US2203537A - Nozzle adjusting construction - Google Patents

Description

June 4, 1940. E. F. MARTINET I NOZZLE ADJUSTING CONSTRUCTION Filed June 2. 1937 3 Sheets-Sheet l Patented June 4,1940

UNITED STATES NOZZLE ADJUSTING CONSTRUCTION Eugene F. Martinet, Cleveland, Ohio, assignor to The P. A. Geier Company, Cleveland, Ohio, a

corporation of Ohio Application June 2, 1937, Serial No. 145,998

13 Claims.

The invention relates to portable suction cleaners, including a nozzle and associated means which are adjustable to vary the relative location of the nozzle mouth with respect to the 'particwlar surface being cleaned; and more particularly, to means for effecting a proper nozzle adjustment for any particular surface and for locking the adjusting means in such position, controlled by the characteristics of the surface to be cleaned.

In a suction cleaner, whether or not a power driven rotary brush or agitator is provided in its nozzle mouth, substantially no cleaning takes place unless the nozzle mouth is properly located with respect to the particular surface to be cleaned, so as to provide the proper nozzle adjustrnent between the surface being cleaned'and the nozzle mouth, as the cleaner is moved across the surface being cleaned.

Rugs having different nap thicknesses, and floor surfaces of wood, linoleum, tile or the like, each require a different adjustment of the nozzle mouth with respect to the surface, to provide the proper nozzle adjustment for most effective cleanmg. v Moreover, if the nozzle adjustment is too close to the surface-being cleaned, the nozzle will tend to dig into the surface, and it will be diflicult or hard to push thecleaner back and forth across the surface; or in the case of a bare floor and the like, the cleaner nozzle may scrape the surface. 7

Thus, it is particularly important that the adjustment of the cleaner nozzle'mouth with respect to the surface being cleaned, shall not be any closer than is necessary to provide for the maximum amount of cleaning effect, with the least amount of effort on the part of the'operator, and with a minimum of wear on the surface being cleaned.

Suction cleaners have heretofore usually been provided with manually adjustable means for varying the location of the nozzle mouth with respect to the surface being cleaned; but the only way the user of such a cleaner has of determining whether or not a proper nozzle adjustment has been effected between the nozzle mouth and surface to be cleaned is by changes in the sound of the motor, or by changes in the sound of a revolving element in the nozzle, or by the lifting of a portion of a carpet to the nozzle lips.

However, it is difficult to detect such changes in the sound of the motor or of'a revolving element, or to observe-the slight lift of a carpet; and such meth'odsof determining when a proper 55 nozzle mouth adjustmenthas been made, are not dependable, or at least are not understood by the average user of a suction cleaner.

I have heretofore provided signaling means for indicating when the proper'nozzle adjustment has been effected in connection with the operation of manual adjusting means, as set-forth in my copending applications, Serial No. 73,868, matured in'Patent No. 2,120,011 and Serial No. 78,624, and such constructions are admirably satisfactory for the purposes intended, yet they depend upon the operator coordinating the nozzle adjusting means and the signal means.

It has also been proposed to signal or control the nozzle adjustment by the amount of sink of the wheels, upon which the cleaner is mounted, into the surface being cleaned; or by always adjusting the nozzle a definite fixed distance above the surface to be cleaned. However, all of these latter constructions do not permit or enable a cleaner equipped with the same to be used-for cleaning bare floor surfaces, tile, linoleum or the like.

The objects of the present invention include in general the provision of suction cleaning apparatus having a nozzle, which is self-adjusting and which automatically locates itself at the proper position for satisfactorily cleaning a sur-. face, whether the surface be a bare floor surface, or a floor surface covered with one of many kinds of covering material, by a simple manipulation by the user of the cleaning apparatus.

Further objects of the present invention include the provision of v a suction cleaning apparatus having a suction passage or duct, and nozzle adjusting means which are automatically locked in an adjusted position the instant that proper adjustment has been obtained.

Broader objects of the present invention include the provision of an improved suction cleaner in which the variation in the suction or pressure of the air existing in a duct or chamber in the cleaner is utilized to lock the cleaner adjusting means the instant when a particular condition of the suction air has been obtained, such as when the suction or pressure in the cleaner passages is such as will provide a maximum amount of cleaning, regardless of the character of the surface being cleaned.

Further objects of the present invention include the provision of suction cleaning apparatus having adjusting means, locking means for the adjusting means actuated by changes in the pressure or suction existing in a duct for the cleaner, and release means for the locking means.

Further objects of the present invention include the provision of automatic adjustingand locking means for the nozzle of a suction cleaner'which may be readily and inexpensively applied to existing types and kinds of cleaners without difllculty, and which are-strong and rugged in construction and operation.

Moreover, it is an object of the present invention to provide an automatic nozzle adjusting construction for a suction cleaner which is con trolled by the,character of the particular surface to be cleaned. V

Another object of the present invention includes the provision of a portable suction cleaner havingadjustable supporting means arranged to automatically adjust the nozzle with respect-to a surface to be cleaned the instant that operation of the adjusting means is initiated, and to hold the nozzle in such adjusted position until operation of the adjusting means is again initiated.

The foregoing and other objects are attained by the suction cleaner, apparatus, parts, improvements, methods, combinations, and subcombinations, which .comprise the present invention; the nature of the same being set forth in the following general statements and preferred embodiments of which, together with their mode of use are set forth in the following description; and which are particularily and distinctly pointed out and set forth in the ap-' pended claims forming part hereof.

The nature of the improvements of the present invention may be described in general terms' hasbeen effected, and release means for the locking means operable to initiate operation of the adjusting means.

By way of example, several embodiments of the present improvements are illustrated in the accompanying drawings forming part hereof in which; 1

Figure 1 is a fragmentary side elevation of an- I electrically operated, portable suction cleaner 55 provided with one form of the improved nozzle adjusting and locking means;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged view similar to Fig. 1, withportionsbroken away and; in section, illustrating in'full lines the position of the nozzle mouth and the parts of the adjusting and look ing means just as the cleaner hasbeen manipulated to initiate operation of the adjustin means; and showing in dot-dash lines the relative positions of certain of the same parts adjusted for theprevious cleaning operationjust before the locking means has been released.

Fig. 3 is a bottom plan view of certain of the parts shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a view similar .to Fig. 2, showing the location and relative positions of the cleanernozzle mouth and adjusting and locking means after the adjusting means has operated to locate the nozzle mouth at the proper position to obtain maximum cleaningsuction for the particular nap rug illustrated in Figs. 2 and 4. and.

'mouth with respect to the surface to be cleaned after the adjusting means has been locked in 'said adjusted position,

Fig. 5 is a bottom plan view of certain of the parts shown in Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 4, but showing the nozzle automatically adjusted to and locked in the proper position for obtaining maximum cleaning suction when cleaninga bare flooror the like;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view illustrating the means actuated by changes in the pressure or suction in the nozzle for locking the adjusting means; and

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary view similar to a portion of Fig. 6 illustrating a slightly modified form oflocking means.

Similar. numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several figures of the drawings.

An electrically operated portable suction cleaner with a power driven rotary brush in the nozzle chamber thereof and with aheadlight, and provided with one embodiment of the present improvements, is shown in Figs. 1 to- 7, inclusive, and is indicated generally at ill.

The suction cleaner l includes a motor I l in a motor housing I2, associated with a fan housing l3 having a fan 14 therein secured on the motor shaft Ma, and a suction nozzle I is located adjacent to and communicates with the fan housing. An operating handle l6, and a dust bag I! connected with the exhaust opening of the fan housing l3 are also provided for the cleaner; and the motor housing l2, the fan housing I3, and nozzle l5 aremounted on front casters l8 and preferably on adjustable double rear caster means IQ for ambulant motion over a surface to be cleaned, the surface being a ap rug 20 in Figs. 2 and 4 and a bare floor 20a in Figs. 1 and 6. The cleaner in is also provided with headlight means indicated generally by 2| The-suction nozzle preferably includes walls forming a tubular neck 22 leading to the fan chamber l3, and a transversely elongated brush housing mouth 23 terminating in lip walls 23a and 23b.

A rotary brush indicated generally by 24, and provided with bristles 25 is preferably detachably and adjustably rotatably mounted in the suction mouth 23, and the brush 24 is preferably motor driven, as shown in the drawings, prefera which passes over the brush pulley surface 21 and brush guard 23.

and the pulley surface of motor shaft extension 28 As shown, the lip walls 23a and 23b of the nozzle l5 are preferably provided at the entrance light 32 being preferably lighted when the motor andfan are in operation.

The front wheel or caster supporting means indicated generally at l8 preferably include front axles 33- extending respectively coaxially generally by thereon respectively, the front wheels or casters ably byan endless flat band rubber belt 26,

erally indicated at l9, preferably include a bracket member generally indicated at 35, a

frame member. generally indicated at 36, acoil tensioned spring generally indicated at 31 and wheels or casters 38.

,portion 39 prefe'rably has downturned ears 42 extending from its laterally opposite edge portipns, and a hook shaped portion 43 terminating in a T-shaped cross piece 44 best shown in Figs. 4 and 5.

The frame member 36 preferably includes side bars 45 and 46 and a cross plate 41 slotted at 48. The slot 48 extends around a portion of the, hook member 43. and above the T bar '44 thereof as well shown in Figs. 2, 4 and 6; and the rear ends of the side bars 45 and 46 carry axles 49 upon which the rear wheels or casters 3B are journaled.

The front end of side bar 45 and a middle portion of side bar 46 are journaled on axle 50, which extends through the ears 42-of the bracket member 35. The coil spring 31 is preferably mounted around the axle pin 56 and one end 5| thereof abuts against the mounting member 35,

while the other end 52 thereof reacts against pin 53 carried by the side bar 45. The spring 31 normally urges frame member 36 to rotate in upper end of the rack portion 54 terminates in an enlarged triangular shaped stop tooth 56 projecting forwardly beyond the pointed ends of the rack, teeth 55 for a purpose to be later described.

An elongated preferably rectangular bottom plate 51 is mounted on the underside of the fan casing l3 and the plate 51 carries a generally S- shaped lever 56 pivoted thereon as at 59. One end of the lever 58 on one side of the pivot 59 is turned upward at 60 and terminates in a rearwardly projecting catch 6| having a flat undersurface and a curved or angled upper surface for selective engagement with any of the teeth 55 and 56, as will be presently described. v

The other end of the lever 58 on the other side 1 of the pivot 59 is turned upwardly at 62 and terminates in a boss. 63 having an aperture 63a therein adjacent to one end of the rear nozzle lip wall 23b.

Movement of the lever 53 is controlled by the toggle mechanism best shown in Figs. 3 and 5,

which includes the member 64 pivoted on plate 51, the member 65 pivoted on lever 58, the pin 66 extending between members 64 and 65 and compression spring 61 mounted on pin 66 and reacting between members 64 and 65. The toggle mechanism snaps the lever 58 either into the position of Fig. 3 or the position of Fig. 5 when moved from one position past center toward the other and holds the lever in such position when so actuated.

A bellows compartment is formed on the rear of nozzle lip wall 23b adjacent to lever boss 63 by a housing member 66 which may besecured by any suitable means as indicated at 69 to nozzle lip wall 23b. Referring particularly to Fig. '7, a series of apertures I are formedin the nozzle lip wall 23b for establishing communication between the nozzle chamber and the interior of the bellows housing. A preferably substantially cylindrical rubber bellows tube H is secured within the bellows housing 68 by a forward disk plate 72, which may be riveted at 13 to the nozzle lip wall 23b and clamps the forward peripheral edge Ha of the bellows tube ll against the rear nozzle lip wall 23?). A similar disk plate 14 may be cemented or otherwise secured to the rear peripheral edge Nb of tubular bellows member H so that the plate member 14 acts together with the bellowsmember H as a diaphragm.

A series of apertures F are provided in the disk plate 12 for establishing communication through apertures between the nozzle chamber and the interior of the bellows member H. A

. pin or stud 16 is secured by any suitable means,

as indicated at 11, to the bellows disk member I4 and extends rearwardly through aperture '78 in housing 68 and through aperture 63a in lever boss 63. One or more washers 19 may be provided on the pin 16 for abutment against the rear surface of lever boss 63 through the medium ofcotter pin 86 secured on 'pin 16.

Handle member I6, in accordance with usual suction cleaner construction, is arranged to swing freely in an are extending counter-clockwise from the relative position of the handle l6 shown in Fig. 2; and stop lever 8| is arranged to abut a stop (not shown) on handle controlling plate 83,- so that further rearward movement of the handle l6 reacts against motor housing H to initially rotate motor housing l2, fan housing l3 and nozzle l5 clockwiseabout front axles 33 until rear caster means axle 56 is moved downward to the position shown in full lines in Fig. 2. Further rearward and downward movement of handle l6 causes the entire cleaner to be lifted upwardly from the floor pivoting about the rear caster axles 49 in a clockwise direction, viewing Figs. 2, 4 and 6. i

The operation of the improved suction cleaner may be described as follows:

The manufacturer of a cleaner, such as the cleaner l0, determines and establishes, in designing the same, that degree of suction or subatmospheric pressure, or in other words, the drop from atmospheric pressure of the air existing in the cleaner nozzle l5 or other passages on the low pressure side of the fan, which is coincident with the correct adjustment ofthe entrance mouth of the nozzle with respect to the surface to. be

cleaned, whether it be a nap rug 20 or-the like, or a bare floor 26a or the like; by which adjust ment a maximum or predetermined cleaning action will occur in using the particular design of cleaner with its nozzle mouth correctly adjusted.

The manufacturer, having determined that degree of suction coincident with the proper adjustment of the nozzle entrance mouth to effect a maximum predetermined cleaning action, then so designs the bellows 'lland diaphragm plate 14 thereof that the bellows will collapse from the! position of Fig. '7, to that of Fig. 4 the instant that a suction or pressure has been obtained in the cleaner nozzle, which is coincident with with respect to the surface being cleaned.

Referring now to Fig. 2, assuming that the cleaner has been operated on a surface with its parts in the relative positions shown indot-dash lines, which is not acorrect adjustment for the particular nap rug 20 shown, and assuming that the cleaner is to be operated on nap rug 28 with proper nozzle adjustment; the sequence of at-- taining the proper adjustment is as follows:

The motor II is running, causing fan H to induce an air flow into nozzle l5. The user pushes rearwardly downwardly on handle |6 .to depress pivotpin 58 from the position shown in dot-dash lines to the position shown in full lines. In so moving the cleaner parts, the rack portion 54 moves from the dot-dash position 'to the full line position. This movement of rack portion 54 causes the particular teeth 55 engaged in dotdash position with catch 6 I, by reason of the engage'd tapered surfaces, to produce a cam action on the catch 6|, which disengages catch 6| from teeth 55.

As the rack portion 54 moves to the limit of its downward movement, as shown in full lines,

the tapered undersurface of stop tooth 56 engages catch 6| as shown, to move catch 6| to'the full line position shown in Fig. 2.

Thus, viewing Fig. 3, lever 58 has been moved tween bracket member 35 and frame member.

36 to raise the rear end of the cleaner and lower the nozzle from the position shown in full lines in Fig. 2 to the position shown in Fig. 4. At the instant that the nozzle lips attain the correct relation with respect to nap rug 20, as shown in Fig. 4, so that the cleaning" air has attained a degree of cleaning suction to perform a maximum predetermined amount of cleaning, bellows ll-14 moves from the position shown in, Fig. 7 to the position shown in Fig. 4.

When the bellows so moves, cotter pin and washers 19 on member 16 engage boss 63 on lever 58 and pivots lever 59 in a counter-clock-' to lock the adjustable double rear caster means in the position-shown in Fig. 4, whereupon the 1 cleaner may be operated to clean nap rug 20 with the nozzle adjusted to perform a maximum amount of'cleaning for said nap rug 28.

If during the cleaning operation, the handle "5 is depressed rearwardly downwardly to lift the cleaner from the floor, adjustment of the nozzle will of course be again initiated, but the nozzle will always return to and become locked in the adjusted position shown in Fig. 4 so long as it is being operated on nap rug 20.

Referring to Fig. 6, the parts are shown in full lines when the cleaner is adjusted and locked in adjusted position for cleaning a bare floor or the like. A large number of teeth 55 are provided to enable the cleaner to be adjusted automatically and locked in any one of a plurality'of adjusted positions within the limits of movement of rack portion 54.

Referring to Fig. 8, wherein a modified form of rack portion 64a is shown, the teeth 55a are square teeth rather than tapered teeth and the catch 6| is square rather than tapered. This type of construction requires a manual release of catch 6|a from teeth 55a every time the cleaner is to be adjusted, rather than obtaining release of the locking means by the downward movement of the handle.

The purpose of the modified form of construction shown in Fig. 8 is to avoid the necessity of going through an adjusting operation whenever the cleaner is tilted on itsback wheels to go over the edge of a carpet to clean a fringe, or tilted for any other purpose.

The present improvements as above described by way of example, thus provide a suction cleaner in which the variation in the suction or pressure of the air existing in the cleaner passages is utilized to control the adjustment of the cleaner form a maximum predetermined amount of cleaning on any particular surface immediately after operation of the adjustingmeans has been initiated.

Moreover, the present improvements attain proper adjustment and locking of the cleaner parts in' adjusted position by a very simple .manipulation by the user. In the particular embodiment shown, the manipulation is of the cleaner handle to a rearwardly depressed position I and then a release of downward pressure on the handle to initiate operation of the automatic adjustment.

Accordingly, the present improvements provide in a simple but rugged manner, means for attaining the objects heretofore set forth by providing for the automatic adjustment of the nozzle mouth and automatic locking of the same in any adjusted position with respect to any one of different surfaces or covering materials upon which the cleaner is operated, so that a maximum predetermined cleaning effect is produced and yet the cleaner is always easy to push and cannot mark or scratch a bare surface being cleaned.

Having now described the features of the invention, the construction and operation of preferred forms of the invention, and the advantages and results obtained thereby; the new and useful parts, elements, devices, combinations and constructions, and reasonable mechanical equivalents thereof, obvious to those skilled in the art, are set. forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

1-. In -a suction cleaner, a suction-nozzle having anentrance mouth, a fan for producing suction in said nozzle, means for adjusting the position of the mouth with respect to the surface to be cleaned so that proper cleaning suction can i be obtained in the nozzle, and means operated by the suction' in the nozzle when proper cleaning suction has been obtained therein forlock: ing the adjusting means-in the adjusted position coincident with the attainment of said proper cleaning suction.

2. In a suction cleaner, a suction nozzle having an entrance mouth, afan for producing suction at said mouth,. a duct communicating with the fan and mouth in which the pressure attains a predetermined amount relative to atmospheric pressure when the mouth is so located with respect to the surface to'be'cleaned that proper I cleaning suction is obtained a't the mouth, means means actuated by changes in the pressure in for adjusting the location oi the mouth to obtain said proper cleaning suction thereat, means operated by the pressure in the duct when proper.

justing the nozzle with respect to the surface to be cleaned so that proper cleaning suction can be obtained in the nozzle including means for initiating the operation of the adjusting means, and means controlled by the suction in the nozzle for stopping operation of the adjusting means at a predetermined position coincident with the attainment of said proper cleaning suction.

4. In a suction cleaner, a nozzle, means for adjusting the nozzle with respectto the surface to be cleaned, and means operativcly associated with said adjusting means and operated by the suction in the nozzle to lock the adjusting means the instant that a nozzle adjustment is obtained which provides a predetermined maximum cleaning action. a

5. In a suction cleaner provided with a suction nozzle, 9. support for the cleaner, adjusting means for raising and lowering said nozzle relative to said support, and means including bellows controlled by the suction of the nozzle-adapted to in: terlock with said adjusting means upon the attainment of a predetermined degree of suction in the nozzle. i p

6. In a suction cleaner having supporting wheels and a nozzle adjustable with respect to the surface being cleaned, means-tor adjusting the height of said nozzle in'accordance with the character of the surface for obtaining a predetermined cleaning suction in said nomle including means for manually initiating the operation of said adjustingmeans, and means actuated by the suction in the nozzle upon the attainment of said predetermined cleaning suction in said nozzle for locking the adjusting means.

'I.-Ina suction cleaner, a nozzle, means'ior adjusting the nomle" with respect to the surface to be cleaned, locking means for the adjusting the nozzle when a predeterminedsuction exists e'singsaidnozzledcwnwardtowardasuriaceto' in the nozzle, and release means tor the locking meansr 8; In asuction cleaner, a nozzle, means for adjusting the nozzle with respect to the surface to be cleaned, means controlled by the suction in the male ior locking the adjusting means in an adjusted position, and manually controlled red lease means for the locking; means operable to initiate operation of the adjusting means.

, 9. In a suctioncleaner having a housing in cluding a nozzle, an adjustable wheeled support for raising or lowering the housing, means operative through said support 10111181118 the nozzle, said support a member pivotally mounted on the homing, means interposed between said member and housing normally urgbe cleaned, and icon means actuated by the suction in the nozzle for locking said member when a predetermined suction exists in the nozzle.

10. In a suction cleaner having a housing including a nozzle, an adjustable wheeled support for raising or lowering the housing means operative through said wheeled support for raising the nozzle, said support including a member pivotally mounted on thehousing provided with a rack bar, means interposed between said member and housing normally urging said nozzle downward toward a surface to be cleaned, and

lock means actuated by the suction in the nozzle for locking said rack bar when a predetermined suction exists in the nozzle.

11. In a suction cleaner having a housing including a nozzle, an adjustable wheeled support for raising or lowering the housing, means operative through said wheeled support for raising the nozzle, said support including a member pivotally mounted on the housing provided with a rack having tapered teeth, means interposed between said member and housing normally urging said nozzle downward toward a surface to be cleaned, and lock means actuated by the suction in the nozzle for locking said member when a predetermined suction' exists in the nozzle, said lock means including a catch having a tapered portion for engagement with said tapered teeth.

' 1 2. In a suction cleaner having a housing including a nozzle, an adjustable wheeled support for raising or lowering the housing, means operative through said wheeled support for raising the nozzle, said support including a member pivotally mounted on the housing, means interposed between said member and housing normally urging said nozzle downward toward 'a' surface to be' cleaned, and lock means including pressure operated means and a toggle controlled lever having a catch, said pressure operated means being actuated by and upon the attainment of a,predetermined suction in the nozzle to engage said catch with said member for locking said member.

13. In a suction cleaner having a housing including a nozzle, an adjustable wheeled support for raising or lowering the housing, meansoperative through said wheeled support for raising .the

nozzle, said support including a member pivotally mounted on the housing provided with a rack bar having tapered teeth and a projectingstop tooth, means interposed between said member and housing normally urging said nozzle downward-toward a surface to be cleaned, lock iheans including a pressure device and a toggle controlled lever operated to a position locking said toothed rack bar by the pressure device by and upon the attainment of a predetermined suction in the nozzle; said stop tooth engaging the toggle controlled lever at the limit of movement of said member in one direction to move the toggle controlled lever to its other position out of the path of travel of the rack bar teeth for subsequent Jperation by the pressure device.

imam amen-1mm.

Images