US2175647A - Air-method cleaner antechamber type - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 10, 1939. REPLQGLE 2,175,647

AIR-METHOD CLEANER ANI'ECH'AIBER TYPE Original 'Filed Dec. 28, 1936 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Oct. 10, 1939. o. a. REPLOGLE 2,175,647

AIR-NETEOD CLBKNER ANTECHAHBI ZR TYPE 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Originai Filed Dec. 28, 1936 Gum;

Oct. 10, 1939. D. B. REPLOGLE AIR-METHOD CLEANER ANTECHAMBER TYPE Original Filed Dec. 28, 1936 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Oct. 10, 1939. B REPLQGLE 2,175,647

AIR-METHOD CLEANER ANTE'CHAIBER TYPE Original Filed Dec. 28, 1936 5 Sheets Sheet 4 DBL/P5120645 0d. 10, 1939. Q LE 2,175,647

AIR-METHOD 014mm ANTECHAMBER TYPE- Original F'iled Dec. 28, 1936 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 1 m1 onk c Patented Oct. 10, 1939 UNITED STATES AIR-biETHOD cmmn m'rsc Daniel Benson Beplorie, Berkeley, war

to The Ohio Citizens Company, Toledo,

Ohio, a corporation of Ohio, as trustee Application December-28, 1936, Serial No. 118,013

Renewed August I, 1939 6Claims.

cleaner includes a relatively slender tubular 10 member which houses an air filter. An enlarged extension or casing is attached at one end of the slender tubular member and servos as a housing for the suction producing means, said casing being provided with discharge outlets at the end 15 remote from-the air filter housing.

A rotatable floor tool may be removably carried by the body of the cleaner, its outlet pipe being connectedto the power plant casing. At the inner end of the tubular filter casing is a cap zo'or ante-chamber, removable to permitemptying the dirt from the air filter or replacing the old filter by a new one. This cap isprovided with an inlet for dust laden air which communicates with a pipe adapted to be connected to the out- 25 let .pipe of the fioor tool, or to be removed from connection therewith and used for cleaning walls, furniture and the like. Means are provided for locking the cap to the top of thefilter housing or caddy when the parts are in sweeping 30 position and for releasing the cap for its removal when the parts are in an intermediate position. This locking and unlocking operation may be accomplished by means of a rotating member which is also adapted to serve as a han- 35 die grip for moving the cleaner to and fro across the floor and for withdrawing the cap.-

Other. features of the invention will be apparent from the accompanying drawings and the following detailed description in which are set go forth for the purpose of illustration various specific embodiments of the inventive thought, it being understood that such embodiments are not intended to limit the invention to the precise de-' .tailstherein set forth. 45.v In the drawings: f

Fig. 1 is a side elevation ofthe apparatus in floor cleaning position, partsbeing shown in section.

. Fig.2 st. section .on line r-z .of Fig. 1161i a' so lar er wi Figs, 3a and 3b .are plan views of the upp r .and lpwer portions of the cleaner respectively.

Fi gsiissa detailedview showing the clamping Fig.5 isan enlarged side elevation of the upper plant includes portion of thecleaner illustrating the mode of locking and unlocking the cap or ante-chamber 4 from the caddy.

- Fig. 6. is a detailed view showing the enlarged motor housing with the floor tool connected 5 .therewith through its outlet pipe.

Fig. 7 is a section on line 1-1 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 8 is a detailed view of the upper portion of the cleaner showing the cap or ante-chamber member partially removed from the caddy. 10

Fig. 9 is a detailed view showing the chime ring attached to the top of the caddy.

Figs. 10, 11 and 12 are side elevations largely diagrammatic in character illustrating the operation of the cleaner.

Fig. 13 is a. side elevation showing a modified form of the cleaner wherein the filter remains within the caddy when the cap isremoved.

a Fig. 14 is a. detailed view of the caddy cap assembly or ante-chamber member/ Fig. 15 is a detailed view showing the mounting ondthe upper portion 0! the air filter within the ca dy. a Fig. 16 is a top view looking into the caddy in Fig. 15. v

Fig. 1'7 is a view illustrating the locking and unlocking of the ante-chamber member.

Fig. 18 is a side elevation illustrating the mode of emptying the dust from thecaddy.

Fig. 19 is a side elevation of another modification.

Fig. 20-is a section showing the interior of the ante-chamber and the upper portion of. the caddy.-

Fig. 21 is a view illustrating the locking and releasing of the ante-chamber member.

Referring to the modification illustrated in Figs. 1 to 12- inclusive, the cleaner comprises a caddy or body member including a slender tube Ill serving as a housing for the air filter and a 49 somewhat enlargedextension ll serving as a casing'for the power plant II which serves to produce suction; at one end and a blowing operationat the other. As illustrated the power fans driven thereby. The caddy members .llfand ll may be composed of any suitable light weight material as hard fiber, Bakelite or'aluminum, but

preferably non-conducting materials such as fiber or Bakelite are employed. 'The joint between 50 the two .sections may be made fluid tight but. separable by shrinking the nipple on the extension member over the end of the tube II, this being accomplished by soaking and subsequentlydrying. the nipple where the parts are composed an electric motor and multiple of hard fiber or hygrometric material, as more particularly described in my application Serial No. 97,057 filed August 20, 1936.

As shown the extension member II is provided with a pair of laterally extending outlets l3 to either or both of which extension tubes may be applied and the device employed as a blower as for example when it is desirable to blow the dust into close proximity with the fioor tool. In the embodiment shown an outlet pipe ll for the fioor tool I5 is formed integrally with the motor casing as by casting. The floor tool I5 is preferably reversible and of the double mouth type illustrated in my application Serial No. 105,789 filed October 15, 1936, which application may be referred to for details of construction of said floor tool.

At the lower end of the motor casing adjacent the reversible fioor tool there is provided a casw ing I6, the interior of which may be formed as a reflector which contains a lamp Il adapted to illuminate the floor while the sweeping takes place. The lamp is provided with an extension cord l8 which in turn may be supplied from the g5 cord I! that supplies current to the power plant. Suitable plugs may be provided so as to permit separation of the members 10 and H of the caddy. As shown current is supplied through a conductor passing through the tube Ill which in turn so is provided with a plug 2| adapted to be attached to an extension cord supplied from the wall socket or the like. Where the tubular members In and II are composed of non-conducting material it will be apparent that all danger of short circuiting is avoided.

and neat in appearance. .Such a tube is very cheaply constructed particularly where hard fiber is employed and is adapted to receive a high polish. The tube may bereplaced at any time and is readily attached or detached from the member ll permitting repairs to the motor and access to the air filter. Any suitable air filtering and dust collecting means may be employed within the tube II but I prefer to use the combination of an inner paper dust collecting bag 22 and an outer reinforcing net fabric 23 which may be of coarse mesh cloth, wire, or the like and which serves to prevent direct contact of the inner bag flow of air.

As shown the upper end of the tube III is provided with a cap or ante-chamber member generally designated by the numeral 24. In the embodiment now being described the innerbag ,22 is attached to the cap or ante-chamber mem-x ber but may be separate therefrom as illustrated in a modification to be later described. The cap or ane-chamber member includes a funnel 23 having a reduced neck 26 to which the mouth of the paper bag is suitably attached in such a manner as to permit ready removal of the bag and ready replacement of anew bag.

The ante-chamber member or cap may be provided witha transparent top 21 to permit viewing the interior and if desired a lamp 23 may be employed for illuminating the interior. A lower transparent window 23in the wall of the funnel 23 may also be employed. Preferably a netting 7o 33' extends across the interior of the cap to prevent solid particles from entering the bag. 7

At one side of thecap or ante-chamber is mounted a rotatable L or nipple- 3! which communicates with the interior of the cap and through which dust laden air enters. As shown ,The tubular member In may be light, smallwith the walls of the casing, thus insuring a freea deflector 32' is provided at the mouth of the nipple and within the cap which is adapted to impart a whirling motion to the air and particles of dust entering the cleaner. To the nipple there is attached a tubular extension 33 preferably in the form of a flexible hose having a rigid portion at the remote end thereof which is adapted to serve as a nozzle or as a connection to the outlet pipe ll of the floor tool, the connection being removable. A wheeled bracket 34 may be connected to the pipe H to serve as a support for the weight of the cleaner, this wheeled bracket acting in cooperation with the wheels at the ends of the floor tool. Suitable means are provided for locking and unlocking the ante-chamber or cap. The cap is adapted to be locked when the cleaner is in working position and unlocked when it is desired to remove the cap for emptying or replacing the air filter.

As shown the housing Hi is provided with a chime ring 35 at the upper end thereof (Fig. 9) such ring being provided with a pairof laterally extending lugs 36. The cap member is provided with a loop 31 adapted to fit over one of the lugs. The rotatable nipple or L-member 3| has associated and rotatable therewith a clamping ring 38 having a cam groove 39 within which the other .lug 36 is adapted to fit, there being an opening 40 adjacent the center of the cam groove to permit the lug to enter or to be withdrawn. A handle grip 4| may be associated with the clamping mechanism such grip serving also for moving the cleaner to and fro across the floor and serving also as a, handle for withdrawing the cap when released from the caddy. This handle also serves to lift the end of the hose pipe 33 from its socket in the end of the floor tool outlet pipe II when the handle is turned downwardly as indicated in Fig. 11. A suitable gasket 42 of rubber or the like material is inserted between the cap and the top of the caddy, said cap being compressed as the handle grip is rotated with its cam action. When the lug 36 is at one or the other end of the cam groove the gasket will be tightly compressed and a fluid tight fit insured.

The operation of the cleaner is indicated in Figs. 10, 11 and 12. In Fig. 10 the cleaner is shown in working position for ordinary floor sweeping purposes, the handle grip being turned upwardly and the end of the suction pipe 33 being inserted in the door tool outlet pipe. The cleaner may be drawn to and fro across the floor to perform the ordinary sweeping operation.

In Fig. 11 the handle grip has been moved to the downward position and the tube 33 may then be employed withsuitable extension tools for cleaning walls, ceilings; furniture and the like.

When it becomes necessary to'remove the cap for emptying or replacing the cleaner bag, the

handle grip is moved to a position intermediate 00 the two positions shown in Figs. 10 and 11 as ,illustrated in Fig. 12. This permits the lug 33 to be withdrawn through the opening 43 in the cam groove. The cleaner bag may then be separated from the ante-chamber or cap member and replaced by a new bag, the old one being destroyed together with the contents thereof.

The arrangement shown in Figs. 13 to 18 inelusive is similar to the embodiment previously described. In this form however the L-member -3la. is located below the cap instead of at one 'side as in the previously described embodiment.

In this modification the dust collector is shown as adapted to remin with the caddy when the cap is removed. Any suitable form of dust collector may be employed but as shown such dust collector 50 and an outer L-member 3 lb is extended as at 60' to form a suc-' tion handle to which the flexible tube 6| is attached, said tube/serving as a cushion in the event the cleaner is dropped, so as to prevent breaking of the handle. A hook or the like 62 attached to the filterhousing may be employed for holding the flexible tube. It will be apparent that the lower end of the flexible tube is adapted to be applied to or removed from the socket'at the end of the floor tool outlet pipe in the manner previously descr'bed and the cleaner may be used either for floor sweeping purposes or-for cleaning walls, ceilings, furniture and the like.

The invention has been described in detail for the purpose of illustration but it will be apparent that many variations and modifications may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention.

For example, it will be obvious that various forms of floor tools may beemployed with the apparatus, as substitutes for the one herein specifically illustrated, suitable types being shown for example in my Patents Nos. 1,167,219 dated Jan. 4, 1916; 1,345,550 dated July 6, 1920; 1,994,868 dated Mar. 19, 1935, and in Replogle and Queen Patents Nos. 1,994,872 dated Mar. 19, 1935; 2,012,287 dated Aug. 27, 1935; 2,017,770 dated Oct. 15., 1935. Moreover the tool herein illustrated may be employed with suitable waxin and polishing'attachments as set forth in my Patent No. 2,051,058 dated Aug. 18, 1936. Where a tool is employed having a stub outlet pipe and an oblique joint permitting reversal of the tool, the stub pipe may be attached to the pipe l4, permitting removal and replacement of the tool as illustrated forexample in my application Serial No. 56,384 filed December 27, 1935, now Patent 2,146,763, ,and in my application Serial No.

coarse mesh material such as l 3 95,414 filed Aug. 1, 1936. Whenever desired one floor tool may be substituted for another. This may be readily accomplished where the floor tools are made removable and interchangeable as contemplated in my various patents and pendi g applications.

I claim:

1. In a suction cleaner, an air filter adapted to be connected to a source of suction, a housing for said air filter, a removable cap for said housing, an air inlet pipe section carried by said cap and movable relative thereto, and means actuated by movement of saidpipe section relative to the cap for'locking' or unlocking said cap with reference to the housing.

2. A suction cleaner as set forth in claim 1, wherein the air inlet pipe is mounted at one side of the cap.

3. In a suction cleaner comprising an air filter adapted to be connected to a source of suction, a housing for said air filter, a removable cap for said housing, a handle grip portioncarried byv said cap and movable relative thereto, and means actuated by movement of said handle grip relative to the cap for loc g said cap to said housing; the improvement wherein the handle grip portion is hollow and serves an an inlet for dust laden air entering the housing. I i

4. A suction cleaner as set forth in claim 3, wherein a suction pipe is connected to said hollow grip member at one end and the other end is connectible with a floor tool rigidly connected to the body of the cleaner.

5. A suction cleaner comprising a housing containing an air filter, adapted to be connected to a source of suction, a floor tool rigidly connected .to said housing, 'a suction pipe communicating at one end with said air filter,-and a movable handle connected to the suction pipe which handle in one position permits the suction pipe to be connected to said floor tool and iii-another position serves to withdraw the pipe end from communication with the floor tool.

6. A suction cleaner as set forth in claim 5, wherein the housing is provided with a removable cap having an inlet for dust laden-air from said suction pipe, said handle being carrledby said cap, and means actuated by movement of said handle for looking or unlocking the cap'to or from said housing.

DANIEL BENSON REPLOGLE.

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