US2269482A - Suction cleaner - Google Patents

Description

Jan. 13, 1942. D. B. REPLOGLE SUCTION CLEANER 2 Shts-Sheet 1 Filed May 16, 1938 Jan. 13, 1942. D. B. REPLOGLE 2,269,482

SUCTION CLEANER Filed May 16, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 %wm//fm Patented Jan. 13, 1942 SUCTION CLEANER Daniel Benson Replegle, Berkeley, Calif., assignor to The hio Citizens Trust Company, Toledo, V 02110, a corporation 0! 0h10, as trustee Application May 16, 1938, Sen-la! No. 208,275

7 Claims.

The invention relates to suction cleanem and more particularly to a cleaner of the portable electrically operated type which may be selectively employed for fluor cleaning purposes or for cleaning walls, ceilings, furniture and the like.

One of theobjects of my invention is to provide in such a cleaner a porous filtering element and a stii non-porous grooved receptacle for the filtering element.

Another object of my invention is to provide a light weight cleaner of attractive appearari and preferabht streamlined in cross section.

Another object is to provide an improved receptacle, housing or caddy for the air filtering element of the cleaner so constructed as to permit air to fiow readily through the receptacle after having passed through the filtering element.

Another object is to pr0vid improved means whereby the dust contained in the air entering the filtering element passes close by the hand and before the eyes of the operator.

Another object is to provide improved connections between the filter carrying receptacle and the suction pipes with which the device is equipped.

A further object is to provide means whereby a vapor which may be a germicide, insecticide, deodorant or parfume may be supplied either to the atmosphere or to a definite location through an attachment to the cleaner.

Another object is to provide an improved applicator hood for applying the vapor intensively at a desired location.

Other distinctive features characterizing the invention will be apparent from a conslderation of the accompanying drawings and the following detailed description in which are set forth for the purpose et illustration but not by way of limitation a specific embodiment of the invention.

In the drawings:

v Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a portable suction cleaner provided with a corrugated bag holding receptacle, parts being broken away or shown in section to reveal the interior.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary view showing the filtering bag, a portion of the bag receptacle and a portion of the suction pipe carried tl;ereby.

Fig. 3 is a detail view of the crownpiece or valve casing and hollow handle grip attached thereto, these parts being shown. separated from the bag receptacle.

Fig. 4 is a detail end view showing an absorbont pad and via] of liquid associated therewith Fig. 5 is a top plan view of the face plate of the caddy or receptacle.

Fig. 6 15 a section on line 66 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 7 is a plan view of a gasket to be inserted betWeen the face plate and the crown piece.

Fig. 8 is a plan view looking downwardly on the crown piece shown in Fig. 3.

Fig. 9 is a longitudinal section of the transparent valve cap which regulatcs the fiow of dust laden air into the dust bag.

Fig. 10 isa side elevation showing the cleaner supported in vertical position from a wall bracket, the hollow handle grip being equipped with suitable extension elements.

Fig. 11 is a plan view on a similar scale looking down on the cleaner of Fig. 1. v

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary plan view showing the lower portion of the cleaner which is equipped with a hood for intensively applying vapors to a particular location.

Fig. 13 is a side view of the same.

Fig. 14 is a detail view on a smaller scale showing the hood itself separated from the cleaner. Fig. 15 is a section on line l5-l5 cf Fig. 14.

Fig. 16 is a side elevation of a. slightly modified form of cleaner similar to Fig. 1 except that the suction pipe leading from the fioor tool is outside the bag receptacle instead of inside.

Fig. 17 is a section on line Illl of Fig. 16. Fig. 18 is a detail view of one of the metal mounts'or end rings of the claner housing or caddy;

Referring now in detail to the drawings and particularly to Figs. 1 and 6 thereof, the reference numeral Il! denotes a receptacle, housing or caddy for the filtering element 1 I. The receptacle is shown as elOngated in form, oval or streamlined in cross section and provided With corrugations l2 herein shown as extending lengthwise thereof so that the filtering element contacts th receptacle only at the ridges of the corrugatons, thus allowing air to pass immediately through the filtering element and increasing its filtering efliciency. The ribs and grooves formed 'by the corrugatons are shown as both external and interna] since this represents the simplest mode of manufacture but the important feature is that the corrugations should be on the inner surface although the external corrugations also add to the uniqueness and attractiveness of the appearance of the device as a whole.

The receptacle may also be formed of any of the many types 01 plastic materials such as phenolic condensation pxducts or the like, or may be iormed of light weight metal, such as aluminum.

Non-metailic material is preferred, however, both on account of its lightness and because it is a non-conductor of electricity. Where the caddy is formed of a fibrous sheet the entire weight of the caddy may be less than one-half pound while at the same time the structure possesses the advantages oi necessary strength and resiliency. It will be obvious that the corrugaticns, in addition to aiding the flltering operaticn aise add to the strength of the caddy. While the corrugaticns are illustrated as straight and 'parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cleaner, any embossments, chanriels, iurrows, wrinkles, sinuosities. convolutions, undulaticns, waves, bumps, reliefs or other forms making passageways for flltered air are contemplated as within the broad scope of the invention.

At the upper end of the caddy or receptacle there is provided a face plate l8 best shown in Fig. 5, which is provided with a large opening Il to receive the bag H and a smaller opening l5 to receive the end of a suction pipe l6 which extends longitudinally of the caddy. The face plate is provided with a downwardly extending rim or ring l1 shown in detail in Fig. 18, surrounding the upper edge of the caddy and serving t0 reinforce the same. The face plate may be secured to the caddy in any suitable manner.

As shown the rim or ring l1 is crimped so as to tightly engage the corrugated body portion l0 and suitable heat-hardening plastic sealing material may be employed to insure a fluid tight fit between the body portion [Il and the rim or ring ll. Such plastic may be of the phenolic condensation type, or of any of the numercus other types of heat-hardening plastics.

The filtering elernent Il may be of any desired materiai as ior example porous paper, cloth or fine mesh wire or the like. Where paper is employed the same may be reinforced with a coarser mesh fabric if desired although such reinforcement is not considered absolutely essential. The flltering element is shown as in the form of a bag which extends nearly to the bottom of the caddy and is provided at its mouth portion with an outwardly extending fiange l8 which fits snugly against the face plate [3.

A crown member l 9 best shown in Figs. 3 and 8 is adapted to be fitted over the face plate [3 and when secured in place serves to clamp the flange la et the bag against the face plate [3 with a fiuid tight fit. To insure such a fit a suitable gasket 20 (Fig. 7) is preferably interposed between the crown member and the face plate. The crown member is shown as oval in cross section and as composed of light Weight material.

Such material may be transparent as in the case of Celluloid or molded condensation products. Molded fibre or light weight metal such as aluminum may be employed. The fiat lower face portion 21 of the crown piece is adapted to bear against the gasket 20 or against the flange 18 of the bag if the gasket is omitted. The crown piece 15 ported and is provided with a large central open portion or chamber 22 having an inlet 23 which communicates with the longitudinally extending suction pipe l6, and an inlet 24 which communicates with a hollow handle grip member 25 which may be provided with any suitable extension members as illustrated in Fig. 10. Th

crown piece also includes a central outlet or nipple 28 which is adapted to communicate with the interior 01 the fllter bag and projects a short distance into the same. If it is desired to have the bag removable with the crown piece the neck of the bag may be secured to the nipple 26 by any suitable fastcning means.

The crown piece constitutes the casins portion of a valve the mcvable member of which is the cap shown in Fig. 9 which is provided with a transparent domed top 21 and a circular flange portion 28 secured to the top et 29. The flange 28 is adapted to fit into circular opening 22 in the crown piece and is provided with a lateral open ing 30 which is adapted to be placed in communi cation with either of the inlets 23 or 24 to permit -dust laden air to flow therethmugh into the cleaner bag, the. other inlet being at the same time eut off by the unperiorated portion of the flange. Thus dust laden air may be drawn into the filterlng bag either from the pipe l6 extending longitudinally of the receptacle l0 or through the curved hollow handle 25 according to the position of the valve cap. It will be noted that the transparent valve cap and the crown members are located close to the hand of the operator and one of the attractive features of the apparatus is the effective view of the dust right by the hand and before the eyes of the operator. The transparent top 21 may be provided with an arrow or other indicator 3l which points toward the opening 30 so that the operator may know when the valve is properly iocated with reference to the inlets 23, 2l.

Any suitable means may be provided for clamping the crown member la in place. As

shown a projection 32 on the crown piece flts into an opening 33 in a securing member 34 carried by the rim I! of the face plate l3, while another projection 25 at the rear of the crown member is adapted to be engaged by a clamping ring 36 also carried by the rim of the face plate.

The suction pipes l6 and 25 may be made of any suitable materials, preierably non-conductors oi clectricity, as for example hard fibre or molded syntheticmaterials, although light weight metals may be emplo ed if desired, if care is exercised to proberlyi sulate the electric conduits, etc. Any suitable extension devices may be connected with either of the sucticn pipes. The handle 25 may be provided with a iatch member 31 by means of which the cieaner may be supported in upright position.

The pipe i6 is shown as extendng lengthwise of the cleaner, in Fig. 1 being enclosed within the bag receptacle il), While in Fig. 16 the pipe l6 is located externaily of the receptacle [0. The arrangement shown in Fig. 1, however, is generally preferred as the cleaner with the longitudinally extending pipe enclosed presents a neater appearance and is easier to keep clean.

In the arrangement shown in Fig. 1 it will be noted that the pipe [8 extends between the face plate l3 at the upper end 01 the caddy or receptacle and a somewhat similar member 38 at the base of the receptacle which member la provided with an opening (not shown) to receive the lower end of the suction pipe I6 and with a much larger opening (not shown) to permit passage of flltered air into the power plant 39. The rim cf member 38 may be crimped and secured to the caddy in a manner similar to rim Il.

Projecting beyond the lower member 38 is an extension 40 cf the pipe 16, which may be a sep-' arate section et pipe or-.may be integrai with the pipe II. The extension 44 is shown as curved apparatus bains supported principall by the end rollers of the floor tool. The, cleaner may be equipped with suitable head lights 55. 56 one being shown=onjech'side o f pipe 40 and being provided with hoods arranged 'to direct the -light uponthe floor just in front of.th floor tool nozzle. Such lights facilitate the"cleaning op- The power plant 39 is detachably secured at the lower end of the caddy and comprises a suitable electric motor or motors and fan or tans driven thereby, the details 01 which are not shown. Electric current may be supplied to the motor through a suitable control cord55 which may pass down through the interior of the caddy to the motor or motors. The power plant casing is shown as provided with a pair of like laterally extending outlet pipes 52, 52 for dlscharging air from the fan or fans. Either of these pipes is large enough to carry the entire exhaust from the cleaner and either or both may be equipped with a blower extension. Where only one is used the other may be plugged if desired without inter-' fering with the free fiow of air.

When it is desired to apply suitable vapors to the atmosphere or to a surface being treated thls may be accomplished by the use of a pad se of porous material impregnated with a volatile deodorant, germicide, insecticide or performe, the pad belng preierably located between the filter bag and the power plant as best shown in Fig. 1. The pad itself may be protected on opposite sides by screening l and may be provided with wicking (mot shown) extendinginto a vial 68 shown as carried by the cleaner and which contains the volatile liquid to be vaporized. 4

When it is desired to apply the vapors intensively to a particular location an applicator hood 9 such as is shown in Figs. 12 to 15 inclusive may be employed. Thls hood may be ofany suitable matenal. preferably rubber, and is arranged t0 fit over the floor tool M with the stub outlet portion 32 of the tool projecting through a central opening 56 at the upper rear portion of the hood.

A pair of flexible hollow arms 5l, 5l carried by the hood are adapted to fit over-the lateral exhaust or blower outlets 52. 52 leading from the power plant. \When the applicator hood is in use the indicator arrow Si on the valve cap 21 at the upper portion of the cleaner is turned in the position at which air will be drawn into the app'aratus through the handle rather than through the floor tool. The floor tool during the period when the a1plicator is in use serves prim.rily as a wheeled support for said hood.

The widely diverse uses and advantages ofthe present apparatus will be largely apparent from the f0regoing description, some of which will now be briefly described by way of summary.

When the device is to be used for ordinary floor cleaning purposes the apparatus will be supported at about a degree angle as illustrated in Fig. 1; the indicator arrow 3l on the valve cap beingpointed toward the opening 23 communicating with the suction pipe l8 to which the floor tool 44 is connected and the ian motor or motors are then started. The apparatus may be moved to and fro across the floor using the eration' particularly when it is desired to reach dark, out of the way corners. The dst 'Iaden air passes from the floor tool. through thepipe l6 into and through the filtr bag Il which when infiated contacts the ridges of the reoeptacle Il) so that substantially the entire surface of the bag is effectively utilized for filtering purposes. The ltered air passes to and through the power plant and out through the Iateral openings 52, 52.

When the pad 46 is employed and is saturated with .a volatileliquid the vapor passes with the air-from the outlets and into the atmosphere.

Hose pipes or the like (net shown) may be attached to the outlets 52 and directed to any desired location.

When it is desired to apply the vapor intensively to the floor or other surface, the floor cleaning tool is first removed and the applicator hood 49 fitted thereover. 'Ihen the floor tool with the hood mounted thereon is replaced and the arms 5l, 51 of the applicator hood are fitted to the lateral outlets 52, 52,leading from the power plant. The valve cap 21 is rotated so that the arrow 3l points toward the handle 25 whereupon the motor is started and the apparatus moved to and fro across the floor or other surface.

' The vapors are applied' in concentrated form by means of the applicator hood.

When it is desired to use the pipe 25 for suction purposes, the cleaner may be inverted and supported by the floor tool as a handle and the mouth of the pipe 25 directed to the proper location. The dust laden air will then be drawn into the dust bag through the suction handle and filter. If desired the cleaner may be supported in the 45 degree'angle position'and suitable extension devices attached at the end of the pipe 25.

' The cleaner may also be supported in the upright position as shownin Fig. 10 wherein it occupies a minimum of space. The handle 25 is shown as supported by a flexible bracket 60 extending outwardly from the wall.. To the end of the handle an L-connector member 6! may be secured and a flexible tube or tubes 62 havirig a nozzle 63 may be fitted to the connecter. The device may be operated in the upright position as a stationary cleaner, the conductor 55 being plugged into a socket in the wall and the motor started. The.nozzle 63 on the end of the hose 62 may be moved to any desired location for cleaning purposes. The hose 52 may be as long as needed and extra lngthsmay be employed suflicient to reach ail parts -of the room or into adjacent rooms without moVing the cleaner. The apparatus may also be'sufipoited at the 45 degree angle resting jointly upon the floor tool rollers 45 and the rolle'rs 64, 64 carried by a spring bracket 65 hingedly secured at 66, 66 to pins on the rim of the plate 38 at the bottom of the caddy. The bracket may also be hingedlythe way.

When the air filter is full of dust the crown suction pipe 25 as a handle, the weight of the 7 piece I! and handle 25 may be removed as indicated in Fig. 3 whereupon the bag is accessible. The bag may then b emptied or destroyed, depending on the type of material used. Where cheap porous paper is employed it may'be clesirable to burn the bag together with its contents while wher more expensive material is used it may be preferable to empty the same. If the mouth of the bag be secured to the nipple 26 it may be withdrawn as a unit with the crown piece and handle. In such case it may b subsequently separated therefrom and either emptied or replaced by another bag.

The invention has been described in detail for the purpose et illustration but it will be apparent that numerous modifications and variations may be resorted to without department from the spirit of the invention as will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

1 claim: 1. In a suction cleaner, in combination, a stiff fiuid-tight tubular outer casing provided throughout its interior with fixed closely spaced projections. and having an inlet for dust laden air, and an outlet adapted to be connected to a source of suction, a removable air filtering bag having its open end fitting the air inlet, said bag being adapted when inflated to contact said projections only, leaving air passages between the bag and the inner wall of the casing whereby a free flow of air from the casing inlet throngh the bag and to the casing outlet is insured at all times.

2. In a suction cleaner, in combination, a fluidtight tubular casing having an inlet adapted to be connected to a conduit through which dust laden air may be drawn and an outlet adapted to be connected to a source of suction, an air filtering bag having its open-end closely fitting the casing inlet, and being adapted when expanded to closely fit the interior of the casing, said casing being provided throughout its entire area with fixed spaced internal projections, Whereby contact between the bag and the wall of the casing is pvented except at said projections and a free flow of air is insured.

3. In mbination, a stiff non-porous elongated outer casing having an inlet end adapted to be connected with a conduit through which dust laden air may be drawn and having an outlet end adapted to be connected With a source of suction, said casing being formed with fixed longitudinally extending corrugations, an air filtering bag having its open end positioned closely adjacent the inner periphery of said inlet end and having its side portions contacting the inner wall of said casing only at the ridges of the inwardly extending portions of said corrugations under the influonce of air pressure, whereby air passageways are provided between said bag and said inner wall.

4. In combination, a stiff. non-porous, elongated, internally longitudinally corrugated receptable, au air filtering bag shaped to conform to thegeneral shape of the interior of said recoptacle and of a size to allow its side walls to contact the inwardly extending corrugations under the influence of air pressure. said bag being connected at it open end to means at one end of said receptacle providing a suctlon inlet. the other end of said receptacle communicating with a source of 'suction, a suction pipe extending longitudinally within and adjacent a side wall of said receptacle along the entire length of said bag whereby said pipe cooperates with said internal corrugations in providlng longitudinally extending air channels within said bag, said suctien pipe being at its lower end connected wth a fioor too] and at its upper end connected with means, providing communication with said suction inlet.

5. In a suction cleaner, a hollow handle grip portion. an air filter, a stifi non-porous receptaule l'or said filter communicating at one end with a source of suction, a top plate for said re ceptacle having a large opening to permit insertion of said filter and a smaller opening adjacent the larger openlng, said filter having a fiange.at its mouth portion resting on said top plate, a suction pipe extending lengthwise of said receptacle with one and passing through the smaller opening, an open topped valve casing member supported upon said plate, and having three other openings. one communicating with the intericr of said filter, a second communicating with said longitudinally extending pipe, and a third communicating with a hollow handle grip portion, and a rotatable valve cap member fitting the top of said casing, and adapted to be moved to selectively connect either the longitudinally extending pipe or the handle grip portion with the interior of the filter.

6. The combination with a suction cleaner comprising an air filtering clament, a non-porous elongated receptacle for said filter, suction producing means connected at one end of said receptacle, and having a pair of laterally extending blower outlets, a suction pipe adapted to be placed in communication with said filtering clement, and a floor tool at the end of said pipe; of a pad impregnated with volatile matter inter posed between the fllter and said suction producing means and an applicator hood for intensively applying the vapors from said pad having a pair of hollow arms fltting over the blower outlets of said suction producing means, said hood being adapted to fit over said floor tool andhaving an opening to permit the suction pip leading to the fluor tool to pass therethrugh.

7. An applicator hood adapted to fit over an elongated floor toc] of a suction cleaner, said hood having an opening t0 fit the outlet pipe of the floor toc], and having a pair of hollow arms adapted to fit a pair of blower outlet pipes projelcting laterally from the suction cleaner power p an DANIEL BENSON REPLOGLE.

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