US2180694A

US2180694A - Vacuum cleaner

Info

Publication number: US2180694A
Application number: US223570A
Authority: US
Inventors: Walter C Reed
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1938-08-08
Filing date: 1938-08-08
Publication date: 1939-11-21
Anticipated expiration: 1956-11-21

Description

wf'c. REED fvAcUUM CLEANER Filed Aug. 4s, 1958 2 sheets-sheet 1` Nov. 21, 1939.

w. c. REED VACUUM CLEANER Filed Aug., 8, 19:58

2 sheets-sheep 2 Inventor. Waler eed.

Patented Nov. 21, 1.939

' l UNITED sTATi-:s

PATENToFFICfE e vAcUUM cmANEa l Walter C. `Reed, North Hollywood, Calif. Application August s, 193s, serial 'Na Vstatic 11 claims.

This invention relates generally to aspirators such as may be used in vacuum cleaners, particularly of the type adapted to be attached to the exhaust pipe of an automobile and to be operated' .l by a vacuum produced by the exhaustlgases passing therethrough. However, while the invention is particularly adaptable to such use, it is not necessarily limited thereto,l and is to beregarded broadly as relating to' aspirators generally.

Vacuum cleaners of the type to which the present invention appertains are characterized by employment of an aspirator operating on an injector principle for creating the suction in the exible hose leading to the vacuum cleaner nozzle. The

15 present invention deals particularly with a vacuum 'cleaner of an injector type, and has among its objects: Y

To provide an injector type vacuum cleaner adapted to draw a relatively large volume of air when the nozzle opening is relatively unrestricted, as in cleaning relatively porous materials or in cleaning `deep cracks and crevices, andwhich is automatically operative to create a substantially increased vacuum when the nozzle is closely applied to densely woven or napped fabric.

To provide an improved coupling device adapted for effecting a tight coupling and seal between the end of the exhaust pipe of the automobile and th vacuum cleaner; To provide an improved vacuum cleaner nozzle having selective openings oi different shapes adapted for cleaning diiierent parts of the automobile;

To provide. an improved dust collector and separator; and

To providev an injector type .Vacuum cleaner of simple and improved construction and of imcomprises a body forming' a tandemarrangement of injectors.' The usual exible vacuum cleaner hose has connection to both of these injectors, but the connection to the` second injector is controlled by a suitable checkvalve, preferably a exible ilap valve. When the vacu cleaner nozzle is closely applied to the s ce being cleaned, the suction communicated by way oi the entrance to the first injector is such as to cause said nap valve to close, so that-a high degree of suction is communicated to the' nozzle. When the nozzle is moved somewhat away from the sur- Ii'ace being cleaned, more air is drawn through-the nozzle, thus relieving the' suction previously hold- (CL 23o-95) ing the ap valve closed, at which time the latter opens and a large volume of air is drawn by the two injectors acting in conjunction. l

With this preliminary discussion in mind, 'the invention Will be best understood by referring now 5 to the following detailed description of a present illustrative embodiment thereof, reference-being directed to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal section through the f vacuum cleaner or the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a transverse section taken onv broken line 2--2 of F18. 1; y

Fig. 3 is a transverse section taken on broken line 3,-3 of Fig. 1; l

Fig. 4 is a transverse section taken on line I-4 15 of Fig. 1; e

Fig. 5 is a section through the dust separator taken on line I-S of Fig. 1; Fig. 6 is a bottom plan view oi' the vacuum cleaner. nozzle, taken as indicated by arrows 6-8 20 of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 7 vis a detail section of the nozzle taken as indicated by lines 1-1 of Fig. 1.

In the drawings numeral I0 designates the body ofthe vacuum cleaner, numeral Ilvthe end oi the 25 exhaust VPipe o t .an automobile, numeral!! the flexible vacuum cleaner hose, numeral i3 the vacuum cleaner nomle coupled to the Vend oi hose i2, and numeral il a preferred type of centrifugal dust separator and collector coupled to the dislso charge end of vacuum. cleaner i0.

-Body l0 will be seen to bev hollow-and to comprise, in the specic embodiment here chosen for illustrative purposes, .two halves Illa and Illb tted together in substantially air-tight relationa5 ship to form a iluid conduit, as for example by means of the joint indicated at IB in Figs. 2, 3,` vand 4. The two halves ot the body are here shown as securedk together by means o1' screws IB passing through lugs i1 and i! formed integrally 40 with body members lila and Ilb, and cement is preferably used on the engaging surfaces of said members to insure an air tight nt. Body members |0a and iilb are preferably die-cast of some suitable light but strong alloy, such as an alumi-A. 45

num alloy. .A

, The rearward or attachment end of body l0 has a cylindrical portion 20, o! a diameter somewhat larger than the diameter of exhaust pipe i I, formed with an enlargement 2l at its extreme 50 rearward end, said enlargement 2| having an inwardly turned ilange 22. the inside diameter of which is of somewhat greater diameter than exhaust pipeli. f'

Placed inside bodyportion 20 is a nexible pres- 55 sure-sealing coupling or 4Spa'iir `24, preferably 4formed of fiexibleirubber. 'Coupling 24 is in the form of a forwardl'yconverging tube 25, Ahaving at its :reanwari'end a bead or external annular ange 26 confined within annular recess 21 formed inside body enlargement 2 I. Extending forwardly from i'iange or bead 26 is a tapered ap 28, which fits snugly within body portion 26.

When the vacuum cleaner is to be attached to the exhaust pipe, it is simply slipped on over the end of the pipe, as indicated in Fig. 1, rubber tube 25 being stretched outwardly somewhat from its normal dotted line position to the position illustrated in full lines. snugly embraced by the coupler. When the exhaust gases are being discharged from pipe II through the hollow body of the device, the pressure created by the presence of these gases acts on tube 25 and flap 26, pressing them tightly against exhaust pipe II and the inner surface of body portion 26, and thus eecting a tight seal between body I6 and the exhaust pipe.

Forwardly of cylindrical portion 2Il, the body of the cleaner has a conical, forwardly converging portion 3l, leading to a constricted throat at 32.

Forwardly of throat 32, the body is formed with ai forwardly diverging injector section 34, and at the forward end of injector section 34, the body is oiset outwardly, as at 35, forming a second and enlarged injector section 36. The forward or discharge end of the latter is coupled, as by means of coupling 38, to the intake tube 39 of dust separator and collector :generally designated at I4.v

Formed integrally with body I is a tubular suction tube 40, the longitudinalaxis of which converges, in a forward direction, with the longitudinal axis of injectors 34 and 36. Thev tapered rearward end portion 4I of this tube 40 is received within the enlarged end portion of vacuum cleaner hose I2, as indicated at 4I. Tube 46 communicates by Way of a comparatively restricted passage 42 with the restricted throat 32 of injector 34, while the forward end of said tube communicates by way of passage 43 with the rearward. end of second or enlarged injector` 36, in the manner clearly illustrated in the drawings.

Formed on the forward end of tube 40 is an annular shoulder 45 providing a seat for a flexible ap valve 46, preferably formed of rubber, and

extending forwardly of shoulder 45, around saidv valve, are wall portions 41 and 48 forming the aforementioned passage 43 opening to the rearward end of second injector 36. Flap valve 46 has a tab 46a received'and tightly clamped in a slot 50 adjacent annular seat 45 (see Figs. l and 3), and is adapted to operate between the closed and open positions shown in full and dotted lines, respectively. When the cleaner is not in operation, this flap valve assumes the closed or full line position shown in Fig. 1.

Nozzle 4I3 has a discharge tube or neck 60 coupled at 6I to the end of flexible tubing I2. The body of the preferred nozzle shown in the drawings is of an elongate shape, open at the bottom, and formed at the top with a tubular portion 62 connected at 63 to discharge tube 60. The rearward sidev 64 of the nozzle continues straight downwardly from tubular portion 62. The forward portion of the nozzle is defined byfa forwardly extending, downwardly sloping wall 65, which merges with side walls 66. A transverse dividing wall 61 extends between side walls" 66, from a point just below the tubular upper end portion 62 of the nozzle downwardly and for- The exhaust pipe is thus.

wardly, parallel to wall 65, to the bottom of the nozzle. This wall 61- divides the'nozzleinto two passageways 16 and 1I.

Dividing Wall 611s formed with a seat 12 for a flexible valve 13 adapted to be moved toA the full line'or to either of the dotted line positions illustrated in Fig. l. For the purpose of so actuating' valve 13, a manual operating member 15 is provided, which, as here illustratively shown, comprises a wire having an inner portion 16 embedded in the valve 13, a` portion l'l pivotally mounted in the side wall of the nozzle, and an exterior handle portion 16. l

The full line position is the normal position of the valve, and in this position both passages 16 and 1I of the nozzle are eiective. When valve 13 is moved to its left hand dotted line position, passage 1I is closed and the forwardly extending passage 16 is open. vln this position, the nozzle is effective for reaching and cleaning areas which are inaccessible to the entire nozzle. The suction is of course somewhat greater at this 'time than with both passageways 'lll and il open. When the valve is thrown toits right hand dotted line position, passage 16 is closed and passage 1I open. Only theA rearward. portion of the nozzle, that is, the portion of the nozzle back of dividing wall 61, is effective at this time, but the sucl tion is again somewhat greater than with both passages open.

Operation of the vacuum cleaner is as follows: The exhaust gas stream discharge by exhaust pipe II passes through constricted throat 32, injector 34, and injector. 36 in succession. The constriction at 32 produces suction that is communicated through passage 42 to suction pipe 4|! and hose I2 leading to vacuum cleaner nozzle I3. Assuming that nozzle E3 is applied closely to the surface being cleaned, as for example, assuming the nozzle to be closely applied-to a napped surface, a comparatively high vacuum is developed at relatively low air flow. The vacuum so developed within pipe 66 is sufficient to hold flap valve 46 closed at this time. Thus, under such conditions, the cleaning action is characterized by high vacuum and relatively low volume of air.

By applying the nozzle less closely to the surface being cleaned, and thereby relieving the restriction at the mouth of the nozzle, a greater volume of air is drawn in through the nozzle and through hose l2 and pipe 46. Under these conditions, the pressure in pipe 46 becomes higher than the pressure within second injector 36, so that rubber flap valve 46 is moved to its open position, shown in dotted lines, allowing airA to be drawn not only into rst injector 36 by way of passage 42, but also into second, enlarged injector 35 by way of passage 43. Thus, under such conditions, the cleaner pulls a relatively large volume of air at relatively low vacuum.

The vacuum cleaner of the present invention is thus capable of two types'of action. vWhen the nozzle is passed over densely woven upholstery, the flow of air is decreased and valve 46 closes, causing injector 36 to operate alone, and creating the high vacuum necessary to remove deep-seated dust. When used on more porous material, as in cleaning sand and gravel from deep racks and crevices, the air flows freely into the nozzle and valve 46 opens, bringing both injectors into action and thus developing the largevolume of air ow necessary for this type of cleaning.

I have illustrated la preferred type of dust separator and collector for receiving the dusthigh suction in saidsuctlon ge when flow. 'of air into said passage is relatively restricted.

be substituted, if desired. In fact, it is quite feasible to operate the vacuum cleaner without the use of a dust collector, injector 36 under such conditionsV discharging to atmosphere. Use of 'the dust separator and collector is thus optional.

The illustrated dust, separator and collector has two tangent, cylindric chambers 30 and 8|, connected by

parallel side walls

82 and 83. The aforementioned inlet tube 39 coupled to vacuum cleaner I0 communicates with, the interior oi' cyindric chamber 80, entering in a tangential direction, as illustrated in Fig. 1. Circular gas discharge openings 34 are formed in

side walls

82 and 83 coaxial with cylindric chamber 80, and a removable glass cover 83 isl provided for one side of dust collecting chamber 8i.

Extending between'cylindric chambers, 80 and` 3|, in substantial continuation of circular chamber side wall 38, is' a wall 90,' which however .is lowered or oset somewhat outside pointed wall portion 9| dened by the intersection of the circular linterior surfaces of the chamber walls. Wall 90 terminates somewhat short of wall portion 9|, thus leaving an entrance opening or slot 92 for dust travelling around the interior periphery of chamber 80 whereby such dust may be diverted to collection chamber 3|.

Dust and gases discharged from the vacuum cleaner enters cylindric chamber 80 and' travels in a circular path therearound, as indicated vby the arrows; The dust being the' heavier, is thrown to the outside, and accordingly passes through slot 92 into dust collection chamber 3l.

The gases iinally escape by way of openings v84.

Byshaping inlet tube 39 in the manner illustrated, the circularly travelling dust and gas within cylindric chamber 80 are prevented from interfering with-the entrance ow through and from said inlet, and` in fact are caused to aid the entrance flow from said inlet into the casing.

It is to be understood thev present invention is useful in applications other than in vacuum cleaners adapted for connection to exhaust pipes ofautomobiles, and in fact is not necessarily limited tov-vacuum cleaner applications. The injector means may of course be operated by i any pressure uid.

It will be understood the drawings and description are to be considered as merely illustrative ci.' rather than 'restrictive on the invention considered in its broader aspects, since various changes in design, structure, and arrangement may be made without departing from the appended claims.

I claim:

1. An aspirator comprising a hollow lbody having a pressure iiuid inlet at one end and an outlet at the other end, a nrst injector and a second injector arranged in tandem between said v inlet and outlet, a suction passage having oneconnection with the throat of the iirst .injector and a second connection with the throat of the second injector, said passage being adapted for connection of a vacuum cleaner hose and nozzle,.'

a check valve controlling'said second connection adapted to open by reason of suction developed by the second injector when iiow of air into said passage is relatively unrestricted, and adapted to close by virtue of development oi relatively 0f the 2. An aspirator comprising a hollow body having a pressure uid linlet at one end and an outlet at the other end, a iirst injector of a given size and aV second injector oi' a larger size arranged intandem between said inlet and outlet, a suction-passage having one. connection with the throat of the iirst injectorand a second connection with the throat of the second tion of a vacuum cleaner hose and nozzle, a

adapted to open by reason of suction developed by the second injector when ow of air into said passage .is relatively unrestricted, and adapted to close by virtue of development of relatively high suction in said suction passage when ilowV of air into saidpassage is relatively restricted.

`3. Anaspirator comprising a hollow body having an inlet forA iiuid under pressure, a rst injector having a constricted throat receiving pressure iiuid from .said inlet, a second injector oi larger4 cross-sectional area having a throat merging with and receiving iuid from the discharge end of said rst injector, means forming an air passage adapted for connection of a vacuum cleaner hose` and nozzle, a passageway forming a communication between said air passage and the constricted throatof the first injector, a second passageway forming a communication between said air passage and the throat of said second injector, and a check valve controlling said last mentioned passageway adapted to 'open by virtue o f suction developed by the second injector when flow of air into said air passage is relatively unrestricted, and to close --by virtue of development of relatively high suction in said passage when flow of air -into said.L

'check valve controlling said second connection j merging with `and receiving iluid from the diss charge end of said nrst injector, means forming an air passage adaptedi'or connection oi a vac- -uum cleaner hose and nozzle, a passageway forming a communication between said air passage and the constricted throat of the viirst injector, a second passageway forming a communication between said air passage and the throat oi said second injector, a check valve adapted to control said last-mentioned passageway and to seat by movement contraryto the direction of `travel of -the air throughsaid passageway, and a seat for said check valve.

5. An aspirator comprising a hollow body i'orming an inletfor iiuid under pressure, the walls forming said body converging from said inlet to a constricted throat.' then diverging to'an enlarged outlet, a suction tube, means forming a passageway between said suction tube and said constricted throat, means forming a passageway leading from said suction tube and opening inside said diverging walls at a point located forwardly of said constricted throat, a check valve.

controlling said last mentioned passseway'and a seat ior` said check valve, sald'check valve beling adapted to go onto said seat by movewalls, said check valve being adapted to open by virtue of suction developed within said diverging walls, and to close against said suction when the lib suction inside said suction tube rises to a prede- A. termined value.

7. An aspirator comprising a hollow body forming an inlet for huid under pressure, the walls forming said body converging from said inlet to a constricted throat, then diverging to an enlarged outlet, a suction tube opening inside said c diverging walls at an intermediate point between said constricted throat and said enlarged outlet,v

means forming a passageway between said suction tube and said constricted throat, a check valve controlling the opening between said suction tube and the interior of said diverging walls and a seat for said check valve, said ohecir valve and seat being so arranged that the check valve goes onto its seat by movement contrary to the direction of air flow through said suction tube.`

8. An aspirator comprising a hollow body forming an inlet for uid under pressure, the walls forming said body converging from said inlet to a constricted throat, then diverging to an enlarged outlet, a suction tube opening inside said diverging walls at an intermediate point between said constricted throat and said enlarged outlet, means forming a passageway between said suction tube and said constricted throat, a valve seat around said suction tube forwardly of said passageway leading to said restricted throat, said valve seat facing away from the air ow through said suction tube, and a check valve adapted to 4g seat on said valve seat.

9. An aspirator comprising a hollow body forming an inlet for uid under pressure, the walls forming said body converging from said inlet to a constricted throat, then diverging to an enlarged outlet, a suction tube opening insidesaid diverging walls at an intermediate point between said constricted throat and said enlarged outlet, means forming a passageway between said suction tube and said constricted throat, a valve seat around said suction tube forwardly of said passageway leading to said restricted throat, said valve seatfacing away from the air ow through said suction tube, and a exible ap valve adapted to seat on said valve seat.

10.` An aspirator comprising a hollow body forming an inlet for iiuid under pressure, the walls forming said body converging from said in let to a constricted throat, then diverging to form a rst injector, then being oset outwardly to provide a sharp increase in cross-sectional area, and then diverging to form a second injector leading to a nal enlarged outlet, a suction passage opening within said diverging walls just forwardly of said onset, means forming a passageway between said suction passage and said constricted throat, a check valve controlling -iiow of'air from said suction passage into said second injector, and a seat for said valve facing away from the air flow through said suction passage.

ll. An aspirator comprising a hollow body `forming an inlet for iiuid under pressure, the

walls forming said body converging from said inlet to a constricted throat, then diverging to form a rst injector, then being offset outwardly to provide a sharp increase in cross-sectional area, and then diverging to form a second injector leading to a iinal enlarged outlet, a suction passage openlng within said diverging walls just forwardly of said offset, means forming a passageway between said suctionpassage and said constricted throat, a flexible nap valve con trolling flow of air from said suction passage into said second injector, and a seat for said valve facing away from the air ow through said suc tion passage.

WALTER C. REE.