US2178006A - Suction cleaner - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 31, 1939.

c. H. TAYLOR SUCTION CLEANER Filed Sept. 28, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet l 6/zarles bf Tag [0r 5. Mad/ ATTO RN EY Oct. 31, 1939. v TAYLOR 2,178,006

SUCTION CLEANER Filed Sept. 28, 1936 I 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR Cfiarles E 729 101 BY a? ATTORN E Y Patented Oct. 31, 1939 REISSUE JUL 211942 Oharles H. Taylor, Northcanton, or to The. Hoover Company,

Ohio, assim- North Canton,

Ohio, a. corporation of Ohio Application September 28, 1936, Serial No. 102,899

11 Claims.

This invention relates toimprovements in suction cleaners and more particularly to an improved nozzle height adjustment mechanism for regulatingthe heightof the nozzle of a suction 5 cleaner above the surface of the carpet to be cleaned. 7

Without entering into a full discussion of the subjectof nozzle height adjustment, it may be stated that the performance of a suction cleaner 10 will vary materially on difierent grades of carpet and chiefly because of the variation-in the thickness and texture of the pile. Heretofore, it has been common practice to regulate the nozzle height by a manual adjusting device, whereby the turning of a knob in one direction or the other raises or lowers, as thecase may be, the front or rear supporting wheels, thereby tilting the body of the cleaner to the desired nozzle height.

This same adjusting operation may be accomplished automatically by mechanism which functions by merely operating a lever, whereupon the nozzle is raised to the proper height for a particular floor covering. An automatic nozzle 25 height adjusting mechanism functioning inthe manner just stated, is the subject matter of an earlier application'filed by me on August 15, 1936,

and bearing Serial Number 96,222.

The object of the present invention is to im- 30 prove somewhat upon the mechanism of the earlier disclosure by utilizing the cleaner handle as an operating lever, thus making it possible to make the adjustment by moving the handle through a predetermined are or to and from' a 35 certain position, and preferably one not occupied by the handle during the normal operation of the cleaner, as for example, its extreme upward and forward position.

The preferred embodiment of the invention is disclosed in the accompanying drawing in which: Figure l is a view in side elevation of a suction cleaner with a-portion of the side wall broken away to show the nozzle adjusting mechanism of the handle advanced to its forwardmost position preparatory to operating the "nozzle adjusting mechanism. I

Figure 2 is.a bottom plan view of the cleaner casing;

Figure 3 is Figure l repeated, but with the handle and nozzle height adjusting mechanism 7 in the position in which the nozzle is resting in contact with the carpet surface. a

Figure 4 is a detailed view in vertical section 5 taken on line.44 of Figure 1, and

v(Cl. 15-16) Figure 5 is adetailed view taken on line 55 of Figure 1.

Referring to the cleaner in its general aspects, the same comprises a main casing I, having a vnozzle portion 2, extending transversely of its 5 forward end and having the form of an elongated chamber with a downwardly facing opening. The casing extends rearwardly from the nozzle portion, gradually converging to a rearwardly opening flanged outlet connection 3 to which is attached a dirt receptacle in the form of a fabric bag 4. Centrally of the casing I is a circular fan chamber 5, visible from the. underside there'- of, and enclosing a fan 6, having direct driving connection with a motor (not shown) enclosed within a dome-like cover or hood I surmounting the casing l. The inlet to the fan chamber has the form of a circular opening or eye 5a, located centrally of the bottom wall of the fanchamber and" concentric with the vertical axis of the fan and its driving motor. Surrounding the rear half of the fan eye 50 and extending forwardly towards the nozzle portion 2, with a slight outward flare is a depending wall 8 curving abruptly through a right angle as it approaches the nozzle and forming the rear wall thereof at its outer ends. This depending wall forms the sides of a passage extending forwardly and communicating with the interior ofthe nozzle 2, said passage being closed at itsbottom'by a plate 9, having an upwardly facing marginal groove bearing against the bottom edge of the wall 8 and suitably lined with a resilient material to form an air tight seal. This bottom plate 9 is shaped to conform with the outline of the wall 8, and preferably comprises, as an integral part thereof, the bottom section of the nozzle portion 2, consisting of a pair of parallel libs 9a, 9a, connected at their ends by means of a pair of end lips 9b, 92). These lips form the relatively wide suction mouth leading to the nozzle chamber immediately above and in which is located a rotating agitator l0, consisting of a cylindric shell having'brush elements Illa, Illa, arranged lengthwise thereof and helically arranged beater elements Illb, I 0b. The bottom plate 9 is removble to uncover the nozzlecha-mher and the passage leading rearwardly therefrom, being detachably held in place by a suitable latch member I l at the. extreme rear end ofthe bottom plate. Also enclosed within the passage from the nozzle chamber tothe fan chamber is a, drive belt l2 engaging a pulley I3 carried at the lower end of the fan 6' and extendingforwardly therefrom engagesfa pulley groove llc midway between the endsof the agitator l0 and immediately above a guard member l4, extending transversely of the suction mouth, as clearly shown in Figure 2.

Again referring to the main casing I, with its centrally disposed circular fan chamber 5, it will be noted that along the edges of the casing and extending rearwardly from the ends of the nozzle 2 are depending curvilinear walls la, la, and between these depending marginal walls la, la, and the outer side walls of the fan chamber 5, are cavities or hollow spaces l5 which have a depth substantially equal to the height of the casing I itself. It is within these cavities enclosed by the marginal side walls la, la, of the casing, that is located the wheeled support for the casing as well as the nozzle adjusting mechanism associated therewith.

The cleaner casing I is supported upon a wheeled frame or carriage on which are mounted a pair of carrier wheels I8, 15 and a pair of rear carriers l1, H. The frame of the carriage is a U-shaped casting l8, pivotally connected centrally of its base portion in a bearing bracket l9 depending from the underside of the fan chamber 5, by means of a transverse pivot pin 20. Extending rearwardly from the pivotal bearing of the frame 18 is a bracket 2| which supports an axle 22 extending transversely thereof and carrying at its outer ends the rear caster wheels I1, I1.

Now, from the point of pivotal connection of the frame member l8 with the underside of the casing l, the lateral extremities thereof curve forwardly within the cavities l5 between the wall of the fan chamber and the outer marginal walls la, l a, of casing l, terminating just rearwardly of the nozzle portion 2, in the form of fork members 23, 23 in which the front wheels l8, l8 are supported, the same being journalled on bearing shafts 24, 24, at the ends of said fork members.

Carried by the chassis It just rearwardly of and above the front wheel supporting members 23, 23 is an inverted U-shaped bail member 25 which forms the lower extremity of the handle of the cleaner and, straddling the dome-like cover 1, projects through longitudinal slots 25, 26 in the top wall of the casing l with its ends pivotally connected to hearing bosses 21, 2! integral with the innermost portion of the chassis frame l8 and projecting laterally and inwardly therefrom (Figure 4). Thus the cleaner handle is carried by the wheeled chassis and quite independently of the casing l.

Associated with the handle bail 25 and located adjacent its position control device which serves to restrain the handle from free swinging movement and to yieldingly hold it in its extreme positions as well as to define its intermediate position or working range. This position control device is already in common use, therefore need not be fully described herein, although the essential parts thereof may be identified and .located. Thus, a cam sector 28 is mounted at the lower end of the handle bail 25 and projecting therebeyond presents a downwardly facing arcuate edge on which are formed three notches, the endmost notches corresponding to the extreme positions of the handle and the intermediate notch being somewhat elongated, corresponding to the intermediate working range. Contacting the notch edge of the sector 28 is a cam roller pivotal connection with the corresponding end of the U-shaped frame l8 andshown near the bottom of Figure 2, is a handle .end to a 1118 31 28 carried at the end of a bell-crank lever 30 pivotally supported intermediate its ends on a pivot pin 3| carried by the carriage frame l8 with its bearing portion projecting laterally inward from the end thereof. The bell-crank lever is acted upon by .a compression spring (not shown) suitably supported upon the carriage frame l8 and serving to hold the cam roller in yielding contact with the handle position control sector 28.

Referring now to the automatic nozzle height adjusting mechanism, the same is interposed between the frame I 8 and the lower end of a bracket 33 fixed to the underside of the casing just rearwardly of the nozzle portion and directly above one of the front wheels l6, namely, the uppermost wheel as shown in Figure 2. This bracket consists of a flat arm projecting downwardly with a slight rearward curvature,

-its lower end terminating just inside of the wheel supporting fork 23 and just rearwardly of the journal pin 24.

However, there is no direct connection between the bracket 33 and the chassis frame I8, but rather an indirect connection through a ratchet sector 34 having pivotal mounting on an extension 24a of the bearing pin 24 projecting inwardly beyond the wheel fork 23 as clearly shown in Figure 2. The ratchet sector 34 has the form of an elongated triangular shaped plate with its apex pivoted on the bearing extension 24a and extending rearwardly therefrom diverges to form an arcuate toothed sector alon its rear edge, This ratchet sector swings in a vertical plane and has pivotal connection intermediate its end somewhat near its apex, with the end of the bracket 33, the latter carrying a laterally projecting pin 33a adjacent its lower end engages a short slot 34a formed in the ratchet sector 34. With this arrangement it is apparent that the ratchet sector forms connecting link or toggle between the casing and the chassis and that by imparting a rocking movement to the ratchet sector a reduced rocking or tilting movement of the casing on its chassis will be produced.

Now, journaledupon the same bearing shaft 24 with the ratchet sector 34 is a lever 35, extending rearwardly just inside the ratchet sector 34 in a substantially horizontal direction and provided at its rear end with a foot pedal 35a projecting laterally from beneath the lower edge of the marginal wall Id of the casing I. This lever 35 is normally held against downward movement by a relatively stiff coil spring 36 attached at one end to the lever just forwardly of its pedal extremity 35a and extending vertically upward, is anchored v at its upper depending from the under side of the chassis frame l8 immediately above.

Andfinally, a pawl 38 is pivotally mounted on the operating lever 35 substantially intermediate its ends and in the plane of the ratchet sector 34. A laterally projecting pin 39 supports the pawl 38 which,.extending in a general upward and forward direction, is provided at its end with several teeth 38a, complementing the teeth of the ratchet sector 34. A torsion spring 40, coiled around the pivot pin 39 with one end hooked over a projection on the lower edge of the operating lever 35 andthe other end around the back edge of the pawl 38 as clearly shown" in Figure 1, acts to yieldingly hold the pawl in engagement with the ratchet sector 34.

Referring to Figures 1 and 5, there will be seen immediately above the pawl 38, an arm 4| depending from the under side of the chassis frame i8, and along the inner side of the pawl, said arm carrying a laterally projecting pin 42 engaging a somewhat triangular shaped slot 38b located in the central portion of the pawl 38. This pin and slot connection serves to impart a cam action to the pawl, throwing it into and out oi engagement I with the ratchet sector 34.; More particularly the pawl as it shifts upwardly and downwardly with the operating lever 35.

The operation of the nozzle adjusting mechanism will be understood from the following discussion:

Let it be assumed that the cleaner has been wheeled onto a carpet preparatory to operation thereon and that the nozzle is elevated above the carpet surface as shown in Figure 1. To'obtain the correct setting the operator merely depresses the lever 35 to its fullest extent and upon releasing it the nozzle of the cleaner is automatically adjusted to the proper height regardless of pre-- vious setting.

The automatic action will now be described in detail: .When the lever 35 is depressed from the substantially horizontal position shown in Figure 1 to the position shown in Figure 3; the first step is the disengaging of the pawl 38 from the ratchet sector 34', by the cam action of the stationary pin 42 in the slot 38b of the pawl 38. Now, immediately upon the release of the ratchet sector 34 Gil by the pawl, the entire forward end of the cleaner casing l is free to tilt downwardly until the suction mouth of the nozzle rests flush upon the carpet surface, for obviously, havingreleased the ratchet sector 34 the casing can tilt freely about its pivot on the chassis I8 and, the greater mass of the cleaner being forwardly of the pivotal axis the nozzle simply drops into contact with the carpet surface; k

But an important point to be noted here is, that the bottom surface of the nozzle being made up of wide lips surrounding the suction mouth, affords a relatively large contact surface and of such area that when the nozzle is lowered into contact with the surface of a carpet or rug its extendedarea does not cause any appreciable penetration of the pile, whereas-the wheels may sink to the full depth of the pile. Thus the plane established by the nozzle resting upon the carpet pile is not only above that established by the wheels, but, regardless of the character of the carpet, the base from which the adjustment takes place is always the plane of contact of the nozzle upon the upstanding carpet fibers and is fixed regardless of I the depth of wheel penetration.

Now, the relative displacement of the chassis l8 and the cleaner casing I in the initial movement of thelever 35, is reflected in a slightly reater or less angular displacement of the ratchet sector 34 after it has been released by the pawl 38, this displacement represented by an arc of one or more of the ratchet teeth as the downward movement of the nozzle portion of the casing is venient.

"of my invention, 1 claim:

. 3 transmitted thereto through the bracket 33. But with the release of the lever 35, the spring 36 acts to retract it to its normal position, the upward movement of the lever first throwing the pawl 38 into engagement with the ratchet sector 34, swinging it upwardly in a counter-clockwise direction and lifting the casing to elevate the nozzle to its proper height.

And finally, this upward lifting orelevation of the nozzle is previously determined for a particular type and style of cleaner and is constant regardless of varying surface conditions. For example, if of an inch is predetermined as the proper nozzle height setting for a particular cleaner'the adjusting mechanism is designed to raise the nozzle this distance above the surface of the carpet pile regardless of the type or character of the carpet.

Thus, it will be seen that the adjustment is accomplished by merely pressing downwardly on the foot operated pedal or lever and now will be described the interconnection between the handle ball 25 and the operating lever 35 whereby the same adjustment can be accomplished by merely shifting the handle through a predeterminedarc of movement. Y

Referring to Figures 1 and 4 a bladelike cam member 43 forms an extension of the end of the handle bail projecting downwardly beyond its bearing 21 on the. chassis l8, adjacent the nozzle height adjusting mechanism. As shown in side elevation in Figure 1 this cam diverges slightly toward its lower end and terminates in rounded .corners and a V-shaped cam projection 43a located substantially centrally of its bottom edge.

Carried by the foot operated lever 35 and projecting laterally therefrom at a short distance from its pivoted end, is a pin 44 adapted to have contact with the lower edge of the cam 43. As shownin Figure 1, the handle ball 25, of which the main portion of the handle may be considered as an extension thereof, assumes a general vertical position but more definitely at an angle slightly beyond and forwardly of the vertical. This position is one into which the handle may be moved when the cleaner is not in operation and is termed storage position, being held therein by the handle position control device heretofore described. In this position of the handle it will be noted that the contact pin 44 carried by the foot lever 35 bears against the lower edge of the cam 43 just ahead of the pointed cam projec-' 'tion 43a. Obviously then, if the handle is swung in a rearward direction into the position shown in Figure 3, the cam projection 43a will tend to pass over the pin 44 and in so doing will depress the operating lever 35 into the same position that it would occupy when depressed by the pressure of the operators foot. Thus it follows, that the nozzle adjusting mechanism will respond to the depression of the lever 35 by foot operation in the manner previously described, or by swinging the handle so as to carry the cam projection 43a over and beyond the contact pin 44. Manifestly, the

foot pedal 35a might readily be removed entirely from the lever 35 so that it becomes a cam follower acting only through the swinging movement of, the handle. By retaining the pedal, however,

it is possible to adjust the nozzle height either by foot or by hand as the user may find more conv Having thus set fortha preferred embodiment permitting a limited tilting movement thereof, a handle pivotally mounted on said support, a link connecting said support with said body and provided with a ratchet sector, a spring-pressed pawl normally engaging said ratchet sector, a lever carrying said pawl and having operative connection with said handle whereby the swinging movement thereof through a predetermined arc in one direction actuates said pawl to release said ratchet sector, permitting said nozzle to drop into contact with the surface of the floor covering to be cleaned and in the opposite direction to effect the re-engagement of said ratchet sector by said pawl and the elevation of said nozzle to a predetermined height above the floor surface.

2. In a suction cleaner having a body provided with a nozzle and a wheeled support connected with said body for relative vertical adjustment, a handle pivotally mounted on said support to swing relatively to said body, a link connecting said body with said support and shiftable to raise and lower said nozzle, means normally holding said link against shifting movement including a pawl and ratchet device, a lever pivotally mounted on said support and having operative connection with said pawl and ratchet device and with said handle whereby the swinging of said handle through a predetermined arc of movementsuccessively actuates said pawl and ratchet device to release said link and effect the droppin of said nozzle into contact with the floor surface and to re-engage said link and actuate the same to raise said nozzle to a predetermined height above said floor surface.

3. In a suction cleaner having a body provided with a nozzle, a wheeled support connected with said body for relative vertical adjustment, a handle pivotally mounted on said support to swing relatively to said body, an adjustable link connecting said body with said support and shiftable to raise and lower said nozzle, means normally holding said link against shifting movement including a spring-pressed cam-actuated pawl adapted to engage ratchet teeth on said link, a spring-actuated lever pivotally mounted on said support adjacent said link and carrying said pawl, said lever having operative connection with said handle whereby the swinging of said handle through a predetermined arc of movement successively disengages said pawl from said ratchet teeth to permit said nozzle to drop into contact with the floor surface and reengages said pawl with said ratchet teeth to raise said nozzle to a predetermined height above said floor surface.

4. In a suction cleanerhaving a casing provided with a nozzle, and a wheeled support having pivotal connection with said casing, a handle pivotally mounted on said support to swing relative to said casing, an adjustable link connecting said wheel support and casing and operative to raise and lower the nozzle relative to the floor, and a spring-pressed cam actuated member mounted on said support and normally engaging said link to hold the same in a given position of nozzle height adjustment and operatively connected with said handle successively to disengage said link to effect the lowering of said nozzle into contact with the carpet surface and to reengage said link'to elevate said nozzle to a predetermined height above said carpet surface in the swinging movement of said handle through a predetermined arc.

5. In a suction cleaner havin a cum; provided with a nozzle and a wheeled support having pivotal connection with said casing, a handle pivotally mounted, on said support, and means for adjusting said casing relative to said support to vary the height of the nozzle above the carpet surface, comprising a ratchet sector adjustably connecting said wheeled support with said casing and adapted to swing in opposite directions to raise and lower the nozzle relative to the carpet surface, a lever pivotally mounted on said support adjacent said ratchet sector, and a springpressed cam-actuated pawl carried by said lever and normally engaging said ratchet sector to hold said nozzle in a given position of adjustment, said lever being operatively connected with said handle whereby said ratchet sector is released by said pawl to eifect the lowering of said nozzle into contact with the carpet surface, thence to elevate said nozzle above said carpet surface in the swinging movement of said handle through a predetermined arc.

6. In a suction cleaner having a casing provided with a nozzle and a wheeled support having pivotal connection therewith and means for adjusting the height of said nozzle above the surface to be cleaned comprising an adjustable link connecting said support with said casing independently of said pivotal connection and having a toothed sector formed thereon, a handle pivotally mounted on said support, a lever also pivot-' allymounted on said support and operatively connected with said handle, a spring pressed cam actuated pawl carried by said lever and normally having engagement with said sector, said pawl acting to disengage said sector in the swinging movement of said handle in one direction to permit said nozzle to be lowered into contact with the carpet surface and to reengage said sector to effect the raising of said nozzle a predetcrmined distance above said surface during a subsequent movement of said handle.

7. In a suction cleaner having a casing provided.with a nozzle and a wheeled support having pivotal connection therewith, a handle pivotally mounted on said support, and nozzle height adjusting means comprising adjustable link connecting said casing and said support independently of their pivotal connection and having a toothed sector, a lever pivotally mounted on said support adjacent said link, a spring-pressed camactuated pawl pivoted on said lever and normally engaging said sector to hold said link against movement, and a cam member carried by said handle and adapted to impart a 'cam action to said lever whereby said ratchet sector is successively disengaged by said pawl to permit said nozzle to drop into contact with the carpet surface and to be reengaged by said pawl to effect the raising of said nozzle to a predetermined height above the carpet surface during a predetermined'swinging movement of said handle.

8. In a suction cleaner having a casing provided with a nozzle portion and a wheeledsupport pivotally connected to the underside of said casing, a handle pivotally mounted on, said support independently of said casing, and means for adjusting said casing relative to said wheeled support to vary the height of said nozzle above the surface of the carpet to be cleaned, comprising pawl and ratchet mechanism adjustably connecting said support with said casing and-including a lever shiftable in one direction to disengage said pawl and ratchet to permit said nozzle to drop into contact with the carpet surface and in the opposite direction to re-engage said pawl and ratchet mechanism raise said nozzle to a predetermined height above said carpet surface, and means operatively connecting said lever with said handle.

9. In a suction cleaner having a casing provided with a nozzle portion, a wheeled support pivotally connected to the underside of said casing, a handle pivotally mounted on said support independently of said casing and means for adjusting said casing relative to said -wheeled support to vary the height of said nozzle above the surface of the carpet to be cleaned, comprising pawl and ratchet mechanism adjustably connecting said support with said casing and including a spring-pressed lever shiftable in one direction by contact with a cam carried by said handle to disengage said pawl and ratchet mechanism and allow said nozzle to drop into contact with the carpet surface and in the opposite direction when released by said cam to re-engage said pawl and ratchet mechanism and elevate said nozzle to a predetermined height above said carpet surface.

10. In a suction cleaner having a casing provided with a nozzle portion and a wheeled support including a frame pivotally connected to the underside of said casing and having wheels journaled thereon, a handle pivotally mounted on said frame, and means for adjusting said casing relative to said wheeled support to vary the height of said nozzle above the surface of the carpet to be cleaned, comprising pawl and ratchet mechanism adjustably connecting said casing and said frame remote from its pivotal connection with said casing, and including a spring pressed lever for actuating said pawl and ratchet mechanism, said handle and lever having coacting cam members for shifting said lever in a direction to eflect the dropping of said nozzle into contact with the carpet surface in the disengagement of said pawl and ratchet mechanism and with the movement of said handle in one direction, and to release said lever to effect re-engagement of said pawl and ratchet mechanism and the elevation of said nozzle to a predetermined height above said carpet surface in the movement of the handle in another direction.

11. In a suction cleaner having a casing provided with a nozzle portion and a wheeled sup port for said casing including a supporting frame pivotally connected to the underside of said casing and having wheels journaled thereon, a handle pivotally mounted on said supporting frame, and means for adjusting said casing relative to said wheeled support to vary the height of said nozzle above the surface of the carpet to be cleaned, comprising a link connecting said casing with said supporting frame remote from its pivotal connection therewith and provided with a toothed sector, a lever pivotally mounted on said wheeled support, a spring pressed pawl mounted on said lever and normally adapted to have toothed engagement with said sector, means acting to shift said pawl to release said sector during the movement of said lever in a direction to lower said nozzle into contact with the carpet surface and to reengage said sector at the commencement of the return movement of the lever to effect the elevation of said nozzle to a predetermined height above said carpet surface, tension means acting on said lever to impart the returnmovement thereto, and acam carried by said handle and adapted to engage a cam member'on said lever for actuating the same...

emu-men. TAYLOR,

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