referring to Figures 1 and 2, Y

The cylinthe cover. Also. it is to be observed that the removable cover section la of the belt passageway 8 forms the supporting member for the belt shifting device and when the cover section is removed, the shifting device is removed with it. Needless to say, it is first necessary to retract the belt shifting device into its non-operating position before the cover section can be removed. Y

Referring now to Figures 5 and 6 it will be noted I that a pair of spaced guide members 2li-2l are `riveted or otherwise secured to the inner face of the removable cover section Il, the same bei!!! disposed in parallel relation to the direction of the belt and are provided along the opposed inner edges with offset flanged portions 20a-20a forming parallel guide-ways for a sliding plate 2 I, having oifset marginal tracks 2Ia engaging said guide-ways. Extending lengthwise of the sliding plate 2l is a slot 2lb. having semi-circular ends and a series of rack teeth 2Ic cut along its upper edge. Pivotally mounted at the upper end of the sliding plate 2|, that is, 'the end adjacent the driving pulley I8. are pivotally mounted a pair of arms 22-22, each consisting of a frame slightly.

' imaginary line passing (through the axis of the agitator and pulley I0 and deilninglthe path of en dwise sliding movement of the plate 2 I. From their point of pivotal connection with the sliding plate 2|, these arms extend forwardly and approximately parallel with each other, but owing to a slight curvature at their outer nds they4 normally assume the slight convexe relationship shown in Figure 5. Carried at the outer ends of the arms 22-22, are rollers 24 journaled Aon bearing pins 25 supported in holes formed in the slightly curved outer ends of the side frame members 22a-22a. as clearly shown in Figures 7 and ll. f

Leaving the arms 22-22, for the moment, at-I tention is directed to a boss 42l, formed on the inside face of the removable housing section Il immediately adjacent the end of the driving pulley I6 (see Figures 5, 7, and 8). 'I'his boss 23;. which in reality is but a portion of the outer wall of the housing section Il of increased thickness, is generally heart shaped and disposed symmetrically with respect to the imaginary center line of the belt, the upper and larger end portion e of the boss extending a short distance beyond the pulley Il and converging to a blunt point below and on the opposite side of the pulley and a short distance from the ends of tracks 2&-22 supporting the plate 2I. Formed in the face of the boss 28 is a pair of complementary cam grooves 28a-26a, arranged in V-shaped conformation disposed and symmetrically with respect to the puney ls, that 1s, with the angle included between the two grooves being bisected by the imaginary center line of the belt. Again referring to riure 5. it -wi11 be noted that the two cam grooves 26a- 20a diverge from the base of the boss 2l and, upon approaching the pulley Il assume a curvilinear path around the pulley ilnally terminating a short distance therebeyond. Now, coacting with the cam grooves 26a-20a.

are cam followers Ila-25a at the outer end of the arms 2222, the same having the form of ylliul'e '7. These cam yfollowers lie outside of Jthe sluiting device be normally positioned as shown in Figure 5, that is, with the plate 2i shifted to the left into its extreme-retracted position, the arms are drawn closely together and'disposed at a distance from the pulley i8 with the belt engaging rollers 2d at their outer ends in contact with each other andjout of contact with the belt. Hence, in the normal operation of the cleaner,

' the belt shifter is inoperative and the agitator 6 j is driven in the usual manner.l However, if the plate 2i is shifted endwise and towards the driving pulley i8 topthe position shown in Figure 9,.

' the arms 22--22, manifestly follow the cam erated while the cleaner is in opera-tion, the belt merely sets the rollers 24 rotating as contact takes 23a-28a.' first approaching the pulley along divergent paths. -In the meantime, thel rollers ci' the heit and as the arms continue to spread apart they eventually embrace the pulleyand-in so doing lift the belt entirely out of contact .therewith and transfer it on to the rollers iid- 26. In the event that the belt shifting jdevice isopplace therebetween, and continue to rotate until the beit isI lifted from the driving pulley i6, whereupon the beit comes to rest although the driving pulley continues to rotate with the motor. Ithardly need he added that while the belt is disconnected from the pullesnthe agitator remains inoperative and that the belt is reconnected with the driving 'pulley by shifting the plate '2l in the opposite direction thus restoring the parts 'to the positions disclosed-ln Figure 5.

Referringv now to the means for operating the beltI shifting device, the same comprises a pinion 1 il meshing `vvith the rack tlc along ythe top edge and overlying the path traversed by the outeri ci the longitudinal slot in the plate i and mount..

ed at one end oi a stub shalt g8 journalled in A the outer wall oilthehousing vsection is, said shaft carrying at its outer end a handle 29 by means oi whichthe pinion is rotated, and belt shifting device operated hy hand from the exterior oi the mlt'housing.

The operating handle 39 and the pinion, 2li

lare so arranged este shift the plate 2i from one end to the other of its stroke with complete tum ci the shaft 2B. In other words, one revolution of the handle in one direction shifts thebelt from ing section it has a pointed nger aamnged radiallywith respect to the axis of the shaft 28 end of the handle ewhich has an upstanding mob 29s. Immediately beneath the handle and in radial alignment with the stop nnger Seis a ilat leai' spring Si serving to yieldinsly hold the andle t in its extreme positions by means of a i puney'of a wir of spreader shmable tm ward and from said pulley-in substantial align- -m pair oi' projections ilio-tlaengaging a corresponding recess 29h in the undersid ,of the liandieV 29. The handle position ret g spring 3i is partially held in place 'by the stub shalt 28 passing through its nxed 'end and also by a radiallyproiecting ear Sib which is riveted to the housing wall at 32 (Figure i) As clearly shown A 3 in Figure i, the handle -2 contacts with the stop l0 with the knob 29a e aging a recess on the llower edge of the ilnger'illa. This' is the "On position of the handle wherein thevbelt l] has ,itsv normal driving connectionfwith the pulley I8.

For convenience the word"belt" is indicated on the face of the finger 30a and the word On is stamped on the handle' 29, the wordsvfbelt on.

indicating to the operator that the belt-is on its pulley and in readiness to drive the agitator. Now, by rotating the handle 29 in a counterclockwise direction to the position shown in Figure 2,- the device is actuated to shift the belt from the fil driving pulley i6 and the handle 28 bears against the upper edge of thestop vfinger 30a and held For a complete disclosure of the pinion and haniid-l Contact the inner faces of both leads dle assembly attention is directed to Figure 12, showing the various parts ofthe assembly in their in the art including the squarev end shaft '28 lor mounting the pinion and handle, the utilization4 of .washers and screws engaging threaded sockets together. r 4 Enumerating the adva tages of the herein disclosed type oi belt shiite as applied to a suction relative positions, all of which is common practice vin the ends of the shaft for assembling the parts cleaner or removing any part thereof, in order to disengage and engage vthe agitator. also, of the device is the facility with which the belt may be shifted to and from the driving pulley while the cleaner is -in operation.

Having thus disclosed a preferred embo of the invention: v

' I claimt l. In a heit shiftingdevice, the combination of a driving pulley, a driven pulley and a belt con- 'necting said pulleys, of a supporting member,

ent

mounted in the plane of said belt. and shiftable vtoward and from onel of said pulleys, a pair ofl arms carried by said supporting member and prof vided at their free ends with belt engaging rollers,

fand means for spreading said arms apart in the movement oi said supporting member toward said pulley to shirt said belt therefrom and onto said A rollers. its driving pulley and turning the handle in the the belt to agitator4 e. m a een sierung device, the combination of a ldriving pulley; a driven member and a belt con l necting said driving pulley with said driven inem-v her, of apair of spreader-arms provided at their free ends with heit engaging rollers' located inthe plane of said heit andshiftable toward and from said driving pulley and means acting to spread said arms during theymovement of said rollers toward said pulley and into position to shift said belt onto' said rollers.

3, In a belt shifting device, the combination of a driving pulley, a driven member-and a belt confeature necting said driven member-with said driving ment with the leads of said belt and provided at their outer ends with belt engaging rollers and means for spreading said arms apart during their their movement toward said pulley to bring said rollers into contact with opposite leads of said belt and thence into positions to support said belt tree of said pulley.

4. In a belt shitting device. the combination of a driving pulley, a driven member and belt connecting said driving pulley with said driven member, of a manually shiftable support movable toward and from said driving pulley in line with said belt, a pair of spreader arms pivotally mounted on said support and provided at their outer ends with belt engaging rollers and co-acting cam members operating to spread said arms apart to bring said rollers into contact with said belt on opposite sides of said pulley and thence into positions to transfer said belt onto .said

rollers. l

5. in a beit' shifting device, the combination with a driving pulley. a driven member, a belt connecting said driving pulley with said driven member and a housing enclosing said belt, of a supporting member slidably mounted on said housing and shiftable toward and from said drivving pulley substantially in the plane of said belt.

apair oi spreader arms pivotally mounted on said support and provided with belt engaging rollers engaging grooves formed in the adjacent face of said housing, whereby said arms are successively .spread apart as they approach said pulley to engage said belt and remove said belt from said pulley.

. HARRY B. WHITE.v

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